d. The door to
this was closed, a bolt on the inner side holding it in place. There
was another bolt on the outside, which Dick remembered having seen on a
previous visit.

"We can lock them in if we wish," he whispered.

"Do it," answered his brothers promptly.

The bolt was large and old-fashioned, and Dick had considerable trouble
in moving it into its socket. It made a rasping sound, but this was not
noticed by the two men, who were conversing earnestly.

"Well, we made a mess of it," growled the man called Shelley.

"So we did. But I didn't think that hired man would wake up. Neither of
us made a bit of noise. He must be a light sleeper."

"I only hope they think we were after chickens, Cuffer. If they knew
the truth----" The man named Shelley broke off with a coarse laugh.

"Well, we got chickens the other night, didn't we?" and now the man
called Cuffer laughed also. "But say, this is getting serious," he went
on presently. "Merrick expects us to do this job for him and do it
quick, and he won't like it at all when he finds out how we have missed
it."

"We can't do the impossible. Those Rovers are too wideawake for us."

"They certainly were too wideawake for Merrick in that traction company
bond matter. He was a chump not to sell those bonds as soon as he got
hold of them."

"He didn't dare--he was afraid the market was being watched."

"What does he want of those papers, anyway?"

"I don't know exactly. But you know what he said--there would be a
small fortune in it for us if we got 'em. He says he's got some
papers--or a map I guess it is--but he wants these papers, too. He
didn't dare show himself around here--you know the reason why."

"Sure--those Rovers would recognize him, even if he tried to disguise
himself."

Dick, Tom and Sam listened to this conversation with keenest interest
and amazement. These men had mentioned the name of Sid Merrick, the
rascal who had in the past tried so hard to harm them and who had up to
the present time escaped the clutches of the law. Evidently they were
in league with Merrick and under his directions.

"We must capture those fellows by all means," whispered Tom, excitedly.
"If we do, maybe we can find out where Merrick is."

"Yes, and Tad Sobber, too," added Sam, who had not forgotten the
poisonous snake episode at Putnam Hall.

"They weren't after chickens--that was only a blind," said Dick. "They
want to get something from the house--some papers tha