Up into the loft went the two boys and opened the tiny window
at either end---thus letting in some needed fresh air. Then they
took the rank-smelling flour paste and poured half of the stuff
into an old paint can that was handy.

"Let us take turns at resting," suggested Snap, and so it was
arranged.

It was a calm, clear night and before long the town was wrapped in
slumber, and only the occasional bark of a dog or yowl of a cat
broke the stillness. Out on the river nothing was stirring.

It was after midnight, and Snap had almost reached the conclusion
that the alarm had been a false one, when, looking from one of the
little windows, he saw two figures approaching the boathouse. The
two boys or men had their coat collars turned up and their soft
hats pulled well down over their foreheads.

Making no noise Snap aroused Shep, who was sound asleep on the cot.

"What is it?" demanded the doctor's son.

"They are coming. Hush, or they may hear you."

Silently the two boys crawled to the small window facing the town.
The two figures outside were now close by and Snap and Shep felt sure
they, were Ham and Carl.

"Anybody around?" came the question, in a whisper.

"I don't see anybody."

"We don't want to get caught at this."

"Oh, don't get chicken-hearted, Carl."

"Humph! Please remember what happened last winter, Ham."

"Hush! Don't speak my name, please."

"Well, then don't speak mine."

"I didn't."

"Yes, you did."

"I did not, I say. Come on."

"How are you going to get in? You said you knew of a way. I am
certain the doors and windows are all tight."

"Just you follow me and I'll show you a nice little trick."

"But where do you want me to follow you to?" insisted Carl Dudder.

"Under the boathouse."

"Under it?"

"Yes. Here is a place where we can crawl under very easily."

"Yes, but what are you going to do after you are under the building?"

"Get inside."

"Is there a trap door?"

"No, but I know where a couple of boards are loose in the flooring,
and we can shove them up easily."

"Oh! All right, go ahead, and I'll follow."

A moment later Ham Spink let himself down in a little hole beside the
boathouse. Here his feet were close to the water, but he supported
himself on a cross rail nailed from one section of the spiling to
another. Carl Dudder followed him, and both moved cautiously
forward to the front end of the building. Once Ham slipped and a
slight splash