k a few
inches from its place.

"Who's there? Who's there?" demanded Fred sharply.

No reply was given to his question although the door slowly was closed
again and the sound of the footsteps of some one moving down the hall
was plainly heard.

"What do you suppose that was?" demanded Fred in a whisper.

"Somebody was trying to break in," replied John.

"What do you suppose he wanted?"

"He wanted to get in."

"What for?"

"I don't know. You'll have to ask him, I guess," replied John drowsily
for by this time he had resumed his place on the pillow.

"I think he wanted our money," suggested Fred.

"He didn't want much then. Maybe he wanted our money and our lives."

"All the same I'm scared. I don't like this place. I don't know why we
stopped here. It must be past one o'clock now and yet hear those men
yell down there in the bar-room. I'm going to see what time it is."

Fred climbed out of bed and striking a match looked at his watch. "It's
quarter past one," he said, but the sound which came from John did not
indicate that he was specially interested in the report of the watch.

Fred looked out of the window and saw that the storm long since had
passed. The air was cool and fresh and had it not been for the uproar
in the hotel the night would have been an ideal one.

Before he rejoined his companion Fred replaced the chair so that it
barred the opening of the door.

Convinced that he had done all in his power he climbed back into bed
once more and in spite of his declaration when daylight came that he
had not been asleep John was not convinced.

"Come on, String," said Fred when once more he had looked at his watch
to discover the time. "It's five o'clock. It's time for us to be
moving. I wouldn't have breakfast in this hole if they paid me for it."

"Why can't you leave a fellow alone and let him sleep? I'm tired. I got
left at Poughkeepsie and I had a hard day yesterday too."

"No, sir," said Fred firmly. "This party starts from this place in
thirty minutes. Any one who isn't ready will have to come by
canal-boat. The Black Growler leaves here at five-thirty sharp."

With a groan John arose and began to dress, although he protested
feelingly all the time against the unreasonable demands of Fred.

The other two Go Ahead boys were speedily aroused and twenty minutes
later they departed from the hotel.

"It looks worse in the morning than it does at night and we thought
that wasn't possible whe