going to get them out of the shed? Look here, hadn't we
better tell Blake?"

"We can't do that," answered Jack Vance, "or it'll get Diggy in a row.
If he says anything about Joe Crump, it'll all come out about his having
been in Locker's Lane when the Philistines caught him, and of course
that's against rules."

"What time did he say they meant to come?"

"About a quarter to nine."

There was a silence which lasted for over a minute; then Diggory spoke.

"This is what I think we'd better do. If they come at all, they are
certain to be here soon after half-past eight, because I heard Fox
telling Blake on the day of the match that they go to bed at nine.
We won't tell any one, but as soon as 'prep' is over we'll cut down into
the playground, and when they come we'll kick up a row. They'll soon
make tracks if they find they're discovered, and it'll be better than
saying anything to Blake about it, and we shall have defeated them
ourselves."

"All right," answered Acton. "But it'll look queer if we all three stop
out from supper; two's enough. I'll go for one, and you and Vance toss
up."

This suggestion was accepted with some reluctance, as both boys were
anxious to take part in the adventure. Acton's word, however, was law,
and eventually Diggory was chosen by fate to be his companion.

Directly after tea all the boys paid a visit to the shed; the door was
securely locked, as also was the one leading into Locker's Lane, and it
seemed impossible for the Philistines to carry out their evil designs
upon the fireworks.

"I believe it's all bunkum," said Acton, as they strolled back towards
the house. "However, we'll come down as we said, and just see if
anything happens."

Three boys, at all events, did very little work that evening, for it was
impossible to concentrate one's mind on Caesar or on French verbs with
such an adventure looming in the near future. How would the Philistines
get at the fireworks? Would they change their minds, and instead of
drowning them apply a slow match and blow up the shed? or would it,
after all, turn out to be only a false alarm, raised by the boy Crump
for the sake of the promised shilling?

These and other thoughts filled the minds of the trio as they sat
frowning at the books in front of them. The clock seemed to go slower
and slower, until they really began to wonder whether it had stopped.
At length the long hand reached the half-past. Mr. Blake yawned, put
down