as he ran, and
with this he was able to see when he reached the top of the stairs.

But the vestibule seemed to be empty. Paul rushed to the door, and to
his surprise found it locked. Perhaps the sexton had thought to secure
this exit after him, when he left the main body of the church, an hour
or two before. Then again, it might be, the plotters had been wise
enough to place a barrier in the way of pursuit by turning the key,
previously arranged on the outside of the lock.

"Hey! this way, Paul!" cried Bobolink, excitedly. "The door into the
church is open! Bring the lamp! He's in here, I tell you! Listen to
that, will you?"

There was a sound that drifted to their ears, and it came from inside
the body of the church, too. Paul could easily imagine that the escaping
bell-ringer must have stumbled while making his way across to some open
window, and upset a small table that he remembered stood close to the
wall.

He lost no time in carrying out the suggestion of Bobolink, who had
already rushed into the dark building, fairly wild to make a capture.
Outside they could hear the boys calling to each other as they ran to
and fro. The sharp, clear bark of a fox told that even in this period of
excitement the scouts did not forget that they possessed a signal which
could be used to tell friend from foe.

As soon as he gained a footing inside the big auditorium Paul held the
lamp above his head. This was done, partly, better to send its rays
around; and at the same time keep his own eyes from being dazzled by the
glow.

"There he is!" shrilled Bobolink, suddenly; "over by the window on the
left!"

Impetuous by nature, he made a dive in the direction indicated, only
speedily to come to grief; for he tripped over some hair cushions that
may have been purposely thrown into the aisle, and measured his length
on the floor.

Paul had himself discovered a moving figure over in the quarter
mentioned. There could not be the slightest doubt about it being a boy,
he believed, and in the hope of at least getting near enough to
recognize the interloper, he hastened forward as fast as policy would
permit.

With that lamp in his hand he did not want to follow the sad example of
Bobolink for such an accident might result in setting fire to the
building.

Now the figure began to put on more speed. Evidently the escaping party
believed there was considerable danger of his being caught; and could
guess what must follow if he fell