" 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 wide awake for us."

"They certainly were too wide awake 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 that Merrick
wants."

"They must be valuable," said Sam.

"Father has all sorts of valuable papers," went on Tom. "Bonds, deeds
to mining properties, and such. But I thought he had the most of those
in a safe deposit vault in the c