The boys used the sugar and milk liberally, and Will was about to
lift his cup to his lips when the Beaver call came again:

"Slap, slap, slap!"

Although the sounds were faint ones, they caught the attention of
Antoine, who, scowling, turned his face in the direction from which
they had proceeded. In a minute, he arose.

"What was that noise?" he asked.

"Did you hear a noise?" questioned Will.

"I thought I did!" replied the man. "Perhaps I'd better take a
look about the place. There may be intruders here!"

As Antoine moved about, his footsteps in a measure muffling the
sounds which followed, the boys heard a low whisper.

"Don't drink! It's drugged!"

Wondering why the boy did not show himself, and able to understand
his strange conduct only on the theory that he had been gagged and
bound, Will overturned his cup of tea by an awkward movement and
sprang to his feet as the burning fluid came in contact with his
clothing.

Simultaneously the boys all sprang from the table, taking care to
upset the board upon which they had been eating. An angry
exclamation came from Antoine's lips as the carefully prepared tea