"Hold on, Thad," continued Hugh, as he put a restraining hand on the
shoulder of his more impulsive chum, "we've got to be careful, or else
he'll learn how we're meaning to spy on him. Bend over, and do the
grand sneak act."

"He's headed straight for the building, Hugh!" breathed the other, as
he complied with the directions given by the one whom he was accustomed
to look upon in the light of a leader.

"That's right, and I guess he's meaning to crawl inside, if only he can
find a window that's been left unfastened. Steady now, Thad; he's
stopped under one right now!"

They continued to crouch there and watch what went on, their eyes glued
upon the dimly seen figure of the unknown. Greatly to the surprise of
Thad, the party stepped to one side, and seemed to be dragging back a
heavy plank, not of any vast length, but sufficiently long to reach
the window when placed on a slant.

"Say, did you notice how he seemed to know just where that plank was
lying, Hugh?" asked Thad deliriously. "Seems like he must have been
spying out the land by daylight beforehand"

"You're right there," whispered Hugh; "and he acts as if he felt pretty
certain that particular window would be unfastened, in the bargain."

"Hugh, that settles it," added the other sturdily, as though now fully
convinced.

"Yes, settles what, Thad?"