"For, from what the girls say, Prince has been in the habit of coming
rather late," Will explained, "and he's more likely to let me catch
him than if you fellows tried it. So I'll take last watch."

Frank's vigil was unrewarded, and when he awakened Allen, who sat up,
sleepy-eyed, there was nothing to report. Allen found it hard work to
keep awake, but managed to do so by drinking cold coffee.

"Anything doing, old man?" asked Will, as, yawning, he got on some of
the clothes he had discarded, the more comfortably to lie down on the
cot.

"Something came snooping around about an hour ago. At first I thought
it was the horse, and went out to take a look. But it was only a fox,
I guess, for it scampered away in the bushes. I hope you have better
luck."

"So do I. Dad wants those papers the worst way. If I could get them
for him I'd feel better, for I can't get over blaming myself that it
was my fault they were lost. It was, because I shouldn't have sent
Grace for them when I knew how important they were."

Allen went to his cot, and Will took up his vigil. For an hour he sat
reading by a shaded lantern, so the light would not shine in the faces
of his chums. Then, when he was beginning to nod, in spite of the
attractions of the book, he heard a noise that brought him bolt
upright in the chair.

"Something is coming!" he whispered. He stole to the edge of the board