"We'd better look out for the dog."

"No; my uncle never keeps one,--he doesn't like 'em."

In a grape-arbor, right back of the house, we paused to decide on
a plan of action.

"We'll try that window first," said our leader, pointing, "and
then the others on the veranda. I don't want to break one if we
can help it. If we have to, we'll take a basement window. You stay
here a second."

He darted out of the arbor, and ran noiselessly up the steps. He
tried a window, gave it up, and tip-toed along the veranda to
another. No sooner had he started to raise the sash than he turned
and beckoned to us. In an instant we were out of the arbor, and at
the window with him.

"This is great luck,--look!"

He raised the window without any trouble at all.

"Very careless of Aunt Fanny,--but it saves us from having to
smash one."

We all climbed inside a small room. When he had closed the window,
and pulled down the shade, Ed Mason lighted a match.

"The pantry!" we all exclaimed.