The boys explained that their mothers were away for the day.
"Well, I figured there wasn't anybody home, so I told Ben to start right in," the man said comfortably. "Mrs. Meeker gave the order, and she allowed the noise wouldn't disturb any one, but I thought I'd ask first, if there was some one hanging around to ask."
For the first time the boys were aware of a noise of hammering. It seemed to come from behind the barn.
"Are you Mr. Meeker?" asked Artie fearfully.
"Mr. Meeker's been dead ten years, son," the stranger replied. "I'm Jim Wright, the carpenter. That's Ben you hear back there. He's making a racket all right, isn't he? But once it's torn down the worst is over. The wood's so rotten, Mrs. Meeker said to chop it up for firewood. Your ma can have it and welcome."
Fred was puzzled, and so were Artie and Ward. By common consent they moved toward the barn. The sound of hammering and ripping and tearing grew louder. Half dazedly, they went around to the back of the barn and to the fence which had furnished Artie with his ill-fated raft.
There was another man, evidently "Ben," the carpenter's helper. He was busily engaged in tearing down the fence, and, as they watched, a section fell with a crash. Dust and splinters flew high in the air.
"Hello," Ben greeted the boys cheerfully. "You're just in time to see the wrecking crew get in the last fine strokes."
He hit one of the posts a mighty blow with his hammer, and it fell with a crash. The boys stared in fascination till Margy, running out to them, announced the arrival of the party from Glen Haven.
"They're tearing down the fence, aren't they?" said Margy, as one who makes a discovery. "Say, we called you and called you and you never answered. Mother wants to know if you fell in—all your clothes are out on the line."