They looked out upon the river as best they could, but not a craft of any kind was in sight, nor could they hear any sound of rowing. The farmer drew a long sigh.
"I'm stumped," he declared.
"You'd better notify the authorities," suggested Roger.
"Won't do a bit o' good. The constable ain't worth his salt, and the justice ain't no good either. If I want to find those burglars I've got to do it myself."
"Have you a boat?"
"No, but I can get one in the morning, and I'll get some of the neighbors to help me."
There seemed nothing more to do just then, and the whole party returned to the farmhouse. Then Dave explained what he had come for to Bob Lapham.
"All right, you can have the bats," said the farm boy. "They are in the barn. But what do you want of them?"
"Oh, we were going to use them for something—but perhaps we won't now," said Dave, and handed over the amount to be paid. Soon the bats were brought forth, in a battered mocking-bird cage. They were a round dozen in number.
"See here, Bob, don't say anything to anybody about our coming here," whispered Roger, slipping an extra quarter into the farm boy's hand. "We are not supposed to be away from the Hall, you know."