“All ready, Jack?”
“Yes.” And the light was put out.
“Then together—quick!”
The boys stood at the foot of the bed. Each took a firm hold of the numerous coverings and gave them a sharp jerk. Off they came, and in a twinkling the lads made for the door, taking the blankets and spread with them. They locked the door from the outside and scooted for the next floor, throwing the things they carried in a corner out of sight.
Josiah Crabtree awoke with a start and uttered a low cry of alarm.
“Hi—er—what does this mean?” he cried, and sat bolt upright. “Where are the covers? Help! Thieves! Robbers!”
He leaped out of bed and down into the cold water went his left foot. He gave a yell of fright and the next instant stumbled over one of the chairs and went headlong among the piles of books. As he was only half awake he was more alarmed than ever.
“Help! Something is wrong here! Thieves! Robbers!” he bawled. “What does this mean! Oh! oh!”
He tried to get up, and fell over a second chair. Then he bumped into a stand and brought down some more books and some photographs. He yelled louder than ever, and finally reaching the door, tried to open it.
“Open the door! Who locked me in? Wake up, somebody! They must be robbing the house! Thieves! Robbers! Help!”