Amid much laughter and joking the measuring went on. Wallace Carberry wielded the tape-line, and Bobolink put down the figures, being closely patched so that no errors could possibly creep in.
So engrossed were they in this interesting business, that no one paid the least attention to their surroundings.
And when a heavy shutter was slowly closed over the one large window of the tobacco barn, the fact went unnoticed.
In fact the meeting was about ready to disband, and one of the boys started for the door to be in advance of his friends, when he made a discovery.
"Who locked this door, fellows?" he called, as he tried in vain to budge the barrier.
Of course this drew the attention of all the rest, and a rush was made for the place of exit. One by one the boys tried to push the door open, but even the stoutest of them failed to accomplish it.
"Who was the last one in?" demanded Bobolink, furiously, as he retired, worsted from the encounter, to allow another a chance at the door.
"Old Peleg Growdy, to be sure; and the door wasn't fastened then. D'ye suppose he did anything to it when he went out?" asked William, as he tried to assist Jud, now straining and pushing in a useless endeavor to move the heavy door.
"That's nonsense," said Paul, as he pointed to the fact that the door could not be locked, since it gave an inch or so each time the boys pushed.
"Ginger! it's got something braced against it outside, that's what!" announced another fellow.