“What is they to take?” inquired Little Dusty.
“I don’t know,” replied Slicker, “but we got to find somethin’. Come on back!”
Hal began to demur, but he was speedily overruled by the rest, and was quickly prevailed upon to accompany them. In single file, led by Slicker, they passed between the gate-posts and up the paved walk.
Then they stopped to listen. Out from the darkness at the left came gently the sound of splashing water. The boys knew, every one knew, that there was an ornamental fountain there. It had been a feature of the Barriscale lawn for many years. They also knew that, peering into the basin from the rim was the marble figure of a kneeling boy.
“Sh!” said Slicker. “What do you say if we cop the marble kid?”
“Great!” replied two of the boys. “Fine!” exclaimed Little Dusty. “But can we get her loose?”
“Sure we can. It ain’t spiked down. I know how it sets.”
Slicker had already started across the lawn, and the others followed.
But when they reached the fountain Hal again put in a word of protest.
“We mustn’t do that,” he said. “That thing cost money. S’pose we should drop it an’ break it?”