“They must have known what we were going to do, and they want to squeal on us,” suggested Bateye. “What shall we do?”
“Is it too late to stop it?” asked Bill, with a glance toward the barn.
Inside could be seen several flickering lights.
“Sure, it’s going hard,” answered Pete. “We can’t put it out.”
“Then let’s make ’em stand for it,” suggested Bateye. “They’ll squeal anyhow, so let’s make ’em take their share of the blame. It won’t amount to much anyhow, for dad was going to have the place pulled down, and he won’t care what happens to it. We’ll tie Beantoe and Spider to the fence here, and run and give the alarm. The firemen will loosen ’em when they get here.”
“Oh, don’t tie us up!” pleaded Beantoe in alarm.
“No, don’t leave us here!” begged Spider. “We’ll never say a word about your secret society. Not a word, honest we won’t!”
“Who said anything about a secret society?” demanded Bill.
“Why, ain’t that what you came out to the barn for?” asked Beantoe.
“And did you follow us to hear the secrets?” inquired Pete, beginning to understand something.