“Listen, and you’ll hear.”
Spider drew from his pocket a blank cartridge pistol. Looking as well as he could in the dark, to observe that his companion was hidden, Spider fired two shots in the air, and immediately gave a very good imitation of a dog’s agonized howling.
“They’ll think it’s their dog, Waggles,” whispered Spider, “and they’ll come out quickly enough.”
His surmise was correct. The door of the coop, at the head of the outside stairway was suddenly thrown open, and in the glare of light could be seen Cap Smith standing.
“What is it?” the hidden ones could hear those in the coop asking. “Is Waggles shot?”
“Can’t be Waggles—he’s here,” answered Cap. “Come back!” he ordered as the dog, with a whine, started down the stairs.
“But it was some dog,” insisted Pete, coming to the door, and joining his brother as he peered out into the darkness.
“Sure it was—and two shots. I’m going down to see.”
“I’ll come too,” volunteered Pete.
“I told you I’d get ’em out,” whispered Spider, and Beantoe grunted.