“Albert, when it gets a little darker suppose we go out to see the place. I feel some curiosity on the subject.”
“All right, Ben, I’ll go. Just go round to the store with me. I have a few things to buy for mother. Then we’ll start across the fields.”
When they reached Albert’s house from the store it was too early for their expedition. So Albert proposed a game of checkers. They played two, and when the second was completed the church clock pealed out the hour of nine.
“We must go at once or it will be too late,” said Ben.
“It isn’t very far.”
They went out of the house and struck across the fields.
“This is just about the hour I came last Wednesday evening,” said Albert.
They neared the tree, when suddenly Albert uttered an exclamation:
“By gracious, Ben,” he said, clutching his companion by the arm, “if there isn’t old Winter coming again. He hasn’t got a box, but he has a spade in his hand. I wonder what he’s up to now. Come with me, and we’ll get behind the other tree and watch. Don’t cough or make any noise. We don’t want him to see us.”