He went to the end of the wharf, and, motioning Ben to look over, showed him a kind of ladder formed by nailing strips of wood, at regular intervals, from the outer edge down to the water's edge. This was not an arrangement of the boys, but was for the accommodation of river-boats landing at the wharf.
"I'll go down first," whispered Barney. "If the 'copp' comes along, move off, so he won't notice nothin'."
"All right!" said Ben.
Barney got part way down the ladder, when a head was protruded from below, and a voice demanded, "Who's there?"
"It's I,—Barney Flynn."
"Come along, then."
"I've got a fellow with me," continued Barney.
"Who is it?"
"It's Ben, the baggage-smasher. He wants to stop here to-night."
"All right; we can trust him."