About a week later he was working alone in the office, when, shortly after midnight, there was a knock at the door and Koku, whose night it was for self-imposed duty, entered. His eyes were rolling in agitation, and he had his fingers on his lips as though to impose silence.
“What is it, Koku?” asked Tom, somewhat startled by the air of mystery.
“S-sh,” warned Koku. “Man down at fence. Saw light.”
Instantly Tom was outside. He looked down toward the stockade that enclosed the experimental plant, but could see nothing.
“Guess you must have been dreaming, Koku,” he whispered.
“No,” said Koku. “Light come. Light go. There is now.”
Tom, too, saw a sudden gleam, as suddenly extinguished, that evidently came from a flashlight.
“Come, Koku,” he commanded, and moved down stealthily toward the fence.
CHAPTER X
CAUGHT IN THE ACT
Despite his great size, Koku was as light on his feet as a cat, and he made no sound as he followed in Tom’s footsteps. As silently as panthers they approached the fence.