motto had always been that of "strike while the iron is hot."

Thad was ready to do his share in any labor, so that presently the
sound of much sawing and hammering oozed out from the rabbit hutch,
where the chums continued to work for nearly an hour.

At the end of that time they had completed the job so far as the
platform over the window was concerned. Hugh had done more than this,
for by cleverly arranged boards he constructed a regular trap; so that
when the boys managed to climb through the window, they would naturally
crouch down directly in range of the coming water-spout.

"There," said Hugh, finally, "that is all done, and I think fills the
bill. I'll go after the galvanized iron wash-tub now."

"Be sure and fetch the biggest one you can," suggested the greedy Thad,
with a sly grin. "You see, we ought to deal generously with our
guests, even if they're uninvited ones. I believe in going the whole
hog when about it."

"Depend on me to do the right thing by Nick and Leon," Hugh assured
him. "When I have visitors drop in on me in this off-hand way, I
always want to be ready to treat them well. But I'm afraid they'll
think our reception committee rather frigid, eh, Thad?"

He soon came back bearing a massive tub that aroused the admiration of
Thad.

"That certainly is a jim-dandy wash-tub!" he declared. "I'm glad now
we made the shelf big enough. I reckon you had the dimensions of this
thing in your mind when doing your measurements, Hugh."

Next they lifted the tub on to the platform above. It could be readily
balanced on the edge so that a very slight pull from the cord would
tilt it forward, when the propensity for water to seek its own level
would do the rest.

They tested it a number of times, and it worked splendidly. "When
filled with water, it would only add to the gaiety of things," Thad
said, fervently.

"But where will we be all the time, Hugh?" he now asked.

"I've arranged all that," he was assured. "One of the objects of these
upright boards is to act as a cover for us, as well as to form a trap
for our guests. You see, I happen to know that Leon Disney owns a hand
electric torch like the one you showed me the other day that your uncle
in the city sent out, and which I want you to fetch over when you come
after supper. Just as like as not, he'll use it through the window
before they try to enter, so as to make sure the coast is clear.
That's why I've been so careful not to