ther, Thad, will you?" he exclaimed.
"Just as if I didn't know that your folks religiously have corned beef
and cabbage every Thursday night, which is a favorite dish with your
dad, likewise with a certain fellow of my acquaintance. Now, _we're_
only going to have chicken pot-pie at our house, and of course that
doesn't appeal to you like your pet fare. Oh I well, I understand how
things go, and I'll let you off this time. I don't believe you've ever
taken a meal at my house on a Thursday since I've known you."

Thad laughed as though not at all abashed.

"I guess you're on to my weak spot, all right, partner," he hastened to
say in the boldest manner possible. "But really and truly, I have got
some things I want to do, though of course they could be postponed if
absolutely necessary. Some time perhaps you'll be having my plebeian
dish over at your house; then try asking me if you dare."

He turned up about seven o'clock, just after darkness had set in, for
the moon was getting very old now, and a late riser. The two boys sat
in Hugh's den for considerably more than an hour, talking and planning.
Both showed vague signs of nervousness, however. Thad in particular
frequently walked over to a window and looked out. Doubtless he was
thinking what a joke on them it would be if the marauders came much
earlier than expected, when all their fine work with that tub of icy
water would go for naught.

"Hadn't we better be making a start, Hugh?" he finally asked. "Don't
forget we have to handle that ice first, and get things ready."

"All right," the other replied. "We'll make for the rabbit hutch, and
here's hoping that we don't have a long watch all for nothing."

The ice was soon procured. Hugh cracked it in rather small pieces. He
did this for two good reasons. First it would chill the water more
speedily when in this condition; then again the chances of knocking one
of the interlopers on the head with a heavy lump of ice falling quite
some distance would be obviated. Hugh did not intend that this prank
should end in a tragedy, if he could help it.

When everything had been arranged to suit Hugh, the boys retired within
the rabbit hutch, and the door was fastened with the padlock, which
Hugh could undo when the time came by leaning far out of the open
window.

They took up their positions in the place already selected, and wrapped
in complete darkness awaited coming events. The time passed very
slowly,