aughter, or robbery, whichever he had in mind.

Thad would have given almost anything for the privilege of taking a sly
peep; but he had been sternly enjoined against doing this same thing by
Hugh. The other, however, found it necessary to put his head beyond
the corner of the upright boards, so as to make sure that both boys
were there, and ready for their bath.

One brief look was enough for Hugh. Leon had depressed his hand-torch
so that its glow only fell on the floor; but enough light was diffused
throughout the place to disclose two kneeling figures directly under
the tub.

Hugh waited no longer, but gave the cord a strong pull.

There was a sudden surge, and down came a terrific Niagara of icy water
that completely deluged Nick and Leon. They let out involuntary yells
that were of a piercing intensity. Nor was this all, for Hugh must
have given the cord an extra hard pull, or else the fastenings of the
tub had not proved stanch enough; for down it came with an infernal
jangling that must have completed the fright of the precious pair of
intruders.

Indeed, it even gave Thad a start, with all that racket, and the cries
of the terrified boys adding to the volume of sound.

"Now give us some light, Thad!" called Hugh, wishing to glimpse the
drenched culprits before they could scramble through the opening again,
and make their escape.

Thad was so excited he could hardly remember what he had done with his
new electric hand-torch. So he ran his fingers around on the floor,
feeling here and there in eagerness, all the while strange sounds
coming to their ears from the other end of the rabbit hutch.

Then he managed by accident, or great good luck, to touch what he was
searching for, and instantly Thad flooded the place with its
illumination, after which both of them stepped forward.

They were just in time to glimpse a pair of legs vanishing through the
opening. Then came a heavy crash accompanied by dismal groans, after
which they heard the sounds of footsteps as the two boys scurried
around the building, wishing to keep from being seen. When Hugh and
Thad looked out of the window there was no one in sight.

They turned and stared at each other. Then Thad doubled up like a
closed hinge, and shook with boisterous laughter.

"Oh! what a circus that was, Hugh!" he cried. "Why, I don't know what
I'd have given just for a chance to watch those two chaps swimming
around. And, say, that big tub falling