of it, he
not knowing, of course, that you had anything to do with letting them
out."

"And that would take me out of the shop for a couple of hours," said
Dick, brightening at the thought.

"Of course," said John; "so you would get a double advantage. Come, what
do you say?"

"Well, I don't know," said Dick, wavering. "You'd pay me the money down
on the nail, wouldn't you?"

"Yes," said John. "I'll show you the bill now."

He took from his pocketbook a two-dollar greenback, and displayed it to
Dick.

"You could buy cigars enough with this to last you some time," he said
insinuatingly.

"So I could. I declare, I've a good mind to take up your offer."

"You'd better. It's a good one."

"But why don't you do it yourself?" asked Dick, with sudden wonder.

"Because father's very strict," said John glibly, "and if I should leave
the house at night, he'd be sure to find it out."

"That's where I have the advantage. I sleep downstairs, and can easily
slip out of the window, without anybody's being the wiser."

"Just the thing. Then you agree?"

"Yes, I might as well. Are you particular about the night?"

"No, take your choice about that. Only the sooner the better."

The two boys separated, John feeling quite elated with his success.

CHAPTER XIV. A RAID UPON THE PIG-PEN

The more Dick thought of the enterprise which he had undertaken, the
more he disliked it. He relished fun as much as any one, but he could
not conceal from himself that he would be subjecting Frank to a great
deal of trouble and annoyance. As he had told John, Frank had always
treated him well, and this thought made the scheme disagreeable to him.

Still, John had promised him two dollars for his co-operation, and this,
in his circumstances, was an important consideration. Unfortunately,
Dick had contracted a fondness for smoking--a habit which his scanty
supply of pocket-money rarely enabled him to indulge. This windfall
would keep him in cigars for some time. It was this reflection which
finally turned the wavering scale of Dick's irresolution, and determined
him to embrace John's offer.

The moon was now at the full, and the nights were bright and beautiful.
Dick decided that it would be best to defer the accomplishment of his
purpose till later in the month, when darker nights would serve as a
screen, and render detection more difficult.

By and by a night came which he thought suitable. A few stars were
out, but they gave on