hat the trio had
decided that discretion was the better part of valor, and had gotten out
of such a dangerous locality.

"I'd like to have seen LeBlanc's face when he found out that Phil had
given him the slip. I'll bet he was mad enough to chew nails," chuckled
Garry.

The day did not prove half so long in passing as the boys expected that
it would. Mr. Everett told them many a tale of the early days on the
border, and other stories of smugglers along the coast line, where he
first entered the Customs service.

There was a piano in the parlor, and the boys found that Ruth played in
excellent manner, and found hearty enjoyment in singing while she
played. Garry was greatly pleased to find that Mr. Everett played chess,
and they enjoyed several games.

Fernald returned in the evening with the report that LeBlanc had not put
in an appearance, but that Green had been much in evidence all through
the afternoon, and wore an aspect of being greatly pleased.

"Tomorrow night he won't be quite so tickled about things as he appeared
to be this afternoon," the agent remarked.

"Tomorrow night is a long way off, wish it was tomorrow night right
now," half grumbled Phil.

"Patience, my boy, patience. You know all things come to those who
wait," said Mr. Everett.

Mr. Everett had gained considerably in strength, and with the exception
of his broken arm, was as well as ever, showing what a fine healthy
constitution he possessed.

The second day seemed to be even longer in passing, for staying so much
in the house began to pall on the boys, who craved excitement.

In the later afternoon, the four men from the Customs House came,
arriving singly. They gathered in the big dining room, and there
received instructions from Fernald, who had assumed the lead.

The instructions were simple. The boys were to lead them to the "lane,"
as they called it, and there they would deploy slightly and lay in wait
for the quarry.

"I procured at the Customs House a star shell, such as was used during
the war. When the men are over the line, and almost upon us, I will
light it, and each one will pick a man and cover him. There will
probably be seven of them, LeBlanc and Green, their two aids, the two
Russians, and the man Anderson that you boys speak of. There are eight
of us here, and we will be joined when we start out by the sheriff of
this county and two deputies, who will arrive here after dark. That
makes a force of eleven, enough t