earchlight gets busy."

The darkness deepened until the night became as black as Egypt. There
was no moon, and even the stars were obscured by clouds that heavily
veiled the sky. The night was chill, and the boys buttoned their coats
tightly about them as they sat waiting for developments.

They had perhaps an hour to wait, but it was not known but that some of
the robbers would be on the ground at an earlier time than had been set,
and every sense was on the alert as all strained their ears for the
slightest sound and peered into the darkness on the chance that they
might catch glimpses of shadowy forms. After the first few moments they
had not ventured to talk for fear that they might be overheard. But this
did not debar them from thinking, and they thrilled with excitement as
they pictured each to himself the struggle that seemed about to take
place on the road.

The minutes dragged along interminably, and in the intense silence the
lads could almost hear the beating of their hearts. Then at a little
distance a twig cracked and sent the blood racing madly through their
veins.

Soon footsteps were heard approaching, and the lads crouched still lower
in their hiding place. The sounds came nearer, and they could detect the
tread of two men. They were approaching without any excessive degree of
caution, as they had no reason to believe that their plans had been
discovered. As they drew closer, the boys could hear them conversing in
low tones.

"I tell you it's all right," said a rough voice, which they recognized
as that of Black Donegan. "All the fellows are tipped off and know just
what they've got to do. Jake and Toppy will do the holding up, and then
the rest of us will jump in if the driver cuts up rough. If he does,
there'll be one more dead driver."

The boys waited for the answer that seemed to be long in coming. What
they heard finally was a whistle that made them jump. They had heard
that whistle before!

"Cassey!" whispered Bob to Joe. "Cassey, as sure as you're born!"

The next instant his belief became a thrilling certainty.

"It-t-t-t isn't the d-d-driver." The voice came out, with an explosive
quality. "It's the g-g-guards he may have w-w-with him. The p-p-police
are getting pretty l-l-leary about all the robberies t-t-t-that have
been taking place around here lately, and they've g-g-g-," again came
the whistle, "g-got to do something or lose their jobs. At any rate
t-t-this is the last thing we