ge echoes in the great halls, and dark inside; for all the
windows were closed and barred,--all but in one room upstairs that
opened on a back veranda. It was a warm late-autumn day, and the sun
poured down pleasantly upon a seat in the corner of the veranda, where
a creeper was shedding its last gay leaves.

"What a place to study!" exclaimed Sam.

"Let's come and spend to-morrow," said John Stebbins; "there's no
school."

"No school Friday, on account of the furnace!" exclaimed Jack. "Let's
bring a lot of provisions and stay the whole day here."

"We might lay it in to-night," said John Stebbins; "we'll come up after
school this afternoon!"

"And I'll tell father about the key this evening," said Sam; "he won't
mind, if he finds we have got one."

"Jack and I will see to the provisions," said John Stebbins, "if the
rest of you boys will come here as soon as school is over."

It was all so interesting that they were too late for dinners, and had
to content themselves with gingerbread as they hurried to school.

"Be sure you tell mother," was Sam's last warning to Jack and John
Stebbins, as they parted for their separate schoolrooms.

After school the party hastened to the old house. Sam took the entry key
from his pocket and opened the door, leaving Dick to wait for Jack and
John Stebbins. They appeared before long with a basket of provisions,
and were ready for a feast directly, but delayed for a further
examination of the house. It was dark soon, and Sam would not let them
stay long in any one room. They must just take a look, and then go
home,--no waiting for a feast.

"I'll talk to father this evening, and ask him if we may have it if we
keep the whole thing secret."

They fumbled their way down to the lower back door, but could not get it
open. It was locked!

"We left the key in the door outside," said Dick, in a low whisper.

"You ninnies!" exclaimed Sam, "somebody saw you and has locked us in."

"Some of the boys, to plague us," said John Stebbins.

"Mighty great secrecy, now," said Sam, "if half the boys in town know we
are here. It all comes of that great basket of provisions you saw fit to
bring round."

"You'll be glad enough of it," said John Stebbins, "if we have to spend
the night here."

"Let's have it now," said Jack.

"We may as well occupy ourselves that way," said Sam, in a resigned
tone, "till they choose to let us out."

"Suppose we go up to the room with the bed and the so