d out if those Germans are back or not," announced
Gif.

They waited for several minutes, and then the door was again opened and
Herman Crouse came out, followed by two of the men the boys had
previously seen. All three hurried down to the barn and there began to
unload the boxsled. Then the boys saw the unknown Germans give Crouse
some money. The three talked together for a few minutes in German, and
then the owner of the boxsled drove away and the other Germans returned
to the house.

"This is getting interesting," remarked Jack. "Of course, that hay was
meant for the horses, but what do you suppose can be in those packing
cases?"

"Come on around to the back of the barn, and maybe we can learn
something further," said Fred.

"It's gettin' purty late, boys," announced Jed Wallop.

"If you want to go home, don't let us keep you," returned Gif, quickly.

"Well, I don't want to see any of you lads git into trouble," answered
Wallop. "At the same time, I hate to leave my family alone after dark."

"Well, you go on, then," put in Jack quickly. "There are five of us, and
I guess we can take care of ourselves, especially as we have our guns
with us."

"O' course, everything may be perfectly reg'lar here," continued Jed
Wallop. "Although, like you, I have my doubts. But unless you want me to
stay, I'll git home." And a little later he took his departure.

Left to themselves, the Rovers and Gif watched their chance, and,
unobserved, entered the big barn. Here they found that all of the
packing cases which had been brought in by Herman Crouse had been placed
out of sight under the hay.

"One thing is certain--they don't want any outsiders to know about these
cases," remarked Jack.

Suddenly Fred, who was looking out of the doorway toward the house,
uttered a low cry of alarm.

"Get under cover, fellows, just as quick as you can!" he said. "Three of
those Germans are coming down here!"

CHAPTER XXVII

THE COMING OF THE WOLVES

Fred's announcement came as a surprise. The Germans were coming from the
house so rapidly that there was no time to leave the barn, the back door
being closed and having some packing cases and hay against it.

"Come on up in the loft!" cried Jack. "Be quick now!"

"Why not hide down here in the hay?" suggested Andy.

"Because they may try to get at those packing cases, and then they would
probably discover us," was the reply. "Quick! This way!"

Gif was already acting on th