enrod and assuming a stooping position in imitation of him.
Verman was delighted with this phase of the game, and, also, he was
profoundly amused by Penrod's pomposity. Something dim and deep within
him perceived it to be cause for such merriment that he had ado to
master himself, and was forced to bottle and cork his laughter with both
hands. They proved insufficient; sputterings burst forth between his
fingers.

"You stop that!" Penrod said, looking back darkly upon the prisoner.

Verman endeavoured to oblige, though giggles continued to leak from him
at intervals, and the three boys stole along the fence in single file,
proceeding in this fashion until they reached Penrod's own front gate.
Here the leader ascertained, by a reconnaissance as far as the
corner, that the hostile forces were still looking for them in another
direction. He returned in a stealthy but important manner to his
disgruntled follower and the hilarious captive.

"Well," said Sam impatiently, "I guess I'm not goin' to stand around
here all day, I guess! You got anything you want to do, why'n't you go
on and DO it?"

Penrod's brow was already contorted to present the appearance of
detached and lofty concentration--a histrionic failure, since it did not
deceive the audience. He raised a hushing hand.

"SH!" he murmured. "I got to think."

"Bugs!" the impolite Mr. Williams said again.

Verman bent double, squealing and sputtering; indeed, he was ultimately
forced to sit upon the ground, so exhausting was the mirth to which he
now gave way. Penrod's composure was somewhat affected and he showed
annoyance.

"Oh, I guess you won't laugh quite so much about minute from now, ole
Mister Verman!" he said severely. "You get up from there and do like I
tell you."

"Well, why'n't you TELL him why he won't laugh so much, then?" Sam
demanded, as Verman rose. "Why'n't you do sumpthing and quit talkin' so
much about it?"

Penrod haughtily led the way into the yard.

"You follow me," he said, "and I guess you'll learn a little sense!"

Then, abandoning his hauteur for an air of mystery equally irritating
to Sam, he stole up the steps of the porch, and, after a moment's
manipulation of the knob of the big front door, contrived to operate the
fastenings, and pushed the door open.

"Come on," he whispered, beckoning. And the three boys mounted the
stairs to the floor above in silence--save for a belated giggle on
the part of Verman, which was restrain