ing it unlocked, entered and
proceeded to make themselves comfortable in some hay, using several
horse blankets for coverings.

Here both of them, being thoroughly exhausted, fell sound asleep and
did not awaken until it was daylight.

"Now we've got to lay our plans with great care," announced Ward
Porton. "We can't go at this in any haphazard way. Even though it may
prove comparatively easy to get our hands on those miniatures, it will
be another story to get away with them in such a storm as this, with
the railroad and every other means of communication tied up."

"This storm is jest the thing that's goin' to help us," answered
Crapsey. "With all the telegraph and telephone wires down the
authorities won't be able to send out any alarm. And with the snow so
deep, if we git any kind of a start at all it will be next to
impossible for 'em to follow us up."

A discussion of ways and means followed that lasted the best part of
an hour. Then, with money provided by Porton, and with many an
admonition that he must not for the present drink another drop, Tim
Crapsey was allowed to depart for Crumville.

"And you be very careful of how you go at things," warned Porton.

Tim Crapsey had a delicate mission to perform. First of all he was to
size up matters around the homes of the Wadsworths and the Basswoods,
and then he was to do what he could to hire a cutter and a fast horse
at the local livery stable. This done, he was to procure something to
eat both for himself and for his companion.

As time went by Ward Porton, on the alert for the possible appearance
of the owner of the barn, became more and more anxious, and twice he
went out in the roadway to see if his companion was anywhere in
sight.

"It would be just like him to go off and get full of liquor," muttered
the young man, with a scowl. "I really ought to part company with him.
But when he is perfectly sober he certainly is a slick one," he
continued meditatively.

To pass the time the young man made a thorough search of the overcoat
which he had stolen from Dave. He had already discovered a fine pair
of gloves and had worn them. Now, in an inner pocket, he located a
card-case containing half a dozen addresses, some postage stamps, and
some of Dave's visiting cards. There were also two cards which had
been blank, and on each of these, written in Dave's bold hand, was the
following:

_Signature of
David Porter,