In the mist and darkness no one saw the sign with which the big gate-post at the left had been ornamented. That work of skill and art was destined not to be discovered until the light of morning should disclose its beauty and appropriateness to the passer-by. The splashing of the water in the fountain on the lawn came musically to the ears of the tired strollers, but no one of them dreamed that the kneeling water-sprite was no longer peering from the rim of the basin into the liquid depth beneath him. “Well, boys,” said Ben, “I want the rest of you to do just as I’m going to do.” A shrill voice piped up: “Do you know what you’re goin’ to do?” “Sure I do,” replied Ben; “I’m going up to the house and turn in so quick you can’t see me do it.” “No, you’re not. You’re goin’ with us.” “Where?” “Well, you see, we haven’t taken anything off of Jim Perry’s porch yet. We always do that, every Hallowe’en, and if we pass him by this year he’d feel hurt.” “That’s right!” added another boy. “We’ve got to do it. He’d never get over it if we didn’t. Come on!” But Ben hung back. “I’m too tired,” he said. “You go ahead and swipe what you want to, but count me out.” Again the shrill, piping voice broke in: “Oh, don’t spoil the fun, Ben. Don’t be a piker. You’re the captain of the crew. You’ve got to go along to give orders. Come on!” Thus adjured, Ben’s resolution wavered. He was fond of being considered the leader of his group. He felt that he was born to command. “All right,” he said. “I’ll go this once if you insist on it. But this is the last prank for to-night, you understand.” “Sure we understand.” Silently the boys left the stately entrance to the Barriscale mansion and moved up the street and around the corner, following unwittingly in the footsteps of those boys who had taken the same journey so short a time before. This group also found it difficult to locate the Perry house in the thick mist and deep darkness that shrouded the side street. But, having at last satisfied themselves that they were on the right spot, they selected two of their number to mount the porch and seek for booty while the rest stood guard below. The reconnoitering squad at once entered upon the performance of the duties assigned to them, but it was no easy task to find their way about in the pitch darkness that surrounded the Perry house. Those who were waiting on the pavement heard a noise as of some one stumbling, and a smothered exclamation of surprise. “What’s the matter?” asked Ben, mounting half-way up the steps leading to the porch. “What is it?” “Don’t know,” was the whispered reply. “Feels like stone. Heavy as the dickens!” “Can you lift it?” “Sure! The two of us have it now.” “Then bring it along.” Bearing the burden between them, and slowly feeling their way, the committee of search descended to the sidewalk and halted. “What is it, anyway?” asked one. “Let’s feel of it,” said another.