Lindquist did not take to this. “Axel,” he said, “you go up to bed. Mind, now!” Then he lighted the lantern and led the way to the barn. When he had left them, tumbled about on the fragrant hay, Smiley spoke up. “Well, Beveridge, what next?” “Didn't he lock the door just then?” “Yes,” said Harper, “I'm sure I heard it. I 'll go and see.” Slowly he descended, and felt his way across the floor, returning with the report that the door was fast. “Now, boys, I 'll tell you,” said Beveridge. “We 'll take a little rest. It's all right as long as one of us is awake. Before the night's over we've got to get hold of that boy, but we won't make a disturbance yet.” “Oh,” cried Dick, a flood of light breaking in on his understanding, “it's the boy you're after.” “Yes, it's the boy, of course. I've had to sit down a good many times in my life and thank the Lord for my luck, but this beats it all.” “Are you sure, though, that they went through here?” “Am I sure? Could you look at the old man and ask me that? What I'd like to know is how far off they are just now.” “Lindquist doesn't look as if he'd tell.” “Oh, no; _he_ won't tell.” “Would it do any good to make him?” “Put on a little pressure, you mean?” “Yes.” “I don't think so. He'd lie to me, and we wouldn't have any way of knowing the difference. The boy is our game.” “Why not get him now? We could break out of here easy enough.” “No, Smiley, you're a little off the track there. He must tell us on the sly. Don't you see, he's a good deal more afraid of his father than he is of us. If we aren't careful, we 'll have him lying too.” “Have you thought of the old lady?” “Yes, but I'm doubtful there. She is afraid of him too. It's more than likely that she was kept pretty much out of the way. Anyhow, her ideas would be confused.” “But sitting up here in the haymow isn't going to bring us any nearer to the boy.” “Isn't it?” “I don't see how.” “Did you notice the book he was reading?” “No, what book? I didn't see any book.” “I guess maybe you were right, Smiley, about your eyes being trained for sea work. Now, I 'll tell you what. This little rest may be the only one we're entitled to for a day or so, and I wish you fellows would curl right up and go to sleep. I'm going to stay awake for a while. Harper, over there, is the only sensible one in the lot. He's been asleep for ten minutes.” “No, he ain't,” drawled a sleepy voice. “I can't get comfortable,” growled Wilson. “How is a man going to sleep with this hay sticking into your ears and tickling you?” “Next time I take you out, Bert,” said Beveridge, “I 'll bring along a pneumatic mattress and a portable bath-tub and a Pullman nigger to carry your things.” “That's all right, Bill. Wait till you try it yourself. There are spiders in the hay, millions of 'em,--and if there's anything I hate, it's spiders.”