"Well, we got chickens the other night, didn't we?" and now the man called Cuffer laughed also. "But say, this is getting serious," he went on presently. "Merrick expects us to do this job for him and do it quick, and he won't like it at all when he finds out how we have missed it." "We can't do the impossible. Those Rovers are too wideawake for us." "They certainly were too wideawake for Merrick in that traction company bond matter. He was a chump not to sell those bonds as soon as he got hold of them." "He didn't dare--he was afraid the market was being watched." "What does he want of those papers, anyway?" "I don't know exactly. But you know what he said--there would be a small fortune in it for us if we got 'em. He says he's got some papers--or a map I guess it is--but he wants these papers, too. He didn't dare show himself around here--you know the reason why." "Sure--those Rovers would recognize him, even if he tried to disguise himself." Dick, Tom and Sam listened to this conversation with keenest interest and amazement. These men had mentioned the name of Sid Merrick, the rascal who had in the past tried so hard to harm them and who had up to the present time escaped the clutches of the law. Evidently they were in league with Merrick and under his directions. "We must capture those fellows by all means," whispered Tom, excitedly. "If we do, maybe we can find out where Merrick is." "Yes, and Tad Sobber, too," added Sam, who had not forgotten the poisonous snake episode at Putnam Hall. "They weren't after chickens--that was only a blind," said Dick. "They want to get something from the house--some papers that Merrick wants." "They must be valuable," said Sam. "Father has all sorts of valuable papers," went on Tom. "Bonds, deeds to mining properties, and such. But I thought he had the most of those in a safe deposit vault in the city." "So he has," answered Dick. "Maybe these fellows would be fooled even if they got into Uncle Randolph's house. They---- Listen!" Shelley and Cuffer had begun to talk again. They mentioned a tramp steamer called the _Josephine_, and Shelley said she was now in port being repaired. Then the conversation drifted to sporting matters, and Cuffer told how he had lost a hundred dollars on a prize fight. "That's why I'm here," he added. "And I want some money the next time I see Sid Merrick." "He won't give us any unless we----" said Shelley, and the boys did not hear the end of the sentence, for the speaker tried the door as he spoke, throwing the inner bolt back. Of course with the outer bolt in place, the door refused to budge. The boys drew back, and Tom raised the shotgun and Dick his pistol. "The door is caught!" cried Shelley, and pushed on it as hard as he could. "What!" exclaimed Cuffer and leaped forward. He, too, tried to move the barrier. "This is a trick! Somebody has bolted the door on the outside." "Was there a bolt there?" "Yes, a heavy one, too."