Spider drew from his pocket a blank cartridge pistol. Looking as well as he could in the dark, to observe that his companion was hidden, Spider fired two shots in the air, and immediately gave a very good imitation of a dog’s agonized howling. “They’ll think it’s their dog, Waggles,” whispered Spider, “and they’ll come out quickly enough.” His surmise was correct. The door of the coop, at the head of the outside stairway was suddenly thrown open, and in the glare of light could be seen Cap Smith standing. “What is it?” the hidden ones could hear those in the coop asking. “Is Waggles shot?” “Can’t be Waggles—he’s here,” answered Cap. “Come back!” he ordered as the dog, with a whine, started down the stairs. “But it was some dog,” insisted Pete, coming to the door, and joining his brother as he peered out into the darkness. “Sure it was—and two shots. I’m going down to see.” “I’ll come too,” volunteered Pete. “I told you I’d get ’em out,” whispered Spider, and Beantoe grunted. Cap started down the stairs, followed by Pete. Bill together with Doc. and Bateye came after them. “Now watch carefully!” whispered Spider, trying not to laugh. Suddenly Cap uttered an exclamation. He had run into the first string. He swung about, got tangled in another and went down, for his feet slipped in the molasses. “Great Scott!” he cried. “Look out, fellows, there’s something wrong here! Keep back!” But his warning came too late. Pete made a jump to help his brother, and he too went down, sprawling in the sticky stuff. “It’s glue!” he yelled. “Show a light!” “What’s the matter?” demanded Bill. “Get a light,” repeated Sawed-off, as he floundered about. “Keep back!” yelled Cap. There was so much confusion that Bill, Doc, and Bateye came down to see what the trouble was. Then, they too, got tangled in the cords, and went ingloriously down, the sticky and black stuff getting all over their clothes, hands and faces. “Oh wow! This is awful!” panted Cap, as he crawled out, and being now able to dimly make out the cords and stakes he could avoid them. “It’s a trick!” he cried. “Time for us to skip,” murmured Spider who was doubled up with laughter. “I guess this one works all right; didn’t it Beantoe?” “It sure did. But come on, or they’ll catch us.” They started to crawl away. Cap staggered up the stairs and got a lantern. He came down, and by the light he saw what sorry looking objects were his brothers and chums. “Oh, this is fierce!” he wailed. “You’re a peach!” cried Pete. “Look at him, Bill!” “We’re _all_ covered with the stuff!” exclaimed Bateye, who looked like an amateur minstrel. “Hark!” whispered Cap. The sound of some one stumbling in the bushes came to the ears of the brothers. It was the unfortunate companion of Spider, falling down. “Beantoe Pudder!” cried Cap. “He and Spider did this!”