The Crows naturally did not know the handwriting of every one of their number, and did not recognize that the notes were of History’s manufacture.  They were a little mystified, but suspected nothing.

The Dozen gathered in full force at the gymnasium as soon after supper as they could without attracting attention.  Sawed-Off, who had the keys of the building, then posted a strong guard at the heavy door, and explained and rehearsed his plan in detail.

At a quarter of seven the six who had been requested to serve on the “cummitty” came in a body, and finding the door of the gymnasium fastened, knocked gently.  They heard a low voice from the inside ask: 

“Who’s there?”

And they gave their names.

“Do you all belong to the Crows?”

Of course they answered:  “Yes.”

They were then admitted in single file into the vestibule, which was absolutely dark.  As each one stepped in, a hand was laid on each arm and he was requested in a whisper to “Come this way.”  Between his two escorts he stumbled along through the dark, until suddenly the door was heard to close, and the key to snap in the lock; then immediately his mouth was covered with a boxing-glove (borrowed from the gymnasium), his feet were kicked out from under him, and before he knew it his two courteous escorts had their knees in the small of his back and were tying him hand and foot.

One or two of the Crows put up a good fight, and managed to squirm away from the gagging boxing-gloves and let out a yelp; but the heavy door of the gymnasium kept the secret mum, and there was something so surprising about the ambuscade in the dark that the Dozen soon had the half-dozen securely gagged and fettered.  Then they were toted like meal-bags up the stairs of the chapel, and on up and up into the loft, and into the bell-tower.  There they were laid out on the floor, and their angry eyes discovered that they were left to the tender mercies of Reddy and Heady.  The only light was a lantern, and Reddy and Heady each carried an Indian club (also borrowed from the gymnasium), and with this they promised to tap any of the Crows on the head if he made the slightest disturbance.

The ten other Lakerimmers hastened down to the ground floor again just in time to welcome the earliest of the Crows to arrive.  This was a fellow who had always believed up to this time in being punctual; but he was very much discouraged in this excellent habit by the reception he got at the gymnasium.  For, on saying, in answer to the voice behind the door, that he had the honor of being a Crow, he was ushered in and treated to the same knock-down hospitality that had been meted out to the Committee of Six.

The wisdom of using the words “after dark” on the forged invitation was soon made evident, because the Crows did not come all at once, but gradually, by ones and twos, every few minutes between seven and half-past.  In this way eleven more of the Crows were taken in.  These were bundled down into the dark cellar, and stowed away in groups of three or four in three of the compartments of the cellar, each with a guard armed with a lantern and an Indian club.