It was not intended that any occupant of the Hosmer home should suspect the presence of the three who meant to see what happened.  Thad knew just how they could advance fairly close without being seen, since he had been “playing spy” before on his own account, and was, therefore, acquainted with every bush capable of affording shelter.

Accordingly, when they found themselves drawing near their intended destination, Thad was given charge of the expedition, and he seemed pleased to serve in the exalted capacity of pilot or guide.  He led the way, and the other two followed as close to his heels as possible.  In this manner they finally found themselves as close to the cottage as circumstances and a scarcity of sheltering bushes would allow.

“Here’s where I hide,” whispered Thad, coming to a sudden pause, and remaining in a crouching position.  “We can see everything that goes on outside the house and, if the door should be left open on such a fine warm morning, perhaps hear something that might be said inside.”

Both Hugh and Jim seemed quite satisfied with the prospect, if their nods could be taken for assurance.

“If everything is ready, and the trap set,” remarked Jim, softly, “I’ll give Philip the signal we agreed on.”

“Go ahead, then,” said Thad, eagerly, his eyes fairly dancing with expectancy; for somehow his heart seemed more than ever set on relieving poor Matilda Hosmer from the fresh load she had taken so generously on her already tired shoulders.

Accordingly Jim, without raising his head above the level of the bush that concealed his body, waved his handkerchief three times.  He knew that Philip would be waiting and watching for such a sign, because before they left the boy Thad had taken pains to point out to him where they expected to hide.

Sure enough, hardly had Jim made the third and concluding wave than the carrier was seen to come in sight, bearing quite a load of papers; which in reality be expected to deliver on his first round to regular customers; for none of them saving that particular one were to be given away free as sample copies; and that had, as Thad expressed it, “a string tied to it.”

Whistling in the most unconcerned manner possible Philip walked straight up to the cottage door and knocked.  The boy was playing his part to perfection, all of them saw, and Jim in particular seemed much impressed.

It was Matilda herself who answered the summons.  They could see that Philip was getting off the lines which he had committed to memory.  Matilda asked him several questions, but she held on to the paper all the same, and seemed quite pleased at being picked out as a possible new subscriber; although times were just then too hard to admit of her indulging in such a luxury.

But perhaps she thought it would be such a pleasure for “poor Brother Lu” to forget all his troubles in looking over the town paper.  Thad felt sure this must be in the mind of Matilda, for she was one of those persons whose first thought is always of some one beside themselves.