There was some demurring on the part of his classmates, each of whom demanded for himself the privilege of taking the first watch, but Will insisted, and then somewhat reluctantly he was left to make his way back to the barn and all the others soon returned to the dormitories.

When Will Phelps arrived at the rear door of the barn he discovered that it was locked on the inside and he was unable to gain an entrance there.  He was fearful that to enter by the front door would be but to proclaim his presence, but at last he perceived that there was an entrance by a small door that was partly open above the roof of the little lean-to on the side of the barn.  Carefully he climbed up on the roof and cautiously made his way to the door.  He peered within but it was dark and at first he was unable to discern anything.  He waited until his eyes became somewhat accustomed to the dim light and then saw that there was a bare floor before him and that adjoining it was the haymow.

With his utmost care he stepped inside, and his fears increased when he discovered that the loose flooring creaked and groaned beneath his feet.  With every step he halted and listened intently.  It seemed to the excited freshman that he never had heard such sounds as those boards emitted that night.  So slowly and cautiously did he proceed that it seemed to him that hours must have elapsed before he succeeded in gaining the border of the low mow.  Even then he halted and listened intently, but not a sound broke in upon the oppressive stillness that pervaded the barn.

He next carefully and cautiously stepped over into the mow.  A faint glimmer of light came from one corner and there he concluded the ladder must be which led to the floor below.  If he could gain a place near that, he assured himself he would be able to know if anything occurred below, and at the same time he himself would be secure from observation.

Once more he slowly and with the utmost care began to creep forward, and at last he stretched himself at full length upon the hay and peered down through the opening.  It was too dark to permit him to see much and not a sound could be heard.

Satisfied that he had been successful he resigned himself to his watch.  The long hours dragged on until at last Will found it almost impossible to keep himself awake.  Desperately he strove to keep his eyes open, but his feeling of drowsiness increased until at last it overpowered him and the weary freshman was fast asleep.

He was rudely awakened by sounds that came from the room below.  He sat quickly erect, and though the light was clearer now he at first could not collect his thoughts sufficiently to show him where he was.  Quickly, however, as the sounds from below became louder, it all came back to him, and he ran to the ladder and peered through the opening.  What he saw evidently startled him, for instantly he threw himself upon the ladder and almost leaped to the floor below.