Amid much laughter and joking the measuring went on.  Wallace Carberry wielded the tape-line, and Bobolink put down the figures, being closely patched so that no errors could possibly creep in.

So engrossed were they in this interesting business, that no one paid the least attention to their surroundings.

And when a heavy shutter was slowly closed over the one large window of the tobacco barn, the fact went unnoticed.

In fact the meeting was about ready to disband, and one of the boys started for the door to be in advance of his friends, when he made a discovery.

“Who locked this door, fellows?” he called, as he tried in vain to budge the barrier.

Of course this drew the attention of all the rest, and a rush was made for the place of exit.  One by one the boys tried to push the door open, but even the stoutest of them failed to accomplish it.

“Who was the last one in?” demanded Bobolink, furiously, as he retired, worsted from the encounter, to allow another a chance at the door.

“Old Peleg Growdy, to be sure; and the door wasn’t fastened then.  D’ye suppose he did anything to it when he went out?” asked William, as he tried to assist Jud, now straining and pushing in a useless endeavor to move the heavy door.

“That’s nonsense,” said Paul, as he pointed to the fact that the door could not be locked, since it gave an inch or so each time the boys pushed.

“Ginger! it’s got something braced against it outside, that’s what!” announced another fellow.

“As sure as you’re born it has!” echoed Bobolink.

All doubt was dissipated just then, for a series of loud and derisive shouts in boyish treble welled up from outside.

“Shucks!” grunted Bobolink, in sheer disgust; “we’ve gone and let the Slavin fellers have another crack at us.  A nice lot of scouts we look like, not to keep sentries on duty when we have a secret meeting.  And now they’ve got us cooped up here like a lot of old hens!  Shucks!  I say again!”

“Well, that’s no reason we have to stay cooped up, is it?” demanded Jack, as he turned to hunt around for some object which could be used for a battering ram so as to force the barricaded door of the barn.

“T-t-try the b-b-big wagon doors, fellows!” whooped Bluff.

They did, but with no more success than had attended their puny efforts against the smaller exit.  Those who had been at work while they talked must have done a good job, for the big doors were utterly immovable.

“Do we have to stay in here until morning?” wailed Andy Flinn, in mock despair.

“Not much, if I have to climb up to the roof, and knock a plank off.  Say, those fellows must have been spying out here when I met them this morning,” said Bobolink.

“Listen now, what d’ye suppose they’re doing?” demanded Nuthin’.

All remained in an attitude of expectancy, and could hear strange sounds that seemed to come from under the boards forming the floor of the barn; which building had not always been used for drying tobacco alone.