OFF TO THE FIELD OF ACTION 323 



" Then here goes," and, not without a trifle of extra 

 heart-beating, I approached the window. 



" You'd better not," said my elder friend feebly. 



" Oh, nonsense ! Give us a hand." And so the 

 performance began. 



It is by no means easy, however, to get out of a 

 narrow window, feet first, especially when you are clad 

 in a dressing-gown which rucks up and refuses to 

 accompany you as you wriggle yourself forth. How- 

 ever, I did manage to emerge into the night, and was at 

 last fairly aswing in the darkness. 



First and foremost, then, the rope, stretched against 

 the window frame, gave a mighty crack. 



This was more than my older friend could bear. 



"For God's sake," he hoarsely whispered, "come 

 back, come back ! " 



By that time I had reached the ground, and " Jack " 

 was very soon there also. 



It must be mentioned that the particular window from 

 which we emerged was a solitary one at the end of the 

 house and not observable from other rooms. 



The scared, wan face of our elder associate could now 

 be just dimly descried peering out from above. 



"Tie the rope up somewhere," he whispered, "else 

 someone will come and climb in when you are 

 away." 



I laughed, and hoisted "Jack" on my shoulders, 

 who secured the rope to a nail high up on the wall. 

 The auger was now obtained the yard gates climbed 

 over a by no means easy matter, as they had spikes on 

 them and we were off to the field of action. It was a 

 nice fresh night somewhat dark, for the moon had not 

 yet risen ; but the air had an invigorating sparkle about 



