There was no one approaching along the highway, but as the voices grew louder they appeared to come from a field beyond the fence. At that moment the moon appeared from behind a cloud, and in its ghostly light, the Hardy boys distinguished two figures moving toward them in the meadow.
Silently, the lads crouched in the shadow of the trees, watching.
"This is a good night for it," growled one of the men.
"It's a good night if we don't get caught."
Joe's hand tightened about Frank's arm.
"What are you worrying about? We won't get caught. It isn't the first time we've got away with it."
"Yes, I know. But, somehow, I'm nervous to-night. I'm afraid we'll land up in the police court some of these fine days."
"If you're scared, go on home. I'll go on alone," said the first man scornfully.
"I'm not scared! Who says I'm scared?"
"Well, if you're not scared, shut up. I know we're breakin' the law, but we've never been caught yet."
The men scrambled over the fence. The boys saw that the first fellow was carrying two long poles and that the other carried a bag over his shoulder.
"Have you got all the stuff?"
