"It will serve the little fool right," returned Nahum Sprague grimly.

CHAPTER x.x.xII.

NAHUM SPRAGUE'S SURPRISE.

PHILIP waited impatiently from supper-time till half-past nine o'clock.

Fortunately Mr. Sprague and Oscar went to bed rather earlier than usual.

On account of Philip's being locked up some of the "ch.o.r.es" which he had been accustomed to do fell to the father and son. So it happened that when it was twenty minutes to eight Mr. Sprague said: "I feel sleepy. I think I shall turn in now."

"I am sleepy too, pa," said Oscar. "I wonder how Philip feels."

"You can sleep with him if you want to," said Mr. Sprague jocosely.

"Thank you, dad. You're very kind, but I don't care to sleep on the floor. I guess the young beggar will feel pretty sore in the morning."

"It's his own fault," said Nahum grimly.

"All the same you'd better let him out to-morrow. I don't care about doing his ch.o.r.es right along."

"I'll see about that. Whenever he will get down on his knees and beg my pardon he can go free."

By nine o'clock Mr. and Mrs. Sprague and Oscar were in bed, and by half-past nine all were fast asleep. The whole family were good sleepers, and it may be added for the senior Sprague that he was a good snorer also.

Philip posted himself at the window. About five minutes after the time agreed upon he saw in the moonlight his two boy friends approaching, bearing between them a long ladder.

His heart leaped within him. They had not forgotten him after all.

He stood at the open window and waved his hand.

"There he is, Albert!" said Arthur Burks. "I guess he's glad to see us.

We'll soon have him out of there."

The two boys came under the window and called up softly:

"Has old Sprague gone to bed?"

"Yes," answered Phil. "I hear him snoring."

"I hope they are all fast asleep," said Albert. "Here, Arthur, you just hold on to the ladder while I raise it."

"Do you think it is tall enough?" asked Arthur.

"I'll risk it."

The two boys worked till they had the ladder raised and leaning against the window.

"Will you dare to get out of the window and get down?" asked Arthur.

"I guess so."

"Be very careful. You don't want to fall."

Cautiously Phil put out one leg and placed his foot on one rung of the ladder. Then clutching firm hold of the side he put out the other, and now he had both feet on the rung.

"Now come down carefully!" said Albert.

Phil followed directions. He was only ten years old, and he certainly did feel a little timid, but he felt that behind him was a prison and before him was liberty, and he did not hesitate. So rung by rung he cautiously descended, till he stood on the ground beside the ladder in the company of his two friends.

"Bravo, Phil!" said Arthur Burks. "You've done splendidly. Now, Albert, let's get away before old Sprague hears us."

The ladder was carefully taken down, and the two boys walked off with it. Albert at the head and Arthur at the foot, while Phil followed behind.

"We'll go to your house first, Albert, and take the ladder," said Arthur. "Then Phil will go home with me."

The two boys lived not far apart, and this arrangement proved convenient.

"I wonder what old Sprague will say in the morning," laughed Albert.

"He'll wonder how in the world Philip got away."

"Perhaps he'll think he jumped out of the window."

"How do you feel, Phil?" asked Arthur.

"I feel pretty hungry."

"What did you have for supper?"

"Two thin slices of bread and a cup of tea."

"I guess we'll find something in the pantry at our house," said Arthur, "unless Rob's got out of bed and eaten it up."

By ten o'clock the ladder was replaced and the several boys were safe at home.

Arthur was as good as his word. He got out some bread and b.u.t.ter, some cold meat and a gla.s.s of milk, and Philip made a hearty meal.

"I haven't had as good a supper for a long time," he said with a deep sigh of satisfaction.

"That's why you're so skinny. If we had you here we'd soon fat you up.

Now are you ready to go to bed?"

"Yes, Arthur. How kind you are to me."

"I can't compare with your friend Oscar, Phil."