At that instant Diggory, who had been craning his neck forward to get a better view of the intruder, suddenly gripped Acton's arm, and, putting his mouth close to the latter's ear, whispered,-- "_It isn't Blake; it's old Noaks!_ Now keep quiet," he added, as his companion made a movement as though he meant to rush out of their hiding-place; "let's see what he does." "He's the thief who stole all those things!" answered Acton excitedly.
"He must have another key, and he's going to bag something now." Noaks (for certainly it was he) disappeared inside the shed; but in a few seconds he was out again, and once more stood waiting as though undecided what to do next.
Before the boys could have counted ten, there was a low whistle in the lane.
"They've come," whispered Diggory.

"He's got the key of the door, and is going to let them in." His words were speedily verified, and the next moment two more figures entered the playground, the object of their visit being at once made evident by the fact that one of them was carrying a bucket.

It was too dark to distinguish their faces, but the short conversation which took place on their entry soon made them known to the two watchers.
"Now, then," said old Noaks, "if you're going to do it, just look sharp." "Awful joke, isn't it, dad ?" answered one of the new-comers.

"Lend us a hand, and we'll dip 'em all in this bucket and put 'em back again." "No, I shan't," returned the man.

"I don't know nothink about it.
It's your game, and all I promised was I'd open the door." "Well, show us where the box is .-- Come on, Hogson; don't make more row than you can help." After a moment's hesitation and some muttered remarks about "that there Blake" and "them uppish young dogs," Noaks senior led the way across the gravel, and followed by the two Philistines entered the shed.