So far, very good! But at this early
point Mike received his first surprise. He could not see much of the
interior; a tall curtain stretched across the entire breadth of the
window, distant about two feet from it; but he could see that the room
was lighted up.
Very cautiously he completed his work on the matchboarding, handing down
each plank to Neddy when he had detached it. Then he cut out a pane of
glass--it was all A.B.C. to him--put his hand in and raised the sash a
little; then it was simple to push it up from below. But the sash had
not been raised for years; it stuck; when it yielded to his efforts, it
gave a loud creak. He flung one leg over the window-sill and sat poised
there, listening. The room was lighted up; but if there were anyone in
it, he must be asleep, or very hard of hearing, or that creak would have
aroused his attention.
Released from his office as a support, Neddy rose, and hauled himself
up by his arms till he could see in the window. "Lights!" he whispered.
Mike nodded and got in--on the dais, behind the curtain. Neddy
scrambled up after him, finding some help from a stunted but sturdy old
apple tree that grew against the wall.
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