That same afternoon, just before tea, Acton and Diggory discussed the bogus plan in Noaks's hearing, while Jack Vance, having been admitted into their confidence and sworn to secrecy, willingly agreed to go out with Diggory and form the reconnoitering party which was to report on the movements of the enemy.
"I knew you'd come," said the latter; "and we'll show them what sort of stuff the Triple Alliance is made of." On the following evening, as soon as tea was over, the two friends slipped off down into the playground, where they were joined a minute later by Acton, who, unlocking the shed, took down from the peg on which it hung the key of the door in the outer wall.
"You'll have plenty of time," he said, glancing at his watch, "and with this moonlight you'll soon be able to see if they're about.

I'll keep the door, and let you in when you come back." The next moment the two members of the Alliance were trotting down Locker's Lane.

It was a bright, frosty night, and the hard ground rang beneath their feet like stone.

They turned off on to the grass, lest the noise should give the enemy warning of their approach; and when within about a hundred yards of Horace House, pulled up to consider for a moment what their plan of action should be, before proceeding any further.
"I don't see any one," said Jack Vance.
"Perhaps they are hiding," answered Diggory.

"Look here! let's get into this field and run down on the other side of the hedge until we get opposite the gate." The stronghold of the Philistines was silent as the grave.