A COLD RECEPTION Then the boys in hiding saw a strange glow around them.

Undoubtedly Leon was making use of his electric hand-torch, and both of the intended raiders must be pressing their noses against the glass of the small window, trying to form some sort of idea as to what awaited them.
Neither Hugh nor Thad more than breathed.

The latter clutched the stout cord in a firm hand, ready to give the quick jerk when he believed the proper moment had arrived.
Apparently, the fellows outside must have concluded that everything was just lovely, for they could now be heard softly opening the window, and pushing the sash carefully back out of the way.

While climbing in through the opening thus made, they did not wish to thrust a foot against the glass, and cause a smash that might be their undoing; oh! trust that shrewd general, Nick Lang, for looking out against any such accidents; he had been in this business a long time now, and understood all the ins and outs of it.
More low whispering followed.

Evidently, Nick was trying to coax Leon to climb in first, so that he could light the way with his torch; but that sly fox held back.