In the gloom, he could see that beyond the entry way there was a large open space. And beyond that a boarded-up window through which thin shafts of sunlight streamed.

Great! All I have to do is cross the barn, pull off one or two of those boards and climb out, thought Johnson. Then I'll show that old man. Fifty bucks! He'll wish I had never stopped.

Then he heard another rustle overhead and more straw floated down.

"Who is it? Who's there?" he called out.

I'll bet it's that old man, thought Johnson. He thinks he's going to scare me.

"Sure! You just keep that up, old man," Johnson called out again. "Let's see how much laughing you do when I bash your face in."

But first, I've got to get to that window. Be careful, he cautioned himself. This barn must be full of junk. Don't want to fall down and get hurt.

Despite the hea............