That night, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn were ready. They waited near the tavern until nine o’clock. Tom Sawyer watched the alley. Huckleberry Finn watched the tavern door. They did not see the Spaniard.
The night was too bright. Tom Sawyer went home. He told Huckleberry Finn to wait. "If it gets very dark, come to my house," Tom Sawyer said. "Make a sound like a cat. Then I will come out with the keys."
On Tuesday and Wednesday, they had no luck. But Thursday night was very dark. Tom Sawyer took a lantern (a light that you carry in your hand). He covered it with a towel so no one could see the light.
The boys went to the tavern. Huckleberry Finn stood outside to watch. Tom Sawyer went into the dark alley. Huckleberry Finn waited for a long time. He felt very worried about Tom Sawyer.
Suddenly, a light flashed. Tom Sawyer ran out of the alley very fast. "Run!" Tom Sawyer shouted. "Run for your life!"
The boys ran to an old building at the end of the town. A storm started and it began to rain. Tom Sawyer was breathing hard.
"Huck, it was terrible!" Tom Sawyer said. "The door was not locked. I opened it and went inside. I took the towel off the lantern. I almost stepped on Injun Joe's hand!"
"No!" Huckleberry Finn shouted.
"Yes!" Tom Sawyer said. "He was on the floor. He was asleep. He had the patch on his eye. His arms were wide."
"What did you do?" Huckleberry Finn asked. "Did he wake up?"
"No," Tom Sawyer said. "He did not move. I think he was drunk. I grabbed my towel and ran away."
"Did you see the box of gold?" Huckleberry Finn asked.
"I did not look," Tom Sawyer said. "I only saw a bottle and a cup on the floor. There were many more bottles in the room. The room is full of whiskey (a very strong drink that makes people sleepy)."
"Now is a good time to get the gold," Huckleberry Finn said. "Injun Joe is drunk."
"No," Tom Sawyer said. "It is too dangerous. We must wait until Injun Joe leaves the tavern. Then we will take the box."
Huckleberry Finn agreed. He promised to watch the tavern every night. "If I see him leave, I will make the cat sound," Huckleberry Finn said.
"I will go home now," Tom Sawyer said. "Where will you sleep?"
"I will sleep in the hay in Ben Rogers’ barn," Huckleberry Finn said. "The worker there is my friend. He gives me food when I am hungry."
"Good," Tom Sawyer said. "Watch the tavern tonight. If you see something, come and find me."