That night, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn were ready. They waited near the tavern until nine o’clock. Tom watched the alley. Huck watched the tavern door. They did not see the Spaniard.
The night was too bright. Tom went home. He told Huck to wait. "If it gets very dark, come to my house," Tom 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 took a lantern. He covered it with a towel so no one could see the light.
The boys went to the tavern. Huck stood outside to watch. Tom went into the dark alley. Huck waited for a long time. He felt very worried about Tom.
Suddenly, a light flashed. Tom ran out of the alley very fast. "Run!" Tom 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 was breathing hard.
"Huck, it was terrible!" Tom said. "The door was not locked. I opened it and went inside. I took the towel off the lantern. I almost stepped on Indian Joe's hand!"
"No!" Huck shouted.
"Yes!" Tom said. "He was on the floor. He was asleep. He had a patch over his eye. His arms were spread out."
"What did you do?" Huck asked. "Did he wake up?"
"No," Tom said. "He did not move. I think he was drunk. I grabbed my towel and ran away."
"Did you see the box of gold?" Huck asked.
"I did not look," Tom 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."
"Now is a good time to get the gold," Huck said. "Indian Joe is drunk."
"No," Tom said. "It is too dangerous. We must wait until Indian Joe leaves the tavern. Then we will take the box."
Huck agreed. He promised to watch the tavern every night. "If I see him leave, I will make the cat sound," Huck said.
"I will go home now," Tom said. "Where will you sleep?"
"I will sleep in the hay in Ben Rogers’ barn," Huck said. "The worker there is my friend. He gives me food when I am hungry."
"Good," Tom said. "Watch the tavern every night. If you see something, come and find me."