Rhodes looked surprised. “I want to have my skates ground,” he returned. “And I have other errands.”
“Very well, go ahead,” grumbled the major. “There is too much of this running to town.”
Rhodes saluted and left the office, not even taking the trouble to thank the major because of his ungracious tone. He got his skates and put on his overcoat. Then he hurried off to town.
“Wonder if Major Tireson really suspects anything or if he is just cranky today?” he wondered.
True to his statement Rhodes left his skates to be ground and purchased some necessities. Then, after making sure that no one was around who looked suspicious, he went to the main hotel in Portville and asked for the colonel’s room. The clerk called the colonel on the telephone, allowed Rhodes to talk to him, and when the colonel was satisfied that it was his senior cadet captain, he told him to come up.
The colonel greeted Rhodes warmly and they discussed plans. Rhodes told him of the major’s harshness, but the colonel was inclined to put it down to nervousness.
“He has a lot on his mind,” said the colonel. “But even so, I guess it’s about time to close in on this bunch. I’m afraid the major might slip through our fingers, so I’ve decided to trap him tomorrow morning. Just as soon as he gets teaching his classes the police chief and I will swoop down on the school and take him in. We’ll just have to hope that somehow or other we’ll run across Dennings. There are men out looking for him now, and they may run him down. I’m afraid to fool around too long, for fear that the major may move Don or skip himself.”
“If you are going to wait until tomorrow we will have to see to it that Don is not spirited away tonight,” said Rhodes.
“Yes, and a pretty close watch on the major will do that. Is anyone watching Clanhammer Hall now?”
“Terry is prowling around there,” replied Rhodes.