"Well, I should say so," said Chester. "But what will Uncle John and our mothers think when we are dragged away, apparently as prisoners?"
"I don't know what they'll think," said Hal, "but we are in honor bound to see this thing through, and we must not let sentiment stand in the way."
"I guess you are right," said Chester slowly, after a moment's hesitation.
"I know I am," said Hal, and so the matter rested.
It was nearly eight o'clock, as Hal perceived by a glance at his watch, when the heavy sound of tramping feet became audible in the hall.
"Room 257," came a voice from without.
There was a loud rap on the door.
"Who's there?" called Hal, thinking to keep up the deception.
"Open the door in the name of the law!" came back the response.
From an adjoining room Mrs. Paine, Mrs. Crawford and Uncle John were startled by the pounding on the door, and looked into the hall just as the above conversation through the door took place. Uncle John immediately stepped forward.