“Yes, I agree with you,” said Jerry. “And there’s something in this affair to-night, too. But we don’t know enough to cause more than suspicions, and there’s a chance that things would go against us.”
“Then what are we to do?” asked Bob.
“Keep quiet, I say, until we have more definite information,” was the tall lad’s answer. “We can make another attempt to find out more about this crooked-nosed man.”
“That’s what I say,” decided Ned. “Let’s wait a bit.”
So they said nothing about having followed the man to the barn, being able to get close to him because he took them for negroes, and they bided their time.
The minstrel show made a welcome break in the monotony of camp life, and it acted like a good tonic. The boys were the more ready to take up the routine of work, and there was plenty of it.
As they progressed in their soldier life Ned, Bob and Jerry found it more interesting. The need of the various drills began to be better understood. They liked the work on the rifle ranges, the machine gun exercises and the trench work. They went on several other hikes, and at times were given charge of some new squads of drafted men who came to camp.
It was about two weeks after the minstrel show that Jerry, Bob and Ned were all out on guard together when they heard the man on the post next to Jerry’s calling:
“Corporal of the guard!”
“What’s the matter?” asked Jerry, as he sent the call down the line.