“I don’t care whether he did or not. I’m in charge here. This is government property and I’m the boss. I tell you to go, and don’t lose any time over it, either.”
“I guess we’ll stay,” said Jerry coolly. “We told Mr. Hardack we would, and we’re going to.”
“And I say you’re not. I order you off. It’s against the regulations for you to be here after dark.”
“It isn’t dark yet,” spoke Ned.
“None of your lip!” exclaimed Elkwood. “Are you going to leave?”
“Not until Mr. Hardack comes back!”
“Then you can take the consequences!”
Elkwood put his fingers to his lips and blew a shrill whistle. At the signal three men sprang out from behind some rocks that bordered the stairway. They rushed at the boys, who were too surprised to stir. One of the men was Bill Berry.
“We’ve got you this time!” their old enemy cried.