“I wonder what happened? Suppose they got on to––?”
“They are probably gloating somewhere within earshot,” Strong warned him in a whisper. “They certainly have us out of the way for the time being,” he added, ruefully.
“Well, there’s nothing to do; we’re 64 caught,” Walker said, in his ordinary voice. Then, in a voice so low Strong could barely hear him, he inquired, “Are you pretty well tied? Can you do anything?”
“Can’t even move,” was the answer.
“Same here,” Walker said dejectedly. “They made a good job.”
At five o’clock Ted left home for downtown. He stopped off to buy some of the late editions of the newspapers and proceeded to the meeting-place. He made his rounds through several buildings and at last reached that particular one.
There was no one watching, however. With Strong out of the way the Germans felt quite secure.
At five-thirty he had already let himself into Room 420 and was preparing to make himself comfortable. He picked up the dictaphone every few minutes, but for a long time heard nothing. Things seemed quiet and he began to wonder where Strong and Walker were, what was delaying them. His heart was going at a great rate because of the forced quiet and the excited state of his mind.
Things would depend on him if the two 65 men did not come. Would he be able to carry out the plans?
“I can only do my best,” the boy said to himself. And there was a strong determination to make that best count.