“Two more cases needed,” the wireless ticked. “Reached here safely with suitcase. If chosen messengers ask, tell them machines and bombs are under shale in back chamber. Rush work. Will motor in about four tomorrow afternoon. Be ready.”
There was a pause, and the answer snapped back quickly. “Working without rest or sleep. Cases will be ready in time.”
Sleep banished from their eyes, Bill and Eddie stared at the slip of paper whereon Bill had written the two messages.
“Make another copy of that,” said Eddie. “No one knows what will happen to either of us and the other one wants to have the message to show Ernest.”
Bill wrote rapidly. “He sure does!” he agreed. “Gee, I wish Frank hadn’t gone to sleep, but I bet he would be mad if I woke him up to show him this. We will have to wait until Ernest comes.”
The boys concealed the scraps of paper on themselves, and presently even the excitement failed to keep them awake. Without meaning to, they too went to sleep, one on the big center table, and the other stretched out on the couch. For two hours they slept, utterly tired out, then awoke when Frank wandered in, announcing breakfast in a voice that would have been easy to hear a mile away, Bill declared.
“That’s all right,” said Frank. “You don’t know who is around, and our play is to be as noisy as usual. Come on in and get something to eat. I have telephoned your house, Eddie, and got them just in time to keep them from dragging the river.”
“That’s a shame!” exclaimed Eddie.
“I don’t know; it’s quite a large river to drag.”
“I don’t mean that!” said Eddie. “What makes you so foolish?”