Ernest flew over to the landing field and came down. Leaving his plane in the care of one of the men, the three made their way across the Camp.
“Now, remember, boys, not a peep to anyone! We will go sit on the trail, and see if the tramps come down and start toward the highway. Then we will go up.”
In ten minutes the tramps appeared, passed unsuspiciously, and were lost to sight.
“Now!” said Ernest. “Are you ready?” The boys were on their feet in an instant. They swept up the hill, and reached the narrow opening all out of breath. All three had flashlights and Ernest leading, they squeezed inside.
They looked the space over carefully but saw nothing suspicious. Then one after another they wriggled through another small opening into the second and larger room. This too was empty, but Ernest, flashing his light about, brought it to a standstill in one corner.
“The heap of shale!” said Eddie breathlessly.
They went over, and carefully dug into a corner.
“For goodness’ sake, don’t joggle a single pebble!” said Ernest. “You don’t know how they have cached this stuff. Perhaps they have fixed it so if any stranger touches it, it will go off.”
“You are a cheerful chap, aren’t you?” demanded Eddie as he took stone after stone gently from the pile and laid it down behind him.
“It is there!” said Ernest. “Don’t uncover any more of it. Now I tell you what. Are you boys game to stay here with me on guard tonight? If so, I will go down and wireless to Bill, and the Secret Service men can grab the gang back there in Louisville.”