When Ernest presently said “Hi!” in the entrance, both boys leaped and then sighed so loudly with relief that Ernest heard them, and laughed. “Not scared, were you?” he asked.
“Naw, of course not!” the boys hastened to assure him, and to change the conversation quickly Eddie asked, “Did you get them on the telephone?”
“Yes. They were waiting to hear from me,” said Ernest, sitting down. “I don’t believe there will be any trouble out there. I am going to sleep. I don’t see any reason for any of us to sit up. There is no suspicion afloat, I will be bound. I brought three blankets up from my quarters, and the floor isn’t hard. It is certainly bone-dry,” he added, kicking up a little dust. “And here are some sandwiches,” taking some parcels out of his pockets.
“I don’t think this is so worse,” grinned Eddie, biting out a neat semi-circle.
Ernest brought in the blankets and threw himself down on the floor.
“We heard a fox screech,” said Eddie, “and you should have seen Dee jump. I thought he would go through the ceiling.”
“Aw, what makes you say that?” objected Dee. “Eddie, here, threw a fit!”
“You both got a good scare, if it was anything like some of the foxes I have heard,” said Ernest, laughing. “Now, let’s go to sleep. I want to get up sort of early because the Secret Service men will be here to take charge of this stuff soon after daybreak.”
“That suits me!” said Eddie, and soon they were all sleeping peacefully.
In Louisville things were happening. Even while the car Frank was driving was still on the Dixie Highway, things happened! The workman opened the bundle that Bill had thrown into the car, and in a few moments there was no workman there at all! Just a well-dressed, kindly looking, middle-aged man with glasses who sat back and looked with interest at the scenery. The two soldiers faded too, and in their places two officers, a Major and a Captain of Infantry, flecked the dust from their boots and exchanged pleasantries.