“Get there, then. I’ll come along a little later. I’ve got something else to do hereabouts.”
“But Mart, here?”
“He’ll be taken care of, never fear,” retorted Ben with a chuckle.
“And the Black Caps?”
“You forget all about it till I see you later,” insisted Ben. “There will be quite a story to tell. Don’t spoil it by hanging around here. I know my business. Go along.”
Tom did as directed. He could guess that there was some motive in his chum’s insistence. He rearranged his disordered attire, left the spot, and half an hour later had followed Ben’s directions, having indeed forgotten everything except that he was seated on the Morgan porch with charming Grace as his companion.
“What is that?” exclaimed Grace suddenly.
Tom arose quickly to his feet at the startling inquiry. The light from the front rooms illumined the porch, but beyond the shadows were vague and dim. Amid these, Tom, peering, discerned some bustling forms.
He moved towards the button controlling the electric lights at either side of the pillars at the steps. Just as he pressed it, ear-splitting sounds rang out.
“The Black Caps!” exclaimed Tom, as he recognized his recent persecutors.