"To be sworn in as special deputies?" inquired Postmaster Dent.
"Exactly," nodded Lieutenant Prescott.
They were soon again at the sick man's bedside, the young officer explaining their errand.
"Hold up your hands, all three of you," directed Deputy Coates.
Then and there he swore them in formally as special deputy sheriffs in the service of the county.
"Dent, go to the third drawer in that cabinet and take out three badges, will you?" asked Mr. Coates.
"These badges will be in the best place if we pin them to our flannel shirts, and then button our blouses over them," suggested Prescott, setting the example.
"I'll go out ahead of you now," proposed the postmaster. "Arrange to be in the little alley-way back of the post office at half past six in the morning."
"Six thirty to the minute," Lieutenant Prescott promised.
Once outside, the lieutenant told the bunkies to return to the hotel together. Then he left them.