Billy gave a whistle to indicate the state of his mixed feelings.
“Gee whillikins, to think that we haven’t whispered a single sentence along that wire but what some outsider was drinking it in! Frank, I guess you’re right, and that in a particular case like this it’s best to deal at first hand with Major Nixon.”
“I’m sure of that, boys,” the leader told them in his quiet, convincing way.
“And I suppose that you want us to stick by the hangar while you’re away; is that the game, Frank?” Pudge wanted to know.
“Yes, and be mighty careful how you take your eyes off the prisoner for even a minute,” Frank directed. “I’m going to look all around the place before I leave, so as to make sure there isn’t another spy hidden away in some corner. As soon as I step out, fasten the door and keep it so. I may call you up over the wire, and if I do you’ll know my voice. Besides, to make absolutely sure I’ll give you our old signal. That’s about all.”
He bustled around for several minutes, and thoroughly explored the whole interior of the hangar. When Frank had finished his task he was absolutely sure that no intruder larger than a mouse could have escaped his search.
Once outside he made for the gate, where he found a couple of rosy-cheeked British khaki-clad Tommies on guard, with whom he exchanged pleasant greetings.
“Don’t let a single soul get past here until I come back again,” he told them. “I’m going to see Major Nixon, who is a personal friend of mine, and my business with him is very important. We’ve caught a—well, a thief in the hangar, and I want him to take charge of the rascal. If you hear any row in there while I’m gone have some of your men go up to the door; but keep the gate guarded meanwhile.”
The two soldiers promised that they would attend strictly to business. They knew something of what these young American boys were doing over in France, and that their presence had to do with the closing of certain arrangements with the French Government that had been under way before the breaking out of the war.
Frank walked off.