There was only one way to learn if the navy was dealing with a traitor. Ned decided in a flash to adopt it.
"Come on, Herc," he whispered. "We've got to follow them and hear what they are talking about."
"But we shall be eavesdropping," objected Herc.
"Yes; eavesdropping for the flag," snapped Ned in a low, tense tone, as, with a swift glance about him, he dropped over the rail of the veranda and on to the soft ground beneath. He landed as noiselessly as a cat.
Herc followed him, but was not so successful. In fact, as he struck the ground with a crash, he ejaculated:
"Ouch!" in a loud, startled tone.
Luckily a burst of applause from within, at some sentiment expressed by one of the speech-makers, drowned his exclamation. Ned, in an angry whisper, demanded to know what was the matter with his red-headed companion.
"Gee whitakers! I dropped into a porcupine, I think," moaned Herc. "I feel like a human pin-cushion."
Ned looked at his chum, and then, serious as was the situation, he could not help breaking into a low laugh.