The boys hastened from the car, and found themselves opposite a not particularly prepossessing looking building, the lower floor of which was occupied by an old book store. But above an open door leading to the upper stories, which had been newly painted and presented a neat appearance, floated a flag that made both their hearts beat quicker. If all went well, they would soon be enlisted under it. Old Glory hung bravely above the dingy portal, amid the hurry and squalidness of the surroundings.
"Well, here's the place, Herc."
But to Ned's surprise, Herc stopped short and was standing irresolutely behind him.
"Um-ah! I guess we'd better walk around the block a couple of times first, Ned," stammered the red-headed youth.
"What's the trouble?" laughed Ned. "You look as awkward as a hired man going courting. You don't mean to say that you are nervous?"
"No," protested Herc, "not nervous, Ned; but—but—— Well, the fact is, I'd have liked a little preparation first, as the fellow said when he fell into the well on Luke Bates' place up home."
"You're going to come in with me right now," said Ned grimly, seizing Herc's arm in a grip there was no resisting.
Together the two lads passed through the door and up a flight of stairs. At the head of the flight they found a well-furnished office confronting them. A rather brusque-looking man, with a pair of formidable mustaches, sat at a table facing them.
"Well?" he demanded somewhat truculently.