“Just off the wires not ten minutes ago, Lieutenants,” he said. “I was going to hunt you up on the beach. Thought you might want it pronto.”
“You thought right,” Dave grinned, and swapped a quarter for the War Department wire.
He waited until the bellhop had gone on his way, and then feverishly tore open the envelope. Freddy Farmer looked over his shoulder. It was addressed to them both, and it read:
“Arriving Oakland Base, San Francisco, tonight at eight. Take plane or train but be sure to meet me. Important.
Colonel Welsh“
Dave read the wire through twice, then smiled and sighed happily.
“Well, there you are, Freddy,” he said. “Dreams do come true.”
“I certainly hope so,” the English born youth echoed. “But he doesn’t say anything except for us to meet him.”
“He doesn’t have to!” Dave growled. “Holy smoke! He says it’s important. That’s good enough for me. Look, let’s get dressed and packed and go to the L.A. Base. I’d like to borrow a ship and go up there by air, wouldn’t you?”
“Quite!” Freddy replied instantly. “Almost a week, now, since I’ve been up. Yes, I could do very nicely with an odd spot of flying. But I wonder what he’s got lined up for us—if anything?”