Their vigil was soon rewarded.
Footsteps, sounding without effort at concealment, in the corridor, caused all three comrades to become tense and alert.
Bob felt a hand clutch his arm, and almost called out in his nervous reaction until he realized that Curt was whispering:
“Hide!”
Al, already at his other side, was anxious.
“How? Where?” he said quickly but softly.
“Behind the chairs.”
However, hardly had they gotten into concealment when they realized that there was no need to hide; the steps went briskly past the door and on, down the hallway.
“Now what?” asked Al as a door opened and slammed.
At the door to the hall Curt turned, waiting until the other two joined him, he spoke quietly.