And then, when they had spent two weeks in London—two weeks that were weary ones in spite of the many things to see and hear—the boys were rather surprised on the occasion of their daily visit to the permit office to be told by a subordinate:
"Just a moment, if you please. Captain Bedell wishes to speak to you."
The captain was the official who had their affair in charge, and who had been so courteous to them.
"He wants us to wait!" exclaimed Joe, with marked enthusiasm. For the last few days the captain had merely sent out word that there was no news.
"Maybe he has the papers!" cried Macaroni.
"I'm sure I hope so," murmured Blake.
The boys waited in the outer office with manifest impatience until the clerk came to summon them into the presence of Captain Bedell, saying:
"This way, if you please."
"Sounds almost like a dentist inviting you into his chair," murmured Joe to Blake.
"Not as bad as that, I hope. It looks encouraging to be told to wait and come in."