"Let's go!"
Steve breathed a sigh of relief.
"Right, squire; we will," he said. "But I guess we had best leave a
letter for Mamie, so's she won't be wondering where you've got to."
"Will Mamie be cross?"
"Not on your life. She'll be tickled to death."
He scribbled a few lines on a piece of paper and left them on the cot,
from which William Bannister had now scrambled.
"Can you dress yourself?" asked Steve.
"Oh, yes." It was an accomplishment of which the White Hope was
extremely proud.
"Well, go to it, then."
"Steve."
"Hello?"
"Won't it be a surprise for Mamie?"
"You bet it will. And she won't be the only one, at that."
"Will mother be surprised?"
"She sure will."
"And pop?"
"You bet!"
William Bannister chuckled delightedly.
"Ready?" said Steve.
"Yes."
"Now listen. We've got to get out of this joint as quiet as mice. It
would spoil the surprise if they was to hear us and come out and ask
what we were doing. Get that?"
"Yes."
"Well, see how quiet you can make it. You don't want even to breathe
more than you can help."
* * * * *
They left the room and crept down the dark stairs. In the hall Steve
lit a match and switched on the electric light. He unbolted the door
and peered out into the avenue. Close by, under the trees, stood an
automobile, its headlights staring into the night.
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