"Then," said Mrs. Crawford, "I shall not permit you to go."
Chester made no reply to this.
Mrs. Paine also refused her consent unless Hal would promise to return
home after the termination of the mission on which they were now engaged,
and Hal would make no such promise.
An hour later Uncle John returned and to him the two mothers told
their troubles.
"Well," said Uncle John calmly, "I'll fix 'em."
It was now after six o'clock, and all descended to dinner. The meal over,
Uncle John called the two lads into his own room. Motioning them to
seats, he stepped out the door, and quickly turned the key in the lock.
"Now," he said from the outside, "we shall see whether you'll stay or
not."
Hal and Chester looked at each other in dismay.
"Great Scott!" cried the latter. "What are we going to do now?"
Hal looked at his watch.
"After seven o'clock," he said. "We haven't much time."
He looked about the room, and his eye fell upon the telephone. Quickly he
stepped forward and placed the receiver to his ear.
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