You will see plenty of fighting, more's the pity. Don't
fret about that."
But the boys did fret; and as the days passed they called at the permit
office not once but twice, and, on one occasion, three times in
twenty-four hours. The official was always courteous to them, but had
the same answer:
"No news yet!"
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.
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