“Well, so long, kids,” shouted the conductor of the train after the long line of cars rolled off, “too lucky to happen a second time, I’m thinking.”
Of course, he referred to the fact that no loss of life or injury had occurred in the smash-up, but to the boys his words had an added meaning.
“It is too lucky to happen a second time,” said Rob, hugging the precious tin box.
Rob woke late the next day. For a few minutes it seemed to him that he must have dreamed all that had occurred the night before, but Lieutenant Duvall’s voice from the room below speedily undeceived him. He recalled it all now—how his father and an astonished crowd of townsfolk had met them on their return from that wild auto ride; how, on the box being opened, it had been found to contain the plans of the highly valued invention, of the exclusive possession of which Japan had been so anxious to deprive the United States.
“Rob, are you awake,” came his father’s voice up the stairway.
“Yes, and I’m ashamed of myself for sleeping so late,” was the lad’s rejoinder. “Gee whiz, half-past nine! I’ll be down in ten minutes.”
The lad was bathed and dressed in record time, and in a few minutes over the promised time made his appearance in the living-room. Lieutenant Duvall rose and greeted him warmly, as he came in. He overwhelmed the boy with his thanks and congratulations.
“It was a fine act—a splendid thing to do,” he said, enthusiastically. “Mr. Blake, you certainly ought to be proud of such a boy. Rob, I have sent a telegram to Washington to-day. Won’t you come out to the experiment station with me and watch some flights while we wait for an answer?” Then seeing the puzzled look on Rob’s face, he broke into a smile.
“You see,” he said, “the telegram concerns you and your plucky young chums. The Department will not pass such bravery by without taking official notice of it.”
Rob colored with pleasure as he accepted the invitation. After a hasty breakfast they set out in the officer’s auto. On the way Merritt and Tubby were called for, and it was a happy party that went spinning over the road toward the old mansion. The air was clear and still, the sea smooth and sparkling under a cloudless sky, and in the atmosphere was the promise of summer.