so much."

The woman remained silent for some time, and Rod thought that her face
seemed very sad. Perhaps she was tired.

"Guess we'd better go now, Phil," and he turned to his companion who
had not opened his lips once.

"What, so soon?" the singer enquired, rousing from her reverie.

"Yes. Mr. Dexter, he's Phil's father, will be waiting for us, and
he'll think we are lost."

"Just a minute, Rod," and the woman laid her hand lightly on his
shoulder, "how would you like to go with me in the car to Hillcrest
tomorrow?"

Rod's eyes sparkled for an instant with pleasure. How he had often
longed to ride along the road in a big car such as he had seen buzzing
by. Suddenly his face grew grave.

"I'm afraid I can't," he slowly replied. "It will be late when you get
there, and I must be at the concert to take my part. Captain Josh and
the boys couldn't get along very well without me. I'm patrol leader,
you know, and so must be there."

The woman noted the brief struggle between pleasure and duty, and the
decision pleased her. She was disappointed, nevertheless, as she was
hoping to have his company next day. She concealed her feelings,
however, and smiled upon the boys as she bade them good night as they
stepped out of the elevator. Then she turned back to the silence and
solitude of her own room.

CHAPTER XIX

THE SURPRISE

It was somewhat late as Rod and Phil hurried along the street toward
the hotel where they and Mr. Dexter were to spend the night. This
place was near the steamer, and it would not be far for them to catch
the early boat next morning. It was a comfortable house, where
countrymen generally stayed.

Only a few people did the boys meet as they moved on their way.
Presently they encountered a policeman, who looked at them very
closely, and enquired where they were going. Rod informed him, so with
a warning that they should not be out so late, the official passed on.
This was a new experience for the boys, and they were now fearful lest
they should meet other policemen who might not be so lenient.

They had just reached a dark place when they heard some one walking
with a heavy tread on the opposite side of the street. Thinking that
it might be another policeman, the boys kept close together, and glided
on as swiftly as possible. They did not run lest they should be heard.
Their hearts beat fast, and they glanced nervously from side to side.
The ways of the city, especiall