"How did you happen to find us, Jules?"
"I chanced to be near when the stranger showed you his pea," returned
Jules. "I knew that there had been no summons sent out for an immediate
meeting and that something must be wrong. Therefore, I followed you.
Having learned where you were held I returned later to release you.
That's all."
"Well, we certainly thank you," said Chester. "There is no telling what
would have happened to us."
"I was never more surprised," said Jules, "than when I saw you both
exhibit black peas. I had no idea that you were with us."
"Then you, too," said Hal, "are--"
"Yes," Jules interrupted. "I am one of you. I suppose you have received
the summons?"
"Summons? What summons?" asked Chester.
"Why, for the meeting to-night, or, rather, I should say in the morning."
"No, we have received no summons," said Hal.
"Then it is twice good that I arrived," said Jules. "You shall
accompany me."
"And where is the rendezvous?" asked Chester.
"I'll show you," said Jules. He drew his watch from his pocket and
glanced at it in the semi-light of the tent. "Twelve fifteen," he said.
"We have forty-five minutes still, but it will do no harm if we are a few
minutes early.
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