who had opened the front door came out with a pail of water and a broom, and began to wash off the front and then the side piazza, and thus he was kept at a distance for the time being.
Nearly three quarters of an hour passed, and then Montague Smith and Captain Cosgrove came out, followed by Nathan Fipher, who carried a large bundle under his arm.
"We can arrange all those matters when we are on the boat," he heard the captain of the Sunflower say. "There won't be any use of moving until this evening."
"You are right there," returned Montague Smith. "The darkness is what we want," and then he and his companions started away up the street.
At first Franklin thought to follow them, but changed his mind. He fancied he knew where he could find them later on, and just now he was determined to interview Mrs. Bliss, and learn from her whatever he could, concerning matters on hand.
With a heart that was beating just a trifle faster than was its usual wont, the young electrician marched up upon the front piazza and rang the bell.
"I would like to see Mrs. Bliss," he said to the girl when she came.
"Wha—what's that?" stammered the servant, for such she was, and she stared hardly at Franklin.
