They dared not speak to one another. For all about, though at
first they could see nothing, there was the sense of impending
danger. They felt that unseen eyes were watching, not for them,
perhaps, but for anyone who might venture to intrude and pass the
first line. Both of the scouts felt that they were tilting
against a mighty force, that the organization that would perfect,
in time of peace. Such a system of espionage in the heart of the
country of a possible enemy, was of the most formidable sort.

They stopped, at last, at the edge of the clump of thick, old
trees that seemed to surround the place. Here they faced the open
lawn, and Harry realized that to try to cross it was too risky.
They would gain nothing by being detected. They could find out as
much here by keeping their eyes and ears open, he thought, as by
going forward, when they were almost sure to be detected.

"We'll stay here," he whispered to Dick, cautiously. "Dick, look
over there -- to the left of the house. You see where there's a
shadow by that central tower? Well, to the left of that. Do you
see some wires dangling there? I'm not sure."

"I think there are," whispered Dick, after a moment in which he
peered through the darkness. Dick had one unusual gift. He had
almost a savage's ability to see in the dark, although in daylight
his sight was by no means out of the ordinary.

"Look!" he said, again, suddenly. "Up on top of the tower! There
is something going up there -- it's outlined against that white
cloud!"