night while the corporal listened with close attention.

"It's certainly strange," he commented when Frank had finished.
"It's one of many queer things that are happening lately. I'll
report the facts at headquarters and you may be called upon to
tell your story there. But now you are off duty, and you can light
out for the barracks."

They were only too glad to avail themselves of the permission, and
hurried off.

"I've got an idea!" exclaimed Frank, as they scurried along before
the gale.

"Frank's got an idea," chaffed Billy. "Hold on to it, old man, for
dear life." Frank made a playful pass at him which Billy ducked.

"I've been figuring the thing out," went on Frank, "and I've come
to the conclusion that those fellows wanted us to see them go into
that alley."

There was an exclamation of surprise from his comrades.

"Come again," said Billy. "I don't get you."

"Why should they want us to see them?" queried Bart. "They might
have known that we'd go in after them."

"Sure they did!" answered Frank. "That's just what they wanted.
They figured that they'd get us all in there in a bunch. They