go and let that
chap do all the spying he likes."

"Well, I guess you're right," assented Joe.

"Same here," came from their helper.

"Anyhow, we might as well make the best of it," resumed Blake. "If we
had a fight with this chap and made him skedaddle, it would only mean
another would be put on our trail. Just take it easy, and in due time, I
think, we'll be given our papers and allowed to go to the front."

"It can't come any too soon for me," declared Joe.

So for the next few days the boys made it a point to take no notice of
the very obvious fact that they were under surveillance. It was not
always the same man who followed them or who was seen standing outside
the hotel when they went out and returned. In fact, they were sure
three different individuals had them in charge, so to speak.

The boys were used to active work with their cameras and liked to be in
action, but they waited with as good grace as possible. In fact, there
was nothing else to do. Their moving picture apparatus was sealed and
kept in the Foreign Office, and would not be delivered to them until
their permits came to go to the front. So, liking it or not, the boys
had to submit.

They called several times on the young officer who had treated them so
kindly, to ask whether there were any developments in their case; but
each time they were told, regretfully enough, it seemed, that there was
none.

"But other permits have been longer than yours in coming," said the
officer, with a smile. "You must have a little patience. We are not
quite as rapid as you Americans."

"But we want to get to the war front!" exclaimed Joe. "We want to make
some pictures, and if we have to wait----"

"Possess your souls with patience," advised the officer. "The war is
going to last a long, long time, longer than any of us have any idea of,
I am afraid. You will see plenty of fighting, more's the pity. Don't
fret about that."

But the boys did fret; and as the days passed they called at the permit
office not once but twice, and, on one occasion, three times in
twenty-four hours. The official was always courteous to them, but had
the same answer:

"No news yet!"

And then, when they had spent two weeks in London--two weeks that were
weary ones in spite of the many things to see and hear--the boys were
rather surprised on the occasion of their daily visit to the permit
office to be told by a subordinate:

"Just a moment, if you please. Captain Bedell wis