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Rob only laughed, and it was very evident that this contingency did not worry him to any great extent. He knew there were ample funds at hand for all ordinary expenses, with more coming if needed.
They were off on the morning train, and all through that day enjoyed the scenery that was spread out before them through Santa Barbara and on up until it reached San Francisco.
That days journey would never be forgotten by any of the three scouts. They stored a thousand incidents away in their memories for future enjoyment.
As evening came on they knew they must be getting in the vicinity of the great city that had recovered from the horrors of the earthquake and destruction by fire with such marvelous speed as to awaken the admiration of the whole world.
You can see the light in the sky whenever the train makes a turn, remarked Andy to Hiram who, as usual, had his nose glued against the glass.
Taking a carriage after they had left the train they soon found themselves installed at the Fairmont Hotel, which Rob had been told to patronize by Judge Collins, because of its fine view of San Francisco Bay, and the Golden Gate, as well as possibly the glimpses to be obtained of the illuminated towers in the Exposition grounds along the shore.
It was after nine when they arrived, and of course the boys were not foolish enough to think of attempting anything until they had slept, and felt reinvigorated.
Looking from the windows of the large room they had taken, with two double beds in it, they went into raptures over the scene. The moon, though due before long, had not yet risen, and it seemed as though a million lights dazzled their eyes in every direction, and made it look like a scene from fairyland.
And so, in due time, they sought their beds, and slept so close to the Great Exposition that it would seem as though the whirr of innumerable wheels in Machinery Hall, or the murmur of the multitude of visitors roaming about the extensive grounds, must of necessity be borne aloft to the ears of the three eager lads who had come thousands of miles to view the wonders of the display.
But, at any rate, they managed to put in a restful night, and when morning routed them from their beds, they were in fine fettle to begin the first days sight-seeing.
CHAPTER X WITHIN THE GATES OF THE FAIR
Hiram asked this question as they arose after finishing their breakfast, and found themselves facing the business of the first day at the Exposition. The whole city, as far as they could see, was in gala attire. Bunting and flags were everywhere visible; and it was evident that the good people of San Francisco, in spite of many great discouragements, such as the breaking out of the World War abroad, and the failure of the canal to stay dug on account of the slides, were doing all in their power to make the fair a huge success.
If you leave it with me to decide, Hiram, the
scout leader remarked, Id say no to both your propositions.
But whats to be done with them, then? cried Hiram, as though puzzled by what the other had just said.
He means to duplicate our plan down at Los Angeles, spoke up wideawake Andy.
Oh! put them in the hotel safe till theyre wanted, is that the idea, Rob? demanded the owner of the said packet that had been giving them all manner of trouble since the time they left San Antonio in Texas.
That seems the best scheme, according to my mind, Hiram was told by the one in whom he felt such abiding faith. Then, no matter what you find out about those people youve come to see, the papers neednt worry you.
Guess youre right about that, Rob, and its a go. Just as like as not I would be doing some fool play, and mebbe losing the precious documents that are to prove my case with the Golden Gate folks. Ill go to the desk with you any time youre ready, and see that the clerk gets my property snugged away in his safe.
When this had been done they set out. Rob, of course, had his suitcase along with him. He had taken out what few things of his own it contained, and now it held only the precious documents and other small exhibits that Professor McEwen had been carrying in person to his scientific colleagues at the Exposition, where they were to be placed with other articles.
What those numerous small rolls and packages contained none of the scouts really knew. From some remarks, let fall by Judge Collins, Rob had an idea they might be papyrus records found in some old ancient tomb or pyramid, and said to have come down from thousands of years back. To the boys these would not have been worth their bulk in sandwiches, possibly, because they could not appreciate their intrinsic value; but in the eyes of such men as the Scotch professor they represented treasures beyond any computation, far too valuable to be intrusted to a common express company that might lose them, or deliver them in a crushed condition.
Theres a tower I can see; it must be the one that from our window last night seemed as if a million fireflies had lighted on it, announced Andy, with more or less excitement as they found themselves close to one of the gates where entrance to the Exposition grounds could be had.