quite
boldly for a youth who had blushed and said "sir" to this man last
night.

"You landed pretty hard last night, I hear."

"Why--yes, I guess I did. It looked to me around here last night as
though I had fallen down bad."

"And what has made you so cheerful this morning?" Captain Riley
actually grinned at Johnny. He could afford to, since Johnny was not
in service and therefore need not be reminded constantly of the
difference between officer and man.

"I dunno--unless maybe it's because the worst is done and can't be
helped, so there's no use worrying about it."

"Well, I can't agree with you, young man. You may possibly do worse
to-day. Last night, for instance, you brought in a man who has been
very much wanted by the government. We did not know that he was the
man until you landed with him, but certain papers he carried furnished
what proof we needed. You spoke of another--a man named Schwab. Now I
am not going to ask you to bring him in. He is in Mexico, and the laws
of neutrality must be preserved. I shall have nothing whatever to do
with the matter. I wish he were on this side, though. There's quite a
good-sized reward offered for his arrest--in case he ever does get back
on our side of the line."

"Mhm-hmh--I--see," said Johnny, in his best, round-eyed judicial manner.

"Yes. He's a criminal of several sorts, among them the crime of
meddling with the government. He's over there now--where he can do the
most harm.

"Y-ess--he's over there--_now_," Johnny agreed guardedly.

"However, I can't send you over after him, I am sorry to say. It is
impossible. If ever he comes back, though--"

"He'd be welcome," Johnny finished with a grin.

"We'd never part with him again," the captain agreed cheerfully.
"Well, that Thunder Bird plane of yours had quite a jolt, from the
report. You cracked the crank-case for one thing, and broke the tail.
I had the plane run in and repaired last night, so it's all ready now
for you to go up. We really are much in your debt for bringing in this
man Lowell; though your manner of doing it was rather unusual, I must
admit. Are you--er--ready to fly?"

"Fly where?" Johnny nerved himself to ask, though he knew well enough
where he intended to fly.

"Fly away from North Island," smiled Captain Riley, who was not to be
caught. "Civilian planes are not permitted here."

"If I come back would I be shot at?"

"Oh, no--I think not, so long as you come peac