u hoped to capture the
thieves you'd have to chase southwest, and not north, didn't he, Joe?"

"Oh! yes, about ten minutes ago, I reckon. But I assured him that if we
did succeed in capturing the rogues he would not be forgotten in the
division of the reward that was sure to be offered by the bank for
the recovery of the money and securities that were taken, not to speak
of the five hundred young Carberry has said he would pay for the
recovery of his biplane and the arrest of the thieves."

"That was nice of you, Joe; but only what might be expected because your
heart is as big as a bushel basket," Frank went on to say, "and when you
told Todd that, how did he take it?"

"Why, he just chuckled, and looked at me kind of funny, and said he
never hoped to take any of the hard-earned reward money that the police
were justly entitled to because of their activities," replied the other.

"It's plain to be seen that Todd is a generous fellow. But I'm obliged
to you, Joe, for giving me this information, because, you see, we've now
got some foundation to build on. Goodbye, Joe!"

With that Frank rang off. He knew that he might chat with the gossipy
police officer in Bloomsbury for at least fifteen minutes, but what was
the use, when he already knew all the other had to tell?

And the news that had come over the wire was of considerable importance,
too. He smiled as he hurried out of the drugstore, not even waiting to
quench his thirst at the soda fountain, though a short time before he,
as well as Andy, had complained of feeling so exceedingly dry; but then,
all that was now forgotten in this excitement connected with the latest
development in the robbery case.

It was back to the village green, now, with Frank.

The crowd was greater than ever, and he quickly saw there would be no
opportunity for any communication between himself and his cousin until
they had left for the upper realms, where, surrounded only by silence,
they could converse while the busy motor hummed and the aeroplane headed
as they willed, either high above the hills, or skirting the tops of
the forest trees.

Accordingly, Frank addressed himself to the arduous task of getting away
without any mishap. He, as well as Andy, had long since learned that it
is the part of wisdom to gain the good will of a curious crowd. In that
manner many friends are raised up, who are only too willing to lend a
helping hand.

He quickly selected half a dozen fellows who