sort of accident to the
biplane, and had to hold over till the fellow who used to be an aviator
repaired the same; or else that they had some other robbery in mind, and
wanted to make a double killing of it before skipping out."

"All right. You can see, then, that if Chief Waller and about all his
men got on a warm clue that led them off to the southwest for a day or
so, it would leave things open for the carrying out of this second
scheme!"

When Andy heard his cousin say this so gravely he seemed more startled
than ever.

"Say, I believe you've gone and struck the truth just as you nearly
always do, old fellow, not by luck, but by figuring it out. To get the
coast clear, then, this sly Todd Pemberton means to go on bringing in
important news, and keeping poor old Chief Waller worked up to top-notch
speed, chasing around down there after shadows! Yes, that must be the
game they've got in hand; and perhaps that's what all those waves of
handkerchiefs meant between the pilot of the little Mermaid, and the
fellow we couldn't see, who was hidden in the bushes on Norton's Point."

"He was undoubtedly there just to give Todd the high sign when the boat
passed. Both of us spoke of the fact that we'd never known the steamboat
to keep so far north when making the run from Cranford, across the lake,
up to the lumber camp on our northwest side. But now we can understand
why; he wanted to make sure his partners in crime were ready for him to
do his little share in the game; which is to send the police on a wild
goose chase and leave Bloomsbury next to unprotected tonight."

"But whatever in the wide world, Frank, do you think they mean to try
next?"

"I couldn't guess in a year," was the reply of the boy who manipulated
the levers of the hydroplane so dextrously. "It might be any one of a
dozen or two games. The bank isn't the only institution in Bloomsbury
carrying a lot of money in the safe. And then there are several rich men
we happen to know, who keep a little fortune about the house, in the way
of money, jewelry, or curios. For all we know, these yeggs may even have
an eye on your house or mine, because they could make a pretty good haul
there."

"Whew!" was all Andy said just then; but his mind was undoubtedly filled
with startling ideas.

CHAPTER XII

AT THE HOSKINS FARM

"Well," Andy went on to remark, presently, "I see you are turning back
again in the direction of the head of the lake. I hope, Fra