ing.

Then again, the fact that Casper Blue once upon a time had been a daring
birdman had something to do with this interest on the part of Frank and
his cousin, because there is always a certain fellow feeling between
those who are engaged in the same dangerous pursuits. But possibly Andy
on his part was hoping secretly that by spying around they might be able
in some way to learn where the yeggmen had hidden the plunder they had
taken from the looted Bloomsbury bank.

CHAPTER XV

WHEN CASPER CAME BACK

Although the Bird boys had more than once before proved that they
possessed all the courage and daring a successful aviator must have in
order to accomplish the difficult tasks hourly presented to him for
solution, it must not be thought that they were reckless to any degree.

Andy might be slightly inclined that way, but Frank was an exceedingly
careful navigator of the air, and by degrees his influence was even
affecting his younger cousin, as example always will.

When, however, a situation suddenly arose that absolutely required a
display of daring, these young air pilots were "there with the punch,"
as Andy termed it. They had learned how to volplane earthward from a
dizzy height with absolute safety, when conditions were just right, and
necessity required a quick descent. On a few occasions Frank had even
been known to hazard what is known as the "death dip;" but it was only
when there happened to be a good reason for taking such chances, and not
merely in a spirit of dare-deviltry, such as many show aviators employ,
just to send a shiver of dread through the spectators, and then laugh
recklessly at the fears their boldness had aroused.

Of course they might have decided to immediately return to Bloomsbury,
and give information concerning the extent of their discoveries since
coming to the Hoskins' farm.

Perhaps that would have been the wisest move they could make but both
boys were rather opposed to carrying it out just then.

The afternoon was wholly before them, and who could tell what change of
plans the two yeggmen might make before the coming of the night? Should
they get wind of the presence of the Bird boys in the vicinity possibly
they would take alarm, and hurrying to their concealed biplane make for
the far North with all haste; and in this way, if no one knew of their
departure the intended ambuscade that night in the vicinity of the
railroad pay-car would be laid in vain.

That w