for signs of
interruption, while the others pulled their chairs close about him,
Jack in a low voice outlined his experiences of the night.

When he spoke of Rollins's using the radio, Frank uttered an
exclamation.

"That's how the enemy learned just what time we would arrive," he
declared.

Jack shook his head.

"No," said he. "All Rollins had to do to spread that information was
to tell Remedios. The latter could notify the men who laid for us."

"Well, then, whom was he telephoning to?"

Jack again arose and moved to the door and peered out. No signs of
life. He returned and resuming his position said in a low voice:

"That's what I've been asking myself. I've thought it over and I
believe I've found the answer. Either he was radioing to the Calomares
ranch in Old Mexico where father probably is held a prisoner, or else
he was sending a message to the fellows who stole our airplane."

Bob, the belligerent growled in his throat.

"The big stiff," he muttered. "I'll go get him now and we'll choke it
out of him."

He half rose from his chair, but his father pushed him back.

"Don't blame you, Bob," said Jack, grinning. "It's what I wanted to do
myself. But I believe there is more to be gained by watching
Rollins--at least until we have more to go on."

"Probably," said Frank, "if we put it up to him now, he'd be able to
lie out of it."

"But he couldn't lie out of being seen with Remedios," said Bob. "Or
of using the radio."

"Frank is right, though," declared Jack. "Rollins would frame some
alibi, and all we'd succeed in doing would be to put him on his
guard."

Mr. Temple had been thinking deeply. Now he interrupted.

"Jack is probably correct in his surmise as to who Rollins was calling
by radio," he said. "Probably this Calomares ranch is headquarters for
the Mexican rebels who are making trouble for us. If it was the ranch
that Rollins called, he may have been making his report on today's
proceedings. But if he was calling the airplane, that is a more
serious matter. It may mean trouble for us tonight, perhaps another
attack."

"Great guns," grumbled Bob, "don't these birds ever sleep? Well,
believe me, if the Heinie that stole my airplane comes around where I
can get my hands on him, I'll fix him."

"You wouldn't hurt him, Bob, would you?" said Jack.

"Huh." That was all Bob replied. It was enough.

"I wouldn't do a thing to him, either," said Frank. "Except I'd turn
his Kaiser mustach