rate idea of the peril in which the boys had been involved.

"But, Dad," Bob interrupted his parent's horrified exclamations,
"it's all over now. None of us is injured, and we have got back our
airplane."

"I know, Bob, I know," answered the older man. "But you can't
understand a father's feelings. And it isn't all over yet by any
means, for you haven't rescued Mr. Hampton. And you don't know what
difficulties you will encounter in doing so, and what dangers you will
run."

"Oh, I believe the worst is over, Dad," answered Bob. "We have
captured Morales and Von Arnheim, and they were our two worst dangers.
If we had encountered them at rebel headquarters and they had
recognized me, our goose would have been cooked. We would have been
taken prisoners, too. But now there will be nobody to recognize us.
The rebels will take us for what we pretend to be, young Americans
seeking adventure and riding in to enlist."

"Perhaps, Bob," said his father, only half convinced. "But let me
think this over. There ought to be some other way to rescue Mr.
Hampton now that you have the airplane again. Also you have these
prisoners. It may be that you can gain some valuable information from
them. Have you questioned them yet?"

"That's just what I was coming to, Dad," said Bob.

Thereupon he proceeded to tell his father of Roy Stone, the young
American in charge of the radio plant in the cave, whom they had made
prisoner. A lengthy conversation ensued. Mr. Temple was reluctant at
first to have the boys reveal their identities inasmuch as so far they
had escaped detection. But he saw that if an ally could be made of
Stone it would be of the highest importance to the boys. He finally
authorized Bob to promise Stone a suitable reward, if he thought that
would appeal to him. Then, enjoining Bob to take no further steps
without first consulting him by radio, Mr. Temple concluded the
conversation.

To Jack and Frank, speaking in low tones at the entrance to the cave
where Frank kept guard, Bob explained the gist of his conversation
with his father. Tom Bodine still slumbered heavily. Stone lay napping
on his bed. Morales and Von Arnheim sat with drooping heads in the
heavy chairs where, while Bob telephoned, Jack had thought it best to
bind them.

"Well, let's talk with Stone and see what he has to say," Jack said.
"Frank and I have been talking the situation over, too, and we've got
all sorts of ideas. For one thing, we thought there