o it. But where did they get the petrol?"

"Why," Bob reminded him, "we had her stocked with oil and gas. And the
spare tanks filled, too. That wasn't impossible."

Mr. Temple resumed:

"Haven't answered your radiophone calls because didn't get them. Have
been so busy running around in circles, haven't had time to watch the
telephone. But if you call me when you get this shall be on the watch.
Father was kidnapped Monday noon. No word from him. Need your help."

"He certainly does," said Mr. Temple, emphatically, as he concluded
reading. "And he'll get it, too. Come on, boys, let's call him up."

Evidently Jack was on the watch for their signal, for he answered at
once, and as soon as each had tuned to their private 1,800-metre wave
length, the Temples and Frank were given the full details as to the
kidnapping of Mr. Hampton.

He had been riding horseback across the range, miles from any oil
derricks or pumping stations, on his way to visit one of the
"independent" oil operators.

A lonesome cowboy hunting a stray was the only other human being in
sight, and he was a half mile away. Suddenly out of the sky swooped an
all-metal airplane, glistening in the sun. It made a beautiful landing
on the sandy soil, bumped along over a few clumps of mesquite, and
came to rest close beside Mr. Hampton. The latter jumped from his
horse, and started running toward it. Evidently, Jack thought, his
father believed the Temples and Frank had unexpectedly arrived.

Then the watching cowboy saw two men leap from the airplane and start
for Mr. Hampton, who turned as if to run. Thereupon, one of the two
pointed a revolver at him and he turned, perforce, and surrendered. He
was put into the airplane, the two men again climbed aboard, and the
machine soared up into the sky before the astonished cowboy could more
than set his horse in motion.

All this Jack explained and then asked:

"Mr. Temple, what would you advise me to do?"

"Does anybody else know of this?"

"Only the cowboy who saw it and I," said Jack. "This cowboy knew
father by sight, and came direct to me with the information. I've
made him promise not to tell anybody until he hears from me."

"That's right, Jack," said Mr. Temple, very earnestly. "This
information must not get out. I believe, Jack, your father will be
safe from harm and that the men who seized him are intent on
embroiling Mexico and the United States. Now we don't want any more
wars, Jack, and we mus