t try to get your father back without the aid of
troops."

"Yes, sir," said Jack. "Father and I have suspected what the game was,
and that was why I told the cowboy to say nothing."

"Good," said Mr. Temple, approvingly. "Now, Jack, that the mystery of
the airplane's disappearance has been cleared up, we are ready to
leave at once. We can get out of New York City on the 6 o'clock train
tonight. Look for us Friday. I'll say good-bye until then, and let the
boys speak to you, for I know they are dying to do so."

While the boys and Jack conversed, Mr. Temple sought out his wife.
After explaining the necessity for his abrupt departure with the boys
for New Mexico, he said:

"I should worry if I thought you would be subjected to annoyances
while we were away. But I believe there will be no more trouble here.
And with the servants in the house and the guests you have invited,
you may feel perfectly safe."

"Oh, Dad, I think you're awfully mean not to take me along," pouted
Della, who was present.

"Why, Lassie," said her father, "with a bunch of harum scarum boys to
look after, my hands will be full enough."

"Yes, you think they're just boys," flashed his young daughter. "But
you wait and see. They'll be taking care of you. Just you wait and
see. Frank is awfully clever."

"Frank?" said Mr. Temple teasingly, with a meaning look.

Della flushed, and made an excuse to leave the room a moment later.

"I wish, George, that you wouldn't tease her about Frank," said Mrs.
Temple. "She's such a child."

"Yes," said Mr. Temple, thoughtfully. "I suppose so. But," he added,
"I'm glad she likes Frank."

CHAPTER VIII

HELD FOR RANSOM

"Great Scott, Jack, how different you look. What a peach of a get-up."

The Temples, father and son, and Frank Merrick stood on the gravel-bed
outside the little wooden box doing duty as station at Ransome, New
Mexico. The transcontinental flier which had dropped them, was
dwindling in the distance. Jack Hampton, whom the chums and Mr. Temple
had crossed the country from New York to join, was in the center of
the group. Greetings had been exchanged, they had all slapped each
other on the back indiscriminately and enthusiastically, and now Bob
Temple stood off at arm's length to admire his chum.

"Yes, sir. Some get-up," he added.

"Righto," agreed Frank, also gazing at the handsome Jack admiringly.
"Where do you get 'em? Lead me to the store right away."

Jack, who was 19 an