rious to know just how the destruction of the
cottage had been averted.

"We do not know where Ned is," the Colonel said, in reply to Frank's
question. "We thought you might assist us in finding him."

"How?" was the sharp demand.

"By telling us what took place at the cottage last night, and where Ned
went when he left--also what time he left the cottage."

"I thought so," Frank said, when the case had thus plainly been stated. "I
had an idea you wanted to know what steps are being taken to bring you and
your bomb-thrower to justice. Well, I refuse to tell you anything about
it."

The Colonel was not yet ready to appear under his true colors. He had one
more issue to discuss with the boy, and hoped to meet with better success
than he had in the other matter.

"You don't seem to understand the situation, or to trust me," he said.
"You do not appreciate the peril your friend may be in. If you did, you
would tell us all you know about the incident. Now, there is another thing
I wish to discuss with you. You are the son of the owner of the _Daily
Planet_?"

Frank nodded.

"Have you communicated with your father recently?"

"Not since our arrival on the Isthmus."

"Then you have not heard from him since your arrival here?"

"I have not."

"And consequently do not know of the peril he is in?"

Frank started and turned pale. He knew that this information, like that
concerning Ned and the lieutenant, might be false, but he was anxious just
the same.

"What peril is he in?" he asked, and the other smiled to think he had
struck fire at last.

"Well, it seems that he is accumulating proof against the men who are said
to be planning to destroy the big canal, over yonder, and is getting on
the wrong track. The men he is about to accuse of complicity in the plot
are justly indignant, and are preparing to dynamite his building in case
any copy concerning them is sent to the composing room."

"You seem to be conversant with the affairs of these men," Frank
suggested, with a frown. "Are you one of the men who sneaked into our home
and chloroformed father and stole my necklace?"

"I heard something about that," the Colonel said, "and wondered at it.
However, we are not discussing past incidents. What I desire you to do is
to communicate with your father, in the cipher you sometimes use in your
correspondence, and inform him of what I have just told you. Say to him
that he is mistaken in the men, and that his buildi