“I remember we had great luck that other time, when we discovered that the men who broke into Leffingwell’s place were hiding in that old cabin up in the woods.  Perhaps the same story might be repeated, who knows?  They call it the Bird boys’ luck, Frank; but then, we work for all we get, and ought to have a little credit when we win out.  If we made a bad job of things, the same people would be quick to say we didn’t know our business.  Shall we go back to the shop first?”

“That would be the only way,” replied Frank.  “If we’re going to take on this dangerous job of looking up yeggmen who have broken into a bank, and looted it, why, it seems to me we ought to make a little preparation.  Of course, about all we expect to do is to scout around, and see if we can pick up any information with the aid of our marine glasses.  It’s hardly to be expected that two boys would take the chance of trying to nab a couple of reckless thieves, who must be armed and desperate.”

“But if the opening came, Frank, we wouldn’t let it slip by, would we?” asked Andy, always willing to go to the limit, when temptation beckoned.

“Perhaps not,” answered the other, smilingly; “but there’s no use crossing a bridge till we come to it, so we won’t bother any more about that.  Get aboard, Andy, and we’ll head for home again.”

“Just think of all that’s happened since we had that little accident yesterday afternoon, up near the Quackenboss place?” Andy went on to say, as he complied with his cousin’s request, and settled himself in his seat, leaving the piloting of the machine to Frank.

“There has been quite a little run of excitement, that’s a fact,” mused the other; “first the accident, and our great good luck in making a landing without breaking a thing, including our precious necks.”

“Then the discovery of Percy and Sandy looking at the hydroplane lying there, and hurrying away as if they had already laid a plan to come back and pay a night visit, if they failed to see us get home by daylight,” Andy went on to add.

“Events followed thick and fast after that, Andy—­the coming of the four fellows, with their faces hidden; their repulse at the hands of yourself and the friendly Felix; then the robbery of the bank; the breaking into our shop by men who left their cards behind in the shape of these burglar tools; the meeting of the Chief on the road, and the news he gave us; and last of all the coming of Percy with the startling news that his biplane had been stolen!”

“Yes, but don’t forget my seeing it sailing over just at early dawn,” remarked the other, as Frank stooped forward for a last look around, before starting up the powerful little Kinkaid engine.  “Because that promises to play quite a figure in the pursuit of the smart thieves; though they may be fifty miles away from here by now, if they know how to handle that fine biplane right.”

“Hold tight; we’re off!” warned Frank, as he applied the power; for the new engine was of course a self-starter, and could be operated from his seat with almost as much ease as might be shown in using electricity, and pressing the button.