And the news that had come over the wire was of considerable importance, too.  He smiled as he hurried out of the drugstore, not even waiting to quench his thirst at the soda fountain, though a short time before he, as well as Andy, had complained of feeling so exceedingly dry; but then, all that was now forgotten in this excitement connected with the latest development in the robbery case.

It was back to the village green, now, with Frank.

The crowd was greater than ever, and he quickly saw there would be no opportunity for any communication between himself and his cousin until they had left for the upper realms, where, surrounded only by silence, they could converse while the busy motor hummed and the aeroplane headed as they willed, either high above the hills, or skirting the tops of the forest trees.

Accordingly, Frank addressed himself to the arduous task of getting away without any mishap.  He, as well as Andy, had long since learned that it is the part of wisdom to gain the good will of a curious crowd.  In that manner many friends are raised up, who are only too willing to lend a helping hand.

He quickly selected half a dozen fellows who looked as though they might be of more than ordinary importance among the boys of Rock-ford.  These he particularly picked out, and asked them to assist the police officer to keep the crowd back until they could get a good start, at the same time explaining that a clear passage would have to be made ahead, and that anyone getting in the way might not only be seriously injured, but wreck the machine as well.

Proud to have been thus honored, the six boys proceeded to push back the gaping crowd and when Frank gave the word, also assisted in starting the hydroplane on its way.

A salvo of loud cheers rang out when they started, and this burst into a furious chorus as the well balanced aeroplane presently left the ground to start upward into the air.

“I’m glad that’s over with,” said Andy, when they were safely off the ground, and the shouts of Rockford’s enthusiastic population began to grow fainter in the distance.

“Same here,” echoed Frank, “you never know what will happen when a crowd is pushing all around you, every fellow eager to just say he had hold of a flying machine.  There’s always one or two of the lot ready to hang on and risk their lives just to see how it feels to be carried up on an aeroplane.  They’re the kind I’m most afraid of.”

“Well, did you get Police Headquarters in Bloomsbury, Frank?”

“No trouble about that; and our old friend, Officer Green, was in charge during the absence of the Chief,” the other Bird boy answered.

“Anything new developed since we left?” asked Andy.

“Just one thing, and Joe thought it meant a whole lot,” Frank went on to say.

“Which was what?” inquired the other.

“A man came hurrying in and told how he had seen a flying machine containing two parties just after daybreak, and making directly toward the southwest, Andy.  What do you think of that now for news?”