And so Andy, glad at least to have something to do, hurried toward the house to look for the country girl.

Left alone, Frank continued to write as plainly as he could what he wanted those in Bloomsbury to know about matters in general.  He used as few words to cover the case as possible, but gave the leading points, even to stating his fear that the scoundrels who had robbed the bank, and were plotting to also make a descent on the pay-car of the railroad that night, had now taken the alarm, and would be off in the stolen biplane.

In that event Frank wanted the police in Bloomsbury to know that he and Andy had started in pursuit; though what they could do to apprehend the rogues of course he was in no position to declare.

By the time he had this finished to his satisfaction he heard voices near by, and was glad to see his cousin coming, accompanied by Sallie.

The girl looked duly excited, just as Frank had expected.  There were a thousand questions in her eyes, but he cut all this short.

“We can’t stop to tell you any more now, Sallie, but we promise to drop in again after it’s over, and explain all that seems queer to you now.  Here’s the message that we want to get to Bloomsbury the worst kind, and as quick as you could get on a horse and ride to the nearest neighbor who has a phone in the house.  You’ll do this for us, won’t you, Sallie?”

Few people could say no to Frank once he wore that winning smile, and Sallie immediately declared that she was ready to do anything he suggested.

“To think of that little scoundrel fooling us all, and pretending to be a college professor!” she remarked, indignation flashing from her black eyes.

“I hope you’ve got a horse,” said Frank, sticking to the business in hand.

“Oh! yes; we have one left that might do,” Sallie answered.

“Then let’s get him saddled right away,” Frank went on.

“Can’t,” she snapped back, “ain’t such a thing as a saddle around here any more.  But I’m a country girl, you know, and I can ride bareback all right.  A halter’s the only bridle I want, Frank.  Give me the message, and I’ll see that it gets to somebody in Bloomsbury.”

“And here’s some money, Sallie,” the other went on.

“What! do you think—­”

“There might be something to pay, you know, and we can’t afford to take chances when there’s so much at stake.  Thank you a thousand times for helping us out, Sallie.  Now, please get the horse.  I’d like to see you started before we pull out, because we may have to chase after these fellows in our aeroplane, if they take a notion to fly away.”

The girl hastened to lead the way into the stable where they did find an apology for a horse, which she immediately unhitched, and led outside.

“Hope she doesn’t happen to run across that man on the way, because he might wonder what was taking her off like that, and do something to turn her back.  What if he found your message on her, Frank?” and Andy, as he said this, turned an anxious gaze upon his cousin.