But their well laid plans were spoiled through the vigilance of the Bird boys and the quick wit of Frank in particular.  The consequence was that both men were eventually captured by Chief Waller and his officers and still languished in the town lock-up, awaiting the day of trial.

“Oh, well!” laughed Frank, as his cousin wheeled his bike out to the front gate, where he could mount better, “it makes mighty little difference, because, from what I’ve seen of Shea, I imagine he sleeps on his post.  I’m glad we didn’t let him inside, because, like all Irishmen, he is fond of his pipe and might have set fire to the shed.  It’s dangerous smoking where there’s a lot of gasoline about.”

“Of course we’ve got that Puss Carberry and his mean crony, Sandy Hollingshead, to consider.  They tried to injure our machine once and might again, especially after what happened today,” said Andy, throwing one leg over his saddle and standing there a minute.

“Oh, I guess not, Andy.  They understand that we’re keeping tabs of that hangar, with its precious contents.  Besides, they’ve got their hands full of other matters, if what Puss said about that big trip to the Amazon country is true.”

The other sighed.

“I only wish I was as sure of going down there as Puss seems to be,” he observed.  “I don’t know how it is, but something queer seems to be drawing me that way.  Day and night I have pictures rising in my mind.  I’ve read every scrap concerning the Isthmus and northern coast of South America, until I guess I’m as well posted on such things as one who had been there.”

“Yes,” said Frank, softly, “and I’m afraid you let your mind dwell too much on that subject, old chum.  It’s more than a year now since your father disappeared.  And the chances of your ever finding what became of him are like searching for a lost diamond in the sand of the seashore.  It’s affecting your mind, Andy.  You look all fagged out.  I wish you could cheer up and be something like your old self.”

But the other only shook his head sadly.

“I don’t believe I ever can, Frank, until I’ve had my chance to go down there and make a good try to find all that is left of my poor father.  Just as you say, it seems almost silly to think that I could ever succeed, but no matter, I’ve got it arranged in my mind and the colonel is coming around slowly.”

“Well,” Frank hastened to declare, “you know if it ever does get to the point that you do go down to make that search, I’m with you.  My father would never throw any obstacle in the way, I’m dead sure.  And Andy, of course we’d take our aeroplane along.  Think how many trips we could make in her over country that no one could ever penetrate on foot.”

Andy was too full for further words.  He simply turned and squeezed the hand of his cousin; but the look of affection which he gave Frank told what was in his mind just then.

Frank watched him go spinning along the road and then with a sigh turned into the house.