Part 2 (1/2)
For soht, and a little distance out from the coast Bob's attention was devoted to the plane, but Frank and Jack scanned the shore with eager eyes Presently they sahat they were looking for A strange plane rode in the lazy swell offshore in Starfish Cove There was nobody aboard Not a soul was in sight on land The little stretch of sandy beach, between the two horns of the cove, stretched untenanted back to the thick fringe of trees
Bob swooped so low the plane alood view of the stranger, before onceback, Frank trained the glasses on the scene But nobody appeared fro the trees, and, far as they could determine, they were unobserved
Theyfield, descended and put the plane away Not until the doors were closed and locked did they sit down on the skidway outside the hangar to discuss what they had seen There had been ree plane at close range and on the hasty trip hohts for extended discussion
Discovery of the plane had altered their original plans to fly over the secret radio station They had decided not to advertise their presence as, if Frank was correct in his sur them, their return would create suspicion and put the ainst theitimate enterprise, whoever they are,”
Jack said, as all three took seats on the skidway
”And wein where we have no business to be,”
said Bob ”That your idea?”
”Yes”
”But look here,” said Frank ”I have the feeling that there's so about all this business that isn't open and aboveboard I, for one, vote that we do our best to find out what is going on”
Jack sat silent for several moments
”That isn't what concerns me at the present moment, after all,” he said ”Whether these people with their strange plane and their secret radio are on legitimate business or not, doesn't interest me so much
What puzzles n of that plane”
The others nodded vigorously
”What a tiny thing,” was Frank's comment
”I was busy and couldn't see much,” supplemented Bob ”But what impressed ine at all”
”That's right,” agreed Frank ”I never saw a plane like it And I can't recall any designs of that nature, either It n-built plane, one of those little one-”
Jack shook his head, puzzled
”There's so like that, with practically no engine space Another thing that you felloant to re about here for some time, yet we have never heard it Non here the sound of most planes would travel far, in this quiet and secluded place, where there are no co about here for some time?” asked Bob
”Well, the familiarity hich the aviator landed shows he's been at Starfish Cove before Evidently, after landing he struck inland to that secret radio station, becauseno sign of him”
”We haven't been up in the air for three weeks,” said Frank ”That plane one in that ti it But, surely, as Jack says, ould have heard it at some time or other Haven't either of you heard the sound of a plane lately?” he appealed to the others ”I know I haven't”
Bob and Jack both shook their heads in negation
”No planes ever come out this way,” Bob said ”They fly south or north of us, but not out here I haven't heard anything”
Jack rose and stretched