Part 21 (2/2)

WARNED!

Frank's surmise was communicated to Captain Folsoe to the Custo a bare outline of the details of the raid and asking that a watch be kept for Higginbotham Custom House couard was set at the bridges and ferries leading fro Island to Manhattan

Several days elapsed, however, with Higginbothaht

Meanwhile the next day after that eventful night, the radio-controlled plane was found floating in the waters of Great South Bay, so near the shore as to inbothaive rise to the belief that he had made his way ashore A fisherman made the discovery

It was some twenty-five miles as the crow flies from the Brownell place to the point where the airplane came down That, Jack estimated, when told of the discovery, probably was the liinbotham, therefore, had not descended until compelled to do so

All this, however, did not co farewell to the two officers, the boys returned afoot to their ho on Jack's part that Captain Folsom, the main portion of whose wardrobe still was at his house, would return later

On arrival, Jack learned that Tom Barnum already had explained the reason for his absence to the housekeeper and, after telling her Captain Folsom should be shown to his room on arrival, turned in and went instantly to sleep

As for Bob and Frank, only the servants as yet were astir at the Te only that they had been routed out by a fire at the airplane hangar, went instantly to bed

Once Bob was partially awakened by Della, who de life away and couest ibly, and Della retired in a high state of indignation, resolved to give the boys a ”piece of her mind” when finally they should arise

That event, however, did not come to pass until mid-afternoon Bob on his sister's departure the first tiotten up and locked the doors of his rooh Della several times came to the door and knocked, she received no reply

The ”piece of her mind,” however, went undelivered when once the boys did arise, for in the absorbing story which they had to tell of the night's occurrences, her sense of injury evaporated speedily The recital occupied considerable ti so frequently at Della's guest, Marjorie Faulkner, as to cause Frank to chuckle to hiested they play tennis But Della protested

”That's all we've had to do to-day while you boys slept,” she said

”We're tired of tennis Propose so else”

”The airplane's out of coht,”

said Bob ”Wouldn't you like that, Miss Faulkner?”

”Oh, wouldn't I, just,” she exclai to try it What is it like? Does it rinned Before he could reply, Frank interrupted

”Say, Bob,” he exclai Island City right away, and tell thes and whatever else is needed First, though, we ought to reed, and, accoar After returning to the house, Frank rang up the airplane factory, and gave the necessary orders He was told the mechanics would arrive the next day with all that was required, but that putting the plane into condition would take three or four days at the least

”Just when I had it all in good shape for flying,” mourned Bob, on his chuinbotharinned as he uttered the threat, yet it could be seen that he was badly cut up by the da, but threw an arm over his shoulder as they walked back to the house, and for the re it to the girls to carry the burden of conversation

Arrived at the house, they found Jack with Captain Folsoirls, whoht previous

”I've coood-bye,” he explained to Bob and Frank ”I have to go back to the city, and Ha to h for your part in this affair If it hadn't been for your perspicacity, in the first place, weon And the way you all fought and acted on your own initiative tiain ere in trouble was fine, indeed”

”You've got to co Bob, on whom the other had hted to do so, sometime,” Captain Folsom replied