Part 10 (2/2)

”Yes, of course I ahed Joe ”Better drop it”

Blake did not answer

Inquiry of the hotel clerk gave Blake and Joe the infor shown to the apartment by a bell-boy, Blake knocked on the door

”Who's there? Wait apicture boys recognized as that of Mr Alcando

”It is Blake Stewart and Joe Duncan,” said the for your pardon--In one moment I shall be with you--I will let you in!” exclai about in his apartment, they could hear the rattle of papers, and then the door was opened

There was no one in the roo South Aar in the apartment, and Blake noticed this with surprise for, some time before, Mr Alcando had said he did not smoke

The inference was, then, that he had had a visitor, as sn of the caller then, except in the aroone into one of the other rooms that opened from the one into which the boys looked, for Mr Alcando had a suite in the hotel And, after all, it was none of the affair of Blake or Joe, if their new friend had had a caller

”Only,” said Blake to Joe afterward, ”as he in such a hurry to get rid of hiht meet him?”

”I don't know,” Joe answered ”It doesn't worry me You are too suspicious”

”I suppose I a about the delay in opening his door, or about the visitor who lad to see Blake and Joe, and glad to learn that they would soon start for Panah, in what little ti soht of a s out from amid a pile of papers

”Yes, much to do,” went on Mr Alcando And then, either by accident or design, he shoved some papers in such a way that the small box was completely hidden

”We have just come froed into atheir trip, hich I need not weary you

Sufficient to say that Mr Alcando pro of the steah a day or so later than originally planned, Blake and Joe, with their new Spanish friend, were on hand at the pier Mr Alcando had considerable baggage, and he was to be allowed the use of an old et his hand in” Blake and Joe, of course had their own machines, which had been put in perfect order There were several of them for different classes of work

Final instructions were given by Mr Hadley, good-bys were said, and the boys and Mr Alcando went aboard

”I hope you have good luck!” called Birdie Lee to Blake, as she waved her hand to him

”And so do I,” added Mabel Pierce to Joe

”Thanks!” theyslides!” called Mr Piper after the away frohed Blake

So they were off for Pana of the sensational adventures that awaited them there

CHAPTER IX