The Motor Boys on the Wing; Or, Seeking the Airship Treasure

by Clarence Young

  CHAPTER XXII

  OFF ON THE HUNT

  "Don't talk any more--come away," advised Jerry in a low voice to hischums, as he handed back the slips of paper. "We want to talk this overamong ourselves."

  "The restaurant's the place," decided Bob, and neither Jerry nor Nedlaughed at him this time.

  The three lads talked in guarded tones as they sat at a table in theeating place, waiting to be served. The new turn to the mystery hadcome with startling suddenness.

  "Now whom do you think committed the robbery?" asked Ned. "It begins tolook as though Brown and Black were out of it; eh?"

  "Not at all," was the answer of the tall lad. "It was more likely themthan Noddy and Bill. Not that the latter wouldn't do it if they hadthe chance, but I don't believe they know enough to drill a safe. Thenthere are those queer tools we saw in the _Silver Star_. One of themwas a safe drill, I'm sure."

  "But do you think there were two airships circling around Harmolet thenight of the robbery?" asked Bob.

  "It's possible. We saw Noddy head in that direction, and though Brownand Black left the aviation grounds before we reached them, they mighthave returned to rob the bank. I'm sure they did it."

  "And I'm sure Noddy did," declared Ned.

  "But why was he so close to the statue?" asked Bob.

  "There's no telling," answered Jerry. "Maybe he did it just for adaring stunt. Leaving his name there makes it look that way."

  But Ned was sure Noddy and Bill had robbed the bank, and nothing hischums could say would make him change his opinion.

  "Then the only thing to do is to go to President Carter, tell him whatwe have found out, and what we know, and let him do as he likes,"suggested Jerry. "We'll mention about the queer tools we saw in theairship of Brown and Black, and how angry they were because we lookedat their machine. Then the police can get busy, but I don't envy themtheir job."

  "And you'll tell about the conversation you overheard between Bill andNoddy; won't you?" asked Ned.

  "Sure."

  "Then that'll clinch the guilt on them all right, and we can divide thereward between us."

  "Wait until we get it first," advised Jerry drily.

  Mr. Carter was much startled when told of the new developments in thecase, and when informed of the suspicions of Jerry and his chums.

  "You did right not to speak of them before," he said, "as the discoveryof the tires puts a different face on it. I, myself, believe those twomen Brown and Black, if those are their real names, are the guiltypersons."

  "You'll find it was Noddy," declared Ned firmly.

  "Everyone is entitled to his own theory," said the president with asmile. "Now I am going to summon here as many of the directors as I canget in touch with. I'd like them to hear the stories of you young men.Would it be asking too much to request you to wait here?"

  Jerry and his chums were willing, and the president sent out and gotthe latest magazines for them to read while they were waiting.

  "I may have an offer to make to you after the meeting," he said with asmile, when a messenger had informed him that several of the directorswere on their way to the bank.

  The boys indulged in several speculations as to what Mr. Carter mightwant with them after the meeting, which was soon being held in thedirectors' room. It was not a lengthy session, and in a little while amessenger came to summon the boys.

  "You are to appear before the president and directors," he said in awedtones.

  "My! We're getting to be quite important!" remarked Bob.

  Mr. Carter came to the point at once.

  "Young men," he said, "I have told the directors what you have relatedto me. They wish to thank you for the pains you have taken, and theyhighly commend your course. Now they have a request to make of you.

  "As you are doubtless aware, a reward of ten thousand dollars has beenoffered for the arrest and conviction of the thieves. We thought wewould make it big, as the sum taken was large, and unless some of it atleast, is recovered, our bank may be seriously embarrassed. As it is wehave been able temporarily to tide over our affairs.

  "Now, what I wish to know, and what these gentlemen have commissionedme to ask you motor boys, is whether you will not undertake to find thethieves for us?

  "We'd like to have you undertake the search, not only because you havediscovered the first clews," proceeded the president, "but because youhave an airship, and can thus go where no other persons could. Thepolice have no such advantage. Will you undertake this quest for us?"

  Jerry looked at his chums, and they looked at him. Evidently they werewaiting for him to speak.

  "May we--that is, I'd like to talk with my friends before answering,"said Jerry, after a pause.

  "Certainly. Take all the time you need."

  The tall lad drew his companions into a corner of the big room.

  "Shall we do it, boys?" he asked.

  "But we don't know where to look for 'em, whether it's Noddy, or thoseother two fellows?" objected Ned.

  "No, not yet, but we may be able to pick up some clews by circlingaround Harmolet. Shall we have a try for the ten thousand?"

  "I'm game," declared Bob. "We were going off on a trip anyhow, tohelp the professor get his flying frog, and we might as well combinebusiness with pleasure."

  "Well, I'm willing," declared Ned.

  "That settles it," answered Jerry. "We'll go!"

  He turned to the president and announced the decision of himself andhis chums.

  "Good!" exclaimed the bank official. "I was pretty sure you'd go. Nowas to details. Have you any idea where to begin to look?"

  The boys hadn't, and said so, but they had, in times past, gone offon quests with even more slender clews to work on, so they were notdismayed now. They said they would need a day to stock up the motorshipfor a long voyage, and get plenty of gasolene aboard. Then, too, theywould have to send word of their intentions to their folks.

  "Well, start as soon as you can," urged the president, and they saidthey would. In spite of their diffidence about taking funds forexpenses, the directors insisted on it, and a substantial sum wasadvanced. It was really needed, as the boys had not brought much moneywith them, and provisions were expensive.

  They arranged to start on the following day, if possible and agreed tokeep in telegraphic touch with the bank officials. They were to workindependently of the police.

  There were busy times ahead for our heroes. Hurrying back to theaviation grounds they gave their craft a thorough overhauling, andcontracted for their supplies and stores.

  They were ready to set sail on the afternoon of the following day,having sent word to Cresville of their plans.

  "Before we leave this vicinity, we'll just stop off at the bank,and see if there is any news," said Jerry, as they flew up from theaviation grounds.

  They landed on the roof of the bank building row, partly because thatwas the best place, and partly to show that it had been perfectlyfeasible for the robbers to do so. A big crowd watched them.

  "Have you any news before we leave?" asked Jerry of Mr. Carter.

  "Not any," he said. "You'll have to depend on yourselves, I'm afraid."

  As he spoke a messenger came in with a telegram. Idly the presidentopened it. As he did so an expression of surprise came over his face.

  "Listen to this, boys!" he exclaimed. "There is news! This is from oneof our private detectives. He says: 'Strangers in this town two daysago, passing twenty dollar gold pieces. May be a clew.' You know somegold pieces were taken from our vault," the president went on. "Thismay be of some value to you."

  "What town is that from?" asked Jerry eagerly.

  "Newton; in this state," was the reply.

  "Then we'll head for Newton," cried the tall lad. "Come on, fellows!"

  A little later the motor boys were once more on the wing, on the trailof the bank robbers.