They enjoyed quite a decent little breakfast, what with the ambrosia contained in their aluminum cups together with some crackers and jam, after the crisp bacon had been disposed of. Jack offered some to their prisoner, but the man sadly shook his head, as if to say he had no appetite whatever.
He was not a bad looking fellow, only with a weak sort of chin, and evidently built along a line that could be easily tempted to go wrong if the inducement were only gilded enough. Jack felt sorry for him, especially since he had learned about his family; and was determined to do what he could so as to get Simeon off, should his information prove of any value to their cause.
Once breakfast was disposed of they all went over to where the ship lay. By this time Simeon had found that they really planned to carry him off with them, a startling fact that added to his alarm, for apparently he had never been up in a plane, and a species of stage-fright made him shake as if he had the ague.
But there was no other way to work things, for should they set him free the chances were the man, forgetting his promise, would try to send out some kind of warning to Slippery Slim, and in the end he and Perk were apt to pay dearly for their slip-up, perhaps even with their own lives.
When playing such a desperate game with so canny a lawbreaker it would be the height of folly to let the dictates of tender hearts turn them from the path of “safety first,” and Simeon must continue to “take his medicine,” even though the innocent ones at home suffered for his misdeeds—he had never considered others whom his evil actions had doubtless harmed, when they found themselves arrested for passing worthless bills, and how could he expect these sworn officers of the law to go easy with him when caught in the act?
Perk now began to wonder just how they would be able to “tote” a third party in the limited accommodations afforded by the double cockpit of their ship. It was bound to prove a tight squeeze, and not so comfortable but then why grumble on account of a trifle like that, when Fortune was giving them such a glad hand all the while?
He began to shift things around some while Jack was busy checking the motor, struts, undergear, and propeller, with the design of condensing, and making more room.
“Funny how you c’n jam things into such a small compass when you really an’ truly try,” he told Jack, when he had finished his task. “I kinder guess I’ll be able to fix him okay, ’cause he’s no great shakes at size, an’, seems like to me, he’s shrinkin’ right afore my eyes, he’s that shaky. Then it’s only for the day, I figger; how ’bout that, Jack?”
“I’ve planned all that out, partner,” he was told. “As soon as we get over to the California border we’ll give him in charge of some sheriff to keep in the hoosgow till we’ve made our killing, and are ready to deliver the whole batch to Uncle Sam’s nearest U. S. District Attorney, at Los Angeles or San Diego. That clear to you, Perk?”
“I’d say it was, boss, an’ here’s hopin’ we’ll get there with both feet when the end shows up, our prisoners hobbled, an’ with nice new steel bracelets decoratin’ their wrists. Now to get the gent aboard the boat, an’ stowed away. Shucks! he acts like he might be scared out o’ a year’s growth—some sillies get that way ’bout goin’ up in a skyscraper the fust time.”