“On the whole I reckon it’d be as well for us to stick around, and have breakfast fetched up here,” suggested jack. “I’ll step down presently, and see if it can be managed.”
“Just as you say, partner,” Perk told him, grinning, to add: “Make her two fried eggs and a rasher o’ bacon for me; also a big cup o’ coffee with a stack o’ wheats done brown. Say, you might add some toast, and an orange, seein’ that this is California, an’ a feller ought to patronize the fruit industry when happenin’ to visit the Coast country. Guess that ought to fill a vacuum okay, old hoss.”
“Leave it to me, Perk, and you’ll never starve to death I’m a good provider, and Uncle Sam foots the chuck wagon bill.”
When later on two waiters appeared laden down with a mass of dishes, Perk grinned some more, and looked quite joyous; for the odor of coffee and bacon always pleased his sense of smell as nothing else could.
Poor Simeon had apparently about decided to make the best of a bad bargain, for he began sniffing as though the idea of breakfast appealed to him—he certainly needed something to brace him up.
Along about ten o’clock they prepared to set out for the offices of the Federal forces in Los Angeles. Simeon had finally given his word not to make any further attempt at escape. Jack had been talking seriously with the fellow ever since breakfast, trying to squeeze further information from him, and holding out hope that if he “came clean” he might yet be allowed to go back to his family after the Government had made use of him to send the leaders in the wide flung conspiracy to prison for long terms.
Again a convenient taxi was called upon to convey the trio to their intended destination. Both Jack and Perk evinced considerable curiosity concerning the unfamiliar sights on the streets. They asked numerous questions of the driver, who chanced to be a communicative sort of fellow, and filled them up with information about the sunny queen city of the Coast.
It was not long before Jack’s magical passport, sanctioned by the Big Boss at Washington, brought them in contact with several high officials who apparently had been secretly apprized of their presence in the West, and had also been requested to afford the two daring sky detectives all the assistance possible in carrying out their plan of campaign.
So it came about that Simeon was taken off their hands, after the story of his capture had been told. Jack secured a promise that the man would be lightly dealt with because of the valuable aid he had already afforded the sleuth-hounds of the air branch of the Law.
Both of them shook hands with the pitiful looking chap as he was taken away by a marshal who had been summoned and who would see that he was kept aloof from all other prisoners until his testimony was wanted in court.