Gale sighed and stepped into Bruce’s boat. Stubby was a silent passenger all the way to the island.
Brent was not pleased at the news Stubby brought him. Finally he sighed and admitted it would be best if he did go to the airport to supervise personally the installation of the new motor.
“But not until tonight,” Brent said. “After dark perhaps Miss Howard will motor me across the bay. I’ll come then.”
“Of course I will,” Gale said. “If you are going to stay in Marchton you can live at my house, too,” she said breathlessly. “I already suggested it to my mother and she would like it too. You have no place else to go, please say you’ll come,” she pleaded.
“I’ll talk to your parents first,” he said.
As soon as it was dark that night Gale motored across the bay and returned with Brent Stockton for dinner at the Howard home. Later, when he declared his intention of going to the airport, Gale pleaded to go along. They were just leaving the yard when Bruce appeared.
“Hullo,” he said in surprise at the sight of Brent. “Where did you come from? I thought you were still on the Island?”
“No. I’m needed at the airport and I’m staying at Miss Howard’s home while I am in Marchton.”
“Going to the airport now?” Bruce asked. “May I come along?”
The three of them walked to the corner bus stop. The bus took them to within a square of the airport. The buildings, three in all, were dark, shrouded in black silence. A knock at the small door at the side of the private hangar where Brent stored his planes brought a crack which widened into a yawning black hole when Brent was recognized. The three of them stepped within and immediately the door was closed behind them.