“One moment—please!” exclaimed the professor. “There is a most beautiful and rare butterfly on your apron. I just want it for my collection,” and, a moment later, he had safe in one of his wire boxes the fluttering Papilio.
“Oh, how beautiful!” murmured the nurse. “What are you going to do with the poor thing?” 178
“Preserve it so that others may gaze on its beauty,” answered the professor with a bow. “It will also aid me in my studies. This particular butterfly is one I have long sought, because of the peculiar markings. It is most lucky that I came here to-day.”
“Well, it might have been unlucky if you had happened to be hit by one of the German air bombs,” said Jerry. “But we’re glad to see you. We have good news for you about those two girls.”
“Yes, so I understand from your letters. So that janitor has seen them. Well, now I must follow them up and give them their share of the fortune. I came on as soon as I could after hearing from you boys. I thank you for having my interests at heart. Now where can I see this Nick Schmouder and have a talk with him?”
The camp where the German prisoners were detained was not many miles back of the hospital where Jerry had recovered from his wounds, and, as he would be able to travel the next day, and as Bob and Ned could get furloughs, it was decided that the four should make up a party and seek out the former janitor, so that the professor might hear, at first hand, all there was to be said.
These arrangements having been made, transportation provided and the necessary permissions having been secured, the professor and the three 179 Motor Boys, several hours later, sat down to have a long chat and exchange experiences. Professor Snodgrass told how he was progressing with his work of studying the effects of battle noises on insects, and the boys related their stories of fighting and battles.
“And we thought old Jerry was gone when we saw him go down outside the dugout where we captured Schmouder,” finished Ned, as a climax to his story.
“I thought so myself,” admitted the tall lad. “But I’m as well as ever, and next week I’ll be fighting again. What are your plans, Professor?”
“I must try to find those two young ladies. The military authorities have been very good to me. They have said I can go anywhere I like to study the insects, provided I do nothing that would betray any army secrets. And I have been very careful.”