With no particular object in view, Noddy had driven his car hither and thither. However, accidentally hearing that Jerry and his friends had come over into Mexico, Noddy determined to remain in their vicinity, learn their plans, and, if possible, thwart them to his own advantage.
Fortunately, the boys and the professor, soundly sleeping at their inn, could not look into the future and see the dangers they were to run, all because of Noddy and his gang. If they could have, they might have turned back.
Bright and early the next morning Professor Snodgrass awoke. He looked out of the window, saw that the sun was shining, and rejoiced that the day was to be pleasant. Then he happened to spy a new kind of a fly buzzing around the room.
“Ah, I must have you!” exclaimed the naturalist, unlimbering his insect net. “Easy now, easy!”
On tiptoes he began encircling the room after the fly. The buzzer seemed in no mood to be caught, and the professor made several ineffectual attempts to ensnare it. Finally the insect lighted on Bob’s nose, as the boy still slumbered.
“Now I have you!” the professor cried. He forgot that Bob might have some feelings, and thinking only of the rare fly, he brought the net down smartly on Bob’s countenance.
“Help! Help! Robbers! Thieves!” shouted the boy.
“Keep still! Don’t move! I have it now!” yelled the professor, gathering up his net with the fly in it. “Ah, there you are, my little beauty!”
Ned and Jerry tumbled out of their beds, Ned with his revolver ready in his hand.
“Oh, I thought it was some one after my money-belt,” said Bob, when his eyes were fully opened and he saw the professor.