“Spell—spell,” murmured Jerry. “I have it—the town of Kabspell—it’s near Flathead Lake, and we were counting on sending our airship there to make the start! Noddy has gotten on to our plans somehow!”
“What’s that?” asked Andy, quickly, for Jerry was half talking to himself.
“Oh—nothing. I was just wondering what Noddy would do, that’s all. Much obliged for telling me. Here’s a quarter, Andy. Get yourself a soda.”
“Thanks! I will,” and Andy, forgetting Jerry’s rather strange and worried actions, in the prospective delights of a soda, hurried off.
“We’ve got to get busy,” decided the tall lad, as he made his way home. Quickly he called up his chums by telephone, and when they were assembled at his house, with Mr. Nestor and Mr. Brill in attendance, while Professor Snodgrass hovered in the background, Jerry told them the news.
“That means we’ve got to get started right away,” decided Ned.
“That’s it,” agreed Jim Nestor. “I know Noddy Nixon of old, and while he may not know just where the nuggets are hidden, he’s got just luck enough to stumble on the trail of some of those grub-stakers, who have a general idea. We’d better get off as soon as we can.”
“The sooner the better, I say,” put in Professor Snodgrass. “I’ve caught about all the rare insects there are in these parts, and I do want to get some of those luminous snakes. Can we start to-morrow?”
“Hardly,” said Jerry, with a smile. “If we’re going to take the airship we’ll have to give it a trial, and then take it apart for shipment. That will take some time. But in a week I think we could be on the move.”