“We haven’t got it,” growled the least injured of the two burglars.
“Haven’t got it?”
“No, it’s in the airship. I might as well tell the truth now.”
“In the airship? And where is that?” demanded the professor.
“How should I know?” snapped Black, while his companion tossed feverishly on the narrow cot. “We both fell out when it nearly turned turtle, then it righted itself again, and sailed off over the forest, the engine set at full speed. It’ll run until the gasolene gives out, or until it’s wrecked, I suppose. But we’ll have to have a doctor for him,” and he nodded at his companion. “He’s getting worse. The game’s up. I’m ready to take my medicine. One of my legs is broken, and I’m hurt inside. Oh, how I suffer! We did rob the bank. I confess. We laid our plans a long time ahead and thought if we used an aeroplane no one could trace us.”
“He must have a doctor, and that soon,” declared the professor. “He is in a bad state; indeed both are. Boys, word must be sent to the authorities at once, and these men must be taken to a hospital under police guard.”
“And to think they told me they were escaping from an asylum,” murmured Mr. Rossmore. “I can’t get over it!”
“Was it true what they said about the airship going on after they fell out?” asked Jerry eagerly.
“It was,” replied the farmer. “It went sailing over the trees like a big bird.”
“Which way?” asked Ned, for he was thinking of the treasure on board.