“We’re not a crowd,” remarked Ned with a smile.
“None of your back-talk!” exclaimed the shorter of the aeroplanists. “We know our own business best. Now make tracks out of here, quick—give me that key!” and he fairly snatched it from Jerry’s hand. The tall lad seemed about to say something, but he thought better of it, and held his tongue.
“Go on—move!” ordered Mr. Black, as the boys showed no inclination to walk away. “Get a hustle on you!”
By this time Mr. Black had caught sight of the opened tool box. A flash of rage seemed to pass over his face.
“Who opened that box?” he snarled.
“I did,” replied Jerry calmly.
“Did you—did you take anything out?” demanded the man, striding toward our hero.
“I did not,” was the quiet rejoinder.
“Did you dare unlock it?” demanded Mr. Brown.
“It was unlocked, and the cover was partly raised when we got here,” went on Jerry. “We wanted to see what kind of tools you carried, so I opened it. We meant no harm, and I trust we did none. We are sorry you take our harmless investigation in this spirit.”