“We came all the way in it,” answered Bob.
“Then I’ll go,” decided Jim. “The mine will be safe with Malone in charge, and I’ll not worry. When can we start?”
“In a few days,” replied Jerry. “I’m glad you can go along, Jim, for we may need your help.”
“Well, let’s get grub, and talk it all over,” proposed Bob, hurrying over to the cook’s shack in order to escape any comments of his chums. But they were too interested in the recent developments to jibe him.
“Why didn’t you ask Noddy why he stole our airship, and what became of Mr. Bell?” suggested Ned to Jerry.
“I didn’t think of it until he started back,” was the reply. “His claiming our mine again sort of knocked my ideas into a cocked hat. But when I did think of it I decided it was best to keep still. We’ll fool Noddy that way. If we begin to question him he may find out that we’re going to make a try to rescue Mr. Bell’s friends, and spoil our plans. But it certainly is queer what has become of the former hermit, and I would like to know how he found out about the people in Lost Valley. If we had Mr. Bell with us now, he could pilot us right to the place.”
“Maybe his son knows.”
“Probably, but we can’t find his son. The last I heard of Tommy Bell he was many miles from here, and it would be hard to locate him. No, I guess it’s just as well we didn’t say anything to Noddy, though some day I’ll get even with him. We’ll go off on our own hook now, and locate that valley.”
Preparations for the trip were hurried during the next few days.