It needed but a glance about the Comet to show that the hermit was not aboard.
“I guess he must have gone away in the night,” said Bob.
“Probably he couldn’t stand Noddy and Jack, or else he found out the trick they had played,” suggested Jerry. “But now let’s see what damage has been done, for we have our airship back again, and have routed the enemy,” and he smiled as if something pleased him.
“Here’s something that may give you a clew to things,” commented the chief of police, handing a letter to Jerry.
“Where did you get it?” asked the lad.
“That chap dropped it when he was having that little argument with you,” replied the official with a smile, as he thought of the strenuous “argument” that had taken place between Jerry and Noddy.
“It’s a letter, addressed to Noddy,” said Jerry, as he looked at it. “I think we’re justified in reading it. Only part of it is here, but it may interest us.” He read the fragment rapidly and a change came over his face.
“What is it?” asked Bob anxiously.
“This letter is from Tom Dalsett,” replied Jerry. “Tom Dalsett, who with Noddy, Jack Pender, and some others of that gang, made trouble for us in Mexico and at our Western mine. Dalsett writes to Noddy to come on out west, as he says he thinks there is a chance to beat us out of our claim to the gold mine, and put Jim Nestor, our foreman, out of possession.”