He winked knowingly at Beefy, and a cold shiver of fear crept over Linda. If they would only get the thing over quickly! Anything would be better than the awful suspense.
The speaker laughed at her expression of terror.
"Don't be scared, Linda. We ain't a goin' a hurt you.... It just happens we need you for a couple days in our business."
"Your business?" she faltered.
"Yeah. We got some jewelry right here in this tent worth about a hundred grand. We fly across to an island with it, where a steamer picks it up and gets it to our agent in South America."
"But what has that to do with me?" asked Linda. Did they mean to leave her on the island, or send her to South America?
"Just this: we're usin' your Bug and you as pilot fer the job. Susie's the only one of our gang can fly, and now she and the Jenny are busted, we'll use you. Get me?"
Linda nodded, sadly. So she was to be made to play a criminal part in their ugly game! How she wished they would be caught!
"And you needn't scheme to get away," Slats added. "Because I'll be right behind you, with me gun loaded!"
Linda made no reply; after all there was nothing to be said. She must take his orders, or be instantly killed.