“Yes. Because as soon as he obtained the formulas and was satisfied that they were really as valuable as anticipated, he took some more money belonging to himself and to my Uncle Barney and purchased a factory in which to manufacture these artists’ colors. He had samples of the colors, and, oh, Jack, you never saw such beautiful greens and reds and blues in all your life! They were simply wonderful! I’m sure artists would go crazy over them!”
“I suppose your father is at a standstill in the case then.”
“Absolutely. If something doesn’t turn up soon I don’t know what he will do.”
“Has he told your Uncle Barney about this loss?”
“Yes. He sent word the day after the flying machine accident.”
“What has your Uncle Barney to say about it?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t heard from him. But I suppose he’ll be just as much upset as daddy. I think he put every cent he had got out of the zinc mines into this new concern.”
“It’s too bad, Ruth. I wish I could help you. If only a fellow could get on the trail of this Lemrech and his cousin Norris! Does your father suppose they will be able to use the formulas?”
“More than likely. You see, the whole affair was conducted more or less in secret. That being the fact, what is to prevent those two rascals from selling the formulas to some other color maker?” answered the girl somewhat sadly.
A few minutes later the two rejoined the others. Andy was cutting up and telling some of his queer jokes, and he had the girls shrieking with laughter.