“You did mighty well, Harv,” said Dick, softly swinging the paddle from which the water silently dripped, “in tracking the Professor to the Adirondacks. We get the papers now and then in camp and read of the kidnapping case of the Philadelphia merchant’s child, but with never a thought that you were mixed up in it. After plucking this dark-hued brand from the burning, why not make it your profession? You can skyhoot around the country in your airboat and hunt out such jobs.”
“I’ll think it over, Dick, but I don’t see much profit in it. Detective Pendar offered to divide the reward with me, but I couldn’t think of that.”
“Of course not; Bunk hasn’t much wealth and I don’t believe Mr. Hartley will give more than twenty-five cents to get him back again.”
“That would hardly pay for the gasoline and oil, to say nothing of my own keep.”
“But think of the fun you would have. When this business is finished I should like to try that aeroplane.”
“I shall be glad to give you and your friends all the air excursions you would like.”
“To get down to serious business, Harv, I see only one thing that stands in the way of our success.”
“What is that?”
“I am sure you are right in believing the Professor spends all his spare time in his workshop, and visits Bunk only to carry him food and to see that he stays where he put him. But he may complete his plans sooner than we are figuring upon and make his start for Africa before we can get our hands on Bunk.”
“It may be so, but I haven’t much fear of it. He will have to take enough food to last them two or three days and you know something of Bunk’s appetite.”