Andy did so. As they entered the apartment indicated, a man with one arm in a sling advanced and grasped Andy’s hand warmly.
“This is a blazing shame!” he burst out, “but I’ll have you out of here if it takes all I’ve got and can beg or borrow.”
It was Andy’s employer, John Parks, the Airship King.
CHAPTER XVIII—OUT ON BAIL
Andy’s heart warmed up and he felt that the tide was turning. Parks was an energetic, impulsive man, and generally put through what he started at. His hearty greeting showed what he thought of Andy and the charge against him.
“Is that the sheriff coming?” he demanded impatiently of the officer or guard at the door of the room.
“He’ll be here soon,” was the reply, “we have sent for him.”
“Come over here, Andy,” directed the aeronaut, leading the way to a corner of the apartment so the others could not overhear their conversation. “I want to talk with you. Now then,” he continued, as they were seated by themselves, “tell me the whole story.”
“I wish I had done it before,” began Andy, and then he recited his experience with Talbot and the details of the barn burning.
“Guesswork and spitework, eh? The whole business,” flared out Parks. “They haven’t a foot to stand on in court. I’ll see that you have the right kind of a lawyer when the case comes to trial. All I am anxious about is to get you back to camp double quick. You know the race takes place day after to-morrow.”