“Search his pockets and tie his hands,” the millionaire said, turning to Sam. “You know what this means, Redfern?” he added to the prisoner.
“It means Sing Sing,” was the sullen reply, “but there are plenty of others who will keep me company.”
“That’s the idea!” cried Havens. “That’s just why I came here! I want the officials of the new trust company more than I want you.”
“You’ll get them if I have my way about it!” was the reply.
An hour later the Ann and the Louise dropped down in the green valley by the camp-fire. Redfern was sullen at first, but before the start which was made soon after sunrise he related to Havens the complete story of his embezzlement and his accomplices. He told of the schemes which had been resorted to by the officials of the new trust company to keep him out of the United States, and to keep Havens from reaching him.
The Flying Machine Boys parted with Havens at Quito, the millionaire aviator going straight to Panama with his prisoner, while the boys camped and hunted and fished in the Andes for two weeks before returning to New York.
It had been the intention of the lads to bring Doran and some of the others at Quito to punishment, but it was finally decided that the victory had been so complete that they could afford to forgive their minor enemies. They had been only pawns in the hands of a great corporation.
“The one fake thing about this whole proposition,” Jimmie said as the boys landed in New York, sunburned and happy, “is that alleged Mystery of the Andes! It was too commonplace—just a dynamo in a subterranean mountain stream, and electric lights! Say,” he added, with one of his inimitable grins, “electricity makes pretty good ghost lights, though!”
“Redfern revealed his residence by trying to conceal it!” declared Ben. “That is the usual way. Still,” he went on, “the Mystery was some mystery for a long time! It must have cost a lot to set the stage for it.”
The next day Mr. Havens called to visit the boys at their hotel.