"The trouble is," Ned replied, "that we got here too soon."
"What's the answer to that?"
"We did not give the plotters time enough to finish their business. When that old Chink, back there at the gate, signaled to them with his rockets, they cut and ran, leaving important evidence behind them."
"And you think they will hang about the flying squadron until they recover what they have lost?"
"They certainly will try to recover it. Now you see the wisdom of the
Washington people in sending me to Peking on a motorcycle! You see that
I was right in saying that we were being set up as marks for other
nations to shoot at!"
"Yes," said Martin, "you never could have got to the fellows in the old way. It was right to plan it so that they would come to you, although it was placing you in great danger."
"But the danger has rippled off our backs like water off the feathers of a duck! If we meet no more peril than we have now encountered, we'll get back to New York fat and healthy."
"One thing I fail to comprehend," Captain Martin said, "and that is why a flying squadron was sent with you."
"To attract attention," laughed Ned.
"To get you out of scrapes, I should say," the Captain retorted.