“He has quarters opening from the power house here,” said Jack, in a tone of surprise. “Why, may I ask?”
“Well, I think so well of your supposition that I want to do a bit of investigating. Barnum looks like a stout, reliant man. Besides, he knows the neighborhood. I’ll ask him to accompany me.”
Jack’s eyes glittered.
“What’s the matter with us?” he demanded.
“Oh, I couldn’t think of drawing you boys into this. It might involve some little danger.”
“Well,” said Jack, “danger would be nothing new to us. If you do not actually forbid our accompanying 88 you, we’ll go along. I’m keen to go. And I can say the same for Bob and Frank without questioning them. Besides, you must remember it was their airplane which these rascals damaged. They’ll be eager for a chance to even scores.”
Captain Folsom still looked dubious.
“You are unarmed,” he objected. “And we might, just might, you know, stumble into a situation where we would need to protect ourselves.”
“Oh, if that’s all that stands in your way,” said Jack, rising, “you need not worry. Tom Barnum keeps a whole armory of weapons here. He has at least a half dozen pistols and automatics. As for us, we are all pretty fair shots and used to handling weapons. Now, look here, Captain Folsom,” he said, pleadingly, advancing and laying a hand on the other’s arm; “I know what you are saying to yourself. You are saying how foolish it would be for you to encumber yourself with three harum-scarum boys. But that is where you make a mistake. We have been through a lot of dangerous situations, all three of us and, I can tell you, we have been forced to learn to keep our wits about us. I can promise you that we would not be a hindrance.”
Captain Folsom’s face cleared.