“Splendid,” exclaimed the managing editor. “We’re going on the street with an extra now with the News taking full credit for the capture of those fellows.”
Early that evening Tim and Ralph were reunited in the News office. They had much to tell and they had an interested audience in their managing editor, the field manager and the members of the News staff.
Ralph told how he had been on his way to the Cedar river valley when he had seen the bandits bring their plane down in a small clearing near the highway. Ralph had left his car to make a closer inspection but had been discovered by Pierre and Sam. He had fled to his car but had been captured before he could make his escape. He had been forced into the bandit plane and taken to their hiding place in the wilderness of timber and underbrush in the river valley.
“They took good care of me,” grinned Ralph, “but I realized that when they completed their series of daring robberies they would probably leave me tied up in the shack, which wasn’t such a pleasant prospect. The money they had obtained in their robberies was all in the shack and believe me I was sure happy when the state police arrived.”
From New York came a telegram from Mac Giddings congratulating Tim on the use of the radio detector and adding that federal agents had raided the hidden factory in the Jersey woods, seizing all men and equipment. Giddings added that his own company was making arrangements to take over the plans and manufacture the new plane on a commercial basis.
“At least some good will come from this whole affair” said Tim. “The plane was truly a marvel. It’s too bad that it had to have its first test in this fashion.”
Captain Raymond made his way into the room. A stranger was with him but Tim recognized the man as the chief executive of the state, Gov. Ned Turner.
Captain Raymond introduced Tim and Ralph to the governor.
“When Captain Raymond told me all of the fine things you two have done in capturing these sky pirates I wanted to tell you in person how much this means to the state. It is a real privilege to commission you as honorary life members of the state police.”
When Tim and Ralph were finally alone with their managing editor, they confessed their extreme fatigue.