“Interested?” he asked.
“Go on,” chorused Tim and Ralph.
“What we have in mind,” continued Colonel Searle, “is deputising you two for special service. If any emergency arises in which we need an airplane in this section of the state, you would be available. It would also insure your paper of being in first on big news stories.”
“If Mr. Carson is favorable,” said Tim, “you can count on Ralph and me.”
“Just a minute,” put in Captain Raymond. “One thing more. There has been a change in the political set-up in Dearborn and as a result many criminals are going to be driven out of that city and forced to other fields. It will be natural for some of them to transfer their activities to this state. If they come, as we confidently expect, they will be more dangerous than the average bandit. And remember, the Sky Hawk is gone but some of his men are still alive. Through special police channels we have learned that several of them have banded together again and have been operating in and near Dearborn. If they decide to come back this way your mission might be doubly dangerous.”
“They couldn’t be any worse than the Sky Hawk,” said Ralph.
“In that case,” said Colonel Searle, “I consider it an honor and a privilege to appoint you as special and secret members of the state police.”
Captain Raymond produced the records which Tim and Ralph were to sign and in less than five minutes they were in the state police.
Colonel Searle gave them identification cards and the small gold eagle which also indicated their position.
“We may not need you,” said Captain Raymond, “but if things come out as I predict, it won’t be long before part of the Sky Hawk’s old gang will be back. The Hawk is gone, thanks to you boys, but the memory of his methods and daring lives on in the minds of the men who associated with him.”