“I’ll be brief,” said Ford. “In the first place, let me say that you have two unusually resourceful reporters in Murphy and Graves.”
“There’s none better,” admitted Carson, smiling.
“I’m going on a hunt for the treasure in the old tramp steamer, Southern Queen,” went on Ford. “The vessel disappeared eleven years ago in the Caribbean with an unknown amount of gold in its hold. I actually don’t know how much but it is sufficient to make an expensive expedition in search of the treasure very much worthwhile and I’m leaving New York as soon as possible. I want Tim Murphy to go with me. In return, I’ll give you exclusive rights to the stories of the treasure hunt. What do you think about it?”
“Just this,” snapped Carson. “Tim has a leave of absence, starting right now, with full pay to be with you as long as necessary. I want the first exclusive story on your adventures in the Cedar river valley.”
“I was afraid of that,” smiled Ford, “but I guess that can’t be helped. You see, Jack Sladek, one of the rebels who looted the gold mines in Guato, is on the same quest I am. He almost got Tim and me this morning. If it hadn’t been for Ralph and a borrowed double-barreled shotgun we might now be among the missing.”
“What a story, what a story!” enthused Carson. “We won’t need to name Sladek if that will prove too embarrassing for you. We can call it a mysterious attack from the air.”
“I think that would be better,” agreed Ford. “Sladek has voted himself in this thing to the finish but now that I know he’s after the gold, I’ll be on guard and able to take care of myself.”
“When will you want Tim to leave?” asked the managing editor.
“I’ll phone for reservations on the late afternoon plane east,” said Ford. “Is that too soon for you, Tim?”
“I can be ready within an hour after I finish my story,” replied the flying reporter.