“Herr Georges? Is he another growth in your mind?” Billy happened to think at the instant that “Georges” and “Roque” were one and the same person—as the secret agent changed his name as many times and as easily as he changed his clothes. But he let the question go as put, for a feeler, if nothing else.
“Oh, you know the one I mean, though you and I are seemingly at odds in naming him,” confidently asserted Ricker.
“But what of that?” argued Billy. “For all we know, Roque or Georges is beyond interest in the doings of earth, and, what’s more, we have paid our score and have been acquitted of the service.”
The silversmith turned thoughtful for the moment, hesitating as to his next word. Then, deliberately, he questioned:
“Do you mean to tell me that you knew nothing of the plot to blow up the war depot?”
The boys stared at the questioner in affright!
CHAPTER III.
TRAILED BY RED RIDERS.
The silversmith seemed satisfied that he had effectually unseated Billy from his highhorse position, and in cat and mouse attitude awaited complete surrender.
“You—you dare to voice that suspicion?” gasped the boy. “We never heard or even dreamed of such a plot, and with the coming of the shock hadn’t the least idea what caused it.”
“Is it not true that the pair of you at the very moment of the explosion were preparing to speed in aeroplanes to the rescue of at least two of the plotters?”