Dooley went back to his men. Frank turned back from the rail and met the approving gaze of Nicodemus.
“You handled him well, Frank,” said the captain, approvingly. “Nothing could have been better.”
“Now we can search for the gold with safety.”
“Yes.”
Pomp took his position at the wheel and keyboard. Barney and Frank and the captain were to prosecute the search.
Already Dooley’s men were at work. They were scattered in all directions digging up the sand and following every sign of a trail.
Alighting from the air-ship, our trio of adventurers went forward.
Captain Beere’s hypothesis was that the men must have set out with the gold in the direction of the camp. So they proceeded that way.
Long and persistent and careful was the quest. Finally the day drew to a close.
As it was useless to attempt the quest in the darkness, Frank and his companions returned to the air-ship. The others bivouacked near.