Harper and Pete managed to get the air ship out of the shed without injury. This left the opening into the shed clear.
"You two," Whipple went on to Pete and Harper, "pick up that other feller an' kerry him in. I can handle King, all right."
The way Whipple handled Matt was to grab him by the collar and drag him through the door and the length of the shed. At the end of the big room he opened a door and pulled Matt into a small chamber not more than ten feet square by as many high—hardly more than a big box. There was a window in one wall, and two cots at each side.
Halting in front of one of the cots, Whipple picked Matt up in his arms and dumped him upon the narrow bed.
"Put your kid on the other cot," ordered Whipple to Harper and Pete.
Ferral was lifted and placed as the leader of the gang had directed.
Matt had been conscious of every move that was made, although his mind had not been at all clear. By the time he had been placed on the cot, however, his faculties were as keen as ever, in spite of the pain he suffered on account of his rough treatment.
"What are you trying to do, Whipple?" he demanded, turning his head so he could look directly into the face of the leader of the gang.
"What we're tryin' ter do we've as good as done," was the fierce answer. "We're undoin' the thing you done a week er more ago. The perlice are after us, on account o' you, an' we're goin' ter make a getaway in the Hawk."
"The Hawk belongs to me and my friend, on the other cot."