"The people are pulling me all to pieces, Matt," he cried the moment the king of the motor boys entered the tent. "They're saying we could just as well have had a flight to-night, that I'm not living up to my promises, and all that. By Jerry, it hurts!"
"Let it be announced in the circus tent," said Matt, "that there'll be a flight to-morrow morning at nine o'clock—not for exhibition purposes, as Motor Matt doesn't give a performance on Sunday—and that all who wish to can see it."
"Good!" declared Burton. "I guess that'll catch them. But what are you making the flight for, if not to please the people?"
"For the purpose of backcapping Ben Ali, capturing him, and finding out where he has taken Margaret Manners."
Burton whirled around and gave Matt a steady look.
"What have you got up your sleeve?" he demanded curtly. "Are you going to try that, all alone, in the Comet?"
"Not all alone. You, and Twomley, and Joe are going to help. Send Harris and another trusty man over to that house with the green shutters, will you, and have them relieve the Englishman and McGlory. I want them here to talk with them."
Harris was Burton's brother-in-law, and a thoroughly reliable man in every respect.
"I've already sent them supper, a lantern, and a couple of chairs," said Burton, "but it seems to me all foolishness to hold the prisoners in the house. Why not send 'em to jail, where they belong?"
"Because Wily may not belong in jail, and because, if Dhondaram is taken there to-night, Ben Ali might hear of it and not present himself in that oak opening on the Elgin road to-morrow."