"This is the time of year when the weather ought to be at its best. Nevertheless, if a stormy day comes, we could alight and wait for the weather to clear. Even at that, we ought to be back in Atlantic City in two weeks."
"It's a good deal of a guess, Mr. Townsend, as to whether, even if we do find the Grampus in the Bahamas, you will be able to get her back."
"I am staking five thousand on the guess," said Townsend, quietly. "You're the right sort of a fellow to make such a venture a success, Motor Matt, and the proposition I have made you I wouldn't make to every one. What do you say?"
Matt and Dick withdrew for a little talk. They would lose their "advance bookings" for flights in the Hawk, but they stood to make a greater profit by this air cruise to the Bahamas than they could possibly hope for in Atlantic City.
"When do you want to start?" Matt asked.
"We should start in the morning," replied Townsend, "as early as possible."
"We'll go," said Matt.
"Good!" cried Townsend, a gleam of satisfaction darting through his eyes.
Taking a checkbook and a fountain pen from his pocket, he drew a chair up to the table and wrote for a few moments.
"There's your twenty-five hundred," said he, handing the check to Matt. "I've made out the check to King & Ferral. I'll leave you boys to do the outfitting, and will meet you on the beach, ready for the start, at seven in the morning. Good night."