“It means that your—” Al began in his imprudent haste; Bob gave him a sharp, meaning look. Al, catching it, realizing that he had almost mentioned Griff, whom they had previously agreed to aid, was silent.
“It means that we came back here—” Curt began and was interrupted by the angry partner of Mr. Tredway.
“Not content with taking those books,” he said angrily, “you want to take the company money—how did you get into my desk? Pick the lock? That adds another count against you!”
He released Bob’s coat collar and strode to the desk, a flat-topped one in the center of the room. Catching up the telephone receiver, he made a call.
“Hello—hello! Give me Police Headquarters! Yes, thanks!”
For an instant the members of the Sky Squad were stunned.
“What’s that?” Mr. Parsons spoke into the transmitter again. “He is out? How soon will he be back? Have him call Mr. Parsons, at the aircraft plant! Yes—perhaps I can give him some tenants for the new cells in the police station.”
He hung up the earpiece.
Bob, recovering his usual good judgment, began to consider the very difficult situation that faced the Sky Squad.
Al, however, seldom thought before he spoke; more often than his brother, he was sorry for hasty decisions and sharp speeches.