And when Barney rejoined them a moment later Bob was still musing!
“I think it would be a good idea for all of us to stay,” suggested Mr. Parsons. “It’s after midnight, and these lads must be worn out, with all their pedaling to and fro. We can telephone their homes.”
“You may all stay,” said Mr. Tredway. “But until we prove something I shall keep out of sight. Especially if the ex-pilot is apt to be around. I’m going to warm up my brother’s airplane and hop back to the airport I came from.”
They all parted. Curt declared he wanted to secure his forgotten bicycle, Bob and Al were sure they had better go on home if Mr. Parsons would let them take the taxicab. He decided that, after all, he and his son had better go home. The meal was finished. Mr. Tredway, going by a side hall, and down back stairs, sought to avoid recognition while his brother agreed to watch the ex-pilot at every chance.
Bob and Curt found the bicycle safe, and trundled it to the luggage rack at the back of the taxicab.
Then Bob turned suddenly.
“Stay here,” he said, “I want to say something to Mr. Tredway—he’s warming up the airplane.”
“Forget something?”
“No—recalled something!”
As he reached the man so mysteriously lost and so suddenly discovered Bob caught his arm and spoke very earnestly.