“Well,” Mr. Wright spoke up, “some one has been quietly exchanging company stock, turning some into gold, here and there. I think it was Barney’s work under assumed names, to get his money into shape for escape. We have made him see that we know how the cheap, shoddy supplies are coming in, and other things: he will try to get away.”
“The paying tellers of the town banks are on the watch. The first minute he comes to close his accounts, as he will do before he takes a train, we will be informed. Before he goes he may try to destroy the false account books, and leave only conviction of his guilt, but no real, legal proof.”
“But—” Al was still somewhat puzzled. “Bob, how did you come to suspect Barney at all?”
“Do you remember me telling what was said when I flew with Lang to see Father?” As Al and Curt nodded, Bob added, “Barney used a phrase about ‘crossed wires.’ Then I found crossed wires in Mr. Tredway’s ship last night, and later Mr. Tredway found wires chafed, and led across each other, by his brown ‘plane carburetor. It was the quickest way to endanger a ship—the spark could set fire to free gas, and might not be noticed in daylight. Barney had time to do it.”
“When he went out? I see,” Curt said. “But, Bob, you thought some one was listening, watching—you told Barney so.”
“I still think some one was spying over our dinner—but it may have been the manager, Jenks, who may be ‘in’ with Barney.”
“Speak of the—” Mr. Tredway gave a warning glance as he began the old adage, “speak of the devil, he’s sure to appear.”
To their amazement, Barney came through the gates. He was calm, quiet, not at all furtive or frightened.
“What was the idea of that trick you played with the books?” He patted the package he carried. Bob was confused.
The arrival of the rigger, Sandy Jim, coming early to complete work on the new airplane for which the owner was in such a hurry, enabled Bob to hide his confusion as his father answered, quietly, “I’ll tell you that, Barney.”