“Then hurry. Let me know the minute you land at Rubio and I can send more information. I’m starting agents out of Baltimore by motor and I’ll send another plane with men within the hour. Good luck.” Bob turned and raced toward the waiting plane. “What news?” asked Lieutenant Gibbons. “Tell you when we’re in the air,” replied Bob. They climbed into the cabin and were no sooner seated than the ship started rolling across the field. Almost before they knew it the ground was dropping away and they were headed for the east shore of Maryland. Chapter XXX ON THE EAST SHORE ★ The air that fall afternoon was clear and the entire panorama of the city of Washington spread out below them. But Bob’s thoughts were not on the beauties of the afternoon or of the flight. His mind was centered far ahead on the east shore village of Rubio and what he might learn there. The cabin was well insulated, so Bob and Lieutenant Gibbons could converse in comparative ease. “What did Edgar have to say?” asked the intelligence officer. “He’s afraid the gang is trying to get the secret radio information out of the country by using an unlicensed station which has just started broadcasting from somewhere along the east shore of Maryland.” Lieutenant Gibbons whistled. “What’s he doing about it?” “Federal agents are being sent from Baltimore by motor and another plane is to follow us within a few minutes. The Department of Commerce believes the station is near Rubio and they’re trying to gum up the broadcast as much as possible. Oh, it all clicks beautifully. My uncle was taken down the river in a fast boat and landed somewhere near Rubio. He had the paper they desired and now they are trying to send the information someplace in Europe by using this powerful but unlicensed radio.” “Sounds logical,” agreed the lieutenant. “Looks like we’re going to have some busy hours ahead of us. Made any plans yet?” Bob shook his head. “I haven’t thought any beyond getting to Rubio as fast as we can and trying to learn there whether a boat like the one which slipped out of the tidal basin last night has been sighted there.” “Think we can swing it alone or are you going to wait for the other agents to catch up with us?” There was no hesitation in Bob’s reply. “We’re going on as rapidly as we can. Every minute counts now. We may run straight into a whole kettle of trouble, but we’ll have to handle it in some fashion.” They lapsed into silence as the sturdy amphibian sped out over Chesapeake Bay. Fishing boats could be seen below and several freighters, bound for Baltimore, churned up a white wake in the blue of the bay. It was indeed a calm and peaceful afternoon but Bob’s mind was anything but peaceful or calm. Then they were over Maryland and a few minutes later the uneven line of the east shore was visible.