“And that means,” Jimmie argued, “that the blond brute who tried to blow up our aeroplanes not far from St. Louis reached the ocean about the time of our arrival.” “That’s the way it looks to me,” Ben agreed. “Have you any idea he saw us?” asked Carl. “I’ve been thinking about that,” Ben answered, “and I can’t quite make up my mind. You see,” he went on, “it’s just this way: If he crossed the range while our machines were reflecting the light of the lower beacon, he undoubtedly saw us. If he crossed after we passed out to sea and turned back to the east, he probably doesn’t know that we’re here.” “He’ll find out quick enough!” suggested Carl. “How?” asked Jimmie. “Why, the fellows who were sneaking the Chinamen across the Mexican border will tell him all right!” was the answer. “Don’t you ever think they’ll tell him,” Ben broke in. “He won’t give them a chance to tell him anything! He’ll dodge them as if they had the small-pox.” “That’s about right,” Jimmie agreed. “He’ll head straight for Phillips and Mendosa and tell them that there’s a red-headed boy who will cross their life-lines in about twenty-four hours!” “I hope he doesn’t know where to find them!” Ben observed. “He probably does,” Ben suggested. “Say,” cried Jimmie dancing about on his toes, “I don’t believe he knows where they are any more than we do—nor half so much.” “What’s the answer?” asked Ben. “Do you remember the note Kit found in the barn where that monkey-faced aviator had his arm set?” asked Jimmie. “That’s a fact!” exclaimed Ben. “Who’s got the note now?” “I have!” shouted Jimmie. “I have it at this moment secreted about my person, but it isn’t necessary for me to read it again to tell what it says. It gives an address and the address is Two Sisters canyon.” “This blond cruiser may have a copy of it,” suggested Carl. “Of course, he may,” returned Jimmie, “but I don’t believe it. This monkey-faced fellow seems to me to be the big squeeze in this game, and thieves don’t trust each other a little bit.” While the boys talked, the aeroplane which had been observed in the light of the north beacon came sailing over the summit to the west and dipped down toward the surface only a short distance away from where the boys were sitting. “There!” Ben observed, “he either saw and followed us, or he knows where Two Sisters canyon is and is heading for it.” “As the Bureau of Forecasts would say,” chuckled Jimmie, “threatening weather may be expected about this time.” “It looks to me like I never would get any more sleep!” wailed Kit. CHAPTER XII. THE FIGHT IN THE CABIN. “It strikes me,” Havens observed, as he sat at the little table in the screened-off corner of the _Nancy’s_ cabin, gazing at the brutal features of Captain DeMott, the son of the old hag who had so deceived him. “It strikes me,” he repeated, “that you people have some strong motive for getting me out of the way.”