“I’m going to fly as slow as possible and keep as near the ground as I dare,” Bill told his companion. “He can’t be very far off and unless he’s hidden out of sight we ought to see him. I’ll go around in a circle making it a little larger each time.” “Don’t build too many hopes on finding him this way,” Rogers advised. “If the parties who did it knew enough to take those brushes out they’ll probably be wise enough to keep out of sight.” “But they’ll think we can’t use the plane.” “Unless they see us.” “Of course we’ve got to risk that.” “It’s a strange thing to me that he didn’t smash the plane and make sure of it,” Rogers said a few minutes later. “I’ve thought of that,” Bill told him. “But perhaps he has hopes of using it himself, and so didn’t want to hurt it. I suppose it didn’t occur to him that we’d have any extra brushes along.” “I dare say you’re right.” They were flying at about twenty-five miles an hour and not more than a hundred feet from the ground. Rogers was searching the territory with the powerful glass and Bill was keeping his eyes on the region directly beneath them. They had made half a dozen circles when Rogers suddenly cried: “Come back over that big clump of bushes just to our right, Bill.” “Did you see something?” “I’m not sure but I’d like to take another look.” “Sure thing,” Bill told him giving the wheel a sharp turn. “Go as low as you can.” “Touch the tops of them if you say so.” “Well, come pretty near it,” Rogers ordered as the plane swung around in a broad circle. “Right?” “Just a bit more to the left.” “Right.” “I thought so,” Rogers said in a low tone as the plane passed over the clump so low that it barely missed the top of the thick growth of bushes. “What is it?” Bill demanded. “There’s a little hut in that clump.” “You sure? I didn’t see it.” “You wouldn’t from your side of the plane, but it’s there just the same.” “Didn’t see anyone, did you?” “No, but I’m betting there’s someone there just the same.” “We’ll find out mighty soon,” Bill promised as he searched the ground for a good landing place. He had already started the elevator and now the plane was almost stationary. “Right there to your right is a good place,” Rogers directed and a moment later they leaped from their seats. “Better take those cells out,” Rogers advised. “I’ll do that,” Bill told him. “We don’t want the plane swiped.” They had landed some hundred yards from the clump of bushes, and taking their automatics from their pockets, they lost no time in approaching it. “Mum’s the word,” Rogers whispered as they drew near. “They’ve probably seen the plane, that is, if there’s anyone there,” Bill whispered. “Wouldn’t wonder, but we’ll be careful just the same. There’s a chance they haven’t.”