“Thanks,” Gordon grinned and resumed his seat on the box. “In return for your kindness I wish I could tell you what you want to know but I don’t think it would be right, not with my present amount of knowledge. You see, he’s a very dear friend.” “All right. I don’t blame you. Maybe I can find out some other way. I suppose they’ll start hunting for you as soon as they get back.” “Probably.” “That’s what I want them to do.” “You do?” “I certainly do.” “Say, did you do anything to the plane?” Gordon asked after a short pause. “I fixed it so that they can’t fly it.” “What was the idea, if you want them to find me?” “They might have been scared off and left.” “Don’t you believe it. They’re not that kind.” “Probably not, but I wasn’t taking any chances. I’m going outside a minute to see if I can see anything of them. Don’t try to get away because you can’t.” He was gone only a moment and when he returned it was with a puzzled look on his face. “See them?” Gordon asked. “Yes,” was the reply. “But why all the trouble on your face. I thought you wanted them to come.” “But they’re coming in the plane.” “Thought you fixed it so they couldn’t. What did you do to it?” “Took the brushes out of the motor.” “I’m afraid you’re not so smart as I thought,” Gordon grinned. “We’ve got several pairs of extra brushes along.” “I might have known it. Still, if they’re going to hunt you up, there’s no harm done.” “Not to the motor,” Gordon grinned. “You think they’ll hunt till they find you?” “Sure they will, but if you want them to find me why don’t you get outside and let them see you?” “You don’t think I’m fool enough to do that I hope.” “Well, you see, I don’t know a thing about it, the whole thing seems a bit foolish to me. Here you kidnap me and then say you want them to find me. What is it, a ransom game?” “Never mind what it is. I want you to do just as I say. Do you understand?” “Well, I’ve been pretty gentle so far, haven’t I?” “Because you had to be.” “What is it you want me to do?” “Wait till I take another look outside and perhaps I’ll tell you.” “Suit yourself,” Gordon said as the Jap disappeared. As before he was gone but a minute and when he returned it was with the news that they were flying in circles. “That’s to make a thorough job of it,” Gordon told him. “They won’t see this hut unless they fly directly over it.” “Then let’s hope that’s what they’ll do.” “It’s some machine you’ve got,” the Jap declared a moment later. “You said something,” Gordon assured him. “I suppose those brass cylinders I stole the other day are some new kind of a battery.” “You suppose just exactly right. They are.” “Did you invent them?” “No.” “Did the man you call Rogers?” “No.” “Who did then?” “Couple of friends of ours back in Maine.” “Boys?” “About our age.” “They must be smart.” “They are.” “It must seem strange to be in a plane and not have it make any noise.” “It does till you get used to it.”