“Of course I can’t answer that,” Rogers smiled. “But there are several explanations any one of which is possible.” “Such as what?” Gordon asked. “Well, for one the letter might have been placed in a tight box of some kind and been washed ashore and someone found it and sent it to his people.” “Sounds pretty far fetched if you ask me,” Gordon declared, shaking his head. “Granted,” Rogers smiled. “But it got there some way that’s certain.” “No doubt about that,” Bill broke in. “But what about it?” “I’m going to see if I can find it,” Rogers told him slowly. “You are?” “Of course I fully realize that it’s more than likely to be a wild goose chase,” Rogers told them, “but I’ve never been out there and I’m going to have a try at it. That is if I can get two boys to go with me. I can get a month’s leave of absence.” “You mean you want us to go with you?” Gordon asked. “That was the impression I was hinting at,” Rogers smiled. “Molokai. Isn’t that where they send lepers?” Bill asked. “Yes, there’s a leper colony there,” Rogers told him. “But you know leprosy isn’t contagious.” “Gee, but I’d like to try it,” Gordon declared. “How about you, Bill?” “I’m on.” “Fine. How about your parents? Will they want you to go?” “Oh they won’t object,” Gordon assured him. “But how’ll we go?” Bill asked. “I think you told us once that you had promised your wife that you’d never fly again and that lets the Albatross out.” “Ah, but it doesn’t,” Rogers smiled. “You see, my wife is a pretty good sport and when I told her about this find and explained how safe your plane is she consented to let me go.” “Then we can go in the old bird?” “You bet. And if we find anything of value we’ll divide it three ways.” “No, two ways. You half and Gordon and I the other half,” Bill insisted, and neither he nor Gordon would agree to any other plan. “Oh, well, we probably won’t find anything anyway so we won’t fight about it,” Rogers finally gave up. CHAPTER II OFF FOR MOLOKAI As they had expected it did not take very much urging to gain the consent of their parents although Mr. Hunniwell told them frankly that he had no faith in their hopes. “However,” he continued, “you have never been in that part of the world and if you are careful not to take any chances the trip will undoubtedly be a good one and you will enjoy it. But don’t be disappointed if you find nothing. That paper is too old to have any value in my opinion.” They had decided to start in a week as it would take them that time to make all their preparations. Or rather Rogers told them it would take him that long as he was obliged to go back to New York and attend to several matters connected with his work. As for Bill and Gordon, they declared that they could be ready to start the next day. It was arranged that they would pick Rogers up on the flying field on Long Island as he lived not far from there and he left late that afternoon.