“And failed,” Rogers finished the sentence for him. “And now the chapter is closed and we’ll not say anything more about it. We’ve had a good time and I wouldn’t have missed this trip with you boys for a farm and so I’m mighty glad we came and——and that’s all there is to it.” It was exactly half past one when the Albatross rose in the air and the plane carried a crew which was, so far as outward appearances went, in a joyous mood. Not a breath of air disturbed the ocean beneath them as they swept out over its broad expanse and headed for Honolulu. “Know what day it is?” Bill asked as soon as they were over the water. “Friday, isn’t it?” Gordon guessed. “At least it ought to be,” he added. “And the thirteenth at that,” Rogers smiled. “Well, you’re both wrong,” Bill told them. “What day is it then?” Gordon demanded. “It’s Saturday and the date is the tenth.” “Which means that we don’t start for home till Monday,” Gordon declared. “Exactly,” Bill agreed. “I reckon he planned it so that he could stay longer with, er, with Mr. and Mrs. Mann,” Gordon grinned turning to Rogers who, as usual, was in the back seat. “Probably you’re right,” Rogers told him. “A lot of planning there’s been so far as time is concerned,” Bill retorted. “But have all the fun you want to at my expense. I don’t mind it.” “Then what are you blushing so for?” Gordon asked. “Who’s blushing?” Bill demanded. “Ask Steve, he knows,” Gordon laughed. “I guess it’s nothing but tan,” Rogers smiled. “Maybe, but I’d like to take his temperature just the same. I’ll bet the mercury would jump out the end of the thermometer.” “Keep it up,” Bill told him. “Hope I never fall in love,” Gordon said in an undertone but loudly enough for both of them to hear. “You probably never will,” Bill told him. “It must be awful.” “Ask Steve, he knows,” Bill advised. “It’s not so bad,” Rogers laughed, “when you get the right girl.” “But how do you know when you do get the right one?” Gordon wanted to know. “You’ll know all right when the time comes,” Rogers assured him. “Anyone will be the right one for Gordon provided she’s a good cook,” Bill chuckled. “You said a mouthful,” Gordon grinned. “Wonder how the Jap made out,” Rogers remarked a few minutes later. “Perhaps we’ll get a chance to make a call on him while we’re visiting,” Gordon said. “We must try to,” Bill added. “Yes,” Rogers agreed. “I’d really like to know that he’s all right. I sure took a fancy to him.” “Same here. He’s a regular fellow if his skin is a bit on the yellow shade,” Gordon told them. All this time the plane had been skimming along at about seventy-five miles an hour and only a few hundred feet above the water. They knew there was no hurry and the day was too fine and the flight too pleasant to make speed. But finally they were hovering over the lot in back of the mansion, and the elevator was slowly allowing the plane to approach the ground.