"In other words both Ford and Sladek are after the sunken treasure in the _Southern Queen_ and there's some information over in the valley of the Cedar that both are after," said Carson. "All of which may mean a good story for the _News_" smiled Tim. "When can you start for the valley?" "Right away." "Can you go by plane?" "Not tonight. I'll drive down. Ralph can bring the plane in tomorrow and land near Auburn. I'm not sure a plane will be much use except for a fast trip home with the story. I'll probably have to take a boat if I want to get around much in that country." "Got any cash?" "Less than $10." Carson dug into his own pocket. "Here's $20. I'll have Ralph bring you expense money when he flies over." In their eager discussion of the possibilities of the story they had almost forgotten the telephone calls to Ralph and Dan Watkins and Tim was about to depart for the Cedar river valley when they burst into the office. "What's the matter?" asked Watkins. "Something big break?" "Not yet, but soon," grinned Tim. "We think we've learned the identity of 'Mr. Seven.' Both you and Ralph have seen him. Take a good look at that picture over there and tell us what you think." The newcomers scanned the printed likeness of Grenville Ford with critical eyes. "That's 'Mr. Seven' without a doubt," said the chief copyreader and Ralph added his agreement. "Then you'd better start for the valley at once," said Carson. "You might tell us a little about it," suggested the veteran head of the copy desk. "You'll hear full details when the story breaks," cried Tim as he headed for the stairs. He took the best of the cars which the _News_ owned for the trip, a powerful coupe capable of high speed and standing lots of abuse on the rough roads of the Cedar valley. He swung in front of the _News_ building, just as the others came down from the editorial office. "I'll take you home," he called. "I've got my car," replied the managing editor. "The short walk will do me good," added Watkins, but Ralph decided to ride. "Carson told us the whole story and says I'm to fly over in the morning and land near Auburn," he said. "Will you be there?" "That's hard to say, but if I'm not you wait for me even if you have to stay there a couple of days." "Sounds like a vacation trip." "It may be anything but that." Then, thinking of the big amphibian and Jack Sladek and his bodyguards, he added: "The amphibian Sladek came in is in the hangar next to the one we use. If I leave you at the field, do you suppose you could fix it so they'd be delayed several hours getting their motor started in the morning?" "It's as good as done," said Ralph. "With this flight on tomorrow I'll have an excuse to visit the field." Tim left Ralph at the airport and sped on alone toward the valley of the mighty Cedar. CHAPTER EIGHT A Sudden Attack