The Air Ship Boys : Or, the Quest of the Aztec Treasure

last of its fortunate passengers. Near the entrance gates, through which perspiring men and women were hurrying, stood th

of Ned Napier and his chum Alan Ho

ns were anxiously awaiting the approach of the hour of departure. One of these, the conductor of the train, consu

Major Honeywell," he said with some

d whose soft dark hat and clothes indicated his military

Napier has a reputation for never fai

t. "It is from Youngstown, Ohio, and says Ned's train is on time. He left Washington yesterd

s I'd like to," replied the conductor

, a young negro, who, as he spoke, placed his hand on the si

pling up." And he nodded toward the gloom beyond the train shed out of which the big compou

he said suddenly after peering down the lon

it won't be on a simple thing like this. He'll be here. It won't take us but three minutes to tra

the colored b

and here's de screw-driver outen de box as he done writ us

d, as it proved, most eventful journey. In railroad parlance the car was what is known as a "club" car. Half of the interior was bare and unfinished, like the compartment in which, on special and limited trains, baggage is carried. This part of the car, now exposed to view, was dimly lighted with one incandescent bulb. In the half-light it could be seen that the space was almost wholly filled with tanks, boxes

with apparent confidenc

boy Elmer sh

ductor returned a

back and see about my train. I don't want to make you nervous, but

e military man, beginning to show irrit

op to cut this car out. We've got to have five minutes for that. At five minutes of eight you'll

lan from the open car door. "W

to the wisdom of this, but before h

ctor, we'll be ready," and he sprang out o

p next the car and two grimy depot men with smoky torc

c conductor. "Only five minutes." He l

r look of appeal at his own watch as if in doubt what to say. To send a special car half way across the continent was no inexpensive project. And to send it without the person or the

ed the railway official

Alan faced him and with a han

he can't fail; te

laimed suddenly. "Take her along. It'

conductor, "I hop

engine he hurried away for a

waiting so anxiously could hear the jar of connecting valves as the brake hose were snapped. Confident as Alan was, it gave him a sinking feeling. Then

minu

of a movement among those gathered around

he shouted and

hite teeth showing, "and Yar's de scre

form. By its side walked a boy-a lad of about seventeen. One of his hands rested on the truck and his eyes were carefully fixed on the load it bore

ath this ominous legend we

nlookers through whom the strange little caravan passed the lad by the side of the truck seemed to have no concern. A traveling cap was pus

ran forward. "They were afraid you wouldn't get here.

ew arrival cheerfu

heery word of greeting, but his right hand did not leave

d the new arrival as

to bid us

aboard and

and Alan glanced at the

ike a baby," laughed Ned. "Rode wit

idn't sleep

ed, "and I can sleep to-night. But I'm glad it's

s cane, the military man had hu

ulations. But for goodness' s

k load. "That's the reason I'm late. I walked the horses from the Union Depot. You s

e truck was abreast

men to do likewise. For a moment they hesitated, but being reassured, Ned and Alan and the truck men lined up on either side of the big case. Slowly and carefully, with a brawny truck man on each s

,"' cried the Major from the pl

l be a half a minute and that's as

is part of the apparently ticklish job. It was then seen that each bottom corner of th

men climbed out of the car, "these

d with a few sharp turns of the screw driver made the case hard and fast to the floor of the car. Almost as quickly he threw the do

he exclaimed. "

g in that car is exactly as you planned and asked. From now on it is subject to yo

I'm sorry I couldn't have seen my mother again, but

words, "all aboard," and Elmer, c

"and thank you for the gre

we fail in our work it w

ard, off at last, after six weeks preparation, in search o