The Forest of Mystery

usine

. They stared at the naturalist for several seconds

ou?" cried Bob, finally ma

heads, they were captivated by the idea. Said they greatly desired new specimens from Africa, and

portunity. Of course," he went on, "there's a ch

id. "Of course, you know there are others besides Ben a

for the museum," an

or the circus performance?"

ission on our hands we'll have to do some hustling. We just came down here t

ook their leave, while thei

ully. He picked his chum up and da

as you calm down a little you'll lose some of that

he noticed that people were beginning to trickle into

e performance was to start and amused

rhaps, however, as Bob said, they could have enjoyed it still mor

he two had gone to the museum to join their fathers.

Lewis, "although we hadn't

self and his friend. "And we're both good shots. Remember

, too. But to tell the truth, boys, we're not anxious for you to go with us this time. You s

his eyes brightening still more. "

ned his father. "Our ship will take us to

atly puzzled. "Do they have t

ilroad running from Mombasa to Lake Victoria. As I was saying, we'll board a

"I've often heard the term, but neve

explorers, the native police, bearers, and the like. It may vary from just a few people to several hundred. In our case, however, we won't need a large number of

pecially to bag?" asked Bob. "Of

ate reports of several strange animals that are at present generally unknown. Whether we'l

usively. "But just what is the

sts glanced

a heated debate," laughed Mr. Lewis. "Howard

persist

rous, while I would say the buffalo comes first. But to sett

lion?" demanded Joe.

the two animals that Ben mentioned. That doesn't mean, though, that it's advisa

id Joe's father, rising. "Then we can

the office, returning a moment later wit

ephone rang, and Mr. Holto

y of surprise. His brow wrinkled, a

" he cried excited

up in wonder. The boys too listened intently. They

the person at the other end of t

he hung up and tu

Thompson in Chicago-they've been stol

Lewis angrily. "

We must go at once. If we get there in

fice and through the building to the outside. Bob and Joe f

n's car, which was p

engine. "The robbery took place but a short time ago,

ens covered by insu

s shook

rare birds and animals as those can be procured only with great patience and labor under a hot sun. You fello

s soon caught in the midst of heavy traffic. Although Mr. Holton grea

d in the robbery itself that Joe and I haven't thought to

details about the happening, but the box of specimens must have been stolen while the truck driver was not around. Apparently the robber wa

we can help it," said Bob with deter

said gravely as he pushed the accele

they pulled up at their desti

ing them, on his face a look of deep anxiety. His features

ount of what had happened and urg

ould be safe, had gone into the freight office for a brief stay. When he returned to the truck, he foun

y that took them we migh

er for not taking better care of such valuabl

k to discover, if possible,

ose specimens," remarked Joe. "Maybe we can find its t

ain, for soon they saw wide tracks of automo

aid Mr. Holton. "Every lit

d the street. Now he came

ly. "I've found somethin