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