Bill Bolton-Flying Midshipman

sers of no particular hue. Both wore the floppy, broadbrimmed straw hats common in the tropics, both were barefoot a

commanded the ta

defiantly thrust his hands int

growl, turned to his father. "If this is a sample of the famous

!" shouted the leader. "If they make a

exclaimed indignantly as Diego re

gang of robbers we've fallen into if the rest of t

man. "Mebbe yer get dese tings back when yer goes up ter de big house,

" mocked Bill. "Tell me, Bozo, what do they c

er lip, an' I'll give yer de butt of dis rifle between de eyes.

ses again and continued along the dusty highway,

guard," Bill muttered to his father. "What sor

oyance, shot a glance of reproof at the tal

evidently underlings. When we meet this boss they speak of, it will be time enough to demand an explanat

lking into a mess that has last night's

d-voiced friend aren't criminals they should be, with faces like theirs. We ce

ser inspection proved it to be a long, one-storied affair with a flat roof and whitewashed stucco walls. It

xican jail to me

d. Mr. Bolton was in no state, physicall

I, except in

here we stops

e muzzle of his gun. Diego, who so far had made no observation of his own, produc

hey passed into a long corridor lined with cells, Diego's pal relieved them of their suitcases,

trage!" explod

o slammed and locked

might cause the men to separate him from

, Diego!"

ped and tu

gainst the bars and stared at the man, w

iego. Bring my father and me something to drink-something cool and wet-with ice in it if you can-and I'll make it all right with you when the bo

ver Diego's none too

" he replied in the best Bowery argot. "

on the filthy floor a

l run into home-folks," said B

, it would be a relief to me. Of course, I realize our arrest is a mistake. And the owner of this island will surely make amends as soon as I tell him who we are. In missing that conferenc

iration. I realize the seriousness of this mess we're in just as fully as you do. And one thing I do believe: we're going to have to shell

at him sharply.

from start to finish. If we haven't dropped into the winter hangout

nsom, y

e fellows is sure to be a bad egg. And we're getting a taste of his generous hospitality right now. Of course, I don't know what his part

slapped his knee in vexation. "The man knows now, exactly who I am. Those villains took my wallet! My cards and

we are in for it. Ugh! I wish those birds would

he heat-One of these days I'll make it even ho

ed Bill. "Her

into sight between the bars.

ed. "De big boss want

served Mr. Bolton, and picking up his

id Diego's partner, and t

water to drink

n? Tell yer troubles to de bos

s blinding. All wind from the sea was cut off by the valley,

ed like barracks and warehouses, but saw no pe

ped Bill, mopping his streaming forehead. "The thug wh

s advantages, if he is what we surmise. It is quite out of the world, an

the incline toward the white house on the knoll. "Thank heaven there'

randas surrounded the rambling building on three sides, and the cream stucco walls contrasted pleasingly with the dark green of its tile

rugs scattered over the polished floor, the fine wood and carving of the furniture

re they were, Diego crossed the

and Diego disappeared into the

his father, but their other guard growled at him to keep qu

dressed in immaculate white linens. Blue-black hair and an olive complexion bespoke his Latin origin. Two other young men, clad also

Bolton, walking up to the desk. "Is it your custom to have visi

ked blandly, without remov

dor, but neither by manner nor change of tone did he be

sk knocked the as

nt, Mr. Bolton. That will undoubtedly come later. Just

re to be kept here

or question. Strangers on Shell Island have always found that to disobey commands here is a particularly unhealthy pastime. Obey o

m. "Stow it, Dad," he said. "That lad has us just where he wan

and their guards led the

ward the settlement below, Mr. Bol

have developed better control of your temper under stress than I have. I'm glad you stopped me.

t that fat slob in there-and when I do, there won't be enough left

st, not just yet. Whatever he is up to is obviously illegal. But we'll probably learn about it before lon

uggested Bill. "If I can get hold of our bus or one of the oth

nking up a plan of opera

along with me, guy," he ordered. "Not you-" he snarled at Mr. Bolton as he

Bill called as Diego's partner

p a brave heart," a

ords, for Diego had him by the arm and forced him through th

ied him through this apartment, and down a bare hallway to the open door of a small room. Bill saw that except for an unpainted table and a chair of the kitchen variet

the chair. "Them's your cl

iego held pointed in his direction prevented him from sending a right hand jab to t

's orders. Make it snappy. We gotta get out o' her

are we

" He grinned evilly at the lad-"you