CHAPTER XXIV
THE BOY AVIATORS HOLD A WINNING HAND
The cause of the sudden swoop of the Golden Eagle II that Barr had
seen from the yacht with such satisfaction was the need of
replenishing her gasoline tank. The big craft landed in the dusty
public square of the city where pretty well every one in the town
was on hand when her runners and pneumatic tired supporting wheels
struck the ground. The young adventurers were out of her in a few
minutes and the first man to grasp their hands was M. Desplaines.
"I am delighted to see you," he exclaimed, "but if you anticipated
catching Luther Barr you are too late."
"We saw his yacht steaming out to sea," rejoined Frank, "but if only
we can get more gasoline we can catch him yet."
"What, you mean to pursue him?"
"We certainly do. He has stolen the ivory that we recovered at so
much risk to ourselves."
"I didn't realize, of course, what your errand was," said M.
Desplaines in reply, "till Mr. Barr arrived here in his yacht the
other day and informed me that you had stolen a cache of ivory
belonging to him and asked my aid to help in capturing you. I had
no means of disproving his story so I lent him the steam launch, but
I see now by his action in hastening to the yacht that he is, as you
say, the real thief.
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