He returned to the
city in another man's car; obviously, then, some one else must have
taken the aeroplane back to its hangar, since it would have caused too
much comment had it been on the links in the morning. Our plan, then,
is to find that mechanician and bribe or threaten him into telling the
truth. If Woods hasn't got rid of him, he ought to be around the
aviation grounds. We must wait until we are certain Woods is not there
before trying to see our man."

"Then there is no better time than right now, for I know Woods is
taking a certain young lady automobiling this afternoon."

"Let's go quickly then," exclaimed the coroner.

We climbed into the car and sped toward the city. Since Eastbrook is
on the aerial postal route, we have a well-equipped aviation field just
outside the city. Several of our younger set with special sporting
proclivities have taken up aerial joy-riding since the war, so that
there is always a group of mechanicians and hangers-on around the field.

I proposed to the coroner that we stop for Simpson and he agreed. When
Simpson heard who it was he came down at once. As we sped toward the
aerodrome I told him of our findings of the afternoon. He was
astounded.

"You know, I'll hand it to the man who thought up that scheme. That's
the cleverest piece of work I ever heard of, if your theories are
correct and he really did do it."

"What makes you think Woods didn't do it?" I questioned.

"Not a thing," Simpson answered, "only I didn't know Woods kept a plane
in Eastbrook. Of course, it would be easy enough for him to get one.
Lord! Think of the possibilities it opens up. It fairly takes your
breath away. Automobile bandits aren't in it. Imagine trying to cope
with a gang of thieves who add an aeroplane to their kit of tools.
Suppose they decide to rob the Guarantee Trust Company of New York or
Tiffany's. The robbery itself would be the simplest part of the thing.
It is getting the swag away that worries the criminals. Suppose they
pull this robbery off and the police put a net around the city to guard
against their escape. Mr. Thief and his gang sail away calmly over the
heads of the police. Think of your diamond smugglers! Why, that big
British dirigible could have flooded the American market with diamonds
and laughed in the face of the customs authorities. I say it gets you."

"Yes, but in the meantime, we get Mr. Woods," I said grimly.

"Don't be too sure of that!"