looked dazed.

"The younger generation moves too fast for me," he said. "But will you
please explain?"

"It's a long story, Dad," said Jack, "and I haven't the time. But it's
Bob's airplane. The fellows who kidnapped you stole the machine in
Long Island several days before that. Well, Mr. Temple and the boys
came out to New Mexico, and we recovered the plane and, and--well,
there you are."

"Yes, I see," said Mr. Hampton. "It's as clear as a New York fog. But
it's enough to know that Bob--didn't you mention his name--is here
with the machine. Let's go and find him."

He started for the door. But at that moment Rafaela, who stood closer
to it, halted him with upraised hand.

"Listen," she whispered.

Cautious footsteps could be heard ascending the stairs.

"Quick, Jack," whispered Mr. Hampton, "you mustn't be seen. Nor you,
Miss Calomares. Here, hide behind this bed. And he pushed the two
behind the hangings of a great four-poster. Then removing the key from
the outside of the door, he hurriedly but noiselessly swung the
ponderous frame shut, and locked it on the inside.

"Calomares won't recall losing the key," he said grimly to himself.
"There may be a chance yet."

He listened with his ear at the keyhole. The cautious footsteps
mounted higher. They reached the landing. Then there was a low knock
on the panel, and a voice called low and urgently:

"Mr. Hampton. Mr. Hampton. This is Bob."

CHAPTER XXIX

THREE CHEERS FOR THE RADIO BOYS

Mr. Hampton unlocked and opened the door, and greeted the big fellow
as warmly as he had his own son.

"Where's Jack?" asked Bob. "Did they capture him?"

Jack, who was peeping from behind the four-poster, sprang into the
room, and slapped his chum resoundingly on the back.

"Thought you were to stick by the airplane," he said, with mock
severity.

Bob swung around, the worried look vanishing from his face.

"Hurray," he said. "So they didn't get you after all? When I saw you
punch that fellow I thought your goose was cooked."

"Saw me punch him? Why, where were you?"

"Oh, I had followed you," said Bob. Then he explained.

"Then when the attack began," he added, "I flew around overhead until
I saw my chance to return and land. I wasn't going to leave without
you. Presently, the government troops were beaten at the north. That
was only a feint on their part, anyhow, I believe, to engage the
attention of the rebels. For at once, heavy shooting broke out