CHAPTER VI

AN UNKNOWN ENEMY

"Huh! see there, that Mr. Marsh has got down from his machine, and gone
ahead to talk some more with Percy," remarked Andy, as they continued
to keep their eyes directed toward the road, not so very far distant,
where this little drama was taking place.

"They certainly seem to be interested in everything touching on
aviation," mused Frank. "Going to hang around Bloomsbury several days,
are they, while their car is being over-hauled? Did it look broken
down to you, Larry?"

"Almost new," replied the other, readily "I'd just like to say that
that was only an excuse for hanging around a while. They came here on
purpose, with something in their noddles; and you mark me, Frank, they
don't mean to skip without having a try at that same."

"Well, there they go off, and the procession starts again. Percy is
turning around to look after the two men, as if they interested him a
heap," Andy observed.

"He's calling something to Sandy, but I can't make out what it is,"
Larry declared; for he was noted on account of his unusually keen
hearing.

"Anyhow they seem to be laughing, and looking over this way, Frank,"
Andy remarked. "Just as if they thought they had a good joke on us.
Say, d'ye suppose now, that Mr. Marsh gave Percy a little hint he had
it in for us? If he did, it would tickle that bunch to beat the band.
Don't I know 'em though? Never did take any stock in that conversation
of Percy's. He had to say something, after we got him out of the hands
of the revolutionists down in old Columbia."

"Well," Frank went on, "there's no need of our worrying about things
that may never happen. We won't cross this bridge till we get to it."

"But, Frank, while that sounds fine, you know right well that it's
always been your way to prepare for possibilities?" Andy continued,
positively.

"That's correct, and we mean to now by camping out here," Frank
laughed, as if quite at his ease. "Besides, we've got things fixed
pretty safe by now, so that if what you thought turned out to be true,
the thieves couldn't profit by anything in the line of an idea they
hooked out of our shop. Those ideas are being patented, and safe from
the hands of a robber."

"Just as you say then," Andy went on, "we'll try and forget about
Mysterious Mr. Marsh--how's that strike you as a stunning title for our
new adventure? Be off with you, Larry and Elephant. Nat, would ask
you to join us, but I'm