r, he did not communicate his thoughts to the others. Had
Gordon been at hand he would have confided the story to him. But Gordon
was not at the Tivoli at Ancon and no one seemed to know where he was, so
he was obliged to go ahead and exercise his own best judgment.

"What's doing to-night?" Glen Howard asked, when Ned and Frank returned to
the room where the other boys were seated.

"We're going to Gatun," was the reply. "We're going on a special engine,
and we're to leave the tracks in the outskirts and get down to the dam."

"Why, this is not the night," Frank said, surprised.

"The date on the drawings was that of to-morrow, Saturday," said Glen.
"This is Friday. Of course you know what you are doing, but I wouldn't
take any chances on flushing the game."

"What is it all about?" demanded Tony Chester. "There seems to be
something in the air to-night. Father went away in a grouch and told me to
remain with you boys, and Gastong is wandering about the city in a
half-distracted manner. If you go to Gatun may I go with you?"

Ned pondered a moment before replying. There was in his mind the thought
that this boy might work a miracle for his father. He saw one chance for
saving Chester from the results of his connection with the plotters, and
resolved to take it, risky to his plans though it was.

"No," he said, in a moment, "you are to go to your camp with a note for
your father. After you deliver the note, you are to come back here and
remain until you hear from me. If your father comes with you, so much the
better."

"Will he tell me what is in the note--why he comes back to the city?"

"I don't think so," was the reply. "If he does come, tell him to remain
close to a 'phone, here, for I may want to talk with him."

"I can't understand what all this mystery is about," Tony exclaimed.

"When did you see Gastong last?" asked Ned.

"Oh, about half an hour ago. He was in the hotel then, flying around like
a hen minus her head. He asked for you, and said he'd be in the buffet
when you came."

Ned lost no time in getting to the buffet, where he found Gastong, sitting
in conversation with a trampish-looking fellow who seemed to be somewhat
under the influence of liquor. He beckoned to Ned when he entered the room
and made room for him on the leather rest at his side.

"This is Tommy, the cook," he said, when Ned was seated. "Your cook."

"You ought to join the force," laughed Ned. "I never would have known
yo