On the way out the lads met several parties returning from the field, and when they reached the opening in the fence they saw that many curious persons were still present. There were at least half a dozen vehicles of different kinds gathered close about the roped-off circle.
“Say,” Carl exclaimed as the boys passed into the field, “look at that old rattletrap on the right. Isn’t that the same vehicle the cabman pretended to go asleep on as we came away?”
“Sure it is!” answered Jimmie. “I don’t remember the appearance of the cab so well, but I know just how the horses looked.”
“He must have found a ten-dollar fare out here!” Carl suggested.
“Yes, and he must have come out by a roundabout way in order to prevent our seeing him. Now what do you think he did that for? Why should he care whether we see him or not?”
As the boy asked the question the rig which they had been discussing was driven slowly away, not in the direction of the road, but toward the back end of the field.
“Something mighty funny going on here!” Jimmie declared. “I guess it’s a good thing we came out.”
When the boys came up to where the machines were lying, Doran was the first one to approach.
“Little nervous about your machines, eh?” he asked.
“Rather,” replied Jimmie. “We came out with the idea of taking a short trip to see if they still are in working order.”
“Well,” Doran said with a scowl, “of course you know that you can’t take the machines out without an order from Mr. Bixby!”
“Bixby doesn’t own these machines!” exclaimed Carl angrily.
“Well, you’ve got to show me!” insisted Doran, insolently.
“I’ll tell you what we’ll do!” Jimmie announced. “We’ll go right back to Bixby and put you off the job!”
“Go as far as you like,” answered Doran. “I was put here to guard these machines and I intend to do it. You can’t bluff me!”
While the boys stood talking with the impertinent guard they saw two figures moving stealthily about the aeroplanes. Jimmie hastened over to the _Louise_ and saw a man fumbling in the tool-box.
“What are you doing here?” demanded the boy.
The intruder turned a startled face for an instant and then darted away, taking the direction the cab had taken.
Carl and Doran now came running up and Jimmie turned to the latter.