me tell you, between Dad's business opponents and a gang of Mexican
bandits that appeared on the scene lately, things are getting pretty
lively. Say, when are you coming? Now's the time if ever----"

Suddenly, Jack's voice ceased abruptly, to be succeeded a moment later
by his agonized cry for "Help." Then there was a crash that rang in
the eardrums of the alarmed boys listening in. Then, silence.

"Jack. Jack," they called. "What's the matter?"

There was no answer.




CHAPTER II

THE ENEMY NEAR


Frank Merrick and Bob Hampton looked at each other in alarm. Their
faces were pale.

That cry for "Help" which abruptly had cut off Jack's voice as he
spoke to them from his radiophone station 2,000 miles away in New
Mexico still rang in their ears. Their heads still hummed from the
vibrating crash which had succeeded. What did it all mean?

Frank snatched the receiver from his head, while Bob removed his more
slowly. Frank voiced the question in each mind as he said in a tone of