motive for the theft?"

"I had better tell you all I know about it, Mr. King."

"Do so, Dashaway."

Dave proceeded to relate his interview with Mr. Randolph, the
manager of the Interstate factory. He did not refer just then to
his experience with the tramp.

"It's a good deal of a puzzle," commented the aviator. "What is
your plan?"

"Why, I expected that I could induce you to take charge of the
search. As you cannot, I am thinking of Hiram going back with me to
Bolton."

"What's your idea?"

"The Interstate people have offered me their best monoplane to start
the chase for the missing Drifter."

"It will be a blind start, Dashaway, without a clew."

"But I have a clew," announced Dave.

"You didn't say so."

"I hadn't come to that yet, Mr. King. I haven't even told the
Interstate people. I am pretty certain that the Drifter left Bolton