no clew to their future whereabouts."

"Won't Jerry's employer tell you?"

"He says he can't. Professes to be quite at sea as to the meaning
of their sudden departure. Angry, too, for it seems they had a
contract in the service."

"I wouldn't believe him," broke in Hiram. "Anybody respectable
about the meet can tell you that he is not to be trusted."

"Well, the Dawsons are gone and Ridgely went away with them," said
the revenue officer definitely. "I fancied you might give me some
hint that might help me, Dashaway, as to their antecedents,
friends."

"I'm a new one in the aviation line," said Dave. "I found them in
the business when I joined it, only a few weeks ago."

"Well, I understand you are two pretty keen young fellows," said the
officer, "I'm going to leave you my card. There it is."

Dave glanced at the bit of pasteboard his visitor extended. It bore
simply a name: "James Price."

"If you get the faintest clew to Ridgely or the Dawsons," continued
Mr. Price, "wire the secret service bureau at Chicago. I will
arrange so that I shall be advised at once."

"I will do what I can for you, Mr. Price," promised Dave.