Page:Air Service Boys Flying for France.djvu/22

Rh paper was in the legation safe before my father even learned of his loss."

"But why should your father hesitate about letting the authorities at Washington know of his loss, Tom? Perhaps they might help him find that paper before the thief had found a chance to get it out of the country."

Tom sighed heavily.

"I think father has a fear that some jealous rival of his might circulate the report that the paper had not been stolen at all; and that the supposed robbery was only a clever ruse on his part to deceive the Government. In plain words, Jack, that my father, who would die before betraying his country, had conspired to sell his invention at an enormous price to the Germans."

"That would be a terrible thing for any American to say of another!" Jack asserted, indignantly.

"Still, there are men who would be guilty of throwing out such base hints; and you know how these are magnified by the public. Father is doubly troubled, you can see. I would give a great deal if only I could in some way be able to recover that stolen paper, and put it safely back in father's hands."

"You've made me feel bad, Tom. I sympathize with your father, because I know from