Page:Bedford-Jones--Boy Scouts of the Air at Cape Peril.djvu/219

 Legs's suspicion. "But, say, let's get on that tugboat. I'll die if I stay in this place ten minutes longer."

Fraid you'll have to die, then. I'm going to get hold of that sheriff first. I'm going to wake a few citizens up if I start a riot in doing it."

The landlord was the first to suffer. He was finally rooted out in a state of negligee and indignation; but, when the airman offered to pay for the boy's room and for one he himself might occupy, but did not intend to, the appeased host agreed to dress and direct the way to King's house.

"Reckon it's a good thing to get rid of that kid," he thought to himself. "I never seen such a squirmy varmint since I was bawn."

Ten minutes later, Hardy was knocking on the door of the deputy sheriff. Fortunately that official, after being detained abroad on some criminal business, was still awake over a late supper. He ushered his guests in politely and a very reasonable sort of person he turned out to be.

"Yes, I've had some cable messages from Commodore Hatton," he returned to Hardy's