see that it is necessarily so," he insisted. "Of course, there is a big chance that such is the reas

t can. That is why I would neve

and help Ned look for th

se. I've been studying pretty hard of late, and I'm sure a change of air and scenery wouldn't hurt me a bit. I haven't any idea that Ned will

you will look around for i

once he gets an idea. I'll join in with him and do some tramping around, but while he'll be lookin

t is a dandy opportunity, and I w

ested," remarked the profes

s to us, and I guess it would to any fellow. If you g

went on such a trip, I suppose you'd

im. "If it was anywhere near

nt and then he asked: "Now that you boys are home for a vacati

d. "We have a fine thirty-foot sloop, and we may sail for a w

ed. "That was the time you ran down those marine

don't expect to run down any bandits

absent-mindedly. "So you two boys were intere

d Jim. "I guess every fellow is

s the contents of the letter which made me so interested that I

aid Don. "How much is it, please? I'

," said th

k. He rather admired Don's spirit in insisting upon paying his own way through life, and although he knew that the Mercer brothers had plenty of ready money he allowed Don to pay for

story, Professor Scott," sa

njoyed it,

thought you would be interested, and may-be-humph

y down the shady street, discussing the lett

the old book relating to the flight of the galle

t lays buried in the sand for years and years, and then a chance discovery points t

e across that book. Now, that is my own way of looking at it. Just as the professor says, someone may have torn the valua

e to be along when Ned Scott unear

ing happened miles down the coast, for if I remember correctly, from my school map, Lower California is a mighty long stretch. Well, all I hope i

to return to school we can see him during some vacation. Well, wh

his watch. "That visit to the professor took up th

down at the table Mr. Mercer, a kindly and energetic man, was there. He worked in a local office, where he ran hi

ing this morning?" asked Mr. Mercer, as

's houses!" chuckled Jim. "This

ly interested in the professor's letter, told them the sto

ind going along on a trip lik

"We'd go without mother's apple p

I imagine if anything spectacular comes out of the pr

o place in their little sleeping cottage at the end of the yard. They already had three beds in the little place, but lately Jim had hit upon the idea of constructing regular ships'

m window, idly looking out, suddenly utt

ter, Don?" aske

ofessor Scott!

?" deman

And Don got up and went to the d

sor Scott," he greeted

ded the professor. "I

is," said Don. "

him, and after a few minutes of pleasant talk Mr. Mercer guided him to his stu

you suppose he wants w

f I know,"

them smiling, and Mr. Mercer turned off the radio. Then, as the

an effort to keep out of trouble while

on, while Jim stared. "Where are

sands of Lower California,

Don, leaping

ght that you wanted to go, b

go," cried Jim. "By George, this is great. What

I was wondering if you would care to go and if I could persuade your father to allow you to go. You see, I want to go out there for a rest, and I'm afraid Ne

ll try to keep them out of trouble, Professor Scott. T

that they won't have time to get i

stunned them. The professor took his leave at last, telling them that he planned to start at the end of the com

as not to sleep immediately. They dis

le," chuckled Jim. "We'll try hard to obey orde

ed Don. "I wouldn't be a

It is doubtful if they would have slept so peacefully had t

ype="