matters. Mr. Slade came in, soon after the arrival of the scientist,
and announced that he had, in accordance with a previous arrangement,
purchased the boys' tickets.

"All you've got to do is to pack up and start," said Mr. Slade. "I'm
not going to give you any advice, for you ought to be able to take
care of yourselves by this time. I know you will be safe as long as
you are with the professor."

"Thank you," said the scientist with a bow.

The professor's arrangements for the western trip were complete and it
did not take the boys long to get ready. By the end of the week the
last valise had been packed, trunks were checked on ahead and, one
morning, the boys started.

They were to proceed to Los Angeles, and from there were to go down
the coast by land to the small town of San Felicity, where Mr. Seabury
and his daughters had rented a bungalow.

"Now for a good time!" exclaimed Ned, as the train pulled out of the
Cresville depot. "I've always wanted to visit California, and now I'm
going to."

"We certainly ought to enjoy ourselves," agreed Jerry.

The travelers made good time to Chicago, little of incident occurring
on the trip. When they got to the Windy City, they found they would
have to wait several hours for a connecting train, and they put in the
time seeing the sights.