"That's enough to say, Johnnie. That will do," interrupted
George, waving his right hand at his friend.

"You are simply mistaken," said John, the grin appearing on his
face once more. "I want to tell you that whether you want it or
not you are going to hear from me and in more ways than one."

" 'Threatened people live long,' " spoke up Fred. "At the same
time, String, you'll have to own up that we waited for you as
long as we thought we could before we started for Albany. I
didn't want to be out after dark in the Black Growler."

"I appreciate all your kind feelings," laughed John. "Now I want
you to sympathize with me. I had gone to half a dozen different
places doing my best to select certain good things for our
luncheon. I had a choice assortment too, let me tell you. Why
Pop's eyes would have popped out if he had seen what I had
obtained, but alas when I came down to the dock I saw the Growler
running up the river as if she was trying to get away from me."

"Did you come up by train?" inquired Fred.

"I did not come up by train," retorted John, speaking
deliberately.

"How did you come?" asked George, interested now in spite of his
effort to appear indifferent.

"Didn't you see the aeroplane?" asked John.