"Well!" exclaimed Tom impatiently, "if we're going to get Ned we must start at once."
"Perhaps it would be best not to try to rescue Ned at once," said the custom house man after a pause.
"What!" cried Tom. "Not rescue Ned, my best chum?"
"Not at once," repeated Mr. Whitford. "Look here, Tom. I know it seems a hard thing to say, but perhaps if we proceed on our original plan, to hover over the border, and get on the trail of the smugglers, chasing them to where they land the goods in the United States, it will be best."
"And not rescue Ned?"
"We can best rescue him by catching the smugglers."
"Then you think"
"That they have him with them—on board one of their airships very likely. If we get them we'll have Ned"
"Then we'll get 'em!'! cried Tom with energy. "Come on back to the Falcon. We'll get ready for a big fight!"
"Yes, I think they'll make a desperate effort to-night," went on the agent. "They have a lot of goods ready to rush over the border, and the fact that they tried to capture you, shows that
