Part 4 (1/2)

”But why, Uncle George?” demanded Frank.

”In order to make trouble between the United States and Mexico,” said Mr. Temple, promptly.

”Oh,” said Bob, ”I begin to see what you're driving at. You mean, then, that by attacking the independents in the Southwest these Mexicans would get us so stirred up that Uncle Sam would take a hand to protect our properties, and might even send troops to the border?”

”That's exactly what I mean, Bob,” said Mr. Temple approvingly.

”But in that case, Uncle George,” demanded Frank, ”why wouldn't the Mexicans be making trouble for the Octopus, too?”

”Because, Frank,” explained the older man, ”the properties throughout the region where we are located are mainly held by independent operators. The Octopus is trying to gobble us up, but it hasn't succeeded, and won't if we can prevent. But, just the same, it isn't there for the Mexicans to attack. If they want to hara.s.s anybody in the hope of getting the United States Government to intervene, they must attack us and our friends and allies.”

”Yes, I see that now,” said Frank, nodding. ”But what makes you think the Mexicans want to get into a war with Uncle Sam?”

”They don't particularly yearn to come to blows with us, Frank,” said Mr. Temple. ”And not all Mexicans are involved, if my suspicions are correct, but only a faction. You see, boys, General Obregon has been President of Mexico now for several years, but the country is far from pacified and far from submitting to his rule. The rebel forces in the northern part of Mexico are gaining in strength right along. One of these days they will be in open revolution.

”Now these Mexicans who want to depose Obregon would like to get him into trouble with the United States in the hope that what they desire would then come to pa.s.s.”

”I begin to understand you,” said Bob, with more animation than usual.

”You mean the rebels would like to stir up trouble on the border and get Obregon into hot water with Uncle Sam in just the same way that Pancho Villa some years ago made trouble between our government and Carranza by his raid on Columbus, New Mexico?”

”That's it, Bob,” said his father.

”Gee, Dad,” cried Bob. ”This time, if there's a war, I'm going to enlist, believe me.”

”Same here, Uncle George,” declared Frank. ”Bob and I could go as aviators.”

”Hurray for the young aviators of the Rio Grande,” cried Bob, swinging his arm like a cheer leader of the school team.

”You boys don't know what you're talking about,” said Mr. Temple, but with an indulgent smile. ”I should imagine you would have read enough of the horrors of war during the past few years to make you never want to see a battlefield or shoot a gun at a man.”

”That's right, Uncle George,” said the sensitive Frank, shuddering as he recalled some of the things he had read of Europe's devastation.

”No, boys,” said Mr. Temple, ”if I am right about this, we'll have something more important to do than to fight battles or track bandits across the Mexican desert by airplane.”

”What?” chorused the chums.

”Instead of making war,” said Mr. Temple slowly, ”we'll have to prevent it.”

”Righto, Uncle George,” cried Frank, springing up. ”When do we pack?”

”Young man, you're in a hurry, aren't you?” smiled Mr. Temple. ”Well, boys, I believe that by day after tomorrow I can have my affairs in order so that I can leave them for awhile. Then we'll start. That is, of course, if you'll carry me as a pa.s.senger.”

”Will we carry him?” said Bob, striding to his side. ”Good old Dad.”

And he thumped his father on the shoulder, a resounding blow that made the older man grimace humorously and draw away from him.

They were interrupted by a knock on the door. Frank opened the door to find a maid standing in the pa.s.sage. She was trembling with excitement.

”Oh, Mister Frank,” she gasped. ”I heard several shots. Seemed like they came from the radiophone station of Mr. Hampton's. I'm so worried about Tom.”

”That's right, Tom's your sweetheart, isn't he?” said Frank. The maid blushed. Frank re-entered the room, and explained the maid's message practically all in one breath.