“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 flight!”

“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 they are ready to pull off a big trick.  I think if we can catch them to-night, it will put an end to their operations, and, at the same time, bring Ned back to us.”

“Where do you think they will start to cross the line?” asked Tom.

“Near the place where we saw the man waving the flags.  I have information to the effect that they have a store of valuable goods there.  They imagine that they have the master of the airship, and the owner of the great searchlight in their power, and that they can not be molested, so they will be bold.”

“But they’ll soon find out that Ned isn’t Tom,” said Mr. Damon.

“No they won’t!  Not if it depends on Ned!” cried Tom.  “Ned is game.  He’ll soon get wise to the fact that they have taken him for me, and he’ll carry on the deception.  None of the smugglers know me intimately.”

“Unless Andy Foger should be with them,” suggested Mr. Damon.

“Oh, Ned can fool Andy any day.  Come on, Mr. Whitford.  We’ll get the smugglers to-night, spoil their game, and rescue Ned.  Somehow, I feel that we’re going to succeed.”

“Bless my tin dishpan!” cried Mr. Damon.  “I hope we do.”

Slowly, and with no very cheerful hearts, they filed away from the scene of Ned’s capture.  In spite of the fact that they did not think he would be harshly treated, they worried about him, Tom especially.

A hasty supper was eaten, and then, Tom, having seen that everything aboard the ship was in good order, sent her aloft on what he hoped would be the last chase after the smugglers.  He decided to have Mr. Damon steer the craft, as this was comparatively easy, once she was started on her course, while the young inventor would manage the searchlight, and start the automatic wizard camera, in case there was anything to photograph.

Up and up went the Falcon, and soon she was making her way toward the St. Regis Indian reservation, near which it was expected the smugglers would start.  Tom put out every light, as he wanted to remain in darkness, until he could see a moving glow in the sky that would tell him of a rival airship on the wing.