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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/6714.txt b/6714.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f8ce80f --- /dev/null +++ b/6714.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6546 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Dave Dashaway and his Hydroplane, by Roy Rockwood + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Dave Dashaway and his Hydroplane + +Author: Roy Rockwood + +Posting Date: August 29, 2012 [EBook #6714] +Release Date: October, 2004 +First Posted: January 19, 2003 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVE DASHAWAY AND HIS HYDROPLANE *** + + + + +Produced by Sean Pobuda + + + + + + + + + +DAVE DASHAWAY AND HIS HYDROPLANE + +Or Daring Adventures Over The Great Lakes + +By Roy Rockwood + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE YOUNG AVIATOR + + +"Telegram, sir." + +"Who for?" + +"Dave Dashaway." + +"I'll take it." + +The messenger boy who had just entered the hangar of the great prize +monoplane of the aero meet at Columbus, stared wonderingly about him +while the man in charge of the place receipted for the telegram. + +The lad had never been in so queer a place before. He was a lively, +active city boy, but the closest he had ever seen an airship was a +distance away and five hundred feet up in the air. Now, with big +wonder eyes he stared at the strange appearing machine. His fingers +moved restlessly, like a street-urchin surveying an automobile and +longing to blow its horn. + +The man in charge of the place attracted his attention, too. He had +only one arm and limped when he walked. His face was scarred and he +looked like a war veteran. The only battles this old warrior had +been in, however, were fights with the elements. He was a famous +"wind wagon" man who had sustained a terrible fall in an endurance +race. It had crippled him for life. Now he followed the various +professional meets for a living, and also ran an aviation school for +amateurs. His name was John Grimshaw. + +The messenger boy took a last look about the place and left. The +old man put on a cap, went to the door and rather gruesomely faced +the elements. + +"A cold drizzling rain and gusty weather generally," he said to +himself in a grumbling tone. "I'll face it any time for Dashaway, +though. The telegram may be important." + +The big aero field looked lonely and gloomy as the man crossed it. +Lights showed here and there in the various buildings scattered +about the enclosure. The ground was wet and soft. The rain came in +chilling dashes. Old Grimshaw breasted the storm, and after half a +mile's walk came to a hangar a good deal like the one he had left. +There was a light inside. + +"Hello, there!" he sang out in his big foghorn voice, thrusting the +door open with his foot and getting under the shelter, and shaking +the rain from his head and shoulders. + +Two boys were the occupants of the place. They had a lamp on the +table, upon which was outspread pictures and plans of airships. The +older of the two got up from his chair with a pleasant smiling face. + +"Why, it's Mr. Grimshaw!" he exclaimed. + +"That's who it is," joined in the other boy cheerily. "Say, you're +welcome, too. We were looking over some sketches of new machines, +and you can tell us lots about them, you know." + +"Got to get back to my own quarters," declared Grimshaw. "Some +other time about those pictures. Boy brought a telegram to Mr. +King's hangar. It's for you, Dashaway." + +"For me?" inquired the lad who had first addressed the visitor. + +"Yes. Here it is. Mr. King's away, but if you need me for anything +let me know." + +"I'm always needing you," replied Dave Dashaway. "I don't know what +we'd do without you." + +The young aviator--for such he was in fact and reality--took the +proffered envelope. He tore open its end and read the enclosure +rapidly. + +"Why," he said, "this is strange." + +"Any answer? Need me?" asked Grimshaw, moving towards the door. + +"No, thank you," replied Dave in a vague, bothered way that made his +companion and chum, Hiram Dobbs, study his face with some +perplexity. + +"I'd better get back home, then," said the old man. "Fine weather +for hydroplanes this, eh?" + +Both Dave and Hiram proceeded to the door with the grim old fellow +who had so kindly taught them all they knew about aeronautics. When +their visitor had departed, Dave went back to the table. He sat +down and perused the telegram once more. Then he sat looking +fixedly at it, as if he was studying some hard problem. Hiram stood +it as long as he could. Then he burst out impetuously: + +"What is it, Dave?" + +"I'm trying to find out," was the abstracted reply. + +"Who is it from?" + +"The Interstate Aeroplane Co." + +That name meant a good deal to Hiram Dobbs, and a great deal more to +Dave Dashaway. It marked the starting point in the aviation career +of the latter, and that in its turn had meant a first step up the +ladder for his faithful comrade, Hiram. + +In the first volume of this series, entitled: + +"Dave Dashaway, the Young Aviator; Or, In the Clouds for Fame and +Fortune," the career of Dave Dashaway has been told. The father of +the young airman had been a noted balloonist, and when he died a +mean old skinflint named Silas Warner had been appointed Dave's +guardian. Warner had acted the tyrant and hard taskmaster for the +youth. A natural love for aeronautics had been born in Dave. He +had made an airship model which his guardian had maliciously +destroyed. Warner had also appropriated a package dropped +accidentally by a famous aviator, named Robert King, from a +monoplane. + +Dave had found this package, containing money, a watch and a medal +greatly prized by Mr. King. Dave resolved that this property should +be restored to the airman. He got hold of the lost articles, which +his guardian had secreted, and ran away from home. + +After various adventures, during which he was robbed of the airman's +property, Dave managed to reach the aero meet at Fairfield. He +found Robert King and described to him the boy thief. The airman +took a fancy to Dave from the nerve and ability he showed in +experimenting with a parachute garment, and hired him. + +About the same time Hiram Dobbs came along, ambitious to change his +farm life for an aviation career, and secured work helping about the +grounds. Mr. King sent Dave to Grimshaw for training. The +Interstate Aeroplane Co. wanted to exhibit its Baby Racer, a novel +biplane. Dave made a successful demonstration, and won the +admiration and good will of the company. + +In a few weeks time Dave scored a big success and won several +trophies. His final exploit was taking the place of an aviator who +had fainted away in his monoplane, and winning the race for Mr. +King's machine. Dave was now the proud possessor of a pilot's +license, and had fairly entered the professional field. + +The thief who had stolen Mr. King's property from Dave, a graceless +youth named Gregg, was found, and the property recovered. He had +also got hold of some papers that belonged to Dave's father. Gregg +through these had obtained a trace of a Mr. Dale, a great friend of +the dead balloonist. He had made Mr. Dale believe he was the real +Dave Dashaway, until he was unmasked. + +Another bad boy Dave had run across was named Jerry Dawson. From +the start in his career as an airman this youth had been an enemy. +Dave had succeeded him in the employ of Mr. King, Jerry having been +discharged in disgrace. Jerry tried to "get even," as he called it, +by trying to wreck Mr. King's monoplane, the Aegis. He also +betrayed Dave's whereabouts to his guardian. Because Dave was right +and Jerry wrong, there plots rebounded on the schemer and did Dave +no harm. + +Jerry and his father were exposed. They still followed the various +meets, however, just as Mr. King and Dave and Hiram did, but they +were shunned by all reputable airmen. + +After leaving the aero meet at Dayton the proud possessor of a +trophy as winner of a one hundred mile dash, Dave now found himself +and his friends on the aero, grounds at Columbus. This was a summer +resort located on Lake Michigan. A two weeks' programme had been +arranged, in which Dave was to give exhibitions for his employers of +their new model hydroplane. + +Hiram was practicing for a flight in the Baby Racer. The two +friends that rainy summer evening were interested in plans for the +coming meet and aviation business generally. The arrival of the +telegram once more introduces the reader to Dave Dashaway, now +popularly known as the young aviator. + +The telegram which Grimshaw had brought to Dave was dated at the +headquarters of the Interstate Aeroplane Co., some three hundred +miles distant. It was addressed to Dave in care of Mr. King, and it +was signed by the manager of the company. It read as follows: + +"Our sales agent, Timmins, reported from your quarters at Columbus +three days ago. Was due at Kewaukee this morning on big contract +with County Fair Amusement Co. Wired Northern Hotel there, where we +had forwarded all the contracts and papers, and he is not there. +Find him at any expense, and get him to Kewaukee before to-morrow +morning, or the Star Aero Co. will get the order. Fear some trick. +This means ten thousand dollars to us." + +Dave read and reread this message, weighing every word in his mind +as he did so. Hiram sat watching him in a fever of suspense and +anxiety. Finally he exclaimed: + +"See here, Dave Dashaway, is that Greek you can't make out, or have +you gone to sleep?" + +"I was only trying to figure out this telegram," replied Dave +thoughtfully. "Here, read it for yourself, and see what you make of +it." + +The young aviator passed the yellow sheet over to his curious +friend. The latter scanned it rapidly. Then, with startling +suddenness, his face twitching with excitement, he jumped to his +feet. + +"What do I make of it?" shouted Hiram. "Just what the telegram +says--a trick! It's come all over me in a flash. Why, Dick, I know +all about it." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +The "BABY RACER" + + +"You know all about it?" repeated Dave Dashaway, looking up in great +surprise. + +"That's what I do," declared Hiram positively. + +"What do you mean?" + +"I'll explain." + +"I wish you would." + +"I'm a blockhead, that's just what I am!" cried Hiram. "I don't +know what possessed me that I didn't tell you all about it before." + +"See here, Hiram," broke in Dave, "What are you talking about?" + +"Why, about Mr. Timmins. You know he here night before last and +left us then?" + +"Yes, Hiram, to go to Kewaukee." + +"Well, he just didn't go to Kewaukee at all." + +"That's no news, for this telegram shows that couldn't have done +so." + +"You see, when Mr. Timmins got telling us about the big sale he was +going to make at Kewaukee," continued Hiram, "and how the Star Aero +people were bidders for the same contract, you warned him against +the Dawsons, and the people they are working for!" + +"I know I did. That was because the Dawsons are stunting for the +Star people." + +"Exactly. Then when I caught Jerry Dawson and Brooks, that precious +chum of his, sneaking around the Aegis hangar, I made up my mind +that they were up to no good. I know what they were snooping around +for, now." + +"What was it?" + +"To pick up what information they could about Mr. Timmins' plans, +so, when Mr. Timmins went away, I was awful glad. I felt pleased, +for Mr. King told as you know that he was a free and easy fellow, +friendly to everybody, and sometimes drank more than he ought to." + +"Yes, I know that, Hiram." + +"Well, last night I went to town to get some supplies for Mr. +Grimshaw. There's a tavern at the cross roads, and some men were in +there. I saw them through an open window. There were six of them. +Brooks was there, and Jerry and his father, and three more of the +crowd. They were playing cards and making a great deal of noise. +Just as I looked in some one pulled down the shade. I caught a +sight of the other man, though. Right off, even at the distance I +was, it struck me he looked like Mr. Timmins. Then I remembered +that Mr. Timmins had certainly gone to Kewaukee the night before, so +I put it off my mind. Now, I see the whole trick." + +"What is that?" + +"The crowd kept Mr. Timmins here, delaying and entertaining him. +Maybe later some of them led him still further away from Columbus. +Their man is probably on the spot at Kewaukee now, ready to get that +big contract for show biplanes." + +Dave had been anxiously walking up and down the floor while Hiram +was talking. Now he took his cap off a peg and picked up an +umbrella. + +"You wait here till I come back, Hiram," he said. + +"Where are you going, Dave?" + +"Down to the Aegis hangar. This telegram disturbs me very much. I +have no idea where Mr. Timmins can be, and something must certainly +be done about this contract." + +"That's so, Dave," agreed Hiram. "It isn't exactly our business, +but it would be a big feather in your cap to help out the people who +are hiring you." + +"That's what I want to do, if I can," replied Dave, as he left the +place. + +The youth went straight to the Aegis hangar, where he found Grimshaw +tinkering over a broken airplane wing. Mr. King had a desk in one +corner of what he called his office room. + +Dave was free to use this at all times. He opened it now, and for +ten minutes was busy with some railroad time tables he found there. +Then he consulted an aero guide map. + +Grimshaw watched him from under his shaggy eyebrows, but said +nothing until Dave got up from the desk, buttoned his coat and +prepared to face the storm again. + +"What's the trouble, Dashaway?" he asked. + +"Why, Mr. Grimshaw?" inquired Dave, wishing to evade direct +questioning. + +"You seem bothered about something, I see." + +"Well, as a matter of fact, I am," confessed Dave. + +"What is it?" + +"I'm trying to find a way to get to Kewaukee," explained Dave. +"Something has come up that makes me think I ought to be there in +the interests of my employers early to-morrow morning. I am figuring +out how I can make it." + +"See here, Dashaway," spoke the old airman in a grim, impressive +way, "don't you do anything reckless." + +"I won't," answered Dave. "You know you once said I was all +business. Well, I'll always try to do my duty without any +unnecessary risks." + +Dave laughed carelessly and got away from the hangar. A daring idea +had come into his mind. Perhaps Grimshaw suspected it, and Dave was +afraid he might. The lad knew that the eccentric old fellow liked +him, and would try to dissuade him from any exploit of unusual +peril. + +"I'll do it, I'll have to do it or let the company lose out," +breathed Dave, as once outside he broke into a run across the +aviation field. + +Dave found Hiram winding the alarm clock as he re-entered the half +shed, half canvas house where the Baby Racer was stored. Although +they got their meals at Mr. King's headquarters, the boys had two +light cots and slept near to the machine which Dave had been +exhibiting. + +Dave glanced at the clock, and Hiram noticing the look, said: + +"Eleven thirty, Dave. I've set the alarm clock for five thirty. +You know that new hydroplane will probably come in on an early +freight. What's the programme?" + +"Well, Hiram," responded Dave, throwing off his coat and hat, "I'm +going to dress up for a ride." + +"Eh?" ejaculated Hiram, staring hard at the set resolute face of his +comrade. + +"Yes, I've got to get to Kewaukee." + +"Oh, you mean going by train?" + +"No. Last one left an hour ago. Next one nine o clock to-morrow +morning." + +"Automobile, then?" + +"On the country mud roads we've been having for the last week?" + +"That's so. Then--" + +"It's the airship route or nothing, Hiram," said Dave. "I'm going +in the biplane." + +"The Baby Racer?" + +"Yes." + +"On such a night as this! Why, Dave," began Hiram, almost in alarm. + +"Don't say a word," interrupted Dave with a preemptory wave of his +hand. "I've made up my mind, and that ends it." + +"It usually does," said Hiram. "If you're bound to do it, though, +Dave--" + +"I certainly am." + +"Ask Mr. Grimshaw's advice, first." + +"Not for worlds." + +"Why not?" + +"I think he would try to stop me. See here, Hiram, I've thought it +all over. I know it's a hard, rough night, but I also know what the +Baby Racer can do." + +"It's a pretty bad night to do any fooling in the air," remarked +Hiram. + +"There won't be much fooling about it, Hiram. I know the chances +and, I shan't look for any fun. It is a bad night, I know, but the +wind is right, and I can head straight into it in reaching +Kewaukee." + +"How far away is Kewaukee, Dave?" + +"Ninety-five miles." + +Dave, while he talked, had been putting on his regular aviator's +suit. As he finished up with a helmet, he noticed Hiram changing +his coat for a sweater. + +"What are you up to, Hiram," he inquired quickly. + +"Getting ready, of course." + +"Getting ready for what?" + +"The trip to Kewaukee." + +"Oh, you think you're going?" + +"If you are," retorted Hiram, "I know I am. Now, see here, Dave," +continued Hiram, waving a silencing finger as Dave was about to +speak, "I know I'm not an aviator like you, and never will be. All +the same, I am some good in an airship, if it's only to act as +ballast. The other day when I was up with you in the Racer, you. +said I shifted the elevator just in time to save a smash up. In a +storm like the one to-night, you my need me worse than ever. +Anyhow, Dave Dashaway, I won't let you go alone." + +The young airman looked at his loyal, earnest friend with pleasure +and pride. Hiram was only a crude country boy. He had, however, +shown diamond in the rough, and Dave appreciated the fact. + +Hiram had made several ground runs in an aeroplane. He had gone up +in the Baby Racer twice with Dave, and had proven himself a model +passenger. As he had just hinted, too, he had been familiar enough +with the mechanism of the biplane to operate some of its auxiliary +machinery so as to avert an accident. + +"You are the best company in the world, Hiram," said Dave, "but I +wouldn't feel right in letting you take the risk of a hazardous +run." + +"Dave, I won't let you go alone," persisted Hiram. + +Dave said nothing in reply. He went outside, and Hiram followed +him. They unlocked the door of the shed adjoining where the Baby +Racer was housed, and lit two lanterns. + +"Get a couple of the nearest field men, Hiram," directed Dave, "and +I will have everything in order by the time you get back." + +There was not much for Dave to do. Only the noon of that day they +had got the little biplane ready for a cross country spurt. Then +the rain came on, and they decided to defer the dash till the +weather was more propitious. Dave was looking over the machinery, +when a gruff hail startled him. + +"Hello!" challenged old Grimshaw, appearing at the open doorway of +the hangar. "What you up to, Dashaway?" + +Dave flushed guiltily. He was dreadfully embarrassed to be "caught +in the act" as it were, by his great friend, the old airman. + +"Why--you see, Mr. Grimshaw--" stammered Dave. + +"Yes, of course I see," retorted the old man firmly. "You're going +to start out a night like this." + +"I've got to, Mr. Grimshaw," declared Dave desperately. + +"Business, eh?" + +"Of the most important kind." + +"What is it?" + +It was in order for Dave to explain details, and did so briefly. + +"H'm," commented Grimshaw, when his pupil concluded his explanation. +"And so you thought you'd steal away without letting me know it?" + +"Oh, now, Mr. Grimshaw!" Dave hastened to say--"that was not the +spirit of the thing at all." + +"Go ahead, Dashaway." + +"Well, then, I think so very much of you I didn't want it to worry +you." + +"Roll her out," was all that Grimshaw would say, placing his one +hand on the tail of the biplane. "Hold on for a minute. Gasoline +supply?" + +"Twenty-five gallons." + +"That will do. Lubricating oil-all right. Now then, lad, hit that +head wind every time, and you'll make it, sure." + + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A WILD NIGHT RIDE + + +"Go!" + +It was less than half an hour after the appearance of Grimshaw on +the scene that the Baby Racer was all ready for its stormy night's +flight. + +The old aviator had fussed and poked about the dainty little +biplane, as if it was some valued friend he was sending out into the +world to try its fortune. Every once in a while he had growled out +some brief advice to Dave in his characteristic way. + +Then he directed and helped, while two field men started the machine +on its forward run. + +"Look out for telegraph poles, and watch your fuel tank," was +Grimshaw's final injunction. + +Dave knew the Baby Racer just as an engineer understands his +locomotive. Daylight or dirk, once aloft the young aviator did not +doubt his own powers. The moment the Racer left the ground, +however, with a switch of her flapping tail, Dave knew that he was +to have no easy fair-weather cruise. + +"Slow it is," the watchful, excited Hiram heard him say, working the +wheel as cautiously as an automobilist rounding a sharp curve. + +Dave saw that everything depended on getting a start and reaching a +higher level. He kept the angle of ascent small, for the maximum +power of the engine could not be reached in a moment. The starting +speed naturally let down with the machine ascending an inclined +plane. + +"It's slow enough, that's sure," remarked Hiram. "It's the wind, +isn't it, Dave?" + +"We don't want to slide back in the air or be blown over backwards," +replied Dave, eye, ear, and nerve on the keenest alert. + +The wind resistance caused a growing speed reduction. The +sensitiveness of the elevating rudder warned Dave that he must +maintain a perfect balance until they could strike a steady path of +flight. Hiram's rapt gaze followed every skillful maneuver of the +master hand at that wheel. + +"Good for you!" he chirped, as Dave worked the ailerons to +counteract the leaning of the machine. A swing of the rudder had +caused the biplane to bank, but quick as a flash Dave righted it by +getting the warping control on the opposite tack, avoiding a bad +spill. + +The machine was tail heavy as Dave directed a forward plunge, +coasting slightly. He had, however, pretty good control of the +center of gravity. + +It was now only a question of fighting the stiff breeze that +prevailed, and keeping an even balance. + +Hiram's eyes sparkled as the Racer volplaned, caught the head wind +at just the right angle, and struck a course due northwest like a +sail boat under perfect control. + +The engine was near the operator's seat, and on the post just under +the wheel were the spark and throttle levers on the fuselage beam. +The steering wheel was a solid piece of wood about eight inches in +diameter with two holes cut into it to fit the hands. + +The passenger's seat now occupied by Hiram was in the center line of +the machine, so that, filled or vacant, the lateral balance was not +affected. + +Hiram knew all about the monoplane dummy or the aerocycle with +treadle power for practice work which he had operated under old +Grimshaw's direction. As to the practical running of a biplane +aloft, however, that was something for him to learn. He was keenly +alive to every maneuver that Dave executed, and he stored in his +mind every new point he noticed as the Racer seemed fairly started +on its way. + +"Keep me posted, Dave," spoke the willing Hiram. "If anything +happens I want to know what you expect me to do." + +"I don't intend to have anything happen if I can help it, Hiram," +replied Dave. "This is a famous start." + +"It's not half as bad as I thought it would be," said Hiram. + +The rain had changed into a fine mist, but the breeze continued +choppy and strong at times. Dave had gone over the course with Mr. +King in The Aegis twice in the daytime, and had an accurate idea of +the route. However, he had landmarks to follow. What guided Dave +were the lights of the various towns on the route to Kewaukee and +railway signals. These were dimly outlined by a glow only at times, +but Dave as he progressed felt that he was keeping fairly close to +his outlined programme. + +Hiram chuckled and warbled, as he knew from Dave's manner and the +way the Baby Racer acted that his friend had it under full control. +Our hero attempted no fancy flying nor spurts of swiftness. Up to +the end of the first hour the flight had proven far less difficult +than he had anticipated. + +"There's Medbury," said Dave at length, inclining his head towards +a cluster of electric lights below and somewhat beyond them. "That +means one-third of our journey covered." + +"It's great what you and the Baby Racer can do, Dave," cried the +admiring and enthusiastic country boy. "We're going to make it, +aren't we?" + +"If the wind doesn't change and we meet with no mishaps," answered +Dave. + +A stretch of steady sailing was an excuse for Hiram to share a brief +lunch of ham sandwiches with Dave. The thoughtful Grimshaw had +provided these at the last moment of the departure of the biplane. + +By the watch Mr. King had given him on the occasion of winning a +race for the Aegis, Dave found that it was a little after two +o'clock when the Racer passed a town named Creston. + +"It's only twenty miles farther, Hiram," announced the young aviator +with satisfaction. + +"And plenty of juice in the tank left to go on," added Hiram. "This +is a trip to talk about, eh, Dave?" + +Dave nodded and smiled. He suddenly gave renewed attention to wheel +and levers. + +"Anything wrong?" inquired Hiram, noticing the movement. + +"The wind is shifting slightly," was the reply. + +Dave felt of the breeze cautiously after that, keeping his cheek +well to windward. It required constant watchfulness and +maneuvering for the next fifteen miles to keep the control +permanent. Dave was glad when a dim glow of radiance told that they +had nearly reached the end of their journey. + +Dave "ducked," as the phrase goes, as a swoop from a new quarter +sent the machine banking. + +He managed the dilemma by circling. There was only five more miles +to cover. Dave went up searching for a steadier air current, found +it, maintained a steady flight for over a quarter of an hour, and +slowed down slightly as they came directly over Kewaukee. + +"Going to land?" inquired Hiram, attentively attracted by all these +skillful maneuvers. + +"Yes," replied Dave. "The question is, though, to find just the +right place." + +Dave tried to figure out the contour of the landscape beneath them. +He passed over high buildings, skirted what seemed like a factory +district, and began to volplane. + +"Going to drop?" queried Hiram. + +"I think so," responded Dave. "According to those electric lights +there is a park or some other large vacant space we can strike on +this angle." + +"The mischief!" exclaimed Hiram abruptly as the Racer struck a lower +air current a strong blast of wind made it shake and reel. Then +there was a creak, a sway and a snap. + +"Something broke!" shouted Hiram in excitement. + +"Yes," answered Dave rapidly. "It's one of the right outermost +struts between the supporting planes." + +"The one that snapped the other day," suggested Hiram. + +"Likely. Grimshaw fixed it with glue and bracing, and fitting iron +rings about it. The vibration of the motor and the straining have +pulled the nail heads through the holes in the rings." + +"Can you hold out?" + +Dave did not reply. He felt new vibrations, and knew that the +strain of warping the wings at the tips had caused more than one of +the struts to collapse. + +The young aviator realized that it would be a hard drop unless he +did something quickly and effectively. There was no time to think. +Counterbalance was everything. + +Dave tried to restore the disturbed balance of the machine by +bringing the left wing under the control. Then he forced the +twisting on the right side. + +The young aviator held his breath, while his excited companion +stared ahead and down, transfixed. They were going at a rapid rate, +and every moment the Baby Racer threatened to turn turtle and spill +them out. + +Dave succeeded in temporarily checking the tendency to tip. All +aerial support was gone. He kept the rudder at counterbalance, +threw off the power, and wondered what they were headed into. + +The next moment the Baby Racer crashed to the ground. + + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A BUSINESS BOY + + +"We've landed!" shouted Hiram in a jolty tone, plunging forward in +his seat in the biplane. + +"Yes, but where?" Dave asked quickly. + +"That's so. Whew! What have we drifted into?" + +The Baby Racer had struck a mass soft and yielding. It drove +through some substance rather than ran on its wheels. There was a +dive and a joggle. Then the machine came to a halt--submerged. + +Whatever had received it now came up about the puzzled young +aviators as might a snowdrift or it heap of hay. Dave dashed a +filmy, flake-like substance resembling sawdust from eyes, ears and +mouth. Hiram tried to disentangle himself from strips and curls of +some light, fluffy substance. Then he cried out: + +"Dave, it's shavings!" + +"You don't say so." + +"Yes, it is--a great heap of shavings, a big mountain of them." + +"Lucky for us. If we had hit the bare ground I fear we would have +had a smash up." + +Gradually and cautiously the two young aviators made their way out +of the seats of the machine. They got past the wings. A circle of +electric street lamps surrounded them on four sides. Their +radiance, dim and distant, seemed to indicate that they were in the +center of a factory yard covering several acres. + +A little way off they could discern the outlines of high piles of +lumber and beyond these several buildings. The biplane lay partly +on its side, sunk deep in a heap of long, broad shavings. The mass +must have been fully a hundred feet in extent and fifteen to twenty +feet high. They reached its side and slid down the slant to the +ground. + +"Well!" ejaculated Dave. + +"Yes, and what?" inquired Hiram, brushing the loose bits of shavings +from his soaked tarpaulin coat. + +"Business--strictly and quick," replied Dave promptly. + +"And leave the Racer where she is?" + +"Can you find a better place, Hiram?" + +"Well, no, but--" + +A man flashing a dark lantern and armed with a heavy cane came upon +them around the corner of the buildings. The boys paused. The man, +evidently the watchman of the place, challenged them, moving his +lantern from face to face. + +"Who are you?" he demanded sternly. + +"Aviators," replied Dave. + +"What's that?" + +"We just arrived in an airship." + +"No nonsense. How did you get in here?" + +"Mister," spoke out Hiram, "we just landed in the biplane, the Baby +Racer. If you don't believe me, come to the shavings pile yonder +and we'll show you the machine, and thank you for having it there, +for if you hadn't I guess we'd have needed an ambulance." + +The watchman looked incredulous. He followed Dave and Hiram, +however, as they led the way back to the heap of shavings. One wing +of the biplane stuck up in the air and he made it out. + +"This is queer," he observed. "You say it's an airship?" + +"Yes, sir," nodded Hiram. + +"We had to make a hurried night journey from Columbus," explained +Dave. "There were no trains, and we came with the biplane." + +"Well, well, well," commented the watchman. He had heard of +Columbus and the aero meet there, and began to understand matters. + +"You see," spoke Hiram, "we can't land everywhere, or we'd have to +settle some damage suits." + +"I will be glad to pay you for letting us leave the machine here +till after daylight, and watch it to see no harm comes to it," +proposed Dave. + +"Why, we'll do that," assented the watchman. "You look like two +decent young fellows, and I'm sure the company won't object to +letting your airship stay up there for a few hours." + +"We will be back to see about it in a few hours," promised Dave. + +The watchman led the boys to the big gate of' the factory yard and +let them out. The rain had ceased and the wind was not blowing so +hard as before. + +"What now, Dave?" inquired Hiram, as they found themselves in the +deserted street. + +"The Northern Hotel." + +"Oh, going to try and fix things before daylight?" + +"We can't afford to lose a minute," declared Dave. "There's a +policeman. I want to ask him a question." + +They hurried to a corner where a policeman had halted under the +street lamp. Dave inquired the location of the Northern Hotel. +Then the boys proceeded again on their way, and reached the place in +about half an hour. + +The night clerk and others were on duty. Dave approached the desk +and addressed the clerk. + +"Is a Mr. Timmins stopping here?" he asked. + +"Why, no," replied the clerk, looking Dave and Hiram over curiously, +their somewhat queer garb attracting his attention. + +"Do you know him, may I inquire?" + +"Oh, yes, Mr. Timmins has been here several times. We are holding +some mail for him, and expected him several days ago." + +"Do you know the company he represents?" + +"Airships, isn't it?" propounded the clerk. + +"That's right. The Interstate Aeroplane Company." + +"Yes, I remember now," added the clerk. + +"I am also connected with that company," explained Dave. + +The clerk stared vaguely, as if he did not quite understand the +situation. + +"Yes," eagerly broke in the irrepressible Hiram, as if he was +introducing some big magnate, "he's Dave Dashaway, and he's beat the +field with the Interstate Baby Racer." + +"Oh, Dashaway, eh?" said the clerk, with a pleasant smile. "I've +heard of you and read about you." + +"I am glad of that," responded Dave, "because it may help you +identify me with the Inter-state people. As an employee of theirs +and a friend of Mr. Timmins, I will have to be confidential with +you." + +"That's all right--we are used to confidences in this business," +said the hotel clerk. + +Dave reflected deeply for a moment. He had a definite plan in view. +He realized that he must confide to a degree in the hotel clerk. + +"The gist of the matter," said Dave, "is that Mr. Timmins has missed +connections. He should have been here two days ago. Here is a +telegram I received from the Interstate people." + +The clerk read the telegram. He nodded his head and smiled, which +the observant Dave took to mean that he was friendly towards Mr. +Timmins, but knew of some of his business-lapses in the past. + +"What do you want me to do?" asked the clerk. + +"You notice that the Interstate people refer in that telegram to +some papers sent to the hotel here for Mr. Timmins." + +"I noticed that," assented the clerk. "I shouldn't wonder if this +is the package." + +As he spoke the clerk reached over to the letter case near his desk +and took up a large manila envelope. It was addressed to Mr. +Timmins, and bore in one corner the printed name and address of the +Interstate Aeroplane Co. + +"That is the letter, I feel sure," said Dave. + +"I have no doubt of it," agreed the clerk. + +"Do you suppose it would help you out any to have me give it to +you?" + +"Why, will you?" questioned Dave eagerly. "I was going to ask you +to do so." + +"I think I understand the situation now," said the clerk, "and I can +see how your getting the letter may help your people out of a +tangle. It's taking some responsibility on my part, for the letter +is of course the property of Mr. Timmins. I'm going to take the +risk, though, and I think Mr. Timmins will say it's all right when +he comes along." + +"I know he will," declared Dave. "You see, I hope to carry through +a contract he has neglected." + +Dave took the bulky letter and opened its envelope. He glanced +hastily but intelligently over its contents. They were just what he +imagined they would be, contracts for eight biplanes ready to sign, +and details and plans as to the machines. + +"Have you a Kewaukee directory here?" he asked. + +The clerk pushed a bulky volume across the marble slab of the +counter, with the words: + +"Anybody special you are looking up?" + +"Why, yes," replied Dave, "the County Fair Amusement Co." + +"Oh, you mean Col. Lyon's proposition," observed the clerk at once. +"He runs county fair attractions all over the country." + +"It must be the same," said Dave. + +"I know Col. Lyon very well," proceeded the clerk. "He comes in +here very often." + +"Where is his office?" inquired Dave. + +"I don't think he has any regular office," responded the clerk. +"Two or three times a week he calls for mail at the Central +Amusement Exchange. He travels a good deal--has side attractions +with most of the big shows." + +"But he lives in Kewaukee?" + +"Not exactly. He has a very fine place called Fernwood, out on the +North Boulevard." + +Dave thought things over for a minute or two. Then he asked: + +"How can I reach Fernwood?" + +"You don't mean before daylight?" + +"Why, yes," responded Dave, "the sooner the better." + +"I think any of the taxi men out at the curb know the location," +said the clerk. + +"Thank you," replied Dave, "and for all your great kindness about +that letter." + +He and Hiram went out to the street. There were three or four +taxicabs lined up at the curb, their drivers napping in the seats. +Dave approached one of them. + +"Do you know where Fernwood is?" he inquired of the chauffeur. + +"You mean Col. Lyon's place?" + +"Yes." + +"Was there only last night. I took the Colonel home." + +"Then he's there," spoke Dave to Hiram. "All right, take us to +Fernwood." + +"You won't find anybody stirring at this hour of the morning," +suggested the chauffeur. + +"Then we'll Wait till the Colonel gets up," said Dave. + +In less than half an hour the auto came to a halt before one of a +score or more of fine houses lining the most exclusive section of +the country boulevard. + +Dave got out of the machine and Hiram followed him. They passed +through the gates of a large garden. In its center was a mansion +with wide porches. No light showed anywhere about the place. + +"You're not going to wake anybody up at this outlandish hour?" +asked Hiram. + +"Well, perhaps not," answered Dave. + +"Why didn't you wait and see this Col. Lyon in the city at his +office?" + +"Because there is no certainty that he will be at his office today. +Then, too, that Star fellow may be on hand there to grab the +contract. I want to head him off." + +By this time they had reached the steps of the front porch. + +"See here, Hiram," observed Dave, lowering his voice, "we'll sit +down here for a spell. It's about five o'clock, and by six someone +will be stirring about." + +"Say," said Hiram, staring across the shadowed porch, "the front +door there is open." + +"Why, so it is," replied Dave, peering towards it. + +"That's strange, isn't it?" + +"Oh, no--neglected, or left open for ventilation." + +Both boys relapsed into silence. Hiram rested his face on his hands +and his knees, inclined to doze. + +Dave was framing up in his mind how he would approach Col. Lyon. He +was deeply immersed in thought, when a sound behind him caused him +to start and look behind him. + +Somebody with a great bundle done up in a sheet had just passed +through the open doorway out upon the porch. + +The bundle was so big that its bearer had both hands clasped about +it, and its top came above his eyes. + +Before Dave could speak a warning, the man carrying the package +crossed the porch and stumbled against Hiram, whom he did not see. + +"Thunder! what's this?" shouted Hiram, knocked from his position and +rolling down the steps. + +The man with the bundle echoed the try with one of alarm, as he +missed his footing and plunged forward. + +"The mischief!" exclaimed Dave, starting at the bundle over which +the man tumbled, bursting it open. + +There was an immense clatter. Even in the imperfect light of the +early morning, the young aviator made out a great heap of clothing, +silverware and jewelry, rattling down the steps of the porch. + + + + + +CHAPTER V + +A TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR ORDER + + +"What's happened?" cried Hiram, rolling over and over on the gravel +walk to which he had tumbled. + +"Stop that man!" shouted Dave. + +In a flash the young aviator took in the meaning of the situation. +The fugitive, for such he now was, made a quick move the instant he +gained his feet. Not waiting to see who had obstructed his +progress, and probably deciding that it was the police, he bounded +in among some bushes. + +Dave, running after him, made out his form dimly, swiftly scaling a +rear brick wall. + +"Why, what is all this?" demanded Hiram, staring at the litter on +the steps. + +"That man was a thief," explained Dave. + +"It looks that way, doesn't it? Hello!" + +Both boys stepped back and stared upwards. Over the porch was a +second railed-in veranda. A night-robed figure had crossed it from +some bed chamber fronting upon it. + +"Hey, you down there! What's all this racket?" challenged this +newcomer on the scene. + +"Are you Colonel Lyon?" inquired Dave. + +"That's me." + +"Then you had better come down and see what's going on." + +"Why so?" + +"Your house has been burglarized." + +"Gracious I you don't say so. Where is the thief?" + +"He has escaped." + +"Hm. Down in a minute," mumbled the man, retiring from view. + +It was several minutes before the owner of the mansion put in a +second appearance. He came cautiously out on the porch, clutching a +great heavy cane. He looked the boys over suspiciously. + +"I don't understand this," he began. + +"Neither did we, Mister," returned Hiram, "till the thief came +bolting out through that front door. He fell all over me and +dropped his bundle. There's what was in it." + +Hiram pointed to the scattered plunder. For the first time the +colonel caught sight of the scattered stuff. He gasped, and stared, +and fidgeted. Then he hastened back across the porch and into the +vestibule. + +Clang! clang! Clang! rang out a great alarm gong, and almost +immediately two men servants of the place came rushing out +half-dressed upon the porch. + +In a very much excited way the colonel incoherently told of the +burglary. He ordered the men to gather up the scattered plunder. +Then he turned his attention to Dave and Hiram. + +"Now, tell me about the whole thing," he spoke. + +"There isn't much to tell, Colonel Lyon," replied Dave. "We were +sitting here waiting--" + +"Waiting?" repeated the showman sharply. + +"Yes, sir." + +"What for?" + +"To see you." + +"Eh?" projected the Colonel, with a stare. + +"That's right, Mister," declared Hiram. "You see, it's pretty +early, and we didn't want to wake you up." + +"Yes, but what brought you here so early?" + +"Business," answered Dave. + +"Business--with me?" + +"Yes, sir. We came in an automobile from the city, so as to be sure +to find you early enough. We had just settled down here to wait and +rest, when that burglar came out." + +"Why, then, you've saved my losing all that valuable stuff!" +exclaimed the showman. "I should say so," added the speaker with +force, as he moved over and glanced at the heaps his servants were +massing together, upon the lower step. "Watches, rings, silverware, +my fur winter coat, and hello--my whole collection of rare coins! +Hump! the man must have had the run of the house for hours. Here, +you two, come inside. You've done me a big service." + +Hiram chuckled, nudging Dave in a knowing way. + +"What luck!" he whispered. "Dave, you're all right now." + +The owner of the place led his young guests through the vestibule +into a hallway, and pointed to a large reception room. + +"You wait till I get dressed," he directed. "Sit down, and make +yourself comfortable." + +As he spoke the showman turned on a perfect blaze of electric light. +Dave and Hiram took off their helmets, and made themselves look as +little like stormy night aviators as was possible under the +circumstances. + +It was nearly ten minutes before their host reappeared. He was +fully dressed now, and presented the appearance of a keen, active +business man. + +"Think there's any use trying to catch that burglar?" was his first +question. + +"I don't think so at all," replied Dave. + +"All right, then. Carry that truck into the library," the showman +ordered his two men, who had gathered it up in a rug taken from the +vestibule. "You'll take turns guarding the house, nights after +this. Now then, young men, who are you?" + +The showman put the question as he plumped down in an armchair +besides his two guests. + +"We're airship boys," explained Hiram hastily, but proudly. + +"Oh!" commented Colonel Lyon slowly, looking the pair over from head +to foot. + +"That is, Dave is an airman," corrected Hiram. "He's Dave +Dashaway." + +"Why, I've heard of you. At the Dayton meet, weren't you? +Honorable mention, or was it a prize?" + +"Both," shot out Hiram promptly. + +"That's very good," said the colonel. "I'm pretty well up in the +aero field myself. I run that line at county fairs." + +"Yes, sir, I know that," said Dave, "and that is why I came to see +you." + +"That's so--you said it was business, but I must say you are early +birds," smiled the showman. + +"We had to be," again spoke Hiram. + +"How was that?" + +"Why," said Dave, "I thought it was very necessary that I should see +you first thing this morning. I acted on a wire from my employers, +the Interstate Aeroplane Co." + +"Your employers?" repeated the colonel, a fresh token of interest in +his eyes. + +"Yes, sir, I have been exhibiting their Baby Racer at the meets." + +"Ah, I understand now." + +"I am going to take up hydroplane work at Columbus, now. Last night +late I received a telegram from the Interstate people. It led to +getting to Kewaukee and seeing you. There were no trains." + +"Roads too bad for an automobile," put in Hiram. + +"And we came in the Baby Racer," concluded Dave. + +"What's that?" exclaimed the showman. + +"You came all the way from Columbus in a biplane?" + +"Yes, sir," nodded Dave. + +"A night like last night--" + +"We had to, you see," observed Hiram. + +"H'm," observed the colonel, with decided admiration in his manner, +"that was a big thing to do. Where is your machine?" + +"We landed on a heap of shavings in a city factory yard," explained +Dave. "We left the machine in charge of the watchman." + +"And automobiled it out here? Why, say, I had some dealings with +your company." + +"I know you did," said Dave. + +"I wrote to them for specifications and figures on light biplanes. +They sent outlines that pleased me very much, and I told them so. +Their man made an appointment to be at my city office to close up +matters day before yesterday. He never showed up." + +"I know that," said Dave. + +"What was the trouble?" + +"I will explain that to you." + +"You see, the Star man was here yesterday. He made a pretty fair +showing, but I was rather struck on your goods." + +"Everybody is that knows them," spoke Hiram. + +"Well, I was to let the man know this morning at my city office my +decision. You are on deck. All right, what have you got to say?" + +"Why, just this," replied Dave: "I'm not much of a business man, of +course, but I hurried on to see you because I believe a trick has +been played on our people." + +"Who by?" + +"The Star crowd." + +"Oh!" + +"In some way they have sidetracked our agent. I have with me," +continued Dave, "the detailed plans and figures on your order, which +had been forwarded from the factory to the Northern Hotel, at +Kewaukee." + +"All right, show them up," directed the colonel briskly. + +Dave did so. Hiram sat regarding his friend, with undisguised +admiration, as for one half, hour Dave went over papers, explaining +the merits of the Interstate biplane with all the clearness and +ability of a born salesman. + + "You'll do," pronounced the showman with an expansive smile, as +Dave concluded. "That's the contract, is it?" + +"Yes, sir," and Dave handed the showman the paper in question. + +"All right, I'll just go to the library and sign it." + +"Dave," whispered Hiram in a triumphant chuckle, as Colonel Lyon +left the room. "Great!" + +Dave returned a pleased smile. He suppressed partly the great +satisfaction he felt. + +"You see," remarked the showman, returning in a few minutes and +handing the signed contract to Dave, "I favored your machines from +the start. It must be a good machine, to make ninety miles on a +night like last night. Now then, young gentlemen, I've ordered an +early breakfast, and I want you to join me at the meal." + +There was no gainsaying the hearty, imperious old fellow. The boys +felt first class as they finished a repast that sent them on their +way complacent and delighted. + +"The company will acknowledge the contract, Colonel Lyon," said +Dave, as they left the porch, "and attend to other details." + +"I don't suppose, Dashaway," answered the showman, "that you're open +for such a week stunt as exhibiting at some of my county fairs?" + +"I am under contract with the Interstate people," replied Dave. "If +I get out of a job, Colonel Lyon, I shall be glad to have you +consider me." + +"I fancy I will," declared the showman with enthusiasm. "I'll make +you a liberal offer, too. You've saved the carting away of all that +stuff the burglar gathered. It make it up to you some way." + +Dave waved the contract in reply. + +"I couldn't have a better feather in my cap than this," he cried +gaily. "Many, many, thanks, Colonel Lyon." + +"And you'll find the Interstate biplane just the best in the world," +added Hiram. + +"We've kept that chauffeur waiting a long time," observed Dave, as +they came out upon the boulevard. + +"Oh, he's used to that," suggested Hiram. + +"I'll give him something extra for his patience," said Dave. + +"Yes, the Interstate people can well afford it," commented Hiram. +"Think of it: a ten thousand dollar order! Hurrah!" + + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +ABOARD THE HYDROPLANE + + +"Dashaway, you're a wonder." + +"Thank you, sir." + +"And I'm proud of you," added Mr. Robert King, the winner of the +monoplane endurance prize, and the man who had practically adopted +Dave into the aviation field. + +"I've got something to say as to the matter of pride," spoke up old +Grimshaw. "A lad who can make the run Dashaway did with the Baby +Racer, is a boy to holler about." + +"If there's anything to be proud about," added Dave, "it's the right +good friends I've made." + +"My friends, too," put in the impetuous Hiram. "I'm getting along +famously. Why, I only tipped out of the dummy airship once +yesterday." + +All hands were in fine high spirits. It was several days after the +wild night race Dave and Hiram had made to Kewaukee. Now the entire +party were on their way to the borders of the lake, where the new +hydroplane made by the Interstate Aviation Company was ready for a +trial trip. Grimshaw knew little of hydroplanes, and the +Interstate people had sent an expert demonstrator to the spot to +teach their young exhibitor the ropes. Dave had been constantly +under this man's tuition. + +It was far more easy, he had learned, to acquire a thorough +knowledge, of how to run a hydroplane than to operate a monoplane. +It was simpler, and besides that his experience with an airship +helped wonderfully. + +Dave was winning golden opinions from his employers. The way in +which he had dosed the Kewaukee contract had pleased them immensely. +There was another end to the Kewaukee episode that had brought heaps +of satisfaction to all of them, especially to Hiram Dobbs. + +The Baby Racer had been quickly repaired at Kewaukee, and had made a +speedy return trip to Columbus. Somehow the story of how the +Interstate people had outwitted the plots of the Star crowd had +gotten noised around the meet. Then a class journal devoted to +aeronautics printed the story. + +"Well," Hiram had come to Mr. King's hangar that morning to say, +"the Dawson crowd are simply squelched. I met Jerry Dawson and his +father. You ought to see the looks they gave me when I just grinned +at them, and said 'Contract!' It was like a fellow saying 'Baa!' to +sheep. Why, those fellows just sneaked away. We've beaten them at +every angle, Dave, and I reckon they'll give up their meanness now, +and quickly fade away." + +"It would be a good thing for honest aeronautics if they would," +growled old Grimshaw. + +"We'll hasten them with a little help, if they try any more tricks," +announced Mr. King. + +The hydroplane had been run into a boat house after the practice of +the day previous, and was all ready for use. It was equipped to +carry two or more passengers, and was driven by a fifty horse power +motor. It had two propellers, and these were controlled by chain +transmission. + +Old Grimshaw had not much use for hydroplanes, he had told Dave. +His hobby was air machines. However, because his favorite pupil was +going to run the machine, he allowed Dave to explain about the +hydroplane, and was quite interested. + +The machine had a bulkhead fore and aft, with an upward slope in +front and a downward slope to the rear. + +"It's safe, comfortable, and quick to rise to control," declared +Dave. "See, Mr. Grimshaw, there's a new wrinkle." + +Dave touched a little device attached to the flywheel. The latter +was made with teeth to fit into another gear, operated from a shaft. + +"What do you call that, now?" asked the old airman. + +"A self starter. You see, the shaft runs forward alongside the +pilot's seat. Here's the handle of it, right at the end of the +shaft." + +"Looks all right," admitted Grimshaw grudgingly. "Give me the air, +though, every time. If you want to be a sailor, why don't you +enlist the navy?" + +"How about an air and water combination, Grimshaw?" called Mr. King. + +"Well, that is a little better," replied Grimshaw. + +"I'm dying to see that new aero-hydroplane Dave's people are getting +out," remarked the ardent Hiram. + +"They wrote me it would be completed this week," said Dave. + +"And you are going to run it, Dave?" + +"I think so, I hope so. They claim great things for it." + +"Well, give your hydroplane a spin, Dashaway," suggested Mr. King. +"I want to see how she works, and must get back to the hangars on +business." + +The Reliance, the new hydroplane of the Interstate people, was +twenty feet long and had a fuel gauge and a bilge pump. + +Dave got into his seat, and Hiram sat directly beside him. A touch +put the machinery in motion. + +"There's a puffy eighteen mile wind, Dashaway," cried out Mr. King. + +"Yes, I wouldn't venture too far from shore," advised Grimshaw, a +trifle anxiously. + +The water was quite rough where the flight started. The machine +acted all right, however. A crowd had gathered on the beach, and +there was some encouraging cheering as the power boat gained good +headway. + +"Whew I what have you invited me to, Dave--bath?" puffed Hiram. + +Dave had neglected to put in place the rubber cover, so that during +the preliminary run along the water the waves drenched both of the +boys. + +Dave stopped the motor and started drifting, at a sudden current or +breeze sent the tail before the wind. The rear of the hydroplane +was forced under water. + +"Look out!" ordered Dave sharply. + +"I see--we're in for an upset," spoke Hiram quickly. + +The hydroplane was forced over backwards, the tail striking a sand +bar. + +Dave and Hiram were both ready for the tip. They escaped with only +wetting their feet, for they climbed upon the bottom of the upper +surface as the hydro capsized. + +The hydroplanes prevented the machine from sinking. Almost at once +a boat put out from shore. Once back at the boat house, the damage +shown was a slight fracture to the main girder and some of the ribs +at the trailing edge, and two broken tail spars. Dave sent Hiram at +once to the practice grounds to arrange about the repairs. + +"It's no weather for a trial, Dashaway," said Mr. King, "I think I +would postpone the trial trip until tomorrow, if I were you." + +Dave did not commit himself. He stayed about the boat house after +the airman and Grimshaw had gone away, watching every move of the +repair man. + +"She's staunch and sound as she was at the beginning," the latter +declared, when he had completed his work. + +"Yes, I think that is true," replied Dave. + +"What's the programme?" inquired Hiram, "for I see you don't intend +to give up." + +"Not until I master the Reliance, just as I did the Baby Racer," +declared Dave. "That upset was necessary, I guess, to teach me that +I must drive on just as little surface as possible in speeding, and +make the wings do one half the work." + +"Then you are going to try again?" questioned Hiram. + +"Yes, Hiram. The waves aren't so choppy now, and the wind has gone +down a good deal." + +"It's pretty late for much of a run," replied Hiram. + +"Oh, we can make the end of the lake and back inside of an hour." + +"Well, I'm always ready--with you," laughed Hiram gaily. + +From the start this time Dave knew that he had a better grasp of the +mechanism than on his first trial. The Reliance behaved splendidly. +Once clear of shore obstructions and sandbars, they must have run a +stretch at nearly forty miles an hour. + +Sand Point, at the rounding end of the great lake, was reached +without a mishap. Dave did not wait to try any maneuvering for a +crowd that had gathered to watch the Reliance. + +"Straight home," he observed, as they made the turn. + +"It's time, I'm thinking," said Hiram. + +A squall had come up, and the dimness of coming eventide had already +spread over the water, but there was no rain. In fact, it had +turned too cold for that. A fine baffling mist was falling, +however, and this was condensing into a heavy fog. + +"Not much to see, eh?" propounded Dave, as they got clear of the +shore. "I shouldn't like to run into some stray craft." + +It was something of a strain on Dave, the present situation. No air +signal had yet been placed on the Reliance, nor was its lighting +apparatus installed. + +The darkness increased, and the fog became almost an impenetrable +shroud. + +"What was that?" shouted out Hiram sharply, as there was a heavy +jarring shock. + +"Grazed a rock, I think," replied Dave. "I don't like this a bit. +If I knew my bearings, I'd run straight ashore." + +"Do it, anyway, Dave," advised Hiram. "We don't want to wreck the +Reliance on her first trip." + +Dave gave the wheel a turn. Just then a distinct yell rang out +across the muggy waters, and then, in rapid succession, seven quick, +snappy explosions. + + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +A RESCUE IN THE FOG + + +"What do your suppose that was?" inquired Hiram excitedly. + +"It was kind of startling," said Dave. + +"Listen." + +With the power shut off, the hydroplane drifted, Dave checking its +slack running. They were now in a dense fog; with night fast coming +on. For the moment everything was still. Then there rang through +the misty space one word: + +"Help!" + +"It was in that direction," said Hiram quickly, pointing. + +"I think so, too," nodded Dave, "and not far away." + +"What could have happened? Those shots?" + +"Probably fired to call assistance." + +"If you could speed up the hydroplane a little--" + +"I would have to get the starter in use, and we might run into +something. Hello! Hello! Hello!" Dave shouted loudly. There was +a speedy reply. + +"Here! Hello! this wa-aa-ay!" + +"That's a man's voice, and he's right near to us," declared Hiram, +leaning forward and peering through the mist. "Hey, there!" + +"I see you. Good!" + +There was a tilt of the machine. The person in the water had seized +one of the wing stays. + +"Careful, there," ordered Dave. "Don't cling to that wing or bear +it down." + +"I can't hold out." + +Dave cautiously edged from his seat towards a form now plainly +visible. It was that of a man about thirty years of age. + +It was no easy task to take the man aboard. One of his hands was +useless. He seemed in pain and half choked with water he had +swallowed. + +Hiram gave up his seat to the rescued man, who sank back as if +overcome with faintness and exhaustion. Hiram himself found a +resting place on the platform supporting the two seats. + +"Is there anybody else in trouble?" Dave asked of their passenger. + +"No, no," replied the man. "The launch is gone up. Get me to land +quick as you can. I'm afraid my arm is broken. It pains me +terribly. I must get to a surgeon soon as possible." + +Dave got the hydroplane under way again. + +He was fortunate in striking a course that brought them back to the +boat house in about an hour's time. + +The rescued man was somewhat revived by this time, and when the +hydroplane was safely housed, Dave took his arm and piloted the way +from the beach. + +"It is less than half a mile to the hangars," the young aviator +explained. "When we get there we can find an automobile to take you +into town." + +"It was when my launch struck a rock that I hurt my arm," the man +explained. + +"Were you on board alone?" asked the curious Hiram. + +"Yes. I was driving ahead full speed, to get ashore out of the fog. +I heard your machine, and was afraid I'd get run into. My launch +ran into a reef with terrific force. I was thrown against it +bulkhead, arm sprained or broken, nearly stunned, and then into the +water." + +"But the launch, Mister?" questioned the interested Hiram anxiously. + +"Smashed. I don't know if I could locate it again in the fog. I +couldn't use my hurt arm, and I fired my revolver, yelled, and gave +up when your machine came along." + +"Where did you come from, Mister?" pressed the persistent Hiram. + +"Why--well, I came from up north. Own a launch. Had some business +this way, and got well on my way till the craft struck." + +Dave noticed as the man spoke that it was in a hesitating, evasive +way. He seemed anxious to change the conversation, for he said: + +"You are taking me to the Columbus aero field?" + +"Yes, we belong there," answered Dave. + +"Some people there named Dawson?" + +"Yes, father and son." + +"That's it. Here, now?" + +"Oh, yes, they follow the different meets." + +"Why, then, say," observed the man, "if you will just get me up +against them, I shall be pleased. You see, they're friends of mine. +They'll take care of me." + +Dave gave the man a look. Hiram pulled a face at him behind his +back. That settled it with Hiram. In his mind he was sure that +anybody who knew the Dawsons in a friendly way could not possibly +amount to much. + +The man did not mention his name. He seemed to care nothing +whatever for the fate of the launch. He barely thanked Dave, as, +reaching the aero grounds, our hero led him near to the headquarters +of the man for whom the Dawsons were working. + +"You'll find your friends over there," he said. + +"All right," nodded the man he had rescued. "Lucky I met you. +Thanks." + +"Say, Dave Dashaway, now what do you think of that!" burst out +Hiram, as the man got out of earshot. + +"Think of what, Hiram?" inquired the young aviator. + +"Friend of the Dawsons!" + +"Well, they've got to know somebody, haven't they?" + +"That's so, but I don't like the fellow you rescued." + +"Why not, Hiram?" + +"Did you notice the way he hesitated when we asked him where he had +come from?" + +"Yes." + +"And about that launch? He didn't seem to care what had become of +it." + +"Maybe it didn't belong to him." + +"Well, anyway, hadn't he ought to have some concern about other +folks' property?" + +Dave did not reply. He had his own ideas and opinion of the rescued +man. He was due for a public exhibition of the Reliance the next +day, and dismissed the incident from his mind as he got back to the +Baby Racer hangar. + +Mr. King was to make a non-stop race also, and there was plenty of +detail to attend to at the Aegis headquarters as well. + +That was a busy, exciting day, the one following. The Aegis and her +competitors got started by ten o'clock. There was a varied +programme from eleven to one. At three o'clock Dave made his run +with the hydroplane. + +Two other machines engaged in the contest, but not only were they of +inferior make, but their operators were clumsy and not up to +standard. + +Dave won considerable praise. The Reliance made a beautiful run, +and he felicitated himself that he had got onto the knack of running +it right. + +"I don't believe much in hydroplanes," old Grimshaw observed to him +as he accompanied Dave back to the aero grounds, "but I believe in +you, and I will say you made a clever showing." + +"Wait till the Interstate folks send on their latest improved +aero-hydroplane, Mr. Grimshaw," said Dave. "You'll see some fine +work then." + +"There's your friend, young Dobbs," remarked Grimshaw. + +Dave saw Hiram on a run, headed towards them. He came up +breathless. + +"Some one at the hangar to see you, Dave," he reported. + +"Who is it, Hiram?" + +"He says he's a United States revenue officer." + +"Hello!" spoke Grimshaw, "I hope your hydroplane hasn't got you into +any trouble running up against the government." + +"Oh, I think not," replied Dave with a smile. + +"It's a long story and a big story, Dave," replied Hiram. "You know +the man you rescued he lake yesterday?" + +"Yes, Hiram." + +"Well, it turns out that he is a notorious smuggler and the +government is looking for him." + + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +A PUZZLING DISAPPEARANCE + + +Dave hurried his steps. Old Grimshaw turned off at the Aegis +headquarters. Hiram led his companion by a short cut to the Baby +Racer hangar. + +On a campstool inside the tent where the boys slept, Dave found a +keen-eyed, hatchet-faced man. He sat stiff as a poker, and seemed +to pierce Dave through and through with his glance as he looked him +over critically. + +"Dashaway, yes?" he interrogated, and as Dave bowed assent he added: +"Thought I'd wait and see you, although our young friend here has +been pretty dear." + +"About what?" asked Dave. + +"Ridgely." + +"Who is he?" + +"The man you rescued from the lake last evening. As I have told +your friend, the man is a bad one, and we have chased him up and +down the lakes clear from Detroit." + +"He is a criminal, then?" + +"A smuggler. He has outwitted the revenue officers for some time. +His last specialty was running Chinese emigrants over the border. +When he learned the chase was on, he stole a launch and scudded for +other waters. He had the name and color of the launch changed. Why +he came to Columbus we don't know." + +"To see some people named Dawson, he said." + +"Yes, they appear to be fiends." + +"Can't Jerry Dawson tell you anything about him?" asked Dave. + +"No." + +"For a very good reason." + +"And what is at?" + +"Dawsons left last night." + +"Left--left the meet?" exclaimed Dave in surprise. + +"Yes, bag and baggage." + +"That puzzles me," said Dave. + +"It baffles us," observed the revenue officer, "for they have left +no clew to their future whereabouts." + +"Won't Jerry's employer tell you?" + +"He says he can't. Professes to be quite at sea as to the meaning +of their sudden departure. Angry, too, for it seems they had a +contract in the service." + +"I wouldn't believe him," broke in Hiram. "Anybody respectable +about the meet can tell you that he is not to be trusted." + +"Well, the Dawsons are gone and Ridgely went away with them," said +the revenue officer definitely. "I fancied you might give me some +hint that might help me, Dashaway, as to their antecedents, +friends." + +"I'm a new one in the aviation line," said Dave. "I found them in +the business when I joined it, only a few weeks ago." + +"Well, I understand you are two pretty keen young fellows," said the +officer, "I'm going to leave you my card. There it is." + +Dave glanced at the bit of pasteboard his visitor extended. It bore +simply a name: "James Price." + +"If you get the faintest clew to Ridgely or the Dawsons," continued +Mr. Price, "wire the secret service bureau at Chicago. I will +arrange so that I shall be advised at once." + +"I will do what I can for you, Mr. Price," promised Dave. + +"All right, and send in any reasonable bill you like for your +service. We feel certain that this, Ridgely, driven from one +district, will begin operations in another. Then, too, from what I +learn these Dawsons are not above engaging in of off-color schemes." + +"They aren't!" cried Hiram. "If they had stayed, Mr. King said +they'd be barred from the meets in a few days." + +"Well, help me all you can." + +"Queer, isn't it?" spoke Hiram, as the revenue officer left them. + +"It is a rather strange proceeding," admitted Dave. + +At five o'clock that afternoon the two friends were down at the +south pylons awaiting the coming in of the machines engaged in the +non-stop race. A great crowd was gathered, for according to +estimated schedules some of the monoplanes would be due within the +coming half hour. + +"If it's the Aegis first," spoke Hiram, "it makes three winning +stunts for Mr. King in two days." + +A sort of instantaneous flutter pervaded the people as some word +starting from the judge's stand passed electrically through the +crowd. + +"They've sighted something," shouted an excited spectator. + +"Yes, there's one of the airships," added a quick voice. + +"I see it!" + +"There's another!" + +"Hurrah!" + +Hiram stood looking up into the sky, fairly trembling with suspense. +A man standing by Dave had a field glass. + +"I make out two," he spoke to an inquirer at his side. + +"I think I can tell you who they are if you'll give me your glass +for a minute," said Dave. + +"Certainly," replied the man. + +"What is it, Dave?" cried Hiram, as, watching the face of his comrade +closely, he discerned an intense expression upon it. + +"Aegis in the lead--" began Dave, lowering the field glass. + +"Aegis in the lead!" ran from the spot in receding echoes as the +news passed down the line. + +"That's King's craft." + +"I knew it!" + +"Butterfly a close second," reported Dave. + +"There's another one!" + +"And another!" + +"See them come!" cried an excited old farmer. "Say, it beats the +electric cars down at Poseyville!" + +The field was in a wild flutter. The contesting aircraft came +nearer and nearer. Finally Hiram could make out the Aegis fully a +mile in the lead, the wings set for a drop straight beyond the south +pylon. + +"He's won--Mr. King has won!" he shouted again and again, fairly +dancing up and down. + +The crowd surged towards the landing point as the Aegis gracefully +sailed to earth, ran a stopping course, and Robert King stepped out +amid the frantic cheers of his friends and admiring spectators in +general. + +The great aviator looked please and proud. Old Grimshaw trotted at +his side on the way to the Aegis hangar. + +"Say, you're taking about everything there is in sight," he +remarked, with one of his grim chuckles. + +"I've run the limit on the set spurts, I guess," replied the expert +airman. "I'm going to look, for something better." + +"What is there that's better than these famous stunts of yours, Mr. +King?" inquired Hiram. + +"A record beater of some account," was the quick response. + +"Record breaker of what?" pressed the persistent Hiram. + +"Well," said Mr. King with an animated sparkle in his eye, "you and +Dashaway come down to the hangar this evening, and I'll tell you all +about it." + + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +A GIANT AIRSHIP + + +Dave Dashaway and his friend were promptly on hand at the Aegis +hangar at eight o'clock that evening. + +Usually the boys took their meals with Mr. King. A group of the +airman's admirers, however, had insisted on a special dinner at a +hotel just outside the grounds. Hiram piloted the way for Dave to +the restaurant on the field. He had worked for the man having it in +charge, and the best meal possible was set out for them free of +charge. + +They found Mr. King in the little partitioned off room of the Aegis +hangar which he used as an office. The airman sat before a desk +littered up with a variety of papers. One of these Dave noticed as +he entered, was a detailed drawing of an immense airship. + +"Oh, arrived, eh?" spoke the aviator with a pleasant smile, as the +boys came into view. "Glad of it. Get comfortable seats and we'll +have a little chat." + +The boys settled themselves in camp chairs, Mr. King closed the door +of the apartment and sat down again. Hiram regarded him eagerly and +expectantly. + +"I've got something to tell you, lads," began the airman, after a +brief thoughtful pause. "This is business, and of course you will +be wise enough to treat it confidentially." + +"I love to keep secrets," declared the ardent Hiram, and Dave smiled +and nodded assent to the sentiment. + +"I have been thinking and planning for a big event for some time," +continued Mr. King. + +"As how, now?" asked Hiram, devoured with suspense. + +"Well, in the first place I propose to build a giant airship." + +"I know," said Hiram. "A big passenger monoplane." + +"No," interrupted the aviator. "What I want is a dirigible +airship." + +"Pshaw! only a balloon!" remarked Hiram disappointedly. + +"Not at all," corrected the good-natured airman. "Except for the +self-sustaining power, it will be constructed on the best aeroplane +principles. I have been working on it for some months, and only +yesterday I got figures on the machine." + +"What is it for, Mr. King?" submitted the inquisitive Hiram, +"exhibitions?" + +"No. It's first big feat is to cross the Atlantic." + +"Cross the Atlantic Ocean!" almost gasped the excited Hiram. + +"Cross the Atlantic!" repeated Dave, in a startled yet thoughtful +manner. + +He sat looking fixedly at the aviator as if fascinated. The +novelty, the immensity of the proposition, stunned Dave. + +"Can it be done?" he asked in a low, intense tone, vast dreams +running through his mind a lightning speed. + +"According to my calculations, yes," replied Mr. King definitely. +"Oh, it is no new idea with me. The project has been the constant +ideal of every advanced airman. It has got to come to that, if +aeronautics is the progressive science we enthusiasts believe it to +be." + +"I would like to be the first one to win such a triumph," said Dave. + +"Yes, the first one gets the fame," said the airman. "The prize, +too. If such an experiment was rationally started I believe the +profession and its backers would put up a small fortune to go to the +successful winner. Now, boys, I have great confidence in you. What +has held me back has been the lack of capital." + +"Say, Mr. King," broke in Hiram impetuously, "I've got nearly thirty +dollars saved up, and Dave--" + +"It will take bigger amounts than we three put together can earn +just to get the plans of the giant airship on paper," said Mr. King, +with an indulgent smile at his loyal young friends. "If I go to any +regular aero promoters they will want all the proceeds. I can raise +a few thousand dollars myself and do as much more among my friends +but, all put together, the amount wouldn't make even a beginning." + +"How much will it take, Mr. King?" asked Dave seriously. + +"At least twenty-five thousand dollars." + +"Whew!" whistled Hiram. + +"It's no child's play. It's a big risk, and there's no doing it +half way," declared Mr. King. "Last night while I was planning over +it, a sudden idea came to me. Dashaway, you remember that fellow +who stole my watch and money and medal from you?" + +"You mean the young thief who called himself Briggs, and then +Gregg?" + +"Exactly." + +"Yes, Mr. King." + +"And how he used some letters sent to your father from a great +friend of his?" + +"Mr. Dale?" nodded Dave, wondering what all this had to do with the +giant airship scheme. + +"Well, as you know, that young scamp, Gregg, had gone to Mr. Dale, +who had never seen you, and by means of the letters stolen from you +made him believe that he was the son of his old friend. So +delighted was Mr. Dale, that he practically adopted young Gregg. In +fact, he was on the point of making the pretended Dave Dashaway heir +to all his fortune." + +"You told me about that," said Dave. + +"When we left Dayton to come here, we had to make a hurried jump to +fill our contract, as you know. I let Gregg go, after recovering my +stolen property from him, but I got a written confession of his bold +imposture, first. You know my plan was for you and me to go where +Mr. Dale lives, and introduce him to the real Dave Dashaway. You +see, although I have managed to scare that old tyrant guardian of +yours, Silas Warner, into leaving you alone, I feared he might work +some trick to get you back in his clutches again." + +"I've thought a good deal about that lately," said Dave. + +"My plan was to have this Mr. Dale go to Brookville, show up Warner, +and apply for your guardianship." + +"Yes, then I would feel safe," said Dave. + +"Well, Mr. Dale, having been an old balloonist, would probably not +object to your remaining in the same line of business in which your +father was famous." + +"I should think he would be pleased," remarked Hiram, who was always +interested and active in any conversation going on. + +"I counted on that," resumed the aviator. "At all events, not being +able to go or send Dave to Warrenton to meet this Mr. Dale, I wrote +to a friend of mine who lives at Warrenton. I told him the whole +story, instructing him to inform Mr. Dale, so if this Gregg came +around again, he would be ready to treat him as an imposter. My +friend wrote me only yesterday that Mr. Dale was off on an +automobile trip, and might not be back for a day or two. He said +that Mr. Dale was a very lonely old bachelor. He had been delighted +to take up Gregg, believing him to be the son of his old balloonist +comrade, so you would, be sure to receive a really grand welcome, +Dave." + +"I'm glad of that," said Dave, filled with deep gratitude as he +contrasted his present circumstances with his former forlorn +condition. + +"Now then, to business," continued Mr. King briskly. "I don't want +to 'work' anybody with my personal schemes, but I see a chance to +put my giant airship project on its feet." + +"Why," cried Dave brightly, "you mean to interest Mr. Dale?" + +"That's just what I do mean," assented the aviator. + +Dave rose to his feet, excited and pleased. + +"Mr. King," he said earnestly, "I not only would do all I could to +have Mr. Dale join you, but I feel sure he would be glad to take an +interest in your plan." + +"It's worth trying, anyway," responded the airman. "I'm going to go +by rail to Warrenton to-morrow, in the hope of finding Mr. Dale at +home. I shall send you to him later." + +"All this isn't grand, or exciting, or anything of that sort, is it, +now!" ejaculated Hiram, as Dave and he returned to the Baby Racer +hangar. + +"I hope Mr. King's plans come out, all right," responded Dave. "I'll +do a good deal to repay him for all he has done for me." + +"And me, too," echoed Hiram. "He's a fine fellow!" + +Mr. King departed on his journey the next day. Dave was not on the +programme, so he practiced some with the hydroplane. Coming home +for dinner, he found a letter from the Interstate people. + +They were cheery and optimistic over the completion of their new +model aero-hydroplane. It had been tested and worked splendidly. +The company stated that they would ship the machine to the meet at +Columbus two days later. + +Dave told Hiram about the machine, and the hitter was in a fever of +expectation over its anticipated arrival. + +The boys were eating their supper at the King hangar later in the +day, when a telegraph messenger appeared. + +"Message for Mr. Dave Dashaway," he said. "I'm your man," replied +Dave. + +He signed for the message, tore open the envelope, and glanced +rapidly over the enclosure. His face clouded as he did so, for the +message was from his employers, the Interstate Aero Company, and it +read: + +"Cancel all dates. Come on at once. Trouble." + + + + + +CHAPTER X + +SOMETHING WRONG + + +"What is it, Dave?" inquired Hiram, tracing a sudden seriousness in +the manner of his comrade. + +Dave did not reply. With a thoughtful air he passed the telegram to +Hiram. + +"Wonder what's up?" queried the latter. + +"I can't imagine," said Dave. + +"They tell you to cancel your dates," went on Hiram, looking very +much worried. + +"Yes, that's what bothers me," replied Dave. + +"And to come on to the factory at once." + +"Perhaps they want to pay me off and let me go," suggested Dave, +pretending to smile. + +"Don't take any trouble on your mind on that score," cried Hiram. +"They'd search a long time before they'd find a better demonstrator +than you are." + +"Thank you Hiram," said Dave. "The telegram is plain." + +"Yes, cancel all dates." + +"That's easy, I have nothing on the programme for the rest of the +week." + +"There's the aero-hydroplane stunt." + +"But the machine hasn't arrived." + +"That's so." + +"Let's go down and see Grimshaw. I want to talk to him about this," +said Dave. + +They found the airman at the Aegis hangar. Dave read him the +telegram. Grimshaw looked bothered. + +"Too bad, when things are going so finely for you," he remarked. + +"I wish Mr. King was here," said Dave, "but he probably won't be +until tomorrow." + +"Hardly, I should judge, from what he said," replied Grimshaw. + +"I had better start right off for the Interstate plant." + +"Yes. I would do that if I were you," advised Grimshaw. + +"I wish you would see the managers and explain about this," +continued Dave. + +"Suppose the Drifter comes Dave?" asked Hiram. + +The Drifter was the name of the new model aero-hydroplane concerning +which Dave had received a letter from the Interstate people that +day, but written the day previous. + +"I'll see that it is handled all right," promised Grimshaw. + +"Tell Mr. King I will wire him just as soon as I learn what's up," +said Dave. "You'll look after the Racer and the hydroplane, won't +you, Hiram?" + +"Surely I will," pledged Hiram. + +Dave returned to his own quarters and packed a small hand bag. Hiram +went to the railroad depot with him. They had to wait two hours for a +south-bound train. + +The factory of the Interstate Aero Company was located at a city in +Ohio. It was over three hundred miles from Columbus. The train +Dave was on arrived at a junction about daylight the next morning. +There he had to wait for a train on another road. + +He had slept a few hours and got his breakfast at the depot +restaurant. According to schedule he would reach the Interstate +plant about ten O'clock in the morning. + +Dave had been looking out of the car window enjoying the scenery and +thinking over affairs in general, when he chanced to direct his gaze +at a newspaper the man in the forward seat was reading. A glaring +head line had caught his eye: "A Burglar In The Clouds." + +Anything suggestive of the air was of interest to the young aviator. +He wondered what the item might refer to. Dave leaned over to try +to scan the body matter of the article, when the locomotive whistled +and the train slowed up for a station. The man in front of him +shoved the newspaper into his pocket to leave the train. Then the +incident drifted from the youth's mind. + +Dave reached Bolton on schedule time. An inquiry directed him to +the extensive works of the Interstate Aeroplane Company. He found +it to be a very large plant. The company, besides manufacturing +aircraft, also turned out automobiles. + +Past the entrance gates of the big establishment, Dave became at +once interested in a large building bearing the sign "Aerodrome." +He could not resist the impulse to enter it. Then he found himself +going from section to section, viewing the splendid assortment of +aircraft on exhibition and for sale. + +To a devotee of aeronautics the display was most fascinating. There +were monoplanes, biplanes, and hydroplanes. In one section were +samples of the various accessories of the craft. Dave was looking +over a splendid passenger monoplane when some one hailed him. + +"Dashaway--say, we've been expecting you." + +Dave turned to face the man who had been sent on by the Interstate +people to drill him in the use of the hydroplane at Columbus. + +"Yes," nodded Dave, "I got a hurry call wire, and came on at once." + +"Seen the manager?" + +"Not yet. I drifted in here and lost myself among so many beauties. +I don't see the new hydro-aeroplane." + +A quick shade came over the face of Dave's companion. + +"No," he hesitatingly replied. + +"Has it been shipped to Columbus yet?" inquired Dave. + +"Why--that is, I guess I had better let the manager tell you about +the machine." + +Dave noticed a singular constraint in the manner of his companion. + +"Come along, I'll introduce you," volunteered the latter. + +Dave accompanied his guide from the aerodrome. They passed several +large factory buildings. In their center was a small one story +brick structure labeled "Office." + +Dave had never met the manager of the Interstate Company. He had +transacted all his business with the agent of the company and the +hydroplane expert. His companion led him past a row of desks +occupied by clerks and stenographers and into a neatly furnished +office. + +"Here is Dashaway, Mr. Randolph," he said. + +A fine looking man writing at a desk wheeled quickly in his chair. +He arose to his feet with a pleasant smile and shook Dave's hand in +a welcoming way. + +"I am glad to meet you," he spoke. "You received our telegram?" + +"Yes, sir, and came on at once." + +"I suppose you know why we sent for you?" questioned the manager. + +"Why, no, sir," replied Dave. + +"We tried to keep our loss a secret," proceeded the manager, "but +the newspapers got hold of it." + +Dave recalled the newspaper heading he had glanced at, "A Burglar In +The Clouds," and wondered if that had anything to do with the case. + +"I have not read a newspaper since leaving Columbus last night," +said Dave. + +"Well," explained the manager of the Interstate Company, "our new +model aero-hydroplane his been stolen." + + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +"N. A. L." + + +"Stolen!" exclaimed Dave, in dismay. + +"It startles you?" spoke the manager of the Interstate Aeroplane +concern. "So it did us." + +"But--" + +"You are mystified--unusual occurrence rather. You can follow the +track of a stolen automobile. But when it comes to pursuing an +airship, you won't find many familiar roads in the clouds." + +"How did it happen?" inquired Dave. + +"Why, we had tested the machine and it was to have been shipped to +you yesterday. The day before, our expert made a very fine and +satisfactory demonstration. The tanks were full, everything in +perfect shape for another spurt early yesterday morning. During the +night some one scaled the fence, evaded the watchman, and broke into +the aerodrome." + +"It must have been some one familiar with the place here," suggested +Dave. + +"We don't know that. It is certain, though, that they knew all +about airships." + +"Why so?" + +"Because from the trail they left we could trace where they ran the +machine outside. They gauged its ground run just right. They must +have put on the muffler, for the watchman heard no sounds. Then +they flew away." + +"Do you suspect anybody?" questioned Dave. + +"No." + +"Could it have been a business rival?" + +"Scarcely. We have some hard competitors, but we have canvassed the +situation and do not believe they could afford to mix up in a +deliberate steal." + +"It is strange," commented Dave, in a musing tone. + +"Our belief is that the Drifter was selected as the nearest and +highest type of aircraft in existence. The people who stole it did +so with some definite purpose in view." + +"What could that purpose be?" asked Dave. + +"We cannot as yet decide. One thing is certain--they will not +venture to use it at any of the aero meets." + +"Then they must design to take it to a distance." + +"Of course." + +"You have no trace of it?" asked Dave. + +"None whatever. We can account for that, however. The night was +dark, they started out when everybody was asleep, and they could +have gone in one certain direction and struck a positive wilderness +in a few hours time." + +"You mean north?" + +"Among the pineries, yes." + +"Or over the Canadian border?" + +"Exactly." + +Dave sat silent and thoughtful for some moments. The situation was +a novel one. He had never heard of any one stealing an airship +before. The Interstate manager aroused him from his reverie with +the words: + +"We sent for you, Dashaway, because you are our most active man in +the field." + +"That sounds pretty grand for a young fellow like me," returned Dave +with a smile, and flushing up, too. + +"We gage out men by what they do," replied Mr. Randolph in a +matter-of-fact tone. "We have found blood the best in our business. +You have made good, Dashaway." + +"Thank you, sir." + +"Mr. King said you were the most promising aviator in the field." + +"Oh, he is always saying something good about me." + +"You proved it in your ideal work with the Baby Racer." + +"Who wouldn't, with any pride and that perfect machine?" challenged +Dave. + +"That dash of yours after that Lyon order when you outwitted the +Star people was simply brilliant. It showed your loyalty to us. +The newspapers have given your hydroplane work so far the biggest +kind of a send off." + +Dave was silent. He looked modest and embarrassed at all this +praise. He could not, however, feel otherwise than pleased at all +these eulogies bestowed upon him. + +"The Drifter has got to be found," resumed the manager. "It is our +first perfected model, and we can hardly build its counterpart in +time for full seasonal exhibitions. We think you are the man to +find it, Dashaway." + +"Oh, Mr. Randolph," said Dave with a slight start. + +"I am expressing the opinion of the head men in the company here, +who knew your good record. You are young, ambitious, a capable +airman, and above all you are loyal to the interest of your +employers." + +"I should hope it," exclaimed Dave, roused up to genuine emotion. +"Just think--you picked me out, a mere boy, and trusted me. And see +what you helped me do, already!" + +"Exactly," interrupted Mr. Randolph quickly. "That is just the +point--you've outdone some of the veterans in the service and jumped +to a high place in a bound. That's why we trust you." + +"I don't know about what you propose, though," said Dave, sobering +down. + +"Yes, it's a pretty hard task to set. We're all at sea." + +"So am I," admitted Dave. + +"Put those keen wits of yours at work, Dashaway," urged the manager +encouragingly. "I know after thinking this affair over you'll be +ready to suggest something." + +"Well, all airmen should know of the theft of the Drifter, and be on +the lookout." + +"We notified every association and meet in the country after we +found that the newspapers had got onto the theft. That advertises +it widely. The persons, however, who stole the Drifter knew that +would come about. Rest assured of on point, therefore--they won't +stay within range of possible identification any longer than they +can help." + +"That's so," acknowledged Dave musingly. + +"The company wishes you to take charge of a search for the Drifter," +went on Mr. Randolph. "Any machine we own, half a dozen of them if +you like, are at your disposal. You may proceed regardless of the +expense. If Mr. King could be induced to assist--" + +"I think he is under contract clear up to the end of the season," +explained Dave. + +"Sorry for that, but he is such a good friend to you and to us, and +I fancy he would gladly cooperate with advice and direction." + +"Yes, indeed," assented Dave. + +"We owe you a good deal more than your contract income already, +Dashaway," said the manager. "I don't think there's an aviator +living ever had a finer settlement than you will have if you succeed +in running down the Drifter." + +"I'll try," said Dave. + +"That's capital." + +"Give me a few hours to think it over," suggested Dave. + +The young aviator left the Interstate plant very thoughtful and +serious. Dave decided that he had assumed a big responsibility. He +seemed to feel an actual ponderous weight on his young shoulders. + +A score of theories ran riot through his mind its to the motive for +the theft of the Drifter. Then he decided that it must be some +professional who had done the act. It was hard to fathom the +ultimate plans of such an abstractor, who would not dare to use the +machine in any public way and could scarcely sell it. + +"It's a puzzle, a big, worrying poser," said Dave, walking slowly +from the factory grounds. + +About half a mile city-wards from the plant Dave passed through a +square devoted to public park purposes. He sat down on a +tree-shaded rustic bench. There, alone, quiet and undisturbed, he +set his wits at work. + +Whoever it was who had committed the theft must have been a +professional airman. Dave formulated a plan to ask Mr. Randolph if +anybody in Bolton, or any employee of the plant was missing. In +case this was not discovered then some stranger must have come to +Bolton. There might be a trace found of the party at some of the +hotels. + +"There's a bit of detective work to do by some one besides myself," +decided Dave. "I'm going to suggest this plan to Mr. Randolph." + +"Hello, boss," spoke an approaching voice as Dave got up to return +to the plant. + +He observed a man he had noticed on a bench directly opposite to the +one he had occupied sidling towards him. The fellow was ragged and +trampish looking. There was a queer leer in his face and his eyes +were fixed on the coat Dave wore. + +"Well, what is it?" inquired Dave. + +"Excuse a question, matey?" + +"Oh, that's all right." + +"Noticed a badge you're wearing," said the tramp. + +"Oh, that?" spoke Dave lifting his hand to his coat lapel, and +wondering at the man been so observant. + +"Yes--N. A. L.," nodded the tramp. + +Dave eyed the speaker keenly. At the distance he was, it was +doubtful that he could have dearly made out the monogram, yet he +named the letters glibly and correctly. + +"N. A. L." stood for the National Aero League. Dave was not a +member and neither was Hiram Dobbs. Mr. King was and during the +meets it had become the custom with professionals to furnish their +assistants with duplicate badges, which enabled them to enter and +leave the aero grounds unchallenged by the gateman, and ticket +takers. + +"You must have pretty good eyes to make out those letters on that +badge at a distance," said Dave. + +"I've seen them before," readily explained the tramp. + +"Oh, you have?" + +"Yes, and I've got a badge for sale just like the one you're +wearing." + + + + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +DAVE'S DISCOVERIES + + +"You have got a badge like mine for sale, you say?" exclaimed Dave. + +"That's so," bobbed the tramp with a grin. + +"Where did you get it?" + +"That don't go with the sale, but I didn't steal it." + +"You found it, I suppose?" suggested Dave. + +"Well, you might call it so." The man drew from his pocket a badge +which was the exact counterpart of that worn by the young aviator. + +"Let me have a look at it," said Dave. + +"No, sir." + +"Why not?" + +"You can see what it is, can't you? I don't want to get into +trouble, boss." + +"I'm not going to get you into any trouble," declared Dave. + +"Then why do you want to look at the badge? It's no different from +yours, is it?" + +"Are there no marks on it?" + +"Why, I didn't notice. Say, yes, there are," announced the tramp, +scrutinizing the little piece of metal on the back of the badge. +"Looks like T. O." + +Dave put his hand in his pocket. + +"What do you want for it?" he asked. + +Evidently the tramp was about to say "fifteen cents." He shrewdly, +however, observed an interested if not an eager expression on Dave's +face, arid added: + +"--ty cents." + +"It's yours," replied Dave, promptly producing the coin. "Wh-e-w!" + +Dave stared, started and gave utterance to a prolonged whistle. He +came to his feet with a shock. Upon the rear plate of the badge +were scratched two letters, indeed--but the tramp had read them +wrong. As read by Dave they were a mine of information. + +Dave's mind ran rapidly. He sat down again on the bench. The tramp +grinned broadly as Dave turned an eager and excited face upon him. + +"Why," he chuckled, "you're real friendly, aren't you?" + +"No trifling," said Dave seriously. "I'll give you a good deal more +than fifty cents if you tell me truthfully and right away how you +came by that badge." + +"How much now?" + +"Two dollars." + +"The information is yours, Cap," answered the tramp, with an assumed +air of grandness. "I found it." + +"When?" + +"At one o'clock yesterday morning." + +"Where?" + +"By the fence of the big Fly factory down yonder." + +"You mean the Interstate works?" + +"That's the place, I guess." + +Dave became more interested than ever. He handed a two dollar bill +to the tramp without further question. + +"Now, my man," he said, "I've been square with you." + +"That's right," assented the tramp. + +"I want you to tell me all about how you came by that badge." + +"Well, boss, I'm troubled with asthma, and have to sleep out of +doors nights." + +"Go on." + + "The police in the city know me moderately well, and I prefer the +suburbs." + +"Don't fool--give me the facts." + +"Night before last I camped down in a grassy spot near the fence of +the big Fly factory. It must have been about midnight when I was +waked up. I heard somebody say: 'Oh, at take it!'" + +"Who was it?" + +"A boy about your size." + +"What was he doing?" asked Dave. + +"He was up on top of the fence. He had climbed up one of the +slanting outside supports, I guess. You know there's two rows of +barbed wire a-top of the boards. Well, there he was, making a great +fuss." + +"What about?" inquired Dave. + +"The back of his coat was all tangled up in the barbs. He couldn't +pull it loose. Then I heard some voices speak on the inside of the +fence. There were two men there." + +"You think they had got over first?" + +"It looked that way. They told the boy to pull out of his coat. He +got his arms out, started to untwist the coat, stuck his fingers +with the barbs, and tumbled over into the factory yard." + +"And then?" pressed Dave eagerly. + +"H'm! I went to sleep." + +"What! not knowing but what they were burglars?" + +"Boss, I never mix up with other people's business, good or bad." + +"How did you come to get the badge?" + +"Why, when I woke up at sunrise I saw the coat sticking on the fence +where the boy had left it. I climbed up and got it. The badge was +pinned to it." + +"You haven't got the coat on." + +"Good reason." + +"What's that?" + +"Well, my own coat is pretty ragged but it ain't a marker to the way +that boy's coat was riddled and torn by them barb wires." + +"Didn't you search the coat?" + +"Every time that, matey." + +"And found--?" + +"Humph! nothing." + +"Nothing at all?" + +"Oh, yes, there was some cigarettes, a stub of a pencil and a card +with some marks and writing, on it." + +"What did you do with the card?" asked Dave. + +"Tossed it into the ditch with the coat." + +"Do you remember where?" + +"Sure, I do." + +"I'll give you another dollar to take me to the spot." + +"Say, you're a gold mine to me, Cap. Come ahead." + +Dave was doing a good deal of active thinking. More than once, as +his companion led way around the high board fence enclosing the +Interstate plant, Dave took out the badge he had bought and +scrutinized the scratches on its back closely. + +'The tramp guided the way across a bleak prairie stretch. Then he +followed the dry ditch, until they came to a spot where thick clumps +of weeds directly lining the fence suggested a cozy resting and +hiding place for any stray wayfarer. + +"There's where I was asleep, as I told you," spoke Dave's companion, +pointing to a spot where the weeds were somewhat trodden down. "And +there's the place where the coat caught. See, there's one or two +pieces of the cloth of the coat hanging in the barbs yet." + +"Yes, I see," assented Dave. "Now, where did you throw the coat and +the things you found In it?" + +The tramp moved about from place to place, got in line with the +fence support, and looked down into the ditch. He moved along +slowly, his eyes on the ground. Finally he stooped down. + +"Here's the coat--what there's left of it," he reported. "Here's +that card, too. I can't find the pencil." + +"Never mind that," replied Dave, extending his hand for the +proffered objects. + +"I smoked up the cigarettes." + +Dave glanced eagerly at the card. He shoved it in a safe pocket. +Then he rolled up the coat and placed it under his arm. + +"Very good, very good, indeed," he said. + +"Here's that dollar I promised you." + +The tramp received the money, beaming all over his face. + +"Say," he observed, as he moved on, "if it wasn't that you've made +me rich enough to retiree from business for a time, I'd offer to +find the owner of that coat and the fellows who were with him." + +"I'll do just that," said Dave to himself in a satisfied way. + +Then, his hand resting on the card in his pocket, he added: + +"What luck!" + + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +HIRAM DOBBS AND THE BIPLANE + + +Dave walked straight along the fence. By the shortest route +possible he reached the gateway entrance to the factory yard. + +The tramp had put nimbly in the opposite direction. He was headed +for the nearest business street, where he could spend some of the +money that he had earned so easily. + +The young aviator was very much excited. He had made certain +discoveries that had amazed him. He could not help but mentally +rejoice over the strange fortune that had come from his stray +meeting with the tramp. + +"It's a clew--a sure clew," said Dave to himself. "Now to move just +right in this affair and make no mistake." + +The youth crossed the grounds of the plant and again entered the +office building. He did not wait to announce himself, but, as he +reached the door of the manager's room and found it closed, he +tapped briskly. + +"Come in," spoke Mr. Randolph. "Hello, you, Dashaway?" + +"Yes, Sir," bowed Dave, removing his cap. + +"You are back soon." + +"Sooner than I planned," replied Dave, "But I--" + +"You've thought the affair over, I hope?" + +"Something more than that, Sir," responded Dave. "I have come to +tell you that I think I can be of some service to you about that +stolen aero-hydroplane." + +"Good for you!" + +"I've thought out a plan, Sir," went on Dave. "I feel certain that +the people who raided the aerodrome and made off with the Drifter +are bound for a distant and unsettled section." + +"But why? What benefit can they hope to secure way off from +civilization?" + +"That we have to guess at and work out," replied Dave. "I will say, +Mr. Randolph, that I think I have a faint clew to the disappearance +of the airship." + +"You don't say so!" + +"I shall know more inside of twenty-four hours. In fact, Mr. +Randolph, I feel pretty certain that I can soon submit a plan that +will satisfy you that I know what I am about." + +"We already think that of you, Dashaway." + +"And that I can bring results." + +"Capital! I knew we were not mistaken in you. Now, see here, I see +you have something working in your mind. I don't want to even +hamper you by asking what it is." + +"I would like to go back to Columbus on the first train, Mr. +Randolph." + +"Very well." + +"I want to look up some affairs there, consult with Mr. King, and +come back here the next day." + +"And then?" + +"I shall perhaps want to use the very best aircraft you have in your +factory." + +"To hunt for the Drifter?" + +"Yes, Sir." + +"Dashaway, the whole plant and everything in it is at your service." + +"Thank you, Sir." + +"I consider this theft of the Drifter even more important than I at +first thought." + +"How is that, Mr. Randolph?" + +"I have been thinking that if some competitor was concerned in the +affair, he might steal and utilize many points in our new model +which are not yet protected by patents." + +"I feel pretty sure that no business rival had anything to do with +the theft," observed the young aviator confidently. + +"Well, you work this affair out in your own way. Remember, as I +told you, expense is no point whatever. When shall we see you +again?" + +"To-morrow evening, or the next morning at the latest." + +Something in Dave's manner seemed to convince the shrewd manager of +the Interstate Aeroplane Company that their young employee was +started on the right track. He shook hands cordially with Dave +when the latter left the office. + +Dave went at once to the railroad depot. He learned that a train +left in two hours. + +"That will bring me to Columbus before dark," he reflected. "I +wonder what Mr. King will say?" + +The young aviator had a good deal on his mind, enough to make the +average lad impatient. He had, however, learned a hard lesson of +discipline with his tyrannical guardian, old Silas Warner. Then, +too, since coming under the helpful influence of Mr. King, he had +acquired a certain self reliance that now stood him in good stead. + +Running an airship took nerve, steadiness of purpose, a definite, +concrete way of looking at things. Dave knew in his own mind that +the Drifter was each hour speeding farther and farther away from the +haunts of men. He recalled the old adage, however, which says "the +more haste the less speed," and he determined to stick to the plan +he had mentally outlined at the start. + +"I'm going to work on this affair slow but sure," he told himself. +"I think I can guess where the Drifter is headed for. If I am +right, I know that I shall find it." + +Dave reached Columbus about dark. He went straight from the depot +to the aero grounds. The plan he had formed in his mind took in a +talk with Mr. King right away. The Baby Racer hangar, however, was +on his way to the Aegis quarters. As he neared it he saw a light in +the shed where the little biplane was housed. Dave went to the half +open door of the place to find Hiram Dobbs with a lantern puttering +about the machine. + +"What have you been up to, Hiram?" challenged Dave. + +"Why, hello! Got back? Good!" cried Hiram, rushing forward to +warmly welcome his best friend. + +"Yes, just arrived," answered Dave. + +"I've been cleaning up the machine," explained Hiram. "It's old +Grimshaw's fault." + +"What is?" + +"Taking the Baby Racer out." + +"Oh, the machine has been out, then, has it?" remarked Dave. + +"Yes, and up. Say, Dave, I made the five hundred feet level. I +hope you're not put out. It was a chance to make fifty dollars." + +"Fifty dollars?" + +"Uh-huh," bobbed Hiram in a broad grin. + +"How was that?" + +"Why, Grimshaw was piloting a party over the grounds. Rich man and +his family-wife, son and two daughters. The youngest one was a +daring little miss. She wanted to fly, and would fly. Grimshaw got +to bragging about what you had done with the Baby Racer. Well, +nothing would do but I must roll the little beauty out." + +"That was all right, Hiram," the young aviator hastened to say. "I +should always feel that the biplane is safe in your hands." + +"Well, finally the father consented to let his daughter try a fly +along the ground. I settled her in a comfortable seat, and away we +went. I made it a good stiff run, and there was some jolting, but +the girl was wild over it. She begged for a second run. We got +such a fine start that I lifted about twenty feet in the air." + +"And then, of course, she screamed out in fear?" said Dave, with a +smile. + +"Screamed nothing," dissented Hiram. "She just spoke one delighted +'O-oh!' and then: 'Higher, oh, please keep on going!' Say, Dave, +she looked so bright and brave I couldn't help it--Z--I--P!" + +"What does 'Z--I--P!' mean, Hiram?" asked Dave. + +"A slide, a swoop, then a circle, another, a shoot upwards, and the +girl laughing out, 'Oh, this is just grand!' Her sister shrieked, +her mother fainted away, and her father was shaking his cane at us +and yelling for us to come back. The Racer did her prettiest in two +grand circles of the grounds, and came down light as a feather. The +girl jumped out, one big smile. 'Just think of it!' I heard her cry +to her sister, 'when I've told my seminary chums that I've been up +in a real airship!' Then, seeing that she was safe, I think her +folks were just as proud of her exploit as she was. Anyhow, she ran +up to her father in a coaxing way, and came back to place a bank +note in my hand. When they were gone, and I found that it was a +fifty dollar bill, old Grimshaw chuckled and said he had hinted to +the party that the regular fee for a ride in an airship was one +hundred dollars. I'm mighty glad you're back, Dave." + +"Why, you seem to have got along finely without me," said Dave. + +"We've missed you, all the same. Where you going, Dave?" asked +Hiram, as his friend moved out of the shed. + +"Why, I'm anxious to see Mr. King as soon as I can. I have +something very important to talk about with him." + +"It's about that rush telegram?" + +"Yes, Hiram." + +"What did it mean?" + +"When we meet with Mr. King you shall, hear all about it, Hiram." + +"Well, Mr. King isn't home yet," explained Hiram. + +Dave looked disappointed. + +"That is," continued Hiram, "he hadn't got back when I was last up +at the Aegis hangar." + +"When was that?" + +"About four o'clock this afternoon. Mr. Grimshaw, though, said he +expected him on the six o'clock train." + +"We'll go and see if he has returned," said Dave. + +They started for the aviator's headquarters. Half the distance +covered, they met him coming in search of them. Mr. King looked +pale and worried. Dave knew that something had happened to upset +him. + +"I'm glad you're back, Dashaway," said Mr. King. "Grimshaw told me +you had been called to headquarters by the Interstate people. I +should have wired you to return right away if you had not returned. +Something very important has transpired." + +"About Mr. Dale--about my father's old friend, Mr. King?" asked +Dave. + +"That's it exactly. Bad news, Dashaway, I'm sorry to say," +announced the aviator in a very serious tone. + + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE MISSING AIRCRAFT + + +The aviator led the way back to the Aegis hangar. Dave saw that Mr. +King was not inclined to explain any further until they were off the +public course, so he asked no more questions, for the present. Dave +had a good deal to tell himself. His mind had been full of it all +day. Something in the grave, thoughtful manner of Mr. King, +however, caused him to defer his own anxiety and impatience. + +When they were inside the comfortable room where the aviator made +his office, Mr. King turned to Dave with a very sober face. + +"I said I had bad news, Dashaway," he spoke, "and that's no +mistake." + +"Then you failed to find Mr. Dale at Warrenton?" inquired Dave. + +"He has not been there for over a week." + +"Why, I thought he lived there?" + +"He did. He went away, or was kidnapped, nearly ten days ago." + +"Kidnapped?" exclaimed Dave in surprise. + +"That's what I think. Mr. Dale lived alone, except for a very old +man servant. As near as I can figure it out, that young thief, +Gregg, appeared at Warrenton two days after I had him arrested. I +did a very foolish thing in dealing with the young scamp." + +"You mean letting him go free?" inquired Dave. + +"Yes, I feared at the time that I was unwise in not punishing him, +to serve as a lesson against more mischief. He acted so scared, +though, he helped me get back the property he had stolen from you, +he signed a confession telling that he was not the real Dave +Dashaway and had imposed on Mr. Dale, so I thought he would proceed +to at once make himself very scarce. I felt sure that he would not +be able to play any more tricks on Mr. Dale, for I expected that you +and I would go the very next day and see this old friend of your +father. You know we were rushed from Dayton to the next meet, and +had no chance to get to Warrenton and explain matters to Mr. Dale. I +blame myself for not sending you at, once to him at the time. As I +told you, I wrote to a friend, a lawyer at Warrenton, to learn what I +could about Mr. Dale. He reported Mr. Dale was absent on a trip. +When I got to Warrenton yesterday and met the old Dale servant, I saw +at once that something was wrong." + +"How do you mean, Mr. King?" asked Dave quite anxiously. + +"Well, I learned that this young scamp, Gregg, had appeared at +Warrenton two days after I let him go." + +"Still pretending to be Dave Dashaway?" + +"So the old servant says. Gregg and Mr. Dale went away together. +There is no doubt in my mind that Gregg put up a plot to get Mr. +Dale away from Warrenton before we could expose him." + +"But he could not keep Mr. Dale away from home forever?" + +"No, but he and his accomplices might get the old man to some remote +place and make him a prisoner." + +"And force him to give up a lot of money before they let him go." + +"Yes, that has been done before," admitted Dave. + +"Anyhow, two days alter Mr. Dale left Warrenton, a check passed +through the bank signed by him for one thousand dollars." + +Dave was both interested and alarmed. + +"Four days ago a check for two thousand dollars arrived. The bank +refused to cash it." + +"Why, Mr. King?" + +"Because it was a forgery." + +"Not Mr. Dale's signature?" + +"That's it." + +"But where did the checks come from?" inquired Dave. + +"From two cities, widely apart. I know the places. It looks to me +as if the first check was given willingly by Mr. Dale. Then he must +have become suspicious, and refused to pay out any more money. The +second check was numbered correctly, and Gregg must have got +possession of the old man's regular check book." + +"This is a pretty serious affair, Mr. King," commented Dave. + +"It is, and I came straight back here to tell you about it, and then +cancel all my engagements at the meet. I shall start out at once to +run down this Gregg and locate Mr. Dale." + +"And I must join you-I see that it is my duty," declared Dave. + +"Not at all," responded the aviator definitely. "I have mapped out +the best plan of procedure, and I believe I can run down this +business alone in a very short time." + +Dave was really anxious concerning Mr. Dale. He truly believed it +his first duty towards the old friend of his father to do all he +could to assist him. For all that, Dave was relieved to know that +he could go on without interruption in service of his employers. + +"Yes," proceeded the aviator, "I feel that I have an interest in +finding Mr. Dale. In the first place, he is your friend. Next, I +feel responsible for letting that young scamp, Gregg, go free. At a +selfish motive, I believe that if I succeed in rescuing the old man +he will gladly finance my giant airship scheme." + +"He surely will, Mr. King," said Dave confidently. "I believe he +would help you, anyway. I do hope he can be found." + +"I shall not rest until he is," declared the aviator. "Now, +Dashaway, I don't want you to take this affair on your mind. If I +fail in what I have planned, I will certainly call you into the +case. I fancy, from what Hiram here has told me, that you have some +important business of your own on hand." + +"Yes, that is quite true," replied Dave seriously. + +"Are you having some trouble with the Interstate people?" inquired +the aviator pointedly. + +"Not on my account, I, am glad to say, Mr. King," replied Dave. +"There is some trouble, though, for all hands around. It's about +the stolen aero-hydroplane, or hydro-aeroplane, they haven't just +settled on the exact name." + +"The Drifter?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"I read about that strange case. I suppose it puts you back in your +arrangements at the meet here?" + +"Not only that, Mr. King," explained Dave, "but it has placed me in +a position where I shall have to give up all my engagements for a +time." + +"Why, you don't say so, Dashaway?" exclaimed the aviator, much +disturbed. + +"Those are the orders," replied Dave. "I have hurried back to +Columbus purposely, to consult on your helping in a search for the +Drifter." + +"Of course that is not possible, now that this Dale affair has come +up," said Mr. King. "As to a search for the stolen aircraft, that +is going to be no easy task, I'm thinking. Have the Interstate +people no theory as to the way the Drifter was stolen, and the +motive for the theft?" + +"I had better tell you all I know about it, Mr. King." + +"Do so, Dashaway." + +Dave proceeded to relate his interview with Mr. Randolph, the +manager of the Interstate factory. He did not refer just then to +his experience with the tramp. + +"It's a good deal of a puzzle," commented the aviator. "What is +your plan?" + +"Why, I expected that I could induce you to take charge of the +search. As you cannot, I am thinking of Hiram going back with me to +Bolton." + +"What's your idea?" + +"The Interstate people have offered me their best monoplane to start +the chase for the missing Drifter." + +"It will be a blind start, Dashaway, without a clew." + +"But I have a clew," announced Dave. + +"You didn't say so." + +"I hadn't come to that yet, Mr. King. I haven't even told the +Interstate people. I am pretty certain that the Drifter left Bolton +on a due northwest course," and Dave drew from his pocket the card +he had got from the tramp. + +"Capital!" cried the aviator, becoming very much interested. "If +you know that, you have half solved the problem." + +"Besides that," went on Dave, producing the duplicate N. A. L. +badge, and glancing at the scratched initials on its back, "I know +who stole the Drifter." + +"What's that?" almost shouted the aviator, springing to his feet, in +a great state of excitement. + +"Say, Dave, are you sure?" pressed the eager Hiram Dobbs, worked up +to fever heat with curiosity and suspense. + +"Who was it?" asked Mr. King. + +"Jerry Dawson," was Dave Dashaway's reply. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +AT THE AERODROME + + +"That is the machine I want, Mr. Randolph," said Dave Dashaway. + +It was two days after the young aviator had told his friends at +Columbus the name of the person he suspected of stealing the +aero-hydroplane, the Drifter from the Interstate Aeroplane Company. + +Now, he and Hiram and the manager of the Interstate plant stood amid +the half hundred or more aero machines that comprised the stock of +one of the largest factories in that line in the country. + +They had left the aero meet at Columbus the evening previous, not, +however, until Dave had explained how he came to suspect Jerry +Dawson. + +"It's simple and plain, Mr. King," the young aviator had said. "The +badge I bought from the tramp at Bolton was the property of young +Dawson." + +"Sure of that, Dashaway?" Mr. King had inquired. + +"Oh, yes. The initials are crude, but they certainly stand for 'J. +D.' and not 'T. O.' as the tramp thought." + +An inspection of the duplicate badge by both Mr. King and Hiram +satisfied them that Dave's theory was correct. + +"Another thing," Dave had added--"the coat found on the barb wire +top of the factory fence I have seen Jerry wear many a time." + +"And the card?" pressed Hiram. + +"The card has some scrawls on it, made by Jerry, I think. It shows +a sort of rough outline of the upper lake district here. Some +arrows show a straight course due northwest. I believe the Drifter +was started on its way over the Canadian border." + +"And the two men with Jerry?" asked Mr. King. + +"I can't figure out that they could be anybody but Jerry's father +and the man who left Columbus with them--Ridgely." + +"The man the revenue officer was looking for!" exclaimed Hiram. + +"The smuggler, as he was called, yes," replied Dave. + +Mr. King and Hiram indulged in all kinds of conjectures as to the +possible motive of the party of three in stealing the aircraft. + +"The way I figure it out," said Mr. King, "is that this Ridgely +wanted to get out of the country knowing that the revenue people +were dose on his trail." + +"Perhaps," agreed Dave thoughtfully. "There's another thing, +though." + +"What's that?" inquired the interested Hiram. + +"His coming all the way around the lakes to find his friends, the +Dawsons, looks as though he had some future scheme in view, with an +airship a part of it." + +"That's so," assented Mr. King. "Well, Dashaway, you have done +famously so far in finding out what you have. The Interstate people +think the only way to chase the fugitives is with one of their own +machines. I don't know anybody better adapted to do just that than +yourself." + +"Thank you, Mr. King," said Dave modestly + +The two boys left Columbus with pretty clear minds. They had a +definite purpose in view, and Mr. King, Dave felt sanguine, would do +all that the interests of Mr. Dale required while they were gone. + +"Say, Dave," spoke Hiram, as they boarded the train bound for +Bolton, "this is just like acting out some story, isn't it?" + +"In a way," acquiesced the young aviator, "only there won't be much +acting--it will be real, earnest hard work." + +"I see that, and I am anxious to do my share," declared Hiram. + +"You always are, Hiram," said Dave. + +Now, the morning following, the two aviator friends found themselves +at the Interstate factory, where both received a warm welcome from +Mr. Randolph. + +Dave now related to the manager all that he had held back during his +first visit to the great plant. + +"I say, Dashaway, that's simply wonderful," was Mr. Randolph's +enthusiastic comment. "Anybody with the genius to gather up all +those clews cannot fail to work out this entire case. We shall soon +receive some great reports from you." + +"I hope so," said Dave. + +"Now then, you and your friend go over to the aerodrome and see +which one of our machines there suits you best." + +It was after Dave and Hiram had spent the most fascinating half hour +of their lives viewing the wonders of mechanism on display, that the +manager rejoined them. It was then, too, that Dave reported to him +with the words: + +"That is the machine I want, Mr. Randolph." + +As Dave spoke he pointed to a monoplane of which he had made a close +inspection for over ten minutes. The manager burst out into a +hearty laugh. + +"Well, well!" he cried, clapping Dave on the shoulder in an +approving way, "I must say you are certainly a grand judge of +monoplanes." + +"How is that?" asked Dave. + +"You have picked out the best machine in the place." + +"Why, I was looking for the best one, wasn't I, Mr. Randolph?" asked +the young aviator with a smile. + +"It is our new model of the composite hydro-aeroplane," explained +the manager. "It's the best standard built in this country--the +Monarch II." + +"It's easy to see that," responded Dave. "It is the equal of the +Drifter in a great many ways." + +"That is true," replied Mr. Randolph. "While it may not be as swift +in the water as an all-steel hydro, it is built on the best float +system and will sustain a weight of one thousand three hundred +pounds." + +"And the front elevation and tail are also of the newest type," said +Dave. + +"You studied that out, eh? It's a model of lightness as such +machines go. The engine is only three hundred pounds, it carries +twenty gallons of gasoline, and has a lifting capacity of twelve +hundred pounds, giving leeway for a three hundred pound pilot." + +"Dave and I wouldn't weigh that together, Mr. Randolph," said Hiram. + +"Its simplicity strikes me," remarked Dave. + +"Yes," said Mr. Randolph, "and it can be knocked down and +reassembled in a hurry. You see, the ailerons never leave their +sections and in the planes not a wire is changed. The outriggers +fold, keeping them in pairs together, each piece is bent, not +buckled, and can be straightened good as new in case of a +disarrangement." + +The manager went over the entire machine in a speedy but expert way. +He saw that all locks on the turnbuckles were fastened, and that the +locks had lock washers beneath them. All the movable wires were +reinforced with a piece of loose hay wire, and provisions against +rust perfected. + +Hiram stood mute, but fascinated, as the manager explained in detail +the fine points of the Monarch II, as the composite hydro-aeroplane +was named. + +What interested Dave immensely was a self starting apparatus. This +was operated by a handle inserted in a socket, fastened on a special +ball ratchet on the large sprocket. Pulling this handle turned the +motor over two, sometimes three compressions, and started up the +machine without difficulty, Mr. Randolph explained. During the +operation the throttle shut down so that the operator might resume +his seat and take the levers. + +The planes had double covered fabric on top and bottom, tightened at +the rear of the planes by lacing. A single lever controlled the +elevator and side flaps and there were radical bearings to take both +side and end thrusts. + +"Tell you, Dashaway," said Mr. Randolph in conclusion, "I'll trust +you with the Monarch II because you are something more than a +grass-cutting pilot by mail trying to coast a flying machine off the +ground." + +"I hope to deserve your compliment," laughed the young aviator. + +"You've got a horse power engine and planes hard to beat. There are +self-priming oil pumps, an auxiliary exhaust, and the machine +follows the lines of the lowest gasoline consumption. Remember the +triple axis conditions, Dashaway. One controls the fore and aft +axis, producing tipping. The second is the vertical axis, producing +turning. The third is the lateral axis, producing rising and +falling." + +"Some one at the office wishes to see Mr. Dashaway," just here +interrupted a lad from the plant. + +"To see me?" spoke Dave in some surprise. + +"Yes, sir. He asked me to give you his card, and said he had come +quite a distance to see you." + +Dave took the card the lad handed him. He was a little startled, +and then curious, as he read the name-- + +"JAMES PRICE, Revenue Officer." + + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE "MONARCH II" + + +The manager of the Interstate factory and Dave and Hiram followed +the messenger from the plant back to the office. + +"The gentleman who wishes to see me," the young aviator explained to +Mr. Randolph, "is the revenue officer I told you about." + +"Ah, I think I understand the purpose of his visit, then," said the +manager. + +Mr. Price was the same keen-faced, ferret-like person he always +appeared, as Dave introduced him to the manager. + +"I have heard of you from our young friend, Dashaway," said Mr. +Randolph. + +"Lucky I ran across him," responded the officer, in his usual short, +jerky way. "Lucky to catch you here, too, before you got off, +Dashaway." + +"Then you came specially to see me?" asked Dave. + +"And your friends," replied Mr. Price with a comprehensive wave of +his hand. "Mutual interests all around, it seems. You see, I met +Mr. King at Columbus after you left," explained the official. "He +told me of your remarkable discoveries, Dashaway. You are keener +than I, young man. I have been chasing all over the district, and +here you get a clew to Ridgely, while I and my men were blundering +around." + +"If it is really a dew to him, Mr. Price," submitted the young +aviator. "You know, it is all a theory so far." + +"As the facts stand, I have no doubt from your story that Ridgely is +one of the men who ran away with the Drifter," declared the officer. + +"Have you fathomed his purpose in taking the air route, Mr. Price?" +asked the factory manager. + +"Most certainly." + +"I am puzzled to guess what it may be." + +"Why, it's plain as the nose on your face," said the officer +bluntly. + +"How is that?" + +"You know that this man, Ridgely, is a professional smuggler?" + +"So Dashaway has told me." + +"We drove him from one point on the border. He has selected +another, that's all. He has worn out the old methods of evading the +revenue service, so he is adopting new ones. In fact, I rather +admire his brilliant originality. Why, I can conceive no situation +so ideal as that capture of an airship, and professional operators +in his employ." + +"Then--" + +"I am positive that the Dawsons and Ridgely have made for some +obscure point, probably near Lake Superior, and will open up +business in the old way, do their work only at night, and I have +come on here to ask Dashaway to work in harmony with me." + +"Most certainly he will," pledged the factory manager. + +"I am after Ridgely, you are after your aircraft. We can work +together," pronounced the officer. "I intend to start at once for +the Lake Superior district. I shall set my men at work clear along +the line and over the border, to try and find a trace of my man. I +haven't an airship, though, you must remember, and wouldn't know how +to run one if I had. That's where you come in, Dashaway. You +search the air, I'll watch the land. What I want to do is to give +you a list of points where I or my men can be reached at a moment's +notice any time. If we keep in touch with each other, I believe we +can land those rascals." + +For over an hour after that the officer and Dave had an earnest, +confidential chat together. Mr. Price brought out maps, and gave +Dave great deal of information as to the smuggling system on the +border. In the meantime, Randolph and Hiram again visited the +aerodrome. After the revenue officer had departed, Dave came across +Hiram looking for him. + +"Say, Dave," exclaimed the excited youth, "it's like a new world to +me, all this. I declare, I never had such a time in my life. This +Mr. Randolph is a prince." + +"Fixed things up for us, has he, Hiram?" + +"Right royally. He's stocked up that monoplane like a banquet hall. +Why, say, if we can keep the Monarch II aloft, we can live like +millionaires in an up-to-date hotel for a week to come." + +Hiram in his enthusiasm was exaggerating things considerably. +However, when Dave revisited the aerodrome, he found that the clever +Interstate manager had stocked up the aircraft, with every necessity +for safety and comfort he could think of. + +The Monarch II was certainly a marvel in its construction and scope. +It had been made to accommodate an operator and one, or even two, +passengers. The seating space was quite roomy, and there was a +handy basket-like compartment, arranged to hold wraps, provisions +and duplicate machine parts. + +It was late in the afternoon when the Monarch II was rolled out into +the broad roomy yard of the factory. Everything was in order for +the finest start in the world. Dave had thought out and mapped out +every detail of the proposed air voyage. Mr. Randolph personally +superintended all the initial arrangements. The starter worked +liked a charm. There was no wavering. A turn of the handle, and +the magnificent machine spread its wings like some great bird poised +for a steady flight. + +Hiram gave a great shout of delight. Dave smiled down at the +manager proudly. + +"Good luck!" cried Mr. Randolph. + +Just then the factory whistle sounded out shrilly for quitting time. +Workmen appeared at the open windows of the factor. Some came +running out into the yard. + +The word had gone around that the young aviators were bound on an +extraordinary cruise--a search for the stolen airship. A great +chorus of ringing hurrahs went up from the crowd. + +"It's great, isn't it, Dave?" chuckled the delighted Hiram. + +"The Monarch II acts prettily, that's sure," replied the young +aviator. + +Dave delighted his companion by giving him charge of the barograph +readings and attention to some of the minor duties of aviation. The +rapid progress of the machine in mid air was exhilarating. The +weather conditions were ideal, and Dave had a definite goal in view. + +There was not a break in the pleasant twilight journey. The Monarch +II fulfilled all expectations and promises. About nine o'clock in +the evening the record showed over two hundred miles accomplished, +when they descended on a level stretch of prairie near a small +bustling city. Here the gasoline supply in the tanks was +replenished. The basket had been stored with over a hundred gallons +of this in separate packages, without embarrassing the buoyancy of +the machine, as the young aviators were far below average operating +weight. + +"This high living of ours makes and hungry," intimated Hiram, as +they finished getting the machine in shape to renew the flight. + +"Time for lunch, you think?" proposed Dave with a jolly laugh. +"Here we are." + +They selected from the packages in the accommodation basket enough +things for a feed. Mr. Randolph had certainly provided for them in +a liberal way. The packages produced two kinds of sandwiches, some +doughnuts, a cream cakes, cheese, celery and a prime apple pie. + +Dave was pleased and proud with their progress thus far on their +strange journey. There was a steady but mild head wind, and if he +held till daylight the young aviator counted on reaching the first +important destination on the route he had mapped out. + +His idea was to reach a certain point in the dark. They would then +seek a hiding place, or at least seclusion, until evening again, +resting through the day. Dave's plan was to travel so that their +progress might not be noted and get to the Dawson group through the +public prints or by some other avenue, and thus warn them that they +were being traced. + +There was not a landmark on the route, such as a city, lake or +river, that Dave had not memorized, from standard "fly" directories +during the past two days. The Drifter, being in the hands of the +Dawsons, who knew considerable about aviation, would probably follow +the same course. At night it was more difficult to tally off +progress than in daylight, but so far Dave felt that he had not +deviated from the due northwest course that was to bring him to a +certain destination. + +For over five hours after lunch and rest the Monarch II kept +steadily on its way. Dawn was just breaking when Dave passed a few +miles to the west of a town he knew to be Millville. He glanced at +Hiram, about to address him. Hiram was fast asleep. + +"We will have to get down somewhere near here," decided Dave. + +As he changed the course of the aircraft there was a slight jar, and +Hiram woke up. + +"Hello!" he cried, "have I been--" + +"Asleep at the switch?" smiled Dave. "Yes, but it hasn't needed any +attention. We are going to land, Hiram." + +Dave knew his bearings, as has been said. His anxiety, however, was +to get to cover, so to speak, before the airship was seen by anyone +in the vicinity. He soon knew that he had failed in this. Circling +about and drifting in trying to select a suitable landing spot, Dave +made out rising farmer staring up at the machine from his chicken +yard. + +A little farther on the driver of a truck wagon, bound town-wards +evidently, espied the Monarch II, even in the dim morning light, for +he stopped his horses, his face turned in the direction of the +machine. + +Finally Dave located a spot that suited him. It was where there had +been mining going on some period in the past. Some hills shut in +the deserted diggings. Several great heaps of ore surrounded a sort +of pit, broad and roomy. + +"I don't think we can find a better resting place," said Dave, as +they reached the ground and he shut off the power. + +"Going to stay here all day?" inquired Hiram. + +"That is the programme, yes." + +"Well, I suppose breakfast is the first move?" asked the young +aviator's assistant. + +"I'm hungry as a bear," announced Dave. + +"So am I," agreed Hiram, and he set at work to explore the +accommodation, basket. + +Hiram soon had a tempting spread. There was cold ham, a roasted +chicken, an abundance of bread and butter, and a two gallon jug of +cold coffee. + +The boys did full justice to the layout. Then Dave went over the +machine, seeing to it that every part was in order. + +"I'll have to take a little nap, Hiram," he advised his companion. + +"No, a good long one," corrected Hiram. + +"If we're going to lay off until night, there isn't much to do. +I'll stay awake and keep a look out for anything happening. You +see, I had quite a snooze up there in the air." + +Dave made a comfortable couch by spreading out some of the wraps +found in the accommodation basket. It was after ten o'clock when he +woke up. He insisted on Hiram taking a turn on the couch. + +"Can't do it. Not a bit sleepy," declared Hiram. + +"Well, you can try it while I'm gone," suggested Dave. + +"Oh, going somewhere?" + +"Yes, to the town. I want to make a few inquiries as to the country +around here and ahead of us, and I may wire Mr. Randolph." + +"All right, go ahead," replied Hiram. "I'll see that everything is +kept trim and safe about the machine." + +Dave visited Millville, and posted himself as to certain +geographical points in which he was interested. He also sent a +brief dispatch to the Interstate people. Provided with some +railroad maps, and some fresh rolls from a bakery, he started out to +rejoin his chum. + +He found Hiram busy burnishing up every bit of metal about the +Monarch II. They had their noon lunch. On his way back from town +Dave' had noticed a little brook. He was telling Hiram about it, +and they were discussing a plan of a plunge and a swim, when Hiram, +facing the point where the pit began, sprang suddenly to his feet. + +"Hello!" he cried excitedly. "Someone is coming." + +"Sure enough," echoed Dave, also arising. "Why, I noticed that man +in Millville. Can it be possible that he has followed me? I didn't +know it, if he has." + +The boys stood motionless, awaiting the coming up of the intruder. +He was a brisk, smart looking man. There was something in his sharp +way of glancing at things that made Dave think of a lawyer. The +stranger came up within a dozen feet of them. Then he halted, took +in the flying machine with a grim smile, and then looked the young +aviators over from head to foot. + +"Reckon I've landed on both feet," he observed, a confident, +satisfied drawl in his voice. + +"What do you mean by that?" inquired Dave. + +"Why, I've been looking out for an airship said to be cruising +around this neighborhood. Truck farmer said he saw one early this +morning. Then I noticed you in town. I think you'll understand me, +young man," continued the stranger, "when I say that I'm on the hunt +for a chap about your size running a stolen airship, and whose name +is Jerry Dawson." + +"Why," exclaimed Dave with a quick start, "so are we!" + + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +ON THE WING + + +Hiram stared his hardest at the stranger, Dave's eyes quickened with +sudden intelligence. Almost in a flash he took in the situation. + +"You just mentioned a name," he said. "I would like to mention +another one." + +"All right, what?" + +"James Price." + +"Hello!" + +The stranger looked flabbergasted, as the saying goes. He furrowed +his brow as if puzzled. + +"You have made a mistake," continued Dave. "You think one of us two +is Jerry Dawson." + +"I did think it, yes," admitted the man, a trifle less self assured +than at first. + +"Wrong." + +"Is that so, now?" + +"Yes. You know Mr. Price, don't you?" + +"Perhaps I do." + +"And you are on the lookout for an airship, but not this machine. +Let me explain briefly, and see if we cannot come to an +understanding." + +Dave surmised that the stranger must be one of the assistants of Mr. +Price, the revenue officer. In a very few minutes he knew that this +was true. Assured from Dave's talk that he was not the Dawson boy, and +that the hydro-aeroplane before him was not the Drifter, the man became +very friendly. + +It seemed that he was one of the agents of the revenue service. He +made his headquarters at Millville, and had received a telegram from +Mr. Price the day previous to look out for the stolen airship. This +was before Mr. Price had met Dave at Bolton, but immediately after +Mr. King at Columbus had told him of the discovery that the Dawsons +had made away with the Drifter. + +So far as the man knew, none of the many assistants of Mr. Price had +found any traces of the missing aero-hydroplane. Dave did not +enlighten him as to his plans and destination, for the man's present +duties were simply those of a lookout at Millville. + +The stranger stayed and chatted with the boys for over two hours, +and then went away. Dave had told him that they would not start out +again with the Monarch II until after dark. About six o'clock the +man drove up with a wagon. + +"Thought you might be getting tired of cold dry fare," he said, "so +I've brought you a real supper for a change." + +"Why, say, you're a prince!" cried the impetuous Hiram, as the man +lifted a gas oven from the wagon, and then a shallow box, and the +contents of both receptacles were revealed. + +The oven contained two heaping dishes of lamb chops, and potatoes, +still quite warm. From the box the stranger produced all the +trimmings for a first class meal. + +"This is pretty kind and thoughtful of you," said Dave. + +"Nothing too good for friends of Mr. Price," insisted the man. +"Besides, I remember how good the present of a meal has been when +I've got stranded on duty myself." + +The speaker, it seemed, had been a member of the Canadian mounted +police. The boys whiled the time away interestingly during the next +two hours, listening to some of, his exciting experiences with +Indians and outlaws in the Winnipeg wilds. + +It was just after dark when the Monarch started on the second stage +of the journey. Three stops were made during the ensuing six, +hours. Dave was very tired and Hiram pretty sleepy, when, at three +o'clock in the morning, the machine came to rest on a little +reed-covered island in the center of a swampy stretch. + +"We may stay here for several days, I don't know exactly how long," +the young aviator told his assistant. + +"You don't suppose that the Dawsons and the Drifter are anywhere +near here, do you?" inquired Hiram. + +"Perhaps not, but we are near Ironton, on the American side of Lake +Superior. If Mr. Price's theories are all right, that fellow, +Ridgely, will begin his new operations somewhere in this district." + +"I see," nodded Hiram. "What are we to do now--sleep?" + +"As much as we like for the next eight or ten hours." + +"I'm ready," announced Hiram. "It's been fine and dandy up aloft +there, but I notice that when it doesn't make a fellow hungry it +does make him good and sleepy." + +"All right, we'll bunk down, Hiram. I don't think any one is likely +to run across us in this out-of-the-way place." + +"I don't think so, either," responded Hiram, and was soon asleep and +snoring. + +The breakfast programme of the previous morning was repeated later. +Hiram called the whole thing a picnic, and was jolly and happy. + +"One thing, though," he said; "isn't something exciting going to +happen soon, Dave?" + +"We ought to be pretty well satisfied with the splendid cruise of +the Monarch II," suggested Dave. + +"Yes, but I'm getting anxious to run across some of the smugglers. +I've read a lot about them in the papers and books. They must be +great fellows to tackle, with their cutlasses, and walking the +plank, and treasure hoards." + +"Why, Hiram," laughed Dave, "you're not thinking of smugglers." + +"What am I then?" + +"Pirates." + +"Oh, yes, that's so," agreed Hiram. "Well, the Dawsons are worse +than pirates. They won't give up that airship without a tussle, I +can tell you." + +"All I want to do is to locate them," said Dave. "The government +will do the rest." + +Dave left the camp, as they called it, about noon. He had some +difficulty in getting from the island to the mainland, as the soil +was soggy and at places two feet deep with water. He accomplished +the task, however, with only a slight wetting. + +The young aviator had been given the address, of one of Mr. Price's +men at Ironton. He visited his office, but found him absent for the +day. Then he wired his progress to the Interstate people and told +them if necessary to reach, him at the Northern Hotel. + +Dave went to the hotel and made arrangement with the clerk as to +mail and telegrams. He decided to remain in the vicinity of Ironton +till he got in touch with the revenue officer's agent there. He was +just leaving the hotel when one placed a hand on his shoulder, with +the friendly words: + +"Why, hello, Dashaway." + +Dave turned quickly, startled for a moment. Then his face broke +into smiles of warm welcome. + +"Mr. Alden," he said, and returned the friendly hand clasp of his +companion. + +The chance meeting took Dave's mind back instantly to a most +pleasant period of his experience since leaving his guardian's home +at Brookville. + +It was Mr. Alden, the moving picture man, who had given Dave what +might be called his first start in business life. Dave had posed +for the "movies," and later he and Mr. King had taken a prominent +part in some motion pictures bringing in the monoplane, the Aegis. + +"I didn't expect to see you way up here, Dashaway," spoke Mr. Alden. +"How are you getting along?" + +"First class, thanks to the friendly help you gave me in the first +place," responded the young aviator. + +"I'm glad of that. Come up to my room and tell me all about it, +Dashaway. Now then, for a talk over old times," resumed the moving +picture man, as they were comfortably seated in his room at the +hotel. + +Dave parried a good many questions. He did not exactly wish to tell +Mr. Alden about his business, which in the present case was also +that of his employers. He managed to lead Mr. Alden to talk of his +own affairs. + +"Oh, I've had the actors up here on a lot of marine scenarios," +explained the moving picture man. "They went away only this +morning. We've been picturing 'The Island Hermit of Lake Superior,' +'Iron Miners' Revenge,' 'Flight Across the Border,' and 'The +Mystery of the Pineries.' Great scenery around here for fittings, +you see. There are some of my key negatives on the table there, +look them over." + +Dave examined some of the films with interest. The former kindness +of Mr. Alden and his party had left a warm spot in the heart of the +young aviator for anything concerning the movies. + +"There's some plain slides we made to catch the costumes and +figures," added Mr. Alden, pointing to a rack containing about a +dozen glass negatives. + +Dave began holding them up to the light in turn. He had inspected +perhaps one half of them, when he somewhat startled the moving +picture man with a sharp sudden exclamation. + +"Mr. Alden," he asked quite excitedly, "where did you take that +slide?" + + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +ON DESERT ISLAND + + +The young aviator might well ask the question he put to the moving +picture man, for the negative in Dave's hand showed plainly the face +and figure of Jerry Dawson. + +There could be no mistake. The boy who had run away with the +Drifter had features strongly marked and not readily forgotten. The +picture had been taken in the open street. Jerry was standing there +talking to a Chinaman. + +"Some scene you know, Dashaway?" asked Mr. Alden. + +"No, somebody I know--and am very anxious to find," replied Dave. + +"So? Let me have a look at it." + +Dave handed the plate to the moving picture man, who slanted it +against the light and nodded intelligently. + +"Oh, that?" he said. "Yes, I remember all about it." + +"Where did you take it, Mr. Alden?" pressed Dave. + +"At Anseton. There's a sort of foreign quarter there, and I was +catching up some street scenes. It was the Chinaman I shot. Wanted +the costume, you know." + +"When was that?" asked Dave. + +"Yesterday morning." + +Dave asked a score of questions. The moving picture man saw that +Dave had some important motive in his inquiries. He did not ask +what it was, and was patient and careful in his replies. + +Dave left Mr. Alden feeling that he had learned a good deal. The +presence of Jerry Dawson in Anseton, and that, too, with a Chinaman, +verified many of the theories of the young aviator. Dave lost no +time in getting to a telegraph office, to send a dispatch that would +reach Mr. Price. It told briefly of the progress of the Monarch II +and of the definite clew Dave had just discovered. + +That afternoon our hero hired a hand cart he saw in a blacksmith's +yard labeled "For Sale." He drove it as near to the swamp island as +he could, without getting stuck in the mud. Then, he called to +Hiram, who put himself in wading trim. The empty gasoline cans were +over to the cart by Hiram. Dave trundled them to the town, got them +filled and to the island, and, returning the cart, was ready to +prepare for a new night journey. + +"It's less than sixty miles that we have to go, Hiram," he advised +his assistant. + +"Then you've found out something definite?" guessed Hiram. + +"Yes, I have got a trace of Jerry Dawson." + +"You don't say so!" + +"I do, and I'll tell you how," and Dave recited the story of his +meeting with the moving picture man. + +"Why, that's just grand," commented Hiram in his exuberant way. +"You've good as run down the Drifter." + +"Not quite, Hiram." + +"Oh, you'll find the stolen airship. I feel it in my bones. I've +felt it ever since I saw the way you took hold of this affair." + +"Well, I've had good help and a splendid machine, you must +remember." + +"I don't go much on the help," declared Hiram modestly. "As to the +Monarch II, though, I never saw such a well-behaved machine. If she +does in the water what she's done in the air, she's a record +breaker, sure." + +The machine was put in the best possible trim. It lacked two hours +of nightfall but Dave had plenty to occupy his mind. For over an +hour he sat looking over maps and memoranda, and blocking out his +course. He had been very explicit and painstaking in questioning +the moving picture man. He had made inquiries concerning Anseton +and its vicinity down to the smallest detail. From all this Dave +had decided on a permanent landing place, a sort of headquarters +from which he could branch out in his personal investigations in the +day time and sally forth on an air hunt in the dark. + +The aviators could distinctly hear a bell in some tower tolling the +hour of nine as they circled a busy city that lay beyond and below, +them, a blur of light. Dave at the levers kept the Monarch II at a +fair height, constantly scanning an expanse to the north dotted only +here and there with lights. Once past the outskirts of the city he +turned due north. + +"Why, hello!" exclaimed his companion, "we're over water!" + +"Yes," replied Dave, "it's the lake." + +"Lake Superior! Dave, are we going to cross it?" + +"A good many times in the future probably, but not tonight. I am +looking for a revolving light west of the city, right along the +coast." + +"I'll keep a lookout, too." + +The lake was here and there dotted with the signal lights of +steamers. Along the shore, which Dave skirted closely, various +lights their met view. Both boys strained their gaze. Finally +Hiram called out sharply: "I see it, Dave." + +"See what?" + +"A revolving light." + +"Where?" + +"See, just beyond that little cluster of town lights--quite high +up." + +"Yes," answered Dave in a tone of satisfaction. "That is Rocky +Point lighthouse. I know my bearings, now." + +"Are you going to land, Dave?" + +"Presently." + +"But you're driving out further over the lake." + +"Just for a short distance, Hiram," advised Dave. "There's an +island down shore where they run a smelter--ah, I think I locate +it." + +Dave was not mistaken. He came within range of some tall, stacks +sending out sparks and flames. Now he changed his course. He kept +his glance fixed below him and to the right as steadily as his +duties at the lever would permit. + +The Monarch II passed over two small islands. Half a mile beyond +them arose a third larger one. It was quite prominent, for the +reason, that it presented a range of great cliffs. Dave navigated +the air in narrowing circles. Then, timing and calculating a +volplane glide, he let the machine down easily to the ground. + +"Well!" ejaculated Hiram, "you've hit on a pretty dark spot for a +camp, Dave." + +"And a safe one," replied the young aviator. "Mr. Alden described +this place to me. It is called Desert Island, and has no +inhabitants on it. It seems dark because we are so shut in, but +your eyes will soon become used to that." + +It was a singular place into which the Monarch II had descended. +High declivitous, masses of rock formed a sort of immense cairn. +They seemed shut in on every side, fully one hundred feet below the +level of the cliffs. + +The farther north they had run the cooler air currents had become. +Both boys felt somewhat chilly. + +"See here," spoke Hiram, after they had seen that the machine was +all right and a rubber sheet thrown over the machinery to protect it +from the heavy night dews, "a warm cup coffee wouldn't hurt us." + +"That's right, Hiram," agreed Dave. "We are all shut in here, and +even a big fire wouldn't show from the land or the deck of a +passenger steamer. You can try your hand at coffee making, if you +like." + +"The coffee is all made, but cold, in these bottles," explained +Hiram, fishing out two from the accommodation basket. + +There were both trees and bushes near by. Hiram gathered some dry +branches and roots and soon had a comfortable little campfire +going. He poured out the coffee from the bottles into a tin water +pail, and soon had it steaming hot. Sandwiches and some bakery +stuff Dave had bought at Ironton made a very satisfactory meal. +Then they spread some wraps over a heap of dried grass, which they +gathered up without much trouble. They rested in luxurious ease, +watching the bright, snapping fire glow and feeling its genial +warmth. + +"Well, this is just like Robinson Crusoe, isn't it, Dave?" asked +Hiram, with an air of great comfort. + +"If you are a man Friday, then," rejoined the young aviator with a +smile, "you scout around in the morning and see if there are any +breaks in these great walls of rock shutting us in." + +"Oh, then you're not counting an leaving here again by the air +route?" inquired Hiram in some surprise. + +"Not in daylight. I want to find some other way out for that. You +see," explained Dave, "this is just an ideal spot as a rendezvous. +I want to get over to the city tomorrow, though, to attend to some +important business." + +"How are you going to get there?" + +"Why, I'll have to trust to my swimming skill, I guess," replied +Dave. + +"Um-m," observed Hiram thoughtfully, and, if the young aviator had +been more watchful, he would have noticed that for the rest of the +evening his willing assistant seemed to have something on his mind. + + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE SEARCHLIGHT + + +"Hallo! Hallo!" + +Dave made the echoes ring with the loud call as he moved up and down +and across the queer basin, or cairn, where they had landed in the +Monarch II the night previous. + +He had awakened just at daylight to find Hiram Dobbs mysteriously +missing. Dave was not worried at the first, but as he looked around +and then explored the immediate neighborhood, he began to get +mystified, if not alarmed. + +Neither did his vigorous shouting bring any response. Dave came +back to the camp spot to make a new discovery that puzzled him. On +the ground near where they had slept were Hiram's coat, vest, shoes +and cap. + +"Why, I can't understand this at all," mused the young aviator. +"Hiram couldn't have done much in the way of climbing up, he appears +to be nowhere within hail, and he is not given to play tricks." + +Dave did not wait to eat anything. He was really concerned about +his comrade. He got a long tree branch, stripped it, and went along +the side of the cairn, poking in and out among the dense dumps of +shrubbery. + +"Hello," he exclaimed suddenly, as disturbing some vines he saw an +opening, and not twenty feet away a natural rocky tunnel, "daylight, +and the waves of the lake. I think I understand now." + +Dave penetrated the passage. As he came out at the other end, he +found he faced a rock-strewn stretch of sand. The waves of the lake +lapped this. In the distance he could make out Anseton, and nearer +still, about a mile distant, the main shore. + +The shore he was on terminated in a ridge of rocks that ran far out +into the water. Dave wondered if the exploring spirit had moved +Hiram to attempt an entire circle about the island. + +"He went away in swimming trim," thought Dave, "so that may be so. +I'll go out on that ledge of rocks and explore a little myself." + +"Hello, Dave Dashaway!" sang out an exultant voice, just as Dave was +about to remove his shoes. + +Around the ledge of rock came a light skiff. The oarsman was Dave's +missing comrade. He drove the boat upon the sandy beach and leaped +out with a gay laugh. + +"Why, Hiram," exclaimed the young aviator in marked surprise. + +"It's me," chuckled Hiram. "Stole a march on you. Nearly dry," he +added, shaking his clinging garments. "And oh! what a swim." + +"You have been to the mainland?" questioned Dave. + +"Where else? When you said 'swim' last night, it gave me an idea. +I'm some swimmer, Dave Dashaway. Always was. Took the prize in a +contest in Plum Creek back at home one Fourth of July. I found a +way out of that shut in place and made a jolly dive for shore." + +"But the skiff?" + +"You'll need one, won't you?" challenged Hiram. + +"Why, yes. I intended hiring one when I got across from the +island." + +"So you said, and I acted. I did better than hiring a boat, Dave." + +"How is that?" + +"Bought one outright. I took my money with me. Found an old fellow +who lets out a lot of boats for fishing, and made a bargain. The +skiff isn't the staunchest craft on the lake. Leaks a little, and +one oar has been split and mended, but it's all right for our little +use. Four dollars and a half--and we can sell it for something when +we get through using it." + +"You're a great fellow, Hiram, I must confess," said Dave +admiringly. + +"I'd like to do something to help on this trip of ours, you know." + +"You've done a good deal this time, I can tell you that," declared +Dave. "I can manage all my plans finely, now." + +They pulled the boat into the shelter of some rocks. Then they +returned to the rocky hollow. A good breakfast was in order. Dave +announced the importance of his getting to Anseton at once. + +An hour later the little skiff was launched once more. Dave rowed +over to the mainland and lined the shore till well into city waters. +He secured the skiff near a public pier, and started on foot for his +destination. + +Left to himself on the island, Hiram proceeded to dry his clothing. +Then he puttered about the machine. He read for an hour or two in a +book on aeronautics he found in the basket, well on towards the +afternoon. + +Hiram got tired of waiting for Dave. He went through the tunnel +finally and roamed about on the rocky shore. There was more of +scenery and variety here. The youth watched the boats in the +distance. Then he made out the little skiff he had bought that +morning making its way in and out among other craft between the +island, and the mainland. + +"What's the news, Dave?" inquired Hiram, as they gained the camp +after securing the skiff where it could not be easily seen or found. + +"The best ever," reported Dave cheerily. + +"Tell me about it, won't you?" + +"Well, I saw Mr. Price." + +"Is he here at Anseton?" + +"Yes, with his men. I had a long talk with him. He feels pretty +good to know that we got here safely with the Monarch II. I told +him all about the place where the moving picture man saw Jerry +Dawson and the Chinaman. He thinks that is an excellent clew." + +"I should think it was," said Hiram. + +"He wants us to try and discover the Drifter. He says it's only a +question of time, he and his men running down the smugglers. You +see, Hiram, we are interested mainly in finding the aero-hydroplane, +and getting it back to the Interstate people." + +"That's so." + +"And we must think of that first." + +"I understand." + +"We will make a long trip tonight--clear across the lake." + +"Suppose you get a sight of the Drifter?" + +"Then we'll know that it is really here, won't we?" + +"Yes, but are you going to jog right into them and capture them?" + +"Hardly," laughed Dave. "I hope if we do come across the Drifter, +that we can follow it or keep it company, or find out where it is +hidden away in the daytime. We will have to run across it before we +can decide what circumstances will lead us to do." + +"They're an ugly crowd--the Dawsons, and probably the fellows with +them, too." + +"I realize that. Mr. Price insisted on my taking these," and Dave +began opening a boxlike package he had brought with him in the +skiff. + +"Hello," cried Hiram, as two good sized weapons and some boxes of +cartridges were disclosed. "Do we have to use them?" + +"I hope not," replied Dave, "but Mr. Price said we might come to a +pinch where we could use them to show we were not unprotected, and +to scare any crowd that tried to interfere with us." + +"Well, it begins to look like real business," commented Hiram. + +"That's what we're here for." + +"Yes, indeed." + +They had no difficulty in getting the Monarch II aloft, the hollow +extending for several hundred feet. The night was ideal for a +secret sky voyage. A slight mist hung over the ground, but at a +height of five hundred feet the air was perfectly clear. There was +bright starlight, and against the radiance they could make out +flying birds quite a distance away. + +Dave took a route across the lake diagonally from Anseton. They +skirted the other shore for about ten miles. Then they recrossed +the lake. The machine made a sweep along the coast line. + +"Well, Dave," remarked his trusty assistant, "we've run across no +air bird so far." + +"I didn't expect to, all at once," was Dave's reply. "We can only +keep at it." + +"And trust to luck--I say!" + +Hiram interrupted himself with a shout. Just beneath them an +excursion steamer was ploughing its way through the waves, bound +citywards on its return trip. They could hear the music of the band +aboard, until now drowned out by hoarse blare of the fog whistle. + +At the same moment a broad vivid flare of electric radiance shot +across the sky from the deck of the steamer. It waved horizontally +in some signal to the landing dock two miles further away. Then the +operator of this glowing searchlight sent its gleams upwards in a +slow way, as if for scenic effect for the passengers on board. + +"The mischief!" exclaimed Dave bending to levers and starting the +Monarch II forward at best speed. + +Hiram sat staring. He blinked, half-blinded. The machine was +irradiated in clear, sharp outlines as the great searchlight glare +was focused, a speck of action in the sky. + +A chorus of cheers went up from the deck of the steamer as its +passengers caught sight of the airship. Only for a moment, however, +was the brilliant sky picture in view. Dave turned the head of the +machine on a volplane sweep, and the searchlight operator could not +locate it again. + +"Well, we've been seen," observed Hiram, + +"I'm sorry for it," replied Dave simply. + +"Look there!" cried Hiram abruptly. + +Dave had selected a course leading over the land, away from the +water. As Hiram spoke, his own eye caught sight of some brilliant +sparkles of light. + +It was a rocket, exploding in mid air directly in their course, and +it was to this that Hiram Dobbs had directed the attention of the +young aviator. + + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +ACROSS THE BORDER + + +"Did you see it?" asked Hiram, in a great state of excitement. + +"Yes," responded Dave. "A rocket." + +"See! See!" continued Hiram-"there's it second one!" + +"Sure enough." + +"Dave, this means something." + +"For us, you think?" + +"Yes, I do. Keep near the place where these rockets were fired, +Dave. Now then, what do you think?" + +Dave slowed down. There was certainly something to his companion's +surmises or suspicions, whatever they were. Directly at the spot +whence the rockets had been fired there now suddenly flared up a +great reach of flames. + +Watching these, the interested aviators saw them change to a reddish +hue. Three times, at brief intervals, they did this. + +"Don't you see?" persisted Hiram. + +"See what?" asked Dave. + +"A signal." + +"You think so?" + +"I surely do. Now, then, look sharp. There are figures about the +fire. The fire is pitch or oil, or something that could be made to +flame up quickly. One of the men threw something into it from a +box. It was red fire." + +"Why, yes," observed Dave slowly. "I'll admit that was some kind of +a signal." + +"For the airship," interrupted Hiram quickly. "Look, look again, +Dave! One of the men is shading his eyes from the glare of the +fire, and is looking straight up into the sky. Why, it's plain as +day. They saw our airship when that searchlight caught us. They +were waiting for an airship to come along." + +"Another airship than ours, you mean?" + +"That's it, and I'll bet the Drifter! They took ours for the +Drifter. They want us to land. Why, see there, one of the fellows +is looking through a field glass--as if he could make us out in the +dark away up here!" + +It did not take Dave long to drift to Hiram's way of thinking. The +spot where the fire showed seemed to be a large yard of some kind, +attached to a factory. + +"Of course this is all guess work, Hiram," said Dave, after a +moment's thought. "Just the same, it fits in to your theory." + +"Say," spoke Hiram suddenly, "I've an idea." + +"What is it, Hiram?" + +"Make a stop just as soon as you can." + +"What's that for?" + +"Let me out, and give me a chance to find out who that signal was +intended for." + +"I declare, it's not a bad plan," said Dave at once. + +"Can't you find some safe place where we can land?" + +"There won't be much trouble about that." + +"Do it, Dave," urged Hiram, "and right away, so I won't lose track +of the place yonder." + +Dave inspected the country below as closely as he could at a +distance. He circled to a lower level, and selected a patch of high +grass between two corn fields. + +"Now then," announced Hiram. "I'm off." + +"I shall wait anxiously for your return, Hiram." + +"Don't worry, I shan't get into any trouble." + +Dave did not leave the flying machine. He kept himself in readiness +for a flight, should anyone approach the spot. There was not much +fear of that, though, he reasoned, as the place was away from the +traversed roads and paths. + +The young aviator had quite a spell of waiting. He began to fear +that Hiram had lost his way or that something had happened to him, +as an hour passed by. Suddenly, however, his active young assistant +bounded into view, chipper and lively as usual. + +"What news, Hiram?" inquired Dave. + +"The best in the world." + +"You have found out something?" + +"You'll think so when I tell you," declared Hiram. "I found the +place where they sent up the rockets without much trouble." + +"What was it, Hiram?" + +"An old factory yard. Part of the buildings have been burned down, +and three or four loaferish looking fellows seem to live in an old +shake down there. They belong to the crowd of that fellow, Ridgely, +the smuggler, right enough." + +"How did you know that, Hiram?" asked Dave. + +"Because I overheard them. They had let their signal fire burn down +low, and were sitting around it talking. I crept up behind an old +shed and listened. It was as near as I dared to get, and I could +catch only a word now and then. They spoke the name Drifter," +asserted Hiram positively. + +"You didn't see anything of Jerry Dawson?" asked Dave. + +"No, but--say, yes, they mentioned his name, too. They were all +excited about seeing our airship. It seems they were trying to +warn the Drifter." + +"To warn the Drifter?" repeated Dave somewhat puzzled. + +"Yes." + +"Why, what for?" + +"To keep away from the American shore. Somehow, they had found out +that the revenue officers were at Anseton. They knew, too, that the +Interstate people had an airship out after them. It seems that when +we didn't reply to their signal, they guessed that they had hailed +the wrong airship. They have sent a man to the city to telegraph to +the men on the Canadian side to look out for an airship on their +track." + +"You don't know where they are going to telegraph to, Hiram?" + +"But I do," cried Hiram triumphantly. "That's my big discovery. +They talked over the whole thing. The message is to be sent to a +friend at Brantford. He is to ride post haste horseback ten miles +west of that place to where the Drifter people have a camp in what +they call Big Moose Woods." + +"Hiram," applauded the young aviator, "you're a jewel. Why, you +have simplified the whole business." + +"And you're going right after the Drifter?" propounded Hiram +eagerly. + +"'We're going to try to," replied Dave, "but first we must get word +of all this to Mr. Price." + +The Monarch II had mounted aloft while they were conversing. Dave +started the machine in a direction opposite to that in which they +had been going. Hiram noted this. + +"Are you going back to Desert Island?" he asked. + +"First, yes. Then I shall skiff over to Anseton and report to Mr. +Price direct or through any of his agents I may find." + +The machine was brought safely to her old moorings within an hour. +Dave, after landing on Desert Island, at once rowed over to the +mainland. Hiram was full of curiosity when he returned. + +"It's all right," Dave explained. "I was lucky enough to meet Mr. +Price himself. He and his men had already acted on the clew that +picture of Jerry and the Chinaman gave us. The old factory yard +where the rockets were sent up will be under watch before the night +is over, and Mr. Price is going to Brantford on a special boat." + +"Then the crowd who stole the Drifter are as good as caught!" +exclaimed Hiram hopefully. + +"Hardly," replied Dave. "Mr. Price has advised me to get the +Monarch II over to the Canadian side of the lake to night!" + +"Which you are going to do, Dave?" + +"Right away." + +Dave, while in Anseton, had made some necessary inquiries as to the +location of Brantford. He had also got a very good idea of Big +Moose Woods. His arrangements with the revenue officer had been +precise. He was aware that their only chance of getting near to the +missing airship was to make new headquarters somewhere in the +vicinity of Brantford, just as they had on Desert Island. + +The darkness was fading in the east when Dave selected a plateau on +the top of a high hill as a landing place. Once landed, trees and +bushes at its crest hid them from view except from overhead. Dave +had used diligence and haste in getting out of possible sight, for +day was breaking. + +They had reach Brantford, sailed over it, and Dave calculated had +skirted the vicinity of Big Moose Woods. Nowhere, however, had +lights, a campfire or any other token indicated the camp or +rendezvous of the Drifter party. + +"We are within twenty miles of Brantford," Dave announced. + +"And what's the programme?" inquired Hiram. + +"Sleep, for we need it. We seem to be safely shut in here. Later +we'll plan just what we will do." + +"If the Dawson crowd are warned all around about us and the revenue +officers, they may run for some other territory," suggested Hiram. + +"We want to be on the lookout for that," replied the young aviator. + +They made themselves a comfortable bed, and both were soon asleep. +Hiram woke up first; and found the sun shining in his eyes, and was +about to shift his position, intent on a longer nap, when he checked +himself not moving a muscle. + +Through his half closed eyelids, still feigning sleep, Hiram kept +his glance fixed on one spot. He almost held his breath. Thus for +nearly five minutes he lay inert, but every nerve on the keenest +edge. + +His glance widened and seemed to be following some disappearing +object. Then he sat straight upright, stared fixedly down the hill, +and leaning over pulled his companion by the sleeve. + +"Dave! Dave!" whispered the excited boy-"wake up! We've been +discovered!" + + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +A CHASE IN MID AIR + + +Dave roused up, wide awake in an instant. He was about to spring to +his feet, when Hiram pulled him back with the words: + +"Don't get up." + +"Why not?" inquired the somewhat puzzled young aviator. + +"You'll be seen." + +"Who by?" + +"A man who was just here." + +"Do you mean that, Hiram?" exclaimed Dave in a startled tone. + +"I certainly do. Look," said Hiram, pointing, and then he added: +"No, the trees shut him out now. As I just said, though, we have +been discovered." + +Now Hiram arose to his feet, the danger of being seen appearing to +have passed. Dave followed his example. + +"Some one was here, you say?" began Dave. + +"Yes." + +"Who was it?" + +"A fellow who looked like some of the half breed Indians we saw +fishing over near Anseton. I woke up, and he came in range clear as +a picture. It was over by that thicket of pine trees. There he +stood, staring at our machine, then at us. He seemed to take it in +with a good deal of surprise. Finally he threw up his hands as if +he was making up his mind to something, and started on a run down +the hill." + +"In that direction?" asked Dave, pointing due east. + +"Yes, in the direction of Brantford. I tell you, Dave, he's a spy. +If he ran across us accidentally then he's gone to tell his friends +about discovering the airship." + +"That doesn't follow," remarked Dave thoughtfully, "but I'm glad you +saw him." + +"Yes, I think we need to keep a pretty close lookout. Say, Dave," +questioned Hiram, "if he is some friend of the Dawson crowd, and has +gone to tell them about us, what do you suppose they'll do?" + +"I have no idea," replied the young aviator. "But they won't catch +us napping." + +Dave kept a close watch out in all directions while Hiram hurried up +a quick breakfast. They got through with the meal rapidly. Then +Dave went over the machine, seeing that the gasoline tanks were full +and the gearing and oiling apparatus in good order. + +Two hours went by, and there were no developments that indicated +that the visitor to their camp had been other than a straggler, with +no purpose in view in his rapid disappearance. Hiram became more +matter-of-fact, and guessed he had "got scared for nothing." All +the same he kept a close lookout all of the time, particularly in +the direction of Brantford. + +Dave was planning a visit on foot to that town. He decided, +however, that he would wait till afternoon so as to be sure that +there was no occasion for worry. Both lads discovered the fallacy +of their theories at the same moment. + +"Look!" suddenly shouted Hiram, pointing. + +"I see," said Dave calmly, but under the surface greatly stirred up. + +"It's the Drifter!" + +"Yes." + +"What are you going to do?" + +"Come," spoke Dave simply, and sprang into his seat in the Machine. + +Hiram hastily collected their few belongings scattered about the +spot. He bundled them into the accommodation basket, and was in his +place almost as soon as Dave. + +The eyes of both of the young aviators were fixed on a rapidly approaching +object--an airship. Dave did not have to glance at its construction more +than once to know definitely that it was the stolen Drifter. + +Whoever was at the levers, Jerry or his father, thoroughly +understood his business, Dave saw that. The aero-hydroplane came +rather abruptly into view over a wooded hill top, and was rapidly +approaching them. + +"You see, I was right," said Hiram hastily. "That half breed was a +spy, at least to that crowd. He has directed them here." + +"All ready," ordered Dave, in a set, sturdy tone, and the self +starter began to work. + +"What is it--a chase?" fluttered Hiram. + +"We'll have to wait and see. You know what kind of fellows the +Dawsons are. I'm not going to sit like a bird in a nest and have +them swoop down upon us, though." + +"There are three--you can count them in their airship," said Hiram, +shading his eyes and craning his neck. + +"Four," corrected Dave. "The Drifter has a capacity of five +ordinary people, Mr. Randolph told me." + +The Monarch II made a magnificent slanting rise up into the air. +Dave knew the splendid qualities of the machine under his control. +They included an ability for a quick light ascent. He had no idea +of the purpose of the Drifter crowd, but of course their main object +was to capture their rival. The question was, failing in this, how, +far would they go in the way of crippling or even destroying the +Monarch II. + +The Drifter was headed on a course directly towards the eminence +which the boys had just left behind them. There had come up an +eight hour wind about noon, and Dave knew that would be child's play +maneuvering to avoid the enemy intent on annoying or injuring them. +He drove ahead at a six hundred feet level and waited for the +Drifter crowd to indicate what their purpose was. + +"They are changing their course!" said Hiram quickly, as the Drifter +wheeled suddenly. + +"They are going to try a new ascent," explained Dave. + +"Why?" + +"To get to a higher level than ourselves." + +"Then they mean mischief?" + +"I am afraid that they do," replied the young aviator. + +"Maybe they are trying to scare us," suggested Hiram. + +Dave was now certain that the purpose of the Dawsons was to pursue, +capture or intimidate them, or drive them away. They had a superb +machine, and as they made a far lateral shoot it brought them +considerably higher up than the Monarch II. + +In fact, after one or two circles, like a huge bird swooping after +prey, the Drifter came almost directly over them. + +Dave's tactics were now purely defensive and evasive. There were +five people aboard the aero-hydroplane, and they were desperate +persons. He was not surprised when an object same shooting +downwards from the Drifter. It struck one of the plane wires and +then dropped earthwards. + +"Something's whipped loose," spoke Hiram quickly. + +"It's one of the elevator wires," said Dave, darting a quick glance +at the spot. "This won't do." + +Now it was an over-water flight with no measured course to pursue. +The Drifter tried to repeat its recent tactics. Dave noticed that +the Monarch II had become somewhat faulty in its running. He was +anxious to get away from the enemy. His main efforts were directed +towards preserving a sure balance, for once or twice there was a +wobble, as if the machine was hurt in some vital part. + +The young aviator made out a buoy a few miles to the west. Beyond +it was a little settlement. He set his course for reaching it, and +directed his full attention to the levers and the angle indicated. + +The indicator was directly in front of the pilot seat. It showed +positively how the machine was flying, on the top or down bank. It +comprised a cup with lines set about ten degrees, and gave a sure +safety limit. Only the pendulum was movable. This was mounted on +an arm always perpendicular, a small mirror reflecting the +variations of the pendulum. + +Climbing and banking, Dave got quite a lead on the Drifter, but the +aero-hydroplane kept up a steady pursuit. + +"There's something the matter besides the broken wire," spoke Dave +to his anxious companion. "The oil intake is dogged or one of the +planes loose. We can't take any risks." + +Dave sent the Monarch II on a downward shoot. There was a single +pontoon in the center of the craft, with small tanks beneath the +planes to prevent tipping over in the water. Dave aimed to hit the +bay near to the shore. + +Suddenly the aircraft acted queer. It had evidently struck a hole +in the air. The machine seemed fairly to drop from under its +occupants, and thirty feet from the water, Dave was lifted from his +seat and took a sudden plunge over-board. + +He went under the surface and came up dazed and nearly stunned. As +he floated, dashing the water from his eyes, he saw the Drifter, now +a flying boat, cut around a point of rocks, bearing straight down +upon him. + +Dave looked quickly about him for the Monarch II. To his surprise, +as it scudded across the waves for perhaps a hundred feet on its +momentum, it lifted again free of the surface of the bay. + +He made out Hiram clambering from his seat like a sailor among the +riggings of a ship. He saw the machine go up on a sharp slant, +clear the shore of the bay, and disappear beyond the high cliffs +lining it. + +Then something struck him. It was some light part of the rotary +engined aero-hydroplane, the Drifter, cutting the water like a +knife. His head dizzied, and the young aviator went under the +surface of the lake with a shock. + + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +DAVE A CAPTIVE + + +It took Dave an hour to find out just what had happened to him. He +roused up to find two men carrying him, one at his feet, one at his +shoulders. All that he could guess was that they were on land. How +he had been fished out of the water, and what had become of the +Drifter, the young aviator had no means of knowing. + +The two men were rough looking fellows and reminded Dave of dock +laborers or loiterers. They were big and sturdy, and as Dave +stretched out and showed signs of life, one of them remarked +gruffly. + +"None of that--no squirming, now." + +Dave's clothes were soggy and dripping. He felt somewhat sore on +one side of his head, but so far as he could figure it out he was +not crippled; or seriously hurt. + +The young aviator cast his eyes about him to, learn that they were +going through a patch of timber. Then came a meadow-like stretch, +and then a thicket. They had not gone far into that before the men +dropped him on the ground and stood over him. + +"Can you walk?" asked one of the two. + +"I think I can," replied Dave, arising quite nimbly to his feet. + +The instant he did this both of the men reached, out and seized an +arm. Dave was thus pinioned tightly as the men forced him along. + +"Most there," growled one of them gruffly. + +"Good thing," retorted the other. + +Finally they came to a dense thicket that covered a rise. About +half way up this, almost hidden by saplings and vines, Dave made +out a grim looking patched-up building. + +It was an old hut to which various additions had been made. One of +Dave's companions uttered a peculiar whistle. The door of the place +was opened, and a disreputable looking fellow like themselves +admitted them. + +"Hello, who's this?" he spoke in a tone of curiosity. + +"Oh, some one to take care of," was the short reply. + +"He don't look like a revenue." + +"Worse than that. Ridgely will tell you when he comes," was the +indifferent retort. "Have you a place to keep him tight and safe?" + +"I guess so," laughed the other, "a dozen of them." + +"One will do." + +Dave was led through several rooms. Then they came to a partition +formed of heavy timbers. In its center was a stout door with an +immense padlock. + +"Get in there," spoke the most ferocious of his captors, giving Dave +a push. + +Then the door was closed with a crash that showed how heavy it was. +Dave could hear those outside securing the padlock. + +"A prisoner, eh?" mused Dave, looking about him. "Yes, it is, +indeed, tight and safe." + +Dave's prison place was gruesome in the extreme. On three sides was +solid rock, forming a semicircular back to the room. The partition, +closed the entire front. Near its top in several places were cut +out apertures, admitting air and a little light. + +There were some broken boxes in the place and a heap of burlap. +Dave decided that it had been used at some time or other as a place +of storage. He did not yet feel normal, so he sat down on one of +the boxes and felt about his head. + +"Just a bruise," he reported. "I suppose they, dragged me aboard of +the Drifter from the water, but what about Hiram and the Monarch +II?" + +Dave started up, all weakness and dizziness disappearing as if by +magic, as he thrilled over the possible peril of his comrade. With +a recollection only of his last sight of Hiram grid the Monarch II, +he feared what might have happened to either or both. + +It worried Dave a good deal and made him restless and unhappy, but +finally he figured out a theory. In some unaccountable way the +Monarch II had no sooner glided along on its pontoon, than it had +run straightway up into the air, as though the self starter was in +perfect action. Dave recalled Hiram struggling to reach the pilot's +seat. Then he had witnessed the disappearance of the Monarch II. + +"I doubt if Hiram could manage the machine--I even doubt with +something wrong with it, as there surely was, if he could keep it +adrift," decided Dave. "What then?" + +The young aviator pictured Hiram and the machine in a tangle among +the trees, or dropping upset among the rocks. He had not seen +anything of the Dawsons or the Drifter since he had fallen into the +water of the bay. Perhaps, he reasoned, they had resumed an air +chase of the fugitive. + +Dave had several hours to himself. He detected no sound or movement +outside of the strange room he was in. It was dreadfully dull and +lonesome, and he wondered what the outcome of his present adventure +would be. + +It was well along in the day, when Dave from sheer weariness and +worry had lain down among the heaps of burlap, that a diversion came +to monotony. He started up as he heard voice outside of the door. +Then the padlock rattled, the door opened, and some one stepped +across the threshold. The visitor stared about to locate Dave, and +spoke the words: + +"That you, Dashaway?" + +The room was lighter now, with the door half open. Dave rubbed his +eyes and strained his gaze, and took a good look at the speaker. + +"Don't you know me?" challenged the latter. + +"Oh, yes," replied Dave, "I see now. You are the gentleman we +rescued from the lake at Columbus." + +"I don't suppose you think me much of a gentleman just now, +Dashaway," spoke Ridgely, for, he was, in fact Dave's visitor. + +His tone was somewhat regretful, and not at all unfriendly. Dave +was shrewd enough to discover this, and politic enough to take quick +advantage of it. + +"Oh, I don't know," he said. "Of course you are with the crowd who +had me locked in here." + +"I'm sorry to say that's true," responded Ridgely. + +"It's not pleasant here, I can tell you," said Dave, "and the whole +thing is pretty high handed, don't you think so, Mr. Ridgely?" + +"I don't think it, Dashaway, I know, it. See here, I've got nothing +against you. On the contrary, I owe you a good deal. I'm not +forgetting that you saved my life when my launch struck the rocks +near Columbus." + +Dave was silent, resolved to let the man have his say out. + +"I was in a fix then, I was in a fix before I got there, and I'm +afraid I'm in a fix now," continued Ridgely. "I've come to see you +in the right spirit, Dashaway." + +"How is that?" inquired Dave. + +"Sick of the whole combination. I thought I was smart, but you and +your people are smarter. Young Dawson convinced me that we could +run things so our airship could make trips for a long time, and here +you are on our trail within seventy-two hours." + +"Yes, Mr. Ridgely," acknowledged the young aviator. "They found a +clew and started pursuit right after you stole the Drifter." + +"You mean you did. Don't be modest, Dashaway. I've learned a good +deal about you, and if I hadn't about decided to quit business I'd +offer you a job." + +"What!" smiled Dave--"smuggling?" + +"Well, it pays pretty big, you know." + +"Does it?" replied Dave. "I fail to see it. I wouldn't like to be +in a position where I was being chased half over the country." + +"H'm, we won't discuss it," retorted Ridgely in a moody tone. "I +came to tell you that you won't be hurt any." + +"But I want to get away from here," insisted Dave. + +"That will be all, too," Ridgely assured him. "You see, we know now +that things are going to break up. I don't suppose you would tell +me how closely the revenue officers are on our track." + +"So close," replied Dave gravely, "that you won't dare to cross the +border any more." + +"Are they on the Canadian side yet?" questioned Ridgely anxiously. + +"I don't know that, and I shouldn't feel right in telling you if I +did," replied Dave. "You had better let me go, Mr. Ridgely. It +won't sound well, when things get righted, that you kept me a +prisoner here." + +"I haven't all the say about that, Dashaway," confessed Ridgely in a +rueful way. "I don't think the Dawsons will let you go until they +are sure of making themselves safe." + +"Do you know what became of our airship, Mr. Ridgely?" Dave asked +pointedly. + +"No, I don't--none of us do. Young Dawson is pretty good in the +air, but he didn't seem to know how to get off the water quickly. +After we got you aboard, we lost a lot of time getting you ashore, +and, up in the air again, when we started in the direction we had +seen your airship go, we could find no trace of it." + +"I hope nothing his happened to Hiram," thought Dave, very +anxiously. + +"If I get away," resumed Ridgely, "I want you to tell the people +after me, if you can, that I'm all through with the smuggling +business. I've had my fill of it." + +The speaker turned to leave the room, but Dave halted him with the +question: + +"What are you going to do about me, Mr. Ridgely?" + +"I am going to order the people here to treat you the best they know +how," was the prompt response. + +"That's all very well enough," said Dave, "but I have business to +attend to." + +"What business, Dashaway?" + +"Our airship and my friend." + +Ridgely looked troubled. He was thoughtfully, silent for a moment +or two. Then he said: + +"Look here, Dashaway, our men are looking for your airship, and that +means your friend, too, of course. I've got to go to Brantford, but +I shall leave word that they must look after your friend, and let +you go the minute I send back word that the coast is clear for them +to scatter." + +"But what about the Drifter, Mr. Ridgley?" persisted Dave. "It is +the property of my employers. I came after it, and I want it." + +A faint smile of mingled amusement and admiration crossed the face +of Ridgely. Reckless fellow that he was, he could not fail to +recognize the fact that Dave, indeed, had business to attend to. + +"You take it pretty cool, Dashaway," he observed. + +"Because I am in the right," asserted Dave, "as you well know. The +Dawsons are malicious people. I want you to warn them that if they +do, any unnecessary injury to the Drifter, it will make it the worse +for them in the final reckoning that is bound to come." + +"I don't think they will do the airship any injury." + +"You don't know them as I do. Desperate fellows like the Dawsons +will do anything at times." + +"Dashaway, don't you think you are rather hard on them--and on me?" + +"I know the Dawsons--I don't know much about you." + +"I am not so bad as you think I am." + +"Then why don't you set me free?" + +"We won't discuss that, now. You had better think it over." + +"I have thought it over. I am grateful to you for saving me, +but--well at present I can't do anything." + +"You mean, you won't." + +"Well, have it that way if you wish." + +"You'll be sorry some day," said Dave, bluntly. + +Ridgely left the room. He closed the door after him with an +assurance to Dave that things would be "all right." Just then there +was the sound of some one hurrying into the next room, and an +excited voice shouted out in an exultant tone: + +"Say, father, we've got the other one, too!" + + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +HIRAM'S ADVENTURES + + +The young aviator at once recognized the voice in the adjoining room +which spoke the excited, words: + +"We've got the other one, too!" + +It was Jerry Dawson who had spoken. Dave knew that the statement +could refer to no other than his missing chum. Dave was in +something of a flutter of suspense. Then his eye brightened and a +cheery smile overspread his face, as he caught the words in a dearly +familiar tone: + +"Say, do you want to kill a fellow?" + +It was Hiram who spoke, in a resentful and disgusted voice. Its +accents were as pert and ringing as ever, and Dave was overjoyed to +know that his loyal comrade was alive and apparently unhurt. + +"Say, Dawson," here broke in Ridgely, "I want to speak to you." + +"Put this fellow in with Dashaway," ordered Jerry, and then the door +of Dave's prison place was pulled open. A familiar form came +limping and stumbling across the threshold, and the door was slammed +to and locked after him. + +"Hiram!" cried Dave in genuine delight. + +He drew back as his friend faced him. He had noticed that Hiram +limped. Now he saw that one arm was in a sling. Besides that, +Hiram's face was one mass of cuts and scratches. One eye was nearly +closed. + +"Oh, Hiram!" cried Dave aghast. + +"Look is if I'd been through a threshing machine, do I?" grinned the +plucky lad. + +"What happened?" asked Dave seriously. + +"Dave," declared Hiram almost solemnly, "I honestly don't know. The +machine drove upwards so quickly I wondered if some jar or the +broken wire that was switching about didn't start the lever. By the +time I got to the pilot's seat the machine was on a terrific whiz." + +"What did you do?" asked Dave. + +"Not much of anything, except to get rattled," confessed Hiram. "I +tried to circle, and she went banking. Then the Machine took the +prettiest drift you ever saw. All of a sudden one of the planes +dropped and then we landed." + +"Where?" + +"On top of some trees. Right beyond was a deep basin, chuck full of +undergrowth. The machine just took a slide off the tops of the +trees, and slipped down to the bottom of the basin. Then she +turned, I was thrown out." + +"What then, Hiram?" pressed Dave in a concerned way. + +"Well, Dave, we had briers and brambles on the farm, but nothing to +compare with those Canadian thistles, or whatever they were. Look +at my face." + +"And your arm?" + +Hiram shrugged his shoulders resignedly. + +"The half breed who looked at it said it was broken. He seemed to +be some kind of an Indian doctor. He rubbed my scratches and +bruises with some leaves and set my arm in splints." + +"Why, where did the half breed come in?" inquired Dave. + +"Well, as soon as I got my wits from the tumble, I thought of you. +I tried to get up out of the basin, but the sides were so steep I +couldn't make it. So I--well, Dave," added Hiram with a queer +laugh, "I sort of busied myself about the airship. It wasn't much +battered up. I feared the Dawson crowd might come hunting for the +machine, so--well, I sort of busied myself about the airship," +repeated Hiram, with a strange chuckle. "I was resting when that +half breed and another fellow came along. The Indian is a great +trailer, I guess, for he was sharp enough to notice the tree tops +and the bushes the machine had rolled over. Anyhow, down he came on +a rope into the basin and found me." + +"And the Monarch II," said Dave. + +"No, he didn't find the machine," declared Hiram. + +"But--" + +"Let me tell my story, Dave," interrupted Hiram. "He got me up +aloft. Then he said I was badly hurt, and started in to mend me up. +Then they brought me here. They kept talking about the airship, and +tried to make me tell where it was. I wouldn't, and didn't." + +"Wasn't it in the basin you spoke of?" inquired Dave wonderingly. + +"Yes." + +"Then why--?" + +"Hush! We're going to have visitors." + +This was true. There was a sound at the door of their prison room, +and the padlock was displaced. Jerry Dawson stepped into view, his +father behind him. + +"Well," he said, with a leer meant to be clever, "I suppose you +fellows know me?" + +"We know you, Jerry," retorted Hiram, "only too well." + +"I'm boss here," boasted Jerry. + +"That's fine, isn't it?" said Hiram. + +"And I've got you. We'll have your airship soon, too. You'll do +some walking getting back home, I'm thinking." + +"What do you want of us, Jerry?" inquired Dave, coolly. + +"I want to know where that airship of yours is in the first place." + +"Put it in the last place, Jerry," suggested Hiram, "for you won't +find out from me." + +"I'll bet I will," vaunted Jerry. "I have a good mind to punch you +for making all the mischief you have." + +"You're safe, Jerry, seeing I'm disabled," said Hiram. + +"Bah! Say, Dashaway, who's working against us here or across the +lake besides yourself?" + +"You will have to, guess that, Jerry," replied Dave. + +"You won't tell?" + +"No. I'll say this, though: You had better try to even up things in +some way. The Interstate people and the government know all about +you, and you are likely to have some explaining to do." + +Jerry looked worried, but he feigned indifference. + +"I'll keep you two safe and quiet till I get ready to quit, all the +same," he snapped out, and slammed the door shut and locked it. + +Dave and Hiram listened in silence for some minutes to sounds in the +next room. + +They could only catch the echo of voices. Jerry and his father +seemed to be engaged in conversation. + +Suddenly there was an interruption. There was the sound of an +excited voice, drawing nearer each moment. + +A door slammed. Then heavy running footsteps echoed out, ending +only as some one appeared to burst unceremoniously into the next +room. + +"What's the row?" the boys heard in the gruff tones of Jerry's +father. + +"Say!" shouted the intruder, evidently a member of their group, +"they've done it!" + +"Who have?" shouted out Jerry quickly. + +"The revenuers." + +"What do you mean?" + +"They got Ridgely." + +A cry of dismay and excitement ran through the next room. + +"How do you know?" demanded the elder Dawson. + +"I saw them myself--right near Brantford. What's more, they're +coming this way to get the rest of us." + +At this announcement came another cry. + +"You are sure of that?" + +"When was this?" + +"How soon will they be here?" + +"Who is responsible for this?" + +So the cries and questions ran on. There was an excited discussion +all around. + +"Maybe Ridgely is a turncoat!" cried somebody. + +"Well, we can't talk about that now--we must look out for +ourselves," said another. + +"Right you are. Let us get out of here as soon as we possibly can!" + +"That's the talk!" + + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE ESCAPE BY AIRCRAFT + + +"That's good," instantly cried Hiram Dobbs. "They'll have troubles +of their own now, maybe." + +He and Dave listening closely, could now detect bustle and +excitement in the rooms beyond their own prison place. + +They could hear Jerry Dawson fussing and bawling about, while his +father's gruff voice seemed to give orders to the men in the place. + +"I wonder what they will do with us now?" inquired Hiram. + +"We shall probably soon know," returned Dave. + +"Get those fellows out of there, you two," they finally heard Jerry +Dawson order. + +The door of the prison room was unlocked and thrown open. + +"March out," ordered Jerry. + +Dave and Hiram took their time about obeying the mandate. Then at a +word from Jerry two of his men hastened them across the threshold, +seizing them by the arms. + +"Ouch!" roared Hiram. "Do you want to smash my arm all over again?" + +The man who held him was less rough at this. In the room the boys +saw Jerry, his father, the two men who held them and three others. +Before Dawson lay a large, round bundle. A smaller one lay at the +feet of one of the other men. + +"Now, then," spoke Dawson, "ready and quick is the word. I've +divided it up fair, and you'll find your share in that bundle. You +three had better get it and yourselves to some safe place." + +"Yes," spoke one of the men, "the revenuers will surely be here +soon." + +"You two," continued Dawson to the men had Dave and Hiram in charge, +"bring the boys along." + +"Where to?" was asked. + +"Just follow us," was the surly response. + +"Give a hand, Jerry." + +The two Dawsons lifted the bundle at their feet and started from the +room. There were sounds as if some one was pounding on the door at +the front of the building. The Dawsons, however, did not go that +way. They quickened their steps, the captives were led through +several rooms, and finally a door at the rear of the place was +opened. + +"Hold them tight now," ordered Jerry. + +"Yes, and if they make any outcry quiet them the way you know how," +added his father. + +Dave and Hiram were surprised to find themselves now in complete +darkness. + +"We're going through some kind of a tunnel," whispered the young +aviator to his companion a moment later. + +Their captors forced them along in the steps of the Dawsons. They +must have proceeded several hundred feet thus, when the tunnel grew +lighter. Then they arrived at an exit letting out into a deep, +narrow ravine. + +"They must have taken this route to escape from the revenue +officers," Dave told his companion, in a guarded tone. + +"Shall we set up a fight and yell?" proposed the audacious Hiram. + +"Not with that broken arm of yours and four to one," dissented Dave. + +"Broken arm, nothing! Say-hello! Why, they're taking us to their +airship!" exclaimed Hiram. + +They had come upon the Drifter at a point where the ravine spread +out and a long level space showed. + +"Now then, brisk is the word," spoke the elder Dawson. + +He and his son carried the bundle up to the Drifter and managed to +stow it aboard. Jerry climbed into the pilot's seat. His father +drew some stout double cord from his pocket. + +"Tie up those boys hand and foot," he ordered grimly. + +"See here, Mr. Dawson," spoke up Dave, "what are you going to do +with us?" + +"You'll find that out very soon," was the gruff reply. + +The two men proceeded to secure the arms and feet of the captives. +Dave knew it was useless to resist the rough treatment he received. +Hiram was not so patient. + +"Say, this is an outrage!" he cried out. + +"What's the matter with you?" demanded Jerry Dawson, leaning from +his seat with a scowl on his face. + +"What do you want to tie a one-armed fellow up for?" grumbled Hiram. + +"That's so," said the elder Dawson. "Just attend to his feet and +one arm. No use making him safer. He won't be very dangerous with +only a broken arm free." + +First Dave and then Hiram were lifted into the seats behind the +pilot's post. As has been said, the Drifter could carry five +passengers, and they were not crowded or uncomfortable. + +"They are going to carry us away with them," whispered Hiram to his +companion. + +"Let them," replied the young aviator. "It may give us a chance to +outwit them someplace along the line." + +Hiram chuckled. Dave stared at him strangely, but his doughty +companion did not explain what he had in his mind. + +"All ready," announced Jerry, his hand on his lever. + +His father got into the seat behind him. + +"Wait a minute," he spoke to his son. "You two," he added to the +men who had accompanied them, "better get to your friends, divide up +your plunder and make yourselves scarce as soon as you can." + +"That's what we intend to do," replied one of the men. + +"Hold on!" exclaimed his companion, suddenly turning around at the +echo of a loud shout. + +"What's the trouble now, I wonder?" + +"Hey, stop the airship! Stop them! Stop them!" yelled the strident +voice of a man coming pell mell down the ravine path. He was in a +frantic state of excitement and waving his arms wildly. + +"Don't lose a second," spoke Dawson quickly. + +Jerry gave the starter a whirl. Dave noticed that his father was +quite excited and kept watching the advancing runner. + +"Stop them, I tell you!" yelled this individual whom Dave recognized +as one of the three individuals left behind at the hut with the +other bundle. + +"What for?" shouted one of the two men near the airship. + +"Robbers-thieves! That bundle they gave us!" + +"What about it?" + +"No silks--nothing but a lot of worthless truck. They've cheated us +and are making away with the real plunder." + +Whiz! up went the airship. The three men ran after it. The +newcomer shook his fist vengefully after the machine. The other two +picked up rocks and hurled them in its wake. + +"O. K.," chuckled Jerry, as the Drifter shot far out of reach of +their deluded confederates. + +"Do your level best, Jerry," spoke his father. + +"The revenue men may have another airship in commission." + +"Oh, I guess not," retorted Jerry airily. "Say, what about the one +these fellows had?" + +"They know and won't tell. Some of crowd will find it, though I +told them if they did to dismantle it. They can get something for +the old junk." + +"About all they will get, eh?" leered Jerry. + +"I'm thinking so." + +"You didn't give them any of the silk?" + +"Not I." + +"That was slick," chuckled Jerry. + +"Hear him! He's a fine one, isn't he?" observed Hiram to Dave. + +"Yes, Jerry can't be true, even to his friends," replied the young +aviator. + +Dave watched Jerry at the lever. He had to admit that his enemy +knew considerable about running an aircraft. The only criticism he +could make was that several times Jerry took some big risks in +daringly banking, when the least variation of the wind would have +made the Drifter turn turtle. + +It was six hours later when the airship descended. At times the +machine had made fully sixty miles an hour. Long since they had +passed the apparent limits of civilization. The course was due +northwest. Vast forests spread out under them. It was only for the +first time in one hundred miles, as they neared a small settlement +on a river, that Jerry let down on the speed, and they descended at +a spot about a mile from a settlement in the center of a big field. + +Dave and Hiram were left in the chassis, while Jerry and his father +left the machine. They conversed for some time, then it was +arranged that Jerry should proceed to the settlement and purchase +some provisions. His father came up to the machine as Jerry +departed. + +"See here, you two," he spoke in his usual gruff way, "we'll give +you something to eat and, drink when Jerry comes back." + +"Where are you taking us to, Mr. Dawson?" asked the young aviator. + +"We are taking you so far from home, that you can't tramp back in +time to pat any more of your friends on our track," was the blunt +reply. "Another couple of hundred miles, and, if you behave +yourself, we'll set you loose." + +The man spoke as if the proposition was perfectly simple and honest +one. + +"Another couple of hundred miles?" repeated Dave. + +"That is what I said, Dashaway." + +"You are carrying things with a high hand, Mr. Dawson." + +"Yes? Well, I know what I am doing." + +"You may overreach yourself." + +"Humph! I'll take my chances on that. You are smart, Dashaway, but +you can't scare me and you can't get the best of me." + +"But the law will get you, some day or another." + +"Bah! I'm tired and don't want to listen to your talk. I tell you +I know what I am doing." + +"You won't release us now?" + +"No." + +"That is final?" + +"It certainly is, and you may as well save your breath and not +mention it again. I am tired out and don't want any more of such +talk." + +"Well, see here--" broke in Hiram. + +"I won't listen to any more. Shut up." + +With the words Dawson went over to a hammock at a little distance, +spread his coat over it, and lay down to rest. It was not five +minutes before his captives could hear him snoring loudly. + +Hiram had been watching his every movement in an intense way. Now +he leaned over towards Dave. His eyes were snapping with excitement +and there was a broad smile on his face, as he whispered into the +ear of the young aviator one word. It was: + +"Hurrah!" + + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +CAUGHT CONCLUSION + + +"Hurrah!" was the word that Hiram Dobbs spoke exultantly, and Dave +looked at him in profound surprise. + +Hiram had lifted himself up from the seat. Now he went through some +movements that almost startled the puzzled young aviator. + +Suddenly his arm shot out of the sling, and as suddenly Hiram, +though with a wince, swung it around once or twice, and the three +splints holding it cracked and split audibly. + +"Hey, Hiram!" gasped Dave. + +"S-sh!" uttered his assistant warningly. + +Hiram ran his free hand down into his pocket. He drew out the big +pocket knife he carried. It was more of a tool than a whittling +toy, for he used it in tinkering about the airship. + +With his teeth, Hiram opened its largest blade. He gave a slash at +the cords surrounding his other arm and his feet. Then he leaned +over towards Dave. A few deft strokes of the keen blade, and Dave, +like himself, was free. + +"Easy," he whispered, as Dave started up. "I'll watch Dawson. You +get into the pilot's seat." + +"Good for you, Hiram!" whispered back the young aviator, fairly +thrilling with the excitement of the moment. + +Dave took in every detail of the mechanism before his eyes. He made +sure of no faulty start. + +"All ready," he announced after a minute or two. + +"Good-bye!" spoke Hiram, with a gay bold wave of his hand in the +direction of the sleeping, Dawson. + +"Put on the muffler," ordered Dave, as the exhaust began to sizzle. + +Hiram did so. It was too late, however, to avoid sounding a warning +to Dawson. The big man started up with a yell. He came to his feet +roaring out: + +"Come back!" + +"I hope you'll find the walking good!" shouted Hiram, waving his +hand in adieu to the amazed Dawson. + +"Hiram, you're a genius!" cried Dave. + +The Drifter struck a course as true as a die. The splendid machine +and the young aviator were both at their best. There was a last +fading picture of a forlorn man convulsed with rage and despair. +Then the two boy aeronauts turned their back on the enemies who had +been hoisted by their own petard. + +"It's great, its grand," cheered Hiram, bubbling over with joy, as +the exhilarating air and their magical progress made him realize +what freedom meant to its fullest extent. + +"I don't understand. Your arm, Hiram?" said Dave. + +His jolly assistant waved the arm in question gaily. + +"Wasn't it hurt?" + +"Yes, and badly, I thought," reflected Hiram. "It was numb and +useless when the half breed attended to it, but he was mistaken and +so was I in thinking that any bones were broken." + +"They were not?" + +"Not a bit of it. Don't you see? It pains, and I'm bragging when I +swing it around as if it was as good as ever, but I can use it." + +"You have used it to a grand purpose, Hiram." + +"I didn't notice that I could use it until they locked me up with +you." + +"Why didn't you tell me then?" + +"Oh, I wanted to surprise you." + +"You have, Hiram." + +"I thought I'd play 'possum on those smart fellows. I played the +cripple strong. You see what has come of it." + +When they had gone nearly one hundred miles, Dave saw that the +gasoline supply was running low. Luckily they were near a little +town. They made a descent on a river, much to the delight and +wonder of the whole place, bought a new supply, and resumed their +flight. + +It was after ten o'clock in the evening when the welcome lights of +Anseton came into view. Dave did not look around for some hiding +place on the outskirts on this occasion. He startled a drowsy +policeman by landing in the middle of some vacant lots on his beat. + +A brief explanation was made to the officer, and a man hired to +watch the Drifter until they returned. Then Dave and Hiram hurried +to the hotel in Anseton where Mr. Price made his headquarters. + +The revenue officer was found. He listened to the story of the two +young aviators in amazement and admiration. Then he reported +results of his own efforts. + +Ridgely was under arrest, two of his accomplices were being then +pursued by his assistants, and the smuggling combination was all +broken up. + +"The clews you have given us were fine ones, Dashaway," said the +official gratefully. "You have done the government a vast service, +I can tell you." + +Mr. Price insisted on the boys taking a needed rest. He sent one of +his men to guard the Drifter, and, after a famous meal, made his +guests agree to sleep in a comfortable bed for the first time in +nearly a week. + +It was just after they had entered their room that Dave made the +remark. + +"You know we had better see if those friends of the Dawsons have +found the Monarch II and made away with it, Hiram." + +"Well, I can tell you that they haven't," replied Hiram, with a +confident chuckle. + +"How can you know that?" + +"Why, Dave, when I was shut in with the machine in that basin, I +took it apart. You know it was made to do that, so it could be +shipped readily. Well, I'll bet you I hid those parts in places in +that basin where nobody can locate them but myself." + +"Good for you!" commended Dave heartily. + +"I think the Interstate people will have something pleasant to say +to you when they know all the wonders you've done in chasing their +stolen airship." + +It was the brightest day in the year, it seemed to the two young +aviators, as they reached Columbus by train, and started at once for +Mr. King's hangar. + +Old Grimshaw had met them at the depot. He was full of friendly +chatter, seemed to be chuckling over some secret surprise he had in +store for them, and rushed them towards the headquarters of the +Aegis. + +"Yes, Mr. King is back," he advised the boys. + +"Did he find Mr. Dale?" inquired Dave anxiously. + +"He'll tell you." + +Dave and Hiram had much to relate. Two boys probably never received +a more pleasant welcome than they, when with the Drifter they +reported to the manager of the Interstate Aeroplane Company. + +Mr. Randolph had the president and two directors of the concern on +hand to meet them. Their stirring story was taken in by the august +business men with an attention and appreciation that of itself paid +the lads well for all the duty done. + +The boys had remained long enough at Anseton to have some men go +with them and locate the hidden sections of the Monarch II, and +arrange to have them shipped by rail back to the factory. + +Dave felt pretty rich when he left the Interstate works with a check +for five hundred dollars in his pocket, and an offer of advanced +employment for himself and his loyal and useful assistant for two +seasons ahead. + +"I want to see Mr. King before I decide what I will do," Dave told +Mr. Randolph, his mind full of the much discussed flight across the +Atlantic in the giant airship. "You can have your two hundred and +fifty dollars any time you like, Hiram." he added to his chum on +their way to the depot. + +As they now reached the Aegis hangar, Grimshaw stepped aside with a +pleased laugh. + +"Safe and sound and famous. Here they are, Mr. King!" he shouted. + +"There's no doubt of that," chorused the friendly voice of the +expert aviator. "Dave! Hiram! A thousand times welcome." + +If he had been own father to the lads, Mr. King could not have +greeted them more affectionately. + +"You've done us all proud, Dashaway," he declared. "Got a telegram +from the Interstate folks, and the noon paper. The paper has given +you two columns. This way. A friend waiting to see you." + +Mr. King pushed Dave across the little room in the hangar he used as +an office. + +A middle aged, noble looking gentleman arose from a chair as Dave +entered. His face was beaming, and there was an eager light in his +eyes. + +"Dave Dashaway?" he said, half inquiringly. + +"Yes, sir," assented Dave, grasping the extended hand of the +gentleman. + +"My best and oldest friend's boy," continued the gentleman. + +"It is Mr. Dale, Dashaway," spoke Mr. King, following Dave into the +room. + +Somehow the young aviator felt his heart warm to the man of whom he +had heard so much, but had never before seen. The old gentleman's +eyes rested on him in a kindly earnest way that made Dave feel less +lonely in the world. + +Briefly Mr. King told of the chase he had made to locate Mr. Dale. + +"I've got a long story to tell," said the aviator, when he could get +a chance to talk. He turned to Mr. Dale. "That is, if you wish me +to tell it," he added. + +"Certainly," was the ready reply. "You can probably tell it better +than I can." + +"Well, to begin with, it was no easy task to get on the track of +this fellow Gregg," commenced the well-known aviator. "I had to do +some tall hunting before I could locate him and his two cronies." + +"His cronies?" repeated Dave. + +"Yes, he had two fellows in the game with him. I guess he found out +that he could not manage it alone. The three of them called on Mr. +Dale and at first got him to take an automobile ride. Then they +took him to a lonely house down near Slaytown, and there they kept +him a prisoner." + +"A prisoner!" + +"Yes." + +"Just as we were kept prisoners," muttered our hero. + +"Mr. Dale says he was treated very nicely, for Gregg no doubt, had +an idea he could get more money that way." + +"Well, after a good deal of hard work I located the spot and saw Mr. +Dale from a distance. I knew I could not rescue him single handed, +so I went back to town and notified the police. I had hard work +getting three officers to accompany me, because the police just then +were having their annual inspection and parade and all wanted to be +present. When we got to the lonely house we got a big surprise." + +"How was that?" + +"Gregg and the two men and Mr. Dale were gone." + +"Where to?" + +"At first I couldn't find out. But we saw wagon tracks in the soft +roadbed and followed these along the road and through a big field. +Presently we came to a patch of woods, and there found what in years +gone by had been a lumber camp. At the old house we saw a horse and +wagon, and we knew the crowd must be somewhere around. We +separated, and came up to the place from all sides. In a shed near +the house we found Gregg and the two men. They were discussing the +situation, when we pounced on them and surprised them." + +"Did they resist?" + +"Gregg did, and as a consequence he got a blow in the mouth from a +policeman's club that broke off two of his teeth. Then all of the +crowd gave up, and we handcuffed the lot and made them prisoners." + +"And Mr. Dale?" asked Dave, with interest. + +"We found him in the old house, tied up." + +"And very grateful for the rescue," put in the old gentleman, +warmly. + +"All of us came to town in the wagon the rascals had hired. Then +Gregg and his accomplices were put in jail, and Mr. Dale and I came +on here," concluded Mr. King. + +"I am mighty happy to see things have turned out this way," said our +hero, heartily. + +"I am so glad to find the son of my old balloonist friend," said Mr. +Dale, "that I shall have to adopt you legally, Dave, before you slip +away from me again. Let me be your second father, my boy, and take +an interest in your progress. I stayed over here with our mutual +friend, Mr. King, purposely to go over this wonderful plan to cross +the Atlantic in an airship." + +"Then you think well of it?" asked Dave. + +"You do not have to ask that of an old aeronaut enthusiast, my boy," +replied Mr. Dale. + +"Yes, Dashaway," said the aviator, "Mr. Dale has promised gladly to +furnish the capital to put through our newest giant airship scheme." + +So, for the present, we leave Dave Dashaway, the young aviator, and +his friends. What happened to them in their new and daring project, +will be told in the next volume of this series, to be called, "Dave +Dashaway and His Giant Airship; Or, A Marvelous Trip Across the +Atlantic." + +The young aviator had won his way through pluck and perseverance. +Dave had already done some great things in his apprenticeship as a +junior aeronaut. + +Now, the friend, and assistant of a noted expert in aeronautics, he +was eager and buoyant at the prospect of winning fame and fortune in +an attempt that was the dream of the expert airman of the world. + +THE END + + + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Dave Dashaway and his Hydroplane, by Roy Rockwood + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVE DASHAWAY AND HIS HYDROPLANE *** + +***** This file should be named 6714.txt or 6714.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/6/7/1/6714/ + +Produced by Sean Pobuda + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Dave Dashaway and his Hydroplane + +Author: Roy Rockwood + +Release Date: October, 2004 [EBook #6714] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on January 19, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, DAVE DASHAWAY AND HIS HYDROPLANE *** + + + + +Scanned by Sean Pobuda (jpobuda@adelphia.net) + + +DAVE DASHAWAY AND HIS HYDROPLANE + +Or Daring Adventures Over The Great Lakes + +By Roy Rockwood + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE YOUNG AVIATOR + + +"Telegram, sir." + +"Who for?" + +"Dave Dashaway." + +"I'll take it." + +The messenger boy who had just entered the hangar of the great prize +monoplane of the aero meet at Columbus, stared wonderingly about him +while the man in charge of the place receipted for the telegram. + +The lad had never been in so queer a place before. He was a lively, +active city boy, but the closest he had ever seen an airship was a +distance away and five hundred feet up in the air. Now, with big +wonder eyes he stared at the strange appearing machine. His fingers +moved restlessly, like a street-urchin surveying an automobile and +longing to blow its horn. + +The man in charge of the place attracted his attention, too. He had +only one arm and limped when he walked. His face was scarred and he +looked like a war veteran. The only battles this old warrior had +been in, however, were fights with the elements. He was a famous +"wind wagon" man who had sustained a terrible fall in an endurance +race. It had crippled him for life. Now he followed the various +professional meets for a living, and also ran an aviation school for +amateurs. His name was John Grimshaw. + +The messenger boy took a last look about the place and left. The +old man put on a cap, went to the door and rather gruesomely faced +the elements. + +"A cold drizzling rain and gusty weather generally," he said to +himself in a grumbling tone. "I'll face it any time for Dashaway, +though. The telegram may be important." + +The big aero field looked lonely and gloomy as the man crossed it. +Lights showed here and there in the various buildings scattered +about the enclosure. The ground was wet and soft. The rain came in +chilling dashes. Old Grimshaw breasted the storm, and after half a +mile's walk came to a hangar a good deal like the one he had left. +There was a light inside. + +"Hello, there!" he sang out in his big foghorn voice, thrusting the +door open with his foot and getting under the shelter, and shaking +the rain from his head and shoulders. + +Two boys were the occupants of the place. They had a lamp on the +table, upon which was outspread pictures and plans of airships. The +older of the two got up from his chair with a pleasant smiling face. + +"Why, it's Mr. Grimshaw!" he exclaimed. + +"That's who it is," joined in the other boy cheerily. "Say, you're +welcome, too. We were looking over some sketches of new machines, +and you can tell us lots about them, you know." + +"Got to get back to my own quarters," declared Grimshaw. "Some +other time about those pictures. Boy brought a telegram to Mr. +King's hangar. It's for you, Dashaway." + +"For me?" inquired the lad who had first addressed the visitor. + +"Yes. Here it is. Mr. King's away, but if you need me for anything +let me know." + +"I'm always needing you," replied Dave Dashaway. "I don't know what +we'd do without you." + +The young aviator--for such he was in fact and reality--took the +proffered envelope. He tore open its end and read the enclosure +rapidly. + +"Why," he said, "this is strange." + +"Any answer? Need me?" asked Grimshaw, moving towards the door. + +"No, thank you," replied Dave in a vague, bothered way that made his +companion and chum, Hiram Dobbs, study his face with some +perplexity. + +"I'd better get back home, then," said the old man. "Fine weather +for hydroplanes this, eh?" + +Both Dave and Hiram proceeded to the door with the grim old fellow +who had so kindly taught them all they knew about aeronautics. When +their visitor had departed, Dave went back to the table. He sat +down and perused the telegram once more. Then he sat looking +fixedly at it, as if he was studying some hard problem. Hiram stood +it as long as he could. Then he burst out impetuously: + +"What is it, Dave?" + +"I'm trying to find out," was the abstracted reply. + +"Who is it from?" + +"The Interstate Aeroplane Co." + +That name meant a good deal to Hiram Dobbs, and a great deal more to +Dave Dashaway. It marked the starting point in the aviation career +of the latter, and that in its turn had meant a first step up the +ladder for his faithful comrade, Hiram. + +In the first volume of this series, entitled: + +"Dave Dashaway, the Young Aviator; Or, In the Clouds for Fame and +Fortune," the career of Dave Dashaway has been told. The father of +the young airman had been a noted balloonist, and when he died a +mean old skinflint named Silas Warner had been appointed Dave's +guardian. Warner had acted the tyrant and hard taskmaster for the +youth. A natural love for aeronautics had been born in Dave. He +had made an airship model which his guardian had maliciously +destroyed. Warner had also appropriated a package dropped +accidentally by a famous aviator, named Robert King, from a +monoplane. + +Dave had found this package, containing money, a watch and a medal +greatly prized by Mr. King. Dave resolved that this property should +be restored to the airman. He got hold of the lost articles, which +his guardian had secreted, and ran away from home. + +After various adventures, during which he was robbed of the airman's +property, Dave managed to reach the aero meet at Fairfield. He +found Robert King and described to him the boy thief. The airman +took a fancy to Dave from the nerve and ability he showed in +experimenting with a parachute garment, and hired him. + +About the same time Hiram Dobbs came along, ambitious to change his +farm life for an aviation career, and secured work helping about the +grounds. Mr. King sent Dave to Grimshaw for training. The +Interstate Aeroplane Co. wanted to exhibit its Baby Racer, a novel +biplane. Dave made a successful demonstration, and won the +admiration and good will of the company. + +In a few weeks time Dave scored a big success and won several +trophies. His final exploit was taking the place of an aviator who +had fainted away in his monoplane, and winning the race for Mr. +King's machine. Dave was now the proud possessor of a pilot's +license, and had fairly entered the professional field. + +The thief who had stolen Mr. King's property from Dave, a graceless +youth named Gregg, was found, and the property recovered. He had +also got hold of some papers that belonged to Dave's father. Gregg +through these had obtained a trace of a Mr. Dale, a great friend of +the dead balloonist. He had made Mr. Dale believe he was the real +Dave Dashaway, until he was unmasked. + +Another bad boy Dave had run across was named Jerry Dawson. From +the start in his career as an airman this youth had been an enemy. +Dave had succeeded him in the employ of Mr. King, Jerry having been +discharged in disgrace. Jerry tried to "get even," as he called it, +by trying to wreck Mr. King's monoplane, the Aegis. He also +betrayed Dave's whereabouts to his guardian. Because Dave was right +and Jerry wrong, there plots rebounded on the schemer and did Dave +no harm. + +Jerry and his father were exposed. They still followed the various +meets, however, just as Mr. King and Dave and Hiram did, but they +were shunned by all reputable airmen. + +After leaving the aero meet at Dayton the proud possessor of a +trophy as winner of a one hundred mile dash, Dave now found himself +and his friends on the aero, grounds at Columbus. This was a summer +resort located on Lake Michigan. A two weeks' programme had been +arranged, in which Dave was to give exhibitions for his employers of +their new model hydroplane. + +Hiram was practicing for a flight in the Baby Racer. The two +friends that rainy summer evening were interested in plans for the +coming meet and aviation business generally. The arrival of the +telegram once more introduces the reader to Dave Dashaway, now +popularly known as the young aviator. + +The telegram which Grimshaw had brought to Dave was dated at the +headquarters of the Interstate Aeroplane Co., some three hundred +miles distant. It was addressed to Dave in care of Mr. King, and it +was signed by the manager of the company. It read as follows: + +"Our sales agent, Timmins, reported from your quarters at Columbus +three days ago. Was due at Kewaukee this morning on big contract +with County Fair Amusement Co. Wired Northern Hotel there, where we +had forwarded all the contracts and papers, and he is not there. +Find him at any expense, and get him to Kewaukee before to-morrow +morning, or the Star Aero Co. will get the order. Fear some trick. +This means ten thousand dollars to us." + +Dave read and reread this message, weighing every word in his mind +as he did so. Hiram sat watching him in a fever of suspense and +anxiety. Finally he exclaimed: + +"See here, Dave Dashaway, is that Greek you can't make out, or have +you gone to sleep?" + +"I was only trying to figure out this telegram," replied Dave +thoughtfully. "Here, read it for yourself, and see what you make of +it." + +The young aviator passed the yellow sheet over to his curious +friend. The latter scanned it rapidly. Then, with startling +suddenness, his face twitching with excitement, he jumped to his +feet. + +"What do I make of it?" shouted Hiram. "Just what the telegram +says--a trick! It's come all over me in a flash. Why, Dick, I know +all about it." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +The "BABY RACER" + + +"You know all about it?" repeated Dave Dashaway, looking up in great +surprise. + +"That's what I do," declared Hiram positively. + +"What do you mean?" + +"I'll explain." + +"I wish you would." + +"I'm a blockhead, that's just what I am!" cried Hiram. "I don't +know what possessed me that I didn't tell you all about it before." + +"See here, Hiram," broke in Dave, "What are you talking about?" + +"Why, about Mr. Timmins. You know he here night before last and +left us then?" + +"Yes, Hiram, to go to Kewaukee." + +"Well, he just didn't go to Kewaukee at all." + +"That's no news, for this telegram shows that couldn't have done +so." + +"You see, when Mr. Timmins got telling us about the big sale he was +going to make at Kewaukee," continued Hiram, "and how the Star Aero +people were bidders for the same contract, you warned him against +the Dawsons, and the people they are working for!" + +"I know I did. That was because the Dawsons are stunting for the +Star people." + +"Exactly. Then when I caught Jerry Dawson and Brooks, that precious +chum of his, sneaking around the Aegis hangar, I made up my mind +that they were up to no good. I know what they were snooping around +for, now." + +"What was it?" + +"To pick up what information they could about Mr. Timmins' plans, +so, when Mr. Timmins went away, I was awful glad. I felt pleased, +for Mr. King told as you know that he was a free and easy fellow, +friendly to everybody, and sometimes drank more than he ought to." + +"Yes, I know that, Hiram." + +"Well, last night I went to town to get some supplies for Mr. +Grimshaw. There's a tavern at the cross roads, and some men were in +there. I saw them through an open window. There were six of them. +Brooks was there, and Jerry and his father, and three more of the +crowd. They were playing cards and making a great deal of noise. +Just as I looked in some one pulled down the shade. I caught a +sight of the other man, though. Right off, even at the distance I +was, it struck me he looked like Mr. Timmins. Then I remembered +that Mr. Timmins had certainly gone to Kewaukee the night before, so +I put it off my mind. Now, I see the whole trick." + +"What is that?" + +"The crowd kept Mr. Timmins here, delaying and entertaining him. +Maybe later some of them led him still further away from Columbus. +Their man is probably on the spot at Kewaukee now, ready to get that +big contract for show biplanes." + +Dave had been anxiously walking up and down the floor while Hiram +was talking. Now he took his cap off a peg and picked up an +umbrella. + +"You wait here till I come back, Hiram," he said. + +"Where are you going, Dave?" + +"Down to the Aegis hangar. This telegram disturbs me very much. I +have no idea where Mr. Timmins can be, and something must certainly +be done about this contract." + +"That's so, Dave," agreed Hiram. "It isn't exactly our business, +but it would be a big feather in your cap to help out the people who +are hiring you." + +"That's what I want to do, if I can," replied Dave, as he left the +place. + +The youth went straight to the Aegis hangar, where he found Grimshaw +tinkering over a broken airplane wing. Mr. King had a desk in one +corner of what he called his office room. + +Dave was free to use this at all times. He opened it now, and for +ten minutes was busy with some railroad time tables he found there. +Then he consulted an aero guide map. + +Grimshaw watched him from under his shaggy eyebrows, but said +nothing until Dave got up from the desk, buttoned his coat and +prepared to face the storm again. + +"What's the trouble, Dashaway?" he asked. + +"Why, Mr. Grimshaw?" inquired Dave, wishing to evade direct +questioning. + +"You seem bothered about something, I see." + +"Well, as a matter of fact, I am," confessed Dave. + +"What is it?" + +"I'm trying to find a way to get to Kewaukee," explained Dave. +"Something has come up that makes me think I ought to be there in +the interests of my employers early to-morrow morning. I am figuring +out how I can make it." + +"See here, Dashaway," spoke the old airman in a grim, impressive +way, "don't you do anything reckless." + +"I won't," answered Dave. "You know you once said I was all +business. Well, I'll always try to do my duty without any +unnecessary risks." + +Dave laughed carelessly and got away from the hangar. A daring idea +had come into his mind. Perhaps Grimshaw suspected it, and Dave was +afraid he might. The lad knew that the eccentric old fellow liked +him, and would try to dissuade him from any exploit of unusual +peril. + +"I'll do it, I'll have to do it or let the company lose out," +breathed Dave, as once outside he broke into a run across the +aviation field. + +Dave found Hiram winding the alarm clock as he re-entered the half +shed, half canvas house where the Baby Racer was stored. Although +they got their meals at Mr. King's headquarters, the boys had two +light cots and slept near to the machine which Dave had been +exhibiting. + +Dave glanced at the clock, and Hiram noticing the look, said: + +"Eleven thirty, Dave. I've set the alarm clock for five thirty. +You know that new hydroplane will probably come in on an early +freight. What's the programme?" + +"Well, Hiram," responded Dave, throwing off his coat and hat, "I'm +going to dress up for a ride." + +"Eh?" ejaculated Hiram, staring hard at the set resolute face of his +comrade. + +"Yes, I've got to get to Kewaukee." + +"Oh, you mean going by train?" + +"No. Last one left an hour ago. Next one nine o clock to-morrow +morning." + +"Automobile, then?" + +"On the country mud roads we've been having for the last week?" + +"That's so. Then--" + +"It's the airship route or nothing, Hiram," said Dave. "I'm going +in the biplane." + +"The Baby Racer?" + +"Yes." + +"On such a night as this! Why, Dave," began Hiram, almost in alarm. + +"Don't say a word," interrupted Dave with a preemptory wave of his +hand. "I've made up my mind, and that ends it." + +"It usually does," said Hiram. "If you're bound to do it, though, +Dave--" + +"I certainly am." + +"Ask Mr. Grimshaw's advice, first." + +"Not for worlds." + +"Why not?" + +"I think he would try to stop me. See here, Hiram, I've thought it +all over. I know it's a hard, rough night, but I also know what the +Baby Racer can do." + +"It's a pretty bad night to do any fooling in the air," remarked +Hiram. + +"There won't be much fooling about it, Hiram. I know the chances +and, I shan't look for any fun. It is a bad night, I know, but the +wind is right, and I can head straight into it in reaching +Kewaukee." + +"How far away is Kewaukee, Dave?" + +"Ninety-five miles." + +Dave, while he talked, had been putting on his regular aviator's +suit. As he finished up with a helmet, he noticed Hiram changing +his coat for a sweater. + +"What are you up to, Hiram," he inquired quickly. + +"Getting ready, of course." + +"Getting ready for what?" + +"The trip to Kewaukee." + +"Oh, you think you're going?" + +"If you are," retorted Hiram, "I know I am. Now, see here, Dave," +continued Hiram, waving a silencing finger as Dave was about to +speak, "I know I'm not an aviator like you, and never will be. All +the same, I am some good in an airship, if it's only to act as +ballast. The other day when I was up with you in the Racer, you. +said I shifted the elevator just in time to save a smash up. In a +storm like the one to-night, you my need me worse than ever. +Anyhow, Dave Dashaway, I won't let you go alone." + +The young airman looked at his loyal, earnest friend with pleasure +and pride. Hiram was only a crude country boy. He had, however, +shown diamond in the rough, and Dave appreciated the fact. + +Hiram had made several ground runs in an aeroplane. He had gone up +in the Baby Racer twice with Dave, and had proven himself a model +passenger. As he had just hinted, too, he had been familiar enough +with the mechanism of the biplane to operate some of its auxiliary +machinery so as to avert an accident. + +"You are the best company in the world, Hiram," said Dave, "but I +wouldn't feel right in letting you take the risk of a hazardous +run." + +"Dave, I won't let you go alone," persisted Hiram. + +Dave said nothing in reply. He went outside, and Hiram followed +him. They unlocked the door of the shed adjoining where the Baby +Racer was housed, and lit two lanterns. + +"Get a couple of the nearest field men, Hiram," directed Dave, "and +I will have everything in order by the time you get back." + +There was not much for Dave to do. Only the noon of that day they +had got the little biplane ready for a cross country spurt. Then +the rain came on, and they decided to defer the dash till the +weather was more propitious. Dave was looking over the machinery, +when a gruff hail startled him. + +"Hello!" challenged old Grimshaw, appearing at the open doorway of +the hangar. "What you up to, Dashaway?" + +Dave flushed guiltily. He was dreadfully embarrassed to be "caught +in the act" as it were, by his great friend, the old airman. + +"Why--you see, Mr. Grimshaw--" stammered Dave. + +"Yes, of course I see," retorted the old man firmly. "You're going +to start out a night like this." + +"I've got to, Mr. Grimshaw," declared Dave desperately. + +"Business, eh?" + +"Of the most important kind." + +"What is it?" + +It was in order for Dave to explain details, and did so briefly. + +"H'm," commented Grimshaw, when his pupil concluded his explanation. +"And so you thought you'd steal away without letting me know it?" + +"Oh, now, Mr. Grimshaw!" Dave hastened to say-- "that was not the +spirit of the thing at all." + +"Go ahead, Dashaway." + +"Well, then, I think so very much of you I didn't want it to worry +you." + +"Roll her out," was all that Grimshaw would say, placing his one +hand on the tail of the biplane. "Hold on for a minute. Gasoline +supply?" + +"Twenty-five gallons." + +"That will do. Lubricating oil-all right. Now then, lad, hit that +head wind every time, and you'll make it, sure." + + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A WILD NIGHT RIDE + + +"Go!" + +It was less than half an hour after the appearance of Grimshaw on +the scene that the Baby Racer was all ready for its stormy night's +flight. + +The old aviator had fussed and poked about the dainty little +biplane, as if it was some valued friend he was sending out into the +world to try its fortune. Every once in a while he had growled out +some brief advice to Dave in his characteristic way. + +Then he directed and helped, while two field men started the machine +on its forward run. + +"Look out for telegraph poles, and watch your fuel tank," was +Grimshaw's final injunction. + +Dave knew the Baby Racer just as an engineer understands his +locomotive. Daylight or dirk, once aloft the young aviator did not +doubt his own powers. The moment the Racer left the ground, +however, with a switch of her flapping tail, Dave knew that he was +to have no easy fair-weather cruise. + +"Slow it is," the watchful, excited Hiram heard him say, working the +wheel as cautiously as an automobilist rounding a sharp curve. + +Dave saw that everything depended on getting a start and reaching a +higher level. He kept the angle of ascent small, for the maximum +power of the engine could not be reached in a moment. The starting +speed naturally let down with the machine ascending an inclined +plane. + +"It's slow enough, that's sure," remarked Hiram. "It's the wind, +isn't it, Dave?" + +"We don't want to slide back in the air or be blown over backwards," +replied Dave, eye, ear, and nerve on the keenest alert. + +The wind resistance caused a growing speed reduction. The +sensitiveness of the elevating rudder warned Dave that he must +maintain a perfect balance until they could strike a steady path of +flight. Hiram's rapt gaze followed every skillful maneuver of the +master hand at that wheel. + +"Good for you!" he chirped, as Dave worked the ailerons to +counteract the leaning of the machine. A swing of the rudder had +caused the biplane to bank, but quick as a flash Dave righted it by +getting the warping control on the opposite tack, avoiding a bad +spill. + +The machine was tail heavy as Dave directed a forward plunge, +coasting slightly. He had, however, pretty good control of the +center of gravity. + +It was now only a question of fighting the stiff breeze that +prevailed, and keeping an even balance. + +Hiram's eyes sparkled as the Racer volplaned, caught the head wind +at just the right angle, and struck a course due northwest like a +sail boat under perfect control. + +The engine was near the operator's seat, and on the post just under +the wheel were the spark and throttle levers on the fuselage beam. +The steering wheel was a solid piece of wood about eight inches in +diameter with two holes cut into it to fit the hands. + +The passenger's seat now occupied by Hiram was in the center line of +the machine, so that, filled or vacant, the lateral balance was not +affected. + +Hiram knew all about the monoplane dummy or the aerocycle with +treadle power for practice work which he had operated under old +Grimshaw's direction. As to the practical running of a biplane +aloft, however, that was something for him to learn. He was keenly +alive to every maneuver that Dave executed, and he stored in his +mind every new point he noticed as the Racer seemed fairly started +on its way. + +"Keep me posted, Dave," spoke the willing Hiram. "If anything +happens I want to know what you expect me to do." + +"I don't intend to have anything happen if I can help it, Hiram," +replied Dave. "This is a famous start." + +"It's not half as bad as I thought it would be," said Hiram. + +The rain had changed into a fine mist, but the breeze continued +choppy and strong at times. Dave had gone over the course with Mr. +King in The Aegis twice in the daytime, and had an accurate idea of +the route. However, he had landmarks to follow. What guided Dave +were the lights of the various towns on the route to Kewaukee and +railway signals. These were dimly outlined by a glow only at times, +but Dave as he progressed felt that he was keeping fairly close to +his outlined programme. + +Hiram chuckled and warbled, as he knew from Dave's manner and the +way the Baby Racer acted that his friend had it under full control. +Our hero attempted no fancy flying nor spurts of swiftness. Up to +the end of the first hour the flight had proven far less difficult +than he had anticipated. + +"There's Medbury," said Dave at length, inclining his head towards +a cluster of electric lights below and somewhat beyond them. "That +means one-third of our journey covered." + +"It's great what you and the Baby Racer can do, Dave," cried the +admiring and enthusiastic country boy. "We're going to make it, +aren't we?" + +"If the wind doesn't change and we meet with no mishaps," answered +Dave. + +A stretch of steady sailing was an excuse for Hiram to share a brief +lunch of ham sandwiches with Dave. The thoughtful Grimshaw had pro- +vided these at the last moment of the departure of the biplane. + +By the watch Mr. King had given him on the occasion of winning a +race for the Aegis, Dave found that it was a little after two +o'clock when the Racer passed a town named Creston. + +"It's only twenty miles farther, Hiram," announced the young aviator +with satisfaction. + +"And plenty of juice in the tank left to go on," added Hiram. "This +is a trip to talk about, eh, Dave?" + +Dave nodded and smiled. He suddenly gave renewed attention to wheel +and levers. + +"Anything wrong?" inquired Hiram, noticing the movement. + +"The wind is shifting slightly," was the reply. + +Dave felt of the breeze cautiously after that, keeping his cheek +well to windward. It required constant watchfulness and +maneuvering for the next fifteen miles to keep the control +permanent. Dave was glad when a dim glow of radiance told that they +had nearly reached the end of their journey. + +Dave "ducked," as the phrase goes, as a swoop from a new quarter +sent the machine banking. + +He managed the dilemma by circling. There was only five more miles +to cover. Dave went up searching for a steadier air current, found +it, maintained a steady flight for over a quarter of an hour, and +slowed down slightly as they came directly over Kewaukee. + +"Going to land?" inquired Hiram, attentively attracted by all these +skillful maneuvers. + +"Yes," replied Dave. "The question is, though, to find just the +right place." + +Dave tried to figure out the contour of the landscape beneath them. +He passed over high buildings, skirted what seemed like a factory +district, and began to volplane. + +"Going to drop?" queried Hiram. + +"I think so," responded Dave. "According to those electric lights +there is a park or some other large vacant space we can strike on +this angle." + +"The mischief!" exclaimed Hiram abruptly as the Racer struck a lower +air current a strong blast of wind made it shake and reel. Then +there was a creak, a sway and a snap. + +"Something broke!" shouted Hiram in excitement. + +"Yes," answered Dave rapidly. "It's one of the right outermost +struts between the supporting planes." + +"The one that snapped the other day," suggested Hiram. + +"Likely. Grimshaw fixed it with glue and bracing, and fitting iron +rings about it. The vibration of the motor and the straining have +pulled the nail heads through the holes in the rings." + +"Can you hold out?" + +Dave did not reply. He felt new vibrations, and knew that the +strain of warping the wings at the tips had caused more than one of +the struts to collapse. + +The young aviator realized that it would be a hard drop unless he +did something quickly and effectively. There was no time to think. +Counterbalance was everything. + +Dave tried to restore the disturbed balance of the machine by +bringing the left wing under the control. Then he forced the +twisting on the right side. + +The young aviator held his breath, while his excited companion +stared ahead and down, transfixed. They were going at a rapid rate, +and every moment the Baby Racer threatened to turn turtle and spill +them out. + +Dave succeeded in temporarily checking the tendency to tip. All +aerial support was gone. He kept the rudder at counterbalance, +threw off the power, and wondered what they were headed into. + +The next moment the Baby Racer crashed to the ground. + + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A BUSINESS BOY + + +"We've landed!" shouted Hiram in a jolty tone, plunging forward in +his seat in the biplane. + +"Yes, but where?" Dave asked quickly. + +"That's so. Whew! What have we drifted into?" + +The Baby Racer had struck a mass soft and yielding. It drove +through some substance rather than ran on its wheels. There was a +dive and a joggle. Then the machine came to a halt--submerged. + +Whatever had received it now came up about the puzzled young +aviators as might a snowdrift or it heap of hay. Dave dashed a +filmy, flake-like substance resembling sawdust from eyes, ears and +mouth. Hiram tried to disentangle himself from strips and curls of +some light, fluffy substance. Then he cried out: + +"Dave, it's shavings!" + +"You don't say so." + +"Yes, it is--a great heap of shavings, a big mountain of them." + +"Lucky for us. If we had hit the bare ground I fear we would have +had a smash up." + +Gradually and cautiously the two young aviators made their way out +of the seats of the machine. They got past the wings. A circle of +electric street lamps surrounded them on four sides. Their +radiance, dim and distant, seemed to indicate that they were in the +center of a factory yard covering several acres. + +A little way off they could discern the outlines of high piles of +lumber and beyond these several buildings. The biplane lay partly +on its side, sunk deep in a heap of long, broad shavings. The mass +must have been fully a hundred feet in extent and fifteen to twenty +feet high. They reached its side and slid down the slant to the +ground. + +"Well!" ejaculated Dave. + +"Yes, and what?" inquired Hiram, brushing the loose bits of shavings +from his soaked tarpaulin coat. + +"Business--strictly and quick," replied Dave promptly. + +"And leave the Racer where she is?" + +"Can you find a better place, Hiram?" + +"Well, no, but--" + +A man flashing a dark lantern and armed with a heavy cane came upon +them around the corner of the buildings. The boys paused. The man, +evidently the watchman of the place, challenged them, moving his +lantern from face to face. + +"Who are you?" he demanded sternly. + +"Aviators," replied Dave. + +"What's that?" + +"We just arrived in an airship." + +"No nonsense. How did you get in here?" + +"Mister," spoke out Hiram, "we just landed in the biplane, the Baby +Racer. If you don't believe me, come to the shavings pile yonder +and we'll show you the machine, and thank you for having it there, +for if you hadn't I guess we'd have needed an ambulance." + +The watchman looked incredulous. He followed Dave and Hiram, +however, as they led the way back to the heap of shavings. One wing +of the biplane stuck up in the air and he made it out. + +"This is queer," he observed. "You say it's an airship?" + +"Yes, sir," nodded Hiram. + +"We had to make a hurried night journey from Columbus," explained +Dave. "There were no trains, and we came with the biplane." + +"Well, well, well," commented the watchman. He had heard of +Columbus and the aero meet there, and began to understand matters. + +"You see," spoke Hiram, "we can't land everywhere, or we'd have to +settle some damage suits." + +"I will be glad to pay you for letting us leave the machine here +till after daylight, and watch it to see no harm comes to it," +proposed Dave. + +"Why, we'll do that," assented the watchman. "You look like two +decent young fellows, and I'm sure the company won't object to +letting your airship stay up there for a few hours." + +"We will be back to see about it in a few hours," promised Dave. + +The watchman led the boys to the big gate of' the factory yard and +let them out. The rain had ceased and the wind was not blowing so +hard as before. + +"What now, Dave?" inquired Hiram, as they found themselves in the +deserted street. + +"The Northern Hotel." + +"Oh, going to try and fix things before daylight?" + +"We can't afford to lose a minute," declared Dave. "There's a +policeman. I want to ask him a question." + +They hurried to a corner where a policeman had halted under the +street lamp. Dave inquired the location of the Northern Hotel. +Then the boys proceeded again on their way, and reached the place in +about half an hour. + +The night clerk and others were on duty. Dave approached the desk +and addressed the clerk. + +"Is a Mr. Timmins stopping here?" he asked. + +"Why, no," replied the clerk, looking Dave and Hiram over curiously, +their somewhat queer garb attracting his attention. + +"Do you know him, may I inquire?" + +"Oh, yes, Mr. Timmins has been here several times. We are holding +some mail for him, and expected him several days ago." + +"Do you know the company he represents?" + +"Airships, isn't it? " propounded the clerk. + +"That's right. The Interstate Aeroplane Company." + +"Yes, I remember now," added the clerk. + +"I am also connected with that company," explained Dave. + +The clerk stared vaguely, as if he did not quite understand the +situation. + +"Yes," eagerly broke in the irrepressible Hiram, as if he was +introducing some big magnate, "he's Dave Dashaway, and he's beat the +field with the Interstate Baby Racer." + +"Oh, Dashaway, eh?" said the clerk, with a pleasant smile. "I've +heard of you and read about you." + +"I am glad of that," responded Dave, "because it may help you +identify me with the Inter-state people. As an employee of theirs +and a friend of Mr. Timmins, I will have to be confidential with +you." + +"That's all right--we are used to confidences in this business," +said the hotel clerk. + +Dave reflected deeply for a moment. He had a definite plan in view. +He realized that he must confide to a degree in the hotel clerk. + +"The gist of the matter," said Dave, "is that Mr. Timmins has missed +connections. He should have been here two days ago. Here is a +telegram I received from the Interstate people." + +The clerk read the telegram. He nodded his head and smiled, which +the observant Dave took to mean that he was friendly towards Mr. +Timmins, but knew of some of his business-lapses in the past. + +"What do you want me to do?" asked the clerk. + +"You notice that the Interstate people refer in that telegram to +some papers sent to the hotel here for Mr. Timmins." + +"I noticed that," assented the clerk. "I shouldn't wonder if this +is the package." + +As he spoke the clerk reached over to the letter case near his desk +and took up a large manila envelope. It was addressed to Mr. +Timmins, and bore in one corner the printed name and address of the +Interstate Aeroplane Co. + +"That is the letter, I feel sure," said Dave. + +"I have no doubt of it," agreed the clerk. + +"Do you suppose it would help you out any to have me give it to +you?" + +"Why, will you?" questioned Dave eagerly. "I was going to ask you +to do so." + +"I think I understand the situation now," said the clerk, "and I can +see how your getting the letter may help your people out of a +tangle. It's taking some responsibility on my part, for the letter +is of course the property of Mr. Timmins. I'm going to take the +risk, though, and I think Mr. Timmins will say it's all right when +he comes along." + +"I know he will," declared Dave. "You see, I hope to carry through +a contract he has neglected." + +Dave took the bulky letter and opened its envelope. He glanced +hastily but intelligently over its contents. They were just what he +imagined they would be, contracts for eight biplanes ready to sign, +and details and plans as to the machines. + +"Have you a Kewaukee directory here?" he asked. + +The clerk pushed a bulky volume across the marble slab of the +counter, with the words: + +"Anybody special you are looking up?" + +"Why, yes," replied Dave, "the County Fair Amusement Co." + +"Oh, you mean Col. Lyon's proposition," observed the clerk at once. +"He runs county fair attractions all over the country." + +"It must be the same," said Dave. + +"I know Col. Lyon very well," proceeded the clerk. "He comes in +here very often." + +"Where is his office?" inquired Dave. + +"I don't think he has any regular office," responded the clerk. +"Two or three times a week he calls for mail at the Central +Amusement Exchange. He travels a good deal--has side attractions +with most of the big shows." + +"But he lives in Kewaukee?" + +"Not exactly. He has a very fine place called Fernwood, out on the +North Boulevard." + +Dave thought things over for a minute or two. Then he asked: + +"How can I reach Fernwood?" + +"You don't mean before daylight?" + +"Why, yes," responded Dave, "the sooner the better." + +"I think any of the taxi men out at the curb know the location," +said the clerk. + +"Thank you," replied Dave, "and for all your great kindness about +that letter." + +He and Hiram went out to the street. There were three or four +taxicabs lined up at the curb, their drivers napping in the seats. +Dave approached one of them. + +"Do you know where Fernwood is?" he inquired of the chauffeur. + +"You mean Col. Lyon's place?" + +"Yes." + +"Was there only last night. I took the Colonel home." + +"Then he's there," spoke Dave to Hiram. "All right, take us to +Fernwood." + +"You won't find anybody stirring at this hour of the morning," +suggested the chauffeur. + +"Then we'll Wait till the Colonel gets up," said Dave. + +In less than half an hour the auto came to a halt before one of a +score or more of fine houses lining the most exclusive section of +the country boulevard. + +Dave got out of the machine and Hiram followed him. They passed +through the gates of a large garden. In its center was a mansion +with wide porches. No light showed anywhere about the place. + +"You're not going to wake anybody up at this outlandish hour?" +asked Hiram. + +"Well, perhaps not," answered Dave. + +"Why didn't you wait and see this Col. Lyon in the city at his +office?" + +"Because there is no certainty that he will be at his office today. +Then, too, that Star fellow may be on hand there to grab the +contract. I want to head him off." + +By this time they had reached the steps of the front porch. + +"See here, Hiram," observed Dave, lowering his voice, "we'll sit +down here for a spell. It's about five o'clock, and by six someone +will be stirring about." + +"Say," said Hiram, staring across the shadowed porch, "the front +door there is open." + +"Why, so it is," replied Dave, peering towards it. + +"That's strange, isn't it?" + +"Oh, no--neglected, or left open for ventilation." + +Both boys relapsed into silence. Hiram rested his face on his hands +and his knees, inclined to doze. + +Dave was framing up in his mind how he would approach Col. Lyon. He +was deeply immersed in thought, when a sound behind him caused him +to start and look behind him. + +Somebody with a great bundle done up in a sheet had just passed +through the open doorway out upon the porch. + +The bundle was so big that its bearer had both hands clasped about +it, and its top came above his eyes. + +Before Dave could speak a warning, the man carrying the package +crossed the porch and stumbled against Hiram, whom he did not see. + +"Thunder! what's this?" shouted Hiram, knocked from his position and +rolling down the steps. + +The man with the bundle echoed the try with one of alarm, as he +missed his footing and plunged forward. + +"The mischief!" exclaimed Dave, starting at the bundle over which +the man tumbled, bursting it open. + +There was an immense clatter. Even in the imperfect light of the +early morning, the young aviator made out a great heap of clothing, +silverware and jewelry, rattling down the steps of the porch. + + + + + +CHAPTER V + +A TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR ORDER + + +"What's happened?" cried Hiram, rolling over and over on the gravel +walk to which he had tumbled. + +"Stop that man!" shouted Dave. + +In a flash the young aviator took in the meaning of the situation. +The fugitive, for such he now was, made a quick move the instant he +gained his feet. Not waiting to see who had obstructed his +progress, and probably deciding that it was the police, he bounded +in among some bushes. + +Dave, running after him, made out his form dimly, swiftly scaling a +rear brick wall. + +"Why, what is all this?" demanded Hiram, staring at the litter on +the steps. + +"That man was a thief," explained Dave. + +"It looks that way, doesn't it? Hello!" + +Both boys stepped back and stared upwards. Over the porch was a +second railed-in veranda. A night-robed figure had crossed it from +some bed chamber fronting upon it. + +"Hey, you down there! What's all this racket?" challenged this +newcomer on the scene. + +"Are you Colonel Lyon?" inquired Dave. + +"That's me." + +"Then you had better come down and see what's going on." + +"Why so?" + +"Your house has been burglarized." + +"Gracious I you don't say so. Where is the thief?" + +"He has escaped." + +"Hm. Down in a minute," mumbled the man, retiring from view. + +It was several minutes before the owner of the mansion put in a +second appearance. He came cautiously out on the porch, clutching a +great heavy cane. He looked the boys over suspiciously. + +"I don't understand this," he began. + +"Neither did we, Mister," returned Hiram, "till the thief came +bolting out through that front door. He fell all over me and +dropped his bundle. There's what was in it." + +Hiram pointed to the scattered plunder. For the first time the +colonel caught sight of the scattered stuff. He gasped, and stared, +and fidgeted. Then he hastened back across the porch and into the +vestibule. + +Clang! clang! Clang! rang out a great alarm gong, and almost +immediately two men servants of the place came rushing out +half-dressed upon the porch. + +In a very much excited way the colonel incoherently told of the +burglary. He ordered the men to gather up the scattered plunder. +Then he turned his attention to Dave and Hiram. + +"Now, tell me about the whole thing," he spoke. + +"There isn't much to tell, Colonel Lyon," replied Dave. "We were +sitting here waiting--" + +"Waiting?" repeated the showman sharply. + +"Yes, sir." + +"What for?" + +"To see you." + +"Eh?" projected the Colonel, with a stare. + +"That's right, Mister," declared Hiram. "You see, it's pretty +early, and we didn't want to wake you up." + +"Yes, but what brought you here so early?" + +"Business," answered Dave. + +"Business--with me?" + +"Yes, sir. We came in an automobile from the city, so as to be sure +to find you early enough. We had just settled down here to wait and +rest, when that burglar came out." + +"Why, then, you've saved my losing all that valuable stuff!" +exclaimed the showman. "I should say so," added the speaker with +force, as he moved over and glanced at the heaps his servants were +massing together, upon the lower step. "Watches, rings, silverware, +my fur winter coat, and hello--my whole collection of rare coins! +Hump! the man must have had the run of the house for hours. Here, +you two, come inside. You've done me a big service." + +Hiram chuckled, nudging Dave in a knowing way. + +"What luck!" he whispered. "Dave, you're all right now." + +The owner of the place led his young guests through the vestibule +into a hallway, and pointed to a large reception room. + +"You wait till I get dressed," he directed. "Sit down, and make +yourself comfortable." + +As he spoke the showman turned on a perfect blaze of electric light. +Dave and Hiram took off their helmets, and made themselves look as +little like stormy night aviators as was possible under the +circumstances. + +It was nearly ten minutes before their host reappeared. He was +fully dressed now, and presented the appearance of a keen, active +business man. + +"Think there's any use trying to catch that burglar?" was his first +question. + +"I don't think so at all," replied Dave. + +"All right, then. Carry that truck into the library," the showman +ordered his two men, who had gathered it up in a rug taken from the +vestibule. "You'll take turns guarding the house, nights after +this. Now then, young men, who are you?" + +The showman put the question as he plumped down in an armchair +besides his two guests. + +"We're airship boys," explained Hiram hastily, but proudly. + +"Oh!" commented Colonel Lyon slowly, looking the pair over from head +to foot. + +"That is, Dave is an airman," corrected Hiram. "He's Dave +Dashaway." + +"Why, I've heard of you. At the Dayton meet, weren't you? +Honorable mention, or was it a prize?" + +"Both," shot out Hiram promptly. + +"That's very good," said the colonel. "I'm pretty well up in the +aero field myself. I run that line at county fairs." + +"Yes, sir, I know that," said Dave, "and that is why I came to see +you." + +"That's so--you said it was business, but I must say you are early +birds," smiled the showman. + +"We had to be," again spoke Hiram. + +"How was that?" + +"Why," said Dave, "I thought it was very necessary that I should see +you first thing this morning. I acted on a wire from my employers, +the Interstate Aeroplane Co." + +"Your employers?" repeated the colonel, a fresh token of interest in +his eyes. + +"Yes, sir, I have been exhibiting their Baby Racer at the meets." + +"Ah, I understand now." + +"I am going to take up hydroplane work at Columbus, now. Last night +late I received a telegram from the Interstate people. It led to +getting to Kewaukee and seeing you. There were no trains." + +"Roads too bad for an automobile," put in Hiram. + +"And we came in the Baby Racer," concluded Dave. + +"What's that?" exclaimed the showman. + +"You came all the way from Columbus in a biplane?" + +"Yes, sir," nodded Dave. + +"A night like last night--" + +"We had to, you see," observed Hiram. + +"H'm," observed the colonel, with decided admiration in his manner, +"that was a big thing to do. Where is your machine?" + +"We landed on a heap of shavings in a city factory yard," explained +Dave. "We left the machine in charge of the watchman." + +"And automobiled it out here? Why, say, I had some dealings with +your company." + +"I know you did," said Dave. + +"I wrote to them for specifications and figures on light biplanes. +They sent outlines that pleased me very much, and I told them so. +Their man made an appointment to be at my city office to close up +matters day before yesterday. He never showed up." + +"I know that," said Dave. + +"What was the trouble?" + +"I will explain that to you." + +"You see, the Star man was here yesterday. He made a pretty fair +showing, but I was rather struck on your goods." + +"Everybody is that knows them," spoke Hiram. + +"Well, I was to let the man know this morning at my city office my +decision. You are on deck. All right, what have you got to say?" + +"Why, just this," replied Dave: "I'm not much of a business man, of +course, but I hurried on to see you because I believe a trick has +been played on our people." + +"Who by?" + +"The Star crowd." + +"Oh!" + +"In some way they have sidetracked our agent. I have with me," +continued Dave, "the detailed plans and figures on your order, which +had been forwarded from the factory to the Northern Hotel, at +Kewaukee." + +"All right, show them up," directed the colonel briskly. + +Dave did so. Hiram sat regarding his friend, with undisguised +admiration, as for one half, hour Dave went over papers, explaining +the merits of the Interstate biplane with all the clearness and +ability of a born salesman. + + "You'll do," pronounced the showman with an expansive smile, as +Dave concluded. "That's the contract, is it?" + +"Yes, sir," and Dave handed the showman the paper in question. + +"All right, I'll just go to the library and sign it." + +"Dave," whispered Hiram in a triumphant chuckle, as Colonel Lyon +left the room. "Great!" + +Dave returned a pleased smile. He suppressed partly the great +satisfaction he felt. + +"You see," remarked the showman, returning in a few minutes and +handing the signed contract to Dave, "I favored your machines from +the start. It must be a good machine, to make ninety miles on a +night like last night. Now then, young gentlemen, I've ordered an +early breakfast, and I want you to join me at the meal." + +There was no gainsaying the hearty, imperious old fellow. The boys +felt first class as they finished a repast that sent them on their +way complacent and delighted. + +"The company will acknowledge the contract, Colonel Lyon," said +Dave, as they left the porch, "and attend to other details." + +"I don't suppose, Dashaway," answered the showman, "that you're open +for such a week stunt as exhibiting at some of my county fairs?" + +"I am under contract with the Interstate people," replied Dave. "If +I get out of a job, Colonel Lyon, I shall be glad to have you +consider me." + +"I fancy I will," declared the showman with enthusiasm. "I'll make +you a liberal offer, too. You've saved the carting away of all that +stuff the burglar gathered. It make it up to you some way." + +Dave waved the contract in reply. + +"I couldn't have a better feather in my cap than this," he cried +gaily. "Many, many, thanks, Colonel Lyon." + +"And you'll find the Interstate biplane just the best in the world," +added Hiram. + +"We've kept that chauffeur waiting a long time," observed Dave, as +they came out upon the boulevard. + +"Oh, he's used to that," suggested Hiram. + +"I'll give him something extra for his patience," said Dave. + +"Yes, the Interstate people can well afford it," commented Hiram. +"Think of it: a ten thousand dollar order! Hurrah!" + + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +ABOARD THE HYDROPLANE + + +"Dashaway, you're a wonder." + +"Thank you, sir." + +"And I'm proud of you," added Mr. Robert King, the winner of the +monoplane endurance prize, and the man who had practically adopted +Dave into the aviation field. + +"I've got something to say as to the matter of pride," spoke up old +Grimshaw. "A lad who can make the run Dashaway did with the Baby +Racer, is a boy to holler about." + +"If there's anything to be proud about," added Dave, "it's the right +good friends I've made." + +"My friends, too" put in the impetuous Hiram. "I'm getting along +famously. Why, I only tipped out of the dummy airship once +yesterday." + +All hands were in fine high spirits. It was several days after the +wild night race Dave and Hiram had made to Kewaukee. Now the entire +party were on their way to the borders of the lake, where the new +hydroplane made by the Interstate Aviation Company was ready for a +trial trip. Grimshaw knew little of hydroplanes, and the +Interstate people had sent an expert demonstrator to the spot to +teach their young exhibitor the ropes. Dave had been constantly +under this man's tuition. + +It was far more easy, he had learned, to acquire a thorough +knowledge, of how to run a hydroplane than to operate a monoplane. +It was simpler, and besides that his experience with an airship +helped wonderfully. + +Dave was winning golden opinions from his employers. The way in +which he had dosed the Kewaukee contract had pleased them immensely. +There was another end to the Kewaukee episode that had brought heaps +of satisfaction to all of them, especially to Hiram Dobbs. + +The Baby Racer had been quickly repaired at Kewaukee, and had made a +speedy return trip to Columbus. Somehow the story of how the +Interstate people had outwitted the plots of the Star crowd had +gotten noised around the meet. Then a class journal devoted to +aeronautics printed the story. + +"Well," Hiram had come to Mr. King's hangar that morning to say, +"the Dawson crowd are simply squelched. I met Jerry Dawson and his +father. You ought to see the looks they gave me when I just grinned +at them, and said 'Contract!' It was like a fellow saying 'Baa!' to +sheep. Why, those fellows just sneaked away. We've beaten them at +every angle, Dave, and I reckon they'll give up their meanness now, +and quickly fade away." + +"It would be a good thing for honest aeronautics if they would," +growled old Grimshaw. + +"We'll hasten them with a little help, if they try any more tricks," +announced Mr. King. + +The hydroplane had been run into a boat house after the practice of +the day previous, and was all ready for use. It was equipped to +carry two or more passengers, and was driven by a fifty horse power +motor. It had two propellers, and these were controlled by chain +transmission. + +Old Grimshaw had not much use for hydroplanes, he had told Dave. +His hobby was air machines. However, because his favorite pupil was +going to run the machine, he allowed Dave to explain about the +hydroplane, and was quite interested. + +The machine had a bulkhead fore and aft, with an upward slope in +front and a downward slope to the rear. + +"It's safe, comfortable, and quick to rise to control," declared +Dave. "See, Mr. Grimshaw, there's a new wrinkle." + +Dave touched a little device attached to the flywheel. The latter +was made with teeth to fit into another gear, operated from a shaft. + +"What do you call that, now?" asked the old airman. + +"A self starter. You see, the shaft runs forward alongside the +pilot's seat. Here's the handle of it, right at the end of the +shaft." + +"Looks all right," admitted Grimshaw grudgingly. "Give me the air, +though, every time. If you want to be a sailor, why don't you +enlist the navy?" + +"How about an air and water combination, Grimshaw?" called Mr. King. + +"Well, that is a little better," replied Grimshaw. + +"I'm dying to see that new aero-hydroplane Dave's people are getting +out," remarked the ardent Hiram. + +"They wrote me it would be completed this week," said Dave. + +"And you are going to run it, Dave?" + +"I think so, I hope so. They claim great things for it." + +"Well, give your hydroplane a spin, Dashaway," suggested Mr. King. +"I want to see how she works, and must get back to the hangars on +business." + +The Reliance, the new hydroplane of the Interstate people, was +twenty feet long and had a fuel gauge and a bilge pump. + +Dave got into his seat, and Hiram sat directly beside him. A touch +put the machinery in motion. + +'There's a puffy eighteen mile wind, Dashaway," cried out Mr. King. + +"Yes, I wouldn't venture too far from shore," advised Grimshaw, a +trifle anxiously. + +The water was quite rough where the flight started. The machine +acted all right, however. A crowd had gathered on the beach, and +there was some encouraging cheering as the power boat gained good +headway. + +"Whew I what have you invited me to, Dave--bath?" puffed Hiram. + +Dave had neglected to put in place the rubber cover, so that during +the preliminary run along the water the waves drenched both of the +boys. + +Dave stopped the motor and started drifting, at a sudden current or +breeze sent the tail before the wind. The rear of the hydroplane +was forced under water. + +"Look out!" ordered Dave sharply. + +"I see--we're in for an upset," spoke Hiram quickly. + +The hydroplane was forced over backwards, the tail striking a sand +bar. + +Dave and Hiram were both ready for the tip. They escaped with only +wetting their feet, for they climbed upon the bottom of the upper +surface as the hydro capsized. + +The hydroplanes prevented the machine from sinking. Almost at once +a boat put out from shore. Once back at the boat house, the damage +shown was a slight fracture to the main girder and some of the ribs +at the trailing edge, and two broken tail spars. Dave sent Hiram at +once to the practice grounds to arrange about the repairs. + +"It's no weather for a trial, Dashaway," said Mr. King, "I think I +would postpone the trial trip until tomorrow, if I were you." + +Dave did not commit himself. He stayed about the boat house after +the airman and Grimshaw had gone away, watching every move of the +repair man. + +"She's staunch and sound as she was at the beginning," the latter +declared, when he had completed his work. + +"Yes, I think that is true," replied Dave. + +"What's the programme?" inquired Hiram, "for I see you don't intend +to give up." + +"Not until I master the Reliance, just as I did the Baby Racer," +declared Dave. "That upset was necessary, I guess, to teach me that +I must drive on just as little surface as possible in speeding, and +make the wings do one half the work." + +"Then you are going to try again?" questioned Hiram. + +"Yes, Hiram. The waves aren't so choppy now, and the wind has gone +down a good deal." + +"It's pretty late for much of a run," replied Hiram. + +"Oh, we can make the end of the lake and back inside of an hour." + +"Well, I'm always ready--with you," laughed Hiram gaily. + +From the start this time Dave knew that he had a better grasp of the +mechanism than on his first trial. The Reliance behaved splendidly. +Once clear of shore obstructions and sandbars, they must have run a +stretch at nearly forty miles an hour. + +Sand Point, at the rounding end of the great lake, was reached +without a mishap. Dave did not wait to try any maneuvering for a +crowd that had gathered to watch the Reliance. + +"Straight home," he observed, as they made the turn. + +"It's time, I'm thinking," said Hiram. + +A squall had come up, and the dimness of coming eventide had already +spread over the water, but there was no rain. In fact, it had +turned too cold for that. A fine baffling mist was falling, +however, and this was condensing into a heavy fog. + +"Not much to see, eh?" propounded Dave, as they got clear of the +shore. "I shouldn't like to run into some stray craft." + +It was something of a strain on Dave, the present situation. No air +signal had yet been placed on the Reliance, nor was its lighting +apparatus installed. + +The darkness increased, and the fog became almost an impenetrable +shroud. + +"What was that?" shouted out Hiram sharply, as there was a heavy +jarring shock. + +"Grazed a rock, I think," replied Dave. "I don't like this a bit. +If I knew my bearings, I'd run straight ashore." + +"Do it, anyway, Dave," advised Hiram. "We don't want to wreck the +Reliance on her first trip." + +Dave gave the wheel a turn. Just then a distinct yell rang out +across the muggy waters, and then, in rapid succession, seven quick, +snappy explosions. + + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +A RESCUE IN THE FOG + + +"What do your suppose that was?" inquired Hiram excitedly. + +"It was kind of startling," said Dave. + +"Listen." + +With the power shut off, the hydroplane drifted, Dave checking its +slack running. They were now in a dense fog; with night fast coming +on. For the moment everything was still. Then there rang through +the misty space one word: + +"Help!" + +"It was in that direction," said Hiram quickly, pointing. + +"I think so, too," nodded Dave, "and not far away." + +"What could have happened? Those shots?" + +"Probably fired to call assistance." + +"If you could speed up the hydroplane a little--" + +"I would have to get the starter in use, and we might run into +something. Hello! Hello! Hello!" Dave shouted loudly. There was +a speedy reply. + +"Here! Hello! this wa-aa-ay!" + +"That's a man's voice, and he's right near to us," declared Hiram, +leaning forward and peering through the mist. "Hey, there!" + +"I see you. Good!" + +There was a tilt of the machine. The person in the water had seized +one of the wing stays. + +"Careful, there," ordered Dave. "Don't cling to that wing or bear +it down." + +"I can't hold out." + +Dave cautiously edged from his seat towards a form now plainly +visible. It was that of a man about thirty years of age. + +It was no easy task to take the man aboard. One of his hands was +useless. He seemed in pain and half choked with water he had +swallowed. + +Hiram gave up his seat to the rescued man, who sank back as if +overcome with faintness and exhaustion. Hiram himself found a +resting place on the platform supporting the two seats. + +"Is there anybody else in trouble?" Dave asked of their passenger. + +"No, no," replied the man. "The launch is gone up. Get me to land +quick as you can. I'm afraid my arm is broken. It pains me +terribly. I must get to a surgeon soon as possible." + +Dave got the hydroplane under way again. + +He was fortunate in striking a course that brought them back to the +boat house in about an hour's time. + +The rescued man was somewhat revived by this time, and when the +hydroplane was safely housed, Dave took his arm and piloted the way +from the beach. + +"It is less than half a mile to the hangars," the young aviator +explained. "When we get there we can find an automobile to take you +into town." + +"It was when my launch struck a rock that I hurt my arm," the man +explained. + +"Were you on board alone?" asked the curious Hiram. + +"Yes. I was driving ahead full speed, to get ashore out of the fog. +I heard your machine, and was afraid I'd get run into. My launch +ran into a reef with terrific force. I was thrown against it +bulkhead, arm sprained or broken, nearly stunned, and then into the +water." + +"But the launch, Mister?" questioned the interested Hiram anxiously. + +"Smashed. I don't know if I could locate it again in the fog. I +couldn't use my hurt arm, and I fired my revolver, yelled, and gave +up when your machine came along." + +"Where did you come from, Mister?" pressed the persistent Hiram. + +"Why--well, I came from up north. Own a launch. Had some business +this way, and got well on my way till the craft struck." + +Dave noticed as the man spoke that it was in a hesitating, evasive +way. He seemed anxious to change the conversation, for he said: + +"You are taking me to the Columbus aero field?" + +"Yes, we belong there," answered Dave. + +"Some people there named Dawson?" + +"Yes, father and son." + +"That's it. Here, now?" + +"Oh, yes, they follow the different meets." + +"Why, then, say," observed the man, "if you will just get me up +against them, I shall be pleased. You see, they're friends of mine. +They'll take care of me." + +Dave gave the man a look. Hiram pulled a face at him behind his +back. That settled it with Hiram. In his mind he was sure that +anybody who knew the Dawsons in a friendly way could not possibly +amount to much. + +The man did not mention his name. He seemed to care nothing +whatever for the fate of the launch. He barely thanked Dave, as, +reaching the aero grounds, our hero led him near to the headquarters +of the man for whom the Dawsons were working. + +"You'll find your friends over there," he said. + +"All right," nodded the man he had rescued. "Lucky I met you. +Thanks." + +"Say, Dave Dashaway, now what do you think of that!" burst out +Hiram, as the man got out of earshot. + +"Think of what, Hiram?" inquired the young aviator. + +"Friend of the Dawsons!" + +"Well, they've got to know somebody, haven't they?" + +"That's so, but I don't like the fellow you rescued." + +"Why not, Hiram?" + +"Did you notice the way he hesitated when we asked him where he had +come from?" + +"Yes." + +"And about that launch? He didn't seem to care what had become of +it." + +"Maybe it didn't belong to him." + +"Well, anyway, hadn't he ought to have some concern about other +folks' property?" + +Dave did not reply. He had his own ideas and opinion of the rescued +man. He was due for a public exhibition of the Reliance the next +day, and dismissed the incident from his mind as he got back to the +Baby Racer hangar. + +Mr. King was to make a non-stop race also, and there was plenty of +detail to attend to at the Aegis headquarters as well. + +That was a busy, exciting day, the one following. The Aegis and her +competitors got started by ten o'clock. There was a varied +programme from eleven to one. At three o'clock Dave made his run +with the hydroplane. + +Two other machines engaged in the contest, but not only were they of +inferior make, but their operators were clumsy and not up to +standard. + +Dave won considerable praise. The Reliance made a beautiful run, +and he felicitated himself that he had got onto the knack of running +it right. + +"I don't believe much in hydroplanes," old Grimshaw observed to him +as he accompanied Dave back to the aero grounds, "but I believe in +you, and I will say you made a clever showing." + +"Wait till the Interstate folks send on their latest improved +aero-hydroplane, Mr. Grimshaw," said Dave. "You'll see some fine +work then." + +"There's your friend, young Dobbs," remarked Grimshaw. + +Dave saw Hiram on a run, headed towards them. He came up +breathless. + +"Some one at the hangar to see you, Dave," he reported. + +"Who is it, Hiram?" + +"He says he's a United States revenue officer." + +"Hello!" spoke Grimshaw, "I hope your hydroplane hasn't got you into +any trouble running up against the government." + +"Oh, I think not," replied Dave with a smile. + +"It's a long story and a big story, Dave," replied Hiram. "You know +the man you rescued he lake yesterday?" + +"Yes, Hiram." + +"Well, it turns out that he is a notorious smuggler and the +government is looking for him." + + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +A PUZZLING DISAPPEARANCE + + +Dave hurried his steps. Old Grimshaw turned off at the Aegis +headquarters. Hiram led his companion by a short cut to the Baby +Racer hangar. + +On a campstool inside the tent where the boys slept, Dave found a +keen-eyed, hatchet-faced man. He sat stiff as a poker, and seemed +to pierce Dave through and through with his glance as he looked him +over critically. + +"Dashaway, yes?" he interrogated, and as Dave bowed assent he added: +"Thought I'd wait and see you, although our young friend here has +been pretty dear." + +"About what?" asked Dave. + +"Ridgely." + +"Who is he?" + +"The man you rescued from the lake last evening. As I have told +your friend, the man is a bad one, and we have chased him up and +down the lakes clear from Detroit." + +"He is a criminal, then?" + +"A smuggler. He has outwitted the revenue officers for some time. +His last specialty was running Chinese emigrants over the border. +When he learned the chase was on, he stole a launch and scudded for +other waters. He had the name and color of the launch changed. Why +he came to Columbus we don't know." + +"To see some people named Dawson, he said." + +"Yes, they appear to be fiends." + +"Can't Jerry Dawson tell you anything about him?" asked Dave. + +"No." + +"For a very good reason." + +"And what is at?" + +"Dawsons left last night." + +"Left--left the meet?" exclaimed Dave in surprise. + +"Yes, bag and baggage." + +"That puzzles me," said Dave. + +"It baffles us," observed the revenue officer, "for they have left +no clew to their future whereabouts." + +"Won't Jerry's employer tell you?" + +"He says he can't. Professes to be quite at sea as to the meaning +of their sudden departure. Angry, too, for it seems they had a +contract in the service." + +"I wouldn't believe him," broke in Hiram. "Anybody respectable +about the meet can tell you that he is not to be trusted." + +"Well, the Dawsons are gone and Ridgely went away with them," said +the revenue officer definitely. "I fancied you might give me some +hint that might help me, Dashaway, as to their antecedents, +friends." + +"I'm a new one in the aviation line," said Dave. "I found them in +the business when I joined it, only a few weeks ago." + +"Well, I understand you are two pretty keen young fellows," said the +officer, "I'm going to leave you my card. There it is." + +Dave glanced at the bit of pasteboard his visitor extended. It bore +simply a name: "James Price." + +"If you get the faintest clew to Ridgely or the Dawsons," continued +Mr. Price, "wire the secret service bureau at Chicago. I will +arrange so that I shall be advised at once." + +"I will do what I can for you, Mr. Price," promised Dave. + +"All right, and send in any reasonable bill you like for your +service. We feel certain that this, Ridgely, driven from one +district, will begin operations in another. Then, too, from what I +learn these Dawsons are not above engaging in of off-color schemes." + +"They aren't!" cried Hiram. "If they had stayed, Mr. King said +they'd be barred from the meets in a few days." + +"Well, help me all you can." + +"Queer, isn't it?" spoke Hiram, as the revenue officer left them. + +"It is a rather strange proceeding," admitted Dave. + +At five o'clock that afternoon the two friends were down at the +south pylons awaiting the coming in of the machines engaged in the +non-stop race. A great crowd was gathered, for according to +estimated schedules some of the monoplanes would be due within the +coming half hour. + +"If it's the Aegis first," spoke Hiram, "it makes three winning +stunts for Mr. King in two days." + +A sort of instantaneous flutter pervaded the people as some word +starting from the judge's stand passed electrically through the +crowd. + +"They've sighted something," shouted an excited spectator. + +"Yes, there's one of the airships," added a quick voice. + +"I see it!" + +"There's another!" + +"Hurrah!" + +Hiram stood looking up into the sky, fairly trembling with suspense. +A man standing by Dave had a field glass. + +"I make out two," he spoke to an inquirer at his side. + +"I think I can tell you who they are if you'll give me your glass +for a minute," said Dave. + +"Certainly," replied the man. + +"What is it, Dave? " cried Hiram, as, watching the face of his comrade +closely, he discerned an intense expression upon it. + +"Aegis in the lead--" began Dave, lowering the field glass. + +"Aegis in the lead!" ran from the spot in receding echoes as the +news passed down the line. + +"That's King's craft." + +"I knew it!" + +"Butterfly a close second," reported Dave. + +"There's another one!" + +"And another!" + +"See them come!" cried an excited old farmer. "Say, it beats the +electric cars down at Poseyville!" + +The field was in a wild flutter. The contesting aircraft came +nearer and nearer. Finally Hiram could make out the Aegis fully a +mile in the lead, the wings set for a drop straight beyond the south +pylon. + +"He's won--Mr. King has won!" he shouted again and again, fairly +dancing up and down. + +The crowd surged towards the landing point as the Aegis gracefully +sailed to earth, ran a stopping course, and Robert King stepped out +amid the frantic cheers of his friends and admiring spectators in +general. + +The great aviator looked please and proud. Old Grimshaw trotted at +his side on the way to the Aegis hangar. + +"Say, you're taking about everything there is in sight," he +remarked, with one of his grim chuckles. + +"I've run the limit on the set spurts, I guess," replied the expert +airman. "I'm going to look, for something better." + +"What is there that's better than these famous stunts of yours, Mr. +King?" inquired Hiram. + +"A record beater of some account," was the quick response. + +"Record breaker of what?" pressed the persistent Hiram. + +"Well," said Mr. King with an animated sparkle in his eye, "you and +Dashaway come down to the hangar this evening, and I'll tell you all +about it." + + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +A GIANT AIRSHIP + + +Dave Dashaway and his friend were promptly on hand at the Aegis +hangar at eight o'clock that evening. + +Usually the boys took their meals with Mr. King. A group of the +airman's admirers, however, had insisted on a special dinner at a +hotel just outside the grounds. Hiram piloted the way for Dave to +the restaurant on the field. He had worked for the man having it in +charge, and the best meal possible was set out for them free of +charge. + +They found Mr. King in the little partitioned off room of the Aegis +hangar which he used as an office. The airman sat before a desk +littered up with a variety of papers. One of these Dave noticed as +he entered, was a detailed drawing of an immense airship. + +"Oh, arrived, eh?" spoke the aviator with a pleasant smile, as the +boys came into view. "Glad of it. Get comfortable seats and we'll +have a little chat." + +The boys settled themselves in camp chairs, Mr. King closed the door +of the apartment and sat down again. Hiram regarded him eagerly and +expectantly. + +"I've got something to tell you, lads," began the airman, after a +brief thoughtful pause. "This is business, and of course you will +be wise enough to treat it confidentially." + +"I love to keep secrets," declared the ardent Hiram, and Dave smiled +and nodded assent to the sentiment. + +"I have been thinking and planning for a big event for some time," +continued Mr. King. + +"As how, now?" asked Hiram, devoured with suspense. + +"Well, in the first place I propose to build a giant airship." + +"I know," said Hiram. "A big passenger monoplane." + +"No," interrupted the aviator. "What I want is a dirigible +airship." + +"Pshaw! only a balloon!" remarked Hiram disappointedly. + +"Not at all," corrected the good-natured airman. "Except for the +self-sustaining power, it will be constructed on the best aeroplane +principles. I have been working on it for some months, and only +yesterday I got figures on the machine." + +"What is it for, Mr. King?" submitted the inquisitive Hiram, +"exhibitions?" + +"No. It's first big feat is to cross the Atlantic." + +"Cross the Atlantic Ocean!" almost gasped the excited Hiram. + +"Cross the Atlantic!" repeated Dave, in a startled yet thoughtful +manner. + +He sat looking fixedly at the aviator as if fascinated. The +novelty, the immensity of the proposition, stunned Dave. + +"Can it be done?" he asked in a low, intense tone, vast dreams +running through his mind a lightning speed. + +"According to my calculations, yes," replied Mr. King definitely. +"Oh, it is no new idea with me. The project has been the constant +ideal of every advanced airman. It has got to come to that, if +aeronautics is the progressive science we enthusiasts believe it to +be." + +"I would like to be the first one to win such a triumph," said Dave. + +"Yes, the first one gets the fame," said the airman. "The prize, +too. If such an experiment was rationally started I believe the +profession and its backers would put up a small fortune to go to the +successful winner. Now, boys, I have great confidence in you. What +has held me back has been the lack of capital." + +"Say, Mr. King," broke in Hiram impetuously, "I've got nearly thirty +dollars saved up, and Dave--" + +"It will take bigger amounts than we three put together can earn +just to get the plans of the giant airship on paper," said Mr. King, +with an indulgent smile at his loyal young friends. "If I go to any +regular aero promoters they will want all the proceeds. I can raise +a few thousand dollars myself and do as much more among my friends +but, all put together, the amount wouldn't make even a beginning." + +"How much will it take, Mr. King?" asked Dave seriously. + +"At least twenty-five thousand dollars." + +"Whew!" whistled Hiram. + +"It's no child's play. It's a big risk, and there's no doing it +half way," declared Mr. King. "Last night while I was planning over +it, a sudden idea came to me. Dashaway, you remember that fellow +who stole my watch and money and medal from you?" + +"You mean the young thief who called himself Briggs, and then +Gregg?" + +"Exactly." + +"Yes, Mr. King." + +"And how he used some letters sent to your father from a great +friend of his?" + +"Mr. Dale?" nodded Dave, wondering what all this had to do with the +giant airship scheme. + +"Well, as you know, that young scamp, Gregg, had gone to Mr. Dale, +who had never seen you, and by means of the letters stolen from you +made him believe that he was the son of his old friend. So +delighted was Mr. Dale, that he practically adopted young Gregg. In +fact, he was on the point of making the pretended Dave Dashaway heir +to all his fortune." + +"You told me about that," said Dave. + +"When we left Dayton to come here, we had to make a hurried jump to +fill our contract, as you know. I let Gregg go, after recovering my +stolen property from him, but I got a written confession of his bold +imposture, first. You know my plan was for you and me to go where +Mr. Dale lives, and introduce him to the real Dave Dashaway. You +see, although I have managed to scare that old tyrant guardian of +yours, Silas Warner, into leaving you alone, I feared he might work +some trick to get you back in his clutches again." + +"I've thought a good deal about that lately," said Dave. + +"My plan was to have this Mr. Dale go to Brookville, show up Warner, +and apply for your guardianship." + +"Yes, then I would feel safe," said Dave. + +"Well, Mr. Dale, having been an old balloonist, would probably not +object to your remaining in the same line of business in which your +father was famous." + +"I should think he would be pleased," remarked Hiram, who was always +interested and active in any conversation going on. + +"I counted on that," resumed the aviator. "At all events, not being +able to go or send Dave to Warrenton to meet this Mr. Dale, I wrote +to a friend of mine who lives at Warrenton. I told him the whole +story, instructing him to inform Mr. Dale, so if this Gregg came +around again, he would be ready to treat him as an imposter. My +friend wrote me only yesterday that Mr. Dale was off on an +automobile trip, and might not be back for a day or two. He said +that Mr. Dale was a very lonely old bachelor. He had been delighted +to take up Gregg, believing him to be the son of his old balloonist +comrade, so you would, be sure to receive a really grand welcome, +Dave." + +"I'm glad of that," said Dave, filled with deep gratitude as he +contrasted his present circumstances with his former forlorn +condition. + +"Now then, to business," continued Mr. King briskly. "I don't want +to 'work' anybody with my personal schemes, but I see a chance to +put my giant airship project on its feet." + +"Why," cried Dave brightly, "you mean to interest Mr. Dale?" + +"That's just what I do mean," assented the aviator. + +Dave rose to his feet, excited and pleased. + +"Mr. King," he said earnestly, "I not only would do all I could to +have Mr. Dale join you, but I feel sure he would be glad to take an +interest in your plan." + +"It's worth trying, anyway," responded the airman. "I'm going to go +by rail to Warrenton to-morrow, in the hope of finding Mr. Dale at +home. I shall send you to him later." + +"All this isn't grand, or exciting, or anything of that sort, is it, +now!" ejaculated Hiram, as Dave and he returned to the Baby Racer +hangar. + +"I hope Mr. King's plans come out, all right, responded Dave. "I'll +do a good deal to repay him for all he has done for me." + +"And me, too," echoed Hiram. "He's a fine fellow!" + +Mr. King departed on his journey the next day. Dave was not on the +programme, so he practiced some with the hydroplane. Coming home +for dinner, he found a letter from the Interstate people. + +They were cheery and optimistic over the completion of their new +model aero-hydroplane. It had been tested and worked splendidly. +The company stated that they would ship the machine to the meet at +Columbus two days later. + +Dave told Hiram about the machine, and the hitter was in a fever of +expectation over its anticipated arrival. + +The boys were eating their supper at the King hangar later in the +day, when a telegraph messenger appeared. + +"Message for Mr. Dave Dashaway," he said. "I'm your man," replied +Dave. + +He signed for the message, tore open the envelope, and glanced +rapidly over the enclosure. His face clouded as he did so, for the +message was from his employers, the Interstate Aero Company, and it +read: + +"Cancel all dates. Come on at once. Trouble." + + + + + +CHAPTER X + +SOMETHING WRONG + + +"What is it, Dave? " inquired Hiram, tracing a sudden seriousness in +the manner of his comrade. + +Dave did not reply. With a thoughtful air he passed the telegram to +Hiram. + +"Wonder what's up?" queried the latter. + +"I can't imagine," said Dave. + +"They tell you to cancel your dates," went on Hiram, looking very +much worried. + +"Yes, that's what bothers me," replied Dave. + +"And to come on to the factory at once." + +"Perhaps they want to pay me off and let me go," suggested Dave, +pretending to smile. + +"Don't take any trouble on your mind on that score," cried Hiram. +"They'd search a long time before they'd find a better demonstrator +than you are." + +"Thank you Hiram," said Dave. "The telegram is plain." + +"Yes, cancel all dates." + +"That's easy, I have nothing on the programme for the rest of the +week." + +"There's the aero-hydroplane stunt." + +"But the machine hasn't arrived." + +"That's so." + +"Let's go down and see Grimshaw. I want to talk to him about this," +said Dave. + +They found the airman at the Aegis hangar. Dave read him the +telegram. Grimshaw looked bothered. + +"Too bad, when things are going so finely for you," he remarked. + +"I wish Mr. King was here," said Dave, "but he probably won't be +until tomorrow." + +"Hardly, I should judge, from what he said," replied Grimshaw. + +"I had better start right off for the Interstate plant." + +"Yes. I would do that if I were you," advised Grimshaw. + +"I wish you would see the managers and explain about this," +continued Dave. + +"Suppose the Drifter comes Dave?" asked Hiram. + +The Drifter was the name of the new model aero-hydroplane concerning +which Dave had received a letter from the Interstate people that +day, but written the day previous. + +"I'll see that it is handled all right," promised Grimshaw. + +"Tell Mr. King I will wire him just as soon as I learn what's up," +said Dave. "You'll look after the Racer and the hydroplane, won't +you, Hiram?" + +"Surely I will," pledged Hiram. + +Dave returned to his own quarters and packed a small hand bag. Hiram +went to the railroad depot with him. They had to wait two hours for a +south-bound train. + +The factory of the Interstate Aero Company was located at a city in +Ohio. It was over three hundred miles from Columbus. The train +Dave was on arrived at a junction about daylight the next morning. +There he had to wait for a train on another road. + +He had slept a few hours and got his breakfast at the depot +restaurant. According to schedule he would reach the Interstate +plant about ten O'clock in the morning. + +Dave had been looking out of the car window enjoying the scenery and +thinking over affairs in general, when he chanced to direct his gaze +at a newspaper the man in the forward seat was reading. A glaring +head line had caught his eye: "A Burglar In The Clouds." + +Anything suggestive of the air was of interest to the young aviator. +He wondered what the item might refer to. Dave leaned over to try +to scan the body matter of the article, when the locomotive whistled +and the train slowed up for a station. The man in front of him +shoved the newspaper into his pocket to leave the train. Then the +incident drifted from the youth's mind. + +Dave reached Bolton on schedule time. An inquiry directed him to +the extensive works of the Interstate Aeroplane Company. He found +it to be a very large plant. The company, besides manufacturing +aircraft, also turned out automobiles. + +Past the entrance gates of the big establishment, Dave became at +once interested in a large building bearing the sign "Aerodrome." +He could not resist the impulse to enter it. Then he found himself +going from section to section, viewing the splendid assortment of +aircraft on exhibition and for sale. + +To a devotee of aeronautics the display was most fascinating. There +were monoplanes, biplanes, and hydroplanes. In one section were +samples of the various accessories of the craft. Dave was looking +over a splendid passenger monoplane when some one hailed him. + +"Dashaway--say, we've been expecting you." + +Dave turned to face the man who had been sent on by the Interstate +people to drill him in the use of the hydroplane at Columbus. + +"Yes," nodded Dave, I got a hurry call wire, and came on at once." + +"Seen the manager?" + +"Not yet. I drifted in here and lost myself among so many beauties. +I don't see the new hydro-aeroplane." + +A quick shade came over the face of Dave's companion. + +"No," he hesitatingly replied. + +"Has it been shipped to Columbus yet?" inquired Dave. + +"Why--that is, I guess I had better let the manager tell you about +the machine." + +Dave noticed a singular constraint in the manner of his companion. + +"Come along, I'll introduce you," volunteered the latter. + +Dave accompanied his guide from the aerodrome. They passed several +large factory buildings. In their center was a small one story +brick structure labeled "Office." + +Dave had never met the manager of the Interstate Company. He had +transacted all his business with the agent of the company and the +hydroplane expert. His companion led him past a row of desks +occupied by clerks and stenographers and into a neatly furnished +office. + +"Here is Dashaway, Mr. Randolph," he said. + +A fine looking man writing at a desk wheeled quickly in his chair. +He arose to his feet with a pleasant smile and shook Dave's hand in +a welcoming way. + +"I am glad to meet you," he spoke. "You received our telegram?" + +"Yes, sir, and came on at once." + +"I suppose you know why we sent for you?" questioned the manager. + +"Why, no, sir," replied Dave. + +"We tried to keep our loss a secret," proceeded the manager, "but +the newspapers got hold of it." + +Dave recalled the newspaper heading he had glanced at, "A Burglar In +The Clouds," and wondered if that had anything to do with the case. + +"I have not read a newspaper since leaving Columbus last night," +said Dave. + +"Well," explained the manager of the Interstate Company, "our new +model aero-hydroplane his been stolen." + + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +"N. A. L." + + +"Stolen!" exclaimed Dave, in dismay. + +"It startles you?" spoke the manager of the Interstate Aeroplane +concern. "So it did us." + +"But--" + +"You are mystified--unusual occurrence rather. You can follow the +track of a stolen automobile. But when it comes to pursuing an +airship, you won't find many familiar roads in the clouds." + +"How did it happen?" inquired Dave. + +"Why, we had tested the machine and it was to have been shipped to +you yesterday. The day before, our expert made a very fine and +satisfactory demonstration. The tanks were full, everything in +perfect shape for another spurt early yesterday morning. During the +night some one scaled the fence, evaded the watchman, and broke into +the aerodrome." + +"It must have been some one familiar with the place here," suggested +Dave. + +"We don't know that. It is certain, though, that they knew all +about airships." + +"Why so?" + +"Because from the trail they left we could trace where they ran the +machine outside. They gauged its ground run just right. They must +have put on the muffler, for the watchman heard no sounds. Then +they flew away." + +"Do you suspect anybody?" questioned Dave. + +"No." + +"Could it have been a business rival?" + +"Scarcely. We have some hard competitors, but we have canvassed the +situation and do not believe they could afford to mix up in a +deliberate steal." + +"It is strange," commented Dave, in a musing tone. + +"Our belief is that the Drifter was selected as the nearest and +highest type of aircraft in existence. The people who stole it did +so with some definite purpose in view." + +"What could that purpose be?" asked Dave. + +"We cannot as yet decide. One thing is certain--they will not +venture to use it at any of the aero meets." + +"Then they must design to take it to a distance." + +"Of course." + +"You have no trace of it?" asked Dave. + +"None whatever. We can account for that, however. The night was +dark, they started out when everybody was asleep, and they could +have gone in one certain direction and struck a positive wilderness +in a few hours time." + +"You mean north?" + +"Among the pineries, yes." + +"Or over the Canadian border?" + +"Exactly." + +Dave sat silent and thoughtful for some moments. The situation was +a novel one. He had never heard of any one stealing an airship +before. The Interstate manager aroused him from his reverie with +the words: + +"We sent for you, Dashaway, because you are our most active man in +the field." + +"That sounds pretty grand for a young fellow like me," returned Dave +with a smile, and flushing up, too. + +"We gage out men by what they do," replied Mr. Randolph in a +matter-of-fact tone. "We have found blood the best in our business. +You have made good, Dashaway." + +"Thank you, sir." + +"Mr. King said you were the most promising aviator in the field." + +"Oh, he is always saying something good about me." + +"You proved it in your ideal work with the Baby Racer." + +"Who wouldn't, with any pride and that perfect machine?" challenged +Dave. + +"That dash of yours after that Lyon order when you outwitted the +Star people was simply brilliant. It showed your loyalty to us. +The newspapers have given your hydroplane work so far the biggest +kind of a send off." + +Dave was silent. He looked modest and embarrassed at all this +praise. He could not, however, feel otherwise than pleased at all +these eulogies bestowed upon him. + +"The Drifter has got to be found," resumed the manager. "It is our +first perfected model, and we can hardly build its counterpart in +time for full seasonal exhibitions. We think you are the man to +find it, Dashaway." + +"Oh, Mr. Randolph," said Dave with a slight start. + +"I am expressing the opinion of the head men in the company here, +who knew your good record. You are young, ambitious, a capable +airman, and above all you are loyal to the interest of your +employers." + +"I should hope it," exclaimed Dave, roused up to genuine emotion. +"Just think--you picked me out, a mere boy, and trusted me. And see +what you helped me do, already!" + +"Exactly," interrupted Mr. Randolph quickly. "That is just the +point--you've outdone some of the veterans in the service and jumped +to a high place in a bound. That's why we trust you." + +"I don't know about what you propose, though," said Dave, sobering +down. + +"Yes, it's a pretty hard task to set. We're all at sea." + +"So am I," admitted Dave. + +"Put those keen wits of yours at work, Dashaway," urged the manager +encouragingly. "I know after thinking this affair over you'll be +ready to suggest something." + +"Well, all airmen should know of the theft of the Drifter, and be on +the lookout." + +"We notified every association and meet in the country after we +found that the newspapers had got onto the theft. That advertises +it widely. The persons, however, who stole the Drifter knew that +would come about. Rest assured of on point, therefore--they won't +stay within range of possible identification any longer than they +can help." + +"That's so," acknowledged Dave musingly. + +"The company wishes you to take charge of a search for the Drifter," +went on Mr. Randolph. "Any machine we own, half a dozen of them if +you like, are at your disposal. You may proceed regardless of the +expense. If Mr. King could be induced to assist--" + +"I think he is under contract clear up to the end of the season," +explained Dave. + +"Sorry for that, but he is such a good friend to you and to us, and +I fancy he would gladly cooperate with advice and direction." + +"Yes, indeed," assented Dave. + +"We owe you a good deal more than your contract income already, +Dashaway," said the manager. "I don't think there's an aviator +living ever had a finer settlement than you will have if you succeed +in running down the Drifter." + +"I'll try," said Dave. + +"That's capital." + +"Give me a few hours to think it over," suggested Dave. + +The young aviator left the Interstate plant very thoughtful and +serious. Dave decided that he had assumed a big responsibility. He +seemed to feel an actual ponderous weight on his young shoulders. + +A score of theories ran riot through his mind its to the motive for +the theft of the Drifter. Then he decided that it must be some +professional who had done the act. It was hard to fathom the +ultimate plans of such an abstractor, who would not dare to use the +machine in any public way and could scarcely sell it. + +"It's a puzzle, a big, worrying poser," said Dave, walking slowly +from the factory grounds. + +About half a mile city-wards from the plant Dave passed through a +square devoted to public park purposes. He sat down on a +tree-shaded rustic bench. There, alone, quiet and undisturbed, he +set his wits at work. + +Whoever it was who had committed the theft must have been a +professional airman. Dave formulated a plan to ask Mr. Randolph if +anybody in Bolton, or any employee of the plant was missing. In +case this was not discovered then some stranger must have come to +Bolton. There might be a trace found of the party at some of the +hotels. + +"There's a bit of detective work to do by some one besides myself," +decided Dave. "I'm going to suggest this plan to Mr. Randolph." + +"Hello, boss," spoke an approaching voice as Dave got up to return +to the plant. + +He observed a man he had noticed on a bench directly opposite to the +one he had occupied sidling towards him. The fellow was ragged and +trampish looking. There was a queer leer in his face and his eyes +were fixed on the coat Dave wore. + +"Well, what is it?" inquired Dave. + +"Excuse a question, matey?" + +"Oh, that's all right." + +"Noticed a badge you're wearing," said the tramp. + +"Oh, that?" spoke Dave lifting his hand to his coat lapel, and +wondering at the man been so observant. + +"Yes--N. A. L.," nodded the tramp. + +Dave eyed the speaker keenly. At the distance he was, it was +doubtful that he could have dearly made out the monogram, yet he +named the letters glibly and correctly. + +"N. A. L." stood for the National Aero League. Dave was not a +member and neither was Hiram Dobbs. Mr. King was and during the +meets it had become the custom with professionals to furnish their +assistants with duplicate badges, which enabled them to enter and +leave the aero grounds unchallenged by the gateman, and ticket +takers. + +"You must have pretty good eyes to make out those letters on that +badge at a distance," said Dave. + +"I've seen them before," readily explained the tramp. + +"Oh, you have?" + +"Yes, and I've got a badge for sale just like the one you're +wearing." + + + + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +DAVE'S DISCOVERIES + + +"You have got a badge like mine for sale, you say?" exclaimed Dave. + +"That's so," bobbed the tramp with a grin. + +"Where did you get it?" + +"That don't go with the sale, but I didn't steal it." + +"You found it, I suppose?" suggested Dave. + +"Well, you might call it so." The man drew from his pocket a badge +which was the exact counterpart of that worn by the young aviator. + +"Let me have a look at it," said Dave. + +"No, sir." + +"Why not?" + +"You can see what it is, can't you? I don't want to get into +trouble, boss." + +"I'm not going to get you into any trouble," declared Dave. + +"Then why do you want to look at the badge? It's no different from +yours, is it?" + +"Are there no marks on it?" + +"Why, I didn't notice. Say, yes, there are," announced the tramp, +scrutinizing the little piece of metal on the back of the badge. +"Looks like T. O." + +Dave put his hand in his pocket. + +"What do you want for it?" he asked. + +Evidently the tramp was about to say "fifteen cents." He shrewdly, +however, observed an interested if not an eager expression on Dave's +face, arid added: + +"--ty cents." + +"It's yours," replied Dave, promptly producing the coin. "Wh-e-w!" + +Dave stared, started and gave utterance to a prolonged whistle. He +came to his feet with a shock. Upon the rear plate of the badge +were scratched two letters, indeed--but the tramp had read them +wrong. As read by Dave they were a mine of information. + +Dave's mind ran rapidly. He sat down again on the bench. The tramp +grinned broadly as Dave turned an eager and excited face upon him. + +"Why," he chuckled, "you're real friendly, aren't you?" + +"No trifling," said Dave seriously. "I'll give you a good deal more +than fifty cents if you tell me truthfully and right away how you +came by that badge." + +"How much now?" + +"Two dollars." + +"The information is yours, Cap," answered the tramp, with an assumed +air of grandness. "I found it." + +"When?" + +"At one o'clock yesterday morning." + +"Where?" + +"By the fence of the big Fly factory down yonder." + +"You mean the Interstate works?" + +"That's the place, I guess." + +Dave became more interested than ever. He handed a two dollar bill +to the tramp without further question. + +"Now, my man," he said, "I've been square with you." + +"That's right," assented the tramp. + +"I want you to tell me all about how you came by that badge." + +"Well, boss, I'm troubled with asthma, and have to sleep out of +doors nights." + +"Go on." + + "The police in the city know me moderately well, and I prefer the +suburbs." + +"Don't fool--give me the facts." + +"Night before last I camped down in a grassy spot near the fence of +the big Fly factory. It must have been about midnight when I was +waked up. I heard somebody say: 'Oh, at take it!'" + +"Who was it?" + +"A boy about your size." + +"What was he doing?" asked Dave. + +"He was up on top of the fence. He had climbed up one of the +slanting outside supports, I guess. You know there's two rows of +barbed wire a-top of the boards. Well, there he was, making a great +fuss." + +"What about?" inquired Dave. + +"The back of his coat was all tangled up in the barbs. He couldn't +pull it loose. Then I heard some voices speak on the inside of the +fence. There were two men there." + +"You think they had got over first?" + +"It looked that way. They told the boy to pull out of his coat. He +got his arms out, started to untwist the coat, stuck his fingers +with the barbs, and tumbled over into the factory yard." + +"And then?" pressed Dave eagerly. + +"H'm! I went to sleep." + +"What! not knowing but what they were burglars?" + +"Boss, I never mix up with other people's business, good or bad." + +"How did you come to get the badge?" + +"Why, when I woke up at sunrise I saw the coat sticking on the fence +where the boy had left it. I climbed up and got it. The badge was +pinned to it." + +"You haven't got the coat on." + +"Good reason." + +"What's that?" + +"Well, my own coat is pretty ragged but it ain't a marker to the way +that boy's coat was riddled and torn by them barb wires." + +"Didn't you search the coat?" + +"Every time that, matey." + +"And found--?" + +"Humph! nothing." + +"Nothing at all?" + +"Oh, yes, there was some cigarettes, a stub of a pencil and a card +with some marks and writing, on it." + +"What did you do with the card?" asked Dave. + +"Tossed it into the ditch with the coat." + +"Do you remember where?" + +"Sure, I do." + +"I'll give you another dollar to take me to the spot." + +"Say, you're a gold mine to me, Cap. Come ahead." + +Dave was doing a good deal of active thinking. More than once, as +his companion led way around the high board fence enclosing the +Interstate plant, Dave took out the badge he had bought and +scrutinized the scratches on its back closely. + +'The tramp guided the way across a bleak prairie stretch. Then he +followed the dry ditch, until they came to a spot where thick clumps +of weeds directly lining the fence suggested a cozy resting and +hiding place for any stray wayfarer. + +"There's where I was asleep, as I told you," spoke Dave's companion, +pointing to a spot where the weeds were somewhat trodden down. "And +there's the place where the coat caught. See, there's one or two +pieces of the cloth of the coat hanging in the barbs yet." + +"Yes, I see," assented Dave. "Now, where did you throw the coat and +the things you found In it?" + +The tramp moved about from place to place, got in line with the +fence support, and looked down into the ditch. He moved along +slowly, his eyes on the ground. Finally he stooped down. + +"Here's the coat--what there's left of it," he reported. "Here's +that card, too. I can't find the pencil." + +"Never mind that," replied Dave, extending his hand for the +proffered objects. + +"I smoked up the cigarettes." + +Dave glanced eagerly at the card. He shoved it in a safe pocket. +Then he rolled up the coat and placed it under his arm. + +"Very good, very good, indeed," he said. + +"Here's that dollar I promised you." + +The tramp received the money, beaming all over his face. + +"Say," he observed, as he moved on, "if it wasn't that you've made +me rich enough to retiree from business for a time, I'd offer to +find the owner of that coat and the fellows who were with him." + +"I'll do just that," said Dave to himself in a satisfied way. + +Then, his hand resting on the card in his pocket, he added: + +"What luck!" + + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +HIRAM DOBBS AND THE BIPLANE + + +Dave walked straight along the fence. By the shortest route +possible he reached the gateway entrance to the factory yard. + +The tramp had put nimbly in the opposite direction. He was headed +for the nearest business street, where he could spend some of the +money that he had earned so easily. + +The young aviator was very much excited. He had made certain +discoveries that had amazed him. He could not help but mentally +rejoice over the strange fortune that had come from his stray +meeting with the tramp. + +"It's a clew--a sure clew," said Dave to himself. "Now to move just +right in this affair and make no mistake." + +The youth crossed the grounds of the plant and again entered the +office building. He did not wait to announce himself, but, as he +reached the door of the manager's room and found it closed, he +tapped briskly. + +"Come in," spoke Mr. Randolph. "Hello, you, Dashaway?" + +"Yes, Sir," bowed Dave, removing his cap. + +"You are back soon." + +"Sooner than I planned," replied Dave, "But I--" + +"You've thought the affair over, I hope?" + +"Something more than that, Sir," responded Dave. "I have come to +tell you that I think I can be of some service to you about that +stolen aero-hydroplane." + +"Good for you!" + +"I've thought out a plan, Sir," went on Dave. "I feel certain that +the people who raided the aerodrome and made off with the Drifter +are bound for a distant and unsettled section." + +"But why? What benefit can they hope to secure way off from +civilization?" + +"That we have to guess at and work out," replied Dave. "I will say, +Mr. Randolph, that I think I have a faint clew to the disappearance +of the airship." + +"You don't say so!" + +"I shall know more inside of twenty-four hours. In fact, Mr. +Randolph, I feel pretty certain that I can soon submit a plan that +will satisfy you that I know what I am about." + +"We already think that of you, Dashaway." + +"And that I can bring results." + +"Capital! I knew we were not mistaken in you. Now, see here, I see +you have something working in your mind. I don't want to even +hamper you by asking what it is." + +"I would like to go back to Columbus on the first train, Mr. +Randolph." + +"Very well." + +"I want to look up some affairs there, consult with Mr. King, and +come back here the next day." + +"And then?" + +"I shall perhaps want to use the very best aircraft you have in your +factory." + +"To hunt for the Drifter?" + +"Yes, Sir." + +"Dashaway, the whole plant and everything in it is at your service." + +"Thank you, Sir." + +"I consider this theft of the Drifter even more important than I at +first thought." + +"How is that, Mr. Randolph?" + +"I have been thinking that if some competitor was concerned in the +affair, he might steal and utilize many points in our new model +which are not yet protected by patents." + +"I feel pretty sure that no business rival had anything to do with +the theft," observed the young aviator confidently. + +"Well, you work this affair out in your own way. Remember, as I +told you, expense is no point whatever. When shall we see you +again?" + +"To-morrow evening, or the next morning at the latest." + +Something in Dave's manner seemed to convince the shrewd manager of +the Interstate Aeroplane Company that their young employee was +started on the right track. He shook hands cordially with Dave +when the latter left the office. + +Dave went at once to the railroad depot. He learned that a train +left in two hours. + +"That will bring me to Columbus before dark," he reflected. "I +wonder what Mr. King will say?" + +The young aviator had a good deal on his mind, enough to make the +average lad impatient. He had, however, learned a hard lesson of +discipline with his tyrannical guardian, old Silas Warner. Then, +too, since coming under the helpful influence of Mr. King, he had +acquired a certain self reliance that now stood him in good stead. + +Running an airship took nerve, steadiness of purpose, a definite, +concrete way of looking at things. Dave knew in his own mind that +the Drifter was each hour speeding farther and farther away from the +haunts of men. He recalled the old adage, however, which says "the +more haste the less speed," and he determined to stick to the plan +he had mentally outlined at the start. + +"I'm going to work on this affair slow but sure," he told himself. +"I think I can guess where the Drifter is headed for. If I am +right, I know that I shall find it." + +Dave reached Columbus about dark. He went straight from the depot +to the aero grounds. The plan he had formed in his mind took in a +talk with Mr. King right away. The Baby Racer hangar, however, was +on his way to the Aegis quarters. As he neared it he saw a light in +the shed where the little biplane was housed. Dave went to the half +open door of the place to find Hiram Dobbs with a lantern puttering +about the machine. + +"What have you been up to, Hiram?" challenged Dave. + +"Why, hello! Got back? Good!" cried Hiram, rushing forward to +warmly welcome his best friend. + +"Yes, just arrived," answered Dave. + +"I've been cleaning up the machine," explained Hiram. "It's old +Grimshaw's fault." + +"What is?" + +"Taking the Baby Racer out." + +"Oh, the machine has been out, then, has it?" remarked Dave. + +"Yes, and up. Say, Dave, I made the five hundred feet level. I +hope you're not put out. It was a chance to make fifty dollars." + +"Fifty dollars?" + +"Uh-huh," bobbed Hiram in a broad grin. + +"How was that?" + +"Why, Grimshaw was piloting a party over the grounds. Rich man and +his family-wife, son and two daughters. The youngest one was a +daring little miss. She wanted to fly, and would fly. Grimshaw got +to bragging about what you had done with the Baby Racer. Well, +nothing would do but I must roll the little beauty out." + +"That was all right, Hiram," the young aviator hastened to say. "I +should always feel that the biplane is safe in your hands." + +"Well, finally the father consented to let his daughter try a fly +along the ground. I settled her in a comfortable seat, and away we +went. I made it a good stiff run, and there was some jolting, but +the girl was wild over it. She begged for a second run. We got +such a fine start that I lifted about twenty feet in the air." + +"And then, of course, she screamed out in fear?" said Dave, with a +smile. + +"Screamed nothing," dissented Hiram. "She just spoke one delighted +'O-oh!' and then: 'Higher, oh, please keep on going!' Say, Dave, +she looked so bright and brave I couldn't help it--Z--I--P!" + +"What does 'Z--I--P!' mean, Hiram?" asked Dave. + +"A slide, a swoop, then a circle, another, a shoot upwards, and the +girl laughing out, 'Oh, this is just grand!' Her sister shrieked, +her mother fainted away, and her father was shaking his cane at us +and yelling for us to come back. The Racer did her prettiest in two +grand circles of the grounds, and came down light as a feather. The +girl jumped out, one big smile. 'Just think of it!' I heard her cry +to her sister, 'when I've told my seminary chums that I've been up +in a real airship!' Then, seeing that she was safe, I think her +folks were just as proud of her exploit as she was. Anyhow, she ran +up to her father in a coaxing way, and came back to place a bank +note in my hand. When they were gone, and I found that it was a +fifty dollar bill, old Grimshaw chuckled and said he had hinted to +the party that the regular fee for a ride in an airship was one +hundred dollars. I'm mighty glad you're back, Dave." + +"Why, you seem to have got along finely without me," said Dave. + +"We've missed you, all the same. Where you going, Dave?" asked +Hiram, as his friend moved out of the shed. + +"Why, I'm anxious to see Mr. King as soon as I can. I have +something very important to talk about with him." + +"It's about that rush telegram?" + +"Yes, Hiram." + +"What did it mean?" + +"When we meet with Mr. King you shall, hear all about it, Hiram." + +"Well, Mr. King isn't home yet," explained Hiram. + +Dave looked disappointed. + +"That is," continued Hiram, "he hadn't got back when I was last up +at the Aegis hangar." + +"When was that?" + +"About four o'clock this afternoon. Mr. Grimshaw, though, said he +expected him on the six o'clock train." + +"We'll go and see if he has returned," said Dave. + +They started for the aviator's headquarters. Half the distance +covered, they met him coming in search of them. Mr. King looked +pale and worried. Dave knew that something had happened to upset +him. + +"I'm glad you're back, Dashaway," said Mr. King. "Grimshaw told me +you had been called to headquarters by the Interstate people. I +should have wired you to return right away if you had not returned. +Something very important has transpired." + +"About Mr. Dale--about my father's old friend, Mr. King?" asked +Dave. + +"That's it exactly. Bad news, Dashaway, I'm sorry to say," +announced the aviator in a very serious tone. + + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE MISSING AIRCRAFT + + +The aviator led the way back to the Aegis hangar. Dave saw that Mr. +King was not inclined to explain any further until they were off the +public course, so he asked no more questions, for the present. Dave +had a good deal to tell himself. His mind had been full of it all +day. Something in the grave, thoughtful manner of Mr. King, +however, caused him to defer his own anxiety and impatience. + +When they were inside the comfortable room where the aviator made +his office, Mr. King turned to Dave with a very sober face. + +"I said I had bad news, Dashaway," he spoke, "and that's no +mistake." + +"Then you failed to find Mr. Dale at Warrenton?" inquired Dave. + +"He has not been there for over a week." + +"Why, I thought he lived there?" + +"He did. He went away, or was kidnapped, nearly ten days ago." + +"Kidnapped?" exclaimed Dave in surprise. + +"That's what I think. Mr. Dale lived alone, except for a very old +man servant. As near as I can figure it out, that young thief, +Gregg, appeared at Warrenton two days after I had him arrested. I +did a very foolish thing in dealing with the young scamp." + +"You mean letting him go free?" inquired Dave. + +"Yes, I feared at the time that I was unwise in not punishing him, +to serve as a lesson against more mischief. He acted so scared, +though, he helped me get back the property he had stolen from you, +he signed a confession telling that he was not the real Dave +Dashaway and had imposed on Mr. Dale, so I thought he would proceed +to at once make himself very scarce. I felt sure that he would not +be able to play any more tricks on Mr. Dale, for I expected that you +and I would go the very next day and see this old friend of your +father. You know we were rushed from Dayton to the next meet, and +had no chance to get to Warrenton and explain matters to Mr. Dale. I +blame myself for not sending you at, once to him at the time. As I +told you, I wrote to a friend, a lawyer at Warrenton, to learn what I +could about Mr. Dale. He reported Mr. Dale was absent on a trip. +When I got to Warrenton yesterday and met the old Dale servant, I saw +at once that something was wrong." + +"How do you mean, Mr. King?" asked Dave quite anxiously. + +"Well, I learned that this young scamp, Gregg, had appeared at +Warrenton two days after I let him go." + +"Still pretending to be Dave Dashaway?" + +"So the old servant says. Gregg and Mr. Dale went away together. +There is no doubt in my mind that Gregg put up a plot to get Mr. +Dale away from Warrenton before we could expose him." + +"But he could not keep Mr. Dale away from home forever?" + +"No, but he and his accomplices might get the old man to some remote +place and make him a prisoner." + +"And force him to give up a lot of money before they let him go." + +"Yes, that has been done before," admitted Dave. + +"Anyhow, two days alter Mr. Dale left Warrenton, a check passed +through the bank signed by him for one thousand dollars." + +Dave was both interested and alarmed. + +"Four days ago a check for two thousand dollars arrived. The bank +refused to cash it." + +"Why, Mr. King?" + +"Because it was a forgery." + +"Not Mr. Dale's signature?" + +"That's it." + +"But where did the checks come from?" inquired Dave. + +"From two cities, widely apart. I know the places. It looks to me +as if the first check was given willingly by Mr. Dale. Then he must +have become suspicious, and refused to pay out any more money. The +second check was numbered correctly, and Gregg must have got +possession of the old man's regular check book." + +"This is a pretty serious affair, Mr. King," commented Dave. + +"It is, and I came straight back here to tell you about it, and then +cancel all my engagements at the meet. I shall start out at once to +run down this Gregg and locate Mr. Dale." + +"And I must join you-I see that it is my duty," declared Dave. + +"Not at all," responded the aviator definitely. "I have mapped out +the best plan of procedure, and I believe I can run down this +business alone in a very short time." + +Dave was really anxious concerning Mr. Dale. He truly believed it +his first duty towards the old friend of his father to do all he +could to assist him. For all that, Dave was relieved to know that +he could go on without interruption in service of his employers. + +"Yes," proceeded the aviator, "I feel that I have an interest in +finding Mr. Dale. In the first place, he is your friend. Next, I +feel responsible for letting that young scamp, Gregg, go free. At a +selfish motive, I believe that if I succeed in rescuing the old man +he will gladly finance my giant airship scheme." + +"He surely will, Mr. King," said Dave confidently. "I believe he +would help you, anyway. I do hope he can be found." + +"I shall not rest until he is," declared the aviator. "Now, +Dashaway, I don't want you to take this affair on your mind. If I +fail in what I have planned, I will certainly call you into the +case. I fancy, from what Hiram here has told me, that you have some +important business of your own on hand." + +"Yes, that is quite true," replied Dave seriously. + +"Are you having some trouble with the Interstate people?" inquired +the aviator pointedly. + +"Not on my account, I, am glad to say, Mr. King," replied Dave. +"There is some trouble, though, for all hands around. It's about +the stolen aero-hydroplane, or hydro-aeroplane, they haven't just +settled on the exact name." + +"The Drifter?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"I read about that strange case. I suppose it puts you back in your +arrangements at the meet here?" + +"Not only that, Mr. King," explained Dave, "but it has placed me in +a position where I shall have to give up all my engagements for a +time." + +"Why, you don't say so, Dashaway?" exclaimed the aviator, much +disturbed. + +"Those are the orders," replied Dave. "I have hurried back to +Columbus purposely, to consult on your helping in a search for the +Drifter." + +"Of course that is not possible, now that this Dale affair has come +up," said Mr. King. "As to a search for the stolen aircraft, that +is going to be no easy task, I'm thinking. Have the Interstate +people no theory as to the way the Drifter was stolen, and the +motive for the theft?" + +"I had better tell you all I know about it, Mr. King." + +"Do so, Dashaway." + +Dave proceeded to relate his interview with Mr. Randolph, the +manager of the Interstate factory. He did not refer just then to +his experience with the tramp. + +"It's a good deal of a puzzle," commented the aviator. "What is +your plan?" + +"Why, I expected that I could induce you to take charge of the +search. As you cannot, I am thinking of Hiram going back with me to +Bolton." + +"What's your idea?" + +"The Interstate people have offered me their best monoplane to start +the chase for the missing Drifter." + +"It will be a blind start, Dashaway, without a clew." + +"But I have a clew," announced Dave. + +"You didn't say so." + +"I hadn't come to that yet, Mr. King. I haven't even told the +Interstate people. I am pretty certain that the Drifter left Bolton +on a due northwest course," and Dave drew from his pocket the card +he had got from the tramp. + +"Capital!" cried the aviator, becoming very much interested. "If +you know that, you have half solved the problem." + +"Besides that," went on Dave, producing the duplicate N. A. L. +badge, and glancing at the scratched initials on its back, "I know +who stole the Drifter." + +"What's that?" almost shouted the aviator, springing to his feet, in +a great state of excitement. + +"Say, Dave, are you sure?" pressed the eager Hiram Dobbs, worked up +to fever heat with curiosity and suspense. + +"Who was it?" asked Mr. King. + +"Jerry Dawson," was Dave Dashaway's reply. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +AT THE AERODROME + + +"That is the machine I want, Mr. Randolph," said Dave Dashaway. + +It was two days after the young aviator had told his friends at +Columbus the name of the person he suspected of stealing the +aero-hydroplane, the Drifter from the Interstate Aeroplane Company. + +Now, he and Hiram and the manager of the Interstate plant stood amid +the half hundred or more aero machines that comprised the stock of +one of the largest factories in that line in the country. + +They had left the aero meet at Columbus the evening previous, not, +however, until Dave had explained how he came to suspect Jerry +Dawson. + +"It's simple and plain, Mr. King," the young aviator had said. "The +badge I bought from the tramp at Bolton was the property of young +Dawson." + +"Sure of that, Dashaway?" Mr. King had inquired. + +"Oh, yes. The initials are crude, but they certainly stand for 'J. +D.' and not 'T. O.' as the tramp thought." + +An inspection of the duplicate badge by both Mr. King and Hiram +satisfied them that Dave's theory was correct. + +"Another thing," Dave had added-- "the coat found on the barb wire +top of the factory fence I have seen Jerry wear many a time." + +"And the card?" pressed Hiram. + +"The card has some scrawls on it, made by Jerry, I think. It shows +a sort of rough outline of the upper lake district here. Some +arrows show a straight course due northwest. I believe the Drifter +was started on its way over the Canadian border." + +"And the two men with Jerry?" asked Mr. King. + +"I can't figure out that they could be anybody but Jerry's father +and the man who left Columbus with them--Ridgely." + +"The man the revenue officer was looking for!" exclaimed Hiram. + +"The smuggler, as he was called, yes," replied Dave. + +Mr. King and Hiram indulged in all kinds of conjectures as to the +possible motive of the party of three in stealing the aircraft. + +"The way I figure it out," said Mr. King, "is that this Ridgely +wanted to get out of the country knowing that the revenue people +were dose on his trail." + +"Perhaps," agreed Dave thoughtfully. "There's another thing, +though." + +"What's that?" inquired the interested Hiram. + +"His coming all the way around the lakes to find his friends, the +Dawsons, looks as though he had some future scheme in view, with an +airship a part of it." + +"That's so," assented Mr. King. "Well, Dashaway, you have done +famously so far in finding out what you have. The Interstate people +think the only way to chase the fugitives is with one of their own +machines. I don't know anybody better adapted to do just that than +yourself." + +"Thank you, Mr. King," said Dave modestly + +The two boys left Columbus with pretty clear minds. They had a +definite purpose in view, and Mr. King, Dave felt sanguine, would do +all that the interests of Mr. Dale required while they were gone. + +"Say, Dave," spoke Hiram, as they boarded the train bound for +Bolton, "this is just like acting out some story, isn't it?" + +"In a way," acquiesced the young aviator, "only there won't be much +acting--it will be real, earnest hard work." + +"I see that, and I am anxious to do my share," declared Hiram. + +"You always are, Hiram," said Dave. + +Now, the morning following, the two aviator friends found themselves +at the Interstate factory, where both received a warm welcome from +Mr. Randolph. + +Dave now related to the manager all that he had held back during his +first visit to the great plant. + +"I say, Dashaway, that's simply wonderful," was Mr. Randolph's +enthusiastic comment. "Anybody with the genius to gather up all +those clews cannot fail to work out this entire case. We shall soon +receive some great reports from you." + +"I hope so," said Dave. + +"Now then, you and your friend go over to the aerodrome and see +which one of our machines there suits you best." + +It was after Dave and Hiram had spent the most fascinating half hour +of their lives viewing the wonders of mechanism on display, that the +manager rejoined them. It was then, too, that Dave reported to him +with the words: + +"That is the machine I want, Mr. Randolph." + +As Dave spoke he pointed to a monoplane of which he had made a close +inspection for over ten minutes. The manager burst out into a +hearty laugh. + +"Well, well!" he cried, clapping Dave on the shoulder in an +approving way, "I must say you are certainly a grand judge of +monoplanes." + +"How is that?" asked Dave. + +"You have picked out the best machine in the place." + +"Why, I was looking for the best one, wasn't I, Mr. Randolph?" asked +the young aviator with a smile. + +"It is our new model of the composite hydro-aeroplane," explained +the manager. "It's the best standard built in this country--the +Monarch II." + +"It's easy to see that," responded Dave. "It is the equal of the +Drifter in a great many ways." + +"That is true," replied Mr. Randolph. "While it may not be as swift +in the water as an all-steel hydro, it is built on the best float +system and will sustain a weight of one thousand three hundred +pounds." + +"And the front elevation and tail are also of the newest type," said +Dave. + +"You studied that out, eh? It's a model of lightness as such +machines go. The engine is only three hundred pounds, it carries +twenty gallons of gasoline, and has a lifting capacity of twelve +hundred pounds, giving leeway for a three hundred pound pilot." + +"Dave and I wouldn't weigh that together, Mr. Randolph," said Hiram. + +"Its simplicity strikes me," remarked Dave. + +"Yes," said Mr. Randolph, "and it can be knocked down and +reassembled in a hurry. You see, the ailerons never leave their +sections and in the planes not a wire is changed. The outriggers +fold, keeping them in pairs together, each piece is bent, not +buckled, and can be straightened good as new in case of a +disarrangement." + +The manager went over the entire machine in a speedy but expert way. +He saw that all locks on the turnbuckles were fastened, and that the +locks had lock washers beneath them. All the movable wires were +reinforced with a piece of loose hay wire, and provisions against +rust perfected. + +Hiram stood mute, but fascinated, as the manager explained in detail +the fine points of the Monarch II, as the composite hydro-aeroplane +was named. + +What interested Dave immensely was a self starting apparatus. This +was operated by a handle inserted in a socket, fastened on a special +ball ratchet on the large sprocket. Pulling this handle turned the +motor over two, sometimes three compressions, and started up the +machine without difficulty, Mr. Randolph explained. During the +operation the throttle shut down so that the operator might resume +his seat and take the levers. + +The planes had double covered fabric on top and bottom, tightened at +the rear of the planes by lacing. A single lever controlled the +elevator and side flaps and there were radical bearings to take both +side and end thrusts. + +"Tell you, Dashaway," said Mr. Randolph in conclusion, "I'll trust +you with the Monarch II because you are something more than a +grass-cutting pilot by mail trying to coast a flying machine off the +ground." + +"I hope to deserve your compliment," laughed the young aviator. + +"You've got a horse power engine and planes hard to beat. There are +self-priming oil pumps, an auxiliary exhaust, and the machine +follows the lines of the lowest gasoline consumption. Remember the +triple axis conditions, Dashaway. One controls the fore and aft +axis, producing tipping. The second is the vertical axis, producing +turning. The third is the lateral axis, producing rising and +falling." + +"Some one at the office wishes to see Mr. Dashaway," just here +interrupted a lad from the plant. + +"To see me?" spoke Dave in some surprise. + +"Yes, sir. He asked me to give you his card, and said he had come +quite a distance to see you." + +Dave took the card the lad handed him. He was a little startled, +and then curious, as he read the name-- + +"JAMES PRICE, Revenue Officer." + + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE "MONARCH II" + + +The manager of the Interstate factory and Dave and Hiram followed +the messenger from the plant back to the office. + +"The gentleman who wishes to see me," the young aviator explained to +Mr. Randolph, "is the revenue officer I told you about." + +"Ah, I think I understand the purpose of his visit, then," said the +manager. + +Mr. Price was the same keen-faced, ferret-like person he always +appeared, as Dave introduced him to the manager. + +"I have heard of you from our young friend, Dashaway," said Mr. +Randolph. + +"Lucky I ran across him," responded the officer, in his usual short, +jerky way. "Lucky to catch you here, too, before you got off, +Dashaway." + +"Then you came specially to see me?" asked Dave. + +"And your friends," replied Mr. Price with a comprehensive wave of +his hand. "Mutual interests all around, it seems. You see, I met +Mr. King at Columbus after you left," explained the official. "He +told me of your remarkable discoveries, Dashaway. You are keener +than I, young man. I have been chasing all over the district, and +here you get a clew to Ridgely, while I and my men were blundering +around." + +"If it is really a dew to him, Mr. Price," submitted the young +aviator. "You know, it is all a theory so far." + +"As the facts stand, I have no doubt from your story that Ridgely is +one of the men who ran away with the Drifter," declared the officer. + +"Have you fathomed his purpose in taking the air route, Mr. Price?" +asked the factory manager. + +"Most certainly." + +"I am puzzled to guess what it may be." + +"Why, it's plain as the nose on your face," said the officer +bluntly. + +"How is that?" + +"You know that this man, Ridgely, is a professional smuggler?" + +"So Dashaway has told me." + +"We drove him from one point on the border. He has selected +another, that's all. He has worn out the old methods of evading the +revenue service, so he is adopting new ones. In fact, I rather +admire his brilliant originality. Why, I can conceive no situation +so ideal as that capture of an airship, and professional operators +in his employ." + +"Then--" + +"I am positive that the Dawsons and Ridgely have made for some +obscure point, probably near Lake Superior, and will open up +business in the old way, do their work only at night, and I have +come on here to ask Dashaway to work in harmony with me." + +"Most certainly he will," pledged the factory manager. + +"I am after Ridgely, you are after your aircraft. We can work +together," pronounced the officer. "I intend to start at once for +the Lake Superior district. I shall set my men at work clear along +the line and over the border, to try and find a trace of my man. I +haven't an airship, though, you must remember, and wouldn't know how +to run one if I had. That's where you come in, Dashaway. You +search the air, I'll watch the land. What I want to do is to give +you a list of points where I or my men can be reached at a moment's +notice any time. If we keep in touch with each other, I believe we +can land those rascals." + +For over an hour after that the officer and Dave had an earnest, +confidential chat together. Mr. Price brought out maps, and gave +Dave great deal of information as to the smuggling system on the +border. In the meantime, Randolph and Hiram again visited the +aerodrome. After the revenue officer had departed, Dave came across +Hiram looking for him. + +"Say, Dave," exclaimed the excited youth, "it's like a new world to +me, all this. I declare, I never had such a time in my life. This +Mr. Randolph is a prince." + +"Fixed things up for us, has he, Hiram?" + +"Right royally. He's stocked up that monoplane like a banquet hall. +Why, say, if we can keep the Monarch II aloft, we can live like +millionaires in an up-to-date hotel for a week to come." + +Hiram in his enthusiasm was exaggerating things considerably. +However, when Dave revisited the aerodrome, he found that the clever +Interstate manager had stocked up the aircraft, with every necessity +for safety and comfort he could think of. + +The Monarch II was certainly a marvel in its construction and scope. +It had been made to accommodate an operator and one, or even two, +passengers. The seating space was quite roomy, and there was a +handy basket-like compartment, arranged to hold wraps, provisions +and duplicate machine parts. + +It was late in the afternoon when the Monarch II was rolled out into +the broad roomy yard of the factory. Everything was in order for +the finest start in the world. Dave had thought out and mapped out +every detail of the proposed air voyage. Mr. Randolph personally +superintended all the initial arrangements. The starter worked +liked a charm. There was no wavering. A turn of the handle, and +the magnificent machine spread its wings like some great bird poised +for a steady flight. + +Hiram gave a great shout of delight. Dave smiled down at the +manager proudly. + +"Good luck!" cried Mr. Randolph. + +Just then the factory whistle sounded out shrilly for quitting time. +Workmen appeared at the open windows of the factor. Some came +running out into the yard. + +The word had gone around that the young aviators were bound on an +extraordinary cruise--a search for the stolen airship. A great +chorus of ringing hurrahs went up from the crowd. + +"It's great, isn't it, Dave?" chuckled the delighted Hiram. + +"The Monarch II acts prettily, that's sure," replied the young +aviator. + +Dave delighted his companion by giving him charge of the barograph +readings and attention to some of the minor duties of aviation. The +rapid progress of the machine in mid air was exhilarating. The +weather conditions were ideal, and Dave had a definite goal in view. + +There was not a break in the pleasant twilight journey. The Monarch +II fulfilled all expectations and promises. About nine o'clock in +the evening the record showed over two hundred miles accomplished, +when they descended on a level stretch of prairie near a small +bustling city. Here the gasoline supply in the tanks was +replenished. The basket had been stored with over a hundred gallons +of this in separate packages, without embarrassing the buoyancy of +the machine, as the young aviators were far below average operating +weight. + +"This high living of ours makes and hungry," intimated Hiram, as +they finished getting the machine in shape to renew the flight. + +"Time for lunch, you think?" proposed Dave with a jolly laugh. +"Here we are." + +They selected from the packages in the accommodation basket enough +things for a feed. Mr. Randolph had certainly provided for them in +a liberal way. The packages produced two kinds of sandwiches, some +doughnuts, a cream cakes, cheese, celery and a prime apple pie. + +Dave was pleased and proud with their progress thus far on their +strange journey. There was a steady but mild head wind, and if he +held till daylight the young aviator counted on reaching the first +important destination on the route he had mapped out. + +His idea was to reach a certain point in the dark. They would then +seek a hiding place, or at least seclusion, until evening again, +resting through the day. Dave's plan was to travel so that their +progress might not be noted and get to the Dawson group through the +public prints or by some other avenue, and thus warn them that they +were being traced. + +There was not a landmark on the route, such as a city, lake or +river, that Dave had not memorized, from standard "fly" directories +during the past two days. The Drifter, being in the hands of the +Dawsons, who knew considerable about aviation, would probably follow +the same course. At night it was more difficult to tally off +progress than in daylight, but so far Dave felt that he had not +deviated from the due northwest course that was to bring him to a +certain destination. + +For over five hours after lunch and rest the Monarch II kept +steadily on its way. Dawn was just breaking when Dave passed a few +miles to the west of a town he knew to be Millville. He glanced at +Hiram, about to address him. Hiram was fast asleep. + +"We will have to get down somewhere near here," decided Dave. + +As he changed the course of the aircraft there was a slight jar, and +Hiram woke up. + +"Hello!" he cried, "have I been--" + +"Asleep at the switch?" smiled Dave. "Yes, but it hasn't needed any +attention. We are going to land, Hiram." + +Dave knew his bearings, as has been said. His anxiety, however, was +to get to cover, so to speak, before the airship was seen by anyone +in the vicinity. He soon knew that he had failed in this. Circling +about and drifting in trying to select a suitable landing spot, Dave +made out rising farmer staring up at the machine from his chicken +yard. + +A little farther on the driver of a truck wagon, bound town-wards +evidently, espied the Monarch II, even in the dim morning light, for +he stopped his horses, his face turned in the direction of the +machine. + +Finally Dave located a spot that suited him. It was where there had +been mining going on some period in the past. Some hills shut in +the deserted diggings. Several great heaps of ore surrounded a sort +of pit, broad and roomy. + +"I don't think we can find a better resting place," said Dave, as +they reached the ground and he shut off the power. + +"Going to stay here all day?" inquired Hiram. + +"That is the programme, yes." + +"Well, I suppose breakfast is the first move?" asked the young +aviator's assistant. + +"I'm hungry as a bear," announced Dave. + +"So am I," agreed Hiram, and he set at work to explore the +accommodation, basket. + +Hiram soon had a tempting spread. There was cold ham, a roasted +chicken, an abundance of bread and butter, and a two gallon jug of +cold coffee. + +The boys did full justice to the layout. Then Dave went over the +machine, seeing to it that every part was in order. + +"I'll have to take a little nap, Hiram," he advised his companion. + +"No, a good long one," corrected Hiram. + +"If we're going to lay off until night, there isn't much to do. +I'll stay awake and keep a look out for anything happening. You +see, I had quite a snooze up there in the air." + +Dave made a comfortable couch by spreading out some of the wraps +found in the accommodation basket. It was after ten o'clock when he +woke up. He insisted on Hiram taking a turn on the couch. + +"Can't do it. Not a bit sleepy," declared Hiram. + +"Well, you can try it while I'm gone," suggested Dave. + +"Oh, going somewhere?" + +"Yes, to the town. I want to make a few inquiries as to the country +around here and ahead of us, and I may wire Mr. Randolph." + +"All right, go ahead," replied Hiram. "I'll see that everything is +kept trim and safe about the machine." + +Dave visited Millville, and posted himself as to certain +geographical points in which he was interested. He also sent a +brief dispatch to the Interstate people. Provided with some +railroad maps, and some fresh rolls from a bakery, he started out to +rejoin his chum. + +He found Hiram busy burnishing up every bit of metal about the +Monarch II. They had their noon lunch. On his way back from town +Dave' had noticed a little brook. He was telling Hiram about it, +and they were discussing a plan of a plunge and a swim, when Hiram, +facing the point where the pit began, sprang suddenly to his feet." + +"Hello!" he cried excitedly. "Someone is coming." + +"Sure enough," echoed Dave, also arising. "Why, I noticed that man +in Millville. Can it be possible that he has followed me? I didn't +know it, if he has." + +The boys stood motionless, awaiting the coming up of the intruder. +He was a brisk, smart looking man. There was something in his sharp +way of glancing at things that made Dave think of a lawyer. The +stranger came up within a dozen feet of them. Then he halted, took +in the flying machine with a grim smile, and then looked the young +aviators over from head to foot. + +"Reckon I've landed on both feet," he observed, a confident, +satisfied drawl in his voice. + +"What do you mean by that?" inquired Dave. + +"Why, I've been looking out for an airship said to be cruising +around this neighborhood. Truck farmer said he saw one early this +morning. Then I noticed you in town. I think you'll understand me, +young man," continued the stranger, "when I say that I'm on the hunt +for a chap about your size running a stolen airship, and whose name +is Jerry Dawson." + +"Why," exclaimed Dave with a quick start, "so are we!" + + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +ON THE WING + + +Hiram stared his hardest at the stranger, Dave's eyes quickened with +sudden intelligence. Almost in a flash he took in the situation. + +"You just mentioned a name," he said. "I would like to mention +another one." + +"All right, what?" + +"James Price." + +"Hello!" + +The stranger looked flabbergasted, as the saying goes. He furrowed +his brow as if puzzled. + +"You have made a mistake," continued Dave. "You think one of us two +is Jerry Dawson." + +"I did think it, yes," admitted the man, a trifle less self assured +than at first. + +"Wrong." + +"Is that so, now?" + +"Yes. You know Mr. Price, don't you?" + +"Perhaps I do." + +"And you are on the lookout for an airship, but not this machine. +Let me explain briefly, and see if we cannot come to an +understanding." + +Dave surmised that the stranger must be one of the assistants of Mr. +Price, the revenue officer. In a very few minutes he knew that this +was true. Assured from Dave's talk that he was not the Dawson boy, and +that the hydro-aeroplane before him was not the Drifter, the man became +very friendly. + +It seemed that he was one of the agents of the revenue service. He +made his headquarters at Millville, and had received a telegram from +Mr. Price the day previous to look out for the stolen airship. This +was before Mr. Price had met Dave at Bolton, but immediately after +Mr. King at Columbus had told him of the discovery that the Dawsons +had made away with the Drifter. + +So far as the man knew, none of the many assistants of Mr. Price had +found any traces of the missing aero-hydroplane. Dave did not +enlighten him as to his plans and destination, for the man's present +duties were simply those of a lookout at Millville. + +The stranger stayed and chatted with the boys for over two hours, +and then went away. Dave had told him that they would not start out +again with the Monarch II until after dark. About six o'clock the +man drove up with a wagon. + +"Thought you might be getting tired of cold dry fare," he said, "so +I've brought you a real supper for a change." + +"Why, say, you're a prince!" cried the impetuous Hiram, as the man +lifted a gas oven from the wagon, and then a shallow box, and the +contents of both receptacles were revealed. + +The oven contained two heaping dishes of lamb chops, and potatoes, +still quite warm. From the box the stranger produced all the +trimmings for a first class meal. + +"This is pretty kind and thoughtful of you," said Dave. + +"Nothing too good for friends of Mr. Price," insisted the man. +"Besides, I remember how good the present of a meal has been when +I've got stranded on duty myself." + +The speaker, it seemed, had been a member of the Canadian mounted +police. The boys whiled the time away interestingly during the next +two hours, listening to some of, his exciting experiences with +Indians and outlaws in the Winnipeg wilds. + +It was just after dark when the Monarch started on the second stage +of the journey. Three stops were made during the ensuing six, +hours. Dave was very tired and Hiram pretty sleepy, when, at three +o'clock in the morning, the machine came to rest on a little +reed-covered island in the center of a swampy stretch. + +"We may stay here for several days, I don't know exactly how long," +the young aviator told his assistant. + +"You don't suppose that the Dawsons and the Drifter are anywhere +near here, do you?" inquired Hiram. + +"Perhaps not, but we are near Ironton, on the American side of Lake +Superior. If Mr. Price's theories are all right, that fellow, +Ridgely, will begin his new operations somewhere in this district." + +"I see," nodded Hiram. "What are we to do now--sleep?" + +"As much as we like for the next eight or ten hours." + +"I'm ready," announced Hiram. "It's been fine and dandy up aloft +there, but I notice that when it doesn't make a fellow hungry it +does make him good and sleepy." + +"All right, we'll bunk down, Hiram. I don't think any one is likely +to run across us in this out-of-the-way place." + +"I don't think so, either," responded Hiram, and was soon asleep and +snoring. + +The breakfast programme of the previous morning was repeated later. +Hiram called the whole thing a picnic, and was jolly and happy. + +"One thing, though," he said; "isn't something exciting going to +happen soon, Dave?" + +"We ought to be pretty well satisfied with the splendid cruise of +the Monarch II," suggested Dave. + +"Yes, but I'm getting anxious to run across some of the smugglers. +I've read a lot about them in the papers and books. They must be +great fellows to tackle, with their cutlasses, and walking the +plank, and treasure hoards." + +"Why, Hiram," laughed Dave, "you're not thinking of smugglers." + +"What am I then?" + +"Pirates." + +"Oh, yes, that's so," agreed Hiram. "Well, the Dawsons are worse +than pirates. They won't give up that airship without a tussle, I +can tell you." + +"All I want to do is to locate them," said Dave. "The government +will do the rest." + +Dave left the camp, as they called it, about noon. He had some +difficulty in getting from the island to the mainland, as the soil +was soggy and at places two feet deep with water. He accomplished +the task, however, with only a slight wetting. + +The young aviator had been given the address, of one of Mr. Price's +men at Ironton. He visited his office, but found him absent for the +day. Then he wired his progress to the Interstate people and told +them if necessary to reach, him at the Northern Hotel. + +Dave went to the hotel and made arrangement with the clerk as to +mail and telegrams. He decided to remain in the vicinity of Ironton +till he got in touch with the revenue officer's agent there. He was +just leaving the hotel when one placed a hand on his shoulder, with +the friendly words: + +"Why, hello, Dashaway." + +Dave turned quickly, startled for a moment. Then his face broke +into smiles of warm welcome. + +"Mr. Alden," he said, and returned the friendly hand clasp of his +companion. + +The chance meeting took Dave's mind back instantly to a most +pleasant period of his experience since leaving his guardian's home +at Brookville. + +It was Mr. Alden, the moving picture man, who had given Dave what +might be called his first start in business life. Dave had posed +for the "movies," and later he and Mr. King had taken a prominent +part in some motion pictures bringing in the monoplane, the Aegis. + +"I didn't expect to see you way up here, Dashaway," spoke Mr. Alden. +"How are you getting along?" + +"First class, thanks to the friendly help you gave me in the first +place," responded the young aviator. + +"I'm glad of that. Come up to my room and tell me all about it, +Dashaway. Now then, for a talk over old times," resumed the moving +picture man, as they were comfortably seated in his room at the +hotel. + +Dave parried a good many questions. He did not exactly wish to tell +Mr. Alden about his business, which in the present case was also +that of his employers. He managed to lead Mr. Alden to talk of his +own affairs. + +"Oh, I've had the actors up here on a lot of marine scenarios," +explained the moving picture man. "They went away only this +morning. We've been picturing 'The Island Hermit of Lake Superior,' +'Iron Miners' Revenge,' 'Flight Across the Border,' and 'The +Mystery of the Pineries.' Great scenery around here for fittings, +you see. There are some of my key negatives on the table there, +look them over." + +Dave examined some of the films with interest. The former kindness +of Mr. Alden and his party had left a warm spot in the heart of the +young aviator for anything concerning the movies." + +"There's some plain slides we made to catch the costumes and +figures," added Mr. Alden, pointing to a rack containing about a +dozen glass negatives. + +Dave began holding them up to the light in turn. He had inspected +perhaps one half of them, when he somewhat startled the moving +picture man with a sharp sudden exclamation. + +"Mr. Alden," he asked quite excitedly, "where did you take that +slide?" + + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +ON DESERT ISLAND + + +The young aviator might well ask the question he put to the moving +picture man, for the negative in Dave's hand showed plainly the face +and figure of Jerry Dawson. + +There could be no mistake. The boy who had run away with the +Drifter had features strongly marked and not readily forgotten. The +picture had been taken in the open street. Jerry was standing there +talking to a Chinaman. + +"Some scene you know, Dashaway?" asked Mr. Alden. + +"No, somebody I know--and am very anxious to find," replied Dave. + +"So? Let me have a look at it." + +Dave handed the plate to the moving picture man, who slanted it +against the light and nodded intelligently. + +"Oh, that?" he said. "Yes, I remember all about it." + +"Where did you take it, Mr. Alden?" pressed Dave. + +"At Anseton. There's a sort of foreign quarter there, and I was +catching up some street scenes. It was the Chinaman I shot. Wanted +the costume, you know." + +"When was that?" asked Dave. + +"Yesterday morning." + +Dave asked a score of questions. The moving picture man saw that +Dave had some important motive in his inquiries. He did not ask +what it was, and was patient and careful in his replies. + +Dave left Mr. Alden feeling that he had learned a good deal. The +presence of Jerry Dawson in Anseton, and that, too, with a Chinaman, +verified many of the theories of the young aviator. Dave lost no +time in getting to a telegraph office, to send a dispatch that would +reach Mr. Price. It told briefly of the progress of the Monarch II +and of the definite clew Dave had just discovered. + +That afternoon our hero hired a hand cart he saw in a blacksmith's +yard labeled "For Sale." He drove it as near to the swamp island as +he could, without getting stuck in the mud. Then, he called to +Hiram, who put himself in wading trim. The empty gasoline cans were +over to the cart by Hiram. Dave trundled them to the town, got them +filled and to the island, and, returning the cart, was ready to +prepare for a new night journey. + +"It's less than sixty miles that we have to go, Hiram," he advised +his assistant. + +"Then you've found out something definite?" guessed Hiram. + +"Yes, I have got a trace of Jerry Dawson." + +"You don't say so!" + +"I do, and I'll tell you how," and Dave recited the story of his +meeting with the moving picture man. + +"Why, that's just grand," commented Hiram in his exuberant way. +"You've good as run down the Drifter." + +"Not quite, Hiram." + +"Oh, you'll find the stolen airship. I feel it in my bones. I've +felt it ever since I saw the way you took hold of this affair." + +"Well, I've had good help and a splendid machine, you must +remember." + +"I don't go much on the help," declared Hiram modestly. "As to the +Monarch II, though, I never saw such a well-behaved machine. If she +does in the water what she's done in the air, she's a record +breaker, sure." + +The machine was put in the best possible trim. It lacked two hours +of nightfall but Dave had plenty to occupy his mind. For over an +hour he sat looking over maps and memoranda, and blocking out his +course. He had been very explicit and painstaking in questioning +the moving picture man. He had made inquiries concerning Anseton +and its vicinity down to the smallest detail. From all this Dave +had decided on a permanent landing place, a sort of headquarters +from which he could branch out in his personal investigations in the +day time and sally forth on an air hunt in the dark. + +The aviators could distinctly hear a bell in some tower tolling the +hour of nine as they circled a busy city that lay beyond and below, +them, a blur of light. Dave at the levers kept the Monarch II at a +fair height, constantly scanning an expanse to the north dotted only +here and there with lights. Once past the outskirts of the city he +turned due north. + +"Why, hello!" exclaimed his companion, "we're over water!" + +"Yes," replied Dave, "it's the lake." + +"Lake Superior! Dave, are we going to cross it?" + +"A good many times in the future probably, but not tonight. I am +looking for a revolving light west of the city, right along the +coast." + +"I'll keep a lookout, too." + +The lake was here and there dotted with the signal lights of +steamers. Along the shore, which Dave skirted closely, various +lights their met view. Both boys strained their gaze. Finally +Hiram called out sharply: "I see it, Dave." + +"See what?" + +"A revolving light." + +"Where?" + +"See, just beyond that little cluster of town lights--quite high +up." + +"Yes," answered Dave in a tone of satisfaction. "That is Rocky +Point lighthouse. I know my bearings, now." + +"Are you going to land, Dave?" + +"Presently." + +"But you're driving out further over the lake." + +"Just for a short distance, Hiram," advised Dave. "There's an +island down shore where they run a smelter--ah, I think I locate +it." + +Dave was not mistaken. He came within range of some tall, stacks +sending out sparks and flames. Now he changed his course. He kept +his glance fixed below him and to the right as steadily as his +duties at the lever would permit. + +The Monarch II passed over two small islands. Half a mile beyond +them arose a third larger one. It was quite prominent, for the +reason, that it presented a range of great cliffs. Dave navigated +the air in narrowing circles. Then, timing and calculating a +volplane glide, he let the machine down easily to the ground. + +"Well!" ejaculated Hiram, "you've hit on a pretty dark spot for a +camp, Dave." + +"And a safe one," replied the young aviator. "Mr. Alden described +this place to me. It is called Desert Island, and has no +inhabitants on it. It seems dark because we are so shut in, but +your eyes will soon become used to that." + +It was a singular place into which the Monarch II had descended. +High declivitous, masses of rock formed a sort of immense cairn. +They seemed shut in on every side, fully one hundred feet below the +level of the cliffs. + +The farther north they had run the cooler air currents had become. +Both boys felt somewhat chilly. + +"See here," spoke Hiram, after they had seen that the machine was +all right and a rubber sheet thrown over the machinery to protect it +from the heavy night dews, "a warm cup coffee wouldn't hurt us." + +"That's right, Hiram," agreed Dave. "We are all shut in here, and +even a big fire wouldn't show from the land or the deck of a +passenger steamer. You can try your hand at coffee making, if you +like." + +"The coffee is all made, but cold, in these bottles," explained +Hiram, fishing out two from the accommodation basket. + +There were both trees and bushes near by. Hiram gathered some dry +branches and roots and soon had a comfortable little campfire +going. He poured out the coffee from the bottles into a tin water +pail, and soon had it steaming hot. Sandwiches and some bakery +stuff Dave had bought at Ironton made a very satisfactory meal. +Then they spread some wraps over a heap of dried grass, which they +gathered up without much trouble. They rested in luxurious ease, +watching the bright, snapping fire glow and feeling its genial +warmth. + +"Well, this is just like Robinson Crusoe, isn't it, Dave?" asked +Hiram, with an air of great comfort. + +"If you are a man Friday, then," rejoined the young aviator with a +smile, "you scout around in the morning and see if there are any +breaks in these great walls of rock shutting us in." + +"Oh, then you're not counting an leaving here again by the air +route?" inquired Hiram in some surprise. + +"Not in daylight. I want to find some other way out for that. You +see," explained Dave, "this is just an ideal spot as a rendezvous. +I want to get over to the city tomorrow, though, to attend to some +important business." + +"How are you going to get there?" + +"Why, I'll have to trust to my swimming skill, I guess," replied +Dave. + +"Um-m," observed Hiram thoughtfully, and, if the young aviator had +been more watchful, he would have noticed that for the rest of the +evening his willing assistant seemed to have something on his mind. + + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE SEARCHLIGHT + + +"Hallo! Hallo!" + +Dave made the echoes ring with the loud call as he moved up and down +and across the queer basin, or cairn, where they had landed in the +Monarch II the night previous. + +He had awakened just at daylight to find Hiram Dobbs mysteriously +missing. Dave was not worried at the first, but as he looked around +and then explored the immediate neighborhood, he began to get +mystified, if not alarmed. + +Neither did his vigorous shouting bring any response. Dave came +back to the camp spot to make a new discovery that puzzled him. On +the ground near where they had slept were Hiram's coat, vest, shoes +and cap. + +"Why, I can't understand this at all," mused the young aviator. +"Hiram couldn't have done much in the way of climbing up, he appears +to be nowhere within hail, and he is not given to play tricks." + +Dave did not wait to eat anything. He was really concerned about +his comrade. He got a long tree branch, stripped it, and went along +the side of the cairn, poking in and out among the dense dumps of +shrubbery. + +"Hello," he exclaimed suddenly, as disturbing some vines he saw an +opening, and not twenty feet away a natural rocky tunnel, "daylight, +and the waves of the lake. I think I understand now." + +Dave penetrated the passage. As he came out at the other end, he +found he faced a rock-strewn stretch of sand. The waves of the lake +lapped this. In the distance he could make out Anseton, and nearer +still, about a mile distant, the main shore. + +The shore he was on terminated in a ridge of rocks that ran far out +into the water. Dave wondered if the exploring spirit had moved +Hiram to attempt an entire circle about the island. + +"He went away in swimming trim," thought Dave, "so that may be so. +I'll go out on that ledge of rocks and explore a little myself." + +"Hello, Dave Dashaway!" sang out an exultant voice, just as Dave was +about to remove his shoes. + +Around the ledge of rock came a light skiff. The oarsman was Dave's +missing comrade. He drove the boat upon the sandy beach and leaped +out with a gay laugh. + +"Why, Hiram," exclaimed the young aviator in marked surprise. + +"It's me," chuckled Hiram. "Stole a march on you. Nearly dry," he +added, shaking his clinging garments. "And oh! what a swim." + +"You have been to the mainland?" questioned Dave. + +"Where else? When you said 'swim' last night, it gave me an idea. +I'm some swimmer, Dave Dashaway. Always was. Took the prize in a +contest in Plum Creek back at home one Fourth of July. I found a +way out of that shut in place and made a jolly dive for shore." + +"But the skiff?" + +"You'll need one, won't you?" challenged Hiram. + +"Why, yes. I intended hiring one when I got across from the +island." + +"So you said, and I acted. I did better than hiring a boat, Dave." + +"How is that?" + +"Bought one outright. I took my money with me. Found an old fellow +who lets out a lot of boats for fishing, and made a bargain. The +skiff isn't the staunchest craft on the lake. Leaks a little, and +one oar has been split and mended, but it's all right for our little +use. Four dollars and a half--and we can sell it for something when +we get through using it." + +"You're a great fellow, Hiram, I must confess," said Dave +admiringly. + +"I'd like to do something to help on this trip of ours, you know." + +"You've done a good deal this time, I can tell you that," declared +Dave. "I can manage all my plans finely, now." + +They pulled the boat into the shelter of some rocks. Then they +returned to the rocky hollow. A good breakfast was in order. Dave +announced the importance of his getting to Anseton at once. + +An hour later the little skiff was launched once more. Dave rowed +over to the mainland and lined the shore till well into city waters. +He secured the skiff near a public pier, and started on foot for his +destination. + +Left to himself on the island, Hiram proceeded to dry his clothing. +Then he puttered about the machine. He read for an hour or two in a +book on aeronautics he found in the basket, well on towards the +afternoon. + +Hiram got tired of waiting for Dave. He went through the tunnel +finally and roamed about on the rocky shore. There was more of +scenery and variety here. The youth watched the boats in the +distance. Then he made out the little skiff he had bought that +morning making its way in and out among other craft between the +island, and the mainland. + +"What's the news, Dave?" inquired Hiram, as they gained the camp +after securing the skiff where it could not be easily seen or found. + +"The best ever," reported Dave cheerily. + +"Tell me about it, won't you?" + +"Well, I saw Mr. Price." + +"Is he here at Anseton?" + +"Yes, with his men. I had a long talk with him. He feels pretty +good to know that we got here safely with the Monarch II. I told +him all about the place where the moving picture man saw Jerry +Dawson and the Chinaman. He thinks that is an excellent clew." + +"I should think it was," said Hiram. + +"He wants us to try and discover the Drifter. He says it's only a +question of time, he and his men running down the smugglers. You +see, Hiram, we are interested mainly in finding the aero-hydroplane, +and getting it back to the Interstate people." + +"That's so." + +"And we must think of that first." + +"I understand." + +"We will make a long trip tonight--clear across the lake." + +"Suppose you get a sight of the Drifter?" + +"Then we'll know that it is really here, won't we?" + +"Yes, but are you going to jog right into them and capture them?" + +"Hardly," laughed Dave. "I hope if we do come across the Drifter, +that we can follow it or keep it company, or find out where it is +hidden away in the daytime. We will have to run across it before we +can decide what circumstances will lead us to do." + +"They're an ugly crowd--the Dawsons, and probably the fellows with +them, too." + +"I realize that. Mr. Price insisted on my taking these," and Dave +began opening a boxlike package he had brought with him in the +skiff. + +"Hello," cried Hiram, as two good sized weapons and some boxes of +cartridges were disclosed. "Do we have to use them?" + +"I hope not," replied Dave, "but Mr. Price said we might come to a +pinch where we could use them to show we were not unprotected, and +to scare any crowd that tried to interfere with us." + +"Well, it begins to look like real business," commented Hiram. + +"That's what we're here for." + +"Yes, indeed." + +They had no difficulty in getting the Monarch II aloft, the hollow +extending for several hundred feet. The night was ideal for a +secret sky voyage. A slight mist hung over the ground, but at a +height of five hundred feet the air was perfectly clear. There was +bright starlight, and against the radiance they could make out +flying birds quite a distance away. + +Dave took a route across the lake diagonally from Anseton. They +skirted the other shore for about ten miles. Then they recrossed +the lake. The machine made a sweep along the coast line. + +"Well, Dave," remarked his trusty assistant, "we've run across no +air bird so far." + +"I didn't expect to, all at once," was Dave's reply. "We can only +keep at it." + +"And trust to luck--I say!" + +Hiram interrupted himself with a shout. Just beneath them an +excursion steamer was ploughing its way through the waves, bound +citywards on its return trip. They could hear the music of the band +aboard, until now drowned out by hoarse blare of the fog whistle. + +At the same moment a broad vivid flare of electric radiance shot +across the sky from the deck of the steamer. It waved horizontally +in some signal to the landing dock two miles further away. Then the +operator of this glowing searchlight sent its gleams upwards in a +slow way, as if for scenic effect for the passengers on board. + +"The mischief!" exclaimed Dave bending to levers and starting the +Monarch II forward at best speed. + +Hiram sat staring. He blinked, half-blinded. The machine was +irradiated in clear, sharp outlines as the great searchlight glare +was focused, a speck of action in the sky. + +A chorus of cheers went up from the deck of the steamer as its +passengers caught sight of the airship. Only for a moment, however, +was the brilliant sky picture in view. Dave turned the head of the +machine on a volplane sweep, and the searchlight operator could not +locate it again. + +"Well, we've been seen," observed Hiram, + +"I'm sorry for it," replied Dave simply. + +"Look there!" cried Hiram abruptly. + +Dave had selected a course leading over the land, away from the +water. As Hiram spoke, his own eye caught sight of some brilliant +sparkles of light. + +It was a rocket, exploding in mid air directly in their course, and +it was to this that Hiram Dobbs had directed the attention of the +young aviator. + + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +ACROSS THE BORDER + + +"Did you see it?" asked Hiram, in a great state of excitement. + +"Yes," responded Dave. "A rocket." + +"See! See!" continued Hiram-"there's it second one!" + +"Sure enough." + +"Dave, this means something." + +"For us, you think?" + +"Yes, I do. Keep near the place where these rockets were fired, +Dave. Now then, what do you think?" + +Dave slowed down. There was certainly something to his companion's +surmises or suspicions, whatever they were. Directly at the spot +whence the rockets had been fired there now suddenly flared up a +great reach of flames. + +Watching these, the interested aviators saw them change to a reddish +hue. Three times, at brief intervals, they did this. + +"Don't you see?" persisted Hiram. + +"See what?" asked Dave. + +"A signal." + +"You think so?" + +"I surely do. Now, then, look sharp. There are figures about the +fire. The fire is pitch or oil, or something that could be made to +flame up quickly. One of the men threw something into it from a +box. It was red fire." + +"Why, yes," observed Dave slowly. "I'll admit that was some kind of +a signal." + +"For the airship," interrupted Hiram quickly. "Look, look again, +Dave! One of the men is shading his eyes from the glare of the +fire, and is looking straight up into the sky. Why, it's plain as +day. They saw our airship when that searchlight caught us. They +were waiting for an airship to come along." + +"Another airship than ours, you mean?" + +"That's it, and I'll bet the Drifter! They took ours for the +Drifter. They want us to land. Why, see there, one of the fellows +is looking through a field glass--as if he could make us out in the +dark away up here!" + +It did not take Dave long to drift to Hiram's way of thinking. The +spot where the fire showed seemed to be a large yard of some kind, +attached to a factory. + +"Of course this is all guess work, Hiram," said Dave, after a +moment's thought. "Just the same, it fits in to your theory." + +"Say," spoke Hiram suddenly, "I've an idea." + +"What is it, Hiram?" + +"Make a stop just as soon as you can." + +"What's that for?" + +"Let me out, and give me a chance to find out who that signal was +intended for." + +"I declare, it's not a bad plan," said Dave at once. + +"Can't you find some safe place where we can land?" + +"There won't be much trouble about that." + +"Do it, Dave," urged Hiram, "and right away, so I won't lose track +of the place yonder." + +Dave inspected the country below as closely as he could at a +distance. He circled to a lower level, and selected a patch of high +grass between two corn fields. + +"Now then," announced Hiram. "I'm off." + +"I shall wait anxiously for your return, Hiram." + +"Don't worry, I shan't get into any trouble." + +Dave did not leave the flying machine. He kept himself in readiness +for a flight, should anyone approach the spot. There was not much +fear of that, though, he reasoned, as the place was away from the +traversed roads and paths. + +The young aviator had quite a spell of waiting. He began to fear +that Hiram had lost his way or that something had happened to him, +as an hour passed by. Suddenly, however, his active young assistant +bounded into view, chipper and lively as usual. + +"What news, Hiram?" inquired Dave. + +"The best in the world." + +"You have found out something?" + +"You'll think so when I tell you," declared Hiram. "I found the +place where they sent up the rockets without much trouble." + +"What was it, Hiram?" + +"An old factory yard. Part of the buildings have been burned down, +and three or four loaferish looking fellows seem to live in an old +shake down there. They belong to the crowd of that fellow, Ridgely, +the smuggler, right enough." + +"How did you know that, Hiram?" asked Dave. + +"Because I overheard them. They had let their signal fire burn down +low, and were sitting around it talking. I crept up behind an old +shed and listened. It was as near as I dared to get, and I could +catch only a word now and then. They spoke the name Drifter," +asserted Hiram positively. + +"You didn't see anything of Jerry Dawson?" asked Dave. + +"No, but--say, yes, they mentioned his name, too. They were all +excited about seeing our airship. It seems they were trying to +warn the Drifter." + +"To warn the Drifter?" repeated Dave somewhat puzzled. + +"Yes." + +"Why, what for?" + +"To keep away from the American shore. Somehow, they had found out +that the revenue officers were at Anseton. They knew, too, that the +Interstate people had an airship out after them. It seems that when +we didn't reply to their signal, they guessed that they had hailed +the wrong airship. They have sent a man to the city to telegraph to +the men on the Canadian side to look out for an airship on their +track." + +"You don't know where they are going to telegraph to, Hiram?" + +"But I do," cried Hiram triumphantly. "That's my big discovery. +They talked over the whole thing. The message is to be sent to a +friend at Brantford. He is to ride post haste horseback ten miles +west of that place to where the Drifter people have a camp in what +they call Big Moose Woods." + +"Hiram," applauded the young aviator, "you're a jewel. Why, you +have simplified the whole business." + +"And you're going right after the Drifter?" propounded Hiram +eagerly. + +"'We're going to try to," replied Dave, "but first we must get word +of all this to Mr. Price." + +The Monarch II had mounted aloft while they were conversing. Dave +started the machine in a direction opposite to that in which they +had been going. Hiram noted this. + +"Are you going back to Desert Island?" he asked. + +"First, yes. Then I shall skiff over to Anseton and report to Mr. +Price direct or through any of his agents I may find." + +The machine was brought safely to her old moorings within an hour. +Dave, after landing on Desert Island, at once rowed over to the +mainland. Hiram was full of curiosity when he returned. + +"It's all right," Dave explained. "I was lucky enough to meet Mr. +Price himself. He and his men had already acted on the clew that +picture of Jerry and the Chinaman gave us. The old factory yard +where the rockets were sent up will be under watch before the night +is over, and Mr. Price is going to Brantford on a special boat." + +"Then the crowd who stole the Drifter are as good as caught!" +exclaimed Hiram hopefully. + +"Hardly," replied Dave. "Mr. Price has advised me to get the +Monarch II over to the Canadian side of the lake to night!" + +"Which you are going to do, Dave?" + +"Right away." + +Dave, while in Anseton, had made some necessary inquiries as to the +location of Brantford. He had also got a very good idea of Big +Moose Woods. His arrangements with the revenue officer had been +precise. He was aware that their only chance of getting near to the +missing airship was to make new headquarters somewhere in the +vicinity of Brantford, just as they had on Desert Island. + +The darkness was fading in the east when Dave selected a plateau on +the top of a high hill as a landing place. Once landed, trees and +bushes at its crest hid them from view except from overhead. Dave +had used diligence and haste in getting out of possible sight, for +day was breaking. + +They had reach Brantford, sailed over it, and Dave calculated had +skirted the vicinity of Big Moose Woods. Nowhere, however, had +lights, a campfire or any other token indicated the camp or +rendezvous of the Drifter party. + +"We are within twenty miles of Brantford," Dave announced. + +"And what's the programme?" inquired Hiram. + +"Sleep, for we need it. We seem to be safely shut in here. Later +we'll plan just what we will do." + +"If the Dawson crowd are warned all around about us and the revenue +officers, they may run for some other territory," suggested Hiram. + +"We want to be on the lookout for that," replied the young aviator. + +They made themselves a comfortable bed, and both were soon asleep. +Hiram woke up first; and found the sun shining in his eyes, and was +about to shift his position, intent on a longer nap, when he checked +himself not moving a muscle. + +Through his half closed eyelids, still feigning sleep, Hiram kept +his glance fixed on one spot. He almost held his breath. Thus for +nearly five minutes he lay inert, but every nerve on the keenest +edge. + +His glance widened and seemed to be following some disappearing +object. Then he sat straight upright, stared fixedly down the hill, +and leaning over pulled his companion by the sleeve. + +"Dave! Dave!" whispered the excited boy-"wake up! We've been +discovered!" + + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +A CHASE IN MID AIR + + +Dave roused up, wide awake in an instant. He was about to spring to +his feet, when Hiram pulled him back with the words: + +"Don't get up." + +"Why not?" inquired the somewhat puzzled young aviator. + +"You'll be seen." + +"Who by?" + +"A man who was just here." + +"Do you mean that, Hiram?" exclaimed Dave in a startled tone. + +"I certainly do. Look," said Hiram, pointing, and then he added: +"No, the trees shut him out now. As I just said, though, we have +been discovered." + +Now Hiram arose to his feet, the danger of being seen appearing to +have passed. Dave followed his example. + +"Some one was here, you say?" began Dave. + +"Yes." + +"Who was it?" + +"A fellow who looked like some of the half breed Indians we saw +fishing over near Anseton. I woke up, and he came in range clear as +a picture. It was over by that thicket of pine trees. There he +stood, staring at our machine, then at us. He seemed to take it in +with a good deal of surprise. Finally he threw up his hands as if +he was making up his mind to something, and started on a run down +the hill." + +"In that direction?" asked Dave, pointing due east. + +"Yes, in the direction of Brantford. I tell you, Dave, he's a spy. +If he ran across us accidentally then he's gone to tell his friends +about discovering the airship." + +"That doesn't follow," remarked Dave thoughtfully, "but I'm glad you +saw him." + +"Yes, I think we need to keep a pretty close lookout. Say, Dave," +questioned Hiram, "if he is some friend of the Dawson crowd, and has +gone to tell them about us, what do you suppose they'll do?" + +"I have no idea," replied the young aviator. "But they won't catch +us napping." + +Dave kept a close watch out in all directions while Hiram hurried up +a quick breakfast. They got through with the meal rapidly. Then +Dave went over the machine, seeing that the gasoline tanks were full +and the gearing and oiling apparatus in good order. + +Two hours went by, and there were no developments that indicated +that the visitor to their camp had been other than a straggler, with +no purpose in view in his rapid disappearance. Hiram became more +matter-of-fact, and guessed he had "got scared for nothing." All +the same he kept a close lookout all of the time, particularly in +the direction of Brantford. + +Dave was planning a visit on foot to that town. He decided, +however, that he would wait till afternoon so as to be sure that +there was no occasion for worry. Both lads discovered the fallacy +of their theories at the same moment. + +"Look!" suddenly shouted Hiram, pointing. + +"I see," said Dave calmly, but under the surface greatly stirred up. + +"It's the Drifter!" + +"Yes." + +"What are you going to do?" + +"Come," spoke Dave simply, and sprang into his seat in the Machine. + +Hiram hastily collected their few belongings scattered about the +spot. He bundled them into the accommodation basket, and was in his +place almost as soon as Dave. + +The eyes of both of the young aviators were fixed on a rapidly approaching +object--an airship. Dave did not have to glance at its construction more +than once to know definitely that it was the stolen Drifter. + +Whoever was at the levers, Jerry or his father, thoroughly +understood his business, Dave saw that. The aero-hydroplane came +rather abruptly into view over a wooded hill top, and was rapidly +approaching them. + +"You see, I was right," said Hiram hastily. "That half breed was a +spy, at least to that crowd. He has directed them here." + +"All ready," ordered Dave, in a set, sturdy tone, and the self +starter began to work. + +"What is it--a chase?" fluttered Hiram. + +"We'll have to wait and see. You know what kind of fellows the +Dawsons are. I'm not going to sit like a bird in a nest and have +them swoop down upon us, though." + +"There are three--you can count them in their airship," said Hiram, +shading his eyes and craning his neck. + +"Four," corrected Dave. "The Drifter has a capacity of five +ordinary people, Mr. Randolph told me." + +The Monarch II made a magnificent slanting rise up into the air. +Dave knew the splendid qualities of the machine under his control. +They included an ability for a quick light ascent. He had no idea +of the purpose of the Drifter crowd, but of course their main object +was to capture their rival. The question was, failing in this, how, +far would they go in the way of crippling or even destroying the +Monarch II. + +The Drifter was headed on a course directly towards the eminence +which the boys had just left behind them. There had come up an +eight hour wind about noon, and Dave knew that would be child's play +maneuvering to avoid the enemy intent on annoying or injuring them. +He drove ahead at a six hundred feet level and waited for the +Drifter crowd to indicate what their purpose was. + +"They are changing their course!" said Hiram quickly, as the Drifter +wheeled suddenly. + +"They are going to try a new ascent," explained Dave. + +"Why?" + +"o get to a higher level than ourselves." + +"Then they mean mischief?" + +"I am afraid that they do," replied the young aviator. + +"Maybe they are trying to scare us," suggested Hiram. + +Dave was now certain that the purpose of the Dawsons was to pursue, +capture or intimidate them, or drive them away. They had a superb +machine, and as they made a far lateral shoot it brought them +considerably higher up than the Monarch II. + +In fact, after one or two circles, like a huge bird swooping after +prey, the Drifter came almost directly over them. + +Dave's tactics were now purely defensive and evasive. There were +five people aboard the aero-hydroplane, and they were desperate +persons. He was not surprised when an object same shooting +downwards from the Drifter. It struck one of the plane wires and +then dropped earthwards. + +"Something's whipped loose," spoke Hiram quickly. + +"It's one of the elevator wires," said Dave, darting a quick glance +at the spot. "This won't do." + +Now it was an over-water flight with no measured course to pursue. +The Drifter tried to repeat its recent tactics. Dave noticed that +the Monarch II had become somewhat faulty in its running. He was +anxious to get away from the enemy. His main efforts were directed +towards preserving a sure balance, for once or twice there was a +wobble, as if the machine was hurt in some vital part. + +The young aviator made out a buoy a few miles to the west. Beyond +it was a little settlement. He set his course for reaching it, and +directed his full attention to the levers and the angle indicated. + +The indicator was directly in front of the pilot seat. It showed +positively how the machine was flying, on the top or down bank. It +comprised a cup with lines set about ten degrees, and gave a sure +safety limit. Only the pendulum was movable. This was mounted on +an arm always perpendicular, a small mirror reflecting the +variations of the pendulum. + +Climbing and banking, Dave got quite a lead on the Drifter, but the +aero-hydroplane kept up a steady pursuit. + +"There's something the matter besides the broken wire," spoke Dave +to his anxious companion. "The oil intake is dogged or one of the +planes loose. We can't take any risks." + +Dave sent the Monarch II on a downward shoot. There was a single +pontoon in the center of the craft, with small tanks beneath the +planes to prevent tipping over in the water. Dave aimed to hit the +bay near to the shore. + +Suddenly the aircraft acted queer. It had evidently struck a hole +in the air. The machine seemed fairly to drop from under its +occupants, and thirty feet from the water, Dave was lifted from his +seat and took a sudden plunge over-board. + +He went under the surface and came up dazed and nearly stunned. As +he floated, dashing the water from his eyes, he saw the Drifter, now +a flying boat, cut around a point of rocks, bearing straight down +upon him. + +Dave looked quickly about him for the Monarch II. To his surprise, +as it scudded across the waves for perhaps a hundred feet on its +momentum, it lifted again free of the surface of the bay. + +He made out Hiram clambering from his seat like a sailor among the +riggings of a ship. He saw the machine go up on a sharp slant, +clear the shore of the bay, and disappear beyond the high cliffs +lining it. + +Then something struck him. It was some light part of the rotary +engined aero-hydroplane, the Drifter, cutting the water like a +knife. His head dizzied, and the young aviator went under the +surface of the lake with a shock. + + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +DAVE A CAPTIVE + + +It took Dave an hour to find out just what had happened to him. He +roused up to find two men carrying him, one at his feet, one at his +shoulders. All that he could guess was that they were on land. How +he had been fished out of the water, and what had become of the +Drifter, the young aviator had no means of knowing. + +The two men were rough looking fellows and reminded Dave of dock +laborers or loiterers. They were big and sturdy, and as Dave +stretched out and showed signs of life, one of them remarked +gruffly. + +"None of that--no squirming, now." + +Dave's clothes were soggy and dripping. He felt somewhat sore on +one side of his head, but so far as he could figure it out he was +not crippled; or seriously hurt. + +The young aviator cast his eyes about him to, learn that they were +going through a patch of timber. Then came a meadow-like stretch, +and then a thicket. They had not gone far into that before the men +dropped him on the ground and stood over him. + +"Can you walk?" asked one of the two. + +"I think I can," replied Dave, arising quite nimbly to his feet. + +The instant he did this both of the men reached, out and seized an +arm. Dave was thus pinioned tightly as the men forced him along. + +"Most there," growled one of them gruffly. + +"Good thing," retorted the other. + +Finally they came to a dense thicket that covered a rise. About +half way up this, almost hidden by saplings and vines, Dave made +out a grim looking patched-up building. + +It was an old hut to which various additions had been made. One of +Dave's companions uttered a peculiar whistle. The door of the place +was opened, and a disreputable looking fellow like themselves +admitted them. + +"Hello, who's this?" he spoke in a tone of curiosity. + +"Oh, some one to take care of," was the short reply. + +"He don't look like a revenue." + +"Worse than that. Ridgely will tell you when he comes," was the +indifferent retort. "Have you a place to keep him tight and safe?" + +"I guess so," laughed the other, "a dozen of them." + +"One will do." + +Dave was led through several rooms. Then they came to a partition +formed of heavy timbers. In its center was a stout door with an +immense padlock. + +"Get in there," spoke the most ferocious of his captors, giving Dave +a push. + +Then the door was closed with a crash that showed how heavy it was. +Dave could hear those outside securing the padlock. + +"A prisoner, eh?" mused Dave, looking about him. "Yes, it is, +indeed, tight and safe." + +Dave's prison place was gruesome in the extreme. On three sides was +solid rock, forming a semicircular back to the room. The partition, +closed the entire front. Near its top in several places were cut +out apertures, admitting air and a little light. + +There were some broken boxes in the place and a heap of burlap. +Dave decided that it had been used at some time or other as a place +of storage. He did not yet feel normal, so he sat down on one of +the boxes and felt about his head. + +"Just a bruise," he reported. "I suppose they, dragged me aboard of +the Drifter from the water, but what about Hiram and the Monarch +II?" + +Dave started up, all weakness and dizziness disappearing as if by +magic, as he thrilled over the possible peril of his comrade. With +a recollection only of his last sight of Hiram grid the Monarch II, +he feared what might have happened to either or both. + +It worried Dave a good deal and made him restless and unhappy, but +finally he figured out a theory. In some unaccountable way the +Monarch II had no sooner glided along on its pontoon, than it had +run straightway up into the air, as though the self starter was in +perfect action. Dave recalled Hiram struggling to reach the pilot's +seat. Then he had witnessed the disappearance of the Monarch II. + +"I doubt if Hiram could manage the machine--I even doubt with +something wrong with it, as there surely was, if he could keep it +adrift," decided Dave. "What then?" + +The young aviator pictured Hiram and the machine in a tangle among +the trees, or dropping upset among the rocks. He had not seen +anything of the Dawsons or the Drifter since he had fallen into the +water of the bay. Perhaps, he reasoned, they had resumed an air +chase of the fugitive. + +Dave had several hours to himself. He detected no sound or movement +outside of the strange room he was in. It was dreadfully dull and +lonesome, and he wondered what the outcome of his present adventure +would be. + +It was well along in the day, when Dave from sheer weariness and +worry had lain down among the heaps of burlap, that a diversion came +to monotony. He started up as he heard voice outside of the door. +Then the padlock rattled, the door opened, and some one stepped +across the threshold. The visitor stared about to locate Dave, and +spoke the words: + +"That you, Dashaway?" + +The room was lighter now, with the door half open. Dave rubbed his +eyes and strained his gaze, and took a good look at the speaker. + +"Don't you know me?" challenged the latter. + +"Oh, yes," replied Dave, "I see now. You are the gentleman we +rescued from the lake at Columbus." + +"I don't suppose you think me much of a gentleman just now, +Dashaway," spoke Ridgely, for, he was, in fact Dave's visitor. + +His tone was somewhat regretful, and not at all unfriendly. Dave +was shrewd enough to discover this, and politic enough to take quick +advantage of it. + +"Oh, I don't know," he said. "Of course you are with the crowd who +had me locked in here." + +"I'm sorry to say that's true," responded Ridgely. + +"It's not pleasant here, I can tell you," said Dave, "and the whole +thing is pretty high handed, don't you think so, Mr. Ridgely?" + +"I don't think it, Dashaway, I know, it. See here, I've got nothing +against you. On the contrary, I owe you a good deal. I'm not +forgetting that you saved my life when my launch struck the rocks +near Columbus." + +Dave was silent, resolved to let the man have his say out. + +"I was in a fix then, I was in a fix before I got there, and I'm +afraid I'm in a fix now," continued Ridgely. "I've come to see you +in the right spirit, Dashaway." + +"How is that?" inquired Dave. + +"Sick of the whole combination. I thought I was smart, but you and +your people are smarter. Young Dawson convinced me that we could +run things so our airship could make trips for a long time, and here +you are on our trail within seventy-two hours." + +"Yes, Mr. Ridgely," acknowledged the young aviator. "They found a +clew and started pursuit right after you stole the Drifter." + +"You mean you did. Don't be modest, Dashaway. I've learned a good +deal about you, and if I hadn't about decided to quit business I'd +offer you a job." + +"What!" smiled Dave--"smuggling?" + +"Well, it pays pretty big, you know." + +"Does it?" replied Dave. "I fail to see it. I wouldn't like to be +in a position where I was being chased half over the country." + +"H'm, we won't discuss it," retorted Ridgely in a moody tone. "I +came to tell you that you won't be hurt any." + +"But I want to get away from here," insisted Dave. + +"That will be all, too," Ridgely assured him. "You see, we know now +that things are going to break up. I don't suppose you would tell +me how closely the revenue officers are on our track." + +"So close," replied Dave gravely, "that you won't dare to cross the +border any more." + +"Are they on the Canadian side yet?" questioned Ridgely anxiously. + +"I don't know that, and I shouldn't feel right in telling you if I +did," replied Dave. "You had better let me go, Mr. Ridgely. It +won't sound well, when things get righted, that you kept me a +prisoner here." + +"I haven't all the say about that, Dashaway," confessed Ridgely in a +rueful way. "I don't think the Dawsons will let you go until they +are sure of making themselves safe." + +"Do you know what became of our airship, Mr. Ridgely?" Dave asked +pointedly. + +"No, I don't--none of us do. Young Dawnson is pretty good in the +air, but he didn't seem to know how to get off the water quickly. +After we got you aboard, we lost a lot of time getting you ashore, +and, up in the air again, when we started in the direction we had +seen your airship go, we could find no trace of it." + +"I hope nothing his happened to Hiram," thought Dave, very +anxiously. + +"If I get away," resumed Ridgely, "I want you to tell the people +after me, if you can, that I'm all through with the smuggling +business. I've had my fill of it." + +The speaker turned to leave the room, but Dave halted him with the +question: + +"What are you going to do about me, Mr. Ridgely?" + +"I am going to order the people here to treat you the best they know +how," was the prompt response. + +"That's all very well enough," said Dave, "but I have business to +attend to." + +"What business, Dashaway?" + +"Our airship and my friend." + +Ridgely looked troubled. He was thoughtfully, silent for a moment +or two. Then he said: + +"Look here, Dashaway, our men are looking for your airship, and that +means your friend, too, of course. I've got to go to Brantford, but +I shall leave word that they must look after your friend, and let +you go the minute I send back word that the coast is clear for them +to scatter." + +"But what about the Drifter, Mr. Ridgley?" persisted Dave. "It is +the property of my employers. I came after it, and I want it." + +A faint smile of mingled amusement and admiration crossed the face +of Ridgely. Reckless fellow that he was, he could not fail to +recognize the fact that Dave, indeed, had business to attend to. + +"You take it pretty cool, Dashaway," he observed. + +"Because I am in the right," asserted Dave, "as you well know. The +Dawsons are malicious people. I want you to warn them that if they +do, any unnecessary injury to the Drifter, it will make it the worse +for them in the final reckoning that is bound to come." + +"I don't think they will do the airship any injury." + +"You don't know them as I do. Desperate fellows like the Dawsons +will do anything at times." + +"Dashaway, don't you think you are rather hard on them--and on me?" + +"I know the Dawsons--I don't know much about you." + +"I am not so bad as you think I am." + +"Then why don't you set me free?" + +"We won't discuss that, now. You had better think it over." + +"I have thought it over. I am grateful to you for saving me, +but--well at present I can't do anything." + +"You mean, you won't." + +"Well, have it that way if you wish." + +"You'll be sorry some day," said Dave, bluntly. + +Ridgely left the room. He closed the door after him with an +assurance to Dave that things would be "all right." Just then there +was the sound of some one hurrying into the next room, and an +excited voice shouted out in an exultant tone: + +"Say, father, we've got the other one, too!" + + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +HIRAM'S ADVENTURES + + +The young aviator at once recognized the voice in the adjoining room +which spoke the excited, words: + +"We've got the other one, too!" + +It was Jerry Dawson who had spoken. Dave knew that the statement +could refer to no other than his missing chum. Dave was in +something of a flutter of suspense. Then his eye brightened and a +cheery smile overspread his face, as he caught the words in a dearly +familiar tone: + +"Say, do you want to kill a fellow?" + +It was Hiram who spoke, in a resentful and disgusted voice. Its +accents were as pert and ringing as ever, and Dave was overjoyed to +know that his loyal comrade was alive and apparently unhurt. + +"Say, Dawson," here broke in Ridgely, "I want to speak to you." + +"Put this fellow in with Dashaway," ordered Jerry, and then the door +of Dave's prison place was pulled open. A familiar form came +limping and stumbling across the threshold, and the door was slammed +to and locked after him. + +"Hiram!" cried Dave in genuine delight. + +He drew back as his friend faced him. He had noticed that Hiram +limped. Now he saw that one arm was in a sling. Besides that, +Hiram's face was one mass of cuts and scratches. One eye was nearly +closed. + +"Oh, Hiram!" cried Dave aghast. + +"Look is if I'd been through a threshing machine, do I?" grinned the +plucky lad. + +"What happened?" asked Dave seriously. + +"Dave," declared Hiram almost solemnly, "I honestly don't know. The +machine drove upwards so quickly I wondered if some jar or the +broken wire that was switching about didn't start the lever. By the +time I got to the pilot's seat the machine was on a terrific whiz." + +"What did you do?" asked Dave. + +"Not much of anything, except to get rattled," confessed Hiram. "I +tried to circle, and she went banking. Then the Machine took the +prettiest drift you ever saw. All of a sudden one of the planes +dropped and then we landed." + +"Where?" + +"On top of some trees. Right beyond was a deep basin, chuck full of +undergrowth. The machine just took a slide off the tops of the +trees, and slipped down to the bottom of the basin. Then she +turned, I was thrown out." + +"What then, Hiram?" pressed Dave in a concerned way. + +"Well, Dave, we had briers and brambles on the farm, but nothing to +compare with those Canadian thistles, or whatever they were. Look +at my face." + +"And your arm?" + +Hiram shrugged his shoulders resignedly. + +"The half breed who looked at it said it was broken. He seemed to +be some kind of an Indian doctor. He rubbed my scratches and +bruises with some leaves and set my arm in splints." + +"Why, where did the half breed come in?" inquired Dave. + +"Well, as soon as I got my wits from the tumble, I thought of you. +I tried to get up out of the basin, but the sides were so steep I +couldn't make it. So I--well, Dave," added Hiram with a queer +laugh, "I sort of busied myself about the airship. It wasn't much +battered up. I feared the Dawson crowd might come hunting for the +machine, so--well, I sort of busied myself about the airship," +repeated Hiram, with a strange chuckle. "I was resting when that +half breed and another fellow came along. The Indian is a great +trailer, I guess, for he was sharp enough to notice the tree tops +and the bushes the machine had rolled over. Anyhow, down he came on +a rope into the basin and found me." + +"And the Monarch II," said Dave. + +"No, he didn't find the machine," declared Hiram. + +"But--" + +"Let me tell my story, Dave," interrupted Hiram. "He got me up +aloft. Then he said I was badly hurt, and started in to mend me up. +Then they brought me here. They kept talking about the airship, and +tried to make me tell where it was. I wouldn't, and didn't." + +"Wasn't it in the basin you spoke of?" inquired Dave wonderingly. + +"Yes." + +"Then why--?" + +"Hush! We're going to have visitors." + +This was true. There was a sound at the door of their prison room, +and the padlock was displaced. Jerry Dawson stepped into view, his +father behind him. + +"Well," he said, with a leer meant to be clever, "I suppose you +fellows know me?" + +"We know you, Jerry," retorted Hiram, "only too well." + +"I'm boss here," boasted Jerry. + +"That's fine, isn't it?" said Hiram. + +"And I've got you. We'll have your airship soon, too. You'll do +some walking getting back home, I'm thinking." + +"What do you want of us, Jerry?" inquired Dave, coolly. + +"I want to know where that airship of yours is in the first place." + +"Put it in the last place, Jerry," suggested Hiram, "for you won't +find out from me." + +"I'll bet I will," vaunted Jerry. "I have a good mind to punch you +for making all the mischief you have." + +"You're safe, Jerry, seeing I'm disabled," said Hiram. + +"Bah! Say, Dashaway, who's working against us here or across the +lake besides yourself?" + +"You will have to, guess that, Jerry," replied Dave. + +"You won't tell?" + +"No. I'll say this, though: You had better try to even up things in +some way. The Interstate people and the government know all about +you, and you are likely to have some explaining to do." + +Jerry looked worried, but he feigned indifference. + +"I'll keep you two safe and quiet till I get ready to quit, all the +same," he snapped out, and slammed the door shut and locked it. + +Dave and Hiram listened in silence for some minutes to sounds in the +next room. + +They could only catch the echo of voices. Jerry and his father +seemed to be engaged in conversation. + +Suddenly there was an interruption. There was the sound of an +excited voice, drawing nearer each moment. + +A door slammed. Then heavy running footsteps echoed out, ending +only as some one appeared to burst unceremoniously into the next +room. + +"What's the row?" the boys heard in the gruff tones of Jerry's +father. + +"Say!" shouted the intruder, evidently a member of their group, +"they've done it!" + +"Who have?" shouted out Jerry quickly. + +"The revenuers." + +"What do you mean?" + +"They got Ridgely." + +A cry of dismay and excitement ran through the next room. + +"How do you know?" demanded the elder Dawson. + +"I saw them myself--right near Brantford. What's more, they're +coming this way to get the rest of us." + +At this announcement came another cry. + +"You are sure of that?" + +"When was this?" + +"How soon will they be here?" + +"Who is responsible for this?" + +So the cries and questions ran on. There was an excited discussion +all around. + +"Maybe Ridgely is a turncoat!" cried somebody. + +"Well, we can't talk about that now--we must look out for +ourselves," said another. + +"Right you are. Let us get out of here as soon as we possibly can!" + +"That's the talk!" + + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE ESCAPE BY AIRCRAFT + + +"That's good," instantly cried Hiram Dobbs. "They'll have troubles +of their own now, maybe." + +He and Dave listening closely, could now detect bustle and +excitement in the rooms beyond their own prison place. + +They could hear Jerry Dawson fussing and bawling about, while his +father's gruff voice seemed to give orders to the men in the place. + +"I wonder what they will do with us now?" inquired Hiram. + +"We shall probably soon know," returned Dave. + +"Get those fellows out of there, you two," they finally heard Jerry +Dawson order. + +The door of the prison room was unlocked and thrown open. + +"March out," ordered Jerry. + +Dave and Hiram took their time about obeying the mandate. Then at a +word from Jerry two of his men hastened them across the threshold, +seizing them by the arms. + +"Ouch!" roared Hiram. "Do you want to smash my arm all over again?" + +The man who held him was less rough at this. In the room the boys +saw Jerry, his father, the two men who held them and three others. +Before Dawson lay a large, round bundle. A smaller one lay at the +feet of one of the other men. + +"Now, then," spoke Dawson, "ready and quick is the word. I've +divided it up fair, and you'll find your share in that bundle. You +three had better get it and yourselves to some safe place." + +"Yes," spoke one of the men, "the revenuers will surely be here +soon." + +"You two," continued Dawson to the men had Dave and Hiram in charge, +"bring the boys along." + +"Where to?" was asked. + +"Just follow us," was the surly response. + +"Give a hand, Jerry." + +The two Dawsons lifted the bundle at their feet and started from the +room. There were sounds as if some one was pounding on the door at +the front of the building. The Dawsons, however, did not go that +way. They quickened their steps, the captives were led through +several rooms, and finally a door at the rear of the place was +opened. + +"Hold them tight now," ordered Jerry. + +"Yes, and if they make any outcry quiet them the way you know how," +added his father. + +Dave and Hiram were surprised to find themselves now in complete +darkness. + +"We're going through some kind of a tunnel," whispered the young +aviator to his companion a moment later. + +Their captors forced them along in the steps of the Dawsons. They +must have proceeded several hundred feet thus, when the tunnel grew +lighter. Then they arrived at an exit letting out into a deep, +narrow ravine. + +"They must have taken this route to escape from the revenue +officers," Dave told his companion, in a guarded tone. + +"Shall we set up a fight and yell?" proposed the audacious Hiram. + +"Not with that broken arm of yours and four to one," dissented Dave. + +"Broken arm, nothing! Say-hello! Why, they're taking us to their +airship!" exclaimed Hiram. + +They had come upon the Drifter at a point where the ravine spread +out and a long level space showed. + +"Now then, brisk is the word," spoke the elder Dawson. + +He and his son carried the bundle up to the Drifter and managed to +stow it aboard. Jerry climbed into the pilot's seat. His father +drew some stout double cord from his pocket. + +"Tie up those boys hand and foot," he ordered grimly. + +"See here, Mr. Dawson," spoke up Dave, "what are you going to do +with us?" + +"You'll find that out very soon," was the gruff reply. + +The two men proceeded to secure the arms and feet of the captives. +Dave knew it was useless to resist the rough treatment he received. +Hiram was not so patient. + +"Say, this is an outrage!" he cried out. + +"What's the matter with you?" demanded Jerry Dawson, leaning from +his seat with a scowl on his face. + +"What do you want to tie a one-armed fellow up for?" grumbled Hiram. + +"That's so," said the elder Dawson. "Just attend to his feet and +one arm. No use making him safer. He won't be very dangerous with +only a broken arm free." + +First Dave and then Hiram were lifted into the seats behind the +pilot's post. As has been said, the Drifter could carry five +passengers, and they were not crowded or uncomfortable. + +"They are going to carry us away with them," whispered Hiram to his +companion. + +"Let them," replied the young aviator. "It may give us a chance to +outwit them someplace along the line." + +Hiram chuckled. Dave stared at him strangely, but his doughty +companion did not explain what he had in his mind. + +"All ready," announced Jerry, his hand on his lever. + +His father got into the seat behind him. + +"Wait a minute," he spoke to his son. "You two," he added to the +men who had accompanied them, "better get to your friends, divide up +your plunder and make yourselves scarce as soon as you can." + +"That's what we intend to do," replied one of the men. + +"Hold on!" exclaimed his companion, suddenly turning around at the +echo of a loud shout. + +"What's the trouble now, I wonder?" + +"Hey, stop the airship! Stop them! Stop them!" yelled the strident +voice of a man coming pell mell down the ravine path. He was in a +frantic state of excitement and waving his arms wildly. + +"Don't lose a second," spoke Dawson quickly. + +Jerry gave the starter a whirl. Dave noticed that his father was +quite excited and kept watching the advancing runner. + +"Stop them, I tell you!" yelled this individual whom Dave recognized +as one of the three individuals left behind at the hut with the +other bundle. + +"What for?" shouted one of the two men near the airship. + +"Robbers-thieves! That bundle they gave us!" + +"What about it?" + +"No silks--nothing but a lot of worthless truck. They've cheated us +and are making away with the real plunder." + +Whiz! up went the airship. The three men ran after it. The +newcomer shook his fist vengefully after the machine. The other two +picked up rocks and hurled them in its wake. + +"O. K.," chuckled Jerry, as the Drifter shot far out of reach of +their deluded confederates. + +"Do your level best, Jerry," spoke his father. + +The revenue men may have another airship in commission." + +"Oh, I guess not," retorted Jerry airily. "Say, what about the one +these fellows had?" + +"They know and won't tell. Some of crowd will find it, though I +told them if they did to dismantle it. They can get something for +the old junk." + +"About all they will get, eh?" leered Jerry. + +"I'm thinking so." + +"You didn't give them any of the silk?" + +"Not I." + +"That was slick," chuckled Jerry. + +"Hear him! He's a fine one, isn't he?" observed Hiram to Dave. + +"Yes, Jerry can't be true, even to his friends," replied the young +aviator. + +Dave watched Jerry at the lever. He had to admit that his enemy +knew considerable about running an aircraft. The only criticism he +could make was that several times Jerry took some big risks in +daringly banking, when the least variation of the wind would have +made the Drifter turn turtle. + +It was six hours later when the airship descended. At times the +machine had made fully sixty miles an hour. Long since they had +passed the apparent limits of civilization. The course was due +northwest. Vast forests spread out under them. It was only for the +first time in one hundred miles, as they neared a small settlement +on a river, that Jerry let down on the speed, and they descended at +a spot about a mile from a settlement in the center of a big field. + +Dave and Hiram were left in the chassis, while Jerry and his father +left the machine. They conversed for some time, then it was +arranged that Jerry should proceed to the settlement and purchase +some provisions. His father came up to the machine as Jerry +departed. + +"See here, you two," he spoke in his usual gruff way, "we'll give +you something to eat and, drink when Jerry comes back." + +"Where are you taking us to, Mr. Dawson?" asked the young aviator. + +"We are taking you so far from home, that you can't tramp back in +time to pat any more of your friends on our track," was the blunt +reply. "Another couple of hundred miles, and, if you behave +yourself, we'll set you loose." + +The man spoke as if the proposition was perfectly simple and honest +one. + +"Another couple of hundred miles?" repeated Dave. + +"That is what I said, Dashaway." + +"You are carrying things with a high hand, Mr. Dawson." + +"Yes? Well, I know what I am doing." + +"You may overreach yourself." + +"Humph! I'll take my chances on that. You are smart, Dashaway, but +you can't scare me and you can't get the best of me." + +"But the law will get you, some day or another." + +"Bah! I'm tired and don't want to listen to your talk. I tell you +I know what I am doing." + +"You won't release us now?" + +"No." + +"That is final?" + +"It certainly is, and you may as well save your breath and not +mention it again. I am tired out and don't want any more of such +talk." + +"Well, see here--"broke in Hiram. + +"I won't listen to any more. Shut up." + +With the words Dawson went over to a hammock at a little distance, +spread his coat over it, and lay down to rest. It was not five +minutes before his captives could hear him snoring loudly. + +Hiram had been watching his every movement in an intense way. Now +he leaned over towards Dave. His eyes were snapping with excitement +and there was a broad smile on his face, as he whispered into the +ear of the young aviator one word. It was: + +"Hurrah!" + + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +CAUGHT CONCLUSION + + +"Hurrah!" was the word that Hiram Dobbs spoke exultantly, and Dave +looked at him in profound surprise. + +Hiram had lifted himself up from the seat. Now he went through some +movements that almost startled the puzzled young aviator. + +Suddenly his arm shot out of the sling, and as suddenly Hiram, +though with a wince, swung it around once or twice, and the three +splints holding it cracked and split audibly. + +"Hey, Hiram!" gasped Dave. + +"S-sh!" uttered his assistant warningly. + +Hiram ran his free hand down into his pocket. He drew out the big +pocket knife he carried. It was more of a tool than a whittling +toy, for he used it in tinkering about the airship. + +With his teeth, Hiram opened its largest blade. He gave a slash at +the cords surrounding his other arm and his feet. Then he leaned +over towards Dave. A few deft strokes of the keen blade, and Dave, +like himself, was free. + +"Easy," he whispered, as Dave started up. "I'll watch Dawson. You +get into the pilot's seat." + +"Good for you, Hiram!" whispered back the young aviator, fairly +thrilling with the excitement of the moment. + +Dave took in every detail of the mechanism before his eyes. He made +sure of no faulty start. + +"All ready," he announced after a minute or two. + +"Good-bye!" spoke Hiram, with a gay bold wave of his hand in the +direction of the sleeping, Dawson. + +"Put on the muffler," ordered Dave, as the exhaust began to sizzle. + +Hiram did so. It was too late, however, to avoid sounding a warning +to Dawson. The big man started up with a yell. He came to his feet +roaring out: + +"Come back!" + +"I hope you'll find the walking good!" shouted Hiram, waving his +hand in adieu to the amazed Dawson. + +"Hiram, you're a genius!" cried Dave. + +The Drifter struck a course as true as a die. The splendid machine +and the young aviator were both at their best. There was a last +fading picture of a forlorn man convulsed with rage and despair. +Then the two boy aeronauts turned their back on the enemies who had +been hoisted by their own petard. + +"It's great, its grand," cheered Hiram, bubbling over with joy, as +the exhilarating air and their magical progress made him realize +what freedom meant to its fullest extent. + +"I don't understand. Your arm, Hiram?" said Dave. + +His jolly assistant waved the arm in question gaily. + +"Wasn't it hurt?" + +"Yes, and badly, I thought," reflected Hiram. "It was numb and +useless when the half breed attended to it, but he was mistaken and +so was I in thinking that any bones were broken." + +"They were not?" + +"Not a bit of it. Don't you see? It pains, and I'm bragging when I +swing it around as if it was as good as ever, but I can use it." + +"You have used it to a grand purpose, Hiram." + +"I didn't notice that I could use it until they locked me up with +you." + +"Why didn't you tell me then?" + +"Oh, I wanted to surprise you." + +"You have, Hiram." + +"I thought I'd play 'possum on those smart fellows. I played the +cripple strong. You see what has come of it." + +When they had gone nearly one hundred miles, Dave saw that the +gasoline supply was running low. Luckily they were near a little +town. They made a descent on a river, much to the delight and +wonder of the whole place, bought a new supply, and resumed their +flight. + +It was after ten o'clock in the evening when the welcome lights of +Anseton came into view. Dave did not look around for some hiding +place on the outskirts on this occasion. He startled a drowsy +policeman by landing in the middle of some vacant lots on his beat. + +A brief explanation was made to the officer, and a man hired to +watch the Drifter until they returned. Then Dave and Hiram hurried +to the hotel in Anseton where Mr. Price made his headquarters. + +The revenue officer was found. He listened to the story of the two +young aviators in amazement and admiration. Then he reported +results of his own efforts. + +Ridgely was under arrest, two of his accomplices were being then +pursued by his assistants, and the smuggling combination was all +broken up. + +"The clews you have given us were fine ones, Dashaway," said the +official gratefully. "You have done the government a vast service, +I can tell you." + +Mr. Price insisted on the boys taking a needed rest. He sent one of +his men to guard the Drifter, and, after a famous meal, made his +guests agree to sleep in a comfortable bed for the first time in +nearly a week. + +It was just after they had entered their room that Dave made the +remark. + +"You know we had better see if those friends of the Dawsons have +found the Monarch II and made away with it, Hiram." + +"Well, I can tell you that they haven't," replied Hiram, with a +confident chuckle. + +"How can you know that?" + +"Why, Dave, when I was shut in with the machine in that basin, I +took it apart. You know it was made to do that, so it could be +shipped readily. Well, I'll bet you I hid those parts in places in +that basin where nobody can locate them but myself." + +"Good for you!" commended Dave heartily. + +"I think the Interstate people will have something pleasant to say +to you when they know all the wonders you've done in chasing their +stolen airship." + +It was the brightest day in the year, it seemed to the two young +aviators, as they reached Columbus by train, and started at once for +Mr. King's hangar. + +Old Grimshaw had met them at the depot. He was full of friendly +chatter, seemed to be chuckling over some secret surprise he had in +store for them, and rushed them towards the headquarters of the +Aegis. + +"Yes, Mr. King is back," he advised the boys. + +"Did he find Mr. Dale?" inquired Dave anxiously. + +"He'll tell you." + +Dave and Hiram had much to relate. Two boys probably never received +a more pleasant welcome than they, when with the Drifter they +reported to the manager of the Interstate Aeroplane Company. + +Mr. Randolph had the president and two directors of the concern on +hand to meet them. Their stirring story was taken in by the august +business men with an attention and appreciation that of itself paid +the lads well for all the duty done. + +The boys had remained long enough at Anseton to have some men go +with them and locate the hidden sections of the Monarch II, and +arrange to have them shipped by rail back to the factory. + +Dave felt pretty rich when he left the Interstate works with a check +for five hundred dollars in his pocket, and an offer of advanced +employment for himself and his loyal and useful assistant for two +seasons ahead. + +"I want to see Mr. King before I decide what I will do," Dave told +Mr. Randolph, his mind full of the much discussed flight across the +Atlantic in the giant airship. "You can have your two hundred and +fifty dollars any time you like, Hiram." he added to his chum on +their way to the depot. + +As they now reached the Aegis hangar, Grimshaw stepped aside with a +pleased laugh. + +"Safe and sound and famous. Here they are, Mr. King!" he shouted. + +"There's no doubt of that," chorused the friendly voice of the +expert aviator. "Dave! Hiram! A thousand times welcome." + +If he had been own father to the lads, Mr. King could not have +greeted them more affectionately. + +"You've done us all proud, Dashaway," he declared. "Got a telegram +from the Interstate folks, and the noon paper. The paper has given +you two columns. This way. A friend waiting to see you." + +Mr. King pushed Dave across the little room in the hangar he used as +an office. + +A middle aged, noble looking gentleman arose from a chair as Dave +entered. His face was beaming, and there was an eager light in his +eyes. + +"Dave Dashaway?" he said, half inquiringly. + +"Yes, sir," assented Dave, grasping the extended hand of the +gentleman. + +"My best and oldest friend's boy," continued the gentleman. + +"It is Mr. Dale, Dashaway," spoke Mr. King, following Dave into the +room. + +Somehow the young aviator felt his heart warm to the man of whom he +had heard so much, but had never before seen. The old gentleman's +eyes rested on him in a kindly earnest way that made Dave feel less +lonely in the world. + +Briefly Mr. King told of the chase he had made to locate Mr. Dale. + +"I've got a long story to tell," said the aviator, when he could get +a chance to talk. He turned to Mr. Dale. "That is, if you wish me +to tell it," he added. + +"Certainly," was the ready reply. "You can probably tell it better +than I can." + +"Well, to begin with, it was no easy task to get on the track of +this fellow Gregg," commenced the well-known aviator. "I had to do +some tall hunting before I could locate him and his two cronies." + +"His cronies?" repeated Dave. + +"Yes, he had two fellows in the game with him. I guess he found out +that he could not manage it alone. The three of them called on Mr. +Dale and at first got him to take an automobile ride. Then they +took him to a lonely house down near Slaytown, and there they kept +him a prisoner." + +"A prisoner!" + +"Yes." + +"Just as we were kept prisoners," muttered our hero. + +"Mr. Dale says he was treated very nicely, for Gregg no doubt, had +an idea he could get more money that way." + +"Well, after a good deal of hard work I located the spot and saw Mr. +Dale from a distance. I knew I could not rescue him single handed, +so I went back to town and notified the police. I had hard work +getting three officers to accompany me, because the police just then +were having their annual inspection and parade and all wanted to be +present. When we got to the lonely house we got a big surprise." + +"How was that?" + +"Gregg and the two men and Mr. Dale were gone." + +"Where to?" + +"At first I couldn't find out. But we saw wagon tracks in the soft +roadbed and followed these along the road and through a big field. +Presently we came to a patch of woods, and there found what in years +gone by had been a lumber camp. At the old house we saw a horse and +wagon, and we knew the crowd must be somewhere around. We +separated, and came up to the place from all sides. In a shed near +the house we found Gregg and the two men. They were discussing the +situation, when we pounced on them and surprised them." + +"Did they resist?" + +"Gregg did, and as a consequence he got a blow in the mouth from a +policeman's club that broke off two of his teeth. Then all of the +crowd gave up, and we handcuffed the lot and made them prisoners." + +"And Mr. Dale?" asked Dave, with interest. + +"We found him in the old house, tied up." + +"And very grateful for the rescue," put in the old gentleman, +warmly. + +"All of us came to town in the wagon the rascals had hired. Then +Gregg and his accomplices were put in jail, and Mr. Dale and I came +on here," concluded Mr. King. + +"I am mighty happy to see things have turned out this way," said our +hero, heartily. + +"I am so glad to find the son of my old balloonist friend," said Mr. +Dale, "that I shall have to adopt you legally, Dave, before you slip +away from me again. Let me be your second father, my boy, and take +an interest in your progress. I stayed over here with our mutual +friend, Mr. King, purposely to go over this wonderful plan to cross +the Atlantic in an airship." + +"Then you think well of it?" asked Dave. + +"You do not have to ask that of an old aeronaut enthusiast, my boy," +replied Mr. Dale. + +"Yes, Dashaway," said the aviator, "Mr. Dale has promised gladly to +furnish the capital to put through our newest giant airship scheme." + +So, for the present, we leave Dave Dashaway, the young aviator, and +his friends. What happened to them in their new and daring project, +will be told in the next volume of this series, to be called, "Dave +Dashaway and His Giant Airship; Or, A Marvelous Trip Across the +Atlantic." + +The young aviator had won his way through pluck and perseverance. +Dave had already done some great things in his apprenticeship as a +junior aeronaut. + +Now, the friend, and assistant of a noted expert in aeronautics, he +was eager and buoyant at the prospect of winning fame and fortune in +an attempt that was the dream of the expert airman of the world. + +THE END + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, DAVE DASHAWAY AND HIS HYDROPLANE *** + +This file should be named daved10.txt or daved10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, daved11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, daved10a.txt + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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