Part 13 (1/2)

”Well, make an offer,” put in Tom.

”I might pay three hundred dollars.”

”Make it double that and the machine is yours,” returned d.i.c.k.

”No, it wouldn't be worth six hundred dollars to me,” answered the young aviator.

A discussion lasting the best part of half an hour ensued. The aviator went up to four hundred dollars and then to four hundred and fifty.

Finally, d.i.c.k said he would accept five hundred dollars cash; and the bargain was concluded at that figure. The money was paid over, and the Rover boys gave the purchaser a bill of sale, and he departed without delay, stating he wished to make arrangements for s.h.i.+pping the wrecked biplane away.

”Not so bad, after all,” declared d.i.c.k, when the brothers were alone.

”It's very good,” put in Tom.

”That's the end of the Dartaway,” came from Sam, mournfully. ”Well, we had some pretty good times in her while she lasted.”

CHAPTER VIII

A BOX OF CANDY

”Say, I've got to have some fun or bust!”

It was Tom who uttered the words. For over a week everything had run along smoothly at Brill College. The boys had settled down to their studies. They had sent letters home, and to the girls, and had received several communications in return. They had been congratulated on their escape from the wrecking of the biplane, and Dora had written to d.i.c.k urging him to give up flying.

”I'm going to give it up for a while, at least,” d.i.c.k had answered.

During those days the search had been kept up for Josiah Crabtree, but so far nothing had been heard of the fugitive from justice. That the man had left the neighborhood was quite probable.

”What sort of fun do you want, Tom?” asked Sam, throwing down the book he had been studying.

”Oh, anything,” was the answer. ”I feel as if I was getting musty and rusty, and I've simply got to do something. Wish there was a hazing on, or something like that,” and the fun-loving Rover gazed moodily out of the window.

”Now don't you get yourself into trouble, Tom,” warned d.i.c.k. ”Better get at that theme you've got to write on 'Educational Inst.i.tutions of the Revolutionary Period'.”

”Hang the themes, d.i.c.k! I've got to have some fun--and I'm going out for it!” answered Tom, and catching up his cap he pa.s.sed out of the dormitory.

”Guess I'll go, too,” added Sam, and quickly followed. Soon d.i.c.k came also, not wis.h.i.+ng to be left behind if anything unusual was to take place.

In the lower hallway the boys found several men at work, cleaning and oiling the hardwood floor. They had a box of wax polish with them, and this immediately gave Tom an idea.

”I'd like to buy a little of that,” he said, to the head workman, and a bargain was quickly struck, and the fun-loving Rover walked away with half a box of the wax polish.

”What are you going to do with it?” asked Sam.

”Don't know yet--but I'll do something,” was the reply.

”Looks like maple sugar candy,” said d.i.c.k, gazing at the wax.

”Wait! I've struck it!” cried Tom. ”Just the thing! Hurray!” And his face brightened.