Part 17 (1/2)

Daet back to our hotel, and we'll start for ho”

”I have a plan,” whispered the oddfor the reappearance of Andy and the man

”I'll stay here until they come, then I'll pretend to run away They'll chase after o up and look in the shed s Then you can join ht fire at you by h to confirm my suspicions”

They turned out of the lot which contained the shed, and walked toward the road, just as Andy and his crony cao!” taunted the bully

To in his heart It seemed as if he was defeated, and he did not like to retreat before Andy

”You'd better not coain, either,” went on Andy

Tom and Mr Damon did not reply, but kept on in silence They returned to Shopton the next day

”Well,” re-Bird, ”I know one thing Andy Fogerlike this, but I don't believe he can put in all the iine; eh, dad?”

”I hope not, Tom,” replied his father, who see to try for speed?” asked Mr Dah,” replied Toreat test to-morrow, and then I'll knohether I really have a chance for that ten thousand dollars”

Never before had To in his require-Bird heeled out to the flight ground, and gotten ready for the test The young inventor went over every bolt, brace, stay, guy wire and upright He exas, the tips, planes and rudders The levers, the steering wheel, the autohts were looked at again and again

As for the engine, had it been a delicate watch, Toear neto was looked after, the oil reservoirs were cleaned out and freshly filled, and finally the lad re, Mr Da with you in the test?”

”Surely I've been counting on you If you're to be with et a sample of e can do Take your place Mr

Jackson, are you ready to time us?”

”All ready, Toh to check back Mr Jackson's results?

I don't want any errors”

”Oh, yes, Tom I can do it”

”Very well, then Now this isto h a few stunts first, to warive the signal, by dropping this small white ball, that in to try for the record I'll go about the course in a big ellipse, and--well, we'll see what happens”

While Mr Da inventor started the propeller, and noted the thrust developed It was satisfactory, as measured on the scale, and then Too!” he cried to Mr Jackson and Eradicate, after he had listened to the song of the -Bird flew across the course, and a moment later mounted into the air

Tom quickly took her up to about two thousand feet, and there, finding the conditions to his liking, he began a few evolutions designed to severely test the craft's stability, and to learn whether the engine orking properly