Part 18 (1/2)

”But I thought you were going to object to him if he has,” said Mr

Dah space

”Well, I was just providing for a contingency, in case lad the Hu-Bird did so well on her first trial I know she'll do better the et her back in her 'nest,' and I'll look her over, when she cools down, and see if anything has worked loose”

But the triht adjustments after her tryout, for Tom had built her to stand up under a terrific strain

”We'll soon be in shape for the big race,” he announced, ”and when I bring ho to abandon this sky-scraping business, except for occasional trips”

”What will you do to occupy yourto travel,” announced Tom ”Then there's my new electric rifle, which I have not perfected yet I'll work on that after I win the big race”

For several days after the first real trial of his sky racer Toes here and there

He was the sort of a lad as satisfied with nothing short of the best, and though neither his father nor Mr Jackson could see where there was roo that he sat up for several nights to perfect such little details as a better grip for the steering-lever, a quicker way ofthe automatic equilibriumizer take its position, or an improved transmitter for the wireless apparatus

That was a part of his hdevice, few can receive wireless e of this whilea trip in the ill-fated Red Cloud to the cave of the diamond makers, and he deterencies The wireless outfit of the Hu-Bird was a marvel of compactness

Thus the days passed, with Tom very busy; so busy, in fact, that he hardly had tier, he heard no more from him, and the bully was not seen around Shopton To on his racing craft

The young inventor sent a formal protest to the aviation co a craft which infringed on the Hu-Bird, and received word fro inventor would be protected This satisfied To how the first plans had so ood deal to know just how Andy got possession of theh to use theotten into our house hty quickly that day,” mused Tom, ”and then skipped out while dad fell into a little doze It was a , but it's lucky it was no worse”

The ti aviation iven several other trials, developing more speed each time Additional locks were put on the doors of the shed, and , so that it was al-Bird's ”nest” without arousing souess we'll be ready for therimly He had been unable to find out who it was that had attee the monoplane, but he suspected it was the ill-favoredwith Andy

As for Mr Swift, at tiain he required the services of a physician

”You will have to be very careful of your father, Tom,” said Dr

Gladby ”Any sudden shock or exciteravate his malady, and in that case a serious operation will be necessary”

”Oh, we'll take good care of hih he tried not to let his father see the strain which he was under

It was so about a week until the iven his Huele Park For he would not fly to thecases had been provided

”I'll take it apart in theto the burglar alaro there, set her up, and get ready to win the race”

Tom had opened all the s in his room, for it was very warm In fact it was so warot up to sit near the s in the hope of feeling a breeze

There it wasto think of getting back into bed, when he are of a peculiar sound in the air overhead