musical note that was the sweetest possible sound in the responsive ear
of the young aviators.

"All done, and let's be off," he said, presently, after the last test
had been applied.

Accordingly they shook hands with Farmer Quackenboss, his good wife, and
Felix, in the palm of which latter Andy made sure to leave a greenback
that made the boy grin broadly.

Three minutes later Frank sang out the word, and both the farmer and
Felix ran along with the machine for a dozen paces or so, when it left
them behind, taking on speed, and finally rushing over the ground at a
tremendous pace.

Uptilting the planes caused it to leave the ground and start to curve
gracefully upward, as the whizzing propeller did its noisy duty.

They could hear the farmer and his hired hand shouting themselves hoarse
with delight at having actually witnessed the start of a modern
aeroplane; but naturally the sound grew fainter and fainter in their
ears as they left the field and the squatty farmhouse far behind.

Having arisen to the height of several hundred feet, Frank headed toward
Bloomsbury. Like a true and alert pilot he was watching and listening to
ascertain how their recent work held; and presently a satisfied
expression crossing his face announced that he found his faith well
justified.

They had skimmed along for perhaps a mile or more when Andy made a