"Anyhow," the boy thought, and the thought consoled him, "all those
devices are covered by patents, and even if they wanted to, they could not
steal them. And yet--and yet----"

But the storm came up sharper than ever that evening, and even had he
wished to, Roy would have found it impossible to handle the aeroplane
alone in the heavy wind that came now in puffs and now in a steady gale.
So Roy put his tiresome thoughts out of his head. But he resolved to get
the aeroplane the first thing the following morning.




CHAPTER VII.

A CASE FOR THE AUTHORITIES.


It was just after breakfast the next morning that a big automobile skimmed
past the Prescott home. Peggy and Roy saw it from the windows.

"Why, that's Sheriff Lawley," exclaimed Peggy. "And look, old Mr. Harding
is with him, and that Mortlake man."

"That's right. Wonder where they can be going?" said Roy, sauntering out
to the garage at the back of the house and giving the matter little more
thought. It had been arranged that he was to bring the aeroplane back that
morning, driving over with Peggy, Jimsy and Jess in the car, and skimming
home in the _Butterfly_ while a part of the party brought the car back.
They were to call for Jess and Jimsy at their home, a fine residence