"What about the propeller blades?"

"Oh, they aren't giving me any trouble. The noise they make
can't be heard a hundred feet in the air, but I am also working
on improvements to the blades. Take it altogether, I'll have an
almost silent aeroplane if my plans come out all right."

"Have you said anything to the government yet?"

"No; I want to have it pretty well perfected before I do.
Besides, I don't want any publicity about it until I'm ready. If
these Universal people are after me I'll fool 'em."

"That's right, Tom! Well, I must go. Another week of this
Liberty Bond campaign!"

"I suppose you'll be glad when it's over."

"Well, I don't know," said Ned slowly. "It's part of my small
contribution to Uncle Sam. I'm not like you--I can't invent
things."

"But you have an awful smooth line of talk, Ned!" laughed his
chum. "I believe you could sell chloride of sodium to some of the
fishes in the Great Salt Lake--that is if it has fishes."

"I don't know that it has, Tom. And, anyhow, I'm not posing as
a salt salesman," and Ned grinned. "But I must really go. Our
bank hasn't reached its quota in the sale of Liberty Bonds yet,