silent motor, and I'm going to try it this evening. Would you
like to come along?"

"I would!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "Bless my onion soup, Tom, but
I would! But why fly at night? Isn't it safer by daylight?"

"Oh, that doesn't make much difference. It's safe enough at any
time. The reason I'm going to make my first flight after dark is
that I don't want any spies about."

"Oh, I see! Are they camping on your trail?"

"Not exactly. But I can't tell where they may be. If I should
start out in daylight and be forced to make a landing-- Well, you
know what a crowd always collects to see a stranded airship."

"That's right, Tom."

"That decided me to start off after dark. Then if we have to
come down because of some sort of engine trouble or because my
new attachment doesn't work right, we sha'n't have any prying
eyes."

"I see! Well, Tom, I'll go with you. Fortunately I didn't tell
my wife where I was going when I started out this afternoon, so
she won't worry until after it's over, and then it won't hurt
her. I'm ready any time you are."

"Good! Stay to dinner and I'll show you what I've made. Then
we'll take a flight after dark."