the times. So they assigned me to the job, and I'm learning how to
manage an aircraft. I guess the paper figures on sending me out to
scout in the clouds for news. Though if I don't make out better
than this, they'll get someone else in my place."

"Something went wrong--I can't understand it," said the aircraft
inventor, shaking his head. "The machine ought not to have plunged
down like that. I can't understand it."

"I'd like to send the story back to my paper," went on Larry.

"Always on the lookout for news!" remarked Dick. "We'll see that
you send off your yarn all right. There's a telegraph office in
the Academy now. I'll fix it for you."

The run to the school dock was soon made, and the arrival of Dick's
motor-boat, with the rescued ones from the airship, which had been
seen flying over the parade grounds a little while before, made some
commotion.

"We've missed guard-mount!" remarked Innis, as he saw the other
cadets at the drill.

"Can't be helped. We had a good excuse," said Dick. "Now we've
got to attend to him," and he nodded at Jack Butt, who seemed to
have collapsed again.

With military promptness, the mechanic was carried to the hospital,
and the school doctor was soon working over him. Meanwhile, dry
garments had been supplied to Larry and Mr. Vardon. A messenger