"I'm going to have quite a large machine built."

Was it fancy, or did Lieutenant Larson look at Dick with peculiar
meaning in his rather shifty eyes. Dick, however, was too much
occupied in the coming flight to pay much attention to this.

"If you're going to have a machine, perhaps you're going to have a
try for the twenty thousand dollar prize," suggested Captain
Grantly, as he tested the gasolene and spark levers, and looked at
several turn-buckles which tightened the guy wires.

"Well, I have about decided to," answered Dick, looking over at the
other aircraft, in which Paul Drew was to make an ascent.

"Jove! I wish I had that chance!" exclaimed Larson. "I'm sure, with
my mercury balancer I could--"

"There you go again!" cried Captain Grantly. "I tell you your idea
is all wrong about that balancer! Wing warping is the only proper
way."

"But that isn't automatic, and what is needed is an automatic
balancer or equilibrizer," insisted the lieutenant.

"Well, we won't discuss it now," went on the captain. "Are you all
ready, Mr. Hamilton?"

"All ready, yes, sir."

The captain and Lieutenant Larson took their places, one on either