"Are you having some trouble with the Interstate people?" inquired
the aviator pointedly.

"Not on my account, I, am glad to say, Mr. King," replied Dave.
"There is some trouble, though, for all hands around. It's about
the stolen aero-hydroplane, or hydro-aeroplane, they haven't just
settled on the exact name."

"The Drifter?"

"Yes, sir."

"I read about that strange case. I suppose it puts you back in your
arrangements at the meet here?"

"Not only that, Mr. King," explained Dave, "but it has placed me in
a position where I shall have to give up all my engagements for a
time."

"Why, you don't say so, Dashaway?" exclaimed the aviator, much
disturbed.

"Those are the orders," replied Dave. "I have hurried back to
Columbus purposely, to consult on your helping in a search for the
Drifter."

"Of course that is not possible, now that this Dale affair has come
up," said Mr. King. "As to a search for the stolen aircraft, that
is going to be no easy task, I'm thinking. Have the Interstate
people no theory as to the way the Drifter was stolen, and the