"Why, I've heard of you. At the Dayton meet, weren't you?
Honorable mention, or was it a prize?"

"Both," shot out Hiram promptly.

"That's very good," said the colonel. "I'm pretty well up in the
aero field myself. I run that line at county fairs."

"Yes, sir, I know that," said Dave, "and that is why I came to see
you."

"That's so--you said it was business, but I must say you are early
birds," smiled the showman.

"We had to be," again spoke Hiram.

"How was that?"

"Why," said Dave, "I thought it was very necessary that I should see
you first thing this morning. I acted on a wire from my employers,
the Interstate Aeroplane Co."

"Your employers?" repeated the colonel, a fresh token of interest in
his eyes.

"Yes, sir, I have been exhibiting their Baby Racer at the meets."

"Ah, I understand now."

"I am going to take up hydroplane work at Columbus, now. Last night