some trick to get you back in his clutches again."

"I've thought a good deal about that lately," said Dave.

"My plan was to have this Mr. Dale go to Brookville, show up Warner,
and apply for your guardianship."

"Yes, then I would feel safe," said Dave.

"Well, Mr. Dale, having been an old balloonist, would probably not
object to your remaining in the same line of business in which your
father was famous."

"I should think he would be pleased," remarked Hiram, who was always
interested and active in any conversation going on.

"I counted on that," resumed the aviator. "At all events, not being
able to go or send Dave to Warrenton to meet this Mr. Dale, I wrote
to a friend of mine who lives at Warrenton. I told him the whole
story, instructing him to inform Mr. Dale, so if this Gregg came
around again, he would be ready to treat him as an imposter. My
friend wrote me only yesterday that Mr. Dale was off on an
automobile trip, and might not be back for a day or two. He said
that Mr. Dale was a very lonely old bachelor. He had been delighted
to take up Gregg, believing him to be the son of his old balloonist
comrade, so you would, be sure to receive a really grand welcome,
Dave."

"I'm glad of that," said Dave, filled with deep gratitude as he
contrasted his present circumstances with his former forlorn