programme, so he practiced some with the hydroplane. Coming home
for dinner, he found a letter from the Interstate people.

They were cheery and optimistic over the completion of their new
model aero-hydroplane. It had been tested and worked splendidly.
The company stated that they would ship the machine to the meet at
Columbus two days later.

Dave told Hiram about the machine, and the hitter was in a fever of
expectation over its anticipated arrival.

The boys were eating their supper at the King hangar later in the
day, when a telegraph messenger appeared.

"Message for Mr. Dave Dashaway," he said. "I'm your man," replied
Dave.

He signed for the message, tore open the envelope, and glanced
rapidly over the enclosure. His face clouded as he did so, for the
message was from his employers, the Interstate Aero Company, and it
read:

"Cancel all dates. Come on at once. Trouble."





CHAPTER X