"Tell Miles to run her out," requested Tom. "I've got to
go in and say hello to dad a minute, and then I'll be with
you."

"Seems like something was in the wind, Tom--big doings?"
hinted Ned.

"Yes, maybe there is. It all depends on how she turns out"

"You might be speaking of the Hawk or--Mary Nestor!" said
Ned, with a sidelong look at his chum.

"As it happens, it's neither one," said Tom, and then he
hastened away, to return shortly and guide his fleet little
airship, the Hawk, on her aerial journey.

From then on, at least for some time, neither Tom nor Ned
mentioned the matters they had been discussing--Tom's
failure to enlist, his exemption, and what was being built
in the closely guarded shop.

Tom's business in Sackett did not take him long, and then
he and Ned went for a little ride in the air.

"It's like old times!" exclaimed Ned, his eyes shining,
though Tom could not see them for two reasons. One was that
Ned was sitting behind him, and the other was that Ned wore
heavy goggles, as did the young pilot. Also, they had to
carry on their talk through the speaking tube arrangement.