"We will do our part, sir," responded John, speaking for all.
There was a little further talk; and then they took their leave, well satisfied with the turn of events, and each determined to win his five thousand dollar trophy if it were at all possible.
CHAPTER XI
OFF FOR PANAMA
That same afternoon Mr. Giddings called upon his business rival, Mr. Wrenn, of the Clarion, and presented to him the tentative program for the great race around the world's girdle, as the Daily Independent had planned it. Mr. Wrenn declared that he was willing to stand by his former agreement to allow the Independent to select the route, and said it was entirely satisfactory to him, and that he would at once take steps to have fuel supplies on hand at the various airports for his crew when they should arrive. He made no comments as to his own airplane, but agreed that the advertising plan his caller had worked out was a capital one, stating that he would co-operate heartily with him in carrying it to a successful conclusion.
Mr. Giddings was considerably surprised that Mr. Wrenn made no objection to the longest "hops" on the route, which were of greater extent than the average airplane could make, and was ready to modify the arrangement if there had been any objection. But even when he particularly called this matter to the other publisher's attention, Mr. Wrenn only smiled serenely, saying, "Those hops are perfectly satisfactory to us," leaving Mr. Giddings with a deep wonderment as to what sort of aircraft the Clarion proposed using.
"I am under the impression that our contemporary has something up his sleeve, but I cannot conceive what it can be," Mr. Giddings confided to his son that evening upon reaching home; and when Bob repeated this to the Ross boys and Tom Meeks next day, they too began to wonder more than ever what type of an airplane the Clarion proposed using against them, and who the crew might be.
"Did your father and Mr. Wrenn decide upon a date for the start?" asked
Paul.
"Yes," replied Bob; "they made it the 20th of July, this summer, weather permitting. We start from Panama at one o'clock in the afternoon."
"Our curiosity as to the identity of our competitors will be satisfied then, at least," laughed John.