“Yes,” Bruce said, “his plane won, but if Stubby hadn’t flown it, it wouldn’t have.”
“What was the matter with Brent?” Mr. Howard asked in surprise. “I thought he was to fly it himself?”
“He hasn’t been at the airport all day,” Bruce explained.
“But why not?” Mr. Howard wanted to know.
“That is what we want to find out,” Valerie put in. “He brought you back from Quebec last night, didn’t he?”
Mr. Howard frowned thoughtfully. “No, he didn’t. I came back today on the train. I’m just coming from the station now.”
“Then Gale is with you?” Bruce asked.
“No. She started back last night with Brent in his plane.”
“But where is she?” Valerie demanded. “I certainly thought she would be at the races today.”
“Haven’t you seen either her or Brent since the take-off yesterday?” Mr. Howard wanted to know in a worried voice.