"Well, suit yourself," said Hal, "but don't expect me to wait for you."
"If you can distance me you will have to travel," returned the Austrian.
"I've the fastest craft in the service."
"I'm glad to hear that," replied Hal, and added to himself: "I don't think."
"Set your pace," continued the Austrian. "I'll trail along behind."
"No use talking any more, I guess," Hal muttered to his friends. "May as well go along."
Chester and Colonel Anderson nodded their assent and the machine moved forward again.
Things might have gone well had it not been for Stubbs. Suddenly the little man uttered a yell and sat up straight in his seat.
"Ouch!" he shouted. "I've got an awful pain!"