The lads soared upward, circled around over Mr. Montrose’s house, and then started straight away. They covered several miles and returned.
“Now for the chase!” cried Jerry grimly, as they made a descent.
“Oh, what wonderful boys!” cried Mrs. Montrose. “You are so daring!”
“No danger at all,” Ned assured her.
It did not take them long to pack a few articles of clothing, a light lunch and a few other necessaries on the aeroplane, which they named the Chaser. They planned to travel as far as they could before dark, and then stop at some hotel or farmhouse over night. In the morning they would renew the pursuit of Noddy. Professor Snodgrass was to remain at the Montrose home, seeking specimens, and the boys promised to call back for him when they had succeeded in their quest, or had proved to their own satisfaction that they could not catch Noddy.
“But we’ll get him!” cried Ned, as he and his companions took their places in the Chaser.
“Come back to Annabell and me!” cried Gladys after them.
“We will,” promised Bob.
There was the clattering racket of the explosions in the cylinders. The big propellers whizzed around with terrific force. The biplane trembled, and then began to roll slowly across the smooth lawn on her bicycle wheels.
“Good luck!” cried Mr. Montrose.