CHAPTER XVIII
THE FIVE HUNDRED DOLLAR PRIZE
“The Dart is a beauty! I’d like to meet that ingenious father of yours, Ben!”
“He would feel honored to know you, I am sure, Mr. Davis.”
“Just as soon as this meet is over, I am going to get him to build me a new airship modeled after the Dart. It’s the best machine I have yet seen.”
“You will have to deal with the Diebold people, then, Mr. Davis,” advised Ben. “They have gone into the airship business, and father is superintendent of that department of their plant.”
“Well, I’ll have to be contented with his supervision,” observed the old aviator. “I would a good deal rather pay him for special individual service.”
“That would be pretty difficult for the present. My father is putting in all his spare time at home on what he calls an Airatorium.”
“And what is that, Ben?” inquired Mr. Davis with interest.
“A safe, substantial airship for sick people—a sort of an aerial hospital. His idea is to construct a machine that will take invalids up into perfect sunshine, pure air and exhilarating calmness.”