Accordingly the boys hastened back to the hangar to still the alarm of the watchman and proceed with the work in hand.
Long before dinner time the engine had been properly located, tried out and pronounced fit. The boys were jubilant at the result.
"Now we're ready to start just as soon as we pack our kit!" announced Ned. "Boys, let's make things hum around here!"
"Let's telephone Mr. Bosworth that the engine's running great and ask him to arrange for our passage," suggested Harry.
"Good idea, Harry; get him on the wire for me, will you?"
Mr. Bosworth was pleased at the announcement. Arrangements had been made, he said, to secure passage for them on a swift vessel leaving New York two days later. They would thus have ample time for trials and adjustments of the engine before dismantling the "Grey Eagle."
Accordingly the boys worked with a vim that afternoon.
"I tell you what," Ned spoke up as the boys were eating supper at the close of a busy day, "we have been very fortunate so far in avoiding serious trouble. I hope we get away all right!"
"Oh, we're the regular little side-steppers!" gleefully assented Jimmie. "I wish we knew who the guys are who seem to be trying to put us out of business. What is that saying, 'Know about it ahead of time and you've got four arms'?"
"'Forewarned is forearmed,' Jimmie," corrected Jack. "You seem to think only of boxing gloves and other things like that!"