Tim and Ralph had hardly climbed from their plane when “Daredevil” Dugan, accosted them with bitter words.
“Whoever told you two pencil pushers you could fly,” he cried. “What do you think this is, a game of Washington tag? You came mighty near wrecking me back there at Newton.”
Dugan’s attitude angered Tim, who felt that he was in no way responsible for the mixup which had occurred at the noon control station. Before he could answer someone else joined in the party.
“What’s this you’re saying, Dugan?” The voice was cold with sarcasm and “Daredevil” Dugan swung around to face “Spin” Beeker, the head judge. “Don’t you think you’d better pull in your oars,” continued Beeker. “I’ve a good mind to disqualify you for that stunt you pulled back at Newton. Trying to blame these boys, are you? Not while ‘Spin’ Beeker’s judging this tour, you won’t.”
“You deliberately jumped your flag,” he accused Dugan, “and if Tim says you go out, out you go. What do you say, Tim?”
Tim knew that Dugan had a good chance to win first prize in the Class C division for small planes and the call down the field judge had given the “Daredevil” more than satisfied him for the injustice he felt from Dugan’s accusation.
“Oh, that’s all over now, Mr. Beeker,” said Tim. “Only a misunderstanding and it’s better to forget all about it.”
“Just as you say,” agreed the head judge, as he turned back to Dugan, but the Daredevil was already on his way.
Tim watched Dugan as he hurried toward a waiting car. Was it possible that the Daredevil had deliberately attempted to crash them? His thoughts flashed back to the scene at the Atkinson airport and his words with Blandin. Could the boss of the flying circus have instructed Dugan to get them? It was a question Tim himself couldn’t answer and he decided to let things take their course after promising himself that he would keep a closer watch than ever on Dugan.
On the final day of the air tour, Tim, in recognition for his work in promoting the big aviation day at Atkinson, was given the lead-off position and he swept away from the Beldon airport at the head of the caravan of thirty planes.