“Talk about autogyros,” exclaimed Tim. “Why this thing could take off and land in a flower bed. I’ll bet those wing propellers can pull it almost straight up.”
“That’s the theory,” said Giddings, “and from the robberies that this gang you’re after has been getting away with successfully it looks to me like they’ve been using one of these machines, probably the first one this outfit ever turned out.”
“When I first saw those parallel tracks after the attempt to rob the midnight mail I figured they must be using some kind of a machine like this,” said Tim, “but I knew it would have to be more efficient than anything sold on the commercial market.”
“Let’s get out of here before dark,” said Giddings. “We’ve got a long trip back to the city and we can discuss plans on our way back.”
Tim agreed and they made their way out of the hangar and back to the car without detection.
On the trip to New York Tim discussed plans for the capture of Shanghai Sam and Pierre Petard with the young aircraft designer.
“I’ve got something I’ve been fooling with for a long time,” said Giddings. “It’s a sort of radio detector designed for use in time of war. When it is fitted into a plane you can ascertain whether any other ships are in the air and by adjustment of the detector tell how far away they are.”
“Just the thing I’ll need,” said Tim enthusiastically. “Is there any chance that you’ll lend it to me for a few days?”
“That’s why I mentioned it,” said Giddings. “The device needs a thorough testing and once I’ve proved its value I’ll have no trouble in selling my patents. We’ll both profit by your using it.”
When they reached the city Giddings drove to his apartment, which contained living quarters and a room which he had fitted up as an electrical laboratory.