“Colonel Howell,” he said, “I’ll do it. I understand everything. You have given me the greatest chance of my life.”
“Then,” came the cheery and quick rejoinder of the Kentuckian, relighting his cigar, as he appeared to be always doing under any stress, “we’ll begin right away. This is a business proposition and we’re all business people. We haven’t any time to lose. I want you to go home and begin to pack your kit. The machine is outside. I think your father would like to talk to you.”
“I’m ready now,” came the quick response. A moment later the Zept motor was on its way home.
CHAPTER V
NEGOTIATING AND OUTFITTING
It had been an eventful day for the millionaire ranchman and his son Paul, as well as for Norman Grant and Roy Moulton, to whom it had opened up possibilities that they could scarcely yet realize. It was now Colonel Howell’s mission further to enact the role of a magician and to see if the plans he had outlined were to bear fruit for the young aviators.
“We’ll be waiting to hear,” announced the young Count, as he alighted and gave the chauffeur directions for finding the Grant and Moulton homes, “and I want to know the news to-night.”
“I’ll be disappointed if it isn’t good news,” responded the Kentuckian, “but don’t you worry about that. We’re going anyway. You see your father right away and he’ll begin to plan your outfit. We’re going to leave, the airship with us I hope, at three o’clock Monday afternoon.”