“There is your real course. You are next to one of the greatest achievements ever accomplished by man. Do it or attempt it in good faith and the Herald stands ready to pay you $50,000.”
The figures were staggering but the three boys were now almost beyond fresh sensations. While no one spoke, Mr. Latimer threw up a window. A wave of cool, fresh air that burst into the room seemed to arouse the bewildered boys more than the editor’s last words. It was day and time for clearer thought. As the hesitating boys turned to drink in the refreshing air, on a sudden all was decided. The telepathy of boy comradeship passed the message without spoken words.
“We don’t want the money unless we do what you ask,” said Ned turning to face the managing editor, “but we’ll try to do it.”
“Thank you, gentlemen,” exclaimed the worn editor. “Say that we meet at the Knickerbocker at one o’clock for luncheon and then to business. Good night.”
As the three boys took their departure the editor seated himself at his desk again and reached for a pad of cable blanks.
CHAPTER VI
AN OLD HOME AND A MODERN BUSINESS
The full significance of this unique proposition did not appear to the Airship Boys until they had cleared their brains with several hours of sleep. In the preceding few days, as the Ocean Flyer came to completion, the three boys had put in long hours at the aeroplane factory. And the final test—the flight in the dark to sea and back—had been a strain that left them exhausted and ready for rest. Losing this by being aroused from bed at two o’clock, put them in a nervous and easily irritated condition. There was little time given that night to a consideration of what was to come.
This was not true of the man who had suggested the daring venture. Long after the boys had left him and while they were soundly asleep in their near-by hotel, he remained at his desk elaborating his plans and taking further steps towards their early execution. Long cablegrams in cipher accumulated on his desk. These were to the London office and mainly devoted to instructions and injunctions to the men already in the field and at work on the coronation program.
Many of his messages asked questions necessary to an intelligent cooperation between the aviators and the London representatives. Not the least important was the one asking for a description of the best landing place and an account of land marks and signals by which this might be easily discerned. Motor cars were to be in readiness to carry the matrices of the special edition to Fleet street, special police permits were to be secured and arrangements made for the printing and circulation of the transported paper in London.