Alan had the new aerometer under his arm but at this suggestion he laughed, put it down and opened an atlas of the world. Turning to the map of Ireland with his finger he followed the southern shore line until it came to Cape Clear. Nearby he made out a small town from which he traced the Cork, Bandon and Southern Railway, connecting through Cork with Dublin on the east coast. Then he slammed the book shut and exclaimed:
“All aboard, in Aeroplane Number One, for St. Johns, Newfoundland, Skibbereen, Ireland, and London. First stop St. Johns. All aboard. Ocean Flyer leaves in one minute.”
Major Honeywell and their guest now appeared and Ned and Alan hurried with them to the automobile. In the trip to the ferry and across the Hudson river Ned entertained the Herald manager with an account of what a flight across the ocean meant.
“Ordinarily,” said the journalist at one time, “all I have seen to-day and what you are telling me would make very good newspaper reading—to say nothing of what we threw away last night.”
“And I’ve been livin’ in that kind of stuff for over three years,” volunteered Bob, “without writing a tenth of what I knew.”
“I’m afraid your reportorial instincts are a little dulled,” laughed the editor.
“No, sir, not by a jugful,” retorted Bob. “When I do break out it’ll be good and proper. They’ve had me for three years just where they had the Herald last night.” Evidently Bob was a little touched by the comment of the editor. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll make a guess you’ve found out considerable to-day that you ain’t goin’ to print.”
“You’re right,” laughed the editor heartily. “I’ll withdraw what I said. Your friends seem wonderfully successful in keeping their business to themselves. You’re quite right. The Herald is going to print nothing that will detract from the spectacular finish of what we shall try to do.”
“We’ve been counting on that, of course,” broke in Ned. “And even after we make the trip,” he went on, “I hope the Herald will never print anything more than we tell its reporters. There are some ideas that we can only protect by secrecy.”
“You mean that what I have personally seen and been told to-day is confidential? Of course. Feel perfectly free, while I am with you, to say what you like. All editors must be able to distinguish between conversation that carries news and the free talk of friends.”