[CHAPTER XIV]
AN EXHIBITION UNDER DIFFICULTIES.
It would require considerable space to describe what took place when President Josiah Elder reached the fair-ground, after receiving Bud’s message, and found the airship shed empty. A good share of his anger he took out on poor Jim Hoarr, the watchman. And yet, Jim could give no better explanation than that Bud Wilson had suddenly appeared, out of breath, a short time before, handed him the message, and sent him on the run to the telephone in the ticket office.
Mr. Elder then read the message at first hand. After that, while he still berated the watchman, he began to think. What did it all mean? Who were “they?” And why were “they” attempting to take the aeroplane. After all, it could mean only one thing. It must mean Mr. Dare. The angered expert was probably up to some trick. And if he was, the thing had probably not yet been attempted. Sending his horse and buggy away, the fair official withdrew to the airship shed, dropped the front curtain, lit a cigar and sat down to await developments. Under a box, he hid a lighted lantern.
About ten o’clock he was rewarded. Under instructions, the watchman remained quiet, when stealthy footsteps approached and the front curtain was raised. Waiting until three figures had crawled into the shed, Mr. Elder suddenly drew his lantern from its shelter. Before him stood the discomfited Attorney Stockwell, Mr. T. Glenn Dare and the deputy sheriff.
“Good evening, gentlemen,” exclaimed the waiting president. “Anything I can do for you?”
Attorney Stockwell put on a bold front. At the same time, he looked about in open surprise. The aeroplane was gone.
“We’re here on an order of the Court, Josiah,” began the lawyer. “I’ve been retained by Mr. Dare to protect his rights.”
“What rights?”