"What load can you carry?" asked Mr. Appleton presently. "I don't trust the Babu's calculations."
"A thousand pounds or more," replied Lawrence, who was examining the gearing of the propeller.
"You've only two seats," Mr. Appleton went on, after an interval of silence. "Some machines will carry three, I suppose."
"Oh yes," answered Bob. "We could easily rig up a third seat. Pity you dislike the thing so much, Uncle."
Mr. Appleton did not reply. When the boys got into their places, he did not warn them to be careful, as his habit was, but bade them good-bye as unconcernedly as if they had been going for a short train journey.
"He's fishing for an invitation," said Lawrence to his brother as they rose into the air. "Bet you what you like we have him with us within a week."
But the period proved to be even shorter. Before leaving the aeroplane that evening, they spent an hour or two in making a third seat. Two days later, when Mr. Appleton again crossed to their ledge to see them fly off, he noticed the addition.
"Who's your second passenger?" he asked.
"Gur Buksh said that he'd like to try a flight," replied Bob: "but knowing how much you disapprove of the machine, he hasn't ventured to ask your permission yet."
"Humph! I don't think I can allow that--at any rate, until I have tried it myself."