"No, I think I'll go in the auto. Mr. Vardon is making a change in the motor, and it isn't in shape to run today. I'll take the boys over to Dankville in the small car."
A little later Dick and his chums were on their way to Uncle Ezra's. They reached Dankville in good time, but, on calling at the house, Aunt Samantha told them her husband was at the woolen mill.
"We'll go down there and see him," decided Dick, after talking to his aunt a little while. She had been looking in the parlor to see that, by no chance, had a glint of light gotten in. Of late her husband and his airship-partner, Larson, had not used the "best room," and so Aunt Samantha's fears about the carpet being spoiled by cigar ashes had subsided.
At the factory Dick was directed, by a foreman, to an unused wing of the building.
"You'll find your uncle in there," the man said to Dick. "He's building an airship!"
"A what!" cried the young millionaire in great astonishment, for he had been too busy, of late, to hear any news from Dankville.
"An airship—a biplane, I believe they're called," the foreman went on.
"Well, I'll be gum-swizzled!" cried Dick, faintly. "Come on, fellows. The world must be coming to an end, surely."
As he started to enter the part of the factory whither he had been directed, his uncle, plainly much excited, came out.
"Stop where you be, Nephew Richard!" he warned. "Don't come in here! Stay back!"