"I should say not!" cried Innis, with a laugh.
"Any fellow who's worth a million doesn't have to bother about a little small change like twenty thousand dollars."
"Not that I haven't a due regard for the prize," went on Dick. "But if I lost it, and still could have the honor of producing an airship that would be thought worthy of government approval, that would be worth while."
"Indeed it would!" agreed the lieutenant.
"Are we going to have any time at all in New York?" asked Paul. "I have some friends there, and—"
"I believe her name is Knox; isn't it?" interrupted Innis, with a grin at his chum. "First name Grace, lives somewhere up in Central Park, West; eh, old chap?"
"Oh, dry up!" invited Paul. "Don't you s'pose I've got any friends but girls?"
"Well, Grace does live in New York," insisted Innis.
"Yes, and so do Irene Martin and Mabel Hanford!" burst out Paul. "It's as much on you fellows as it is on me," and he fairly glared at his tormentor.
"Easy!" laughed Dick. "I guess we may as well make a family party of it while we're about it. Of course we'll see the girls. In fact I half-promised Miss Hanford I'd call on her if I could get my airship to work."