“Make zem tight, Jean. It would be a catastrophe, should we escape, but drop our prizes,” said the smaller man; who was standing close to the propeller of the aeroplane, and giving it a few trial spins.
“It is fixed,” the other replied, as he came back to where his companion stood. “And now, shall we not push it out in the open.”
“Zat will not be hard,” replied Jules, bending his shoulders to the task.
The aeroplane had been nicely balanced on the three bicycle wheels, and upon being started immediately began to pass out of the hangar.
Frank could feel Andy quivering with indignation and resentment, and knew that the other was almost on the point of an explosion. Unless he were checked, he was apt to rush out, and try, single-handed, to hold the robbers back.
CHAPTER XII.
HELD BACK.
“Hush! Don’t make a sound yet!” was what Frank whispered.
“But look at them, Frank! The skunks are stealing our neat little trick! They mean to fly away in her!” answered Andy. And perhaps his husky voice might have been heard only that just then Jules happened to have started the engine, and the noise of its throbbing pulsations drowned all other sounds.
Evidently the skilled aviator was bent on making sure that everything was correct before starting aloft. It was dangerous business under even the best of conditions; and certainly when they were about to risk their lives in a craft made by a couple of green-horn lads.
Still, Jules was voicing his surprise and gratification. He had certainly never expected to find a machine so nearly perfect as the result of inexperienced lads.