"I should have thought that the wings were far too small," observed Athol.
"On the contrary they are just the right proportion compared with the weight and power of the motors," replied Desmond Blake. "I have not modelled my invention on the lines of an albatross, whose spread of wings is enormous. I had the lark in my mind's eye. That little bird, as you know, soars almost perpendicularly, yet the wings are small in proportion to the size and weight of its body. Now you have had a general idea of the secret battleplane. To return to the attack: are you fellows willing to sign on as crew?"
"Rather!" replied both lads without hesitation.
CHAPTER IV
A TRIAL TRIP
"A willing heart goes a long way," declared Desmond Blake. "On the other hand there's a verse:—
"Give every act due deliberation;
Make no man your friend
Until his heart you know."
"We'll risk that," rejoined Dick.
"In that case we'll compromise matters," said the inventor. "Since you have offered yourselves in all good faith, we'll run in joint harness for the next fortnight. I'll show you the ropes, and if at the end of that time you wish to dissociate yourselves with the enterprise you may. In a fortnight's time I hope to be ready for an experimental flight to London just to show the authorities what my invention can do."