“You mean they’ll make Nestorville famous,” spoke up Schultz in the capacity of the boys’ champion. “They’re the brainiest kids in America to-day.”
“Oh, they don’t amount to very much,” came a sneering voice behind the sturdy blacksmith.
He faced round instantly. The remark had come from Hank who, with Miles at his side, was watching the successful flight with what feelings may be imagined.
Schultz looked angry and was not afraid to let his irritation show. Hank began to wish he’d kept quiet.
“What was that you said, mister?” asked the blacksmith.
“I just said anybody could do that who had the time,” said Hank, modifying his speech somewhat.
“Well, you couldn’t do it, mister; it takes brains to do anything like that. That lets you out.”
The crowd in the vicinity began to titter. Hank hated being laughed at, and his anger made him imprudent.
“That’s a stolen idea, anyhow,” he roared out at the top of his voice. “The plans from which that airship was made belong to me.”
“Hush! Are you crazy?” exclaimed Miles, jerking Hank’s sleeve.