“Should think I would!” declared Hiram Dobbs, his tones quivering with the satisfaction of some great discovery—“I see the light at last!”
CHAPTER XXIII
A NOBLE DEED
Whatever the “light” was that Hiram Dobbs saw, he did not share the illumination with Bruce. In fact the latter did not expect it, and asked no questions.
So much had happened during the past two weeks that had tested the sense, courage and good judgment of the boys, that they had come to taking things conservatively, no matter what transpired.
Bruce was aware that Hiram attached a great deal of importance to the discovery of the disguised Borden. The mention of the barograph had decidedly stirred Hiram. Why, or wherefore, the young pilot of the Scout did not just then say. Perhaps outside of a theory he had formed, Hiram could not clearly have told himself. At all events, Bruce was satisfied to wait for further developments at a time when his friend was ready to divulge them.
The long distance flight was on for the next day. It was the big event of the meet, with a large number of entrants, and nothing else much was talked of that evening or the following morning. “Biplane and one passenger,” ran the schedule and Hiram was glad of that.
“It’s a hundred and ten mile flight,” he remarked, “and the winner will come in under two hours.”
“Not with that choppy northwest wind,” reminded Dave. “There is one thing, though: the Ariel is made for all kinds of weather. It really gives the others a handicap.”