“The man you employed to provide the fraudulent instrument has been brought to us by Mr. Borden,” proceeded the chairman. “His private mark was on the barograph and the one removed is in our possession, secured secretly by Mr. Borden at your hangar.”
Dismay, exposure, defeat!—like some snarling animal Valdec left the room. Humiliated and degraded Worthington sneaked after him.
“You are credited with forty new points, Mr. Dashaway,” announced the chairman of the committee, “giving you a winning lead. The committee has decided to award you the ten thousand dollar prize.”
The grand event was over, the victor crowned, and Dave Dashaway stood champion in his line, eager for new laurels.
It all came to him pleasantly as he started the Ariel homeward for the International grounds after a brief pleasure flight.
The incidents of the past two days had been most enjoyable. The Interstate Aero Company had won approved recognition of their output, and their machine had been driven by the top-notch artist in the aviation field.
The result of the discovery of the diamonds had made Bruce Beresford supremely happy. He could now provide permanently for his little sister, Lois, and he could afford to wait till the next season to rejoin his young friends in their airship experiences. His ears healed so that only a scar showed.
The diamond thief had undoubtedly smashed the window of the old hut at Wayville to throw his plunder into an obscure hiding place. The jeweler was faithful as to the payment of the promised reward. Then, when the business of the meet was over Dave had gone on a little trip of his own.
The young aviator was about fifteen miles from his destination, when a swift biplane he had noticed casually, crossed for the second time in front of him and made a sudden flight aloft. Then it swung around, followed the same course the Ariel was pursuing and, putting on full speed, got directly above him.