CHAPTER VIII
THE SECRET FOE
The young pilot of the Ariel was sufficiently interested to follow his assistant down into the yard. The farmer followed. Three pairs of eyes scanned the sky with no result.
“I say, it’s queer,” persisted Hiram, trying to get a new focus of view by running about out of range of surrounding trees and buildings.
“Mebbe they alighted behind the barn,” suggested the farmer.
“Then they pretty nearly came straight down,” declared Hiram.
“There’s a holler over beyond the orchard,” explained the farmer.
“I’m going to find out where they landed,” persisted Hiram, running away from the others.
He rounded the barn, a corn crib and then the windmill shed. He heard: “Chug—chug!” Keen as a ferret, the guiding sound spurred him on. Suddenly Hiram halted.