CONTENTS

CHAPTERPAGE
I.[At the Hangars]1
II.[The Tramp Artist]8
III.[Target Practice]20
IV.[The Under Dog]30
V.[The Big Event]37
VI.[A Startling Discovery]44
VII.[The Hidden Hand]52
VIII.[The Secret Foe]60
IX.[Just in Time]67
X.[A Friend in Disguise]76
XI.[A Strange Race]85
XII.[A Desperate Passenger]92
XIII.[A Remarkable Explanation]100
XIV.[The New Helper]110
XV.[A Terrible Discovery]116
XVI.[In Doubt]122
XVII.[Trouble]129
XVIII.[A Strange Message]135
XIX.[Ariel II]141
XX.[Beaten]149
XXI.[Fifty Points]156
XXII.[Queer Proceedings]163
XXIII.[A Noble Deed]172
XXIV.[The Hidden Diamonds]180
XXV.[The False Barograph]190

DAVE DASHAWAY,
AIR CHAMPION

CHAPTER I

AT THE HANGARS

“Dave, here is something that will surely interest you.”

As he spoke, Hiram Dobbs held up a newspaper to the view of his companion, and Dave Dashaway caught sight of the prominent head line: “Grand International Aviation Contest.”

The two friends were amid an environment strongly suggestive of airships and their doings. They were sitting under a tree near the hangar where Dave’s various aircraft and equipments were stored. This was Dave’s home, for the time being. Here, for over a month he had slept, ate and trained for just such an event as the one which his chum had brought to his attention.