“Just what I said,” replied Dave. “You have done us a great service and we appreciate it. There is your money.”
“Say, you’re square and white,” declared the farmer, overjoyed at the possession of so much cash.
“We try to be,” answered Dave, pleasantly. “Just sign that receipt, will you? The aeroplane company will pay for this, and I want my voucher all straight and regular.”
Dave wrote out a receipt on the back of a card and the man signed it. Then the young aviator proceeded to the automobile.
“Can’t I help you some?” inquired the farmer, accommodatingly.
“If you will loan us a tin pail for a bit it will be of service to us,” replied Dave. “There is plenty of spare gasoline in the auto tank, Hiram,” he explained.
It did not take the boys long to transfer enough of the gasoline to last the Comet for a home flight. Dave arranged to fly the machine and directed Hiram to take charge of the automobile.
It was about two o’clock in the afternoon when the adventurers reported on the aero grounds. Mr. Brackett was delighted at their success and Elmer was fairly overjoyed. No damage whatever had been done to the biplane, it was found, after a careful inspection of the machine.
“I say, Dave,” spoke Hiram, as he and his chief sat eating a fine dinner sent by Mr. Brackett from the restaurant; “there’s a good deal about this business that puzzles me.”
“I suppose that is true,” responded the young aviator, with a slight smile. “What principally is troubling you, Hiram?”