The Aegis was in for the altitude race. Dave was doubly glad that he had not bothered his employer with the real explanation of his absence the night before. The airman was a superb picture of courage, confidence and expertness as the Aegis bounded from earth and rose in the lead over the fleet of airships entered for the contest.
Dave helped in skidding the machine at the start, and was promptly on hand when the Aegis sailed gracefully down to its starting point with a score of six hundred extra feet to the Fairfield record.
Mr. King was busy after that consulting with and aiding other aviators in their scheduled feats. Dave was just finishing a cold lunch at the hangar, when old Grimshaw poked his head into view past an open doorway.
“Off duty, lad?” he inquired, his twinkling eyes telling Dave that he had something on his mind.
“Why, Mr. King has finished his part in the programme,” replied Dave. “I’ve cleaned up the Aegis, and just waiting for orders.”
“Well, I’ve just seen him, and it’s all right. Like to make some extra money, Dashaway?”
“Always ready for that,” replied Dave.
“Then you come with me,” directed Grimshaw. “We’ve got a quiet corner over against the hangars, and I want you to put in all your spare time for the next two days on biplane practice.”
“Anything special?” asked Dave, with a hopeful smile.
“I’ll answer that when I see you do some grass cutting on the double whirl—which you’ll do,” replied Grimshaw with a chuckle.