"I suppose you know what you're doing, Matt," returned the chief, "but I'll be hanged if I do. First off, you'll have to have a place to keep the Hawk, and you know Brady sold that old balloon house before he skipped out, and the place is to be pulled down in a few days."
"I've figured out how I can have a light canvas shelter made and carry it along in the car," said Matt.
"But what are you going to do with the machine?" went on the chief curiously.
"Give exhibitions at state and county fairs, compete for aëronautical prizes, perhaps, and after I and my partner have had all the fun we want to with the Hawk, we'll sell it to the government."
"You're buying a pig in a poke, Matt, but that's your lookout. The Hawk is yours, and I guess I know you well enough to take your check. When do you want possession?"
"This afternoon or to-morrow morning."
"Better make it to-morrow morning. It will take this afternoon to get the necessary papers from the court."
"All right, then. Will you let your officers guard the Hawk until to-morrow morning?"
"I'll keep two men at the balloon house until you show up there to claim your property."
"Thank you, chief. Just give me a receipt for that cash and the check saying the money is in payment for the air ship Hawk and that I'm to have the necessary papers completing the transfer as soon as you can get them."