"After that, the ship bobbed around in swift dashes, stopping, then darting upward till it was only a dot, reaching unbelievable speeds. All this time, Kane was talking with Hays on the phone, asking questions, suggesting new maneuvers. Though he was trembling with excitement, his voice was calm, controlled and persuasive. I realized later that he was egging Hays on to try more and more spectacular tests of the ship.
"Suddenly it shot away in a steep climb toward the west and was out of sight in a matter of seconds. Kane laid down the telephone and turned to me.
"'He's satisfied the craft works perfectly,' he said. 'He's going to take it straight out for four or five hours and then come back.'
"We all stared at him, for Hays wasn't to have stayed up over an hour. I said, 'He can't do that. There's too much he doesn't know about the ship. Tell him to come back!'
"Kane didn't look at me. 'The boy knows his business. Leave him alone. He's making history.'
"'But the first time—'
"'I'm going down the road a few miles to get some breakfast. Take turns talking to him, why don't you?'
"He got in his car and drove off."
"Exit the villain! Donner, you've got a talent, but you're in the wrong line of work." G. W. Caples dug a chubby fore-finger under his collar and worked the tie knot loose. "This scenario is worth every single cent of $300,000."