CHAPTER XXV
A GLORIOUS FINISH
“Stand by, Ned!” ordered Tom, in a low voice. “Get ready to follow me up above,” and the young inventor made ready to ascend the enclosed ladder to the cockpit overhead.
“What’s wrong?” asked Ned.
“I don’t know; but it looks like dirty work. I’m afraid they’ve got us, after all!”
“How could they?”
Tom did not stop to answer, but quickly ascended the ladder. Ned, in a few words, told the others the alarming news that had come down from the cockpit, and then stood ready to carry out Tom’s orders.
The young inventor, crowding into the narrow space of the after cockpit, found Wright managing the machinery, for the planes had a dual control system. In the forward cockpit Ted Dolan was slumped down in a heap.
“What’s the matter?” cried Tom, when he reached Dolan’s side.
“I don’t know,” the mechanician answered weakly. “It’s something I ate—or else I’ve been doped. My stomach seems caved in and I can’t see. I’ll have to quit, Mr. Swift—sorry——”
“Don’t worry about that!” exclaimed Tom. “Ned and I can finish the trip—if the engine’s all right.”