the officer, trained in a strict school to
repress his emotions, tightened his lips, and then opened them to emit a
relieved gasp.

So close to the gaping machinists and the anger-crimsoned Mortlake did the
triumphant aeroplane swoop, that Peggy, to her secret amusement could
trace the astonished look on the faces of the employees and the chagrined
expression that darkened Mortlake's countenance.

"I guess I've given them something to think over," she said
mischievously, flinging back a brilliant smile at the dazed young officer.

"Now," she exclaimed the next moment, "for a distance flight. I'm anxious
to put the _Golden Butterfly_ through all her paces. Oh, by the way, the
balancer. I haven't shown you how that works yet."

If Peggy's bright eyes had not been veiled by goggles, the officer might
have seen a mischievous gleam flash into them, like a wind ripple over the
placid surface of a blue lake.

Suddenly the aeroplane slanted to one side, as if it must turn over. Peggy
had banked it on a sharp aerial curve. The young officer, in spite of
himself, in defiance of his training, gave a gasp.

"I say----"

But the words had hardly left his lips before the aeroplane was back on a
level keel once more. At the same time a rasping, sliding sound was
heard.

"Like to see how that was done?" asked Peggy, with a bewitching smile.

"Yes. By Jove, I thought we were over for an instant. But how----"

"That we shall be glad to show you when the United States government has
contracted for a number of the Prescott aeroplanes," retorted Peggy.

The young officer bit his lip.

"Confound it," he thought, "is this chit of a girl making fun of me?"

Young officers have a high idea of their own dignity. Mr. Bradbury colored
a bit with mortification. But Peggy quickly dispelled his temporary
chagrin.

"You see," she explained, "it would never do for us to reveal all our
secrets, would it? You agree with me, don't you?"

"Oh, perfectly. You are quite right. Still, I confess that you have
aroused all my inquisitiveness."

Peggy being busied just then with a bit of machinery on the bulkhead
separating the motor from the body of the chassis, made no reply. But
presently, when she looked up, she gave a sharp exclamation.

The sky, as if by magic, had grown suddenly dark. Above the pulsating
voice of the motor could be heard the rumble of thunder. All at once a
vivid flash of lightning leaped across the horizon. One of tho