read it: 'The real cause was carbonic-acid-gas
poisoning due to the pressure on the mouth from driving fast through the
air, and the consequent inability to expel the poisoned air which had
been breathed. Air once breathed is practically carbonic-acid-gas. When
one is passing rapidly through the air this carbonic-acid-gas is pushed
back into the lungs, and only a little can get away because of the rush
of air pressure into the mouth. So it is rebreathed, and the result is
gradual carbonic-acid-gas poisoning, which produces a kind of narcotic
sleep.'"

"Then it wasn't the gyroscope in that case?" said Kennedy with a rising
inflection.

"No," I admitted reluctantly, "perhaps not."

I could see that I had been rash in talking so long. Kennedy had only
been sounding me to see what the newspapers thought of it. His next
remark was characteristic.

"Norton has asked me to look into the thing," he said quietly. "If his
invention is a failure, he is a ruined man. All his money is in it,
he is suing a man for infringing on his patent, and he is liable
for damages to the heirs, according to his agreement with Browne and
Herrick. I have known Norton some time; in fact, he worked out his ideas
at the university physical laboratory. I have flown in his machine, and
it is the most marvellous biplane I ever saw. Walter, I want you to get
a Belmore Park assignment from the Star and go out to the aviation meet
with me to-morrow. I'll take you on the field, around the machines--you
can get enough local colour to do a dozen Star specials later on. I may
add that devising a flying-machine capable of remaining stationary in
the air means a revolution that will relegate all other machines to the
scrap-heap. From a military point of view it is the one thing necessary
to make the aeroplane the superior in every respect to the dirigible."

The regular contests did not begin until the afternoon, but Kennedy
and I decided to make a day of it, and early the next morning we were
speeding out to the park where the flights were being held.

We found Charles Norton, the inventor, anxiously at work with his
mechanicians in the big temporary shed that had been accorded him, and
was dignified with the name of hangar.

"I knew you would come, Professor," he exclaimed, running forward to
meet us.

"Of course," echoed Kennedy. "I'm too much interested in this invention
of yours not to help you, Norton. You know what I've always thought of
it--I've