lace that looks like it had telephone
connection with the outside world, I'm going to have a try. Might have
done it when we passed over that last place where the people were all
waving things up at us, and we could just hear a confused shouting. I
bet you, Frank, they just thought this was a regular air contest, with a
prize offered to the winner."

"Well, it is," observed the other. "If we win, we take back our
prisoners; and on the other hand, if they come out first best they get
away to Canada with their liberty and their plunder. Yes, it's a race,
all right, Andy, a test of skill and endurance; and perhaps the best man
will win."

"Then I know who that will be," declared Andy, enthusiastically.

"Don't be too sure," warned Frank, though it must have pleased him to
know that he possessed the fullest confidence of his cousin and chum,
who had been his constant companion on so many expeditions, and must
understand him like a book.

"What if they keep everlastingly at it, and night comes on?" asked
Andy, presently.

"Well, there's the moon, though I don't like chasing along this way
after sundown; and if we're put to it, we've got our fine search-light,
you must remember," Frank replied.

"There, I believe we're going to pass right over another town, Frank!"

"It does look that way, for a fact," admitted the other. "Casper doesn't
see any reason why he should bother changing his set course due north
because he happens to pass a few towns away up here in the northern end
of the State. Let the people stare all they want to. He's been used to
having crowds gape at him, you know, and rather likes it. Besides, if he
gets away, what does it matter?"

Andy prepared himself for the little job he had on hand.

As he had practiced throwing stones from the aeroplane while at a great
height, just to see how near he could come to hitting a certain place
far below, so as to ascertain what chance aviators would have of making
bombs tell in war times, the boy believed he would be able to drop his
message pretty accurately in some open place, close to where the
townspeople were clustered. And seeing it fall, some one would be sure
to hurry over to secure the mysterious object.

"Here goes our old broken wrench, which has been hanging around so
long!" declared Andy, as, leaning carefully over, he measured distances
with his eye, and suddenly let the object slip, taking care to make all
allowances for their speed.

This is