is safe enough, Dora," he replied, not wishing to alarm her.
"It's like an auto--you've got to get used to it."

"I don't think I'd ever get used to a flying machine."

"Maybe you would. Some day I'll take you up and you can see how you like
it." But Dora shook her head at this.

The boys had hoped to have a quiet time with the three girls, but this
was not to be just then. The students of the seminary gathered around,
and the lads were kept busy explaining about the biplane, and how the
engine and the steering gear worked. Then, to show that they could run
the _Dartaway_ as well as Dick, Tom took the machine up and Sam
followed him, each making several circles around the campus.

"Any girls want to go up?" questioned Tom. "Now don't please all speak
at once." There was a general giggle, but nobody accepted the
invitation. Then the Rovers turned to those they had come to visit, and,
taking the hint, the other girl students sauntered away.

"Wouldn't you like some refreshments?" asked Dora. "We might get some
hot coffee and some cake."

"No, we'll have to get back before dark," answered Dick. "So we'll just
stay and talk awhile. Any special news from home?"

"No. Mamma is going away for her health, and Mrs. Laning is going with
her."

"I hope they go where old Crabtree and Sobber can't find them."

"That is what they are going to try to do, Dick. Oh, dear, I wish those
people would never come near us again!"

"They are up near our home now," answered the eldest Rover boy, and told
about the old mill.

"Whatever are they up to now, do you think, Dick?"

"I can't imagine. We are all awaiting developments."

"Your folks ought to be on guard."

"They are on guard--and dad has hired a detective to keep his eye on
Crabtree and Sobber."

"What about your father, Dick? You wrote that he was worried over some
business matter."

"He is, and Uncle Randolph is worried, too, Dora. It's some business you
wouldn't understand--something about some western investment. You see
dad and uncle are getting old and they can't watch things as they used
to--and Uncle Randolph is all wrapped up in scientific farming, just as
he always was. I sometimes think it's time I took hold of business
matters and helped them."

"Then you'd have to leave Brill, wouldn't you?"

"Yes; but I'd not mind that--I have a pretty good education even now,
and I could study in my spare moments. I could take a short course,
instead of one of the l