Then a few seconds later, the two craft came gently down to the ground,
undulating until they could drop as lightly as a boy's kite. And, as
they came to a stop with the application of the drag brake, after
rolling a short distance on the bicycle wheels, the craft were
surrounded by the eager cadets.

CHAPTER V

SUSPICIONS

Casting aside the straps that bound them to their machines, the army
aviators leaped lightly from their seats. The big propellers, from
which the power had been cut off, as the birdmen started to volplane to
the ground, ceased revolving, and the hum and roar of the powerful
motors was no more heard.

In their big, leather helmets, and leather jackets, and with their
enormous goggles on, the birdmen looked like anything but
spick-and-span soldiers of Uncle Sam. But dress in the army has
undergone a radical change. The "fuss and feathers" are gradually
disappearing, and utility is the word. It was so in regard to the
aviators. They were not hampered by uniforms.

"Kentfield Military Academy?" inquired one of the officers, evidently
in command. He looked about for someone in authority.

"Kentfield Academy, sir," replied Colonel Masterly who had come up. "I
am in charge here," and he introduced himself. The army man, who wore
a captain's shoulder straps, saluted and remarked:

"I am Captain Grantly, in charge. That is Captain Wakefield, in the
other machine. With him is Lieutenant McBride, and my companion is
Lieutenant Larson. I presume you expected us?"

"Oh, yes," said Colonel Masterly, as he shook hands with the visitors.
"I'm sure we are all glad to see you."

Dick and his chums looked on with interest. The army aviators seemed
efficient and pleasant men--that is all but one. The first sight he
had of the face of Lieutenant Larson, after the latter had removed his
protecting helmet and goggles, made Dick say to himself:

"That fellow will bear watching! I don't like the look in his eyes."

But Dick said nothing of this to Paul or Innis. He made up his mind he
would learn their impressions later.

"We thought we might as well come on in the machines, as to have them
taken down, shipped here, and then have to assemble them again, would
take too much time," went on Captain Grantly. "Though we expect,
later, to give your students a practical demonstration in how the
biplanes are put together, so they may understand something of how to
make repairs.

"We came on fro