fficulty, owing to the fact that the wings of the aeroplane extended
far on either side, and kept the boat off; but in the end they managed
fairly well, though the eager Jimmy came near falling overboard in his
ambitious stretching, deeming it a great honor to have pressed the hand
of one about whom there was so much being printed in the papers.

"Good luck go with you, boys!" called out the young aviator, as he
prepared to once more leave the surface of the water, and soar aloft
into airy space. "Give my regards to Herbert, Josh, George and Nick,
and tell them I hope some day in the near future to make their personal
acquaintance. I'm sure you must be a jolly bunch; and what glorious
times you have ahead! And I also hope you get track of the party that
packet is addressed to, Jack; it means much to me, I tell you."

"I'll do everything in my power to find him, and give it personally
into his hands, Malcolm, I promise you. Shall I tell him how queerly
we met?" Jack went on.

"Yes, and how some blessed inspiration caused me to believe there was
more than accident about our coming together, with you just on the way
down South by the coast route. So long, fellows; and again the best of
luck to you all."

"Same to you!" called Jimmy, as he heard the motor of the
hydro-aeroplane begin to whirr, and saw the strange contrivance start
to spin along the little waves, once more sending the spray on either
side.

Then it began to rise in the air with perfect freedom. They saw the
daring young aviator wave his hand in parting as he sped away, circling
upwards until he was hundreds of feet aloft, and constantly gaining.

"Wow! wouldn't that make ye wink, now, Jack darlint?" exclaimed Jimmy,
as he twisted his neck badly in the endeavor to follow the course of
the wonderful machine that seemed as much at home in one element as the
other.

Jack made no reply.

He was bending down to start his own motor once more, and upon his face
there might have been seen an expression that told of mingled
resolution and curiosity. Yes, he would do everything possible to
deliver this strange missive that Malcolm Spence had entrusted to his
care, apparently on the impulse of the moment; at the same time Jack
would not have been human, and a boy, had he not experienced more or
less wonder as to what that same communication might contain.

But the mystery was one that must remain such to the end of the
chapter, since the deep sense of