lips so as to give utterance to the few words promptly; for he
astonished them all by calmly remarking, with not a trace of hesitation:

"It sure is; there, how's that?"

"Bully! Keep it up, and you'll be all hunky!" ejaculated Larry.

"But see here, how about that grub?" demanded Andy, suddenly
remembering that it was now one o'clock, and that they had eaten an
early breakfast.

"Wow! the chances are it's all burned up!" cried Elephant, making a
bee-line for the door of the shop; in which rush he was followed by all
the others.

But Larry was too good a cook to leave his dinner exposed to any such
danger. Before he went outdoors he had moved everything back on the
stove; so that when the five hungry lads finally sat down they found
every article just right.

While they ate, many questions flew back and forth. Larry wanted to
know more particulars about that little affair with the dog, and just
how Andy knocked the savage beast headlong with that handy monkey
wrench; also what Miss Alice looked like; whether she had black eyes,
or blue; and so many other things in connection with the dainty little
miss that Andy begged Frank to seal his lips, because their comrade was
only doing this for a lark.

Frank on his part was not wholly satisfied with what he had heard
concerning the new attempt of the mysterious tourist to pry into his
affairs. He every little while would spring some new question, which
Larry answered to the best of his ability. Evidently Frank was trying
to discover the real motives actuating Mr. Marsh when he so suddenly
decided to remain around Bloomsbury a few days, and made such a lame
excuse for so doing.

The balance of the afternoon was passed as usual. Frank and Andy went
up again along about four o'clock, everything being favorable for an
ascent. It was the desire of the young pilot to ascertain just what
effect the several little changes he had made would have upon his
mastery of the biplane.

Evidently they gave him more or less solid satisfaction; since, when
the time came for a final landing, with the westering sun throwing
almost horizontal beams upon the aviation field before dropping beyond
the trees, Frank had a smile on his face, and Andy looked more pleased
than ever.

So another night came around, on which at least they need not fear a
repetition of the escaped convict's visit.

CHAPTER XX

THE RIVAL AVIATORS

"It's what I call a blooming shame, that's what