at
our party, who paid little attention to him, shuffled off. At first Peggy
thought that the officials had seen something of the trouble and would be
angry. But it turned out that they were only coming to announce a few
minor changes in the rules governing the race, and to distribute printed
copies of the same.

As they passed on one of them turned and remarked casually:

"By the way, as the wind is so light we have decided to have the big
contest an hour earlier than was announced, and eliminate the girls'
contest, so that everybody can get home from the grounds in good time for
dinner."

He hastened on to join his companions on their journey down the line of
hangars, outside of which aeroplanes were sputtering and smoking, and
excited aviators and mechanics hustling about.

All at once a big biplane was wheeled out and soared into the air. It
carried a blue and gold streamer.

"That's Steiner of the Agassiz High School in New York City," explained
Jimsy; "he's confident of winning the big prize."

Peggy made some reply. She didn't know just what. Her mind was throbbing
with the idea that Roy's inexplicable absence meant that harm had come to
him, and that even if he were safe the advancing of the hour of the race
would put them out of it if he did not make haste.

"Look, there goes Banker of the Philadelphia Polytechnic, and Rayburn of
the Boston Tech," cried Jimsy the next instant as a biplane and a
graceful white-winged monoplane shot aloft on trial trips, their motors
exploding loudly and a tail of blue smoke streaming out behind them. A
slight cheer came from the grand stands, which were already beginning to
fill, as the boy aviators shot upward.

"Oh, Roy! Roy, where are you?" sighed Peggy to herself, as she watched
the young aspirants for aerial honors swinging around the course.

"I'm going over to the stand and 'phone to the police station," said
Jimsy presently; "they may have news of him over there by this time."

"Oh, yes, please do," cried Peggy, as Jimsy hastened off.

When he had gone the two girls turned troubled countenances to each other.

"You poor honey," cried Jess, "I know how you are suffering. But don't
worry, Peggy, I'm sure it will come out all right."

"Yes, but--but you don't know what depends on Roy's winning this race,"
cried Peggy. "I am sure that some of our rivals in the race--I need not
mention who--have something to do with his disappearance."

"What do you mean by s