when we can be spared from our
regular work," answered Harry. "There are four of us left, at the
headquarters' offices, and whether or not they want us to stay there
I don't know."

"Humph!" Parks had not great respect for anyone around an airdrome
who was not intimately connected with the actual flying. "Lot of
good you will be doing there. If they want to see you boys amount
to something, why don't they let me have a chance to see what's in
you? Fellows who know at a glance that elevator wires are crossed
ought to be encouraged. That's my view." Parks left the subject
and turned his attention to the bruised pilot, who came in for a
curtain lecture. Harry Corwin busied himself with trying to ascertain
the extent of the damage to the wrecked plane. As Parks finished
talking to the pilot he stepped to Harry's side and asked: "What is
left of her?"

"Plenty," said Harry. "She will need a new propellor and her running
gear is crumpled up badly, but I doubt very much if the planes are
damaged, and I don't see that the engine has suffered." Park's
critical eye ran over the wreck and he nodded. Without further
comment he jumped into his car. As it started away he said: "Don't
bother with the old girl any further. I will send a gang out to tend
to her. I will see if a chance won't come along soon to get you boys
into better jobs, if you want them."

"Want them?" said Harry. "I should think we do."

But Parks was a very busy man, and as the work at the new air camp
increased he found his hands so full that his promise to Harry was
for the time being crowded out of his mind.

The four boys held at headquarters chafed a little, but were careful
to keep the fact to themselves. Archie Fox felt it most keenly of all,
for he was very fond of Jimmy Hill, and thought it hard fate indeed
that took Jimmy away from him. Jimmy was learning rapidly. He had
made friends with one of the instructor pilots, a little man named
Reece, who spent much time tuning up and going over the school machines.

Reece was never idle, never quiet. An hour in which nothing had been
done was to him an hour wasted. If he had nothing else to do he would
go over work just completed and make sure it had been done well. In
consequence, Reece had few accidents, and rarely suffered delays and
waits while something was being "put right." Jimmy appreciated this
quality in Reece, and saw its results.

By tuning his inclinations and point o