r
there remained many little things to do to get his craft in final trim
for the contest. Then, too, he wanted to be ready to act promptly as
soon as Andy's machine was wheeled out, and he also wanted to get a
message from home.

The wireless arrived soon after breakfast, and did not contain very
cheering news.

"Your father not so well," Mr. Jackson sent. "Poor night, but doctor
thinks day will show improvement. Don't worry."

"Don't worry! I wonder who could help it," mused poor Tom. "Well, I'll
hope for the best," and he wired back to tell the engineer in Shopton
to keep in touch with him, and to flash the messages to the
Humming-Bird in the air, after the big race started.

"Now I'll go out and see if I can catch a glimpse of what that sneak
Andy has to pit against me," said Tom.

The Foger tent was tightly closed, and Tom turned back to his own
place, having arranged with a messenger to come and let him know as
soon as Andy's craft was wheeled out.

All about was a scene of great activity. The grand stands were filled,
and a big crowd stood about the field anxiously waiting for the first
sight of the "bird-men" in their wonderful machines. Now and then the
band blared out, and cheers arose as one after another the frail craft
were wheeled to the starting place.

Men in queer leather costumes darted here and there-they were the
aviators who were soon to risk life and limb for glory and gold. Most
of them were nervously smoking cigarettes. The air was filled with
guttural German or nasal French, while now and then the staccato
Russian was heard, and occasionally the liquid tones of a Japanese. For
men of many nations were competing for the prizes.

The majority of the machines were monoplanes and biplanes though one
triplane was entered, and there were several "freaks" as the biplane
and monoplane men called them--craft of the helicopter, or the wheel
type. There was also one Witzig Liore Dutilleul biplane, with three
planes behind.

Tom was familiar with most of these types, but occasionally he saw a
new one that excited his curiosity. However, he was more interested in
what Andy Foger would turn out. Andy's machine had not been tried, and
Tom wondered how he dared risk flying in it, without at least a
preliminary tryout. But Andy, and those with him, were evidently full
of confidence.

News of the suspicions of Tom, and what he intended to do in case these
suspicions proved true, had gotten around, a