much trouble for Peggy Prescott and her brother, culminating in a daring attempt to "bluff" them out of entering a competition for a big aerial prize by constructing a phantom aero

r to him the blue prints and descriptions of his devices left the lad by his dead father. How the elder Harding was routed and how the Girl Aviator, Peggy Prescott, came into her own, was all told in this volume. Since that

an old hermit, had been discovered by means of the Prescott a

rt of the desert hills of Nevada. The aeroplane and Peggy Prescott played an important part in their adventures and perils. Notably so, when in a neck-to-neck dash with an express train, the aeroplane won out in a race to file the location pape

rised-as has been said-to observe the mushroom-like rise of the Mortlake factory. But of what the new plan

squeaky voice-not unlike the complaint of a long unuse

e long tails, they resembled so many dragon-flies, or "devil's darning needles," assembled in conclave upon the level floor. At the farther end of the shed was a small blast furnace, shooting upward a livid, blue spout of flame, which roared savagely. Actively engaged at their various tasks at lathes and work-benches, were a dozen or more overalled mechanics, the most skillful in their line that co

y, Lieut. Bradbury is due here at noon. I want to have everything as far advanced as possib

ous tour of the work-benches, dropping a reproof

chance, Mr.

o show the worth of our machines?" he grated out, rubbing h

e here to-day to inspect the place. It means a great deal for us if the go

his thing now, Mortlake. I'm not the man to throw good money after bad. If we are defeated by any other

under his swarthy skin. He r

solicitation that the plant was put up here, and I had relied on you for unlimited support.

wind, "one was that I thought it was certain we should capture the governmen

ness. I am not afraid. There is no machi

Harding; "a machine that may be a

hin a quarter of a mile from here. To be acc

nodded abs

ge that I decided to start up an opposition business to his. He was in the West till a few days ago, and I never dreamed that he would return till I had secured the government contract. But I am now

under his breath, but Harding'

ckmate. I've never had a business rival yet that I haven't broken into submission or crushed, and a boy and a g

mea

o cinch that gov

ear, the Prescotts hav

less lips drew together in a tight line, "if they have a superior machine

had reached, and sliding rather than stepping into his machine, gave the chauffeur some orders. Mortlake, a peculiar expression on his face,