n speculation concerning the professor's sudden disappearance. Im

t take to get an

riskly, as did all

ready for flight by noon," was Roy's re

ork. I am anxious to reach the mine and stake it out prop

efinite legal claim to his discover

kely to be bothered by claim jump

oo careful. Since the news spread that I have struck it rich there are men capab

e you would have filed your claim before you came East," p

stless gold-seeking horde that hangs about desert towns," said Mr. Bell, with some warmth. "It is an outrageous thing, but nevertheless a f

said Peggy softly. "Shouldn't everybody have

zed at her

e said, "but just the same, not all gold-seekers make d

on the porch of the National House. But the same dread of ridicule that she

uches to be in readiness for its aerial dash. While the boys, with the girls eagerly helping them, worked on the flying machine, Mr. Bell carefully studied a map he had made of the mine'

so as to be constantly available in case anything happened to the first one, it had been decided that Jimsy

, and in the event of the first aeroplane not returning that

onsideration the possibility of accident to the aeroplane, and none realiz

gh rope. A supply of water in stone jars and an extra stock of gasoline were also taken along. At the conclusion of the noon meal the motor was

ght," said Mr. Bell as he slipped into

ot?" inqu

grave note, "in that case you will take the

and quivered under the force of the explosions. The next instant the first aeroplane to invade the Big Alkali scudded off across the level floor of the desert

such feelings-namely, work. Much was to be done on the remaining monoplane, and with the exception of brief intervals of "fooling" the young people spent the rest of the day on finishing its equipm

y swept by expectant eyes, but supper was served and eaten, and the purple shadows of night b

camp at the mine," suggested old Peter Bell in response to Miss Pres

Roy easily, demolishing th

rhaps there lingered, too, in his mind, a faint desire to test out the other aero

set out at once in search of it. To this end the recently equipped airship was stocked with food and water, and shortly before noon Roy finished the final t

e like this," said Mr. Bell, "if he c

or several minutes, emerged from their tent. Each girl wore an aviation hood and stout lea

s," he said, "but I've got to

tones; "what if anything happened to you? Wh

besides if-if anything has gone wrong with Jims

ked per

unt Sally?" he appe

sco

ch as anyone else's, Miss Pres

ition of this kind alone," she said, addressing Roy. "As P

cried Peggy, giving the k

is, that whatever you find, you do not delay, but report back

ng with levers and adjustments Roy started the motor. Heavily laden as it was the staunch aeroplane shot upward steadily after a short run.

l come back safe and

into his rhythmical way of expressing himself, the old man added: "Tho

d brought with her from the Fast. An odd picture she made, sitting there in that dreary grove in the desert, with her New England