CHAPTER V
A SIGHT OF THE BIPLANE
"Say, things haven't done a thing but happen to us today," remarkedBob, when they were nearing the broad, smooth highway that led directlyinto Cresville.
"That's right," agreed Ned. "Meeting those two queer men, having themnearly take our heads off because we looked at their aeroplane, andthen this mix-up with Noddy."
"Noddy got _his_ all right," observed Jerry grimly. "I don't believe,even if we'd caught him, and given him a well-deserved licking, thathe'd be any worse off."
"It was retributive justice with a vengeance," was Ned's furtheropinion. "But, speaking of queer happenings, what do you make of Brownand Black?"
"Can't make much of them," spoke Bob.
"I'd like to know what those tools were," came from Jerry. "They werethe queerest combination I ever saw on an aeroplane. We carry a loton our _Comet_; but nothing like those, and we've got twice as muchcomplicated machinery as those fellows have."
"Sure," agreed Ned. "Well, we'll soon be out in the motorship again ifwe conclude to go to the aviation meet; and maybe they'll have some newtools on exhibition there."
"We'll certainly go," agreed Jerry. "Automobiling is all right ifyou've never sailed in the air, but once you have skimmed along abovethe clouds--"
"You want to keep at it," finished Bob. "But say, we mustn't forget tostop, and send help out to Noddy. He's human, even if he has done usmany a mean turn."
"That's so. We'll stop at Mason's garage and tell them," suggestedJerry. "I think----"
But what he was thinking about he never mentioned, for at that momenthe and his chums were aware of a curious throbbing and humming soundin the air, far above their heads. With one accord they gazed upward,and the sight they saw caused Jerry suddenly to shut off the power, andbring the auto to a stop.
"An aeroplane!" exclaimed Ned.
"A biplane," supplied Bob.
"And going fast, too!" added Jerry. "Say, but they're eating up theair-space all right!"
"I wonder if that can be Mr. Jackson?" ventured Ned.
"He's far enough from here," declared Jerry, referring to themillionaire whom they had so thrillingly rescued from his disableddirigible balloon over the ocean.
"Whoever it is, he knows how to handle the craft all right," declaredNed. "Look at that spiral dip he's making."
As he spoke the air machine came down a little way in a corkscrew curve.
"Wait!" exclaimed Jerry impetuously as he reached back in the tonneauand took from a pocket in the side a pair of powerful field glasses."We'll see what these show," he went on, as he focused them on thedistant aeroplane.
No sooner had he gotten the aircraft in his range of vision than heuttered a startled cry.
"What's the matter?" demanded Ned.
"Some one you know?" asked Bob.
"I don't know that we have the honor of their acquaintance," spokeJerry slowly, "but if that machine isn't the _Silver Star_ I'll buy youfellows ice cream sodas--that's all! Here, Ned, have a look."
Jerry passed his chum the glasses, and no sooner had the merchant's songotten a good view than he exclaimed:
"You're right! It's Brown and Black sure enough."
"You don't mean to say you can make out faces at that distance,"exclaimed Bob incredulously. "Let me have a peep."
"I can't see their faces," declared Ned, "but I'm sure it's them, forit's their machine, and they're so touchy that they wouldn't let anyone else run it. It's them sure."
"I believe you," commented Jerry. "Those are the two mysterious men wemet at the hotel."
"I wonder where they're going?" mused Bob, as he took another look."They're flying high for amateurs."
"They'll reach Harmolet if they keep on in that direction long enough,"declared Ned. "It may be that they're going to the meet at Colton."
"It's too soon for that," was Jerry's opinion. "But it certainly is oddthat we should see those fellows again. Let me have another look, Bob."
It was difficult now, even with the powerful glasses, to discern theaeroplane, for it was almost hidden in the haze of the upper regions.In a few seconds more it had entirely disappeared, and Jerry putting upthe field glasses, started the auto.
The boys discussed the curious sight, speculating on the destination ofBrown and Black, and then branched off on matters connected with theirown motorship. By this time they had reached Cresville, and stopped ata garage, the owner of which promised to send out a powerful car, withropes and pulleys, to haul Noddy from the ditch.
"Well, that's over," remarked Jerry, as they turned toward the home ofthe tall lad, where the auto was kept. "We've had plenty of excitement."
"Enough for one day," added Ned.
"But it isn't over yet," said Bob quickly.
"Why not?" demanded his chums together.
"There comes Andy Rush, and he acts as though he had something to tellus," went on the stout lad.
Standing on the sidewalk, just ahead of them, and waving his arms aboutlike those of a miniature windmill, was a small lad, bearing everyevidence of great nervousness. He was jumping up and down, now runningforward a few steps, and then coming to a halt.
As soon as the motor boys were within hailing distance he called tothem:
"I say--stop--wait a minute--great excitement--maybe somebodykilled--mine blown up perhaps--all the gold gone--maybe someonewants to buy your motorship--special message--don't know what's init--fortune for you--maybe--here is it--saw you coming--ran out to stopyou--I have it--open it quick--whoop! up in the air--down again--startover--here you are!" and with that Andy Rush, for it was indeed he,passed over to Jerry a yellow envelope--a telegram.
"Are you sure that's all, Andy?" asked the tall lad gravely.
"Sure--that's all--agent just gave it to me--I was at the station whenit came in--messenger boys all out--I said I'd take it to you--he gaveme a dime--bought an ice cream soda--maybe it's bad news--I don'tknow--whoop!"
Andy was wiggling about like an uneasy snake, and he only had one footon the ground at a time. Jerry looked at the telegram, saw that it wasaddressed to himself, and tore it open.
"Are you sure you've got all that out of your system?" inquired Ned ofAndy.
"All of what?" asked the small, excited boy.
"All that talk. Because if you keep any in you might explode," went onthe merchant's son.
"Better get another ice cream soda and cool off," advised Bob, handingAndy a dime.
"I will--thanks--no bad news I hope--mine all safe--motorship notbusted--I'll cool down soon--go to the store--drug store--half a dozenflavors--I always take vanilla--lots of ice cream--here I go--whoop!"and down the street Andy started on the run.
"Thank goodness he's gone," murmured Ned with a sigh of relief. "Hegets on my nerves. But what's the news, Jerry?"
"Professor Snodgrass will arrive to-morrow," replied the tall ladfolding up the message. "He's on the track of some new kind of bug orbeast I suppose. He wants us to meet him at the station."
"Good!" cried Bob. "Now we'll have some more fun, and go off after amosquito that plays the piano, or something like that, I suppose. Threecheers for Professor Snodgrass!"
"Say, you're getting almost as bad as Andy Rush," commented Jerry, ashe once more started the machine, and steered it into the driveway ofhis home.