he elder lad, with a sneer, "and as for
having a model built, I'm going to get right to work on one at once.
It'll be a model of a Bleriot monoplane, and a large one, too. I
notice that there is nothing said in the rules about the size of the
machines."

Soon after this the three chums left the newspaper office together.

"Say," remarked Paul, in a rather worried tone, "I don't believe that
there is anything said about the size of the models. Bill may build a
great big one and beat us all out."

"I suppose that the big machines would be handicapped according to
their power and speed," rejoined Frank. "However, don't you worry
about that. I don't believe that Jack Curtiss knows enough about the
subject to build an aeroplane in a week, and anyhow, I think it's all
empty bluff on his part."

"I hope so," replied Paul, as they reached his front gate. "Will you
be over to-night, Hiram, to talk things over? Bring your models with
you, too, will you?"

"Sure," replied Hiram; "but I've got to do a few things at home after
supper. I'll be over about eight o'clock or half-past."

"All right. I'll be ready for you," responded Paul, as the lads said
good-by.

A few minutes later Jack Curtiss and his chums emerged from the
newspaper office, the former and Bill Bender having made out their
applications. Sam seemed more dejected than ever, but there was a grin
of satisfaction on Jack Curtiss' face.

"Well, we sent the note, all right," he laughed under his breath, to
his two chums. "He'll have got it by this time, and will be in town by
dark. You know your part of the program, Sam. Don't fail to carry it
out, or I'll see that you get into trouble."

"There's no need to worry about me, Jack," rejoined Sam, with an angry
flush. "I'll get the boat as soon as he lands, and keep it out of
sight till you've done the trick.

"Nothing like killing two birds with one stone," grinned Bill Bender.
"My! what a time there'll be in the morning, when they find out that
there's been a regular double cross."

"Hush! Here come those three kids now," warned Sam, as Rob, Merritt
and Tubby came down the street. After what had passed they did not
feel called upon to give the bully and his companions more than a cold
nod.

"Well, be as stuck up as you like to this after-noon!" sneered Jack,
after they had gone by, taking good care, however, that his voice would
not carry. "I guess the laugh will be on you and your old friend