that he was
easily convinced whenever Frank wished to do anything.

Andy had been living with his guardian for some time, until the return
of his own father, Professor Bird, who had been lost while attempting a
difficult balloon trip in Central America, and found in a most
miraculous way by the two boys as told in a previous story.

Andy had inherited the passion which his father, a noted professor, had
always had for navigating the air. It was a favorite expression of his
"A bird by any other name would fly as high," and his cousin would
retort: "A Bird takes to the air just as naturally as a duck does to
water."

They had been doing some fine "stunts" during the last year or two; and
it may be supposed that the people of Bloomsbury were more than a little
proud of seeing the name of their town mentioned so favorably in the
papers in connection with the doings of the Bird boys.

Of course, as is always the case, there was a rival in the field, who
had been the cause of much trouble in the past, and still watched their
work with an envious eye. This was a boy by the name of Percy Shelley
Carberry, rather a bold fellow too, and as smart as they make them, only
unscrupulous as to the means he employed by which to gain his ends.

Percy was the only son of a rich widow, who could never refuse him
anything he demanded; and with unlimited cash at his disposal he had
been able to do quite a few feats himself that might have gained him
more or less fame, only that they were eclipsed by the accomplishments
of Frank and Andy; and that was where the shoe pinched with Percy.

His temper was one of his weak spots, also a liking for fast life,
which, of course included tippling; and the aviator who indulges to the
slightest degree in strong drink is next door to a fool; for as he takes
his life in his hands every time he leaves the ground, the necessity for
a clear brain is apparent.

In most of his tricky work young Carberry had for a boon companion one
"Sandy" Hollingshead, a sinewy chap, whose most prominent trait was his
faculty for disappearing suddenly in a pinch. He was considerable of a
boaster, but could always invent a most remarkable excuse for going
before the storm broke. But Percy, no coward himself, knew how to make
use of his sly crony; and despite their numerous quarrels, that often
ended in actual fights, the pair of precious tricksters still kept
company together.

Sandy was freckled had pale eyes and ver