nounced a cut in
wages at his factory, and nearly caused a strike.

But he was firm, and by reducing the pittance earned by the luckless
operatives he managed to save a few hundred dollars which promptly went
into the airship--that is, what Larson did not keep for himself.

But Uncle Ezra's airship was being built, which fact, when it became
known, caused much comment. No one save Uncle Ezra and the lieutenant
and his workmen, were allowed in the factory where the machine was
being constructed. It was to be kept a secret as to the form of
construction.

Meanwhile, having committed himself to becoming an aviator, Mr. Larabee
began to study the methods of birdmen. He obtained several volumes
(second hand, of course) on the history of navigating the air, and on
the advance in the construction of aeroplanes. These he read
diligently.

He could also have been observed going about, gazing up into the
clouds, as though he was calculating from how great a height a man
could fall with safety. In reality he imagined he was studying air
currents.

Uncle Ezra Larabee was certainly acting most queerly, and his friends,
or, rather, his acquaintances, for he had no real friends, did not know
what to make of him. He did not give up his idea, however, not even
when Larson raised his original estimate to five thousand dollars.

"Petrified polecats!" cried Uncle Ezra. "You'll bankrupt me, man!"

"Oh, no," answered Larson, with a winning smile. "This is getting off
cheap. I want to increase the size of my mercury stabilizer to render
the airship more safe for you when you go after that twenty thousand
dollars."

"Well, I s'pose I've got to," sighed Uncle Ezra, and he made a careful
note of how much had already been spent. "There's three thousand, nine
hundred twenty-eight dollars and fourteen cents you've had so far," he
reminded the lieutenant. "Don't be wasteful!"

"I won't," was the promise, easily given at least.

CHAPTER XIV

THE TRIAL FLIGHT

"All ready now; take her out!"

"Yes, and look out for the side wings! That doorway isn't any too
wide."

"No. We'll have to cut some off, I guess!"

"Say, it's big; isn't it?"

These were the comments of Dick Hamilton and his chums as the fine, new
airship, the Abaris, was wheeled out of the shed where it had been
constructed. And certainly the young millionaire might be proud of his
newest possession. Mr. Vardon and his men had labored well on the
aero