d I'm going with you," announced Dick.

CHAPTER XVIII

VINDICATION

At first Harry refused absolutely to consent to Dick's accompanying him,
but after a long argument he was forced to yield.

"Why should you take all the risks when it isn't your own country,
especially?" asked Dick, almost sobbing. "I've got a right to go! And,
besides, you may need me."

That was true enough, as Harry realized. Moreover, he had been
investigating the Bleriot, and he discovered that it was one of a new
safety type, with a gyroscope device to insure stability. The day was
almost without wind, and therefore it seemed that if such an excursion
could ever be safe, this was the time. He consented in the end, and later
he was to be thankful that he had.

Once the decision was taken, they waited impatiently for the return of Jack
Young. Harry foresaw protests from Jack when he found out what they meant
to do, but for him there was an easy answer--there was room in the
aeroplane for only two people, and there was no way of carrying an extra
passenger.

It was nearly dusk when Jack returned, and he had the forethought to bring
a basket of food with him--cold chicken, bread and butter, and milk, as
well as some fruit.

"I didn't find out very much," he said, "except this. Someone from London
has been asking about you both. And this much more--at least a dozen people
have come down to Bray Park to-day from London."

"Did you see any sign of soldiers from London?"

"No," said Jack.

He was disappointed when he found out what they meant to do, but he took
his disappointment pluckily when he saw that there was no help for it.
Harry explained very quietly to both Jack and Dick what he meant to do and
they listened, open mouthed, with wonder.

"You'll have your part to play, Jack," said Harry. "Somehow I can't
believe that the letter I wrote to Colonel Throckmorton last night won't
have some effect. You have got to scout around in case anyone comes and
tell them all I've told you. You understand thoroughly, do you?"

"Yes," said Jack, quietly. "When are you going to start?"

"There's no use going up much before eleven o'clock," said Harry. "Before
that we'd be seen, and, besides, if a Zeppelin is coming, it wouldn't be
until after that. My plan is to scout to the east and try to pick her up
and watch her descend. I think I know just about where she'll land--the
only place where there's room for her. And then--"

He stopped, a