may have been
caused by his pain.

"Don't mention it, Percy," smiled Frank. "I'm sure you would have done
the same for me. Hope you get out soon again; and sorry you lost your
biplane. Better luck next time," and with that he turned away.

Having broken away from the crowds on the commons, the two Bird boys,
accompanied by their friends, Larry, Elephant and Stuttering Nat, once
again sought the privacy of their dear old workshop. Here they were
sprawled, taking it as easy as possible, and resting their aching
muscles, as they went over the stirring events of the accident again
and again, when into the shop strode Mr. Marsh and his friend, Mr.
Longley.

The former gentleman at once approached Frank, who, understanding that
the seal of mystery that had so long cloaked his actions was about to
be removed, stood up.

"Shake hands, Frank, won't you?" said the other, with a look of warm
admiration on his face that quite captured the young aviator. "Longley
here has copies of the papers he promised your cousin, containing an
account of your little episode with the escaped convict. But Frank,
I've got another mission here. And I hope you'll be of a mind to
accept the offer I want to make you on behalf of the well known firm
making the very brand of aeroplane you pin your faith to. Will you
listen?"

"Certainly, sir," Frank answered, accepting the hand that was
outstretched; "as to accepting any offer, that is another matter
entirely. But please go on."

Andy, Larry and the other two listened eagerly; for they believed that
the Bird boys were about to be given as great a compliment as any
aviator could hope for.

"I represent the company that makes the best aeroplane in the country.
I am empowered to be constantly on the watch for just such daring yet
cautious aviators as you two have proven yourselves. That was why I
came here to Bloomsbury, because we knew something of what you had been
doing. And I want to say right here that personally I firmly believe
those glowing reports have been in no way exaggerated; for you both
have the making of admirable aviators in you, after you have been in
the company of the chief of them all for a few weeks. And I hope you
won't decide too hastily, and turn an offer down without due
consideration. Are you open to an engagement for a year to come with
my company, and prove to the public what they claim for their make of
machine?"

Frank shook his head, though with a ple