ars. They might use any
type of aircraft they chose, and could carry as many assistants as they
wished, even utilizing trains or steamships, if not less than
three-fourths of their journey were made by air; and they must stop at
least once in each of four continents, and cross the Atlantic and
Pacific oceans. Aside from these provisions, the selection of route
was left entirely to each contestant. Then followed an imposing list
of names of well-known flyers who, it was said, had signified their
intention of competing. The article wound up with the statement that
prizes aggregating a million dollars would be offered the winners.

"One million dollars!" exclaimed Bob Giddings. "Paul, old man, you'd
better go in for this!"

Paul Ross's eyes sparkled, but the next moment he laughed and shook his
head. "I surely would like to," said he, "but there are just three
little things in the way of it."

"I suppose you need a machine for one thing?"

"Yes--and you must admit that's a good-sized item. Second, I need two
hundred dollars to enter--something I don't happen to have, and
something I know mother can't spare in such a hazard. Third, I need
three years added to my age in order to be eligible."

"It does look rather hopeless for you, that's a fact," admitted Bob.
"That second handicap might be overcome with my father's help, but the
other two are real obstacles."

"It's mighty nice of you and your father, Bob, to wish to help me out
in this fashion," said Paul; "but, as you state, the other drawbacks
cannot be swept aside so easily. Perhaps later on, another 'round the
world Air Derby will be pulled off, and I shall have a chance to enter
it."

"Well, if you do, don't forget to count me in as an assistant,"
declared his friend. "Nothing would please me better than to make a
trip like that with you, Paul."

"You certainly shall be welcome if the time ever comes. By the way,
Bob, John and I have designed a new type of monoplane in our spare
time, and for the past two months I have been busy making a three-foot
model of this. I hope to finish it in a day or two, and I want you to
go with me over to the old fair-grounds next Saturday afternoon and
give it a test flight, if you will."

Bob Giddings was all interest at once, and plied his friend with many
questions concerning his new model, many others of which he had in
times past helped Paul fly with the keenest delight. The truth is,
Paul Ross and his bro