aero shed a big cloud of smoke was
ascending, mingled with yellow flames. It seemed to be a hot blaze.

"It's Fanning Harding's hangar!" cried Roy suddenly; "come on, let's go
over and see what the matter is."

"I've got the car right here," said Jimsy. "I'll get you over in a jiffy."

Soon they were speeding across the field toward the blaze. In the
meantime an emergency fire corps, composed of men employed on the
grounds, had attached a line of hose to a hydrant and were drenching the
flames. Such good work did they do that it was not long before they had
the fire under control.

As soon as it was out our party, which had managed to get through the
lines formed to keep back the curious, gazed into the ruins with some
interest.

"Why, say!" cried Jimsy suddenly, "the place was empty."

"So it was!" cried Roy in astonished tones, "except for that big box kite
over in the corner there. Whatever kind of a game of bluff has Fanning
Harding been playing?"

"I guess I can imagine it," struck in Hal Homer. "From what you have told
me his little game was to bluff you into thinking he had a fine airship
that could beat yours, and in that way induce you to sell out to him."

"By George, I never thought of that!" exclaimed Roy, "but--hullo, here
comes Peggy in the farmer's wagon!"

He ran through the crowd to the side of the wagon, which had been driven
in by Farmer Ingalls.

"You dear, dear boy, I've heard all about it already," cried Peggy,
throwing her white arms about Roy's neck, while Miss Prescott, whom they
had picked up at the hotel, sat by, hardly knowing whether to laugh or to
cry, as she expressed it later.

I am not going to describe that reunion by the side of Fanning Harding's
burned hangar, but each reader can imagine for herself what a joyous one
it was.

"I know a place in town where they sell the bulliest sodas and sundaes,"
cried Jimsy suddenly. "Everybody come up there in the car and we'll
celebrate!"

"In one moment, Jimsy," said Roy. "There's one thing still I don't
understand about this whole business, and that is this. It is clear
enough that Fanning Harding was bluffing about having an aeroplane in
that shed, but how was it that he made a night ascent with red and green
lanterns?"

"Oh, you mean the time you saw him in the air at night, the time we went
to Washington?" asked Jimsy.

"That's it. How do you account for it?"

"Give it up," rejoined the other lad.

"Perhaps this may he