t ugly and reckless enough to make
trouble. I'm afraid we can't learn what we came to find out, though
I'm more convinced than ever that Andy is using my plans to make his
aeroplane."

"But what can you do?"

"I'll see Mr. Sharp, and send a protest to the aviation committee. I'll
refuse to enter if Andy flies in a model of my Humming-Bird, and I'll
try to prevent him from using it after he gets it on the ground. That
is all I can do, it seems, lacking positive information. Come on, Mr.
Damon. Let's get back to our hotel, and we'll start for home in the
morning."

"I have a plan," whispered the odd man.

"What is it?" asked Tom, narrowly watching for the reappearance of Andy
and the man.

"I'll stay here until they come, then I'll pretend to run away. They'll
chase after me, and get all excited, and you can go up and look in the
shed windows. Then you can join me later. How's that?"

"Too risky. They might fire at you by mistake. No. We'll both go. I've
found out more than enough to confirm my suspicions."

They turned out of the lot which contained the shed, and walked toward
the road, just as Andy and his crony came back.

"Huh! You'd better go!" taunted the bully.

Tom had a bitter feeling in his heart. It seemed as if he was defeated,
and he did not like to retreat before Andy.

"You'd better not come back here again, either," went on Andy.

Tom and Mr. Damon did not reply, but kept on in silence. They returned
to Shopton the next day.

"Well," remarked Tom, when he had gone out to look at his Humming-Bird,
"I know one thing. Andy Foger may build a machine something like this,
but I don't believe he can put in all the improvements I have, and
certainly he can't equal that engine; eh, dad?"

"I hope not, Tom," replied his father, who seemed to be much improved
in health.

"When are you going to try for speed?" asked Mr. Damon.

"To-morrow, if I can get it tuned up enough," replied Tom, "and I think
I can. Yes, we'll have the great test to-morrow, and then I'll know
whether I really have a chance for that ten thousand dollars."

Never before had Tom been so exacting in his requirements of his air
craft as when, the next day, the Humming-Bird was wheeled out to the
flight ground, and gotten ready for the test. The young inventor went
over every bolt, brace, stay, guy wire and upright. He examined every
square inch of the wings, the tips, planes and rudders. The levers, the
steering wheel, the autom