can't you remember about Mr. Gunmore calling?" asked Tom.

The aged inventor shook his head, with a puzzled air.

"I can't remember it at all," he said. "The minister is the last person
I remember calling here."

Tom looked worried, but the physician said it was a common feature of
the disease from which Mr. Swift suffered, and would doubtless pass
away.

"And you don't remember how we talked about me building a speedy
aeroplane and trying for the ten-thousand-dollar prize?" asked Tom.

"I can't remember a thing about it," said the inventor, with a puzzled
shake of his head, "and I'm not going to try, at least not right away.
But, Tom, if you're going to build a new aeroplane, I want to help you.
I'll give you the benefit of my advice. I think my new form of motor
can be used in it."

"Now! now! No inventions--at least not just yet!" objected the
physician. "You must have a good rest first, Mr. Swift, and get strong.
Then you and Tom can build as many airships as you like."

Mr. Swift felt so much better about three days later that he wanted to
get right to work planning the airship that was to win the big prize,
but the doctor would not hear of it. Tom, however, began to make rough
sketches of what he had in mind changing them from time to time, He
also worked on a type of motor, very light, and modeled after one his
father had recently patented.

Then a new idea came to Tom in regard to the shape of his aeroplane,
and he worked several days drawing the plans for it. It was a new idea
in construction, and he believed it would give him the great speed he
desired.

"But I'd like dad to see it," he said. "As soon as he's well enough
I'll go over it with him."

That time came a week later, and with a complete set of the plans,
embodying his latest ideas, Tom went into the library where his father
was seated in an easy-chair. Dr. Gladby had said it would not now harm
the aged inventor to do a little work. Tom spread the drawings out in
front of his father, and began to explain them in detail.

"I really think you have something great there, Tom!" exclaimed Mr.
Swift, at length. "It is a very small monoplane, to be sure, but I
think with the new principle you have introduced it will work; but, if
I were you, I'd shape those wing tips a little differently."

"No, they're better that way," said Tom pleasantly, for he did not
often disagree with his father. "I'll show you from a little model I
have made. I'll ge