asked Mr. Sharp.

"I'm sure of it," replied the youth. "Though where he is building his
aeroplane I can't imagine, for I haven't seen him in town. He's away."

"Are you sure of that?"

"Well, not absolutely sure," replied Tom. "It's the general rumor that
he's out of town."

"Well, old General Rumor is sometimes a person not to be relied upon,"
remarked the balloonist grimly. "Now this is the way I size it up: Of
course, all I know officially is that Andy Foger has sent in an entry
for the big race for the ten-thousand-dollar prize which is offered by
the Eagle Park Aviation Association. I'm a member of the arrangements
committee, and so I know. I also know that you and several others are
going to try for the prize. That's all I am absolutely sure of.

"Now, when you tell me about the missing plans, and you conclude that
Andy is doing some underhanded work, I agree with you. But I go a step
farther. I don't believe he's out of town at all."

"Why not?" exclaimed Tom.

"Because when he has an airship shed right in his own backyard, where,
you tell me, he once made a craft in which he tried to beat you out in
the trip to Alaska, when you think of that, doesn't it seem reasonable
that he'd use that same building in which to make his new craft?"

"Yes, it does," admitted Tom slowly, "but then everybody says he's out
of town."

"Well, what everybody says is generally not So. I think you'll find
that Andy is keeping himself in seclusion, and that he's working
secretly in his shop, building a machine with which to beat you."

"Do you, really?"

"I certainly do. Have you been around his place lately?"

"No. I've been too busy; and then I never have much to do with him."

"Then take my advice, and see if you can't get a look inside that shop.
You may see something that will surprise you. If you find that Andy is
infringing on your patented ideas, you can stop him by an injunction.
You've got this model patented, I take it?"

"Oh, yes. I didn't have at the time the plans were stolen, but I've
patented it since. I could get at him that way."

"Then take my advice, and do it. Get a look inside that shed, and
you'll find Andy working secretly there, no matter if his cronies do
think he's out of town."

"I believe I will," agreed Tom, and somehow he felt better now that he
had decided on a plan of action. He and the balloonist talked over at
some length just the best way to go about it, for the young inventor
rec