"
Dick was silent a moment, and then he asked:
"Say, Innis, would it help your cousin any if he had a contract to
build airships, and could install his stabilizer on one of them?"
"Why, of course it would, Dick! That would be just the very thing
he'd want. But who'd give him such a contract, especially after
this accident? And he hasn't any money to back up his claims. In
fact he's a bankrupt. Nobody would give him such a chance."
"Yes, I think someone would," said Dick, quietly.
"Who?" asked Innis, quickly.
"I would. It's this way," the young millionaire went on. "I've
fully made up my mind to have an airship, since dad consented,
though I believe he's secretly laughing at me. Now the kind of
craft I want doesn't come ready made--it will have to be built to
order.
"So why can't I contract with your cousin to make my airship for
me? I'd be willing to pay all expenses and whatever his services
were worth, so he could make some money that way. I'd a good deal
rather give him a chance on the work, than some stranger. Besides,
I like his idea of a gyroscope, and, even if he doesn't want to
build my craft, I'd like to arrange to buy one of his stabilizers.
Do yon think he would like to take the contract from me?"
"Do I?" cried Innis earnestly. "Say, he'll jump at the chance!
You try him, and see! Say, this is fine of you, old man!"
"Oh, nonsense! It isn't anything of the sort," protested Dick.
"I've got to have somebody build my airship, and I'd rather it would
be your cousin than anyone else.
Pages:
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62