The truth of the matter was that Uncle Ezra had nearly a million.
But he was very "close," and never missed a chance to make more.
"And do you intend to get the government prize in that--that
contraption?" he asked, motioning to the half-completed aeroplane.
"Oh, it isn't finished yet," explained Dick.
"When it is, it will be one of the finest aircraft in this, or any
other, country," declared Mr, Vardon. "I don't say that just
because I am building it, but because Mr. Hamilton is putting into
it the very best materials that can be bought."
"And we mustn't forget your stabilizer," laughed Dick.
"What's that?" Uncle Ezra wanted to know. Since hearing about the
twenty thousand dollar prize his interest in airships seemed to have
increased.
"The stabilizer, or equalibrizer, whatever you wish to call it, is
to keep the airship from turning over," explained Mr. Vardon, and
he went into the details with which I have already acquainted my
readers.
But it is doubtful if Uncle Ezra heard, or at least he paid little
attention, for he was murmuring over and over again to himself:
"Twenty thousand dollars! Twenty thousand dollars! That's an awful
lot of money. I--I'd like to get it myself."
From time to time Grit growled, and finally Uncle Ezra, perhaps
fearing that the dog might get loose and bite him, said:
"I think I'll go in the house for a while, Nephew Richard. Your
father is not likely to be home today, but as I have missed the last
train back to Dankville, listening to your talk about airships-
-foolish talk it seems to me--I will have to stay all night.
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