"The conditions call
for a start from New York, and I have arranged for the beginning of
your flight from the grounds at Fort Wadsworth. That will give the
army officers there a chance to inspect your machine, Mr. Hamilton."
"And I'll be very glad to have them see it," Dick said, "and to
offer their congratulations to Mr. Vardon on his success."
"And yours, too," added the aviator. "I couldn't have done anything
had it not been for you."
"Then we really aren't on the prize winning flight, yet?" asked
Larry, who wanted to get all the information he could for his paper.
"Not exactly," replied the lieutenant. "And yet the performance of
the airship will count on this flight, in a measure. I have been
instructed to watch how she behaves, and incorporate it in my
report. It may be, Mr. Hamilton, though I hope not, that the prize
will not come to you. But you may stand a chance of having your
airship adopted by Uncle Sam, for all that."
"That would be a fine feather in my cap!" cried Dick. "I don't care
so much for the money, I guess you all know that."
"I should say not!" cried Innis, with a laugh.
"Any fellow who's worth a million doesn't have to bother about a
little small change like twenty thousand dollars."
"Not that I haven't a due regard for the prize," went on Dick. "But
if I lost it, and still could have the honor of producing an airship
that would be thought worthy of government approval, that would be
worth while.
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