"Great Scott!" cried Paul. "Is it possible? Oh, it's possible all
right," Dick made answer, "but I did not think he would really take
part in this race. However, he seems to have done so. I can't make
him out, but that's just the shape of his airship, I can tell by the
mercury stabilizer Larson has put on."
"Well, it looks as if we'd have a race," observed Mr. Vardon.
"He sure is speeding on," mused Dick.
"But he may be away behind his schedule," put in Larry.
"That won't make any difference," the young millionaire said. "He
started after we did, and if he gets to San Francisco ahead of us,
and with only two landings, he'll win the prize. That stands to
reason. He's making better time than we are."
Mr. Vardon took the glasses from Dick, and made a long observation.
When he lowered them he remarked:
"I think that is the craft Larson built, all right. And it
certainly is a speedy one. He must have met more favorable
conditions, of late, than we did, or he never could have caught up
to us."
"I guess so," agreed Dick. "Now the point is; What can we do?"
"Speed up--that's the only thing I see to do," came from the
aviator. "We still have one landing left us, but we don't need to
use it unless we have to. We have fuel and oil enough for the trip
to San Francisco. Speed up, I say, and let's see if we can't get
away from him."
"We've got a heavier machine, and more weight aboard," spoke Dick.
"Say, can't you drop us off?" cried Paul.
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