"'Friends' is good, with Dick engaged to marry Dora and you as good as engaged to Nellie," snorted Sam.
"Precisely, and you and Grace making goo-goo eyes at each other," added Tom, with a wink at his younger brother. Then he quickly changed the subject. "Dick, do you think you can strike a straight course for Plankville?"
"I'll try it," was the answer. "I don't think I'll go much out of the way."
The Dartaway had a powerful motor, and once on the right trail the eldest Rover advanced his gasoline and spark, and they went rushing through the air at express-train speed. The boys were provided with face guards, so they did not mind this. They did not fly high, and so kept the railroad and other familiar objects fairly well in view. They passed over several villages, the inhabitants gazing up at them in open-mouthed wonder, and finally came in sight of a big church spire that they knew belonged in Plankville, Then Dick slowed down the engine, and soon they floated down in an open field close to the main street and not a great distance from the sheriff's office and the jail.
"Well, it certainly didn't take long to get here," cried Tom, as he consulted his watch.
A man who lived close by was approaching
