"Anyhow, two days alter Mr. Dale left Warrenton, a check passed through the bank signed by him for one thousand dollars." Dave was both interested and alarmed. "Four days ago a check for two thousand dollars arrived. The bank refused to cash it." "Why, Mr. King?" "Because it was a forgery." "Not Mr. Dale's signature?" "That's it." "But where did the checks come from?" inquired Dave. "From two cities, widely apart. I know the places. It looks to me as if the first check was given willingly by Mr. Dale. Then he must have become suspicious, and refused to pay out any more money. The second check was numbered correctly, and Gregg must have got possession of the old man's regular check book." "This is a pretty serious affair, Mr. King," commented Dave. "It is, and I came straight back here to tell you about it, and then cancel all my engagements at the meet. I shall start out at once to run down this Gregg and locate Mr. Dale." "And I must join you-I see that it is my duty," declared Dave. "Not at all," responded the aviator definitely. "I have mapped out the best plan of procedure, and I believe I can run down this business alone in a very short time." Dave was really anxious concerning Mr. Dale. He truly believed it his first duty towards the old friend of his father to do all he could to assist him. For all that, Dave was relieved to know that he could go on without interruption in service of his employers. "Yes," proceeded the aviator, "I feel that I have an interest in finding Mr. Dale. In the first place, he is your friend. Next, I feel responsible for letting that young scamp, Gregg, go free. At a selfish motive, I believe that if I succeed in rescuing the old man he will gladly finance my giant airship scheme." "He surely will, Mr. King," said Dave confidently. "I believe he would help you, anyway. I do hope he can be found." "I shall not rest until he is," declared the aviator. "Now, Dashaway, I don't want you to take this affair on your mind. If I fail in what I have planned, I will certainly call you into the case. I fancy, from what Hiram here has told me, that you have some important business of your own on hand." "Yes, that is quite true," replied Dave seriously. "Are you having some trouble with the Interstate people?" inquired the aviator pointedly. "Not on my account, I, am glad to say, Mr. King," replied Dave. "There is some trouble, though, for all hands around. It's about the stolen aero-hydroplane, or hydro-aeroplane, they haven't just settled on the exact name." "The Drifter?" "Yes, sir." "I read about that strange case. I suppose it puts you back in your arrangements at the meet here?" "Not only that, Mr. King," explained Dave, "but it has placed me in a position where I shall have to give up all my engagements for a time." "Why, you don't say so, Dashaway?" exclaimed the aviator, much disturbed.