"I was only trying to figure out this telegram," replied Dave thoughtfully. "Here, read it for yourself, and see what you make of it." The young aviator passed the yellow sheet over to his curious friend. The latter scanned it rapidly. Then, with startling suddenness, his face twitching with excitement, he jumped to his feet. "What do I make of it?" shouted Hiram. "Just what the telegram says--a trick! It's come all over me in a flash. Why, Dick, I know all about it." CHAPTER II The "BABY RACER" "You know all about it?" repeated Dave Dashaway, looking up in great surprise. "That's what I do," declared Hiram positively. "What do you mean?" "I'll explain." "I wish you would." "I'm a blockhead, that's just what I am!" cried Hiram. "I don't know what possessed me that I didn't tell you all about it before." "See here, Hiram," broke in Dave, "What are you talking about?" "Why, about Mr. Timmins. You know he here night before last and left us then?" "Yes, Hiram, to go to Kewaukee." "Well, he just didn't go to Kewaukee at all." "That's no news, for this telegram shows that couldn't have done so." "You see, when Mr. Timmins got telling us about the big sale he was going to make at Kewaukee," continued Hiram, "and how the Star Aero people were bidders for the same contract, you warned him against the Dawsons, and the people they are working for!" "I know I did. That was because the Dawsons are stunting for the Star people." "Exactly. Then when I caught Jerry Dawson and Brooks, that precious chum of his, sneaking around the Aegis hangar, I made up my mind that they were up to no good. I know what they were snooping around for, now." "What was it?" "To pick up what information they could about Mr. Timmins' plans, so, when Mr. Timmins went away, I was awful glad. I felt pleased, for Mr. King told as you know that he was a free and easy fellow, friendly to everybody, and sometimes drank more than he ought to." "Yes, I know that, Hiram." "Well, last night I went to town to get some supplies for Mr. Grimshaw. There's a tavern at the cross roads, and some men were in there. I saw them through an open window. There were six of them. Brooks was there, and Jerry and his father, and three more of the crowd. They were playing cards and making a great deal of noise. Just as I looked in some one pulled down the shade. I caught a sight of the other man, though. Right off, even at the distance I was, it struck me he looked like Mr. Timmins. Then I remembered that Mr. Timmins had certainly gone to Kewaukee the night before, so I put it off my mind. Now, I see the whole trick." "What is that?" "The crowd kept Mr. Timmins here, delaying and entertaining him. Maybe later some of them led him still further away from Columbus. Their man is probably on the spot at Kewaukee now, ready to get that big contract for show biplanes."