“At this rate,” he said hopefully, “we will make our record after all. Did you want to see me, David?” “If Van Arden will take the wheel, I’d like to ask you to come to my room; or perhaps you want to turn in now, sir?” “Turn in!” exclaimed the chief. “With those engines picking up like this, and cities to greet every little while—our last night, and all? Good Lord, no! Never was so wide-awake in my life.” “We feel like that too,” said David. Calling Van Arden, the three went to David’s stateroom. “All right, David,” said Mr. Hammond, lighting a cigar. “Shoot!” said Red firmly. “Well, commander, when we recovered the plans, Red and I decided to have a set of the accelerators constructed in Los Angeles, and try them out as we crossed the States. They couldn’t do any harm, and—” Mr. Hammond waved away details. “You mean they are on the engines now?” he demanded. “Is that why we are making such good time?” “I hope so,” said David. “You know so, you nut,” said Red, angrily. Mr. Hammond’s cigar went out. “So your accelerator is actually a success. I thought those plans looked pretty practical. Can we continue the present speed, do you think?” “Yes, sir, and Red is going now to speed the adjustment up to a hundred miles an hour.” “Go ahead, Red,” laughed Mr. Hammond, rubbing his hands delightedly. “Don’t let me keep you!” After Red had gone, opening his wrench with the pleased air of a man sharpening a carving knife for a particularly juicy-looking turkey, Mr. Hammond turned to David. “Well, son, you have certainly won your spurs. By the way you have handled the ship, and now by making the record I wanted so much.” “We aren’t there yet,” said David cautiously. “You are Scotch, aren’t you?” laughed Mr. Hammond. “I congratulate you, David, with all my heart. It is wonderful, absolutely wonderful! I’m as proud of you as though you were my own boy. Where are those specifications? I want to look them over again. David, I’m certainly delighted.” He shook hands heartily, as David, with a light heart, handed him the envelope. Red joined David in the control room later. He was laughing. “Confess now, David, that it would have been a black deal to leave the Big Fella out in the dark any longer. I met him just now. He’s crazy glad. The engineers are havin’ a celebration, too. In every egg they are all leanin’ over their engines, oiling and wiping and testing, for fear she might slow down. And they are all remindin’ each other that they are personal friends of the famous Captain Ellison of the good ship Moonbeam. This must be Newcastle coming,” he added, dodging David’s left. “It is three o’clock.” As they passed over, Mr. Hammond came in and peered at the indicator. “She’s making one hundred and ten miles!” he said shakily. “It’s all right, sir,” laughed David. “Come to my room; I want to talk to you.” He closed the door, and motioned David to a seat.