"Now for a test!" cried Dick, when the machine had been uncrated and set up on the temporary base. The attachments were made, an extra pair of trial propellers connected, and the power turned on. With a roar and a throb, the motor started, and as Mr. Vardon glanced at the test gages with anxious eyes he cried: "She does better than we expected, Dick! We can cross the continent with that engine, and not have to make more than two stops." "Are you sure?" asked the young millionaire. "Positive," was the answer. Further tests confirmed this opinion, and preparations were made to install the motor in the airship. It was while this was being done that a servant brought Dick a message. "Someone has called to see you," said the man. "Who is it?" "He says his name is Lieutenant Larson, formerly of the United States Army, and he has important information for you." "Larson!" exclaimed Dick in surprise. "I wonder what he wants of me?" "Will you see him?" asked Paul. "I suppose I had better," said Dick, slowly. "I wonder what he wants?" CHAPTER XII LARSON SEES UNCLE EZRA Dick Hamilton had not been very friendly with Lieutenant Larson during the aviation instruction at Kentfield. In fact the young millionaire did not like the army officer. Added to this the suspicion that Larson might have had some hand in tampering with the stabilizer of Mr. Vardon's craft, did not make Dick any too anxious to see the birdman. And yet he felt that in courtesy he must. "I'll go in the library and meet him," said Dick, to the servant who had brought the message. "I don't care to have him out here, where he might see my airship," Dick added, to his chums. "I guess you're right there," agreed Paul. "He might take some of your ideas, and make a machine for himself that would win the prize," added Innis. "Oh, well, I'm not so afraid of that," replied Dick, "as I intend, after I complete my craft, and if she wins the prize, to turn my plans and ideas over to the government, anyhow, for their use. But I don't just like the idea of Larson coming out to the work-shed." Mr. Vardon and his men were in another part of the big barn, and had not heard of the arrival of the army man. "How do you do?" greeted Dick, as he met Larson in the library. "I'm glad to see you." This was polite fiction, that, perhaps, might be pardoned. "I don't want to trouble you, Mr. Hamilton," went on the lieutenant, with a shifty glance around the room, "but I have left the army, and have engaged in the building of airships. "I recall that you said at Kentfield, that you were going to construct one, and I called to see if I could not get the contract," Larson went on. "Well, I am sorry, for your sake, to say that my craft is almost completed," replied Dick. "So I can't give you the contract."