They were in the Abaris flying along over the town of Hamilton Corners, a most successful start having been made. As they progressed through the air many curious eyes were turned up to watch their flight. "I say! Which way are you steering?" asked Paul, as he came back from a trip to the dining-room buffet, where he had helped himself to a sandwich, a little lunch having been set out by Innis, who constituted himself as cook. "You're heading East instead of West, Dick," for the young millionaire was at the steering-wheel. "I know it," replied the helmsman, as he noted the figures on the barograph. "But you see, to stand a chance for the prize you've got to start from New York, and that's where we're headed for now. We've got to go to the big town first, and then we'll hit the Western trail as nearly in a straight line as we can." "That's the idea," said Lieutenant McBride. "The conditions call for a start from New York, and I have arranged for the beginning of your flight from the grounds at Fort Wadsworth. That will give the army officers there a chance to inspect your machine, Mr. Hamilton." "And I'll be very glad to have them see it," Dick said, "and to offer their congratulations to Mr. Vardon on his success." "And yours, too," added the aviator. "I couldn't have done anything had it not been for you." "Then we really aren't on the prize winning flight, yet?" asked Larry, who wanted to get all the information he could for his paper. "Not exactly," replied the lieutenant. "And yet the performance of the airship will count on this flight, in a measure. I have been instructed to watch how she behaves, and incorporate it in my report. It may be, Mr. Hamilton, though I hope not, that the prize will not come to you. But you may stand a chance of having your airship adopted by Uncle Sam, for all that." "That would be a fine feather in my cap!" cried Dick. "I don't care so much for the money, I guess you all know that." "I should say not!" cried Innis, with a laugh. "Any fellow who's worth a million doesn't have to bother about a little small change like twenty thousand dollars." "Not that I haven't a due regard for the prize," went on Dick. "But if I lost it, and still could have the honor of producing an airship that would be thought worthy of government approval, that would be worth while." "Indeed it would!" agreed the lieutenant. "Are we going to have any time at all in New York?" asked Paul. "I have some friends there, and--" "I believe her name is Knox; isn't it?" interrupted Innis, with a grin at his chum. "First name Grace, lives somewhere up in Central Park, West; eh, old chap?" "Oh, dry up!" invited Paul. "Don't you s'pose I've got any friends but girls?" "Well, Grace does live in New York," insisted Innis. "Yes, and so do Irene Martin and Mabel Hanford!" burst out Paul. "It's as much on you fellows as it is on me," and he fairly glared at his tormentor.