<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III<br/> <span class="cheaderfont">SOMEONE TRIES TO BUY THE “FLYER”</span></h2>
<p>“Well, young men, I’ve good news—truly
surprising news for you,” said Major Baldwin
Honeywell, as he shook hands with Ned and
Alan the next morning when they returned to
the offices of the Universal Transportation
Company.</p>
<p>“We hope that you’re right, Major,” answered
Ned. “What is the good news?”</p>
<p>“First let me ask you a question. How much
did it cost you to build the <em>Ocean Flyer</em> and at
what figure do you estimate the time you spent
upon it, the only model of its kind yet completed?
Your mechanism, parts, et cetera, are,
of course, fully protected by international patents.
The question is simply: For how much
will you sell the <em>Ocean Flyer</em> just as she stands
there in our Newark factory?”</p>
<p>“The machine itself cost us about twenty-five
thousand dollars, Major. I should say that the
market value of the craft itself, allowing compensation
for our time and the fact that the<span class="pagenum">[28]</span>
airship is absolutely unique, ought to make it
worth at least a hundred and fifty or two hundred
thousand dollars.”</p>
<p>Major Honeywell was rubbing his hands
delightedly.</p>
<p>“Fine, fine! I knew that you would estimate
it at about that amount. Boys, what do you say
to a prospective purchaser who is willing to pay
three hundred thousand dollars spot cash for
this single model, leaving the company full patent
and all further construction rights?”</p>
<p>“But the machine isn’t for sale at any price,”
said Alan quietly. “We intend to use it ourselves
immediately, and until we are finished
with it, no consideration would tempt us to sell.”</p>
<p>“But, Alan—boys!—think of the sum you
are offered: twelve times the actual cost, if the
new owners are given immediate possession, and
providing you agree not to dispose of another
similar machine within a period of one year.
You can build another airship just like the <em>Flyer</em>
within two or three months at the longest, and
you are at liberty to use it yourselves as you
may please. To what immediate use can you
put the vessel that will in any way compensate
for the loss of three hundred thousand dollars
in cold cash?”</p>
<p><span class="pagenum">[29]</span></p>
<p>“Major,” said Alan, “we are deeply grateful
for your interest in the matter, but we feel that
we can’t look at it as a mere matter of dollars
and cents just now. Something a great deal more
valuable to us is at stake—the life of Bob Russell,
whom you know.”</p>
<p>Then Alan went on to tell Major Honeywell
all about Bob’s predicament and how they proposed
to save him. The old gentleman’s face
grew more and more grave as he listened, and
several times he shook his head disapprovingly.</p>
<p>“But, my dear boys,” he exclaimed, after
Alan had concluded outlining their plans, “have
you sufficiently considered the terrible dangers
that you incur by this rash procedure? Quite
aside from the momentary probability of aerial
mishap, you must realize that the Germans would
shoot you without scruple under the circumstances.
Moreover, the entire United States
government would be powerless to help you if
once you were caught in a breach of neutrality
laws, as your act certainly would be construed.”</p>
<p>“Thank you kindly for the well-meant word
of caution, Major,” answered Alan, “but there
is nothing you could say which would make us
give up this chance of saving poor Bob’s life.”</p>
<p>“Then, if that is the case, here is my hand,<span class="pagenum">[30]</span>
boys, and my heartiest well wishes go with you.
While I cannot conscientiously endorse so dangerous
a proceeding, I still can admire the pluck
which prompts it.”</p>
<p>Both boys flushed under their kindly old
friend’s praise, and Ned, who up to this time
had played the part of a listener, said:</p>
<p>“Just who were these prospective purchasers
of the <em>Ocean Flyer</em>? Why did they insist on
taking immediate possession of it, and why the
stipulation that we were to sell no other similar
airship to anyone else within one year’s time?”</p>
<p>Major Honeywell shook his head.</p>
<p>“I am as much in the dark in that regard as
you are, Ned. Just before you arrived this
morning, I was visited by a Mr. Phillips, whose
business it is to act as go-between and buyer for
concerns which do not wish their own names to
appear in a transaction. Mr. Phillips would not
state for whom he was acting or for what purpose
the <em>Flyer</em> was to be used, but said that he
was authorized to pay spot cash for it. He
seemed to be very much excited and anxious to
close the deal at once.”</p>
<p>“Do you suppose that he could be representing
one of the belligerent countries in Europe
and wanted the <em>Flyer</em> for war?” asked Ned.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum">[31]</span></p>
<p>This was a new thought to Alan, who slapped
his knee, exclaiming:</p>
<p>“I’ll bet that’s the whole secret. The war
departments over there are all wild over this
armored aeroplane idea anyway. England probably
wants the <em>Flyer</em> to protect her from air
invasion by Germany.”</p>
<p>“Or France wants it to use in dropping bombs
along the western battle front in Belgium,” said
Major Honeywell.</p>
<p>“Or maybe Germany wants it to supplement
their rumored fleet of Zeppelins for the long-planned
raid on England,” added Ned.</p>
<p>All three could not help but laugh heartily at
the diversity of opinions thus expressed. In the
midst of their merriment the telephone on Major
Honeywell’s desk began suddenly to ring
insistently.</p>
<p>“Hello,” called the Major, with the receiver
to his ear. “Yes, yes. This is the offices of
the Universal Transportation Company, Major
Baldwin Honeywell, the treasurer, talking....
What?... Speak a little louder and more
slowly, please; I can hardly understand you....
Yes.... Mr. Phillips approached me about
the sale of the <em>Ocean Flyer</em> this morning....
Oh! you are speaking for him. I see.... No,<span class="pagenum">[32]</span>
we have decided not to sell the airship.... No,
<em>not</em> to sell it.... No, no, the price was quite
gratifying, but the <em>Flyer</em> is not for sale....
Positively, sir!... You are wishing to give
twenty-five thousand dollars more?... Hold
the wire.”</p>
<p>Major Honeywell rolled a wild eye at the
intently listening boys. Both shook their heads
emphatically. The Major turned again to the
telephone.</p>
<p>“I’m sorry, sir, but our decision is not to
sell the <em>Flyer</em> at any price whatever.... No,
I am sure that we shall not change our minds
about it.... All right. To whom have I been
speaking, please?”</p>
<p>As the Major asked this final question, Ned
sprang to an adjacent extension of the telephone.
He caught the distant guttural rumble of a heavy
voice:</p>
<p>“My name, it is of no matter since you have
not the airship for sale. Good-bye.”</p>
<p>The words were spoken with a marked German
accent that in some way seemed peculiarly familiar
to Ned. He had heard that voice before,
and recently too. But where?</p>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum">[33]</span></p>
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