him. I will have to leave the train in a few minutes, Mr. Davis,” he added. “There is the whistle for the junction now, and I will have to get back to Woodville.”

“Two things, Ben,” said Mr. Davis as he rose from the seat. “It is a big thing for me to get that machine part on time. Here is something for your trouble,” and he handed out a folded bank note.

“Oh, no,” dissented Ben, arising quickly.

“Oh, yes,” insisted Mr. Davis. “Here’s the second thing,” and he pressed a card into Ben’s hand after writing something on its back. “I want you to ask your father to let you come down to the big aero meet at Blairville next week. That card will admit you anywhere about the grounds. I shall be in great evidence there, to speak modestly,” smiled Mr. Davis, “and I will take pleasure in showing you some things that will set that active head of yours buzzing for a spell.”

Ben’s eyes glowed over the welcome invitation.

“I don’t know anything that would give me more pleasure than to see those airships go up,” said the youth.

[Pg 24]

[Pg 24]

“Be sure to come—I shall expect you,” declared Mr. Davis, shaking hands warmly.

“Here’s luck!” exclaimed Ben, as he alighted on the junction platform, ran across it, and got aboard a train just starting in an opposite direction for Woodville, the conductor of which he knew very well, and who had the privilege of passing friends short distances.

He had calculated on a two-hours’ wait at the junction, and here was the afternoon accommodation train, twenty minutes late, but just in time to start him homeward bound without a minute’s delay.

Ben reached Woodville and went up to the automobile works at once. It lacked half an hour of quitting time, and he decided he had better report the safe delivery of the machine part at the office. Besides that, he would have a chance to walk home with his father.

“Oh, it’s you?” observed Mr. Saxton, as he entered the office.

“Yes, sir,” replied Ben.

“Did you deliver the parcel to Mr. Davis?”

“I did, Mr. Saxton. I managed to just catch the train on the fly.”

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