“By no means,” was the reply.
“But you state that Kane is to be the aviator1, and we are informed that Kane has a broken leg.”
“Leave the entry as it stands: ‘Kane, Aviator,’” said Cumberford, positively2.
“Very well, sir,” returned the secretary, evidently puzzled.
But his friend Burthon, who had suggested his telephoning, was highly pleased when he learned Mr. Cumberford’s decision.
“All right,” he observed, with satisfaction; “we’ll leave the Kane Aircraft on the programme, for everyone is talking of the wonderful device and the announcement of its competition will be the greatest drawing card we have. But the entry of ‘Kane, Aviator’ will disqualify anyone but Kane from operating the aircraft, and I happen to know 156his leg is in a plaster cast and he cannot use it for months to come.”
“Won’t it hurt us to disqualify the Kane Aircraft and have it withdrawn3 at the last moment?” inquired the secretary, doubtfully.
“No; for I’m going to spring on the crowd the biggest surprise of the century—Burthon’s Biplane.”
“Are you sure of its success, sir?”
“Absolutely. Kane copied his machine from mine, as I have before explained to you, and in addition to all the good points he has exhibited I have the advantage of a perfect automatic balance. If Kane’s device had been equipped with it he wouldn’t have fallen the other day.”
Perhaps Mr. Burthon was sincere in saying this. He had had no opportunity to examine Stephen’s latest creation at close quarters, but on the day of the trial at Kane Park he had observed the fact that Stephen had abandoned the automatic balance he had first patented, and now had recourse to crossed planes. Both Burthon and his mechanics considered the original device the best and most practical, and they depended upon it for the biggest advertisement of Burthon’s Improved Biplane, having of course no hint that Stephen had tested it and found it sadly lacking.
On the 26th the Burthon flyer was ready for 157trial, and Tot Tyler, after several attempts, got it into the air and made a short flight that filled the heart of Mr. Burthon with elation5.
“Curtiss and the Wrights will do better than that, though,” observed the ex-chauffeur, “to say nothing of those daredevils Latham and Hoxsey. I’ll improve after a few more trials, but I can’t promise ever to do better than the other fellows do.”
“That isn’t to be expected,” returned Burthon. “I’m not backing you to excel the performances of the old aviators6; that isn’t my point. The improvements and novelties we have to show will take the wind out of the sails of all other aëroplanes and result in a flood of orders. Comparing machine for machine, we’re years in advance of the Wrights and Curtiss—and centuries ahead of those foreign devices.”
“Perhaps,” admitted Tot. “But Kane’s aëroplane is practically the same as your own, and it is still on the programme.”
“It won’t fly, though,” declared Burthon, with a laugh. “Don’t worry about anything but your own work, Tyler. Leave all the rest to me.”
The man knew his employer was playing a hazardous7 game and that he had stolen outright8 the Kane Aircraft, and while the knowledge did not add to Tot Tyler’s nerve or assurance he was gleeful 158over the prospect9 of “doing” his enemy, Cumberford. The little fellow was bold enough—even to the point of bravery—and fully4 as unprincipled as his employer. His hatred10 of Cumberford was so acrid11 that he would have gone to any length, even without pay, to defeat his plans, and Burthon found him an eager and willing tool. Nevertheless, the little man scented12 danger ahead of them and had an idea that trouble was brewing13 from some unknown source.
By this time Burthon had begun a campaign of widespread publicity14, and in spite of the long list of famous aviators in the city the newspapers were filled with pictures of the Burthon device and accounts of the marvelous flights of Totham Tyler. Nothing more was heard of the Kane Aircraft, but the public had not forgotten it and many were puzzled that two local aëroplane makers15 should be exhibiting identically the same improvements, each claiming to have originated them. As for the visiting aviators, they were interested, but held their peace. The performances at the coming competition would tell the story of supremacy16, and whatever good points were displayed by the local inventors could doubtless be adapted to their own craft. They waited, therefore, for proof of the glowing claims made in the newspapers. Many promising17 inventions have turned out to be failures.
159The public was, to an extent, in the same doubting mood. Kane’s magnificent public flight had ended with an accident, while Tyler’s preliminary exhibitions were in no way remarkable18 as compared with records already established. The meet would tell the story.
Meantime Orissa completed her repairs. On the day that Steve came home from the hospital in an ambulance she wheeled him in an invalid19 chair to the hangar and allowed the boy to inspect a perfect aircraft. The young man suffered no pain, and although he was physically20 helpless his eye and brain were as keen as ever. Being wheeled around the device, so that he could observe it from all sides and at all angles, he made a thorough examination of his sister’s work and declared it excellent.
“Think you can manage it, Ris?” he asked, referring to her proposed venture.
“I am sure I can,” she promptly21 replied. “You must understand—all of you,” turning to confront Mr. Cumberford and Sybil, who were present, “that I am not undertaking22 this flight from choice. Had Steve been able to exhibit his own aëroplane I might never have tried to fly alone; but it seems to me that our fortune, my brother’s future career, and our friend Mr. Cumberford’s investment, all hinge upon our making a good 160showing at Dominguez Field. No one but me is competent to properly exhibit the aircraft, to show all its good points and prove what it is capable of doing. Therefore I have undertaken to save our reputation and our money, and I am sure that my decision is proper and right.”
“I agree with you,” said Steve, eagerly. “You’re a brave little girl, Ris.”
“I have but one request to make, Mr. Cumberford,” she added.
“What is it, Orissa?” he inquired.
“Do not advertise me as ‘The Girl Aviator,’ or by any other such name. I prefer people should remain ignorant of the fact that a girl is operating the Kane Aircraft. Can’t you keep quiet about it?”
“I can, and will,” he asserted. “Indeed, my dear, I much prefer that course. It will be all the more interesting when—when—the discovery is made.”
“I do not wish to become a celebrity,” she said, seriously. “One in the family is enough,” glancing proudly at Steve, “and I’m afraid nice people would think me unmaidenly and bold to become a public aviator. I’m not at all freakish—indeed, I’m not!—and only stern necessity induces me to face this ordeal23.”
“My dear,” said Mr. Cumberford, looking at 161her admiringly, “your feelings shall be considered in every possible way. But you must not imagine you are the first female aviator. In Europe—especially in France—a score of women have made successful flights, and not one is considered unwomanly or has forfeited24 any claim to the world’s respect and applause.”
“The most successful aviators of the future,” remarked Stephen, thoughtfully, “are bound to be women. As a rule they are lighter25 than men, more supple26 and active, quick of perception and less liable to lose their heads in emergencies. The operation of an aëroplane is, it seems to me, especially fitted to women.”
“Ah!” exclaimed Sybil, with a whimsical glance at the speaker, “I have discovered my future vocation28. I shall aviate parties of atmospheric29 tourists. When the passenger airships are introduced I’ll become the original sky motoress, and so win fame and fortune.”
Steve laughed, but shook his head.
“The airship of the future will not be a passenger affair,” he predicted, “but an individual machine for personal use. They’ll be cheaper than automobiles30, and more useful, for they can go direct to their destination in a straight ‘air-line.’ Men will use them to go to business, women to visit town on shopping expeditions or to 162take an airing for pleasure; but I’m sure they will be built for but one person.”
“Then I’ll have one and become a free lance in the sky, roaming where I will,” declared Sybil.
This unconventional girl had developed a decided31 fancy for the inventor, and while in his presence it was noticed that she became less reserved and mysterious than at other times. Steve liked Sybil, too, although she was so strong a contrast to his own beautiful sister. When she cared to be agreeable Miss Cumberford proved interesting and was, Steve thought, “good company.” Orissa observed that Sybil invariably presented the best side of her character to Steve. While he was in the hospital the girl visited him daily, and now that he had come home again she passed most of her time at the hangar.
Mr. Cumberford was greatly annoyed to learn that the Kane headquarters at Dominguez Field had been given a location in the rear of all the others, where it would be practically unnoticed. Of course this slight was attributed to Burthon’s influence with the committee of arrangements, of which he was a member. Burthon’s own hangar, on the contrary, had a very prominent position. From his man Brewster, as well as from others, Mr. Cumberford also learned that Burthon had hinted he would prevent the Kane Aircraft from taking any part in the contests.
163All these things worried the Kane party, whose anxieties would have been sufficient had they not been forced to encounter the petty malice32 of Burthon. Sybil, silently listening to all that was said, assumed a more mysterious air than usual, and on the day previous to the opening of the great aviation meet she informed her father that she would not accompany him to Dominguez, where he was bound to attend to all final preparations. The decision surprised him, but being accustomed to his daughter’s sudden whims27 he made no reply and left her in their rooms at the hotel.
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1
aviator
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| n.飞行家，飞行员 | |
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positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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elation
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| n.兴高采烈，洋洋得意 | |
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aviators
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| 飞机驾驶员，飞行员( aviator的名词复数 ) | |
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7
hazardous
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| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
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outright
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| adv.坦率地；彻底地；立即；adj.无疑的；彻底的 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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acrid
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| adj.辛辣的，尖刻的，刻薄的 | |
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scented
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| adj.有香味的；洒香水的；有气味的v.嗅到(scent的过去分词) | |
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brewing
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| n. 酿造, 一次酿造的量 动词brew的现在分词形式 | |
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14
publicity
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| n.众所周知，闻名；宣传，广告 | |
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15
makers
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| n.制造者，制造商（maker的复数形式） | |
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supremacy
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| n.至上；至高权力 | |
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promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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physically
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| adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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ordeal
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| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
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forfeited
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| （因违反协议、犯规、受罚等）丧失，失去( forfeit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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supple
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| adj.柔软的，易弯的，逢迎的，顺从的，灵活的；vt.使柔软，使柔顺，使顺从；vi.变柔软，变柔顺 | |
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WHIMS
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| 虚妄，禅病 | |
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vocation
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| n.职业，行业 | |
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atmospheric
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| adj.大气的，空气的；大气层的；大气所引起的 | |
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automobiles
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| n.汽车( automobile的名词复数 ) | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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