But before the frenzied Fan could spring upon Jimsy, who was utterly unprepared for the production of the deadly weapon, a dainty foot in white canvas outing shoes and silk stockings flashed out from under Peggy's skirt. It caught Fanning as he sprang, and the next instant, for the second time that day, he fell sprawling on the ground.
By the time he had risen to his feet several of the officials of the track were seen approaching, and Fanning, with a scowl of deep disgust at our party, who paid little attention to him, shuffled off. At first Peggy thought that the officials had seen something of the trouble and would be angry. But it turned out that they were only coming to announce a few minor changes in the rules governing the race, and to distribute printed copies of the same.
As they passed on one of them turned and remarked casually:
"By the way, as the wind is so light we have decided to have the big contest an hour earlier than was announced, and eliminate the girls' contest, so that everybody can get home from the grounds in good time for dinner."
He hastened on to join his companions on their journey down the line of hangars, outside of which aeroplanes were sputtering and smoking, and excited aviators and mechanics hustling about.
All at once a big biplane was wheeled out and soared into the air. It carried a blue and gold streamer.
"That's Steiner of the Agassiz High School in New York City," explained Jimsy; "he's confident of winning the big prize."
Peggy made some reply. She didn't know just what. Her mind was throbbing with the idea that Roy's inexplicable absence meant that harm had come to him, and that even if he were safe the advancing of the hour of the race would put them out of it if he did not make haste.
"Look, there goes Banker of the Philadelphia Polytechnic, and Rayburn of the Boston Tech," cried Jimsy the next instant as a biplane and a graceful white-winged monoplane shot aloft on trial trips, their motors exploding loudly and a tail of blue smoke streaming out behind them. A slight cheer came from the grand stands, which were already beginning to fill, as the boy aviators shot upward.
"Oh, Roy! Roy, where are you?" sighed Peggy to herself, as she watched the young aspirants for aerial honors swinging around the course.