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[Illustration: _Motor Matt, as he drove the air ship steadily against the wind, kept close watch of the captured aeronauts._]
_Issued Weekly. By subscription $2.50 per year. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1909, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C., by_ STREET & SMITH, _79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York, N. Y._
No. 9. NEW YORK, April 24, 1909. Price Five Cents.
CHAPTER I. CAPTURING AN AIR-SHIP. CHAPTER II. A QUEER "FIND." CHAPTER III. THE BALLOON HOUSE. CHAPTER IV. THE KETTLE CONTINUES TO BOIL. CHAPTER V. 2109 HOYNE STREET. CHAPTER VI. CARL INVESTIGATES. CHAPTER VII. JERROLD, BRADY'S RIVAL. CHAPTER VIII. JERROLD'S GRATITUDE. CHAPTER IX. ABOARD THE HAWK. CHAPTER X. WILLOUGHBY'S SWAMP. CHAPTER XI. A FOE IN THE AIR. CHAPTER XII. BRADY CHANGES HIS PLANS. CHAPTER XIII. INTO THE SWAMP. CHAPTER XIV. A DESPERATE CHANCE. CHAPTER XV. A DARING ESCAPE. CHAPTER XVI. THE END OF THE MID-AIR TRAIL. THE BIG CYPRESS.
=Matt King=, concerning whom there has always been a mystery--a lad of splendid athletic abilities, and never-failing nerve, who has won for himself, among the boys of the Western town, the popular name of "Mile-a-minute Matt."
=Carl Pretzel=, a cheerful and rollicking German lad, who is led by a fortunate accident to hook up with Motor Matt in double harness.
=Hamilton Jerrold=, an honest inventor who has devoted his life to aeronautics, and who has built a successful air-ship called the Eagle.
=Hector Brady=, a rival inventor who has stolen his ideas from Hamilton Jerrold. His air-ship is called the Hawk and is used for criminal purposes. Brady's attempt to secure Motor Matt's services as driver of the Hawk brings about the undoing of the criminal gang.
=Whipple, Needham, Grove, Harper and Pete=, members of the Brady's air-ship gang of thieves.
=Helen Brady=, Hector Brady's daughter, who helps Motor Matt.
"Py shiminy grickets! Vat do you t'ink oof dot! See dere vonce, Matt. A palloon, or I vas a lopsder! Und vat a funny palloon it iss."