He carried a bamboo cane, which he switched
somewhat nervously as the pretty girl advanced toward him across the
velvet-like lawn.
"I am Lieut. Bradbury of the navy," said the newcomer, and Peggy noted
that his whole appearance was as pleasant and wholesome as his voice. "I
came--er in response to your letter to the department, in regard to the
forthcoming trials of aeroplanes for the service."
"Oh, yes," exclaimed Peggy, smothering an inclination to giggle,
"we--I--that is----"
"I presume that I have called at the right place," said the young officer,
with a smile. "They told me----"
"Oh, come in, won't you?" suddenly requested the embarrassed Peggy. "The
sun is fearfully hot. Won't you have a straw hat--I mean a seat?"
"Thank you," replied Lieut. Bradbury, gravely sitting in a garden bench at
the foot of one of the big maples. His eyes fell on the book Peggy had
been reading. It was a treatise on aeronautics.
"It isn't possible that you are R. Prescott?" he asked, glancing up
quickly.
"Oh, no. I am only a humble helper. R. Prescott is in town. He--he will be
back shortly."
"Indeed. I had hoped to see him personally. I was anxious to inspect the
Prescott type of monoplane before visiting another aeroplane plant in this
neighborhood, the--the----" The officer drew out a small morocco covered
notebook and referred to it.
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