He is
going to take up the _Cobweb_. And who do you think is to be his
companion?"
"Give it up."
"Regina Mortlake!"
"Phew!" whistled the boy, "a new conquest for the irresistible Fanning,
eh?"
"Don't be stupid," reproved Peggy, severely, "I've been thinking it over
and I've just hit on the solution. Fanning, or so I heard, took up
aviation when he was in the west. You know he always had a hankering for
it."
"Yes, I recollect his fake aeroplane that scared the life out of you,"
grinned Roy.
"Well," pursued Peggy, not deigning to notice this remark, "I guess they
decided that Mr. Mortlake would be a bit er--er--overweight isn't it
called? so they sent for old Mr. Harding's son to manage the _Cobweb_ at
the tests."
"Jove, that must be it. Makes it rather awkward, though. Somehow I don't
much fancy Master Fanning."
"As if we hadn't good reason to despise him. Hark! there goes the _Cobweb_
now!"
A droning buzz was borne to their ears. Running to the window they saw the
Mortlake aeroplane whiz by at a fair height. It was going fast and a male
figure, tall and slight, was at the wheel. In the stern seat Regina
Mortlake's rubicund aviation costume could be made out.
[Illustration: Running to the window they saw the Mortlake aeroplane whiz
by at a fair height.]
"Fanning has certainly turned out to be a good driver of aeroplanes,"
commented Roy, as he watched; "see that flaw strike them! There! he
brought the _Cobweb_ through it like an old general of the upper regions.
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