But, in general, Tom maintained the lead, and among the
spectators there began a series of guesses as to how much he would win
by.
Tom glanced at the barograph. It registered a little over twelve hundred
feet. He looked at the speed gage. He was doing a trifle better than a
hundred miles an hour. He looked down at the signals. There was twenty
miles yet to go. It was almost time for the spurt for which he had been
holding back. Yet he would wait until five miles from the end, and then
he felt that he could gain and maintain a lead.
"Andy seems to be doing well," said Mr. Damon.
"Yes, he has a good machine," conceded Tom.
Five miles more were reeled off. Then an other five. Another round of
that distance and Tom would key his motor up to the highest pitch, and
then the Humming-Bird would show what she could do. Eagerly Tom waited
for the right signal.
Suddenly the wireless began buzzing again. Quickly the young inventor
clamped the receiver to his ear. Mr. Damon saw him turn pale.
"Dr. Gladby says dad has a turn for the worse.
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