At once Dick shut off the power, and allowed the biplane to come down in the centre of the highway.

Then Tom waved the lantern, and at the same time all three lads took hold of their pistols.
It was a runabout that was coming up, an old affair, carrying two men that looked like farmers.
"Hello, what's this, a hold-up ?" cried one of the men.

"By gum! if it ain't an airship!" he gasped, as his machine came to a standstill in front of the _Dartaway_.
"We'd like some information," said Dick, stepping forward and holding up the lantern.

"We are looking for a big enclosed touring car that came this way.

Did you meet it on the road ?" "A tourin' car?
No, we didn't meet any kind o' an auto." "None at all ?" "Nary a one," answered the second man.
"May I ask how far you've come ?" went on Dick.
"We came from Plankville." "How far is that ?" "About six miles." "Are there any side roads between here and Plankville ?" "Plenty of 'em, but none good enough fer a car.