half past nine
There was no help from the moon , because the sky had clouded up and screened the young queen of the skies . But Frank needed no other light than the brilliant glow that spread out along the road ahead of him coming from his lamp . It happened that he passed the home of Colonel Josiah Whympers , the retired and lame traveler , in whose care Andy had been left by the will which his father had made before starting on what had proven his last air voyage . `` Guess Andy 's gone to bed , '' he mused , as he saw the house wrapped in darkness , for it was now after half past nine . Frank cast a glance back toward the big field where the shed stood in which the great little monoplane , in which they had won their victory during Old Home Week , was stored . But he could just barely make it out , owing to the distance and the faint light of the moon coming through the clouds . Naturally the hearts of both lads went out toward the gallant aircraft which had answered every call made upon it for speed and endurance .