"I can, but two is enough. I do not care for too many."
"Can you drop us in Blake by nightfall?"
"Yes."
"Well, if you will take us both, we'll go along, professor."
Scudmore considered, his right elbow resting in the hollow of his left hand, the long forefinger of his right hand touching his forehead.
"I will do it!" he cried, with a snap. "Get in. We'll lose no more time. In a few moments we shall be sailing away like a bird."
"Here goes, Frankie," grinned the Irish lad. "Av we're both killed, Oi want yez to tell me ould mither how Oi died."
They entered the car, and Scudmore prepared to cast off. He was full of anxiety and excitement.
At length but a single rope held the now swaying and surging air ship to the ground.
"Here goes the last strand that ties us to earth!" cried the professor, as, with the slash of a knife he severed the rope.