“And so he got ahead of you, after all,” commented Mr. Montrose, “and flew away in your airship?”
“Yes, and we want to chase him, for he can’t get very far, but we haven’t anything to do it in,” remarked Ned.
“We need another airship,” added Jerry.
“Another airship!” exclaimed Mr. Montrose. “How big a one? Would a biplane, carrying three, answer?”
“Would it?” cried Jerry. “It certainly would! Even if we couldn’t take any provisions along for Chunky. But where could we get one on such short notice?”
“From me!” suddenly exclaimed Mr. Montrose. “Boys, I’ve been wondering how I could reward you for what you did for me—saving my daughter. I knew it would have to be something out of the ordinary. And this gives me just the chance I want. I’ll provide you with an aeroplane, so you can chase after Noddy Nixon!”
“But we need it right away!” cried Jerry. “There isn’t time to have one made.”
“Oh, that’s all right. I have one that’s in perfect order, if you can believe the man who made it. And it has flown recently, so it ought to go now. You can start this afternoon, I guess. Come and sit down, and I’ll tell you all about it,” and Mr. Montrose led the boys toward a quiet corner of the reading-room.