They found the inventor finishing his interview with the reporter, and soon the motor ship was back in the tent, from which the crowd was excluded.
Meanwhile, Noddy Nixon, filled with unreasoning wrath, both at the success of his rivals and over the fact that he had been discovered in his mean trick, was walking slowly through the fields, carrying his airgun. He did not notice a man approaching him, and was somewhat startled when the stranger remarked:
“Didn’t I see you shooting at the airship?”
“N-no—I—I wasn’t shooting,” stammered Noddy, thinking the man was a constable sent after him.
“Oh, yes, you were,” went on the man quietly. “I saw you,” and he seemed so positive that Noddy did not deny it again. “But don’t worry,” the stranger continued. “I’m not going to inform on you. I presume you must have had some motive in trying to puncture the gas bag.”
“I hate those fellows!” burst out Noddy. “They’re enemies of mine, and are always making trouble for me,” which was very far from the truth, as you readers who know Noddy of old can testify.
“Ah, then you haven’t any love for them,” went on the man.
“I guess not.”
“I haven’t, either,” spoke the man vindictively.
“Why, do you know the motor boys?”