“No, but I have a very good reason to know that fellow Glassford, and, while of course I wouldn’t want to see him or the boys hurt, I’d like to get even with him for what he did to me. That’s why I was interested in your attempt to put a hole in the gas bag.”
“I wish I had,” muttered Noddy.
“So do I. But maybe we can get square with him in another way.”
“How do you mean? What have you got against him?”
“Plenty. I used to work for Glassford, but he discharged me after stealing my plans for the airship—this same ship he sailed in to-day.”
“Was that ship built on your plans?” asked Noddy quickly.
“It certainly was. I am the inventor of it, not Glassford. My name is Giles Hoswell.”
“Why don’t you sue him and make him give you back the plans?”
“Because I can’t afford it. I am a poor man, and he evidently has plenty of money.”
“Not much. Jerry Hopkins and his chums furnished the cash to build this airship.”