No danger was ever too great to deter the professor from collecting specimens. However, this time it was impossible to get them, as when he opened the door such a rush of cold air met him as caused him to turn back.
“One needs an overcoat here,” he declared.
“I should say so,” remarked Jerry.
“Well, I must risk it,” went on the professor. “I simply must have those insects.”
“You’re too late,” said Jerry. “We’ve passed them.”
This was so, for the Comet had shot beyond the little cloud of creatures that were flying about in a snowstorm. The professor, with a sigh, gave up his plan and returned to the cabin window.
“We’re going down!” cried Ned quickly. “Mr. Glassford must have fixed the rudder.”
The airship was descending. In a little while they were sensible that it was much warmer, and they could open the cabin. They found the inventor in the pilot house, rubbing his hands to restore the circulation, which had been impeded by the cold.
“Are we all right?” asked Jerry.
“Fairly so. I can’t operate the gas valve, but I think by deflecting the rudder sufficiently and by waiting until after sundown, we can reach the earth. The gas is rapidly cooling off. The rudder was jammed. I released it, and now it works all right.”