The trick with the dummy and the box-kite proved very effective, as far as Sid Joffy was concerned. The boys heard later that he arrived in town all out of breath, and much frightened.
He told a queer tale of a flaming figure hovering over his cabin, and wanted some of the town police to go back to his hut and exorcise the spirit. But no one paid any attention to Joffy, as he was known as a worthless character. He was so frightened that he would not go back home, but remained in the village all night, sleeping under the hotel shed. Nor did he ever again approach the tent where the airship was being constructed.
As for Noddy, inquiries showed that he had left town for a few days, giving out that he had gone to visit relatives in the country. They did not realize how bitter the bully felt toward them, nor what he hoped to do in the future to injure them.
“I guess he caught on to the fact that we were at the bottom of the affair,” suggested Jerry. “Very likely he knew he’d be laughed at for running from a dummy figure, and so he sneaked away. Well, I’m not sorry. We’ll soon want to try the Comet, and if he was around he might make trouble for us.”
“That’s so,” agreed Ned.
“When do you think we’ll be in shape for a trial flight, Jerry?” asked Bob.
“I don’t know for sure. In a few days, I expect. We’ll ask Mr. Glassford.”
The boys were discussing the happenings of the previous night as they walked toward the big tent. They found the inventor busily engaged, having arrived before them. They asked when he thought the machine would be completed, and received the encouraging news that a few days more would see the finishing touches put on it.
“I’m going to change the propellers somewhat,” said Mr. Glassford. “I’ve been doing some calculating, and I think with a three-bladed one, instead of two, as at present, we could make better progress. We must provide for going against as stiff a breeze as we’re likely to encounter, and that is no small item, for with the large area of the gas bag for the air currents to act upon, it will need all the power of our motor to send the ship ahead at times. There is no use disguising the fact that a motor ship is at more of a disadvantage in a wind than is any other kind of a craft. However, with the planes, I hope to overcome many difficulties that now beset machines of this kind.”
The boys soon busied themselves at their tasks on the construction of the Comet, for each one had certain allotted work to do, Mr. Glassford, in addition, laboring himself, overseeing what the lads did.