“Those sparks!” gasped Jerry. “They may explode the gas any minute, and we’ll be blown to atoms! Lively, Ned!”
Ned needed no urging. Rapidly he and Jerry once more crossed the plank in mid-air with the unfortunate man. On their next trip Jerry noticed that a blue light was playing about the machine whence the sparks came.
“She’ll go up in about a minute more!” he gasped.
But two more men remained to be saved. These were quickly carried across the bridge in the air, and laid in the cabin of the Comet.
“Cast off!” yelled Jerry, beginning to cough again, for the deadly fumes were manifesting themselves through the chemically saturated handkerchiefs. “Cast off!”
It took but an instant to do it. The great propellers were set in motion, and the Comet rapidly glided away from the Manhattan. The boys looked back at her, as she floated in mid-air.
“We must see to those men!” directed Jerry, taking off the improvised mask, which was no longer needed. “Perhaps it is even now too late! Professor, will you help us?”
“Of course. I think I know how to revive them, if there is a spark of life left.”
“Look!” yelled Bob, pointing to the Manhattan. A haze of flame surrounded the unfortunate craft.