“On the airship. I’m sure I saw some one on deck.”
“Maybe the professor is aboard?” suggested Ned.
“No, there he comes now,” said Tod, pointing off to the left, where the scientist could be observed stalking across the sand, his net over his shoulder, and his green specimen box dangling at his side.
“Somebody surely is on board,” insisted Bob. “I saw him move again.”
“That’s right,” agreed Nestor. “I saw something move, too, then.”
They quickened their pace, and in a little while they were near enough so that all five could observe some shadowy form moving about on the after deck.
“If it’s a man, he’s going about on all fours,” said Ned.
“Perhaps it’s Mr. Bell,” came from Bob. “Maybe he’s gone crazy from the heat.”
“Nonsense!” exclaimed Jerry, breaking into a run. The others followed. But when they were within a short distance of the craft they came to a sudden halt.