[CHAPTER VI]
THE AIRSHIP RECOVERED
For a moment after Jerry’s announcement to his chums, who were in the car, neither of them spoke. Then Ned said:
“Come on, let’s start at once for Platville.”
“Yes,” agreed Bob, and, to his credit be it said that he did not propose stopping for supper, though he was very hungry.
“I think we’ll have a bite to eat first,” suggested Jerry. “We want to be in shape to tackle Noddy and Jack if we come up to them. It won’t take long to have a meal, and then we’ll go on.”
Bob looked gratefully at his chum, and his face, that was beginning to wear a woe-begone expression, took on a more cheerful cast.
“I guess that will be a good plan,” he said, and Ned laughed.
Platville was about fifty miles farther on, and they knew that in the darkness, for night was approaching, and over unfamiliar roads, they would hardly get there before morning. But this suited them, as they knew they could scarcely do anything toward recovering the airship in the dark.
They went to a hotel where, while they were getting supper, the auto was looked over by a man from the garage, and some adjustments made. Then, with a fresh supply of gasolene and oil, the seekers after the Comet prepared to resume their journey. They inquired as to the best road to take, and Jerry sent a telegram to the chief of police of Platville, stating that the real owners of the airship were on their way to claim it. The chief was requested to send some one out to guard the craft, and see that the present occupants of it did not get away with it. To this telegram there was no answer.