“Yes,” agreed Jerry, “and Ned and Bob had better go with you, in the auto. I’ll stay here,” continued the tall youth, “and guard the airship. You and Bob, Ned, can buy the things necessary with which to repair it, and we’ll make a flight from here as soon as we can get it in shape.”
“To rescue Mr. Bell and his friends?” asked Bob, who was contentedly munching a sandwich he had made from some canned chicken he found among the stores.
“Hardly, unless we can tell where they are,” answered Jerry. “We’ll go west to protect our mine, for this looks as if there was another conspiracy on foot against us,” and he held up the letter that had fallen from Noddy’s pocket. “We’ll have to teach Tom Dalsett and that gang another lesson, I guess. I only hope Jim Nestor will be on his guard. I think we’d better send him a telegram of warning, and let him know we are coming. I’ll write it, and you fellows can take it to town when you go in the auto.”
“Don’t be in too much of a hurry,” advised Bob. “I think I’ll make another sandwich. Don’t you want one?” and he started for the kitchen of the airship.
“Here, you cut that out!” ordered Ned, good-naturedly. “Work first and eat afterward.”
Bob looked a little disconsolate, but complied with his friend’s desire. Jerry had quickly written a telegram, and given it to Ned, who, with Bob and the chief of police, started across the field to where the auto had been left. They were soon speeding toward town.
Left alone in the airship Jerry strolled about it, taking note of the various features, and marking with displeasure where the carelessness of Noddy and Jack had done some slight damage.
The Comet is fully described in the ninth book of this series, entitled “The Motor Boys in the Clouds,” but perhaps a brief statement of the wonderful craft may not be out of place here. The airship consisted of two sections. There was the big cigar-shaped bag, which contained the gas, and which formed the dirigible balloon part of the ship. This bag was filled with a strong lifting vapor, of secret composition.
Then there was the aeroplane feature, the big wings being fitted at right angles to the gas bag, and strongly braced. Thus the Comet could be used as a balloon, or, at the will of the occupants, or in case of accident, could glide along like an aeroplane.