“Have you found Mr. Bell?”
“No, but something concerning him. Come aboard. Did you get the things to fix the airship?”
“Yes; everything.”
“Then come here; I’ve got news for you,” and, as his chums crowded closer, Jerry told them of finding the scraps of the mysterious letter. They eagerly scanned the fragments, making many comments on them, but agreeing, in general, with Jerry’s view.
For some time they talked over the possibilities of what might have happened, and they concluded that the thing to do was to leave for the west as soon as possible.
“We’ll make a trip over the Rockies,” declared Jerry, “and clear up this mystery. But the first thing to do, is to repair the airship.”
The bundles Bob and Ned had brought from town consisted of piano wire and bamboo poles, for strengthening the frame of the aeroplane, stout canvas for mending the torn places, some chemicals for making the gas, and other supplies. The packages were opened and the contents spread out on the deck. Then another inspection of the Comet was made to determine what to repair first. Jerry made up a sort of schedule, giving himself as well as his two chums enough work to keep them busy all that day.
It was well that the three lads had assisted Mr. Glassford in the manufacture of the airship, for now they were at no loss as to how to proceed. They knew every inch of the craft, and, if necessary, could have taken it apart and put it together again.
They worked rapidly, and were about to stop for dinner, in response to several impatient and pathetic consultations that Bob gave his watch, when, across the meadows, quite a crowd was seen approaching the stalled airship.
“Here comes a lot of curiosity seekers,” announced Ned.