“I know it,” answered Bob, “but I’ll have to start the gasolene stove, and it will take some time. I guess I’d better begin. I’ll cook,” he added, generously.
“Cook! I guess that’s about all you will do on this trip,” remarked Ned with a laugh, as his fleshy chum disappeared in the galley. “I never saw such a chap—never,” he added.
“Well,” remarked Professor Snodgrass, trying to think of some excuse for Bob, “we have to eat, you know. Even horned toads and flying lizards eat. And—one moment I beg of you—don’t move, please!” he exclaimed suddenly to Ned.
“Why not; am I going to fall overboard?” inquired the lad, in some alarm.
“No, but a new and rare kind of upper-air mosquito has just alighted on your shoulder,” spoke the professor, eagerly. “One moment and I will have it!” He stretched out his hand, containing a tiny net, and the next moment the insect was buzzing in it.
“Ah, I have you, little beauty!” exclaimed the bald-headed man, enthusiastically, and into a small bottle went the mosquito.
“I’m glad he didn’t bite me,” remarked Ned, who, just then saw Jerry beckoning to him from the pilot house. When the two chums were together, Jerry cautioned Ned about speaking of the possible solution of the mystery connected with Mr. Bell.
“Don’t say anything about it to the professor,” said Jerry. “We’ll wait until we get to the mine, and see how matters develop there. It may be that there is nothing to this, and that we are on the wrong track about Mr. Bell,” but it was not long before Jerry was to learn that there was even more in the mystery than he suspected. “Tell Bob,” he went on to Ned. “Then you can help him with grub. I’m beginning to feel a little hungry myself.”
The meal was served at noon, about a mile high in the air, with the Comet shooting along at the rate of fifty miles an hour, for the wind was favorable.
“It doesn’t seem so much of a novelty now,” remarked Bob, munching a sandwich, and looking down at the green earth spread out below him. “I remember the first trip we made I was a little nervous.”