"Very well," responded the capitalist. "I see you know what you want."
"Incidentally," exclaimed Ned, "I shall, of course, be permitted to carry my own assistants."
"Assistants? Yes, of course," replied Major Honeywell, "but they must be persons of discretion."
"My chum, Alan Hope, who will make the ascension with me, will be one, and a colored boy, Elmer Grissom, who has helped me prepare for all my flights, will be the other."
There was no dissent.
"When shall I make my report?" Ned added.
Major Honeywell and his friend conferred a moment.
"Will five weeks be enough time for your exploration?"
"I think so; perhaps less."
"Then we will meet you at the Coates House in Kansas City on the first day of August."