“That is, a share of it does,” spoke Ned modestly.
“Well, what does Ned say?” inquired the captain, as Heiny entered the pilot house with steaming hot coffee which Jack had ordered got ready as soon as they struck the water.
“Ned says—yes!” responded the lad, “but how about you, Jack and Tom?”
“So far as I’m concerned I think it would be a splendid thing,” said Jack. “It would give us a chance to try out the Electric Monarch in competition with other air craft, and then, too, the voyage up there would put her through her paces in great shape. My answer is—yes.”
“Same here,” declared Tom with positiveness.
“Ches, dot suids me,” said Heiny, balancing his tray like a born waiter while the captain gulped down his steaming coffee.
“Then we’ll call it settled,” said the captain. “I’ll send you entry blanks on my arrival at Portstown. Be ready to start as soon as possible.”
“Don’t worry about that, Captain,” said Jack, “we certainly shall be ready.”
By this time the boats from the steamer had come alongside and the singular interview had to be concluded.
“Well, I think it is safe to say that a business deal was never conducted under more curious auspices than this one,” laughed Jack, as the captain prepared to board one of the boats. “I guess you’d be ready to talk business if you fell out of a balloon, Captain.”