"What luck!" he whispered. "Dave, you're all right now."
The owner of the place led his young guests through the vestibule into a hallway, and pointed to a large reception room.
"You wait till I get dressed," he directed. "Sit down, and make yourself comfortable."
As he spoke the showman turned on a perfect blaze of electric light. Dave and Hiram took off their helmets, and made themselves look as little like stormy night aviators as was possible under the circumstances.
It was nearly ten minutes before their host reappeared. He was fully dressed now, and presented the appearance of a keen, active business man.
"Think there's any use trying to catch that burglar?" was his first question.
"I don't think so at all," replied Dave.
"All right, then. Carry that truck into the library," the showman ordered his two men, who had gathered it up in a rug taken from the vestibule. "You'll take turns guarding the house, nights after this. Now then, young men, who are you?"
The showman put the question as he plumped down in an armchair besides his two guests.
"We're airship boys," explained Hiram hastily, but proudly.