“Well, you’re mighty welcome company,” declared Dollinger in a friendly way. “Willing and useful, too. I shouldn’t wonder if Mr. Alden could find a place for you with the party.”
Dave did not commit himself by making a direct reply. His heart was set on airships, and he ardently hoped there would be some chance for him in that field.
“If I fail, I can fall back on the moving picture crowd,” he mused. “I really like the business.”
Dave left the automobile with the zest and eagerness of a boy starting out to see a big show for the first time. He headed for the far corner of the grounds where animated scenes were in progress. Just then, however, a broad low-wheeled wagon to which two horses were attached came along. It was seemingly conveying a large-sized monoplane out of the grounds for repairs. Dave noticed that the machine was somewhat battered up.
He had never been so near to an airship before, and he followed the wagon in a sort of fascinated way. Once he reached out his hand and touched one wing of the machine. It positively made his finger tips thrill. When it reached the big gates of the enclosure, the same old man who had admitted the automobile the evening previous opened them for wagon and airship to pass out.
There were several people bustling around the little building near the gate which was the office of the grounds. One brisk individual seemed to be the manager. Dave, standing around full of everything that was going on, noticed that this man was arranging affairs for departing airmen. A lank poorly-dressed boy stopped the man as he was called to the office.
“Say, Mister, can you tell me where I’ll find this man?”
The boy held out a crumpled soiled card, at which the manager glanced quickly and then brushed by, saying:
“Mr. King? You’ll find him down at the hangars.”
“What’s them, now?” stared the boy. “Do you know?” he inquired turning quickly upon Dave, who stood at his elbow.