Whistling a merry tune, the colored man took out a tray of food to
Taggert, who was still bound so he could not escape.
"Now I'd like to hear your names, and all about you," the old man said.
The lads told their simple stories from the time each of them had started to shift for himself until they had accidentally met, and been hurled from the train.
"And have you thought over what I asked you last night?" asked the professor, when they had finished.
"I have," said Jack, "and I'd like to go along."
"Good! You shall go!" exclaimed the inventor. "How about you, Mark?"
"I'll go, too."
"All right. Now we have plenty to do," the old professor went on. "The actions of this man Taggert will hasten my plans. There are a few finishing touches to put on the ship. Come out into the shed."
Delighted at the chance of helping about the mysterious Monarch, the boys followed the professor. They found the shed lighted by windows in the roof, from which the curtains had been rolled back. The windows on the side were not opened.
By daylight the airship looked larger than before. It was a wonderful machine. The professor and his colored helper busied themselves in the engine room. Now and then the two boys were allowed to aid.