AWAY IN THE AIRSHIP
"Quick, Washington!" cried the professor. "Jump in the engine room and start the gas generator. Mark, you bring in from the cabin all those wheels and things on the walls! Jack, load those packages there into the locker in the after part of the Monarch! But handle them carefully! They contain explosives and ammunition for the machine gun!"
If there had been hurry and bustle before, there was ten times as much now. The professor gave one look at the place where Taggert had been concealed. The man had worked off his bonds and escaped while his captors were in the airship's cabin.
Soon there was a queer hissing noise from the engine room of the Monarch. The gas bag began to distend.
"She's fillin', Perfessor!" cried Washington.
"We must tie her down," muttered the old man. "Otherwise she will rise and take the shed with her. I say, Washington!"
"Yes, Perfessor."
"We must get some one to help us open the shed roof to let the ship rise out. We can't do it alone."
"Guess it's a extraunordinary contract," agreed the negro.
"Then you go out and see if any one is in sight. Try to hire them for the work, but don't tell them about the ship. They can work up on the roof. I will see to the gas machine while you are away. Hurry now!"