"By Jove! You're right, old man!"
Tom could hear his chum bound out of bed to the floor, and, at the same time, from the big shed where Tom was building his aerial warship came a series of yells and shouts.
"That's Koku's voice!" Tom exclaimed, as he recognized the tones of the giant.
"I'm coming, Tom!" Ned informed his chum. "Wait a minute."
"No time to wait," Tom replied, buttoning his coat as he sped down the hall.
"Oh, Tom, what is it?" asked Mrs. Baggert, the housekeeper, looking from her room.
"I don't know. But don't let dad get excited, no matter what happens. Just put him off until I come back. I think it isn't anything serious."
Mr. Damon, who roomed next to Ned, came out of his own apartment partially dressed.
"Bless my suspenders!" he cried to Tom, those articles just then dangling over his hips. "What is it? What has happened? Bless my steam gauge, don't tell me it's a fire!"
"I think it isn't that," Tom answered. "No alarm has rung. Koku seems to be in trouble."