e?" asked Ned, as he and Bob sat on t

n train, he says

a bug is he after

d if he can't get an ant with pink legs, he'll take a June bug with purple wings. But be on

we'll have time in the morning to make

t we have to do, to get it in shap

and have a look at it. And say-you fellows stay to supper

sigh of satisfaction. He knew of

nky?" put in Ned with a laugh. "I'll telephone

r ate (though he was always saying that) the boys went out to the aeroplane shed w

le at the shed, when Noddy Nixon bound Sud Snuffles, the watchman, and took the aeroplane away.

," and he told of the bully's plight. "But we'll be on the lookout. We don't keep Sud on guard any more." For following his unscrupulous theft of th

st two weeks, on account of bad weather; but they found it in good shape, and, af

Jerry, as he and his chums left the shed, maki

t other aeroplane-the Sil

declared Bob. "Those fellows

demanded Je

t uncertain reply of the stout lad,

ed, "only I don't know

he tall lad with a yawn. "Be on hand early f

rning. They wheeled the craft out into the broad, level starting place, a

into a container above the aeroplane proper, it could ascend as a balloon, or it could scud along over the ground on bicycle wheels and, when su

er?" remarked Jerry as he went in t

cond breakfast," replied Ned, wh

s he looked at the dial of the containing tank, an

we can go up as an aeroplane, and by the time

motor compartment, a neat little galley or kitchen, where Bob spent much of his time, and a living room, where they

ry. "He is always more or less late. We won't have time to get

figure hurrying across the field. "And by Jove, if he isn't swallo

ed Jerry, as his chum approached

ghbors' fruit trees-never saw such a rabbit-thought I had it in th

st," observed Ned, as he saw traces

out something to eat! I had a good breakfast, and I brought alo

h a hopeless laugh. "Will you

pe not," declar

raft was pointed down the long smooth starting slope, and the motor started. The big propellers whirred around like the blades of an electric fan, and the motorsh

its rapid explosions. Just as Jerry was about to tilt the lif

ve me a ride-I'v

Rush!" ex

ow!" shouted Jer

e of the Comet, and the next instant she was sailing

than ever," wa

s," said Jerry, "but we haven't. I rather like landing on the wate

a previous volume, were a new fea

they settled back to enjoy themselves. The gas machine had by this time generated enough vapor, so that the

e Silver Star," proposed Ned, as he took down

ysterious men was not in sight. In fact no other air craft was visible, and, after sailing around for several hours, and

Andy wanted?"

comes now." The excitable lad was ob

to tell you-great news-he'll smash all to pieces-whoo

u talking about

e you fellows-big excitement-going to some balloon m

s!" exclaimed Jerry. "Well, if he bothers us as h

y more air flights," ventured Ned, "esp

't more than time to get down to the station before the professor's train will be in. We don't want to disappoi

-let me steer-blow up a tire-whoop!" and the ex

s a little man, rather slight in build, wearing a pair of very strong glasses. He had on a broad-brimmed soft hat, and around his shoulders

!" exclaimed Jerry. "Now to

n he caught the flying-si

-he's like a mumm

greeting. He advanced to meet them, passing close to the panting locomotive. As he did so there

In a moment he was all excitement. His face lighted up, off came his big hat, and, rapi

matter?" c

killed!" y

t!" shou

fit! Pull him away from the eng

d his hand to the engineer who, after pulling the throttle partly open, w

"Stop it or you'll kill him! Stop it I say!" and h