CHAPTER III
THE PROFESSOR'S QUEST
The good news of the location of Mr. Jackson was so unexpected, that,for a few moments the little party in Mr. Slade's office hardly knewhow to take it. Then they all began talking at once, at least theboys did, until the merchant, with a laugh, remarked that they weremaking so much noise that the clerks would think something serious hadhappened. This quieted the three chums.
"Well, we'd better get started," urged Jerry. "Mr. Jackson may get awayfrom Durham any minute."
"Oh, I don't believe he's as bad as that," ventured Mr. Slade. "Ifhe's there for his health he'll be likely to remain for some time. I'dgo see him myself, but I dare not leave my business at this criticaljuncture."
"Oh, we're only too glad to try and get into touch with him for you,"asserted Bob. "How can we tell him if we meet him? Does Ned know him?"
"No," answered Mr. Slade's son. "I never saw him, but dad has hispicture."
"Then we can take that along, and do a little detective work,"suggested Jerry. "We'll inquire for a Mr. Jackson, and if he's like thepicture he'll be our man."
"I'm afraid the photograph wouldn't be of great help," said Mr. Slade."It was taken a number of years ago, and I fancy Mr. Jackson haschanged much in that time. However, I can describe him to you, and giveyou a letter to him, and that may answer. As I said, I ought really togo myself, but if I left here, my enemies would only make more troublefor me. Mr. Jackson is the only man who can help me."
There was more talk, and Mr. Slade gave his son and the latter'schums some directions as to how to proceed. He also made out certaindocuments, which, if Mr. Jackson would sign, would end the departmentstore troubles.
"Now to get our auto in shape!" exclaimed Jerry as they prepared toleave the store. "I hope we can get some speed out of the machinewithout too much tinkering."
"We'll give it a try-out," decided Bob. "Take a little run thisafternoon, and see how she works."
The car the boys now owned was not the one they had had originally. Itwas a more powerful machine, though so interested had our friends beenin airship matters of late, that they had not given their auto much use.
That afternoon saw the three chums speeding down a quiet highway thatled out of Cresville. The auto ran well, but they discovered a fewdefects and arranged to have them remedied at a garage.
"Then we'll start for Durham the first thing to-morrow, fellows!" criedBob enthusiastically. "Say, it's fun to be doing something again. It'slike old times!"
"It sure is," agreed Jerry. "Can't you put on a little more speed,Ned?" For the merchant's son was at the wheel. "Cut out the muffler,and use the accelerator pedal more. Make believe we're after NoddyNixon, and that he's getting away from us. We may need speed if we haveto race after Mr. Jackson."
They were ascending a hill, and Ned had turned on all the power hedared use, when, as he swung around a bend, a small man suddenly dartedout right in front of the machine.
"Look out!" yelled Jerry, leaning forward and grasping the lap roberail in front of him.
"Jam on the brakes! Toot your horn!" cried Bob.
Ned did not answer. He had instinctively done three things, blown thehorn, jammed on the foot and emergency hand brake, and had turned toone side. He also gave a loud yell.
But the man who had so suddenly brought about this commotion, paid notthe least attention to the trouble he had caused. With a small neton the end of a long pole, extended in front of him, he was chasinga brilliant little red butterfly, which was flitting along, allunconscious of the danger so close to him.
Suddenly the net went down with a swoop, and the butterfly was out ofsight.
"I got him! I got him! I have the little beauty! One of the rarestbutterflies in this section of the country! It's worth fifty dollarsif it's worth a cent! Oh, you little darling, I have you!" And the manwent down on his hands and knees to get the prize from under the net.
"Well, wouldn't that make you--" began Ned, as he eased up on his footpressure, and shut off the power.
What he started to say he never finished, for Jerry cried out:
"If that isn't Professor Uriah Snodgrass, I'll drink a pint ofgasolene!"
"Eh? What's that? Were you calling me?" asked the little man in a mildvoice, looking up sideways from his kneeling position on the ground."Who wants Professor Snodgrass?" he inquired, peering through hisspectacles.
Then he caught sight of the boys, who were alighting from the car. Overhis face there came a smile of welcome. He got up, holding in a sectionof the net, carefully gathered up in his fingers, the red butterfly.
"Well of all the good luck!" cried the professor. "Here I meet myfriends the motor boys again, when I least expect it. One moment, mydear boys, until I have put this specimen safely away, and I'll be withyou. Well, of all the strange and remarkable coincidences! I was justthinking of you, when I saw this butterfly dart out of the bushes, andof course, I took after it."
"And nearly made an end to your collecting fad forever," said Jerry.
"How's that?" asked the professor.
"We nearly ran you down," explained Bob.
"Oh, that? A mere trifle!" said the odd little scientist. "I runchances like that half a dozen times a day. I would risk almostanything for such a specimen. And what would I not risk if I could findthe prize I am after?"
"Are you after something new?" asked Bob, as he watched Mr. Snodgrasscarefully put away in the cyanide bottle the red butterfly.
"Yes, something very new," answered Mr. Snodgrass. "I have beencommissioned by the museum, for which I collect specimens, to get thema singing fish."
"A singing fish?" cried Ned, thinking it was a joke.
"A singing fish," replied the scientist. "That is, it does not exactlysing, but when taken from the water it makes a peculiar sound. It issaid to be the only fish that does this. But, in addition, it has thepower of flying for short distances out of the water, and it can alsoswell itself up to about twice its natural size. So you see it is avery valuable specimen to get, and very, very rare."
"But you can't find it on land," objected Jerry.
"No, my dear boy," admitted the professor, as he shook hands with hisfriends, "but I expect to shortly make a trip on the ocean. Then Ihope to get my singing fish. I wish you boys were going on some voyage,and I could go with you."
"We are going on a trip, but it's mostly a land trip," explained Ned."We may use the airship, though. It all depends; and if Jerry carriesout his plans, and attaches the hydroplanes, we might make a sea trip,but that's all in the air as yet. We're looking for a certain man."
"And I'm searching for a rare fish," went on the scientist. "At oddtimes I collect whatever specimens come in my way."
"What are you doing in this part of the country?" asked Ned. "I thoughtyou were in Boston."
"So I am, but I heard of a man out this way who knows the habits ofthe singing fish, and I want to get some information from him. So Icame on, and, as the man was not at home I improved my opportunity bystrolling out into the country to see what I could find.
"I have been very fortunate; I find the red butterfly, and I meet myformer friends. Both are most delightful surprises. But, may I ask, whois the man you are seeking?"
"Mr. Wescott Jackson," answered Ned, after a moment's hesitation.
"Wescott Jackson! Not the wealthy promoter?" cried Professor Snodgrass.
"That's the man," declared Jerry.
"Well, if that isn't odd!" exclaimed the scientist. "Why I know him.In fact, he and I are great friends. He is one of the trustees ofthe museum where I am employed, and I once did him a great favor, ingetting him a certain old rare Aztec altar, for he collects antiques.Yes, I know Mr. Jackson quite well."
"Then you are the very man for us!" cried Ned in great delight. "Here,we can't lose sight of you. Hop into the auto, professor. You help uslocate Mr. Jackson, and we'll help you get the singing fish! Is that abargain?"
Mr. Snodgrass gazed through his spectacles at t
he boys for a moment.
"It is!" he exclaimed suddenly, as he got up into the auto; and Nedstarted off the machine.