CHAPTER XIV
PROFESSOR SNODGRASS ON HAND
The trick with the dummy and the box-kite proved very effective, as faras Sid Joffy was concerned. The boys heard later that he arrived intown all out of breath, and much frightened.
He told a queer tale of a flaming figure hovering over his cabin, andwanted some of the town police to go back to his hut and exorcise thespirit. But no one paid any attention to Joffy, as he was known as aworthless character. He was so frightened that he would not go backhome, but remained in the village all night, sleeping under the hotelshed. Nor did he ever again approach the tent where the airship wasbeing constructed.
As for Noddy, inquiries showed that he had left town for a few days,giving out that he had gone to visit relatives in the country. They didnot realize how bitter the bully felt toward them, nor what he hoped todo in the future to injure them.
"I guess he caught on to the fact that we were at the bottom of theaffair," suggested Jerry. "Very likely he knew he'd be laughed at forrunning from a dummy figure, and so he sneaked away. Well, I'm notsorry. We'll soon want to try the _Comet_, and if he was around hemight make trouble for us."
"That's so," agreed Ned.
"When do you think we'll be in shape for a trial flight, Jerry?" askedBob.
"I don't know for sure. In a few days, I expect. We'll ask Mr.Glassford."
The boys were discussing the happenings of the previous night as theywalked toward the big tent. They found the inventor busily engaged,having arrived before them. They asked when he thought the machinewould be completed, and received the encouraging news that a few daysmore would see the finishing touches put on it.
"I'm going to change the propellers somewhat," said Mr. Glassford."I've been doing some calculating, and I think with a three-bladedone, instead of two, as at present, we could make better progress. Wemust provide for going against as stiff a breeze as we're likely toencounter, and that is no small item, for with the large area of thegas bag for the air currents to act upon, it will need all the power ofour motor to send the ship ahead at times. There is no use disguisingthe fact that a motor ship is at more of a disadvantage in a windthan is any other kind of a craft. However, with the planes, I hope toovercome many difficulties that now beset machines of this kind."
The boys soon busied themselves at their tasks on the constructionof the _Comet_, for each one had certain allotted work to do, Mr.Glassford, in addition, laboring himself, overseeing what the lads did.
While they were all thus busily engaged, Jerry was aware of a disputegoing on at the entrance to the tent. He heard the voice of TomJohnson, the man hired to remain on guard, raised in protest againstthe approach of some one.
"I tell you that you can't go in!" exclaimed Tom. "They don't allow it.No one is allowed inside while they're working."
"I tell you I must go in. I want to see them on a very particularmatter," was the reply.
"Is it that old nuisance, Sid Joffy, coming back to bother us?" askedMr. Glassford. "If it is we'll have him arrested. I thought you said,Jerry, that you scared him so that he wouldn't come around again."
"And so I did. That isn't Joffy's voice. I think I know who it is. Waita minute."
Jerry laid aside the work he was engaged upon, and strode toward thetent flap. As he approached he heard Johnson saying:
"If you try to go in I'll stop you."
"Don't you dare touch me!" was the indignant answer. "If you do--butexcuse me, my dear man, just a moment now--don't stir, that's a goodfellow. I'll have him off you in a minute. Don't stir, I beg of you, asyou value----"
"Is it a snake?" cried the guard. "If it is take him off, quick! I'mterrible afraid of snakes!"
"No, it's not a snake; it is a most perfect specimen of a horse-fly. Ihave long desired to catch one. Stand perfectly still."
There was a little movement outside the tent. Jerry heard Johnson givea startled exclamation, and then he heard another voice triumphantlycry out:
"I have it! It is a very valuable specimen. I am a thousand timesobliged to you."
Jerry threw back the tent flap, and saw standing beside Johnson a smallman, with a very large pair of spectacles on; and the little man wascarefully putting into a box a big, buzzing fly. Jerry knew, almostbefore he had left the tent, whom he was going to see. I presume myreaders have already guessed who it was, but, if not, Jerry's excitedexclamation will tell you.
"Professor Snodgrass!" he cried. "Where did you come from? I haven'tseen you since you captured the horned toad in California."
"That's so, Jerry. It has been quite a while. But I was just fortunateenough to capture the most perfect specimen I have ever seen of a greenhorse-fly."
"I didn't know green horses were ever bothered with flies," remarkedJerry, a twinkle in his eyes, while he shook hands with the professor,an example which was followed by Ned and Bob, who came outside whenthey heard the mention of their scientific friend.
"Ah, Jerry, you will have your joke, I see. You know what I mean. Butwait. There! now I have him safely put away," and the scientist thrustinto a small box the protesting insect.
"Did you get that off me?" asked Johnson.
"I did, my man. You may consider that you have been a great aid toscience to-day," added Uriah Snodgrass.
"I don't want to be so no more," retorted the man energetically. "Ifany more of the nasty flies gets on me I'll--I'll smash 'em--that'swhat I'll do."
"Please don't," begged the professor. "They are too valuable to kill.Save them for me."
"Were you looking for us?" asked Jerry.
"I was," replied Professor Snodgrass. "I happened to be in this partof the country, searching for a new variety of tree-toad I have heardabout, and having a few hours to spare I called at your house, Jerry.Your mother was not at home, but the girl said you and your chums weredown camping in this lot. Seems to me you have chosen rather a publicplace to go camping. And why you have such a large tent is more than Ican imagine."
"We're not camping, professor."
"No? What are you doing, then?"
"We're building an airship."
"Building--an--airship!"
The professor's voice indicated his astonishment.
"That's what we are," went on Ned. "Come on in and see it. We've got italmost done. We'll have a trial flight soon."
"An airship! Building an airship!" repeated the scientist, as if unableto believe what he had heard.
He was led inside the tent. The big proportions of the _Comet_ seemedto amaze him.
"It really is an airship," he said, as if, up to that moment, there hadbeen some doubt about it.
"Of course it is, and we're going to take a long trip in it," went onJerry. "What do you think of the idea?"
"Excellent! Most excellent!" cried the professor enthusiastically. "Ihardly knew what to think at first, but it is most excellent. That isbetter than the motor boat or the automobile. You will be able to gowhere you please now. How did you come to think of it?"
Jerry related the outcome of their visit to the Broadlands carnival,telling of how they met Mr. Glassford. The inventor was introduced tothe scientist, and they seemed to be on friendly terms at once.
"A trip through the air," mused the professor. "That is a great idea--agreat idea. Most excellent. There, I have it!" he cried suddenly.
"What? Another green horse-fly?" asked Johnson, thrusting his head inthrough the tent flap.
"No!" exclaimed the professor. "Boys, I have an idea--an excellentidea. I will sail with you in your airship. I'll go with you in theinterest of science--science and--and bugs. I'll write a volume onthe insects of the upper air, and gather all the specimens I can forillustrations. My! but I'm glad I happened to come here to-day. Ihave a rare fly, and now comes the chance to do what I always wantedto--sail in the air!"
"You're just in time, then," said Jerry. "We are going to have a trialin about three days."