Part 9 (1/2)
Ned Newton was delighted the next day to receive Tom's invitation, and, though a little dubious about trusting himself in an airs.h.i.+p for the first time, finally consented to go with his chum. He got a half holiday from the bank, and, shortly after dinner went to Tom's house.
”Come on out in the shed and take a look at the Red Cloud,” proposed the young inventor. ”Mr. Sharp isn't quite ready to start yet, and I'll explain some things to you.”
The big shed was deserted when the lads entered, and went to the loft where they were on a level with the big, red aluminum tank. Tom began with a description of the machinery, and Ned followed him with interest.
”Now we'll go down into the car or cabin,” continued the young navigator of the air, ”and I'll show you what we do when we're touring amid the clouds.”
As they started to descend the flight of steps from the loft platform, a noise on the ground below attracted their attention.
”Guess that's Mr. Sharp coming,” said Ned.
Tom leaned over and looked down. An instant later he grasped the arm of his chum, and motioned to him to keep silent.
”Take a look,” whispered the young inventor.
”Andy Foger!” exclaimed Ned, peering over the railing.
”Yes, and Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey are with him. They sneaked in when I left the door open. Wonder what they want?”
”Up to some mischief, I'll wager,” commented Ned. ”Hark! They're talking.”
The two lads on the loft listened intently. Though the cronies on the ground below them did not speak loudly, their voices came plainly to the listeners.
”Let's poke a hole in their gas bag,” proposed Sam. ”That will make them think they're not so smart as they pretend.”
”Naw, we can't do that,” answered Andy.
”Why not?” declared Pete.
”Because the bag's away up in the top part of the shed, and I'm not going to climb up there.”
”You're afraid,” sneered Sam.
”I am not! I'll punch your face if you say that again! Besides the thing that holds the gas is made of aluminum, and we can't make a hole in it unless we take an axe, and that makes too much noise.”
”We ought to play some sort of a trick on Tom Swift,” proposed Pete.
”He's too fres.h.!.+”
Tom shook his fist at the lads on the ground, but of course they did not see him.
”I have it!” came from Andy.
”What?” demanded his two cronies.
”We'll cut some of the guy wires from the planes and rudders. That will make the airs.h.i.+p collapse. They'll think the wires broke from the strain. Take out your knives and saw away at the wires. Hurry, too, or they may catch us.”
”You're caught now,” whispered Ned to Tom. ”Come on down, and give 'em a trouncing.”
Tom hesitated. He looked quickly about the loft, and then a smile replaced the frown of righteous anger on his face.