"Now you needn't do anything of the kind," spoke Tom, hospitably. "We've got lots of room here, and for that matter we have plenty of autos and airships, too, as well as a motor boat. You just rest yourself here. Later we'll look over your craft."
After dinner, when Mr. Halling said he felt much better, Tom agreed to go out with him and look at the airship. As he feared, he found several things the matter with it, in addition to the motor trouble which had been the cause for Mr. Halling's call on the young inventor.
"Can she be fixed?" asked the birdman, who explained that, as yet, he was only an amateur in the practice of flying.
"Oh, yes, we can fix her up for you." said Tom. "But it will take several days. You'll have to leave it here."
"Well, I'll be glad to do that, for I know she will be all the better when you get through with her. But I think I am able to go on home now, and I really ought to. There is some business I must attend to."
"Speaking of business," remarked Tom, "can you tell me anything more of Mr. Damon's financial troubles?"
"No, not much. All I know is that when I called on him the other day I found him with his
