Through the Air to the North Pole / Or, The Wonderful Cruise of the Electric Monarch

xclaimed Professor Hende

me one at the do

p back and hide under the bed. My secret must not be

then, with the professor, joined the boys. The shed containing the airship was in total

ar one; first two raps, then a silence, then thre

d the professor, goi

d," was

he coun

r. It was the same the colored man had given when he sought

e door. As he cautiously opened i

" he demanded. "Why have you made it so d

ed, in accordance with the instructions from the old man. The i

he light?" went on the v

one is here to

ng to disclose the boys' presence. "Do you think I a

, "but as I came along I thought

erson coolly. "Washington and I

ungracious answer. "I have

ld man in an anxious tone. "I tho

are," and the newcomer passed over a p

eek," answere

you go," spoke the stranger. "

angely excited. His hands trembled a

arl. "But I know you too well, Professor Henderson. You would be on

not. I do not want to be laughed at if I fail. I admit you have been of service to me, but, rather than risk failure, rather than run the chance of

rled the man, as t

motive is, but I say, rather than have my plans spoiled, I will make you a prisoner and

cried Taggert. He turned towar

"Bind him! Put him in the little ro

in the grasp of a giant, for Washington was very powerful. He procured a strong cord, and, before Taggert could r

aggert, and then his

oned the professor, cal

hin

," replied the negro. "He mustn't expostulate s

utes Washing

s de existin' circumstanceablene

him as soon as we are ready to sail. But I am forgetting the boys. Come out," he called, and Jack a

iscovered my secret, and to keep him from publishing it broadcast I was forced to take him into my confidence. He has given me some ai

going to search for t

whole secret of what will be my success. It is easy enough to make an airship that will move, but the trouble is no one has yet b

see your ship

ou wanted to go to the north pole. Now I have taken a great liking to both you boys. I haven't even asked your names yet, but I

o many adventures in the last few hours that their brains were fairly bewildered. But to both of them there came a gr

enly. Supposing you go to bed, and we'll talk more in the morning. Come, Washington, make u

beds on two bunks, like shelves that folded against the wall. T

advised the old man. "I don't want

nd legs well. Something in the stuff must hav

ld not realize where they were. They saw a colored man

ent percentage of restful slumber

fine," s

dy?" asked Mr. Henderson, com

pared," wa

you sleep?" asked the

Jack we

id in a chorus

ou'll find soap, water and towels out in the shed

was a treat to get a good bath. They came back into the cabin glowing. Not even a reminder of the soreness and stiffnes

r something, and get your own breakfast," the pro

, the colored man took

still bound so he

our names, and all abou

of them had started to shift for himself until they

asked you last night?" asked the

ack, "and I'd li

exclaimed the inventor

go,

"The actions of this man Taggert will hasten my plans. There are a

owed the professor. They found the shed lighted by windows in the roof, from w

ful machine. The professor and his colored helper busied themselve

one in the world, and had long desired to sail to the north pole. The failure of many land expeditions had convinced him that an airship was the only feasible

ery, he bought from many different sources, so as not to excite s

professor, "but I know it will sail. I have ma

the ship, the food lockers were stored with supplies, the ga

il. I could start in an hour if necessary. All I have to do is to fil

ff quicker than sooner!" shouted Washington, runnin

r?" asked Mr. Hen

escaped!" cried Washin

y! Jumped

"He'll work some mischief now! I guess