"
"How'd you get past the doorkeeper?" inquired Jack, for he knew
that Andy Sudds was supposed to be on guard with his gun.
"He wasn't at the door," went on the man. "There was nobody
there, so I walked in. Can't you give me a job on the airship?"
"How do you know it's an airship?" asked Jack.
"Oh, I know. I know lots of things," and the man winked one eye
at the lad. "I built a balloon once."
"Did you?" asked Mark. He began to think perhaps the man might
be able to aid them.
"Sure I did. I know about airships. I'll work for low wages,
and I'll keep my mouth closed. Oh, I know what patents mean.
Say," he went on in a whisper, "you'd be surprised to know where
I went in my balloon. I'll tell you," and he looked around as if
to make sure no one was listening.
"Where did you go?" asked Jack.
"Up to the moon," was the surprising reply. "And, say, it's all
a mistake about it being made of green cheese. It's green
apples--that's what it's made of. I know, for I was there, and I
ate some. They gave me an awful pain in my head, too," and the
man passed his hand across his brow.
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