He had gone
away for a moment, in which interval the crazy machinist had
appeared.
"Andy will scare him with his gun," whispered Jack to Mark.
Just then Mr. Henderson called out:
"If you want work, I can give it to you."
Axtell stopped his pounding of the projectile, laid his hammer
down, and asked in a mild voice:
"Can you give me work now?"
"Of course," answered the professor, as if it was the most
natural thing in the world to give work to insane persons. His
calm manner and soothing words had a quieting effect on the
lunatic. The glare died out of his eyes.
"Come with me," went on Mr. Henderson. "I have some work
outside."
"What is it?" asked Axtell suspiciously.
"I want you to dig a hole so we can put this airship in it,"
whispered the professor. "Come outside."
He wanted to get the man out of the machine shop, where he could
better deal with the fellow.
"That's just the kind of work I want," declared the unfortunate
person. "I love to dig holes in the ground. I once dug one
clear through to China. Get me a shovel."
He seemed to have forgotten all about the projectile, and meekly
followed Mr.
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