a good chemist is likely to fail--as this one did, as far as time
went."

"What are you going to do about it?" Ned asked.

"I don't know," and Tom spoke slowly, "I hoped I was done with
all that sort of thing," he went on; "fighting enemies whom I
have never knowingly injured. But it seems they are still after
me. Well, Ned, this gives us something to do, at all events."

"You mean trying to find out who these fellows are?"

"Yes; that is, if you are willing to help."

"Well, I guess I am!" cried the bank clerk with sparkling eyes.
"I wouldn't ask anything better. We've been in things like this
before, Tom, and we'll go in again--and win! I'll help you all I
can. Now, let's see if we can pick up any other clues. This is
like old times!" and Ned laughed, for he, like Tom, enjoyed a
good "fight," and one in which the odds were against them.

"We sure will have our hands full," declared the young
inventor. "Trying to solve the problem of carrying guns on an
aerial warship, and finding out who set this fire."

"Then you're not going to give up your aerial warship idea?"

"No, indeed!" Tom cried. "What made you think that?"

"Well, the way your father spoke--"