CHAPTER VI
THE AERIAL WARSHIP


Ned Newton looked at Tom questioningly. Then he glanced at the
unsuspicious colored man, who was industriously polishing the
half-dollar the mysterious stranger had given him.

"Rad, just exactly what sort of a man was this one you speak
of?" asked Tom.

"Why, he were a gen'man--"

"Yes, I know that much. You've said it before. But was he an
Englishman, an American--or--"

Tom paused and waited for an answer.

"I think he were a Frenchman," spoke Eradicate. "I done didn't
see him eat no frogs' laigs, but he smoked a cigarette dat had a
funny smell, and he suah was monstrous polite. He suah was a
Frenchman. I think."

Tom and Ned laughed at Eradicate's description of the man, but
Tom's face was soon grave again.

"Tell us more about him, Rad," he suggested. "Did he seem