Tom promised, and then bade farewell to Mrs. Baggert. All were
assembled, Koku, Mr. Damon, who blessed everything he saw, and
some things he did not, Ned, Mr. Nestor and Tom. The five were to
go by train to New York, there to go aboard the steamer.

Their journey to the metropolis was uneventful. Mr. Period met
them at the steamship dock, after Tom had seen to it that the
baggage, and the parts of the airship were safely aboard.

"I wish I were going along!" exclaimed the picture man. "It's
going to be a great trip. But I can't spare the time. I'm the
busiest man in the world. I lose about a thousand dollars just
coming down to see you off, but it's a good investment. I don't
mind it. Now, Tom, good luck, and don't forget, I want exciting
views."

"I'll try--" began our here,.

"Wait, I know what you're going to say!" interrupted Mr.
Period. "You'll do it, of course. Well, I must be going. I will--
Great Scott!" and Mr. Period interrupted himself. "He has the
nerve to come here!"

"Who?" asked Tom.

"Wilson Turbot, the rascal! He's trying to balk me at the last
minute, I believe. I'm going to see what he means!" and with
this, the excited Mr. Period rushed down the gangplank, toward
the man at whom he had pointed--one of the men who had tried to