have heard some stories about that fireworks firm, which make me
believe there may be something in Baxter's story."

"All right, Tom, I'm with you any time you need me," Ned
promised.

The young inventor lost little time in beginning his
operations. As he had said, the chief need was a fire
extinguishing chemical solution or powder. Tom resolved to try
the solution first, as it was easier to make. With this end in
view he proceeded to delve into old and new chemistry books. He
also sought the advice of his father.

And one day, when Ned called, Tom electrified his chum with the
exclamation:

"Well, I'm going to give it a try!"

"What?"

"My aerial chemical fire-fighting apparatus. Of course I only
have the chemical yet. I haven't worked on the carrying apparatus
nor decided how I will attach it to an airship. But I'm going up
now with some of my new solution and drop it on a blaze from
above."

"Where are you going to get the fire?" asked Ned. "You can't
have a sky-scraper blaze made to order, you know."

"No, but as this is only an experiment," Tom said, "a big