goods have been smuggled, and the United States, as well as the
Dominion of Canada custom authorities, say they are determined to
put a stop to the daring efforts of the smugglers. The airship
theory is the latest put forth.'"

"Well, say, that's the limit!" cried Ned, as Tom finished reading.
"What do you know about that?"

"It brings it right home to us," agreed the young inventor. "But who
is there in Shopton who would be in league with the smugglers?"

"That's hard to say."

"Of course we don't know everyone in town," went on Tom, "but I'm
pretty well acquainted here, and I don't know of a person who would
dare engage in such work."

"Maybe it's a stranger who came here, and picked out this place
because it was so quiet," suggested Ned.

"That's possible. But where would he operate from?" asked Tom.
"There are few in Shopton who would want to buy smuggled goods."

"They may only ship them here, and fix them so they can't be
recognized by the custom authorities, and then send them away
again," went on Ned. "This may be a sort of clearing-house for the
smugglers."

"That's so. Well, I don't know as we have anything to do with it.
Only if those fellows are using an airship I'd like to know what