is?"

"Do I know who he is?" repeated the Frenchman slowly, "why, no,
monsieur, I never saw him before in my life."




CHAPTER V.

A STRANGE STORY.


It was not long before, under the friendly administrations of the
boys, Old Eben Joyce opened his eyes on a cot in their aerodrome and
gave a long sigh. It was several minutes, however, before he realized
what had happened.

"How can I thank you--?" he concluded, after he had informed the boys
of his name and profession.

"Hush," said Frank, "you must not exhaust yourself by talking now,"
and the aged inventor remained silent therefore, till Le Blanc
returned with a doctor from Mineola.

The physician, after a brief examination, pronounced that the wound in
the old man's head was not at all serious, but recommended his removal
to the hospital notwithstanding.

"It is nothing more than a flesh wound," he said, "but at the hospital