noticed three times before that day observing him closely advanced
and stood by his side. He was a well dressed, clean-shaven man of
perhaps thirty, with an intelligent face, a bustling manner, and a
suit of clothes which Jimmie would have described as "loud enough to
lead a circus parade."

"Evidently an American commercial traveler," Ned thought, as the
stranger stood by his side a moment without speaking, his eyes fixed
on the airship.

"She goes some, eh?" the stranger observed, presently.

"The aviator seems to know his business," Ned admitted.

"You came in an aeroplane yourself, didn't you?" asked the other.

Ned answered in the affirmative.

"Thought so," the other went on. "Hadn't seen you about the city
until this afternoon, and some one said you came in an airship.
Where from?"

"New York," Ned replied, half amused at the impertinence of the
question.

"Good old town!" the other exclaimed. "Hot old town! I like it.
There's something always going on there. I'm from New York myself,
but I'm selling goods for a Chicago firm--steam pumps! I've got the
best steam pump in seven countries! Came here to sell to a mining
company. Nothing doing. What's your name? Mine is Thomas Q.