curiously secretive air about certain of his activities. And
the girl, moreover, had spoken rather coldly of her friend.
Ned did not like this. It was not like Mary and Tom to be at
odds.

Once more the Hawk came to the ground, this time near the
airship sheds adjoining the Swift works. Just as Tom and Ned
alighted, one of the workmen summoned the young inventor
toward the shop, which was so closely guarded by Koku and
Eradicate on the outside.

"I'll have to leave you, Ned," remarked Tom, as he turned
away from his chum. "There's a conference on about a new
invention."

"Oh, that's all right. Business is business, you know.
I've got some bond calls to make myself. I'll see you
later."

"Oh, by the way, Ned!" exclaimed Tom, turning back for a
moment, "I met an old friend the other day; or rather an old
enemy."

"Hum! When you spoke first, I thought you might mean
Professor Swyington Bumper, that delightful scientist,"
remarked Ned. "But he surely was no enemy."

"No; but I meant some one I met about the same time. I met
Blakeson, one of the rival contractors when I helped dig the
big tunnel."