“I fix ’em!” exclaimed the giant, and he tried to look fierce, but it was hard work, for he was very good natured.  But he proved a greater attraction than the aircraft, and Tom was glad of it, for he did not like meddlers aboard.

“With Koku to help you, and Mr. Damon to bless things.  I guess you can manage until I come back, Ned,” said the young inventor, as he made ready to go in to town to see if Mr. Whitford had arrived.

“Oh, we’ll get along all right,” declared Ned.  “Don’t worry.”

Tom found Mr. Whitford in one of the rooms over the post-office.  The custom house official was restlessly pacing the floor.

“Well, Tom!” he exclaimed, shaking hands, “I’m glad to see you.  I was afraid something had happened.  I was delayed myself, but when I did arrive and found you hadn’t been heard from, I didn’t know what to think.  I couldn’t get you on the wireless.  The plant here is out of repair.”

Tom told of their trip, and the wait they had decided on, and asked: 

“What about the new clew; the Fogers?”

“I’m sorry to say it didn’t amount to anything.  I ran it down, and came to nothing.”

“You know Andy has a new airship?”

“Yes.  I had men on the trail of it.  They say Andy is agent for a firm that manufactures them, but I have my doubts.  I haven’t given up yet.  But say, Tom, you’ve got to get busy.  A big lot of goods was smuggled over last night.”

“Where?”

“Well, quite a way from here.  I got a telegram about it.  Can you get on the job to-night, and do some patrol work along the border?  You’re only half a mile from it now.  Over there is Canada,” and he pointed to a town on a hill opposite Logansville.

“Yes, I can get right into action.  What place is that?”

“Montford, Canada.  I’ve got men planted there, and the Dominion customs officials are helping us.  But I think the smugglers have changed the base of their operations for the time being.  If I were you I’d head for the St. Lawrence to-night.”

“I will.  Don’t you want to come along?”

“Why, yes.  I believe I’m game.  I’ll join you later in the day,” Mr. Whitford added, as Tom told him where the Falcon was anchored.

The young inventor got back to find a bigger crowd than ever around his airship.  But Koku and the others had kept them at a distance.

With the government agent aboard Tom sent his craft into the air at dusk, the crowd cheering lustily.  Then, with her nose pointed toward the St. Lawrence, the Falcon was on her way to do a night patrol, and, if possible, detect the smugglers.

It was monotonous work, and unprofitable, for, though Tom sent the airship back and forth for many miles along the wonderful river that formed the path from the Great Lakes to the sea, he had no glimpse of ghostly wings of other aircraft, nor did he hear the beat of propellers, nor the throb of motors, as his own noiseless airship cruised along.