“We’ll just have to keep our eyes open,” wrote Mr. Whitford.  “I think perhaps we are altogether wrong about the Fogers, unless they are deeper than I give them credit for.  It might he well to let the smugglers think you are frightened, and go away for a day or so, selecting a more secluded spot to remain in.  That may cause them to get bolder, and we may catch them unawares.”

“That’s a good plan.  I’ll try it,” decided Tom.  “We’ll move to-morrow to a new location.”

“Why not to-night?” asked Ned.

“Because it’s getting late, and I want to circle about in daylight and pick out a good place.  Morning will do all right.”

“Then you’re not going out to-night?”

“No.  Mr. Whitford writes that as goods were smuggled over last night it will hardly be likely that they will repeat the trick to-night.  We’ll have a little rest.”

“Going to mount guard?” asked Ned.

“No, I don’t think so.  No one will disturb us.”

Afterward the young inventor wished that he had kept a better watch that night, for it nearly proved disastrous for him.

It must have been about midnight that Tom was awakened by a movement in the airship.

“Who’s that?” he asked suddenly.

“Koku,” came the reassuring reply.  “Too hot to sleep in my bank.  I go out on deck.”

“All right, Koku,” and Tom dozed off again.

Suddenly he was awakened by the sound of a terrific scuffle on deck.  Up he jumped, rushing toward the door that led from his sleeping cabin.

“What is it!  What’s the matter!” he cried.

There came the sound of a blow, a cry of pain, and then the report of a gun.

“Bless my cartridge belt!” cried Mr. Damon.

“What’s the matter?  Who is it?  What happened?” yelled Ned, tumbling out of his bunk.

“Something wrong!” answered Tom, as he switched on the electric lights.  He was just in time to see Koku wrench a gun from a man who stood near the pedestal, on which the great searchlight was poised.  Tossing the weapon aside, Koku caught up his club, and aimed a blow at the man.  But the latter nimbly dodged and, a moment later leaped over the rail, followed by the giant.

“Who is he?  What did he do?” cried Tom after his big servant.  “What happened?”

“Him try to shoot searchlight, but I stop him!” yelled back Koku, as he rushed on in pursuit.  With a leap Tom sprang to the switch of his lantern, and sent a flood of light toward where Koku was racing after the intruder.

CHAPTER XIV

A FALSE CLEW

Full in the glare of the powerful beam from the light there was revealed the giant and the man he was pursuing.  The latter neither Tom, nor any one on the airship, knew.  All they could see was that he was racing away at top speed, with Koku vainly swinging his club at him.