"Oh, it's awfully good of you, Tom. I—I didn't know who else to turn to in my trouble but you."
"And why shouldn't you come to me? I'd do anything for you and Mr. Damon. Now tell me all about it."
Tom and Ned had just arrived at the Damon home in the airship, to find the wife of the eccentric man almost distracted over her husband's strange disappearance.
"It happened last night," Mrs. Damon said, when she was somewhat composed. "Last night about twelve o'clock."
"Twelve o'clock!" cried Tom, in surprise. "Why that's about the time"
He stopped suddenly.
"What were you going to say?" asked Mrs. Damon.
"Oh—nothing," answered Tom. "I—I'll tell you later. Go on, please."
"It is all so confusing," proceeded Mrs. Damon. "You know my husband has been in trouble of late—financial trouble?"
"Yes," responded Tom, "he mentioned it to me."
"I don't know any of the details," sighed Mrs. Damon, "but I know he was mixed up with a man named Peters."
