"Waiting?" repeated the showman sharply. "Yes, sir." "What for?" "To see you." "Eh?" projected the Colonel, with a stare. "That's right, Mister," declared Hiram. "You see, it's pretty early, and we didn't want to wake you up." "Yes, but what brought you here so early?" "Business," answered Dave. "Business--with me?" "Yes, sir. We came in an automobile from the city, so as to be sure to find you early enough. We had just settled down here to wait and rest, when that burglar came out." "Why, then, you've saved my losing all that valuable stuff!" exclaimed the showman. "I should say so," added the speaker with force, as he moved over and glanced at the heaps his servants were massing together, upon the lower step. "Watches, rings, silverware, my fur winter coat, and hello--my whole collection of rare coins! Hump! the man must have had the run of the house for hours. Here, you two, come inside. You've done me a big service." Hiram chuckled, nudging Dave in a knowing way. "What luck!" he whispered. "Dave, you're all right now." The owner of the place led his young guests through the vestibule into a hallway, and pointed to a large reception room. "You wait till I get dressed," he directed. "Sit down, and make yourself comfortable." As he spoke the showman turned on a perfect blaze of electric light. Dave and Hiram took off their helmets, and made themselves look as little like stormy night aviators as was possible under the circumstances. It was nearly ten minutes before their host reappeared. He was fully dressed now, and presented the appearance of a keen, active business man. "Think there's any use trying to catch that burglar?" was his first question. "I don't think so at all," replied Dave. "All right, then. Carry that truck into the library," the showman ordered his two men, who had gathered it up in a rug taken from the vestibule. "You'll take turns guarding the house, nights after this. Now then, young men, who are you?" The showman put the question as he plumped down in an armchair besides his two guests. "We're airship boys," explained Hiram hastily, but proudly. "Oh!" commented Colonel Lyon slowly, looking the pair over from head to foot. "That is, Dave is an airman," corrected Hiram. "He's Dave Dashaway." "Why, I've heard of you. At the Dayton meet, weren't you? Honorable mention, or was it a prize?" "Both," shot out Hiram promptly. "That's very good," said the colonel. "I'm pretty well up in the aero field myself. I run that line at county fairs." "Yes, sir, I know that," said Dave, "and that is why I came to see you." "That's so--you said it was business, but I must say you are early birds," smiled the showman. "We had to be," again spoke Hiram. "How was that?" "Why," said Dave, "I thought it was very necessary that I should see you first thing this morning. I acted on a wire from my employers, the Interstate Aeroplane Co."