"Touchy, eh?" sniffed Septemas Scudmore. "Not strange at all. Studious inclination, close application to work, baffling researches, midnight oil--these things irritate the nerves and make a man crusty. But then, I don't think you ever hurt yourself by close application to work. You must be naturally irritable." Professor Scotch pranced up and down the room like an angry bantam. "Sir," he cried, "you are altogether too free with your mouth." "The Scudmores are naturally generous, so I can't help it. Keep calm, sir. In some things we have an affinity. I can see it in your eye. I did not anticipate meeting an affinity out here in this wild and heathenish country." "Affinity!" cried Scotch, scornfully. "A man with your tongue would be an affinity for a cackling old woman!" "That is your hastily formed opinion. Permit me to warn you against forming opinions too quickly. It is a bad habit to get into, and----" "Sir!" shouted the little man, "there is the door!" Scudmore bowed profoundly. "I noticed it when I came in," he chirped. "Very ordinary door, but I don't suppose we can expect anything better out in this wild section of the country." Scotch was ready to tear his hair. "Will you take a hint, or do you need a kick?" he bellowed, in his hoarsest tone. "A man with hair and whiskers colored like yours should always beware of undue excitement. Don't think of kicking anybody, for you may lose your dignity. Speaking about aerial navigation, beyond the shadow of a doubt, I, Septemas Scudmore, A. M., B. A., LL. D., and B. C, have solved the problem. I say beyond the shadow of a doubt, and I mean exactly what I say. It is not a matter of fans and wheels----" "I think it is a matter of wheels," broke in Scotch, "and they are in your head." Scudmore waved one thin hand loftily, his nose high in the air. "Peace, professor, peace," he said. "It ill becomes you to interrupt a fellow scientist. Hear me out." "I had much rather see you out--of the door." "I see you are skeptical--you doubt the practical and practicable value of my invention. But you shall be convinced--you shall be my fellow passenger on my first voyage through space." "Not if I know myself!" shouted the little man. "You may be a fool, but----" "There are others, sir--there are others. I beg you to grant me this favor. Think what an honor it will be to have it go abroad that you accompanied Professor Septemas Scudmore on his first voyage in his new airship." "Oh, you make me very languid!" cried the little man, using a bit of slang which he had heard from the lips of one of his youthful companions. "I am shocked--shocked beyond measure," declared the lank professor, sinking his chin upon his bosom and looking reproachfully over his spectacles at Scotch. The three boys were enjoying this immensely. It was sport to Frank, who saw in Septemas Scudmore a character worth studying. Barney laughed heartily.