This time it was parked under a tremendously long shed, which Smith afterward saw was really a balcony, one of a tier of ten. Opposite the spot was a large building, like a depot; and over its roof Smith saw the huge bulk of an airship. It was, of course, the Cobulus; and it was when Smith's agent passed through a checking-in room that his name was heard for the first time. "All right, Reblong," was the way it came, from the official who punched his time-card. And Reblong, with Smith making eager use of his eyes, went directly through a hatch in the side of the great ship, and thence down a corridor to his engine-room. Smith got little opportunity to study the machinery. Reblong gave the place a single sweeping glance, then strode to a short, black-bearded chap who stood near the instrument board. "Everything as usual, my friend?" He had a pleasant voice, as Smith learned for the first time. "Yes--as usual!" The man's voice was bitter. "That's just what's wrong! There's never any improvement; it's always--as usual! Say, Reblong; no offense, but I think we are fools to put up with what we are given!" Smith's man complacently seated himself in front of the instruments. "Personally, I think we are mighty lucky, instead of foolish." "Lucky!" The other man snorted. "I wish Ernol could hear you say that! He'd have a fit!" Reblong was not at all disturbed. "By the way, what's become of the chap? I haven't seen him around for weeks?" "Don't know, exactly," with some uneasiness. "He went back to Calastia, and that's the last I heard of him." "Calastia? I saw an item in the paper last night, to the effect that Calastia was under quarantine. All news cut off." The man instantly smelled a mouse. "Quarantine! Why should that cause the news to be cut off? There's something more than quarantine the matter, Reblong!" He began to pace the room excitedly. "I say it again, we're fools to believe everything the commission tells us. I think they've been hoodwinking us about long enough!" Reblong suppressed a yawn. "I don't care if they do, old man. I'm willing to leave it up to them to run the government." "And that's exactly what's the matter!" cried the other. "You and every other chap except those Ernol has taught, thinks that the commission is God-given and can do no wrong!" "Yes?" politely. "Maybe so; only, you can't blame us for thinking pretty highly of a government that has done this." Reblong checked the items off on his fingers, meanwhile eying his companion steadily: "It has done away with the liquor traffic; it has fully protected women in industry; it has put an end to child labor; it has abolished poverty; it has abolished war; and"--with considerable emphasis for so quiet a man--"it has provided you and me and everybody else with a mighty fine education, free of charge!"