Before leaving the _Ann_, Havens had, as he thought, taken extra precautions for her safety. He had landed on a level surface in the outskirts of the town, and had employed the man in charge of the local garage to supply him with gasoline and at the same time station guards about the machine. While Havens slept a man who gave every indication of having traveled over a long distance in a short time dashed into the hotel office and up to the counter. The clerk eyed him coolly, as became a clerk having a proper respect for his own dignity. “Havens!” panted the man. “Is Mr. Havens here?” “He is!” replied the clerk, readjusting the diamond pin in his neck-scarf. “What do you want of Mr. Havens?” “I want to see him!” was the panting reply. “He left orders not to be disturbed!” growled the clerk. “But he told me to let him know if anything happened to his machine!” insisted the other. “Will you send for him?” “I will not!” answered the clerk impudently. “Then I shall have to go to his room!” “I shall see that you don’t!” snarled the young man behind the counter. “It’s a serious matter!” almost shouted the man in front of the desk. “Write out a message, explaining your errand,” commanded the clerk, “and I’ll have a boy take it to his room!” The panting man reached calmly and deliberately over the counter, seized the obstreperous clerk by the collar of his coat, and dragged him over the obstruction. There he gave him such a shaking as a dog might have given a rat, pitched him headlong to the floor, and gaily mounted the stairs, taking three at a jump. When he reached the top step the hall was ringing with his great bass voice, and a little crowd was gathering below. “Havens! Havens! Havens!” called the man who had assaulted the clerk. It was not necessary for him to call many times, for the door of the millionaire’s room opened almost instantly and his tired face looked out on the man who was creating the disturbance. “I thought I’d never get to you, Mr. Havens!” declared the intruder. “You must have important information!” smiled the millionaire. “I think,” the other went on, “that before we stop to discuss possibilities, you’d better get your clothing on and make a break for the field where you left the airship!” In an instant Havens stood by the little heap of clothing he had discarded not so very long before, and he was soon dressed and ready for the street. Then he turned to the red-faced man at his side. “What is it?” he asked. “Rough-house!” was the reply. “At the flying machine?” asked Havens. “Yes,” was the disgusted reply. “There’s a man there claiming the machine as stolen property, and there’s a crowd of yaps ready to back him up. When I left, the two men I hired were standing them off with loaded guns, but I don’t know how long they can hold the fort,” he added with a smile. “It looked pretty serious when I left.”