The Airmobile was moving very slowly as they approached the sky village. Directly before them, on what would have been the outskirts of the town, had it been on the earth, was a sign reading: YOU ARE NOW ENTERING HIGHTOWN Population--522 Altitude--approximately 15,000 feet (but it varies) They could see people walking about among the houses, just as though they were on solid ground. The Shaggy Man shook his head. Twink and Tom were staring, fascinated. The Airmobile glided silently a few feet past the sign. Then it jerked several times and came to an abrupt halt. Twiffle looked puzzled. He pushed one button, then another, and another. Nothing happened. Twiffle did it all over again, a bit frantically this time. Still nothing happened. "It's no use," said Twiffle. "The Airmobile won't budge. We're stuck in mid-air!" CHAPTER 8 The Lord High Mayor While Twiffle fussed with the controls of the Magic Airmobile, a crowd of curious people began to gather about the stalled aircraft. They were men, women, children, and even dogs, and they walked on the air easily and unconcernedly, as if it were the normal thing to do. These people were all very tall and exceedingly thin. The grown-ups were well over eight feet in height, while the older children averaged about six feet tall. Perhaps the fact that they lived so high up had caused them to grow that way, too. Their clothing was what we would consider old-fashioned, but was neat and well cared for. The women wore the brightest of colors which flashed gaily in the clear sunlight. The people chattered among themselves, pointing toward the Airmobile, and several dogs barked excitedly. A loud voice exclaimed: "What is the meaning of this? What is going on here?" The crowd made way for the speaker who proved to be a sour-faced, tall individual, wearing a frock coat and a high silk hat--a stovepipe hat, the Shaggy Man would have called it. "Pardon us," began the Shaggy Man, "but I am afraid we are the cause of all the excitement. You see our airship has stalled just inside your town." The tall man stared curiously at the occupants of the Airmobile as he said: "Of course your machine won't operate in Hightown. In fact a flying machine in Hightown is an utter absurdity--against all the town ordinances and rules. I must ask you to remove it immediately." "Not very friendly, is he?" remarked Tom. But Twiffle was interested. "What do you mean, sir, that our aircraft is against your laws?" The tall man sniffed. "It should be apparent to you that the last thing in the sky we need is an airplane. Here, in this favored spot, we walk on air and are not compelled to crawl across the earth like worms." "Yes," said the Shaggy Man, "we can see all that. But tell us, your Honor, do you think we would be able to walk on air as you do?"