title, as she was by the money.

"We're getting off cheap," the balloonist whispered to Tom, as the head
of the seminary started down the scuttle to the class-rooms below.

"Maybe it's easier getting out of that difficulty than it will be to
get off the roof," replied the lad.

"Don't worry. Leave that to me," the aeronaut said. It took
considerable to ruffle Mr. Sharp.

With a receipt in full for the damage to the tower, and expressing the
hope that, some day, in the near future, Professor Swift would do the
seminary the honor of lecturing to the young lady pupils, Miss Perkman
bade Mr. Sharp and Tom good-by.

"Young ladies, to your rooms!" she commanded. "You have learned enough
of airships, and there may be some danger getting this one off the
roof."

"Wouldn't you like to stay and take a ride in it?" Tom asked Miss
Nestor.

"Indeed I would," she answered daringly. "It's better than a
motor-boat. May I?"

"Some day, when we get more expert in managing it," he replied, as he
shook hands with her.

"Now for some hard work," went on the young inventor to Mr. Sharp, when
the roof was cleared of the last of the teachers and pupils. But the
windows that gave a view of the airship in its odd position on the roof
were soon filled with eager faces, while in the streets below was a
great crowd, offering all manner of suggestions.

"Oh, it's not going to be such a task," said Mr. Sharp. "First we will
repair the rudder and the machinery, and then we'll generate some more
gas, rise and fly home."

"But the broken propeller?" objected Tom.

"We can fly with one, as well as we can with two, but not so swiftly.
Don't worry. We'll come out all right," and the balloonist assumed a
confident air.

It was not so difficult a problem as Tom had imagined to put the
machinery in order, a simple break having impaired the working of the
rudder. Then the smashed propeller was unshipped and the gas machine
started. With all the pupils watching from windows, and a crowd
observing from the streets and surrounding country, for word of the
happening had spread, Tom and his friend prepared to ascend.

They arose as well as they had done at the shed at home, and in a
little while, were floating over the school. Tom fancied he could
observe a certain hand waving to him, as he peered from the window of
the car--a hand in one of the school casements, but where there were so
many pretty girls doing the same thing, I hardly see how Tom