to see how my
chemical works!"

Without waiting for a reply from the chemist, Tom caught him by the
hand and led him toward the side door that gave egress to the yard
where one of the airships was housed. Tom caught sight of Ned, who was
hastening toward him.

"Big fire, Tom!" said the young manager again. "Fierce one!"

"I'm going to try to put it out!" Tom answered. "Want to come?"

"Sure thing!" answered Ned.

CHAPTER XVIII

FINISHING TOUCHES

Tom Swift and Ned Newton were so accustomed to acting quickly and in
emergencies that it did not take them long to run out the airship,
which Tom had in readiness, not especially for this emergency, but to
demonstrate his new apparatus to a committee of fire underwriters whom
he had invited to call in a few days.

"Take this, if you will, Mr. Baxter!" cried Tom, giving the chemist a
metal container. "It's a little different combination from the
extinguisher I already have in the machine. Maybe I'll get a chance to
try it."

"You're going to have all the chance you want, Tom, by the looks of
that blaze," commented Ned Newton.

"It does look like quite a fire," observed Tom, as he gazed up at the
sky, where the reflection was turning to a brighter red.

Outside in the streets near the Swift house and shops could be heard
the rattle of fire apparatus, the patter of running feet, and many
shouts from excited men and boys.

"Any idea what it is, Ned?" asked Tom, as he motioned to Mr. Baxter to
climb into the aircraft.

"Some one said it was the new Normal School. But that's farther to the
north," was Ned's answer. "By the way the blaze has increased since I
first saw it, I'd take it to be the lumberyard."

"That would make a monster blaze!" observed Tom. "I don't believe I'll
have chemicals enough for that," and he looked at the rather small
supply in his craft. "However, I haven't time to get any more. Besides,
they'll have the regular department on the job, and this isn't a
skyscraper, anyhow."

"No, we'll have to go to New York or Newmarket for one of those,"
observed Ned. "All ready, Tom?"

"All ready," said the young inventor, as Ned took his place beside Mr.
Baxter.

"What's the matter, Tom?" asked the voice of Mr. Swift, as he came out
into the yard, having been attracted by the flashing lights and the
noise of the aircraft motor, as Tom gave it a preliminary test.

"There's a fire in town," Tom answered. "I'm going to see if they need
my ser