or four years old. He was
thin and dark, with clever eyes; but an expression of restlessness and
discontent spoiled an otherwise interesting face.

"I am Winthrop Latham," his uncle continued. "I have a summer place down
here, but my nephew and I spend most of our time, both summer and winter
in Lenox. We have a house in my grounds where we are both working on
models for airships."

Mr. Latham paused. It was natural that he should expect some explanation.
What was a handsome, middle-aged woman doing on top of a mountain? Why
were her only companions two charming young girls and a rough looking man
and his wife?

"I suppose," Miss Stuart replied, laughing, "that you are almost as much
surprised at our appearance as we are at yours! I am sure no thanks are
necessary for our part in your rescue! We were delighted to assist in
such a novel and up-to-date adventure." Miss Sallie looked smilingly at
Mollie and Barbara. She was rather enjoying their unusual experience.
Moreover, she had heard of Mr. Latham's beautiful home in Lenox. And was
assured they were in the best of company.

"We are camping on this hill for a few weeks," she continued. "I am Miss
Stuart, of Chicago. My niece and I, and three girl friends, are the
entire camping party, except for our guide and his wife. Won't you come
to our hut? Can we be of any assistance to you?"

"Indeed, you can!" heartily declared Mr. Latham, who was evidently an old
bachelor of about fifty-five years of age, with charming manners. "I
wonder if you will take care of my balloon for me until my nephew can get
down the hill to send a wagon up for it. That very inferior looking
object you now see collapsed on the ground is really my latest treasure.
It is one of the best dirigible balloons invented up to the present
time."

Barbara was already down on her hands and knees beside the balloon. As
her new acquaintance explained the details of its construction to her,
his face burned with enthusiasm. Mollie, watching him, thought he looked
almost handsome. Nevertheless she didn't like Reginald Latham. Bab,
however, was delighted. She had a thirst for information and here was a
young man who could intelligently talk to her about the most marvelous
inventions of the century, the airship and the aeroplane.

"I think," Bab volunteered, "if the balloon can be folded without harming
it, we might carry it to the house in our small express wagon. We could
each hold up a side of it, and it