midnight
`` They 're the same distance apart as those on the Eagle , '' he said to his chum , `` and the tires are the same . But that is n't saying anything , as lots of airships have the same equipment . So we wo n't jump to any conclusions that way . '' Tom and Ned interviewed several of the neighbors , but beyond learning that some of them had heard the throbbing of the midnight airship , that was as far as they got on that line . There was nothing more they could do in Waterford , and , leaving Mrs. Damon , who had summoned a relative to stay with her , the two chums made a quick trip back through the air to Shopton . As Eradicate came out to help put away the monoplane Tom noticed that the colored man was holding one hand as though it hurt him . `` What 's the matter , Rad ? ''