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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/950-h.zip b/950-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2af5896 --- /dev/null +++ b/950-h.zip diff --git a/950-h/950-h.htm b/950-h/950-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f6035c6 --- /dev/null +++ b/950-h/950-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8627 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<HTML> +<HEAD> + +<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<TITLE> +The Project Gutenberg E-text of Tom Swift and his Electric Runabout, +by Victor Appleton. +</TITLE> + +<STYLE TYPE="text/css"> +BODY { color: Black; + background: White; + margin-right: 10%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; + text-align: justify } + +P {text-indent: 4% } + +P.noindent {text-indent: 0% } + +P.poem {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-size: small } + +P.finis { text-align: center ; + text-indent: 0% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +</STYLE> + +</HEAD> + +<BODY> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's Tom Swift and his Electric Runabout, by Victor Appleton + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Tom Swift and his Electric Runabout + or, The Speediest Car on the Road + +Author: Victor Appleton + +Posting Date: July 13, 2008 [EBook #950] +Release Date: June, 1997 +[Last updated on June 8, 2013] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM SWIFT AND ELECTRIC RUNABOUT *** + + + + +Produced by Anthony Matonac + + + + + +</pre> + + +<BR><BR> + +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT +</H1> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +or +</H3> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +The Speediest Car on the Road +</H2> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +by +</H3> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +VICTOR APPLETON +</H2> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +Tom Swift and His Electric Runabout +</H1> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +CONTENTS +</H2> + +<TABLE ALIGN="center" WIDTH="80%"> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">CHAPTER</TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> </TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">I </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap01">TOM HOPES FOR A PRIZE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">II </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap02">MR. DAMON'S STEERING</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">III </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap03">THE MOTOR-CYCLE WINS</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap04">TALE OF A NEW BANK</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">V </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap05">A MIDNIGHT ENCOUNTER</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap06">BUILDING THE CAR</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap07">TOM IS CAPTURED</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap08">A BLINDING FLASH</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IX </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap09">TOM IS RESCUED</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">X </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap10">TOM HAS A FALL</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap11">CROSSED WIRES</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap12">THE TRYOUT</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap13">TOWED BY A MULE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap14">A GREAT RUN</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap15">ANDY FOGER'S BLACK EYE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap16">TROUBLE AT THE BANK</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap17">A RUN ON THE BANK</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap18">AFTER THE CASH</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIX </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap19">STOPPED ON THE ROAD</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XX </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap20">ON TIME</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap21">OFF TO THE BIG RACE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap22">IN A DITCH</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap23">THE POWER GONE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap24">ON THE TRACK</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap25">WINNING THE PRIZE</A></TD> +</TR> + +</TABLE> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT +</H1> + +<BR> + +<A NAME="chap01"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER I +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +TOM HOPES FOR A PRIZE +</H3> + +<P> +"Father," exclaimed Tom Swift, looking up from a paper he was reading, +"I think I can win that prize!" +</P> + +<P> +"What prize is that?" inquired the aged inventor, gazing away from a +drawing of a complicated machine, and pausing in his task of making +some intricate calculations. "You don't mean to say, Tom, that you're +going to have a try for a government prize for a submarine, after all." +</P> + +<P> +"No, not a submarine prize, dad," and the youth laughed. "Though our +Advance would take the prize away from almost any other under-water +boat, I imagine. No, it's another prize I'm thinking about." +</P> + +<P> +"What do you mean?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I see by this paper that the Touring Club of America has offered +three thousand dollars for the speediest electric car. The tests are +to come off this fall, on a new and specially built track on Long +Island, and it's to be an endurance contest for twenty-four hours, or a +race for distance, they haven't yet decided. But I'm going to have a +try for it, dad, and, besides winning the prize, I think I'll take Andy +Foger down a peg. +</P> + +<P> +"What's Andy been doing now?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, nothing more than usual. He's always mean, and looking for a +chance to make trouble for me, but I didn't refer to anything special. +He has a new auto, you know, and he boasts that it's the fastest one in +this country. I'll show him that it isn't, for I'm going to win this +prize with the speediest car on the road." +</P> + +<P> +"But, Tom, you haven't any automobile, you know," and Mr. Swift looked +anxiously at his son, who was smiling confidently. "You can't be going +to make your motor-cycle into an auto; are you?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, dad." +</P> + +<P> +"Then how are you going to take part in the prize contest? Besides, +electric cars, as far as I know, aren't specially speedy." +</P> + +<P> +"I know it, and one reason why this club has arranged the contest is to +improve the quality of electric automobiles. I'm going to build an +electric runabout, dad." +</P> + +<P> +"An electric runabout? But it will have to be operated with a storage +battery, Tom, and you haven't—" +</P> + +<P> +"I guess you're going to say I haven't any storage battery, dad," +interrupted Mr. Swift's son. "Well, I haven't yet, but I'm going to +have one. I've been working on—" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, ho!" exclaimed the aged inventor with a laugh. "So that's what +you've been tinkering over these last few weeks, eh, Tom? I suspected +it was some new invention, but I didn't suppose it was that. Well, how +are you coming on with it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Pretty good, I think. I've got a new idea for a battery, and I made an +experimental one. I gave it some pretty severe tests, and it worked +fine." +</P> + +<P> +"But you haven't tried it out in a car yet, over rough roads, and under +severe conditions have you?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I haven't had a chance. In fact, when I invented the battery I had +no idea of using it on a car I thought it might answer for commercial +purposes, or for storing a current generated by windmills. But when I +read that account in the papers of the Touring Club, offering a prize +for the best electric car, it occurred to me that I might put my +battery into an auto, and win." +</P> + +<P> +"Hum," remarked Mr. Swift musingly. "I don't take much stock in +electric autos, Tom. Gasolene seems to be the best, or perhaps steam, +generated by gasolene. I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. All the +electric runabouts I ever saw, while they were very nice cars, didn't +seem able to go so very fast, or very far." +</P> + +<P> +"That's true, but it's because they didn't have the right kind of a +battery. You know an electric locomotive can make pretty good speed, +Dad. Over a hundred miles an hour in tests." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, but they don't run by storage batteries. They have a third rail, +and powerful motors," and Mr. Swift looked quizzically at his son. He +loved to argue with him, for he said it made Tom think, and often the +two would thus thresh out some knotty point of an invention, to the +interests of both. +</P> + +<P> +"Of course, Dad, there is a good deal of theory in what I'm thinking +of," the lad admitted. "But it does seem to me that if you put the +right kind of a battery into an automobile, it could scoot along pretty +lively. Look what speed a trolley car can make." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Tom, but there again they get their power from an overhead wire." +</P> + +<P> +"Some of them don't. There's a new storage battery been invented by a +New Jersey man, which does as well as the third rail or the overhead +wire. It was after reading about his battery that I thought of a plan +for mine. It isn't anything like his; perhaps not as good in some ways, +but, for what I want, it is better in some respects, I think. For one +thing it can be recharged very quickly." +</P> + +<P> +"Now Tom, look here," said Mr. Swift earnestly, laying aside his +papers, and coming over to where his son sat. "You know I never +interfere with your inventions. In fact, the more you think of the +better I like it. The airship you helped build certainly did all that +could be desired, and—" +</P> + +<P> +"That reminds me. Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon are out in it now," +interrupted Tom. "They ought to be back soon. Yes, Dad, the airship Red +Cloud certainly scooted along." +</P> + +<P> +"And the submarine, too," continued the aged inventor. "Your ideas +regarding that were of service to me, and helped in our task of +recovering the treasure, but I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed +in the storage battery. You may get it to work, but I don't believe you +can make it powerful enough to attain any great speed. Why don't you +confine yourself to making a battery for stationary work?" +</P> + +<P> +"Because, Dad, I believe I can build a speedy car, and I'm going to try +it. Besides I want to race Andy Foger, and beat him, even if I don't +win the prize. I'm going to build that car, and it will make fast time." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, go ahead, Tom," responded his father, after a pause. "Of course +you can use the shops here as much as you want, and Mr. Sharp, Mr. +Jackson, and I will help you all we can. Only don't be disappointed, +that's all." +</P> + +<P> +"I won't, Dad. Suppose you come out to my shop and I'll show you a +sample battery I've been testing for the last week. I have it geared to +a small motor, and it's been running steadily for some time. I want to +see what sort of a record it's made." +</P> + +<P> +Father and son crossed the yard, and entered a shop which the lad +considered exclusively his own. There he had made many machines, and +pieces of apparatus, and had invented a number of articles which had +been patented, and yielded him considerable of an income. +</P> + +<P> +"There's the battery, Dad," he said, pointing to a complicated +mechanism in one corner. +</P> + +<P> +"What's that buzzing noise?" asked Mr. Swift. "That's the little motor +I run from the new cells. Look here," and Tom switched on an electric +light above the experimental battery, from which he hoped so much. It +consisted of a steel can, about the size of the square gallon tin in +which maple syrup comes, and from it ran two wires which were attached +to a small motor that was industriously whirring away. +</P> + +<P> +Tom looked at a registering gauge connected with it. +</P> + +<P> +"That's pretty good," remarked the young inventor. +</P> + +<P> +"What is it, Tom?" and his father peered about the shop. +</P> + +<P> +"Why this motor has run an equivalent of two hundred miles on one +charging of the battery! That's much better than I expected. I thought +if I got a hundred out of it I'd be doing well. Dad, I believe, after I +improve my battery a bit, that I'll have the very thing I want! I'll +install a set of them in a car, and it will go like the wind. I'll—" +Tom's enthusiastic remarks were suddenly interrupted by a low, rumbling +sound. +</P> + +<P> +"Thunder!" exclaimed Mr. Swift. "The storm is coming, and Mr. Sharp and +Mr. Damon in the airship—" +</P> + +<P> +Hardly had he spoken than there sounded a crash on the roof of the +Swift house, not far away. At the same time there came cries of +distress, and the crash was repeated. +</P> + +<P> +"Come on, Dad! Something has happened!" yelled Tom, dashing from the +shop, followed by his parent. They found themselves in the midst of a +rain storm, as they raced toward the house, on the roof of which the +smashing noise was again heard. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap02"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER II +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +MR. DAMON'S STEERING +</H3> + +<P> +Tom Swift was a lad of action, and his quickness in hurrying out to +investigate what had happened when he was explaining about his new +battery, was characteristic of him. Those of my readers who know him, +through having read the previous books of this series, need not be told +this, but you who, perhaps, are just making his acquaintance, may care +to know a little more about him. +</P> + +<P> +As told in my first book, "Tom Swift and His Motor-Cycle" the young +inventor lived with his father, Barton Swift, a widower, in the town of +Shopton, New York. Mr. Swift was also an inventor of note. +</P> + +<P> +In my initial volume of this series, Tom became possessed of a +motor-cycle in a peculiar way. It was sold to him by a Mr. Wakefield +Damon, a wealthy gentleman who was unfortunate in riding it. On his +speedy machine, which Tom improved by several inventions, he had a +number of adventures. The principal one was being attacked by a number +of bad men, known as the "Happy Harry Gang," who wished to obtain +possession of a valuable turbine patent model belonging to Mr. Swift. +Tom was taking it to a lawyer, when he was waylaid, and chloroformed. +Later he traced the gang, and, with the assistance of Mr. Damon and +Eradicate Sampson, an aged colored man who made a living for himself +and his mule, Boomerang, by doing odd jobs, the lad found the thieves +and recovered a motor-boat which had been stolen. But the men got away. +</P> + +<P> +In the second volume, called "Tom Swift and His Motor-Boat," Tom bought +at auction the boat stolen by, and recovered from, the thieves, and +proceeded to improve it. While he was taking his father out on a cruise +for Mr. Swift's health, the Happy Harry Gang made a successful attempt +to steal some valuable inventions from the Swift house. Tom started to +trace them, and incidentally he raced and beat Andy Foger, a rich +bully. On their way down the lake, after the robbery, Tom, his father +and Ned Newton, Tom's chum, saw a man hanging from the trapeze of a +blazing balloon over Lake Carlopa. The balloonist was Mr. John Sharp +and he was rescued by Tom in a thrilling fashion. In his motor-boat, +Tom had much pleasure, not the least of which was taking out a young +lady named Miss Mary Nestor, whose acquaintance he had made after +stopping her runaway horse, which his bicycle had frightened. Tom's +association with Miss Nestor soon ripened into something deeper than +mere friendship. +</P> + +<P> +It developed that Mr. Sharp, whom Tom had saved from the burning +balloon, was an aeronaut of note, and had once planned to build an +airship. After his recovery from his thrilling experience, he mentioned +the matter to Mr. Swift and his son, with whom he took up his +residence. This fitted right in with Tom's ideas, and soon father, son +and the balloonist were constructing the Red Cloud, as they named their +airship. It was finally completed, as related in "Tom Swift and His +Airship," made a successful trial trip, and won a prize. It was planned +to make a longer journey, and Tom, Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon agreed to go +together. Mr. Damon was an odd individual, who was continuously +blessing some part of his anatomy, his clothing or some inanimate +object but, for all that, he was a fine man. +</P> + +<P> +The night before Tom and his friends started off in their airship, the +Shopton Bank vault was blown open and seventy-five thousand dollars was +taken. Tom and his friends did not know of this, but, no sooner had the +young inventor, Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon sailed away, than the police +arrived at Mr. Swift's house to arrest them. They were charged with the +robbery, and with having sailed away with the booty. +</P> + +<P> +It appeared that Andy Foger said he had seen Tom hanging around the +bank the night of the robbery, with a bag of burglar tools in his +possession. Search was immediately begun for the airship, the occupants +of which were, meanwhile, speeding on. +</P> + +<P> +Tom and his two friends had trouble. They were nearly burned up in a +forest fire, and were fired upon by a crowd of people with rifles, who, +reading of the bank robbery and the reward offered for the capture of +the thieves, hoped to bring down the airship. The fact that they were +fired upon caused Tom and the two aeronauts to descend to make an +investigation, and for the first time they learned of the bank theft. +How they got track of the real robbers, took the sheriff with them in +the airship, and raided the gang will be found set down at length in +the book. Also how Tom administered well-deserved thrashing to Andy +Foger. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Swift did not accompany his son in the airship, and when asked why +he did not care to make the trip, said he was working on a new type of +submarine boat, which he hoped to enter in the government trials, to +win a prize. In the fourth volume of the series, called "Tom Swift and +his Submarine," you may read how successful Mr. Swift was. +</P> + +<P> +When the submarine, called the Advance, was finished, the party made a +trip to recover three hundred thousand dollars in gold from a sunken +treasure ship, off the coast of Uruguay, South America. They sailed +beneath the seas for many miles, and were in great peril at times. One +reason for this was that a rival firm of submarine builders got wind of +the treasure, and tried to get ahead of the Swifts in recovering it. +How Tom and his friends succeeded in their quest, how they nearly +perished at the bottom of the sea, how they were captured by a foreign +war vessel, and sentenced to death, how they fought with a school of +giant sharks and how they blew up the wreck to recover the money is all +told of in the book. +</P> + +<P> +On their return to civilization with the gold, Mr. Swift, Tom, and +their friends deposited the money in the Shopton Bank, where Ned Newton +worked. Ned was a bright lad, but had not been advanced as rapidly as +he deserved, and Tom knew this. He asked his father to speak to the +president, Mr. Pendergast, in Ned's behalf, and, as a result the lad +was made assistant cashier, for the request of a man who controlled a +three hundred thousand dollar deposit was not to be despised. +</P> + +<P> +In building the submarine Tom and his father rented a large cottage on +the New Jersey seacoast, but, on returning from their treasure-quest +they went back to Shopton, leaving the submarine at the boathouse of +the shore cottage, which was near the city of Atlantis. That was in the +fall of the year, and all that winter the young inventor had been busy +on many things, not the least of which was his storage battery. It was +now spring, and seeing the item in the paper, about the touring club +prize for an electric auto, had given him a new idea. +</P> + +<P> +But all thoughts of electric cars, and everything else, were driven +from the mind of the young man, when, with his father, he rushed out to +see the cause of the crash on the roof of the Swift homestead. +</P> + +<P> +"There's something up there, Tom," called his father, as he splashed on +through the rain. +</P> + +<P> +"That's right," added his son. "And somebody, too, to judge by the fuss +they're making." +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe the house has been struck by lightning!" suggested the aged +inventor. +</P> + +<P> +"No, the storm isn't severe enough for that; and, besides, if the house +had been struck you'd hear Mrs. Baggert yelling, Dad. She—" +</P> + +<P> +At that moment a woman's voice cried out: +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Swift! Tom! Where are you? Something dreadful has happened!" +</P> + +<P> +"There she goes!" remarked Mr. Swift, as he splashed into a mud puddle. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my deflection rudder!" suddenly cried a voice from the flat roof +of the Swift house. "Hello! I say, is anyone down there?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, we are," answered Tom. "Is that you, Mr. Damon?" +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my collar button! It certainly is." +</P> + +<P> +"Where's Mr. Sharp? I don't hear him." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I'm here all right," answered the balloonist. "I'm trying to get +the airship clear of the chimney. Mr. Damon—" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I steered wrong!" interrupted the odd man. "Bless my liver pin, +but it was so dark I couldn't see, and when that clap of thunder came I +shifted the deflection rudder instead of the lateral one, and tried to +knock over your chimney." +</P> + +<P> +"Are either of you hurt?" asked Mr. Swift anxiously. +</P> + +<P> +"No, not at all," replied Mr. Sharp. "We were moving slowly, ready for +a landing." +</P> + +<P> +"Is the airship damaged?" inquired Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know. Not much, I guess," was the answer of the aeronaut. +"I've stopped the engine, and I don't like to start it again until I +can see what shape we're in." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll come up, with Mr. Jackson," called Tom, and he hastily summoned +Garret Jackson, an engineer, who had been in the service of Mr. Swift +for many years. Together they proceeded to the roof by a stairway that +led to a scuttle. +</P> + +<P> +"Is anyone killed?" asked Mrs. Baggert, as Tom hurried up the stairs. +"Don't tell me there is, Tom!" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I don't have to tell you, for no one is," replied the young +inventor with a laugh. "It's all right. The airship tried to collide +with the chimney, that's all." +</P> + +<P> +He was soon on the large, flat roof of the dwelling, and, with the aid +of lanterns he, the engineer, and Mr. Sharp made a hasty examination. +</P> + +<P> +"Anything wrong?" inquired Mr. Damon, looking out from the cabin of the +Red Cloud where he had taken refuge after the crash, and to get out of +the wet. +</P> + +<P> +"Not much," answered Tom. "One of the forward planes is smashed, but we +can rise by means of the gas, and float down. Is all clear, Mr. Sharp?" +</P> + +<P> +"All clear," replied the balloonist, for the airship had now been +wheeled back from the entanglement with the chimney. +</P> + +<P> +"Then here we go!" cried Tom, as he and the aeronaut entered the craft, +while Mr. Jackson descended through the scuttle. +</P> + +<P> +There came a fiercer burst to the storm, and, amid a series of dazzling +lightning flashes and the muttering of thunder, the airship rose from +the roof. Tom switched on the search-light, and, starting the big +propellers, guided the craft skillfully toward the big shed where it +was housed when not in use. +</P> + +<P> +With the grace of a bird it turned about in the air, and settled to the +ground. It was the work of but a few minutes to run it into the shed. +Then they all started for the house. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my umbrella! How it rains!" cried Mr. Damon, as he splashed on +through numerous puddles. "We got back just in time, Mr. Sharp." +</P> + +<P> +"Where did you go?" asked the lad. +</P> + +<P> +"Why we took a flight of about fifty miles and stopped at my house in +Waterfield for supper. Were you anxious about us?" +</P> + +<P> +"A little when it began to storm," replied Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Anything new since we left?" asked Mr. Sharp, for it was the custom of +himself, or some of his friends, to take little trips in the airship. +They thought no more of it than many do of going for a short spin in an +automobile. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, there is something new," said Mr. Swift, as the party, all +drenched now, reached the broad veranda. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my gaiters!" cried Mr. Damon. "What is it? I hope the Happy +Harry gang hasn't robbed you again; nor Berg and his men tried to take +that treasure away from us, after we worked so hard to get it from the +wreck." +</P> + +<P> +"No, it isn't that," replied Mr. Swift. "The truth is that Tom thinks +he has invented a storage battery that will revolutionize matters. He's +going to build an electric automobile, he says." +</P> + +<P> +"I am," declared the lad, as the others looked at him, "and it will be +the speediest one you ever saw, too!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap03"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER III +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE MOTORCYCLE WINS +</H3> + +<P> +"Well, Tom," remarked Mr. Sharp, after a pause following the lad's +announcement. "I didn't know you had any ambitions in that line. Tell +us more about the battery. What system do you use; lead plates and +sulphuric acid?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, that's out of date long ago," declared the lad. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I don't know much about electricity," admitted the aeronaut. +"I'll take my chances in an airship or a balloon, but when it comes to +electricity I'm down and out." +</P> + +<P> +"So am I," admitted Mr. Damon. "Bless my gizzard, it's all I can do to +put a new spark plug in my automobile. Where is your new battery, Tom?" +</P> + +<P> +"Out in my shop, running yet if it hasn't been frightened by the +airship smash," replied the lad, somewhat proudly. "It's an oxide of +nickel battery, with steel and oxide of iron negative electrodes." +</P> + +<P> +"What solution do you use, Tom?" asked Mr. Swift. "I didn't get that +far in questioning you before the crash came," he added. +</P> + +<P> +"Well I have, in the experimental battery, a solution of potassium +hydrate," replied the lad, "but I think I'm going to change it, and add +some lithium hydrate to it. I think that will make it stronger." +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my watch chain!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "It's all Greek to me. +Suppose you let us see it, Tom? I like to see wheels go 'round, but I'm +not much of a hand for chemical terms." +</P> + +<P> +"If you're sure you're not hurt by the airship smash, I will," declared +the lad. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, we're not hurt a bit," insisted Mr. Sharp. "As I said we were +moving slow, for I knew it was about time to land. Mr. Damon was +steering—" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes I thought I'd try my hand at it, as it seemed so easy," +interrupted the eccentric man. "But never again—not for mine! I +couldn't see the house, and, before I knew it we were right over the +roof. Then the chimney seemed to stick itself up suddenly in front of +us, and—well, you know the rest. I'm willing to pay for any damage I +caused." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, not at all!" replied Tom. "It's easy enough to put on a new plane, +or, for that matter, we can operate the Red Cloud without it. But come +on, I'll show you my sample battery." +</P> + +<P> +"Here, take umbrellas!" Mrs. Baggert called after them as they started +toward the shop, for it was still raining. +</P> + +<P> +"We don't mind getting wet," replied the young inventor. "It's in the +interests of science." +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe it is. You don't mind a wetting, but I mind you coming in and +dripping water all over the carpets!" retorted the housekeeper. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my overshoes, I'm afraid we have wet the carpets a trifle now," +admitted Mr. Damon ruefully, as he looked down at a puddle, which had +formed where he had been standing. +</P> + +<P> +"That's the reason I want you to take umbrellas this trip," insisted +Mrs. Baggert. +</P> + +<P> +They complied, and were soon in the shop, where Tom explained his +battery. The small motor was still running and had, as the lad had +said, gone the equivalent of over two hundred miles. +</P> + +<P> +"If a small battery does as well as that, what will a larger one do?" +asked Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"Much better, I hope," replied the youth. "But Dad doesn't seem to have +much faith in them." +</P> + +<P> +"Well," admitted Mr. Swift, "I must say I am skeptical. Still, I +acknowledge Tom has done some pretty good work along electrical lines. +He helped me with the positive and negative plates on the submarine, +and, maybe—well, we'll wait and see," he concluded. +</P> + +<P> +"If you build a car I hope you give me a ride in it," said Mr. Damon. +"I've ridden fast in the air, and swiftly on top of, and under, the +water. Now I'd like to ride rapidly on top of the earth. The gasolene +auto doesn't go very fast." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll give you a ride that will make your hair stand up!" prophesied +Tom, and the time was to come when he would make good that prediction. +</P> + +<P> +The little party in the machine shop talked at some length about Tom's +battery. He showed them how it was constructed, and gave them some of +his ideas regarding the new type of auto he planned to build. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," remarked Mr. Swift at length, "if you want to keep your brain +fresh, Tom, you must get to bed earlier than this. It's nearly twelve +o'clock." +</P> + +<P> +"And I want to get up early!" exclaimed the lad. "I'm going to start to +build a larger battery to-morrow." +</P> + +<P> +"And I'm going to repair the airship," added Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my night cap, I promised my wife I'd be home early to-night, +too!" suddenly exclaimed Mr. Damon. "I don't fancy making the trip back +to Waterfield in my auto, though. Something will be sure to happen. +I'll blow out a tire, or a spark plug will get sooty on me and—" +</P> + +<P> +"It's raining harder than ever," interrupted Tom. "Better stay here +to-night. You can telephone home." Which Mr. Damon did. +</P> + +<P> +Tom was up early the next morning, in spite of the fact that he did not +go to bed in good season, and before breakfast he was working at his +new storage battery. After the meal he hurried back to the shop, but it +was not long before he came out, wheeling his motor-cycle. +</P> + +<P> +"Where are you going, Tom?" asked Mrs. Baggert. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I've got to go to Mansburg to get some steel tubes for my new +battery," he replied. "I thought I had some large enough, but I +haven't." Mansburg was a good-sized town, near Shopton. +</P> + +<P> +"Then I wish you'd bring me a bottle of stove polish," requested the +housekeeper. "The liquid kind. I'm out of it, and the stove is as red +as a cow." +</P> + +<P> +"All right," agreed the lad, as he leaped into the saddle and pedaled +off down the road. A moment later he had turned on the power, and was +speeding along the highway, which was in good condition on account of +the shower of the night before. +</P> + +<P> +Tom was thinking so deeply of his new invention, and planning what he +would do when he had his electric runabout built, that, almost before +he knew it, he had reached Mansburg, purchased the steel tubes, and the +stove polish, and was on his way back again. +</P> + +<P> +As he was speeding along on a level road, he heard, coming behind him, +an automobile. The lad turned to one side, but, in spite of this the +party in the car began a serenade of the electric siren, and kept it +up, making a wild discord. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter with those fellows!" inquired Tom of himself. +"Haven't I given them enough of the road, or has their steering gear +broken?" +</P> + +<P> +He looked back over his shoulder, and it needed but a glance to show +that the car was all right, as regarded the steering apparatus. And it +needed only another glance to disclose the reason for the shrill sound +of the siren. +</P> + +<P> +"Andy Foger!" exclaimed Tom. "I might have known. And Sam and Pete are +with him. Well, if he wants to make me get off the road, he'll find +that I've got as much right as he has!" +</P> + +<P> +He kept on a straight course, wondering if the red-haired, and +squint-eyed bully would dare try to damage the motor-cycle. +</P> + +<P> +A little later Andy's car was beside Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Why don't you get out of the way," demanded Sam, who could usually be +depended on to aid Andy in all his mean tricks. +</P> + +<P> +"Because I'm entitled to half the road," retorted our hero. +</P> + +<P> +"Humph! A slow-moving machine like yours hasn't any right on the road," +sneered Andy, who had slowed down his car somewhat. +</P> + +<P> +"I haven't, eh?" demanded Tom. "Well, if you'll get down out of that +car for a few minutes I'll soon show you what my rights are!" +</P> + +<P> +Now Andy, more than once, had come to personal encounters with Tom, +much to the anguish of the bully. He did not relish another +chastisement, but his mean spirit could not brook interference. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't you want a race?" he inquired of Tom, in a sneering tone. "I'll +give you a mile start, and beat you! I've got the fastest car built!" +</P> + +<P> +"You have, eh?" asked Tom, while a grim look came over his face. "Maybe +you'll think differently some day." +</P> + +<P> +"Aw, he's afraid to race; come on," suggested Pete. "Don't bother with +him, Andy." +</P> + +<P> +"No, I guess it wouldn't be worth my while," was the reply of the +bully, and he threw the second gear into place, and began to move away +from the young inventor. +</P> + +<P> +Tom was just as much pleased to be left alone, but he did not want Andy +Foger to think that he could have matters all his own way. Tom's +motor-cycle, since he had made some adjustments to it, was very swift. +In fact there were few autos that could beat it. He had never tried it +against Andy's new car, and he was anxious to do so. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder if I would stand any chance, racing him?" thought the young +inventor, as he saw the car slowly pulling away from him. "I think +I'll wait until he gets some distance ahead, and then I'll see how near +I can come to him. If I get anywhere near him I'm pretty sure I can +pass him. I'll try it." +</P> + +<P> +When Andy and his cronies looked back, Tom did not appear to be doing +anything save moving along at moderate speed on his machine. +</P> + +<P> +"You don't dare race!" Pete Bailey shouted to him. +</P> + +<P> +"Wait," was what Tom whispered to himself. +</P> + +<P> +Andy's car was now some distance ahead. The young inventor waited a +little longer, and then turned more power into his machine. It leaped +forward and began to "eat up the road," as Tom expressed it. He had +seen Andy throw in the third gear, but knew that there was a fourth +speed on the bully's car. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know whether I can beat him on that or not," thought the lad +dubiously. "If I try, and fail, they'll laugh at me. But I don't think +I'm going to fail." +</P> + +<P> +Faster and faster he rode. He was rapidly overhauling Andy's car now, +and, as they heard him approach, the three cronies turned around. +</P> + +<P> +"He's going to race you, after all, Andy!" cried Sam. +</P> + +<P> +"You mean he's going to try," sneered Andy. "I'll give him all the +racing he wants!" +</P> + +<P> +In another few seconds Tom was beside the auto, and would have passed +it, only Andy opened his throttle a little more. For a moment the auto +jumped ahead, and then, as our hero turned on still more power, he +easily held his own. +</P> + +<P> +"Aw, you can never beat us!" yelled Pete. +</P> + +<P> +"Of course not!" added Sam. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll leave him behind in a second," prophesied Andy. "Wait until I +throw in the other gear," he added to his cronies in a low voice. "He +thinks he's going to beat me. I'll let him think so, and then I'll +spurt ahead." +</P> + +<P> +The two machines were now racing along side by side. Andy's car was +going the limit on third gear, but he still had the fourth gear in +reserve. Tom, too, still had a little margin of speed. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly Andy reached forward and yanked on a lever. There was a +grinding of cogs as the fourth gear slipped into place, for Andy did +not handle his car skillfully. The effect, however, was at once +apparent. The automobile shot forward. +</P> + +<P> +"Now where are you, Tom Swift?" cried Sam. +</P> + +<P> +Tom said nothing. He merely shifted a lever, and got a better spark. He +also turned on a little more gasolene and opened the muffler. The +quickness with which his motor-cycle shot forward almost threw him from +the saddle, but he had a tight grip on the handle bars. He whizzed past +the auto, but, as the latter gathered speed, it crept up to him, and, +once more was on even terms. Much chagrined at seeing Tom hold pace +with him, even for an instant, Andy shouted: +</P> + +<P> +"Get over on your own side there! You're crowding me!" +</P> + +<P> +"I am not!" yelled back Tom, above the explosions of his machine. +</P> + +<P> +The two were now racing furiously, and Andy, with a savage look, tried +to get more speed out of his car. In spite of all the bully did, Tom +was gradually forging ahead. A little hill was now in view. +</P> + +<P> +"Here's where I make him take my dust!" cried Andy, but, to his +surprise Tom still kept ahead. The auto began to lose ground, for it +was not made to take hills on high gear. +</P> + +<P> +"Change to third gear quick!" cried Sam. +</P> + +<P> +Andy tried to do it. There was a hesitancy on the part of his car. It +seemed to balk. Tom, looking back, slowed up a trifle. He could afford +to, as Andy was being beaten. +</P> + +<P> +"Go on! Go on!" begged Pete. "You'll have to keep on fourth gear to +beat him, Andy." +</P> + +<P> +"That's what!" murmured the bully. Once more he shifted the gears. +There was a grinding, smashing sound, and the car lost speed. Then it +slowed up still more, and finally stopped. Then it began to back down +hill. +</P> + +<P> +"I've stripped those blamed gears!" exclaimed Andy ruefully. +</P> + +<P> +"Can't you beat him?" asked Pete. +</P> + +<P> +"I could have, easily, if my gears hadn't broken," declared the bully, +but, as a matter of fact, he could not have done so. "I oughtn't to +have changed, going up hill," he added, as he jammed on the brakes, to +stop the car from sliding down the slope. +</P> + +<P> +Tom saw and heard. +</P> + +<P> +"I thought you were so anxious to race," he said, exultantly, as well +he might. "I don't want to try a contest down hill, though, Andy," and +he laughed at the red-haired lad, who was furious. +</P> + +<P> +"Aw, go on!" was all the retort the squint-eyed one could think of to +make. +</P> + +<P> +"I am going on," replied our hero. "Just to show you that I can go down +hill, watch me." +</P> + +<P> +He turned his motor-cycle, and approached Andy's stalled car, for Tom +was some distance in advance of it, up the slope by this time. As he +approached the auto, containing the three disconcerted cronies, +something bounded out of Tom's pocket. It was the bottle of stove +blacking he had purchased for Mrs. Baggert. The bottle fell in the soft +dirt in front of his forward wheel, and a curious thing happened. +Perhaps you have seen a bicycle or auto tire strike a stone at an +angle, and throw it into the air with great force. That was what +happened to the bottle. Tom's front wheel struck the cork, which fitted +tightly, and, just as when you hit one end of the wooden "catty" and it +bounds up, the bottle described a curve through the air, and flew +straight toward Andy's car. It struck the brass frame of the wind +shield with a crash. +</P> + +<P> +The bottle broke, and in an instant the black liquid was spattered all +over Andy, Sam and Pete. It could not have been done more effectively +if Tom had thrown it by hand. All over their clothes, their hands and +faces, and the front of the car went the dreary black. Tom looked on, +hardly able to believe what he saw. +</P> + +<P> +"Wow! Wup! Ug! Blug! Mug!" spluttered Sam, who had some of the stuff in +his mouth. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! Oh!" yelled Pete. +</P> + +<P> +"You did that on purpose, Tom Swift!" shouted Andy, wiping some of the +blacking from his left eye. "I'll have you arrested for that! You've +ruined my car, and look at my suit!" +</P> + +<P> +"Mine's worse!" murmured Sam, glancing down at his light trousers, +which were of the polka-dot pattern now. +</P> + +<P> +"No, mine is," insisted Pete, whose white shirt was of the hue of a +stove pipe. +</P> + +<P> +Andy wiped some of the black stuff from his nose, whence it was +dropping on the steering wheel. +</P> + +<P> +"You just wait!" the bully called to Tom. "I'll get even with you for +this!" +</P> + +<P> +"It was an accident! I didn't mean to do that," explained Tom, trying +not to laugh, as he dismounted from his motor-cycle, ready to render +what assistance he could. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap04"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +TALK OF A NEW BANK +</H3> + +<P> +The three cronies were in a sorrowful plight. The black fluid dripped +from them, and formed little puddles in the car. Andy had used his +handkerchief to wipe some of the stuff from his face, but the linen was +soon useless, for it quickly absorbed the blacking. +</P> + +<P> +"There's a little brook over here," volunteered Tom. "You might wash in +that. The stuff comes off easily. It isn't like ink," and he had to +laugh, as he thought of the happening. +</P> + +<P> +"Here! You quit that!" ordered Andy. "You've gone too far, Tom Swift!" +</P> + +<P> +"Didn't I tell you it was an accident?" inquired the young inventor. +</P> + +<P> +"It wasn't!" cried Sam. "You threw the bottle at us! I saw you!" +</P> + +<P> +"It slipped from my pocket," declared the youth, and he described how +the accident occurred. "I'll help you clean your car, Andy," he added. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't want your help! If you come near me I'll—I'll punch your +nose!" cried Andy, now almost beside himself with rage. +</P> + +<P> +"All right, if you don't want my help I don't care," answered Tom, glad +enough not to have to soil his hands and clothes. He felt that it was +partly his fault, and he would have done all he could to remedy +matters, but his good offers being declined, he felt that it was +useless to insist further. +</P> + +<P> +He remounted his motor-cycle, and rode off, the last view he had of the +trio being one where they were at the edge of the brook, trying to +remove the worst traces of the black fluid. As Tom turned around for a +final glimpse, Andy shook his fist at him, and called out something. +</P> + +<P> +"I guess Andy'll have it in for me," mused Tom. "Well, I can't help it. +I owed him something on account, but I didn't figure on paying it in +just this way," and he thought of the time the bully had locked him in +the ballast tanks of the submarine, thereby nearly smothering him to +death. +</P> + +<P> +That night Andy Foger told his father what had happened, for Mr. Foger +inquired the reason for the black stains on his son's face and hands. +But Andy did not give the true version. He said Tom had purposely +thrown the bottle of blacking at him. +</P> + +<P> +"So that's the kind of a lad Tom Swift is, eh?" remarked Andy's father. +"Well, Andy, I think you will soon have a chance to get even with him." +</P> + +<P> +"How, pop?" +</P> + +<P> +"I can't tell you now, but I have a plan for making Tom sorry he ever +did anything to you, and I will also pay back some old scores to Mr. +Swift and Mr. Damon. I'll ruin their bank for them, that's what I'll +do." +</P> + +<P> +"Ruin their bank, pop? How?" +</P> + +<P> +"You wait and see. The Swift crowd will get off their high horse soon, +or I'm mistaken. My plans are nearly completed, but I can't tell you +about them. I'll ruin Mr. Swift, though, that's what I'll do," and Mr. +Foger shook his head determinedly. +</P> + +<P> +Tom was soon at his home, and Mrs. Baggert, hearing the noise of his +machine, as it entered the front yard, came to the side door. +</P> + +<P> +"Where's my blacking?" she asked, as our hero dismounted and untied the +bundle of steel tubes he had purchased. +</P> + +<P> +"I—I used it," he answered, laughing. +</P> + +<P> +"Tom Swift! You don't mean to say you took my stove polish to use in +your battery, do you?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I used it to polish off Andy Foger and some of his cronies," and +the young inventor told, with much gusto, what had happened. Mrs. +Baggert could not help joining in the laugh, and when Tom offered to +ride back and purchase some more of the polish for her, she said it did +not matter, as she could wait until the next day. +</P> + +<P> +The lad was soon busy in his machine shop, making several larger cells +for the new storage battery. He wanted to give it a more severe test. +He worked for several days on this, and when he had one unit of cells +complete, he attached the motor for an efficiency trial. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll see how many miles that will make," he remarked to his father. +</P> + +<P> +"Have you thought anything of the type of car you are going to build?" +asked the aged inventor of his son. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, somewhat. It will be almost of the regulation style, but with two +removable seats at the rear, with curtains for protection, and a place +in front for two persons. This can also be protected with curtains when +desired." +</P> + +<P> +"But what about the motors and the battery?" +</P> + +<P> +"They will be located under the middle of the car. There will be one +set of batteries there, together with the motor, and another set of +batteries will be placed under the removable seats in what I call the +tonneau, though, of course, it isn't really that. A smaller set will +also be placed forward, and there will be ample room for carrying tools +and such things." +</P> + +<P> +"About how far do you expect your car will go with one charging of the +battery?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, if I can make it do three hundred miles I'll be satisfied, but +I'm going to try for four hundred." +</P> + +<P> +"What will you do when your battery runs out?" +</P> + +<P> +"Recharge it." +</P> + +<P> +"Suppose you're not near a charging station?"</p> + +<p>"Well, Dad, of course +those are some of the details I've got to work out. I'm planning a +register gauge now, that will give warning about fifty miles before the +battery is run down. That will leave me a margin to work on. And I'm +going to have it fixed so I can take current from any trolley line, as +well as from a regular charging station. My battery will be capable of +being recharged very quickly, or, in case of need, I can take out the +old cells and put in new ones. +</P> + +<P> +"That's a very good idea. Well, I hope you succeed." +</P> + +<P> +A few evenings after this, when Tom was busy in his machine shop, he +heard some one enter. He looked up from the gauge of the motor, which +he was studying, and, for a moment, he could make out nothing in the +dark interior of the shop, for he was working in a brilliant light. +</P> + +<P> +"Who's there?" he called sharply, for, more than once unscrupulous men +had endeavored to sneak into the Swift shops to steal ideas of +inventions; if not the actual apparatus itself. +</P> + +<P> +"It's me—Ned Newton," was the cheerful reply. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, hello, Ned! I was wondering what had become of you," responded +Tom. "Where have you been lately?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, working overtime." +</P> + +<P> +"What's the occasion?" +</P> + +<P> +"We're trying out a new system to increase the bank business." +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter? Aren't you folks getting business enough, after the +big deposits we made of the bullion from the wreck?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, it's not that. But haven't you heard the news? There is talk of +starting a rival bank in Shopton, and that may make us hustle to hold +what business we have, to say nothing of getting new customers." +</P> + +<P> +"A new bank, eh? Who's going to start it?"</p> + +<p>"Andy Foger's father, I +hear. You know he was a director in our bank, but he got out last week." +</P> + +<P> +"What for?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, he had some difficulty with Mr. Pendergast, the president. I +fancy you had something to do with it, too." +</P> + +<P> +"I?" Tom was plainly surprised. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, you know you and Mr. Damon and Mr. Sharp captured the bank +robbers, and got back most of the money." +</P> + +<P> +"I guess I do remember it! I wish you could have seen the gang when we +raided them from the clouds, in our airship!" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you know Andy Foger hoped to collect the five thousand dollars +reward for telling the police that you were the thief, and of course he +got fooled, for you got the reward. Mr. Foger expected his son would +collect the money, and when Andy got left, it made him sore. He's had a +grudge against Mr. Pendergast, and all the other bank officials ever +since, and now he's going to start a rival bank. So that's why I said +it was partly due to you." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I see. I thought at first you meant that it was on account of +something that happened the other day." +</P> + +<P> +"What was that?" +</P> + +<P> +"Andy, Sam and Pete got the contents of a bottle of stove blacking," +and Tom related the occurrence, at which Ned laughed heartily. +</P> + +<P> +"I wouldn't be surprised though," added Ned, "to learn that Mr. Foger +started the new bank more for revenge than anything else." +</P> + +<P> +"So that's the reason you've been working late, eh?" went on Tom. +"Getting ready for competition. Do you think a new bank will hurt the +one you're with?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it might," admitted Ned. "It's bound to make a change, anyhow, +and now that I have a good position I don't want to lose it. I take +more of an interest in the institution now that I'm assistant cashier, +than I did when I was a clerk. So, naturally, I'm a little worried." +</P> + +<P> +"Say, don't let it worry you," begged Tom, earnestly. +</P> + +<P> +"Why not?" +</P> + +<P> +"Because I know my father and Mr. Damon will stick to the old bank. +They won't have anything to do with the one Andy Foger's father starts. +Don't you worry." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, that will help some," declared Ned. "They are both heavy +depositors, and if they stick to the old bank we can stand it even if +some of our smaller customers desert us." +</P> + +<P> +"That's the way to talk," went on the young inventor. "Let Foger start +his bank. It won't hurt yours." +</P> + +<P> +"What are you making now?" asked Ned, a little later, looking with +interest at the machinery over which Tom was bending, and to which he +was making adjustments. +</P> + +<P> +"New electric automobile. I want to beat Andy Foger's car worse than I +did on my motor-cycle, and I also want to win a prize," and the lad +proceeded to relate the incidents leading up to his construction of the +storage battery. +</P> + +<P> +Tom and Ned were in the shop until long past midnight, and then the +bank employee, with a look at his watch, exclaimed: +</P> + +<P> +"Great Scott! I ought to be home." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll run you over in Mr. Damon's car," proposed Tom. "He left it here +the other day, while he and his wife went off on a trip, and he said I +could use it whenever I wanted to." +</P> + +<P> +"Good!" cried Ned. +</P> + +<P> +The two lads came from Tom's particular workshop. As the young inventor +closed the door he started suddenly, as he snapped shut the lock. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter?" asked Ned quickly. +</P> + +<P> +"I thought I heard a noise," replied Tom. +</P> + +<P> +They both listened. There was a slight rustling in some bushes near the +shop. +</P> + +<P> +"It's a dog or a cat," declared Ned. +</P> + +<P> +Tom took several cautious steps forward. Then he gave a spring, and +made a grab for some one or something. +</P> + +<P> +"Here! You let me be!" yelled a protesting voice. +</P> + +<P> +"I will when I find out what you mean by sneaking around here," +retorted Tom, as he came back toward Ned, dragging with him a lad. "It +wasn't a dog or a cat, Ned," spoke the young inventor. "It's Sam +Snedecker," and so it proved. +</P> + +<P> +"You let me alone!" demanded Andy Foger's crony. "I ain't done nothin' +to you," he whined. +</P> + +<P> +"Here, Ned, you hold him a minute, while I make an investigation," +called Tom, handing his prisoner over to his chum. "Maybe Pete or Andy +are around." +</P> + +<P> +"No, they ain't. I came alone," said Sam quickly, but Tom, not heeding, +opened the shop, and, after turning on the electric lights, procured a +lantern. He began a search of the shrubbery around the shop, while Ned +held to the struggling Sam. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap05"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER V +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A MIDNIGHT ENCOUNTER +</H3> + +<P> +The moment Tom disappeared behind his machine shop, Sam Snedecker began +a desperate struggle to escape from Ned Newton. Now Ned was a muscular +lad, but his work in the bank was confining, and he did not have the +chance to get out doors and exercise, as Sam had. Consequently Ned had +his hands full in holding to the squirming crony of Andy Foger. +</P> + +<P> +"You let me go!" demanded Sam, as he tried to twist loose. +</P> + +<P> +"Not if I know it!" panted Ned. +</P> + +<P> +Sam gave a sudden twist. Ned's foot slipped in the grass, and in a +moment he went down, with Sam on top of him. Still he did not let go, +and, finding he was still a prisoner Sam adopted new tactics. +</P> + +<P> +Using his fists Sam began to pound Ned, but the bank employee, though +suffering, would not call for help, to summon back Tom, who was, by +this time, at the rear of the shop, looking about. Silently in the +dark the two fought, and Ned found that Sam was getting away. Then +Ned's hand came in contact with Sam's ear. It was the misfortune of the +bully to have rather a large hearing apparatus, and once Ned got his +fingers on an ear there was room enough to afford a good grip. He +closed his hold tightly, and began to twist. This was too much for Sam. +He set up a lusty howl. +</P> + +<P> +"Wow! Ouch! Let go!" he pleaded, and he ceased to pound Ned, and no +longer tried to escape. Tom came back on the run. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter?" he cried. Then his light flashed on the two +prostrate lads, and he understood without asking any further questions. +</P> + +<P> +"Get up!" he cried, seizing Sam by the back of his neck, and yanking +him to his feet. Ned arose, and secured a better grip on the sneaking +lad. +</P> + +<P> +"What's up?" demanded Tom, and Ned explained, following it by the +question: +</P> + +<P> +"See any more of 'em?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I guess he was here all alone," replied the young inventor. "What +do you mean by sneaking around here this time of night?" he demanded of +the captive. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't you wish you knew?" was Sam's answer, with a leer. He realized +that he had a certain advantage. +</P> + +<P> +"You'd better tell before I turn you over to the police!" said Tom, +sternly. +</P> + +<P> +"You—you wouldn't do that; would you?" and Sam's voice that had been +bold, became shaky. +</P> + +<P> +"You were trespassing on our property, and that's against the law," +declared Tom. "We have signs posted, warning people to keep off." +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't mean any harm," whined Sam. +</P> + +<P> +"Then what were you doing here, at this hour?" +</P> + +<P> +"I was just taking a short cut home. I was out riding with Andy in his +auto, and it broke down. I had to walk home, and I came this way. I +didn't know you didn't allow people to cross your back lot. I wasn't +doin' anything." +</P> + +<P> +Tom hesitated. Sam might be telling the truth, but it was doubtful. +</P> + +<P> +"What happened to Andy's auto?" the young inventor asked. +</P> + +<P> +"He broke a wheel, going over a big stone on Berk's hill. He went to +tell some one in the repair shop to go after the car, and I came on +home. You've got no right to arrest me." +</P> + +<P> +"I ought to, on general principles," commented Tom. "Well, skip out, +and don't you come around here again. I'm going to get a savage bull +dog, and the first one who comes sneaking around here after dark will +be sorry. Move along now!" +</P> + +<P> +Tom and Ned released their holds of Sam, and the latter lost no time in +obeying the injunction to make himself scarce. He was soon lost to +sight in the darkness. +</P> + +<P> +"Think he was up to some mischief?" asked Ned. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm almost sure of it," replied Tom, "but I can't see anything wrong. +I guess we were too quick for him. I believe he, Andy and Pete Bailey +tried to put up some job on me." +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe they wanted to damage your new battery or car," suggested Ned. +</P> + +<P> +"Hardly that. The car hasn't been started yet, and as for the battery, +no one knows of it outside of you and my friends here. I'm keeping it +secret. Well, if I'm going to take you home I'd better get a move on. +Wait here and I'll run out Mr. Damon's car." +</P> + +<P> +In a short time Tom was guiding the machine over the road to Shopton, +Ned on the seat beside him. The young assistant cashier lived about a +mile the other side of the village, and the two chums were soon at his +house. Asking his friend to come and see him when he had a chance. Ned +bid his chum good night, and the young inventor started back home. +</P> + +<P> +He was driving slowly along, thinking more of his new invention than +anything else, even more than of the mysterious visit of Sam Snedecker, +when the lights on Mr. Damon's car flashed upon something big, black +and bulky on the road just ahead of him. Tom, brought suddenly out of +his fit of musing, jammed on the brakes, and steered to one side. Then +he saw that the object was a stalled auto. He had only time to note +this when a voice hailed him: +</P> + +<P> +"Have you a tire pump you could lend us? Ours doesn't work, and we have +had a blowout." +</P> + +<P> +There was something about the voice that was strangely familiar, and +Tom was wondering where he had heard it before, when into the glare of +the lamps on his machine stepped Mr. Foger—Andy's father! +</P> + +<P> +"Why, Mr. Foger!" exclaimed Tom. "I didn't know it was you." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, it's Tom Swift," remarked the man, and he did not seem especially +pleased. +</P> + +<P> +"Hey! What's that?" cried another voice, which Tom had no difficulty in +recognizing as belonging to Andy. "What's the matter, Dad?" +</P> + +<P> +"Why it happens to be your—ahem! It's Tom Swift in this other auto," +went on Mr. Foger. "I didn't know you had a car," he added. +</P> + +<P> +"I haven't," answered the lad. "This belongs to Mr. Damon. But can you +see to fix your tire in the dark?" for Mr. Foger and his son had no +lamps lighted. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, we have it all fixed," declared the man, "and, just as we were +going to pump it up out lamps went out. Then we found that our pump +wouldn't work. If you have one I would be obliged for the use of it," +and he spoke somewhat stiffly. +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly," agreed Tom, cheerfully, for he had no special grudge +against Mr. Foger, though had he known Andy's father's plans, perhaps +our hero would not have so readily aided him. The young inventor got +down, removed one of his oil lamps in order that there might be some +light on the operation, and then brought over his pump. +</P> + +<P> +"I heard you had an accident," said Tom, a chain of thoughts being +rapidly forged in his mind, as he thought of what Sam had told him. +</P> + +<P> +"You heard of it?" repeated Mr. Foger, while Andy was busy pumping up +the tire. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, a friend who was out riding with you said you had broken a wheel +on Berk's hill. But I see he was slightly wrong. You're a good way from +Berk's hill, and it's a tire that is broken, not a wheel." +</P> + +<P> +"But I don't understand," said Mr. Foger. "No friend has been out +riding with us. My son and I were out on a business trip, and—" +</P> + +<P> +"Come on, pop. I've got it all pumped up. Jump in. There's your pump, +Tom Swift. Much obliged," muttered Andy hastily. It was very evident +that he wanted to prevent any further conversation between his parent +and Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"But I don't understand," went on the banker, clearly puzzled. "What +friend gave you such information, Mr.—er—Tom Swift?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sam Snedecker," replied the lad quickly. "I caught him sneaking around +my machine shop about an hour ago, and when I asked him what he was +doing he said he'd been out riding with Andy, and that they broke a +wheel. I'm glad it was only a blown-out tire," and Tom's voice had a +curious note in it. +</P> + +<P> +"But there must be some mistake," insisted Mr. Foger. "Sam Snedecker +was not riding with us this evening. We have been over to +Waterfield—my son and I, and—" +</P> + +<P> +"Come on, pop!" cried Andy desperately. "We must hurry home. Mom will +be worried." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I think she will. But I can't understand why Sam should say such +a thing. However, we are much obliged for the use of your pump, Swift, +and—" +</P> + +<P> +But Andy prevented any further talk by starting the car with the +muffler open, making a great racket, and he hurriedly drove off, almost +before his father was seated, leaving Tom standing there in the road, +beside his pump and lantern. +</P> + +<P> +"So," mused the young inventor, "there's some game on. Sam wasn't with +Andy, yet Andy evidently knew where Sam was, or he wouldn't have been +so anxious to choke off talk. Mr. Foger knew nothing of Sam, naturally. +But why have Andy and his father been on a midnight trip to Waterfield?" +</P> + +<P> +That last question caused Tom to adopt a new line of thought. +</P> + +<P> +"Waterfield," he mused. "That's where Mr. Damon lives. Mr. Damon is a +heavy depositor in the old bank. Mr. Foger is going to start a new +bank. I wonder if there's any connection there? This is getting +mysterious. I must keep my eyes open. I never expected to meet Andy and +his father to-night, any more than I expected to find Sam Snedecker +sneaking around my shop, but it's a good thing I discovered both +parties. I guess Andy must have had nervous prostration when I was +talking to his father," and Tom grinned at the thought. Then, picking +up the pump, and fastening the lantern in place, he drove Mr. Damon's +auto slowly back home. +</P> + +<P> +Tom said nothing to his father or Mr. Sharp, the next morning, about +the incidents of the previous night. In the first place he could not +exactly understand them, and he wanted to devote more time to thinking +of them, before he mentioned the matter to his parent. Another reason +was that Mr. Swift was a very nervous person, and the least thing out +of the ordinary worried him. So the young inventor concluded to keep +quiet. +</P> + +<P> +His first act, after going to look at the small motor, which was being +run with the larger, experimental storage battery, was to get out +pencil and paper. +</P> + +<P> +"I've got to plan the electric auto now that my battery is in a fair +way to success," he said, for he noted that the one cell he had +constructed had done over twice as much mileage in proportion, as had +the small battery. "I'll soon start building the car," mused Tom, "and +then I'll enter it in the race. I must write to that touring club and +find how much time I have." +</P> + +<P> +All that morning the young inventor drew plan after plan for an +electric runabout, and rejected them. Finally he threw aside paper and +pencil and exclaimed: +</P> + +<P> +"It's no use. I can't think to-day. I'm dwelling too much on what +happened last night. I must clear my brain. +</P> + +<P> +"I know what I'll do. I'll get in my motor-boat and take a run over to +Waterfield to see Mr. Damon. Maybe he's home by this time. Then I can +ask him what Mr. Foger wanted to see him about, if he did call." +</P> + +<P> +It was a fine May morning, and Tom was soon in his boat, the Arrow, +gliding over Lake Carlopa, the waters of which sparkled in the sun. As +he speeded up his craft, the lad looked about, thinking he might catch +sight of Andy Foger, for the bully also owned a boat, called the Red +Streak and, more than once, in spite of the fact that Andy's craft was +the more powerful, Tom had beaten him in impromptu races. But there was +no sign of his rival this morning, and Tom kept on to Waterfield. He +found that Mr. Damon had not yet returned home. +</P> + +<P> +"So far I've had my run for nothing," mused the youth. "Well, I might +as well spend the rest of the morning in the boat." +</P> + +<P> +He swung his craft out into the lake, and headed back toward Mansburg, +intending to run up to the head of the body of water, which offered so +many attractions that beautiful morning. +</P> + +<P> +As Tom passed a small dock he saw a girl just putting out in a rowboat. +The figure looked familiar and, having nothing special to do, the lad +steered over closer. His first view was confirmed, and he called out +cheerfully: +</P> + +<P> +"Good morning, Miss Nestor. Going for a row?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! Mr. Swift!" exclaimed the girl with a blush. "I didn't hear you +coming. You startled me." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, the engine runs quite silently since I fixed it," resumed Tom. +"But where are you going?" +</P> + +<P> +"I was going for a row," answered the girl, "but I have just discovered +that one of the oar locks is broken, so I am not going for a row," and +she laughed, showing her white, even teeth. +</P> + +<P> +"That's too bad!" remarked the lad. "I don't suppose," he added +doubtfully, "that I could induce you to accept a motor-boat as a +substitute for a rowing craft, could I?" and he looked quizzically at +her. +</P> + +<P> +"Are you asking me that as a hypothetical question?" she inquired. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," said Tom, trying not to smile. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, if you are asking for information, merely, I will say that I +could be induced to make such a change," and her face was nearly as +grave as that of the young inventor's. +</P> + +<P> +"What inducement would have to be used?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Suppose you just ask me in plain English to come and have a ride?" she +suggested. +</P> + +<P> +"All right, I will!" exclaimed the youth. +</P> + +<P> +"All right, then I'll come!" she retorted with a laugh, and a few +minutes later the two were in the Arrow, making a pretty picture as +they speeded up the lake. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap06"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +BUILDING THE CAR +</H3> + +<P> +"Well," remarked Tom to himself, about two hours later, when he had +left Mary Nestor at her dock, and was on his way home, "I feel better +than I did, and now I must do some hard thinking about my runabout. I +want to get it the right shape to make the least resistance." He began +to make some sketches when he got home, and at dinner he showed them to +his father and Mr. Sharp. He said he had gotten an idea from looking +at the airship. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm going to make the front part, or what corresponds to the +engine-hood in a gasolene car, pointed," he explained. "It will be just +like the front of the aluminum gas container of the airship, only built +of steel. In it will be a compartment for a set of batteries, and there +will be a searchlight there. From the top of some supporters in front +of the two rear seats, a slanting sheet of steel will come right down +to meet the sloping nose of the car. First I was going to have curtains +close over the top of the driver's seat, but I think a steel covering, +with a celluloid opening will be better and make less wind resistance. +I'll use leather side curtains when it rains. Under the front seats +will be a compartment for more batteries, and there will be a third +place under the rear seats, where I will also carry spare wheels and a +repair kit. The motors will be slung under the body of the car, +amidships, and there will also be room for some batteries there." +</P> + +<P> +"How are you going to drive the car?" asked Mr. Sharp. "By a shaft?" +</P> + +<P> +"Chain drive," explained Tom. "I can get more power that way, and it +will be more flexible under heavy loads. Of course it will be steered +in the usual way, and near the wheel will be the starting and reversing +levers, and the gear handle." +</P> + +<P> +"Gears!" exclaimed the aged inventor. "Are you going to gear an +electric auto? I never heard of that. Usually the motor directly +connected is all they use." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm going to have two gears on mine," decided Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"That's a new idea," commented the aeronaut. +</P> + +<P> +"It is," admitted the lad, "and that's why my car is going to be so +speedy. I'll make her go a hundred miles an hour, if necessary!" +</P> + +<P> +"Nonsense!" exclaimed his father. +</P> + +<P> +"I will!" cried the young inventor, enthusiastically. "You just wait +and see. I couldn't do it but for the gears, but by using them I'll +secure more speed, especially with the big reserve battery power I'll +have. I know I've got the right idea, and I'm going to get right to +work." +</P> + +<P> +His father and Mr. Sharp were much interested, and closely examined his +sketches. In a few days Tom had made detailed drawings, and the aged +inventor looked at them critically. He had to admit that his son's +theory was right, though how it would work out in practice was yet to +be demonstrated. Mr. Swift offered some suggestions for minor changes, +as did Mr. Sharp, and the lad adopted some of them. Then, with Mr. +Jackson to help him, work was started on constructing the car. +</P> + +<P> +Certain parts of it could be better purchased in the open market +instead of being manufactured in Mr. Swift's shop, and thus Tom was +able to get his new invention into some sort of shape sooner than would +otherwise have been the case. He also started making the batteries, +many of which would be needed. +</P> + +<P> +Gradually the car began to take form on the floor of Tom's shop. It was +rather a curious looking affair, the sharp forward part making it +appear like some engine of war, or a projectile for some monster gun. +But Tom cared little for looks. Speed, strength and ease of control +were the chief features the lad aimed at, and he incorporated many new +ideas into his electric car. +</P> + +<P> +He was busy in the shop, one morning, when, above the noise caused by +filing a piece of steel he heard some one exclaim: +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my gizzard! If you aren't as busy as ever!" +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Damon!" cried Tom in delight. "When did you get back?" +</P> + +<P> +"Last night," replied the eccentric man. "My wife and I stayed longer +than we meant to. And whom do you think we met when we were off on our +little trip?" +</P> + +<P> +"Some of the Happy Harry gang?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh no. You'd never guess, so I'll tell you. It was Captain Weston." +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed! And how has he been since he went in the submarine with us, +and helped recover the gold from the wreck?" +</P> + +<P> +"Very well. The first thing he said to me was: 'How is Tom Swift and +his father, if I may be permitted to ask?'" +</P> + +<P> +"Ha! Ha!" laughed the lad, at the recollection of the odd sea captain, +who generally tagged on an apologetic expression to most of his remarks. +</P> + +<P> +"He was getting ready to take part in some South American revolution," +went on Mr. Damon. "He used most of his money that he got from the +wreck to help finance their cause." +</P> + +<P> +"I must tell Mr. Sharp," went on the lad. "He'll be interested." +</P> + +<P> +"Anything new since I've been away?" asked the odd man. "Bless my shoe +laces, but I'm glad to get back!" +</P> + +<P> +Tom told of the prospect of a new bank being started, and of Sam's +midnight visit, as well as the encounter with Mr. Foger and Andy. +</P> + +<P> +"I went over to see what Mr. Foger wanted of you," went on the young +inventor, "but you weren't home. Did he call?" +</P> + +<P> +"The servant said he had been there, not once, but several times," +remarked Mr. Damon. "That reminds me. He left a note for me, and I +haven't read it yet. I'll do so now." +</P> + +<P> +He tore open the letter, and hastily perused the contents. +</P> + +<P> +"Ha!" he exclaimed. "So that's what he wanted to see me about!" +</P> + +<P> +"What?" inquired Tom, with the privilege of an old friend. +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Foger says he's going to start a new bank, and he wants me to +withdraw my deposit from the old one, and put it in his institution. +Says he'll pay me bigger interest. And he adds that some of the old +employees have gone with him." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope you're not going to change," spoke Tom, thinking of his chum, +Ned. +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed I'm not. The old bank is good enough for me. By the way, +doesn't a friend of yours work there?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Ned Newton. I'm wondering how he'll be affected?" +</P> + +<P> +"Don't you worry!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "Bless my check book! I'll +speak to Pendergast about your friend. Maybe there'll be a chance to +advance him further. I've got some mortgages falling due pretty soon, +and I'll deposit the money from them in the old bank. Then we'll see +what we can do about Ned." +</P> + +<P> +"They'll make you a bank director, if you keep on putting in money," +remarked our hero, with a smile. +</P> + +<P> +"Not much they won't!" was the quick answer. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my stocks and bonds! I've got trouble enough without becoming a +bank director. My doctor says my liver is out of order again, and I've +got to eat a lemon every morning before breakfast." +</P> + +<P> +"Eat a lemon?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, drink the juice! It's the same thing. But how is the electric +runabout coming on?" +</P> + +<P> +"Pretty good." +</P> + +<P> +"Have you entered it in the races yet?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, but I've written for information. I have until September to finish +it. The races take place then." +</P> + +<P> +"Let's see; they're on Long Island; aren't they? How do you calculate +to do; run from here to there?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, Dad still has the cottage he rented when we built the submarine +and I think I'll make that my headquarters during the race. It's easy +to run from there over to the Long Island track. They're building a +new one, especially for the occasion. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I hope you win the prize. I must go to town now, as I have to +attend to some business. I don't s'pose you want to come in my auto. +I'm pretty sure something will break before I get there, and I'd like +to have you along to fix it." +</P> + +<P> +"Sorry, but I'm afraid I can't go," replied the lad. "I must get this +car done, and then I've got to start on the batteries." +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Damon rather reluctantly went off alone, looking anxiously at his +car, for the machine got out of order on every trip he took. +</P> + +<P> +It was a few days after this that Tom received a call from Ned one +evening. The bank employee's face wore a happy smile. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter; some one left you a fortune?" asked Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Pretty nearly as good. I've got a better position." +</P> + +<P> +"What? Have you left the old bank, and gone to the new one?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I'm still in the same bank, but I'm one of the two cashiers now. +Mr. Foger took several of the old employees when he opened his new +bank, and that left vacancies. I was promoted, and so were one or two +others. Mr. Damon spoke a good word for me." +</P> + +<P> +"That's fine! He's a friend worth having." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right. Your father also recommended me. But how are things with +you? Has Andy made any more trouble?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, and I don't believe he will. I guess he'll steer clear of me." +</P> + +<P> +But Tom was soon to learn he was mistaken. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap07"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +TOM IS CAPTURED +</H3> + +<P> +Meanwhile the young inventor, aided by his father, Mr. Sharp and Garret +Jackson, the engineer, worked hard over his new car, and the powerful +batteries. A month passed, and such was the progress made that Tom felt +justified in making formal entry of his vehicle for the races to be +held by the Touring Club of America. +</P> + +<P> +He paid a contingent fee and was listed as one of the competitors. As +is usual in an affair of this kind, the promoters of it desired +publicity, and they sought it through the papers. +</P> + +<P> +Consequently each new entrant's name was published. In addition +something was said about his previous achievements in the speed line. +</P> + +<P> +No sooner was the name of Tom Swift received by the officials of the +club, than it was at once recalled that young Swift had had a prominent +part in the airship Red Cloud, and the submarine Advance. This gave an +enterprising reporter a chance for a "special" for the Sunday +supplement of a New York newspaper. +</P> + +<P> +Tom, it was stated, was building a car which would practically +annihilate distance and time, and there were many weird pictures, +showing him flying along without touching the ground, in a car, the +pictorial construction of which was at once fearful and wonderful. +</P> + +<P> +Tom and his friends laughed at the yarn, at first, but it soon had +undesirable results. The young inventor had desired to keep secret the +fact that he was building a new electric vehicle, and a novel storage +battery, but the article in the paper aroused considerable interest. +Many persons came a long distance, hoping for a sight of the wonderful +car, as pictured in the Sunday supplement, but they had to be denied. +The news, thus leaking out, kept the Swift shops almost constantly +besieged by many curious ones, who sought, by various means, to gain +admission. Finally Tom and his father, after posting large signs, +warning persons to keep away, added others to the effect that +undesirable visitors might find themselves unexpectedly shocked by +electricity, if they ventured too close. This had the desired effect, +though the wires which were strung about carried such a mild charge +that it would not have harmed a child. Then the only bothersome +characters were the boys of the town, and, fearless and careless lads, +they persisted in hanging around the Swift homestead, in the hope of +seeing Tom dash away at the rate of five hundred miles an hour, which +one enthusiastic writer predicted he would do. +</P> + +<P> +"I've got a plan!" exclaimed Tom one day when the boys had been +particularly troublesome. +</P> + +<P> +"What is it?" asked his father. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll hire Eradicate Sampson to stand guard with a bucket of +whitewash. He'll keep the boys away." +</P> + +<P> +The plan was put into operation, and Eradicate and his mule, Boomerang, +were installed on the premises. +</P> + +<P> +"Deed an' Ah'll keep dem lads away," promised the colored man. "Ah'll +splash white stuff all ober 'em, if dey comes traipsin' around me." +</P> + +<P> +He was as good as his word, and, when one or two lads had received a +dose of the stuff, which punishment was followed by more severe from +home, for having gotten their clothes soiled, the nuisance ceased, to a +certain extent. Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey were two who received a +liberal sprinkling of the lime, and they vowed vengeance on Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"And Andy Foger will help us, too," added Sam, as he withdrew, after an +encounter with Eradicate. +</P> + +<P> +"Doan't let dat worry yo', Mistah Swift!" exclaimed the darkey. "Jest +let dat low-down-good-fo-nuffin' Andy Foger come 'round me, an' Ah'll +make him t'ink he's de inside ob a chicken coop, dat's what Ah will." +</P> + +<P> +Perhaps Andy heard of this, and kept away. In the meanwhile Tom kept on +perfecting his car and battery. From the club secretary he learned that +a number of inventors were working on electric cars, and there promised +to be many of the speedy vehicles in the race. +</P> + +<P> +After considerable labor Tom had succeeded in getting together one set +of the batteries. He had them completed one afternoon, and wanted to +give them a test that night. But, when he went to his father's chemical +laboratory for a certain powder, which he needed to use in the battery +solution, he found there was none. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll have to ride in to Mansburg for some," he decided. "I'll go after +supper, on my motor-cycle, and test the battery to-night." +</P> + +<P> +The young inventor left his house immediately after the evening meal. +Along the road toward Mansburg he speeded, and, as he came to the foot +of a hill, where once Andy Foger had put a big tree, hoping Tom would +run into it and be injured, the youth recalled that circumstance. +</P> + +<P> +"Andy has been keeping out of my way lately," mused Tom. "I wonder if +he's up to any mischief? I don't like the way Sam Snedecker is hanging +around the shop, either. It looks as if they were plotting something. +But I guess Eradicate and his pail of whitewash will scare them off." +</P> + +<P> +Tom got the powdered chemical he wanted in the drug store, and, after +refreshing himself with some ice cream soda, he started back. As he +rode along through the streets of the town he kept a lookout, and those +of you who know how fond the lad was of a certain young lady, do not +need to be told for whom he was looking. But he did not see her, and +soon turned into the main highway leading to Shopton. +</P> + +<P> +It was dark when he reached the hill, where once he had been so near an +accident, and he slowed up as he coasted down it, using the brake at +intervals. +</P> + +<P> +Tom got safely to the bottom of the declivity, and was about to turn on +the power of his machine, when, from the bushes that lined either side +of the roadway, several figures sprang suddenly. They ranged themselves +across the road, and one cried: "Halt!" in tones that were meant to be +stern, but which seemed to Tom, to tremble somewhat. The young inventor +was so surprised that he did not open the gasolene throttle, nor switch +on his spark. As a consequence his motor-cycle lost momentum, and he +had to take one foot from the pedal and touch the ground, to prevent +himself from toppling over. +</P> + +<P> +"Hold on there!" cried another voice. "We've got you where we want you, +now! Hold on! Don't go!" +</P> + +<P> +"I wasn't going to go," responded Tom calmly, trying to recognize the +voice, which seemed to be unnatural. "What do you want, and who are +you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Never mind who we are. We want you and we've got you! Get off that +wheel!" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't see why I should!" exclaimed Tom, and he suddenly shifted his +handle bars, so as to flash the bright headlight he carried, upon the +circle of dark figures that opposed his progress. As the light flashed +on them he was surprised to see that all the figures wore masks over +their faces. +</P> + +<P> +Tom started. Was this the Happy Harry gang after him again? He hoped +not, yet the fact that the persons had on masks made the hold-up have +an ugly look. Once more Tom flashed the light on the throng. There were +exclamations of dismay. +</P> + +<P> +"Douse that glim, somebody!" called a sharp voice, which Tom could not +recognize. +</P> + +<P> +A stone came whizzing through the air, from some one in the crowd. +There was a smashing of glass as it hit the lantern, and the road was +plunged in darkness. Tom tried to throw one leg over the saddle, and +let down the supporting stand from the rear wheel, so the motor-cycle +would remain upright without him holding it. He determined to have +revenge for that act of vandalism in breaking his lamp. +</P> + +<P> +But, just as he was free of the seat, he was surrounded by a dozen +persons, and several hands were laid on him. +</P> + +<P> +"We've got you now!" some one fairly hissed in his ear. "Come along, +and get what's coming to you!" +</P> + +<P> +Tom tried to fight, but he was overpowered by numbers and, a little +later, was dragged off into the woods in the darkness by the masked +figures. His arms were securely bound with ropes, and a handkerchief +was tied over his eyes. Tom Swift was a prisoner. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap08"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A BLINDING FLASH +</H3> + +<P> +Stumbling on through the dark woods, led by his captors, Tom tried to +pierce the gloom and identify the persons who had firm grips on either +side of him. But it was useless. A little light sifted down from the +starlit sky above, but it was not sufficient. The young inventor was +beginning to think, after all, that he had fallen into the hands of the +Happy Harry gang, and he knew that if this was so he need expect no +mercy. +</P> + +<P> +But two things were against this belief. One was that the principal +members of the gang were still in jail, or at least they were supposed +to be, and another was that there were too many of the captors. Happy +Harry's crowd never numbered so many. +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe they're highwaymen," thought our hero, as he was dragged along +"But that can't be," he reasoned further. "If they wanted to rob me +they'd have done it back there in the road, and not brought me off here +in the woods. Besides, I haven't anything for them to steal." +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly Tom stumbled over a projecting root, and nearly fell, dragging +along with him the person who had hold of his left arm. +</P> + +<P> +"Look out there! What's the matter with you?" exclaimed one of the +throng quickly, and at the sound of the voice Tom started. +</P> + +<P> +"Andy Foger!" cried the young inventor, as he recovered himself, for he +had recognized the voice of the red-haired bully. "What do you mean by +holding me up in this way?" he demanded. +</P> + +<P> +"Quiet!" urged a voice in his ear, and the tones were unfamiliar. +"Mention no names!" +</P> + +<P> +"I'm on to your game!" retorted Tom. "I know you're here, Andy, and Sam +and Pete; and Jack Reynolds and Sid Holton," and he named two rather +loose-charactered lads, who were often in the company of Andy and his +cronies. "You'd better quit this nonsense," Tom went on. "I'll cause +the arrest of all of you if you make trouble for me. I know who you are +now!" +</P> + +<P> +"You think you do," answered the voice in his ear, and the young +inventor concluded that it must be some lad whom he did not know. "Nor +is this nonsense," the other went on. "You are about to receive the +punishment due you." +</P> + +<P> +Our hero did not answer, but he was doing some hard thinking. He +wondered why Andy and his crowd had captured him. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly the blackness of the woods was illuminated by the fitful gleam +of a distant fire. Tom could see more plainly now, and he managed to +count about ten dusky figures hurrying along, four being close to him, +to prevent his escape, and the others running on ahead. The light +became stronger, and, a moment later the prisoner and his captors +emerged into a little clearing, where a fire was burning. Two figures, +masked with black cloth, as were all in the crowd, stood about the +blaze, putting on sticks of wood. +</P> + +<P> +"Did you get him?" asked one of these figures eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, they got me, Sam Snedecker," answered Tom quickly, recognizing +Sam's tones. "And they'll wish they hadn't before I'm done with them." +</P> + +<P> +"Quiet!" ordered an unknown voice. "Members of the Deep Forest Throng, +the prisoner is here!" the lad went on. +</P> + +<P> +"'Tis well, bind the captive to the sacrificial tree," was the response +from some one in the crowd. +</P> + +<P> +Tom laughed. He was at ease now, for he recognized that those who had +taken him prisoner were all lads of Andy's character. Most of them +were Shopton youths, but some, evidently, were strangers in town. Tom +felt he had little to fear. +</P> + +<P> +"Bring him over here," ordered one, and Tom cried out: +</P> + +<P> +"You wouldn't be giving those orders, Andy Foger, if my arms weren't +tied. And if you'll untie me, I'll fight any two of you at once," +offered the young inventor fiercely, for he hated the humiliation to +which he was being subjected. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't do it! Don't untie him!" begged some one. +</P> + +<P> +"No danger, they won't. They're afraid to, Pete Bailey," replied Tom +quickly, for he had recognized the voice of the other one of Andy's +particular cronies. +</P> + +<P> +"Aw, he knows who we are," whispered Sam, but not so low but that our +hero heard him. +</P> + +<P> +"No matter," was Andy's retort. "Let's go ahead with it. Tie him to +that tree." +</P> + +<P> +It was useless for Tom to struggle. He was bound too tightly by the +rope, and the crowd was too many for him. In a few minutes he was +securely fastened to a tree, not far from the camp-fire, which was +replenished from time to time. +</P> + +<P> +"Now for the judgment!" called one of the masked lads, in what he meant +to be a sepulchral tone. "What is the charge against the prisoner? +Brother Number One of the Deep Forest Throng, what is your accusation?" +</P> + +<P> +"He's a regular snob, that's what's the trouble," answered Andy +Foger, though whether he was "Brother Number One," did not appear. +"He's too fresh and—and—" +</P> + +<P> +"I'll make you wish you felt fresh when I get hold of you, Andy," +murmured Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Quiet!" cried a tall lad. "What's the next charge?" +</P> + +<P> +"He keeps an old colored man on guard at his place," was the answer, +and Tom had no difficulty in recognizing the voice of Sid Holton. "The +coon throws whitewash all over us. I got some of it." +</P> + +<P> +"You wouldn't have, if you'd minded your own business," retorted Tom. +"It served you right!" +</P> + +<P> +"What is the verdict on the prisoner?" asked one who seemed to be the +leader. +</P> + +<P> +"I say let's tar and feather him!" cried Andy suddenly. "There's a +barrel of tar back in the woods here, and we can get some feathers from +a chicken coop. That would make him so he wouldn't be so uppish, I +guess!" +</P> + +<P> +"That's right! Tar and feathers!" exclaimed several. +</P> + +<P> +Our hero's heart sank. He was not afraid, but he did not relish the +indignity that was proposed. He resolved to fight to the last ounce of +his strength against the masked lads. +</P> + +<P> +"Can we get a kettle to heat the tar in?" asked some one. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll find one," answered Sam Snedecker. "Come on, let's do it. You'll +look pretty, Tom Swift, when we're through with you," he exulted. +</P> + +<P> +Tom did not answer, but there was fierce anger in his heart. The tar +and feather proposal seemed to meet with general favor. +</P> + +<P> +"Members of the Deep Forest Throng, we will hold a consultation," +proposed the leader, in his assumed deep voice. "Come over here, to +one side. Brother Number Six, guard the prisoner well." +</P> + +<P> +"There ain't no need to," answered a lad who had been instructed to +mount guard over Tom. "He's tied so tight he can't move. I want to hear +what you say." +</P> + +<P> +"Very well then," assented the leader, "But look to his bonds." +</P> + +<P> +The lad made a hasty examination of the ropes binding the young +inventor to the tree, and Tom was glad that the examination was a hasty +one. For he feared the guard might discover that one hand had been +worked nearly free. The young inventor had done this while he leered at +his captors. +</P> + +<P> +Tom was not going to submit tamely to the nonsense, and from the moment +he had been tied, he had been trying to get loose. He had nearly +succeeded in freeing one hand when the crowd of masked boys moved off +to one side, where they presently began to talk in excited whispers. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder how they came to catch me," thought the prisoner, as he +worked feverishly to further loosen the ropes. "This looks as if it was +a put-up job, with the masks, and everything." Later he learned that +the idea was the outcome of a proposal of one of the new arrivals in +town. He had organized the "Deep Forest Throng," as a sort of secret +society, and Andy and his cronies had been induced to join. It was +Andy's proposal to capture Tom, though, and, having seen him depart for +Mansburg on his motor-cycle, and knowing that he would return along a +road that ran near the woods where the Throng met, suggested that they +take Tom captive. The idea was enthusiastically received, and Andy and +his cronies thought they saw a chance to be revenged. +</P> + +<P> +Tom, while he picked at the ropes, listened to what the boys were +saying. He heard frequent mention of tar and feathers, and began to +believe, that unless he could get free, while they were off there +consulting, he might be forced to submit to the humiliating ordeal. +</P> + +<P> +He managed to get one hand comparatively free, so that he could move it +about, but then he struck several hard knots, and could make no further +progress. The conference seemed on the point of breaking up. +</P> + +<P> +"One of you go for a big kettle to boil the tar in," ordered the +leader, "and the rest of you dig up some feathers." +</P> + +<P> +"I must get loose!" thought Tom desperately. "If they try to tar and +feather me it will be a risky business. I've got to get loose! They may +burn me severely!" +</P> + +<P> +But, though he tried with all his strength, the ropes would not loosen +another bit. He had one hand free, and that was all. The crowd was +moving back toward him. +</P> + +<P> +"My knife!" thought the captive quickly. "If I can reach that in my +pocket I can cut the ropes! Once I get loose I'll fight the whole +crowd!" +</P> + +<P> +He managed to get his free hand into his pocket. His fingers touched +something. It was not his knife, and, for a moment he felt a pang of +disappointment. Then, as he realized what it was that he had grasped, a +new idea came to him. +</P> + +<P> +"This will be better than the knife!" he thought exultantly. The crowd +of lads was now surrounding him, some distance from the fire, which +burned in front of the captive. +</P> + +<P> +"Sentence has been passed upon you," remarked the leader. "Prepare to +meet thy doom! Get the materials, brothers!" +</P> + +<P> +"One moment!" called Tom, for he wanted the crowd all present to +witness what he was about to do. "I'll give you one chance to let me go +peaceably. If you don't—" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, what will you do?" demanded Andy sneeringly, as he pulled his +mask further over his face. "I guess you won't do anything, Tom Swift." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll give you one chance to let me go, and I'll agree to say nothing +about this joke," went on Tom. "If you don't I'll blow this place up!" +</P> + +<P> +For a moment there was a silence. +</P> + +<P> +"Ha! Ha! Ho! Ho!" laughed Sam Snedecker. "Listen to him! He'll blow the +place up! I'd like to see you do it! You can't get loose in the first +place, and you haven't anything to blow it up with in the second. I'd +like to see you do it; hey, fellers?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure," came the answering chorus. +</P> + +<P> +"Would you?" asked Tom quickly. "Then watch. Stand back if you don't +want to get hurt, and remember that I gave you a chance to let me go!" +</P> + +<P> +Tom made a rapid motion with the hand he had gotten loose. He threw +something toward the blazing fire, which was now burning well. +Something white sailed through the air, and fell amid the hot embers. +</P> + +<P> +There was a moment's pause, and then a blinding flash of blue fire +lighted up the woods, and a dull rumble, as when gun-powder is lighted +in the open followed. A great cloud of white smoke arose, as the vivid +blue glare died away, and it seemed as if a great wind swept over the +place. Several of the masked lads were knocked down by the explosion, +and when the rumble died away, and deep blackness succeeded the intense +blue light, there came cries of pain and terror. The fire had been +scattered, and extinguished by the explosion which Tom, though still +bound to the tree had caused to happen in the midst of the Deep Forest +Throng. Then, as the smoke rolled away, Andy Foger cried: +</P> + +<P> +"Come on, fellows! Something's happened. I guess a volcano blew up!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap09"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IX +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +TOM IS RESCUED +</H3> + +<P> +The Deep Forest Throng needed no urging to flee from the place of the +mysterious explosion. Their prisoner, helpless as he had seemed, had +proved too much for them. Slipping and stumbling along in the darkness, +the masked lads had but one thought—to get away before they saw more +of that blue fire, and the force of the concussion. +</P> + +<P> +"Gee! My eyebrows are all singed off!" cried Sam Snedecker, as he tore +loose his mask which had been rent in the explosion, and felt of his +face. +</P> + +<P> +"And my hands are burned," added Pete Bailey. "I stood closer to the +fire than any of you." +</P> + +<P> +"You did not! I got the worst of it!" cried Andy. "I was knocked down +by the explosion, and I'll bet I'm hurt somewhere. I guess—Oh! Help! +I'm falling in a mud hole!" +</P> + +<P> +There was a splash, and the bully disappeared from the sight of his +companions who, now that the moon had risen, could better see to flee +from their prisoner. +</P> + +<P> +"Help me out, somebody!" pleaded Andy. "I'm in a mud hole!" +</P> + +<P> +They pulled him out, a sorry looking sight, and the red-haired lad, +whose locks were now black with muck, began to lament his lot. +</P> + +<P> +"Dry up!" commanded Sid Holton. "It's all your fault, for proposing +such a fool trick as capturing Tom Swift. We might have known he would +get the best of us." +</P> + +<P> +"What was that stuff he used, anyhow?" asked Cecil Hedden, the lad +responsible for the organization of the Deep Forest Throng. "He must +be a wonder. Does he do sleight-of-hand tricks?" +</P> + +<P> +"He does all sorts of tricks," replied Pete Bailey, feeling of a big +lump on his head, caused by falling on a stone in the mad rush. "I +guess we were chumps to tackle him. He must have put some kind of +chemical in the fire, to make it blow up." +</P> + +<P> +"Or else he summoned his airship by wireless, and had that balloonist, +Mr. Sharp, drop a bomb in the blaze," suggested another lad. +</P> + +<P> +"But how could he do anything? Wasn't he tied fast to that tree?" asked +Cecil, the leader. +</P> + +<P> +"You never know when you've got Tom Swift tied," declared Jack +Reynolds. "You think you've got him, and you haven't. He's too slick +for us. It's Andy's fault, for proposing to capture him." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right! Blame it all on me," whined the squint-eyed bully. "You +was just as anxious as I was to tar and feather him." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, we didn't do it," commented Pete Bailey, dryly. "I s'pose he's +loose now, laughin' at us. Gee, but that was an explosion though! It's +a wonder some of us weren't killed! I guess I've had enough of this +Deep Forest Throng business. No more for mine." +</P> + +<P> +"Aw, don't be afraid," urged Cecil. "The next time we get him we'll be +on our guard." +</P> + +<P> +"You'll never catch Tom Swift again," predicted Pete. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll go back now to where he is, if you will," agreed Cecil, who was +older than the others. +</P> + +<P> +"Not much!" cried Pete. "I've had enough." +</P> + +<P> +This seemed to be the sentiment of all. Away they stumbled through the +woods, and, emerging on the road, scattered to their several homes, not +one but who suffered from slight burns, contusions, torn and muddy +clothes or injured feelings as the outcome of the "joke" on the young +inventor. +</P> + +<P> +But our hero was not yet free from the bonds of his enemies. When they +scattered and ran, after the vivid blue light, and the dull explosion, +which, being unconfined, did no real damage, Tom was still fast to the +tree. As his eyes became accustomed to the semi-darkness that followed +the glare, he remarked: +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I don't know that I'm much better off. I gave those fellows a +good scare, but I'm not loose. But I can work to better advantage now." +</P> + +<P> +Once more he resumed the effort to free himself, but in spite of the +crude manner in which the knots had been made, the lad could not get +loose. The more he pulled and tugged the tighter they seemed to become. +</P> + +<P> +"This is getting serious," Tom mused. "If I could only reach my knife I +could cut them, but it's in my pocket on the other side, and that +bond's fast. Guess I'll have to stay here all night. Maybe I'd better +call for help, but—" +</P> + +<P> +His words, spoken half aloud, were suddenly interrupted by a crash in +the underbrush. Somebody was approaching. At first Tom thought it was +Andy and his cronies coming back, but a voice that called a moment +later proved that this was not so. +</P> + +<P> +"Is any one here?" shouted a man. "Any one hurt? What was that fire and +explosion?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'm here," replied Tom. "I'm not hurt exactly, but I'm tied to a tree. +I'll be much obliged if you'll loosen me." +</P> + +<P> +"Who are you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Tom Swift. Is that you, Mr. Mason?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. By jinks! I never expected to find you here, Tom. Over this way, +men," he added calling aloud. "I've found him; it's Tom Swift." +</P> + +<P> +There was the flicker of several lanterns amid the trees, and soon a +number of men had joined Mr. Mason, and surrounded Tom. They were +farmers living in the neighborhood. +</P> + +<P> +"What in the name o' Tunket happened?" asked one. "Did you get hit by a +meteor or a comet? Who tied you up; highwaymen?" +</P> + +<P> +"Cut him loose first, and ask questions afterward," suggested Mr. Mason. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," added Tom, with a laugh, "I wish you would. I'm beginning to +feel cramped." +</P> + +<P> +With their knives, the farmers quickly cut the ropes, and some of them +rubbed the arms of the lad to restore the circulation. +</P> + +<P> +"What was it—highwaymen?" asked a man, unable to longer restrain his +curiosity. "Did they rob you?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, it wasn't highwaymen," replied the youth. "It was a trick of some +boys I know," and to Tom's credit be it said that he did not mention +their names. "They did it for a joke," he added. +</P> + +<P> +"Boys' trick? Joke?" queried Mr. Mason. "Pretty queer sort of a joke, I +think. They ought to be arrested." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I fancy I gave them what was coming to them," went on the young +inventor. +</P> + +<P> +"Did they try to blow ye up, too?" asked Mr. Hertford. "What in th' +name of Tunket was that blue light, and that explosion? I heard it an' +saw it way over to my house." +</P> + +<P> +"So did I," remarked Mr. Mason, and several others said the same thing. +"We thought a meteor had fallen," he continued, "and we got together to +make an investigation." +</P> + +<P> +"It's a good thing for me you did," admitted Tom, "or I might have had +to stay here all night." +</P> + +<P> +"But was it a meteor?" insisted Mr. Hertford. +</P> + +<P> +"No," replied the lad, "I did it." +</P> + +<P> +"You?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. You see after they tied me I found I could get one hand free. I +reached in my pocket for my knife, but instead of it I managed to get +hold of a package of powder I had." +</P> + +<P> +"Gunpowder?" asked Mr. Mason. +</P> + +<P> +"No, a chemical powder I use in an electrical battery. The powder +explodes in fire, and makes quite a blue flash, and a lot of smoke, but +it isn't very dangerous, otherwise I wouldn't have used it. When the +boys were some distance away from the fire, I threw the powder in the +blaze. It went off in a moment, and—" +</P> + +<P> +"I guess they run some; didn't they?" asked Mr. Mason with a laugh. +</P> + +<P> +"They certainly did," agreed Tom. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap10"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER X +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +TOM HAS A FALL +</H3> + +<P> +The young inventor told more details of his adventure in the woods, +but, though the farmers questioned him closely, he would not give a +single name of his assailants. +</P> + +<P> +"But I should think you'd want to have them punished," remarked Mr. +Mason. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll attend to that part later," answered Tom. "Besides, most of them +didn't know what they were doing. They were led on by one or two. No, +I'll fight my own battles. But I wish you'd lend me a lantern long +enough to find my motor-cycle. The moon doesn't give much light in the +woods, and those fellows may have hidden my machine." +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Mason and his companions readily agreed to accompany Tom on a +search for his wheel. It was found just where he had dismounted from it +in the road. Andy and his cronies had evidently had enough of their +encounter with our hero, and did not dare to annoy him further. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you think you can ride home?" asked one of the farmers of the lad, +when he had ascertained that his machine was in running order. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it's risky without my lantern," answered Tom. "They smashed that +for me. But I guess I can manage." +</P> + +<P> +"No, you can't!" insisted Mr. Mason. "You're stiff from being tied up; +and you can't ride. Now you just wheel that contraption over to my +place, and I'll hitch up and take you home. It isn't far." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I couldn't think of troubling you," declared Tom. At the same time +he felt that he was in no condition to ride. +</P> + +<P> +"It's no trouble at all," insisted Mr. Mason. "I guess your father and +I are good enough friends to allow me to have my way. You can come +over and get your choo-choo bicycle in the morning." +</P> + +<P> +A little later Tom was being rapidly driven toward his home, where he +found his father and Mrs. Baggert, to say nothing of Mr. Sharp, +somewhat alarmed over his absence, as it was getting late. The youth +told as much of his adventure as he thought would not alarm his father, +making a sort of joke of it, and, later, related all the details to the +balloonist. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll have to get after Andy again," declared the aeronaut. "He needs +another toning down." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, similar to the one he got when we nearly ran away with his +automobile, by catching the airship anchor on it," added Tom with a +laugh. "But I fancy Andy will steer clear of me for a while. I'm sorry +I had to use up that chemical powder, though. Now I can't start my +battery until to-morrow." But the next day Tom made up for lost time, +by working from early until late. He went over to Mr. Mason's, got his +motor-cycle, procured some more of the chemical, and soon had his +storage battery in running order. Then he arranged for a more severe +test, and while that was going on he worked at completing the body of +the electric runabout. The vehicle was beginning to look like a car, +though it was not of the regulation pattern. +</P> + +<P> +For the next week Tom was very busy, so occupied, in fact, that he +scarcely took time for his meals, which caused Mrs. Baggert no little +worriment, for she was a housekeeper who liked to see others enjoy her +cooking. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, Tom, how are you coming on?" asked his father one night, as they +sat on the porch, Mr. Sharp with them. +</P> + +<P> +"Pretty well, Dad," was the answer of the young inventor. "I'll put the +wheels on to-morrow, and then set the batteries. I've got the motor all +finished; and all I'll have to do will be to connect it up, and then +I'll be ready for a trial on the road." +</P> + +<P> +"And you still think you'll beat all records?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'm pretty sure of it, Dad. You see the amperage will be exceptionally +high, and my batteries will have a large amount of reserve, with little +internal resistance. But do you know I'm so tired I can hardly think. +It's more of a job than I thought it would be." +</P> + +<P> +Tom, a little later, strolled down the road. As he turned back toward +the house and walked up the shrubbery lined path he heard a noise. +</P> + +<P> +"Some one's hiding in there!" thought the lad, and he darted to an +opening in the hedge to reach the other side. As he did so he saw a +figure running away. Whether it was a man or a boy he could not tell in +the darkness. +</P> + +<P> +"Hold on there!" cried the young inventor, but, naturally, the fleeing +one did not stop. Tom began to sprint, and as it was slightly down +hill, he made good time. The figure ahead of him was running well, too, +but Tom who could see better, now that he was out from under the trees, +noticed that he was gaining. The fleeing one came to a little brook, +and hesitated a moment before leaping across. This enabled Tom to catch +up, and he made a grab for the figure, just as the man or boy sprang +across the little stream. +</P> + +<P> +Tom missed his grip, but he was not going to give up. He scarcely +slackened his speed, but, with the momentum he had acquired in racing +down the hill, he, too, leaped across the brook. As he landed on the +other side he made another grab for the figure, a man, as Tom could now +see, but he could make out no features, as the person's hat was pulled +down over his face. +</P> + +<P> +"I've got you now!" cried Tom exultantly, reaching out his hand. His +fingers clutched something, but the next instant the young inventor +went sprawling. The other had put out his foot, and tripped him neatly +and, Tom throwing out his hands to save himself in the fall that was +inevitable, went splashing into the brook at full length. The unknown, +pausing a moment to view what he had done, turned quickly and raced off +in the darkness. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap11"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CROSSED WIRES +</H3> + +<P> +More surprised than hurt, and with a feeling of chagrin and anger at +the trick which had been played on him, Tom managed to scramble out of +the brook. The water was not deep, but he had splashed in with such +force that he was wet all over. And, as he got up, the water dripping +from his clothes, the lad was conscious of a pain in his head. He put +up his hand, and found that contact with a stone had raised a large +lump on his forehead. It was as big as a hen's egg. +</P> + +<P> +"Humph! I'll be a pretty sight to-morrow," murmured Tom. "I wonder who +that fellow was, anyhow, and what he wanted? He tripped me neatly +enough, whoever he was. I've a good notion to keep on after him." +</P> + +<P> +Then, as he realized what a start the fleeing one had, the young +inventor knew that it would be fruitless to renew the chase. Slowly he +ascended the sloping bank, and started for home. As he did so he +realized that he had, clasped in his fingers, something he had grabbed +from the person he was pursuing just before his unlucky tumble. +</P> + +<P> +"It's part of his watch chain!" exclaimed Tom, as he felt of the +article. "I must have ripped it loose when I fell. Wonder what it is? +Evidently some sort of a charm. Maybe it will be a clue." He tried to +discern of what style it was, but in the dark woods this was +impossible. Then the lad tried to strike a match, but those in his +pocket had become wet from his unexpected bath. "I'll have to wait +until I get home," he went on, and he hastened his steps, for he was +anxious to see what he had torn loose from the person who appeared to +be spying on him. +</P> + +<P> +"Why Tom, what's the matter?" exclaimed Mrs. Baggert, when he entered +the kitchen, dripping water at every step. "Is it raining outside? I +didn't hear any storm." +</P> + +<P> +"It was raining where I was," replied Tom angrily. "I fell in the +brook. It was so hot I thought I'd cool off." +</P> + +<P> +"With your best suit on!" ejaculated the housekeeper. +</P> + +<P> +"It isn't my best," retorted the lad. "But I went in before I thought. +It was an accident; I fell," he added, lest Mrs. Baggert take his +joking remarks seriously. He did not want to tell her of the chase. +</P> + +<P> +The chief concern of the lad now was to look at the charm and, as soon +as Mrs. Baggert's attention was attracted elsewhere, Tom glanced at the +object he still held tightly clenched in his hand. As the light from +the kitchen fell upon it he could hardly repress an exclamation of +astonishment. +</P> + +<P> +For the charm that he held in his hand was one he had seen before +dangling from the watch chain of Addison Berg, the agent for Bentley & +Eagert, submarine boat builders, which firm had, as told in "Tom Swift +and His Submarine," tried unsuccessfully to secure the gold treasure +from the sunken wreck. Berg and his associates had even gone so far as +to try to disable the Advance, the boat of Tom and his father, by +ramming her when deep down under the ocean, but Mr. Swift's use of an +electric cannon had broken the steering gear of the Wonder, the rival +craft, and from that time on Tom and his friends had a clear field to +search for the bullion held fast in the hold of the Boldero. "Addison +Berg," murmured Tom, as he looked at the watch charm. "What can he be +doing in this neighborhood? Hiding, too, as if he wanted to overhear +something. That's the way he did when we were building our submarine, +and now he's up to the same trick when I'm constructing my electric +car. I'm sure this charm is his. It is such a peculiar design that I'm +positive I can't be mistaken. I thought, when I was chasing after him, +that it would turn out to be Andy Foger, or some of the boys, but it +was too big for them. Addison Berg, eh? What can he be doing around +here? I must not tell Dad, or he'd worry himself sick. But I must be on +my guard." +</P> + +<P> +Tom examined the charm closely. It was a compass, but made in an odd +form, and was much ornamented. +</P> + +<P> +The young inventor had noticed it on several occasions when he had been +in conversation with Mr. Berg previous to the attempt on the part of +the owners of the rival submarine to wreck Tom's boat. He felt that he +could not be mistaken in identifying the charm. +</P> + +<P> +"Berg was afraid I'd catch him, and ask for an explanation that would +have been awkward to make," thought the lad, as he turned the charm +over in his hand. "That's why he tripped me up. But I'll get at the +bottom of this yet. Maybe he wants to steal my ideas for an electric +car." +</P> + +<P> +Tom's musings were suddenly interrupted by Mrs. Baggert. +</P> + +<P> +"I hope you're not going to stand there all night," she said, with a +laugh. "You're in the middle of a puddle now, but when you get over +dreaming I'd like to mop it up." +</P> + +<P> +"All right," agreed the young inventor, coming to himself suddenly. +"Guess I'd better go get some dry clothes on." +</P> + +<P> +"You'd better go to bed," advised Mrs. Baggert. "That's where your +father and Mr. Sharp are. It's late." +</P> + +<P> +The more Tom thought over the strange occurrence the more it puzzled +him. He mused over the presence of Berg as he went about his work the +next day, for that it was the agent whom he had pursued he felt +positive. +</P> + +<P> +"But I can't figure out why he was hanging around here," mused Tom. +</P> + +<P> +Then, as he found that his thoughts over the matter were interfering +with his work, he resolutely put them from him, and threw himself +energetically into the labor of completing his electric car. The new +batteries, he found, were working well, and in the next two days he had +constructed several more, joining them so as to get the combined effect. +</P> + +<P> +It was the afternoon of the third day from Tom's unexpected fall into +the brook that the young inventor decided on the first important test +of his new device. He was going to try the motor, running it with his +storage battery. Some of the connections were already in place, the +wires being fastened to the side of the shop, where they were attached +to switches. Tom did not go over these, taking it for granted that they +were all right. He soon had the motor, which he was to install in his +car, wired to the battery, and then he attached a gauge, to ascertain, +by comparison, how many miles he could hope to travel on one charging +of the storage battery. +</P> + +<P> +"Guess I'll call Dad and Mr. Sharp in to see how it works, before I +turn on the current," he said to himself. He was about to summon his +parent and the aeronaut from an adjoining shop, where they were working +over a new form of dynamo, when the lad caught sight of the watch charm +he had left on his desk, in plain sight. +</P> + +<P> +"Better put that away," he remarked. "Dad or Mr. Sharp might see it, +and ask questions. Then I'd have to explain, and I don't want to, not +until I get further toward the bottom of this thing." +</P> + +<P> +He put the charm away, and then summoned his father and the balloonist. +</P> + +<P> +"You're going to see a fine experiment," declared Tom. "I'm going to +turn on the full strength of my battery." +</P> + +<P> +"Are you sure it's all right, Tom?" asked his father. "You can't be too +careful when you're dealing with electricity of high voltage, and great +ampere strength. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, it's all right, Dad," his son assured him "Now watch my motor hum." +</P> + +<P> +He walked over to a big copper switch, and grasped the black rubber +handle to pull it over which would send the current from the storage +battery into the combination of wheels and gears that he hoped, +ultimately, would propel his electric automobile along the highways, or +on a track, at the rate of a hundred miles an hour. +</P> + +<P> +"Here she goes!" cried Tom. For an instant he hesitated and then pulled +the switch. At the same time his hand rested on another wire, stretched +across a bench. +</P> + +<P> +No sooner had the switch closed than there was a blinding flash, a +report as of a gun being fired, and Tom's body seemed to straighten +out. Then a blue flame appeared to encircle him and he dropped to the +floor of the shop, an inert mass. +</P> + +<P> +"He's killed!" cried Mr. Swift, springing forward. +</P> + +<P> +"Careful!" cautioned the balloonist. "He's been shocked! Don't touch +him until I turn off the current!" As he pulled out the switch, the +aeronaut gave a glance at the apparatus. +</P> + +<P> +"There's something wrong here!" he cried. "The wires have been crossed! +That's what shocked Tom, but he never made the wrong connections! He's +too good an electrician! There's been some one in this shop, changing +the wires!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap12"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE TRY OUT +</H3> + +<P> +Once the current was cut off it was safe to approach the body of the +young inventor. Mr. Sharp stooped over and lifted Tom's form from the +floor, for Mr. Swift was too excited and trembled too much to be of any +service. Our hero was as one dead. His body was limp, after that first +rigid stretching out, as the current ran through him; his eyes were +closed, and his face was very pale. +</P> + +<P> +"Is—is there any hope?" faltered Mr. Swift. +</P> + +<P> +"I think so," replied the balloonist. "He is still breathing—faintly. +We must summon a doctor at once. Will you telephone for one, while I +carry him in the house?" +</P> + +<P> +As Mr. Sharp emerged from the shop, bearing Tom's body, an automobile +drew up in front of the place. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my soul!" exclaimed a voice. "Tom's hurt! How did it happen? +Bless my very existence!" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, Mr. Damon, you're just in time!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp, "Tom's had a +bad shock. Will you go for a doctor in your auto?" +</P> + +<P> +"Better than that! Let me take Tom in the car to Dr. Whiteside's +office," proposed the eccentric man. "It will be better that way." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, yes," agreed Mr. Swift eagerly. "Put Tom in the auto!" +</P> + +<P> +"If only it doesn't break down," added Mr. Damon fervently. "Bless my +spark plug, but it would be just my luck!" +</P> + +<P> +But they started off all right, Mr. Swift riding in front with Mr. +Damon, and Mr. Sharp supporting Tom in the tonneau. Only a little +fluttering of the eyelids, and a slow, faint breathing told that Tom +Swift still lived. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Damon never guided a car better than he did his auto that day. +Several speed laws were broken, but no one appeared to stop them, and, +in record time they had the young inventor at the physician's house. +Fortunately Dr. Whiteside was at home, and, under his skillful +treatment Tom was soon out of danger. His heart action was properly +started, and then it was only a question of time. As the doctor had +plenty of room it was decided to let the lad remain that night, and Tom +was soon installed in a spare bedroom, with the doctor's pretty +daughter to wait on him occasionally. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I'm all right," the youth insisted, when Miss Whiteside told him +it was time for his medicine. "I'm all right." +</P> + +<P> +"You're not!" she declared. "I ought to know, for I'm going to be a +nurse, some day, and help papa. Now take this or I'll have to hold your +nose, as they do the baby's," and she held out a spoonful of unpleasant +looking mixture, extending her dainty forefinger and thumb of her other +hand, as if to administer dire punishment to Tom, if he did not obey. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I give in to superior strength," he said with a laugh, as he +noted, with approval, the laughing face of his nurse. +</P> + +<P> +Then he fell into a deep sleep, and was so much better the next morning +that he could be taken home in Mr. Damon's auto. +</P> + +<P> +"But mind, no hard work for three or four days," insisted the +physician. "I want your heart to get in shape for that big race you +were telling me about. The shock was a severe strain to it." +</P> + +<P> +Tom promised, reluctantly, and, though he did no work, his first act, +on reaching home, was to go out to the shop, to inspect the battery and +motor. To his surprise the motor was running for the lad had +established the connection, in spite of his shock and his father and +Mr. Sharp had decided to let the machinery run until he came back. +</P> + +<P> +"And look at the record it's made!" cried Tom delightedly as he glanced +at the gauge. "Better than I figured on. That battery is a wonder. I'll +have the fastest electric runabout you ever saw." +</P> + +<P> +"If the wires don't get crossed again," put in Mr. Sharp. "You'd +better make an examination, Tom," and, for the first time, the young +inventor learned how he had been shocked. +</P> + +<P> +"Crossed wires! I should say they were crossed!" he exclaimed as he +looked at the switches and copper conductors. "Somebody has been +tampering with them. No wonder I was shocked!" +</P> + +<P> +"Who did it?" asked Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +Tom considered for a moment, before answering. Then he said: +</P> + +<P> +"I believe it was Addison Berg. He must have wanted to do some damage, +to get even with us for getting that treasure away from him." +</P> + +<P> +"Berg?" questioned the balloonist, and Tom told of the night he had +been tripped into the brook, and exhibited the watch charm he had +secured. Mr. Sharp recognized it at once. A further examination +confirmed the belief that the submarine agent had sneaked into Tom's +workshop, and had altered the wires. +</P> + +<P> +"They were all right when I came out of the shop that night," declared +Tom. "I left the old connections just as I thought I had arranged them, +and only added the new ones, when I went to try my battery. The old +connections were crossed, but I didn't notice it. Then when I turned on +the current I got the shock. I don't s'pose Berg thought I'd be so +nearly killed. Probably he wanted to burn out my motor, and spoil it. +If it was Andy Foger I could understand it, but a man like Berg—" +</P> + +<P> +"He's probably wild with anger because his submarine got the worst of +it in the race for the gold," interrupted the balloonist. "Well, we'll +have to be on our guard, that's all. What was the matter with +Eradicate, that he didn't see him enter the shop?" +</P> + +<P> +"Rad went to a colored dance that night," said Tom. "I let him off. But +after this I'll have the shop guarded night and day. My motor might +have been ruined, if that first charge hadn't gone through my body +instead of into the machinery." The improper connections were soon +removed and others substituted. +</P> + +<P> +It was agreed between Tom and Mr. Sharp that they would say nothing +regarding Mr. Berg to Mr. Swift. The aeronaut caused cautious inquiries +to be made, and learned that the agent had been discharged by the +submarine firm, because of some wrong-doing in connection with the +craft Wonder, and it was surmised that the agent believed Tom to be at +the bottom of his troubles. +</P> + +<P> +In a few days the young inventor was himself again, and as further +trials of his battery showed it to be even better than its owner hoped, +arrangements were made for testing it in the car on the road. +</P> + +<P> +The runabout was nearly finished, but it lacked a coat of varnish, and +some minor details, when Tom, assisted by his father, Mr. Sharp and Mr. +Jackson, one morning, about a week later, installed the motor and +battery units. It did not take long to gear up the machinery, connect +the battery and, though the car was rather a crude looking affair, Tom +decided to give it a tryout. +</P> + +<P> +"Want to come along, Dad?" he asked, as he tightened up some binding +posts, and looked to see that the steering wheel, starting and reverse +levers worked properly, and that the side chains were well lubricated. +</P> + +<P> +"Not the first time," replied his father. "Let's see how it runs with +you, first." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I want some sort of a load in it," went on the lad. "It won't be a +good test unless I have a couple of others besides myself. How about +you, Mr. Damon?" for the old gentleman was spending a few days at the +Swift homestead. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my shoe buttons! I'll come!" was the ready answer. "After the +experience I've been through in the airship and submarine, nothing can +scare me. Lead on, I'll follow!" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't suppose you'll hang back after that; will you, Mr. Sharp?" +asked the lad, with a laugh. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't dare to, for the sake of my reputation," was the reply, for +the balloonist who had made many ascensions, and dropped thousands of +feet in parachutes, was naturally a brave man. +</P> + +<P> +So he and Mr. Damon climbed into the rear seats of the odd-looking +electric car, while Tom took his place at the steering wheel. +</P> + +<P> +"Are you all ready?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Let her go!" fired back Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my galvanometer, don't go too fast on the start," cautioned Mr. +Damon, nervously. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll not," agreed the young inventor. "I want to get it warmed up +before I try any speeding." +</P> + +<P> +He turned on the current. There was a low, humming purr, which +gradually increased to a whine, and the car moved slowly forward. It +rolled along the gravel driveway to the road, Tom listening to every +sound of the machinery, as a mother listens to the breathing of a child. +</P> + +<P> +"She's moving!" he cried. +</P> + +<P> +"But not much faster than a wheelbarrow," said his father, who +sometimes teased his son. +</P> + +<P> +"Wait!" cried the youth. +</P> + +<P> +Tom turned more current into the motor. The purring and humming +increased, and the car seemed to leap forward. It was in the road now, +and, once assured that the steering apparatus was working well, Tom +suddenly turned on much more speed. +</P> + +<P> +So quickly did the electric auto shoot forward that Mr. Damon and Mr. +Sharp were jerked back against the cushions of the rear seats. +</P> + +<P> +"Here! What are you doing?" inquired Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm going to show you a little speed," answered Tom. +</P> + +<P> +The car was now moving rapidly, and there was a smoothness and +lightness to its progress that was absent from a gasolene auto. There +was no vibration from the motor. Faster and faster it ran, until it was +moving at a speed scarcely less than that of Mr. Damon's car, when it +was doing its best. Of course that was not saying much, for the car +owned by the odd gentleman was not a very powerful one, but it could +make fast time occasionally. +</P> + +<P> +"Is this the best you can do?" asked Mr. Damon. "Not that it isn't +fast," he hastened to add, "and I was wondering if it was your limit." +</P> + +<P> +"Not half!" cried Tom, as he turned on a little more power. "I'm not +trying for a record to-day. I just want to see how the battery and +motor behaves." +</P> + +<P> +"Pretty well, I should say," commented Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm satisfied—so far," agreed the lad. +</P> + +<P> +They were now moving along the highway at a good speed—moving almost +silently, too, for the motor, save for a low hum, made no noise. So +quiet was the car, in fact, that it was nearly the cause of a disaster. +Tom was so interested in the performance of his latest invention, that, +before he knew it, he had come up behind a farmer, driving a team of +skittish horses. As the big machine went past them, giving no warning +of its approach, the steeds reared up, and would have bolted, but for +the prompt action of the driver. +</P> + +<P> +"Hey!" he cried, angrily, as Tom speeded past, "don't you know you got +to give warnin' when you're comin' with one of them ther gol-swizzled +things! By Jehossephat I'll have th' law on ye ef ye do thet ag'in!" +</P> + +<P> +"I forgot to ring the bell," apologized Tom, as he sent out a peal from +the gong, and then, he let out a few more amperes, and the speed +increased. +</P> + +<P> +"Hold on! I guess this is fast enough!" cried Mr. Damon, as his hat +blew off. +</P> + +<P> +"Fast?" answered Tom. "This is nothing to what I'll do when I use the +full power. Then I'll—" +</P> + +<P> +He was interrupted by a sharp report, and a vivid flash of fire on a +switch board near the steering wheel. The motor gave a sort of groan, +and stopped, the car rolling on a little way, and then becoming +stationary. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my collar button!" ejaculated Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter?" inquired Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"Some sort of a blow-out," answered Tom ruefully, as he shoved the +starting handle over, trying to move the car. But it would not budge. +The new auto had "gone dead" on her first tryout. The young inventor +was grievously disappointed. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap13"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +TOWED BY A MULE +</H3> + +<P> +"Bless my gizzard! Is it anything serious?" asked Mr. Damon. "Will it +blow up, or anything like that?" +</P> + +<P> +"No," replied the lad, as he leaped out of the car, and began to make +an examination. Mr. Sharp assisted him. +</P> + +<P> +"The motor seems to be all right," remarked the balloonist, as he +inspected it. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," agreed our hero, "and the batteries have plenty of power left in +them yet. The gauge shows that. I can't understand what the trouble can +be, unless—" He paused in his remark and uttered an exclamation. "I've +found it!" he cried. +</P> + +<P> +"What?" demanded the aeronaut. +</P> + +<P> +"Some of the fuses blew out. I turned on too much current, and the +fuses wouldn't carry it. I put them in to save the motor from being +burned out, but I didn't use heavy enough ones. I see where my mistake +was." +</P> + +<P> +"But what does it mean?" inquired Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"It means that we've got to walk back home," was Tom's sorrowful +answer. "The car is stalled, for I haven't any extra fuses with me." +</P> + +<P> +"Can't you connect up the battery by using some extra wire?" asked Mr. +Sharp. "I have some," and he drew a coil of it from his pocket. +</P> + +<P> +"I wouldn't dare to. It might be so heavy that it would carry more +current than the motor could stand. I don't want to burn that out. No, +I guess we'll have to walk home, or rather I will. You two can stay +here until I come back with heavier fuses. I'm sorry." +</P> + +<P> +Tom had hardly ceased speaking, when, from around the turn in the road +proceeded a voice, and, at the sound of it all three started, for the +voice was saying: +</P> + +<P> +"Now it ain't no use fer yo' to act dat-a-way, Boomerang. Yo' all ain't +got no call t' git contrary now, jest when I wants t' git home t' mah +dinner. I should t'ink you'd want t' git t' de stable, too. But ef yo' +all ain't mighty keerful I'll cut down yo' rations, dat's what I'se +goin' to do. G'lang, now, dat's a good feller. Ho! Ho! I knowed dat'd +fetch yo' all. When yo' all wiggles yo' ears dat-a-way, dat's a suah +sign yo' all is gwine t' move." +</P> + +<P> +Then followed the sound of a rattletrap of a wagon approaching. +</P> + +<P> +"Eradicate! It's Eradicate!" exclaimed Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"And his mule, Boomerang!" added Mr. Sharp. "He's just in time!" +commented Mr. Damon with a sigh of relief, as the ancient outfit, in +charge of the aged colored man, came along. Eradicate had been sent to +Shopton to get a load of wood for Mr. Swift, and was now returning. At +the sight of the stalled auto the mule pricked up his long ears, and +threw them forward. +</P> + +<P> +"Whoa dar, now, Boomerang!" cried Eradicate. "Doan't yo' all commence +t' gittin' skittish. Dat machine ain't gwine t' hurt yo'. Why good +land a' massy! Ef 'tain't Mistah Swift!" cried the colored man, as he +caught sight of Tom. "What's de trouble?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Broke down," answered the young inventor briefly. "You always seem to +come along when I'm in trouble, Rad." +</P> + +<P> +"Dat's right," assented the darkey, with a grin. "Me an' trouble am ole +acquaintances. Sometimes she hits me a clip on de haid, den, ag'in +Boomerang, mah mule, gits it. He jest had his trouble. Got a stone +under his shoe, an' didn't want t' move. Den when I did git him started +he balked on me. But I'se all right now. But I suah am sorry fo' you. +Can't I help yo' all, Mistah Swift?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, you can, Rad," answered Tom. "Drive home as fast as you can, and +ask Dad to send back with you some of those fuses he'll find on my work +bench. He knows what I want. Hurry there and hurry back." +</P> + +<P> +Eradicate shook his head doubtfully. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter? Don't you want to go?" asked Mr. Sharp, a trifle +nettled. "We can't get the car started until we have some new fuses." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I wants t' go all right 'nuff, Mistah Sharp," was Eradicate's +prompt answer. "Yo' all knows I'd do anyt'ing t' 'blige yo' or Mistah +Swift. But hits dish yeah mule, Boomerang. I jest done promised him dat +we were gwine home t' dinnah, an' he 'spects a manger full ob oats. Ef +I got to Mistah Swift's house wid him, I couldn't no mo' git him t' +come back widout his dinnah, dan yo' all kin git dat 'ar car t' move +widout dem fusin' t'ings yo' all talked about." +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my necktie!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "That's all nonsense! You +don't suppose that mule understands what you say to him, do you? How +does he know you promised him his dinner?" +</P> + +<P> +"I doan't know how he know, Mistah Damon," replied Eradicate, "but he +do know, jest de same. I know hit would be laik pullin' teeth an' wuss +too, t' git Boomerang t' start back wid dem foosd t'ings until after +he's had his dinner. Wouldn't it, Boomerang?" +</P> + +<P> +The mule waved his long ears as if in answer. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my soul, I believe he does understand!" cried Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"Of course he do," put in the colored man. "I'se awful sorry. Now if +it were afternoon I could bring back dem what-d'ye-call-'ems in a +jiffy, 'cause Boomerang allers feels good arter he has his dinnah, but +befo' dat—" and Eradicate shook his head, as if there was no more to +be said on the subject. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," remarked Tom, sadly, "I guess there's no help for it. We'll +have to walk home, unless you two want to wait until I can ride back +with Eradicate, and come back on my motor cycle. Then I'll have to +leave the cycle here, for I can't get it in the car." +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my collar button!" cried Mr. Damon. "It's like the puzzle of the +fox, the goose and the bag of corn on the banks of a stream. I guess +we'd better all walk." +</P> + +<P> +"Hold on!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp. "Is your mule good and strong, +Eradicate?" +</P> + +<P> +"Strong? Why dish yeah mule could pull a house ober—dat is when he's +got a mind to. An' he'd do most anyt'ing now, 'ca'se he's anxious t' +git home t' his dinnah; ain't yo' all, Boomerang?" +</P> + +<P> +Once more the mule waved his ears, like signal flags. +</P> + +<P> +"Then I have a proposition to make," went on the balloonist. "Unhitch +the mule from the load of wood, and hitch him to the auto. We've got +some rope along, I noticed. Then the mule can pull us and the runabout +home." +</P> + +<P> +"Good idea!" cried Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"Dat's de racket!" ejaculated Eradicate. "I'll jest sequesterate dish +year load ob wood side ob de road, an' hitch Boomerang to de auto." +</P> + +<P> +Tom said nothing for a few seconds. He gazed sadly at his auto, which +he hoped would win the touring club's prize. It was a bitter pill for +him to swallow. +</P> + +<P> +"Towed by a mule!" he exclaimed, shaking his head, and smiling +ruefully. "The fastest car in this country towed by a mule! It's tough +luck!" +</P> + +<P> +"'Tain't half so bad as goin' widout yo' dinnah, Mistah Swift!" +remarked Eradicate, as he began to harness the mule to the electric +runabout. +</P> + +<P> +Boomerang made no objection to the transfer. He looked around once or +twice as he was being made fast to the auto and, when the word was +given he stepped out as if pulling home stalled cars was his regular +business. Tom sat beside Eradicate on the front seat, and steered, +while the colored man drove the mule, and Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon were +in the "tonneau" seats as Tom called them. +</P> + +<P> +"I hope no one sees us," thought Tom, but he was doomed to +disappointment. When nearly home he heard an auto approaching, and in +it were Andy Foger, Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey. The three cronies +stared at the odd sight of Boomerang ambling along, with his great ears +flapping, drawing Tom's speedy new car. +</P> + +<P> +"Ha! Ha!" laughed Andy. "So that's the motive power he's going to use! +Look at him, fellows. I thought his new electric, that was going to +beat my car, and win the prize, was to be two hundred horse power. +Instead it's one mule power! That's rich!" and Andy's chums joined in +the laugh at poor Tom. +</P> + +<P> +The young inventor said nothing, for there was nothing he could say. In +dignified silence he passed the car containing his enemies, they, +meanwhile, jeering at him. +</P> + +<P> +"Dat's all right," spoke Eradicate, sympathizing with his young +employer. "Maybe dey'll 'want a tow derselves some day, an' when dey +does, I'll make Boomerang pull 'em in a ditch." +</P> + +<P> +But this was small comfort to Tom. He made up his mind, though, that he +would demonstrate that his car could do all that he had claimed for it, +and that very soon. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap14"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A GREAT RUN +</H3> + +<P> +Boomerang did not belie the reputation Eradicate had given him as a +beast of strength. Though the electric runabout was heavy, the mule +managed to move it along the road at a fair speed, with the four +occupants. Perhaps the animal knew that at the end of his journey a +good feed awaited him. At any rate they were soon within sight of the +Swift home. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Damon and Mr. Sharp refrained from making any comments that might +hurt Tom's feelings, for they realized the chagrin felt by the young +inventor in having his apparatus go back on him at the first trial. But +our hero was not the kind of a lad who is disheartened by one failure, +or even half a dozen. +</P> + +<P> +The humor of the situation appealed to him, and, as he turned the auto +into the driveway, and noticed Boomerang's long ears waving to and fro, +he laughed. +</P> + +<P> +The lad insisted on putting new fuses in the car before he ate his +dinner, and then, satisfied that the motor was once more in running +order, he partook of a hasty meal, and began making several changes +which he had decided were desirable. He finished them in time to go for +a little run in the car all alone on a secluded road late that +afternoon. +</P> + +<P> +Tom returned, with eyes shining, and cheeks flushed with elation. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, how did it go? asked his father. +</P> + +<P> +"Fine! Better than I expected," responded his son enthusiastically. +"When it gets to running smoothly I'll pass anything on the road." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't be too sure," cautioned Mr. Swift, but Tom only smiled. +</P> + +<P> +There was still much to do on the electric runabout, and Tom spent the +next few days in adjusting the light steel wind-shield, that was to +come down over the driver's seat. He also put in a powerful electric +search-light, which was run by current from the battery, and installed +a new speedometer and an instrument to tell how much current he was +using, and how much longer the battery would run without being +exhausted. This was to enable him to know when to begin recharging it. +When the current was all consumed it was necessary to store more in the +battery. This could be done by attaching wires from a dynamo, or, in an +emergency by tapping an electric light wire in the street. But as the +battery would enable the car to run many miles on one charging, Tom did +not think he would ever have to resort to the emergency charging +apparatus. He had a new system for this, one that enabled him to do the +work in much less than the usual time. +</P> + +<P> +With his new car still unpainted, and rather rough and crude in +appearance, the lad started out alone one morning, his father and Mr. +Sharp having declined to accompany him, on the plea of business to +attend to, and Mr. Damon not being at the Swift house. +</P> + +<P> +Tom rode about for several hours, giving his car several severe tests +in the way of going up hills, and speeding on the level. He was +proceeding along a quiet country road, in a small town about fifteen +miles from Shopton, when, as he flashed past the small railroad +station, he saw a familiar figure standing on the platform. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, Ned!" called Tom, "what are you doing over here?" +</P> + +<P> +"I might ask the same thing of you. Is that your new car? It doesn't +look very new." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, this is it. I haven't had a chance to paint and varnish it yet. +But you ought to see it go. What are doing here, though?" +</P> + +<P> +"I came over on some bank business. A customer here had some bonds he +wanted to dispose of and I came for them. You see we're enlarging our +business since the new bank started." +</P> + +<P> +"Has it hurt your bank any?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not yet, but Foger and his associates are trying hard to make us lose +money. Say, did you ever see such a place as this? I've got to wait two +hours for a train back to Shopton." +</P> + +<P> +"No you haven't." +</P> + +<P> +"Why not? Have they changed the timetable since I came over this +morning?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, but you can ride back with me. I'm going, and I'll show you what +my new electric car can do." +</P> + +<P> +"Good!" cried the young bank cashier. "You're just in time. I was +wondering how I could kill two hours, but now I'll get in your new car +and—" +</P> + +<P> +"And maybe we'll kill a few chickens, or a dog or two when we get her +speeded up," put in Tom, with a laugh in which Ned joined. +</P> + +<P> +The two lads, seated in the front part of the auto, were soon moving +down the hard highway. Suddenly Tom pulled a lever and the steel +wind-shield came sliding down from the top case, meeting the forward +battery compartment, and forming a sort of slanting roof over the heads +of the two occupants. +</P> + +<P> +"Here! What's this?" cried Ned. +</P> + +<P> +"We're going to hit it up in a few minutes," replied the young +inventor, "and I want to reduce the wind resistance." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I thought maybe we were going through a bombardment. It's all +right, go ahead, don't mind me. I'm game." +</P> + +<P> +There was a celluloid window in the steel wind-shield, and through this +the lads could observe the road ahead of them. +</P> + +<P> +As they swung along it, the speed increasing, Ned saw an auto ahead of +them. +</P> + +<P> +"Whose car is that?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't know," replied Tom. "We'll be up to it in about half a minute, +though." +</P> + +<P> +As the electric runabout, more dilapidated looking than ever from the +layer of dust that covered it, passed the other auto, which was a +powerful car, the solitary occupant of it, a middle-aged man, looked to +one side, and, seeing the queer machine, remarked: +</P> + +<P> +"You fellows are going the wrong way to the junk heap. Turn around." +</P> + +<P> +"Is that so?" asked Tom, his eyes flashing at the cheap wit of the man. +"Why we came out here to show you the way!" +</P> + +<P> +"Do you want to race?" asked the man eagerly, too eagerly, Ned thought. +"I'll give you a brush, if you do, and a handicap into the bargain." +</P> + +<P> +"We don't need it," replied the young inventor quickly. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll wager fifty dollars I can beat you bad on this three-mile +stretch," went on the autoist. "How about it?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'll race you, but I don't bet," answered Tom, a bit stiffly. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, be a sport," urged the man. +</P> + +<P> +Tom shook his head. He had slowed down his machine, and was running +even with the gasolene car now. He noticed that it was a new one, of +six cylinders, and looked speedy. Perhaps he was foolish to pit his +untried car against it. Yet he had confidence in his battery and motor. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, we'll race for the fun of it then," went on the man. "Do you +want a handicap?" +</P> + +<P> +Tom shook his head again, and there came around his mouth a grim look. +</P> + +<P> +"All right," assented the other. "Only you're going to be beat badly. I +never saw an electric car yet that could do anything except to crawl +along." +</P> + +<P> +"You're going to see one now," was all the retort Tom permitted himself. +</P> + +<P> +"Here we go then!" cried the man, and he gave his gear handle a yank, +and shoved over the sparking and gasolene levers. +</P> + +<P> +His car instantly shot ahead, and went "chug chugging" down the road in +a cloud of dust. At the same moment Tom, in answer to a look from Ned, +who feared his friend was going to be left behind, turned more power +into the motor. The humming, purring sound increased and the electric +car forged ahead. +</P> + +<P> +"Can you catch him?" asked Ned. +</P> + +<P> +"Watch," was all Tom said. +</P> + +<P> +The hum of the motor became a sort of whine, and the electric rapidly +acquired speed. It crept up on the gasolene car, as an express train +overtakes a freight, and the man, looking back, and expecting to see +his rival far behind was surprised to note the queer looking vehicle +lapping his rear wheels. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you are coming on, aren't you?" he asked. "Maybe you'll keep up +now!" He shifted the gears, using a little more gasolene. For a moment +his car opened a wide gap between it and Tom's, but the young inventor +had only begun to race. Still louder purred the motor, and in a few +minutes Tom was running on even terms with his competitor. The man +looked annoyed, and tried, by the skilful use of gasolene and sparking +levers, to leave Tom behind. But the electric held her own. +</P> + +<P> +"I've got to go the limit I see," remarked the man at last, glancing +sideways at the other car. "I'll tell 'em you're coming," he added, +"though I must say your electric does better than any of its kind I +ever came across." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm not done yet," was the comment of our hero. But the man did not +hear him, for he was yanking into place the lever that enabled him to +run on direct drive for fourth speed. +</P> + +<P> +Forward shot his car, and, for perhaps a quarter of a mile it led. The +racers were almost at the end of the three-mile level stretch of road, +and if Tom was going to win the impromptu contest it seemed high time +he began. +</P> + +<P> +"Can you catch him?" asked Ned anxiously. +</P> + +<P> +"Watch," was his chum's reply. "I haven't used my high speed gear yet. +I'm afraid the fuses won't stand it, but here goes for a try, anyhow." +</P> + +<P> +He threw over a switch, changed a lever and then, having pushed into +place the last gear, he grasped the steering wheel more firmly. +</P> + +<P> +There was need of it, for, in an instant, the electric runabout, with +the motors fairly roaring, swept up the road, after the gasolene car +that was almost hidden from sight in a cloud of dust. Faster and faster +went Tom's car. The young inventor was listening with critical ear to +the song of the machinery. He wanted to learn if it was running sweet +and true, for that is how a careful mechanic tests his apparatus. Foot +by foot the distance between the two cars lessened. Now the electric +was lapping the rear wheels of the gasolene machine, but the driver did +not know it. His whole attention was on the road ahead of him. +</P> + +<P> +"Half a mile more!" cried Ned, naming the distance which yet remained +of the straight stretch. "Can you do it, Tom?" +</P> + +<P> +His chum nodded. He shoved the controller handle over to the last +notch, and then waited an anxious second. Would the fuse carry the +extra load? It seemed so, for there was a slight increase of power. +</P> + +<P> +An instant later Tom gave a sudden twist to the steering wheel. It was +well that he did, for he was passing the gasolene car dangerously +close. Then he was ahead of it, and in a second he was three lengths in +advance. +</P> + +<P> +Desperately the man opened his muffler, and sought to gain by this +advantage, but though his car gave off explosions like a battery of +guns in action, he could not gain on Tom. The electric shot around a +curve in the road, winner of the impromptu race by an eighth of a mile. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," asked Tom of his chum, as he slowed down, for the road now was +not so good, "did I do it?" +</P> + +<P> +"You certainly did. Whew! But we did scoot along?" +</P> + +<P> +"Eighty miles an hour there one spell," went on the young inventor, +glancing at a gauge. "But I've got to do better than that to win the +big race." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap15"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +ANDY FOGER'S BLACK EYE +</H3> + +<P> +Around the bend came the six-cylinder touring car. The driver, with a +surprised look on his face, was slacking up. He ran his machine up +alongside of Tom's. +</P> + +<P> +"Say," he asked, in dazed tones, "did you take a short cut, or anything +like that to get ahead of me?" +</P> + +<P> +"No," answered the youth. +</P> + +<P> +"And you didn't jump me in the air?" +</P> + +<P> +"No," was Tom's answer, smilingly given. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, all I've got to say is that you've got a wonderful car there, +Mr.—er—er—" He paused suggestively. +</P> + +<P> +"Swift is my name," our hero answered. "Thomas Swift, of Shopton." +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, I've heard of you. My name is Layton—Paul Layton. I'm from +Netherton. Let's see, you built an airship, didn't you?" +</P> + +<P> +"I helped," Tom admitted modestly. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you beat me fair and square, and if I do say it myself I've got +a fairly speedy car. Took two firsts at the Indianapolis meet last +month. But you certainly scooted ahead of me. Where did you buy that +electric, if I may ask?" +</P> + +<P> +"I made it." +</P> + +<P> +"I might have known," admitted the man. "But are you going to put them +on the market? If you are I'd like to get one. I want the fastest car +going, and you seem to have it." +</P> + +<P> +"I hadn't thought of manufacturing them for sale," said the young +inventor. "If I do, I'll let you know." +</P> + +<P> +"I wish you would. My! I had no idea you could beat me, but you +did—fair and square." +</P> + +<P> +There was some more talk, and then Mr. Layton started on, after +exacting from Tom a further promise to let him know if any electrics +were to be made for sale. +</P> + +<P> +"You certainly have a wonderful car," complimented Ned, as he and his +chum took a short cut to Shopton. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I'm not quite satisfied with it," declared Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Why not?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I've set a hundred miles an hour as my limit. I didn't make but +eighty to-day. I've got to have more speed if I go up against the crowd +that will race for the touring club's prize." +</P> + +<P> +"Can you make a hundred miles?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think so. I've got to change my gears, though, and use heavier +fuses. I was afraid every second that one of the fuses would melt, and +leave me stranded. But they stood pretty well. Of course, when the car, +geared as it is now, has been run a little longer it will go faster, +but it won't come up to a hundred miles an hour. That's what I want, +and that's what I'm going to get," and the lad looked very determined. +</P> + +<P> +Ned was taken to the bank, and, as Tom turned his machine around, to go +home, he saw, standing on the steps of the new bank, which was almost +across the street from the old one, Andy Foger, and the bully's father. +The red-haired lad laughed at Tom's rough looking car, and said +something to his parent, but Mr. Foger did not notice Tom. Not that +this caused our hero any uneasiness, however. +</P> + +<P> +But, as he swung away from the bank, he saw, coming up the street a +figure that instantly attracted his attention. It was that of Mr. Berg, +and Tom at once recalled the night he had pursued the submarine agent, +and torn loose his watch charm. Mr. Berg was evidently going to enter +the new bank, for, at the sight of the former agent, Mr. Foger +descended the steps, and went to meet him. +</P> + +<P> +Tom, however, had decided upon a plan of action. He steered his machine +in toward the curb, ran up the steel wind-shield, and called: +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Berg!" +</P> + +<P> +"Eh? What's that?" asked the agent, in some surprise. Then, as he +caught sight of Tom, and recognized him, he added: "I'm very busy now, +my young friend. You'll have to excuse me." +</P> + +<P> +"I won't detain you a moment," went on Tom, casually. "I have something +of yours that I wish to return to you." +</P> + +<P> +"Something of mine?" Mr. Berg was evidently puzzled. He approached the +electric car, in spite of the fact that Mr. Foger was calling him. +"Something of mine? What is it?" +</P> + +<P> +"This!" exclaimed Tom suddenly, extending the compass watch charm, +which he always carried with him of late. +</P> + +<P> +"That! Where did you get that. I lost it—" +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Berg paused in some confusion. +</P> + +<P> +"I grabbed it off your watch chain the night you were hiding in our +shrubbery, and tripped me into the brook," answered the lad, looking +the man squarely in the eye. +</P> + +<P> +"Hiding? Tripped you? Grabbed that off my chain—" stammered Mr. Berg. +He had taken the charm up in his fingers, but now he quickly dropped it +back into Tom's hand. "I guess you're mistaken," he added quickly. +"That's not mine. I never had one—I—er—that's not mine—at +least—Oh, you'll have to excuse me, young man, I'm in a hurry, and I +have an important engagement!" and with that Mr. Berg wheeled off, and +joined Mr. Foger, who stood on the sidewalk, waiting for him. +</P> + +<P> +"I thought sure it was yours," said Tom, easily. "Perhaps Mr. Foger +will keep it in one of the safety-deposit boxes of his bank, until the +owner claims it," and he looked at the banker. +</P> + +<P> +"What's that?" asked Andy's father. +</P> + +<P> +"This watch charm which I grabbed off Mr. Berg's chain the night he was +sneaking around our house, and crossed the electric wires," went on the +lad. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't listen to him. He doesn't know what he is saying!" exclaimed the +former submarine boat agent. "It's not my charm. He's crazy!" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, am I?" thought Tom, with a grim look on his face. "Well, we'll see +about that, Mr. Berg," and, putting the charm back in his pocket, Tom +swung his machine toward home, while the agent and the banker entered +the new institution. +</P> + +<P> +"So they're getting chummy," mused Tom. "Andy and Berg were friends +when Andy shut me up in the submarine tank, and now Berg comes here to +do business, and Foger and his associates are trying to put the old +bank out of business. I wonder if there's any connection there? I must +keep my eyes open. Berg is an unscrupulous man, and so is Andy's +father, to say nothing of the red-haired bully himself. He had nerve to +deny that was his charm. Well, maybe I'll catch him some day." +</P> + +<P> +Tom spent a busy week making new adjustments to his electric car, +changing the gear and providing for heavier fuses. He was planning for +another trip on the road, as the time for the great race was drawing +near, and he wanted the mechanism to be in perfect shape. +</P> + +<P> +One evening, as he was preparing for a short night trip to Mansburg, +where he had promised to call for Miss Nestor, Tom left his machine +standing in the road in front of the house, while he went back to get a +robe, as it threatened to be chilly. +</P> + +<P> +As he came back to enter the car, he saw some one standing near it. +</P> + +<P> +"Is that you, Ned?" he called. "Come, take a spin." +</P> + +<P> +Hardly had he spoken than there sounded from the machine a whirr that +told of the current being turned on. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't do that!" cried Tom, knowing at once that it could not be Ned, +who never meddled with the machinery. +</P> + +<P> +A blinding flash and a loud report followed, and Tom saw some one leap +from his car, and try to run away. But the figure stumbled, and, a +moment later the young inventor was upon him, grappling with him. +</P> + +<P> +"Here! Let me go!" cried a voice, and Tom uttered an exclamation of +surprise. +</P> + +<P> +"Andy Foger!" he cried. "I've caught you! You tried to damage my car!" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, and I'm hurt, too!" whined Andy. "My father will sue you for +damages if I die." +</P> + +<P> +"No danger of that; you're too mean," murmured Tom, as he maintained a +tight grip on the bully. +</P> + +<P> +"You let me go!" demanded Andy, squirming to get away. +</P> + +<P> +"Wait until I see what damage you've done," retorted the young +inventor. "The worst, though, would be the blowing out of a fuse, for I +had the gear disconnected. You wait a minute now. Maybe it's you who'll +have to pay damages." +</P> + +<P> +"You let me go!" fairly screamed Andy, and he aimed a blow at Tom. It +caught our hero on the chest and Tom's fighting blood was up in an +instant. He drew back his left hand, and delivered a blow that landed +fairly on Andy's right eye. The bully staggered and went down in the +dust. +</P> + +<P> +"There!" cried Tom, righteously angry. "That will teach you not to try +to damage my car, and then hit me into the bargain! Now clear out, +before I give you some more!" +</P> + +<P> +Whining and blubbering Andy arose to his feet. +</P> + +<P> +"You just wait. I'll get square with you for this," he threatened. +</P> + +<P> +"You can accept part of that as pay for what you did in the tar and +feathering game," added Tom. Then, as Andy moved in front of one of the +electric side lamps on the car, Tom uttered a whistle of surprise. For +both of Andy's eyes were bruised and swollen, though Tom had only hit +him once. +</P> + +<P> +"Look at me!" cried the bully, more squint-eyed than ever. "Look at +me! You hit me in one eye, and that explosion hit me in the other! My +father will sue you for this." +</P> + +<P> +As he hurried off down the road Tom understood. Andy coming along, had +seen Tom's car standing there, and, thinking to do some mischief, had +climbed in, and turned on the power. Perhaps he hoped it would run into +the roadside ditch and be smashed. But as the gear was out, turning on +the electric current had a different effect. As the bully pulled the +handle over too quickly, throwing almost the entire force of the +battery into the wires at once, the load was too heavy for them. A +safety fuse blew out, causing the flare and the explosion, and a piece +of the soft lead-like metal had hit the red-haired lad in the eye. +Tom's fist had completed the work on the other optic, and for several +days thereafter Andy Foger remained in seclusion. When he did go out +there were many embarrassing questions put to him, as to when he had +had the fight. Andy didn't care to answer. As for Tom, it did not take +long to put a new fuse in his car, and he greatly enjoyed his ride with +Miss Nestor that night. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap16"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +TROUBLE AT THE BANK +</H3> + +<P> +Coming in rather late from his trip to Mansburg, and thinking of some +things he and Miss Nestor had talked about, Tom was rather surprised, +on reaching the house, to see a light in his father's particular room, +where the aged inventor did his reading and his planning of new devices. +</P> + +<P> +"Dad's up rather late," said Tom to himself. "I wonder if he's studying +over some new machine." +</P> + +<P> +The lad ran his auto into the temporary garage he had built for it, and +connected the wires of a burglar alarm he had arranged, to give warning +in case any of his enemies should seek to damage the car. +</P> + +<P> +Tom encountered Garret Jackson, the aged inventor who was going his +rounds, seeing that everything was all right about the various shops. +</P> + +<P> +"Anybody with my father, Garret?" asked the lad. "I see he's still up." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," was the rather unexpected reply. "Mr. Damon is with him. +They've been in your father's room all the evening—ever since you went +away in the car." +</P> + +<P> +"Anything the matter?" inquired the young inventor, a bit anxious, as +he thought of the Happy Harry gang. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I don't know," and the engineer seemed puzzled. "They called me +in once to know if everything was all right outside, and to inquire if +you were back. I saw, then, that they were busy figuring over +something, but I didn't take much notice. Only I heard Mr. Damon say: +'There's going to be trouble if we can't realize on those bonds,' and +then I came away." +</P> + +<P> +"Is that all he said?" asked Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"No, he said 'Bless my buttons,' or something like that; but he blesses +so many things I didn't pay much attention." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right," agreed the lad. "But I wonder what the trouble is +about? I must go see." +</P> + +<P> +As he passed along the hall, out of which his father's combined study +and library opened, the aged inventor came to the door. +</P> + +<P> +"Is that you, Tom?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Dad." +</P> + +<P> +"Come in here, if you haven't anything else to do. Mr. Damon is here." +</P> + +<P> +Tom needed but a single glance at the faces of his father and Mr. Damon +to see that something was troubling the two. The table in front of them +was littered with papers covered with rows of figures. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter?" asked Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I suppose I ought not to let it bother me, but it does," replied +his father. +</P> + +<P> +"Something wrong with your patents, Dad? Has the crowd of bad men been +bothering you again?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, it isn't that. It's trouble at the bank, Tom." +</P> + +<P> +"Has it been robbed again?" asked the lad quickly. "If it has I can +prove an alibi," and he smiled at the recollection of the time he and +Mr. Damon had been accused of looting the vault, as told in "Tom Swift +and His Airship." +</P> + +<P> +"No, it hasn't been robbed in just that way," put in Mr. Damon. "But, +bless my shoe laces, it's almost as bad! You see, Tom, since Mr. Foger +started the new bank he's done his best to cripple the one in which +your father and I are interested. I may say we are very vitally +interested in it, for, since the withdrawal of Foger and his +associates, your father and I have been elected directors." +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't know that," remarked the lad. +</P> + +<P> +"No, I didn't tell you, because you were so busy on your electric car," +rejoined Mr. Swift. "But Mr. Damon and I, being both large depositors, +were asked to assume office, and, as I was not very busy on patent +affairs, I consented." +</P> + +<P> +"But what is the trouble?" inquired Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm coming to it," resumed Mr. Damon. "Bless my check book, I'm coming +to it! You see we have lost several good customers, by reason of Foger +opening the new bank. That wouldn't have mattered so much, as between +your father and myself, and one or two others, we have enough capital +to carry on the business of the bank. But there is a more serious +matter. We hold a number of very good securities, but they are of a +class hard to realize cash for, on short notice. In other words they +are not active bonds, though they are issued by reliable concerns. +Then, too, the bank has lost considerable money by not doing as much +business as it formerly did. In short we don't know just what to do, +Tom, and your father and I were discussing it, when you came in." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you need more money?" asked Tom. "I have some, that is my share +from the submarine treasure, and some I have allowed to accumulate as +royalties from my patents. It's about ten thousand dollars, and you're +welcome to it." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, Tom," spoke his father. "We may use your cash, but we'll +need a great deal more than that." +</P> + +<P> +"But why?" asked the lad. "I don't understand. If you have good bonds, +can't you dispose of them, and get the money?" +</P> + +<P> +"We could, Tom, yes, if we had time," replied Mr. Damon. "But to throw +the bonds on the market at short notice would mean that we would not +get a good price for them. We would lose considerable." +</P> + +<P> +"But why do it in a hurry?" +</P> + +<P> +"Because there is need of hurry," responded Mr. Swift. +</P> + +<P> +"That's it," joined in Mr. Damon. "We have to have cash in a hurry, +Tom, to meet pressing demands, and we don't just see our way clear to +get it. I am trying to raise it on some private securities I own, but I +can't get an answer within several days. Meanwhile the bank may fail, +because of lack of funds. Of course no one would lose anything, +ultimately, as we could go into the hands of a receiver, and, +eventually pay dollar for dollar. Your father and I, and some of the +other directors, might lose a little, but the depositors would not. But +your father and I don't like the idea of failing. It's something I've +never done, and I'm too old to start in now, bless my cash ledger if +I'm not!" +</P> + +<P> +"And for the sake of my reputation in this community I don't want to +see the bank close its doors," added Mr. Swift. "It would give Foger +too good a chance to crow over us." +</P> + +<P> +"And you need cash in a hurry," went on Tom. "How much?" +</P> + +<P> +"Fifty thousand dollars at least," replied Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"And if you don't get it?" +</P> + +<P> +The eccentric man shrugged his shoulders. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," remarked Mr. Swift musingly, "I don't see that we need worry +you about it, Tom. Perhaps—" +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Swift was interrupted by a ring at the front door. The three looked +at each other. It was late for a caller, and Mrs. Baggert had gone to +bed. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll answer it," volunteered Tom. He switched on the electric light in +the hall, and opened the door. He was confronted by Mr. Pendergast, the +president of the bank. +</P> + +<P> +"Is your father in?" asked Mr. Pendergast, and he seemed to be much +agitated. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, he is," replied the lad. "Come this way, please." +</P> + +<P> +"I want to see him on important business," went on the president, as he +followed the young inventor. "I'm afraid I have bad news for him and +Mr. Damon. Bad news, Tom, bad news," and the aged banker's voice +trembled. Tom, with a chill of apprehension seeming to clutch his +heart, threw open the library door. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap17"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A RUN ON THE BANK +</H3> + +<P> +"Why, Mr. Pendergast!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, rising quickly as Tom +ushered in the aged president. "Whatever is the matter? You here at +this hour? Bless my trial balance! Is anything wrong? +</P> + +<P> +"I'm afraid there is," answered the bank head. "I have just received +word which made it necessary for me to see you both at once. I'm glad +you're here, Mr. Damon." +</P> + +<P> +He sank wearily into a chair which Tom placed for him, and Mr. Swift +asked: +</P> + +<P> +"Have you been able to raise any cash, Mr. Pendergast?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I am sorry to say I have not, but I did not come here to tell you +that. I have bad news for you. As soon as we open our doors in the +morning, there will be a run on the bank."</p> + +<p>"A run on the bank?" +repeated Mr. Swift. +</P> + +<P> +"The moment we begin business in the morning," went on Mr. Pendergast. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my soul, then don't begin business!" cried Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"We must," insisted Mr. Pendergast. "To keep the doors closed would be +a confession at once that we have failed. No, it is better to open +them, and stand the run as long as we can. When we have exhausted our +cash—" he paused. +</P> + +<P> +"Well?" asked Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"Then we'll fail—that's all." +</P> + +<P> +"But we mustn't let the bank fail!" cried Mr. Swift. "I am willing to +put some of my personal fortune into the bank capital in order to save +it. So is my son here." +</P> + +<P> +"That's right," chimed in Tom heartily. "All I've got. I'm not going to +let Andy Foger get ahead of us; nor his father either." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll help to the limit of my ability," added Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"I appreciate all that," continued the president. "But the unfortunate +part of it is that we need cash. You gentlemen, like myself, probably, +have your money tied up in stocks and bonds. It is hard to get cash +quickly, and we must have cash as soon as we open in the morning, to +pay the depositors who will come flocking to the doors. We must prepare +for a run on the bank." +</P> + +<P> +"How do you know there will be a run?" asked the young inventor. +</P> + +<P> +"I received word this evening, just before I came here," replied Mr. +Pendergast. "A poor widow, who has a small amount in the bank, called +on me and said she had been advised to withdraw all her cash. She said +she preferred to see me about it first, as she did not like to lose her +interest. She said a number of her acquaintances, some of whom are +quite heavy depositors, had also been warned that the bank was unsound, +and that they ought to take out their savings and deposits at once." +</P> + +<P> +"Did she say who had thus warned her?" inquired Mr. Swift. +</P> + +<P> +"She did," was the reply, "and that shows me that there is a conspiracy +on foot to ruin our bank. She stated that Mr. Foger had told her our +institution was unsound." +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Foger!" cried Mr. Damon. "So this is one of his tricks to bolster +up his new bank! He hopes the people who withdraw their money from our +bank will deposit with him. I see his game. He's a scoundrel, and if +it's possible I'm going to sue him for damages after this thing is +over." +</P> + +<P> +"Did he warn the others?" inquired the aged inventor. +</P> + +<P> +"Not all of them," answered the president. "Some received letters from +a man signing himself Addison Berg, warning them that our bank, was +likely to fail any day." +</P> + +<P> +"Addison Berg!" exclaimed Tom. "That must have been the important +business he had with Mr. Foger, the day I showed him the watch charm! +They were plotting the ruin of our bank then," and he told his father +about his disastrous pursuit of the submarine agent. +</P> + +<P> +"Very likely Foger is working with Berg," admitted Mr. Damon. "We will +attend to them later. The question is, what can we do to save the bank?" +</P> + +<P> +"Get cash, and plenty of it," advised Mr. Pendergast. "Suppose we go +over the whole situation again?" and they fell to talking stocks: +bonds, securities, mortgages and interest, until the youth, interested +as he was in the situation, could follow it no longer. +</P> + +<P> +"Better go to bed, Tom," advised his father. "You can't help us any, +and we have many details to go over." +</P> + +<P> +The lad reluctantly consented, and he was soon dreaming that he was in +his electric auto, trying to pull up a thousand pound lump of gold from +the bottom of the sea. He awoke to find the bedclothes in a lump on his +chest, and, removing them, fell into a deep slumber. +</P> + +<P> +When the young inventor awoke the next morning, Mrs. Baggert told him +that his father and Mr. Damon had risen nearly an hour before, had +partaken of a hearty breakfast, and departed. +</P> + +<P> +"They told me to tell you they were at the bank," said the housekeeper. +</P> + +<P> +"Did Mr. Pendergast stay all night?" inquired Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"I heard some one go away about two o'clock this morning," replied the +housekeeper. "I don't know who it was." +</P> + +<P> +"They must have had a long session," thought Tom, as he began on his +bacon, eggs and coffee. "I'll take a run down to the bank in my +electric in a little while." +</P> + +<P> +The car was still in rather crude shape, outwardly, but the mechanism +was now almost perfect. Tom charged the batteries well before starting +out. +</P> + +<P> +The youth had no sooner come in sight of the old Shopton bank, to +distinguish it from the Second National, which Mr. Foger had started, +than he was aware that something unusual had occurred. There was quite +a crowd about it, and more persons were constantly arriving to swell +the throng. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter?" asked Tom, of one of the few police officers of +which Shopton boasted, though the lad did not need to be told. +</P> + +<P> +"Run on the bank," was the brief answer. "It's failed." +</P> + +<P> +Tom felt a pang of disappointment. Somehow, he had hoped that his +father and his friends might have been able to stave off ruin. As he +approached nearer Tom was made aware that the crowd was in an ugly mood. +</P> + +<P> +"Why don't they open the doors and give us our money?" cried one +excited woman. "It's ours! I worked hard for mine, an' now they want to +keep it from us. I wish I'd put it in the new bank." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, that's the best place," added another. "That Mr. Foger has lots +of money." +</P> + +<P> +"I can see the hand of Andy's father, and that of Mr. Berg, at work +here," thought Tom, "They have spread rumors of the bank's trouble, and +hope to profit by it. I wish I could find a way to beat them at their +own game." +</P> + +<P> +As the minutes passed, and the bank was not opened, the ugly temper of +the crowd increased. The few police could do nothing with the mob, and +several, bolder than the rest, advocated battering down the doors. Some +went up the steps and began to pound on the portals. Tom looked for a +sight of his father or Mr. Damon, but could not see either. +</P> + +<P> +It was not the regular hour for opening the bank, but when the police +reminded the people of this they only laughed. +</P> + +<P> +"I guess they ain't going to open anyhow!" shouted a man. "They've got +our money, and they're going to keep it. What difference is an hour, +anyway?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, if they have the money, why don't they open, and not wait until +ten o'clock?" cried another. "I've got a hundred and five dollars in +there, and I want it!" +</P> + +<P> +More excited persons were arriving every minute. The crowd surged this +way, and that. Many looked anxiously at the clock in the tower of the +town hall. The gilded hands pointed to a few minutes of ten. Would the +bank open its doors when the hour boomed out? Many were anxiously +asking this question. +</P> + +<P> +Tom sat in his electric car, near the front of the bank. The interest +of the crowd, which under ordinary circumstances would have been +centered in the queer vehicle, was not drawn toward it. The people +were all thinking of their money. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly one of the two doors of the bank slowly opened. There was a +yell from the crowd, and a rush to get in. But the police managed to +hold the leaders back, and then Tom saw that it was Ned Newton, who +stood in the partly-opened portal. He held up his hand to indicate +silence, and a hush fell over the mob. +</P> + +<P> +"The bank is open for business," Ned announced, "but there must be no +rush. The building is not large enough to accommodate you all. If you +form a line, you will be admitted in turn. The bank hopes to pay you +all." +</P> + +<P> +"Hopes!" cried a woman scornfully. "We can't eat hopes, young man, nor +yet pay the rent with it. Hopes indeed!" +</P> + +<P> +But Ned had said all he cared to, and, with rather a white face, he +went back inside. The one door remained open and, with a policeman on +either side, a line of anxious depositors was slowly formed. Tom +watched them crowding and surging forward, all eager to be first to get +their cash out, lest there be not enough for all. As he watched, the +young inventor was aware that some was signaling to him from the big +window of the bank. He looked more closely and saw Ned Newton beckoning +to him, and the young cashier was motioning Tom to go around to the +rear, where a door of the bank opened on a small alley. Wondering what +was wanted, Tom slowly ran his machine down the side street, and up the +alley. No one paid any attention to him. +</P> + +<P> +A porter admitted the lad, and he made his way to the private offices, +where he knew his father and Mr. Damon would be. In the corridors he +could hear the murmur of the throng and the chink of money, as the +tellers paid it out. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, Tom, this is bad business," remarked Mr. Swift, as he saw his +son. The lad noticed that Mr. Damon was in the telephone booth. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Dad," admitted Tom. "It's a run, all right. What are you going to +do?" +</P> + +<P> +"The best we can. Pay out all the cash we have, and hope that before +that time, the people will come to their senses. The bank is all right +if they would only wait. But I'm afraid they won't and, after we pay +out all the cash we have, we'll have to close the doors. Then there's +sure to be an unpleasant scene, and maybe some of the more hot-headed +ones will advocate violence. We have given orders to the tellers to pay +out as slowly as possible, so as to enable us to gain some time." +</P> + +<P> +"And all you need is money; is that it, Dad?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's it, Tom, but we have exhausted every possibility. Mr. Damon is +trying a forlorn hope now, but, even if he is successful—" +</P> + +<P> +Before Mr. Swift had ceased speaking, Mr. Damon fairly burst from the +telephone booth. He was much excited. +</P> + +<P> +"I've got it! I've got it!" he cried. +</P> + +<P> +"What?" asked Mr. Swift and Tom in the same breath. +</P> + +<P> +"The cash, or, what's just as good, the promise of it. I called up Mr. +Chase, of the Clayton National Bank, and he has agreed to take the +railroad securities I offered him as collateral, and let me have sixty +thousand dollars on them! That will give us cash enough to weather the +storm. Hurrah! We're all right now. Bless my check book!" +</P> + +<P> +"The Clayton National Bank," remarked Mr. Swift, and his voice was +hopeless. "It's forty miles away, Mr. Damon, and no railroad around +here runs anywhere near it. No one could get there and back with the +cash to-day, in time to save us from ruin. It's impossible! Our last +chance is gone." +</P> + +<P> +"How far did you say it was, Dad?" asked Tom quickly. +</P> + +<P> +"Forty miles there, over forty, I guess, and not very good roads. We +would need to have the cash here before three o'clock to be of any +service to us. No, it's out of the question. The bank will have to +fail!" +</P> + +<P> +"No!" cried the young inventor, and his voice rang out through the +room. "I'll get the cash for you!" +</P> + +<P> +"How?" gasped Mr. Damon. "You can't get there and back in time?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I can!" cried Tom. "In my electric runabout! I can make it go a +hundred miles an hour, if necessary! Probably I'll have to run slow +over the bad roads; but I can do it! I know I can. I'll get the sixty +thousand dollars for you!" +</P> + +<P> +For a moment there was silence. Then Mr. Damon cried: +</P> + +<P> +"Good! And I'll go with you and deliver the securities to Mr. Chase. +Come on, Tom Swift! Bless my collar button, but maybe we can yet save +the old bank after all!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap18"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +AFTER THE CASH +</H3> + +<P> +Tom's proposal as a way out of the difficulty, and the prompt seconding +of it by Mr. Damon, seemed to deprive the other bank officials, Mr. +Swift included, of the power of speech for a few moments. Then, as +there came to the room where the scene had taken place, the sound of +the mob outside, clamoring for cash, Mr. Pendergast, the president, +remarked in a low voice: +</P> + +<P> +"It seems to be the only way. Do you think you can do it, Tom Swift?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'm sure of it, as far as my electric car is concerned," replied the +young inventor. "If we get the cash I'll have it back here on time. The +runabout is all ready for a fast trip." +</P> + +<P> +"Then don't lose any time, Tom," advised his father. "Every minute +counts." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," added Mr. Damon. "Come on. I've got the securities in my valise, +and we can bring the cash back in the same satchel. Come on, Tom." +</P> + +<P> +The eccentric character caught up his valise, and started from the +room. Tom followed. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, my son, be careful," advised his father. "You know the need of +haste, but don't take unnecessary risks. You'd better go out the back +way, as the crowd is easily excited." +</P> + +<P> +Little more was said. Mr. Swift clasped his son's hand in a firm +pressure, and the bank president nervously bade the lad good-by. Then, +slipping out of the bank, by the rear entrance, the porter closing the +door after them, Tom and Mr. Damon took their places in the electric +machine. +</P> + +<P> +"Just imagine you're racing for that three-thousand-dollar prize, +offered by the Touring Club of America, Tom," observed Mr. Damon, as he +deposited the valise at his feet. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't have to do that," replied the youth. "I'm trying for a bigger +prize than that. I want to save the bank, and defeat the schemes of the +Fogers—father and son." +</P> + +<P> +Tom turned on the power, and the machine rolled out on the main street. +As it turned the corner, leaving the impatient crowd of depositors, now +larger than ever, behind, Mr. Damon glanced over at the new bank, and, +as he did so, he called to Tom: +</P> + +<P> +"There are the Fogers now." +</P> + +<P> +The young inventor looked, and saw Andy and his father on the steps of +the new institution. +</P> + +<P> +At the sight of the electric car, speeding along, Andy turned and spoke +to his parent. What he said seemed to impress Mr. Foger, for he +started, and looked more intently at Tom and Mr. Damon. Then, as Tom +watched, he saw the two excitedly conversing, and a moment later Andy +ran off in the direction in which Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey lived. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder if he's up to any tricks?" thought Tom, as he turned on more +power. "Well, if he is, I'll soon be where he can't reach me." +</P> + +<P> +The young inventor did not dare send his car at full speed through the +streets of the town, and it was not until several minutes had passed +that they could go at more than the ordinary rate. But once the open +country was reached Tom "opened her up full," and the song the motor +sung was one of power. The vehicle quickly gathered headway and was +soon fairly whizzing along. +</P> + +<P> +"If we keep this up we'll be there and back in good time," remarked Mr. +Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, but we can't do it," replied his companion. "The road to Clayton +is a poor one, and we'll soon be on it. Then we'll have to go slow. But +I'll make all the time I can until then." +</P> + +<P> +So, for several miles more they crept along, at times having to reduce +to almost a walking pace, because of bad roads. Mr. Damon looked at his +watch almost every other minute. +</P> + +<P> +"Eleven o'clock," he remarked, as they passed a milestone, "and we're +not half way there. Bless my gizzard, but I'm afraid we won't make it, +Tom. We left about ten, and we ought to be back by two o'clock to do +any good. That's four hours, and it will take some time to transfer the +securities, and get the cash. Every minute counts." +</P> + +<P> +"I know it," answered Tom, "and I'm going to count every minute." +</P> + +<P> +With eager eyes he watched every inch of the road, to steer to the best +advantage. His hands gripped the wheel until his knuckles showed white +with the strain, and, every now and then his right hand adjusted the +speed lever or the controller handle, while his foot was on the +emergency brake, ready to stop the car at the first sign of danger. +</P> + +<P> +And there was danger, not infrequently, for the road was up and down +hill, over frail bridges, and along steep cliffs. It was no pleasure +tour they were on. +</P> + +<P> +When a little over half the distance had been made they came to a +better road, and Tom was able to use full speed ahead. Then the +electric went so fast that, had it not been for the steel wind-shield +in front, Mr. Damon, at any rate, would have been short of breath. +</P> + +<P> +"This is going some!" he cried to Tom. The lad nodded grimly, and +shoved the controller handle over to the last notch. Then came a bad +stretch and they had to slow down again. As they were about out of it +there came a little flash of fire and the motor stopped. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my overshoes!" cried Mr. Damon. "What's that; a fuse blown out?" +</P> + +<P> +"No," replied Tom, with a puzzled air. "But something has gone wrong." +Hastily he got out, and made an examination. He found it was only one +of the unimportant wires which had short-circuited, and it was soon +adjusted. But they had lost five precious minutes. Tom tried to make up +for lost time, but came to a hill a little later, and this reduced +their speed. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you think we can make it before twelve?" asked Mr. Damon anxiously. +"We've got to, if we're to get back before three, Tom." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll try," was the calm answer, and Tom's jaw was shut still more +tightly. Once again came more favorable roads and pushing the car to +the limit the occupants were rejoiced, a little later, as they topped a +hill, to come in sight of a fairly large city. +</P> + +<P> +"There's Clayton!" cried Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +Ten minutes later they were rolling through the main street, and as +they stopped in front of the bank, the noon whistles blew shrill and +noisily. +</P> + +<P> +"You did it, Tom!" cried Mr. Damon, springing out with the valise of +securities. "Now be ready for the return trip. I'll be with you as soon +as possible." +</P> + +<P> +He went up the bank steps three at a time, like some boy instead of an +elderly man. Tom looked after him for a second and then got down to oil +up his car, and make some adjustments that had rattled loose from the +rough road. Unmindful of the curious throng that gathered he crawled +under the machine with his oil-can. +</P> + +<P> +He had finished his work, and was back in his seat, ready to start, but +Mr. Damon had not reappeared. +</P> + +<P> +"It's taking him a good while to get that cash," thought Tom. "Maybe +the securities were no good." +</P> + +<P> +But, a few minutes later, Mr. Damon came hurrying from the bank. The +valise he carried seemed much heavier than when he went in. +</P> + +<P> +"It's all right, Tom," he said. "I've got it. Now for the trip home, +and I hope we don't have any accidents. It took longer than I thought +to check over the bonds and receipt for them. But I've got the cash. +Now to save the bank!" +</P> + +<P> +He took his place beside the young inventor, holding the valise between +his knees, while Tom turned on the power and sent his car dashing down +the street, and toward the road that led to Shopton. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap19"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIX +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +STOPPED ON THE ROAD +</H3> + +<P> +"Did Mr. Chase make any objection to giving you the cash?" asked Tom, +as he shoved the controller over another notch, and caused the motor to +make a higher note in its song of speed. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, no, he was very nice about it," replied Mr. Damon. "He said he +hoped our bank would pull through. Said if we needed more cash we could +have it." +</P> + +<P> +It was nearly one o'clock, and they had the worst part of the journey +yet to go. Thirty miles of stiff roads lay between them and Shopton, +the last five and the first five being fairly good, with, here and +there, soft spots. +</P> + +<P> +Up hill and down went the electric auto. At every opportunity Tom let +out all the speed he could draw from the motor, but there were many +times when he had to slow down. He had just made the ascent of a steep +hill, and was turning into a fairly good road, skirting the edge of a +steep cliff, when there came a sharp report. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my soul! That's a fuse, I'm sure of it!" cried Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"No," announced Tom, as he quickly shut off the power. "It's a +puncture. One of the inner tubes of the tire has been pierced. I was +afraid of that tube." +</P> + +<P> +"What have you got to do; put on a new tire?" asked Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"No, I'm going to put on a new wheel. I carry two spare ones with tires +all ready inflated. It won't take long." +</P> + +<P> +But the process of changing wheels consumed more time than Tom +anticipated for the nut was stuck, and he and Mr. Damon had to exert +all their strength before they could loosen it. When the new wheel was +in place ten minutes had been lost. +</P> + +<P> +"Hold on now, I'm going to speed her!" cried Tom, when they were once +more in their seats, and speed the machine he did. The road was rough, +but despite this the lad turned on almost full power. Over the bumps +they went, around curves and into rain-washed ruts careening from side +to side, and throwing Mr. Damon about, as he expressed it afterward, +"like a bean inside of a football." As for the young inventor his grasp +of the steering wheel, and the manner in which he could brace himself +against the foot pedals, held him more firmly in place. On and on they +rushed, covering mile after mile, and approaching Shopton where so much +depended on their arrival. +</P> + +<P> +Good and bad stretches of the road alternated, but now that Tom had +seen of what mettle his car was made, he did not spare it as much as he +had on the first trip. He saw that his machine would stand hard knocks, +and the way the battery and motor was behaving was a joy to him. He +knew that if he could make that eighty-mile run in safety he stood a +good chance of winning the prize, for no harder test could have been +devised. +</P> + +<P> +But the race was still far from won. There was a particularly unsafe +stretch of road yet to be covered, and then would come a smooth highway +into Shopton. +</P> + +<P> +"Ten miles more," observed Mr. Damon, snapping shut his big gold watch. +"Ten miles more, and it's a quarter of two now. We ought to be there at +a quarter after, and that will be in good time, eh, Tom?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think so, but I don't know about this piece of road we're coming to. +It seems worse than when we passed over it this morning." +</P> + +<P> +As he spoke the auto began to slow up, for the wheels had struck some +heavy sand, and it was necessary to reduce the current. Tom turned back +the controller handle, but watched with eager eyes for a sign that the +roadbed was harder, so that he could increase speed. +</P> + +<P> +As the car turned around a curve, passing through a lonely stretch of +country, with woods on either side of the highway, Tom glancing up, +uttered a cry of astonishment. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter; something gone wrong?" asked his companion. +</P> + +<P> +For answer Tom pointed. There, just ahead of them, was a big load of +hay, and it was evident that the driver, was in no particular hurry. +</P> + +<P> +"We can't pass that without getting in over our hubs!" cried Tom. "If +we turn out the side ditches are so soft that we'll need help to pull +out, and the road is so narrow for several miles that we'll have to +trail along behind that fellow." +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my check book!" cried Mr. Damon. "Are we going to lose, after +all, on account of a load of hay? No, I'll buy it from him first, at +double the market price, tip it over, set fire to it, toss it in the +ditch, and then we can go past!" +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe that will answer," retorted Tom, smiling grimly. +</P> + +<P> +He put on a little more speed, and was soon close up behind the load of +hay, ringing his electric bell as a warning. +</P> + +<P> +"I say!" called Mr. Damon to the unseen driver, "can't you turn out and +let us pass?" +</P> + +<P> +"Ha! Hum! Wa'al I guess not!" came the answer, in unmistakable farmer's +accents. "You automobile fellers is too gol-hanged smart, racin' along +th' roads. I've got just as good a right here as you fellers have, by +heck!" The driver did not show himself. +</P> + +<P> +"We know that," responded Tom, as quickly as he could, for he did not +want to anger the man. "But our machine is so heavy that if we turn +into the ditch I'm afraid we'll be mired." +</P> + +<P> +"Huh! So'll I," was the retort from the unseen driver.. "Think I want +t' spile my load of hay?" +</P> + +<P> +"But you have wide tires on, and you wouldn't sink in far," answered +the young inventor. "Besides, it's very necessary that we get past. A +great deal depends on our speed." +</P> + +<P> +"So it does on mine," was the reply. "Ef I git t' market late I'll have +t' stay all night, an' spend money on a hotel bill." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll pay it! I'll pay your bill if you'll only pull out!" cried Mr. +Damon. "I'll give you a hundred dollars!" +</P> + +<P> +He suddenly ceased speaking. From the bushes along the road sprang +several ragged, masked figures. Each one, aiming his weapon at Tom, +said in a low voice, that could not have been heard by the driver of +the hay wagon: +</P> + +<P> +"Slow up your machine, young feller! We want to speak with you, and +don't you make a loud noise, or it won't be healthy for you!" +</P> + +<P> +"Why of all the—!" began Mr. Damon, but another of the footpads +leveling his weapon at the eccentric man growled: +</P> + +<P> +"Dry up, if you don't want to get shot!" +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Damon subsided. Discretion was very plainly the better part of +valor. Tom had shut off the current. The load of hay continued on +ahead. Tom thought perhaps the driver of it might have been in +collusion with the thieves, to cause the auto to slow up. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you want with us?" asked the young inventor, trying to speak +calmly, but finding it a hard task, with a revolver pointed at him. +</P> + +<P> +"You know what we want," exclaimed the leader, in a low voice. "We +want that cash you got from the bank, and we're going to have it! Come, +now, shell out!" and he advanced toward the automobile. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap20"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XX +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +ON TIME +</H3> + +<P> +Close around the electric auto crowded the members of the hold-up gang. +Their eyes seemed to glare through the holes in their black masks. +Instantly Tom thought of the other occasion when he was halted by +masked figures. Could these, by any possibility, be the same +individuals? Was this a trick of Andy Foger and his cronies? +</P> + +<P> +Tom tried to pierce through the disguises. Clearly the persons were +men—not boys—and they wore the ragged clothes of tramps. Also, there +was an air of dogged determination about them. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, are you going to shell out?" asked the leader, taking a step +nearer, "or will we have to take it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my very existence! You don't mean to say that you're going to +take the money—I mean how do you know we have any money?" and Mr. +Damon hastily corrected himself. "What right have you to stop us in +this way? Don't you know that every minute counts? We are in a hurry." +</P> + +<P> +"I know it," spoke the leading masked figure with a laugh. "I know you +have considerable money in that shebang, and I know what you hope to do +with it, prevent the run on the Shopton National Bank. But we need that +money as much as some other people and, what's more, we're going to +have it! Come on, shell out!" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, why didn't we bring a gun!" lamented Mr. Damon in a low voice to +Tom. "Isn't there anything we can do? Can't you give them an electric +shock, Tom?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'm afraid not. If it wasn't for that hay wagon we could turn on the +current and make a run for it. But we'd only go into the ditch if we +tried to pass now." +</P> + +<P> +The load of hay was down the road, but as Tom looked he noticed a +curious thing. It seemed to be nearer than it was when the attack of +the masked men came. The wagon actually seemed to have backed up. Once +more the thought came to the lad that possibly the load of fodder might +be one of the factors on which the thieves counted. They might have +used it to make the auto halt, and the man, or men, on it were probably +in collusion with the footpads. There was no doubt about it, the load +of hay was coming nearer, backing up instead of moving away. Tom +couldn't understand it. He gave a swift glance at the robbers. They had +not appeared to notice this, or, if they had, they gave no sign. +</P> + +<P> +"Then we can't do anything," murmured Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't see that we can," replied the young inventor in a low voice. +</P> + +<P> +"And the money we worked so hard to get won't do the bank any good," +and Mr. Damon sighed. +</P> + +<P> +"It's tough luck," agreed Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Come now, fork over that cash!" called the leader, advancing still +closer. "None of that talk between you there. If you think you can work +some trick on us you're mistaken. We're desperate men, and we're well +armed. The first show of resistance you make, and we shoot—get that, +fellows?" he added to his followers, and they nodded grimly. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," remarked Mr. Damon with an air of submission, "I only want to +warn you that you are acting illegally, and that you are perpetrating a +desperate crime." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, we know that all right," answered one of the men, and Tom gave a +start. He was sure he had heard that voice before. He tried to remember +it—tried to penetrate the disguise—but he could not. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll give you ten seconds more to hand over that bag of money," went +on the leader. "If you don't, we'll take it and some of you may get +hurt in the process." +</P> + +<P> +There seemed nothing else to do. With a white face, but with anger +showing in his eyes Mr. Damon reached down to get the valise. Tom had +retained his grip of the steering wheel, and the starting lever. He +hoped, at the last minute, he might see a chance to dash away, and +escape, but that load of hay was in the path. He noted that it was now +quite near, but the thieves paid no attention to it. +</P> + +<P> +Tom might have reversed the power, and sent his machine backward, but +he could not see to steer it if he went in that direction, and he would +soon have gone into the ditch. There was nothing to do save to hand +over the cash, it seemed. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Damon had the bag raised from the car, and the leader of the +thieves was reaching up for it, when there came a sudden interruption. +</P> + +<P> +From the load of hay there sounded a fusillade of pistol shots, +cracking out with viciousness. This was instantly followed by the +appearance of three men who came running from around the load of hay, +down the road toward the thieves. Each man carried a pitchfork, and as +they ran, one of the trio shouted: +</P> + +<P> +"Right at 'em, boys! Jab your hay forks clean through the scoundrels! +By Heck, I guess we'll show 'em we know how t' tackle a hold-up gang as +well as the next fellow! Right at 'em now! Charge 'em! Stick your +forks right through 'em!" Again there sounded a fusillade of pistol +shots. +</P> + +<P> +The thieves turned as one man, and glanced at the relief so +unexpectedly approaching. They gave one look at the three determined +looking farmers, with their sharp, glittering pitchforks, and then, +without a word, they turned and fled, leaping into the bushes that +lined the roadway. The underbrush closed after them and they were +hidden from sight. +</P> + +<P> +On came the three farmers, waving their effective weapons, the pistol +shots still ringing out from the load of hay. Tom could not understand +it, and could see no one firing—could detect no smoke. +</P> + +<P> +"Are they gone? Did they rob ye?" asked the foremost of the trio, a +burly, grizzled farmer. "Bust my buttons, but I guess we skeered 'em +all right!" +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my shoe buttons, but you certainly have!" cried Mr. Damon, +descending from the automobile, and wringing the hand of the farmer, +while Tom, thrust the bag of money under his legs and waited further +developments. The pistol shots rang out until one of the men called: +</P> + +<P> +"That'll do, Bub! We've skeered 'em like Mrs. Zenoby's pet cat! You +needn't crack that whip any more." +</P> + +<P> +"Whip!" cried Tom. "Was that a whip?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's what it was," explained the leading farmer. "Bub Armstrong, my +nephew, can crack it to beat th' band," and as if in proof of this +there emerged from behind the load of hay a small lad, carrying a large +whip, to which he gave a few trial cracks, like pistol shots, as if to +show his ability. +</P> + +<P> +"It's all right, Bub," his uncle assured him. "We made 'em run." +</P> + +<P> +"But I don't exactly understand," spoke Mr. Damon. "I thought you were +in league with those thieves, stopping us as you did with your big +load." +</P> + +<P> +"So did I," admitted Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Ha! Ha!" laughed the farmer. "That's a pretty good joke. Excuse me +for laughin'. My name's Lyon, Jethro Lyon, of Salina Township, an' +these is my two sons, Ade and Burt. You see we're on our way to +Shopton, an' my nephew, Bub, he went along. We thought you was some of +them sassy automobile fellers at first when you hollered to us you +wanted to pass. Then when we looked back, we seen them burglars goin' +t' rob you, at least that's what we suspicioned," and he paused +suggestively. +</P> + +<P> +"That was it," Tom said. +</P> + +<P> +"Wa'al, when we seen that, we held a sort of consultation on thet load +of hay, where they couldn't see us. It was so big you know," he +needlessly explained. "Wa'al, we calcalated we could help you, so I +jest quietly backed up, until we was near enough. I told Bub to take +the long whip, an' crack it for all he was wuth, so's it would sound +like reinforcements approachin' with guns, an' he done it." +</P> + +<P> +"He certainly done it," added Burt. +</P> + +<P> +"Wa'al," resumed Mr. Lyon, "then me an my sons we jest slipped down off +the front seat, an' come a runnin' with our pitchforks. I reckoned +them burglars would run when they see us an' heard us, an' they done +so." +</P> + +<P> +"Yep, they done so," added Ade, like an echo. +</P> + +<P> +"I can't tell you how much obliged we are to you," said Mr. Damon. "We +have sixty thousand dollars in this valise, and they would have had it +in another minute, and the bank would have failed." +</P> + +<P> +"Sixty thousand dollars!" gasped Mr. Lyon, and his sons and nephew +echoed the words. Mr. Damon briefly explained about the money, and he +and the young inventor again thanked their rescuers, who had so +unexpectedly, and in such a novel manner, put the thieves to flight. +</P> + +<P> +"An' you've got t' git t' Shopton before three o'clock with thet cash?" +asked Mr. Lyon. +</P> + +<P> +"That's what we hoped to do," replied Tom "but I'm afraid we won't now. +It's half past two, and—" +</P> + +<P> +"Don't say another word," interrupted Mr. Lyon. "I know what ye mean. +My hay's in the road. But don't let that worry ye none. I'll pull out +of your road in a jiffy, an' if we do go down in th' ditch, why we can +throw off part of th' load, lighten th' wagon, an' pull out again. +You've got t' hustle if ye git t' Shopton by three o'clock." +</P> + +<P> +"I can do it with a clear road," declared Tom, confidently. +</P> + +<P> +"Then ye'll have th' clear road," Mr. Lyon assured him. "Come boys, +let's git th' hay t' one side." +</P> + +<P> +The farmers pulled into the ditch. As they had feared the wagon went in +almost to the hubs, but they did not mind, and, even as Tom and Mr. +Damon shot past them, they fell to work tossing off part of the fodder, +to lighten the wagon. The young inventor and his companion waved a +grateful farewell to them as they fairly tore past, for Tom had turned +on almost the full current. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you suppose that was the Happy Harry gang, or some members of it +who were not captured and sent to jail?" asked Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't believe so," answered the lad, shaking his head. "Maybe they +didn't really want to rob us. Perhaps they only wanted to delay us so +we wouldn't get to the bank on time." +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my top knot, you may be right!" cried Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +Further conversation became difficult, as they struck a rough part of +the road, where the vehicle swayed and jolted to an alarming degree. +But Tom never slackened pace. On and on they rushed, Mr. Damon +frequently looking at his watch. +</P> + +<P> +"We've got twenty minutes left," he remarked as they came out on the +smooth stretch of road, that led directly into Shopton. +</P> + +<P> +Then Tom turned all the reserve power into the motor. The machinery +almost groaned as the current surged into the wires, but it took up the +load, and the electric car, swaying more than ever, dashed ahead with +its burden of wealth. +</P> + +<P> +Now they were in the town, now speeding down the street leading to the +bank. One or two policemen shouted after them, for they were violating +the speed laws, but it was no time to stop for that. On and on they +dashed. +</P> + +<P> +They came in sight of the bank. A long line of persons was still in +front. They seemed more excited than in the morning, for the hour of +three was approaching, and they feared the bank would close its doors, +never to open them again. +</P> + +<P> +"The run is still on," observed Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"But it will soon be over," predicted Tom. +</P> + +<P> +Some news of the errand of the automobile must have penetrated the +crowd, for as Tom swung past the front entrance to the bank, to go up +the rear alley, he was greeted with a cheer. +</P> + +<P> +"They've got the cash!" a man cried. "I'm satisfied now. I won't draw +out my deposit." +</P> + +<P> +"I want to see the cash before I'll believe it," said another. +</P> + +<P> +Tom slowed up to make the turn into the alley. As he did so he glanced +across the street to the new bank. In the window stood Andy Foger and +his father. There was a look of surprise on their faces as they saw the +arrival of the powerful car, and, Tom fancied, also a look of chagrin. +</P> + +<P> +Up the alley went the car, police keeping the crowd from following. The +porter was at the door. So, also, was Mr. Pendergast and Mr. Swift, +while some of the other officers were grouped behind them. +</P> + +<P> +"Did you get the money?" gasped the president. +</P> + +<P> +"We did," answered Tom. "Are we on time, Dad?" +</P> + +<P> +"Just on time, my boy! They're paying out the last of the cash now! +You're on time, thank fortune!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap21"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXI +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +OFF TO THE BIG RACE +</H3> + +<P> +From their task of handing out money to eager depositors, the wearied +tellers looked up as Tom and Mr. Damon entered with the big valise +crammed full of money. It was opened, and the bundles of bills turned +out on a table. +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps you'd better make an announcement to the crowd, Mr. +Pendergast," suggested Mr. Swift. "Tell them we now have cash enough to +meet all demands, and that the bank will be kept open until every one +is paid." +</P> + +<P> +"I will," agreed the aged president. His announcement was received with +cheers, and had exactly the effect the inventor hoped it would. +</P> + +<P> +Many, learning that the bank was safe, and that they could have their +money whenever they wanted it, concluded not to withdraw it, thus +saving the interest. Scores in the waiting crowd turned out of line and +went home. Their example was contagious, and, though many still +remained to get their deposits, the run was broken. Only part of the +sixty thousand dollars Tom and Mr. Damon had brought through after a +race with time, was needed. But had it not been for the moral effect of +the cash arriving as it did, the bank would have failed. +</P> + +<P> +"You have a great car, Tom Swift," complimented Mr. Pendergast, when +the excitement had somewhat cooled down, and the story of the hold-up +had been told. +</P> + +<P> +"I think so myself," agreed the young inventor modestly. "I must get +ready for the races now." +</P> + +<P> +"And as for those farmers, I think I'll send them a reward," went on +the president. "They deserve something for the trouble they had with +the load of hay. I certainly shall send them a reward," which he did, +and a substantial one, too. +</P> + +<P> +Of course the hold-up was at once reported to the police after the run +had quieted down, but Chief Simonson surprised Tom by saying that he +had expected it. +</P> + +<P> +"The gang that held you up," said the police officer, "was one that +escaped from a jail, about twenty miles away. I got a tip after you +left, that they were going to rob you, for, in some way, they learned +about the money you and Mr. Damon were to bring from the bank. The +unfortunate part of it was that the tip I got was to the effect that +the hold-up would take place just outside of Clayton. I telephoned to +the police there, just after you left, and they said they'd send out a +posse. But the gang changed their plans; and held you up near here, +where I wasn't expecting it. But I'll get 'em yet." +</P> + +<P> +Chief Simonson did not arrest the gang, but some other police officers +did, and they were taken back to jail. They were not prosecuted for the +attempted robbery of Tom, as it was considered difficult to fix the +guilt on them, but they received such a long additional sentence for +breaking jail, that it will be many years before they are released. +</P> + +<P> +When Tom reached home that night he found some mail from the officials +of the Touring Club of America. It was to the effect that arrangements +for the big contest had been completed, and that contesting cars must +be on the ground by September first. +</P> + +<P> +"That gives me two weeks yet," thought our hero. +</P> + +<P> +He read further of the regulations covering the race. Each car must +proceed from the home town or city of the owner, and go to the track +under its own power. This was a new regulation, it was stated, and was +adopted to better develop the industry of building electric autos. Two +passengers, or one in addition to the driver, must be carried, it was +stated, and this one would also be expected to be in the car during the +entire race. +</P> + +<P> +Regarding the race proper it was stated that at first it had been +decided to make it a twenty-four hour endurance contest, but that for +certain reasons this was changed, as it was found that few storage +batteries could go this length of time without a number of rechargings. +Therefore the race was to be one for distance—five hundred miles, on +the new Long Island track, and the car first covering that distance +would win. Cars were allowed to change their batteries as often as they +needed to, but all time lost would count against them. There were other +rules and regulations of minor importance. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," remarked Tom, as he read through the circulars, "I must get my +car in shape. It will be quite a trip to Long Island, and I think my +best plan will be to go direct to the cottage we had when we were +building the submarine, and from there proceed to the track. That will +comply with the rules, I think. But who will I get to go with me? I +suppose Mr. Damon or Mr. Sharp will be willing. I'll ask them." +</P> + +<P> +He broached the matter to his two friends that night, and they both +agreed to go to Long Island in the car, though only Mr. Sharp would +accompany Tom in the race. The next two weeks were busy ones for Tom. +He worked night and day over his car, getting it in shape for the big +event. +</P> + +<P> +The young inventor made some changes in his battery, and also adopted a +new gear, which would give greater speed. He also completed the +exterior of the auto, giving it several coats of purple paint and +varnish, so that when it was finished, though it was different in shape +from most autos, it was as fine an appearing car as one could wish. He +arranged to carry two extra wheels, with tires inflated, and, under the +rear seats, or tonneau, as he called it, Tom fitted up a complete +tire-repairing outfit. Mr. Sharp agreed to ride there, and in case +there was need to use more than two spare wheels during the race, the +rubber shoes or inner tubes could be mended while the car was swinging +around the track. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Damon would ride in front with Tom on the cross-country trip, and +occasionally relieve him at steering, or would help to manage the +electrical connections. Spare fuses, extra parts, wires and different +things he thought he might need, the young inventor stored in his car. +He also found means to install a small additional storage battery, to +give added power in case of emergency. +</P> + +<P> +Tom learned from the racing officials that if he made a trip from +Shopton to the cottage on the coast, near the city of Atlantis, and +later traveled from there to the track, it would fulfill the conditions +of the contest. +</P> + +<P> +Finally all was in readiness, and one morning, having spent the better +part of the night going over his machine, to see that he had forgotten +nothing, Tom invited Mr. Damon and Mr. Sharp to enter, and prepare for +the trip to Long Island. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, Tom, I certainly hope you win that race," remarked Mrs. Baggert, +as she stood in the doorway, waving a farewell. +</P> + +<P> +"If I do I'll buy you a pair of diamond earrings to match the diamond +ring I gave you from the money I got from the wreck," promised the lad +with a laugh. +</P> + +<P> +"An' ef yo' sees dat Andy Foger," added Eradicate Sampson, while he +rubbed the long ears of Boomerang, his mule, "ef yo' sees him, jest run +ober him once or twice fer mah sake, Mistah Swift." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll do it for my own, too," agreed Tom. +</P> + +<P> +The youth shook hands with his father, who wished him good luck, and +then, after a final look at his car, he climbed to his seat, and turned +on the power. There was a low hum from the motor and the electric +started off. Would it return a winner or loser of the big race? +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap22"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +IN A DITCH +</H3> + +<P> +Through the streets of Shopton went Tom Swift and his friends. News of +the big contest the young inventor was about to take part in, had +circulated around town, and there were not wanting many to wish him +good luck. The lad responded smilingly to the farewells he received. As +they passed the bank, Ned Newton came out on the steps. +</P> + +<P> +"Wish I was going along," he called. +</P> + +<P> +"So do I," replied Tom. "How's everything? Is the bank all right since +the run?" for he had not had time to pay much attention to the +institution since his memorable race against time, to get the money. +</P> + +<P> +"Stronger and better than ever," was Ned's answer, as he came to the +curb, where Tom slowed up. "I hear," he added in a whisper, "that the +other fellows are going out of business—Foger and his crowd you know. +They loaned money on unsecured notes to make a good showing, and now +they can't get it back. But we're all right. Hope you win the race." +</P> + +<P> +"So do I." +</P> + +<P> +"What will a certain person do while you're away?" went on Ned, with a +wink. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know what you mean," replied Tom, trying not to blush. "Do +you mean my dad or Mrs. Baggert?" +</P> + +<P> +"Neither, you old hypocrite you! I meant Miss Mary Nestor." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, hadn't you heard?" inquired Tom innocently. "She is going to Long +Island to visit some friends, and she'll be at the race." +</P> + +<P> +"You lucky dog," murmured Ned with a laugh, as he went into the bank. +</P> + +<P> +Once more the electric auto started off, and was soon on the quiet +country road, where Tom speeded it up moderately. He hoped to be able +to make the entire distance to the shore cottage on the single charge +of current he had put into the battery at home, and, as there was no +special need for haste, he wanted to save his power. The machine was +running smoothly, and seemed able to make a long race against time. +</P> + +<P> +The travelers ate lunch that day at Pendleton, a town some distance +from Shopton. They had covered a substantial part of their trip. After +a brief rest they started on again. Tom had planned to spend two days +and one night on the road, hoping to be able to reach the shore cottage +on the evening of the second day. There, after recharging the battery, +he would spend a night, or two, and proceed to the track, ready for the +race. +</P> + +<P> +They found the roads fairly good, with bad stretches here and there, +which made it necessary for them to slow down. This delayed them, and +they found the shadows lengthening, and darkness approaching, when they +were still several miles from Burgfield, where they intended to sleep. +</P> + +<P> +"Will it be all right to travel at night?" asked Mr. Damon, a bit +nervously. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, are you thinking of hold-up men?" inquired Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"No, but I was wondering about the condition of the roads," replied the +eccentric man. "We don't want to run into a rock, or collide with +something." +</P> + +<P> +"I guess this will light up the road far enough in advance, so that we +can see where we are going," suggested Tom, as he switched on the +powerful electric search-light. Though it was not dark enough to +illuminate the highway to the best advantage, the powerful gleam shone +dazzlingly in front of the swiftly moving auto. +</P> + +<P> +"I guess that will show up every pebble in the road," commented the +balloonist. "It's very powerful." +</P> + +<P> +Tom turned off the light, as, until it was darker, he could see to +better advantage unaided by it. He slowed down the speed somewhat, but +was still going at a good rate. +</P> + +<P> +"There's a bridge somewhere about here," remarked the lad, when they +had gone on a mile further. "I remember seeing it on my road map. It's +not very strong, and we'll have to run slow over it." +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my gizzard, I hope we don't go through it!" cried Mr. Damon. "Is +your car very heavy, Tom?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not heavy enough to break the bridge. Ah, there it is. Guess I'll turn +on the light so we can see what we're doing." +</P> + +<P> +Just ahead of them loomed up the super-structure of a bridge, and Tom +turned the searchlight switch. At the instant he did so, whether he did +not keep a steady hand on the steering wheel, or whether the auto went +into a rut from which it could not be turned, did not immediately +develop, but the car suddenly shot from the straight road, and swerved +to one side. There was a lurch, and the front wheels sank down. +</P> + +<P> +"Look out! We're going into the river!" yelled Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +Tom jammed on the brakes and shut off the current. The auto came to a +sudden stop. The young inventor turned the searchlight downward, to +illuminate the ground directly in front of the car. +</P> + +<P> +"Are we in the river?" asked Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"No," replied Tom in great chagrin. "We're in a muddy ditch. One at +the side of the road. Wheels in over the hubs! There should have been a +guard rail here. We're stuck for fair!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap23"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXIII +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE POWER GONE +</H3> + +<P> +"Bless my overshoes!" cried Mr. Damon. "Stuck in the mud, eh?" +</P> + +<P> +"Hard and fast," added Tom, in disgust. +</P> + +<P> +"What's to be done?" inquired Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"I should say we'll have to stay here until daylight, and wait for some +other auto to come along and pull us out," was Mr. Damon's opinion. +"It's might unpleasant, too, for there doesn't seem to be any place +around here where we can spend the night in any kind of comfort. If we +had the submarine or the airship, now, it wouldn't so much matter." +</P> + +<P> +"No, and this won't matter a great deal," remarked the young inventor +quickly. "We'll soon be out of this, but it will be hard work." +</P> + +<P> +"What do you mean?" asked Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"I mean that we've got to pull ourselves out of this mud hole," +explained the lad, as he prepared to descend. "I was afraid something +like this would happen, so I came prepared for it. I've got ropes and +pulleys with me, in the car. We'll fasten the rope to the machine, +attach one pulley to the bridge, another to the car, and I guess we can +get out of the mud. We'll try, anyhow." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I must say you looked pretty far ahead," complimented Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +From a box under the tonneau Tom took out a thin but strong rope and +two compound pulleys, which would enable considerable force to be +applied. Mr. Sharp detached one of the powerful oil lamps, and the +three travelers took a look at the auto. It was indeed deep in the mud +and it seemed like a hopeless task to try to get it out unaided. But +Tom insisted that they could do it, and the rope was soon attached, the +hook of one pulley being slipped around one of the braces of the bridge. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, all together!" cried the lad, as he and his friends grasped the +long rope. They gave a great heave. At first it seemed like pulling on +a stone wall. The rope strained and the pulleys creaked. +</P> + +<P> +"I—guess—we—will—pull—the—bridge—over!" gasped Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"Something's got to give way!" puffed Tom. "Now, once more! All +together!" +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly they felt the rope moving. The pulleys creaked still more and, +by the light of the lamp, they could see that the auto was slowly being +pulled backward, out of the mud, and onto the hard road. In a few +minutes it was ready to proceed again. +</P> + +<P> +The rope and pulleys were put away, and, after Tom had made an +examination of the car to see that it had sustained no damage, they +were off again, making good time to the hotel in Burgfield, where they +spent the night. They had an early breakfast, and, as Tom went out to +the barn to look at his car, he saw it surrounded by a curious throng +of men and boys. One of the boys was turning some of the handles and +levers. +</P> + +<P> +"Here! Quit that!" yelled Tom, and the meddlesome lad leaped down in +fright. "Do you want to start the car and have it smash into +something?" demanded the young inventor. +</P> + +<P> +"Aw, nothin' happened," retorted the lad. "I pulled every handle on it, +an' it didn't move." +</P> + +<P> +"Good reason," murmured Tom, for he had taken the precaution to remove +a connecting plug, without which the machine could not be started. +</P> + +<P> +The three were soon under way again, and covered many miles over the +fine country roads, the weather conditions being delightful. On inquiry +they found that by taking an infrequently used highway, they could save +several miles. It was over an unoccupied part of country, rather wild +and desolate, but they did not mind that. +</P> + +<P> +They were whizzing along, talking of Tom's chances for winning the race +when, after climbing a slight grade, the auto came to a sudden stop on +the summit. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter?" asked Mr. Sharp. "Why are you stopping here, Tom?" +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't stop," was the surprising answer, and the lad shoved the +starting lever back and forth. +</P> + +<P> +But there was no response. There was no hum from the motor. The machine +was "dead." +</P> + +<P> +"That's queer," murmured the young inventor. +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe a fuse blew out," suggested Mr. Damon, that seeming to be his +favorite form of trouble. +</P> + +<P> +"If it had you'd have known it," remarked Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"There's plenty of current in the battery, according to the registering +gauge," murmured the lad. "I can't understand it." He reversed the +current, thinking the wires might have become crossed, but the machine +would move neither backward nor forward, yet the dial indicated that +there was enough power stored away to send it a hundred miles or more. +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps the dial hand has become caught," suggested Mr. Sharp. "That +sometimes happens on a steam gauge, and indicates a high pressure when +there isn't any. Hit it slightly, and see if the hand swings back." +</P> + +<P> +Tom did so. At once the hand fell to zero, indicating that there was +not an ampere of current left. The battery was exhausted, but this fact +had not been indicated on the gauge. +</P> + +<P> +"I see now!" cried Tom. "It was those fellows at the hotel barn! They +monkeyed with the mechanism, short circuited the battery, and jammed +the gauge so I couldn't tell when my power was gone. If I had known +there wasn't enough to carry us I could have recharged the battery at +the hotel. But I figured that I had enough current for the entire trip, +and so there would have been, if it hadn't leaked away. Now we're in a +pretty pickle." +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my hat band!" cried Mr. Damon. "Does that mean we can't move?" +</P> + +<P> +"Guess that's about it," answered Mr. Sharp, and Tom nodded. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, why can't we go on to some place where they sell electricity, +and get enough to take us where we want to go?" asked the odd +character, whose ideas of machinery were somewhat hazy. +</P> + +<P> +"The only trouble is we can't carry the heavy car with us," replied +Tom. "It's too big to pick up and take to a charging station." +</P> + +<P> +"Then we've got to wait until some one comes along with a team of +horses, and tows us in," commented Mr. Sharp. "And that will be some +time, on this lonely road." +</P> + +<P> +Tom shook his head despondently. He went all over the car again, but +was forced to the first conclusion, that the reserve current had leaked +away, in consequence of the meddling prank of the youth at the hotel. +The situation was far from pleasant, and the delay would seriously +interfere with their plans. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly, as Tom was pacing up and down the road, he heard from afar, a +peculiar humming sound. He paused to listen. +</P> + +<P> +"Trolley car," observed Mr. Sharp. "Maybe one of us could go somewhere +on the trolley and get help. There it is," and he pointed to the +electric vehicle, moving along about half a mile away, at the foot of a +gentle slope. +</P> + +<P> +At the sight of the car Tom uttered a cry. "I have it!" he exclaimed. +"None of us need go for help! It's right at hand!" His companions +looked curiously, as the young inventor pointed triumphantly to the +fast disappearing electric. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap24"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXIV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +ON THE TRACK +</H3> + +<P> +"What do you mean?" asked Mr. Damon. "Will the electric trolley pull us +to a charging station?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, we'll not need to go to a station," answered the youth. "If we +can get my car to the trolley tracks I can charge my battery from +there. And I think we can push the auto near enough. It's down hill, +and I've got a long wire so we won't have to go too close." +</P> + +<P> +"Good!" cried Mr. Sharp. "But attach the rope to the front of the car, +Tom. Mr. Damon and I will pull it. You'll have to ride in it to steer +it." +</P> + +<P> +"We can take turns at riding," was Tom's answer, for he did not want +his companions to do all the work. +</P> + +<P> +"Nonsense! You ride," said Mr. Damon. "You're lighter than we are, and +can steer better. It won't be any trouble at all to pull this car down +hill." +</P> + +<P> +It proved to be an easy task, and in a short time the "dead" auto was +near enough to the electric line to permit Tom to run his charging wire +over to it. +</P> + +<P> +"Why bless my soul!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, looking up. "There's no +overhead trolley wire. The car must run on storage batteries." +</P> + +<P> +"Third rail, more likely," was the opinion of Mr. Sharp and so it +proved. +</P> + +<P> +"I can charge from either the third rail or the trolley wire," declared +Tom, who was insulating his hands in rubber gloves, and getting his +wires ready. In a short time he had the proper connections made, and +the much-needed current was soon flowing into the depleted battery, or +batteries, for there were several sets, though the whole source of +motive power was usually referred to as a "storage battery." +</P> + +<P> +"How long will it take?" asked Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"About two hours," answered the lad. "We'll probably have to disconnect +our wires several times, whenever a trolley car comes past. By my +system I can recharge the battery very quickly. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you suppose the owners of the road will make any objection?" asked +the balloonist. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm going to pay for the current I use," explained the young inventor. +"I have a meter which tells how much I take." +</P> + +<P> +The hum of an approaching car was heard, and Tom took the wires from +the third rail. The car came to a stop opposite the automobile, the +passengers, as well as the crew, looking curiously at the queer racing +machine. Tom explained to the conductor what was going on, and asked +the fare-collector to notify those in charge of the power station that +all current used would be paid for. The conductor said this would be +satisfactory, he was sure, and the car proceeded, Tom resuming the +charging of his battery. +</P> + +<P> +Allowing plenty of reserve power to accumulate, and making sure that +the gauge would not stick again, and deceive him, the owner of the +speedy electric was soon ready to proceed again. They had been delayed +a little over three hours, for they had to make several shifts, as the +cars came past. +</P> + +<P> +They reached their shore cottage late that night, and, after seeing +that the runabout was safely locked in the big shed where the submarine +had been built, they all went to bed, for they were very tired. +</P> + +<P> +Tom sent word, the next day, to the managers of the race, that he would +be on hand at the time stipulated, and announced that he had made part +of the trip, as required, under the power of the auto itself. +</P> + +<P> +The next day was spent in overhauling the machinery, tightening up some +loose bearings, oiling different parts, and further charging the +battery. Tires were looked to, and the ones on the spare wheels were +gone over to prepare for any emergency that might arise when the race +was started. +</P> + +<P> +On the third day, Tom, Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon, leaving the cottage +completed the trip to Havenford, Long Island, where the new track had +been constructed. +</P> + +<P> +They reached the place shortly before noon, and, if they had been +unaware of the location they could not have missed it, for there were +many autos speeding along the road toward the scene of the race, which +would take place the following day. +</P> + +<P> +Several electric cars passed Tom and his friends, whizzing swiftly by, +but the young inventor was not going to show off his speed until the +time came. Besides, he did not want to run any risks of an accident. +But some of the contestants seemed anxious for impromptu "brushes," and +more than one called to our hero to "speed up and let's see what she +can do." But Tom smiled, and shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +There were many gasolene and some steam autos going out to the new +track, which was considered a remarkable piece of engineering. It was +in the shape of an octagon, and the turns were considered very safe. It +was a five mile track, and to complete the race it would be necessary +to make a hundred circuits. +</P> + +<P> +Through scores of autos Tom and his friends threaded their way, the +young inventor keeping a watchful eye on the various types of machine +with which he would soon have to compete. +</P> + +<P> +There were many kinds. Some were larger and some smaller than his. Many +obviously carried very large batteries, but whether they had the speed +or not was another question. Some, in spurts, seemed to Tom, to be +fully as fast as his own, and he began to have some doubts whether he +would win the race. +</P> + +<P> +"But I'm not going to give up until the five hundredth mile is +finished," he thought, grimly. +</P> + +<P> +They were now in sight of the track, and noted many machines speeding +around it. +</P> + +<P> +"Go on in and try your car, Tom," urged Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, do," added Mr. Damon. "Let's see how it travels." +</P> + +<P> +"I will, after I notify the proper officials that I have arrived," +decided the lad. +</P> + +<P> +The formalities were soon complied with. Tom received his entry card, +after paying the fee, made affidavit that he had completed the entire +trip from home under his own power, save for the little stretch when +the car was pulled, which did not count against him, and was soon ready +to go on the track. Only electric cars were allowed there. +</P> + +<P> +As the young inventor guided his latest effort in the machine line onto +the big track there were murmurs of surprise from the throngs. +</P> + +<P> +"That's a queer machine," said one. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, but it looks speedy," was another's opinion. +</P> + +<P> +"There's the car for my money," added a third, pointing to a big red +electric which was certainly whizzing around the track. Tom noted the +red car. Behind it was a green one, also moving at a fast rate of speed. +</P> + +<P> +"Those will be my nearest rivals," thought the lad, as he guided his +car onto the track. A moment later he was sending the auto ahead at +moderate speed, while the other contestants looked at the new arrival, +as if trying to discover whether in it they would have a dangerous +competitor. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap25"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXV +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +WINNING THE PRIZE +</H3> + +<P> +After making two circuits of the track at moderate speed, Tom turned on +more power, deciding to see how the machine would behave on the turns, +going at a fast speed. As it happened he forged ahead just as the big +red car was coming up behind him. The driver of it took this for a +challenge and threw his controller handle forward. +</P> + +<P> +"Come on!" he cried to our hero, when even with him. +</P> + +<P> +Tom did not want to decline the invitation, and the impromptu race was +under way. Soon the green car came rushing up, and for two miles the +three kept almost in line. It was evident that neither the green nor +the red car drivers wanted to "open out," until they saw Tom do so. +</P> + +<P> +He was willing to oblige them, and suddenly increased his speed. They +did the same, and went ahead of him. Then Tom turned on a little more +juice and got the lead, but the two men were right after him, and they +see-sawed like this for two more miles. Then, with a cry the man in +the red car, with a sudden burst of speed, left Tom and the green car +behind. The green car was soon up to its rival, but Tom decided he +would not spurt. +</P> + +<P> +The lad and his friends spent the early part of the night in making a +final inspection of the machinery, finding it in good order. Then, with +his head filled with visions of the race on the morrow Tom went to bed. +He had made inquiries, by telephone, of the friends of Miss Nestor, and +learned that she had not arrived. Tom felt a distinct sense of +disappointment. +</P> + +<P> +The day of the race could not have been better. It was ideal weather, +and conditions at the track were just right. Tom was up early, and went +over every inch of his car with a nervous dread that he might find +something the matter. +</P> + +<P> +The final details of the race were completed, and the entrants given +their numbers and places. Tom drew a good position, not the best, but +he had no reason to complain. Half an hour before the start he again +telephoned to see if Miss Nestor had arrived, but she had not, and it +was with rather gloomy thoughts that the lad entered his car, in which +Mr. Sharp had already taken his place. Mr. Damon went to the +grandstand to watch the race. +</P> + +<P> +"I wanted Mary to see me win," thought our hero, for he had grimly set +his mind on coming in ahead. +</P> + +<P> +There was a great crowd in the grandstand and scattered about the big +track, which took in a large extent of territory. In spite of its +size—five miles around—it seemed solidly packed for the entire +length with autos, containing gay parties who had come to see the +electric contest. There was a band playing gay airs, as Tom guided his +machine through the entrance gate, and onto the track. +</P> + +<P> +The judges made their final inspection. There were twenty cars entered, +but it was obvious that some of them would not last long, as their +battery capacity was not large enough. Their owners might have relied +on recharging, but how they could do this under the usual slow system, +and hope to win, Tom could not see. He hoped to run the entire distance +on the single charge, but, if by some accident part of his current +should leak away, his battery could be charged in a short time, by +means of his new system, to run for a considerable distance, or he +could install a new one already charged, for he had two sets on hand. +Tom glanced over the cars of his competitors. They were to be sent away +in batches, the affair being a handicap one, with time allowance for +the smaller powered cars. Tom noted that his car and the red and the +green ones were in the same bunch. Tom's car was purple. +</P> + +<P> +"Are you all ready?" asked the starter of the first group of races. +</P> + +<P> +"Ready," was the low-voiced response. +</P> + +<P> +"Crack!" went the pistol, and there followed the hum of the motors as +the current set the mechanism to work. Forward went the cars, amid the +crash of the band and the cheers of the crowd. The big race was under +way. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you feel nervous, Tom?" asked Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"Not a bit," replied the lad. +</P> + +<P> +Around and around the track flew the speedy electrics. It was evident +that the holding of a meet solely for cars of this character had +brought out many new ideas that would be to the benefit of the +industry. Some cars were "freaks" and others, like Tom's, showed a +distinct advance over previous styles of construction. +</P> + +<P> +A five-hundred mile race around a track is rather a monotonous affair, +except for what happens, and things very soon began to happen at this +race. +</P> + +<P> +As Tom had expected, several of the machines were forced to withdraw. +Tire troubles beset some, and others found that they were hopelessly +out of it because of low power, or lack of battery capacity. +</P> + +<P> +Tom determined not to let the red or the green car gain any advantage +over him, and so he watched those two vehicles narrowly. On the other +hand, the red and the green electrics were evidently afraid of one +another and of Tom. +</P> + +<P> +They all three kept pretty much together for the first thirty miles. By +this time the race had settled down into a steady grind. There was some +excitement when the steering gear of one car broke, and it crashed into +the fence, injuring the driver, but the race went on. +</P> + +<P> +The young inventor was holding his own with his two chief rivals, and +was feeling rather proud of his car, when there came from it a report +like a pistol shot. +</P> + +<P> +"Blow out!" yelled Tom desperately, steering to one of the several +repair stations on the inner side of the track. "Be ready with the +extra wheel, Mr. Sharp!" +</P> + +<P> +"Right you are!" cried the balloonist. The car was scarcely stopped +when he had leaped out, and had the lifting jack under the left rear +wheel, where the tire had gone to the bad. He and Tom labored like +Trojans to take off the wheel, and put on the other. They lost five +minutes, and when they got under way again the red and the green cars +were three quarters of a lap ahead. +</P> + +<P> +"You've got to catch them!" declared Sharp firmly. +</P> + +<P> +But the red and the green car drivers saw their advantage, and were +determined to hold it. Tom could not catch them without going his +limit, and he did not want to do this just yet. However, he had his +opportunity when about two hundred miles had been covered. Both the red +and the green cars had tire troubles, but the red one was delayed +scarcely two minutes as there was a corps of mechanics on hand to take +off the defective wheel and put on another. Still Tom regained his lost +ground, and once more the race between those three cars was even. +</P> + +<P> +In the rear of Tom's car Mr. Sharp was mending the blown-out tire, +though there was still one spare wheel on reserve. Tom, in front, +peered eagerly at the track. Nearly side by side raced the red and the +green cars, the latter somewhat to the rear. +</P> + +<P> +It was at the three hundred and fiftieth mile that Tom had another +blow-out. This time it took a little longer to change the wheel, and +the red and green cars gained a full lap on him. The track was now so +dusty that it was difficult to see the contesting cars. Many had +dropped out, and more were on the verge of giving up. +</P> + +<P> +With the odds against him, Tom started in to regain the lost ground. +Narrowly he watched his electric power. Slowly he saw it dropping. +Would he have enough left to finish out the race? He feared not. The +hours were passing. Still there was a hundred miles yet to go twenty +circuits of the track. Some of the spectators were getting weary and +leaving. The band played spasmodically. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly Tom saw the red car shoot to one side of the track, toward a +charging station; The green car followed. +</P> + +<P> +"That's our cue!" cried the young inventor "We need a little more +'juice' and now is the time to get it." +</P> + +<P> +The lad ran to the shed where his charging wires were, and they were +connected in a trice. He allowed twenty-five minutes for the charging, +as he knew with his improved battery he could get enough current in +that time to finish the contest. Before the red and green car drivers +had finished installing new batteries, for they could not recharge as +quickly as could our hero, Tom was on the track again. But, in a little +while, his two rivals were after him. +</P> + +<P> +It was now a spectacular race. Around and around swept the three big +cars. All the others were practically out of it. The crowd became +lively airs. Mile after mile was reeled off. The day was passing. Tired +and covered with dust from the track, Tom still sat at the steering +wheel. +</P> + +<P> +"Two laps more!" cried Mr. Sharp, as the starter's pistol gave this +warning. "Can you get away from 'em, Tom?" +</P> + +<P> +The red and the green cars were following closely. The young inventor +looked back and nodded. He turned on more power, almost to the +limit—that he was saving for the final spurt. But after him still came +the two big cars. Suddenly the red car shot ahead, just as the last lap +was beginning. The green tried to follow, but there was a flash of +fire, a loud report, and Tom knew a fuse had blown out. There was no +time for his rival to put in a new one. The race was now between Tom +and the red car. Could the lad catch and pass it? +</P> + +<P> +They were now only a mile from the finish. The red car was three +lengths ahead. With a quick motion Tom turned on the last bit of power. +There seemed to come a roar from his motor and his car shot ahead. It +was on even terms with the red car when what Tom had been fearing for +the last five minutes happened: his fuse blew out. +</P> + +<P> +"Too bad! It's all up with us!" cried Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"No!" cried Tom in a ringing voice. "I've got an emergency fuse ready!" +He snapped a switch in place, putting into commission another fuse. The +motor that had lost speed began to pick it up again. Tom had pulled +back the controller handle, but he now shoved it forward again, notch +by notch, until it was at the limit. He had fallen back from the red +car, and the occupants of that, with a yell of triumph, prepared to +cross the line a winner. +</P> + +<P> +But, like a race horse that nerves himself for the last desperate +spurt, Tom's machine fairly leaped ahead. With his hands gripping the +rim of the steering wheel, until it seemed that the bones of his +fingers would protrude, Tom sent his car straight for the finishing +tape. There was a yell from the spectators. Men were standing up, +waving their hats and shouting. Women were fairly screaming. Mr. Damon +was blessing everything within sight. Mr. Sharp, in his excitement, was +pushing on the back of the front seats as if to shove the car ahead. +</P> + +<P> +Then, as the pistol announced the close of the race, Tom's car, with +what seemed a mighty leap, like a hunter clearing a ditch, forged +ahead, and crossed the line a length in advance of the red car. Tom +Swift had Won. +</P> + +<P> +Amid the cheers of the crowd the lad slowed up, and, at the direction +of the judges, wheeled back to the stand, to receive the prize. A +certified check for three thousand dollars was handed him, and he +received the congratulations of the racing officials. The driver of the +red car also generously praised him. +</P> + +<P> +"You won fair and square," he said, shaking hands with Tom. +</P> + +<P> +The young inventor and his friends drove their car to their shed. As +Tom was descending, weary and begrimed with dust he heard a voice +asking: +</P> + +<P> +"Mayn't I congratulate you also?" +</P> + +<P> +He wheeled around, to confront Mary Nestor, immaculate in a summer gown. +</P> + +<P> +"Why—why," he stammered. "I—I thought you didn't come." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes I did," she answered, laughing. "I wouldn't have missed it for +anything. I arrived late, but I saw the whole race. Wasn't it +glorious. I'm so glad you won!" Tom was too, now, but he shrank back +when Miss Nestor held out both daintily gloved hands to him. His hands +were covered with oil and dirt. +</P> + +<P> +"As if I cared for my gloves!" she cried, and she took possession of +his hands, a proceeding to which Tom was nothing loath. "Are you going +to race any more?" she asked, as he walked along by her side, away from +the gathering crowd. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know," he replied. "My car is speedier than I thought it was. +Perhaps I may enter it in other contests." +</P> + +<P> +But what Tom Swift did later on will be told in another volume, to be +called, "Tom Swift and His Wireless Message; or, The Castaways of +Earthquake Island"—a strange tale of ship-wreck and mystery. +</P> + +<P> +The run back home was made without incident, save for a broken chain, +easily repaired, the day following the race, and Tom later received a +number of invitations to give exhibitions of speed. Several automobile +manufacturers wanted to secure the rights to his machine, but he said +he desired to consider the matter before acting. He did not forget his +promise to Mrs. Baggert, regarding the diamond earrings, and bought her +the finest pair he could find. +</P> + +<P> +"Come on, Mr. Sharp," proposed Tom, a week or so after the big race, +"let's go for a spin in the airship. I want to see how it feels to be +among the clouds once more," and they were soon soaring aloft. +</P> + +<P> +The new bank, started by Mr. Foger, did not flourish long. It closed +its doors in less than six months, but the old institution was stronger +than ever. Mr. Berg disappeared, and Tom never learned whether the +agent really was the man he had chased, and whose watch charm he tore +loose, though he always had his suspicions. Nor did it ever develop who +crossed the electric wires, so that Tom was so nearly fatally shocked. +Andy Foger disliked our hero more than ever, and on several occasions +caused him not a little trouble, but Tom was able to look after himself. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="finis"> +THE END +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<HR> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +This Isn't All! +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have made in +this book? +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +Would you like to read other stories continuing their adventures and +experiences, or other books quite as entertaining by the same author? +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +On the reverse side of the wrapper which comes with this book, you will +find a wonderful list of stories which you can buy at the same store +where you got this book. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +Don't throw away the Wrapper +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want some day to have. But +in case you do mislay it, write to the Publishers for a complete +catalog. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H3> +THE TOM SWIFT SERIES +</H3> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +By VICTOR APPLETON +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers, Every Volume +Complete in Itself. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +Every boy possesses some form of inventive genius. Tom Swift is a +bright, ingenious boy and his inventions and adventures make the most +interesting kind of reading. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE<BR> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTORBOAT<BR> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP<BR> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT<BR> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT<BR> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE<BR> +TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS<BR> +TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE<BR> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER<BR> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE<BR> +TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD<BR> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER<BR> +TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY<BR> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA<BR> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT<BR> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON<BR> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE<BR> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP<BR> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL<BR> +TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDER<BR> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS WAR TANK<BR> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR SCOUT<BR> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS UNDERSEA SEARCH<BR> +TOM SWIFT AMONG THE FIRE FIGHTERS<BR> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE<BR> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS FLYING BOAT<BR> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT OIL GUSHER<BR> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS CHEST OF SECRETS<BR> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRLINE EXPRESS<BR> +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H3> +THE DON STURDY SERIES +</H3> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +By VICTOR APPLETON +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations by<BR> +WALTER S. ROGERS<BR> +Every Volume Complete in Itself.<BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +In the company with his uncles, one a mighty hunter and the other a +noted scientist, Don Sturdy travels far and wide, gaining much useful +knowledge and meeting many thrilling adventures. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +DON STURDY ON THE DESERT OF MYSTERY;<BR> +An engrossing tale of the Sahara Desert, of encounters with +wild animals and crafty Arabs. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +DON STURDY WITH THE BIG SNAKE HUNTERS;<BR> +Don's uncle, the hunter, took an order for some of the biggest +snakes to be found in South America—to be delivered alive! +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +DON STURDY IN THE TOMBS OF GOLD;<BR> +A fascinating tale of exploration and adventure in the Valley +of Kings in Egypt. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +DON STURDY ACROSS THE NORTH POLE;<BR> +A great polar blizzard nearly wrecks the airship of the +explorers. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +DON STURDY IN THE LAND OF VOLCANOES;<BR> +An absorbing tale of adventure among the volcanos of Alaska. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +DON STURDY IN THE PORT OF LOST SHIPS;<BR> +This story is just full of exciting and fearful experiences on +the sea. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +DON STURDY AMONG THE GORILLAS;<BR> +A thrilling story of adventure in darkest Africa. Don is +carried over a mighty waterfall into the heart of gorilla land. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H3> +THE TOM SWIFT SERIES +</H3> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR-CYCLE<BR> +Or Fun and Adventure on the Road +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR-BOAT<BR> +Or the Rivals of Lake Carlopa +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP<BR> +Or the Stirring Cruise of the Red Cloud +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT<BR> +Or Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT<BR> +Or the Speediest Car on the Road +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR><BR> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Tom Swift and his Electric Runabout, by +Victor Appleton + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM SWIFT AND ELECTRIC RUNABOUT *** + +***** This file should be named 950-h.htm or 950-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/9/5/950/ + +Produced by Anthony Matonac + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Tom Swift and his Electric Runabout + or, The Speediest Car on the Road + +Author: Victor Appleton + +Posting Date: July 13, 2008 [EBook #950] +Release Date: June, 1997 +[Last updated on June 8, 2013] + + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM SWIFT AND ELECTRIC RUNABOUT *** + + + + +Produced by Anthony Matonac + + + + + + + + +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT + +or + +The Speediest Car on the Road + + +by + +VICTOR APPLETON + + + + +Tom Swift and His Electric Runabout + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER + + I TOM HOPES FOR A PRIZE + II MR. DAMON'S STEERING + III THE MOTOR-CYCLE WINS + IV TALE OF A NEW BANK + V A MIDNIGHT ENCOUNTER + VI BUILDING THE CAR + VII TOM IS CAPTURED + VIII A BLINDING FLASH + IX TOM IS RESCUED + X TOM HAS A FALL + XI CROSSED WIRES + XII THE TRYOUT + XIII TOWED BY A MULE + XIV A GREAT RUN + XV ANDY FOGER'S BLACK EYE + XVI TROUBLE AT THE BANK + XVII A RUN ON THE BANK + XVIII AFTER THE CASH + XIX STOPPED ON THE ROAD + XX ON TIME + XXI OFF TO THE BIG RACE + XXII IN A DITCH + XIII THE POWER GONE + XIV ON THE TRACK + XXV WINNING THE PRIZE + + + + +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT + + + +CHAPTER I + +TOM HOPES FOR A PRIZE + + +"Father," exclaimed Tom Swift, looking up from a paper he was reading, +"I think I can win that prize!" + +"What prize is that?" inquired the aged inventor, gazing away from a +drawing of a complicated machine, and pausing in his task of making +some intricate calculations. "You don't mean to say, Tom, that you're +going to have a try for a government prize for a submarine, after all." + +"No, not a submarine prize, dad," and the youth laughed. "Though our +Advance would take the prize away from almost any other under-water +boat, I imagine. No, it's another prize I'm thinking about." + +"What do you mean?" + +"Well, I see by this paper that the Touring Club of America has offered +three thousand dollars for the speediest electric car. The tests are +to come off this fall, on a new and specially built track on Long +Island, and it's to be an endurance contest for twenty-four hours, or a +race for distance, they haven't yet decided. But I'm going to have a +try for it, dad, and, besides winning the prize, I think I'll take Andy +Foger down a peg. + +"What's Andy been doing now?" + +"Oh, nothing more than usual. He's always mean, and looking for a +chance to make trouble for me, but I didn't refer to anything special. +He has a new auto, you know, and he boasts that it's the fastest one in +this country. I'll show him that it isn't, for I'm going to win this +prize with the speediest car on the road." + +"But, Tom, you haven't any automobile, you know," and Mr. Swift looked +anxiously at his son, who was smiling confidently. "You can't be going +to make your motor-cycle into an auto; are you?" + +"No, dad." + +"Then how are you going to take part in the prize contest? Besides, +electric cars, as far as I know, aren't specially speedy." + +"I know it, and one reason why this club has arranged the contest is to +improve the quality of electric automobiles. I'm going to build an +electric runabout, dad." + +"An electric runabout? But it will have to be operated with a storage +battery, Tom, and you haven't--" + +"I guess you're going to say I haven't any storage battery, dad," +interrupted Mr. Swift's son. "Well, I haven't yet, but I'm going to +have one. I've been working on--" + +"Oh, ho!" exclaimed the aged inventor with a laugh. "So that's what +you've been tinkering over these last few weeks, eh, Tom? I suspected +it was some new invention, but I didn't suppose it was that. Well, how +are you coming on with it?" + +"Pretty good, I think. I've got a new idea for a battery, and I made an +experimental one. I gave it some pretty severe tests, and it worked +fine." + +"But you haven't tried it out in a car yet, over rough roads, and under +severe conditions have you?" + +"No, I haven't had a chance. In fact, when I invented the battery I had +no idea of using it on a car I thought it might answer for commercial +purposes, or for storing a current generated by windmills. But when I +read that account in the papers of the Touring Club, offering a prize +for the best electric car, it occurred to me that I might put my +battery into an auto, and win." + +"Hum," remarked Mr. Swift musingly. "I don't take much stock in +electric autos, Tom. Gasolene seems to be the best, or perhaps steam, +generated by gasolene. I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. All the +electric runabouts I ever saw, while they were very nice cars, didn't +seem able to go so very fast, or very far." + +"That's true, but it's because they didn't have the right kind of a +battery. You know an electric locomotive can make pretty good speed, +Dad. Over a hundred miles an hour in tests." + +"Yes, but they don't run by storage batteries. They have a third rail, +and powerful motors," and Mr. Swift looked quizzically at his son. He +loved to argue with him, for he said it made Tom think, and often the +two would thus thresh out some knotty point of an invention, to the +interests of both. + +"Of course, Dad, there is a good deal of theory in what I'm thinking +of," the lad admitted. "But it does seem to me that if you put the +right kind of a battery into an automobile, it could scoot along pretty +lively. Look what speed a trolley car can make." + +"Yes, Tom, but there again they get their power from an overhead wire." + +"Some of them don't. There's a new storage battery been invented by a +New Jersey man, which does as well as the third rail or the overhead +wire. It was after reading about his battery that I thought of a plan +for mine. It isn't anything like his; perhaps not as good in some ways, +but, for what I want, it is better in some respects, I think. For one +thing it can be recharged very quickly." + +"Now Tom, look here," said Mr. Swift earnestly, laying aside his +papers, and coming over to where his son sat. "You know I never +interfere with your inventions. In fact, the more you think of the +better I like it. The airship you helped build certainly did all that +could be desired, and--" + +"That reminds me. Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon are out in it now," +interrupted Tom. "They ought to be back soon. Yes, Dad, the airship Red +Cloud certainly scooted along." + +"And the submarine, too," continued the aged inventor. "Your ideas +regarding that were of service to me, and helped in our task of +recovering the treasure, but I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed +in the storage battery. You may get it to work, but I don't believe you +can make it powerful enough to attain any great speed. Why don't you +confine yourself to making a battery for stationary work?" + +"Because, Dad, I believe I can build a speedy car, and I'm going to try +it. Besides I want to race Andy Foger, and beat him, even if I don't +win the prize. I'm going to build that car, and it will make fast time." + +"Well, go ahead, Tom," responded his father, after a pause. "Of course +you can use the shops here as much as you want, and Mr. Sharp, Mr. +Jackson, and I will help you all we can. Only don't be disappointed, +that's all." + +"I won't, Dad. Suppose you come out to my shop and I'll show you a +sample battery I've been testing for the last week. I have it geared to +a small motor, and it's been running steadily for some time. I want to +see what sort of a record it's made." + +Father and son crossed the yard, and entered a shop which the lad +considered exclusively his own. There he had made many machines, and +pieces of apparatus, and had invented a number of articles which had +been patented, and yielded him considerable of an income. + +"There's the battery, Dad," he said, pointing to a complicated +mechanism in one corner. + +"What's that buzzing noise?" asked Mr. Swift. "That's the little motor +I run from the new cells. Look here," and Tom switched on an electric +light above the experimental battery, from which he hoped so much. It +consisted of a steel can, about the size of the square gallon tin in +which maple syrup comes, and from it ran two wires which were attached +to a small motor that was industriously whirring away. + +Tom looked at a registering gauge connected with it. + +"That's pretty good," remarked the young inventor. + +"What is it, Tom?" and his father peered about the shop. + +"Why this motor has run an equivalent of two hundred miles on one +charging of the battery! That's much better than I expected. I thought +if I got a hundred out of it I'd be doing well. Dad, I believe, after I +improve my battery a bit, that I'll have the very thing I want! I'll +install a set of them in a car, and it will go like the wind. I'll--" +Tom's enthusiastic remarks were suddenly interrupted by a low, rumbling +sound. + +"Thunder!" exclaimed Mr. Swift. "The storm is coming, and Mr. Sharp and +Mr. Damon in the airship--" + +Hardly had he spoken than there sounded a crash on the roof of the +Swift house, not far away. At the same time there came cries of +distress, and the crash was repeated. + +"Come on, Dad! Something has happened!" yelled Tom, dashing from the +shop, followed by his parent. They found themselves in the midst of a +rain storm, as they raced toward the house, on the roof of which the +smashing noise was again heard. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +MR. DAMON'S STEERING + + +Tom Swift was a lad of action, and his quickness in hurrying out to +investigate what had happened when he was explaining about his new +battery, was characteristic of him. Those of my readers who know him, +through having read the previous books of this series, need not be told +this, but you who, perhaps, are just making his acquaintance, may care +to know a little more about him. + +As told in my first book, "Tom Swift and His Motor-Cycle" the young +inventor lived with his father, Barton Swift, a widower, in the town of +Shopton, New York. Mr. Swift was also an inventor of note. + +In my initial volume of this series, Tom became possessed of a +motor-cycle in a peculiar way. It was sold to him by a Mr. Wakefield +Damon, a wealthy gentleman who was unfortunate in riding it. On his +speedy machine, which Tom improved by several inventions, he had a +number of adventures. The principal one was being attacked by a number +of bad men, known as the "Happy Harry Gang," who wished to obtain +possession of a valuable turbine patent model belonging to Mr. Swift. +Tom was taking it to a lawyer, when he was waylaid, and chloroformed. +Later he traced the gang, and, with the assistance of Mr. Damon and +Eradicate Sampson, an aged colored man who made a living for himself +and his mule, Boomerang, by doing odd jobs, the lad found the thieves +and recovered a motor-boat which had been stolen. But the men got away. + +In the second volume, called "Tom Swift and His Motor-Boat," Tom bought +at auction the boat stolen by, and recovered from, the thieves, and +proceeded to improve it. While he was taking his father out on a cruise +for Mr. Swift's health, the Happy Harry Gang made a successful attempt +to steal some valuable inventions from the Swift house. Tom started to +trace them, and incidentally he raced and beat Andy Foger, a rich +bully. On their way down the lake, after the robbery, Tom, his father +and Ned Newton, Tom's chum, saw a man hanging from the trapeze of a +blazing balloon over Lake Carlopa. The balloonist was Mr. John Sharp +and he was rescued by Tom in a thrilling fashion. In his motor-boat, +Tom had much pleasure, not the least of which was taking out a young +lady named Miss Mary Nestor, whose acquaintance he had made after +stopping her runaway horse, which his bicycle had frightened. Tom's +association with Miss Nestor soon ripened into something deeper than +mere friendship. + +It developed that Mr. Sharp, whom Tom had saved from the burning +balloon, was an aeronaut of note, and had once planned to build an +airship. After his recovery from his thrilling experience, he mentioned +the matter to Mr. Swift and his son, with whom he took up his +residence. This fitted right in with Tom's ideas, and soon father, son +and the balloonist were constructing the Red Cloud, as they named their +airship. It was finally completed, as related in "Tom Swift and His +Airship," made a successful trial trip, and won a prize. It was planned +to make a longer journey, and Tom, Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon agreed to go +together. Mr. Damon was an odd individual, who was continuously +blessing some part of his anatomy, his clothing or some inanimate +object but, for all that, he was a fine man. + +The night before Tom and his friends started off in their airship, the +Shopton Bank vault was blown open and seventy-five thousand dollars was +taken. Tom and his friends did not know of this, but, no sooner had the +young inventor, Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon sailed away, than the police +arrived at Mr. Swift's house to arrest them. They were charged with the +robbery, and with having sailed away with the booty. + +It appeared that Andy Foger said he had seen Tom hanging around the +bank the night of the robbery, with a bag of burglar tools in his +possession. Search was immediately begun for the airship, the occupants +of which were, meanwhile, speeding on. + +Tom and his two friends had trouble. They were nearly burned up in a +forest fire, and were fired upon by a crowd of people with rifles, who, +reading of the bank robbery and the reward offered for the capture of +the thieves, hoped to bring down the airship. The fact that they were +fired upon caused Tom and the two aeronauts to descend to make an +investigation, and for the first time they learned of the bank theft. +How they got track of the real robbers, took the sheriff with them in +the airship, and raided the gang will be found set down at length in +the book. Also how Tom administered well-deserved thrashing to Andy +Foger. + +Mr. Swift did not accompany his son in the airship, and when asked why +he did not care to make the trip, said he was working on a new type of +submarine boat, which he hoped to enter in the government trials, to +win a prize. In the fourth volume of the series, called "Tom Swift and +his Submarine," you may read how successful Mr. Swift was. + +When the submarine, called the Advance, was finished, the party made a +trip to recover three hundred thousand dollars in gold from a sunken +treasure ship, off the coast of Uruguay, South America. They sailed +beneath the seas for many miles, and were in great peril at times. One +reason for this was that a rival firm of submarine builders got wind of +the treasure, and tried to get ahead of the Swifts in recovering it. +How Tom and his friends succeeded in their quest, how they nearly +perished at the bottom of the sea, how they were captured by a foreign +war vessel, and sentenced to death, how they fought with a school of +giant sharks and how they blew up the wreck to recover the money is all +told of in the book. + +On their return to civilization with the gold, Mr. Swift, Tom, and +their friends deposited the money in the Shopton Bank, where Ned Newton +worked. Ned was a bright lad, but had not been advanced as rapidly as +he deserved, and Tom knew this. He asked his father to speak to the +president, Mr. Pendergast, in Ned's behalf, and, as a result the lad +was made assistant cashier, for the request of a man who controlled a +three hundred thousand dollar deposit was not to be despised. + +In building the submarine Tom and his father rented a large cottage on +the New Jersey seacoast, but, on returning from their treasure-quest +they went back to Shopton, leaving the submarine at the boathouse of +the shore cottage, which was near the city of Atlantis. That was in the +fall of the year, and all that winter the young inventor had been busy +on many things, not the least of which was his storage battery. It was +now spring, and seeing the item in the paper, about the touring club +prize for an electric auto, had given him a new idea. + +But all thoughts of electric cars, and everything else, were driven +from the mind of the young man, when, with his father, he rushed out to +see the cause of the crash on the roof of the Swift homestead. + +"There's something up there, Tom," called his father, as he splashed on +through the rain. + +"That's right," added his son. "And somebody, too, to judge by the fuss +they're making." + +"Maybe the house has been struck by lightning!" suggested the aged +inventor. + +"No, the storm isn't severe enough for that; and, besides, if the house +had been struck you'd hear Mrs. Baggert yelling, Dad. She--" + +At that moment a woman's voice cried out: + +"Mr. Swift! Tom! Where are you? Something dreadful has happened!" + +"There she goes!" remarked Mr. Swift, as he splashed into a mud puddle. + +"Bless my deflection rudder!" suddenly cried a voice from the flat roof +of the Swift house. "Hello! I say, is anyone down there?" + +"Yes, we are," answered Tom. "Is that you, Mr. Damon?" + +"Bless my collar button! It certainly is." + +"Where's Mr. Sharp? I don't hear him." + +"Oh, I'm here all right," answered the balloonist. "I'm trying to get +the airship clear of the chimney. Mr. Damon--" + +"Yes, I steered wrong!" interrupted the odd man. "Bless my liver pin, +but it was so dark I couldn't see, and when that clap of thunder came I +shifted the deflection rudder instead of the lateral one, and tried to +knock over your chimney." + +"Are either of you hurt?" asked Mr. Swift anxiously. + +"No, not at all," replied Mr. Sharp. "We were moving slowly, ready for +a landing." + +"Is the airship damaged?" inquired Tom. + +"I don't know. Not much, I guess," was the answer of the aeronaut. +"I've stopped the engine, and I don't like to start it again until I +can see what shape we're in." + +"I'll come up, with Mr. Jackson," called Tom, and he hastily summoned +Garret Jackson, an engineer, who had been in the service of Mr. Swift +for many years. Together they proceeded to the roof by a stairway that +led to a scuttle. + +"Is anyone killed?" asked Mrs. Baggert, as Tom hurried up the stairs. +"Don't tell me there is, Tom!" + +"Well, I don't have to tell you, for no one is," replied the young +inventor with a laugh. "It's all right. The airship tried to collide +with the chimney, that's all." + +He was soon on the large, flat roof of the dwelling, and, with the aid +of lanterns he, the engineer, and Mr. Sharp made a hasty examination. + +"Anything wrong?" inquired Mr. Damon, looking out from the cabin of the +Red Cloud where he had taken refuge after the crash, and to get out of +the wet. + +"Not much," answered Tom. "One of the forward planes is smashed, but we +can rise by means of the gas, and float down. Is all clear, Mr. Sharp?" + +"All clear," replied the balloonist, for the airship had now been +wheeled back from the entanglement with the chimney. + +"Then here we go!" cried Tom, as he and the aeronaut entered the craft, +while Mr. Jackson descended through the scuttle. + +There came a fiercer burst to the storm, and, amid a series of dazzling +lightning flashes and the muttering of thunder, the airship rose from +the roof. Tom switched on the search-light, and, starting the big +propellers, guided the craft skillfully toward the big shed where it +was housed when not in use. + +With the grace of a bird it turned about in the air, and settled to the +ground. It was the work of but a few minutes to run it into the shed. +Then they all started for the house. + +"Bless my umbrella! How it rains!" cried Mr. Damon, as he splashed on +through numerous puddles. "We got back just in time, Mr. Sharp." + +"Where did you go?" asked the lad. + +"Why we took a flight of about fifty miles and stopped at my house in +Waterfield for supper. Were you anxious about us?" + +"A little when it began to storm," replied Tom. + +"Anything new since we left?" asked Mr. Sharp, for it was the custom of +himself, or some of his friends, to take little trips in the airship. +They thought no more of it than many do of going for a short spin in an +automobile. + +"Yes, there is something new," said Mr. Swift, as the party, all +drenched now, reached the broad veranda. + +"Bless my gaiters!" cried Mr. Damon. "What is it? I hope the Happy +Harry gang hasn't robbed you again; nor Berg and his men tried to take +that treasure away from us, after we worked so hard to get it from the +wreck." + +"No, it isn't that," replied Mr. Swift. "The truth is that Tom thinks +he has invented a storage battery that will revolutionize matters. He's +going to build an electric automobile, he says." + +"I am," declared the lad, as the others looked at him, "and it will be +the speediest one you ever saw, too!" + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE MOTORCYCLE WINS + + +"Well, Tom," remarked Mr. Sharp, after a pause following the lad's +announcement. "I didn't know you had any ambitions in that line. Tell +us more about the battery. What system do you use; lead plates and +sulphuric acid?" + +"Oh, that's out of date long ago," declared the lad. + +"Well, I don't know much about electricity," admitted the aeronaut. +"I'll take my chances in an airship or a balloon, but when it comes to +electricity I'm down and out." + +"So am I," admitted Mr. Damon. "Bless my gizzard, it's all I can do to +put a new spark plug in my automobile. Where is your new battery, Tom?" + +"Out in my shop, running yet if it hasn't been frightened by the +airship smash," replied the lad, somewhat proudly. "It's an oxide of +nickel battery, with steel and oxide of iron negative electrodes." + +"What solution do you use, Tom?" asked Mr. Swift. "I didn't get that +far in questioning you before the crash came," he added. + +"Well I have, in the experimental battery, a solution of potassium +hydrate," replied the lad, "but I think I'm going to change it, and add +some lithium hydrate to it. I think that will make it stronger." + +"Bless my watch chain!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "It's all Greek to me. +Suppose you let us see it, Tom? I like to see wheels go 'round, but I'm +not much of a hand for chemical terms." + +"If you're sure you're not hurt by the airship smash, I will," declared +the lad. + +"Oh, we're not hurt a bit," insisted Mr. Sharp. "As I said we were +moving slow, for I knew it was about time to land. Mr. Damon was +steering--" + +"Yes I thought I'd try my hand at it, as it seemed so easy," +interrupted the eccentric man. "But never again--not for mine! I +couldn't see the house, and, before I knew it we were right over the +roof. Then the chimney seemed to stick itself up suddenly in front of +us, and--well, you know the rest. I'm willing to pay for any damage I +caused." + +"Oh, not at all!" replied Tom. "It's easy enough to put on a new plane, +or, for that matter, we can operate the Red Cloud without it. But come +on, I'll show you my sample battery." + +"Here, take umbrellas!" Mrs. Baggert called after them as they started +toward the shop, for it was still raining. + +"We don't mind getting wet," replied the young inventor. "It's in the +interests of science." + +"Maybe it is. You don't mind a wetting, but I mind you coming in and +dripping water all over the carpets!" retorted the housekeeper. + +"Bless my overshoes, I'm afraid we have wet the carpets a trifle now," +admitted Mr. Damon ruefully, as he looked down at a puddle, which had +formed where he had been standing. + +"That's the reason I want you to take umbrellas this trip," insisted +Mrs. Baggert. + +They complied, and were soon in the shop, where Tom explained his +battery. The small motor was still running and had, as the lad had +said, gone the equivalent of over two hundred miles. + +"If a small battery does as well as that, what will a larger one do?" +asked Mr. Damon. + +"Much better, I hope," replied the youth. "But Dad doesn't seem to have +much faith in them." + +"Well," admitted Mr. Swift, "I must say I am skeptical. Still, I +acknowledge Tom has done some pretty good work along electrical lines. +He helped me with the positive and negative plates on the submarine, +and, maybe--well, we'll wait and see," he concluded. + +"If you build a car I hope you give me a ride in it," said Mr. Damon. +"I've ridden fast in the air, and swiftly on top of, and under, the +water. Now I'd like to ride rapidly on top of the earth. The gasolene +auto doesn't go very fast." + +"I'll give you a ride that will make your hair stand up!" prophesied +Tom, and the time was to come when he would make good that prediction. + +The little party in the machine shop talked at some length about Tom's +battery. He showed them how it was constructed, and gave them some of +his ideas regarding the new type of auto he planned to build. + +"Well," remarked Mr. Swift at length, "if you want to keep your brain +fresh, Tom, you must get to bed earlier than this. It's nearly twelve +o'clock." + +"And I want to get up early!" exclaimed the lad. "I'm going to start to +build a larger battery to-morrow." + +"And I'm going to repair the airship," added Mr. Sharp. + +"Bless my night cap, I promised my wife I'd be home early to-night, +too!" suddenly exclaimed Mr. Damon. "I don't fancy making the trip back +to Waterfield in my auto, though. Something will be sure to happen. +I'll blow out a tire, or a spark plug will get sooty on me and--" + +"It's raining harder than ever," interrupted Tom. "Better stay here +to-night. You can telephone home." Which Mr. Damon did. + +Tom was up early the next morning, in spite of the fact that he did not +go to bed in good season, and before breakfast he was working at his +new storage battery. After the meal he hurried back to the shop, but it +was not long before he came out, wheeling his motor-cycle. + +"Where are you going, Tom?" asked Mrs. Baggert. + +"Oh, I've got to go to Mansburg to get some steel tubes for my new +battery," he replied. "I thought I had some large enough, but I +haven't." Mansburg was a good-sized town, near Shopton. + +"Then I wish you'd bring me a bottle of stove polish," requested the +housekeeper. "The liquid kind. I'm out of it, and the stove is as red +as a cow." + +"All right," agreed the lad, as he leaped into the saddle and pedaled +off down the road. A moment later he had turned on the power, and was +speeding along the highway, which was in good condition on account of +the shower of the night before. + +Tom was thinking so deeply of his new invention, and planning what he +would do when he had his electric runabout built, that, almost before +he knew it, he had reached Mansburg, purchased the steel tubes, and the +stove polish, and was on his way back again. + +As he was speeding along on a level road, he heard, coming behind him, +an automobile. The lad turned to one side, but, in spite of this the +party in the car began a serenade of the electric siren, and kept it +up, making a wild discord. + +"What's the matter with those fellows!" inquired Tom of himself. +"Haven't I given them enough of the road, or has their steering gear +broken?" + +He looked back over his shoulder, and it needed but a glance to show +that the car was all right, as regarded the steering apparatus. And it +needed only another glance to disclose the reason for the shrill sound +of the siren. + +"Andy Foger!" exclaimed Tom. "I might have known. And Sam and Pete are +with him. Well, if he wants to make me get off the road, he'll find +that I've got as much right as he has!" + +He kept on a straight course, wondering if the red-haired, and +squint-eyed bully would dare try to damage the motor-cycle. + +A little later Andy's car was beside Tom. + +"Why don't you get out of the way," demanded Sam, who could usually be +depended on to aid Andy in all his mean tricks. + +"Because I'm entitled to half the road," retorted our hero. + +"Humph! A slow-moving machine like yours hasn't any right on the road," +sneered Andy, who had slowed down his car somewhat. + +"I haven't, eh?" demanded Tom. "Well, if you'll get down out of that +car for a few minutes I'll soon show you what my rights are!" + +Now Andy, more than once, had come to personal encounters with Tom, +much to the anguish of the bully. He did not relish another +chastisement, but his mean spirit could not brook interference. + +"Don't you want a race?" he inquired of Tom, in a sneering tone. "I'll +give you a mile start, and beat you! I've got the fastest car built!" + +"You have, eh?" asked Tom, while a grim look came over his face. "Maybe +you'll think differently some day." + +"Aw, he's afraid to race; come on," suggested Pete. "Don't bother with +him, Andy." + +"No, I guess it wouldn't be worth my while," was the reply of the +bully, and he threw the second gear into place, and began to move away +from the young inventor. + +Tom was just as much pleased to be left alone, but he did not want Andy +Foger to think that he could have matters all his own way. Tom's +motor-cycle, since he had made some adjustments to it, was very swift. +In fact there were few autos that could beat it. He had never tried it +against Andy's new car, and he was anxious to do so. + +"I wonder if I would stand any chance, racing him?" thought the young +inventor, as he saw the car slowly pulling away from him. "I think +I'll wait until he gets some distance ahead, and then I'll see how near +I can come to him. If I get anywhere near him I'm pretty sure I can +pass him. I'll try it." + +When Andy and his cronies looked back, Tom did not appear to be doing +anything save moving along at moderate speed on his machine. + +"You don't dare race!" Pete Bailey shouted to him. + +"Wait," was what Tom whispered to himself. + +Andy's car was now some distance ahead. The young inventor waited a +little longer, and then turned more power into his machine. It leaped +forward and began to "eat up the road," as Tom expressed it. He had +seen Andy throw in the third gear, but knew that there was a fourth +speed on the bully's car. + +"I don't know whether I can beat him on that or not," thought the lad +dubiously. "If I try, and fail, they'll laugh at me. But I don't think +I'm going to fail." + +Faster and faster he rode. He was rapidly overhauling Andy's car now, +and, as they heard him approach, the three cronies turned around. + +"He's going to race you, after all, Andy!" cried Sam. + +"You mean he's going to try," sneered Andy. "I'll give him all the +racing he wants!" + +In another few seconds Tom was beside the auto, and would have passed +it, only Andy opened his throttle a little more. For a moment the auto +jumped ahead, and then, as our hero turned on still more power, he +easily held his own. + +"Aw, you can never beat us!" yelled Pete. + +"Of course not!" added Sam. + +"I'll leave him behind in a second," prophesied Andy. "Wait until I +throw in the other gear," he added to his cronies in a low voice. "He +thinks he's going to beat me. I'll let him think so, and then I'll +spurt ahead." + +The two machines were now racing along side by side. Andy's car was +going the limit on third gear, but he still had the fourth gear in +reserve. Tom, too, still had a little margin of speed. + +Suddenly Andy reached forward and yanked on a lever. There was a +grinding of cogs as the fourth gear slipped into place, for Andy did +not handle his car skillfully. The effect, however, was at once +apparent. The automobile shot forward. + +"Now where are you, Tom Swift?" cried Sam. + +Tom said nothing. He merely shifted a lever, and got a better spark. He +also turned on a little more gasolene and opened the muffler. The +quickness with which his motor-cycle shot forward almost threw him from +the saddle, but he had a tight grip on the handle bars. He whizzed past +the auto, but, as the latter gathered speed, it crept up to him, and, +once more was on even terms. Much chagrined at seeing Tom hold pace +with him, even for an instant, Andy shouted: + +"Get over on your own side there! You're crowding me!" + +"I am not!" yelled back Tom, above the explosions of his machine. + +The two were now racing furiously, and Andy, with a savage look, tried +to get more speed out of his car. In spite of all the bully did, Tom +was gradually forging ahead. A little hill was now in view. + +"Here's where I make him take my dust!" cried Andy, but, to his +surprise Tom still kept ahead. The auto began to lose ground, for it +was not made to take hills on high gear. + +"Change to third gear quick!" cried Sam. + +Andy tried to do it. There was a hesitancy on the part of his car. It +seemed to balk. Tom, looking back, slowed up a trifle. He could afford +to, as Andy was being beaten. + +"Go on! Go on!" begged Pete. "You'll have to keep on fourth gear to +beat him, Andy." + +"That's what!" murmured the bully. Once more he shifted the gears. +There was a grinding, smashing sound, and the car lost speed. Then it +slowed up still more, and finally stopped. Then it began to back down +hill. + +"I've stripped those blamed gears!" exclaimed Andy ruefully. + +"Can't you beat him?" asked Pete. + +"I could have, easily, if my gears hadn't broken," declared the bully, +but, as a matter of fact, he could not have done so. "I oughtn't to +have changed, going up hill," he added, as he jammed on the brakes, to +stop the car from sliding down the slope. + +Tom saw and heard. + +"I thought you were so anxious to race," he said, exultantly, as well +he might. "I don't want to try a contest down hill, though, Andy," and +he laughed at the red-haired lad, who was furious. + +"Aw, go on!" was all the retort the squint-eyed one could think of to +make. + +"I am going on," replied our hero. "Just to show you that I can go down +hill, watch me." + +He turned his motor-cycle, and approached Andy's stalled car, for Tom +was some distance in advance of it, up the slope by this time. As he +approached the auto, containing the three disconcerted cronies, +something bounded out of Tom's pocket. It was the bottle of stove +blacking he had purchased for Mrs. Baggert. The bottle fell in the soft +dirt in front of his forward wheel, and a curious thing happened. +Perhaps you have seen a bicycle or auto tire strike a stone at an +angle, and throw it into the air with great force. That was what +happened to the bottle. Tom's front wheel struck the cork, which fitted +tightly, and, just as when you hit one end of the wooden "catty" and it +bounds up, the bottle described a curve through the air, and flew +straight toward Andy's car. It struck the brass frame of the wind +shield with a crash. + +The bottle broke, and in an instant the black liquid was spattered all +over Andy, Sam and Pete. It could not have been done more effectively +if Tom had thrown it by hand. All over their clothes, their hands and +faces, and the front of the car went the dreary black. Tom looked on, +hardly able to believe what he saw. + +"Wow! Wup! Ug! Blug! Mug!" spluttered Sam, who had some of the stuff in +his mouth. + +"Oh! Oh!" yelled Pete. + +"You did that on purpose, Tom Swift!" shouted Andy, wiping some of the +blacking from his left eye. "I'll have you arrested for that! You've +ruined my car, and look at my suit!" + +"Mine's worse!" murmured Sam, glancing down at his light trousers, +which were of the polka-dot pattern now. + +"No, mine is," insisted Pete, whose white shirt was of the hue of a +stove pipe. + +Andy wiped some of the black stuff from his nose, whence it was +dropping on the steering wheel. + +"You just wait!" the bully called to Tom. "I'll get even with you for +this!" + +"It was an accident! I didn't mean to do that," explained Tom, trying +not to laugh, as he dismounted from his motor-cycle, ready to render +what assistance he could. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +TALK OF A NEW BANK + + +The three cronies were in a sorrowful plight. The black fluid dripped +from them, and formed little puddles in the car. Andy had used his +handkerchief to wipe some of the stuff from his face, but the linen was +soon useless, for it quickly absorbed the blacking. + +"There's a little brook over here," volunteered Tom. "You might wash in +that. The stuff comes off easily. It isn't like ink," and he had to +laugh, as he thought of the happening. + +"Here! You quit that!" ordered Andy. "You've gone too far, Tom Swift!" + +"Didn't I tell you it was an accident?" inquired the young inventor. + +"It wasn't!" cried Sam. "You threw the bottle at us! I saw you!" + +"It slipped from my pocket," declared the youth, and he described how +the accident occurred. "I'll help you clean your car, Andy," he added. + +"I don't want your help! If you come near me I'll--I'll punch your +nose!" cried Andy, now almost beside himself with rage. + +"All right, if you don't want my help I don't care," answered Tom, glad +enough not to have to soil his hands and clothes. He felt that it was +partly his fault, and he would have done all he could to remedy +matters, but his good offers being declined, he felt that it was +useless to insist further. + +He remounted his motor-cycle, and rode off, the last view he had of the +trio being one where they were at the edge of the brook, trying to +remove the worst traces of the black fluid. As Tom turned around for a +final glimpse, Andy shook his fist at him, and called out something. + +"I guess Andy'll have it in for me," mused Tom. "Well, I can't help it. +I owed him something on account, but I didn't figure on paying it in +just this way," and he thought of the time the bully had locked him in +the ballast tanks of the submarine, thereby nearly smothering him to +death. + +That night Andy Foger told his father what had happened, for Mr. Foger +inquired the reason for the black stains on his son's face and hands. +But Andy did not give the true version. He said Tom had purposely +thrown the bottle of blacking at him. + +"So that's the kind of a lad Tom Swift is, eh?" remarked Andy's father. +"Well, Andy, I think you will soon have a chance to get even with him." + +"How, pop?" + +"I can't tell you now, but I have a plan for making Tom sorry he ever +did anything to you, and I will also pay back some old scores to Mr. +Swift and Mr. Damon. I'll ruin their bank for them, that's what I'll +do." + +"Ruin their bank, pop? How?" + +"You wait and see. The Swift crowd will get off their high horse soon, +or I'm mistaken. My plans are nearly completed, but I can't tell you +about them. I'll ruin Mr. Swift, though, that's what I'll do," and Mr. +Foger shook his head determinedly. + +Tom was soon at his home, and Mrs. Baggert, hearing the noise of his +machine, as it entered the front yard, came to the side door. + +"Where's my blacking?" she asked, as our hero dismounted and untied the +bundle of steel tubes he had purchased. + +"I--I used it," he answered, laughing. + +"Tom Swift! You don't mean to say you took my stove polish to use in +your battery, do you?" + +"No, I used it to polish off Andy Foger and some of his cronies," and +the young inventor told, with much gusto, what had happened. Mrs. +Baggert could not help joining in the laugh, and when Tom offered to +ride back and purchase some more of the polish for her, she said it did +not matter, as she could wait until the next day. + +The lad was soon busy in his machine shop, making several larger cells +for the new storage battery. He wanted to give it a more severe test. +He worked for several days on this, and when he had one unit of cells +complete, he attached the motor for an efficiency trial. + +"We'll see how many miles that will make," he remarked to his father. + +"Have you thought anything of the type of car you are going to build?" +asked the aged inventor of his son. + +"Yes, somewhat. It will be almost of the regulation style, but with two +removable seats at the rear, with curtains for protection, and a place +in front for two persons. This can also be protected with curtains when +desired." + +"But what about the motors and the battery?" + +"They will be located under the middle of the car. There will be one +set of batteries there, together with the motor, and another set of +batteries will be placed under the removable seats in what I call the +tonneau, though, of course, it isn't really that. A smaller set will +also be placed forward, and there will be ample room for carrying tools +and such things." + +"About how far do you expect your car will go with one charging of the +battery?" + +"Well, if I can make it do three hundred miles I'll be satisfied, but +I'm going to try for four hundred." + +"What will you do when your battery runs out?" + +"Recharge it." + +"Suppose you're not near a charging station?" + +"Well, Dad, of course those are some of the details I've got to work +out. I'm planning a register gauge now, that will give warning about +fifty miles before the battery is run down. That will leave me a margin +to work on. And I'm going to have it fixed so I can take current from +any trolley line, as well as from a regular charging station. My battery +will be capable of being recharged very quickly, or, in case of need, I +can take out the old cells and put in new ones. + +"That's a very good idea. Well, I hope you succeed." + +A few evenings after this, when Tom was busy in his machine shop, he +heard some one enter. He looked up from the gauge of the motor, which +he was studying, and, for a moment, he could make out nothing in the +dark interior of the shop, for he was working in a brilliant light. + +"Who's there?" he called sharply, for, more than once unscrupulous men +had endeavored to sneak into the Swift shops to steal ideas of +inventions; if not the actual apparatus itself. + +"It's me--Ned Newton," was the cheerful reply. + +"Oh, hello, Ned! I was wondering what had become of you," responded +Tom. "Where have you been lately?" + +"Oh, working overtime." + +"What's the occasion?" + +"We're trying out a new system to increase the bank business." + +"What's the matter? Aren't you folks getting business enough, after the +big deposits we made of the bullion from the wreck?" + +"Oh, it's not that. But haven't you heard the news? There is talk of +starting a rival bank in Shopton, and that may make us hustle to hold +what business we have, to say nothing of getting new customers." + +"A new bank, eh? Who's going to start it?" + +"Andy Foger's father, I hear. You know he was a director in our bank, +but he got out last week." + +"What for?" + +"Well, he had some difficulty with Mr. Pendergast, the president. I +fancy you had something to do with it, too." + +"I?" Tom was plainly surprised. + +"Yes, you know you and Mr. Damon and Mr. Sharp captured the bank +robbers, and got back most of the money." + +"I guess I do remember it! I wish you could have seen the gang when we +raided them from the clouds, in our airship!" + +"Well, you know Andy Foger hoped to collect the five thousand dollars +reward for telling the police that you were the thief, and of course he +got fooled, for you got the reward. Mr. Foger expected his son would +collect the money, and when Andy got left, it made him sore. He's had a +grudge against Mr. Pendergast, and all the other bank officials ever +since, and now he's going to start a rival bank. So that's why I said +it was partly due to you." + +"Oh, I see. I thought at first you meant that it was on account of +something that happened the other day." + +"What was that?" + +"Andy, Sam and Pete got the contents of a bottle of stove blacking," +and Tom related the occurrence, at which Ned laughed heartily. + +"I wouldn't be surprised though," added Ned, "to learn that Mr. Foger +started the new bank more for revenge than anything else." + +"So that's the reason you've been working late, eh?" went on Tom. +"Getting ready for competition. Do you think a new bank will hurt the +one you're with?" + +"Well, it might," admitted Ned. "It's bound to make a change, anyhow, +and now that I have a good position I don't want to lose it. I take +more of an interest in the institution now that I'm assistant cashier, +than I did when I was a clerk. So, naturally, I'm a little worried." + +"Say, don't let it worry you," begged Tom, earnestly. + +"Why not?" + +"Because I know my father and Mr. Damon will stick to the old bank. +They won't have anything to do with the one Andy Foger's father starts. +Don't you worry." + +"Well, that will help some," declared Ned. "They are both heavy +depositors, and if they stick to the old bank we can stand it even if +some of our smaller customers desert us." + +"That's the way to talk," went on the young inventor. "Let Foger start +his bank. It won't hurt yours." + +"What are you making now?" asked Ned, a little later, looking with +interest at the machinery over which Tom was bending, and to which he +was making adjustments. + +"New electric automobile. I want to beat Andy Foger's car worse than I +did on my motor-cycle, and I also want to win a prize," and the lad +proceeded to relate the incidents leading up to his construction of the +storage battery. + +Tom and Ned were in the shop until long past midnight, and then the +bank employee, with a look at his watch, exclaimed: + +"Great Scott! I ought to be home." + +"I'll run you over in Mr. Damon's car," proposed Tom. "He left it here +the other day, while he and his wife went off on a trip, and he said I +could use it whenever I wanted to." + +"Good!" cried Ned. + +The two lads came from Tom's particular workshop. As the young inventor +closed the door he started suddenly, as he snapped shut the lock. + +"What's the matter?" asked Ned quickly. + +"I thought I heard a noise," replied Tom. + +They both listened. There was a slight rustling in some bushes near the +shop. + +"It's a dog or a cat," declared Ned. + +Tom took several cautious steps forward. Then he gave a spring, and +made a grab for some one or something. + +"Here! You let me be!" yelled a protesting voice. + +"I will when I find out what you mean by sneaking around here," +retorted Tom, as he came back toward Ned, dragging with him a lad. "It +wasn't a dog or a cat, Ned," spoke the young inventor. "It's Sam +Snedecker," and so it proved. + +"You let me alone!" demanded Andy Foger's crony. "I ain't done nothin' +to you," he whined. + +"Here, Ned, you hold him a minute, while I make an investigation," +called Tom, handing his prisoner over to his chum. "Maybe Pete or Andy +are around." + +"No, they ain't. I came alone," said Sam quickly, but Tom, not heeding, +opened the shop, and, after turning on the electric lights, procured a +lantern. He began a search of the shrubbery around the shop, while Ned +held to the struggling Sam. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +A MIDNIGHT ENCOUNTER + + +The moment Tom disappeared behind his machine shop, Sam Snedecker began +a desperate struggle to escape from Ned Newton. Now Ned was a muscular +lad, but his work in the bank was confining, and he did not have the +chance to get out doors and exercise, as Sam had. Consequently Ned had +his hands full in holding to the squirming crony of Andy Foger. + +"You let me go!" demanded Sam, as he tried to twist loose. + +"Not if I know it!" panted Ned. + +Sam gave a sudden twist. Ned's foot slipped in the grass, and in a +moment he went down, with Sam on top of him. Still he did not let go, +and, finding he was still a prisoner Sam adopted new tactics. + +Using his fists Sam began to pound Ned, but the bank employee, though +suffering, would not call for help, to summon back Tom, who was, by +this time, at the rear of the shop, looking about. Silently in the +dark the two fought, and Ned found that Sam was getting away. Then +Ned's hand came in contact with Sam's ear. It was the misfortune of the +bully to have rather a large hearing apparatus, and once Ned got his +fingers on an ear there was room enough to afford a good grip. He +closed his hold tightly, and began to twist. This was too much for Sam. +He set up a lusty howl. + +"Wow! Ouch! Let go!" he pleaded, and he ceased to pound Ned, and no +longer tried to escape. Tom came back on the run. + +"What's the matter?" he cried. Then his light flashed on the two +prostrate lads, and he understood without asking any further questions. + +"Get up!" he cried, seizing Sam by the back of his neck, and yanking +him to his feet. Ned arose, and secured a better grip on the sneaking +lad. + +"What's up?" demanded Tom, and Ned explained, following it by the +question: + +"See any more of 'em?" + +"No, I guess he was here all alone," replied the young inventor. "What +do you mean by sneaking around here this time of night?" he demanded of +the captive. + +"Don't you wish you knew?" was Sam's answer, with a leer. He realized +that he had a certain advantage. + +"You'd better tell before I turn you over to the police!" said Tom, +sternly. + +"You--you wouldn't do that; would you?" and Sam's voice that had been +bold, became shaky. + +"You were trespassing on our property, and that's against the law," +declared Tom. "We have signs posted, warning people to keep off." + +"I didn't mean any harm," whined Sam. + +"Then what were you doing here, at this hour?" + +"I was just taking a short cut home. I was out riding with Andy in his +auto, and it broke down. I had to walk home, and I came this way. I +didn't know you didn't allow people to cross your back lot. I wasn't +doin' anything." + +Tom hesitated. Sam might be telling the truth, but it was doubtful. + +"What happened to Andy's auto?" the young inventor asked. + +"He broke a wheel, going over a big stone on Berk's hill. He went to +tell some one in the repair shop to go after the car, and I came on +home. You've got no right to arrest me." + +"I ought to, on general principles," commented Tom. "Well, skip out, +and don't you come around here again. I'm going to get a savage bull +dog, and the first one who comes sneaking around here after dark will +be sorry. Move along now!" + +Tom and Ned released their holds of Sam, and the latter lost no time in +obeying the injunction to make himself scarce. He was soon lost to +sight in the darkness. + +"Think he was up to some mischief?" asked Ned. + +"I'm almost sure of it," replied Tom, "but I can't see anything wrong. +I guess we were too quick for him. I believe he, Andy and Pete Bailey +tried to put up some job on me." + +"Maybe they wanted to damage your new battery or car," suggested Ned. + +"Hardly that. The car hasn't been started yet, and as for the battery, +no one knows of it outside of you and my friends here. I'm keeping it +secret. Well, if I'm going to take you home I'd better get a move on. +Wait here and I'll run out Mr. Damon's car." + +In a short time Tom was guiding the machine over the road to Shopton, +Ned on the seat beside him. The young assistant cashier lived about a +mile the other side of the village, and the two chums were soon at his +house. Asking his friend to come and see him when he had a chance. Ned +bid his chum good night, and the young inventor started back home. + +He was driving slowly along, thinking more of his new invention than +anything else, even more than of the mysterious visit of Sam Snedecker, +when the lights on Mr. Damon's car flashed upon something big, black +and bulky on the road just ahead of him. Tom, brought suddenly out of +his fit of musing, jammed on the brakes, and steered to one side. Then +he saw that the object was a stalled auto. He had only time to note +this when a voice hailed him: + +"Have you a tire pump you could lend us? Ours doesn't work, and we have +had a blowout." + +There was something about the voice that was strangely familiar, and +Tom was wondering where he had heard it before, when into the glare of +the lamps on his machine stepped Mr. Foger--Andy's father! + +"Why, Mr. Foger!" exclaimed Tom. "I didn't know it was you." + +"Oh, it's Tom Swift," remarked the man, and he did not seem especially +pleased. + +"Hey! What's that?" cried another voice, which Tom had no difficulty in +recognizing as belonging to Andy. "What's the matter, Dad?" + +"Why it happens to be your--ahem! It's Tom Swift in this other auto," +went on Mr. Foger. "I didn't know you had a car," he added. + +"I haven't," answered the lad. "This belongs to Mr. Damon. But can you +see to fix your tire in the dark?" for Mr. Foger and his son had no +lamps lighted. + +"Oh, we have it all fixed," declared the man, "and, just as we were +going to pump it up out lamps went out. Then we found that our pump +wouldn't work. If you have one I would be obliged for the use of it," +and he spoke somewhat stiffly. + +"Certainly," agreed Tom, cheerfully, for he had no special grudge +against Mr. Foger, though had he known Andy's father's plans, perhaps +our hero would not have so readily aided him. The young inventor got +down, removed one of his oil lamps in order that there might be some +light on the operation, and then brought over his pump. + +"I heard you had an accident," said Tom, a chain of thoughts being +rapidly forged in his mind, as he thought of what Sam had told him. + +"You heard of it?" repeated Mr. Foger, while Andy was busy pumping up +the tire. + +"Yes, a friend who was out riding with you said you had broken a wheel +on Berk's hill. But I see he was slightly wrong. You're a good way from +Berk's hill, and it's a tire that is broken, not a wheel." + +"But I don't understand," said Mr. Foger. "No friend has been out +riding with us. My son and I were out on a business trip, and--" + +"Come on, pop. I've got it all pumped up. Jump in. There's your pump, +Tom Swift. Much obliged," muttered Andy hastily. It was very evident +that he wanted to prevent any further conversation between his parent +and Tom. + +"But I don't understand," went on the banker, clearly puzzled. "What +friend gave you such information, Mr.--er--Tom Swift?" + +"Sam Snedecker," replied the lad quickly. "I caught him sneaking around +my machine shop about an hour ago, and when I asked him what he was +doing he said he'd been out riding with Andy, and that they broke a +wheel. I'm glad it was only a blown-out tire," and Tom's voice had a +curious note in it. + +"But there must be some mistake," insisted Mr. Foger. "Sam Snedecker +was not riding with us this evening. We have been over to +Waterfield--my son and I, and--" + +"Come on, pop!" cried Andy desperately. "We must hurry home. Mom will +be worried." + +"Yes, I think she will. But I can't understand why Sam should say such +a thing. However, we are much obliged for the use of your pump, Swift, +and--" + +But Andy prevented any further talk by starting the car with the +muffler open, making a great racket, and he hurriedly drove off, almost +before his father was seated, leaving Tom standing there in the road, +beside his pump and lantern. + +"So," mused the young inventor, "there's some game on. Sam wasn't with +Andy, yet Andy evidently knew where Sam was, or he wouldn't have been +so anxious to choke off talk. Mr. Foger knew nothing of Sam, naturally. +But why have Andy and his father been on a midnight trip to Waterfield?" + +That last question caused Tom to adopt a new line of thought. + +"Waterfield," he mused. "That's where Mr. Damon lives. Mr. Damon is a +heavy depositor in the old bank. Mr. Foger is going to start a new +bank. I wonder if there's any connection there? This is getting +mysterious. I must keep my eyes open. I never expected to meet Andy and +his father to-night, any more than I expected to find Sam Snedecker +sneaking around my shop, but it's a good thing I discovered both +parties. I guess Andy must have had nervous prostration when I was +talking to his father," and Tom grinned at the thought. Then, picking +up the pump, and fastening the lantern in place, he drove Mr. Damon's +auto slowly back home. + +Tom said nothing to his father or Mr. Sharp, the next morning, about +the incidents of the previous night. In the first place he could not +exactly understand them, and he wanted to devote more time to thinking +of them, before he mentioned the matter to his parent. Another reason +was that Mr. Swift was a very nervous person, and the least thing out +of the ordinary worried him. So the young inventor concluded to keep +quiet. + +His first act, after going to look at the small motor, which was being +run with the larger, experimental storage battery, was to get out +pencil and paper. + +"I've got to plan the electric auto now that my battery is in a fair +way to success," he said, for he noted that the one cell he had +constructed had done over twice as much mileage in proportion, as had +the small battery. "I'll soon start building the car," mused Tom, "and +then I'll enter it in the race. I must write to that touring club and +find how much time I have." + +All that morning the young inventor drew plan after plan for an +electric runabout, and rejected them. Finally he threw aside paper and +pencil and exclaimed: + +"It's no use. I can't think to-day. I'm dwelling too much on what +happened last night. I must clear my brain. + +"I know what I'll do. I'll get in my motor-boat and take a run over to +Waterfield to see Mr. Damon. Maybe he's home by this time. Then I can +ask him what Mr. Foger wanted to see him about, if he did call." + +It was a fine May morning, and Tom was soon in his boat, the Arrow, +gliding over Lake Carlopa, the waters of which sparkled in the sun. As +he speeded up his craft, the lad looked about, thinking he might catch +sight of Andy Foger, for the bully also owned a boat, called the Red +Streak and, more than once, in spite of the fact that Andy's craft was +the more powerful, Tom had beaten him in impromptu races. But there was +no sign of his rival this morning, and Tom kept on to Waterfield. He +found that Mr. Damon had not yet returned home. + +"So far I've had my run for nothing," mused the youth. "Well, I might +as well spend the rest of the morning in the boat." + +He swung his craft out into the lake, and headed back toward Mansburg, +intending to run up to the head of the body of water, which offered so +many attractions that beautiful morning. + +As Tom passed a small dock he saw a girl just putting out in a rowboat. +The figure looked familiar and, having nothing special to do, the lad +steered over closer. His first view was confirmed, and he called out +cheerfully: + +"Good morning, Miss Nestor. Going for a row?" + +"Oh! Mr. Swift!" exclaimed the girl with a blush. "I didn't hear you +coming. You startled me." + +"Yes, the engine runs quite silently since I fixed it," resumed Tom. +"But where are you going?" + +"I was going for a row," answered the girl, "but I have just discovered +that one of the oar locks is broken, so I am not going for a row," and +she laughed, showing her white, even teeth. + +"That's too bad!" remarked the lad. "I don't suppose," he added +doubtfully, "that I could induce you to accept a motor-boat as a +substitute for a rowing craft, could I?" and he looked quizzically at +her. + +"Are you asking me that as a hypothetical question?" she inquired. + +"Yes," said Tom, trying not to smile. + +"Well, if you are asking for information, merely, I will say that I +could be induced to make such a change," and her face was nearly as +grave as that of the young inventor's. + +"What inducement would have to be used?" he asked. + +"Suppose you just ask me in plain English to come and have a ride?" she +suggested. + +"All right, I will!" exclaimed the youth. + +"All right, then I'll come!" she retorted with a laugh, and a few +minutes later the two were in the Arrow, making a pretty picture as +they speeded up the lake. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +BUILDING THE CAR + + +"Well," remarked Tom to himself, about two hours later, when he had +left Mary Nestor at her dock, and was on his way home, "I feel better +than I did, and now I must do some hard thinking about my runabout. I +want to get it the right shape to make the least resistance." He began +to make some sketches when he got home, and at dinner he showed them to +his father and Mr. Sharp. He said he had gotten an idea from looking +at the airship. + +"I'm going to make the front part, or what corresponds to the +engine-hood in a gasolene car, pointed," he explained. "It will be just +like the front of the aluminum gas container of the airship, only built +of steel. In it will be a compartment for a set of batteries, and there +will be a searchlight there. From the top of some supporters in front +of the two rear seats, a slanting sheet of steel will come right down +to meet the sloping nose of the car. First I was going to have curtains +close over the top of the driver's seat, but I think a steel covering, +with a celluloid opening will be better and make less wind resistance. +I'll use leather side curtains when it rains. Under the front seats +will be a compartment for more batteries, and there will be a third +place under the rear seats, where I will also carry spare wheels and a +repair kit. The motors will be slung under the body of the car, +amidships, and there will also be room for some batteries there." + +"How are you going to drive the car?" asked Mr. Sharp. "By a shaft?" + +"Chain drive," explained Tom. "I can get more power that way, and it +will be more flexible under heavy loads. Of course it will be steered +in the usual way, and near the wheel will be the starting and reversing +levers, and the gear handle." + +"Gears!" exclaimed the aged inventor. "Are you going to gear an +electric auto? I never heard of that. Usually the motor directly +connected is all they use." + +"I'm going to have two gears on mine," decided Tom. + +"That's a new idea," commented the aeronaut. + +"It is," admitted the lad, "and that's why my car is going to be so +speedy. I'll make her go a hundred miles an hour, if necessary!" + +"Nonsense!" exclaimed his father. + +"I will!" cried the young inventor, enthusiastically. "You just wait +and see. I couldn't do it but for the gears, but by using them I'll +secure more speed, especially with the big reserve battery power I'll +have. I know I've got the right idea, and I'm going to get right to +work." + +His father and Mr. Sharp were much interested, and closely examined his +sketches. In a few days Tom had made detailed drawings, and the aged +inventor looked at them critically. He had to admit that his son's +theory was right, though how it would work out in practice was yet to +be demonstrated. Mr. Swift offered some suggestions for minor changes, +as did Mr. Sharp, and the lad adopted some of them. Then, with Mr. +Jackson to help him, work was started on constructing the car. + +Certain parts of it could be better purchased in the open market +instead of being manufactured in Mr. Swift's shop, and thus Tom was +able to get his new invention into some sort of shape sooner than would +otherwise have been the case. He also started making the batteries, +many of which would be needed. + +Gradually the car began to take form on the floor of Tom's shop. It was +rather a curious looking affair, the sharp forward part making it +appear like some engine of war, or a projectile for some monster gun. +But Tom cared little for looks. Speed, strength and ease of control +were the chief features the lad aimed at, and he incorporated many new +ideas into his electric car. + +He was busy in the shop, one morning, when, above the noise caused by +filing a piece of steel he heard some one exclaim: + +"Bless my gizzard! If you aren't as busy as ever!" + +"Mr. Damon!" cried Tom in delight. "When did you get back?" + +"Last night," replied the eccentric man. "My wife and I stayed longer +than we meant to. And whom do you think we met when we were off on our +little trip?" + +"Some of the Happy Harry gang?" + +"Oh no. You'd never guess, so I'll tell you. It was Captain Weston." + +"Indeed! And how has he been since he went in the submarine with us, +and helped recover the gold from the wreck?" + +"Very well. The first thing he said to me was: 'How is Tom Swift and +his father, if I may be permitted to ask?'" + +"Ha! Ha!" laughed the lad, at the recollection of the odd sea captain, +who generally tagged on an apologetic expression to most of his remarks. + +"He was getting ready to take part in some South American revolution," +went on Mr. Damon. "He used most of his money that he got from the +wreck to help finance their cause." + +"I must tell Mr. Sharp," went on the lad. "He'll be interested." + +"Anything new since I've been away?" asked the odd man. "Bless my shoe +laces, but I'm glad to get back!" + +Tom told of the prospect of a new bank being started, and of Sam's +midnight visit, as well as the encounter with Mr. Foger and Andy. + +"I went over to see what Mr. Foger wanted of you," went on the young +inventor, "but you weren't home. Did he call?" + +"The servant said he had been there, not once, but several times," +remarked Mr. Damon. "That reminds me. He left a note for me, and I +haven't read it yet. I'll do so now." + +He tore open the letter, and hastily perused the contents. + +"Ha!" he exclaimed. "So that's what he wanted to see me about!" + +"What?" inquired Tom, with the privilege of an old friend. + +"Mr. Foger says he's going to start a new bank, and he wants me to +withdraw my deposit from the old one, and put it in his institution. +Says he'll pay me bigger interest. And he adds that some of the old +employees have gone with him." + +"I hope you're not going to change," spoke Tom, thinking of his chum, +Ned. + +"Indeed I'm not. The old bank is good enough for me. By the way, +doesn't a friend of yours work there?" + +"Yes, Ned Newton. I'm wondering how he'll be affected?" + +"Don't you worry!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "Bless my check book! I'll +speak to Pendergast about your friend. Maybe there'll be a chance to +advance him further. I've got some mortgages falling due pretty soon, +and I'll deposit the money from them in the old bank. Then we'll see +what we can do about Ned." + +"They'll make you a bank director, if you keep on putting in money," +remarked our hero, with a smile. + +"Not much they won't!" was the quick answer. + +"Bless my stocks and bonds! I've got trouble enough without becoming a +bank director. My doctor says my liver is out of order again, and I've +got to eat a lemon every morning before breakfast." + +"Eat a lemon?" + +"Well, drink the juice! It's the same thing. But how is the electric +runabout coming on?" + +"Pretty good." + +"Have you entered it in the races yet?" + +"No, but I've written for information. I have until September to finish +it. The races take place then." + +"Let's see; they're on Long Island; aren't they? How do you calculate +to do; run from here to there?" + +"No, Dad still has the cottage he rented when we built the submarine +and I think I'll make that my headquarters during the race. It's easy +to run from there over to the Long Island track. They're building a +new one, especially for the occasion. + +"Well, I hope you win the prize. I must go to town now, as I have to +attend to some business. I don't s'pose you want to come in my auto. +I'm pretty sure something will break before I get there, and I'd like +to have you along to fix it." + +"Sorry, but I'm afraid I can't go," replied the lad. "I must get this +car done, and then I've got to start on the batteries." + +Mr. Damon rather reluctantly went off alone, looking anxiously at his +car, for the machine got out of order on every trip he took. + +It was a few days after this that Tom received a call from Ned one +evening. The bank employee's face wore a happy smile. + +"What's the matter; some one left you a fortune?" asked Tom. + +"Pretty nearly as good. I've got a better position." + +"What? Have you left the old bank, and gone to the new one?" + +"No, I'm still in the same bank, but I'm one of the two cashiers now. +Mr. Foger took several of the old employees when he opened his new +bank, and that left vacancies. I was promoted, and so were one or two +others. Mr. Damon spoke a good word for me." + +"That's fine! He's a friend worth having." + +"That's right. Your father also recommended me. But how are things with +you? Has Andy made any more trouble?" + +"No, and I don't believe he will. I guess he'll steer clear of me." + +But Tom was soon to learn he was mistaken. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +TOM IS CAPTURED + + +Meanwhile the young inventor, aided by his father, Mr. Sharp and Garret +Jackson, the engineer, worked hard over his new car, and the powerful +batteries. A month passed, and such was the progress made that Tom felt +justified in making formal entry of his vehicle for the races to be +held by the Touring Club of America. + +He paid a contingent fee and was listed as one of the competitors. As +is usual in an affair of this kind, the promoters of it desired +publicity, and they sought it through the papers. + +Consequently each new entrant's name was published. In addition +something was said about his previous achievements in the speed line. + +No sooner was the name of Tom Swift received by the officials of the +club, than it was at once recalled that young Swift had had a prominent +part in the airship Red Cloud, and the submarine Advance. This gave an +enterprising reporter a chance for a "special" for the Sunday +supplement of a New York newspaper. + +Tom, it was stated, was building a car which would practically +annihilate distance and time, and there were many weird pictures, +showing him flying along without touching the ground, in a car, the +pictorial construction of which was at once fearful and wonderful. + +Tom and his friends laughed at the yarn, at first, but it soon had +undesirable results. The young inventor had desired to keep secret the +fact that he was building a new electric vehicle, and a novel storage +battery, but the article in the paper aroused considerable interest. +Many persons came a long distance, hoping for a sight of the wonderful +car, as pictured in the Sunday supplement, but they had to be denied. +The news, thus leaking out, kept the Swift shops almost constantly +besieged by many curious ones, who sought, by various means, to gain +admission. Finally Tom and his father, after posting large signs, +warning persons to keep away, added others to the effect that +undesirable visitors might find themselves unexpectedly shocked by +electricity, if they ventured too close. This had the desired effect, +though the wires which were strung about carried such a mild charge +that it would not have harmed a child. Then the only bothersome +characters were the boys of the town, and, fearless and careless lads, +they persisted in hanging around the Swift homestead, in the hope of +seeing Tom dash away at the rate of five hundred miles an hour, which +one enthusiastic writer predicted he would do. + +"I've got a plan!" exclaimed Tom one day when the boys had been +particularly troublesome. + +"What is it?" asked his father. + +"We'll hire Eradicate Sampson to stand guard with a bucket of +whitewash. He'll keep the boys away." + +The plan was put into operation, and Eradicate and his mule, Boomerang, +were installed on the premises. + +"Deed an' Ah'll keep dem lads away," promised the colored man. "Ah'll +splash white stuff all ober 'em, if dey comes traipsin' around me." + +He was as good as his word, and, when one or two lads had received a +dose of the stuff, which punishment was followed by more severe from +home, for having gotten their clothes soiled, the nuisance ceased, to a +certain extent. Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey were two who received a +liberal sprinkling of the lime, and they vowed vengeance on Tom. + +"And Andy Foger will help us, too," added Sam, as he withdrew, after an +encounter with Eradicate. + +"Doan't let dat worry yo', Mistah Swift!" exclaimed the darkey. "Jest +let dat low-down-good-fo-nuffin' Andy Foger come 'round me, an' Ah'll +make him t'ink he's de inside ob a chicken coop, dat's what Ah will." + +Perhaps Andy heard of this, and kept away. In the meanwhile Tom kept on +perfecting his car and battery. From the club secretary he learned that +a number of inventors were working on electric cars, and there promised +to be many of the speedy vehicles in the race. + +After considerable labor Tom had succeeded in getting together one set +of the batteries. He had them completed one afternoon, and wanted to +give them a test that night. But, when he went to his father's chemical +laboratory for a certain powder, which he needed to use in the battery +solution, he found there was none. + +"I'll have to ride in to Mansburg for some," he decided. "I'll go after +supper, on my motor-cycle, and test the battery to-night." + +The young inventor left his house immediately after the evening meal. +Along the road toward Mansburg he speeded, and, as he came to the foot +of a hill, where once Andy Foger had put a big tree, hoping Tom would +run into it and be injured, the youth recalled that circumstance. + +"Andy has been keeping out of my way lately," mused Tom. "I wonder if +he's up to any mischief? I don't like the way Sam Snedecker is hanging +around the shop, either. It looks as if they were plotting something. +But I guess Eradicate and his pail of whitewash will scare them off." + +Tom got the powdered chemical he wanted in the drug store, and, after +refreshing himself with some ice cream soda, he started back. As he +rode along through the streets of the town he kept a lookout, and those +of you who know how fond the lad was of a certain young lady, do not +need to be told for whom he was looking. But he did not see her, and +soon turned into the main highway leading to Shopton. + +It was dark when he reached the hill, where once he had been so near an +accident, and he slowed up as he coasted down it, using the brake at +intervals. + +Tom got safely to the bottom of the declivity, and was about to turn on +the power of his machine, when, from the bushes that lined either side +of the roadway, several figures sprang suddenly. They ranged themselves +across the road, and one cried: "Halt!" in tones that were meant to be +stern, but which seemed to Tom, to tremble somewhat. The young inventor +was so surprised that he did not open the gasolene throttle, nor switch +on his spark. As a consequence his motor-cycle lost momentum, and he +had to take one foot from the pedal and touch the ground, to prevent +himself from toppling over. + +"Hold on there!" cried another voice. "We've got you where we want you, +now! Hold on! Don't go!" + +"I wasn't going to go," responded Tom calmly, trying to recognize the +voice, which seemed to be unnatural. "What do you want, and who are +you?" + +"Never mind who we are. We want you and we've got you! Get off that +wheel!" + +"I don't see why I should!" exclaimed Tom, and he suddenly shifted his +handle bars, so as to flash the bright headlight he carried, upon the +circle of dark figures that opposed his progress. As the light flashed +on them he was surprised to see that all the figures wore masks over +their faces. + +Tom started. Was this the Happy Harry gang after him again? He hoped +not, yet the fact that the persons had on masks made the hold-up have +an ugly look. Once more Tom flashed the light on the throng. There were +exclamations of dismay. + +"Douse that glim, somebody!" called a sharp voice, which Tom could not +recognize. + +A stone came whizzing through the air, from some one in the crowd. +There was a smashing of glass as it hit the lantern, and the road was +plunged in darkness. Tom tried to throw one leg over the saddle, and +let down the supporting stand from the rear wheel, so the motor-cycle +would remain upright without him holding it. He determined to have +revenge for that act of vandalism in breaking his lamp. + +But, just as he was free of the seat, he was surrounded by a dozen +persons, and several hands were laid on him. + +"We've got you now!" some one fairly hissed in his ear. "Come along, +and get what's coming to you!" + +Tom tried to fight, but he was overpowered by numbers and, a little +later, was dragged off into the woods in the darkness by the masked +figures. His arms were securely bound with ropes, and a handkerchief +was tied over his eyes. Tom Swift was a prisoner. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +A BLINDING FLASH + + +Stumbling on through the dark woods, led by his captors, Tom tried to +pierce the gloom and identify the persons who had firm grips on either +side of him. But it was useless. A little light sifted down from the +starlit sky above, but it was not sufficient. The young inventor was +beginning to think, after all, that he had fallen into the hands of the +Happy Harry gang, and he knew that if this was so he need expect no +mercy. + +But two things were against this belief. One was that the principal +members of the gang were still in jail, or at least they were supposed +to be, and another was that there were too many of the captors. Happy +Harry's crowd never numbered so many. + +"Maybe they're highwaymen," thought our hero, as he was dragged along +"But that can't be," he reasoned further. "If they wanted to rob me +they'd have done it back there in the road, and not brought me off here +in the woods. Besides, I haven't anything for them to steal." + +Suddenly Tom stumbled over a projecting root, and nearly fell, dragging +along with him the person who had hold of his left arm. + +"Look out there! What's the matter with you?" exclaimed one of the +throng quickly, and at the sound of the voice Tom started. + +"Andy Foger!" cried the young inventor, as he recovered himself, for he +had recognized the voice of the red-haired bully. "What do you mean by +holding me up in this way?" he demanded. + +"Quiet!" urged a voice in his ear, and the tones were unfamiliar. +"Mention no names!" + +"I'm on to your game!" retorted Tom. "I know you're here, Andy, and Sam +and Pete; and Jack Reynolds and Sid Holton," and he named two rather +loose-charactered lads, who were often in the company of Andy and his +cronies. "You'd better quit this nonsense," Tom went on. "I'll cause +the arrest of all of you if you make trouble for me. I know who you are +now!" + +"You think you do," answered the voice in his ear, and the young +inventor concluded that it must be some lad whom he did not know. "Nor +is this nonsense," the other went on. "You are about to receive the +punishment due you." + +Our hero did not answer, but he was doing some hard thinking. He +wondered why Andy and his crowd had captured him. + +Suddenly the blackness of the woods was illuminated by the fitful gleam +of a distant fire. Tom could see more plainly now, and he managed to +count about ten dusky figures hurrying along, four being close to him, +to prevent his escape, and the others running on ahead. The light +became stronger, and, a moment later the prisoner and his captors +emerged into a little clearing, where a fire was burning. Two figures, +masked with black cloth, as were all in the crowd, stood about the +blaze, putting on sticks of wood. + +"Did you get him?" asked one of these figures eagerly. + +"Yes, they got me, Sam Snedecker," answered Tom quickly, recognizing +Sam's tones. "And they'll wish they hadn't before I'm done with them." + +"Quiet!" ordered an unknown voice. "Members of the Deep Forest Throng, +the prisoner is here!" the lad went on. + +"'Tis well, bind the captive to the sacrificial tree," was the response +from some one in the crowd. + +Tom laughed. He was at ease now, for he recognized that those who had +taken him prisoner were all lads of Andy's character. Most of them +were Shopton youths, but some, evidently, were strangers in town. Tom +felt he had little to fear. + +"Bring him over here," ordered one, and Tom cried out: + +"You wouldn't be giving those orders, Andy Foger, if my arms weren't +tied. And if you'll untie me, I'll fight any two of you at once," +offered the young inventor fiercely, for he hated the humiliation to +which he was being subjected. + +"Don't do it! Don't untie him!" begged some one. + +"No danger, they won't. They're afraid to, Pete Bailey," replied Tom +quickly, for he had recognized the voice of the other one of Andy's +particular cronies. + +"Aw, he knows who we are," whispered Sam, but not so low but that our +hero heard him. + +"No matter," was Andy's retort. "Let's go ahead with it. Tie him to +that tree." + +It was useless for Tom to struggle. He was bound too tightly by the +rope, and the crowd was too many for him. In a few minutes he was +securely fastened to a tree, not far from the camp-fire, which was +replenished from time to time. + +"Now for the judgment!" called one of the masked lads, in what he meant +to be a sepulchral tone. "What is the charge against the prisoner? +Brother Number One of the Deep Forest Throng, what is your accusation?" + +"He's a regular snob, that's what's the trouble," answered Andy +Foger, though whether he was "Brother Number One," did not appear. +"He's too fresh and--and--" + +"I'll make you wish you felt fresh when I get hold of you, Andy," +murmured Tom. + +"Quiet!" cried a tall lad. "What's the next charge?" + +"He keeps an old colored man on guard at his place," was the answer, +and Tom had no difficulty in recognizing the voice of Sid Holton. "The +coon throws whitewash all over us. I got some of it." + +"You wouldn't have, if you'd minded your own business," retorted Tom. +"It served you right!" + +"What is the verdict on the prisoner?" asked one who seemed to be the +leader. + +"I say let's tar and feather him!" cried Andy suddenly. "There's a +barrel of tar back in the woods here, and we can get some feathers from +a chicken coop. That would make him so he wouldn't be so uppish, I +guess!" + +"That's right! Tar and feathers!" exclaimed several. + +Our hero's heart sank. He was not afraid, but he did not relish the +indignity that was proposed. He resolved to fight to the last ounce of +his strength against the masked lads. + +"Can we get a kettle to heat the tar in?" asked some one. + +"We'll find one," answered Sam Snedecker. "Come on, let's do it. You'll +look pretty, Tom Swift, when we're through with you," he exulted. + +Tom did not answer, but there was fierce anger in his heart. The tar +and feather proposal seemed to meet with general favor. + +"Members of the Deep Forest Throng, we will hold a consultation," +proposed the leader, in his assumed deep voice. "Come over here, to +one side. Brother Number Six, guard the prisoner well." + +"There ain't no need to," answered a lad who had been instructed to +mount guard over Tom. "He's tied so tight he can't move. I want to hear +what you say." + +"Very well then," assented the leader, "But look to his bonds." + +The lad made a hasty examination of the ropes binding the young +inventor to the tree, and Tom was glad that the examination was a hasty +one. For he feared the guard might discover that one hand had been +worked nearly free. The young inventor had done this while he leered at +his captors. + +Tom was not going to submit tamely to the nonsense, and from the moment +he had been tied, he had been trying to get loose. He had nearly +succeeded in freeing one hand when the crowd of masked boys moved off +to one side, where they presently began to talk in excited whispers. + +"I wonder how they came to catch me," thought the prisoner, as he +worked feverishly to further loosen the ropes. "This looks as if it was +a put-up job, with the masks, and everything." Later he learned that +the idea was the outcome of a proposal of one of the new arrivals in +town. He had organized the "Deep Forest Throng," as a sort of secret +society, and Andy and his cronies had been induced to join. It was +Andy's proposal to capture Tom, though, and, having seen him depart for +Mansburg on his motor-cycle, and knowing that he would return along a +road that ran near the woods where the Throng met, suggested that they +take Tom captive. The idea was enthusiastically received, and Andy and +his cronies thought they saw a chance to be revenged. + +Tom, while he picked at the ropes, listened to what the boys were +saying. He heard frequent mention of tar and feathers, and began to +believe, that unless he could get free, while they were off there +consulting, he might be forced to submit to the humiliating ordeal. + +He managed to get one hand comparatively free, so that he could move it +about, but then he struck several hard knots, and could make no further +progress. The conference seemed on the point of breaking up. + +"One of you go for a big kettle to boil the tar in," ordered the +leader, "and the rest of you dig up some feathers." + +"I must get loose!" thought Tom desperately. "If they try to tar and +feather me it will be a risky business. I've got to get loose! They may +burn me severely!" + +But, though he tried with all his strength, the ropes would not loosen +another bit. He had one hand free, and that was all. The crowd was +moving back toward him. + +"My knife!" thought the captive quickly. "If I can reach that in my +pocket I can cut the ropes! Once I get loose I'll fight the whole +crowd!" + +He managed to get his free hand into his pocket. His fingers touched +something. It was not his knife, and, for a moment he felt a pang of +disappointment. Then, as he realized what it was that he had grasped, a +new idea came to him. + +"This will be better than the knife!" he thought exultantly. The crowd +of lads was now surrounding him, some distance from the fire, which +burned in front of the captive. + +"Sentence has been passed upon you," remarked the leader. "Prepare to +meet thy doom! Get the materials, brothers!" + +"One moment!" called Tom, for he wanted the crowd all present to +witness what he was about to do. "I'll give you one chance to let me go +peaceably. If you don't--" + +"Well, what will you do?" demanded Andy sneeringly, as he pulled his +mask further over his face. "I guess you won't do anything, Tom Swift." + +"I'll give you one chance to let me go, and I'll agree to say nothing +about this joke," went on Tom. "If you don't I'll blow this place up!" + +For a moment there was a silence. + +"Ha! Ha! Ho! Ho!" laughed Sam Snedecker. "Listen to him! He'll blow the +place up! I'd like to see you do it! You can't get loose in the first +place, and you haven't anything to blow it up with in the second. I'd +like to see you do it; hey, fellers?" + +"Sure," came the answering chorus. + +"Would you?" asked Tom quickly. "Then watch. Stand back if you don't +want to get hurt, and remember that I gave you a chance to let me go!" + +Tom made a rapid motion with the hand he had gotten loose. He threw +something toward the blazing fire, which was now burning well. +Something white sailed through the air, and fell amid the hot embers. + +There was a moment's pause, and then a blinding flash of blue fire +lighted up the woods, and a dull rumble, as when gun-powder is lighted +in the open followed. A great cloud of white smoke arose, as the vivid +blue glare died away, and it seemed as if a great wind swept over the +place. Several of the masked lads were knocked down by the explosion, +and when the rumble died away, and deep blackness succeeded the intense +blue light, there came cries of pain and terror. The fire had been +scattered, and extinguished by the explosion which Tom, though still +bound to the tree had caused to happen in the midst of the Deep Forest +Throng. Then, as the smoke rolled away, Andy Foger cried: + +"Come on, fellows! Something's happened. I guess a volcano blew up!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +TOM IS RESCUED + + +The Deep Forest Throng needed no urging to flee from the place of the +mysterious explosion. Their prisoner, helpless as he had seemed, had +proved too much for them. Slipping and stumbling along in the darkness, +the masked lads had but one thought--to get away before they saw more +of that blue fire, and the force of the concussion. + +"Gee! My eyebrows are all singed off!" cried Sam Snedecker, as he tore +loose his mask which had been rent in the explosion, and felt of his +face. + +"And my hands are burned," added Pete Bailey. "I stood closer to the +fire than any of you." + +"You did not! I got the worst of it!" cried Andy. "I was knocked down +by the explosion, and I'll bet I'm hurt somewhere. I guess--Oh! Help! +I'm falling in a mud hole!" + +There was a splash, and the bully disappeared from the sight of his +companions who, now that the moon had risen, could better see to flee +from their prisoner. + +"Help me out, somebody!" pleaded Andy. "I'm in a mud hole!" + +They pulled him out, a sorry looking sight, and the red-haired lad, +whose locks were now black with muck, began to lament his lot. + +"Dry up!" commanded Sid Holton. "It's all your fault, for proposing +such a fool trick as capturing Tom Swift. We might have known he would +get the best of us." + +"What was that stuff he used, anyhow?" asked Cecil Hedden, the lad +responsible for the organization of the Deep Forest Throng. "He must +be a wonder. Does he do sleight-of-hand tricks?" + +"He does all sorts of tricks," replied Pete Bailey, feeling of a big +lump on his head, caused by falling on a stone in the mad rush. "I +guess we were chumps to tackle him. He must have put some kind of +chemical in the fire, to make it blow up." + +"Or else he summoned his airship by wireless, and had that balloonist, +Mr. Sharp, drop a bomb in the blaze," suggested another lad. + +"But how could he do anything? Wasn't he tied fast to that tree?" asked +Cecil, the leader. + +"You never know when you've got Tom Swift tied," declared Jack +Reynolds. "You think you've got him, and you haven't. He's too slick +for us. It's Andy's fault, for proposing to capture him." + +"That's right! Blame it all on me," whined the squint-eyed bully. "You +was just as anxious as I was to tar and feather him." + +"Well, we didn't do it," commented Pete Bailey, dryly. "I s'pose he's +loose now, laughin' at us. Gee, but that was an explosion though! It's +a wonder some of us weren't killed! I guess I've had enough of this +Deep Forest Throng business. No more for mine." + +"Aw, don't be afraid," urged Cecil. "The next time we get him we'll be +on our guard." + +"You'll never catch Tom Swift again," predicted Pete. + +"I'll go back now to where he is, if you will," agreed Cecil, who was +older than the others. + +"Not much!" cried Pete. "I've had enough." + +This seemed to be the sentiment of all. Away they stumbled through the +woods, and, emerging on the road, scattered to their several homes, not +one but who suffered from slight burns, contusions, torn and muddy +clothes or injured feelings as the outcome of the "joke" on the young +inventor. + +But our hero was not yet free from the bonds of his enemies. When they +scattered and ran, after the vivid blue light, and the dull explosion, +which, being unconfined, did no real damage, Tom was still fast to the +tree. As his eyes became accustomed to the semi-darkness that followed +the glare, he remarked: + +"Well, I don't know that I'm much better off. I gave those fellows a +good scare, but I'm not loose. But I can work to better advantage now." + +Once more he resumed the effort to free himself, but in spite of the +crude manner in which the knots had been made, the lad could not get +loose. The more he pulled and tugged the tighter they seemed to become. + +"This is getting serious," Tom mused. "If I could only reach my knife I +could cut them, but it's in my pocket on the other side, and that +bond's fast. Guess I'll have to stay here all night. Maybe I'd better +call for help, but--" + +His words, spoken half aloud, were suddenly interrupted by a crash in +the underbrush. Somebody was approaching. At first Tom thought it was +Andy and his cronies coming back, but a voice that called a moment +later proved that this was not so. + +"Is any one here?" shouted a man. "Any one hurt? What was that fire and +explosion?" + +"I'm here," replied Tom. "I'm not hurt exactly, but I'm tied to a tree. +I'll be much obliged if you'll loosen me." + +"Who are you?" + +"Tom Swift. Is that you, Mr. Mason?" + +"Yes. By jinks! I never expected to find you here, Tom. Over this way, +men," he added calling aloud. "I've found him; it's Tom Swift." + +There was the flicker of several lanterns amid the trees, and soon a +number of men had joined Mr. Mason, and surrounded Tom. They were +farmers living in the neighborhood. + +"What in the name o' Tunket happened?" asked one. "Did you get hit by a +meteor or a comet? Who tied you up; highwaymen?" + +"Cut him loose first, and ask questions afterward," suggested Mr. Mason. + +"Yes," added Tom, with a laugh, "I wish you would. I'm beginning to +feel cramped." + +With their knives, the farmers quickly cut the ropes, and some of them +rubbed the arms of the lad to restore the circulation. + +"What was it--highwaymen?" asked a man, unable to longer restrain his +curiosity. "Did they rob you?" + +"No, it wasn't highwaymen," replied the youth. "It was a trick of some +boys I know," and to Tom's credit be it said that he did not mention +their names. "They did it for a joke," he added. + +"Boys' trick? Joke?" queried Mr. Mason. "Pretty queer sort of a joke, I +think. They ought to be arrested." + +"Oh, I fancy I gave them what was coming to them," went on the young +inventor. + +"Did they try to blow ye up, too?" asked Mr. Hertford. "What in th' +name of Tunket was that blue light, and that explosion? I heard it an' +saw it way over to my house." + +"So did I," remarked Mr. Mason, and several others said the same thing. +"We thought a meteor had fallen," he continued, "and we got together to +make an investigation." + +"It's a good thing for me you did," admitted Tom, "or I might have had +to stay here all night." + +"But was it a meteor?" insisted Mr. Hertford. + +"No," replied the lad, "I did it." + +"You?" + +"Yes. You see after they tied me I found I could get one hand free. I +reached in my pocket for my knife, but instead of it I managed to get +hold of a package of powder I had." + +"Gunpowder?" asked Mr. Mason. + +"No, a chemical powder I use in an electrical battery. The powder +explodes in fire, and makes quite a blue flash, and a lot of smoke, but +it isn't very dangerous, otherwise I wouldn't have used it. When the +boys were some distance away from the fire, I threw the powder in the +blaze. It went off in a moment, and--" + +"I guess they run some; didn't they?" asked Mr. Mason with a laugh. + +"They certainly did," agreed Tom. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +TOM HAS A FALL + + +The young inventor told more details of his adventure in the woods, +but, though the farmers questioned him closely, he would not give a +single name of his assailants. + +"But I should think you'd want to have them punished," remarked Mr. +Mason. + +"I'll attend to that part later," answered Tom. "Besides, most of them +didn't know what they were doing. They were led on by one or two. No, +I'll fight my own battles. But I wish you'd lend me a lantern long +enough to find my motor-cycle. The moon doesn't give much light in the +woods, and those fellows may have hidden my machine." + +Mr. Mason and his companions readily agreed to accompany Tom on a +search for his wheel. It was found just where he had dismounted from it +in the road. Andy and his cronies had evidently had enough of their +encounter with our hero, and did not dare to annoy him further. + +"Do you think you can ride home?" asked one of the farmers of the lad, +when he had ascertained that his machine was in running order. + +"Well, it's risky without my lantern," answered Tom. "They smashed that +for me. But I guess I can manage." + +"No, you can't!" insisted Mr. Mason. "You're stiff from being tied up; +and you can't ride. Now you just wheel that contraption over to my +place, and I'll hitch up and take you home. It isn't far." + +"Oh, I couldn't think of troubling you," declared Tom. At the same time +he felt that he was in no condition to ride. + +"It's no trouble at all," insisted Mr. Mason. "I guess your father and +I are good enough friends to allow me to have my way. You can come +over and get your choo-choo bicycle in the morning." + +A little later Tom was being rapidly driven toward his home, where he +found his father and Mrs. Baggert, to say nothing of Mr. Sharp, +somewhat alarmed over his absence, as it was getting late. The youth +told as much of his adventure as he thought would not alarm his father, +making a sort of joke of it, and, later, related all the details to the +balloonist. + +"We'll have to get after Andy again," declared the aeronaut. "He needs +another toning down." + +"Yes, similar to the one he got when we nearly ran away with his +automobile, by catching the airship anchor on it," added Tom with a +laugh. "But I fancy Andy will steer clear of me for a while. I'm sorry +I had to use up that chemical powder, though. Now I can't start my +battery until to-morrow." But the next day Tom made up for lost time, +by working from early until late. He went over to Mr. Mason's, got his +motor-cycle, procured some more of the chemical, and soon had his +storage battery in running order. Then he arranged for a more severe +test, and while that was going on he worked at completing the body of +the electric runabout. The vehicle was beginning to look like a car, +though it was not of the regulation pattern. + +For the next week Tom was very busy, so occupied, in fact, that he +scarcely took time for his meals, which caused Mrs. Baggert no little +worriment, for she was a housekeeper who liked to see others enjoy her +cooking. + +"Well, Tom, how are you coming on?" asked his father one night, as they +sat on the porch, Mr. Sharp with them. + +"Pretty well, Dad," was the answer of the young inventor. "I'll put the +wheels on to-morrow, and then set the batteries. I've got the motor all +finished; and all I'll have to do will be to connect it up, and then +I'll be ready for a trial on the road." + +"And you still think you'll beat all records?" + +"I'm pretty sure of it, Dad. You see the amperage will be exceptionally +high, and my batteries will have a large amount of reserve, with little +internal resistance. But do you know I'm so tired I can hardly think. +It's more of a job than I thought it would be." + +Tom, a little later, strolled down the road. As he turned back toward +the house and walked up the shrubbery lined path he heard a noise. + +"Some one's hiding in there!" thought the lad, and he darted to an +opening in the hedge to reach the other side. As he did so he saw a +figure running away. Whether it was a man or a boy he could not tell in +the darkness. + +"Hold on there!" cried the young inventor, but, naturally, the fleeing +one did not stop. Tom began to sprint, and as it was slightly down +hill, he made good time. The figure ahead of him was running well, too, +but Tom who could see better, now that he was out from under the trees, +noticed that he was gaining. The fleeing one came to a little brook, +and hesitated a moment before leaping across. This enabled Tom to catch +up, and he made a grab for the figure, just as the man or boy sprang +across the little stream. + +Tom missed his grip, but he was not going to give up. He scarcely +slackened his speed, but, with the momentum he had acquired in racing +down the hill, he, too, leaped across the brook. As he landed on the +other side he made another grab for the figure, a man, as Tom could now +see, but he could make out no features, as the person's hat was pulled +down over his face. + +"I've got you now!" cried Tom exultantly, reaching out his hand. His +fingers clutched something, but the next instant the young inventor +went sprawling. The other had put out his foot, and tripped him neatly +and, Tom throwing out his hands to save himself in the fall that was +inevitable, went splashing into the brook at full length. The unknown, +pausing a moment to view what he had done, turned quickly and raced off +in the darkness. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +CROSSED WIRES + + +More surprised than hurt, and with a feeling of chagrin and anger at +the trick which had been played on him, Tom managed to scramble out of +the brook. The water was not deep, but he had splashed in with such +force that he was wet all over. And, as he got up, the water dripping +from his clothes, the lad was conscious of a pain in his head. He put +up his hand, and found that contact with a stone had raised a large +lump on his forehead. It was as big as a hen's egg. + +"Humph! I'll be a pretty sight to-morrow," murmured Tom. "I wonder who +that fellow was, anyhow, and what he wanted? He tripped me neatly +enough, whoever he was. I've a good notion to keep on after him." + +Then, as he realized what a start the fleeing one had, the young +inventor knew that it would be fruitless to renew the chase. Slowly he +ascended the sloping bank, and started for home. As he did so he +realized that he had, clasped in his fingers, something he had grabbed +from the person he was pursuing just before his unlucky tumble. + +"It's part of his watch chain!" exclaimed Tom, as he felt of the +article. "I must have ripped it loose when I fell. Wonder what it is? +Evidently some sort of a charm. Maybe it will be a clue." He tried to +discern of what style it was, but in the dark woods this was +impossible. Then the lad tried to strike a match, but those in his +pocket had become wet from his unexpected bath. "I'll have to wait +until I get home," he went on, and he hastened his steps, for he was +anxious to see what he had torn loose from the person who appeared to +be spying on him. + +"Why Tom, what's the matter?" exclaimed Mrs. Baggert, when he entered +the kitchen, dripping water at every step. "Is it raining outside? I +didn't hear any storm." + +"It was raining where I was," replied Tom angrily. "I fell in the +brook. It was so hot I thought I'd cool off." + +"With your best suit on!" ejaculated the housekeeper. + +"It isn't my best," retorted the lad. "But I went in before I thought. +It was an accident; I fell," he added, lest Mrs. Baggert take his +joking remarks seriously. He did not want to tell her of the chase. + +The chief concern of the lad now was to look at the charm and, as soon +as Mrs. Baggert's attention was attracted elsewhere, Tom glanced at the +object he still held tightly clenched in his hand. As the light from +the kitchen fell upon it he could hardly repress an exclamation of +astonishment. + +For the charm that he held in his hand was one he had seen before +dangling from the watch chain of Addison Berg, the agent for Bentley & +Eagert, submarine boat builders, which firm had, as told in "Tom Swift +and His Submarine," tried unsuccessfully to secure the gold treasure +from the sunken wreck. Berg and his associates had even gone so far as +to try to disable the Advance, the boat of Tom and his father, by +ramming her when deep down under the ocean, but Mr. Swift's use of an +electric cannon had broken the steering gear of the Wonder, the rival +craft, and from that time on Tom and his friends had a clear field to +search for the bullion held fast in the hold of the Boldero. "Addison +Berg," murmured Tom, as he looked at the watch charm. "What can he be +doing in this neighborhood? Hiding, too, as if he wanted to overhear +something. That's the way he did when we were building our submarine, +and now he's up to the same trick when I'm constructing my electric +car. I'm sure this charm is his. It is such a peculiar design that I'm +positive I can't be mistaken. I thought, when I was chasing after him, +that it would turn out to be Andy Foger, or some of the boys, but it +was too big for them. Addison Berg, eh? What can he be doing around +here? I must not tell Dad, or he'd worry himself sick. But I must be on +my guard." + +Tom examined the charm closely. It was a compass, but made in an odd +form, and was much ornamented. + +The young inventor had noticed it on several occasions when he had been +in conversation with Mr. Berg previous to the attempt on the part of +the owners of the rival submarine to wreck Tom's boat. He felt that he +could not be mistaken in identifying the charm. + +"Berg was afraid I'd catch him, and ask for an explanation that would +have been awkward to make," thought the lad, as he turned the charm +over in his hand. "That's why he tripped me up. But I'll get at the +bottom of this yet. Maybe he wants to steal my ideas for an electric +car." + +Tom's musings were suddenly interrupted by Mrs. Baggert. + +"I hope you're not going to stand there all night," she said, with a +laugh. "You're in the middle of a puddle now, but when you get over +dreaming I'd like to mop it up." + +"All right," agreed the young inventor, coming to himself suddenly. +"Guess I'd better go get some dry clothes on." + +"You'd better go to bed," advised Mrs. Baggert. "That's where your +father and Mr. Sharp are. It's late." + +The more Tom thought over the strange occurrence the more it puzzled +him. He mused over the presence of Berg as he went about his work the +next day, for that it was the agent whom he had pursued he felt +positive. + +"But I can't figure out why he was hanging around here," mused Tom. + +Then, as he found that his thoughts over the matter were interfering +with his work, he resolutely put them from him, and threw himself +energetically into the labor of completing his electric car. The new +batteries, he found, were working well, and in the next two days he had +constructed several more, joining them so as to get the combined effect. + +It was the afternoon of the third day from Tom's unexpected fall into +the brook that the young inventor decided on the first important test +of his new device. He was going to try the motor, running it with his +storage battery. Some of the connections were already in place, the +wires being fastened to the side of the shop, where they were attached +to switches. Tom did not go over these, taking it for granted that they +were all right. He soon had the motor, which he was to install in his +car, wired to the battery, and then he attached a gauge, to ascertain, +by comparison, how many miles he could hope to travel on one charging +of the storage battery. + +"Guess I'll call Dad and Mr. Sharp in to see how it works, before I +turn on the current," he said to himself. He was about to summon his +parent and the aeronaut from an adjoining shop, where they were working +over a new form of dynamo, when the lad caught sight of the watch charm +he had left on his desk, in plain sight. + +"Better put that away," he remarked. "Dad or Mr. Sharp might see it, +and ask questions. Then I'd have to explain, and I don't want to, not +until I get further toward the bottom of this thing." + +He put the charm away, and then summoned his father and the balloonist. + +"You're going to see a fine experiment," declared Tom. "I'm going to +turn on the full strength of my battery." + +"Are you sure it's all right, Tom?" asked his father. "You can't be too +careful when you're dealing with electricity of high voltage, and great +ampere strength. + +"Oh, it's all right, Dad," his son assured him "Now watch my motor hum." + +He walked over to a big copper switch, and grasped the black rubber +handle to pull it over which would send the current from the storage +battery into the combination of wheels and gears that he hoped, +ultimately, would propel his electric automobile along the highways, or +on a track, at the rate of a hundred miles an hour. + +"Here she goes!" cried Tom. For an instant he hesitated and then pulled +the switch. At the same time his hand rested on another wire, stretched +across a bench. + +No sooner had the switch closed than there was a blinding flash, a +report as of a gun being fired, and Tom's body seemed to straighten +out. Then a blue flame appeared to encircle him and he dropped to the +floor of the shop, an inert mass. + +"He's killed!" cried Mr. Swift, springing forward. + +"Careful!" cautioned the balloonist. "He's been shocked! Don't touch +him until I turn off the current!" As he pulled out the switch, the +aeronaut gave a glance at the apparatus. + +"There's something wrong here!" he cried. "The wires have been crossed! +That's what shocked Tom, but he never made the wrong connections! He's +too good an electrician! There's been some one in this shop, changing +the wires!" + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE TRY OUT + + +Once the current was cut off it was safe to approach the body of the +young inventor. Mr. Sharp stooped over and lifted Tom's form from the +floor, for Mr. Swift was too excited and trembled too much to be of any +service. Our hero was as one dead. His body was limp, after that first +rigid stretching out, as the current ran through him; his eyes were +closed, and his face was very pale. + +"Is--is there any hope?" faltered Mr. Swift. + +"I think so," replied the balloonist. "He is still breathing--faintly. +We must summon a doctor at once. Will you telephone for one, while I +carry him in the house?" + +As Mr. Sharp emerged from the shop, bearing Tom's body, an automobile +drew up in front of the place. + +"Bless my soul!" exclaimed a voice. "Tom's hurt! How did it happen? +Bless my very existence!" + +"Oh, Mr. Damon, you're just in time!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp, "Tom's had a +bad shock. Will you go for a doctor in your auto?" + +"Better than that! Let me take Tom in the car to Dr. Whiteside's +office," proposed the eccentric man. "It will be better that way." + +"Yes, yes," agreed Mr. Swift eagerly. "Put Tom in the auto!" + +"If only it doesn't break down," added Mr. Damon fervently. "Bless my +spark plug, but it would be just my luck!" + +But they started off all right, Mr. Swift riding in front with Mr. +Damon, and Mr. Sharp supporting Tom in the tonneau. Only a little +fluttering of the eyelids, and a slow, faint breathing told that Tom +Swift still lived. + +Mr. Damon never guided a car better than he did his auto that day. +Several speed laws were broken, but no one appeared to stop them, and, +in record time they had the young inventor at the physician's house. +Fortunately Dr. Whiteside was at home, and, under his skillful +treatment Tom was soon out of danger. His heart action was properly +started, and then it was only a question of time. As the doctor had +plenty of room it was decided to let the lad remain that night, and Tom +was soon installed in a spare bedroom, with the doctor's pretty +daughter to wait on him occasionally. + +"Oh, I'm all right," the youth insisted, when Miss Whiteside told him +it was time for his medicine. "I'm all right." + +"You're not!" she declared. "I ought to know, for I'm going to be a +nurse, some day, and help papa. Now take this or I'll have to hold your +nose, as they do the baby's," and she held out a spoonful of unpleasant +looking mixture, extending her dainty forefinger and thumb of her other +hand, as if to administer dire punishment to Tom, if he did not obey. + +"Well, I give in to superior strength," he said with a laugh, as he +noted, with approval, the laughing face of his nurse. + +Then he fell into a deep sleep, and was so much better the next morning +that he could be taken home in Mr. Damon's auto. + +"But mind, no hard work for three or four days," insisted the +physician. "I want your heart to get in shape for that big race you +were telling me about. The shock was a severe strain to it." + +Tom promised, reluctantly, and, though he did no work, his first act, +on reaching home, was to go out to the shop, to inspect the battery and +motor. To his surprise the motor was running for the lad had +established the connection, in spite of his shock and his father and +Mr. Sharp had decided to let the machinery run until he came back. + +"And look at the record it's made!" cried Tom delightedly as he glanced +at the gauge. "Better than I figured on. That battery is a wonder. I'll +have the fastest electric runabout you ever saw." + +"If the wires don't get crossed again," put in Mr. Sharp. "You'd +better make an examination, Tom," and, for the first time, the young +inventor learned how he had been shocked. + +"Crossed wires! I should say they were crossed!" he exclaimed as he +looked at the switches and copper conductors. "Somebody has been +tampering with them. No wonder I was shocked!" + +"Who did it?" asked Mr. Sharp. + +Tom considered for a moment, before answering. Then he said: + +"I believe it was Addison Berg. He must have wanted to do some damage, +to get even with us for getting that treasure away from him." + +"Berg?" questioned the balloonist, and Tom told of the night he had +been tripped into the brook, and exhibited the watch charm he had +secured. Mr. Sharp recognized it at once. A further examination +confirmed the belief that the submarine agent had sneaked into Tom's +workshop, and had altered the wires. + +"They were all right when I came out of the shop that night," declared +Tom. "I left the old connections just as I thought I had arranged them, +and only added the new ones, when I went to try my battery. The old +connections were crossed, but I didn't notice it. Then when I turned on +the current I got the shock. I don't s'pose Berg thought I'd be so +nearly killed. Probably he wanted to burn out my motor, and spoil it. +If it was Andy Foger I could understand it, but a man like Berg--" + +"He's probably wild with anger because his submarine got the worst of +it in the race for the gold," interrupted the balloonist. "Well, we'll +have to be on our guard, that's all. What was the matter with +Eradicate, that he didn't see him enter the shop?" + +"Rad went to a colored dance that night," said Tom. "I let him off. But +after this I'll have the shop guarded night and day. My motor might +have been ruined, if that first charge hadn't gone through my body +instead of into the machinery." The improper connections were soon +removed and others substituted. + +It was agreed between Tom and Mr. Sharp that they would say nothing +regarding Mr. Berg to Mr. Swift. The aeronaut caused cautious inquiries +to be made, and learned that the agent had been discharged by the +submarine firm, because of some wrong-doing in connection with the +craft Wonder, and it was surmised that the agent believed Tom to be at +the bottom of his troubles. + +In a few days the young inventor was himself again, and as further +trials of his battery showed it to be even better than its owner hoped, +arrangements were made for testing it in the car on the road. + +The runabout was nearly finished, but it lacked a coat of varnish, and +some minor details, when Tom, assisted by his father, Mr. Sharp and Mr. +Jackson, one morning, about a week later, installed the motor and +battery units. It did not take long to gear up the machinery, connect +the battery and, though the car was rather a crude looking affair, Tom +decided to give it a tryout. + +"Want to come along, Dad?" he asked, as he tightened up some binding +posts, and looked to see that the steering wheel, starting and reverse +levers worked properly, and that the side chains were well lubricated. + +"Not the first time," replied his father. "Let's see how it runs with +you, first." + +"Oh, I want some sort of a load in it," went on the lad. "It won't be a +good test unless I have a couple of others besides myself. How about +you, Mr. Damon?" for the old gentleman was spending a few days at the +Swift homestead. + +"Bless my shoe buttons! I'll come!" was the ready answer. "After the +experience I've been through in the airship and submarine, nothing can +scare me. Lead on, I'll follow!" + +"I don't suppose you'll hang back after that; will you, Mr. Sharp?" +asked the lad, with a laugh. + +"I don't dare to, for the sake of my reputation," was the reply, for +the balloonist who had made many ascensions, and dropped thousands of +feet in parachutes, was naturally a brave man. + +So he and Mr. Damon climbed into the rear seats of the odd-looking +electric car, while Tom took his place at the steering wheel. + +"Are you all ready?" he asked. + +"Let her go!" fired back Mr. Sharp. + +"Bless my galvanometer, don't go too fast on the start," cautioned Mr. +Damon, nervously. + +"I'll not," agreed the young inventor. "I want to get it warmed up +before I try any speeding." + +He turned on the current. There was a low, humming purr, which +gradually increased to a whine, and the car moved slowly forward. It +rolled along the gravel driveway to the road, Tom listening to every +sound of the machinery, as a mother listens to the breathing of a child. + +"She's moving!" he cried. + +"But not much faster than a wheelbarrow," said his father, who +sometimes teased his son. + +"Wait!" cried the youth. + +Tom turned more current into the motor. The purring and humming +increased, and the car seemed to leap forward. It was in the road now, +and, once assured that the steering apparatus was working well, Tom +suddenly turned on much more speed. + +So quickly did the electric auto shoot forward that Mr. Damon and Mr. +Sharp were jerked back against the cushions of the rear seats. + +"Here! What are you doing?" inquired Mr. Sharp. + +"I'm going to show you a little speed," answered Tom. + +The car was now moving rapidly, and there was a smoothness and +lightness to its progress that was absent from a gasolene auto. There +was no vibration from the motor. Faster and faster it ran, until it was +moving at a speed scarcely less than that of Mr. Damon's car, when it +was doing its best. Of course that was not saying much, for the car +owned by the odd gentleman was not a very powerful one, but it could +make fast time occasionally. + +"Is this the best you can do?" asked Mr. Damon. "Not that it isn't +fast," he hastened to add, "and I was wondering if it was your limit." + +"Not half!" cried Tom, as he turned on a little more power. "I'm not +trying for a record to-day. I just want to see how the battery and +motor behaves." + +"Pretty well, I should say," commented Mr. Sharp. + +"I'm satisfied--so far," agreed the lad. + +They were now moving along the highway at a good speed--moving almost +silently, too, for the motor, save for a low hum, made no noise. So +quiet was the car, in fact, that it was nearly the cause of a disaster. +Tom was so interested in the performance of his latest invention, that, +before he knew it, he had come up behind a farmer, driving a team of +skittish horses. As the big machine went past them, giving no warning +of its approach, the steeds reared up, and would have bolted, but for +the prompt action of the driver. + +"Hey!" he cried, angrily, as Tom speeded past, "don't you know you got +to give warnin' when you're comin' with one of them ther gol-swizzled +things! By Jehossephat I'll have th' law on ye ef ye do thet ag'in!" + +"I forgot to ring the bell," apologized Tom, as he sent out a peal from +the gong, and then, he let out a few more amperes, and the speed +increased. + +"Hold on! I guess this is fast enough!" cried Mr. Damon, as his hat +blew off. + +"Fast?" answered Tom. "This is nothing to what I'll do when I use the +full power. Then I'll--" + +He was interrupted by a sharp report, and a vivid flash of fire on a +switch board near the steering wheel. The motor gave a sort of groan, +and stopped, the car rolling on a little way, and then becoming +stationary. + +"Bless my collar button!" ejaculated Mr. Damon. + +"What's the matter?" inquired Mr. Sharp. + +"Some sort of a blow-out," answered Tom ruefully, as he shoved the +starting handle over, trying to move the car. But it would not budge. +The new auto had "gone dead" on her first tryout. The young inventor +was grievously disappointed. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +TOWED BY A MULE + + +"Bless my gizzard! Is it anything serious?" asked Mr. Damon. "Will it +blow up, or anything like that?" + +"No," replied the lad, as he leaped out of the car, and began to make +an examination. Mr. Sharp assisted him. + +"The motor seems to be all right," remarked the balloonist, as he +inspected it. + +"Yes," agreed our hero, "and the batteries have plenty of power left in +them yet. The gauge shows that. I can't understand what the trouble can +be, unless--" He paused in his remark and uttered an exclamation. "I've +found it!" he cried. + +"What?" demanded the aeronaut. + +"Some of the fuses blew out. I turned on too much current, and the +fuses wouldn't carry it. I put them in to save the motor from being +burned out, but I didn't use heavy enough ones. I see where my mistake +was." + +"But what does it mean?" inquired Mr. Damon. + +"It means that we've got to walk back home," was Tom's sorrowful +answer. "The car is stalled, for I haven't any extra fuses with me." + +"Can't you connect up the battery by using some extra wire?" asked Mr. +Sharp. "I have some," and he drew a coil of it from his pocket. + +"I wouldn't dare to. It might be so heavy that it would carry more +current than the motor could stand. I don't want to burn that out. No, +I guess we'll have to walk home, or rather I will. You two can stay +here until I come back with heavier fuses. I'm sorry." + +Tom had hardly ceased speaking, when, from around the turn in the road +proceeded a voice, and, at the sound of it all three started, for the +voice was saying: + +"Now it ain't no use fer yo' to act dat-a-way, Boomerang. Yo' all ain't +got no call t' git contrary now, jest when I wants t' git home t' mah +dinner. I should t'ink you'd want t' git t' de stable, too. But ef yo' +all ain't mighty keerful I'll cut down yo' rations, dat's what I'se +goin' to do. G'lang, now, dat's a good feller. Ho! Ho! I knowed dat'd +fetch yo' all. When yo' all wiggles yo' ears dat-a-way, dat's a suah +sign yo' all is gwine t' move." + +Then followed the sound of a rattletrap of a wagon approaching. + +"Eradicate! It's Eradicate!" exclaimed Tom. + +"And his mule, Boomerang!" added Mr. Sharp. "He's just in time!" +commented Mr. Damon with a sigh of relief, as the ancient outfit, in +charge of the aged colored man, came along. Eradicate had been sent to +Shopton to get a load of wood for Mr. Swift, and was now returning. At +the sight of the stalled auto the mule pricked up his long ears, and +threw them forward. + +"Whoa dar, now, Boomerang!" cried Eradicate. "Doan't yo' all commence +t' gittin' skittish. Dat machine ain't gwine t' hurt yo'. Why good +land a' massy! Ef 'tain't Mistah Swift!" cried the colored man, as he +caught sight of Tom. "What's de trouble?" he asked. + +"Broke down," answered the young inventor briefly. "You always seem to +come along when I'm in trouble, Rad." + +"Dat's right," assented the darkey, with a grin. "Me an' trouble am ole +acquaintances. Sometimes she hits me a clip on de haid, den, ag'in +Boomerang, mah mule, gits it. He jest had his trouble. Got a stone +under his shoe, an' didn't want t' move. Den when I did git him started +he balked on me. But I'se all right now. But I suah am sorry fo' you. +Can't I help yo' all, Mistah Swift?" + +"Yes, you can, Rad," answered Tom. "Drive home as fast as you can, and +ask Dad to send back with you some of those fuses he'll find on my work +bench. He knows what I want. Hurry there and hurry back." + +Eradicate shook his head doubtfully. + +"What's the matter? Don't you want to go?" asked Mr. Sharp, a trifle +nettled. "We can't get the car started until we have some new fuses." + +"Oh, I wants t' go all right 'nuff, Mistah Sharp," was Eradicate's +prompt answer. "Yo' all knows I'd do anyt'ing t' 'blige yo' or Mistah +Swift. But hits dish yeah mule, Boomerang. I jest done promised him dat +we were gwine home t' dinnah, an' he 'spects a manger full ob oats. Ef +I got to Mistah Swift's house wid him, I couldn't no mo' git him t' +come back widout his dinnah, dan yo' all kin git dat 'ar car t' move +widout dem fusin' t'ings yo' all talked about." + +"Bless my necktie!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "That's all nonsense! You +don't suppose that mule understands what you say to him, do you? How +does he know you promised him his dinner?" + +"I doan't know how he know, Mistah Damon," replied Eradicate, "but he +do know, jest de same. I know hit would be laik pullin' teeth an' wuss +too, t' git Boomerang t' start back wid dem foosd t'ings until after +he's had his dinner. Wouldn't it, Boomerang?" + +The mule waved his long ears as if in answer. + +"Bless my soul, I believe he does understand!" cried Mr. Damon. + +"Of course he do," put in the colored man. "I'se awful sorry. Now if +it were afternoon I could bring back dem what-d'ye-call-'ems in a +jiffy, 'cause Boomerang allers feels good arter he has his dinnah, but +befo' dat--" and Eradicate shook his head, as if there was no more to +be said on the subject. + +"Well," remarked Tom, sadly, "I guess there's no help for it. We'll +have to walk home, unless you two want to wait until I can ride back +with Eradicate, and come back on my motor cycle. Then I'll have to +leave the cycle here, for I can't get it in the car." + +"Bless my collar button!" cried Mr. Damon. "It's like the puzzle of the +fox, the goose and the bag of corn on the banks of a stream. I guess +we'd better all walk." + +"Hold on!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp. "Is your mule good and strong, +Eradicate?" + +"Strong? Why dish yeah mule could pull a house ober--dat is when he's +got a mind to. An' he'd do most anyt'ing now, 'ca'se he's anxious t' +git home t' his dinnah; ain't yo' all, Boomerang?" + +Once more the mule waved his ears, like signal flags. + +"Then I have a proposition to make," went on the balloonist. "Unhitch +the mule from the load of wood, and hitch him to the auto. We've got +some rope along, I noticed. Then the mule can pull us and the runabout +home." + +"Good idea!" cried Mr. Damon. + +"Dat's de racket!" ejaculated Eradicate. "I'll jest sequesterate dish +year load ob wood side ob de road, an' hitch Boomerang to de auto." + +Tom said nothing for a few seconds. He gazed sadly at his auto, which +he hoped would win the touring club's prize. It was a bitter pill for +him to swallow. + +"Towed by a mule!" he exclaimed, shaking his head, and smiling +ruefully. "The fastest car in this country towed by a mule! It's tough +luck!" + +"'Tain't half so bad as goin' widout yo' dinnah, Mistah Swift!" +remarked Eradicate, as he began to harness the mule to the electric +runabout. + +Boomerang made no objection to the transfer. He looked around once or +twice as he was being made fast to the auto and, when the word was +given he stepped out as if pulling home stalled cars was his regular +business. Tom sat beside Eradicate on the front seat, and steered, +while the colored man drove the mule, and Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon were +in the "tonneau" seats as Tom called them. + +"I hope no one sees us," thought Tom, but he was doomed to +disappointment. When nearly home he heard an auto approaching, and in +it were Andy Foger, Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey. The three cronies +stared at the odd sight of Boomerang ambling along, with his great ears +flapping, drawing Tom's speedy new car. + +"Ha! Ha!" laughed Andy. "So that's the motive power he's going to use! +Look at him, fellows. I thought his new electric, that was going to +beat my car, and win the prize, was to be two hundred horse power. +Instead it's one mule power! That's rich!" and Andy's chums joined in +the laugh at poor Tom. + +The young inventor said nothing, for there was nothing he could say. In +dignified silence he passed the car containing his enemies, they, +meanwhile, jeering at him. + +"Dat's all right," spoke Eradicate, sympathizing with his young +employer. "Maybe dey'll 'want a tow derselves some day, an' when dey +does, I'll make Boomerang pull 'em in a ditch." + +But this was small comfort to Tom. He made up his mind, though, that he +would demonstrate that his car could do all that he had claimed for it, +and that very soon. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +A GREAT RUN + + +Boomerang did not belie the reputation Eradicate had given him as a +beast of strength. Though the electric runabout was heavy, the mule +managed to move it along the road at a fair speed, with the four +occupants. Perhaps the animal knew that at the end of his journey a +good feed awaited him. At any rate they were soon within sight of the +Swift home. + +Mr. Damon and Mr. Sharp refrained from making any comments that might +hurt Tom's feelings, for they realized the chagrin felt by the young +inventor in having his apparatus go back on him at the first trial. But +our hero was not the kind of a lad who is disheartened by one failure, +or even half a dozen. + +The humor of the situation appealed to him, and, as he turned the auto +into the driveway, and noticed Boomerang's long ears waving to and fro, +he laughed. + +The lad insisted on putting new fuses in the car before he ate his +dinner, and then, satisfied that the motor was once more in running +order, he partook of a hasty meal, and began making several changes +which he had decided were desirable. He finished them in time to go for +a little run in the car all alone on a secluded road late that +afternoon. + +Tom returned, with eyes shining, and cheeks flushed with elation. + +"Well, how did it go? asked his father. + +"Fine! Better than I expected," responded his son enthusiastically. +"When it gets to running smoothly I'll pass anything on the road." + +"Don't be too sure," cautioned Mr. Swift, but Tom only smiled. + +There was still much to do on the electric runabout, and Tom spent the +next few days in adjusting the light steel wind-shield, that was to +come down over the driver's seat. He also put in a powerful electric +search-light, which was run by current from the battery, and installed +a new speedometer and an instrument to tell how much current he was +using, and how much longer the battery would run without being +exhausted. This was to enable him to know when to begin recharging it. +When the current was all consumed it was necessary to store more in the +battery. This could be done by attaching wires from a dynamo, or, in an +emergency by tapping an electric light wire in the street. But as the +battery would enable the car to run many miles on one charging, Tom did +not think he would ever have to resort to the emergency charging +apparatus. He had a new system for this, one that enabled him to do the +work in much less than the usual time. + +With his new car still unpainted, and rather rough and crude in +appearance, the lad started out alone one morning, his father and Mr. +Sharp having declined to accompany him, on the plea of business to +attend to, and Mr. Damon not being at the Swift house. + +Tom rode about for several hours, giving his car several severe tests +in the way of going up hills, and speeding on the level. He was +proceeding along a quiet country road, in a small town about fifteen +miles from Shopton, when, as he flashed past the small railroad +station, he saw a familiar figure standing on the platform. + +"Why, Ned!" called Tom, "what are you doing over here?" + +"I might ask the same thing of you. Is that your new car? It doesn't +look very new." + +"Yes, this is it. I haven't had a chance to paint and varnish it yet. +But you ought to see it go. What are doing here, though?" + +"I came over on some bank business. A customer here had some bonds he +wanted to dispose of and I came for them. You see we're enlarging our +business since the new bank started." + +"Has it hurt your bank any?" + +"Not yet, but Foger and his associates are trying hard to make us lose +money. Say, did you ever see such a place as this? I've got to wait two +hours for a train back to Shopton." + +"No you haven't." + +"Why not? Have they changed the timetable since I came over this +morning?" + +"No, but you can ride back with me. I'm going, and I'll show you what +my new electric car can do." + +"Good!" cried the young bank cashier. "You're just in time. I was +wondering how I could kill two hours, but now I'll get in your new car +and--" + +"And maybe we'll kill a few chickens, or a dog or two when we get her +speeded up," put in Tom, with a laugh in which Ned joined. + +The two lads, seated in the front part of the auto, were soon moving +down the hard highway. Suddenly Tom pulled a lever and the steel +wind-shield came sliding down from the top case, meeting the forward +battery compartment, and forming a sort of slanting roof over the heads +of the two occupants. + +"Here! What's this?" cried Ned. + +"We're going to hit it up in a few minutes," replied the young +inventor, "and I want to reduce the wind resistance." + +"Oh, I thought maybe we were going through a bombardment. It's all +right, go ahead, don't mind me. I'm game." + +There was a celluloid window in the steel wind-shield, and through this +the lads could observe the road ahead of them. + +As they swung along it, the speed increasing, Ned saw an auto ahead of +them. + +"Whose car is that?" he asked. + +"Don't know," replied Tom. "We'll be up to it in about half a minute, +though." + +As the electric runabout, more dilapidated looking than ever from the +layer of dust that covered it, passed the other auto, which was a +powerful car, the solitary occupant of it, a middle-aged man, looked to +one side, and, seeing the queer machine, remarked: + +"You fellows are going the wrong way to the junk heap. Turn around." + +"Is that so?" asked Tom, his eyes flashing at the cheap wit of the man. +"Why we came out here to show you the way!" + +"Do you want to race?" asked the man eagerly, too eagerly, Ned thought. +"I'll give you a brush, if you do, and a handicap into the bargain." + +"We don't need it," replied the young inventor quickly. + +"I'll wager fifty dollars I can beat you bad on this three-mile +stretch," went on the autoist. "How about it?" + +"I'll race you, but I don't bet," answered Tom, a bit stiffly. + +"Oh, be a sport," urged the man. + +Tom shook his head. He had slowed down his machine, and was running +even with the gasolene car now. He noticed that it was a new one, of +six cylinders, and looked speedy. Perhaps he was foolish to pit his +untried car against it. Yet he had confidence in his battery and motor. + +"Well, we'll race for the fun of it then," went on the man. "Do you +want a handicap?" + +Tom shook his head again, and there came around his mouth a grim look. + +"All right," assented the other. "Only you're going to be beat badly. I +never saw an electric car yet that could do anything except to crawl +along." + +"You're going to see one now," was all the retort Tom permitted himself. + +"Here we go then!" cried the man, and he gave his gear handle a yank, +and shoved over the sparking and gasolene levers. + +His car instantly shot ahead, and went "chug chugging" down the road in +a cloud of dust. At the same moment Tom, in answer to a look from Ned, +who feared his friend was going to be left behind, turned more power +into the motor. The humming, purring sound increased and the electric +car forged ahead. + +"Can you catch him?" asked Ned. + +"Watch," was all Tom said. + +The hum of the motor became a sort of whine, and the electric rapidly +acquired speed. It crept up on the gasolene car, as an express train +overtakes a freight, and the man, looking back, and expecting to see +his rival far behind was surprised to note the queer looking vehicle +lapping his rear wheels. + +"Well, you are coming on, aren't you?" he asked. "Maybe you'll keep up +now!" He shifted the gears, using a little more gasolene. For a moment +his car opened a wide gap between it and Tom's, but the young inventor +had only begun to race. Still louder purred the motor, and in a few +minutes Tom was running on even terms with his competitor. The man +looked annoyed, and tried, by the skilful use of gasolene and sparking +levers, to leave Tom behind. But the electric held her own. + +"I've got to go the limit I see," remarked the man at last, glancing +sideways at the other car. "I'll tell 'em you're coming," he added, +"though I must say your electric does better than any of its kind I +ever came across." + +"I'm not done yet," was the comment of our hero. But the man did not +hear him, for he was yanking into place the lever that enabled him to +run on direct drive for fourth speed. + +Forward shot his car, and, for perhaps a quarter of a mile it led. The +racers were almost at the end of the three-mile level stretch of road, +and if Tom was going to win the impromptu contest it seemed high time +he began. + +"Can you catch him?" asked Ned anxiously. + +"Watch," was his chum's reply. "I haven't used my high speed gear yet. +I'm afraid the fuses won't stand it, but here goes for a try, anyhow." + +He threw over a switch, changed a lever and then, having pushed into +place the last gear, he grasped the steering wheel more firmly. + +There was need of it, for, in an instant, the electric runabout, with +the motors fairly roaring, swept up the road, after the gasolene car +that was almost hidden from sight in a cloud of dust. Faster and faster +went Tom's car. The young inventor was listening with critical ear to +the song of the machinery. He wanted to learn if it was running sweet +and true, for that is how a careful mechanic tests his apparatus. Foot +by foot the distance between the two cars lessened. Now the electric +was lapping the rear wheels of the gasolene machine, but the driver did +not know it. His whole attention was on the road ahead of him. + +"Half a mile more!" cried Ned, naming the distance which yet remained +of the straight stretch. "Can you do it, Tom?" + +His chum nodded. He shoved the controller handle over to the last +notch, and then waited an anxious second. Would the fuse carry the +extra load? It seemed so, for there was a slight increase of power. + +An instant later Tom gave a sudden twist to the steering wheel. It was +well that he did, for he was passing the gasolene car dangerously +close. Then he was ahead of it, and in a second he was three lengths in +advance. + +Desperately the man opened his muffler, and sought to gain by this +advantage, but though his car gave off explosions like a battery of +guns in action, he could not gain on Tom. The electric shot around a +curve in the road, winner of the impromptu race by an eighth of a mile. + +"Well," asked Tom of his chum, as he slowed down, for the road now was +not so good, "did I do it?" + +"You certainly did. Whew! But we did scoot along?" + +"Eighty miles an hour there one spell," went on the young inventor, +glancing at a gauge. "But I've got to do better than that to win the +big race." + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +ANDY FOGER'S BLACK EYE + + +Around the bend came the six-cylinder touring car. The driver, with a +surprised look on his face, was slacking up. He ran his machine up +alongside of Tom's. + +"Say," he asked, in dazed tones, "did you take a short cut, or anything +like that to get ahead of me?" + +"No," answered the youth. + +"And you didn't jump me in the air?" + +"No," was Tom's answer, smilingly given. + +"Well, all I've got to say is that you've got a wonderful car there, +Mr.--er--er--" He paused suggestively. + +"Swift is my name," our hero answered. "Thomas Swift, of Shopton." + +"Ah, I've heard of you. My name is Layton--Paul Layton. I'm from +Netherton. Let's see, you built an airship, didn't you?" + +"I helped," Tom admitted modestly. + +"Well, you beat me fair and square, and if I do say it myself I've got +a fairly speedy car. Took two firsts at the Indianapolis meet last +month. But you certainly scooted ahead of me. Where did you buy that +electric, if I may ask?" + +"I made it." + +"I might have known," admitted the man. "But are you going to put them +on the market? If you are I'd like to get one. I want the fastest car +going, and you seem to have it." + +"I hadn't thought of manufacturing them for sale," said the young +inventor. "If I do, I'll let you know." + +"I wish you would. My! I had no idea you could beat me, but you +did--fair and square." + +There was some more talk, and then Mr. Layton started on, after +exacting from Tom a further promise to let him know if any electrics +were to be made for sale. + +"You certainly have a wonderful car," complimented Ned, as he and his +chum took a short cut to Shopton. + +"Well, I'm not quite satisfied with it," declared Tom. + +"Why not?" + +"Well, I've set a hundred miles an hour as my limit. I didn't make but +eighty to-day. I've got to have more speed if I go up against the crowd +that will race for the touring club's prize." + +"Can you make a hundred miles?" + +"I think so. I've got to change my gears, though, and use heavier +fuses. I was afraid every second that one of the fuses would melt, and +leave me stranded. But they stood pretty well. Of course, when the car, +geared as it is now, has been run a little longer it will go faster, +but it won't come up to a hundred miles an hour. That's what I want, +and that's what I'm going to get," and the lad looked very determined. + +Ned was taken to the bank, and, as Tom turned his machine around, to go +home, he saw, standing on the steps of the new bank, which was almost +across the street from the old one, Andy Foger, and the bully's father. +The red-haired lad laughed at Tom's rough looking car, and said +something to his parent, but Mr. Foger did not notice Tom. Not that +this caused our hero any uneasiness, however. + +But, as he swung away from the bank, he saw, coming up the street a +figure that instantly attracted his attention. It was that of Mr. Berg, +and Tom at once recalled the night he had pursued the submarine agent, +and torn loose his watch charm. Mr. Berg was evidently going to enter +the new bank, for, at the sight of the former agent, Mr. Foger +descended the steps, and went to meet him. + +Tom, however, had decided upon a plan of action. He steered his machine +in toward the curb, ran up the steel wind-shield, and called: + +"Mr. Berg!" + +"Eh? What's that?" asked the agent, in some surprise. Then, as he +caught sight of Tom, and recognized him, he added: "I'm very busy now, +my young friend. You'll have to excuse me." + +"I won't detain you a moment," went on Tom, casually. "I have something +of yours that I wish to return to you." + +"Something of mine?" Mr. Berg was evidently puzzled. He approached the +electric car, in spite of the fact that Mr. Foger was calling him. +"Something of mine? What is it?" + +"This!" exclaimed Tom suddenly, extending the compass watch charm, +which he always carried with him of late. + +"That! Where did you get that. I lost it--" + +Mr. Berg paused in some confusion. + +"I grabbed it off your watch chain the night you were hiding in our +shrubbery, and tripped me into the brook," answered the lad, looking +the man squarely in the eye. + +"Hiding? Tripped you? Grabbed that off my chain--" stammered Mr. Berg. +He had taken the charm up in his fingers, but now he quickly dropped it +back into Tom's hand. "I guess you're mistaken," he added quickly. +"That's not mine. I never had one--I--er--that's not mine--at +least--Oh, you'll have to excuse me, young man, I'm in a hurry, and I +have an important engagement!" and with that Mr. Berg wheeled off, and +joined Mr. Foger, who stood on the sidewalk, waiting for him. + +"I thought sure it was yours," said Tom, easily. "Perhaps Mr. Foger +will keep it in one of the safety-deposit boxes of his bank, until the +owner claims it," and he looked at the banker. + +"What's that?" asked Andy's father. + +"This watch charm which I grabbed off Mr. Berg's chain the night he was +sneaking around our house, and crossed the electric wires," went on the +lad. + +"Don't listen to him. He doesn't know what he is saying!" exclaimed the +former submarine boat agent. "It's not my charm. He's crazy!" + +"Oh, am I?" thought Tom, with a grim look on his face. "Well, we'll see +about that, Mr. Berg," and, putting the charm back in his pocket, Tom +swung his machine toward home, while the agent and the banker entered +the new institution. + +"So they're getting chummy," mused Tom. "Andy and Berg were friends +when Andy shut me up in the submarine tank, and now Berg comes here to +do business, and Foger and his associates are trying to put the old +bank out of business. I wonder if there's any connection there? I must +keep my eyes open. Berg is an unscrupulous man, and so is Andy's +father, to say nothing of the red-haired bully himself. He had nerve to +deny that was his charm. Well, maybe I'll catch him some day." + +Tom spent a busy week making new adjustments to his electric car, +changing the gear and providing for heavier fuses. He was planning for +another trip on the road, as the time for the great race was drawing +near, and he wanted the mechanism to be in perfect shape. + +One evening, as he was preparing for a short night trip to Mansburg, +where he had promised to call for Miss Nestor, Tom left his machine +standing in the road in front of the house, while he went back to get a +robe, as it threatened to be chilly. + +As he came back to enter the car, he saw some one standing near it. + +"Is that you, Ned?" he called. "Come, take a spin." + +Hardly had he spoken than there sounded from the machine a whirr that +told of the current being turned on. + +"Don't do that!" cried Tom, knowing at once that it could not be Ned, +who never meddled with the machinery. + +A blinding flash and a loud report followed, and Tom saw some one leap +from his car, and try to run away. But the figure stumbled, and, a +moment later the young inventor was upon him, grappling with him. + +"Here! Let me go!" cried a voice, and Tom uttered an exclamation of +surprise. + +"Andy Foger!" he cried. "I've caught you! You tried to damage my car!" + +"Yes, and I'm hurt, too!" whined Andy. "My father will sue you for +damages if I die." + +"No danger of that; you're too mean," murmured Tom, as he maintained a +tight grip on the bully. + +"You let me go!" demanded Andy, squirming to get away. + +"Wait until I see what damage you've done," retorted the young +inventor. "The worst, though, would be the blowing out of a fuse, for I +had the gear disconnected. You wait a minute now. Maybe it's you who'll +have to pay damages." + +"You let me go!" fairly screamed Andy, and he aimed a blow at Tom. It +caught our hero on the chest and Tom's fighting blood was up in an +instant. He drew back his left hand, and delivered a blow that landed +fairly on Andy's right eye. The bully staggered and went down in the +dust. + +"There!" cried Tom, righteously angry. "That will teach you not to try +to damage my car, and then hit me into the bargain! Now clear out, +before I give you some more!" + +Whining and blubbering Andy arose to his feet. + +"You just wait. I'll get square with you for this," he threatened. + +"You can accept part of that as pay for what you did in the tar and +feathering game," added Tom. Then, as Andy moved in front of one of the +electric side lamps on the car, Tom uttered a whistle of surprise. For +both of Andy's eyes were bruised and swollen, though Tom had only hit +him once. + +"Look at me!" cried the bully, more squint-eyed than ever. "Look at +me! You hit me in one eye, and that explosion hit me in the other! My +father will sue you for this." + +As he hurried off down the road Tom understood. Andy coming along, had +seen Tom's car standing there, and, thinking to do some mischief, had +climbed in, and turned on the power. Perhaps he hoped it would run into +the roadside ditch and be smashed. But as the gear was out, turning on +the electric current had a different effect. As the bully pulled the +handle over too quickly, throwing almost the entire force of the +battery into the wires at once, the load was too heavy for them. A +safety fuse blew out, causing the flare and the explosion, and a piece +of the soft lead-like metal had hit the red-haired lad in the eye. +Tom's fist had completed the work on the other optic, and for several +days thereafter Andy Foger remained in seclusion. When he did go out +there were many embarrassing questions put to him, as to when he had +had the fight. Andy didn't care to answer. As for Tom, it did not take +long to put a new fuse in his car, and he greatly enjoyed his ride with +Miss Nestor that night. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +TROUBLE AT THE BANK + + +Coming in rather late from his trip to Mansburg, and thinking of some +things he and Miss Nestor had talked about, Tom was rather surprised, +on reaching the house, to see a light in his father's particular room, +where the aged inventor did his reading and his planning of new devices. + +"Dad's up rather late," said Tom to himself. "I wonder if he's studying +over some new machine." + +The lad ran his auto into the temporary garage he had built for it, and +connected the wires of a burglar alarm he had arranged, to give warning +in case any of his enemies should seek to damage the car. + +Tom encountered Garret Jackson, the aged inventor who was going his +rounds, seeing that everything was all right about the various shops. + +"Anybody with my father, Garret?" asked the lad. "I see he's still up." + +"Yes," was the rather unexpected reply. "Mr. Damon is with him. +They've been in your father's room all the evening--ever since you went +away in the car." + +"Anything the matter?" inquired the young inventor, a bit anxious, as +he thought of the Happy Harry gang. + +"Well, I don't know," and the engineer seemed puzzled. "They called me +in once to know if everything was all right outside, and to inquire if +you were back. I saw, then, that they were busy figuring over +something, but I didn't take much notice. Only I heard Mr. Damon say: +'There's going to be trouble if we can't realize on those bonds,' and +then I came away." + +"Is that all he said?" asked Tom. + +"No, he said 'Bless my buttons,' or something like that; but he blesses +so many things I didn't pay much attention." + +"That's right," agreed the lad. "But I wonder what the trouble is +about? I must go see." + +As he passed along the hall, out of which his father's combined study +and library opened, the aged inventor came to the door. + +"Is that you, Tom?" he asked. + +"Yes, Dad." + +"Come in here, if you haven't anything else to do. Mr. Damon is here." + +Tom needed but a single glance at the faces of his father and Mr. Damon +to see that something was troubling the two. The table in front of them +was littered with papers covered with rows of figures. + +"What's the matter?" asked Tom. + +"Well, I suppose I ought not to let it bother me, but it does," replied +his father. + +"Something wrong with your patents, Dad? Has the crowd of bad men been +bothering you again?" + +"No, it isn't that. It's trouble at the bank, Tom." + +"Has it been robbed again?" asked the lad quickly. "If it has I can +prove an alibi," and he smiled at the recollection of the time he and +Mr. Damon had been accused of looting the vault, as told in "Tom Swift +and His Airship." + +"No, it hasn't been robbed in just that way," put in Mr. Damon. "But, +bless my shoe laces, it's almost as bad! You see, Tom, since Mr. Foger +started the new bank he's done his best to cripple the one in which +your father and I are interested. I may say we are very vitally +interested in it, for, since the withdrawal of Foger and his +associates, your father and I have been elected directors." + +"I didn't know that," remarked the lad. + +"No, I didn't tell you, because you were so busy on your electric car," +rejoined Mr. Swift. "But Mr. Damon and I, being both large depositors, +were asked to assume office, and, as I was not very busy on patent +affairs, I consented." + +"But what is the trouble?" inquired Tom. + +"I'm coming to it," resumed Mr. Damon. "Bless my check book, I'm coming +to it! You see we have lost several good customers, by reason of Foger +opening the new bank. That wouldn't have mattered so much, as between +your father and myself, and one or two others, we have enough capital +to carry on the business of the bank. But there is a more serious +matter. We hold a number of very good securities, but they are of a +class hard to realize cash for, on short notice. In other words they +are not active bonds, though they are issued by reliable concerns. +Then, too, the bank has lost considerable money by not doing as much +business as it formerly did. In short we don't know just what to do, +Tom, and your father and I were discussing it, when you came in." + +"Do you need more money?" asked Tom. "I have some, that is my share +from the submarine treasure, and some I have allowed to accumulate as +royalties from my patents. It's about ten thousand dollars, and you're +welcome to it." + +"Thank you, Tom," spoke his father. "We may use your cash, but we'll +need a great deal more than that." + +"But why?" asked the lad. "I don't understand. If you have good bonds, +can't you dispose of them, and get the money?" + +"We could, Tom, yes, if we had time," replied Mr. Damon. "But to throw +the bonds on the market at short notice would mean that we would not +get a good price for them. We would lose considerable." + +"But why do it in a hurry?" + +"Because there is need of hurry," responded Mr. Swift. + +"That's it," joined in Mr. Damon. "We have to have cash in a hurry, +Tom, to meet pressing demands, and we don't just see our way clear to +get it. I am trying to raise it on some private securities I own, but I +can't get an answer within several days. Meanwhile the bank may fail, +because of lack of funds. Of course no one would lose anything, +ultimately, as we could go into the hands of a receiver, and, +eventually pay dollar for dollar. Your father and I, and some of the +other directors, might lose a little, but the depositors would not. But +your father and I don't like the idea of failing. It's something I've +never done, and I'm too old to start in now, bless my cash ledger if +I'm not!" + +"And for the sake of my reputation in this community I don't want to +see the bank close its doors," added Mr. Swift. "It would give Foger +too good a chance to crow over us." + +"And you need cash in a hurry," went on Tom. "How much?" + +"Fifty thousand dollars at least," replied Mr. Damon. + +"And if you don't get it?" + +The eccentric man shrugged his shoulders. + +"Well," remarked Mr. Swift musingly, "I don't see that we need worry +you about it, Tom. Perhaps--" + +Mr. Swift was interrupted by a ring at the front door. The three looked +at each other. It was late for a caller, and Mrs. Baggert had gone to +bed. + +"I'll answer it," volunteered Tom. He switched on the electric light in +the hall, and opened the door. He was confronted by Mr. Pendergast, the +president of the bank. + +"Is your father in?" asked Mr. Pendergast, and he seemed to be much +agitated. + +"Yes, he is," replied the lad. "Come this way, please." + +"I want to see him on important business," went on the president, as he +followed the young inventor. "I'm afraid I have bad news for him and +Mr. Damon. Bad news, Tom, bad news," and the aged banker's voice +trembled. Tom, with a chill of apprehension seeming to clutch his +heart, threw open the library door. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +A RUN ON THE BANK + + +"Why, Mr. Pendergast!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, rising quickly as Tom +ushered in the aged president. "Whatever is the matter? You here at +this hour? Bless my trial balance! Is anything wrong? + +"I'm afraid there is," answered the bank head. "I have just received +word which made it necessary for me to see you both at once. I'm glad +you're here, Mr. Damon." + +He sank wearily into a chair which Tom placed for him, and Mr. Swift +asked: + +"Have you been able to raise any cash, Mr. Pendergast?" + +"No, I am sorry to say I have not, but I did not come here to tell you +that. I have bad news for you. As soon as we open our doors in the +morning, there will be a run on the bank." + +"A run on the bank?" repeated Mr. Swift. + +"The moment we begin business in the morning," went on Mr. Pendergast. + +"Bless my soul, then don't begin business!" cried Mr. Damon. + +"We must," insisted Mr. Pendergast. "To keep the doors closed would be +a confession at once that we have failed. No, it is better to open +them, and stand the run as long as we can. When we have exhausted our +cash--" he paused. + +"Well?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"Then we'll fail--that's all." + +"But we mustn't let the bank fail!" cried Mr. Swift. "I am willing to +put some of my personal fortune into the bank capital in order to save +it. So is my son here." + +"That's right," chimed in Tom heartily. "All I've got. I'm not going to +let Andy Foger get ahead of us; nor his father either." + +"I'll help to the limit of my ability," added Mr. Damon. + +"I appreciate all that," continued the president. "But the unfortunate +part of it is that we need cash. You gentlemen, like myself, probably, +have your money tied up in stocks and bonds. It is hard to get cash +quickly, and we must have cash as soon as we open in the morning, to +pay the depositors who will come flocking to the doors. We must prepare +for a run on the bank." + +"How do you know there will be a run?" asked the young inventor. + +"I received word this evening, just before I came here," replied Mr. +Pendergast. "A poor widow, who has a small amount in the bank, called +on me and said she had been advised to withdraw all her cash. She said +she preferred to see me about it first, as she did not like to lose her +interest. She said a number of her acquaintances, some of whom are +quite heavy depositors, had also been warned that the bank was unsound, +and that they ought to take out their savings and deposits at once." + +"Did she say who had thus warned her?" inquired Mr. Swift. + +"She did," was the reply, "and that shows me that there is a conspiracy +on foot to ruin our bank. She stated that Mr. Foger had told her our +institution was unsound." + +"Mr. Foger!" cried Mr. Damon. "So this is one of his tricks to bolster +up his new bank! He hopes the people who withdraw their money from our +bank will deposit with him. I see his game. He's a scoundrel, and if +it's possible I'm going to sue him for damages after this thing is +over." + +"Did he warn the others?" inquired the aged inventor. + +"Not all of them," answered the president. "Some received letters from +a man signing himself Addison Berg, warning them that our bank, was +likely to fail any day." + +"Addison Berg!" exclaimed Tom. "That must have been the important +business he had with Mr. Foger, the day I showed him the watch charm! +They were plotting the ruin of our bank then," and he told his father +about his disastrous pursuit of the submarine agent. + +"Very likely Foger is working with Berg," admitted Mr. Damon. "We will +attend to them later. The question is, what can we do to save the bank?" + +"Get cash, and plenty of it," advised Mr. Pendergast. "Suppose we go +over the whole situation again?" and they fell to talking stocks: +bonds, securities, mortgages and interest, until the youth, interested +as he was in the situation, could follow it no longer. + +"Better go to bed, Tom," advised his father. "You can't help us any, +and we have many details to go over." + +The lad reluctantly consented, and he was soon dreaming that he was in +his electric auto, trying to pull up a thousand pound lump of gold from +the bottom of the sea. He awoke to find the bedclothes in a lump on his +chest, and, removing them, fell into a deep slumber. + +When the young inventor awoke the next morning, Mrs. Baggert told him +that his father and Mr. Damon had risen nearly an hour before, had +partaken of a hearty breakfast, and departed. + +"They told me to tell you they were at the bank," said the housekeeper. + +"Did Mr. Pendergast stay all night?" inquired Tom. + +"I heard some one go away about two o'clock this morning," replied the +housekeeper. "I don't know who it was." + +"They must have had a long session," thought Tom, as he began on his +bacon, eggs and coffee. "I'll take a run down to the bank in my +electric in a little while." + +The car was still in rather crude shape, outwardly, but the mechanism +was now almost perfect. Tom charged the batteries well before starting +out. + +The youth had no sooner come in sight of the old Shopton bank, to +distinguish it from the Second National, which Mr. Foger had started, +than he was aware that something unusual had occurred. There was quite +a crowd about it, and more persons were constantly arriving to swell +the throng. + +"What's the matter?" asked Tom, of one of the few police officers of +which Shopton boasted, though the lad did not need to be told. + +"Run on the bank," was the brief answer. "It's failed." + +Tom felt a pang of disappointment. Somehow, he had hoped that his +father and his friends might have been able to stave off ruin. As he +approached nearer Tom was made aware that the crowd was in an ugly mood. + +"Why don't they open the doors and give us our money?" cried one +excited woman. "It's ours! I worked hard for mine, an' now they want to +keep it from us. I wish I'd put it in the new bank." + +"Yes, that's the best place," added another. "That Mr. Foger has lots +of money." + +"I can see the hand of Andy's father, and that of Mr. Berg, at work +here," thought Tom, "They have spread rumors of the bank's trouble, and +hope to profit by it. I wish I could find a way to beat them at their +own game." + +As the minutes passed, and the bank was not opened, the ugly temper of +the crowd increased. The few police could do nothing with the mob, and +several, bolder than the rest, advocated battering down the doors. Some +went up the steps and began to pound on the portals. Tom looked for a +sight of his father or Mr. Damon, but could not see either. + +It was not the regular hour for opening the bank, but when the police +reminded the people of this they only laughed. + +"I guess they ain't going to open anyhow!" shouted a man. "They've got +our money, and they're going to keep it. What difference is an hour, +anyway?" + +"Yes, if they have the money, why don't they open, and not wait until +ten o'clock?" cried another. "I've got a hundred and five dollars in +there, and I want it!" + +More excited persons were arriving every minute. The crowd surged this +way, and that. Many looked anxiously at the clock in the tower of the +town hall. The gilded hands pointed to a few minutes of ten. Would the +bank open its doors when the hour boomed out? Many were anxiously +asking this question. + +Tom sat in his electric car, near the front of the bank. The interest +of the crowd, which under ordinary circumstances would have been +centered in the queer vehicle, was not drawn toward it. The people +were all thinking of their money. + +Suddenly one of the two doors of the bank slowly opened. There was a +yell from the crowd, and a rush to get in. But the police managed to +hold the leaders back, and then Tom saw that it was Ned Newton, who +stood in the partly-opened portal. He held up his hand to indicate +silence, and a hush fell over the mob. + +"The bank is open for business," Ned announced, "but there must be no +rush. The building is not large enough to accommodate you all. If you +form a line, you will be admitted in turn. The bank hopes to pay you +all." + +"Hopes!" cried a woman scornfully. "We can't eat hopes, young man, nor +yet pay the rent with it. Hopes indeed!" + +But Ned had said all he cared to, and, with rather a white face, he +went back inside. The one door remained open and, with a policeman on +either side, a line of anxious depositors was slowly formed. Tom +watched them crowding and surging forward, all eager to be first to get +their cash out, lest there be not enough for all. As he watched, the +young inventor was aware that some was signaling to him from the big +window of the bank. He looked more closely and saw Ned Newton beckoning +to him, and the young cashier was motioning Tom to go around to the +rear, where a door of the bank opened on a small alley. Wondering what +was wanted, Tom slowly ran his machine down the side street, and up the +alley. No one paid any attention to him. + +A porter admitted the lad, and he made his way to the private offices, +where he knew his father and Mr. Damon would be. In the corridors he +could hear the murmur of the throng and the chink of money, as the +tellers paid it out. + +"Well, Tom, this is bad business," remarked Mr. Swift, as he saw his +son. The lad noticed that Mr. Damon was in the telephone booth. + +"Yes, Dad," admitted Tom. "It's a run, all right. What are you going to +do?" + +"The best we can. Pay out all the cash we have, and hope that before +that time, the people will come to their senses. The bank is all right +if they would only wait. But I'm afraid they won't and, after we pay +out all the cash we have, we'll have to close the doors. Then there's +sure to be an unpleasant scene, and maybe some of the more hot-headed +ones will advocate violence. We have given orders to the tellers to pay +out as slowly as possible, so as to enable us to gain some time." + +"And all you need is money; is that it, Dad?" + +"That's it, Tom, but we have exhausted every possibility. Mr. Damon is +trying a forlorn hope now, but, even if he is successful--" + +Before Mr. Swift had ceased speaking, Mr. Damon fairly burst from the +telephone booth. He was much excited. + +"I've got it! I've got it!" he cried. + +"What?" asked Mr. Swift and Tom in the same breath. + +"The cash, or, what's just as good, the promise of it. I called up Mr. +Chase, of the Clayton National Bank, and he has agreed to take the +railroad securities I offered him as collateral, and let me have sixty +thousand dollars on them! That will give us cash enough to weather the +storm. Hurrah! We're all right now. Bless my check book!" + +"The Clayton National Bank," remarked Mr. Swift, and his voice was +hopeless. "It's forty miles away, Mr. Damon, and no railroad around +here runs anywhere near it. No one could get there and back with the +cash to-day, in time to save us from ruin. It's impossible! Our last +chance is gone." + +"How far did you say it was, Dad?" asked Tom quickly. + +"Forty miles there, over forty, I guess, and not very good roads. We +would need to have the cash here before three o'clock to be of any +service to us. No, it's out of the question. The bank will have to +fail!" + +"No!" cried the young inventor, and his voice rang out through the +room. "I'll get the cash for you!" + +"How?" gasped Mr. Damon. "You can't get there and back in time?" + +"Yes, I can!" cried Tom. "In my electric runabout! I can make it go a +hundred miles an hour, if necessary! Probably I'll have to run slow +over the bad roads; but I can do it! I know I can. I'll get the sixty +thousand dollars for you!" + +For a moment there was silence. Then Mr. Damon cried: + +"Good! And I'll go with you and deliver the securities to Mr. Chase. +Come on, Tom Swift! Bless my collar button, but maybe we can yet save +the old bank after all!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +AFTER THE CASH + + +Tom's proposal as a way out of the difficulty, and the prompt seconding +of it by Mr. Damon, seemed to deprive the other bank officials, Mr. +Swift included, of the power of speech for a few moments. Then, as +there came to the room where the scene had taken place, the sound of +the mob outside, clamoring for cash, Mr. Pendergast, the president, +remarked in a low voice: + +"It seems to be the only way. Do you think you can do it, Tom Swift?" + +"I'm sure of it, as far as my electric car is concerned," replied the +young inventor. "If we get the cash I'll have it back here on time. The +runabout is all ready for a fast trip." + +"Then don't lose any time, Tom," advised his father. "Every minute +counts." + +"Yes," added Mr. Damon. "Come on. I've got the securities in my valise, +and we can bring the cash back in the same satchel. Come on, Tom." + +The eccentric character caught up his valise, and started from the +room. Tom followed. + +"Now, my son, be careful," advised his father. "You know the need of +haste, but don't take unnecessary risks. You'd better go out the back +way, as the crowd is easily excited." + +Little more was said. Mr. Swift clasped his son's hand in a firm +pressure, and the bank president nervously bade the lad good-by. Then, +slipping out of the bank, by the rear entrance, the porter closing the +door after them, Tom and Mr. Damon took their places in the electric +machine. + +"Just imagine you're racing for that three-thousand-dollar prize, +offered by the Touring Club of America, Tom," observed Mr. Damon, as he +deposited the valise at his feet. + +"I don't have to do that," replied the youth. "I'm trying for a bigger +prize than that. I want to save the bank, and defeat the schemes of the +Fogers--father and son." + +Tom turned on the power, and the machine rolled out on the main street. +As it turned the corner, leaving the impatient crowd of depositors, now +larger than ever, behind, Mr. Damon glanced over at the new bank, and, +as he did so, he called to Tom: + +"There are the Fogers now." + +The young inventor looked, and saw Andy and his father on the steps of +the new institution. + +At the sight of the electric car, speeding along, Andy turned and spoke +to his parent. What he said seemed to impress Mr. Foger, for he +started, and looked more intently at Tom and Mr. Damon. Then, as Tom +watched, he saw the two excitedly conversing, and a moment later Andy +ran off in the direction in which Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey lived. + +"I wonder if he's up to any tricks?" thought Tom, as he turned on more +power. "Well, if he is, I'll soon be where he can't reach me." + +The young inventor did not dare send his car at full speed through the +streets of the town, and it was not until several minutes had passed +that they could go at more than the ordinary rate. But once the open +country was reached Tom "opened her up full," and the song the motor +sung was one of power. The vehicle quickly gathered headway and was +soon fairly whizzing along. + +"If we keep this up we'll be there and back in good time," remarked Mr. +Damon. + +"Yes, but we can't do it," replied his companion. "The road to Clayton +is a poor one, and we'll soon be on it. Then we'll have to go slow. But +I'll make all the time I can until then." + +So, for several miles more they crept along, at times having to reduce +to almost a walking pace, because of bad roads. Mr. Damon looked at his +watch almost every other minute. + +"Eleven o'clock," he remarked, as they passed a milestone, "and we're +not half way there. Bless my gizzard, but I'm afraid we won't make it, +Tom. We left about ten, and we ought to be back by two o'clock to do +any good. That's four hours, and it will take some time to transfer the +securities, and get the cash. Every minute counts." + +"I know it," answered Tom, "and I'm going to count every minute." + +With eager eyes he watched every inch of the road, to steer to the best +advantage. His hands gripped the wheel until his knuckles showed white +with the strain, and, every now and then his right hand adjusted the +speed lever or the controller handle, while his foot was on the +emergency brake, ready to stop the car at the first sign of danger. + +And there was danger, not infrequently, for the road was up and down +hill, over frail bridges, and along steep cliffs. It was no pleasure +tour they were on. + +When a little over half the distance had been made they came to a +better road, and Tom was able to use full speed ahead. Then the +electric went so fast that, had it not been for the steel wind-shield +in front, Mr. Damon, at any rate, would have been short of breath. + +"This is going some!" he cried to Tom. The lad nodded grimly, and +shoved the controller handle over to the last notch. Then came a bad +stretch and they had to slow down again. As they were about out of it +there came a little flash of fire and the motor stopped. + +"Bless my overshoes!" cried Mr. Damon. "What's that; a fuse blown out?" + +"No," replied Tom, with a puzzled air. "But something has gone wrong." +Hastily he got out, and made an examination. He found it was only one +of the unimportant wires which had short-circuited, and it was soon +adjusted. But they had lost five precious minutes. Tom tried to make up +for lost time, but came to a hill a little later, and this reduced +their speed. + +"Do you think we can make it before twelve?" asked Mr. Damon anxiously. +"We've got to, if we're to get back before three, Tom." + +"I'll try," was the calm answer, and Tom's jaw was shut still more +tightly. Once again came more favorable roads and pushing the car to +the limit the occupants were rejoiced, a little later, as they topped a +hill, to come in sight of a fairly large city. + +"There's Clayton!" cried Mr. Damon. + +Ten minutes later they were rolling through the main street, and as +they stopped in front of the bank, the noon whistles blew shrill and +noisily. + +"You did it, Tom!" cried Mr. Damon, springing out with the valise of +securities. "Now be ready for the return trip. I'll be with you as soon +as possible." + +He went up the bank steps three at a time, like some boy instead of an +elderly man. Tom looked after him for a second and then got down to oil +up his car, and make some adjustments that had rattled loose from the +rough road. Unmindful of the curious throng that gathered he crawled +under the machine with his oil-can. + +He had finished his work, and was back in his seat, ready to start, but +Mr. Damon had not reappeared. + +"It's taking him a good while to get that cash," thought Tom. "Maybe +the securities were no good." + +But, a few minutes later, Mr. Damon came hurrying from the bank. The +valise he carried seemed much heavier than when he went in. + +"It's all right, Tom," he said. "I've got it. Now for the trip home, +and I hope we don't have any accidents. It took longer than I thought +to check over the bonds and receipt for them. But I've got the cash. +Now to save the bank!" + +He took his place beside the young inventor, holding the valise between +his knees, while Tom turned on the power and sent his car dashing down +the street, and toward the road that led to Shopton. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +STOPPED ON THE ROAD + + +"Did Mr. Chase make any objection to giving you the cash?" asked Tom, +as he shoved the controller over another notch, and caused the motor to +make a higher note in its song of speed. + +"Oh, no, he was very nice about it," replied Mr. Damon. "He said he +hoped our bank would pull through. Said if we needed more cash we could +have it." + +It was nearly one o'clock, and they had the worst part of the journey +yet to go. Thirty miles of stiff roads lay between them and Shopton, +the last five and the first five being fairly good, with, here and +there, soft spots. + +Up hill and down went the electric auto. At every opportunity Tom let +out all the speed he could draw from the motor, but there were many +times when he had to slow down. He had just made the ascent of a steep +hill, and was turning into a fairly good road, skirting the edge of a +steep cliff, when there came a sharp report. + +"Bless my soul! That's a fuse, I'm sure of it!" cried Mr. Damon. + +"No," announced Tom, as he quickly shut off the power. "It's a +puncture. One of the inner tubes of the tire has been pierced. I was +afraid of that tube." + +"What have you got to do; put on a new tire?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"No, I'm going to put on a new wheel. I carry two spare ones with tires +all ready inflated. It won't take long." + +But the process of changing wheels consumed more time than Tom +anticipated for the nut was stuck, and he and Mr. Damon had to exert +all their strength before they could loosen it. When the new wheel was +in place ten minutes had been lost. + +"Hold on now, I'm going to speed her!" cried Tom, when they were once +more in their seats, and speed the machine he did. The road was rough, +but despite this the lad turned on almost full power. Over the bumps +they went, around curves and into rain-washed ruts careening from side +to side, and throwing Mr. Damon about, as he expressed it afterward, +"like a bean inside of a football." As for the young inventor his grasp +of the steering wheel, and the manner in which he could brace himself +against the foot pedals, held him more firmly in place. On and on they +rushed, covering mile after mile, and approaching Shopton where so much +depended on their arrival. + +Good and bad stretches of the road alternated, but now that Tom had +seen of what mettle his car was made, he did not spare it as much as he +had on the first trip. He saw that his machine would stand hard knocks, +and the way the battery and motor was behaving was a joy to him. He +knew that if he could make that eighty-mile run in safety he stood a +good chance of winning the prize, for no harder test could have been +devised. + +But the race was still far from won. There was a particularly unsafe +stretch of road yet to be covered, and then would come a smooth highway +into Shopton. + +"Ten miles more," observed Mr. Damon, snapping shut his big gold watch. +"Ten miles more, and it's a quarter of two now. We ought to be there at +a quarter after, and that will be in good time, eh, Tom?" + +"I think so, but I don't know about this piece of road we're coming to. +It seems worse than when we passed over it this morning." + +As he spoke the auto began to slow up, for the wheels had struck some +heavy sand, and it was necessary to reduce the current. Tom turned back +the controller handle, but watched with eager eyes for a sign that the +roadbed was harder, so that he could increase speed. + +As the car turned around a curve, passing through a lonely stretch of +country, with woods on either side of the highway, Tom glancing up, +uttered a cry of astonishment. + +"What's the matter; something gone wrong?" asked his companion. + +For answer Tom pointed. There, just ahead of them, was a big load of +hay, and it was evident that the driver, was in no particular hurry. + +"We can't pass that without getting in over our hubs!" cried Tom. "If +we turn out the side ditches are so soft that we'll need help to pull +out, and the road is so narrow for several miles that we'll have to +trail along behind that fellow." + +"Bless my check book!" cried Mr. Damon. "Are we going to lose, after +all, on account of a load of hay? No, I'll buy it from him first, at +double the market price, tip it over, set fire to it, toss it in the +ditch, and then we can go past!" + +"Maybe that will answer," retorted Tom, smiling grimly. + +He put on a little more speed, and was soon close up behind the load of +hay, ringing his electric bell as a warning. + +"I say!" called Mr. Damon to the unseen driver, "can't you turn out and +let us pass?" + +"Ha! Hum! Wa'al I guess not!" came the answer, in unmistakable farmer's +accents. "You automobile fellers is too gol-hanged smart, racin' along +th' roads. I've got just as good a right here as you fellers have, by +heck!" The driver did not show himself. + +"We know that," responded Tom, as quickly as he could, for he did not +want to anger the man. "But our machine is so heavy that if we turn +into the ditch I'm afraid we'll be mired." + +"Huh! So'll I," was the retort from the unseen driver.. "Think I want +t' spile my load of hay?" + +"But you have wide tires on, and you wouldn't sink in far," answered +the young inventor. "Besides, it's very necessary that we get past. A +great deal depends on our speed." + +"So it does on mine," was the reply. "Ef I git t' market late I'll have +t' stay all night, an' spend money on a hotel bill." + +"I'll pay it! I'll pay your bill if you'll only pull out!" cried Mr. +Damon. "I'll give you a hundred dollars!" + +He suddenly ceased speaking. From the bushes along the road sprang +several ragged, masked figures. Each one, aiming his weapon at Tom, +said in a low voice, that could not have been heard by the driver of +the hay wagon: + +"Slow up your machine, young feller! We want to speak with you, and +don't you make a loud noise, or it won't be healthy for you!" + +"Why of all the--!" began Mr. Damon, but another of the footpads +leveling his weapon at the eccentric man growled: + +"Dry up, if you don't want to get shot!" + +Mr. Damon subsided. Discretion was very plainly the better part of +valor. Tom had shut off the current. The load of hay continued on +ahead. Tom thought perhaps the driver of it might have been in +collusion with the thieves, to cause the auto to slow up. + +"What do you want with us?" asked the young inventor, trying to speak +calmly, but finding it a hard task, with a revolver pointed at him. + +"You know what we want," exclaimed the leader, in a low voice. "We +want that cash you got from the bank, and we're going to have it! Come, +now, shell out!" and he advanced toward the automobile. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +ON TIME + + +Close around the electric auto crowded the members of the hold-up gang. +Their eyes seemed to glare through the holes in their black masks. +Instantly Tom thought of the other occasion when he was halted by +masked figures. Could these, by any possibility, be the same +individuals? Was this a trick of Andy Foger and his cronies? + +Tom tried to pierce through the disguises. Clearly the persons were +men--not boys--and they wore the ragged clothes of tramps. Also, there +was an air of dogged determination about them. + +"Well, are you going to shell out?" asked the leader, taking a step +nearer, "or will we have to take it?" + +"Bless my very existence! You don't mean to say that you're going to +take the money--I mean how do you know we have any money?" and Mr. +Damon hastily corrected himself. "What right have you to stop us in +this way? Don't you know that every minute counts? We are in a hurry." + +"I know it," spoke the leading masked figure with a laugh. "I know you +have considerable money in that shebang, and I know what you hope to do +with it, prevent the run on the Shopton National Bank. But we need that +money as much as some other people and, what's more, we're going to +have it! Come on, shell out!" + +"Oh, why didn't we bring a gun!" lamented Mr. Damon in a low voice to +Tom. "Isn't there anything we can do? Can't you give them an electric +shock, Tom?" + +"I'm afraid not. If it wasn't for that hay wagon we could turn on the +current and make a run for it. But we'd only go into the ditch if we +tried to pass now." + +The load of hay was down the road, but as Tom looked he noticed a +curious thing. It seemed to be nearer than it was when the attack of +the masked men came. The wagon actually seemed to have backed up. Once +more the thought came to the lad that possibly the load of fodder might +be one of the factors on which the thieves counted. They might have +used it to make the auto halt, and the man, or men, on it were probably +in collusion with the footpads. There was no doubt about it, the load +of hay was coming nearer, backing up instead of moving away. Tom +couldn't understand it. He gave a swift glance at the robbers. They had +not appeared to notice this, or, if they had, they gave no sign. + +"Then we can't do anything," murmured Mr. Damon. + +"I don't see that we can," replied the young inventor in a low voice. + +"And the money we worked so hard to get won't do the bank any good," +and Mr. Damon sighed. + +"It's tough luck," agreed Tom. + +"Come now, fork over that cash!" called the leader, advancing still +closer. "None of that talk between you there. If you think you can work +some trick on us you're mistaken. We're desperate men, and we're well +armed. The first show of resistance you make, and we shoot--get that, +fellows?" he added to his followers, and they nodded grimly. + +"Well," remarked Mr. Damon with an air of submission, "I only want to +warn you that you are acting illegally, and that you are perpetrating a +desperate crime." + +"Oh, we know that all right," answered one of the men, and Tom gave a +start. He was sure he had heard that voice before. He tried to remember +it--tried to penetrate the disguise--but he could not. + +"I'll give you ten seconds more to hand over that bag of money," went +on the leader. "If you don't, we'll take it and some of you may get +hurt in the process." + +There seemed nothing else to do. With a white face, but with anger +showing in his eyes Mr. Damon reached down to get the valise. Tom had +retained his grip of the steering wheel, and the starting lever. He +hoped, at the last minute, he might see a chance to dash away, and +escape, but that load of hay was in the path. He noted that it was now +quite near, but the thieves paid no attention to it. + +Tom might have reversed the power, and sent his machine backward, but +he could not see to steer it if he went in that direction, and he would +soon have gone into the ditch. There was nothing to do save to hand +over the cash, it seemed. + +Mr. Damon had the bag raised from the car, and the leader of the +thieves was reaching up for it, when there came a sudden interruption. + +From the load of hay there sounded a fusillade of pistol shots, +cracking out with viciousness. This was instantly followed by the +appearance of three men who came running from around the load of hay, +down the road toward the thieves. Each man carried a pitchfork, and as +they ran, one of the trio shouted: + +"Right at 'em, boys! Jab your hay forks clean through the scoundrels! +By Heck, I guess we'll show 'em we know how t' tackle a hold-up gang as +well as the next fellow! Right at 'em now! Charge 'em! Stick your +forks right through 'em!" Again there sounded a fusillade of pistol +shots. + +The thieves turned as one man, and glanced at the relief so +unexpectedly approaching. They gave one look at the three determined +looking farmers, with their sharp, glittering pitchforks, and then, +without a word, they turned and fled, leaping into the bushes that +lined the roadway. The underbrush closed after them and they were +hidden from sight. + +On came the three farmers, waving their effective weapons, the pistol +shots still ringing out from the load of hay. Tom could not understand +it, and could see no one firing--could detect no smoke. + +"Are they gone? Did they rob ye?" asked the foremost of the trio, a +burly, grizzled farmer. "Bust my buttons, but I guess we skeered 'em +all right!" + +"Bless my shoe buttons, but you certainly have!" cried Mr. Damon, +descending from the automobile, and wringing the hand of the farmer, +while Tom, thrust the bag of money under his legs and waited further +developments. The pistol shots rang out until one of the men called: + +"That'll do, Bub! We've skeered 'em like Mrs. Zenoby's pet cat! You +needn't crack that whip any more." + +"Whip!" cried Tom. "Was that a whip?" + +"That's what it was," explained the leading farmer. "Bub Armstrong, my +nephew, can crack it to beat th' band," and as if in proof of this +there emerged from behind the load of hay a small lad, carrying a large +whip, to which he gave a few trial cracks, like pistol shots, as if to +show his ability. + +"It's all right, Bub," his uncle assured him. "We made 'em run." + +"But I don't exactly understand," spoke Mr. Damon. "I thought you were +in league with those thieves, stopping us as you did with your big +load." + +"So did I," admitted Tom. + +"Ha! Ha!" laughed the farmer. "That's a pretty good joke. Excuse me +for laughin'. My name's Lyon, Jethro Lyon, of Salina Township, an' +these is my two sons, Ade and Burt. You see we're on our way to +Shopton, an' my nephew, Bub, he went along. We thought you was some of +them sassy automobile fellers at first when you hollered to us you +wanted to pass. Then when we looked back, we seen them burglars goin' +t' rob you, at least that's what we suspicioned," and he paused +suggestively. + +"That was it," Tom said. + +"Wa'al, when we seen that, we held a sort of consultation on thet load +of hay, where they couldn't see us. It was so big you know," he +needlessly explained. "Wa'al, we calcalated we could help you, so I +jest quietly backed up, until we was near enough. I told Bub to take +the long whip, an' crack it for all he was wuth, so's it would sound +like reinforcements approachin' with guns, an' he done it." + +"He certainly done it," added Burt. + +"Wa'al," resumed Mr. Lyon, "then me an my sons we jest slipped down off +the front seat, an' come a runnin' with our pitchforks. I reckoned +them burglars would run when they see us an' heard us, an' they done +so." + +"Yep, they done so," added Ade, like an echo. + +"I can't tell you how much obliged we are to you," said Mr. Damon. "We +have sixty thousand dollars in this valise, and they would have had it +in another minute, and the bank would have failed." + +"Sixty thousand dollars!" gasped Mr. Lyon, and his sons and nephew +echoed the words. Mr. Damon briefly explained about the money, and he +and the young inventor again thanked their rescuers, who had so +unexpectedly, and in such a novel manner, put the thieves to flight. + +"An' you've got t' git t' Shopton before three o'clock with thet cash?" +asked Mr. Lyon. + +"That's what we hoped to do," replied Tom "but I'm afraid we won't now. +It's half past two, and--" + +"Don't say another word," interrupted Mr. Lyon. "I know what ye mean. +My hay's in the road. But don't let that worry ye none. I'll pull out +of your road in a jiffy, an' if we do go down in th' ditch, why we can +throw off part of th' load, lighten th' wagon, an' pull out again. +You've got t' hustle if ye git t' Shopton by three o'clock." + +"I can do it with a clear road," declared Tom, confidently. + +"Then ye'll have th' clear road," Mr. Lyon assured him. "Come boys, +let's git th' hay t' one side." + +The farmers pulled into the ditch. As they had feared the wagon went in +almost to the hubs, but they did not mind, and, even as Tom and Mr. +Damon shot past them, they fell to work tossing off part of the fodder, +to lighten the wagon. The young inventor and his companion waved a +grateful farewell to them as they fairly tore past, for Tom had turned +on almost the full current. + +"Do you suppose that was the Happy Harry gang, or some members of it +who were not captured and sent to jail?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"I don't believe so," answered the lad, shaking his head. "Maybe they +didn't really want to rob us. Perhaps they only wanted to delay us so +we wouldn't get to the bank on time." + +"Bless my top knot, you may be right!" cried Mr. Damon. + +Further conversation became difficult, as they struck a rough part of +the road, where the vehicle swayed and jolted to an alarming degree. +But Tom never slackened pace. On and on they rushed, Mr. Damon +frequently looking at his watch. + +"We've got twenty minutes left," he remarked as they came out on the +smooth stretch of road, that led directly into Shopton. + +Then Tom turned all the reserve power into the motor. The machinery +almost groaned as the current surged into the wires, but it took up the +load, and the electric car, swaying more than ever, dashed ahead with +its burden of wealth. + +Now they were in the town, now speeding down the street leading to the +bank. One or two policemen shouted after them, for they were violating +the speed laws, but it was no time to stop for that. On and on they +dashed. + +They came in sight of the bank. A long line of persons was still in +front. They seemed more excited than in the morning, for the hour of +three was approaching, and they feared the bank would close its doors, +never to open them again. + +"The run is still on," observed Mr. Damon. + +"But it will soon be over," predicted Tom. + +Some news of the errand of the automobile must have penetrated the +crowd, for as Tom swung past the front entrance to the bank, to go up +the rear alley, he was greeted with a cheer. + +"They've got the cash!" a man cried. "I'm satisfied now. I won't draw +out my deposit." + +"I want to see the cash before I'll believe it," said another. + +Tom slowed up to make the turn into the alley. As he did so he glanced +across the street to the new bank. In the window stood Andy Foger and +his father. There was a look of surprise on their faces as they saw the +arrival of the powerful car, and, Tom fancied, also a look of chagrin. + +Up the alley went the car, police keeping the crowd from following. The +porter was at the door. So, also, was Mr. Pendergast and Mr. Swift, +while some of the other officers were grouped behind them. + +"Did you get the money?" gasped the president. + +"We did," answered Tom. "Are we on time, Dad?" + +"Just on time, my boy! They're paying out the last of the cash now! +You're on time, thank fortune!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +OFF TO THE BIG RACE + + +From their task of handing out money to eager depositors, the wearied +tellers looked up as Tom and Mr. Damon entered with the big valise +crammed full of money. It was opened, and the bundles of bills turned +out on a table. + +"Perhaps you'd better make an announcement to the crowd, Mr. +Pendergast," suggested Mr. Swift. "Tell them we now have cash enough to +meet all demands, and that the bank will be kept open until every one +is paid." + +"I will," agreed the aged president. His announcement was received with +cheers, and had exactly the effect the inventor hoped it would. + +Many, learning that the bank was safe, and that they could have their +money whenever they wanted it, concluded not to withdraw it, thus +saving the interest. Scores in the waiting crowd turned out of line and +went home. Their example was contagious, and, though many still +remained to get their deposits, the run was broken. Only part of the +sixty thousand dollars Tom and Mr. Damon had brought through after a +race with time, was needed. But had it not been for the moral effect of +the cash arriving as it did, the bank would have failed. + +"You have a great car, Tom Swift," complimented Mr. Pendergast, when +the excitement had somewhat cooled down, and the story of the hold-up +had been told. + +"I think so myself," agreed the young inventor modestly. "I must get +ready for the races now." + +"And as for those farmers, I think I'll send them a reward," went on +the president. "They deserve something for the trouble they had with +the load of hay. I certainly shall send them a reward," which he did, +and a substantial one, too. + +Of course the hold-up was at once reported to the police after the run +had quieted down, but Chief Simonson surprised Tom by saying that he +had expected it. + +"The gang that held you up," said the police officer, "was one that +escaped from a jail, about twenty miles away. I got a tip after you +left, that they were going to rob you, for, in some way, they learned +about the money you and Mr. Damon were to bring from the bank. The +unfortunate part of it was that the tip I got was to the effect that +the hold-up would take place just outside of Clayton. I telephoned to +the police there, just after you left, and they said they'd send out a +posse. But the gang changed their plans; and held you up near here, +where I wasn't expecting it. But I'll get 'em yet." + +Chief Simonson did not arrest the gang, but some other police officers +did, and they were taken back to jail. They were not prosecuted for the +attempted robbery of Tom, as it was considered difficult to fix the +guilt on them, but they received such a long additional sentence for +breaking jail, that it will be many years before they are released. + +When Tom reached home that night he found some mail from the officials +of the Touring Club of America. It was to the effect that arrangements +for the big contest had been completed, and that contesting cars must +be on the ground by September first. + +"That gives me two weeks yet," thought our hero. + +He read further of the regulations covering the race. Each car must +proceed from the home town or city of the owner, and go to the track +under its own power. This was a new regulation, it was stated, and was +adopted to better develop the industry of building electric autos. Two +passengers, or one in addition to the driver, must be carried, it was +stated, and this one would also be expected to be in the car during the +entire race. + +Regarding the race proper it was stated that at first it had been +decided to make it a twenty-four hour endurance contest, but that for +certain reasons this was changed, as it was found that few storage +batteries could go this length of time without a number of rechargings. +Therefore the race was to be one for distance--five hundred miles, on +the new Long Island track, and the car first covering that distance +would win. Cars were allowed to change their batteries as often as they +needed to, but all time lost would count against them. There were other +rules and regulations of minor importance. + +"Well," remarked Tom, as he read through the circulars, "I must get my +car in shape. It will be quite a trip to Long Island, and I think my +best plan will be to go direct to the cottage we had when we were +building the submarine, and from there proceed to the track. That will +comply with the rules, I think. But who will I get to go with me? I +suppose Mr. Damon or Mr. Sharp will be willing. I'll ask them." + +He broached the matter to his two friends that night, and they both +agreed to go to Long Island in the car, though only Mr. Sharp would +accompany Tom in the race. The next two weeks were busy ones for Tom. +He worked night and day over his car, getting it in shape for the big +event. + +The young inventor made some changes in his battery, and also adopted a +new gear, which would give greater speed. He also completed the +exterior of the auto, giving it several coats of purple paint and +varnish, so that when it was finished, though it was different in shape +from most autos, it was as fine an appearing car as one could wish. He +arranged to carry two extra wheels, with tires inflated, and, under the +rear seats, or tonneau, as he called it, Tom fitted up a complete +tire-repairing outfit. Mr. Sharp agreed to ride there, and in case +there was need to use more than two spare wheels during the race, the +rubber shoes or inner tubes could be mended while the car was swinging +around the track. + +Mr. Damon would ride in front with Tom on the cross-country trip, and +occasionally relieve him at steering, or would help to manage the +electrical connections. Spare fuses, extra parts, wires and different +things he thought he might need, the young inventor stored in his car. +He also found means to install a small additional storage battery, to +give added power in case of emergency. + +Tom learned from the racing officials that if he made a trip from +Shopton to the cottage on the coast, near the city of Atlantis, and +later traveled from there to the track, it would fulfill the conditions +of the contest. + +Finally all was in readiness, and one morning, having spent the better +part of the night going over his machine, to see that he had forgotten +nothing, Tom invited Mr. Damon and Mr. Sharp to enter, and prepare for +the trip to Long Island. + +"Well, Tom, I certainly hope you win that race," remarked Mrs. Baggert, +as she stood in the doorway, waving a farewell. + +"If I do I'll buy you a pair of diamond earrings to match the diamond +ring I gave you from the money I got from the wreck," promised the lad +with a laugh. + +"An' ef yo' sees dat Andy Foger," added Eradicate Sampson, while he +rubbed the long ears of Boomerang, his mule, "ef yo' sees him, jest run +ober him once or twice fer mah sake, Mistah Swift." + +"I'll do it for my own, too," agreed Tom. + +The youth shook hands with his father, who wished him good luck, and +then, after a final look at his car, he climbed to his seat, and turned +on the power. There was a low hum from the motor and the electric +started off. Would it return a winner or loser of the big race? + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +IN A DITCH + + +Through the streets of Shopton went Tom Swift and his friends. News of +the big contest the young inventor was about to take part in, had +circulated around town, and there were not wanting many to wish him +good luck. The lad responded smilingly to the farewells he received. As +they passed the bank, Ned Newton came out on the steps. + +"Wish I was going along," he called. + +"So do I," replied Tom. "How's everything? Is the bank all right since +the run?" for he had not had time to pay much attention to the +institution since his memorable race against time, to get the money. + +"Stronger and better than ever," was Ned's answer, as he came to the +curb, where Tom slowed up. "I hear," he added in a whisper, "that the +other fellows are going out of business--Foger and his crowd you know. +They loaned money on unsecured notes to make a good showing, and now +they can't get it back. But we're all right. Hope you win the race." + +"So do I." + +"What will a certain person do while you're away?" went on Ned, with a +wink. + +"I don't know what you mean," replied Tom, trying not to blush. "Do +you mean my dad or Mrs. Baggert?" + +"Neither, you old hypocrite you! I meant Miss Mary Nestor." + +"Oh, hadn't you heard?" inquired Tom innocently. "She is going to Long +Island to visit some friends, and she'll be at the race." + +"You lucky dog," murmured Ned with a laugh, as he went into the bank. + +Once more the electric auto started off, and was soon on the quiet +country road, where Tom speeded it up moderately. He hoped to be able +to make the entire distance to the shore cottage on the single charge +of current he had put into the battery at home, and, as there was no +special need for haste, he wanted to save his power. The machine was +running smoothly, and seemed able to make a long race against time. + +The travelers ate lunch that day at Pendleton, a town some distance +from Shopton. They had covered a substantial part of their trip. After +a brief rest they started on again. Tom had planned to spend two days +and one night on the road, hoping to be able to reach the shore cottage +on the evening of the second day. There, after recharging the battery, +he would spend a night, or two, and proceed to the track, ready for the +race. + +They found the roads fairly good, with bad stretches here and there, +which made it necessary for them to slow down. This delayed them, and +they found the shadows lengthening, and darkness approaching, when they +were still several miles from Burgfield, where they intended to sleep. + +"Will it be all right to travel at night?" asked Mr. Damon, a bit +nervously. + +"Why, are you thinking of hold-up men?" inquired Mr. Sharp. + +"No, but I was wondering about the condition of the roads," replied the +eccentric man. "We don't want to run into a rock, or collide with +something." + +"I guess this will light up the road far enough in advance, so that we +can see where we are going," suggested Tom, as he switched on the +powerful electric search-light. Though it was not dark enough to +illuminate the highway to the best advantage, the powerful gleam shone +dazzlingly in front of the swiftly moving auto. + +"I guess that will show up every pebble in the road," commented the +balloonist. "It's very powerful." + +Tom turned off the light, as, until it was darker, he could see to +better advantage unaided by it. He slowed down the speed somewhat, but +was still going at a good rate. + +"There's a bridge somewhere about here," remarked the lad, when they +had gone on a mile further. "I remember seeing it on my road map. It's +not very strong, and we'll have to run slow over it." + +"Bless my gizzard, I hope we don't go through it!" cried Mr. Damon. "Is +your car very heavy, Tom?" + +"Not heavy enough to break the bridge. Ah, there it is. Guess I'll turn +on the light so we can see what we're doing." + +Just ahead of them loomed up the super-structure of a bridge, and Tom +turned the searchlight switch. At the instant he did so, whether he did +not keep a steady hand on the steering wheel, or whether the auto went +into a rut from which it could not be turned, did not immediately +develop, but the car suddenly shot from the straight road, and swerved +to one side. There was a lurch, and the front wheels sank down. + +"Look out! We're going into the river!" yelled Mr. Damon. + +Tom jammed on the brakes and shut off the current. The auto came to a +sudden stop. The young inventor turned the searchlight downward, to +illuminate the ground directly in front of the car. + +"Are we in the river?" asked Mr. Sharp. + +"No," replied Tom in great chagrin. "We're in a muddy ditch. One at +the side of the road. Wheels in over the hubs! There should have been a +guard rail here. We're stuck for fair!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE POWER GONE + + +"Bless my overshoes!" cried Mr. Damon. "Stuck in the mud, eh?" + +"Hard and fast," added Tom, in disgust. + +"What's to be done?" inquired Mr. Sharp. + +"I should say we'll have to stay here until daylight, and wait for some +other auto to come along and pull us out," was Mr. Damon's opinion. +"It's might unpleasant, too, for there doesn't seem to be any place +around here where we can spend the night in any kind of comfort. If we +had the submarine or the airship, now, it wouldn't so much matter." + +"No, and this won't matter a great deal," remarked the young inventor +quickly. "We'll soon be out of this, but it will be hard work." + +"What do you mean?" asked Mr. Sharp. + +"I mean that we've got to pull ourselves out of this mud hole," +explained the lad, as he prepared to descend. "I was afraid something +like this would happen, so I came prepared for it. I've got ropes and +pulleys with me, in the car. We'll fasten the rope to the machine, +attach one pulley to the bridge, another to the car, and I guess we can +get out of the mud. We'll try, anyhow." + +"Well, I must say you looked pretty far ahead," complimented Mr. Damon. + +From a box under the tonneau Tom took out a thin but strong rope and +two compound pulleys, which would enable considerable force to be +applied. Mr. Sharp detached one of the powerful oil lamps, and the +three travelers took a look at the auto. It was indeed deep in the mud +and it seemed like a hopeless task to try to get it out unaided. But +Tom insisted that they could do it, and the rope was soon attached, the +hook of one pulley being slipped around one of the braces of the bridge. + +"Now, all together!" cried the lad, as he and his friends grasped the +long rope. They gave a great heave. At first it seemed like pulling on +a stone wall. The rope strained and the pulleys creaked. + +"I--guess--we--will--pull--the--bridge--over!" gasped Mr. Sharp. + +"Something's got to give way!" puffed Tom. "Now, once more! All +together!" + +Suddenly they felt the rope moving. The pulleys creaked still more and, +by the light of the lamp, they could see that the auto was slowly being +pulled backward, out of the mud, and onto the hard road. In a few +minutes it was ready to proceed again. + +The rope and pulleys were put away, and, after Tom had made an +examination of the car to see that it had sustained no damage, they +were off again, making good time to the hotel in Burgfield, where they +spent the night. They had an early breakfast, and, as Tom went out to +the barn to look at his car, he saw it surrounded by a curious throng +of men and boys. One of the boys was turning some of the handles and +levers. + +"Here! Quit that!" yelled Tom, and the meddlesome lad leaped down in +fright. "Do you want to start the car and have it smash into +something?" demanded the young inventor. + +"Aw, nothin' happened," retorted the lad. "I pulled every handle on it, +an' it didn't move." + +"Good reason," murmured Tom, for he had taken the precaution to remove +a connecting plug, without which the machine could not be started. + +The three were soon under way again, and covered many miles over the +fine country roads, the weather conditions being delightful. On inquiry +they found that by taking an infrequently used highway, they could save +several miles. It was over an unoccupied part of country, rather wild +and desolate, but they did not mind that. + +They were whizzing along, talking of Tom's chances for winning the race +when, after climbing a slight grade, the auto came to a sudden stop on +the summit. + +"What's the matter?" asked Mr. Sharp. "Why are you stopping here, Tom?" + +"I didn't stop," was the surprising answer, and the lad shoved the +starting lever back and forth. + +But there was no response. There was no hum from the motor. The machine +was "dead." + +"That's queer," murmured the young inventor. + +"Maybe a fuse blew out," suggested Mr. Damon, that seeming to be his +favorite form of trouble. + +"If it had you'd have known it," remarked Mr. Sharp. + +"There's plenty of current in the battery, according to the registering +gauge," murmured the lad. "I can't understand it." He reversed the +current, thinking the wires might have become crossed, but the machine +would move neither backward nor forward, yet the dial indicated that +there was enough power stored away to send it a hundred miles or more. + +"Perhaps the dial hand has become caught," suggested Mr. Sharp. "That +sometimes happens on a steam gauge, and indicates a high pressure when +there isn't any. Hit it slightly, and see if the hand swings back." + +Tom did so. At once the hand fell to zero, indicating that there was +not an ampere of current left. The battery was exhausted, but this fact +had not been indicated on the gauge. + +"I see now!" cried Tom. "It was those fellows at the hotel barn! They +monkeyed with the mechanism, short circuited the battery, and jammed +the gauge so I couldn't tell when my power was gone. If I had known +there wasn't enough to carry us I could have recharged the battery at +the hotel. But I figured that I had enough current for the entire trip, +and so there would have been, if it hadn't leaked away. Now we're in a +pretty pickle." + +"Bless my hat band!" cried Mr. Damon. "Does that mean we can't move?" + +"Guess that's about it," answered Mr. Sharp, and Tom nodded. + +"Well, why can't we go on to some place where they sell electricity, +and get enough to take us where we want to go?" asked the odd +character, whose ideas of machinery were somewhat hazy. + +"The only trouble is we can't carry the heavy car with us," replied +Tom. "It's too big to pick up and take to a charging station." + +"Then we've got to wait until some one comes along with a team of +horses, and tows us in," commented Mr. Sharp. "And that will be some +time, on this lonely road." + +Tom shook his head despondently. He went all over the car again, but +was forced to the first conclusion, that the reserve current had leaked +away, in consequence of the meddling prank of the youth at the hotel. +The situation was far from pleasant, and the delay would seriously +interfere with their plans. + +Suddenly, as Tom was pacing up and down the road, he heard from afar, a +peculiar humming sound. He paused to listen. + +"Trolley car," observed Mr. Sharp. "Maybe one of us could go somewhere +on the trolley and get help. There it is," and he pointed to the +electric vehicle, moving along about half a mile away, at the foot of a +gentle slope. + +At the sight of the car Tom uttered a cry. "I have it!" he exclaimed. +"None of us need go for help! It's right at hand!" His companions +looked curiously, as the young inventor pointed triumphantly to the +fast disappearing electric. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +ON THE TRACK + + +"What do you mean?" asked Mr. Damon. "Will the electric trolley pull us +to a charging station?" + +"No, we'll not need to go to a station," answered the youth. "If we +can get my car to the trolley tracks I can charge my battery from +there. And I think we can push the auto near enough. It's down hill, +and I've got a long wire so we won't have to go too close." + +"Good!" cried Mr. Sharp. "But attach the rope to the front of the car, +Tom. Mr. Damon and I will pull it. You'll have to ride in it to steer +it." + +"We can take turns at riding," was Tom's answer, for he did not want +his companions to do all the work. + +"Nonsense! You ride," said Mr. Damon. "You're lighter than we are, and +can steer better. It won't be any trouble at all to pull this car down +hill." + +It proved to be an easy task, and in a short time the "dead" auto was +near enough to the electric line to permit Tom to run his charging wire +over to it. + +"Why bless my soul!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, looking up. "There's no +overhead trolley wire. The car must run on storage batteries." + +"Third rail, more likely," was the opinion of Mr. Sharp and so it +proved. + +"I can charge from either the third rail or the trolley wire," declared +Tom, who was insulating his hands in rubber gloves, and getting his +wires ready. In a short time he had the proper connections made, and +the much-needed current was soon flowing into the depleted battery, or +batteries, for there were several sets, though the whole source of +motive power was usually referred to as a "storage battery." + +"How long will it take?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"About two hours," answered the lad. "We'll probably have to disconnect +our wires several times, whenever a trolley car comes past. By my +system I can recharge the battery very quickly. + +"Do you suppose the owners of the road will make any objection?" asked +the balloonist. + +"I'm going to pay for the current I use," explained the young inventor. +"I have a meter which tells how much I take." + +The hum of an approaching car was heard, and Tom took the wires from +the third rail. The car came to a stop opposite the automobile, the +passengers, as well as the crew, looking curiously at the queer racing +machine. Tom explained to the conductor what was going on, and asked +the fare-collector to notify those in charge of the power station that +all current used would be paid for. The conductor said this would be +satisfactory, he was sure, and the car proceeded, Tom resuming the +charging of his battery. + +Allowing plenty of reserve power to accumulate, and making sure that +the gauge would not stick again, and deceive him, the owner of the +speedy electric was soon ready to proceed again. They had been delayed +a little over three hours, for they had to make several shifts, as the +cars came past. + +They reached their shore cottage late that night, and, after seeing +that the runabout was safely locked in the big shed where the submarine +had been built, they all went to bed, for they were very tired. + +Tom sent word, the next day, to the managers of the race, that he would +be on hand at the time stipulated, and announced that he had made part +of the trip, as required, under the power of the auto itself. + +The next day was spent in overhauling the machinery, tightening up some +loose bearings, oiling different parts, and further charging the +battery. Tires were looked to, and the ones on the spare wheels were +gone over to prepare for any emergency that might arise when the race +was started. + +On the third day, Tom, Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon, leaving the cottage +completed the trip to Havenford, Long Island, where the new track had +been constructed. + +They reached the place shortly before noon, and, if they had been +unaware of the location they could not have missed it, for there were +many autos speeding along the road toward the scene of the race, which +would take place the following day. + +Several electric cars passed Tom and his friends, whizzing swiftly by, +but the young inventor was not going to show off his speed until the +time came. Besides, he did not want to run any risks of an accident. +But some of the contestants seemed anxious for impromptu "brushes," and +more than one called to our hero to "speed up and let's see what she +can do." But Tom smiled, and shook his head. + +There were many gasolene and some steam autos going out to the new +track, which was considered a remarkable piece of engineering. It was +in the shape of an octagon, and the turns were considered very safe. It +was a five mile track, and to complete the race it would be necessary +to make a hundred circuits. + +Through scores of autos Tom and his friends threaded their way, the +young inventor keeping a watchful eye on the various types of machine +with which he would soon have to compete. + +There were many kinds. Some were larger and some smaller than his. Many +obviously carried very large batteries, but whether they had the speed +or not was another question. Some, in spurts, seemed to Tom, to be +fully as fast as his own, and he began to have some doubts whether he +would win the race. + +"But I'm not going to give up until the five hundredth mile is +finished," he thought, grimly. + +They were now in sight of the track, and noted many machines speeding +around it. + +"Go on in and try your car, Tom," urged Mr. Sharp. + +"Yes, do," added Mr. Damon. "Let's see how it travels." + +"I will, after I notify the proper officials that I have arrived," +decided the lad. + +The formalities were soon complied with. Tom received his entry card, +after paying the fee, made affidavit that he had completed the entire +trip from home under his own power, save for the little stretch when +the car was pulled, which did not count against him, and was soon ready +to go on the track. Only electric cars were allowed there. + +As the young inventor guided his latest effort in the machine line onto +the big track there were murmurs of surprise from the throngs. + +"That's a queer machine," said one. + +"Yes, but it looks speedy," was another's opinion. + +"There's the car for my money," added a third, pointing to a big red +electric which was certainly whizzing around the track. Tom noted the +red car. Behind it was a green one, also moving at a fast rate of speed. + +"Those will be my nearest rivals," thought the lad, as he guided his +car onto the track. A moment later he was sending the auto ahead at +moderate speed, while the other contestants looked at the new arrival, +as if trying to discover whether in it they would have a dangerous +competitor. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +WINNING THE PRIZE + + +After making two circuits of the track at moderate speed, Tom turned on +more power, deciding to see how the machine would behave on the turns, +going at a fast speed. As it happened he forged ahead just as the big +red car was coming up behind him. The driver of it took this for a +challenge and threw his controller handle forward. + +"Come on!" he cried to our hero, when even with him. + +Tom did not want to decline the invitation, and the impromptu race was +under way. Soon the green car came rushing up, and for two miles the +three kept almost in line. It was evident that neither the green nor +the red car drivers wanted to "open out," until they saw Tom do so. + +He was willing to oblige them, and suddenly increased his speed. They +did the same, and went ahead of him. Then Tom turned on a little more +juice and got the lead, but the two men were right after him, and they +see-sawed like this for two more miles. Then, with a cry the man in +the red car, with a sudden burst of speed, left Tom and the green car +behind. The green car was soon up to its rival, but Tom decided he +would not spurt. + +The lad and his friends spent the early part of the night in making a +final inspection of the machinery, finding it in good order. Then, with +his head filled with visions of the race on the morrow Tom went to bed. +He had made inquiries, by telephone, of the friends of Miss Nestor, and +learned that she had not arrived. Tom felt a distinct sense of +disappointment. + +The day of the race could not have been better. It was ideal weather, +and conditions at the track were just right. Tom was up early, and went +over every inch of his car with a nervous dread that he might find +something the matter. + +The final details of the race were completed, and the entrants given +their numbers and places. Tom drew a good position, not the best, but +he had no reason to complain. Half an hour before the start he again +telephoned to see if Miss Nestor had arrived, but she had not, and it +was with rather gloomy thoughts that the lad entered his car, in which +Mr. Sharp had already taken his place. Mr. Damon went to the +grandstand to watch the race. + +"I wanted Mary to see me win," thought our hero, for he had grimly set +his mind on coming in ahead. + +There was a great crowd in the grandstand and scattered about the big +track, which took in a large extent of territory. In spite of its +size--five miles around--it seemed solidly packed for the entire +length with autos, containing gay parties who had come to see the +electric contest. There was a band playing gay airs, as Tom guided his +machine through the entrance gate, and onto the track. + +The judges made their final inspection. There were twenty cars entered, +but it was obvious that some of them would not last long, as their +battery capacity was not large enough. Their owners might have relied +on recharging, but how they could do this under the usual slow system, +and hope to win, Tom could not see. He hoped to run the entire distance +on the single charge, but, if by some accident part of his current +should leak away, his battery could be charged in a short time, by +means of his new system, to run for a considerable distance, or he +could install a new one already charged, for he had two sets on hand. +Tom glanced over the cars of his competitors. They were to be sent away +in batches, the affair being a handicap one, with time allowance for +the smaller powered cars. Tom noted that his car and the red and the +green ones were in the same bunch. Tom's car was purple. + +"Are you all ready?" asked the starter of the first group of races. + +"Ready," was the low-voiced response. + +"Crack!" went the pistol, and there followed the hum of the motors as +the current set the mechanism to work. Forward went the cars, amid the +crash of the band and the cheers of the crowd. The big race was under +way. + +"Do you feel nervous, Tom?" asked Mr. Sharp. + +"Not a bit," replied the lad. + +Around and around the track flew the speedy electrics. It was evident +that the holding of a meet solely for cars of this character had +brought out many new ideas that would be to the benefit of the +industry. Some cars were "freaks" and others, like Tom's, showed a +distinct advance over previous styles of construction. + +A five-hundred mile race around a track is rather a monotonous affair, +except for what happens, and things very soon began to happen at this +race. + +As Tom had expected, several of the machines were forced to withdraw. +Tire troubles beset some, and others found that they were hopelessly +out of it because of low power, or lack of battery capacity. + +Tom determined not to let the red or the green car gain any advantage +over him, and so he watched those two vehicles narrowly. On the other +hand, the red and the green electrics were evidently afraid of one +another and of Tom. + +They all three kept pretty much together for the first thirty miles. By +this time the race had settled down into a steady grind. There was some +excitement when the steering gear of one car broke, and it crashed into +the fence, injuring the driver, but the race went on. + +The young inventor was holding his own with his two chief rivals, and +was feeling rather proud of his car, when there came from it a report +like a pistol shot. + +"Blow out!" yelled Tom desperately, steering to one of the several +repair stations on the inner side of the track. "Be ready with the +extra wheel, Mr. Sharp!" + +"Right you are!" cried the balloonist. The car was scarcely stopped +when he had leaped out, and had the lifting jack under the left rear +wheel, where the tire had gone to the bad. He and Tom labored like +Trojans to take off the wheel, and put on the other. They lost five +minutes, and when they got under way again the red and the green cars +were three quarters of a lap ahead. + +"You've got to catch them!" declared Sharp firmly. + +But the red and the green car drivers saw their advantage, and were +determined to hold it. Tom could not catch them without going his +limit, and he did not want to do this just yet. However, he had his +opportunity when about two hundred miles had been covered. Both the red +and the green cars had tire troubles, but the red one was delayed +scarcely two minutes as there was a corps of mechanics on hand to take +off the defective wheel and put on another. Still Tom regained his lost +ground, and once more the race between those three cars was even. + +In the rear of Tom's car Mr. Sharp was mending the blown-out tire, +though there was still one spare wheel on reserve. Tom, in front, +peered eagerly at the track. Nearly side by side raced the red and the +green cars, the latter somewhat to the rear. + +It was at the three hundred and fiftieth mile that Tom had another +blow-out. This time it took a little longer to change the wheel, and +the red and green cars gained a full lap on him. The track was now so +dusty that it was difficult to see the contesting cars. Many had +dropped out, and more were on the verge of giving up. + +With the odds against him, Tom started in to regain the lost ground. +Narrowly he watched his electric power. Slowly he saw it dropping. +Would he have enough left to finish out the race? He feared not. The +hours were passing. Still there was a hundred miles yet to go twenty +circuits of the track. Some of the spectators were getting weary and +leaving. The band played spasmodically. + +Suddenly Tom saw the red car shoot to one side of the track, toward a +charging station; The green car followed. + +"That's our cue!" cried the young inventor "We need a little more +'juice' and now is the time to get it." + +The lad ran to the shed where his charging wires were, and they were +connected in a trice. He allowed twenty-five minutes for the charging, +as he knew with his improved battery he could get enough current in +that time to finish the contest. Before the red and green car drivers +had finished installing new batteries, for they could not recharge as +quickly as could our hero, Tom was on the track again. But, in a little +while, his two rivals were after him. + +It was now a spectacular race. Around and around swept the three big +cars. All the others were practically out of it. The crowd became +lively airs. Mile after mile was reeled off. The day was passing. Tired +and covered with dust from the track, Tom still sat at the steering +wheel. + +"Two laps more!" cried Mr. Sharp, as the starter's pistol gave this +warning. "Can you get away from 'em, Tom?" + +The red and the green cars were following closely. The young inventor +looked back and nodded. He turned on more power, almost to the +limit--that he was saving for the final spurt. But after him still came +the two big cars. Suddenly the red car shot ahead, just as the last lap +was beginning. The green tried to follow, but there was a flash of +fire, a loud report, and Tom knew a fuse had blown out. There was no +time for his rival to put in a new one. The race was now between Tom +and the red car. Could the lad catch and pass it? + +They were now only a mile from the finish. The red car was three +lengths ahead. With a quick motion Tom turned on the last bit of power. +There seemed to come a roar from his motor and his car shot ahead. It +was on even terms with the red car when what Tom had been fearing for +the last five minutes happened: his fuse blew out. + +"Too bad! It's all up with us!" cried Mr. Sharp. + +"No!" cried Tom in a ringing voice. "I've got an emergency fuse ready!" +He snapped a switch in place, putting into commission another fuse. The +motor that had lost speed began to pick it up again. Tom had pulled +back the controller handle, but he now shoved it forward again, notch +by notch, until it was at the limit. He had fallen back from the red +car, and the occupants of that, with a yell of triumph, prepared to +cross the line a winner. + +But, like a race horse that nerves himself for the last desperate +spurt, Tom's machine fairly leaped ahead. With his hands gripping the +rim of the steering wheel, until it seemed that the bones of his +fingers would protrude, Tom sent his car straight for the finishing +tape. There was a yell from the spectators. Men were standing up, +waving their hats and shouting. Women were fairly screaming. Mr. Damon +was blessing everything within sight. Mr. Sharp, in his excitement, was +pushing on the back of the front seats as if to shove the car ahead. + +Then, as the pistol announced the close of the race, Tom's car, with +what seemed a mighty leap, like a hunter clearing a ditch, forged +ahead, and crossed the line a length in advance of the red car. Tom +Swift had Won. + +Amid the cheers of the crowd the lad slowed up, and, at the direction +of the judges, wheeled back to the stand, to receive the prize. A +certified check for three thousand dollars was handed him, and he +received the congratulations of the racing officials. The driver of the +red car also generously praised him. + +"You won fair and square," he said, shaking hands with Tom. + +The young inventor and his friends drove their car to their shed. As +Tom was descending, weary and begrimed with dust he heard a voice +asking: + +"Mayn't I congratulate you also?" + +He wheeled around, to confront Mary Nestor, immaculate in a summer gown. + +"Why--why," he stammered. "I--I thought you didn't come." + +"Oh, yes I did," she answered, laughing. "I wouldn't have missed it for +anything. I arrived late, but I saw the whole race. Wasn't it +glorious. I'm so glad you won!" Tom was too, now, but he shrank back +when Miss Nestor held out both daintily gloved hands to him. His hands +were covered with oil and dirt. + +"As if I cared for my gloves!" she cried, and she took possession of +his hands, a proceeding to which Tom was nothing loath. "Are you going +to race any more?" she asked, as he walked along by her side, away from +the gathering crowd. + +"I don't know," he replied. "My car is speedier than I thought it was. +Perhaps I may enter it in other contests." + +But what Tom Swift did later on will be told in another volume, to be +called, "Tom Swift and His Wireless Message; or, The Castaways of +Earthquake Island"--a strange tale of ship-wreck and mystery. + +The run back home was made without incident, save for a broken chain, +easily repaired, the day following the race, and Tom later received a +number of invitations to give exhibitions of speed. Several automobile +manufacturers wanted to secure the rights to his machine, but he said +he desired to consider the matter before acting. He did not forget his +promise to Mrs. Baggert, regarding the diamond earrings, and bought her +the finest pair he could find. + +"Come on, Mr. Sharp," proposed Tom, a week or so after the big race, +"let's go for a spin in the airship. I want to see how it feels to be +among the clouds once more," and they were soon soaring aloft. + +The new bank, started by Mr. Foger, did not flourish long. It closed +its doors in less than six months, but the old institution was stronger +than ever. Mr. Berg disappeared, and Tom never learned whether the +agent really was the man he had chased, and whose watch charm he tore +loose, though he always had his suspicions. Nor did it ever develop who +crossed the electric wires, so that Tom was so nearly fatally shocked. +Andy Foger disliked our hero more than ever, and on several occasions +caused him not a little trouble, but Tom was able to look after himself. + + + + +THE END + + + + + +This Isn't All! + +Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have made in +this book? + +Would you like to read other stories continuing their adventures and +experiences, or other books quite as entertaining by the same author? + +On the reverse side of the wrapper which comes with this book, you will +find a wonderful list of stories which you can buy at the same store +where you got this book. + +Don't throw away the Wrapper + +Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want some day to have. But +in case you do mislay it, write to the Publishers for a complete +catalog. + + + +THE TOM SWIFT SERIES + +By VICTOR APPLETON + +Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers, Every Volume +Complete in Itself. + +Every boy possesses some form of inventive genius. Tom Swift is a +bright, ingenious boy and his inventions and adventures make the most +interesting kind of reading. + + TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE + TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTORBOAT + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP + TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE + TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS + TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE + TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE + TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER + TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON + TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP + TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL + TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDER + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WAR TANK + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR SCOUT + TOM SWIFT AND HIS UNDERSEA SEARCH + TOM SWIFT AMONG THE FIRE FIGHTERS + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE + TOM SWIFT AND HIS FLYING BOAT + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT OIL GUSHER + TOM SWIFT AND HIS CHEST OF SECRETS + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRLINE EXPRESS + + + +THE DON STURDY SERIES + +By VICTOR APPLETON + + Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations by + WALTER S. ROGERS + Every Volume Complete in Itself. + +In the company with his uncles, one a mighty hunter and the other a +noted scientist, Don Sturdy travels far and wide, gaining much useful +knowledge and meeting many thrilling adventures. + +DON STURDY ON THE DESERT OF MYSTERY; + An engrossing tale of the Sahara Desert, of encounters with + wild animals and crafty Arabs. + +DON STURDY WITH THE BIG SNAKE HUNTERS; + Don's uncle, the hunter, took an order for some of the biggest + snakes to be found in South America--to be delivered alive! + +DON STURDY IN THE TOMBS OF GOLD; + A fascinating tale of exploration and adventure in the Valley + of Kings in Egypt. + +DON STURDY ACROSS THE NORTH POLE; + A great polar blizzard nearly wrecks the airship of the + explorers. + +DON STURDY IN THE LAND OF VOLCANOES; + An absorbing tale of adventure among the volcanos of Alaska. + +DON STURDY IN THE PORT OF LOST SHIPS; + This story is just full of exciting and fearful experiences on + the sea. + +DON STURDY AMONG THE GORILLAS; + A thrilling story of adventure in darkest Africa. Don is + carried over a mighty waterfall into the heart of gorilla land. + + + +THE TOM SWIFT SERIES + +TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR-CYCLE + Or Fun and Adventure on the Road + +TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR-BOAT + Or the Rivals of Lake Carlopa + +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP + Or the Stirring Cruise of the Red Cloud + +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT + Or Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure + +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT + Or the Speediest Car on the Road + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Tom Swift and his Electric Runabout, by +Victor Appleton + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM SWIFT AND ELECTRIC RUNABOUT *** + +***** This file should be named 950.txt or 950.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/9/5/950/ + +Produced by Anthony Matonac + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* + + + + + +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT +or +The Speediest Car on the Road + +by +VICTOR APPLETON + + + + +THE TOM SWIFT SERIES + +TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR-CYCLE +Or Fun and Adventure on the Road + +TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR-BOAT +Or the Rivals of Lake Carlopa + +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP +Or the Stirring Cruise of the Red Cloud + +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT +Or Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure + +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT +Or the Speediest Car on the Road + + + + + +Tom Swift and His Electric Runabout + + + + + +CONTENTS + + + + +CHAPTER + I TOM HOPES FOR A PRIZE + II MR. DAMON'S STEERING + III THE MOTOR-CYCLE WINS + IV TALE OF A NEW BANK + V A MIDNIGHT ENCOUNTER + VI BUILDING THE CAR + VII TOM IS CAPTURED + VIII A BLINDING FLASH + IX TOM IS RESCUED + X TOM HAS A FALL + XI CROSSED WIRES + XII THE TRYOUT + XIII TOWED BY A MULE + XIV A GREAT RUN + XV ANDY FOGER'S BLACK EYE + XVI TROUBLE AT THE BANK + XVII A RUN ON THE BANK +XVIII AFTER THE CASH + XIX STOPPED ON THE ROAD + XX ON TIME + XXI OFF TO THE BIG RACE + XXII IN A DITCH + XIII THE POWER GONE + XIV ON THE TRACK + XXV WINNING THE PRIZE + + + +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT + + + + +CHAPTER I TOM HOPES FOR A PRIZE + + +"Father," exclaimed Tom Swift, looking up from a paper he was +reading, "I think I can win that prize!" + +"What prize is that?" inquired the aged inventor, gazing away +from a drawing of a complicated machine, and pausing in his task +of making some intricate calculations. "You don't mean to say, +Tom, that you're going to have a try for a government prize for a +submarine, after all." + +"No, not a submarine prize, dad," and the youth laughed. +"Though our Advance would take the prize away from almost any +other under-water boat, I imagine. No, it's another prize I'm +thinking about." + +"What do you mean?" + +"Well, I see by this paper that the Touring Club of America has +offered three thousand dollars for the speediest electric car. +The tests are to come off this fall, on a new and specially built +track on Long Island, and it's to be an endurance contest for +twenty-four hours, or a race for distance, they haven't yet +decided. But I'm going to have a try for it, dad, and, besides +winning the prize, I think I'll take Andy Foger down a peg. + +"What's Andy been doing now?" + +"Oh, nothing more than usual. He's always mean, and looking +for a chance to make trouble for me, but I didn't refer to +anything special He has a new auto, you know, and he boasts that +it's the fastest one in this country. I'll show him that it +isn't, for I'm going to win this prize with the speediest car on +the road." + +"But, Tom, you haven't any automobile, you know," and Mr. Swift +looked anxiously at his son, who was smiling confidently. "You +can't be going to make your motor-cycle into an auto; are you?" + +"No, dad." + +"Then how are you going to take part in the prize contest? +Besides, electric cars, as far as I know, aren't specially +speedy." + +"I know it, and one reason why this club has arranged the +contest is to improve the quality of electric automobiles. I'm +going to build an electric runabout, dad." + +"An electric runabout? But it will have to be operated with a +storage battery, Tom, and you haven't--" + +"I guess you're going to say I haven't any storage battery, +dad," interrupted Mr. Swift's son. "Well, I haven't yet, but I'm +going to have one. I've been working on--" + +"Oh, ho!" exclaimed the aged inventor with a laugh. "So that's +what you've been tinkering over these last few weeks, eh, Tom? I +suspected it was some new invention, but I didn't suppose it was +that. Well, how are you coming on with it?" + +"Pretty good, I think. I've got a new idea for a battery, and I +made an experimental one. I gave it some pretty severe tests, and +it worked fine." + +"But you haven't tried it out in a car yet, over rough roads, +and under severe conditions have you?" + +"No, I haven't had a chance. In fact, when I invented the +battery I had no idea of using it on a car I thought it might +answer for commercial purposes, or for storing a current +generated by windmills. But when I read that account in the +papers of the Touring Club, offering a prize for the best +electric car, it occurred to me that I might put my battery into +an auto, and win." + +"Hum," remarked Mr. Swift musingly. "I don't take much stock in +electric autos, Tom. Gasolene seems to be the best, or perhaps +steam, generated by gasolene. I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. +All the electric runabouts I ever saw, while they were very nice +cars, didn't seem able to go so very fast, or very far." + +"That's true, but it's because they didn't have the right kind +of a battery. You know an electric locomotive can make pretty +good speed, Dad. Over a hundred miles an hour in tests." + +"Yes, but they don't run by storage batteries. They have a +third rail, and powerful motors," and Mr. Swift looked +quizzically at his son. He loved to argue with him, for he said +it made Tom think, and often the two would thus thresh out some +knotty point of an invention, to the interests of both. + +"Of course, Dad, there is a good deal of theory in what I'm +thinking of," the lad admitted. "But it does seem to me that if +you put the right kind of a battery into an automobile, it could +scoot along pretty lively. Look what speed a trolley car can +make." + +"Yes, Tom, but there again they get their power from an +overhead wire." + +"Some of them don't. There's a new storage battery been +invented by a New Jersey man, which does as well as the third +rail or the overhead wire. It was after reading about his battery +that I thought of a plan for mine. It isn't anything like his; +perhaps not as good in some ways, but, for what I want, it is +better in some respects, I think. For one thing it can be +recharged very quickly." + +"Now Tom, look here," said Mr. Swift earnestly, laying aside +his papers, and coming over to where his son sat. "You know I +never interfere with your inventions. In fact, the more you think +of the better I like it. The airship you helped build certainly +did all that could be desired, and--" + +"That reminds me. Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon are out in it now," +interrupted Tom. "They ought to be back soon. Yes, Dad, the +airship Red Cloud certainly scooted along." + +"And the submarine, too," continued the aged inventor. "Your +ideas regarding that were of service to me, and helped in our +task of recovering the treasure, but I'm afraid you're going to +be disappointed in the storage battery. You may get it to work, +but I don't believe you can make it powerful enough to attain any +great speed. Why don't you confine yourself to making a battery +for stationary work?" + +"Because, Dad, I believe I can build a speedy car, and I'm +going to try it. Besides I want to race Andy Foger, and beat him, +even if I don't win the prize. I'm going to build that car, and +it will make fast time." + +"Well, go ahead, Tom," responded his father, after a pause. "Of +course you can use the shops here as much as you want, and Mr. +Sharp, Mr. Jackson, and I will help you all we can. Only don't be +disappointed, that's all." + +"I won't, Dad. Suppose you come out to my shop and I'll show +you a sample battery I've been testing for the last week. I have +it geared to a small motor, and it's been running steadily for +some time. I want to see what sort of a record it's made." + +Father and son crossed the yard, and entered a shop which the +lad considered exclusively his own. There he had made many +machines, and pieces of apparatus, and had invented a number of +articles which had been patented, and yielded him considerable of +an income. + +"There's the battery, Dad," he said, pointing to a complicated +mechanism in one corner. + +"What's that buzzing noise?" asked Mr. Swift. "That's the +little motor I run from the new cells. Look here," and Tom +switched on an electric light above the experimental battery, +from which he hoped so much. It consisted of a steel can, about +the size of the square gallon tin in which maple syrup comes, and +from it ran two wires which were attached to a small motor that +was industriously whirring away. + +Tom looked at a registering gauge connected with it. + +"That's pretty good," remarked the young inventor. + +"What is it, Tom?" and his father peered about the shop. + +"Why this motor has run an equivalent of two hundred miles on +one charging of the battery! That's much better than I expected. +I thought if I got a hundred out of it I'd be doing well. Dad, I +believe, after I improve my battery a bit, that I'll have the +very thing I want! I'll install a set of them in a car, and it +will go like the wind. I'll--" Tom's enthusiastic remarks were +suddenly interrupted by a low, rumbling sound. + +"Thunder!" exclaimed Mr. Swift. "The storm is coming, and Mr. +Sharp and Mr. Damon in the airship--" + +Hardly had he spoken than there sounded a crash on the roof of +the Swift house, not far away. At the same time there came cries +of distress, and the crash was repeated. + +"Come on, Dad! Something has happened!" yelled Tom, dashing +from the shop, followed by his parent. They found themselves in +the midst of a rain storm, as they raced toward the house, on the +roof of which the smashing noise was again heard. + + + + +CHAPTER II MR. DAMON'S STEERING + + +Tom Swift was a lad of action, and his quickness in hurrying +out to investigate what had happened when he was explaining about +his new battery, was characteristic of him. Those of my readers +who know him, through having read the previous books of this +series, need not be told this, but you who, perhaps, are just +making his acquaintance, may care to know a little more about +him. + +As told in my first book, "Tom Swift and His Motor-Cycle" the +young inventor lived with his father, Barton Swift, a widower, in +the town of Shopton, New York. Mr. Swift was also an inventor of +note. + +In my initial volume of this series, Tom became possessed of a +motor-cycle in a peculiar way. It was sold to him by a Mr. +Wakefield Damon, a wealthy gentleman who was unfortunate in +riding it. On his speedy machine, which Tom improved by several +inventions, he had a number of adventures. The principal one was +being attacked by a number of bad men, known as the "Happy Harry +Gang," who wished to obtain possession of a valuable turbine +patent model belonging to Mr. Swift. Tom was taking it to a +lawyer, when he was waylaid, and chloroformed. Later he traced +the gang, and, with the assistance of Mr. Damon and Eradicate +Sampson, an aged colored man who made a living for himself and +his mule, Boomerang, by doing odd jobs, the lad found the thieves +and recovered a motor-boat which had been stolen. But the men got +away. + +In the second volume, called "Tom Swift and His Motor-Boat," +Tom bought at auction the boat stolen by, and recovered from, the +thieves, and proceeded to improve it. While he was taking his +father out on a cruise for Mr Swift's health, the Happy Harry +Gang made a successful attempt to steal some valuable inventions +from the Swift house. Tom started to trace them, and incidentally +he raced and beat Andy Foger, a rich bully. On their way down the +lake, after the robbery, Tom, his father and Ned Newton, Tom's +chum, saw a man hanging from the trapeze of a blazing balloon +over Lake Carlopa. The balloonist was Mr. John Sharp and he was +rescued by Tom in a thrilling fashion. In his motor-boat, Tom had +much pleasure, not the least of which was taking out a young lady +named Miss Mary Nestor, whose acquaintance he had made after +stopping her runaway horse, which his bicycle had frightened. +Tom's association with Miss Nestor soon ripened into something +deeper than mere friendship. + +It developed that Mr Sharp, whom Tom had saved from the burning +balloon, was an aeronaut of note, and had once planned to build +an airship. After his recovery from his thrilling experience, he +mentioned the matter to Mr. Swift and his son, with whom he took +up his residence. This fitted right in with Tom's ideas, and soon +father, son and the balloonist were constructing the Red Cloud, +as they named their airship. It was finally completed, as related +in "Tom Swift and His Airship," made a successful trial trip, and +won a prize. It was planned to make a longer journey, and Tom, +Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon agreed to go together. Mr. Damon was an +odd individual, who was continuously blessing some part of his +anatomy, his clothing or some inanimate object but, for all that, +he was a fine man. + +The night before Tom and his friends started off in their +airship, the Shopton Bank vault was blown open and seventy-five +thousand dollars was taken. Tom and his friends did not know of +this, but, no sooner had the young inventor, Mr. Sharp and Mr. +Damon sailed away, than the police arrived at Mr. Swift's house +to arrest them. They were charged with the robbery, and with +having sailed away with the booty. + +It appeared that Andy Foger said he had seen Tom hanging around +the bank the night of the robbery, with a bag of burglar tools in +his possession. Search was immediately begun for the airship, the +occupants of which were, meanwhile, speeding on. + +Tom and his two friends had trouble. They were nearly burned up +in a forest fire, and were fired upon by a crowd of people with +rifles, who, reading of the bank robbery and the reward offered +for the capture of the thieves, hoped to bring down the airship. +The fact that they were fired upon caused Tom and the two +aeronauts to descend to make an investigation, and for the first +time they learned of the bank theft. How they got track of the +real robbers, took the sheriff with them in the airship, and +raided the gang will be found set down at length in the book. +Also how Tom administered well-deserved thrashing to Andy Foger. + +Mr. Swift did not accompany his son in the airship, and when +asked why he did not care to make the trip, said he was working +on a new type of submarine boat, which he hoped to enter in the +government trials, to win a prize. In the fourth volume of the +series, called "Tom Swift and his Submarine," you may read how +successful Mr. Swift was. + +When the submarine, called the Advance, was finished, the party +made a trip to recover three hundred thousand dollars in gold +from a sunken treasure ship, off the coast of Uruguay, South +America. They sailed beneath the seas for many miles, and were in +great peril at times. One reason for this was that a rival firm +of submarine builders got wind of the treasure, and tried to get +ahead of the Swifts in recovering it. How Tom and his friends +succeeded in their quest, how they nearly perished at the bottom +of the sea, how they were captured by a foreign war vessel, and +sentenced to death, how they fought with a school of giant sharks +and how they blew up the wreck to recover the money is all told +of in the book. + +On their return to civilization with the gold, Mr. Swift, Tom, +and their friends deposited the money in the Shopton Bank, where +Ned Newton worked. Ned was a bright lad, but had not been +advanced as rapidly as he deserved, and Tom knew this. He asked +his father to speak to the president, Mr. Pendergast, in Ned's +behalf, and, as a result the lad was made assistant cashier, for +the request of a man who controlled a three hundred thousand +dollar deposit was not to be despised. + +In building the submarine Tom and his father rented a large +cottage on the New Jersey seacoast, but, on returning from their +treasure-quest they went back to Shopton, leaving the submarine +at the boathouse of the shore cottage, which was near the city of +Atlantis. That was in the fall of the year, and all that winter +the young inventor had been busy on many things, not the least of +which was his storage battery. It was now spring, and seeing the +item in the paper, about the touring club prize for an electric +auto, had given him a new idea. + +But all thoughts of electric cars, and everything else, were +driven from the mind of the young man, when, with his father, he +rushed out to see the cause of the crash on the roof of the Swift +homestead. + +"There's something up there, Tom," called his father, as he +splashed on through the rain. + +"That's right," added his son. "And somebody, too, to judge by +the fuss they're making." + +"Maybe the house has been struck by lightning!" suggested the +aged inventor. + +"No, the storm isn't severe enough for that; and, besides, if +the house had been struck you'd hear Mrs. Baggert yelling, Dad. +She--" + +At that moment a woman's voice cried out: + +"Mr. Swift! Tom! Where are you? Something dreadful has +happened!" + +"There she goes!" remarked Mr. Swift, as he splashed into a mud +puddle. + +"Bless my deflection rudder!" suddenly cried a voice from the +flat roof of the Swift house. "Hello! I say, is anyone down +there?" + +"Yes, we are," answered Tom. "Is that you, Mr. Damon?" + +"Bless my collar button! It certainly is." + +"Where's Mr. Sharp? I don't hear him." + +"Oh, I'm here all right," answered the balloonist. "I'm trying +to get the airship clear of the chimney. Mr. Damon--" + +"Yes, I steered wrong!" interrupted the odd man. "Bless my +liver pin, but it was so dark I couldn't see, and when that clap +of thunder came I shifted the deflection rudder instead of the +lateral one, and tried to knock over your chimney." + +"Are either of you hurt?" asked Mr. Swift anxiously. + +"No, not at all," replied Mr. Sharp. "We were moving slowly, +ready for a landing." + +"Is the airship damaged?" inquired Tom. + +"I don't know. Not much, I guess," was the answer of the +aeronaut. "I've stopped the engine, and I don't like to start it +again until I can see what shape we're in." + +"I'll come up, with Mr. Jackson," called Tom, and he hastily +summoned Garret Jackson, an engineer, who had been in the service +of Mr. Swift for many years. Together they proceeded to the roof +by a stairway that led to a scuttle. + +"Is anyone killed?" asked Mrs. Baggert, as Tom hurried up the +stairs. "Don't tell me there is, Tom!" + +"Well, I don't have to tell you, for no one is," replied the +young inventor with a laugh. "It's all right. The airship tried +to collide with the chimney, that's all." + +He was soon on the large, flat roof of the dwelling, and, with +the aid of lanterns he, the engineer, and Mr. Sharp made a hasty +examination. + +"Anything wrong?" inquired Mr. Damon, looking out from the +cabin of the Red Cloud where he had taken refuge after the crash, +and to get out of the wet. + +"Not much," answered Tom. "One of the forward planes is +smashed, but we can rise by means of the gas, and float down. Is +all clear, Mr. Sharp?" + +"All clear," replied the balloonist, for the airship had now +been wheeled back from the entanglement with the chimney. + +"Then here we go!" cried Tom, as he and the aeronaut entered +the craft, while Mr. Jackson descended through the scuttle. + +There came a fiercer burst to the storm, and, amid a series of +dazzling lightning flashes and the muttering of thunder, the +airship rose from the roof. Tom switched on the search-light, +and, starting the big propellers, guided the craft skillfully +toward the big shed where it was housed when not in use. + +With the grace of a bird it turned about in the air, and +settled to the ground. It was the work of but a few minutes to +run it into the shed. Then they all started for the house. + +"Bless my umbrella! How it rains!" cried Mr. Damon, as he +splashed on through numerous puddles. "We got back just in time, +Mr. Sharp." + +"Where did you go?" asked the lad. + +"Why we took a flight of about fifty miles and stopped at my +house in Waterfield for supper. Were you anxious about us?" + +"A little when it began to storm," replied Tom. + +"Anything new since we left?" asked Mr. Sharp, for it was the +custom of himself, or some of his friends, to take little trips +in the airship. They thought no more of it than many do of going +for a short spin in an automobile. + +"Yes, there is something new," said Mr. Swift, as the party, +all drenched now, reached the broad veranda. + +"Bless my gaiters!" cried Mr. Damon. "What is it? I hope the +Happy Harry gang hasn't robbed you again; nor Berg and his men +tried to take that treasure away from us, after we worked so hard +to get it from the wreck." + +"No, it isn't that," replied Mr. Swift. "The truth is that Tom +thinks he has invented a storage battery that will revolutionize +matters. He's going to build an electric automobile, he says." + +"I am," declared the lad, as the others looked at him, "and it +will be the speediest one you ever saw, too!" + + + + +CHAPTER III THE MOTORCYCLE WINS + + +"Well, Tom," remarked Mr. Sharp, after a pause following the +lad's announcement. "I didn't know you had any ambitions in that +line. Tell us more about the battery. What system do you use; +lead plates and sulphuric acid?" + +"Oh, that's out of date long ago," declared the lad. + +"Well, I don't know much about electricity," admitted the +aeronaut. "I'll take my chances in an airship or a balloon, but +when it comes to electricity I'm down and out." + +"So am I," admitted Mr. Damon. "Bless my gizzard, it's all I +can do to put a new spark plug in my automobile. Where is your +new battery, Tom?" + +"Out in my shop, running yet if it hasn't been frightened by +the airship smash," replied the lad, somewhat proudly. "It's an +oxide of nickel battery, with steel and oxide of iron negative +electrodes." + +"What solution do you use, Tom?" asked Mr. Swift. "I didn't get +that far in questioning you before the crash came," he added. + +"Well I have, in the experimental battery, a solution of +potassium hydrate," replied the lad, "but I think I'm going to +change it, and add some lithium hydrate to it. I think that will +make it stronger." + +"Bless my watch chain!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "It's all Greek to +me. Suppose you let us see it, Tom? I like to see wheels go +'round, but I'm not much of a hand for chemical terms." + +"If you're sure you're not hurt by the airship smash, I will," +declared the lad. + +"Oh, we're not hurt a bit," insisted Mr. Sharp. "As I said we +were moving slow, for I knew it was about time to land. Mr. Damon +was steering--" + +"Yes I thought I'd try my hand at it, as it seemed so easy," +interrupted the eccentric man. "But never again--not for mine! I +couldn't see the house, and, before I knew it we were right over +the roof. Then the chimney seemed to stick itself up suddenly in +front of us, and--well, you know the rest. I'm willing to pay for +any damage I caused." + +"Oh, not at all!" replied Tom. "It's easy enough to put on a +new plane, or, for that matter, we can operate the Red Cloud +without it. But come on, I'll show you my sample battery." + +"Here, take umbrellas!" Mrs. Baggert called after them as they +started toward the shop, for it was still raining. + +"We don't mind getting wet," replied the young inventor. "It's +in the interests of science." + +"Maybe it is. You don't mind a wetting, but I mind you coming +in and dripping water all over the carpets!" retorted the +housekeeper. + +"Bless my overshoes, I'm afraid we have wet the carpets a +trifle now," admitted Mr. Damon ruefully, as he looked down at a +puddle, which had formed where he had been standing. + +"That's the reason I want you to take umbrellas this trip," +insisted Mrs. Baggert. + +They complied, and were soon in the shop, where Tom explained +his battery. The small motor was still running and had, as the +lad had said, gone the equivalent of over two hundred miles. + +"If a small battery does as well as that, what will a larger +one do?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"Much better, I hope," replied the youth. "But Dad doesn't seem +to have much faith in them." + +"Well," admitted Mr. Swift, "I must say I am skeptical. Still, +I acknowledge Tom has done some pretty good work along electrical +lines. He helped me with the positive and negative plates on the +submarine, and, maybe--well, we'll wait and see," he concluded. + +"If you build a car I hope you give me a ride in it," said Mr. +Damon. "I've ridden fast in the air, and swiftly on top of, and +under, the water. Now I'd like to ride rapidly on top of the +earth. The gasolene auto doesn't go very fast." + +"I'll give you a ride that will make your hair stand up!" +prophesied Tom, and the time was to come when he would make good +that prediction. + +The little party in the machine shop talked at some length +about Tom's battery. He showed them how it was constructed, and +gave them some of his ideas regarding the new type of auto he +planned to build. + +"Well," remarked Mr. Swift at length, "if you want to keep your +brain fresh, Tom, you must get to bed earlier than this. It's +nearly twelve o'clock." + +"And I want to get up early !" exclaimed the lad. "I'm going to +start to build a larger battery to-morrow." + +"And I'm going to repair the airship," added Mr. Sharp. + +"Bless my night cap, I promised my wife I'd be home early +to-night, too!" suddenly exclaimed Mr. Damon. "I don't fancy +making the trip back to Waterfield in my auto, though. Something +will be sure to happen. I'll blow out a tire, or a spark plug +will get sooty on me and--" + +"It's raining harder than ever," interrupted Tom. "Better stay +here to-night. You can telephone home." Which Mr. Damon did. + +Tom was up early the next morning, in spite of the fact that he +did not go to bed in good season, and before breakfast he was +working at his new storage battery. After the meal he hurried +back to the shop, but it was not long before he came out, +wheeling his motor-cycle. + +"Where are you going, Tom?" asked Mrs. Baggert. + +"Oh, I've got to go to Mansburg to get some steel tubes for my +new battery," he replied. "I thought I had some large enough, but +I haven't." Mansburg was a good-sized town, near Shopton. + +"Then I wish you'd bring me a bottle of stove polish," +requested the housekeeper. "The liquid kind. I'm out of it, and +the stove is as red as a cow." + +"All right," agreed the lad, as he leaped into the saddle and +pedaled off down the road. A moment later he had turned on the +power, and was speeding along the highway, which was in good +condition on account of the shower of the night before. + +Tom was thinking so deeply of his new invention, and planning +what he would do when he had his electric runabout built, that, +almost before he knew it, he had reached Mansburg, purchased the +steel tubes, and the stove polish, and was on his way back again. + +As he was speeding along on a level road, he heard, coming +behind him, an automobile. The lad turned to one side, but, in +spite of this the party in the car began a serenade of the +electric siren, and kept it up, making a wild discord. + +"What's the matter with those fellows!" inquired Tom of +himself. "Haven't I given them enough of the road, or has their +steering gear broken?" + +He looked back over his shoulder, and it needed but a glance to +show that the car was all right, as regarded the steering +apparatus. And it needed only another glance to disclose the +reason for the shrill sound of the siren. + +"Andy Foger!" exclaimed Tom. "I might have known. And Sam and +Pete are with him. Well, if he wants to make me get off the road, +he'll find that I've got as much right as he has!" + +He kept on a straight course, wondering if the red-haired, and +squint-eyed bully would dare try to damage the motor-cycle. + +A little later Andy's car was beside Tom. + +"Why don't you get out of the way," demanded Sam, who could +usually be depended on to aid Andy in all his mean tricks. + +"Because I'm entitled to half the road," retorted our hero. + +"Humph! A slow-moving machine like yours hasn't any right on +the road," sneered Andy, who had slowed down his car somewhat. + +"I haven't, eh?" demanded Tom. "Well, if you'll get down out of +that car for a few minutes I'll soon show you what my rights +are!" + +Now Andy, more than once, had come to personal encounters with +Tom, much to the anguish of the bully. He did not relish another +chastisement, but his mean spirit could not brook interference. + +"Don't you want a race?" he inquired of Tom, in a sneering +tone. "I'll give you a mile start, and beat you! I've got the +fastest car built!" + +"You have, eh?" asked Tom, while a grim look came over his +face. "Maybe you'll think differently some day." + +"Aw, he's afraid to race; come on," suggested Pete. "Don't +bother with him, Andy." + +"No, I guess it wouldn't be worth my while," was the reply of +the bully, and he threw the second gear into place, and began to +move away from the young inventor. + +Tom was just as much pleased to be left alone, but he did not +want Andy Foger to think that he could have matters all his own +way. Tom's motor-cycle, since he had made some adjustments to it, +was very swift. In fact there were few autos that could beat it. +He had never tried it against Andy's new car, and he was anxious +to do so. + +"I wonder if I would stand any chance, racing him?" thought the +young inventor, as he saw the car slowly pulling away from him. +"I think I'll wait until he gets some distance ahead, and then +I'll see how near I can come to him. If I get anywhere near him +I'm pretty sure I can pass him. I'll try it." + +When Andy and his cronies looked back, Tom did not appear to be +doing anything save moving along at moderate speed on his +machine. + +"You don't dare race!" Pete Bailey shouted to him. + +"Wait," was what Tom whispered to himself. + +Andy's car was now some distance ahead. The young inventor +waited a little longer, and then turned more power into his +machine. It leaped forward and began to "eat up the road," as Tom +expressed it. He had seen Andy throw in the third gear, but knew +that there was a fourth speed on the bully's car. + +"I don't know whether I can beat him on that or not," thought +the lad dubiously. "If I try, and fail, they'll laugh at me. But +I don't think I'm going to fail." + +Faster and faster he rode. He was rapidly overhauling Andy's +car now, and, as they heard him approach, the three cronies +turned around. + +"He's going to race you, after all, Andy!" cried Sam. + +"You mean he's going to try," sneered Andy. "I'll give him all +the racing he wants!" + +In another few seconds Tom was beside the auto, and would have +passed it, only Andy opened his throttle a little more. For a +moment the auto jumped ahead, and then, as our hero turned on +still more power, he easily held his own. + +"Aw, you can never beat us!" yelled Pete. + +"Of course not!" added Sam. + +"I'll leave him behind in a second," prophesied Andy. "Wait +until I throw in the other gear," he added to his cronies in a +low voice. "He thinks he's going to beat me. I'll let him think +so, and then I'll spurt ahead." + +The two machines were now racing along side by side. Andy's car +was going the limit on third gear, but he still had the fourth +gear in reserve. Tom, too, still had a little margin of speed. + +Suddenly Andy reached forward and yanked on a lever. There was +a grinding of cogs as the fourth gear slipped into place, for +Andy did not handle his car skillfully. The effect, however, was +at once apparent. The automobile shot forward. + +"Now where are you, Tom Swift?" cried Sam. + +Tom said nothing. He merely shifted a lever, and got a better +spark. He also turned on a little more gasolene and opened the +muffler The quickness with which his motor-cycle shot forward +almost threw him from the saddle, but he had a tight grip on the +handle bars. He whizzed past the auto, but, as the latter +gathered speed, it crept up to him, and, once more was on even +terms. Much chagrined at seeing Tom hold pace with him, even for +an instant, Andy shouted; + +"Get over on your own side there! You're crowding me!" + +"I am not!" yelled back Tom, above the explosions of his +machine. + +The two were now racing furiously, and Andy, with a savage +look, tried to get more speed out of his car. In spite of all the +bully did, Tom was gradually forging ahead. A little hill was now +in view. + +"Here's where I make him take my dust!" cried Andy, but, to his +surprise Tom still kept ahead. The auto began to lose ground, for +it was not made to take hills on high gear. + +"Change to third gear quick!" cried Sam. + +Andy tried to do it. There was a hesitancy on the part of his +car. It seemed to balk. Tom, looking back, slowed up a trifle. He +could afford to, as Andy was being beaten. + +"Go on! Go on!" begged Pete. "You'll have to keep on fourth +gear to beat him, Andy." + +"That's what!" murmured the bully. Once more he shifted the +gears. There was a grinding, smashing sound, and the car lost +speed. Then it slowed up still more, and finally stopped. Then it +began to back down hill. + +"I've stripped those blamed gears!" exclaimed Andy ruefully. + +"Can't you beat him?" asked Pete. + +"I could have, easily, if my gears hadn't broken," declared the +bully, but, as a matter of fact, he could not have done so. "I +oughtn't to have changed, going up hill," he added, as he jammed +on the brakes, to stop the car from sliding down the slope. + +Tom saw and heard. + +"I thought you were so anxious to race," he said, exultantly, +as well he might. "I don't want to try a contest down hill, +though, Andy," and he laughed at the red-haired lad, who was +furious. + +"Aw, go on!" was all the retort the squint-eyed one could think +of to make. + +"I am going on," replied our hero. "Just to show you that I can +go down hill, watch me." + +He turned his motor-cycle, and approached Andy's stalled car, +for Tom was some distance in advance of it, up the slope by this +time. As he approached the auto, containing the three +disconcerted cronies, something bounded out of Tom's pocket. It +was the bottle of stove blacking he had purchased for Mrs. +Baggert. The bottle fell in the soft dirt in front of his +forward wheel, and a curious thing happened. Perhaps you have +seen a bicycle or auto tire strike a stone at an angle, and +throw it into the air with great force. That was what happened +to the bottle. Tom's front wheel struck the cork, which fitted +tightly, and, just as when you hit one end of the wooden "catty" +and it bounds up, the bottle described a curve through the air, +and flew straight toward Andy's car. It struck the brass frame +of the wind shield with a crash. + +The bottle broke, and in an instant the black liquid was +spattered all over Andy, Sam and Pete. It could not have been +done more effectively if Tom had thrown it by hand. All over +their clothes, their hands and faces, and the front of the car +went the dreary black. Tom looked on, hardly able to believe what +he saw. + +"Wow! Wup! Ug! Blug! Mug!" spluttered Sam, who had some of the +stuff in his mouth. + +"Oh! Oh!" yelled Pete. + +"You did that on purpose, Tom Swift!" shouted Andy, wiping some +of the blacking from his left eye. "I'll have you arrested for +that! You've ruined my car, and look at my suit!" + +"Mine's worse!" murmured Sam, glancing down at his light +trousers, which were of the polka-dot pattern now. + +"No, mine is," insisted Pete, whose white shirt was of the hue +of a stove pipe. + +Andy wiped some of the black stuff from his nose, whence it was +dropping on the steering wheel. + +"You just wait!" the bully called to Tom. "I'll get even with +you for this!" + +"It was an accident! I didn't mean to do that," explained Tom, +trying not to laugh, as he dismounted from his motor-cycle, ready +to render what assistance he could. + + + + +CHAPTER IV TALK OF A NEW BANK + + +The three cronies were in a sorrowful plight. The black fluid +dripped from them, and formed little puddles in the car. Andy had +used his handkerchief to wipe some of the stuff from his face, +but the linen was soon useless, for it quickly absorbed the +blacking. + +"There's a little brook over here," volunteered Tom. "You might +wash in that. The stuff comes off easily. It isn't like ink," and +he had to laugh, as he thought of the happening. + +"Here! You quit that!" ordered Andy. "You've gone too far, Tom +Swift!" + +"Didn't I tell you it was an accident?" inquired the young +inventor. + +"It wasn't!" cried Sam. "You threw the bottle at us! I saw +you!" + +"It slipped from my pocket," declared the youth, and he +described how the accident occurred. "I'll help you clean your +car, Andy," he added. + +"I don't want your help! If you come near me I'll--I'll punch +your nose!" cried Andy, now almost beside himself with rage. + +"All right, if you don't want my help I don't care," answered +Tom, glad enough not to have to soil his hands and clothes. He +felt that it was partly his fault, and he would have done all he +could to remedy matters, but his good offers being declined, he +felt that it was useless to insist further. + +He remounted his motor-cycle, and rode off, the last view he +had of the trio being one where they were at the edge of the +brook, trying to remove the worst traces of the black fluid. As +Tom turned around for a final glimpse, Andy shook his fist at +him, and called out something. + +"I guess Andy'll have it in for me," mused Tom. "Well, I can't +help it. I owed him something on account, but I didn't figure on +paying it in just this way," and he thought of the time the bully +had locked him in the ballast tanks of the submarine, thereby +nearly smothering him to death. + +That night Andy Foger told his father what had happened, for +Mr. Foger inquired the reason for the black stains on his son's +face and hands. But Andy did not give the true version. He said +Tom had purposely thrown the bottle of blacking at him. + +"So that's the kind of a lad Tom Swift is, eh?" remarked Andy's +father. "Well, Andy, I think you will soon have a chance to get +even with him." + +"How, pop?" + +"I can't tell you now, but I have a plan for making Tom sorry +he ever did anything to you, and I will also pay back some old +scores to Mr. Swift and Mr. Damon. I'll ruin their bank for them, +that's what I'll do." + +"Ruin their bank, pop? How?" + +"You wait and see. The Swift crowd will get off their high +horse soon, or I'm mistaken. My plans are nearly completed, but I +can't tell you about them. I'll ruin Mr. Swift, though, that's +what I'll do," and Mr. Foger shook his head determinedly. + +Tom was soon at his home, and Mrs. Baggert, hearing the noise +of his machine, as it entered the front yard, came to the side +door. + +"Where's my blacking?" she asked, as our hero dismounted and +untied the bundle of steel tubes he had purchased. + +"I--I used it," he answered, laughing. + +"Tom Swift! You don't mean to say you took my stove polish to +use in your battery, do you?" + +"No, I used it to polish off Andy Foger and some of his +cronies," and the young inventor told, with much gusto, what had +happened. Mrs. Baggert could not help joining in the laugh, and +when Tom offered to ride back and purchase some more of the +polish for her, she said it did not matter, as she could wait +until the next day. + +The lad was soon busy in his machine shop, making several +larger cells for the new storage battery. He wanted to give it a +more severe test. He worked for several days on this, and when he +had one unit of cells complete, he attached the motor for an +efficiency trial. + +"We'll see how many miles that will make," he remarked to his +father. + +"Have you thought anything of the type of car you are going to +build?" asked the aged inventor of his son. + +"Yes, somewhat. It will be almost of the regulation style, but +with two removable seats at the rear, with curtains for +protection, and a place in front for two persons. This can also +be protected with curtains when desired." + +"But what about the motors and the battery?" + +They will be located under the middle of the car. There will be +one set of batteries there, together with the motor, and another +set of batteries will be placed under the removable seats in what +I call the tonneau, though, of course, it isn't really that. A +smaller set will also be placed forward, and there will be ample +room for carrying tools and such things." + +"About how far do you expect your car will go with one charging +of the battery?" + +"Well, if I can make it do three hundred miles I'll be +satisfied, but I'm going to try for four hundred." + +"What will you do when your battery runs out?" + +"Recharge it." + +"Suppose you're not near a charging station?" "Well, Dad, of +course those are some of the details I've got to work out. I'm +planning a register gauge now, that will give warning about fifty +miles before the battery is run down. That will leave me a margin +to work on. And I'm going to have it fixed so I can take current +from any trolley line, as well as from a regular charging +station. My battery will be capable of being recharged very +quickly, or, in case of need, I can take out the old cells and +put in new ones. + +"That's a very good idea. Well, I hope you succeed." + +A few evenings after this, when Tom was busy in his machine +shop, he heard some one enter. He looked up from the gauge of the +motor, which he was studying, and, for a moment, he could make +out nothing in the dark interior of the shop, for he was working +in a brilliant light. + +"Who's there?" he called sharply, for, more than once +unscrupulous men had endeavored to sneak into the Swift shops to +steal ideas of inventions; if not the actual apparatus itself. + +"It's me--Ned Newton," was the cheerful reply. + +"Oh, hello, Ned! I was wondering what had become of you," +responded Tom. "Where have you been lately?" + +"Oh, working overtime." + +"What's the occasion?" + +"We're trying out a new system to increase the bank business." + +"What's the matter? Aren't you folks getting business enough, +after the big deposits we made of the bullion from the wreck?" + +"Oh, it's not that. But haven't you heard the news? There is +talk of starting a rival bank in Shopton, and that may make us +hustle to hold what business we have, to say nothing of getting +new customers." + +"A new bank, eh? Who's going to start it?" "Andy Foger's +father, I hear. You know he was a director in our bank, but he +got out last week." + +"What for?" + +"Well, he had some difficulty with Mr. Pendergast, the +president. I fancy you had something to do with it, too." + +"I?" Tom was plainly surprised. + +"Yes, you know you and Mr. Damon and Mr. Sharp captured the +bank robbers, and got back most of the money." + +"I guess I do remember it! I wish you could have seen the gang +when we raided them from the clouds, in our airship!" + +"Well, you know Andy Foger hoped to collect the five thousand +dollars reward for telling the police that you were the thief, +and of course he got fooled, for you got the reward. Mr. Foger +expected his son would collect the money, and when Andy got left, +it made him sore. He's had a grudge against Mr. Pendergast, and +all the other bank officials ever since, and now he's going to +start a rival bank. So that's why I said it was partly due to +you." + +"Oh, I see. I thought at first you meant that it was on account +of something that happened the other day." + +"What was that?" + +"Andy, Sam and Pete got the contents of a bottle of stove +blacking," and Tom related the occurrence, at which Ned laughed +heartily. + +"I wouldn't be surprised though," added Ned, "to learn that Mr. +Foger started the new bank more for revenge than anything else." + +"So that's the reason you've been working late, eh?" went on +Tom. "Getting ready for competition. Do you think a new bank will +hurt the one you're with?" + +"Well, it might," admitted Ned. "It's bound to make a change, +anyhow, and now that I have a good position I don't want to lose +it. I take more of an interest in the institution now that I'm +assistant cashier, than I did when I was a clerk. So, naturally, +I'm a little worried." + +"Say, don't let it worry you," begged Tom, earnestly. + +"Why not?" + +"Because I know my father and Mr. Damon will stick to the old +bank. They won't have anything to do with the one Andy Foger's +father starts. Don't you worry." + +"Well, that will help some," declared Ned. "They are both heavy +depositors, and if they stick to the old bank we can stand it +even if some of our smaller customers desert us." + +"That's the way to talk," went on the young inventor. "Let +Foger start his bank. It won't hurt yours." + +"What are you making now?" asked Ned, a little later, looking +with interest at the machinery over which Tom was bending, and to +which he was making adjustments. + +"New electric automobile. I want to beat Andy Foger's car worse +than I did on my motor-cycle, and I also want to win a prize," and +the lad proceeded to relate the incidents leading up to his +construction of the storage battery. + +Tom and Ned were in the shop until long past midnight, and then +the bank employee, with a look at his watch, exclaimed: + +"Great Scott! I ought to be home." + +"I'll run you over in Mr. Damon's car," proposed Tom. "He left +it here the other day, while he and his wife went off on a trip, +and he said I could use it whenever I wanted to." + +"Good!" cried Ned. + +The two lads came from Tom's particular workshop. As the young +inventor closed the door he started suddenly, as he snapped shut +the lock. + +"What's the matter?" asked Ned quickly. + +"I thought I heard a noise," replied Tom. + +They both listened. There was a slight rustling in some bushes +near the shop. + +"It's a dog or a cat," declared Ned. + +Tom took several cautious steps forward. Then he gave a spring, +and made a grab for some one or something. + +"Here! You let me be!" yelled a protesting voice. + +"I will when I find out what you mean by sneaking around here," +retorted Tom, as he came back toward Ned, dragging with him a +lad. "It wasn't a dog or a cat, Ned," spoke the young inventor. +"It's Sam Snedecker," and so it proved. + +"You let me alone!" demanded Andy Foger's crony. "I ain't done +nothin' to you," he whined. + +"Here, Ned, you hold him a minute, while I make an +investigation," called Tom, handing his prisoner over to his +chum. "Maybe Pete or Andy are around." + +"No, they ain't. I came alone," said Sam quickly, but Tom, not +heeding, opened the shop, and, after turning on the electric +lights, procured a lantern. He began a search of the shrubbery +around the shop, while Ned held to the struggling Sam. + + + + +CHAPTER V A MIDNIGHT ENCOUNTER + + +The moment Tom disappeared behind his machine shop, Sam +Snedecker began a desperate struggle to escape from Ned Newton. +Now Ned was a muscular lad, but his work in the bank was +confining, and he did not have the chance to get out doors and +exercise, as Sam had. Consequently Ned had his hands full in +holding to the squirming crony of Andy Foger. + +"You let me go!" demanded Sam, as he tried to twist loose. + +"Not if I know it!" panted Ned. + +Sam gave a sudden twist. Ned's foot slipped in the grass, and +in a moment he went down, with Sam on top of him. Still he did +not let go, and, finding he was still a prisoner Sam adopted new +tactics. + +Using his fists Sam began to pound Ned, but the bank employee, +though suffering, would not call for help, to summon back Tom, +who was, by this time, at the rear of the shop, looking about. +Silently in the dark the two fought, and Ned found that Sam was +getting away. Then Ned's hand came in contact with Sam's ear. It +was the misfortune of the bully to have rather a large hearing +apparatus, and once Ned got his fingers on an ear there was room +enough to afford a good grip. He closed his hold tightly, and +began to twist. This was too much for Sam. He set up a lusty +howl. + +"Wow! Ouch! Let go!" he pleaded, and he ceased to pound Ned, +and no longer tried to escape. Tom came back on the run. + +"What's the matter?" he cried. Then his light flashed on the +two prostrate lads, and he understood without asking any further +questions. + +"Get up!" he cried, seizing Sam by the back of his neck, and +yanking him to his feet. Ned arose, and secured a better grip on +the sneaking lad. + +"What's up?" demanded Tom, and Ned explained, following it by +the question: + +"See any more of 'em?" + +"No, I guess he was here all alone," replied the young +inventor. "What do you mean by sneaking around here this time of +night?" he demanded of the captive. + +"Don't you wish you knew?" was Sam's answer, with a leer. He +realized that he had a certain advantage. + +"You'd better tell before I turn you over to the police!" said +Tom, sternly. + +"You--you wouldn't do that; would you?" and Sam's voice that +had been bold, became shaky. + +"You were trespassing on our property, and that's against the +law," declared Tom. "We have signs posted, warning people to keep +off." + +"I didn't mean any harm," whined Sam. + +"Then what were you doing here, at this hour?" + +"I was just taking a short cut home. I was out riding with Andy +in his auto, and it broke down. I had to walk home, and I came +this way. I didn't know you didn't allow people to cross your +back lot. I wasn't doin' anything." + +Tom hesitated. Sam might be telling the truth, but it was +doubtful. + +"What happened to Andy's auto?" the young inventor asked. + +"He broke a wheel, going over a big stone on Berk's hill. He +went to tell some one in the repair shop to go after the car, and +I came on home. You've got no right to arrest me." + +"I ought to, on general principles," commented Tom. "Well, skip +out, and don't you come around here again. I'm going to get a +savage bull dog, and the first one who comes sneaking around here +after dark will be sorry. Move along now!" + +Tom and Ned released their holds of Sam, and the latter lost no +time in obeying the injunction to make himself scarce. He was +soon lost to sight in the darkness. + +"Think he was up to some mischief?" asked Ned. + +"I'm almost sure of it," replied Tom, "but I can't see anything +wrong. I guess we were too quick for him. I believe he, Andy and +Pete Bailey tried to put up some job on me." + +"Maybe they wanted to damage your new battery or car," +suggested Ned. + +"Hardly that. The car hasn't been started yet, and as for the +battery, no one knows of it outside of you and my friends here. +I'm keeping it secret. Well, if I'm going to take you home I'd +better get a move on. Wait here and I'll run out Mr. Damon's +car." + +In a short time Tom was guiding the machine over the road to +Shopton, Ned on the seat beside him. The young assistant cashier +lived about a mile the other side of the village, and the two +chums were soon at his house. Asking his friend to come and see +him when he had a chance. Ned bid his chum good night, and the +young inventor started back home. + +He was driving slowly along, thinking more of his new invention +than anything else, even more than of the mysterious visit of Sam +Snedecker, when the lights on Mr. Damon's car flashed upon +something big, black and bulky on the road just ahead of him. +Tom, brought suddenly out of his fit of musing, jammed on the +brakes, and steered to one side. Then he saw that the object was +a stalled auto. He had only time to note this when a voice hailed +him: + +"Have you a tire pump you could lend us? Ours doesn't work, and +we have had a blowout." + +There was something about the voice that was strangely +familiar, and Tom was wondering where he had heard it before, +when into the glare of the lamps on his machine stepped Mr. +Foger--Andy's father! + +"Why, Mr. Foger!" exclaimed Tom. "I didn't know it was you." + +"Oh, it's Tom Swift," remarked the man, and he did not seem +especially pleased. + +"Hey! What's that?" cried another voice, which Tom had no +difficulty in recognizing as belonging to Andy. "What's the +matter, Dad?" + +"Why it happens to be your--ahem! It's Tom Swift in this other +auto," went on Mr. Foger. "I didn't know you had a car," he +added. + +"I haven't," answered the lad. "This belongs to Mr. Damon. But +can you see to fix your tire in the dark?" for Mr. Foger and his +son had no lamps lighted. + +"Oh, we have it all fixed," declared the man, "and, just as we +were going to pump it up out lamps went out. Then we found that +our pump wouldn't work. If you have one I would be obliged for +the use of it," and he spoke somewhat stiffly. + +"Certainly," agreed Tom, cheerfully, for he had no special +grudge against Mr. Foger, though had he known Andy's father's +plans, perhaps our hero would not have so readily aided him. The +young inventor got down, removed one of his oil lamps in order +that there might be some light on the operation, and then brought +over his pump. + +"I heard you had an accident," said Tom, a chain of thoughts +being rapidly forged in his mind, as he thought of what Sam had +told him. + +"You heard of it?" repeated Mr. Foger, while Andy was busy +pumping up the tire. + +"Yes, a friend who was out riding with you said you had broken +a wheel on Berk's hill. But I see he was slightly wrong. You're a +good way from Berk's hill, and it's a tire that is broken, not a +wheel." + +"But I don't understand," said Mr. Foger. "No friend has been +out riding with us. My son and I were out on a business trip, +and--" + +"Come on, pop. I've got it all pumped up. Jump in. There's your +pump, Tom Swift. Much obliged," muttered Andy hastily. It was +very evident that he wanted to prevent any further conversation +between his parent and Tom. + +"But I don't understand," went on the banker, clearly puzzled. +"What friend gave you such information, Mr.--er--Tom Swift?" + +"Sam Snedecker," replied the lad quickly. "I caught him sneaking +around my machine shop about an hour ago, and when I asked him +what he was doing he said he'd been out riding with Andy, and +that they broke a wheel. I'm glad it was only a blown-out tire," +and Tom's voice had a curious note in it. + +"But there must be some mistake," insisted Mr. Foger. "Sam +Snedecker was not riding with us this evening. We have been over +to Waterfield--my son and I, and--" + +"Come on, pop!" cried Andy desperately. "We must hurry home. +Mom will be worried." + +"Yes, I think she will. But I can't understand why Sam should +say such a thing. However, we are much obliged for the use of +your pump, Swift, and--" + +But Andy prevented any further talk by starting the car with +the muffler open, making a great racket, and he hurriedly drove +off, almost before his father was seated, leaving Tom standing +there in the road, beside his pump and lantern. + +"So," mused the young inventor, "there's some game on. Sam +wasn't with Andy, yet Andy evidently knew where Sam was, or he +wouldn't have been so anxious to choke off talk. Mr. Foger knew +nothing of Sam, naturally. But why have Andy and his father been +on a midnight trip to Waterfield?" + +That last question caused Tom to adopt a new line of thought. + +"Waterfield," he mused. "That's where Mr. Damon lives. Mr. +Damon is a heavy depositor in the old bank. Mr. Foger is going to +start a new bank. I wonder if there's any connection there? This +is getting mysterious. I must keep my eyes open. I never expected +to meet Andy and his father to-night, any more than I expected to +find Sam Snedecker sneaking around my shop, but it's a good thing +I discovered both parties. I guess Andy must have had nervous +prostration when I was talking to his father," and Tom grinned at +the thought. Then, picking up the pump, and fastening the lantern +in place, he drove Mr. Damon's auto slowly back home. + +Tom said nothing to his father or Mr. Sharp, the next morning, +about the incidents of the previous night. In the first place he +could not exactly understand them, and he wanted to devote more +time to thinking of them, before he mentioned the matter to his +parent. Another reason was that Mr. Swift was a very nervous +person, and the least thing out of the ordinary worried him. So +the young inventor concluded to keep quiet. + +His first act, after going to look at the small motor, which +was being run with the larger, experimental storage battery, was +to get out pencil and paper. + +"I've got to plan the electric auto now that my battery is in a +fair way to success," he said, for he noted that the one cell he +had constructed had done over twice as much mileage in +proportion, as had the small battery. "I'll soon start building +the car," mused Tom, "and then I'll enter it in the race. I must +write to that touring club and find how much time I have." + +All that morning the young inventor drew plan after plan for an +electric runabout, and rejected them. Finally he threw aside +paper and pencil and exclaimed: + +"It's no use. I can't think to-day. I'm dwelling too much on +what happened last night. I must clear my brain. + +"I know what I'll do. I'll get in my motor-boat and take a run +over to Waterfield to see Mr. Damon. Maybe he's home by this +time. Then I can ask him what Mr. Foger wanted to see him about, +if he did call." + +It was a fine May morning, and Tom was soon in his boat, the +Arrow, gliding over Lake Carlopa, the waters of which sparkled in +the sun. As he speeded up his craft, the lad looked about, +thinking he might catch sight of Andy Foger, for the bully also +owned a boat, called the Red Streak and, more than once, in spite +of the fact that Andy's craft was the more powerful, Tom had +beaten him in impromptu races. But there was no sign of his rival +this morning, and Tom kept on to Waterfield. He found that Mr. +Damon had not yet returned home. + +"So far I've had my run for nothing," mused the youth. "Well, I +might as well spend the rest of the morning in the boat." + +He swung his craft out into the lake, and headed back toward +Mansburg, intending to run up to the head of the body of water, +which offered so many attractions that beautiful morning. + +As Tom passed a small dock he saw a girl just putting out in a +rowboat. The figure looked familiar and, having nothing special +to do, the lad steered over closer. His first view was confirmed, +and he called out cheerfully: + +"Good morning, Miss Nestor. Going for a row?" + +"Oh! Mr. Swift!" exclaimed the girl with a blush. "I didn't +hear you coming. You startled me." + +"Yes, the engine runs quite silently since I fixed it," resumed +Tom. "But where are you going?" + +"I was going for a row," answered the girl, "but I have just +discovered that one of the oar locks is broken, so I am not going +for a row," and she laughed, showing her white, even teeth. + +"That's too bad!" remarked the lad. "I don't suppose," he added +doubtfully, "that I could induce you to accept a motor-boat as a +substitute for a rowing craft, could I?" and he looked +quizzically at her. + +"Are you asking me that as a hypothetical question?" she +inquired. + +"Yes," said Tom, trying not to smile. + +"Well, if you are asking for information, merely, I will say +that I could be induced to make such a change," and her face was +nearly as grave as that of the young inventor's. + +"What inducement would have to be used?" he asked. + +"Suppose you just ask me in plain English to come and have a +ride?" she suggested. + +"All right, I will!" exclaimed the youth. + +"All right, then I'll come!" she retorted with a laugh, and a +few minutes later the two were in the Arrow, making a pretty +picture as they speeded up the lake. + + + + +CHAPTER VI BUILDING THE CAR + + +"Well," remarked Tom to himself, about two hours later, when he +had left Mary Nestor at her dock, and was on his way home, "I +feel better than I did, and now I must do some hard thinking +about my runabout. I want to get it the right shape to make the +least resistance." He began to make some sketches when he got +home, and at dinner he showed them to his father and Mr. Sharp. +He said he had gotten an idea from looking at the airship. + +"I'm going to make the front part, or what corresponds to the +engine-hood in a gasolene car, pointed," he explained. "It will +be just like the front of the aluminum gas container of the +airship, only built of steel. In it will be a compartment for a +set of batteries, and there will be a searchlight there. From the +top of some supporters in front of the two rear seats, a slanting +sheet of steel will come right down to meet the sloping nose of +the car. First I was going to have curtains close over the top of +the driver's seat, but I think a steel covering, with a celluloid +opening will be better and make less wind resistance. I'll use +leather side curtains when it rains. Under the front seats will +be a compartment for more batteries, and there will be a third +place under the rear seats, where I will also carry spare wheels +and a repair kit. The motors will be slung under the body of the +car, amidships, and there will also be room for some batteries +there." + +"How are you going to drive the car?" asked Mr. Sharp. "By a +shaft?" + +"Chain drive," explained Tom. "I can get more power that way, +and it will be more flexible under heavy loads. Of course it will +be steered in the usual way, and near the wheel will be the +starting and reversing levers, and the gear handle." + +"Gears!" exclaimed the aged inventor. "Are you going to gear an +electric auto? I never heard of that. Usually the motor directly +connected is all they use." + +"I'm going to have two gears on mine," decided Tom. + +"That's a new idea," commented the aeronaut. + +"It is," admitted the lad, "and that's why my car is going to +be so speedy. I'll make her go a hundred miles an hour, if +necessary!" + +"Nonsense!" exclaimed his father. + +"I will!" cried the young inventor, enthusiastically. "You just +wait and see. I couldn't do it but for the gears, but by using +them I'll secure more speed, especially with the big reserve +battery power I'll have. I know I've got the right idea, and I'm +going to get right to work." + +His father and Mr. Sharp were much interested, and closely +examined his sketches. In a few days Tom had made detailed +drawings, and the aged inventor looked at them critically. He had +to admit that his son's theory was right, though how it would +work out in practice was yet to be demonstrated. Mr. Swift +offered some suggestions for minor changes, as did Mr. Sharp, and +the lad adopted some of them. Then, with Mr. Jackson to help him, +work was started on constructing the car. + +Certain parts of it could be better purchased in the open +market instead of being manufactured in Mr. Swift's shop, and +thus Tom was able to get his new invention into some sort of +shape sooner than would otherwise have been the case. He also +started making the batteries, many of which would be needed. + +Gradually the car began to take form on the floor of Tom's +shop. It was rather a curious looking affair, the sharp forward +part making it appear like some engine of war, or a projectile +for some monster gun. But Tom cared little for looks. Speed, +strength and ease of control were the chief features the lad +aimed at, and he incorporated many new ideas into his electric +car. + +He was busy in the shop, one morning, when, above the noise +caused by filing a piece of steel he heard some one exclaim: + +"Bless my gizzard! If you aren't as busy as ever!" + +"Mr. Damon!" cried Tom in delight. "When did you get back?" + +"Last night," replied the eccentric man. "My wife and I stayed +longer than we meant to. And whom do you think we met when we +were off on our little trip?" + +"Some of the Happy Harry gang?" + +"Oh no. You'd never guess, so I'll tell you. It was Captain +Weston." + +"Indeed! And how has he been since he went in the submarine +with us, and helped recover the gold from the wreck?" + +"Very well. The first thing he said to me was: 'How is Tom +Swift and his father, if I may be permitted to ask?'" + +"Ha! Ha!" laughed the lad, at the recollection of the odd sea +captain, who generally tagged on an apologetic expression to most +of his remarks. + +"He was getting ready to take part in some South American +revolution," went on Mr. Damon. "He used most of his money that +he got from the wreck to help finance their cause." + +"I must tell Mr. Sharp," went on the lad. "He'll be +interested." + +"Anything new since I've been away?" asked the odd man. "Bless +my shoe laces, but I'm glad to get back!" + +Tom told of the prospect of a new bank being started, and of +Sam's midnight visit, as well as the encounter with Mr. Foger and +Andy. + +"I went over to see what Mr. Foger wanted of you," went on the +young inventor, "but you weren't home. Did he call?" + +"The servant said he had been there, not once, but several +times," remarked Mr. Damon. "That reminds me. He left a note for +me, and I haven't read it yet. I'll do so now." + +He tore open the letter, and hastily perused the contents. + +"Ha!" he exclaimed. "So that's what he wanted to see me about!" + +"What?" inquired Tom, with the privilege of and old friend. + +"Mr. Foger says he's going to start a new bank, and he wants me +to withdraw my deposit from the old one, and put it in his +institution. Says he'll pay me bigger interest. And he adds that +some of the old employees have gone with him." + +"I hope you're not going to change," spoke Tom, thinking of his +chum, Ned. + +"Indeed I'm not. The old bank is good enough for me. By the +way, doesn't a friend of yours work there?" + +"Yes, Ned Newton. I'm wondering how he'll be affected?" + +"Don't you worry!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "Bless my check book! +I'll speak to Pendergast about your friend. Maybe there'll be a +chance to advance him further. I've got some mortgages falling +due pretty soon, and I'll deposit the money from them in the old +bank. Then we'll see what we can do about Ned." + +"They'll make you a bank director, if you keep on putting in +money," remarked our hero, with a smile. + +"Not much they won't!" was the quick answer + +"Bless my stocks and bonds! I've got trouble enough without +becoming a bank director. My doctor says my liver is out of order +again, and I've got to eat a lemon every morning before breakfast." + +"Eat a lemon?" + +"Well, drink the juice! It's the same thing. But how is the +electric runabout coming on?" + +"Pretty good." + +"Have you entered it in the races yet?" + +"No, but I've written for information. I have until September +to finish it. The races take place then." + +"Let's see; they're on Long Island; aren't they? How do you +calculate to do; run from here to there?" + +"No, Dad still has the cottage he rented when we built the +submarine and I think I'll make that my headquarters during the +race. It's easy to run from there over to the Long Island track. +They're building a new one, especially for the occasion. + +"Well, I hope you win the prize. I must go to town now, as I +have to attend to some business. I don't s'pose you want to come +in my auto. I'm pretty sure something will break before I get +there, and I'd like to have you along to fix it." + +"Sorry, but I'm afraid I can't go," replied the lad. "I must +get this car done, and then I've got to start on the batteries." + +Mr. Damon rather reluctantly went off alone, looking anxiously +at his car, for the machine got out of order on every trip he +took. + +It was a few days after this that Tom received a call from Ned +one evening. The bank employee's face wore a happy smile. + +"What's the matter; some one left you a fortune?" asked Tom. + +"Pretty nearly as good. I've got a better position." + +"What? Have you left the old bank, and gone to the new one?" + +"No, I'm still in the same bank, but I'm one of the two +cashiers now. Mr. Foger took several of the old employees when he +opened his new bank, and that left vacancies. I was promoted, and +so were one or two others. Mr. Damon spoke a good word for me." + +"That's fine! He's a friend worth having." + +"That's right. Your father also recommended me. But how are +things with you? Has Andy made any more trouble?" + +"No, and I don't believe he will. I guess he'll steer clear of +me." + +But Tom was soon to learn he was mistaken. + + + + +CHAPTER VII TOM IS CAPTURED + + +Meanwhile the young inventor, aided by his father, Mr. Sharp +and Garret Jackson, the engineer, worked hard over his new car, +and the powerful batteries. A month passed, and such was the +progress made that Tom felt justified in making formal entry of +his vehicle for the races to be held by the Touring Club of +America. + +He paid a contingent fee and was listed as one of the +competitors. As is usual in an affair of this kind, the promoters +of it desired publicity, and they sought it through the papers. + +Consequently each new entrant's name was published. In addition +something was said about his previous achievements in the speed +line. + +No sooner was the name of Tom Swift received by the officials +of the club, than it was at once recalled that young Swift had +had a prominent part in the airship Red Cloud, and the submarine +Advance. This gave an enterprising reporter a chance for a +"special" for the Sunday supplement of a New York newspaper. + +Tom, it was stated, was building a car which would practically +annihilate distance and time, and there were many weird pictures, +showing him flying along without touching the ground, in a car, +the pictorial construction of which was at once fearful and +wonderful. + +Tom and his friends laughed at the yarn, at first, but it soon +had undesirable results. The young inventor had desired to keep +secret the fact that he was building a new electric vehicle, and +a novel storage battery, but the article in the paper aroused +considerable interest. Many persons came a long distance, hoping +for a sight of the wonderful car, as pictured in the Sunday +supplement, but they had to be denied. The news, thus leaking +out, kept the Swift shops almost constantly besieged by many +curious ones, who sought, by various means, to gain admission. +Finally Tom and his father, after posting large signs, warning +persons to keep away, added others to the effect that undesirable +visitors might find themselves unexpectedly shocked by +electricity, if they ventured too close. This had the desired +effect, though the wires which were strung about carried such a +mild charge that it would not have harmed a child. Then the only +bothersome characters were the boys of the town, and, fearless +and careless lads, they persisted in hanging around the Swift +homestead, in the hope of seeing Tom dash away at the rate of +five hundred miles an hour, which one enthusiastic writer +predicted he would do. + +"I've got a plan!" exclaimed Tom one day when the boys had been +particularly troublesome. + +"What is it?" asked his father. + +"We'll hire Eradicate Sampson to stand guard with a bucket of +whitewash. He'll keep the boys away." + +The plan was put into operation, and Eradicate and his mule, +Boomerang, were installed on the premises. + +"Deed an' Ah'll keep dem lads away," promised the colored man. +"Ah'll splash white stuff all ober 'em, if dey comes traipsin' +around me." + +He was as good as his word, and, when one or two lads had +received a dose of the stuff, which punishment was followed by +more severe from home, for having gotten their clothes soiled, +the nuisance ceased, to a certain extent. Sam Snedecker and Pete +Bailey were two who received a liberal sprinkling of the lime, +and they vowed vengeance on Tom. + +"And Andy Foger will help us, too," added Sam, as he withdrew, +after an encounter with Eradicate. + +"Doan't let dat worry yo', Mistah Swift!" exclaimed the darkey. +"Jest let dat low-down-good-fo-nuffin' Andy Foger come 'round me, +an' Ah'll make him t'ink he's de inside ob a chicken coop, dat's +what Ah will." + +Perhaps Andy heard of this, and kept away. In the meanwhile Tom +kept on perfecting his car and battery. From the club secretary +he learned that a number of inventors were working on electric +cars, and there promised to be many of the speedy vehicles in the +race. + +After considerable labor Tom had succeeded in getting together +one set of the batteries. He had them completed one afternoon, +and wanted to give them a test that night. But, when he went to +his father's chemical laboratory for a certain powder, which he +needed to use in the battery solution, he found there was none. + +"I'll have to ride in to Mansburg for some," he decided. "I'll +go after supper, on my motor-cycle, and test the battery to-night." + +The young inventor left his house immediately after the evening +meal. Along the road toward Mansburg he speeded, and, as he came +to the foot of a hill, where once Andy Foger had put a big tree, +hoping Tom would run into it and be injured, the youth recalled +that circumstance. + +"Andy has been keeping out of my way lately," mused Tom. "I +wonder if he's up to any mischief? I don't like the way Sam +Snedecker is hanging around the shop, either. It looks as if they +were plotting something. But I guess Eradicate and his pail of +whitewash will scare them off." + +Tom got the powdered chemical he wanted in the drug store, and, +after refreshing himself with some ice cream soda, he started +back. As he rode along through the streets of the town he kept a +lookout, and those of you who know how fond the lad was of a +certain young lady, do not need to be told for whom he was +looking. But he did not see her, and soon turned into the main +highway leading to Shopton. + +It was dark when he reached the hill, where once he had been so +near an accident, and he slowed up as he coasted down it, using +the brake at intervals. + +Tom got safely to the bottom of the declivity, and was about to +turn on the power of his machine, when, from the bushes that +lined either side of the roadway, several figures sprang +suddenly. They ranged themselves across the road, and one cried: +"Halt!" in tones that were meant to be stern, but which seemed to +Tom, to tremble somewhat. The young inventor was so surprised +that he did not open the gasolene throttle, nor switch on his +spark. As a consequence his motor-cycle lost momentum, and he had +to take one foot from the pedal and touch the ground, to prevent +himself from toppling over. + +"Hold on there!" cried another voice. "We've got you where we +want you, now! Hold on! Don't go!" + +"I wasn't going to go," responded Tom calmly, trying to +recognize the voice, which seemed to be unnatural. "What do you +want, and who are you?" + +"Never mind who we are. We want you and we've got you! Get off +that wheel!" + +"I don't see why I should!" exclaimed Tom, and he suddenly +shifted his handle bars, so as to flash the bright headlight he +carried, upon the circle of dark figures that opposed his +progress. As the light flashed on them he was surprised to see +that all the figures wore masks over their faces. + +Tom started. Was this the Happy Harry gang after him again? He +hoped not, yet the fact that the persons had on masks made the +hold-up have an ugly look. Once more Tom flashed the light on the +throng. There were exclamations of dismay. + +"Douse that glim, somebody!" called a sharp voice, which Tom +could not recognize. + +A stone came whizzing through the air, from some one in the +crowd. There was a smashing of glass as it hit the lantern, and +the road was plunged in darkness. Tom tried to throw one leg over +the saddle, and let down the supporting stand from the rear +wheel, so the motor-cycle would remain upright without him holding +it. He determined to have revenge for that act of vandalism in +breaking his lamp. + +But, just as he was free of the seat, he was surrounded by a +dozen persons, and several hands were laid on him. + +"We've got you now!" some one fairly hissed in his ear. "Come +along, and get what's coming to you!" + +Tom tried to fight, but he was overpowered by numbers and, a +little later, was dragged off into the woods in the darkness by +the masked figures. His arms were securely bound with ropes, and +a handkerchief was tied over his eyes. Tom Swift was a prisoner. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII A BLINDING FLASH + + +Stumbling on through the dark woods, led by his captors, Tom +tried to pierce the gloom and identify the persons who had firm +grips on either side of him. But it was useless. A little light +sifted down from the starlit sky above, but it was not +sufficient. The young inventor was beginning to think, after all, +that he had fallen into the hands of the Happy Harry gang, and he +knew that if this was so he need expect no mercy. + +But two things were against this belief. One was that the +principal members of the gang were still in jail, or at least +they were supposed to be, and another was that there were too +many of the captors. Happy Harry's crowd never numbered so many. + +"Maybe they're highwaymen," thought our hero, as he was dragged +along "But that can't be," he reasoned further. "If they wanted +to rob me they'd have done it back there in the road, and not +brought me off here in the woods. Besides, I haven't anything for +them to steal." + +Suddenly Tom stumbled over a projecting root, and nearly fell, +dragging along with him the person who had hold of his left arm. + +"Look out there! What's the matter with you?" exclaimed one of +the throng quickly, and at the sound of the voice Tom started. + +"Andy Foger!" cried the young inventor, as he recovered +himself, for he had recognized the voice of the red-haired bully. +"What do you mean by holding me up in this way?" he demanded. + +"Quiet!" urged a voice in his ear, and the tones were +unfamiliar. "Mention no names!" + +"I'm on to your game!" retorted Tom. "I know you're here, Andy, +and Sam and Pete; and Jack Reynolds and Sid Holton," and he named +two rather loose-charactered lads, who were often in the company +of Andy and his cronies. "You'd better quit this nonsense," Tom +went on. "I'll cause the arrest of all of you if you make trouble +for me. I know who you are now!" + +"You think you do," answered the voice in his ear, and the +young inventor concluded that it must be some lad whom he did not +know. "Nor is this nonsense," the other went on. "You are about +to receive the punishment due you." + +Our hero did not answer, but he was doing some hard thinking. +He wondered why Andy and his crowd had captured him. + +Suddenly the blackness of the woods was illuminated by the +fitful gleam of a distant fire. Tom could see more plainly now, +and he managed to count about ten dusky figures hurrying along, +four being close to him, to prevent his escape, and the others +running on ahead. The light became stronger, and, a moment later +the prisoner and his captors emerged into a little clearing, +where a fire was burning. Two figures, masked with black cloth, +as were all in the crowd, stood about the blaze, putting on +sticks of wood. + +"Did you get him?" asked one of these figures eagerly. + +"Yes, they got me, Sam Snedecker," answered Tom quickly, +recognizing Sam's tones. "And they'll wish they hadn't before I'm +done with them." + +"Quiet!" ordered an unknown voice. "Members of the Deep Forest +Throng, the prisoner is here!" the lad went on. + +"'Tis well, bind the captive to the sacrificial tree," was the +response from some one in the crowd. + +Tom laughed. He was at ease now, for he recognized that those +who had taken him prisoner were all lads of Andy's character. +Most of them were Shopton youths, but some, evidently, were +strangers in town. Tom felt he had little to fear. + +"Bring him over here," ordered one, and Tom cried out: + +"You wouldn't be giving those orders, Andy Foger, if my arms +weren't tied. And if you'll untie me, I'll fight any two of you +at once," offered the young inventor fiercely, for he hated the +humiliation to which he was being subjected. + +"Don't do it! Don't untie him!" begged some one. + +"No danger, they won't. They're afraid to, Pete Bailey," +replied Tom quickly, for he had recognized the voice of the other +one of Andy's particular cronies. + +"Aw, he knows who we are," whispered Sam, but not so low but +that our hero heard him. + +"No matter," was Andy's retort. "Let's go ahead with it. Tie +him to that tree." + +It was useless for Tom to struggle. He was bound too tightly by +the rope, and the crowd was too many for him. In a few minutes he +was securely fastened to a tree, not far from the camp-fire, +which was replenished from time to time. + +"Now for the judgment!" called one of the masked lads, in what +he meant to be a sepulchral tone. "What is the charge against the +prisoner? Brother Number One of the Deep Forest Throng, what is +your accusation?" + +"He's a regular snob, that's what's the trouble," answered +Andy Foger, though whether he was "Brother Number One," did not +appear. "He's too fresh and--and--" + +"I'll make you wish you felt fresh when I get hold of you, +Andy," murmured Tom. + +"Quiet!" cried a tall lad. "What's the next charge?" + +"He keeps an old colored man on guard at his place," was the +answer, and Tom had no difficulty in recognizing the voice of Sid +Holton. "The coon throws whitewash all over us. I got some of +it." + +"You wouldn't have, if you'd minded your own business," +retorted Tom. "It served you right!" + +"What is the verdict on the prisoner?" asked one who seemed to +be the leader. + +"I say let's tar and feather him!" cried Andy suddenly. +"There's a barrel of tar back in the woods here, and we can get +some feathers from a chicken coop. That would make him so he +wouldn't be so uppish, I guess!" + +"That's right! Tar and feathers!" exclaimed several. + +Our hero's heart sank. He was not afraid, but he did not relish +the indignity that was proposed. He resolved to fight to the last +ounce of his strength against the masked lads. + +"Can we get a kettle to heat the tar in?" asked some one. + +"We'll find one," answered Sam Snedecker. "Come on, let's do +it. You'll look pretty, Tom Swift, when we're through with you," +he exulted. + +Tom did not answer, but there was fierce anger in his heart. +The tar and feather proposal seemed to meet with general favor. + +"Members of the Deep Forest Throng, we will hold a +consultation," proposed the leader, in his assumed deep voice. +"Come over here, to one side. Brother Number Six, guard the +prisoner well." + +"There ain't no need to," answered a lad who had been +instructed to mount guard over Tom. "He's tied so tight he can't +move. I want to hear what you say." + +"Very well then," assented the leader, "But look to his +bonds." + +The lad made a hasty examination of the ropes binding the young +inventor to the tree, and Tom was glad that the examination was a +hasty one. For he feared the guard might discover that one hand +had been worked nearly free. The young inventor had done this +while he leered at his captors. + +Tom was not going to submit tamely to the nonsense, and from +the moment he had been tied, he had been trying to get loose. He +had nearly succeeded in freeing one hand when the crowd of masked +boys moved off to one side, where they presently began to talk in +excited whispers. + +"I wonder how they came to catch me," thought the prisoner, as +he worked feverishly to further loosen the ropes. "This looks as +if it was a put-up job, with the masks, and everything." Later +he learned that the idea was the outcome of a proposal of one of +the new arrivals in town. He had organized the "Deep Forest +Throng," as a sort of secret society, and Andy and his cronies +had been induced to join. It was Andy's proposal to capture Tom, +though, and, having seen him depart for Mansburg on his +motor-cycle, and knowing that he would return along a road that +ran near the woods where the Throng met, suggested that they +take Tom captive. The idea was enthusiastically received, and +Andy and his cronies thought they saw a chance to be revenged. + +Tom, while he picked at the ropes, listened to what the boys +were saying. He heard frequent mention of tar and feathers, and +began to believe, that unless he could get free, while they were +off there consulting, he might be forced to submit to the +humiliating ordeal. + +He managed to get one hand comparatively free, so that he could +move it about, but then he struck several hard knots, and could +make no further progress. The conference seemed on the point of +breaking up. + +"One of you go for a big kettle to boil the tar in," ordered +the leader, "and the rest of you dig up some feathers." + +"I must get loose!" thought Tom desperately. "If they try to +tar and feather me it will be a risky business. I've got to get +loose! They may burn me severely!" + +But, though he tried with all his strength, the ropes would not +loosen another bit. He had one hand free, and that was all. The +crowd was moving back toward him. + +"My knife!" thought the captive quickly. "If I can reach that +in my pocket I can cut the ropes! Once I get loose I'll fight the +whole crowd!" + +He managed to get his free hand into his pocket. His fingers +touched something. It was not his knife, and, for a moment he +felt a pang of disappointment. Then, as he realized what it was +that he had grasped, a new idea came to him. + +"This will be better than the knife!" he thought exultantly. +The crowd of lads was now surrounding him, some distance from the +fire, which burned in front of the captive. + +"Sentence has been passed upon you," remarked the leader. +"Prepare to meet thy doom! Get the materials, brothers!" + +"One moment!" called Tom, for he wanted the crowd all present +to witness what he was about to do. "I'll give you one chance to +let me go peaceably. If you don't--" + +"Well, what will you do?" demanded Andy sneeringly, as he +pulled his mask further over his face. "I guess you won't do +anything, Tom Swift." + +"I'll give you one chance to let me go, and I'll agree to say +nothing about this joke," went on Tom. "If you don't I'll blow +this place up!" + +For a moment there was a silence. + +"Ha! Ha! Ho! Ho!" laughed Sam Snedecker. "Listen to him! He'll +blow the place up! I'd like to see you do it! You can't get loose +in the first place, and you haven't anything to blow it up with +in the second. I'd like to see you do it; hey, fellers?" + +"Sure," came the answering chorus. + +"Would you?" asked Tom quickly. "Then watch. Stand back if you +don't want to get hurt, and remember that I gave you a chance to +let me go!" + +Tom made a rapid motion with the hand he had gotten loose. He +threw something to ward the blazing fire, which was now burning +well. Something white sailed through the air, and fell amid the +hot embers. + +There was a moment's pause, and then a blinding flash of blue +fire lighted up the woods, and a dull rumble, as when gun-powder +is lighted in the open followed. A great cloud of white smoke +arose, as the vivid blue glare died away, and it seemed as if a +great wind swept over the place. Several of the masked lads were +knocked down by the explosion, and when the rumble died away, and +deep blackness succeeded the intense blue light, there came cries +of pain and terror. The fire had been scattered, and extinguished +by the explosion which Tom, though still bound to the tree had +caused to happen in the midst of the Deep Forest Throng. Then, as +the smoke rolled away, Andy Foger cried: + +"Come on, fellows! Something's happened. I guess a volcano blew +up!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX TOM IS RESCUED + + +The Deep Forest Throng needed no urging to flee from the place +of the mysterious explosion. Their prisoner, helpless as he had +seemed, had proved too much for them. Slipping and stumbling +along in the darkness, the masked lads had but one thought--to +get away before they saw more of that blue fire, and the force of +the concussion. + +"Gee! My eyebrows are all singed off!" cried Sam Snedecker, as +he tore loose his mask which had been rent in the explosion, and +felt of his face. + +"And my hands are burned," added Pete Bailey. "I stood closer +to the fire than any of you." + +"You did not! I got the worst of it!" cried Andy. "I was +knocked down by the explosion, and I'll bet I'm hurt somewhere. I +guess--Oh! Help! I'm falling in a mud hole!" + +There was a splash, and the bully disappeared from the sight of +his companions who, now that the moon had risen, could better see +to flee from their prisoner. + +"Help me out, somebody!" pleaded Andy. "I'm in a mud hole!" + +They pulled him out, a sorry looking sight, and the red-haired +lad, whose locks were now black with muck, began to lament his +lot. + +"Dry up!" commanded Sid Holton. "It's all your fault, for +proposing such a fool trick as capturing Tom Swift. We might have +known he would get the best of us." + +"What was that stuff he used, anyhow?" asked Cecil Hedden, the +lad responsible for the organization of the Deep Forest Throng. +"He must be a wonder. Does he do sleight-of-hand tricks?" + +"He does all sorts of tricks," replied Pete Bailey, feeling of +a big lump on his head, caused by falling on a stone in the mad +rush. "I guess we were chumps to tackle him. He must have put +some kind of chemical in the fire, to make it blow up." + +"Or else he summoned his airship by wireless, and had that +balloonist, Mr. Sharp, drop a bomb in the blaze," suggested +another lad. + +"But how could he do anything? Wasn't he tied fast to that +tree?" asked Cecil, the leader. + +"You never know when you've got Tom Swift tied," declared Jack +Reynolds. "You think you've got him, and you haven't. He's too +slick for us. It's Andy's fault, for proposing to capture him." + +"That's right! Blame it all on me," whined the squint-eyed +bully. "You was just as anxious as I was to tar and feather him." + +"Well, we didn't do it," commented Pete Bailey, dryly. "I +s'pose he's loose now, laughin' at us. Gee, but that was an +explosion though! It's a wonder some of us weren't killed! I +guess I've had enough of this Deep Forest Throng business. No +more for mine." + +"Aw, don't be afraid," urged Cecil. "The next time we get him +we'll be on our guard." + +"You'll never catch Tom Swift again," predicted Pete. + +"I'll go back now to where he is, if you will," agreed Cecil, +who was older than the others. + +"Not much!" cried Pete. "I've had enough." + +This seemed to be the sentiment of all. Away they stumbled +through the woods, and, emerging on the road, scattered to their +several homes, not one but who suffered from slight burns, +contusions, torn and muddy clothes or injured feelings as the +outcome of the "joke" on the young inventor. + +But our hero was not yet free from the bonds of his enemies. +When they scattered and ran, after the vivid blue light, and the +dull explosion, which, being unconfined, did no real damage, Tom +was still fast to the tree. As his eyes became accustomed to the +semi-darkness that followed the glare, he remarked: + +"Well, I don't know that I'm much better off. I gave those +fellows a good scare, but I'm not loose. But I can work to better +advantage now." + +Once more he resumed the effort to free himself, but in spite +of the crude manner in which the knots had been made, the lad +could not get loose. The more he pulled and tugged the tighter +they seemed to become. + +"This is getting serious," Tom mused. "If I could only reach my +knife I could cut them, but it's in my pocket on the other side, +and that bond's fast. Guess I'll have to stay here all night. +Maybe I'd better call for help, but--" + +His words, spoken half aloud, were suddenly interrupted by a +crash in the underbrush. Somebody was approaching. At first Tom +thought it was Andy and his cronies coming back, but a voice that +called a moment later proved that this was not so. + +"Is any one here?" shouted a man. "Any one hurt? What was that +fire and explosion?" + +"I'm here," replied Tom. "I'm not hurt exactly, but I'm tied to +a tree. I'll be much obliged if you'll loosen me." + +"Who are you?" + +"Tom Swift. Is that you, Mr. Mason?" + +"Yes. By jinks! I never expected to find you here, Tom. Over +this way, men," he added calling aloud. "I've found him; it's Tom +Swift." + +There was the flicker of several lanterns amid the trees, and +soon a number of men had joined Mr. Mason, and surrounded Tom. +They were farmers living in the neighborhood. + +"What in the name o' Tunket happened?" asked one. "Did you get +hit by a meteor or a comet? Who tied you up; highwaymen?" + +"Cut him loose first, and ask questions afterward," suggested +Mr. Mason. + +"Yes," added Tom, with a laugh, "I wish you would. I'm +beginning to feel cramped." + +With their knives, the farmers quickly cut the ropes, and some +of them rubbed the arms of the lad to restore the circulation. + +"What was it--highwaymen?" asked a man, unable to longer +restrain his curiosity. "Did they rob you?" + +"No, it wasn't highwaymen," replied the youth. "It was a trick +of some boys I know," and to Tom's credit be it said that he did +not mention their names. "They did it for a joke," he added. + +"Boys' trick? Joke?" queried Mr. Mason. "Pretty queer sort of a +joke, I think. They ought to be arrested." + +"Oh, I fancy I gave them what was coming to them," went on the +young inventor. + +"Did they try to blow ye up, too?" asked Mr. Hertford. "What in +th' name of Tunket was that blue light, and that explosion? I +heard it an' saw it way over to my house." + +"So did I," remarked Mr. Mason, and several others said the +same thing. "We thought a meteor had fallen," he continued, "and +we got together to make an investigation." + +"It's a good thing for me you did," admitted Tom, "or I might +have had to stay here all night." + +"But was it a meteor?" insisted Mr. Hertford. + +"No," replied the lad, "I did it." + +"You?" + +"Yes. You see after they tied me I found I could get one hand +free. I reached in my pocket for my knife, but instead of it I +managed to get hold of a package of powder I had." + +"Gunpowder?" asked Mr. Mason. + +"No, a chemical powder I use in an electrical battery. The +powder explodes in fire, and makes quite a blue flash, and a lot +of smoke, but it isn't very dangerous, otherwise I wouldn't have +used it. When the boys were some distance away from the fire, I +threw the powder in the blaze. It went off in a moment, and--" + +"I guess they run some; didn't they?" asked Mr. Mason with a +laugh. + +"They certainly did," agreed Tom. + + + + +CHAPTER X TOM HAS A FALL + + +The young inventor told more details of his adventure in the +woods, but, though the farmers questioned him closely, he would +not give a single name of his assailants. + +"But I should think you'd want to have them punished," remarked +Mr. Mason. + +"I'll attend to that part later," answered Tom. "Besides, most +of them didn't know what they were doing. They were led on by one +or two. No, I'll fight my own battles. But I wish you'd lend me a +lantern long enough to find my motor-cycle. The moon doesn't give +much light in the woods, and those fellows may have hidden my +machine." + +Mr. Mason and his companions readily agreed to accompany Tom on +a search for his wheel. It was found just where he had dismounted +from it in the road. Andy and his cronies had evidently had +enough of their encounter with our hero, and did not dare to +annoy him further. + +"Do you think you can ride home?" asked one of the farmers of +the lad, when he had ascertained that his machine was in running +order. + +"Well, it's risky without my lantern," answered Tom. "They +smashed that for me. But I guess I can manage." + +"No, you can't!" insisted Mr. Mason. "You're stiff from being +tied up; and you can't ride. Now you just wheel that contraption +over to my place, and I'll hitch up and take you home. It isn't +far." + +"Oh, I couldn't think of troubling you," declared Tom. At the +same time he felt that he was in no condition to ride. + +"It's no trouble at all," insisted Mr. Mason. "I guess your +father and I are good enough friends to allow me to have my way. +You can come over and get your choo-choo bicycle in the morning." + +A little later Tom was being rapidly driven toward his home, +where he found his father and Mrs. Baggert, to say nothing of Mr. +Sharp, somewhat alarmed over his absence, as it was getting late. +The youth told as much of his adventure as he thought would not +alarm his father, making a sort of joke of it, and, later, +related all the details to the balloonist. + +"We'll have to get after Andy again," declared the aeronaut. +"He needs another toning down." + +"Yes, similar to the one he got when we nearly ran away with +his automobile, by catching the airship anchor on it," added Tom +with a laugh. "But I fancy Andy will steer clear of me for a +while. I'm sorry I had to use up that chemical powder, though. +Now I can't start my battery until to-morrow." But the next day +Tom made up for lost time, by working from early until late. He +went over to Mr. Mason's, got his motor-cycle, procured some more +of the chemical, and soon had his storage battery in running +order. Then he arranged for a more severe test, and while that +was going on he worked at completing the body of the electric +runabout. The vehicle was beginning to look like a car, though it +was not of the regulation pattern. + +For the next week Tom was very busy, so occupied, in fact, that +he scarcely took time for his meals, which caused Mrs. Baggert no +little worriment, for she was a housekeeper who liked to see +others enjoy her cooking. + +"Well, Tom, how are you coming on?" asked his father one night, +as they sat on the porch, Mr. Sharp with them. + +"Pretty well, Dad," was the answer of the young inventor. "I'll +put the wheels on to-morrow, and then set the batteries. I've got +the motor all finished; and all I'll have to do will be to +connect it up, and then I'll be ready for a trial on the road." + +"And you still think you'll beat all records?" + +"I'm pretty sure of it, Dad. You see the amperage will be +exceptionally high, and my batteries will have a large amount of +reserve, with little internal resistance. But do you know I'm so +tired I can hardly think. It's more of a job than I thought it +would be." + +Tom, a little later, strolled down the road. As he turned back +toward the house and walked up the shrubbery lined path he heard +a noise. + +"Some one's hiding in there!" thought the lad, and he darted to +an opening in the hedge to reach the other side. As he did so he +saw a figure running away. Whether it was a man or a boy he could +not tell in the darkness. + +"Hold on there!" cried the young inventor, but, naturally, the +fleeing one did not stop. Tom began to sprint, and as it was +slightly down hill, he made good time. The figure ahead of him +was running well, too, but Tom who could see better, now that he +was out from under the trees, noticed that he was gaining. The +fleeing one came to a little brook, and hesitated a moment before +leaping across. This enabled Tom to catch up, and he made a grab +for the figure, just as the man or boy sprang across the little +stream. + +Tom missed his grip, but he was not going to give up. He +scarcely slackened his speed, but, with the momentum he had +acquired in racing down the hill, he, too, leaped across the +brook. As he landed on the other side he made another grab for +the figure, a man, as Tom could now see, but he could make out no +features, as the person's hat was pulled down over his face. + +"I've got you now!" cried Tom exultantly, reaching out his +hand. His fingers clutched something, but the next instant the +young inventor went sprawling. The other had put out his foot, +and tripped him neatly and, Tom throwing out his hands to save +himself in the fall that was inevitable, went splashing into the +brook at full length. The unknown, pausing a moment to view what +he had done, turned quickly and raced off in the darkness. + + + + +CHAPTER XI CROSSED WIRES + + +More surprised than hurt, and with a feeling of chagrin and +anger at the trick which had been played on him, Tom managed to +scramble out of the brook. The water was not deep, but he had +splashed in with such force that he was wet all over. And, as he +got up, the water dripping from his clothes, the lad was +conscious of a pain in his head. He put up his hand, and found +that contact with a stone had raised a large lump on his +forehead. It was as big as a hen's egg. + +"Humph! I'll be a pretty sight to-morrow," murmured Tom. "I +wonder who that fellow was, anyhow, and what he wanted? He +tripped me neatly enough, whoever he was. I've a good notion to +keep on after him." + +Then, as he realized what a start the fleeing one had, the +young inventor knew that it would be fruitless to renew the +chase. Slowly he ascended the sloping bank, and started for home. +As he did so he realized that he had, clasped in his fingers, +something he had grabbed from the person he was pursuing just +before his unlucky tumble. + +"It's part of his watch chain!" exclaimed Tom, as he felt of +the article. "I must have ripped it loose when I fell. Wonder +what it is? Evidently some sort of a charm. Maybe it will be a +clue." He tried to discern of what style it was, but in the dark +woods this was impossible. Then the lad tried to strike a match, +but those in his pocket had become wet from his unexpected bath. +"I'll have to wait until I get home," he went on, and he hastened +his steps, for he was anxious to see what he had torn loose from +the person who appeared to be spying on him. + +"Why Tom, what's the matter?" exclaimed Mrs. Baggert, when he +entered the kitchen, dripping water at every step. "Is it raining +outside? I didn't hear any storm." + +"It was raining where I was," replied Tom angrily. "I fell in +the brook. It was so hot I thought I'd cool off." + +"With your best suit on!" ejaculated the housekeeper. + +"It isn't my best," retorted the lad. "But I went in before I +thought. It was an accident; I fell," he added, lest Mrs. Baggert +take his joking remarks seriously. He did not want to tell her of +the chase. + +The chief concern of the lad now was to look at the charm and, +as soon as Mrs. Baggert's attention was attracted elsewhere, Tom +glanced at the object he still held tightly clenched in his hand. +As the light from the kitchen fell upon it he could hardly +repress an exclamation of astonishment. + +For the charm that he held in his hand was one he had seen +before dangling from the watch chain of Addison Berg, the agent +for Bentley & Eagert, submarine boat builders, which firm had, as +told in "Tom Swift and His Submarine," tried unsuccessfully to +secure the gold treasure from the sunken wreck. Berg and his +associates had even gone so far as to try to disable the Advance, +the boat of Tom and his father, by ramming her when deep down +under the ocean, but Mr. Swift's use of an electric cannon had +broken the steering gear of the Wonder, the rival craft, and from +that time on Tom and his friends had a clear field to search for +the bullion held fast in the hold of the Boldero. "Addison Berg," +murmured Tom, as he looked at the watch charm. "What can he be +doing in this neighborhood? Hiding, too, as if he wanted to +overhear something. That's the way he did when we were building +our submarine, and now he's up to the same trick when I'm +constructing my electric car. I'm sure this charm is his. It is +such a peculiar design that I'm positive I can't be mistaken. I +thought, when I was chasing after him, that it would turn out to +be Andy Foger, or some of the boys, but it was too big for them. +Addison Berg, eh? What can he be doing around here? I must not +tell Dad, or he'd worry himself sick. But I must be on my guard." + +Tom examined the charm closely. It was a compass, but made in +an odd form, and was much ornamented. + +The young inventor had noticed it on several occasions when he +had been in conversation with Mr. Berg previous to the attempt on +the part of the owners of the rival submarine to wreck Tom's +boat. He felt that he could not be mistaken in identifying the +charm. + +"Berg was afraid I'd catch him, and ask for an explanation that +would have been awkward to make," thought the lad, as he turned +the charm over in his hand. "That's why he tripped me up. But +I'll get at the bottom of this yet. Maybe he wants to steal my +ideas for an electric car." + +Tom's musings were suddenly interrupted by Mrs. Baggert. + +"I hope you're not going to stand there all night," she said, +with a laugh. "You're in the middle of a puddle now, but when you +get over dreaming I'd like to mop it up." + +"All right," agreed the young inventor, coming to himself +suddenly. "Guess I'd better go get some dry clothes on." + +"You'd better go to bed," advised Mrs. Baggert. "That's where +your father and Mr. Sharp are. It's late." + +The more Tom thought over the strange occurrence the more it +puzzled him. He mused over the presence of Berg as he went about +his work the next day, for that it was the agent whom he had +pursued he felt positive. + +"But I can't figure out why he was hanging around here," mused +Tom. + +Then, as he found that his thoughts over the matter were +interfering with his work, he resolutely put them from him, and +threw himself energetically into the labor of completing his +electric car. The new batteries, he found, were working well, and +in the next two days he had constructed several more, joining +them so as to get the combined effect. + +It was the afternoon of the third day from Tom's unexpected +fall into the brook that the young inventor decided on the first +important test of his new device. He was going to try the motor, +running it with his storage battery. Some of the connections were +already in place, the wires being fastened to the side of the +shop, where they were attached to switches. Tom did not go over +these, taking it for granted that they were all right. He soon +had the motor, which he was to install in his car, wired to the +battery, and then he attached a gauge, to ascertain, by +comparison, how many miles he could hope to travel on one +charging of the storage battery. + +"Guess I'll call Dad and Mr. Sharp in to see how it works, +before I turn on the current," he said to himself. He was about +to summon his parent and the aeronaut from an adjoining shop, +where they were working over a new form of dynamo, when the lad +caught sight of the watch charm he had left on his desk, in plain +sight. + +"Better put that away," he remarked. "Dad or Mr. Sharp might +see it, and ask questions. Then I'd have to explain, and I don't +want to, not until I get further toward the bottom of this +thing." + +He put the charm away, and then summoned his father and the +balloonist. + +"You're going to see a fine experiment," declared Tom. "I'm +going to turn on the full strength of my battery." + +"Are you sure it's all right, Tom?" asked his father. "You +can't be too careful when you're dealing with electricity of high +voltage, and great ampere strength. + +"Oh, it's all right, Dad," his son assured him "Now watch my +motor hum." + +He walked over to a big copper switch, and grasped the black +rubber handle to pull it over which would send the current from +the storage battery into the combination of wheels and gears that +he hoped, ultimately, would propel his electric automobile along +the highways, or on a track, at the rate of a hundred miles an +hour. + +"Here she goes!" cried Tom. For an instant he hesitated and +then pulled the switch. At the same time his hand rested on +another wire, stretched across a bench. + +No sooner had the switch closed than there was a blinding +flash, a report as of a gun being fired, and Tom's body seemed to +straighten out. Then a blue flame appeared to encircle him and he +dropped to the floor of the shop, an inert mass. + +"He's killed!" cried Mr. Swift, springing forward. + +"Careful!" cautioned the balloonist. "He's been shocked! Don't +touch him until I turn off the current!" As he pulled out the +switch, the aeronaut gave a glance at the apparatus. + +"There's something wrong here!" he cried. "The wires have been +crossed! That's what shocked Tom, but he never made the wrong +connections! He's too good an electrician! There's been some one +in this shop, changing the wires!" + + + + +CHAPTER XII THE TRY OUT + + +Once the current was cut off it was safe to approach the body +of the young inventor. Mr Sharp stooped over and lifted Tom's +form from the floor, for Mr. Swift was too excited and trembled +too much to be of any service. Our hero was as one dead. His body +was limp, after that first rigid stretching out, as the current +ran through him; his eyes were closed, and his face was very +pale. + +"Is--is there any hope?" faltered Mr. Swift. + +"I think so," replied the balloonist. "He is still breathing-- +faintly. We must summon a doctor at once. Will you telephone for +one, while I carry him in the house?" + +As Mr. Sharp emerged from the shop, bearing Tom's body, an +automobile drew up in front of the place. + +"Bless my soul!" exclaimed a voice. "Tom's hurt! How did it +happen? Bless my very existence!" + +"Oh, Mr. Damon, you're just in time!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp, +"Tom's had a bad shock. Will you go for a doctor in your auto?" + +"Better than that! Let me take Tom in the car to Dr. +Whiteside's office," proposed the eccentric man. "It will be +better that way." + +"Yes, yes," agreed Mr. Swift eagerly. "Put Tom in the auto!" + +"If only it doesn't break down," added Mr. Damon fervently. +"Bless my spark plug, but it would be just my luck!" + +But they started off all right, Mr. Swift riding in front with +Mr. Damon, and Mr. Sharp supporting Tom in the tonneau. Only a +little fluttering of the eyelids, and a slow, faint breathing +told that Tom Swift still lived. + +Mr. Damon never guided a car better than he did his auto that +day. Several speed laws were broken, but no one appeared to stop +them, and, in record time they had the young inventor at the +physician's house. Fortunately Dr. Whiteside was at home, and, +under his skillful treatment Tom was soon out of danger. His +heart action was properly started, and then it was only a +question of time. As the doctor had plenty of room it was decided +to let the lad remain that night, and Tom was soon installed in a +spare bedroom, with the doctor's pretty daughter to wait on him +occasionally. + +"Oh, I'm all right," the youth insisted, when Miss Whiteside +told him it was time for his medicine. "I'm all right." + +"You're not!" she declared. "I ought to know, for I'm going to +be a nurse, some day, and help papa. Now take this or I'll have +to hold your nose, as they do the baby's," and she held out a +spoonful of unpleasant looking mixture, extending her dainty +forefinger and thumb of her other hand, as if to administer dire +punishment to Tom, if he did not obey. + +"Well, I give in to superior strength," he said with a laugh, +as he noted, with approval, the laughing face of his nurse. + +Then he fell into a deep sleep, and was so much better the next +morning that he could be taken home in Mr. Damon's auto. + +"But mind, no hard work for three or four days," insisted the +physician. "I want your heart to get in shape for that big race +you were telling me about. The shock was a severe strain to it." + +Tom promised, reluctantly, and, though he did no work, his +first act, on reaching home, was to go out to the shop, to +inspect the battery and motor. To his surprise the motor was +running for the lad had established the connection, in spite of +his shock and his father and Mr. Sharp had decided to let the +machinery run until he came back. + +"And look at the record it's made!" cried Tom delightedly as he +glanced at the gauge "Better than I figured on. That battery is a +wonder. I'll have the fastest electric runabout you ever saw." + +"If the wires don't get crossed again," put in Mr. Sharp. +"You'd better make an examination, Tom," and, for the first time, +the young inventor learned how he had been shocked. + +"Crossed wires! I should say they were crossed!" he exclaimed +as he looked at the switches and copper conductors. "Somebody has +been tampering with them. No wonder I was shocked!" + +"Who did it?" asked Mr. Sharp. + +Tom considered for a moment, before answering. Then he said: + +"I believe it was Addison Berg. He must have wanted to do some +damage, to get even with us for getting that treasure away from +him." + +"Berg?" questioned the balloonist, and Tom told of the night he +had been tripped into the brook, and exhibited the watch charm he +had secured. Mr. Sharp recognized it at once. A further +examination confirmed the belief that the submarine agent had +sneaked into Tom's workshop, and had altered the wires. + +"They were all right when I came out of the shop that night," +declared Tom. "I left the old connections just as I thought I had +arranged them, and only added the new ones, when I went to try my +battery. The old connections were crossed, but I didn't notice +it. Then when I turned on the current I got the shock. I don't +s'pose Berg thought I'd be so nearly killed. Probably he wanted +to burn out my motor, and spoil it. If it was Andy Foger I could +understand it, but a man like Berg--" + +"He's probably wild with anger because his submarine got the +worst of it in the race for the gold," interrupted the +balloonist. "Well, we'll have to be on our guard, that's all. +What was the matter with Eradicate, that he didn't see him enter +the shop?" + +"Rad went to a colored dance that night," said Tom. "I let him +off. But after this I'll have the shop guarded night and day. My +motor might have been ruined, if that first charge hadn't gone +through my body instead of into the machinery." The improper +connections were soon removed and others substituted. + +It was agreed between Tom and Mr. Sharp that they would say +nothing regarding Mr. Berg to Mr. Swift. The aeronaut caused +cautious inquiries to be made, and learned that the agent had +been discharged by the submarine firm, because of some +wrong-doing in connection with the craft Wonder, and it was +surmised that the agent believed Tom to be at the bottom of his +troubles. + +In a few days the young inventor was himself again, and as +further trials of his battery showed it to be even better than +its owner hoped, arrangements were made for testing it in the car +on the road. + +The runabout was nearly finished, but it lacked a coat of +varnish, and some minor details, when Tom, assisted by his +father, Mr Sharp and Mr. Jackson, one morning, about a week +later, installed the motor and battery units. It did not take +long to gear up the machinery, connect the battery and, though +the car was rather a crude looking affair, Tom decided to give it +a tryout. + +"Want to come along, Dad?" he asked, as he tightened up some +binding posts, and looked to see that the steering wheel, +starting and reverse levers worked properly, and that the side +chains were well lubricated. + +"Not the first time," replied his father. "Let's see how it +runs with you, first." + +"Oh, I want some sort of a load in it," went on the lad. "It +won't be a good test unless I have a couple of others besides +myself. How about you, Mr. Damon?" for the old gentleman was +spending a few days at the Swift homestead. + +"Bless my shoe buttons! I'll come!" was the ready answer. +"After the experience I've been through in the airship and +submarine, nothing can scare me. Lead on, I'll follow!" + +"I don't suppose you'll hang back after that; will you, Mr. +Sharp?" asked the lad, with a laugh. + +"I don't dare to, for the sake of my reputation," was the +reply, for the balloonist who had made many ascensions, and +dropped thousands of feet in parachutes, was naturally a brave +man. + +So he and Mr. Damon climbed into the rear seats of the +odd-looking electric car, while Tom took his place at the +steering wheel. + +"Are you all ready?" he asked. + +"Let her go!" fired back Mr. Sharp. + +"Bless my galvanometer, don't go too fast on the start," +cautioned Mr. Damon, nervously. + +"I'll not," agreed the young inventor. "I want to get it warmed +up before I try any speeding." + +He turned on the current. There was a low, humming purr, which +gradually increased to a whine, and the car moved slowly forward. +It rolled along the gravel driveway to the road, Tom listening to +every sound of the machinery, as a mother listens to the +breathing of a child. + +"She's moving!" he cried. + +"But not much faster than a wheelbarrow," said his father, who +sometimes teased his son. + +"Wait!" cried the youth. + +Tom turned more current into the motor. The purring and humming +increased, and the car seemed to leap forward. It was in the road +now, and, once assured that the steering apparatus was working +well, Tom suddenly turned on much more speed. + +So quickly did the electric auto shoot forward that Mr. Damon +and Mr. Sharp were jerked back against the cushions of the rear +seats. + +"Here! What are you doing?" inquired Mr. Sharp. + +"I'm going to show you a little speed," answered Tom. + +The car was now moving rapidly, and there was a smoothness and +lightness to its progress that was absent from a gasolene auto. +There was no vibration from the motor. Faster and faster it ran, +until it was moving at a speed scarcely less than that of Mr. +Damon's car, when it was doing its best. Of course that was not +saying much, for the car owned by the odd gentleman was not a +very powerful one, but it could make fast time occasionally. + +"Is this the best you can do?" asked Mr. Damon. "Not that it +isn't fast," he hastened to add, "and I was wondering if it was +your limit." + +"Not half!" cried Tom, as he turned on a little more power. +"I'm not trying for a record to-day. I just want to see how the +battery and motor behaves." + +"Pretty well, I should say," commented Mr. Sharp. + +"I'm satisfied--so far," agreed the lad. + +They were now moving along the highway at a good speed--moving +almost silently, too, for the motor, save for a low hum, made no +noise. So quiet was the car, in fact, that it was nearly the +cause of a disaster. Tom was so interested in the performance of +his latest invention, that, before he knew it, he had come up +behind a farmer, driving a team of skittish horses. As the big +machine went past them, giving no warning of its approach, the +steeds reared up, and would have bolted, but for the prompt +action of the driver. + +"Hey!" he cried, angrily, as Tom speeded past, "don't you know +you got to give warnin' when you're comin' with one of them ther +gol-swizzled things! By Jehossephat I'll have th' law on ye ef ye +do thet ag'in!" + +"I forgot to ring the bell," apologized Tom, as he sent out a +peal from the gong, and then, he let out a few more amperes, and +the speed increased. + +"Hold on! I guess this is fast enough!" cried Mr. Damon, as his +hat blew off. + +"Fast?" answered Tom. "This is nothing to what I'll do when I +use the full power. Then I'll--" + +He was interrupted by a sharp report, and a vivid flash of fire +on a switch board near the steering wheel. The motor gave a sort +of groan, and stopped, the car rolling on a little way, and then +becoming stationary. + +"Bless my collar button!" ejaculated Mr. Damon. + +"What's the matter?" inquired Mr. Sharp. + +"Some sort of a blow-out," answered Tom ruefully, as he shoved +the starting handle over, trying to move the car. But it would +not budge. The new auto had "gone dead" on her first tryout. The +young inventor was grievously disappointed. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII TOWED BY A MULE + + +"Bless my gizzard! Is it anything serious?" asked Mr. Damon. +"Will it blow up, or anything like that?" + +"No," replied the lad, as he leaped out of the car, and began +to make an examination. Mr. Sharp assisted him. + +"The motor seems to be all right," remarked the balloonist, as +he inspected it. + +"Yes," agreed our hero, "and the batteries have plenty of power +left in them yet. The gauge shows that. I can't understand what +the trouble can be, unless--" He paused in his remark and uttered +an exclamation. "I've found it!" he cried. + +"What?" demanded the aeronaut. + +"Some of the fuses blew out. I turned on too much current, and +the fuses wouldn't carry it. I put them in to save the motor from +being burned out, but I didn't use heavy enough ones. I see where +my mistake was." + +"But what does it mean?" inquired Mr. Damon. + +"It means that we've got to walk back home," was Tom's +sorrowful answer. "The car is stalled, for I haven't any extra +fuses with me." + +"Can't you connect up the battery by using some extra wire?" +asked Mr. Sharp. "I have some," and he drew a coil of it from his +pocket. + +"I wouldn't dare to. It might be so heavy that it would carry +more current than the motor could stand. I don't want to burn +that out. No, I guess we'll have to walk home, or rather I will. +You two can stay here until I come back with heavier fuses. I'm +sorry." + +Tom had hardly ceased speaking, when, from around the turn in +the road proceeded a voice, and, at the sound of it all three +started, for the voice was saying: + +"Now it ain't no use fer yo' to act dat-a-way, Boomerang. Yo' +all ain't got no call t' git contrary now, jest when I wants t' +git home t' mah dinner. I should t'ink you'd want t' git t' de +stable, too. But ef yo' all ain't mighty keerful I'll cut down +yo' rations, dat's what I'se goin' to do. G'lang, now, dat's a +good feller. Ho! Ho! I knowed dat'd fetch yo' all. When yo' all +wiggles yo' ears dat-a-way, dat's a suah sign yo' all is gwine t' +move." + +Then followed the sound of a rattletrap of a wagon approaching. + +"Eradicate! It's Eradicate!" exclaimed Tom. + +"And his mule, Boomerang!" added Mr. Sharp. "He's just in +time!" commented Mr. Damon with a sigh of relief, as the ancient +outfit, in charge of the aged colored man, came along. Eradicate +had been sent to Shopton to get a load of wood for Mr. Swift, and +was now returning. At the sight of the stalled auto the mule +pricked up his long ears, and threw them forward. + +"Whoa dar, now, Boomerang!" cried Eradicate. "Doan't yo' all +commence t' gittin' skittish. Dat machine ain't gwine t' hurt +yo'. Why good land a' massy! Ef 'tain't Mistah Swift!" cried the +colored man, as he caught sight of Tom. "What's de trouble?" he +asked. + +"Broke down," answered the young inventor briefly. "You always +seem to come along when I'm in trouble, Rad." + +"Dat's right," assented the darkey, with a grin. "Me an' +trouble am ole acquaintances. Sometimes she hits me a clip on de +haid, den, ag'in Boomerang, mah mule, gits it. He jest had his +trouble. Got a stone under his shoe, an' didn't want t' move. Den +when I did git him started he balked on me. But I'se all right +now. But I suah am sorry fo' you. Can't I help yo' all, Mistah +Swift?" + +"Yes, you can, Rad," answered Tom. "Drive home as fast as you +can, and ask Dad to send back with you some of those fuses he'll +find on my work bench. He knows what I want. Hurry there and +hurry back." + +Eradicate shook his head doubtfully. + +"What's the matter? Don't you want to go?" asked Mr. Sharp, a +trifle nettled. "We can't get the car started until we have some +new fuses.." + +"Oh, I wants t' go all right 'nuff, Mistah Sharp," was +Eradicate's prompt answer. "Yo' all knows I'd do anyt'ing t' +'blige yo' or Mistah Swift. But hits dish yeah mule, Boomerang. I +jest done promised him dat we were gwine home t' dinnah, an' he +'spects a manger full ob oats. Ef I got to Mistah Swift's house +wid him, I couldn't no mo' git him t' come back widout his +dinnah, dan yo' all kin git dat 'ar car t' move widout dem fusin' +t'ings yo' all talked about." + +"Bless my necktie!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "That's all nonsense! +You don't suppose that mule understands what you say to him, do +you? How does he know you promised him his dinner?" + +"I doan't know how he know, Mistah Damon," replied Eradicate, +"but he do know, jest de same. I know hit would be laik pullin' +teeth an' wuss too, t' git Boomerang t' start back wid dem foosd +t'ings until after he's had his dinner. Wouldn't it, Boomerang?" + +The mule waved his long ears as if in answer. + +"Bless my soul, I believe he does understand!" cried Mr. Damon. + +"Of course he do," put in the colored man. "I'se awful sorry. +Now if it were afternoon I could bring back dem what-d'ye-call-'ems +in a jiffy, 'cause Boomerang allers feels good arter he has his +dinnah, but befo' dat--" and Eradicate shook his head, as if there +was no more to be said on the subject. + +"Well," remarked Tom, sadly, "I guess there's no help for it. +We'll have to walk home, unless you two want to wait until I can +ride back with Eradicate, and come back on my motor cycle. Then +I'll have to leave the cycle here, for I can't get it in the +car." + +"Bless my collar button!" cried Mr. Damon. "It's like the +puzzle of the fox, the goose and the bag of corn on the banks of +a stream. I guess we'd better all walk." + +"Hold on!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp. "Is your mule good and strong, +Eradicate?" + +"Strong? Why dish yeah mule could pull a house ober--dat is +when he's got a mind to. An' he'd do most anyt'ing now, 'ca'se +he's anxious t' git home t' his dinnah; ain't yo' all, +Boomerang?" + +Once more the mule waved his ears, like signal flags. + +"Then I have a proposition to make," went on the balloonist. +"Unhitch the mule from the load of wood, and hitch him to the +auto. We've got some rope along, I noticed. Then the mule can +pull us and the runabout home." + +"Good idea!" cried Mr. Damon. + +"Dat's de racket!" ejaculated Eradicate. "I'll jest +sequesterate dish year load ob wood side ob de road, an' hitch +Boomerang to de auto." + +Tom said nothing for a few seconds. He gazed sadly at his +auto, which he hoped would win the touring club's prize. It was a +bitter pill for him to swallow. + +"Towed by a mule!" he exclaimed, shaking his head, and smiling +ruefully. "The fastest car in this country towed by a mule! It's +tough luck!" + +"'Tain't half so bad as goin' widout yo' dinnah, Mistah Swift!" +remarked Eradicate, as he began to harness the mule to the +electric runabout. + +Boomerang made no objection to the transfer. He looked around +once or twice as he was being made fast to the auto and, when the +word was given he stepped out as if pulling home stalled cars was +his regular business. Tom sat beside Eradicate on the front seat, +and steered, while the colored man drove the mule, and Mr. Sharp +and Mr. Damon were in the "tonneau" seats as Tom called them. + +"I hope no one sees us," thought Tom, but he was doomed to +disappointment. When nearly home he heard an auto approaching, +and in it were Andy Foger, Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey. The +three cronies stared at the odd sight of Boomerang ambling along, +with his great ears flapping, drawing Tom's speedy new car. + +"Ha! Ha!" laughed Andy. "So that's the motive power he's going +to use! Look at him, fellows. I thought his new electric, that +was going to beat my car, and win the prize, was to be two +hundred horse power. Instead it's one mule power! That's rich!" +and Andy's chums joined in the laugh at poor Tom. + +The young imventor said nothing, for there was nothing he could +say. In dignified silence he passed the car containing his +enemies, they, meanwhile, jeering at him. + +"Dat's all right," spoke Eradicate, sympathizing with his young +employer. "Maybe dey'll 'want a tow derselves some day, an' when +dey does, I'll make Boomerang pull 'em in a ditch." + +But this was small comfort to Tom. He made up his mind, though, +that he would demonstrate that his car could do all that he had +claimed for it, and that very soon. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV A GREAT RUN + + +Boomerang did not belie the reputation Eradicate had given him +as a beast of strength. Though the electric runabout was heavy, +the mule managed to move it along the road at a fair speed, with +the four occupants. Perhaps the animal knew that at the end of +his journey a good feed awaited him. At any rate they were soon +within sight of the Swift home. + +Mr. Damon and Mr. Sharp refrained from making any comments that +might hurt Tom's feelings, for they realized the chagrin felt by +the young inventor in having his apparatus go back on him at the +first trial. But our hero was not the kind of a lad who is +disheartened by one failure, or even half a dozen. + +The humor of the situation appealed to him, and, as he turned +the auto into the driveway, and noticed Boomerang's long ears +waving to and fro, he laughed. + +The lad insisted on putting new fuses in the car before he ate +his dinner, and then, satisfied that the motor was once more in +running order, he partook of a hasty meal, and began making +several changes which he had decided were desirable. He finished +them in time to go for a little run in the car all alone on a +secluded road late that afternoon. + +Tom returned, with eyes shining, and cheeks flushed with +elation. + +"Well, how did it go? asked his father. + +"Fine! Better than I expected," responded his son +enthusiastically. "When it gets to running smoothly I'll pass +anything on the road." + +"Don't be too sure," cautioned Mr. Swift, but Tom only smiled. + +There was still much to do on the electric runabout, and Tom +spent the next few days in adjusting the light steel wind-shield, +that was to come down over the driver's seat. He also put in a +powerful electric search-light, which was run by current from the +battery, and installed a new speedometer and an instrument to +tell how much current he was using, and how much longer the +battery would run without being exhausted. This was to enable him +to know when to begin recharging it. When the current was all +consumed it was necessary to store more in the battery. This +could be done by attaching wires from a dynamo, or, in an +emergency by tapping an electric light wire in the street. But as +the battery would enable the car to run many miles on one +charging, Tom did not think he would ever have to resort to the +emergency charging apparatus. He had a new system for this, one +that enabled him to do the work in much less than the usual time. + +With his new car still unpainted, and rather rough and crude in +appearance, the lad started out alone one morning, his father and +Mr. Sharp having declined to accompany him, on the plea of +business to attend to, and Mr. Damon not being at the Swift +house. + +Tom rode about for several hours, giving his car several severe +tests in the way of going up hills, and speeding on the level. He +was proceeding along a quiet country road, in a small town about +fifteen miles from Shopton, when, as he flashed past the small +railroad station, he saw a familiar figure standing on the +platform. + +"Why, Ned!" called Tom, "what are you doing over here?" + +"I might ask the same thing of you. Is that your new car? It +doesn't look very new." + +"Yes, this is it. I haven't had a chance to paint and varnish +it yet. But you ought to see it go. What are doing here, though?" + +"I came over on some bank business. A customer here had some +bonds he wanted to dispose of and I came for them. You see we're +enlarging our business since the new bank started." + +"Has it hurt your bank any?" + +"Not yet, but Foger and his associates are trying hard to make +us lose money. Say, did you ever see such a place as this? I've +got to wait two hours for a train back to Shopton." + +"No you haven't." + +"Why not? Have they changed the timetable since I came over +this morning?" + +"No, but you can ride back with me. I'm going, and I'll show +you what my new electric car can do." + +"Good!" cried the young bank cashier. "You're just in time. I +was wondering how I could kill two hours, but now I'll get in +your new car and--" + +"And maybe we'll kill a few chickens, or a dog or two when we +get her speeded up," put in Tom, with a laugh in which Ned +joined. + +The two lads, seated in the front part of the auto, were soon +moving down the hard highway. Suddenly Tom pulled a lever and the +steel wind-shield came sliding down from the top case, meeting +the forward battery compartment, and forming a sort of slanting +roof over the heads of the two occupants. + +"Here! What's this?" cried Ned. + +"We're going to hit it up in a few minutes," replied the young +inventor, "and I want to reduce the wind resistance." + +"Oh, I thought maybe we were going through a bombardment. It's +all right, go ahead, don't mind me. I'm game." + +There was a celluloid window in the steel wind-shield, and +through this the lads could observe the road ahead of them. + +As they swung along it, the speed increasing, Ned saw an auto +ahead of them. + +"Whose car is that?" he asked. + +"Don't know," replied Tom. "We'll be up to it in about half a +minute, though." + +As the electric runabout, more dilapidated looking than ever +from the layer of dust that covered it, passed the other auto, +which was a powerful car, the solitary occupant of it, a +middle-aged man, looked to one side, and, seeing the queer +machine, remarked: + +"You fellows are going the wrong way to the junk heap. Turn +around." + +"Is that so?" asked Tom, his eyes flashing at the cheap wit of +the man. "Why we came out here to show you the way!" + +"Do you want to race?" asked the man eagerly, too eagerly, Ned +thought. "I'll give you a brush, if you do, and a handicap into +the bargain." + +"We don't need it," replied the young inventor quickly. + +"I'll wager fifty dollars I can beat you bad on this three-mile +stretch," went on the autoist. "How about it?" + +"I'll race you, but I don't bet," answered Tom, a bit stiffly. + +"Oh, be a sport," urged the man. + +Tom shook his head. He had slowed down his machine, and was +running even with the gasolene car now. He noticed that it was a +new one, of six cylinders, and looked speedy. Perhaps he was +foolish to pit his untried car against it. Yet he had confidence +in his battery and motor. + +"Well, we'll race for the fun of it then," went on the man. "Do +you want a handicap?" + +Tom shook his head again, and there came around his mouth a +grim look. + +"All right," assented the other. "Only you're going to be beat +badly. I never saw an electric car yet that could do anything +except to crawl along." + +"You're going to see one now," was all the retort Tom permitted +himself. + +"Here we go then!" cried the man, and he gave his gear handle a +yank, and shoved over the sparking and gasolene levers. + +His car instantly shot ahead, and went "chug chugging" down the +road in a cloud of dust. At the same moment Tom, in answer to a +look from Ned, who feared his friend was going to be left behind, +turned more power into the motor. The humming, purring sound +increased and the electric car forged ahead. + +"Can you catch him?" asked Ned. + +"Watch," was all Tom said. + +The hum of the motor became a sort of whine, and the electric +rapidly acquired speed. It crept up on the gasolene car, as an +express train overtakes a freight, and the man, looking back, and +expecting to see his rival far behind was surprised to note the +queer looking vehicle lapping his rear wheels. + +"Well, you are coming on, aren't you?" he asked. "Maybe you'll +keep up now!" He shifted the gears, using a little more gasolene. +For a moment his car opened a wide gap between it and Tom's, but +the young inventor had only begun to race. Still louder purred +the motor, and in a few minutes Tom was running on even terms +with his competitor. The man looked annoyed, and tried, by the +skilful use of gasolene and sparking levers, to leave Tom behind. +But the electric held her own. + +"I've got to go the limit I see," remarked the man at last, +glancing sideways at the other car. "I'll tell 'em you're +coming," he added, "though I must say your electric does better +than any of its kind I ever came across." + +"I'm not done yet," was the comment of our hero. But the man +did not hear him, for he was yanking into place the lever that +enabled him to run on direct drive for fourth speed. + +Forward shot his car, and, for perhaps a quarter of a mile it +led. The racers were almost at the end of the three-mile level +stretch of road, and if Tom was going to win the impromptu +contest it seemed high time he began. + +"Can you catch him?" asked Ned anxiously. + +"Watch," was his chum's reply. "I haven't used my high speed +gear yet. I'm afraid the fuses won't stand it, but here goes for +a try, anyhow." + +He threw over a switch, changed a lever and then, having pushed +into place the last gear, he grasped the steering wheel more +firmly. + +There was need of it, for, in an instant, the electric +runabout, with the motors fairly roaring, swept up the road, +after the gasolene car that was almost hidden from sight in a +cloud of dust. Faster and faster went Tom's car. The young +inventor was listening with critical ear to the song of the +machinery. He wanted to learn if it was running sweet and true, +for that is how a careful mechanic tests his apparatus. Foot by +foot the distance between the two cars lessened. Now the electric +was lapping the rear wheels of the gasolene machine, but the +driver did not know it. His whole attention was on the road ahead +of him. + +"Half a mile more!" cried Ned, naming the distance which yet +remained of the straight stretch. "Can you do it, Tom?" + +His chum nodded. He shoved the controller handle over to the +last notch, and then waited an anxious second. Would the fuse +carry the extra load? It seemed so, for there was a slight +increase of power. + +An instant later Tom gave a sudden twist to the steering wheel. +It was well that he did, for he was passing the gasolene car +dangerously close. Then he was ahead of it, and in a second he +was three lengths in advance. + +Desperately the man opened his muffler, and sought to gain by +this advantage, but though his car gave off explosions like a +battery of guns in action, he could not gain on Tom. The electric +shot around a curve in the road, winner of the impromptu race by +an eighth of a mile. + +"Well," asked Tom of his chum, as he slowed down, for the road +now was not so good, "did I do it?" + +"You certainly did. Whew! But we did scoot along?" + +"Eighty miles an hour there one spell," went on the young +inventor, glancing at a gauge. "But I've got to do better than +that to win the big race." + + + + +CHAPTER XV ANDY FOGER'S BLACK EYE + + +Around the bend came the six-cylinder touring car. The driver, +with a surprised look on his face, was slacking up. He ran his +machine up alongside of Tom's. + +"Say," he asked, in dazed tones, "did you take a short cut, or +anything like that to get ahead of me?" + +"No," answered the youth. + +"And you didn't jump me in the air?" + +"No," was Tom's answer, smilingly given. + +"Well, all I've got to say is that you've got a wonderful car +there, Mr.--er--er--" He paused suggestively. + +"Swift is my name," our hero answered. "Thomas Swift, of +Shopton." + +"Ah, I've heard of you. My name is Layton--Paul Layton. I'm +from Netherton. Let's see, you built an airship, didn't you?" + +"I helped," Tom admitted modestly. + +"Well, you beat me fair and square, and if I do say it myself +I've got a fairly speedy car. Took two firsts at the Indianapolis +meet last month. But you certainly scooted ahead of me. Where did +you buy that electric, if I may ask?" + +"I made it." + +"I might have known," admitted the man. "But are you going to +put them on the market? If you are I'd like to get one. I want +the fastest car going, and you seem to have it." + +"I hadn't thought of manufacturing them for sale," said the +young inventor. "If I do, I'll let you know." + +"I wish you would. My! I had no idea you could beat me, but you +did--fair and square." + +There was some more talk, and then Mr. Layton started on, after +exacting from Tom a further promise to let him know if any +electrics were to be made for sale. + +"You certainly have a wonderful car," complimented Ned, as he +and his chum took a short cut to Shopton. + +"Well, I'm not quite satisfied with it," declared Tom. + +"Why not?" + +"Well, I've set a hundred miles an hour as my limit. I didn't +make but eighty to-day. I've got to have more speed if I go up +against the crowd that will race for the touring club's prize." + +"Can you make a hundred miles?" + +"I think so. I've got to change my gears, though, and use +heavier fuses. I was afraid every second that one of the fuses +would melt, and leave me stranded. But they stood pretty well. Of +course, when the car, geared as it is now, has been run a little +longer it will go faster, but it won't come up to a hundred miles +an hour. That's what I want, and that's what I'm going to get," +and the lad looked very determined. + +Ned was taken to the bank, and, as Tom turned his machine +around, to go home, he saw, standing on the steps of the new +bank, which was almost across the street from the old one, Andy +Foger, and the bully's father. The red-haired lad laughed at +Tom's rough looking car, and said something to his parent, but +Mr. Foger did not notice Tom. Not that this caused our hero any +uneasiness, however. + +But, as he swung away from the bank, he saw, coming up the +street a figure that instantly attracted his attention. It was +that of Mr. Berg, and Tom at once recalled the night he had +pursued the submarine agent, and torn loose his watch charm. Mr. +Berg was evidently going to enter the new bank, for, at the sight +of the former agent, Mr. Foger descended the steps, and went to +meet him. + +Tom, however, had decided upon a plan of action. He steered his +machine in toward the curb, ran up the steel wind-shield, and +called: + +"Mr. Berg!" + +"Eh? What's that?" asked the agent, in some surprise. Then, as +he caught sight of Tom, and recognized him, he added: "I'm very +busy now, my young friend. You'll have to excuse me." + +"I won't detain you a moment," went on Tom, casually. "I have +something of yours that I wish to return to you." + +"Something of mine?" Mr. Berg was evidently puzzled. He +approached the electric car, in spite of the fact that Mr. Foger +was calling him. "Something of mine? What is it?" + +"This!" exclaimed Tom suddenly, extending the compass watch +charm, which he always carried with him of late. + +"That! Where did you get that. I lost it--" + +Mr. Berg paused in some confusion. + +"I grabbed it off your watch chain the night you were hiding in +our shrubbery, and tripped me into the brook," answered the lad, +looking the man squarely in the eye. + +"Hiding? Tripped you? Grabbed that off my chain--" stammered +Mr. Berg. He had taken the charm up in his fingers, but now he +quickly dropped it back into Tom's hand. "I guess you're +mistaken," he added quickly. "That's not mine. I never had one-- +I--er--that's not mine--at least--Oh, you'll have to excuse me, +young man, I'm in a hurry, and I have an important engagement!" +and with that Mr. Berg wheeled off, and joined Mr. Foger, who +stood on the sidewalk, waiting for him. + +"I thought sure it was yours," said Tom, easily. "Perhaps Mr. +Foger will keep it in one of the safety-deposit boxes of his +bank, until the owner claims it," and he looked at the banker. + +"What's that?" asked Andy's father. + +"This watch charm which I grabbed off Mr. Berg's chain the +night he was sneaking around our house, and crossed the electric +wires," went on the lad. + +"Don't listen to him. He doesn't know what he is saying!" +exclaimed the former submarine boat agent. "It's not my charm. +He's crazy!" + +"Oh, am I?" thought Tom, with a grim look on his face. "Well, +we'll see about that, Mr. Berg," and, putting the charm back in +his pocket, Tom swung his machine toward home, while the agent +and the banker entered the new institution. + +"So they're getting chummy," mused Tom. "Andy and Berg were +friends when Andy shut me up in the submarine tank, and now Berg +comes here to do business, and Foger and his associates are +trying to put the old bank out of business. I wonder if there's +any connection there? I must keep my eyes open. Berg is an +unscrupulous man, and so is Andy's father, to say nothing of the +red-haired bully himself. He had nerve to deny that was his +charm. Well, maybe I'll catch him some day." + +Tom spent a busy week making new adjustments to his electric +car, changing the gear and providing for heavier fuses. He was +planning for another trip on the road, as the time for the great +race was drawing near, and he wanted the mechanism to be in +perfect shape. + +One evening, as he was preparing for a short night trip to +Mansburg, where he had promised to call for Miss Nestor, Tom left +his machine standing in the road in front of the house, while he +went back to get a robe, as it threatened to be chilly. + +As he came back to enter the car, he saw some one standing near +it. + +"Is that you, Ned?" he called. "Come, take a spin." + +Hardly had he spoken than there sounded from the machine a +whirr that told of the current being turned on. + +"Don't do that!" cried Tom, knowing at once that it could not +be Ned, who never meddled with the machinery. + +A blinding flash and a loud report followed, and Tom saw some +one leap from his car, and try to run away. But the figure +stumbled, and, a moment later the young inventor was upon him, +grappling with him. + +"Here! Let me go!" cried a voice, and Tom uttered an +exclamation of surprise. + +"Andy Foger!" he cried. "I've caught you! You tried to damage +my car!" + +"Yes, and I'm hurt, too!" whined Andy. "My father will sue you +for damages if I die." + +"No danger of that; you're too mean," murmured Tom, as he +maintained a tight grip on the bully. + +"You let me go!" demanded Andy, squirming to get away. + +"Wait until I see what damage you've done," retorted the young +inventor. "The worst, though, would be the blowing out of a fuse, +for I had the gear disconnected. You wait a minute now. Maybe +it's you who'll have to pay damages." + +"You let me go!" fairly screamed Andy, and he aimed a blow at +Tom. It caught our hero on the chest and Tom's fighting blood was +up in an instant. He drew back his left hand, and delivered a +blow that landed fairly on Andy's right eye. The bully staggered +and went down in the dust. + +"There!" cried Tom, righteously angry. "That will teach you not +to try to damage my car, and then hit me into the bargain! Now +clear out, before I give you some more!" + +Whining and blubbering Andy arose to his feet. + +"You just wait. I'll get square with you for this," he +threatened. + +"You can accept part of that as pay for what you did in the tar +and feathering game," added Tom. Then, as Andy moved in front of +one of the electric side lamps on the car, Tom uttered a whistle +of surprise. For both of Andy's eyes were bruised and swollen, +though Tom had only hit him once. + +"Look at me!" cried the bully, more squint-eyed than ever. +"Look at me! You hit me in one eye, and that explosion hit me in +the other! My father will sue you for this." + +As he hurried off down the road Tom understood. Andy coming +along, had seen Tom's car standing there, and, thinking to do +some mischief, had climbed in, and turned on the power. Perhaps +he hoped it would run into the roadside ditch and be smashed. But +as the gear was out, turning on the electric current had a +different effect. As the bully pulled the handle over too +quickly, throwing almost the entire force of the battery into the +wires at once, the load was too heavy for them. A safety fuse +blew out, causing the flare and the explosion, and a piece of the +soft lead-like metal had hit the red-haired lad in the eye. Tom's +fist had completed the work on the other optic, and for several +days thereafter Andy Foger remained in seclusion. When he did go +out there were many embarrassing questions put to him, as to when +he had had the fight. Andy didn't care to answer. As for Tom, it +did not take long to put a new fuse in his car, and he greatly +enjoyed his ride with Miss Nestor that night. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI TROUBLE AT THE BANK + + +Coming in rather late from his trip to Mansburg, and thinking +of some things he and Miss Nestor had talked about, Tom was +rather surprised, on reaching the house, to see a light in his +father's particular room, where the aged inventor did his reading +and his planning of new devices. + +"Dad's up rather late," said Tom to himself. "I wonder if he's +studying over some new machine." + +The lad ran his auto into the temporary garage he had built for +it, and connected the wires of a burglar alarm he had arranged, +to give warning in case any of his enemies should seek to damage +the car. + +Tom encountered Garret Jackson, the aged inventor who was going +his rounds, seeing that everything was all right about the +various shops. + +"Anybody with my father, Garret?" asked the lad. "I see he's +still up." + +"Yes," was the rather unexpected reply. "Mr. Damon is with him. +They've been in your father's room all the evening--ever since +you went away in the car." + +"Anything the matter?" inquired the young inventor, a bit +anxious, as he thought of the Happy Harry gang. + +"Well, I don't know," and the engineer seemed puzzled. "They +called me in once to know if everything was all right outside, +and to inquire if you were back. I saw, then, that they were busy +figuring over something, but I didn't take much notice. Only I +heard Mr. Damon say: 'There's going to be trouble if we can't +realize on those bonds,' and then I came away." + +"Is that all he said?" asked Tom. + +"No, he said 'Bless my buttons,' or something like that; but he +blesses so many things I didn't pay much attention." + +"That's right," agreed the lad. "But I wonder what the trouble +is about? I must go see." + +As he passed along the hall, out of which his father's combined +study and library opened, the aged inventor came to the door. + +"Is that you, Tom?" he asked. + +"Yes, Dad." + +"Come in here, if you haven't anything else to do. Mr. Damon is +here." + +Tom needed but a single glance at the faces of his father and +Mr. Damon to see that something was troubling the two. The table +in front of them was littered with papers covered with rows of +figures. + +"What's the matter?" asked Tom. + +"Well, I suppose I ought not to let it bother me, but it does," +replied his father. + +"Something wrong with your patents, Dad? Has the crowd of bad +men been bothering you again?" + +"No, it isn't that. It's trouble at the bank, Tom." + +"Has it been robbed again?" asked the lad quickly. "If it has I +can prove an alibi," and he smiled at the recollection of the +time he and Mr. Damon had been accused of looting the vault, as +told in "Tom Swift and His Airship." + +"No, it hasn't been robbed in just that way," put in Mr. Damon. +"But, bless my shoe laces, it's almost as bad! You see, Tom, +since Mr. Foger started the new bank he's done his best to +cripple the one in which your father and I are interested. I may +say we are very vitally interested in it, for, since the +withdrawal of Foger and his associates, your father and I have +been elected directors." + +"I didn't know that," remarked the lad. + +"No, I didn't tell you, because you were so busy on your +electric car," rejoined Mr. Swift. "But Mr. Damon and I, being +both large depositors, were asked to assume office, and, as I was +not very busy on patent affairs, I consented." + +"But what is the trouble?" inquired Tom. + +"I'm coming to it," resumed Mr. Damon. "Bless my check book, +I'm coming to it! You see we have lost several good customers, by +reason of Foger opening the new bank. That wouldn't have mattered +so much, as between your father and myself, and one or two +others, we have enough capital to carry on the business of the +bank. But there is a more serious matter. We hold a number of +very good securities, but they are of a class hard to realize +cash for, on short notice. In other words they are not active +bonds, though they are issued by reliable concerns. Then, too, +the bank has lost considerable money by not doing as much +business as it formerly did. In short we don't know just what to +do, Tom, and your father and I were discussing it, when you came +in." + +"Do you need more money?" asked Tom. "I have some, that is my +share from the submarine treasure, and some I have allowed to +accumulate as royalties from my patents. It's about ten thousand +dollars, and you're welcome to it." + +"Thank you, Tom," spoke his father. "We may use your cash, but +we'll need a great deal more than that." + +"But why?" asked the lad. "I don't understand. If you have good +bonds, can't you dispose of them, and get the money?" + +"We could, Tom, yes, if we had time," replied Mr. Damon. "But +to throw the bonds on the market at short notice would mean that +we would not get a good price for them. We would lose considerable." + +"But why do it in a hurry?" + +"Because there is need of hurry," responded Mr. Swift. + +"That's it," joined in Mr. Damon. "We have to have cash in a +hurry, Tom, to meet pressing demands, and we don't just see our +way clear to get it. I am trying to raise it on some private +securities I own, but I can't get an answer within several days. +Meanwhile the bank may fail, because of lack of funds. Of course +no one would lose anything, ultimately, as we could go into the +hands of a receiver, and, eventually pay dollar for dollar. Your +father and I, and some of the other directors, might lose a +little, but the depositors would not. But your father and I don't +like the idea of failing. It's something I've never done, and I'm +too old to start in now, bless my cash ledger if I'm not!" + +"And for the sake of my reputation in this community I don't +want to see the bank close its doors," added Mr. Swift. "It would +give Foger too good a chance to crow over us." + +"And you need cash in a hurry," went on Tom. "How much?" + +"Fifty thousand dollars at least," replied Mr. Damon. + +"And if you don't get it?" + +The eccentric man shrugged his shoulders. + +"Well," remarked Mr. Swift musingly, "I don't see that we need +worry you about it, Tom. Perhaps--" + +Mr. Swift was interrupted by a ring at the front door. The +three looked at each other. It was late for a caller, and Mrs. +Baggert had gone to bed. + +"I'll answer it," volunteered Tom. He switched on the electric +light in the hall, and opened the door. He was confronted by Mr. +Pendergast, the president of the bank. + +"Is your father in?" asked Mr. Pendergast, and he seemed to be +much agitated. + +"Yes, he is," replied the lad. "Come this way, please." + +"I want to see him on important business," went on the +president, as he followed the young inventor. "I'm afraid I have +bad news for him and Mr. Damon. Bad news, Tom, bad news," and the +aged banker's voice trembled. Tom, with a chill of apprehension +seeming to clutch his heart, threw open the library door. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII A RUN ON THE BANK + + +"Why, Mr. Pendergast!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, rising quickly as +Tom ushered in the aged president. "Whatever is the matter? You +here at this hour? Bless my trial balance! Is anything wrong? + +"I'm afraid there is," answered the bank head. "I have just +received word which made it necessary for me to see you both at +once. I'm glad you're here, Mr. Damon." + +He sank wearily into a chair which Tom placed for him, and Mr. +Swift asked: + +"Have you been able to raise any cash, Mr. Pendergast?" + +"No, I am sorry to say I have not, but I did not come here to +tell you that. I have bad news for you. As soon as we open our +doors in the morning, there will be a run on the bank." "A run on +the bank?" repeated Mr. Swift. + +"The moment we begin business in the morning," went on Mr. +Pendergast. + +"Bless my soul, then don't begin business!" cried Mr. Damon. + +"We must," insisted Mr. Pendergast. "To keep the doors closed +would be a confession at once that we have failed. No, it is +better to open them, and stand the run as long as we can. When we +have exhausted our cash--" he paused. + +"Well?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"Then we'll fail--that's all." + +"But we mustn't let the bank fail!" cried Mr. Swift. "I am +willing to put some of my personal fortune into the bank capital +in order to save it. So is my son here." + +"That's right," chimed in Tom heartily. "All I've got. I'm not +going to let Andy Foger get ahead of us; nor his father either." + +"I'll help to the limit of my ability," added Mr. Damon. + +"I appreciate all that," continued the president. "But the +unfortunate part of it is that we need cash. You gentlemen, like +myself, probably, have your money tied up in stocks and bonds. It +is hard to get cash quickly, and we must have cash as soon as we +open in the morning, to pay the depositors who will come flocking +to the doors. We must prepare for a run on the bank." + +"How do you know there will be a run?" asked the young +inventor. + +"I received word this evening, just before I came here," +replied Mr. Pendergast. "A poor widow, who has a small amount in +the bank, called on me and said she had been advised to withdraw +all her cash. She said she preferred to see me about it first, as +she did not like to lose her interest. She said a number of her +acquaintances, some of whom are quite heavy depositors, had also +been warned that the bank was unsound, and that they ought to +take out their savings and deposits at once." + +"Did she say who had thus warned her?" inquired Mr. Swift. + +"She did," was the reply, "and that shows me that there is a +conspiracy on foot to ruin our bank. She stated that Mr. Foger +had told her our institution was unsound." + +"Mr. Foger!" cried Mr. Damon. "So this is one of his tricks to +bolster up his new bank! He hopes the people who withdraw their +money from our bank will deposit with him. I see his game. He's a +scoundrel, and if it's possible I'm going to sue him for damages +after this thing is over." + +"Did he warn the others?" inquired the aged inventor. + +"Not all of them," answered the president. "Some received +letters from a man signing himself Addison Berg, warning them +that our bank, was likely to fail any day." + +"Addison Berg!" exclaimed Tom. "That must have been the +important business he had with Mr. Foger, the day I showed him +the watch charm! They were plotting the ruin of our bank then," +and he told his father about his disastrous pursuit of the +submarine agent. + +"Very likely Foger is working with Berg," admitted Mr. Damon. +"We will attend to them later. The question is, what can we do to +save the bank?" + +"Get cash, and plenty of it," advised Mr. Pendergast. "Suppose +we go over the whole situation again?" and they fell to talking +stocks: bonds, securities, mortgages and interest, until the +youth, interested as he was in the situation, could follow it no +longer. + +"Better go to bed, Tom," advised his father. "You can't help us +any, and we have many details to go over." + +The lad reluctantly consented, and he was soon dreaming that he +was in his electric auto, trying to pull up a thousand pound lump +of gold from the bottom of the sea. He awoke to find the +bedclothes in a lump on his chest, and, removing them, fell into +a deep slumber. + +When the young inventor awoke the next morning, Mrs. Baggert +told him that his father and Mr. Damon had risen nearly an hour +before, had partaken of a hearty breakfast, and departed. + +"They told me to tell you they were at the bank," said the +housekeeper. + +"Did Mr. Pendergast stay all night?" inquired Tom. + +"I heard some one go away about two o'clock this morning," +replied the housekeeper. "I don't know who it was." + +"They must have had a long session," thought Tom, as he began +on his bacon, eggs and coffee. "I'll take a run down to the bank +in my electric in a little while." + +The car was still in rather crude shape, outwardly, but the +mechanism was now almost perfect. Tom charged the batteries well +before starting put. + +The youth had no sooner come in sight of the old Shopton bank, +to distinguish it from the Second National, which Mr. Foger had +started, than he was aware that something unusual had occurred. +There was quite a crowd about it, and more persons were +constantly arriving to swell the throng. + +"What's the matter?" asked Tom, of one of the few police +officers of which Shopton boasted, though the lad did not need to +be told. + +"Run on the bank," was the brief answer. "It's failed." + +Tom felt a pang of disappointment. Somehow, he had hoped that +his father and his friends might have been able to stave off +ruin. As he approached nearer Tom was made aware that the crowd +was in an ugly mood. + +"Why don't they open the doors and give us our money?" cried +one excited woman. "It's ours! I worked hard for mine, an' now +they want to keep it from us. I wish I'd put it in the new bank." + +"Yes, that's the best place," added another. "That Mr. Foger +has lots of money." + +"I can see the hand of Andy's father, and that of Mr. Berg, at +work here," thought Tom, "They have spread rumors of the bank's +trouble, and hope to profit by it. I wish I could find a way to +beat them at their own game." + +As the minutes passed, and the bank was not opened, the ugly +temper of the crowd increased. The few police could do nothing +with the mob, and several, bolder than the rest, advocated +battering down the doors. Some went up the steps and began to +pound on the portals. Tom looked for a sight of his father or Mr. +Damon, but could not see either. + +It was not the regular hour for opening the bank, but when the +police reminded the people of this they only laughed. + +"I guess they ain't going to open anyhow!" shouted a man. +"They've got our money, and they're going to keep it. What +difference is an hour, anyway?" + +"Yes, if they have the money, why don't they open, and not wait +until ten o'clock?" cried another. "I've got a hundred and five +dollars in there, and I want it!" + +More excited persons were arriving every minute. The crowd +surged this way, and that. Many looked anxiously at the clock in +the tower of the town hall. The gilded hands pointed to a few +minutes of ten. Would the bank open its doors when the hour +boomed out? Many were anxiously asking this question. + +Tom sat in his electric car, near the front of the bank. The +interest of the crowd, which under ordinary circumstances would +have been centered in the queer vehicle, was not drawn toward it. +The people were all thinking of their money. + +Suddenly one of the two doors of the bank slowly opened. There +was a yell from the crowd, and a rush to get in. But the police +managed to hold the leaders back, and then Tom saw that it was +Ned Newton, who stood in the partly-opened portal. He held up his +hand to indicate silence, and a hush fell over the mob. + +"The bank is open for business," Ned announced, "but there must +be no rush. The building is not large enough to accommodate you +all. If you form a line, you will be admitted in turn. The bank +hopes to pay you all." + +"Hopes!" cried a woman scornfully. "We can't eat hopes, young +man, nor yet pay the rent with it. Hopes indeed!" + +But Ned had said all he cared to, and, with rather a white +face, he went back inside. The one door remained open and, with a +policeman on either side, a line of anxious depositors was slowly +formed. Tom watched them crowding and surging forward, all eager +to be first to get their cash out, lest there be not enough for +all. As he watched, the young inventor was aware that some was +signaling to him from the big window of the bank. He looked more +closely and saw Ned Newton beckoning to him, and the young +cashier was motioning Tom to go around to the rear, where a door +of the bank opened on a small alley. Wondering what was wanted, +Tom slowly ran his machine down the side street, and up the +alley. No one paid any attention to him. + +A porter admitted the lad, and he made his way to the private +offices, where he knew his father and Mr. Damon would be. In the +corridors he could hear the murmur of the throng and the chink of +money, as the tellers paid it out. + +"Well, Tom, this is bad business," remarked Mr. Swift, as he +saw his son. The lad noticed that Mr. Damon was in the telephone +booth. + +"Yes, Dad," admitted Tom. "It's a run, all right. What are you +going to do?" + +"The best we can. Pay out all the cash we have, and hope that +before that time, the people will come to their senses. The bank +is all right if they would only wait. But I'm afraid they won't +and, after we pay out all the cash we have, we'll have to close +the doors. Then there's sure to be an unpleasant scene, and maybe +some of the more hot-headed ones will advocate violence. We have +given orders to the tellers to pay out as slowly as possible, so +as to enable us to gain some time." + +"And all you need is money; is that it, Dad?" + +"That's it, Tom, but we have exhausted every possibility. Mr. +Damon is trying a forlorn hope now, but, even if he is successful--" + +Before Mr. Swift had ceased speaking, Mr. Damon fairly burst +from the telephone booth. He was much excited. + +"I've got it! I've got it!" he cried. + +"What?" asked Mr. Swift and Tom in the same breath. + +"The cash, or, what's just as good, the promise of it. I called +up Mr. Chase, of the Clayton National Bank, and he has agreed to +take the railroad securities I offered him as collateral, and let +me have sixty thousand dollars on them! That will give us cash +enough to weather the storm. Hurrah! We're all right now. Bless +my check book!" + +"The Clayton National Bank," remarked Mr. Swift, and his voice +was hopeless. "It's forty miles away, Mr. Damon, and no railroad +around here runs anywhere near it. No one could get there and +back with the cash to-day, in time to save us from ruin. It's +impossible! Our last chance is gone." + +"How far did you say it was, Dad?" asked Tom quickly. + +"Forty miles there, over forty, I guess, and not very good +roads. We would need to have the cash here before three o'clock +to be of any service to us. No, it's out of the question. The +bank will have to fail!" + +"No!" cried the young inventor, and his voice rang out through +the room. "I'll get the cash for you!" + +"How?" gasped Mr. Damon. "You can't get there and back in +time?" + +"Yes, I can!" cried Tom. "In my electric runabout! I can make +it go a hundred miles an hour, if necessary! Probably I'll have +to run slow over the bad roads; but I can do it! I know I can. +I'll get the sixty thousand dollars for you!" + +For a moment there was silence. Then Mr. Damon cried: + +"Good! And I'll go with you and deliver the securities to Mr. +Chase. Come on, Tom Swift! Bless my collar button, but maybe we +can yet save the old bank after all!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII AFTER THE CASH + + +Tom's proposal as a way out of the difficulty, and the prompt +seconding of it by Mr. Damon, seemed to deprive the other bank +officials, Mr. Swift included, of the power of speech for a few +moments. Then, as there came to the room where the scene had +taken place, the sound of the mob outside, clamoring for cash, +Mr. Pendergast, the president, remarked in a low voice: + +"It seems to be the only way. Do you think you can do it, Tom +Swift?" + +"I'm sure of it, as far as my electric car is concerned," +replied the young inventor. "If we get the cash I'll have it back +here on time. The runabout is all ready for a fast trip." + +"Then don't lose any time, Tom," advised his father. "Every +minute counts." + +"Yes," added Mr. Damon. "Come on. I've got the securities in my +valise, and we can bring the cash back in the same satchel. Come +on, Tom." + +The eccentric character caught up his valise, and started from +the room. Tom followed. + +"Now, my son, be careful," advised his father. "You know the +need of haste, but don't take unnecessary risks. You'd better go +out the back way, as the crowd is easily excited." + +Little more was said. Mr. Swift clasped his son's hand in a +firm pressure, and the bank president nervously bade the lad +good-by. Then, slipping out of the bank, by the rear entrance, +the porter closing the door after them, Tom and Mr. Damon took +their places in the electric machine. + +"Just imagine you're racing for that three-thousand-dollar +prize, offered by the Touring Club of America, Tom," observed Mr. +Damon, as he deposited the valise at his feet. + +"I don't have to do that," replied the youth. "I'm trying for a +bigger prize than that. I want to save the bank, and defeat the +schemes of the Fogers--father and son." + +Tom turned on the power, and the machine rolled out on the main +street. As it turned the corner, leaving the impatient crowd of +depositors, now larger than ever, behind, Mr. Damon glanced over +at the new bank, and, as he did so, he called to Tom: + +"There are the Fogers now." + +The young inventor looked, and saw Andy and his father on the +steps of the new institution. + +At the sight of the electric car, speeding along, Andy turned +and spoke to his parent. What he said seemed to impress Mr. +Foger, for he started, and looked more intently at Tom and Mr. +Damon. Then, as Tom watched, he saw the two excitedly conversing, +and a moment later Andy ran off in the direction in which Sam +Snedecker and Pete Bailey lived. + +"I wonder if he's up to any tricks?" thought Tom, as he turned +on more power. "Well, if he is, I'll soon be where he can't reach +me." + +The young inventor did not dare send his car at full speed +through the streets of the town, and it was not until several +minutes had passed that they could go at more than the ordinary +rate. But once the open country was reached Tom "opened her up +full," and the song the motor sung was one of power. The vehicle +quickly gathered headway and was soon fairly whizzing along. + +"If we keep this up we'll be there and back in good time," +remarked Mr. Damon. + +"Yes, but we can't do it," replied his companion. "The road to +Clayton is a poor one, and we'll soon be on it. Then we'll have +to go slow. But I'll make all the time I can until then." + +So, for several miles more they crept along, at times having to +reduce to almost a walking pace, because of bad roads. Mr. Damon +looked at his watch almost every other minute. + +"Eleven o'clock," he remarked, as they passed a milestone, "and +we're not half way there. Bless my gizzard, but I'm afraid we +won't make it, Tom. We left about ten, and we ought to be back by +two o'clock to do any good. That's four hours, and it will take +some time to transfer the securities, and get the cash. Every +minute counts." + +"I know it," answered Tom, "and I'm going to count every +minute." + +With eager eyes he watched every inch of the road, to steer to +the best advantage. His hands gripped the wheel until his +knuckles showed white with the strain, and, every now and then +his right hand adjusted the speed lever or the controller handle, +while his foot was on the emergency brake, ready to stop the car +at the first sign of danger. + +And there was danger, not infrequently, for the road was up and +down hill, over frail bridges, and along steep cliffs. It was no +pleasure tour they were on. + +When a little over half the distance had been made they came to +a better road, and Tom was able to use full speed ahead. Then the +electric went so fast that, had it not been for the steel +wind-shield in front, Mr. Damon, at any rate, would have been +short of breath. + +"This is going some!" he cried to Tom. The lad nodded grimly, +and shoved the controller handle over to the last notch. Then +came a bad stretch and they had to slow down again. As they were +about out of it there came a little flash of fire and the motor +stopped. + +"Bless my overshoes!" cried Mr. Damon. "What's that; a fuse +blown out?" + +"No," replied Tom, with a puzzled air. "But something has gone +wrong." Hastily he got out, and made an examination. He found it +was only one of the unimportant wires which had short-circuited, +and it was soon adjusted. But they had lost five precious +minutes. Tom tried to make up for lost time, but came to a hill a +little later, and this reduced their speed. + +"Do you think we can make it before twelve?" asked Mr. Damon +anxiously. "We've got to, if we're to get back before three, +Tom." + +"I'll try," was the calm answer, and Tom's jaw was shut still +more tightly. Once again came more favorable roads and pushing +the car to the limit the occupants were rejoiced, a little later, +as they topped a hill, to come in sight of a fairly large city. + +"There's Clayton!" cried Mr. Damon. + +Ten minutes later they were rolling through the main street, +and as they stopped in front of the bank, the noon whistles blew +shrill and noisily. + +"You did it, Tom!" cried Mr. Damon, springing out with the +valise of securities. "Now be ready for the return trip. I'll be +with you as soon as possible." + +He went up the bank steps three at a time, like some boy +instead of an elderly man. Tom looked after him for a second and +then got down to oil up his car, and make some adjustments that +had rattled loose from the rough road. Unmindful of the curious +throng that gathered he crawled under the machine with his oil-can. + +He had finished his work, and was back in his seat, ready to +start, but Mr. Damon had not reappeared. + +"It's taking him a good while to get that cash," thought Tom. +"Maybe the securities were no good." + +But, a few minutes later, Mr. Damon came hurrying from the +bank. The valise he carried seemed much heavier than when he went +in. + +"It's all right, Tom," he said. "I've got it. Now for the trip +home, and I hope we don't have any accidents. It took longer than +I thought to check over the bonds and receipt for them. But I've +got the cash. Now to save the bank!" + +He took his place beside the young inventor, holding the valise +between his knees, while Tom turned on the power and sent his car +dashing down the street, and toward the road that led to Shopton. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX STOPPED ON THE ROAD + + +"Did Mr. Chase make any objection to giving you the cash?" +asked Tom, as he shoved the controller over another notch, and +caused the motor to make a higher note in its song of speed. + +"Oh, no, he was very nice about it," replied Mr. Damon. "He +said he hoped our bank would pull through. Said if we needed more +cash we could have it." + +It was nearly one o'clock, and they had the worst part of the +journey yet to go. Thirty miles of stiff roads lay between them +and Shopton, the last five and the first five being fairly good, +with, here and there, soft spots. + +Up hill and down went the electric auto. At every opportunity +Tom let out all the speed he could draw from the motor, but there +were many times when he had to slow down. He had just made the +ascent of a steep hill, and was turning into a fairly good road, +skirting the edge of a steep cliff, when there came a sharp +report. + +"Bless my soul! That's a fuse, I'm sure of it!" cried Mr. +Damon. + +"No," announced Tom, as he quickly shut off the power. "It's a +puncture. One of the inner tubes of the tire has been pierced. I +was afraid of that tube." + +"What have you got to do; put on a new tire?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"No, I'm going to put on a new wheel. I carry two spare ones +with tires all ready inflated. It won't take long." + +But the process of changing wheels consumed more time than Tom +anticipated for the nut was stuck, and he and Mr. Damon had to +exert all their strength before they could loosen it. When the +new wheel was in place ten minutes had been lost. + +"Hold on now, I'm going to speed her!" cried Tom, when they +were once more in their seats, and speed the machine he did. The +road was rough, but despite this the lad turned on almost full +power. Over the bumps they went, around curves and into +rain-washed ruts careening from side to side, and throwing Mr. +Damon about, as he expressed it afterward, "like a bean inside +of a football." As for the young inventor his grasp of the +steering wheel, and the manner in which he could brace himself +against the foot pedals, held him more firmly in place. On and +on they rushed, covering mile after mile, and approaching +Shopton where so much depended on their arrival. + +Good and bad stretches of the road alternated, but now that Tom +had seen of what mettle his car was made, he did not spare it as +much as he had on the first trip. He saw that his machine would +stand hard knocks, and the way the battery and motor was behaving +was a joy to him. He knew that if he could make that eighty-mile +run in safety he stood a good chance of winning the prize, for no +harder test could have been devised. + +But the race was still far from won. There was a particularly +unsafe stretch of road yet to be covered, and then would come a +smooth highway into Shopton. + +"Ten miles more," observed Mr Damon, snapping shut his big +gold watch. "Ten miles more, and it's a quarter of two now. We +ought to be there at a quarter after, and that will be in good +time, eh, Tom?" + +"I think so, but I don't know about this piece of road we're +coming to. It seems worse than when we passed over it this +morning." + +As he spoke the auto began to slow up, for the wheels had +struck some heavy sand, and it was necessary to reduce the +current. Tom turned back the controller handle, but watched with +eager eyes for a sign that the roadbed was harder, so that he +could increase speed. + +As the car turned around a curve, passing through a lonely +stretch of country, with woods on either side of the highway, Tom +glancing up, uttered a cry of astonishment. + +"What's the matter; something gone wrong?" asked his companion. + +For answer Tom pointed. There, just ahead of them, was a big +load of hay, and it was evident that the driver, was in no +particular hurry. + +"We can't pass that without getting in over our hubs!" cried +Tom. "If we turn out the side ditches are so soft that we'll need +help to pull out, and the road is so narrow for several miles +that we'll have to trail along behind that fellow." + +"Bless my check book!" cried Mr. Damon. "Are we going to lose, +after all, on account of a load of hay? No, I'll buy it from him +first, at double the market price, tip it over, set fire to it, +toss it in the ditch, and then we can go past!" + +"Maybe that will answer," retorted Tom, smiling grimly. + +He put on a little more speed, and was soon close up behind the +load of hay, ringing his electric bell as a warning. + +"I say!" called Mr. Damon to the unseen driver, "can't you turn +out and let us pass?" + +"Ha! Hum! Wa'al I guess not!" came the answer, in unmistakable +farmer's accents. "You automobile fellers is too gol-hanged +smart, racin' along th' roads. I've got just as good a right here +as you fellers have, by heck!" The driver did not show himself. + +"We know that," responded Tom, as quickly as he could, for he +did not want to anger the man. "But our machine is so heavy that +if we turn into the ditch I'm afraid we'll be mired." + +"Huh! So'll I," was the retort from the unseen driver.. "Think +I want t' spile my load of hay?" + +"But you have wide tires on, and you wouldn't sink in far," +answered the young inventor. "Besides, it's very necessary that +we get past. A great deal depends on our speed." + +"So it does on mine," was the reply. "Ef I git t' market late +I'll have t' stay all night, an' spend money on a hotel bill." + +"I'll pay it! I'll pay your bill if you'll only pull out!" +cried Mr. Damon. "I'll give you a hundred dollars!" + +He suddenly ceased speaking. From the bushes along the road +sprang several ragged, masked figures. Each one, aiming his +weapon at Tom, said in a low voice, that could not have been +heard by the driver of the hay wagon: + +"Slow up your machine, young feller! We want to speak with you, +and don't you make a loud noise, or it won't be healthy for you!" + +"Why of all the-!" began Mr. Damon, but another of the footpads +leveling his weapon at the eccentric man growled: + +"Dry up, if you don't want to get shot!" + +Mr. Damon subsided. Discretion was very plainly the better part +of valor. Tom had shut off the current. The load of hay continued +on ahead. Tom thought perhaps the driver of it might have been in +collusion with the thieves, to cause the auto to slow up. + +"What do you want with us?" asked the young inventor, trying to +speak calmly, but finding it a hard task, with a revolver pointed +at him. + +"You know what we want," exclaimed the leader, in a low voice. +"We want that cash you got from the bank, and we're going to have +it! Come, now, shell out!" and he advanced toward the automobile. + + + + +CHAPTER XX ON TIME + + +Close around the electric auto crowded the members of the +hold-up gang. Their eyes seemed to glare through the holes in +their black masks. Instantly Tom thought of the other occasion +when he was halted by masked figures. Could these, by any +possibility, be the same individuals? Was this a trick of Andy +Foger and his cronies? + +Tom tried to pierce through the disguises. Clearly the persons +were men--not boys--and they wore the ragged clothes of tramps. +Also, there was an air of dogged determination about them. + +"Well, are you going to shell out?" asked the leader, taking a +step nearer, "or will we have to take it?" + +"Bless my very existence! You don't mean to say that you're +going to take the money--I mean how do you know we have any +money?" and Mr. Damon hastily corrected himself. "What right have +you to stop us in this way? Don't you know that every minute +counts? We are in a hurry." + +"I know it," spoke the leading masked figure with a laugh. "I +know you have considerable money in that shebang, and I know what +you hope to do with it, prevent the run on the Shopton National +Bank. But we need that money as much as some other people and, +what's more, we're going to have it! Come on, shell out!" + +"Oh, why didn't we bring a gun!" lamented Mr. Damon in a low +voice to Tom. "Isn't there anything we can do? Can't you give +them an electric shock, Tom?" + +"I'm afraid not. If it wasn't for that hay wagon we could turn +on the current and make a run for it. But we'd only go into the +ditch if we tried to pass now." + +The load of hay was down the road, but as Tom looked he noticed +a curious thing. It seemed to be nearer than it was when the +attack of the masked men came. The wagon actually seemed to have +backed up. Once more the thought came to the lad that possibly +the load of fodder might be one of the factors on which the +thieves counted. They might have used it to make the auto halt, +and the man, or men, on it were probably in collusion with the +footpads. There was no doubt about it, the load of hay was coming +nearer, backing up instead of moving away. Tom couldn't +understand it. He gave a swift glance at the robbers. They had +not appeared to notice this, or, if they had, they gave no sign. + +"Then we can't do anything," murmured Mr. Damon. + +"I don't see that we can," replied the young inventor in a low +voice. + +"And the money we worked so hard to get won't do the bank any +good," and Mr. Damon sighed. + +"It's tough luck," agreed Tom. + +"Come now, fork over that cash!" called the leader, advancing +still closer. "None of that talk between you there. If you think +you can work some trick on us you're mistaken. We're desperate +men, and we're well armed. The first show of resistance you make, +and we shoot--get that, fellows?" he added to his followers, and +they nodded grimly. + +"Well," remarked Mr. Damon with an air of submission, "I only +want to warn you that you are acting illegally, and that you are +perpetrating a desperate crime." + +"Oh, we know that all right," answered one of the men, and Tom +gave a start. He was sure he had heard that voice before. He +tried to remember it--tried to penetrate the disguise--but he +could not. + +"I'll give you ten seconds more to hand over that bag of +money," went on the leader. "If you don't, we'll take it and some +of you may get hurt in the process." + +There seemed nothing else to do. With a white face, but with +anger showing in his eyes Mr. Damon reached down to get the +valise. Tom had retained his grip of the steering wheel, and the +starting lever. He hoped, at the last minute, he might see a +chance to dash away, and escape, but that load of hay was in the +path. He noted that it was now quite near, but the thieves paid +no attention to it. + +Tom might have reversed the power, and sent his machine +backward, but he could not see to steer it if he went in that +direction, and he would soon have gone into the ditch. There was +nothing to do save to hand over the cash, it seemed. + +Mr. Damon had the bag raised from the car, and the leader of +the thieves was reaching up for it, when there came a sudden +interruption. + +From the load of hay there sounded a fusillade of pistol shots, +cracking out with viciousness. This was instantly followed by the +appearance of three men who came running from around the load of +hay, down the road toward the thieves. Each man carried a +pitchfork, and as they ran, one of the trio shouted: + +"Right at 'em, boys! Jab your hay forks clean through the +scoundrels! By Heck, I guess we'll show 'em we know how t' tackle +a hold-up gang as well as the next fellow! Right at 'em now! +Charge 'em! Stick your forks right through 'em!" Again there +sounded a fusillade of pistol shots. + +The thieves turned as one man, and glanced at the relief so +unexpectedly approaching. They gave one look at the three +determined looking farmers, with their sharp, glittering +pitchforks, and then, without a word, they turned and fled, +leaping into the bushes that lined the roadway. The underbrush +closed after them and they were hidden from sight. + +On came the three farmers, waving their effective weapons, the +pistol shots still ringing out from the load of hay. Tom could +not understand it, and could see no one firing--could detect no +smoke. + +"Are they gone? Did they rob ye?" asked the foremost of the +trio, a burly, grizzled farmer. Bust my buttons, but I guess we +skeered 'em all right!" + +"Bless my shoe buttons, but you certainly have!" cried Mr. +Damon, descending from the automobile, and wringing the hand of +the farmer, while Tom, thrust the bag of money under his legs and +waited further developments. The pistol shots rang out until one +of the men called: + +"That'll do, Bub! We've skeered 'em like Mrs. Zenoby's pet cat! +You needn't crack that whip any more." + +"Whip!" cried Tom. "Was that a whip?" + +"That's what it was," explained the leading farmer. "Bub +Armstrong, my nephew, can crack it to beat th' band," and as if +in proof of this there emerged from behind the load of hay a +small lad, carrying a large whip, to which he gave a few trial +cracks, like pistol shots, as if to show his ability. + +"It's all right, Bub," his uncle assured him. "We made 'em +run." + +"But I don't exactly understand," spoke Mr. Damon. "I thought +you were in league with those thieves, stopping us as you did +with your big load." + +"So did I," admitted Tom. + +"Ha! Ha!" laughed the farmer. "That's a pretty good joke. +Excuse me for laughin'. My name's Lyon, Jethro Lyon, of Salina +Township, an' these is my two sons, Ade and Burt. You see we're +on our way to Shopton, an' my nephew, Bub, he went along. We +thought you was some of them sassy automobile fellers at first +when you hollered to us you wanted to pass. Then when we looked +back, we seen them burglars goin' t' rob you, at least that's +what we suspicioned," and he paused suggestively. + +"That was it," Tom said. + +"Wa'al, when we seen that, we held a sort of consultation on +thet load of hay, where they couldn't see us. It was so big you +know," he needlessly explained. "Wa'al, we calcalated we could +help you, so I jest quietly backed up, until we was near enough. +I told Bub to take the long whip, an' crack it for all he was +wuth, so's it would sound like reinforcements approachin' with +guns, an' he done it." + +"He certainly done it," added Burt. + +"Wa'al," resumed Mr. Lyon, "then me an my sons we jest slipped +down off the front seat, an' come a runnin' with our pitchforks. +I reckoned them burglars would run when they see us an' heard us, +an' they done so." + +"Yep, they done so," added Ade, like an echo. + +"I can't tell you how much obliged we are to you," said Mr. +Damon. "We have sixty thousand dollars in this valise, and they +would have had it in another minute, and the bank would have +failed." + +"Sixty thousand dollars!" gasped Mr. Lyon, and his sons and +nephew echoed the words. Mr. Damon briefly explained about the +money, and he and the young inventor again thanked their +rescuers, who had so unexpectedly, and in such a novel manner, +put the thieves to flight. + +"An' you've got t' git t' Shopton before three o'clock with +thet cash?" asked Mr. Lyon. + +"That's what we hoped to do," replied Tom "but I'm afraid we +won't now. It's half past two, and--" + +"Don't say another word," interrupted Mr. Lyon. "I know what ye +mean. My hay's in the road. But don't let that worry ye none. +I'll pull out of your road in a jiffy, an' if we do go down in +th' ditch, why we can throw off part of th' load, lighten th' +wagon, an' pull out again. You've got t' hustle if ye git t' +Shopton by three o'clock." + +"I can do it with a clear road," declared Tom, confidently. + +"Then ye'll have th' clear road," Mr. Lyon assured him. "Come +boys, let's git th' hay t' one side." + +The farmers pulled into the ditch. As they had feared the wagon +went in almost to the hubs, but they did not mind, and, even as +Tom and Mr. Damon shot past them, they fell to work tossing off +part of the fodder, to lighten the wagon. The young inventor and +his companion waved a grateful farewell to them as they fairly +tore past, for Tom had turned on almost the full current. + +"Do you suppose that was the Happy Harry gang, or some members +of it who were not captured and sent to jail?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"I don't believe so," answered the lad, shaking his head. +"Maybe they didn't really want to rob us. Perhaps they only +wanted to delay us so we wouldn't get to the bank on time." + +"Bless my top knot, you may be right!" cried Mr. Damon. + +Further conversation became difficult, as they struck a rough +part of the road, where the vehicle swayed and jolted to an +alarming degree. But Tom never slackened pace. On and on they +rushed, Mr. Damon frequently looking at his watch. + +"We've got twenty minutes left," he remarked as they came out +on the smooth stretch of road, that led directly into Shopton. + +Then Tom turned all the reserve power into the motor. The +machinery almost groaned as the current surged into the wires, +but it took up the load, and the electric car, swaying more than +ever, dashed ahead with its burden of wealth. + +Now they were in the town, now speeding down the street leading +to the bank. One or two policemen shouted after them, for they +were violating the speed laws, but it was no time to stop for +that. On and on they dashed. + +They came in sight of the bank. A long line of persons was +still in front. They seemed more excited than in the morning, for +the hour of three was approaching, and they feared the bank would +close its doors, never to open them again. + +"The run is still on," observed Mr. Damon. + +"But it will soon be over," predicted Tom. + +Some news of the errand of the automobile must have penetrated +the crowd, for as Tom swung past the front entrance to the bank, +to go up the rear alley, he was greeted with a cheer. + +"They're got the cash!" a man cried. "I'm satisfied now. I +don't draw out my deposit." + +"I want to see the cash before I'll believe it," said another. + +Tom slowed up to make the turn into the alley. As he did so he +glanced across the street to the new bank. In the window stood +Andy Foger and his father. There was a look of surprise on their +faces as they saw the arrival of the powerful car, and, Tom +fancied, also a look of chagrin. + +Up the alley went the car, police keeping the crowd from +following. The porter was at the door. So, also, was Mr. +Pendergast and Mr. Swift, while some of the other officers were +grouped behind them. + +"Did you get the money?" gasped the president. + +"We did," answered Tom. "Are we on time, Dad?" + +"Just on time, my boy! They're paying out the last of the cash +now! You're on time, thank fortune!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI OFF TO THE BIG RACE + + +From their task of handing out money to eager depositors, the +wearied tellers looked up as Tom and Mr. Damon entered with the +big valise crammed full of money. It was opened, and the bundles +of bills turned out on a table. + +"Perhaps you'd better make an announcement to the crowd, Mr. +Pendergast," suggested Mr. Swift. "Tell them we now have cash +enough to meet all demands, and that the bank will be kept open +until every one is paid." + +"I will," agreed the aged president. His announcement was +received with cheers, and had exactly the effect the inventor +hoped it would. + +Many, learning that the bank was safe, and that they could have +their money whenever they wanted it, concluded not to withdraw +it, thus saving the interest. Scores in the waiting crowd turned +out of line and went home. Their example was contagious, and, +though many still remained to get their deposits, the run was +broken. Only part of the sixty thousand dollars Tom and Mr. Damon +had brought through after a race with time, was needed. But had +it not been for the moral effect of the cash arriving as it did, +the bank would have failed. + +"You have a great car, Tom Swift," complimented Mr. Pendergast, +when the excitement had somewhat cooled down, and the story of +the hold-up had been told. + +"I think so myself," agreed the young inventor modestly. "I +must get ready for the races now." + +"And as for those farmers, I think I'll send them a reward," +went on the president. "They deserve something for the trouble +they had with the load of hay. I certainly shall send them a +reward," which he did, and a substantial one, too. + +Of course the hold-up was at once reported to the police after +the run had quieted down, but Chief Simonson surprised Tom by +saying that he had expected it. + +"The gang that held you up," said the police officer, "was one +that escaped from a jail, about twenty miles away. I got a tip +after you left, that they were going to rob you, for, in some +way, they learned about the money you and Mr. Damon were to bring +from the bank. The unfortunate part of it was that the tip I got +was to the effect that the hold-up would take place just outside +of Clayton. I telephoned to the police there, just after you +left, and they said they'd send out a posse. But the gang changed +their plans; and held you up near here, where I wasn't expecting +it. But I'll get 'em yet." + +Chief Simonson did not arrest the gang, but some other police +officers did, and they were taken back to jail. They were not +prosecuted for the attempted robbery of Tom, as it was considered +difficult to fix the guilt on them, but they received such a long +additional sentence for breaking jail, that it will be many years +before they are released. + +When Tom reached home that night he found some mail from the +officials of the Touring Club of America. It was to the effect +that arrangements for the big contest had been completed, and +that contesting cars must be on the ground by September first. + +"That gives me two weeks yet," thought our hero. + +He read further of the regulations covering the race. Each car +must proceed from the home town or city of the owner, and go to +the track under its own power. This was a new regulation, it was +stated, and was adopted to better develop the industry of +building electric autos. Two passengers, or one in addition to +the driver, must be carried, it was stated, and this one would +also be expected to be in the car during the entire race. + +Regarding the race proper it was stated that at first it had +been decided to make it a twenty-four hour endurance contest, but +that for certain reasons this was changed, as it was found that +few storage batteries could go this length of time without a +number of rechargings. Therefore the race was to be one for +distance--five hundred miles, on the new Long Island track, and +the car first covering that distance would win. Cars were allowed +to change their batteries as often as they needed to, but all +time lost would count against them. There were other rules and +regulations of minor importance. + +"Well," remarked Tom, as he read through the circulars, "I must +get my car in shape. It will be quite a tip to Long Island, and I +think my best plan will be to go direct to the cottage we had +when we were building the submarine, and from there proceed to +the track. That will comply with the rules, I think. But who will +I get to go with me? I suppose Mr. Damon or Mr. Sharp will be +willing. I'll ask them." + +He broached the matter to his two friends that night, and they +both agreed to go to Long Island in the car, though only Mr. +Sharp would accompany Tom in the race. The next two weeks were +busy ones for Tom. He worked night and day over his car, getting +it in shape for the big event. + +The young inventor made some changes in his battery, and also +adopted a new gear, which would give greater speed. He also +completed the exterior of the auto, giving it several coats of +purple paint and varnish, so that when it was finished, though it +was different in shape from most autos, it was as fine an +appearing car as one could wish. He arranged to carry two extra +wheels, with tires inflated, and, under the rear seats, or +tonneau, as he called it, Tom fitted up a complete tire-repairing +outfit. Mr. Sharp agreed to ride there, and in case there was +need to use more than two spare wheels during the race, the +rubber shoes or inner tubes could be mended while the car was +swinging around the track. + +Mr. Damon would ride in front with Tom on the cross-country +trip, and occasionally relieve him at steering, or would help to +manage the electrical connections. Spare fuses, extra parts, +wires and different things he thought he might need, the young +inventor stored in his car. He also found means to install a +small additional storage battery, to give added power in case of +emergency. + +Tom learned from the racing officials that if he made a trip +from Shopton to the cottage on the coast, near the city of +Atlantis, and later traveled from there to the track, it would +fulfill the conditions of the contest. + +Finally all was in readiness, and one morning, having spent the +better part of the night going over his machine, to see that he +had forgotten nothing, Tom invited Mr. Damon and Mr. Sharp to +enter, and prepare for the trip to Long Island. + +"Well, Tom, I certainly hope you win that race," remarked Mrs. +Baggert, as she stood in the doorway, waving a farewell. + +"If I do I'll buy you a pair of diamond earrings to match the +diamond ring I gave you from the money I got from the wreck," +promised the lad with a laugh. + +"An' ef yo' sees dat Andy Foger," added Eradicate Sampson, +while he rubbed the long ears of Boomerang, his mule, "ef yo' +sees him, jest run ober him once or twice fer mah sake, Mistah +Swift." + +"I'll do it for my own, too," agreed Tom. + +The youth shook hands with his father, who wished him good +luck, and then, after a final look at his car, he climbed to his +seat, and turned on the power. There was a low hum from the motor +and the electric started off. Would it return a winner or loser +of the big race? + + + + +CHAPTER XXII IN A DITCH + + +Through the streets of Shopton went Tom Swift and his friends. +News of the big contest the young inventor was about to take part +in, had circulated around town, and there were not wanting many +to wish him good luck. The lad responded smilingly to the +farewells he received. As they passed the bank, Ned Newton came +out on the steps. + +"Wish I was going along," he called. + +"So do I," replied Tom. "How's everything? Is the bank all +right since the run?" for he had not had time to pay much +attention to the institution since his memorable race against +time, to get the money. + +"Stronger and better than ever," was Ned's answer, as he came +to the curb, where Tom slowed up. "I hear," he added in a +whisper, "that the other fellows are going out of business--Foger +and his crowd you know. They loaned money on unsecured notes to +make a good showing, and now they can't get it back But we're all +right. Hope you win the race." + +"So do I." + +"What will a certain person do while you're away?" went on Ned, +with a wink. + +"I don't know what you mean," replied Tom, trying not to blush. +"Do you mean my dad or Mrs. Baggert?" + +"Neither, you old hypocrite you! I meant Miss Mary Nestor." + +"Oh, hadn't you heard?" inquired Tom innocently. "She is going +to Long Island to visit some friends, and she'll be at the race." + +"You lucky dog," murmured Ned with a laugh, as he went into the +bank. + +Once more the electric auto started off, and was soon on the +quiet country road, where Tom speeded it up moderately. He hoped +to be able to make the entire distance to the shore cottage on +the single charge of current he had put into the battery at home, +and, as there was no special need for haste, he wanted to save +his power. The machine was running smoothly, and seemed able to +make a long race against time. + +The travelers ate lunch that day at Pendleton, a town some +distance from Shopton. They had covered a substantial part of +their trip. After a brief rest they started on again. Tom had +planned to spend two days and one night on the road, hoping to be +able to reach the shore cottage on the evening of the second day. +There, after recharging the battery, he would spend a night, or +two, and proceed to the track, ready for the race. + +They found the roads fairly good, with bad stretches here and +there, which made it necessary for them to slow down. This +delayed them, and they found the shadows lengthening, and +darkness approaching, when they were still several miles from +Burgfield, where they intended to sleep. + +"Will it be all right to travel at night?" asked Mr. Damon, a +bit nervously. + +"Why, are you thinking of hold-up men?" inquired Mr. Sharp. + +"No, but I was wondering about the condition of the roads," +replied the eccentric man. "We don't want to run into a rock, or +collide with something." + +"I guess this will light up the road far enough in advance, so +that we can see where we are going," suggested Tom, as he +switched on the powerful electric search-light. Though it was not +dark enough to illuminate the highway to the best advantage, the +powerful gleam shone dazzlingly in front of the swiftly moving +auto. + +"I guess that will show up every pebble in the road," commented +the balloonist. "It's very powerful." + +Tom turned off the light, as, until it was darker, he could see +to better advantage unaided by it. He slowed down the speed +somewhat, but was still going at a good rate. + +"There's a bridge somewhere about here," remarked the lad, when +they had gone on a mile further. I remember seeing it on my road +map. It's not very strong, and we'll have to run slow over it." + +"Bless my gizzard, I hope we don't go through it!" cried Mr. +Damon. "Is your car very heavy, Tom?" + +"Not heavy enough to break the bridge. Ah, there it is. Guess +I'll turn on the light so we can see what we're doing." + +Just ahead of them loomed up the super-structure of a bridge, +and Tom turned the searchlight switch. At the instant he did so, +whether he did not keep a steady hand on the steering wheel, or +whether the auto went into a rut from which it could not be +turned, did not immediately develop, but the car suddenly shot +from the straight road, and swerved to one side. There was a +lurch, and the front wheels sank down. + +"Look out! We're going into the river!" yelled Mr. Damon. + +Tom jammed on the brakes and shut off the current. The auto +came to a sudden stop. The young inventor turned the searchlight +downward, to illuminate the ground directly in front of the car. + +"Are we in the river?" asked Mr. Sharp. + +"No," replied Tom in great chagrin. "We're in a muddy ditch. +One at the side of the road. Wheels in over the hubs! There +should have been a guard rail here. We're stuck for fair!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII THE POWER GONE + + +"Bless my overshoes!" cried Mr. Damon. "Stuck in the mud, eh?" + +"Hard and fast," added Tom, in disgust. + +"What's to be done?" inquired Mr. Sharp. + +"I should say we'll have to stay here until daylight, and wait +for some other auto to come along and pull us out," was Mr. +Damon's opinion. "It's might unpleasant, too, for there doesn't +seem to be any place around here where we can spend the night in +any kind of comfort. If we had the submarine or the airship, now, +it wouldn't so much matter." + +"No, and this won't matter a great deal," remarked the young +inventor quickly. "We'll soon be out of this, but it will be hard +work." + +"What do you mean?" asked Mr. Sharp. + +"I mean that we've got to pull ourselves out of this mud hole," +explained the lad, as he prepared to descend. "I was afraid +something like this would happen, so I came prepared for it. I've +got ropes and pulleys with me, in the car. We'll fasten the rope +to the machine, attach one pulley to the bridge, another to the +car, and I guess we can get out of the mud. We'll try, anyhow." + +"Well, I must say you looked pretty far ahead," complimented +Mr. Damon. + +From a box under the tonneau Tom took out a thin but strong +rope and two compound pulleys, which would enable considerable +force to be applied. Mr. Sharp detached one of the powerful oil +lamps, and the three travelers took a look at the auto. It was +indeed deep in the mud and it seemed like a hopeless task to try +to get it out unaided. But Tom insisted that they could do it, +and the rope was soon attached, the hook of one pulley being +slipped around one of the braces of the bridge. + +"Now, all together!" cried the lad, as he and his friends +grasped the long rope. They gave a great heave. At first it +seemed like pulling on a stone wall. The rope strained and the +pulleys creaked. + +"I--guess--we--will--pull--the--bridge--over!" gasped Mr. +Sharp. + +"Something's got to give way!" puffed Tom. "Now, once more! All +together!" + +Suddenly they felt the rope moving. The pulleys creaked still +more and, by the light of the lamp, they could see that the auto +was slowly being pulled backward, out of the mud, and onto the +hard road. In a few minutes it was ready to proceed again. + +The rope and pulleys were put away, and, after Tom had made an +examination of the car to see that it had sustained no damage, +they were off again, making good time to the hotel in Burgfield, +where they spent the night. They had an early breakfast, and, as +Tom went out to the barn to look at his car, he saw it surrounded +by a curious throng of men and boys. One of the boys was turning +some of the handles and levers. + +"Here! Quit that!" yelled Tom, and the meddlesome lad leaped +down in fright. "Do you want to start the car and have it smash +into something?" demanded the young inventor. + +"Aw, nothin' happened," retorted the lad. "I pulled every +handle on it, an' it didn't move." + +"Good reason," murmured Tom, for he had taken the precaution to +remove a connecting plug, without which the machine could not be +started. + +The three were soon under way again, and covered many miles +over the fine country roads, the weather conditions being +delightful. On inquiry they found that by taking an infrequently +used highway, they could save several miles. It was over an +unoccupied part of country, rather wild and desolate, but they +did not mind that. + +They were whizzing along, talking of Tom's chances for winning +the race when, after climbing a slight grade, the auto came to a +sudden stop on the summit. + +"What's the matter?" asked Mr. Sharp. "Why are you stopping +here, Tom?" + +"I didn't stop," was the surprising answer, and the lad shoved +the starting lever back and forth. + +But there was no response. There was no hum from the motor. The +machine was "dead." + +"That's queer," murmured the young inventor + +"Maybe a fuse blew out," suggested Mr. Damon, that seeming to +be his favorite form of trouble. + +"If it had you'd have known it," remarked Mr. Sharp. + +"There's plenty of current in the battery, according to the +registering gauge," murmured the lad. "I can't understand it." He +reversed the current, thinking the wires might have become +crossed, but the machine would move neither backward nor forward, +yet the dial indicated that there was enough power stored away to +send it a hundred miles or more. + +"Perhaps the dial hand has become caught," suggested Mr. Sharp. +"That sometimes happens on a steam gauge, and indicates a high +pressure when there isn't any. Hit it slightly, and see if the +hand swings back." + +Tom did so. At once the hand fell to zero, indicating that +there was not an ampere of current left. The battery was +exhausted, but this fact had not been indicated on the gauge. + +"I see now!" cried Tom. "It was those fellows at the hotel +barn! They monkeyed with the mechanism, short circuited the +battery, and jammed the gauge so I couldn't tell when my power +was gone. If I had known there wasn't enough to carry us I could +have recharged the battery at the hotel. But I figured that I had +enough current for the entire trip, and so there would have been, +if it hadn't leaked away. Now we're in a pretty pickle." + +"Bless my hat band!" cried Mr. Damon. "Does that mean we can't +move?" + +"Guess that's about it," answered Mr. Sharp, and Tom nodded. + +"Well, why can't we go on to some place where they sell +electricity, and get enough to take us where we want to go?" +asked the odd character, whose ideas of machinery were somewhat +hazy. + +"The only trouble is we can't carry the heavy car with us," +replied Tom. "It's too big to pick up and take to a charging +station." + +"Then we've got to wait until some one comes along with a team +of horses, and tows us in," commented Mr. Sharp. "And that will +be some time, on this lonely road." + +Tom shook his head despondently. He went all over the car +again, but was forced to the first conclusion, that the reserve +current had leaked away, in consequence of the meddling prank of +the youth at the hotel. The situation was far from pleasant, and +the delay would seriously interfere with their plans. + +Suddenly, as Tom was pacing up and down the road, he heard from +afar, a peculiar humming sound. He paused to listen. + +"Trolley car," observed Mr. Sharp. "Maybe one of us could go +somewhere on the trolley and get help. There it is," and he +pointed to the electric vehicle, moving along about half a mile +away, at the foot of a gentle slope. + +At the sight of the car Tom uttered a cry. "I have it!" he +exclaimed. "None of us need go for help! It's right at hand!" +His companions looked curiously, as the young inventor pointed +triumphantly to the fast disappearing electric. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV ON THE TRACK + +"What do you mean?" asked Mr. Damon. "Will the electric trolley +pull us to a charging station?" + +"No, we'll not need to go to a station," answered the youth. +"If we can get my car to the trolley tracks I can charge my +battery from there. And I think we can push the auto near enough. +It's down hill, and I've got a long wire so we won't have to go +too close." + +"Good!" cried Mr. Sharp. "But attach the rope to the front of +the car, Tom. Mr. Damon and I will pull it. You'll have to ride +in it to steer it." + +"We can take turns at riding," was Tom's answer, for he did not +want his companions to do all the work. + +"Nonsense! You ride," said Mr. Damon. "You're lighter than we +are, and can steer better. It won't be any trouble at all to pull +this car down hill." + +It proved to be an easy task, and in a short time the "dead" +auto was near enough to the electric line to permit Tom to run +his charging wire over to it. + +"Why bless my soul!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, looking up. "There's +no overhead trolley wire. The car must run on storage batteries." + +"Third rail, more likely," was the opinion of Mr. Sharp and so +it proved. + +"I can charge from either the third rail or the trolley wire," +declared Tom, who was insulating his hands in rubber gloves, and +getting his wires ready. In a short time he had the proper +connections made, and the much-needed current was soon flowing +into the depleted battery, or batteries, for there were several +sets, though the whole source of motive power was usually +referred to as a "storage battery." + +"How long will it take?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"About two hours," answered the lad. "We'll probably have to +disconnect our wires several times, whenever a trolley car comes +past. By my system I can recharge the battery very quickly. + +"Do you suppose the owners of the road will make any +objection?" asked the balloonist. + +"I'm going to pay for the current I use," explained the young +inventor. "I have a meter which tells how much I take." + +The hum of an approaching car was heard, and Tom took the wires +from the third rail. The car came to a stop opposite the +automobile, the passengers, as well as the crew, looking +curiously at the queer racing machine. Tom explained to the +conductor what was going on, and asked the fare-collector to +notify those in charge of the power station that all current used +would be paid for. The conductor said this would be satisfactory, +he was sure, and the car proceeded, Tom resuming the charging of +his battery. + +Allowing plenty of reserve power to accumulate, and making sure +that the gauge would not stick again, and deceive him, the owner +of the speedy electric was soon ready to proceed again. They had +been delayed a little over three hours, for they had to make +several shifts, as the cars came past. + +They reached their shore cottage late that night, and, after +seeing that the runabout was safely locked in the big shed where +the submarine had been built, they all went to bed, for they were +very tired. + +Tom sent word, the next day, to the managers of the race, that +he would be on hand at the time stipulated, and announced that he +had made part of the trip, as required, under the power of the +auto itself. + +The next day was spent in overhauling the machinery, tightening +up some loose bearings, oiling different parts, and further +charging the battery. Tires were looked to, and the ones on the +spare wheels were gone over to prepare for any emergency that +might arise when the race was started. + +On the third day, Tom, Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon, leaving the +cottage completed the trip to Havenford, Long Island, where the +new track had been constructed. + +They reached the place shortly before noon, and, if they had +been unaware of the location they could not have missed it, for +there were many autos speeding along the road toward the scene of +the race, which would take place the following day. + +Several electric cars passed Tom and his friends, whizzing +swiftly by, but the young inventor was not going to show off his +speed until the time came. Besides, he did not want to run any +risks of an accident. But some of the contestants seemed anxious +for impromptu "brushes," and more than one called to our hero to +"speed up and let's see what she can do." But Tom smiled, and +shook his head. + +There were many gasolene and some steam autos going out to the +new track, which was considered a remarkable piece of +engineering. It was in the shape of an octagon, and the turns +were considered very safe. It was a five mile track, and to +complete the race it would be necessary to make a hundred +circuits. + +Through scores of autos Tom and his friends threaded their way, +the young inventor keeping a watchful eye on the various types of +machine with which he would soon have to compete. + +There were many kinds. Some were larger and some smaller than +his. Many obviously carried very large batteries, but whether +they had the speed or not was another question. Some, in spurts, +seemed to Tom, to be fully as fast as his own, and he began to +have some doubts whether he would win the race. + +"But I'm not going to give up until the five hundredth mile is +finished," he thought, grimly. + +They were now in sight of the track, and noted many machines +speeding around it. + +"Go on in and try your car, Tom," urged Mr. Sharp. + +"Yes, do," added Mr. Damon. "Let's see how it travels." + +"I will, after I notify the proper officials that I have +arrived," decided the lad. + +The formalities were soon complied with. Tom received his entry +card, after paying the fee, made affidavit that he had completed +the entire trip from home under his own power, save for the +little stretch when the car was pulled, which did not count +against him, and was soon ready to go on the track. Only electric +cars were allowed there. + +As the young inventor guided his latest effort in the machine +line onto the big track there were murmurs of surprise from the +throngs. + +"That's a queer machine," said one. + +"Yes, but it looks speedy," was another's opinion. + +"There's the car for my money," added a third, pointing to a +big red electric which was certainly whizzing around the track. +Tom noted the red car. Behind it was a green one, also moving at +a fast rate of speed. + +"Those will be my nearest rivals," thought the lad, as he +guided his car onto the track. A moment later he was sending the +auto ahead at moderate speed, while the other contestants looked +at the new arrival, as if trying to discover whether in it they +would have a dangerous competitor. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV WINNING THE PRIZE + + +After making two circuits of the track at moderate speed, Tom +turned on more power, deciding to see how the machine would +behave on the turns, going at a fast speed. As it happened he +forged ahead just as the big red car was coming up behind him. +The driver of it took this for a challenge and threw his +controller handle forward. + +"Come on!" he cried to our hero, when even with him. + +Tom did not want to decline the invitation, and the impromptu +race was under way. Soon the green car came rushing up, and for +two miles the three kept almost in line. It was evident that +neither the green nor the red car drivers wanted to "open out," +until they saw Tom do so. + +He was willing to oblige them, and suddenly increased his +speed. They did the same, and went ahead of him. Then Tom turned +on a little more juice and got the lead, but the two men were +right after him, and they see-sawed like this for two more miles. +Then, with a cry the man in the red car, with a sudden burst of +speed, left Tom and the green car behind. The green car was soon +up to its rival, but Tom decided he would not spurt. + +The lad and his friends spent the early part of the night in +making a final inspection of the machinery, finding it in good +order. Then, with his head filled with visions of the race on the +morrow Tom went to bed. He had made inquiries, by telephone, of +the friends of Miss Nestor, and learned that she had not arrived. +Tom felt a distinct sense of disappointment. + +The day of the race could not have been better. It was ideal +weather, and conditions at the track were just right. Tom was up +early, and went over every inch of his car with a nervous dread +that he might find something the matter. + +The final details of the race were completed, and the entrants +given their numbers and places. Tom drew a good position, not the +best, but he had no reason to complain. Half an hour before the +start he again telephoned to see if Miss Nestor had arrived, but +she had not, and it was with rather gloomy thoughts that the lad +entered his car, in which Mr. Sharp had already taken his place. +Mr. Damon went to the grandstand to watch the race. + +"I wanted Mary to see me win," thought our hero, for he had +grimly set his mind on coming in ahead. + +There was a great crowd in the grandstand and scattered about +the big track, which took in a large extent of territory. In +spite of its size--five miles around--it seemed solidly +packed for the entire length with autos, containing gay parties +who had come to see the electric contest. There was a band +playing gay airs, as Tom guided his machine through the entrance +gate, and onto the track. + +The judges made their final inspection. There were twenty cars +entered, but it was obvious that some of them would not last +long, as their battery capacity was not large enough. Their +owners might have relied on recharging, but how they could do +this under the usual slow system, and hope to win, Tom could not +see. He hoped to run the entire distance on the single charge, +but, if by some accident part of his current should leak away, +his battery could be charged in a short time, by means of his new +system, to run for a considerable distance, or he could install a +new one already charged, for he had two sets on hand. Tom glanced +over the cars of his competitors. They were to be sent away in +batches, the affair being a handicap one, with time allowance for +the smaller powered cars. Tom noted that his car and the red and +the green ones were in the same bunch. Tom's car was purple. + +"Are you all ready?" asked the starter of the first group of +races. + +"Ready," was the low-voiced response. + +"Crack!" went the pistol, and there followed the hum of the +motors as the current set the mechanism to work. Forward went the +cars, amid the crash of the band and the cheers of the crowd. The +big race was under way. + +"Do you feel nervous, Tom?" asked Mr. Sharp. + +"Not a bit," replied the lad. + +Around and around the track flew the speedy electrics. It was +evident that the holding of a meet solely for cars of this +character had brought out many new ideas that would be to the +benefit of the industry. Some cars were "freaks" and others, like +Tom's, showed a distinct advance over previous styles of +construction. + +A five-hundred mile race around a track is rather a monotonous +affair, except for what happens, and things very soon began to +happen at this race. + +As Tom had expected, several of the machines were forced to +withdraw. Tire troubles beset some, and others found that they +were hopelessly out of it because of low power, or lack of +battery capacity. + +Tom determined not to let the red or the green car gain any +advantage over him, and so he watched those two vehicles +narrowly. On the other hand, the red and the green electrics were +evidently afraid of one another and of Tom. + +They all three kept pretty much together for the first thirty +miles. By this time the race had settled down into a steady +grind. There was some excitement when the steering gear of one +car broke, and it crashed Into the fence, injuring the driver, +but the race went on. + +The young inventor was holding his own with his two chief +rivals, and was feeling rather proud of his car, when there came +from it a report like a pistol shot. + +"Blow out!" yelled Tom desperately, steering to one of the +several repair stations on the inner side of the track. "Be ready +with the extra wheel, Mr. Sharp!" + +"Right you are!" cried the balloonist. The car was scarcely +stopped when he had leaped out, and had the lifting jack under +the left rear wheel, where the tire had gone to the bad. He and +Tom labored like Trojans to take off the wheel, and put on the +other. They lost five minutes, and when they got under way again +the red and the green cars were three quarters of a lap ahead. + +"You've got to catch them!" declared Sharp firmly. + +But the red and the green car drivers saw their advantage, and +were determined to hold it. Tom could not catch them without +going his limit, and he did not want to do this just yet. +However, he had his opportunity when about two hundred miles had +been covered. Both the red and the green cars had tire troubles, +but the red one was delayed scarcely two minutes as there was a +corps of mechanics on hand to take off the defective wheel and +put on another. Still Tom regained his lost ground, and once more +the race between those three cars was even. + +In the rear of Tom's car Mr. Sharp was mending the blown-out +tire, though there was still one spare wheel on reserve. Tom, in +front, peered eagerly at the track. Nearly side by side raced the +red and the green cars, the latter somewhat to the rear. + +It was at the three hundred and fiftieth mile that Tom had +another blow-out. This time it took a little longer to change the +wheel, and the red and green cars gained a full lap on him. The +track was now so dusty that it was difficult to see the +contesting cars. Many had dropped out, and more were on the verge +of giving up. + +With the odds against him, Tom started in to regain the lost +ground. Narrowly he watched his electric power. Slowly he saw it +dropping. Would he have enough left to finish out the race? He +feared not. The hours were passing. Still there was a hundred +miles yet to go twenty circuits of the track. Some of the +spectators were getting weary and leaving. The band played +spasmodically. + +Suddenly Tom saw the red car shoot to one side of the track, +toward a charging station; The green car followed. + +"That's our cue!" cried the young inventor "We need a little +more 'juice' and now is the time to get it." + +The lad ran to the shed where his charging wires were, and they +were connected in a trice. He allowed twenty-five minutes for the +charging, as he knew with his improved battery he could get +enough current in that time to finish the contest. Before the red +and green car drivers had finished installing new batteries, for +they could not recharge as quickly as could our hero, Tom was on +the track again. But, in a little while, his two rivals were +after him. + +It was now a spectacular race. Around and around swept the +three big cars. All the others were practically out of it. The +crowd became lively airs. Mile after mile was reeled off. The day +was passing. Tired and covered with dust from the track, Tom +still sat at the steering wheel. + +"Two laps more!" cried Mr. Sharp, as the starter's pistol gave +this warning. "Can you get away from 'em, Tom?" + +The red and the green cars were following closely. The young +inventor looked back and nodded. He turned on more power, almost +to the limit--that he was saving for the final spurt. But after +him still came the two big cars. Suddenly the red car shot ahead, +just as the last lap was beginning. The green tried to follow, +but there was a flash of fire, a loud report, and Tom knew a fuse +had blown out. There was no time for his rival to put in a new +one. The race was now between Tom and the red car. Could the lad +catch and pass it? + +They were now only a mile from the finish. The red car was +three lengths ahead. With a quick motion Tom turned on the last +bit of power. There seemed to come a roar from his Motor and his +car shot ahead. It was on even terms with the red car when what +Tom had been fearing for the last five minutes happened: his fuse +blew out. + +"Too bad! It's all up with us!" cried Mr. Sharp. + +"No!" cried Tom in a ringing voice. "I've got an emergency fuse +ready!" He snapped a switch in place, putting into commission +another fuse. The motor that had lost speed began to pick it up +again. Tom had pulled back the controller handle, but he now +shoved it forward again, notch by notch, until it was at the +limit. He had fallen back from the red car, and the occupants of +that, with a yell of triumph, prepared to cross the line a +winner. + +But, like a race horse that nerves himself for the last +desperate spurt, Tom's machine fairly leaped ahead. With his +hands gripping the rim of the steering wheel, until it seemed +that the bones of his fingers would protrude, Tom sent his car +straight for the finishing tape. There was a yell from the +spectators. Men were standing up, waving their hats and shouting. +Women were fairly screaming. Mr. Damon was blessing everything +within sight. Mr. Sharp, in his excitement, was pushing on the +back of the front seats as if to shove the car ahead. + +Then, as the pistol announced the close of the race, Tom's car, +with what seemed a mighty leap, like a hunter clearing a ditch, +forged ahead, and crossed the line a length in advance of the red +car. Tom Swift had Won. + +Amid the cheers of the crowd the lad slowed up, and, at the +direction of the judges, wheeled back to the stand, to receive +the prize. A certified check for three thousand dollars was +handed him, and he received the congratulations of the racing +officials. The driver of the red car also generously praised him. + +"You won fair and square," he said, shaking hands with Tom. + +The young inventor and his friends drove their car to their +shed. As Tom was descending, weary and begrimed with dust he +heard a voice asking: + +"Mayn't I congratulate you also?" + +He wheeled around, to confront Mary Nestor, immaculate in a +summer gown. + +"Why--why," he stammered. "I--I thought you didn't come." + +"Oh, yes I did," she answered, laughing. "I wouldn't have +missed it for anything. I arrived late, but I saw the whole race. +Wasn't it glorious. I'm so glad you won!" Tom was too, now, but +he shrank back when Miss Nestor held out both daintily gloved +hands to him. His hands were covered with oil and dirt. + +"As if I cared for my gloves!" she cried, and she took +possession of his hands, a proceeding to which Tom was nothing +loath. "Are you going to race any more?" she asked, as he walked +along by her side, away from the gathering crowd. + +"I don't know," he replied. "My car is speedier than I thought +it was. Perhaps I may enter it in other contests." + +But what Tom Swift did later on will be told in another volume, +to be called, "Tom Swift and His Wireless Message; or, The +Castaways of Earthquake Island"--a strange tale of ship-wreck and +mystery. + +The run back home was made without incident, save for a broken +chain, easily repaired, the day following the race, and Tom later +received a number of invitations to give exhibitions of speed. +Several automobile manufacturers wanted to secure the rights to +his machine, but he said he desired to consider the matter before +acting. He did not forget his promise to Mrs. Baggert, regarding +the diamond earrings, and bought her the finest pair he could +find. + +"Come on, Mr. Sharp," proposed Tom, a week or so after the big +race, "let's go for a spin in the airship. I want to see how it +feels to be among the clouds once more," and they were soon +soaring aloft. + +The new bank, started by Mr. Foger, did not flourish long. It +closed its doors in less than six months, but the old institution +was stronger than ever. Mr. Berg disappeared, and Tom never +learned whether the agent really was the man he had chased, and +whose watch charm he tore loose, though he always had his +suspicions. Nor did it ever develop who crossed the electric +wires, so that Tom was so nearly fatally shocked. Andy Foger +disliked our hero more than ever, and on several occasions caused +him not a little trouble, but Tom was able to look after himself. + + + + + +THE END + + + + + +This Isn't All! + +Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have +made in this book? + +Would you like to read other stories continuing their adventures +and experiences, or other books quite as entertaining by the same +author? + +On the reverse side of the wrapper which comes with this book, +you will find a wonderful list of stories which you can buy at +the same store where you got this book. + +Don't throw away the Wrapper + +Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want some day to have. +But in case you do mislay it, write to the Publishers for a +complete catalog. + + +THE TOM SWIFT SERIES + +By VICTOR APPLETON + +Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers, +Every Volume Complete in Itself. + +Every boy possesses some form of inventive genius. Tom Swift is +a bright, ingenious boy and his inventions and adventures make +the most interesting kind of reading. + +TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE +TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTORBOAT +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT +TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE +TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS +TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE +TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER +TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY +TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA +TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT +TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON +TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP +TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL +TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDER +TOM SWIFT AND HIS WAR TANK +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR SCOUT +TOM SWIFT AND HIS UNDERSEA SEARCH +TOM SWIFT AMONG THE FIRE FIGHTERS +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE +TOM SWIFT AND HIS FLYING BOAT +TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT OIL GUSHER +TOM SWIFT AND HIS CHEST OF SECRETS +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRLINE EXPRESS + + + +THE DON STURDY SERIES +By VICTOR APPLETON + +Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations by +WALTER S. ROGERS +Every Volume Complete in Itself. + +In the company with his uncles, one a mighty hunter and the other +a noted scientist, Don Sturdy travels far and wide, gaining much +useful knowledge and meeting many thrilling adventures. + +DON STURDY ON THE DESERT OF MYSTERY; +An engrossing tale of the Sahara Desert, of encounters with +wild animals and crafty Arabs. + +DON STURDY WITH THE BIG SNAKE HUNTERS; +Don's uncle, the hunter, took an order for some of the biggest +snakes to be found in South America--to be delivered alive! + +DON STURDY IN THE TOMBS OF GOLD; +A fascinating tale of exploration and adventure in the Valley +of Kings in Egypt. + +DON STURDY ACROSS THE NORTH POLE; +A great polar blizzard nearly wrecks the airship of the +explorers. + +DON STURDY IN THE LAND OF VOLCANOES; +An absorbing tale of adventure among the volcanos of Alaska. + +DON STURDY IN THE PORT OF LOST SHIPS; +This story is just full of exciting and fearful experiences on +the sea. + +DON STURDY AMONG THE GORILLAS; +A thrilling story of adventure in darkest Africa. Don is +carried over a mighty waterfall into the heart of gorilla land. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Etext of Tom Swift And His Electric Runabout diff --git a/old/05tom10.zip b/old/05tom10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0a507da --- /dev/null +++ b/old/05tom10.zip diff --git a/old/05tom10h.htm b/old/05tom10h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0c172c8 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/05tom10h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5983 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii" /> + + <title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Tom Swift And His Electric Runabout + by Victor Appleton</title> + + <style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + p {text-align: justify;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {text-align: center;} + h2 {margin-top: 1.5em;} + pre {font-size: 0.9em;} + + hr {text-align: center; width: 50%;} + ol.RU {list-style-type: upper-roman; } + .toc {margin: 0 10%; text-align: left;} + --> + </style> +</head> +<body> +<pre> +Project Gutenberg's Etext of Tom Swift And His Electric Runabout +#5 in the Victor Appleton's Tom Swift Series + +We name the Tom Swift files as they are numbered in the books-- +i.e. This is #5 in the series so the file name is 05tomxxx.xxx, +where the x's are place holders for editon # and file type such +as 05tom10.txt and 05tom10.zip, when we do a .htm, 05tom10h.htm + + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world, be sure to check +the copyright laws for your country before posting these files!! + +Please take a look at the important information in this header. +We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an +electronic path open for the next readers. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* +</pre> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + + + +<h1>TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT</h1> +<h4>or</h4> +<h2>The Speediest Car on the Road</h2> + +<h4>by</h4> +<h2>VICTOR APPLETON</h2> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="toc"> +<h3>THE TOM SWIFT SERIES</h3> +<p>TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR-CYCLE<br /> +Or Fun and Adventure on the Road</p> +<p>TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR-BOAT<br /> +Or the Rivals of Lake Carlopa</p> +<p>TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP<br /> +Or the Stirring Cruise of the Red Cloud</p> +<p>TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT<br /> +Or Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure</p> +<p>TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT<br /> +Or the Speediest Car on the Road</p> +</div> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + <h3>TABLE OF CONTENTS</h3> +<div class="toc"> + <ol class="RU"> +<li>TOM HOPES FOR A PRIZE</li> +<li>MR. DAMON'S STEERING</li> +<li>THE MOTOR-CYCLE WINS</li> +<li>TALE OF A NEW BANK</li> +<li>A MIDNIGHT ENCOUNTER</li> +<li>BUILDING THE CAR</li> +<li>TOM IS CAPTURED</li> +<li>A BLINDING FLASH</li> +<li>TOM IS RESCUED</li> +<li>TOM HAS A FALL</li> +<li>CROSSED WIRES</li> +<li>THE TRYOUT</li> +<li>TOWED BY A MULE</li> +<li>A GREAT RUN</li> +<li>ANDY FOGER'S BLACK EYE</li> +<li>TROUBLE AT THE BANK</li> +<li>A RUN ON THE BANK</li> +<li>AFTER THE CASH</li> +<li>STOPPED ON THE ROAD</li> +<li>ON TIME</li> +<li>OFF TO THE BIG RACE</li> +<li>IN A DITCH</li> +<li>THE POWER GONE</li> +<li>ON THE TRACK</li> +<li>WINNING THE PRIZE</li> +</ol> +</div> +<hr /> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h1>TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT</h1> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER I </h2> <h2>TOM HOPES FOR A PRIZE</h2> + + +<p>"Father," exclaimed Tom Swift, looking up from a paper he was +reading, "I think I can win that prize!"</p> + +<p>"What prize is that?" inquired the aged inventor, gazing away +from a drawing of a complicated machine, and pausing in his task +of making some intricate calculations. "You don't mean to say, +Tom, that you're going to have a try for a government prize for a +submarine, after all."</p> + +<p>"No, not a submarine prize, dad," and the youth laughed. +"Though our Advance would take the prize away from almost any +other under-water boat, I imagine. No, it's another prize I'm +thinking about."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I see by this paper that the Touring Club of America has +offered three thousand dollars for the speediest electric car. +The tests are to come off this fall, on a new and specially built +track on Long Island, and it's to be an endurance contest for +twenty-four hours, or a race for distance, they haven't yet +decided. But I'm going to have a try for it, dad, and, besides +winning the prize, I think I'll take Andy Foger down a peg.</p> + +<p>"What's Andy been doing now?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, nothing more than usual. He's always mean, and looking +for a chance to make trouble for me, but I didn't refer to +anything special He has a new auto, you know, and he boasts that +it's the fastest one in this country. I'll show him that it +isn't, for I'm going to win this prize with the speediest car on +the road."</p> + +<p>"But, Tom, you haven't any automobile, you know," and Mr. Swift +looked anxiously at his son, who was smiling confidently. "You +can't be going to make your motor-cycle into an auto; are you?"</p> + +<p>"No, dad."</p> + +<p>"Then how are you going to take part in the prize contest? +Besides, electric cars, as far as I know, aren't specially +speedy."</p> + +<p>"I know it, and one reason why this club has arranged the +contest is to improve the quality of electric automobiles. I'm +going to build an electric runabout, dad."</p> + +<p>"An electric runabout? But it will have to be operated with a +storage battery, Tom, and you haven't—"</p> + +<p>"I guess you're going to say I haven't any storage battery, +dad," interrupted Mr. Swift's son. "Well, I haven't yet, but I'm +going to have one. I've been working on—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, ho!" exclaimed the aged inventor with a laugh. "So that's +what you've been tinkering over these last few weeks, eh, Tom? I +suspected it was some new invention, but I didn't suppose it was +that. Well, how are you coming on with it?"</p> + +<p>"Pretty good, I think. I've got a new idea for a battery, and I +made an experimental one. I gave it some pretty severe tests, and +it worked fine."</p> + +<p>"But you haven't tried it out in a car yet, over rough roads, +and under severe conditions have you?"</p> + +<p>"No, I haven't had a chance. In fact, when I invented the +battery I had no idea of using it on a car I thought it might +answer for commercial purposes, or for storing a current +generated by windmills. But when I read that account in the +papers of the Touring Club, offering a prize for the best +electric car, it occurred to me that I might put my battery into +an auto, and win."</p> + +<p>"Hum," remarked Mr. Swift musingly. "I don't take much stock in +electric autos, Tom. Gasolene seems to be the best, or perhaps +steam, generated by gasolene. I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. +All the electric runabouts I ever saw, while they were very nice +cars, didn't seem able to go so very fast, or very far."</p> + +<p>"That's true, but it's because they didn't have the right kind +of a battery. You know an electric locomotive can make pretty +good speed, Dad. Over a hundred miles an hour in tests."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but they don't run by storage batteries. They have a +third rail, and powerful motors," and Mr. Swift looked +quizzically at his son. He loved to argue with him, for he said +it made Tom think, and often the two would thus thresh out some +knotty point of an invention, to the interests of both.</p> + +<p>"Of course, Dad, there is a good deal of theory in what I'm +thinking of," the lad admitted. "But it does seem to me that if +you put the right kind of a battery into an automobile, it could +scoot along pretty lively. Look what speed a trolley car can +make."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Tom, but there again they get their power from an +overhead wire."</p> + +<p>"Some of them don't. There's a new storage battery been +invented by a New Jersey man, which does as well as the third +rail or the overhead wire. It was after reading about his battery +that I thought of a plan for mine. It isn't anything like his; +perhaps not as good in some ways, but, for what I want, it is +better in some respects, I think. For one thing it can be +recharged very quickly."</p> + +<p>"Now Tom, look here," said Mr. Swift earnestly, laying aside +his papers, and coming over to where his son sat. "You know I +never interfere with your inventions. In fact, the more you think +of the better I like it. The airship you helped build certainly +did all that could be desired, and—"</p> + +<p>"That reminds me. Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon are out in it now," +interrupted Tom. "They ought to be back soon. Yes, Dad, the +airship Red Cloud certainly scooted along."</p> + +<p>"And the submarine, too," continued the aged inventor. "Your +ideas regarding that were of service to me, and helped in our +task of recovering the treasure, but I'm afraid you're going to +be disappointed in the storage battery. You may get it to work, +but I don't believe you can make it powerful enough to attain any +great speed. Why don't you confine yourself to making a battery +for stationary work?"</p> + +<p>"Because, Dad, I believe I can build a speedy car, and I'm +going to try it. Besides I want to race Andy Foger, and beat him, +even if I don't win the prize. I'm going to build that car, and +it will make fast time."</p> + +<p>"Well, go ahead, Tom," responded his father, after a pause. "Of +course you can use the shops here as much as you want, and Mr. +Sharp, Mr. Jackson, and I will help you all we can. Only don't be +disappointed, that's all."</p> + +<p>"I won't, Dad. Suppose you come out to my shop and I'll show +you a sample battery I've been testing for the last week. I have +it geared to a small motor, and it's been running steadily for +some time. I want to see what sort of a record it's made."</p> + +<p>Father and son crossed the yard, and entered a shop which the +lad considered exclusively his own. There he had made many +machines, and pieces of apparatus, and had invented a number of +articles which had been patented, and yielded him considerable of +an income.</p> + +<p>"There's the battery, Dad," he said, pointing to a complicated +mechanism in one corner.</p> + +<p>"What's that buzzing noise?" asked Mr. Swift. "That's the +little motor I run from the new cells. Look here," and Tom +switched on an electric light above the experimental battery, +from which he hoped so much. It consisted of a steel can, about +the size of the square gallon tin in which maple syrup comes, and +from it ran two wires which were attached to a small motor that +was industriously whirring away.</p> + +<p>Tom looked at a registering gauge connected with it.</p> + +<p>"That's pretty good," remarked the young inventor.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Tom?" and his father peered about the shop.</p> + +<p>"Why this motor has run an equivalent of two hundred miles on +one charging of the battery! That's much better than I expected. +I thought if I got a hundred out of it I'd be doing well. Dad, I +believe, after I improve my battery a bit, that I'll have the +very thing I want! I'll install a set of them in a car, and it +will go like the wind. I'll—" Tom's enthusiastic remarks were +suddenly interrupted by a low, rumbling sound.</p> + +<p>"Thunder!" exclaimed Mr. Swift. "The storm is coming, and Mr. +Sharp and Mr. Damon in the airship—"</p> + +<p>Hardly had he spoken than there sounded a crash on the roof of +the Swift house, not far away. At the same time there came cries +of distress, and the crash was repeated.</p> + +<p>"Come on, Dad! Something has happened!" yelled Tom, dashing +from the shop, followed by his parent. They found themselves in +the midst of a rain storm, as they raced toward the house, on the +roof of which the smashing noise was again heard.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> <h2>MR. DAMON'S STEERING</h2> + + +<p>Tom Swift was a lad of action, and his quickness in hurrying +out to investigate what had happened when he was explaining about +his new battery, was characteristic of him. Those of my readers +who know him, through having read the previous books of this +series, need not be told this, but you who, perhaps, are just +making his acquaintance, may care to know a little more about +him.</p> + +<p>As told in my first book, "Tom Swift and His Motor-Cycle" the +young inventor lived with his father, Barton Swift, a widower, in +the town of Shopton, New York. Mr. Swift was also an inventor of +note.</p> + +<p>In my initial volume of this series, Tom became possessed of a +motor-cycle in a peculiar way. It was sold to him by a Mr. +Wakefield Damon, a wealthy gentleman who was unfortunate in +riding it. On his speedy machine, which Tom improved by several +inventions, he had a number of adventures. The principal one was +being attacked by a number of bad men, known as the "Happy Harry +Gang," who wished to obtain possession of a valuable turbine +patent model belonging to Mr. Swift. Tom was taking it to a +lawyer, when he was waylaid, and chloroformed. Later he traced +the gang, and, with the assistance of Mr. Damon and Eradicate +Sampson, an aged colored man who made a living for himself and +his mule, Boomerang, by doing odd jobs, the lad found the thieves +and recovered a motor-boat which had been stolen. But the men got +away.</p> + +<p>In the second volume, called "Tom Swift and His Motor-Boat," +Tom bought at auction the boat stolen by, and recovered from, the +thieves, and proceeded to improve it. While he was taking his +father out on a cruise for Mr Swift's health, the Happy Harry +Gang made a successful attempt to steal some valuable inventions +from the Swift house. Tom started to trace them, and incidentally +he raced and beat Andy Foger, a rich bully. On their way down the +lake, after the robbery, Tom, his father and Ned Newton, Tom's +chum, saw a man hanging from the trapeze of a blazing balloon +over Lake Carlopa. The balloonist was Mr. John Sharp and he was +rescued by Tom in a thrilling fashion. In his motor-boat, Tom had +much pleasure, not the least of which was taking out a young lady +named Miss Mary Nestor, whose acquaintance he had made after +stopping her runaway horse, which his bicycle had frightened. +Tom's association with Miss Nestor soon ripened into something +deeper than mere friendship.</p> + +<p>It developed that Mr Sharp, whom Tom had saved from the burning +balloon, was an aeronaut of note, and had once planned to build +an airship. After his recovery from his thrilling experience, he +mentioned the matter to Mr. Swift and his son, with whom he took +up his residence. This fitted right in with Tom's ideas, and soon +father, son and the balloonist were constructing the Red Cloud, +as they named their airship. It was finally completed, as related +in "Tom Swift and His Airship," made a successful trial trip, and +won a prize. It was planned to make a longer journey, and Tom, +Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon agreed to go together. Mr. Damon was an +odd individual, who was continuously blessing some part of his +anatomy, his clothing or some inanimate object but, for all that, +he was a fine man.</p> + +<p>The night before Tom and his friends started off in their +airship, the Shopton Bank vault was blown open and seventy-five +thousand dollars was taken. Tom and his friends did not know of +this, but, no sooner had the young inventor, Mr. Sharp and Mr. +Damon sailed away, than the police arrived at Mr. Swift's house +to arrest them. They were charged with the robbery, and with +having sailed away with the booty.</p> + +<p>It appeared that Andy Foger said he had seen Tom hanging around +the bank the night of the robbery, with a bag of burglar tools in +his possession. Search was immediately begun for the airship, the +occupants of which were, meanwhile, speeding on.</p> + +<p>Tom and his two friends had trouble. They were nearly burned up +in a forest fire, and were fired upon by a crowd of people with +rifles, who, reading of the bank robbery and the reward offered +for the capture of the thieves, hoped to bring down the airship. +The fact that they were fired upon caused Tom and the two +aeronauts to descend to make an investigation, and for the first +time they learned of the bank theft. How they got track of the +real robbers, took the sheriff with them in the airship, and +raided the gang will be found set down at length in the book. +Also how Tom administered well-deserved thrashing to Andy Foger.</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift did not accompany his son in the airship, and when +asked why he did not care to make the trip, said he was working +on a new type of submarine boat, which he hoped to enter in the +government trials, to win a prize. In the fourth volume of the +series, called "Tom Swift and his Submarine," you may read how +successful Mr. Swift was.</p> + +<p>When the submarine, called the Advance, was finished, the party +made a trip to recover three hundred thousand dollars in gold +from a sunken treasure ship, off the coast of Uruguay, South +America. They sailed beneath the seas for many miles, and were in +great peril at times. One reason for this was that a rival firm +of submarine builders got wind of the treasure, and tried to get +ahead of the Swifts in recovering it. How Tom and his friends +succeeded in their quest, how they nearly perished at the bottom +of the sea, how they were captured by a foreign war vessel, and +sentenced to death, how they fought with a school of giant sharks +and how they blew up the wreck to recover the money is all told +of in the book.</p> + +<p>On their return to civilization with the gold, Mr. Swift, Tom, +and their friends deposited the money in the Shopton Bank, where +Ned Newton worked. Ned was a bright lad, but had not been +advanced as rapidly as he deserved, and Tom knew this. He asked +his father to speak to the president, Mr. Pendergast, in Ned's +behalf, and, as a result the lad was made assistant cashier, for +the request of a man who controlled a three hundred thousand +dollar deposit was not to be despised.</p> + +<p>In building the submarine Tom and his father rented a large +cottage on the New Jersey seacoast, but, on returning from their +treasure-quest they went back to Shopton, leaving the submarine +at the boathouse of the shore cottage, which was near the city of +Atlantis. That was in the fall of the year, and all that winter +the young inventor had been busy on many things, not the least of +which was his storage battery. It was now spring, and seeing the +item in the paper, about the touring club prize for an electric +auto, had given him a new idea.</p> + +<p>But all thoughts of electric cars, and everything else, were +driven from the mind of the young man, when, with his father, he +rushed out to see the cause of the crash on the roof of the Swift +homestead.</p> + +<p>"There's something up there, Tom," called his father, as he +splashed on through the rain.</p> + +<p>"That's right," added his son. "And somebody, too, to judge by +the fuss they're making."</p> + +<p>"Maybe the house has been struck by lightning!" suggested the +aged inventor.</p> + +<p>"No, the storm isn't severe enough for that; and, besides, if +the house had been struck you'd hear Mrs. Baggert yelling, Dad. +She—"</p> + +<p>At that moment a woman's voice cried out:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Swift! Tom! Where are you? Something dreadful has +happened!"</p> + +<p>"There she goes!" remarked Mr. Swift, as he splashed into a mud +puddle.</p> + +<p>"Bless my deflection rudder!" suddenly cried a voice from the +flat roof of the Swift house. "Hello! I say, is anyone down +there?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, we are," answered Tom. "Is that you, Mr. Damon?"</p> + +<p>"Bless my collar button! It certainly is."</p> + +<p>"Where's Mr. Sharp? I don't hear him."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm here all right," answered the balloonist. "I'm trying +to get the airship clear of the chimney. Mr. Damon—"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I steered wrong!" interrupted the odd man. "Bless my +liver pin, but it was so dark I couldn't see, and when that clap +of thunder came I shifted the deflection rudder instead of the +lateral one, and tried to knock over your chimney."</p> + +<p>"Are either of you hurt?" asked Mr. Swift anxiously.</p> + +<p>"No, not at all," replied Mr. Sharp. "We were moving slowly, +ready for a landing."</p> + +<p>"Is the airship damaged?" inquired Tom.</p> + +<p>"I don't know. Not much, I guess," was the answer of the +aeronaut. "I've stopped the engine, and I don't like to start it +again until I can see what shape we're in."</p> + +<p>"I'll come up, with Mr. Jackson," called Tom, and he hastily +summoned Garret Jackson, an engineer, who had been in the service +of Mr. Swift for many years. Together they proceeded to the roof +by a stairway that led to a scuttle.</p> + +<p>"Is anyone killed?" asked Mrs. Baggert, as Tom hurried up the +stairs. "Don't tell me there is, Tom!"</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't have to tell you, for no one is," replied the +young inventor with a laugh. "It's all right. The airship tried +to collide with the chimney, that's all."</p> + +<p>He was soon on the large, flat roof of the dwelling, and, with +the aid of lanterns he, the engineer, and Mr. Sharp made a hasty +examination.</p> + +<p>"Anything wrong?" inquired Mr. Damon, looking out from the +cabin of the Red Cloud where he had taken refuge after the crash, +and to get out of the wet.</p> + +<p>"Not much," answered Tom. "One of the forward planes is +smashed, but we can rise by means of the gas, and float down. Is +all clear, Mr. Sharp?"</p> + +<p>"All clear," replied the balloonist, for the airship had now +been wheeled back from the entanglement with the chimney.</p> + +<p>"Then here we go!" cried Tom, as he and the aeronaut entered +the craft, while Mr. Jackson descended through the scuttle.</p> + +<p>There came a fiercer burst to the storm, and, amid a series of +dazzling lightning flashes and the muttering of thunder, the +airship rose from the roof. Tom switched on the search-light, +and, starting the big propellers, guided the craft skillfully +toward the big shed where it was housed when not in use.</p> + +<p>With the grace of a bird it turned about in the air, and +settled to the ground. It was the work of but a few minutes to +run it into the shed. Then they all started for the house.</p> + +<p>"Bless my umbrella! How it rains!" cried Mr. Damon, as he +splashed on through numerous puddles. "We got back just in time, +Mr. Sharp."</p> + +<p>"Where did you go?" asked the lad.</p> + +<p>"Why we took a flight of about fifty miles and stopped at my +house in Waterfield for supper. Were you anxious about us?"</p> + +<p>"A little when it began to storm," replied Tom.</p> + +<p>"Anything new since we left?" asked Mr. Sharp, for it was the +custom of himself, or some of his friends, to take little trips +in the airship. They thought no more of it than many do of going +for a short spin in an automobile.</p> + +<p>"Yes, there is something new," said Mr. Swift, as the party, +all drenched now, reached the broad veranda.</p> + +<p>"Bless my gaiters!" cried Mr. Damon. "What is it? I hope the +Happy Harry gang hasn't robbed you again; nor Berg and his men +tried to take that treasure away from us, after we worked so hard +to get it from the wreck."</p> + +<p>"No, it isn't that," replied Mr. Swift. "The truth is that Tom +thinks he has invented a storage battery that will revolutionize +matters. He's going to build an electric automobile, he says."</p> + +<p>"I am," declared the lad, as the others looked at him, "and it +will be the speediest one you ever saw, too!"</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> <h2>THE MOTORCYCLE WINS</h2> + + +<p>"Well, Tom," remarked Mr. Sharp, after a pause following the +lad's announcement. "I didn't know you had any ambitions in that +line. Tell us more about the battery. What system do you use; +lead plates and sulphuric acid?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's out of date long ago," declared the lad.</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't know much about electricity," admitted the +aeronaut. "I'll take my chances in an airship or a balloon, but +when it comes to electricity I'm down and out."</p> + +<p>"So am I," admitted Mr. Damon. "Bless my gizzard, it's all I +can do to put a new spark plug in my automobile. Where is your +new battery, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"Out in my shop, running yet if it hasn't been frightened by +the airship smash," replied the lad, somewhat proudly. "It's an +oxide of nickel battery, with steel and oxide of iron negative +electrodes."</p> + +<p>"What solution do you use, Tom?" asked Mr. Swift. "I didn't get +that far in questioning you before the crash came," he added.</p> + +<p>"Well I have, in the experimental battery, a solution of +potassium hydrate," replied the lad, "but I think I'm going to +change it, and add some lithium hydrate to it. I think that will +make it stronger."</p> + +<p>"Bless my watch chain!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "It's all Greek to +me. Suppose you let us see it, Tom? I like to see wheels go +'round, but I'm not much of a hand for chemical terms."</p> + +<p>"If you're sure you're not hurt by the airship smash, I will," +declared the lad.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we're not hurt a bit," insisted Mr. Sharp. "As I said we +were moving slow, for I knew it was about time to land. Mr. Damon +was steering—"</p> + +<p>"Yes I thought I'd try my hand at it, as it seemed so easy," +interrupted the eccentric man. "But never again—not for mine! I +couldn't see the house, and, before I knew it we were right over +the roof. Then the chimney seemed to stick itself up suddenly in +front of us, and—well, you know the rest. I'm willing to pay for +any damage I caused."</p> + +<p>"Oh, not at all!" replied Tom. "It's easy enough to put on a +new plane, or, for that matter, we can operate the Red Cloud +without it. But come on, I'll show you my sample battery."</p> + +<p>"Here, take umbrellas!" Mrs. Baggert called after them as they +started toward the shop, for it was still raining.</p> + +<p>"We don't mind getting wet," replied the young inventor. "It's +in the interests of science."</p> + +<p>"Maybe it is. You don't mind a wetting, but I mind you coming +in and dripping water all over the carpets!" retorted the +housekeeper.</p> + +<p>"Bless my overshoes, I'm afraid we have wet the carpets a +trifle now," admitted Mr. Damon ruefully, as he looked down at a +puddle, which had formed where he had been standing.</p> + +<p>"That's the reason I want you to take umbrellas this trip," +insisted Mrs. Baggert.</p> + +<p>They complied, and were soon in the shop, where Tom explained +his battery. The small motor was still running and had, as the +lad had said, gone the equivalent of over two hundred miles.</p> + +<p>"If a small battery does as well as that, what will a larger +one do?" asked Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Much better, I hope," replied the youth. "But Dad doesn't seem +to have much faith in them."</p> + +<p>"Well," admitted Mr. Swift, "I must say I am skeptical. Still, +I acknowledge Tom has done some pretty good work along electrical +lines. He helped me with the positive and negative plates on the +submarine, and, maybe—well, we'll wait and see," he concluded.</p> + +<p>"If you build a car I hope you give me a ride in it," said Mr. +Damon. "I've ridden fast in the air, and swiftly on top of, and +under, the water. Now I'd like to ride rapidly on top of the +earth. The gasolene auto doesn't go very fast."</p> + +<p>"I'll give you a ride that will make your hair stand up!" +prophesied Tom, and the time was to come when he would make good +that prediction.</p> + +<p>The little party in the machine shop talked at some length +about Tom's battery. He showed them how it was constructed, and +gave them some of his ideas regarding the new type of auto he +planned to build.</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Mr. Swift at length, "if you want to keep your +brain fresh, Tom, you must get to bed earlier than this. It's +nearly twelve o'clock."</p> + +<p>"And I want to get up early !" exclaimed the lad. "I'm going to +start to build a larger battery to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"And I'm going to repair the airship," added Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"Bless my night cap, I promised my wife I'd be home early to-night, +too!" suddenly exclaimed Mr. Damon. "I don't fancy making +the trip back to Waterfield in my auto, though. Something will be +sure to happen. I'll blow out a tire, or a spark plug will get +sooty on me and—"</p> + +<p>"It's raining harder than ever," interrupted Tom. "Better stay +here to-night. You can telephone home." Which Mr. Damon did.</p> + +<p>Tom was up early the next morning, in spite of the fact that he +did not go to bed in good season, and before breakfast he was +working at his new storage battery. After the meal he hurried +back to the shop, but it was not long before he came out, +wheeling his motor-cycle.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going, Tom?" asked Mrs. Baggert.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I've got to go to Mansburg to get some steel tubes for my +new battery," he replied. "I thought I had some large enough, but +I haven't." Mansburg was a good-sized town, near Shopton.</p> + +<p>"Then I wish you'd bring me a bottle of stove polish," +requested the housekeeper. "The liquid kind. I'm out of it, and +the stove is as red as a cow."</p> + +<p>"All right," agreed the lad, as he leaped into the saddle and +pedaled off down the road. A moment later he had turned on the +power, and was speeding along the highway, which was in good +condition on account of the shower of the night before.</p> + +<p>Tom was thinking so deeply of his new invention, and planning +what he would do when he had his electric runabout built, that, +almost before he knew it, he had reached Mansburg, purchased the +steel tubes, and the stove polish, and was on his way back again.</p> + +<p>As he was speeding along on a level road, he heard, coming +behind him, an automobile. The lad turned to one side, but, in +spite of this the party in the car began a serenade of the +electric siren, and kept it up, making a wild discord.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with those fellows!" inquired Tom of +himself. "Haven't I given them enough of the road, or has their +steering gear broken?"</p> + +<p>He looked back over his shoulder, and it needed but a glance to +show that the car was all right, as regarded the steering +apparatus. And it needed only another glance to disclose the +reason for the shrill sound of the siren.</p> + +<p>"Andy Foger!" exclaimed Tom. "I might have known. And Sam and +Pete are with him. Well, if he wants to make me get off the road, +he'll find that I've got as much right as he has!"</p> + +<p>He kept on a straight course, wondering if the red-haired, and +squint-eyed bully would dare try to damage the motor-cycle.</p> + +<p>A little later Andy's car was beside Tom.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you get out of the way," demanded Sam, who could +usually be depended on to aid Andy in all his mean tricks.</p> + +<p>"Because I'm entitled to half the road," retorted our hero.</p> + +<p>"Humph! A slow-moving machine like yours hasn't any right on +the road," sneered Andy, who had slowed down his car somewhat.</p> + +<p>"I haven't, eh?" demanded Tom. "Well, if you'll get down out of +that car for a few minutes I'll soon show you what my rights +are!"</p> + +<p>Now Andy, more than once, had come to personal encounters with +Tom, much to the anguish of the bully. He did not relish another +chastisement, but his mean spirit could not brook interference.</p> + +<p>"Don't you want a race?" he inquired of Tom, in a sneering +tone. "I'll give you a mile start, and beat you! I've got the +fastest car built!"</p> + +<p>"You have, eh?" asked Tom, while a grim look came over his +face. "Maybe you'll think differently some day."</p> + +<p>"Aw, he's afraid to race; come on," suggested Pete. "Don't +bother with him, Andy."</p> + +<p>"No, I guess it wouldn't be worth my while," was the reply of +the bully, and he threw the second gear into place, and began to +move away from the young inventor.</p> + +<p>Tom was just as much pleased to be left alone, but he did not +want Andy Foger to think that he could have matters all his own +way. Tom's motor-cycle, since he had made some adjustments to it, +was very swift. In fact there were few autos that could beat it. +He had never tried it against Andy's new car, and he was anxious +to do so.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if I would stand any chance, racing him?" thought the +young inventor, as he saw the car slowly pulling away from him. +"I think I'll wait until he gets some distance ahead, and then +I'll see how near I can come to him. If I get anywhere near him +I'm pretty sure I can pass him. I'll try it."</p> + +<p>When Andy and his cronies looked back, Tom did not appear to be +doing anything save moving along at moderate speed on his +machine.</p> + +<p>"You don't dare race!" Pete Bailey shouted to him.</p> + +<p>"Wait," was what Tom whispered to himself.</p> + +<p>Andy's car was now some distance ahead. The young inventor +waited a little longer, and then turned more power into his +machine. It leaped forward and began to "eat up the road," as Tom +expressed it. He had seen Andy throw in the third gear, but knew +that there was a fourth speed on the bully's car.</p> + +<p>"I don't know whether I can beat him on that or not," thought +the lad dubiously. "If I try, and fail, they'll laugh at me. But +I don't think I'm going to fail."</p> + +<p>Faster and faster he rode. He was rapidly overhauling Andy's +car now, and, as they heard him approach, the three cronies +turned around.</p> + +<p>"He's going to race you, after all, Andy!" cried Sam.</p> + +<p>"You mean he's going to try," sneered Andy. "I'll give him all +the racing he wants!"</p> + +<p>In another few seconds Tom was beside the auto, and would have +passed it, only Andy opened his throttle a little more. For a +moment the auto jumped ahead, and then, as our hero turned on +still more power, he easily held his own.</p> + +<p>"Aw, you can never beat us!" yelled Pete.</p> + +<p>"Of course not!" added Sam.</p> + +<p>"I'll leave him behind in a second," prophesied Andy. "Wait +until I throw in the other gear," he added to his cronies in a +low voice. "He thinks he's going to beat me. I'll let him think +so, and then I'll spurt ahead."</p> + +<p>The two machines were now racing along side by side. Andy's car +was going the limit on third gear, but he still had the fourth +gear in reserve. Tom, too, still had a little margin of speed.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Andy reached forward and yanked on a lever. There was +a grinding of cogs as the fourth gear slipped into place, for +Andy did not handle his car skillfully. The effect, however, was +at once apparent. The automobile shot forward.</p> + +<p>"Now where are you, Tom Swift?" cried Sam.</p> + +<p>Tom said nothing. He merely shifted a lever, and got a better +spark. He also turned on a little more gasolene and opened the +muffler The quickness with which his motor-cycle shot forward +almost threw him from the saddle, but he had a tight grip on the +handle bars. He whizzed past the auto, but, as the latter +gathered speed, it crept up to him, and, once more was on even +terms. Much chagrined at seeing Tom hold pace with him, even for +an instant, Andy shouted;</p> + +<p>"Get over on your own side there! You're crowding me!"</p> + +<p>"I am not!" yelled back Tom, above the explosions of his +machine.</p> + +<p>The two were now racing furiously, and Andy, with a savage +look, tried to get more speed out of his car. In spite of all the +bully did, Tom was gradually forging ahead. A little hill was now +in view.</p> + +<p>"Here's where I make him take my dust!" cried Andy, but, to his +surprise Tom still kept ahead. The auto began to lose ground, for +it was not made to take hills on high gear.</p> + +<p>"Change to third gear quick!" cried Sam.</p> + +<p>Andy tried to do it. There was a hesitancy on the part of his +car. It seemed to balk. Tom, looking back, slowed up a trifle. He +could afford to, as Andy was being beaten.</p> + +<p>"Go on! Go on!" begged Pete. "You'll have to keep on fourth +gear to beat him, Andy."</p> + +<p>"That's what!" murmured the bully. Once more he shifted the +gears. There was a grinding, smashing sound, and the car lost +speed. Then it slowed up still more, and finally stopped. Then it +began to back down hill.</p> + +<p>"I've stripped those blamed gears!" exclaimed Andy ruefully.</p> + +<p>"Can't you beat him?" asked Pete.</p> + +<p>"I could have, easily, if my gears hadn't broken," declared the +bully, but, as a matter of fact, he could not have done so. "I +oughtn't to have changed, going up hill," he added, as he jammed +on the brakes, to stop the car from sliding down the slope.</p> + +<p>Tom saw and heard.</p> + +<p>"I thought you were so anxious to race," he said, exultantly, +as well he might. "I don't want to try a contest down hill, +though, Andy," and he laughed at the red-haired lad, who was +furious.</p> + +<p>"Aw, go on!" was all the retort the squint-eyed one could think +of to make.</p> + +<p>"I am going on," replied our hero. "Just to show you that I can +go down hill, watch me."</p> + +<p>He turned his motor-cycle, and approached Andy's stalled car, +for Tom was some distance in advance of it, up the slope by this +time. As he approached the auto, containing the three +disconcerted cronies, something bounded out of Tom's pocket. It +was the bottle of stove blacking he had purchased for Mrs. +Baggert. The bottle fell in the soft dirt in front of his forward +wheel, and a curious thing happened. Perhaps you have seen a +bicycle or auto tire strike a stone at an angle, and throw it +into the air with great force. That was what happened to the +bottle. Tom's front wheel struck the cork, which fitted tightly, +and, just as when you hit one end of the wooden "catty" and it +bounds up, the bottle described a curve through the air, and flew +straight toward Andy's car. It struck the brass frame of the wind +shield with a crash.</p> + +<p>The bottle broke, and in an instant the black liquid was +spattered all over Andy, Sam and Pete. It could not have been +done more effectively if Tom had thrown it by hand. All over +their clothes, their hands and faces, and the front of the car +went the dreary black. Tom looked on, hardly able to believe what +he saw.</p> + +<p>"Wow! Wup! Ug! Blug! Mug!" spluttered Sam, who had some of the +stuff in his mouth.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Oh!" yelled Pete.</p> + +<p>"You did that on purpose, Tom Swift!" shouted Andy, wiping some +of the blacking from his left eye. "I'll have you arrested for +that! You've ruined my car, and look at my suit!"</p> + +<p>"Mine's worse!" murmured Sam, glancing down at his light +trousers, which were of the polka-dot pattern now.</p> + +<p>"No, mine is," insisted Pete, whose white shirt was of the hue +of a stove pipe.</p> + +<p>Andy wiped some of the black stuff from his nose, whence it was +dropping on the steering wheel.</p> + +<p>"You just wait!" the bully called to Tom. "I'll get even with +you for this!"</p> + +<p>"It was an accident! I didn't mean to do that," explained Tom, +trying not to laugh, as he dismounted from his motor-cycle, ready +to render what assistance he could.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> <h2>TALK OF A NEW BANK</h2> + + +<p>The three cronies were in a sorrowful plight. The black fluid +dripped from them, and formed little puddles in the car. Andy had +used his handkerchief to wipe some of the stuff from his face, +but the linen was soon useless, for it quickly absorbed the +blacking.</p> + +<p>"There's a little brook over here," volunteered Tom. "You might +wash in that. The stuff comes off easily. It isn't like ink," and +he had to laugh, as he thought of the happening.</p> + +<p>"Here! You quit that!" ordered Andy. "You've gone too far, Tom +Swift!"</p> + +<p>"Didn't I tell you it was an accident?" inquired the young +inventor.</p> + +<p>"It wasn't!" cried Sam. "You threw the bottle at us! I saw +you!"</p> + +<p>"It slipped from my pocket," declared the youth, and he +described how the accident occurred. "I'll help you clean your +car, Andy," he added.</p> + +<p>"I don't want your help! If you come near me I'll—I'll punch +your nose!" cried Andy, now almost beside himself with rage.</p> + +<p>"All right, if you don't want my help I don't care," answered +Tom, glad enough not to have to soil his hands and clothes. He +felt that it was partly his fault, and he would have done all he +could to remedy matters, but his good offers being declined, he +felt that it was useless to insist further.</p> + +<p>He remounted his motor-cycle, and rode off, the last view he +had of the trio being one where they were at the edge of the +brook, trying to remove the worst traces of the black fluid. As +Tom turned around for a final glimpse, Andy shook his fist at +him, and called out something.</p> + +<p>"I guess Andy'll have it in for me," mused Tom. "Well, I can't +help it. I owed him something on account, but I didn't figure on +paying it in just this way," and he thought of the time the bully +had locked him in the ballast tanks of the submarine, thereby +nearly smothering him to death.</p> + +<p>That night Andy Foger told his father what had happened, for +Mr. Foger inquired the reason for the black stains on his son's +face and hands. But Andy did not give the true version. He said +Tom had purposely thrown the bottle of blacking at him.</p> + +<p>"So that's the kind of a lad Tom Swift is, eh?" remarked Andy's +father. "Well, Andy, I think you will soon have a chance to get +even with him."</p> + +<p>"How, pop?"</p> + +<p>"I can't tell you now, but I have a plan for making Tom sorry +he ever did anything to you, and I will also pay back some old +scores to Mr. Swift and Mr. Damon. I'll ruin their bank for them, +that's what I'll do."</p> + +<p>"Ruin their bank, pop? How?"</p> + +<p>"You wait and see. The Swift crowd will get off their high +horse soon, or I'm mistaken. My plans are nearly completed, but I +can't tell you about them. I'll ruin Mr. Swift, though, that's +what I'll do," and Mr. Foger shook his head determinedly.</p> + +<p>Tom was soon at his home, and Mrs. Baggert, hearing the noise +of his machine, as it entered the front yard, came to the side +door.</p> + +<p>"Where's my blacking?" she asked, as our hero dismounted and +untied the bundle of steel tubes he had purchased.</p> + +<p>"I—I used it," he answered, laughing.</p> + +<p>"Tom Swift! You don't mean to say you took my stove polish to +use in your battery, do you?"</p> + +<p>"No, I used it to polish off Andy Foger and some of his +cronies," and the young inventor told, with much gusto, what had +happened. Mrs. Baggert could not help joining in the laugh, and +when Tom offered to ride back and purchase some more of the +polish for her, she said it did not matter, as she could wait +until the next day.</p> + +<p>The lad was soon busy in his machine shop, making several +larger cells for the new storage battery. He wanted to give it a +more severe test. He worked for several days on this, and when he +had one unit of cells complete, he attached the motor for an +efficiency trial.</p> + +<p>"We'll see how many miles that will make," he remarked to his +father.</p> + +<p>"Have you thought anything of the type of car you are going to +build?" asked the aged inventor of his son.</p> + +<p>"Yes, somewhat. It will be almost of the regulation style, but +with two removable seats at the rear, with curtains for +protection, and a place in front for two persons. This can also +be protected with curtains when desired."</p> + +<p>"But what about the motors and the battery?"</p> + +<p>They will be located under the middle of the car. There will be +one set of batteries there, together with the motor, and another +set of batteries will be placed under the removable seats in what +I call the tonneau, though, of course, it isn't really that. A +smaller set will also be placed forward, and there will be ample +room for carrying tools and such things."</p> + +<p>"About how far do you expect your car will go with one charging +of the battery?"</p> + +<p>"Well, if I can make it do three hundred miles I'll be +satisfied, but I'm going to try for four hundred."</p> + +<p>"What will you do when your battery runs out?"</p> + +<p>"Recharge it."</p> + +<p>"Suppose you're not near a charging station?" "Well, Dad, of +course those are some of the details I've got to work out. I'm +planning a register gauge now, that will give warning about fifty +miles before the battery is run down. That will leave me a margin +to work on. And I'm going to have it fixed so I can take current +from any trolley line, as well as from a regular charging +station. My battery will be capable of being recharged very +quickly, or, in case of need, I can take out the old cells and +put in new ones.</p> + +<p>"That's a very good idea. Well, I hope you succeed."</p> + +<p>A few evenings after this, when Tom was busy in his machine +shop, he heard some one enter. He looked up from the gauge of the +motor, which he was studying, and, for a moment, he could make +out nothing in the dark interior of the shop, for he was working +in a brilliant light.</p> + +<p>"Who's there?" he called sharply, for, more than once +unscrupulous men had endeavored to sneak into the Swift shops to +steal ideas of inventions; if not the actual apparatus itself.</p> + +<p>"It's me—Ned Newton," was the cheerful reply.</p> + +<p>"Oh, hello, Ned! I was wondering what had become of you," +responded Tom. "Where have you been lately?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, working overtime."</p> + +<p>"What's the occasion?"</p> + +<p>"We're trying out a new system to increase the bank business."</p> + +<p>"What's the matter? Aren't you folks getting business enough, +after the big deposits we made of the bullion from the wreck?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's not that. But haven't you heard the news? There is +talk of starting a rival bank in Shopton, and that may make us +hustle to hold what business we have, to say nothing of getting +new customers."</p> + +<p>"A new bank, eh? Who's going to start it?" "Andy Foger's +father, I hear. You know he was a director in our bank, but he +got out last week."</p> + +<p>"What for?"</p> + +<p>"Well, he had some difficulty with Mr. Pendergast, the +president. I fancy you had something to do with it, too."</p> + +<p>"I?" Tom was plainly surprised.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you know you and Mr. Damon and Mr. Sharp captured the +bank robbers, and got back most of the money."</p> + +<p>"I guess I do remember it! I wish you could have seen the gang +when we raided them from the clouds, in our airship!"</p> + +<p>"Well, you know Andy Foger hoped to collect the five thousand +dollars reward for telling the police that you were the thief, +and of course he got fooled, for you got the reward. Mr. Foger +expected his son would collect the money, and when Andy got left, +it made him sore. He's had a grudge against Mr. Pendergast, and +all the other bank officials ever since, and now he's going to +start a rival bank. So that's why I said it was partly due to +you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I see. I thought at first you meant that it was on account +of something that happened the other day."</p> + +<p>"What was that?"</p> + +<p>"Andy, Sam and Pete got the contents of a bottle of stove +blacking," and Tom related the occurrence, at which Ned laughed +heartily.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't be surprised though," added Ned, "to learn that Mr. +Foger started the new bank more for revenge than anything else."</p> + +<p>"So that's the reason you've been working late, eh?" went on +Tom. "Getting ready for competition. Do you think a new bank will +hurt the one you're with?"</p> + +<p>"Well, it might," admitted Ned. "It's bound to make a change, +anyhow, and now that I have a good position I don't want to lose +it. I take more of an interest in the institution now that I'm +assistant cashier, than I did when I was a clerk. So, naturally, +I'm a little worried."</p> + +<p>"Say, don't let it worry you," begged Tom, earnestly.</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Because I know my father and Mr. Damon will stick to the old +bank. They won't have anything to do with the one Andy Foger's +father starts. Don't you worry."</p> + +<p>"Well, that will help some," declared Ned. "They are both heavy +depositors, and if they stick to the old bank we can stand it +even if some of our smaller customers desert us."</p> + +<p>"That's the way to talk," went on the young inventor. "Let +Foger start his bank. It won't hurt yours."</p> + +<p>"What are you making now?" asked Ned, a little later, looking +with interest at the machinery over which Tom was bending, and to +which he was making adjustments.</p> + +<p>"New electric automobile. I want to beat Andy Foger's car worse +than I did on my motor-cycle, and I also want to win a prize," and +the lad proceeded to relate the incidents leading up to his +construction of the storage battery.</p> + +<p>Tom and Ned were in the shop until long past midnight, and then +the bank employee, with a look at his watch, exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Great Scott! I ought to be home."</p> + +<p>"I'll run you over in Mr. Damon's car," proposed Tom. "He left +it here the other day, while he and his wife went off on a trip, +and he said I could use it whenever I wanted to."</p> + +<p>"Good!" cried Ned.</p> + +<p>The two lads came from Tom's particular workshop. As the young +inventor closed the door he started suddenly, as he snapped shut +the lock.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Ned quickly.</p> + +<p>"I thought I heard a noise," replied Tom.</p> + +<p>They both listened. There was a slight rustling in some bushes +near the shop.</p> + +<p>"It's a dog or a cat," declared Ned.</p> + +<p>Tom took several cautious steps forward. Then he gave a spring, +and made a grab for some one or something.</p> + +<p>"Here! You let me be!" yelled a protesting voice.</p> + +<p>"I will when I find out what you mean by sneaking around here," +retorted Tom, as he came back toward Ned, dragging with him a +lad. "It wasn't a dog or a cat, Ned," spoke the young inventor. +"It's Sam Snedecker," and so it proved.</p> + +<p>"You let me alone!" demanded Andy Foger's crony. "I ain't done +nothin' to you," he whined.</p> + +<p>"Here, Ned, you hold him a minute, while I make an +investigation," called Tom, handing his prisoner over to his +chum. "Maybe Pete or Andy are around."</p> + +<p>"No, they ain't. I came alone," said Sam quickly, but Tom, not +heeding, opened the shop, and, after turning on the electric +lights, procured a lantern. He began a search of the shrubbery +around the shop, while Ned held to the struggling Sam.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> <h2>A MIDNIGHT ENCOUNTER</h2> + + +<p>The moment Tom disappeared behind his machine shop, Sam +Snedecker began a desperate struggle to escape from Ned Newton. +Now Ned was a muscular lad, but his work in the bank was +confining, and he did not have the chance to get out doors and +exercise, as Sam had. Consequently Ned had his hands full in +holding to the squirming crony of Andy Foger.</p> + +<p>"You let me go!" demanded Sam, as he tried to twist loose.</p> + +<p>"Not if I know it!" panted Ned.</p> + +<p>Sam gave a sudden twist. Ned's foot slipped in the grass, and +in a moment he went down, with Sam on top of him. Still he did +not let go, and, finding he was still a prisoner Sam adopted new +tactics.</p> + +<p>Using his fists Sam began to pound Ned, but the bank employee, +though suffering, would not call for help, to summon back Tom, +who was, by this time, at the rear of the shop, looking about. +Silently in the dark the two fought, and Ned found that Sam was +getting away. Then Ned's hand came in contact with Sam's ear. It +was the misfortune of the bully to have rather a large hearing +apparatus, and once Ned got his fingers on an ear there was room +enough to afford a good grip. He closed his hold tightly, and +began to twist. This was too much for Sam. He set up a lusty +howl.</p> + +<p>"Wow! Ouch! Let go!" he pleaded, and he ceased to pound Ned, +and no longer tried to escape. Tom came back on the run.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" he cried. Then his light flashed on the +two prostrate lads, and he understood without asking any further +questions.</p> + +<p>"Get up!" he cried, seizing Sam by the back of his neck, and +yanking him to his feet. Ned arose, and secured a better grip on +the sneaking lad.</p> + +<p>"What's up?" demanded Tom, and Ned explained, following it by +the question:</p> + +<p>"See any more of 'em?"</p> + +<p>"No, I guess he was here all alone," replied the young +inventor. "What do you mean by sneaking around here this time of +night?" he demanded of the captive.</p> + +<p>"Don't you wish you knew?" was Sam's answer, with a leer. He +realized that he had a certain advantage.</p> + +<p>"You'd better tell before I turn you over to the police!" said +Tom, sternly.</p> + +<p>"You—you wouldn't do that; would you?" and Sam's voice that +had been bold, became shaky.</p> + +<p>"You were trespassing on our property, and that's against the +law," declared Tom. "We have signs posted, warning people to keep +off."</p> + +<p>"I didn't mean any harm," whined Sam.</p> + +<p>"Then what were you doing here, at this hour?"</p> + +<p>"I was just taking a short cut home. I was out riding with Andy +in his auto, and it broke down. I had to walk home, and I came +this way. I didn't know you didn't allow people to cross your +back lot. I wasn't doin' anything."</p> + +<p>Tom hesitated. Sam might be telling the truth, but it was +doubtful.</p> + +<p>"What happened to Andy's auto?" the young inventor asked.</p> + +<p>"He broke a wheel, going over a big stone on Berk's hill. He +went to tell some one in the repair shop to go after the car, and +I came on home. You've got no right to arrest me."</p> + +<p>"I ought to, on general principles," commented Tom. "Well, skip +out, and don't you come around here again. I'm going to get a +savage bull dog, and the first one who comes sneaking around here +after dark will be sorry. Move along now!"</p> + +<p>Tom and Ned released their holds of Sam, and the latter lost no +time in obeying the injunction to make himself scarce. He was +soon lost to sight in the darkness.</p> + +<p>"Think he was up to some mischief?" asked Ned.</p> + +<p>"I'm almost sure of it," replied Tom, "but I can't see anything +wrong. I guess we were too quick for him. I believe he, Andy and +Pete Bailey tried to put up some job on me."</p> + +<p>"Maybe they wanted to damage your new battery or car," +suggested Ned.</p> + +<p>"Hardly that. The car hasn't been started yet, and as for the +battery, no one knows of it outside of you and my friends here. +I'm keeping it secret. Well, if I'm going to take you home I'd +better get a move on. Wait here and I'll run out Mr. Damon's +car."</p> + +<p>In a short time Tom was guiding the machine over the road to +Shopton, Ned on the seat beside him. The young assistant cashier +lived about a mile the other side of the village, and the two +chums were soon at his house. Asking his friend to come and see +him when he had a chance. Ned bid his chum good night, and the +young inventor started back home.</p> + +<p>He was driving slowly along, thinking more of his new invention +than anything else, even more than of the mysterious visit of Sam +Snedecker, when the lights on Mr. Damon's car flashed upon +something big, black and bulky on the road just ahead of him. +Tom, brought suddenly out of his fit of musing, jammed on the +brakes, and steered to one side. Then he saw that the object was +a stalled auto. He had only time to note this when a voice hailed +him:</p> + +<p>"Have you a tire pump you could lend us? Ours doesn't work, and +we have had a blowout."</p> + +<p>There was something about the voice that was strangely +familiar, and Tom was wondering where he had heard it before, +when into the glare of the lamps on his machine stepped Mr. +Foger—Andy's father!</p> + +<p>"Why, Mr. Foger!" exclaimed Tom. "I didn't know it was you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's Tom Swift," remarked the man, and he did not seem +especially pleased.</p> + +<p>"Hey! What's that?" cried another voice, which Tom had no +difficulty in recognizing as belonging to Andy. "What's the +matter, Dad?"</p> + +<p>"Why it happens to be your—ahem! It's Tom Swift in this other +auto," went on Mr. Foger. "I didn't know you had a car," he +added.</p> + +<p>"I haven't," answered the lad. "This belongs to Mr. Damon. But +can you see to fix your tire in the dark?" for Mr. Foger and his +son had no lamps lighted.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we have it all fixed," declared the man, "and, just as we +were going to pump it up out lamps went out. Then we found that +our pump wouldn't work. If you have one I would be obliged for +the use of it," and he spoke somewhat stiffly.</p> + +<p>"Certainly," agreed Tom, cheerfully, for he had no special +grudge against Mr. Foger, though had he known Andy's father's +plans, perhaps our hero would not have so readily aided him. The +young inventor got down, removed one of his oil lamps in order +that there might be some light on the operation, and then brought +over his pump.</p> + +<p>"I heard you had an accident," said Tom, a chain of thoughts +being rapidly forged in his mind, as he thought of what Sam had +told him.</p> + +<p>"You heard of it?" repeated Mr. Foger, while Andy was busy +pumping up the tire.</p> + +<p>"Yes, a friend who was out riding with you said you had broken +a wheel on Berk's hill. But I see he was slightly wrong. You're a +good way from Berk's hill, and it's a tire that is broken, not a +wheel."</p> + +<p>"But I don't understand," said Mr. Foger. "No friend has been +out riding with us. My son and I were out on a business trip, +and—"</p> + +<p>"Come on, pop. I've got it all pumped up. Jump in. There's your +pump, Tom Swift. Much obliged," muttered Andy hastily. It was +very evident that he wanted to prevent any further conversation +between his parent and Tom.</p> + +<p>"But I don't understand," went on the banker, clearly puzzled. +"What friend gave you such information, Mr.—er—Tom Swift?"</p> + +<p>"Sam Snedecker," replied the lad quickly. "I caught him +sneaking around my machine shop about an hour ago, and when I +asked him what he was doing he said he'd been out riding with +Andy, and that they broke a wheel. I'm glad it was only a blown-out +tire," and Tom's voice had a curious note in it.</p> + +<p>"But there must be some mistake," insisted Mr. Foger. "Sam +Snedecker was not riding with us this evening. We have been over +to Waterfield—my son and I, and—"</p> + +<p>"Come on, pop!" cried Andy desperately. "We must hurry home. +Mom will be worried."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think she will. But I can't understand why Sam should +say such a thing. However, we are much obliged for the use of +your pump, Swift, and—"</p> + +<p>But Andy prevented any further talk by starting the car with +the muffler open, making a great racket, and he hurriedly drove +off, almost before his father was seated, leaving Tom standing +there in the road, beside his pump and lantern.</p> + +<p>"So," mused the young inventor, "there's some game on. Sam +wasn't with Andy, yet Andy evidently knew where Sam was, or he +wouldn't have been so anxious to choke off talk. Mr. Foger knew +nothing of Sam, naturally. But why have Andy and his father been +on a midnight trip to Waterfield?"</p> + +<p>That last question caused Tom to adopt a new line of thought.</p> + +<p>"Waterfield," he mused. "That's where Mr. Damon lives. Mr. +Damon is a heavy depositor in the old bank. Mr. Foger is going to +start a new bank. I wonder if there's any connection there? This +is getting mysterious. I must keep my eyes open. I never expected +to meet Andy and his father to-night, any more than I expected to +find Sam Snedecker sneaking around my shop, but it's a good thing +I discovered both parties. I guess Andy must have had nervous +prostration when I was talking to his father," and Tom grinned at +the thought. Then, picking up the pump, and fastening the lantern +in place, he drove Mr. Damon's auto slowly back home.</p> + +<p>Tom said nothing to his father or Mr. Sharp, the next morning, +about the incidents of the previous night. In the first place he +could not exactly understand them, and he wanted to devote more +time to thinking of them, before he mentioned the matter to his +parent. Another reason was that Mr. Swift was a very nervous +person, and the least thing out of the ordinary worried him. So +the young inventor concluded to keep quiet.</p> + +<p>His first act, after going to look at the small motor, which +was being run with the larger, experimental storage battery, was +to get out pencil and paper.</p> + +<p>"I've got to plan the electric auto now that my battery is in a +fair way to success," he said, for he noted that the one cell he +had constructed had done over twice as much mileage in +proportion, as had the small battery. "I'll soon start building +the car," mused Tom, "and then I'll enter it in the race. I must +write to that touring club and find how much time I have."</p> + +<p>All that morning the young inventor drew plan after plan for an +electric runabout, and rejected them. Finally he threw aside +paper and pencil and exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"It's no use. I can't think to-day. I'm dwelling too much on +what happened last night. I must clear my brain.</p> + +<p>"I know what I'll do. I'll get in my motor-boat and take a run +over to Waterfield to see Mr. Damon. Maybe he's home by this +time. Then I can ask him what Mr. Foger wanted to see him about, +if he did call."</p> + +<p>It was a fine May morning, and Tom was soon in his boat, the +Arrow, gliding over Lake Carlopa, the waters of which sparkled in +the sun. As he speeded up his craft, the lad looked about, +thinking he might catch sight of Andy Foger, for the bully also +owned a boat, called the Red Streak and, more than once, in spite +of the fact that Andy's craft was the more powerful, Tom had +beaten him in impromptu races. But there was no sign of his rival +this morning, and Tom kept on to Waterfield. He found that Mr. +Damon had not yet returned home.</p> + +<p>"So far I've had my run for nothing," mused the youth. "Well, I +might as well spend the rest of the morning in the boat."</p> + +<p>He swung his craft out into the lake, and headed back toward +Mansburg, intending to run up to the head of the body of water, +which offered so many attractions that beautiful morning.</p> + +<p>As Tom passed a small dock he saw a girl just putting out in a +rowboat. The figure looked familiar and, having nothing special +to do, the lad steered over closer. His first view was confirmed, +and he called out cheerfully:</p> + +<p>"Good morning, Miss Nestor. Going for a row?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! Mr. Swift!" exclaimed the girl with a blush. "I didn't +hear you coming. You startled me."</p> + +<p>"Yes, the engine runs quite silently since I fixed it," resumed +Tom. "But where are you going?"</p> + +<p>"I was going for a row," answered the girl, "but I have just +discovered that one of the oar locks is broken, so I am not going +for a row," and she laughed, showing her white, even teeth.</p> + +<p>"That's too bad!" remarked the lad. "I don't suppose," he added +doubtfully, "that I could induce you to accept a motor-boat as a +substitute for a rowing craft, could I?" and he looked +quizzically at her.</p> + +<p>"Are you asking me that as a hypothetical question?" she +inquired.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Tom, trying not to smile.</p> + +<p>"Well, if you are asking for information, merely, I will say +that I could be induced to make such a change," and her face was +nearly as grave as that of the young inventor's.</p> + +<p>"What inducement would have to be used?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Suppose you just ask me in plain English to come and have a +ride?" she suggested.</p> + +<p>"All right, I will!" exclaimed the youth.</p> + +<p>"All right, then I'll come!" she retorted with a laugh, and a +few minutes later the two were in the Arrow, making a pretty +picture as they speeded up the lake.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> <h2>BUILDING THE CAR</h2> + + +<p>"Well," remarked Tom to himself, about two hours later, when he +had left Mary Nestor at her dock, and was on his way home, "I +feel better than I did, and now I must do some hard thinking +about my runabout. I want to get it the right shape to make the +least resistance." He began to make some sketches when he got +home, and at dinner he showed them to his father and Mr. Sharp. +He said he had gotten an idea from looking at the airship.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to make the front part, or what corresponds to the +engine-hood in a gasolene car, pointed," he explained. "It will +be just like the front of the aluminum gas container of the +airship, only built of steel. In it will be a compartment for a +set of batteries, and there will be a searchlight there. From the +top of some supporters in front of the two rear seats, a slanting +sheet of steel will come right down to meet the sloping nose of +the car. First I was going to have curtains close over the top of +the driver's seat, but I think a steel covering, with a celluloid +opening will be better and make less wind resistance. I'll use +leather side curtains when it rains. Under the front seats will +be a compartment for more batteries, and there will be a third +place under the rear seats, where I will also carry spare wheels +and a repair kit. The motors will be slung under the body of the +car, amidships, and there will also be room for some batteries +there."</p> + +<p>"How are you going to drive the car?" asked Mr. Sharp. "By a +shaft?"</p> + +<p>"Chain drive," explained Tom. "I can get more power that way, +and it will be more flexible under heavy loads. Of course it will +be steered in the usual way, and near the wheel will be the +starting and reversing levers, and the gear handle."</p> + +<p>"Gears!" exclaimed the aged inventor. "Are you going to gear an +electric auto? I never heard of that. Usually the motor directly +connected is all they use."</p> + +<p>"I'm going to have two gears on mine," decided Tom.</p> + +<p>"That's a new idea," commented the aeronaut.</p> + +<p>"It is," admitted the lad, "and that's why my car is going to +be so speedy. I'll make her go a hundred miles an hour, if +necessary!"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" exclaimed his father.</p> + +<p>"I will!" cried the young inventor, enthusiastically. "You just +wait and see. I couldn't do it but for the gears, but by using +them I'll secure more speed, especially with the big reserve +battery power I'll have. I know I've got the right idea, and I'm +going to get right to work."</p> + +<p>His father and Mr. Sharp were much interested, and closely +examined his sketches. In a few days Tom had made detailed +drawings, and the aged inventor looked at them critically. He had +to admit that his son's theory was right, though how it would +work out in practice was yet to be demonstrated. Mr. Swift +offered some suggestions for minor changes, as did Mr. Sharp, and +the lad adopted some of them. Then, with Mr. Jackson to help him, +work was started on constructing the car.</p> + +<p>Certain parts of it could be better purchased in the open +market instead of being manufactured in Mr. Swift's shop, and +thus Tom was able to get his new invention into some sort of +shape sooner than would otherwise have been the case. He also +started making the batteries, many of which would be needed.</p> + +<p>Gradually the car began to take form on the floor of Tom's +shop. It was rather a curious looking affair, the sharp forward +part making it appear like some engine of war, or a projectile +for some monster gun. But Tom cared little for looks. Speed, +strength and ease of control were the chief features the lad +aimed at, and he incorporated many new ideas into his electric +car.</p> + +<p>He was busy in the shop, one morning, when, above the noise +caused by filing a piece of steel he heard some one exclaim:</p> + +<p>"Bless my gizzard! If you aren't as busy as ever!"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Damon!" cried Tom in delight. "When did you get back?"</p> + +<p>"Last night," replied the eccentric man. "My wife and I stayed +longer than we meant to. And whom do you think we met when we +were off on our little trip?"</p> + +<p>"Some of the Happy Harry gang?"</p> + +<p>"Oh no. You'd never guess, so I'll tell you. It was Captain +Weston."</p> + +<p>"Indeed! And how has he been since he went in the submarine +with us, and helped recover the gold from the wreck?"</p> + +<p>"Very well. The first thing he said to me was: 'How is Tom +Swift and his father, if I may be permitted to ask?'"</p> + +<p>"Ha! Ha!" laughed the lad, at the recollection of the odd sea +captain, who generally tagged on an apologetic expression to most +of his remarks.</p> + +<p>"He was getting ready to take part in some South American +revolution," went on Mr. Damon. "He used most of his money that +he got from the wreck to help finance their cause."</p> + +<p>"I must tell Mr. Sharp," went on the lad. "He'll be +interested."</p> + +<p>"Anything new since I've been away?" asked the odd man. "Bless +my shoe laces, but I'm glad to get back!"</p> + +<p>Tom told of the prospect of a new bank being started, and of +Sam's midnight visit, as well as the encounter with Mr. Foger and +Andy.</p> + +<p>"I went over to see what Mr. Foger wanted of you," went on the +young inventor, "but you weren't home. Did he call?"</p> + +<p>"The servant said he had been there, not once, but several +times," remarked Mr. Damon. "That reminds me. He left a note for +me, and I haven't read it yet. I'll do so now."</p> + +<p>He tore open the letter, and hastily perused the contents.</p> + +<p>"Ha!" he exclaimed. "So that's what he wanted to see me about!"</p> + +<p>"What?" inquired Tom, with the privilege of and old friend.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Foger says he's going to start a new bank, and he wants me +to withdraw my deposit from the old one, and put it in his +institution. Says he'll pay me bigger interest. And he adds that +some of the old employees have gone with him."</p> + +<p>"I hope you're not going to change," spoke Tom, thinking of his +chum, Ned.</p> + +<p>"Indeed I'm not. The old bank is good enough for me. By the +way, doesn't a friend of yours work there?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Ned Newton. I'm wondering how he'll be affected?"</p> + +<p>"Don't you worry!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "Bless my check book! +I'll speak to Pendergast about your friend. Maybe there'll be a +chance to advance him further. I've got some mortgages falling +due pretty soon, and I'll deposit the money from them in the old +bank. Then we'll see what we can do about Ned."</p> + +<p>"They'll make you a bank director, if you keep on putting in +money," remarked our hero, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Not much they won't!" was the quick answer</p> + +<p>"Bless my stocks and bonds! I've got trouble enough without +becoming a bank director. My doctor says my liver is out of order +again, and I've got to eat a lemon every morning before breakfast."</p> + +<p>"Eat a lemon?"</p> + +<p>"Well, drink the juice! It's the same thing. But how is the +electric runabout coming on?"</p> + +<p>"Pretty good."</p> + +<p>"Have you entered it in the races yet?"</p> + +<p>"No, but I've written for information. I have until September +to finish it. The races take place then."</p> + +<p>"Let's see; they're on Long Island; aren't they? How do you +calculate to do; run from here to there?"</p> + +<p>"No, Dad still has the cottage he rented when we built the +submarine and I think I'll make that my headquarters during the +race. It's easy to run from there over to the Long Island track. +They're building a new one, especially for the occasion.</p> + +<p>"Well, I hope you win the prize. I must go to town now, as I +have to attend to some business. I don't s'pose you want to come +in my auto. I'm pretty sure something will break before I get +there, and I'd like to have you along to fix it."</p> + +<p>"Sorry, but I'm afraid I can't go," replied the lad. "I must +get this car done, and then I've got to start on the batteries."</p> + +<p>Mr. Damon rather reluctantly went off alone, looking anxiously +at his car, for the machine got out of order on every trip he +took.</p> + +<p>It was a few days after this that Tom received a call from Ned +one evening. The bank employee's face wore a happy smile.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter; some one left you a fortune?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"Pretty nearly as good. I've got a better position."</p> + +<p>"What? Have you left the old bank, and gone to the new one?"</p> + +<p>"No, I'm still in the same bank, but I'm one of the two +cashiers now. Mr. Foger took several of the old employees when he +opened his new bank, and that left vacancies. I was promoted, and +so were one or two others. Mr. Damon spoke a good word for me."</p> + +<p>"That's fine! He's a friend worth having."</p> + +<p>"That's right. Your father also recommended me. But how are +things with you? Has Andy made any more trouble?"</p> + +<p>"No, and I don't believe he will. I guess he'll steer clear of +me."</p> + +<p>But Tom was soon to learn he was mistaken.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER VII </h2> <h2>TOM IS CAPTURED</h2> + + +<p>Meanwhile the young inventor, aided by his father, Mr. Sharp +and Garret Jackson, the engineer, worked hard over his new car, +and the powerful batteries. A month passed, and such was the +progress made that Tom felt justified in making formal entry of +his vehicle for the races to be held by the Touring Club of +America.</p> + +<p>He paid a contingent fee and was listed as one of the +competitors. As is usual in an affair of this kind, the promoters +of it desired publicity, and they sought it through the papers.</p> + +<p>Consequently each new entrant's name was published. In addition +something was said about his previous achievements in the speed +line.</p> + +<p>No sooner was the name of Tom Swift received by the officials +of the club, than it was at once recalled that young Swift had +had a prominent part in the airship Red Cloud, and the submarine +Advance. This gave an enterprising reporter a chance for a +"special" for the Sunday supplement of a New York newspaper.</p> + +<p>Tom, it was stated, was building a car which would practically +annihilate distance and time, and there were many weird pictures, +showing him flying along without touching the ground, in a car, +the pictorial construction of which was at once fearful and +wonderful.</p> + +<p>Tom and his friends laughed at the yarn, at first, but it soon +had undesirable results. The young inventor had desired to keep +secret the fact that he was building a new electric vehicle, and +a novel storage battery, but the article in the paper aroused +considerable interest. Many persons came a long distance, hoping +for a sight of the wonderful car, as pictured in the Sunday +supplement, but they had to be denied. The news, thus leaking +out, kept the Swift shops almost constantly besieged by many +curious ones, who sought, by various means, to gain admission. +Finally Tom and his father, after posting large signs, warning +persons to keep away, added others to the effect that undesirable +visitors might find themselves unexpectedly shocked by +electricity, if they ventured too close. This had the desired +effect, though the wires which were strung about carried such a +mild charge that it would not have harmed a child. Then the only +bothersome characters were the boys of the town, and, fearless +and careless lads, they persisted in hanging around the Swift +homestead, in the hope of seeing Tom dash away at the rate of +five hundred miles an hour, which one enthusiastic writer +predicted he would do.</p> + +<p>"I've got a plan!" exclaimed Tom one day when the boys had been +particularly troublesome.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked his father.</p> + +<p>"We'll hire Eradicate Sampson to stand guard with a bucket of +whitewash. He'll keep the boys away."</p> + +<p>The plan was put into operation, and Eradicate and his mule, +Boomerang, were installed on the premises.</p> + +<p>"Deed an' Ah'll keep dem lads away," promised the colored man. +"Ah'll splash white stuff all ober 'em, if dey comes traipsin' +around me."</p> + +<p>He was as good as his word, and, when one or two lads had +received a dose of the stuff, which punishment was followed by +more severe from home, for having gotten their clothes soiled, +the nuisance ceased, to a certain extent. Sam Snedecker and Pete +Bailey were two who received a liberal sprinkling of the lime, +and they vowed vengeance on Tom.</p> + +<p>"And Andy Foger will help us, too," added Sam, as he withdrew, +after an encounter with Eradicate.</p> + +<p>"Doan't let dat worry yo', Mistah Swift!" exclaimed the darkey. +"Jest let dat low-down-good-fo-nuffin' Andy Foger come 'round me, +an' Ah'll make him t'ink he's de inside ob a chicken coop, dat's +what Ah will."</p> + +<p>Perhaps Andy heard of this, and kept away. In the meanwhile Tom +kept on perfecting his car and battery. From the club secretary +he learned that a number of inventors were working on electric +cars, and there promised to be many of the speedy vehicles in the +race.</p> + +<p>After considerable labor Tom had succeeded in getting together +one set of the batteries. He had them completed one afternoon, +and wanted to give them a test that night. But, when he went to +his father's chemical laboratory for a certain powder, which he +needed to use in the battery solution, he found there was none.</p> + +<p>"I'll have to ride in to Mansburg for some," he decided. "I'll +go after supper, on my motor-cycle, and test the battery to-night."</p> + +<p>The young inventor left his house immediately after the evening +meal. Along the road toward Mansburg he speeded, and, as he came +to the foot of a hill, where once Andy Foger had put a big tree, +hoping Tom would run into it and be injured, the youth recalled +that circumstance.</p> + +<p>"Andy has been keeping out of my way lately," mused Tom. "I +wonder if he's up to any mischief? I don't like the way Sam +Snedecker is hanging around the shop, either. It looks as if they +were plotting something. But I guess Eradicate and his pail of +whitewash will scare them off."</p> + +<p>Tom got the powdered chemical he wanted in the drug store, and, +after refreshing himself with some ice cream soda, he started +back. As he rode along through the streets of the town he kept a +lookout, and those of you who know how fond the lad was of a +certain young lady, do not need to be told for whom he was +looking. But he did not see her, and soon turned into the main +highway leading to Shopton.</p> + +<p>It was dark when he reached the hill, where once he had been so +near an accident, and he slowed up as he coasted down it, using +the brake at intervals.</p> + +<p>Tom got safely to the bottom of the declivity, and was about to +turn on the power of his machine, when, from the bushes that +lined either side of the roadway, several figures sprang +suddenly. They ranged themselves across the road, and one cried: +"Halt!" in tones that were meant to be stern, but which seemed to +Tom, to tremble somewhat. The young inventor was so surprised +that he did not open the gasolene throttle, nor switch on his +spark. As a consequence his motor-cycle lost momentum, and he had +to take one foot from the pedal and touch the ground, to prevent +himself from toppling over.</p> + +<p>"Hold on there!" cried another voice. "We've got you where we +want you, now! Hold on! Don't go!"</p> + +<p>"I wasn't going to go," responded Tom calmly, trying to +recognize the voice, which seemed to be unnatural. "What do you +want, and who are you?"</p> + +<p>"Never mind who we are. We want you and we've got you! Get off +that wheel!"</p> + +<p>"I don't see why I should!" exclaimed Tom, and he suddenly +shifted his handle bars, so as to flash the bright headlight he +carried, upon the circle of dark figures that opposed his +progress. As the light flashed on them he was surprised to see +that all the figures wore masks over their faces.</p> + +<p>Tom started. Was this the Happy Harry gang after him again? He +hoped not, yet the fact that the persons had on masks made the +hold-up have an ugly look. Once more Tom flashed the light on the +throng. There were exclamations of dismay.</p> + +<p>"Douse that glim, somebody!" called a sharp voice, which Tom +could not recognize.</p> + +<p>A stone came whizzing through the air, from some one in the +crowd. There was a smashing of glass as it hit the lantern, and +the road was plunged in darkness. Tom tried to throw one leg over +the saddle, and let down the supporting stand from the rear +wheel, so the motor-cycle would remain upright without him holding +it. He determined to have revenge for that act of vandalism in +breaking his lamp.</p> + +<p>But, just as he was free of the seat, he was surrounded by a +dozen persons, and several hands were laid on him.</p> + +<p>"We've got you now!" some one fairly hissed in his ear. "Come +along, and get what's coming to you!"</p> + +<p>Tom tried to fight, but he was overpowered by numbers and, a +little later, was dragged off into the woods in the darkness by +the masked figures. His arms were securely bound with ropes, and +a handkerchief was tied over his eyes. Tom Swift was a prisoner.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER VIII </h2> <h2>A BLINDING FLASH</h2> + + +<p>Stumbling on through the dark woods, led by his captors, Tom +tried to pierce the gloom and identify the persons who had firm +grips on either side of him. But it was useless. A little light +sifted down from the starlit sky above, but it was not +sufficient. The young inventor was beginning to think, after all, +that he had fallen into the hands of the Happy Harry gang, and he +knew that if this was so he need expect no mercy.</p> + +<p>But two things were against this belief. One was that the +principal members of the gang were still in jail, or at least +they were supposed to be, and another was that there were too +many of the captors. Happy Harry's crowd never numbered so many.</p> + +<p>"Maybe they're highwaymen," thought our hero, as he was dragged +along "But that can't be," he reasoned further. "If they wanted +to rob me they'd have done it back there in the road, and not +brought me off here in the woods. Besides, I haven't anything for +them to steal."</p> + +<p>Suddenly Tom stumbled over a projecting root, and nearly fell, +dragging along with him the person who had hold of his left arm.</p> + +<p>"Look out there! What's the matter with you?" exclaimed one of +the throng quickly, and at the sound of the voice Tom started.</p> + +<p>"Andy Foger!" cried the young inventor, as he recovered +himself, for he had recognized the voice of the red-haired bully. +"What do you mean by holding me up in this way?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"Quiet!" urged a voice in his ear, and the tones were +unfamiliar. "Mention no names!"</p> + +<p>"I'm on to your game!" retorted Tom. "I know you're here, Andy, +and Sam and Pete; and Jack Reynolds and Sid Holton," and he named +two rather loose-charactered lads, who were often in the company +of Andy and his cronies. "You'd better quit this nonsense," Tom +went on. "I'll cause the arrest of all of you if you make trouble +for me. I know who you are now!"</p> + +<p>"You think you do," answered the voice in his ear, and the +young inventor concluded that it must be some lad whom he did not +know. "Nor is this nonsense," the other went on. "You are about +to receive the punishment due you."</p> + +<p>Our hero did not answer, but he was doing some hard thinking. +He wondered why Andy and his crowd had captured him.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the blackness of the woods was illuminated by the +fitful gleam of a distant fire. Tom could see more plainly now, +and he managed to count about ten dusky figures hurrying along, +four being close to him, to prevent his escape, and the others +running on ahead. The light became stronger, and, a moment later +the prisoner and his captors emerged into a little clearing, +where a fire was burning. Two figures, masked with black cloth, +as were all in the crowd, stood about the blaze, putting on +sticks of wood.</p> + +<p>"Did you get him?" asked one of these figures eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, they got me, Sam Snedecker," answered Tom quickly, +recognizing Sam's tones. "And they'll wish they hadn't before I'm +done with them."</p> + +<p>"Quiet!" ordered an unknown voice. "Members of the Deep Forest +Throng, the prisoner is here!" the lad went on.</p> + +<p>"'Tis well, bind the captive to the sacrificial tree," was the +response from some one in the crowd.</p> + +<p>Tom laughed. He was at ease now, for he recognized that those +who had taken him prisoner were all lads of Andy's character. +Most of them were Shopton youths, but some, evidently, were +strangers in town. Tom felt he had little to fear.</p> + +<p>"Bring him over here," ordered one, and Tom cried out:</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't be giving those orders, Andy Foger, if my arms +weren't tied. And if you'll untie me, I'll fight any two of you +at once," offered the young inventor fiercely, for he hated the +humiliation to which he was being subjected.</p> + +<p>"Don't do it! Don't untie him!" begged some one.</p> + +<p>"No danger, they won't. They're afraid to, Pete Bailey," +replied Tom quickly, for he had recognized the voice of the other +one of Andy's particular cronies.</p> + +<p>"Aw, he knows who we are," whispered Sam, but not so low but +that our hero heard him.</p> + +<p>"No matter," was Andy's retort. "Let's go ahead with it. Tie +him to that tree."</p> + +<p>It was useless for Tom to struggle. He was bound too tightly by +the rope, and the crowd was too many for him. In a few minutes he +was securely fastened to a tree, not far from the camp-fire, +which was replenished from time to time.</p> + +<p>"Now for the judgment!" called one of the masked lads, in what +he meant to be a sepulchral tone. "What is the charge against the +prisoner? Brother Number One of the Deep Forest Throng, what is +your accusation?"</p> + +<p>"He's a regular snob, that's what's the trouble," answered +Andy Foger, though whether he was "Brother Number One," did not +appear. "He's too fresh and—and—"</p> + +<p>"I'll make you wish you felt fresh when I get hold of you, +Andy," murmured Tom.</p> + +<p>"Quiet!" cried a tall lad. "What's the next charge?"</p> + +<p>"He keeps an old colored man on guard at his place," was the +answer, and Tom had no difficulty in recognizing the voice of Sid +Holton. "The coon throws whitewash all over us. I got some of +it."</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't have, if you'd minded your own business," +retorted Tom. "It served you right!"</p> + +<p>"What is the verdict on the prisoner?" asked one who seemed to +be the leader.</p> + +<p>"I say let's tar and feather him!" cried Andy suddenly. +"There's a barrel of tar back in the woods here, and we can get +some feathers from a chicken coop. That would make him so he +wouldn't be so uppish, I guess!"</p> + +<p>"That's right! Tar and feathers!" exclaimed several.</p> + +<p>Our hero's heart sank. He was not afraid, but he did not relish +the indignity that was proposed. He resolved to fight to the last +ounce of his strength against the masked lads.</p> + +<p>"Can we get a kettle to heat the tar in?" asked some one.</p> + +<p>"We'll find one," answered Sam Snedecker. "Come on, let's do +it. You'll look pretty, Tom Swift, when we're through with you," +he exulted.</p> + +<p>Tom did not answer, but there was fierce anger in his heart. +The tar and feather proposal seemed to meet with general favor.</p> + +<p>"Members of the Deep Forest Throng, we will hold a +consultation," proposed the leader, in his assumed deep voice. +"Come over here, to one side. Brother Number Six, guard the +prisoner well."</p> + +<p>"There ain't no need to," answered a lad who had been +instructed to mount guard over Tom. "He's tied so tight he can't +move. I want to hear what you say."</p> + +<p>"Very well then," assented the leader, "But look to his +bonds."</p> + +<p>The lad made a hasty examination of the ropes binding the young +inventor to the tree, and Tom was glad that the examination was a +hasty one. For he feared the guard might discover that one hand +had been worked nearly free. The young inventor had done this +while he leered at his captors.</p> + +<p>Tom was not going to submit tamely to the nonsense, and from +the moment he had been tied, he had been trying to get loose. He +had nearly succeeded in freeing one hand when the crowd of masked +boys moved off to one side, where they presently began to talk in +excited whispers.</p> + +<p>"I wonder how they came to catch me," thought the prisoner, as +he worked feverishly to further loosen the ropes. "This looks as +if it was a put-up job, with the masks, and everything." Later +he learned that the idea was the outcome of a proposal of one of +the new arrivals in town. He had organized the "Deep Forest +Throng," as a sort of secret society, and Andy and his cronies +had been induced to join. It was Andy's proposal to capture Tom, +though, and, having seen him depart for Mansburg on his motor-cycle +and knowing that he would return along a road that ran +near the woods where the Throng met, suggested that they take Tom +captive. The idea was enthusiastically received, and Andy and his +cronies thought they saw a chance to be revenged.</p> + +<p>Tom, while he picked at the ropes, listened to what the boys +were saying. He heard frequent mention of tar and feathers, and +began to believe, that unless he could get free, while they were +off there consulting, he might be forced to submit to the +humiliating ordeal.</p> + +<p>He managed to get one hand comparatively free, so that he could +move it about, but then he struck several hard knots, and could +make no further progress. The conference seemed on the point of +breaking up.</p> + +<p>"One of you go for a big kettle to boil the tar in," ordered +the leader, "and the rest of you dig up some feathers."</p> + +<p>"I must get loose!" thought Tom desperately. "If they try to +tar and feather me it will be a risky business. I've got to get +loose! They may burn me severely!"</p> + +<p>But, though he tried with all his strength, the ropes would not +loosen another bit. He had one hand free, and that was all. The +crowd was moving back toward him.</p> + +<p>"My knife!" thought the captive quickly. "If I can reach that +in my pocket I can cut the ropes! Once I get loose I'll fight the +whole crowd!"</p> + +<p>He managed to get his free hand into his pocket. His fingers +touched something. It was not his knife, and, for a moment he +felt a pang of disappointment. Then, as he realized what it was +that he had grasped, a new idea came to him.</p> + +<p>"This will be better than the knife!" he thought exultantly. +The crowd of lads was now surrounding him, some distance from the +fire, which burned in front of the captive.</p> + +<p>"Sentence has been passed upon you," remarked the leader. +"Prepare to meet thy doom! Get the materials, brothers!"</p> + +<p>"One moment!" called Tom, for he wanted the crowd all present +to witness what he was about to do. "I'll give you one chance to +let me go peaceably. If you don't—"</p> + +<p>"Well, what will you do?" demanded Andy sneeringly, as he +pulled his mask further over his face. "I guess you won't do +anything, Tom Swift."</p> + +<p>"I'll give you one chance to let me go, and I'll agree to say +nothing about this joke," went on Tom. "If you don't I'll blow +this place up!"</p> + +<p>For a moment there was a silence.</p> + +<p>"Ha! Ha! Ho! Ho!" laughed Sam Snedecker. "Listen to him! He'll +blow the place up! I'd like to see you do it! You can't get loose +in the first place, and you haven't anything to blow it up with +in the second. I'd like to see you do it; hey, fellers?"</p> + +<p>"Sure," came the answering chorus.</p> + +<p>"Would you?" asked Tom quickly. "Then watch. Stand back if you +don't want to get hurt, and remember that I gave you a chance to +let me go!"</p> + +<p>Tom made a rapid motion with the hand he had gotten loose. He +threw something to ward the blazing fire, which was now burning +well. Something white sailed through the air, and fell amid the +hot embers.</p> + +<p>There was a moment's pause, and then a blinding flash of blue +fire lighted up the woods, and a dull rumble, as when gun-powder +is lighted in the open followed. A great cloud of white smoke +arose, as the vivid blue glare died away, and it seemed as if a +great wind swept over the place. Several of the masked lads were +knocked down by the explosion, and when the rumble died away, and +deep blackness succeeded the intense blue light, there came cries +of pain and terror. The fire had been scattered, and extinguished +by the explosion which Tom, though still bound to the tree had +caused to happen in the midst of the Deep Forest Throng. Then, as +the smoke rolled away, Andy Foger cried:</p> + +<p>"Come on, fellows! Something's happened. I guess a volcano blew +up!"</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER IX </h2> <h2>TOM IS RESCUED</h2> + + +<p>The Deep Forest Throng needed no urging to flee from the place +of the mysterious explosion. Their prisoner, helpless as he had +seemed, had proved too much for them. Slipping and stumbling +along in the darkness, the masked lads had but one thought—to +get away before they saw more of that blue fire, and the force of +the concussion.</p> + +<p>"Gee! My eyebrows are all singed off!" cried Sam Snedecker, as +he tore loose his mask which had been rent in the explosion, and +felt of his face.</p> + +<p>"And my hands are burned," added Pete Bailey. "I stood closer +to the fire than any of you."</p> + +<p>"You did not! I got the worst of it!" cried Andy. "I was +knocked down by the explosion, and I'll bet I'm hurt somewhere. I +guess—Oh! Help! I'm falling in a mud hole!"</p> + +<p>There was a splash, and the bully disappeared from the sight of +his companions who, now that the moon had risen, could better see +to flee from their prisoner.</p> + +<p>"Help me out, somebody!" pleaded Andy. "I'm in a mud hole!"</p> + +<p>They pulled him out, a sorry looking sight, and the red-haired +lad, whose locks were now black with muck, began to lament his +lot.</p> + +<p>"Dry up!" commanded Sid Holton. "It's all your fault, for +proposing such a fool trick as capturing Tom Swift. We might have +known he would get the best of us."</p> + +<p>"What was that stuff he used, anyhow?" asked Cecil Hedden, the +lad responsible for the organization of the Deep Forest Throng. +"He must be a wonder. Does he do sleight-of-hand tricks?"</p> + +<p>"He does all sorts of tricks," replied Pete Bailey, feeling of +a big lump on his head, caused by falling on a stone in the mad +rush. "I guess we were chumps to tackle him. He must have put +some kind of chemical in the fire, to make it blow up."</p> + +<p>"Or else he summoned his airship by wireless, and had that +balloonist, Mr. Sharp, drop a bomb in the blaze," suggested +another lad.</p> + +<p>"But how could he do anything? Wasn't he tied fast to that +tree?" asked Cecil, the leader.</p> + +<p>"You never know when you've got Tom Swift tied," declared Jack +Reynolds. "You think you've got him, and you haven't. He's too +slick for us. It's Andy's fault, for proposing to capture him."</p> + +<p>"That's right! Blame it all on me," whined the squint-eyed +bully. "You was just as anxious as I was to tar and feather him."</p> + +<p>"Well, we didn't do it," commented Pete Bailey, dryly. "I +s'pose he's loose now, laughin' at us. Gee, but that was an +explosion though! It's a wonder some of us weren't killed! I +guess I've had enough of this Deep Forest Throng business. No +more for mine."</p> + +<p>"Aw, don't be afraid," urged Cecil. "The next time we get him +we'll be on our guard."</p> + +<p>"You'll never catch Tom Swift again," predicted Pete.</p> + +<p>"I'll go back now to where he is, if you will," agreed Cecil, +who was older than the others.</p> + +<p>"Not much!" cried Pete. "I've had enough."</p> + +<p>This seemed to be the sentiment of all. Away they stumbled +through the woods, and, emerging on the road, scattered to their +several homes, not one but who suffered from slight burns, +contusions, torn and muddy clothes or injured feelings as the +outcome of the "joke" on the young inventor.</p> + +<p>But our hero was not yet free from the bonds of his enemies. +When they scattered and ran, after the vivid blue light, and the +dull explosion, which, being unconfined, did no real damage, Tom +was still fast to the tree. As his eyes became accustomed to the +semi-darkness that followed the glare, he remarked:</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't know that I'm much better off. I gave those +fellows a good scare, but I'm not loose. But I can work to better +advantage now."</p> + +<p>Once more he resumed the effort to free himself, but in spite +of the crude manner in which the knots had been made, the lad +could not get loose. The more he pulled and tugged the tighter +they seemed to become.</p> + +<p>"This is getting serious," Tom mused. "If I could only reach my +knife I could cut them, but it's in my pocket on the other side, +and that bond's fast. Guess I'll have to stay here all night. +Maybe I'd better call for help, but—"</p> + +<p>His words, spoken half aloud, were suddenly interrupted by a +crash in the underbrush. Somebody was approaching. At first Tom +thought it was Andy and his cronies coming back, but a voice that +called a moment later proved that this was not so.</p> + +<p>"Is any one here?" shouted a man. "Any one hurt? What was that +fire and explosion?"</p> + +<p>"I'm here," replied Tom. "I'm not hurt exactly, but I'm tied to +a tree. I'll be much obliged if you'll loosen me."</p> + +<p>"Who are you?"</p> + +<p>"Tom Swift. Is that you, Mr. Mason?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. By jinks! I never expected to find you here, Tom. Over +this way, men," he added calling aloud. "I've found him; it's Tom +Swift."</p> + +<p>There was the flicker of several lanterns amid the trees, and +soon a number of men had joined Mr. Mason, and surrounded Tom. +They were farmers living in the neighborhood.</p> + +<p>"What in the name o' Tunket happened?" asked one. "Did you get +hit by a meteor or a comet? Who tied you up; highwaymen?"</p> + +<p>"Cut him loose first, and ask questions afterward," suggested +Mr. Mason.</p> + +<p>"Yes," added Tom, with a laugh, "I wish you would. I'm +beginning to feel cramped."</p> + +<p>With their knives, the farmers quickly cut the ropes, and some +of them rubbed the arms of the lad to restore the circulation.</p> + +<p>"What was it—highwaymen?" asked a man, unable to longer +restrain his curiosity. "Did they rob you?"</p> + +<p>"No, it wasn't highwaymen," replied the youth. "It was a trick +of some boys I know," and to Tom's credit be it said that he did +not mention their names. "They did it for a joke," he added.</p> + +<p>"Boys' trick? Joke?" queried Mr. Mason. "Pretty queer sort of a +joke, I think. They ought to be arrested."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I fancy I gave them what was coming to them," went on the +young inventor.</p> + +<p>"Did they try to blow ye up, too?" asked Mr. Hertford. "What in +th' name of Tunket was that blue light, and that explosion? I +heard it an' saw it way over to my house."</p> + +<p>"So did I," remarked Mr. Mason, and several others said the +same thing. "We thought a meteor had fallen," he continued, "and +we got together to make an investigation."</p> + +<p>"It's a good thing for me you did," admitted Tom, "or I might +have had to stay here all night."</p> + +<p>"But was it a meteor?" insisted Mr. Hertford.</p> + +<p>"No," replied the lad, "I did it."</p> + +<p>"You?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. You see after they tied me I found I could get one hand +free. I reached in my pocket for my knife, but instead of it I +managed to get hold of a package of powder I had."</p> + +<p>"Gunpowder?" asked Mr. Mason.</p> + +<p>"No, a chemical powder I use in an electrical battery. The +powder explodes in fire, and makes quite a blue flash, and a lot +of smoke, but it isn't very dangerous, otherwise I wouldn't have +used it. When the boys were some distance away from the fire, I +threw the powder in the blaze. It went off in a moment, and—"</p> + +<p>"I guess they run some; didn't they?" asked Mr. Mason with a +laugh.</p> + +<p>"They certainly did," agreed Tom.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER X </h2> <h2>TOM HAS A FALL</h2> + + +<p>The young inventor told more details of his adventure in the +woods, but, though the farmers questioned him closely, he would +not give a single name of his assailants.</p> + +<p>"But I should think you'd want to have them punished," remarked +Mr. Mason.</p> + +<p>"I'll attend to that part later," answered Tom. "Besides, most +of them didn't know what they were doing. They were led on by one +or two. No, I'll fight my own battles. But I wish you'd lend me a +lantern long enough to find my motor-cycle. The moon doesn't give +much light in the woods, and those fellows may have hidden my +machine."</p> + +<p>Mr. Mason and his companions readily agreed to accompany Tom on +a search for his wheel. It was found just where he had dismounted +from it in the road. Andy and his cronies had evidently had +enough of their encounter with our hero, and did not dare to +annoy him further.</p> + +<p>"Do you think you can ride home?" asked one of the farmers of +the lad, when he had ascertained that his machine was in running +order.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's risky without my lantern," answered Tom. "They +smashed that for me. But I guess I can manage."</p> + +<p>"No, you can't!" insisted Mr. Mason. "You're stiff from being +tied up; and you can't ride. Now you just wheel that contraption +over to my place, and I'll hitch up and take you home. It isn't +far."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I couldn't think of troubling you," declared Tom. At the +same time he felt that he was in no condition to ride.</p> + +<p>"It's no trouble at all," insisted Mr. Mason. "I guess your +father and I are good enough friends to allow me to have my way. +You can come over and get your choo-choo bicycle in the morning."</p> + +<p>A little later Tom was being rapidly driven toward his home, +where he found his father and Mrs. Baggert, to say nothing of Mr. +Sharp, somewhat alarmed over his absence, as it was getting late. +The youth told as much of his adventure as he thought would not +alarm his father, making a sort of joke of it, and, later, +related all the details to the balloonist.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to get after Andy again," declared the aeronaut. +"He needs another toning down."</p> + +<p>"Yes, similar to the one he got when we nearly ran away with +his automobile, by catching the airship anchor on it," added Tom +with a laugh. "But I fancy Andy will steer clear of me for a +while. I'm sorry I had to use up that chemical powder, though. +Now I can't start my battery until to-morrow." But the next day +Tom made up for lost time, by working from early until late. He +went over to Mr. Mason's, got his motor-cycle, procured some more +of the chemical, and soon had his storage battery in running +order. Then he arranged for a more severe test, and while that +was going on he worked at completing the body of the electric +runabout. The vehicle was beginning to look like a car, though it +was not of the regulation pattern.</p> + +<p>For the next week Tom was very busy, so occupied, in fact, that +he scarcely took time for his meals, which caused Mrs. Baggert no +little worriment, for she was a housekeeper who liked to see +others enjoy her cooking.</p> + +<p>"Well, Tom, how are you coming on?" asked his father one night, +as they sat on the porch, Mr. Sharp with them.</p> + +<p>"Pretty well, Dad," was the answer of the young inventor. "I'll +put the wheels on to-morrow, and then set the batteries. I've got +the motor all finished; and all I'll have to do will be to +connect it up, and then I'll be ready for a trial on the road."</p> + +<p>"And you still think you'll beat all records?"</p> + +<p>"I'm pretty sure of it, Dad. You see the amperage will be +exceptionally high, and my batteries will have a large amount of +reserve, with little internal resistance. But do you know I'm so +tired I can hardly think. It's more of a job than I thought it +would be."</p> + +<p>Tom, a little later, strolled down the road. As he turned back +toward the house and walked up the shrubbery lined path he heard +a noise.</p> + +<p>"Some one's hiding in there!" thought the lad, and he darted to +an opening in the hedge to reach the other side. As he did so he +saw a figure running away. Whether it was a man or a boy he could +not tell in the darkness.</p> + +<p>"Hold on there!" cried the young inventor, but, naturally, the +fleeing one did not stop. Tom began to sprint, and as it was +slightly down hill, he made good time. The figure ahead of him +was running well, too, but Tom who could see better, now that he +was out from under the trees, noticed that he was gaining. The +fleeing one came to a little brook, and hesitated a moment before +leaping across. This enabled Tom to catch up, and he made a grab +for the figure, just as the man or boy sprang across the little +stream.</p> + +<p>Tom missed his grip, but he was not going to give up. He +scarcely slackened his speed, but, with the momentum he had +acquired in racing down the hill, he, too, leaped across the +brook. As he landed on the other side he made another grab for +the figure, a man, as Tom could now see, but he could make out no +features, as the person's hat was pulled down over his face.</p> + +<p>"I've got you now!" cried Tom exultantly, reaching out his +hand. His fingers clutched something, but the next instant the +young inventor went sprawling. The other had put out his foot, +and tripped him neatly and, Tom throwing out his hands to save +himself in the fall that was inevitable, went splashing into the +brook at full length. The unknown, pausing a moment to view what +he had done, turned quickly and raced off in the darkness.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> <h2>CROSSED WIRES</h2> + + +<p>More surprised than hurt, and with a feeling of chagrin and +anger at the trick which had been played on him, Tom managed to +scramble out of the brook. The water was not deep, but he had +splashed in with such force that he was wet all over. And, as he +got up, the water dripping from his clothes, the lad was +conscious of a pain in his head. He put up his hand, and found +that contact with a stone had raised a large lump on his +forehead. It was as big as a hen's egg.</p> + +<p>"Humph! I'll be a pretty sight to-morrow," murmured Tom. "I +wonder who that fellow was, anyhow, and what he wanted? He +tripped me neatly enough, whoever he was. I've a good notion to +keep on after him."</p> + +<p>Then, as he realized what a start the fleeing one had, the +young inventor knew that it would be fruitless to renew the +chase. Slowly he ascended the sloping bank, and started for home. +As he did so he realized that he had, clasped in his fingers, +something he had grabbed from the person he was pursuing just +before his unlucky tumble.</p> + +<p>"It's part of his watch chain!" exclaimed Tom, as he felt of +the article. "I must have ripped it loose when I fell. Wonder +what it is? Evidently some sort of a charm. Maybe it will be a +clue." He tried to discern of what style it was, but in the dark +woods this was impossible. Then the lad tried to strike a match, +but those in his pocket had become wet from his unexpected bath. +"I'll have to wait until I get home," he went on, and he hastened +his steps, for he was anxious to see what he had torn loose from +the person who appeared to be spying on him.</p> + +<p>"Why Tom, what's the matter?" exclaimed Mrs. Baggert, when he +entered the kitchen, dripping water at every step. "Is it raining +outside? I didn't hear any storm."</p> + +<p>"It was raining where I was," replied Tom angrily. "I fell in +the brook. It was so hot I thought I'd cool off."</p> + +<p>"With your best suit on!" ejaculated the housekeeper.</p> + +<p>"It isn't my best," retorted the lad. "But I went in before I +thought. It was an accident; I fell," he added, lest Mrs. Baggert +take his joking remarks seriously. He did not want to tell her of +the chase.</p> + +<p>The chief concern of the lad now was to look at the charm and, +as soon as Mrs. Baggert's attention was attracted elsewhere, Tom +glanced at the object he still held tightly clenched in his hand. +As the light from the kitchen fell upon it he could hardly +repress an exclamation of astonishment.</p> + +<p>For the charm that he held in his hand was one he had seen +before dangling from the watch chain of Addison Berg, the agent +for Bentley & Eagert, submarine boat builders, which firm had, as +told in "Tom Swift and His Submarine," tried unsuccessfully to +secure the gold treasure from the sunken wreck. Berg and his +associates had even gone so far as to try to disable the Advance, +the boat of Tom and his father, by ramming her when deep down +under the ocean, but Mr. Swift's use of an electric cannon had +broken the steering gear of the Wonder, the rival craft, and from +that time on Tom and his friends had a clear field to search for +the bullion held fast in the hold of the Boldero. "Addison Berg," +murmured Tom, as he looked at the watch charm. "What can he be +doing in this neighborhood? Hiding, too, as if he wanted to +overhear something. That's the way he did when we were building +our submarine, and now he's up to the same trick when I'm +constructing my electric car. I'm sure this charm is his. It is +such a peculiar design that I'm positive I can't be mistaken. I +thought, when I was chasing after him, that it would turn out to +be Andy Foger, or some of the boys, but it was too big for them. +Addison Berg, eh? What can he be doing around here? I must not +tell Dad, or he'd worry himself sick. But I must be on my guard."</p> + +<p>Tom examined the charm closely. It was a compass, but made in +an odd form, and was much ornamented.</p> + +<p>The young inventor had noticed it on several occasions when he +had been in conversation with Mr. Berg previous to the attempt on +the part of the owners of the rival submarine to wreck Tom's +boat. He felt that he could not be mistaken in identifying the +charm.</p> + +<p>"Berg was afraid I'd catch him, and ask for an explanation that +would have been awkward to make," thought the lad, as he turned +the charm over in his hand. "That's why he tripped me up. But +I'll get at the bottom of this yet. Maybe he wants to steal my +ideas for an electric car."</p> + +<p>Tom's musings were suddenly interrupted by Mrs. Baggert.</p> + +<p>"I hope you're not going to stand there all night," she said, +with a laugh. "You're in the middle of a puddle now, but when you +get over dreaming I'd like to mop it up."</p> + +<p>"All right," agreed the young inventor, coming to himself +suddenly. "Guess I'd better go get some dry clothes on."</p> + +<p>"You'd better go to bed," advised Mrs. Baggert. "That's where +your father and Mr. Sharp are. It's late."</p> + +<p>The more Tom thought over the strange occurrence the more it +puzzled him. He mused over the presence of Berg as he went about +his work the next day, for that it was the agent whom he had +pursued he felt positive.</p> + +<p>"But I can't figure out why he was hanging around here," mused +Tom.</p> + +<p>Then, as he found that his thoughts over the matter were +interfering with his work, he resolutely put them from him, and +threw himself energetically into the labor of completing his +electric car. The new batteries, he found, were working well, and +in the next two days he had constructed several more, joining +them so as to get the combined effect.</p> + +<p>It was the afternoon of the third day from Tom's unexpected +fall into the brook that the young inventor decided on the first +important test of his new device. He was going to try the motor, +running it with his storage battery. Some of the connections were +already in place, the wires being fastened to the side of the +shop, where they were attached to switches. Tom did not go over +these, taking it for granted that they were all right. He soon +had the motor, which he was to install in his car, wired to the +battery, and then he attached a gauge, to ascertain, by +comparison, how many miles he could hope to travel on one +charging of the storage battery.</p> + +<p>"Guess I'll call Dad and Mr. Sharp in to see how it works, +before I turn on the current," he said to himself. He was about +to summon his parent and the aeronaut from an adjoining shop, +where they were working over a new form of dynamo, when the lad +caught sight of the watch charm he had left on his desk, in plain +sight.</p> + +<p>"Better put that away," he remarked. "Dad or Mr. Sharp might +see it, and ask questions. Then I'd have to explain, and I don't +want to, not until I get further toward the bottom of this +thing."</p> + +<p>He put the charm away, and then summoned his father and the +balloonist.</p> + +<p>"You're going to see a fine experiment," declared Tom. "I'm +going to turn on the full strength of my battery."</p> + +<p>"Are you sure it's all right, Tom?" asked his father. "You +can't be too careful when you're dealing with electricity of high +voltage, and great ampere strength.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's all right, Dad," his son assured him "Now watch my +motor hum."</p> + +<p>He walked over to a big copper switch, and grasped the black +rubber handle to pull it over which would send the current from +the storage battery into the combination of wheels and gears that +he hoped, ultimately, would propel his electric automobile along +the highways, or on a track, at the rate of a hundred miles an +hour.</p> + +<p>"Here she goes!" cried Tom. For an instant he hesitated and +then pulled the switch. At the same time his hand rested on +another wire, stretched across a bench.</p> + +<p>No sooner had the switch closed than there was a blinding +flash, a report as of a gun being fired, and Tom's body seemed to +straighten out. Then a blue flame appeared to encircle him and he +dropped to the floor of the shop, an inert mass.</p> + +<p>"He's killed!" cried Mr. Swift, springing forward.</p> + +<p>"Careful!" cautioned the balloonist. "He's been shocked! Don't +touch him until I turn off the current!" As he pulled out the +switch, the aeronaut gave a glance at the apparatus.</p> + +<p>"There's something wrong here!" he cried. "The wires have been +crossed! That's what shocked Tom, but he never made the wrong +connections! He's too good an electrician! There's been some one +in this shop, changing the wires!"</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XII </h2> <h2>THE TRY OUT</h2> + + +<p>Once the current was cut off it was safe to approach the body +of the young inventor. Mr Sharp stooped over and lifted Tom's +form from the floor, for Mr. Swift was too excited and trembled +too much to be of any service. Our hero was as one dead. His body +was limp, after that first rigid stretching out, as the current +ran through him; his eyes were closed, and his face was very +pale.</p> + +<p>"Is—is there any hope?" faltered Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"I think so," replied the balloonist. "He is still breathing—faintly. +We must summon a doctor at once. Will you telephone for +one, while I carry him in the house?"</p> + +<p>As Mr. Sharp emerged from the shop, bearing Tom's body, an +automobile drew up in front of the place.</p> + +<p>"Bless my soul!" exclaimed a voice. "Tom's hurt! How did it +happen? Bless my very existence!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mr. Damon, you're just in time!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp, +"Tom's had a bad shock. Will you go for a doctor in your auto?"</p> + +<p>"Better than that! Let me take Tom in the car to Dr. +Whiteside's office," proposed the eccentric man. "It will be +better that way."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes," agreed Mr. Swift eagerly. "Put Tom in the auto!"</p> + +<p>"If only it doesn't break down," added Mr. Damon fervently. +"Bless my spark plug, but it would be just my luck!"</p> + +<p>But they started off all right, Mr. Swift riding in front with +Mr. Damon, and Mr. Sharp supporting Tom in the tonneau. Only a +little fluttering of the eyelids, and a slow, faint breathing +told that Tom Swift still lived.</p> + +<p>Mr. Damon never guided a car better than he did his auto that +day. Several speed laws were broken, but no one appeared to stop +them, and, in record time they had the young inventor at the +physician's house. Fortunately Dr. Whiteside was at home, and, +under his skillful treatment Tom was soon out of danger. His +heart action was properly started, and then it was only a +question of time. As the doctor had plenty of room it was decided +to let the lad remain that night, and Tom was soon installed in a +spare bedroom, with the doctor's pretty daughter to wait on him +occasionally.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm all right," the youth insisted, when Miss Whiteside +told him it was time for his medicine. "I'm all right."</p> + +<p>"You're not!" she declared. "I ought to know, for I'm going to +be a nurse, some day, and help papa. Now take this or I'll have +to hold your nose, as they do the baby's," and she held out a +spoonful of unpleasant looking mixture, extending her dainty +forefinger and thumb of her other hand, as if to administer dire +punishment to Tom, if he did not obey.</p> + +<p>"Well, I give in to superior strength," he said with a laugh, +as he noted, with approval, the laughing face of his nurse.</p> + +<p>Then he fell into a deep sleep, and was so much better the next +morning that he could be taken home in Mr. Damon's auto.</p> + +<p>"But mind, no hard work for three or four days," insisted the +physician. "I want your heart to get in shape for that big race +you were telling me about. The shock was a severe strain to it."</p> + +<p>Tom promised, reluctantly, and, though he did no work, his +first act, on reaching home, was to go out to the shop, to +inspect the battery and motor. To his surprise the motor was +running for the lad had established the connection, in spite of +his shock and his father and Mr. Sharp had decided to let the +machinery run until he came back.</p> + +<p>"And look at the record it's made!" cried Tom delightedly as he +glanced at the gauge "Better than I figured on. That battery is a +wonder. I'll have the fastest electric runabout you ever saw."</p> + +<p>"If the wires don't get crossed again," put in Mr. Sharp. +"You'd better make an examination, Tom," and, for the first time, +the young inventor learned how he had been shocked.</p> + +<p>"Crossed wires! I should say they were crossed!" he exclaimed +as he looked at the switches and copper conductors. "Somebody has +been tampering with them. No wonder I was shocked!"</p> + +<p>"Who did it?" asked Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>Tom considered for a moment, before answering. Then he said:</p> + +<p>"I believe it was Addison Berg. He must have wanted to do some +damage, to get even with us for getting that treasure away from +him."</p> + +<p>"Berg?" questioned the balloonist, and Tom told of the night he +had been tripped into the brook, and exhibited the watch charm he +had secured. Mr. Sharp recognized it at once. A further +examination confirmed the belief that the submarine agent had +sneaked into Tom's workshop, and had altered the wires.</p> + +<p>"They were all right when I came out of the shop that night," +declared Tom. "I left the old connections just as I thought I had +arranged them, and only added the new ones, when I went to try my +battery. The old connections were crossed, but I didn't notice +it. Then when I turned on the current I got the shock. I don't +s'pose Berg thought I'd be so nearly killed. Probably he wanted +to burn out my motor, and spoil it. If it was Andy Foger I could +understand it, but a man like Berg—"</p> + +<p>"He's probably wild with anger because his submarine got the +worst of it in the race for the gold," interrupted the +balloonist. "Well, we'll have to be on our guard, that's all. +What was the matter with Eradicate, that he didn't see him enter +the shop?"</p> + +<p>"Rad went to a colored dance that night," said Tom. "I let him +off. But after this I'll have the shop guarded night and day. My +motor might have been ruined, if that first charge hadn't gone +through my body instead of into the machinery." The improper +connections were soon removed and others substituted.</p> + +<p>It was agreed between Tom and Mr. Sharp that they would say +nothing regarding Mr. Berg to Mr. Swift. The aeronaut caused +cautious inquiries to be made, and learned that the agent had +been discharged by the submarine firm, because of some wrong-doin +in connection with the craft Wonder, and it was surmised +that the agent believed Tom to be at the bottom of his troubles.</p> + +<p>In a few days the young inventor was himself again, and as +further trials of his battery showed it to be even better than +its owner hoped, arrangements were made for testing it in the car +on the road.</p> + +<p>The runabout was nearly finished, but it lacked a coat of +varnish, and some minor details, when Tom, assisted by his +father, Mr Sharp and Mr. Jackson, one morning, about a week +later, installed the motor and battery units. It did not take +long to gear up the machinery, connect the battery and, though +the car was rather a crude looking affair, Tom decided to give it +a tryout.</p> + +<p>"Want to come along, Dad?" he asked, as he tightened up some +binding posts, and looked to see that the steering wheel, +starting and reverse levers worked properly, and that the side +chains were well lubricated.</p> + +<p>"Not the first time," replied his father. "Let's see how it +runs with you, first."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I want some sort of a load in it," went on the lad. "It +won't be a good test unless I have a couple of others besides +myself. How about you, Mr. Damon?" for the old gentleman was +spending a few days at the Swift homestead.</p> + +<p>"Bless my shoe buttons! I'll come!" was the ready answer. +"After the experience I've been through in the airship and +submarine, nothing can scare me. Lead on, I'll follow!"</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose you'll hang back after that; will you, Mr. +Sharp?" asked the lad, with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"I don't dare to, for the sake of my reputation," was the +reply, for the balloonist who had made many ascensions, and +dropped thousands of feet in parachutes, was naturally a brave +man.</p> + +<p>So he and Mr. Damon climbed into the rear seats of the odd-looking +electric car, while Tom took his place at the steering wheel.</p> + +<p>"Are you all ready?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Let her go!" fired back Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"Bless my galvanometer, don't go too fast on the start," +cautioned Mr. Damon, nervously.</p> + +<p>"I'll not," agreed the young inventor. "I want to get it warmed +up before I try any speeding."</p> + +<p>He turned on the current. There was a low, humming purr, which +gradually increased to a whine, and the car moved slowly forward. +It rolled along the gravel driveway to the road, Tom listening to +every sound of the machinery, as a mother listens to the +breathing of a child.</p> + +<p>"She's moving!" he cried.</p> + +<p>"But not much faster than a wheelbarrow," said his father, who +sometimes teased his son.</p> + +<p>"Wait!" cried the youth.</p> + +<p>Tom turned more current into the motor. The purring and humming +increased, and the car seemed to leap forward. It was in the road +now, and, once assured that the steering apparatus was working +well, Tom suddenly turned on much more speed.</p> + +<p>So quickly did the electric auto shoot forward that Mr. Damon +and Mr. Sharp were jerked back against the cushions of the rear +seats.</p> + +<p>"Here! What are you doing?" inquired Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to show you a little speed," answered Tom.</p> + +<p>The car was now moving rapidly, and there was a smoothness and +lightness to its progress that was absent from a gasolene auto. +There was no vibration from the motor. Faster and faster it ran, +until it was moving at a speed scarcely less than that of Mr. +Damon's car, when it was doing its best. Of course that was not +saying much, for the car owned by the odd gentleman was not a +very powerful one, but it could make fast time occasionally.</p> + +<p>"Is this the best you can do?" asked Mr. Damon. "Not that it +isn't fast," he hastened to add, "and I was wondering if it was +your limit."</p> + +<p>"Not half!" cried Tom, as he turned on a little more power. +"I'm not trying for a record to-day. I just want to see how the +battery and motor behaves."</p> + +<p>"Pretty well, I should say," commented Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"I'm satisfied—so far," agreed the lad.</p> + +<p>They were now moving along the highway at a good speed—moving +almost silently, too, for the motor, save for a low hum, made no +noise. So quiet was the car, in fact, that it was nearly the +cause of a disaster. Tom was so interested in the performance of +his latest invention, that, before he knew it, he had come up +behind a farmer, driving a team of skittish horses. As the big +machine went past them, giving no warning of its approach, the +steeds reared up, and would have bolted, but for the prompt +action of the driver.</p> + +<p>"Hey!" he cried, angrily, as Tom speeded past, "don't you know +you got to give warnin' when you're comin' with one of them ther +gol-swizzled things! By Jehossephat I'll have th' law on ye ef ye +do thet ag'in!"</p> + +<p>"I forgot to ring the bell," apologized Tom, as he sent out a +peal from the gong, and then, he let out a few more amperes, and +the speed increased.</p> + +<p>"Hold on! I guess this is fast enough!" cried Mr. Damon, as his +hat blew off.</p> + +<p>"Fast?" answered Tom. "This is nothing to what I'll do when I +use the full power. Then I'll—"</p> + +<p>He was interrupted by a sharp report, and a vivid flash of fire +on a switch board near the steering wheel. The motor gave a sort +of groan, and stopped, the car rolling on a little way, and then +becoming stationary.</p> + +<p>"Bless my collar button!" ejaculated Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" inquired Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"Some sort of a blow-out," answered Tom ruefully, as he shoved +the starting handle over, trying to move the car. But it would +not budge. The new auto had "gone dead" on her first tryout. The +young inventor was grievously disappointed.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XIII </h2> <h2>TOWED BY A MULE</h2> + + +<p>"Bless my gizzard! Is it anything serious?" asked Mr. Damon. +"Will it blow up, or anything like that?"</p> + +<p>"No," replied the lad, as he leaped out of the car, and began +to make an examination. Mr. Sharp assisted him.</p> + +<p>"The motor seems to be all right," remarked the balloonist, as +he inspected it.</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed our hero, "and the batteries have plenty of power +left in them yet. The gauge shows that. I can't understand what +the trouble can be, unless—" He paused in his remark and uttered +an exclamation. "I've found it!" he cried.</p> + +<p>"What?" demanded the aeronaut.</p> + +<p>"Some of the fuses blew out. I turned on too much current, and +the fuses wouldn't carry it. I put them in to save the motor from +being burned out, but I didn't use heavy enough ones. I see where +my mistake was."</p> + +<p>"But what does it mean?" inquired Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"It means that we've got to walk back home," was Tom's +sorrowful answer. "The car is stalled, for I haven't any extra +fuses with me."</p> + +<p>"Can't you connect up the battery by using some extra wire?" +asked Mr. Sharp. "I have some," and he drew a coil of it from his +pocket.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't dare to. It might be so heavy that it would carry +more current than the motor could stand. I don't want to burn +that out. No, I guess we'll have to walk home, or rather I will. +You two can stay here until I come back with heavier fuses. I'm +sorry."</p> + +<p>Tom had hardly ceased speaking, when, from around the turn in +the road proceeded a voice, and, at the sound of it all three +started, for the voice was saying:</p> + +<p>"Now it ain't no use fer yo' to act dat-a-way, Boomerang. Yo' +all ain't got no call t' git contrary now, jest when I wants t' +git home t' mah dinner. I should t'ink you'd want t' git t' de +stable, too. But ef yo' all ain't mighty keerful I'll cut down +yo' rations, dat's what I'se goin' to do. G'lang, now, dat's a +good feller. Ho! Ho! I knowed dat'd fetch yo' all. When yo' all +wiggles yo' ears dat-a-way, dat's a suah sign yo' all is gwine t' +move."</p> + +<p>Then followed the sound of a rattletrap of a wagon approaching.</p> + +<p>"Eradicate! It's Eradicate!" exclaimed Tom.</p> + +<p>"And his mule, Boomerang!" added Mr. Sharp. "He's just in +time!" commented Mr. Damon with a sigh of relief, as the ancient +outfit, in charge of the aged colored man, came along. Eradicate +had been sent to Shopton to get a load of wood for Mr. Swift, and +was now returning. At the sight of the stalled auto the mule +pricked up his long ears, and threw them forward.</p> + +<p>"Whoa dar, now, Boomerang!" cried Eradicate. "Doan't yo' all +commence t' gittin' skittish. Dat machine ain't gwine t' hurt +yo'. Why good land a' massy! Ef 'tain't Mistah Swift!" cried the +colored man, as he caught sight of Tom. "What's de trouble?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"Broke down," answered the young inventor briefly. "You always +seem to come along when I'm in trouble, Rad."</p> + +<p>"Dat's right," assented the darkey, with a grin. "Me an' +trouble am ole acquaintances. Sometimes she hits me a clip on de +haid, den, ag'in Boomerang, mah mule, gits it. He jest had his +trouble. Got a stone under his shoe, an' didn't want t' move. Den +when I did git him started he balked on me. But I'se all right +now. But I suah am sorry fo' you. Can't I help yo' all, Mistah +Swift?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, you can, Rad," answered Tom. "Drive home as fast as you +can, and ask Dad to send back with you some of those fuses he'll +find on my work bench. He knows what I want. Hurry there and +hurry back."</p> + +<p>Eradicate shook his head doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter? Don't you want to go?" asked Mr. Sharp, a +trifle nettled. "We can't get the car started until we have some +new fuses.."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I wants t' go all right 'nuff, Mistah Sharp," was +Eradicate's prompt answer. "Yo' all knows I'd do anyt'ing t' +'blige yo' or Mistah Swift. But hits dish yeah mule, Boomerang. I +jest done promised him dat we were gwine home t' dinnah, an' he +'spects a manger full ob oats. Ef I got to Mistah Swift's house +wid him, I couldn't no mo' git him t' come back widout his +dinnah, dan yo' all kin git dat 'ar car t' move widout dem fusin' +t'ings yo' all talked about."</p> + +<p>"Bless my necktie!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "That's all nonsense! +You don't suppose that mule understands what you say to him, do +you? How does he know you promised him his dinner?"</p> + +<p>"I doan't know how he know, Mistah Damon," replied Eradicate, +"but he do know, jest de same. I know hit would be laik pullin' +teeth an' wuss too, t' git Boomerang t' start back wid dem foosd +t'ings until after he's had his dinner. Wouldn't it, Boomerang?"</p> + +<p>The mule waved his long ears as if in answer.</p> + +<p>"Bless my soul, I believe he does understand!" cried Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Of course he do," put in the colored man. "I'se awful sorry. +Now if it were afternoon I could bring back dem what-d'ye-call-'ems +in a jiffy, 'cause Boomerang allers feels good arter he has +his dinnah, but befo' dat—" and Eradicate shook his head, as if +there was no more to be said on the subject.</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Tom, sadly, "I guess there's no help for it. +We'll have to walk home, unless you two want to wait until I can +ride back with Eradicate, and come back on my motor cycle. Then +I'll have to leave the cycle here, for I can't get it in the +car."</p> + +<p>"Bless my collar button!" cried Mr. Damon. "It's like the +puzzle of the fox, the goose and the bag of corn on the banks of +a stream. I guess we'd better all walk."</p> + +<p>"Hold on!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp. "Is your mule good and strong, +Eradicate?"</p> + +<p>"Strong? Why dish yeah mule could pull a house ober—dat is +when he's got a mind to. An' he'd do most anyt'ing now, 'ca'se +he's anxious t' git home t' his dinnah; ain't yo' all, +Boomerang?"</p> + +<p>Once more the mule waved his ears, like signal flags.</p> + +<p>"Then I have a proposition to make," went on the balloonist. +"Unhitch the mule from the load of wood, and hitch him to the +auto. We've got some rope along, I noticed. Then the mule can +pull us and the runabout home."</p> + +<p>"Good idea!" cried Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Dat's de racket!" ejaculated Eradicate. "I'll jest +sequesterate dish year load ob wood side ob de road, an' hitch +Boomerang to de auto."</p> + +<p>Tom said nothing for a few seconds. He gazed sadly at his +auto, which he hoped would win the touring club's prize. It was a +bitter pill for him to swallow.</p> + +<p>"Towed by a mule!" he exclaimed, shaking his head, and smiling +ruefully. "The fastest car in this country towed by a mule! It's +tough luck!"</p> + +<p>"'Tain't half so bad as goin' widout yo' dinnah, Mistah Swift!" +remarked Eradicate, as he began to harness the mule to the +electric runabout.</p> + +<p>Boomerang made no objection to the transfer. He looked around +once or twice as he was being made fast to the auto and, when the +word was given he stepped out as if pulling home stalled cars was +his regular business. Tom sat beside Eradicate on the front seat, +and steered, while the colored man drove the mule, and Mr. Sharp +and Mr. Damon were in the "tonneau" seats as Tom called them.</p> + +<p>"I hope no one sees us," thought Tom, but he was doomed to +disappointment. When nearly home he heard an auto approaching, +and in it were Andy Foger, Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey. The +three cronies stared at the odd sight of Boomerang ambling along, +with his great ears flapping, drawing Tom's speedy new car.</p> + +<p>"Ha! Ha!" laughed Andy. "So that's the motive power he's going +to use! Look at him, fellows. I thought his new electric, that +was going to beat my car, and win the prize, was to be two +hundred horse power. Instead it's one mule power! That's rich!" +and Andy's chums joined in the laugh at poor Tom.</p> + +<p>The young imventor said nothing, for there was nothing he could +say. In dignified silence he passed the car containing his +enemies, they, meanwhile, jeering at him.</p> + +<p>"Dat's all right," spoke Eradicate, sympathizing with his young +employer. "Maybe dey'll 'want a tow derselves some day, an' when +dey does, I'll make Boomerang pull 'em in a ditch."</p> + +<p>But this was small comfort to Tom. He made up his mind, though, +that he would demonstrate that his car could do all that he had +claimed for it, and that very soon.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XIV </h2> <h2>A GREAT RUN</h2> + + +<p>Boomerang did not belie the reputation Eradicate had given him +as a beast of strength. Though the electric runabout was heavy, +the mule managed to move it along the road at a fair speed, with +the four occupants. Perhaps the animal knew that at the end of +his journey a good feed awaited him. At any rate they were soon +within sight of the Swift home.</p> + +<p>Mr. Damon and Mr. Sharp refrained from making any comments that +might hurt Tom's feelings, for they realized the chagrin felt by +the young inventor in having his apparatus go back on him at the +first trial. But our hero was not the kind of a lad who is +disheartened by one failure, or even half a dozen.</p> + +<p>The humor of the situation appealed to him, and, as he turned +the auto into the driveway, and noticed Boomerang's long ears +waving to and fro, he laughed.</p> + +<p>The lad insisted on putting new fuses in the car before he ate +his dinner, and then, satisfied that the motor was once more in +running order, he partook of a hasty meal, and began making +several changes which he had decided were desirable. He finished +them in time to go for a little run in the car all alone on a +secluded road late that afternoon.</p> + +<p>Tom returned, with eyes shining, and cheeks flushed with +elation.</p> + +<p>"Well, how did it go? asked his father.</p> + +<p>"Fine! Better than I expected," responded his son +enthusiastically. "When it gets to running smoothly I'll pass +anything on the road."</p> + +<p>"Don't be too sure," cautioned Mr. Swift, but Tom only smiled.</p> + +<p>There was still much to do on the electric runabout, and Tom +spent the next few days in adjusting the light steel wind-shield, +that was to come down over the driver's seat. He also put in a +powerful electric search-light, which was run by current from the +battery, and installed a new speedometer and an instrument to +tell how much current he was using, and how much longer the +battery would run without being exhausted. This was to enable him +to know when to begin recharging it. When the current was all +consumed it was necessary to store more in the battery. This +could be done by attaching wires from a dynamo, or, in an +emergency by tapping an electric light wire in the street. But as +the battery would enable the car to run many miles on one +charging, Tom did not think he would ever have to resort to the +emergency charging apparatus. He had a new system for this, one +that enabled him to do the work in much less than the usual time.</p> + +<p>With his new car still unpainted, and rather rough and crude in +appearance, the lad started out alone one morning, his father and +Mr. Sharp having declined to accompany him, on the plea of +business to attend to, and Mr. Damon not being at the Swift +house.</p> + +<p>Tom rode about for several hours, giving his car several severe +tests in the way of going up hills, and speeding on the level. He +was proceeding along a quiet country road, in a small town about +fifteen miles from Shopton, when, as he flashed past the small +railroad station, he saw a familiar figure standing on the +platform.</p> + +<p>"Why, Ned!" called Tom, "what are you doing over here?"</p> + +<p>"I might ask the same thing of you. Is that your new car? It +doesn't look very new."</p> + +<p>"Yes, this is it. I haven't had a chance to paint and varnish +it yet. But you ought to see it go. What are doing here, though?"</p> + +<p>"I came over on some bank business. A customer here had some +bonds he wanted to dispose of and I came for them. You see we're +enlarging our business since the new bank started."</p> + +<p>"Has it hurt your bank any?"</p> + +<p>"Not yet, but Foger and his associates are trying hard to make +us lose money. Say, did you ever see such a place as this? I've +got to wait two hours for a train back to Shopton."</p> + +<p>"No you haven't."</p> + +<p>"Why not? Have they changed the timetable since I came over +this morning?"</p> + +<p>"No, but you can ride back with me. I'm going, and I'll show +you what my new electric car can do."</p> + +<p>"Good!" cried the young bank cashier. "You're just in time. I +was wondering how I could kill two hours, but now I'll get in +your new car and—"</p> + +<p>"And maybe we'll kill a few chickens, or a dog or two when we +get her speeded up," put in Tom, with a laugh in which Ned +joined.</p> + +<p>The two lads, seated in the front part of the auto, were soon +moving down the hard highway. Suddenly Tom pulled a lever and the +steel wind-shield came sliding down from the top case, meeting +the forward battery compartment, and forming a sort of slanting +roof over the heads of the two occupants.</p> + +<p>"Here! What's this?" cried Ned.</p> + +<p>"We're going to hit it up in a few minutes," replied the young +inventor, "and I want to reduce the wind resistance."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I thought maybe we were going through a bombardment. It's +all right, go ahead, don't mind me. I'm game."</p> + +<p>There was a celluloid window in the steel wind-shield, and +through this the lads could observe the road ahead of them.</p> + +<p>As they swung along it, the speed increasing, Ned saw an auto +ahead of them.</p> + +<p>"Whose car is that?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Don't know," replied Tom. "We'll be up to it in about half a +minute, though."</p> + +<p>As the electric runabout, more dilapidated looking than ever +from the layer of dust that covered it, passed the other auto, +which was a powerful car, the solitary occupant of it, a +middle-aged man, looked to one side, and, seeing the queer machine, +remarked:</p> + +<p>"You fellows are going the wrong way to the junk heap. Turn +around."</p> + +<p>"Is that so?" asked Tom, his eyes flashing at the cheap wit of +the man. "Why we came out here to show you the way!"</p> + +<p>"Do you want to race?" asked the man eagerly, too eagerly, Ned +thought. "I'll give you a brush, if you do, and a handicap into +the bargain."</p> + +<p>"We don't need it," replied the young inventor quickly.</p> + +<p>"I'll wager fifty dollars I can beat you bad on this three-mile +stretch," went on the autoist. "How about it?"</p> + +<p>"I'll race you, but I don't bet," answered Tom, a bit stiffly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, be a sport," urged the man.</p> + +<p>Tom shook his head. He had slowed down his machine, and was +running even with the gasolene car now. He noticed that it was a +new one, of six cylinders, and looked speedy. Perhaps he was +foolish to pit his untried car against it. Yet he had confidence +in his battery and motor.</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll race for the fun of it then," went on the man. "Do +you want a handicap?"</p> + +<p>Tom shook his head again, and there came around his mouth a +grim look.</p> + +<p>"All right," assented the other. "Only you're going to be beat +badly. I never saw an electric car yet that could do anything +except to crawl along."</p> + +<p>"You're going to see one now," was all the retort Tom permitted +himself.</p> + +<p>"Here we go then!" cried the man, and he gave his gear handle a +yank, and shoved over the sparking and gasolene levers.</p> + +<p>His car instantly shot ahead, and went "chug chugging" down the +road in a cloud of dust. At the same moment Tom, in answer to a +look from Ned, who feared his friend was going to be left behind, +turned more power into the motor. The humming, purring sound +increased and the electric car forged ahead.</p> + +<p>"Can you catch him?" asked Ned.</p> + +<p>"Watch," was all Tom said.</p> + +<p>The hum of the motor became a sort of whine, and the electric +rapidly acquired speed. It crept up on the gasolene car, as an +express train overtakes a freight, and the man, looking back, and +expecting to see his rival far behind was surprised to note the +queer looking vehicle lapping his rear wheels.</p> + +<p>"Well, you are coming on, aren't you?" he asked. "Maybe you'll +keep up now!" He shifted the gears, using a little more gasolene. +For a moment his car opened a wide gap between it and Tom's, but +the young inventor had only begun to race. Still louder purred +the motor, and in a few minutes Tom was running on even terms +with his competitor. The man looked annoyed, and tried, by the +skilful use of gasolene and sparking levers, to leave Tom behind. +But the electric held her own.</p> + +<p>"I've got to go the limit I see," remarked the man at last, +glancing sideways at the other car. "I'll tell 'em you're +coming," he added, "though I must say your electric does better +than any of its kind I ever came across."</p> + +<p>"I'm not done yet," was the comment of our hero. But the man +did not hear him, for he was yanking into place the lever that +enabled him to run on direct drive for fourth speed.</p> + +<p>Forward shot his car, and, for perhaps a quarter of a mile it +led. The racers were almost at the end of the three-mile level +stretch of road, and if Tom was going to win the impromptu +contest it seemed high time he began.</p> + +<p>"Can you catch him?" asked Ned anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Watch," was his chum's reply. "I haven't used my high speed +gear yet. I'm afraid the fuses won't stand it, but here goes for +a try, anyhow."</p> + +<p>He threw over a switch, changed a lever and then, having pushed +into place the last gear, he grasped the steering wheel more +firmly.</p> + +<p>There was need of it, for, in an instant, the electric +runabout, with the motors fairly roaring, swept up the road, +after the gasolene car that was almost hidden from sight in a +cloud of dust. Faster and faster went Tom's car. The young +inventor was listening with critical ear to the song of the +machinery. He wanted to learn if it was running sweet and true, +for that is how a careful mechanic tests his apparatus. Foot by +foot the distance between the two cars lessened. Now the electric +was lapping the rear wheels of the gasolene machine, but the +driver did not know it. His whole attention was on the road ahead +of him.</p> + +<p>"Half a mile more!" cried Ned, naming the distance which yet +remained of the straight stretch. "Can you do it, Tom?"</p> + +<p>His chum nodded. He shoved the controller handle over to the +last notch, and then waited an anxious second. Would the fuse +carry the extra load? It seemed so, for there was a slight +increase of power.</p> + +<p>An instant later Tom gave a sudden twist to the steering wheel. +It was well that he did, for he was passing the gasolene car +dangerously close. Then he was ahead of it, and in a second he +was three lengths in advance.</p> + +<p>Desperately the man opened his muffler, and sought to gain by +this advantage, but though his car gave off explosions like a +battery of guns in action, he could not gain on Tom. The electric +shot around a curve in the road, winner of the impromptu race by +an eighth of a mile.</p> + +<p>"Well," asked Tom of his chum, as he slowed down, for the road +now was not so good, "did I do it?"</p> + +<p>"You certainly did. Whew! But we did scoot along?"</p> + +<p>"Eighty miles an hour there one spell," went on the young +inventor, glancing at a gauge. "But I've got to do better than +that to win the big race."</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XV </h2> <h2>ANDY FOGER'S BLACK EYE</h2> + + +<p>Around the bend came the six-cylinder touring car. The driver, +with a surprised look on his face, was slacking up. He ran his +machine up alongside of Tom's.</p> + +<p>"Say," he asked, in dazed tones, "did you take a short cut, or +anything like that to get ahead of me?"</p> + +<p>"No," answered the youth.</p> + +<p>"And you didn't jump me in the air?"</p> + +<p>"No," was Tom's answer, smilingly given.</p> + +<p>"Well, all I've got to say is that you've got a wonderful car +there, Mr.—er—er—" He paused suggestively.</p> + +<p>"Swift is my name," our hero answered. "Thomas Swift, of +Shopton."</p> + +<p>"Ah, I've heard of you. My name is Layton—Paul Layton. I'm +from Netherton. Let's see, you built an airship, didn't you?"</p> + +<p>"I helped," Tom admitted modestly.</p> + +<p>"Well, you beat me fair and square, and if I do say it myself +I've got a fairly speedy car. Took two firsts at the Indianapolis +meet last month. But you certainly scooted ahead of me. Where did +you buy that electric, if I may ask?"</p> + +<p>"I made it."</p> + +<p>"I might have known," admitted the man. "But are you going to +put them on the market? If you are I'd like to get one. I want +the fastest car going, and you seem to have it."</p> + +<p>"I hadn't thought of manufacturing them for sale," said the +young inventor. "If I do, I'll let you know."</p> + +<p>"I wish you would. My! I had no idea you could beat me, but you +did—fair and square."</p> + +<p>There was some more talk, and then Mr. Layton started on, after +exacting from Tom a further promise to let him know if any +electrics were to be made for sale.</p> + +<p>"You certainly have a wonderful car," complimented Ned, as he +and his chum took a short cut to Shopton.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm not quite satisfied with it," declared Tom.</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I've set a hundred miles an hour as my limit. I didn't +make but eighty to-day. I've got to have more speed if I go up +against the crowd that will race for the touring club's prize."</p> + +<p>"Can you make a hundred miles?"</p> + +<p>"I think so. I've got to change my gears, though, and use +heavier fuses. I was afraid every second that one of the fuses +would melt, and leave me stranded. But they stood pretty well. Of +course, when the car, geared as it is now, has been run a little +longer it will go faster, but it won't come up to a hundred miles +an hour. That's what I want, and that's what I'm going to get," +and the lad looked very determined.</p> + +<p>Ned was taken to the bank, and, as Tom turned his machine +around, to go home, he saw, standing on the steps of the new +bank, which was almost across the street from the old one, Andy +Foger, and the bully's father. The red-haired lad laughed at +Tom's rough looking car, and said something to his parent, but +Mr. Foger did not notice Tom. Not that this caused our hero any +uneasiness, however.</p> + +<p>But, as he swung away from the bank, he saw, coming up the +street a figure that instantly attracted his attention. It was +that of Mr. Berg, and Tom at once recalled the night he had +pursued the submarine agent, and torn loose his watch charm. Mr. +Berg was evidently going to enter the new bank, for, at the sight +of the former agent, Mr. Foger descended the steps, and went to +meet him.</p> + +<p>Tom, however, had decided upon a plan of action. He steered his +machine in toward the curb, ran up the steel wind-shield, and +called:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Berg!"</p> + +<p>"Eh? What's that?" asked the agent, in some surprise. Then, as +he caught sight of Tom, and recognized him, he added: "I'm very +busy now, my young friend. You'll have to excuse me."</p> + +<p>"I won't detain you a moment," went on Tom, casually. "I have +something of yours that I wish to return to you."</p> + +<p>"Something of mine?" Mr. Berg was evidently puzzled. He +approached the electric car, in spite of the fact that Mr. Foger +was calling him. "Something of mine? What is it?"</p> + +<p>"This!" exclaimed Tom suddenly, extending the compass watch +charm, which he always carried with him of late.</p> + +<p>"That! Where did you get that. I lost it—"</p> + +<p>Mr. Berg paused in some confusion.</p> + +<p>"I grabbed it off your watch chain the night you were hiding in +our shrubbery, and tripped me into the brook," answered the lad, +looking the man squarely in the eye.</p> + +<p>"Hiding? Tripped you? Grabbed that off my chain—" stammered +Mr. Berg. He had taken the charm up in his fingers, but now he +quickly dropped it back into Tom's hand. "I guess you're +mistaken," he added quickly. "That's not mine. I never had +one—I—er—that's not mine—at least—Oh, +you'll have to excuse me, young man, I'm in a hurry, and I have an important +engagement!" and with that Mr. Berg wheeled off, and joined Mr. Foger, who +stood on the sidewalk, waiting for him.</p> + +<p>"I thought sure it was yours," said Tom, easily. "Perhaps Mr. +Foger will keep it in one of the safety-deposit boxes of his +bank, until the owner claims it," and he looked at the banker.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" asked Andy's father.</p> + +<p>"This watch charm which I grabbed off Mr. Berg's chain the +night he was sneaking around our house, and crossed the electric +wires," went on the lad.</p> + +<p>"Don't listen to him. He doesn't know what he is saying!" +exclaimed the former submarine boat agent. "It's not my charm. +He's crazy!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, am I?" thought Tom, with a grim look on his face. "Well, +we'll see about that, Mr. Berg," and, putting the charm back in +his pocket, Tom swung his machine toward home, while the agent +and the banker entered the new institution.</p> + +<p>"So they're getting chummy," mused Tom. "Andy and Berg were +friends when Andy shut me up in the submarine tank, and now Berg +comes here to do business, and Foger and his associates are +trying to put the old bank out of business. I wonder if there's +any connection there? I must keep my eyes open. Berg is an +unscrupulous man, and so is Andy's father, to say nothing of the +red-haired bully himself. He had nerve to deny that was his +charm. Well, maybe I'll catch him some day."</p> + +<p>Tom spent a busy week making new adjustments to his electric +car, changing the gear and providing for heavier fuses. He was +planning for another trip on the road, as the time for the great +race was drawing near, and he wanted the mechanism to be in +perfect shape.</p> + +<p>One evening, as he was preparing for a short night trip to +Mansburg, where he had promised to call for Miss Nestor, Tom left +his machine standing in the road in front of the house, while he +went back to get a robe, as it threatened to be chilly.</p> + +<p>As he came back to enter the car, he saw some one standing near +it.</p> + +<p>"Is that you, Ned?" he called. "Come, take a spin."</p> + +<p>Hardly had he spoken than there sounded from the machine a +whirr that told of the current being turned on.</p> + +<p>"Don't do that!" cried Tom, knowing at once that it could not +be Ned, who never meddled with the machinery.</p> + +<p>A blinding flash and a loud report followed, and Tom saw some +one leap from his car, and try to run away. But the figure +stumbled, and, a moment later the young inventor was upon him, +grappling with him.</p> + +<p>"Here! Let me go!" cried a voice, and Tom uttered an +exclamation of surprise.</p> + +<p>"Andy Foger!" he cried. "I've caught you! You tried to damage +my car!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I'm hurt, too!" whined Andy. "My father will sue you +for damages if I die."</p> + +<p>"No danger of that; you're too mean," murmured Tom, as he +maintained a tight grip on the bully.</p> + +<p>"You let me go!" demanded Andy, squirming to get away.</p> + +<p>"Wait until I see what damage you've done," retorted the young +inventor. "The worst, though, would be the blowing out of a fuse, +for I had the gear disconnected. You wait a minute now. Maybe +it's you who'll have to pay damages."</p> + +<p>"You let me go!" fairly screamed Andy, and he aimed a blow at +Tom. It caught our hero on the chest and Tom's fighting blood was +up in an instant. He drew back his left hand, and delivered a +blow that landed fairly on Andy's right eye. The bully staggered +and went down in the dust.</p> + +<p>"There!" cried Tom, righteously angry. "That will teach you not +to try to damage my car, and then hit me into the bargain! Now +clear out, before I give you some more!"</p> + +<p>Whining and blubbering Andy arose to his feet.</p> + +<p>"You just wait. I'll get square with you for this," he +threatened.</p> + +<p>"You can accept part of that as pay for what you did in the tar +and feathering game," added Tom. Then, as Andy moved in front of +one of the electric side lamps on the car, Tom uttered a whistle +of surprise. For both of Andy's eyes were bruised and swollen, +though Tom had only hit him once.</p> + +<p>"Look at me!" cried the bully, more squint-eyed than ever. +"Look at me! You hit me in one eye, and that explosion hit me in +the other! My father will sue you for this."</p> + +<p>As he hurried off down the road Tom understood. Andy coming +along, had seen Tom's car standing there, and, thinking to do +some mischief, had climbed in, and turned on the power. Perhaps +he hoped it would run into the roadside ditch and be smashed. But +as the gear was out, turning on the electric current had a +different effect. As the bully pulled the handle over too +quickly, throwing almost the entire force of the battery into the +wires at once, the load was too heavy for them. A safety fuse +blew out, causing the flare and the explosion, and a piece of the +soft lead-like metal had hit the red-haired lad in the eye. Tom's +fist had completed the work on the other optic, and for several +days thereafter Andy Foger remained in seclusion. When he did go +out there were many embarrassing questions put to him, as to when +he had had the fight. Andy didn't care to answer. As for Tom, it +did not take long to put a new fuse in his car, and he greatly +enjoyed his ride with Miss Nestor that night.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XVI </h2> <h2>TROUBLE AT THE BANK</h2> + + +<p>Coming in rather late from his trip to Mansburg, and thinking +of some things he and Miss Nestor had talked about, Tom was +rather surprised, on reaching the house, to see a light in his +father's particular room, where the aged inventor did his reading +and his planning of new devices.</p> + +<p>"Dad's up rather late," said Tom to himself. "I wonder if he's +studying over some new machine."</p> + +<p>The lad ran his auto into the temporary garage he had built for +it, and connected the wires of a burglar alarm he had arranged, +to give warning in case any of his enemies should seek to damage +the car.</p> + +<p>Tom encountered Garret Jackson, the aged inventor who was going +his rounds, seeing that everything was all right about the +various shops.</p> + +<p>"Anybody with my father, Garret?" asked the lad. "I see he's +still up."</p> + +<p>"Yes," was the rather unexpected reply. "Mr. Damon is with him. +They've been in your father's room all the evening—ever since +you went away in the car."</p> + +<p>"Anything the matter?" inquired the young inventor, a bit +anxious, as he thought of the Happy Harry gang.</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't know," and the engineer seemed puzzled. "They +called me in once to know if everything was all right outside, +and to inquire if you were back. I saw, then, that they were busy +figuring over something, but I didn't take much notice. Only I +heard Mr. Damon say: 'There's going to be trouble if we can't +realize on those bonds,' and then I came away."</p> + +<p>"Is that all he said?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"No, he said 'Bless my buttons,' or something like that; but he +blesses so many things I didn't pay much attention."</p> + +<p>"That's right," agreed the lad. "But I wonder what the trouble +is about? I must go see."</p> + +<p>As he passed along the hall, out of which his father's combined +study and library opened, the aged inventor came to the door.</p> + +<p>"Is that you, Tom?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Dad."</p> + +<p>"Come in here, if you haven't anything else to do. Mr. Damon is +here."</p> + +<p>Tom needed but a single glance at the faces of his father and +Mr. Damon to see that something was troubling the two. The table +in front of them was littered with papers covered with rows of +figures.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose I ought not to let it bother me, but it does," +replied his father.</p> + +<p>"Something wrong with your patents, Dad? Has the crowd of bad +men been bothering you again?"</p> + +<p>"No, it isn't that. It's trouble at the bank, Tom."</p> + +<p>"Has it been robbed again?" asked the lad quickly. "If it has I +can prove an alibi," and he smiled at the recollection of the +time he and Mr. Damon had been accused of looting the vault, as +told in "Tom Swift and His Airship."</p> + +<p>"No, it hasn't been robbed in just that way," put in Mr. Damon. +"But, bless my shoe laces, it's almost as bad! You see, Tom, +since Mr. Foger started the new bank he's done his best to +cripple the one in which your father and I are interested. I may +say we are very vitally interested in it, for, since the +withdrawal of Foger and his associates, your father and I have +been elected directors."</p> + +<p>"I didn't know that," remarked the lad.</p> + +<p>"No, I didn't tell you, because you were so busy on your +electric car," rejoined Mr. Swift. "But Mr. Damon and I, being +both large depositors, were asked to assume office, and, as I was +not very busy on patent affairs, I consented."</p> + +<p>"But what is the trouble?" inquired Tom.</p> + +<p>"I'm coming to it," resumed Mr. Damon. "Bless my check book, +I'm coming to it! You see we have lost several good customers, by +reason of Foger opening the new bank. That wouldn't have mattered +so much, as between your father and myself, and one or two +others, we have enough capital to carry on the business of the +bank. But there is a more serious matter. We hold a number of +very good securities, but they are of a class hard to realize +cash for, on short notice. In other words they are not active +bonds, though they are issued by reliable concerns. Then, too, +the bank has lost considerable money by not doing as much +business as it formerly did. In short we don't know just what to +do, Tom, and your father and I were discussing it, when you came +in."</p> + +<p>"Do you need more money?" asked Tom. "I have some, that is my +share from the submarine treasure, and some I have allowed to +accumulate as royalties from my patents. It's about ten thousand +dollars, and you're welcome to it."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Tom," spoke his father. "We may use your cash, but +we'll need a great deal more than that."</p> + +<p>"But why?" asked the lad. "I don't understand. If you have good +bonds, can't you dispose of them, and get the money?"</p> + +<p>"We could, Tom, yes, if we had time," replied Mr. Damon. "But +to throw the bonds on the market at short notice would mean that +we would not get a good price for them. We would lose considerable."</p> + +<p>"But why do it in a hurry?"</p> + +<p>"Because there is need of hurry," responded Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"That's it," joined in Mr. Damon. "We have to have cash in a +hurry, Tom, to meet pressing demands, and we don't just see our +way clear to get it. I am trying to raise it on some private +securities I own, but I can't get an answer within several days. +Meanwhile the bank may fail, because of lack of funds. Of course +no one would lose anything, ultimately, as we could go into the +hands of a receiver, and, eventually pay dollar for dollar. Your +father and I, and some of the other directors, might lose a +little, but the depositors would not. But your father and I don't +like the idea of failing. It's something I've never done, and I'm +too old to start in now, bless my cash ledger if I'm not!"</p> + +<p>"And for the sake of my reputation in this community I don't +want to see the bank close its doors," added Mr. Swift. "It would +give Foger too good a chance to crow over us."</p> + +<p>"And you need cash in a hurry," went on Tom. "How much?"</p> + +<p>"Fifty thousand dollars at least," replied Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"And if you don't get it?"</p> + +<p>The eccentric man shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Mr. Swift musingly, "I don't see that we need +worry you about it, Tom. Perhaps—"</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift was interrupted by a ring at the front door. The +three looked at each other. It was late for a caller, and Mrs. +Baggert had gone to bed.</p> + +<p>"I'll answer it," volunteered Tom. He switched on the electric +light in the hall, and opened the door. He was confronted by Mr. +Pendergast, the president of the bank.</p> + +<p>"Is your father in?" asked Mr. Pendergast, and he seemed to be +much agitated.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he is," replied the lad. "Come this way, please."</p> + +<p>"I want to see him on important business," went on the +president, as he followed the young inventor. "I'm afraid I have +bad news for him and Mr. Damon. Bad news, Tom, bad news," and the +aged banker's voice trembled. Tom, with a chill of apprehension +seeming to clutch his heart, threw open the library door.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XVII </h2> <h2>A RUN ON THE BANK</h2> + + +<p>"Why, Mr. Pendergast!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, rising quickly as +Tom ushered in the aged president. "Whatever is the matter? You +here at this hour? Bless my trial balance! Is anything wrong?</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid there is," answered the bank head. "I have just +received word which made it necessary for me to see you both at +once. I'm glad you're here, Mr. Damon."</p> + +<p>He sank wearily into a chair which Tom placed for him, and Mr. +Swift asked:</p> + +<p>"Have you been able to raise any cash, Mr. Pendergast?"</p> + +<p>"No, I am sorry to say I have not, but I did not come here to +tell you that. I have bad news for you. As soon as we open our +doors in the morning, there will be a run on the bank." "A run on +the bank?" repeated Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"The moment we begin business in the morning," went on Mr. +Pendergast.</p> + +<p>"Bless my soul, then don't begin business!" cried Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"We must," insisted Mr. Pendergast. "To keep the doors closed +would be a confession at once that we have failed. No, it is +better to open them, and stand the run as long as we can. When we +have exhausted our cash—" he paused.</p> + +<p>"Well?" asked Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Then we'll fail—that's all."</p> + +<p>"But we mustn't let the bank fail!" cried Mr. Swift. "I am +willing to put some of my personal fortune into the bank capital +in order to save it. So is my son here."</p> + +<p>"That's right," chimed in Tom heartily. "All I've got. I'm not +going to let Andy Foger get ahead of us; nor his father either."</p> + +<p>"I'll help to the limit of my ability," added Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"I appreciate all that," continued the president. "But the +unfortunate part of it is that we need cash. You gentlemen, like +myself, probably, have your money tied up in stocks and bonds. It +is hard to get cash quickly, and we must have cash as soon as we +open in the morning, to pay the depositors who will come flocking +to the doors. We must prepare for a run on the bank."</p> + +<p>"How do you know there will be a run?" asked the young +inventor.</p> + +<p>"I received word this evening, just before I came here," +replied Mr. Pendergast. "A poor widow, who has a small amount in +the bank, called on me and said she had been advised to withdraw +all her cash. She said she preferred to see me about it first, as +she did not like to lose her interest. She said a number of her +acquaintances, some of whom are quite heavy depositors, had also +been warned that the bank was unsound, and that they ought to +take out their savings and deposits at once."</p> + +<p>"Did she say who had thus warned her?" inquired Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"She did," was the reply, "and that shows me that there is a +conspiracy on foot to ruin our bank. She stated that Mr. Foger +had told her our institution was unsound."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Foger!" cried Mr. Damon. "So this is one of his tricks to +bolster up his new bank! He hopes the people who withdraw their +money from our bank will deposit with him. I see his game. He's a +scoundrel, and if it's possible I'm going to sue him for damages +after this thing is over."</p> + +<p>"Did he warn the others?" inquired the aged inventor.</p> + +<p>"Not all of them," answered the president. "Some received +letters from a man signing himself Addison Berg, warning them +that our bank, was likely to fail any day."</p> + +<p>"Addison Berg!" exclaimed Tom. "That must have been the +important business he had with Mr. Foger, the day I showed him +the watch charm! They were plotting the ruin of our bank then," +and he told his father about his disastrous pursuit of the +submarine agent.</p> + +<p>"Very likely Foger is working with Berg," admitted Mr. Damon. +"We will attend to them later. The question is, what can we do to +save the bank?"</p> + +<p>"Get cash, and plenty of it," advised Mr. Pendergast. "Suppose +we go over the whole situation again?" and they fell to talking +stocks: bonds, securities, mortgages and interest, until the +youth, interested as he was in the situation, could follow it no +longer.</p> + +<p>"Better go to bed, Tom," advised his father. "You can't help us +any, and we have many details to go over."</p> + +<p>The lad reluctantly consented, and he was soon dreaming that he +was in his electric auto, trying to pull up a thousand pound lump +of gold from the bottom of the sea. He awoke to find the +bedclothes in a lump on his chest, and, removing them, fell into +a deep slumber.</p> + +<p>When the young inventor awoke the next morning, Mrs. Baggert +told him that his father and Mr. Damon had risen nearly an hour +before, had partaken of a hearty breakfast, and departed.</p> + +<p>"They told me to tell you they were at the bank," said the +housekeeper.</p> + +<p>"Did Mr. Pendergast stay all night?" inquired Tom.</p> + +<p>"I heard some one go away about two o'clock this morning," +replied the housekeeper. "I don't know who it was."</p> + +<p>"They must have had a long session," thought Tom, as he began +on his bacon, eggs and coffee. "I'll take a run down to the bank +in my electric in a little while."</p> + +<p>The car was still in rather crude shape, outwardly, but the +mechanism was now almost perfect. Tom charged the batteries well +before starting put.</p> + +<p>The youth had no sooner come in sight of the old Shopton bank, +to distinguish it from the Second National, which Mr. Foger had +started, than he was aware that something unusual had occurred. +There was quite a crowd about it, and more persons were +constantly arriving to swell the throng.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Tom, of one of the few police +officers of which Shopton boasted, though the lad did not need to +be told.</p> + +<p>"Run on the bank," was the brief answer. "It's failed."</p> + +<p>Tom felt a pang of disappointment. Somehow, he had hoped that +his father and his friends might have been able to stave off +ruin. As he approached nearer Tom was made aware that the crowd +was in an ugly mood.</p> + +<p>"Why don't they open the doors and give us our money?" cried +one excited woman. "It's ours! I worked hard for mine, an' now +they want to keep it from us. I wish I'd put it in the new bank."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's the best place," added another. "That Mr. Foger +has lots of money."</p> + +<p>"I can see the hand of Andy's father, and that of Mr. Berg, at +work here," thought Tom, "They have spread rumors of the bank's +trouble, and hope to profit by it. I wish I could find a way to +beat them at their own game."</p> + +<p>As the minutes passed, and the bank was not opened, the ugly +temper of the crowd increased. The few police could do nothing +with the mob, and several, bolder than the rest, advocated +battering down the doors. Some went up the steps and began to +pound on the portals. Tom looked for a sight of his father or Mr. +Damon, but could not see either.</p> + +<p>It was not the regular hour for opening the bank, but when the +police reminded the people of this they only laughed.</p> + +<p>"I guess they ain't going to open anyhow!" shouted a man. +"They've got our money, and they're going to keep it. What +difference is an hour, anyway?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, if they have the money, why don't they open, and not wait +until ten o'clock?" cried another. "I've got a hundred and five +dollars in there, and I want it!"</p> + +<p>More excited persons were arriving every minute. The crowd +surged this way, and that. Many looked anxiously at the clock in +the tower of the town hall. The gilded hands pointed to a few +minutes of ten. Would the bank open its doors when the hour +boomed out? Many were anxiously asking this question.</p> + +<p>Tom sat in his electric car, near the front of the bank. The +interest of the crowd, which under ordinary circumstances would +have been centered in the queer vehicle, was not drawn toward it. +The people were all thinking of their money.</p> + +<p>Suddenly one of the two doors of the bank slowly opened. There +was a yell from the crowd, and a rush to get in. But the police +managed to hold the leaders back, and then Tom saw that it was +Ned Newton, who stood in the partly-opened portal. He held up his +hand to indicate silence, and a hush fell over the mob.</p> + +<p>"The bank is open for business," Ned announced, "but there must +be no rush. The building is not large enough to accommodate you +all. If you form a line, you will be admitted in turn. The bank +hopes to pay you all."</p> + +<p>"Hopes!" cried a woman scornfully. "We can't eat hopes, young +man, nor yet pay the rent with it. Hopes indeed!"</p> + +<p>But Ned had said all he cared to, and, with rather a white +face, he went back inside. The one door remained open and, with a +policeman on either side, a line of anxious depositors was slowly +formed. Tom watched them crowding and surging forward, all eager +to be first to get their cash out, lest there be not enough for +all. As he watched, the young inventor was aware that some was +signaling to him from the big window of the bank. He looked more +closely and saw Ned Newton beckoning to him, and the young +cashier was motioning Tom to go around to the rear, where a door +of the bank opened on a small alley. Wondering what was wanted, +Tom slowly ran his machine down the side street, and up the +alley. No one paid any attention to him.</p> + +<p>A porter admitted the lad, and he made his way to the private +offices, where he knew his father and Mr. Damon would be. In the +corridors he could hear the murmur of the throng and the chink of +money, as the tellers paid it out.</p> + +<p>"Well, Tom, this is bad business," remarked Mr. Swift, as he +saw his son. The lad noticed that Mr. Damon was in the telephone +booth.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Dad," admitted Tom. "It's a run, all right. What are you +going to do?"</p> + +<p>"The best we can. Pay out all the cash we have, and hope that +before that time, the people will come to their senses. The bank +is all right if they would only wait. But I'm afraid they won't +and, after we pay out all the cash we have, we'll have to close +the doors. Then there's sure to be an unpleasant scene, and maybe +some of the more hot-headed ones will advocate violence. We have +given orders to the tellers to pay out as slowly as possible, so +as to enable us to gain some time."</p> + +<p>"And all you need is money; is that it, Dad?"</p> + +<p>"That's it, Tom, but we have exhausted every possibility. Mr. +Damon is trying a forlorn hope now, but, even if he is +successful—"</p> + +<p>Before Mr. Swift had ceased speaking, Mr. Damon fairly burst +from the telephone booth. He was much excited.</p> + +<p>"I've got it! I've got it!" he cried.</p> + +<p>"What?" asked Mr. Swift and Tom in the same breath.</p> + +<p>"The cash, or, what's just as good, the promise of it. I called +up Mr. Chase, of the Clayton National Bank, and he has agreed to +take the railroad securities I offered him as collateral, and let +me have sixty thousand dollars on them! That will give us cash +enough to weather the storm. Hurrah! We're all right now. Bless +my check book!"</p> + +<p>"The Clayton National Bank," remarked Mr. Swift, and his voice +was hopeless. "It's forty miles away, Mr. Damon, and no railroad +around here runs anywhere near it. No one could get there and +back with the cash to-day, in time to save us from ruin. It's +impossible! Our last chance is gone."</p> + +<p>"How far did you say it was, Dad?" asked Tom quickly.</p> + +<p>"Forty miles there, over forty, I guess, and not very good +roads. We would need to have the cash here before three o'clock +to be of any service to us. No, it's out of the question. The +bank will have to fail!"</p> + +<p>"No!" cried the young inventor, and his voice rang out through +the room. "I'll get the cash for you!"</p> + +<p>"How?" gasped Mr. Damon. "You can't get there and back in +time?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I can!" cried Tom. "In my electric runabout! I can make +it go a hundred miles an hour, if necessary! Probably I'll have +to run slow over the bad roads; but I can do it! I know I can. +I'll get the sixty thousand dollars for you!"</p> + +<p>For a moment there was silence. Then Mr. Damon cried:</p> + +<p>"Good! And I'll go with you and deliver the securities to Mr. +Chase. Come on, Tom Swift! Bless my collar button, but maybe we +can yet save the old bank after all!"</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII </h2> <h2>AFTER THE CASH</h2> + + +<p>Tom's proposal as a way out of the difficulty, and the prompt +seconding of it by Mr. Damon, seemed to deprive the other bank +officials, Mr. Swift included, of the power of speech for a few +moments. Then, as there came to the room where the scene had +taken place, the sound of the mob outside, clamoring for cash, +Mr. Pendergast, the president, remarked in a low voice:</p> + +<p>"It seems to be the only way. Do you think you can do it, Tom +Swift?"</p> + +<p>"I'm sure of it, as far as my electric car is concerned," +replied the young inventor. "If we get the cash I'll have it back +here on time. The runabout is all ready for a fast trip."</p> + +<p>"Then don't lose any time, Tom," advised his father. "Every +minute counts."</p> + +<p>"Yes," added Mr. Damon. "Come on. I've got the securities in my +valise, and we can bring the cash back in the same satchel. Come +on, Tom."</p> + +<p>The eccentric character caught up his valise, and started from +the room. Tom followed.</p> + +<p>"Now, my son, be careful," advised his father. "You know the +need of haste, but don't take unnecessary risks. You'd better go +out the back way, as the crowd is easily excited."</p> + +<p>Little more was said. Mr. Swift clasped his son's hand in a +firm pressure, and the bank president nervously bade the lad +good-by. Then, slipping out of the bank, by the rear entrance, +the porter closing the door after them, Tom and Mr. Damon took +their places in the electric machine.</p> + +<p>"Just imagine you're racing for that three-thousand-dollar +prize, offered by the Touring Club of America, Tom," observed Mr. +Damon, as he deposited the valise at his feet.</p> + +<p>"I don't have to do that," replied the youth. "I'm trying for a +bigger prize than that. I want to save the bank, and defeat the +schemes of the Fogers—father and son."</p> + +<p>Tom turned on the power, and the machine rolled out on the main +street. As it turned the corner, leaving the impatient crowd of +depositors, now larger than ever, behind, Mr. Damon glanced over +at the new bank, and, as he did so, he called to Tom:</p> + +<p>"There are the Fogers now."</p> + +<p>The young inventor looked, and saw Andy and his father on the +steps of the new institution.</p> + +<p>At the sight of the electric car, speeding along, Andy turned +and spoke to his parent. What he said seemed to impress Mr. +Foger, for he started, and looked more intently at Tom and Mr. +Damon. Then, as Tom watched, he saw the two excitedly conversing, +and a moment later Andy ran off in the direction in which Sam +Snedecker and Pete Bailey lived.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if he's up to any tricks?" thought Tom, as he turned +on more power. "Well, if he is, I'll soon be where he can't reach +me."</p> + +<p>The young inventor did not dare send his car at full speed +through the streets of the town, and it was not until several +minutes had passed that they could go at more than the ordinary +rate. But once the open country was reached Tom "opened her up +full," and the song the motor sung was one of power. The vehicle +quickly gathered headway and was soon fairly whizzing along.</p> + +<p>"If we keep this up we'll be there and back in good time," +remarked Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but we can't do it," replied his companion. "The road to +Clayton is a poor one, and we'll soon be on it. Then we'll have +to go slow. But I'll make all the time I can until then."</p> + +<p>So, for several miles more they crept along, at times having to +reduce to almost a walking pace, because of bad roads. Mr. Damon +looked at his watch almost every other minute.</p> + +<p>"Eleven o'clock," he remarked, as they passed a milestone, "and +we're not half way there. Bless my gizzard, but I'm afraid we +won't make it, Tom. We left about ten, and we ought to be back by +two o'clock to do any good. That's four hours, and it will take +some time to transfer the securities, and get the cash. Every +minute counts."</p> + +<p>"I know it," answered Tom, "and I'm going to count every +minute."</p> + +<p>With eager eyes he watched every inch of the road, to steer to +the best advantage. His hands gripped the wheel until his +knuckles showed white with the strain, and, every now and then +his right hand adjusted the speed lever or the controller handle, +while his foot was on the emergency brake, ready to stop the car +at the first sign of danger.</p> + +<p>And there was danger, not infrequently, for the road was up and +down hill, over frail bridges, and along steep cliffs. It was no +pleasure tour they were on.</p> + +<p>When a little over half the distance had been made they came to +a better road, and Tom was able to use full speed ahead. Then the +electric went so fast that, had it not been for the steel +wind-shield in front, Mr. Damon, at any rate, would have been short +of breath.</p> + +<p>"This is going some!" he cried to Tom. The lad nodded grimly, +and shoved the controller handle over to the last notch. Then +came a bad stretch and they had to slow down again. As they were +about out of it there came a little flash of fire and the motor +stopped.</p> + +<p>"Bless my overshoes!" cried Mr. Damon. "What's that; a fuse +blown out?"</p> + +<p>"No," replied Tom, with a puzzled air. "But something has gone +wrong." Hastily he got out, and made an examination. He found it +was only one of the unimportant wires which had short-circuited, +and it was soon adjusted. But they had lost five precious +minutes. Tom tried to make up for lost time, but came to a hill a +little later, and this reduced their speed.</p> + +<p>"Do you think we can make it before twelve?" asked Mr. Damon +anxiously. "We've got to, if we're to get back before three, +Tom."</p> + +<p>"I'll try," was the calm answer, and Tom's jaw was shut still +more tightly. Once again came more favorable roads and pushing +the car to the limit the occupants were rejoiced, a little later, +as they topped a hill, to come in sight of a fairly large city.</p> + +<p>"There's Clayton!" cried Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later they were rolling through the main street, +and as they stopped in front of the bank, the noon whistles blew +shrill and noisily.</p> + +<p>"You did it, Tom!" cried Mr. Damon, springing out with the +valise of securities. "Now be ready for the return trip. I'll be +with you as soon as possible."</p> + +<p>He went up the bank steps three at a time, like some boy +instead of an elderly man. Tom looked after him for a second and +then got down to oil up his car, and make some adjustments that +had rattled loose from the rough road. Unmindful of the curious +throng that gathered he crawled under the machine with his +oil-can.</p> + +<p>He had finished his work, and was back in his seat, ready to +start, but Mr. Damon had not reappeared.</p> + +<p>"It's taking him a good while to get that cash," thought Tom. +"Maybe the securities were no good."</p> + +<p>But, a few minutes later, Mr. Damon came hurrying from the +bank. The valise he carried seemed much heavier than when he went +in.</p> + +<p>"It's all right, Tom," he said. "I've got it. Now for the trip +home, and I hope we don't have any accidents. It took longer than +I thought to check over the bonds and receipt for them. But I've +got the cash. Now to save the bank!"</p> + +<p>He took his place beside the young inventor, holding the valise +between his knees, while Tom turned on the power and sent his car +dashing down the street, and toward the road that led to Shopton.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XIX </h2> <h2>STOPPED ON THE ROAD</h2> + + +<p>"Did Mr. Chase make any objection to giving you the cash?" +asked Tom, as he shoved the controller over another notch, and +caused the motor to make a higher note in its song of speed.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, he was very nice about it," replied Mr. Damon. "He +said he hoped our bank would pull through. Said if we needed more +cash we could have it."</p> + +<p>It was nearly one o'clock, and they had the worst part of the +journey yet to go. Thirty miles of stiff roads lay between them +and Shopton, the last five and the first five being fairly good, +with, here and there, soft spots.</p> + +<p>Up hill and down went the electric auto. At every opportunity +Tom let out all the speed he could draw from the motor, but there +were many times when he had to slow down. He had just made the +ascent of a steep hill, and was turning into a fairly good road, +skirting the edge of a steep cliff, when there came a sharp +report.</p> + +<p>"Bless my soul! That's a fuse, I'm sure of it!" cried Mr. +Damon.</p> + +<p>"No," announced Tom, as he quickly shut off the power. "It's a +puncture. One of the inner tubes of the tire has been pierced. I +was afraid of that tube."</p> + +<p>"What have you got to do; put on a new tire?" asked Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"No, I'm going to put on a new wheel. I carry two spare ones +with tires all ready inflated. It won't take long."</p> + +<p>But the process of changing wheels consumed more time than Tom +anticipated for the nut was stuck, and he and Mr. Damon had to +exert all their strength before they could loosen it. When the +new wheel was in place ten minutes had been lost.</p> + +<p>"Hold on now, I'm going to speed her!" cried Tom, when they +were once more in their seats, and speed the machine he did. The +road was rough, but despite this the lad turned on almost full +power. Over the bumps they went, around curves and into +rain-washed ruts careening from side to side, and throwing Mr. Damon +about, as he expressed it afterward, "like a bean inside of a +football." As for the young inventor his grasp of the steering +wheel, and the manner in which he could brace himself against the +foot pedals, held him more firmly in place. On and on they +rushed, covering mile after mile, and approaching Shopton where +so much depended on their arrival.</p> + +<p>Good and bad stretches of the road alternated, but now that Tom +had seen of what mettle his car was made, he did not spare it as +much as he had on the first trip. He saw that his machine would +stand hard knocks, and the way the battery and motor was behaving +was a joy to him. He knew that if he could make that eighty-mile +run in safety he stood a good chance of winning the prize, for no +harder test could have been devised.</p> + +<p>But the race was still far from won. There was a particularly +unsafe stretch of road yet to be covered, and then would come a +smooth highway into Shopton.</p> + +<p>"Ten miles more," observed Mr Damon, snapping shut his big +gold watch. "Ten miles more, and it's a quarter of two now. We +ought to be there at a quarter after, and that will be in good +time, eh, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"I think so, but I don't know about this piece of road we're +coming to. It seems worse than when we passed over it this +morning."</p> + +<p>As he spoke the auto began to slow up, for the wheels had +struck some heavy sand, and it was necessary to reduce the +current. Tom turned back the controller handle, but watched with +eager eyes for a sign that the roadbed was harder, so that he +could increase speed.</p> + +<p>As the car turned around a curve, passing through a lonely +stretch of country, with woods on either side of the highway, Tom +glancing up, uttered a cry of astonishment.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter; something gone wrong?" asked his companion.</p> + +<p>For answer Tom pointed. There, just ahead of them, was a big +load of hay, and it was evident that the driver, was in no +particular hurry.</p> + +<p>"We can't pass that without getting in over our hubs!" cried +Tom. "If we turn out the side ditches are so soft that we'll need +help to pull out, and the road is so narrow for several miles +that we'll have to trail along behind that fellow."</p> + +<p>"Bless my check book!" cried Mr. Damon. "Are we going to lose, +after all, on account of a load of hay? No, I'll buy it from him +first, at double the market price, tip it over, set fire to it, +toss it in the ditch, and then we can go past!"</p> + +<p>"Maybe that will answer," retorted Tom, smiling grimly.</p> + +<p>He put on a little more speed, and was soon close up behind the +load of hay, ringing his electric bell as a warning.</p> + +<p>"I say!" called Mr. Damon to the unseen driver, "can't you turn +out and let us pass?"</p> + +<p>"Ha! Hum! Wa'al I guess not!" came the answer, in unmistakable +farmer's accents. "You automobile fellers is too gol-hanged +smart, racin' along th' roads. I've got just as good a right here +as you fellers have, by heck!" The driver did not show himself.</p> + +<p>"We know that," responded Tom, as quickly as he could, for he +did not want to anger the man. "But our machine is so heavy that +if we turn into the ditch I'm afraid we'll be mired."</p> + +<p>"Huh! So'll I," was the retort from the unseen driver.. "Think +I want t' spile my load of hay?"</p> + +<p>"But you have wide tires on, and you wouldn't sink in far," +answered the young inventor. "Besides, it's very necessary that +we get past. A great deal depends on our speed."</p> + +<p>"So it does on mine," was the reply. "Ef I git t' market late +I'll have t' stay all night, an' spend money on a hotel bill."</p> + +<p>"I'll pay it! I'll pay your bill if you'll only pull out!" +cried Mr. Damon. "I'll give you a hundred dollars!"</p> + +<p>He suddenly ceased speaking. From the bushes along the road +sprang several ragged, masked figures. Each one, aiming his +weapon at Tom, said in a low voice, that could not have been +heard by the driver of the hay wagon:</p> + +<p>"Slow up your machine, young feller! We want to speak with you, +and don't you make a loud noise, or it won't be healthy for you!"</p> + +<p>"Why of all the-!" began Mr. Damon, but another of the footpads +leveling his weapon at the eccentric man growled:</p> + +<p>"Dry up, if you don't want to get shot!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Damon subsided. Discretion was very plainly the better part +of valor. Tom had shut off the current. The load of hay continued +on ahead. Tom thought perhaps the driver of it might have been in +collusion with the thieves, to cause the auto to slow up.</p> + +<p>"What do you want with us?" asked the young inventor, trying to +speak calmly, but finding it a hard task, with a revolver pointed +at him.</p> + +<p>"You know what we want," exclaimed the leader, in a low voice. +"We want that cash you got from the bank, and we're going to have +it! Come, now, shell out!" and he advanced toward the automobile.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XX </h2> <h2>ON TIME</h2> + + +<p>Close around the electric auto crowded the members of the hold-up +gang. Their eyes seemed to glare through the holes in their +black masks. Instantly Tom thought of the other occasion when he +was halted by masked figures. Could these, by any possibility, be +the same individuals? Was this a trick of Andy Foger and his +cronies?</p> + +<p>Tom tried to pierce through the disguises. Clearly the persons +were men—not boys—and they wore the ragged clothes of tramps. +Also, there was an air of dogged determination about them.</p> + +<p>"Well, are you going to shell out?" asked the leader, taking a +step nearer, "or will we have to take it?"</p> + +<p>"Bless my very existence! You don't mean to say that you're +going to take the money—I mean how do you know we have any +money?" and Mr. Damon hastily corrected himself. "What right have +you to stop us in this way? Don't you know that every minute +counts? We are in a hurry."</p> + +<p>"I know it," spoke the leading masked figure with a laugh. "I +know you have considerable money in that shebang, and I know what +you hope to do with it, prevent the run on the Shopton National +Bank. But we need that money as much as some other people and, +what's more, we're going to have it! Come on, shell out!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, why didn't we bring a gun!" lamented Mr. Damon in a low +voice to Tom. "Isn't there anything we can do? Can't you give +them an electric shock, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid not. If it wasn't for that hay wagon we could turn +on the current and make a run for it. But we'd only go into the +ditch if we tried to pass now."</p> + +<p>The load of hay was down the road, but as Tom looked he noticed +a curious thing. It seemed to be nearer than it was when the +attack of the masked men came. The wagon actually seemed to have +backed up. Once more the thought came to the lad that possibly +the load of fodder might be one of the factors on which the +thieves counted. They might have used it to make the auto halt, +and the man, or men, on it were probably in collusion with the +footpads. There was no doubt about it, the load of hay was coming +nearer, backing up instead of moving away. Tom couldn't +understand it. He gave a swift glance at the robbers. They had +not appeared to notice this, or, if they had, they gave no sign.</p> + +<p>"Then we can't do anything," murmured Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"I don't see that we can," replied the young inventor in a low +voice.</p> + +<p>"And the money we worked so hard to get won't do the bank any +good," and Mr. Damon sighed.</p> + +<p>"It's tough luck," agreed Tom.</p> + +<p>"Come now, fork over that cash!" called the leader, advancing +still closer. "None of that talk between you there. If you think +you can work some trick on us you're mistaken. We're desperate +men, and we're well armed. The first show of resistance you make, +and we shoot—get that, fellows?" he added to his followers, and +they nodded grimly.</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Mr. Damon with an air of submission, "I only +want to warn you that you are acting illegally, and that you are +perpetrating a desperate crime."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we know that all right," answered one of the men, and Tom +gave a start. He was sure he had heard that voice before. He +tried to remember it—tried to penetrate the disguise—but he +could not.</p> + +<p>"I'll give you ten seconds more to hand over that bag of +money," went on the leader. "If you don't, we'll take it and some +of you may get hurt in the process."</p> + +<p>There seemed nothing else to do. With a white face, but with +anger showing in his eyes Mr. Damon reached down to get the +valise. Tom had retained his grip of the steering wheel, and the +starting lever. He hoped, at the last minute, he might see a +chance to dash away, and escape, but that load of hay was in the +path. He noted that it was now quite near, but the thieves paid +no attention to it.</p> + +<p>Tom might have reversed the power, and sent his machine +backward, but he could not see to steer it if he went in that +direction, and he would soon have gone into the ditch. There was +nothing to do save to hand over the cash, it seemed.</p> + +<p>Mr. Damon had the bag raised from the car, and the leader of +the thieves was reaching up for it, when there came a sudden +interruption.</p> + +<p>From the load of hay there sounded a fusillade of pistol shots, +cracking out with viciousness. This was instantly followed by the +appearance of three men who came running from around the load of +hay, down the road toward the thieves. Each man carried a +pitchfork, and as they ran, one of the trio shouted:</p> + +<p>"Right at 'em, boys! Jab your hay forks clean through the +scoundrels! By Heck, I guess we'll show 'em we know how t' tackle +a hold-up gang as well as the next fellow! Right at 'em now! +Charge 'em! Stick your forks right through 'em!" Again there +sounded a fusillade of pistol shots.</p> + +<p>The thieves turned as one man, and glanced at the relief so +unexpectedly approaching. They gave one look at the three +determined looking farmers, with their sharp, glittering +pitchforks, and then, without a word, they turned and fled, +leaping into the bushes that lined the roadway. The underbrush +closed after them and they were hidden from sight.</p> + +<p>On came the three farmers, waving their effective weapons, the +pistol shots still ringing out from the load of hay. Tom could +not understand it, and could see no one firing—could detect no +smoke.</p> + +<p>"Are they gone? Did they rob ye?" asked the foremost of the +trio, a burly, grizzled farmer. Bust my buttons, but I guess we +skeered 'em all right!"</p> + +<p>"Bless my shoe buttons, but you certainly have!" cried Mr. +Damon, descending from the automobile, and wringing the hand of +the farmer, while Tom, thrust the bag of money under his legs and +waited further developments. The pistol shots rang out until one +of the men called:</p> + +<p>"That'll do, Bub! We've skeered 'em like Mrs. Zenoby's pet cat! +You needn't crack that whip any more."</p> + +<p>"Whip!" cried Tom. "Was that a whip?"</p> + +<p>"That's what it was," explained the leading farmer. "Bub +Armstrong, my nephew, can crack it to beat th' band," and as if +in proof of this there emerged from behind the load of hay a +small lad, carrying a large whip, to which he gave a few trial +cracks, like pistol shots, as if to show his ability.</p> + +<p>"It's all right, Bub," his uncle assured him. "We made 'em +run."</p> + +<p>"But I don't exactly understand," spoke Mr. Damon. "I thought +you were in league with those thieves, stopping us as you did +with your big load."</p> + +<p>"So did I," admitted Tom.</p> + +<p>"Ha! Ha!" laughed the farmer. "That's a pretty good joke. +Excuse me for laughin'. My name's Lyon, Jethro Lyon, of Salina +Township, an' these is my two sons, Ade and Burt. You see we're +on our way to Shopton, an' my nephew, Bub, he went along. We +thought you was some of them sassy automobile fellers at first +when you hollered to us you wanted to pass. Then when we looked +back, we seen them burglars goin' t' rob you, at least that's +what we suspicioned," and he paused suggestively.</p> + +<p>"That was it," Tom said.</p> + +<p>"Wa'al, when we seen that, we held a sort of consultation on +thet load of hay, where they couldn't see us. It was so big you +know," he needlessly explained. "Wa'al, we calcalated we could +help you, so I jest quietly backed up, until we was near enough. +I told Bub to take the long whip, an' crack it for all he was +wuth, so's it would sound like reinforcements approachin' with +guns, an' he done it."</p> + +<p>"He certainly done it," added Burt.</p> + +<p>"Wa'al," resumed Mr. Lyon, "then me an my sons we jest slipped +down off the front seat, an' come a runnin' with our pitchforks. +I reckoned them burglars would run when they see us an' heard us, +an' they done so."</p> + +<p>"Yep, they done so," added Ade, like an echo.</p> + +<p>"I can't tell you how much obliged we are to you," said Mr. +Damon. "We have sixty thousand dollars in this valise, and they +would have had it in another minute, and the bank would have +failed."</p> + +<p>"Sixty thousand dollars!" gasped Mr. Lyon, and his sons and +nephew echoed the words. Mr. Damon briefly explained about the +money, and he and the young inventor again thanked their +rescuers, who had so unexpectedly, and in such a novel manner, +put the thieves to flight.</p> + +<p>"An' you've got t' git t' Shopton before three o'clock with +thet cash?" asked Mr. Lyon.</p> + +<p>"That's what we hoped to do," replied Tom "but I'm afraid we +won't now. It's half past two, and—"</p> + +<p>"Don't say another word," interrupted Mr. Lyon. "I know what ye +mean. My hay's in the road. But don't let that worry ye none. +I'll pull out of your road in a jiffy, an' if we do go down in +th' ditch, why we can throw off part of th' load, lighten th' +wagon, an' pull out again. You've got t' hustle if ye git t' +Shopton by three o'clock."</p> + +<p>"I can do it with a clear road," declared Tom, confidently.</p> + +<p>"Then ye'll have th' clear road," Mr. Lyon assured him. "Come +boys, let's git th' hay t' one side."</p> + +<p>The farmers pulled into the ditch. As they had feared the wagon +went in almost to the hubs, but they did not mind, and, even as +Tom and Mr. Damon shot past them, they fell to work tossing off +part of the fodder, to lighten the wagon. The young inventor and +his companion waved a grateful farewell to them as they fairly +tore past, for Tom had turned on almost the full current.</p> + +<p>"Do you suppose that was the Happy Harry gang, or some members +of it who were not captured and sent to jail?" asked Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe so," answered the lad, shaking his head. +"Maybe they didn't really want to rob us. Perhaps they only +wanted to delay us so we wouldn't get to the bank on time."</p> + +<p>"Bless my top knot, you may be right!" cried Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>Further conversation became difficult, as they struck a rough +part of the road, where the vehicle swayed and jolted to an +alarming degree. But Tom never slackened pace. On and on they +rushed, Mr. Damon frequently looking at his watch.</p> + +<p>"We've got twenty minutes left," he remarked as they came out +on the smooth stretch of road, that led directly into Shopton.</p> + +<p>Then Tom turned all the reserve power into the motor. The +machinery almost groaned as the current surged into the wires, +but it took up the load, and the electric car, swaying more than +ever, dashed ahead with its burden of wealth.</p> + +<p>Now they were in the town, now speeding down the street leading +to the bank. One or two policemen shouted after them, for they +were violating the speed laws, but it was no time to stop for +that. On and on they dashed.</p> + +<p>They came in sight of the bank. A long line of persons was +still in front. They seemed more excited than in the morning, for +the hour of three was approaching, and they feared the bank would +close its doors, never to open them again.</p> + +<p>"The run is still on," observed Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"But it will soon be over," predicted Tom.</p> + +<p>Some news of the errand of the automobile must have penetrated +the crowd, for as Tom swung past the front entrance to the bank, +to go up the rear alley, he was greeted with a cheer.</p> + +<p>"They're got the cash!" a man cried. "I'm satisfied now. I +don't draw out my deposit."</p> + +<p>"I want to see the cash before I'll believe it," said another.</p> + +<p>Tom slowed up to make the turn into the alley. As he did so he +glanced across the street to the new bank. In the window stood +Andy Foger and his father. There was a look of surprise on their +faces as they saw the arrival of the powerful car, and, Tom +fancied, also a look of chagrin.</p> + +<p>Up the alley went the car, police keeping the crowd from +following. The porter was at the door. So, also, was Mr. +Pendergast and Mr. Swift, while some of the other officers were +grouped behind them.</p> + +<p>"Did you get the money?" gasped the president.</p> + +<p>"We did," answered Tom. "Are we on time, Dad?"</p> + +<p>"Just on time, my boy! They're paying out the last of the cash +now! You're on time, thank fortune!"</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2> <h2>OFF TO THE BIG RACE</h2> + + +<p>From their task of handing out money to eager depositors, the +wearied tellers looked up as Tom and Mr. Damon entered with the +big valise crammed full of money. It was opened, and the bundles +of bills turned out on a table.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you'd better make an announcement to the crowd, Mr. +Pendergast," suggested Mr. Swift. "Tell them we now have cash +enough to meet all demands, and that the bank will be kept open +until every one is paid."</p> + +<p>"I will," agreed the aged president. His announcement was +received with cheers, and had exactly the effect the inventor +hoped it would.</p> + +<p>Many, learning that the bank was safe, and that they could have +their money whenever they wanted it, concluded not to withdraw +it, thus saving the interest. Scores in the waiting crowd turned +out of line and went home. Their example was contagious, and, +though many still remained to get their deposits, the run was +broken. Only part of the sixty thousand dollars Tom and Mr. Damon +had brought through after a race with time, was needed. But had +it not been for the moral effect of the cash arriving as it did, +the bank would have failed.</p> + +<p>"You have a great car, Tom Swift," complimented Mr. Pendergast, +when the excitement had somewhat cooled down, and the story of +the hold-up had been told.</p> + +<p>"I think so myself," agreed the young inventor modestly. "I +must get ready for the races now."</p> + +<p>"And as for those farmers, I think I'll send them a reward," +went on the president. "They deserve something for the trouble +they had with the load of hay. I certainly shall send them a +reward," which he did, and a substantial one, too.</p> + +<p>Of course the hold-up was at once reported to the police after +the run had quieted down, but Chief Simonson surprised Tom by +saying that he had expected it.</p> + +<p>"The gang that held you up," said the police officer, "was one +that escaped from a jail, about twenty miles away. I got a tip +after you left, that they were going to rob you, for, in some +way, they learned about the money you and Mr. Damon were to bring +from the bank. The unfortunate part of it was that the tip I got +was to the effect that the hold-up would take place just outside +of Clayton. I telephoned to the police there, just after you +left, and they said they'd send out a posse. But the gang changed +their plans; and held you up near here, where I wasn't expecting +it. But I'll get 'em yet."</p> + +<p>Chief Simonson did not arrest the gang, but some other police +officers did, and they were taken back to jail. They were not +prosecuted for the attempted robbery of Tom, as it was considered +difficult to fix the guilt on them, but they received such a long +additional sentence for breaking jail, that it will be many years +before they are released.</p> + +<p>When Tom reached home that night he found some mail from the +officials of the Touring Club of America. It was to the effect +that arrangements for the big contest had been completed, and +that contesting cars must be on the ground by September first.</p> + +<p>"That gives me two weeks yet," thought our hero.</p> + +<p>He read further of the regulations covering the race. Each car +must proceed from the home town or city of the owner, and go to +the track under its own power. This was a new regulation, it was +stated, and was adopted to better develop the industry of +building electric autos. Two passengers, or one in addition to +the driver, must be carried, it was stated, and this one would +also be expected to be in the car during the entire race.</p> + +<p>Regarding the race proper it was stated that at first it had +been decided to make it a twenty-four hour endurance contest, but +that for certain reasons this was changed, as it was found that +few storage batteries could go this length of time without a +number of rechargings. Therefore the race was to be one for +distance—five hundred miles, on the new Long Island track, and +the car first covering that distance would win. Cars were allowed +to change their batteries as often as they needed to, but all +time lost would count against them. There were other rules and +regulations of minor importance.</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Tom, as he read through the circulars, "I must +get my car in shape. It will be quite a tip to Long Island, and I +think my best plan will be to go direct to the cottage we had +when we were building the submarine, and from there proceed to +the track. That will comply with the rules, I think. But who will +I get to go with me? I suppose Mr. Damon or Mr. Sharp will be +willing. I'll ask them."</p> + +<p>He broached the matter to his two friends that night, and they +both agreed to go to Long Island in the car, though only Mr. +Sharp would accompany Tom in the race. The next two weeks were +busy ones for Tom. He worked night and day over his car, getting +it in shape for the big event.</p> + +<p>The young inventor made some changes in his battery, and also +adopted a new gear, which would give greater speed. He also +completed the exterior of the auto, giving it several coats of +purple paint and varnish, so that when it was finished, though it +was different in shape from most autos, it was as fine an +appearing car as one could wish. He arranged to carry two extra +wheels, with tires inflated, and, under the rear seats, or +tonneau, as he called it, Tom fitted up a complete tire-repairing +outfit. Mr. Sharp agreed to ride there, and in case there was +need to use more than two spare wheels during the race, the +rubber shoes or inner tubes could be mended while the car was +swinging around the track.</p> + +<p>Mr. Damon would ride in front with Tom on the cross-country +trip, and occasionally relieve him at steering, or would help to +manage the electrical connections. Spare fuses, extra parts, +wires and different things he thought he might need, the young +inventor stored in his car. He also found means to install a +small additional storage battery, to give added power in case of +emergency.</p> + +<p>Tom learned from the racing officials that if he made a trip +from Shopton to the cottage on the coast, near the city of +Atlantis, and later traveled from there to the track, it would +fulfill the conditions of the contest.</p> + +<p>Finally all was in readiness, and one morning, having spent the +better part of the night going over his machine, to see that he +had forgotten nothing, Tom invited Mr. Damon and Mr. Sharp to +enter, and prepare for the trip to Long Island.</p> + +<p>"Well, Tom, I certainly hope you win that race," remarked Mrs. +Baggert, as she stood in the doorway, waving a farewell.</p> + +<p>"If I do I'll buy you a pair of diamond earrings to match the +diamond ring I gave you from the money I got from the wreck," +promised the lad with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"An' ef yo' sees dat Andy Foger," added Eradicate Sampson, +while he rubbed the long ears of Boomerang, his mule, "ef yo' +sees him, jest run ober him once or twice fer mah sake, Mistah +Swift."</p> + +<p>"I'll do it for my own, too," agreed Tom.</p> + +<p>The youth shook hands with his father, who wished him good +luck, and then, after a final look at his car, he climbed to his +seat, and turned on the power. There was a low hum from the motor +and the electric started off. Would it return a winner or loser +of the big race?</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XXII </h2> <h2>IN A DITCH</h2> + + +<p>Through the streets of Shopton went Tom Swift and his friends. +News of the big contest the young inventor was about to take part +in, had circulated around town, and there were not wanting many +to wish him good luck. The lad responded smilingly to the +farewells he received. As they passed the bank, Ned Newton came +out on the steps.</p> + +<p>"Wish I was going along," he called.</p> + +<p>"So do I," replied Tom. "How's everything? Is the bank all +right since the run?" for he had not had time to pay much +attention to the institution since his memorable race against +time, to get the money.</p> + +<p>"Stronger and better than ever," was Ned's answer, as he came +to the curb, where Tom slowed up. "I hear," he added in a +whisper, "that the other fellows are going out of business—Foger +and his crowd you know. They loaned money on unsecured notes to +make a good showing, and now they can't get it back But we're all +right. Hope you win the race."</p> + +<p>"So do I."</p> + +<p>"What will a certain person do while you're away?" went on Ned, +with a wink.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what you mean," replied Tom, trying not to blush. +"Do you mean my dad or Mrs. Baggert?"</p> + +<p>"Neither, you old hypocrite you! I meant Miss Mary Nestor."</p> + +<p>"Oh, hadn't you heard?" inquired Tom innocently. "She is going +to Long Island to visit some friends, and she'll be at the race."</p> + +<p>"You lucky dog," murmured Ned with a laugh, as he went into the +bank.</p> + +<p>Once more the electric auto started off, and was soon on the +quiet country road, where Tom speeded it up moderately. He hoped +to be able to make the entire distance to the shore cottage on +the single charge of current he had put into the battery at home, +and, as there was no special need for haste, he wanted to save +his power. The machine was running smoothly, and seemed able to +make a long race against time.</p> + +<p>The travelers ate lunch that day at Pendleton, a town some +distance from Shopton. They had covered a substantial part of +their trip. After a brief rest they started on again. Tom had +planned to spend two days and one night on the road, hoping to be +able to reach the shore cottage on the evening of the second day. +There, after recharging the battery, he would spend a night, or +two, and proceed to the track, ready for the race.</p> + +<p>They found the roads fairly good, with bad stretches here and +there, which made it necessary for them to slow down. This +delayed them, and they found the shadows lengthening, and +darkness approaching, when they were still several miles from +Burgfield, where they intended to sleep.</p> + +<p>"Will it be all right to travel at night?" asked Mr. Damon, a +bit nervously.</p> + +<p>"Why, are you thinking of hold-up men?" inquired Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"No, but I was wondering about the condition of the roads," +replied the eccentric man. "We don't want to run into a rock, or +collide with something."</p> + +<p>"I guess this will light up the road far enough in advance, so +that we can see where we are going," suggested Tom, as he +switched on the powerful electric search-light. Though it was not +dark enough to illuminate the highway to the best advantage, the +powerful gleam shone dazzlingly in front of the swiftly moving +auto.</p> + +<p>"I guess that will show up every pebble in the road," commented +the balloonist. "It's very powerful."</p> + +<p>Tom turned off the light, as, until it was darker, he could see +to better advantage unaided by it. He slowed down the speed +somewhat, but was still going at a good rate.</p> + +<p>"There's a bridge somewhere about here," remarked the lad, when +they had gone on a mile further. I remember seeing it on my road +map. It's not very strong, and we'll have to run slow over it."</p> + +<p>"Bless my gizzard, I hope we don't go through it!" cried Mr. +Damon. "Is your car very heavy, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"Not heavy enough to break the bridge. Ah, there it is. Guess +I'll turn on the light so we can see what we're doing."</p> + +<p>Just ahead of them loomed up the super-structure of a bridge, +and Tom turned the searchlight switch. At the instant he did so, +whether he did not keep a steady hand on the steering wheel, or +whether the auto went into a rut from which it could not be +turned, did not immediately develop, but the car suddenly shot +from the straight road, and swerved to one side. There was a +lurch, and the front wheels sank down.</p> + +<p>"Look out! We're going into the river!" yelled Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>Tom jammed on the brakes and shut off the current. The auto +came to a sudden stop. The young inventor turned the searchlight +downward, to illuminate the ground directly in front of the car.</p> + +<p>"Are we in the river?" asked Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"No," replied Tom in great chagrin. "We're in a muddy ditch. +One at the side of the road. Wheels in over the hubs! There +should have been a guard rail here. We're stuck for fair!"</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> <h2>THE POWER GONE</h2> + + +<p>"Bless my overshoes!" cried Mr. Damon. "Stuck in the mud, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Hard and fast," added Tom, in disgust.</p> + +<p>"What's to be done?" inquired Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"I should say we'll have to stay here until daylight, and wait +for some other auto to come along and pull us out," was Mr. +Damon's opinion. "It's might unpleasant, too, for there doesn't +seem to be any place around here where we can spend the night in +any kind of comfort. If we had the submarine or the airship, now, +it wouldn't so much matter."</p> + +<p>"No, and this won't matter a great deal," remarked the young +inventor quickly. "We'll soon be out of this, but it will be hard +work."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" asked Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"I mean that we've got to pull ourselves out of this mud hole," +explained the lad, as he prepared to descend. "I was afraid +something like this would happen, so I came prepared for it. I've +got ropes and pulleys with me, in the car. We'll fasten the rope +to the machine, attach one pulley to the bridge, another to the +car, and I guess we can get out of the mud. We'll try, anyhow."</p> + +<p>"Well, I must say you looked pretty far ahead," complimented +Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>From a box under the tonneau Tom took out a thin but strong +rope and two compound pulleys, which would enable considerable +force to be applied. Mr. Sharp detached one of the powerful oil +lamps, and the three travelers took a look at the auto. It was +indeed deep in the mud and it seemed like a hopeless task to try +to get it out unaided. But Tom insisted that they could do it, +and the rope was soon attached, the hook of one pulley being +slipped around one of the braces of the bridge.</p> + +<p>"Now, all together!" cried the lad, as he and his friends +grasped the long rope. They gave a great heave. At first it +seemed like pulling on a stone wall. The rope strained and the +pulleys creaked.</p> + +<p>"I—guess—we—will—pull—the—bridge—over!" +gasped Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"Something's got to give way!" puffed Tom. "Now, once more! All +together!"</p> + +<p>Suddenly they felt the rope moving. The pulleys creaked still +more and, by the light of the lamp, they could see that the auto +was slowly being pulled backward, out of the mud, and onto the +hard road. In a few minutes it was ready to proceed again.</p> + +<p>The rope and pulleys were put away, and, after Tom had made an +examination of the car to see that it had sustained no damage, +they were off again, making good time to the hotel in Burgfield, +where they spent the night. They had an early breakfast, and, as +Tom went out to the barn to look at his car, he saw it surrounded +by a curious throng of men and boys. One of the boys was turning +some of the handles and levers.</p> + +<p>"Here! Quit that!" yelled Tom, and the meddlesome lad leaped +down in fright. "Do you want to start the car and have it smash +into something?" demanded the young inventor.</p> + +<p>"Aw, nothin' happened," retorted the lad. "I pulled every +handle on it, an' it didn't move."</p> + +<p>"Good reason," murmured Tom, for he had taken the precaution to +remove a connecting plug, without which the machine could not be +started.</p> + +<p>The three were soon under way again, and covered many miles +over the fine country roads, the weather conditions being +delightful. On inquiry they found that by taking an infrequently +used highway, they could save several miles. It was over an +unoccupied part of country, rather wild and desolate, but they +did not mind that.</p> + +<p>They were whizzing along, talking of Tom's chances for winning +the race when, after climbing a slight grade, the auto came to a +sudden stop on the summit.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Mr. Sharp. "Why are you stopping +here, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't stop," was the surprising answer, and the lad shoved +the starting lever back and forth.</p> + +<p>But there was no response. There was no hum from the motor. The +machine was "dead."</p> + +<p>"That's queer," murmured the young inventor</p> + +<p>"Maybe a fuse blew out," suggested Mr. Damon, that seeming to +be his favorite form of trouble.</p> + +<p>"If it had you'd have known it," remarked Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"There's plenty of current in the battery, according to the +registering gauge," murmured the lad. "I can't understand it." He +reversed the current, thinking the wires might have become +crossed, but the machine would move neither backward nor forward, +yet the dial indicated that there was enough power stored away to +send it a hundred miles or more.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the dial hand has become caught," suggested Mr. Sharp. +"That sometimes happens on a steam gauge, and indicates a high +pressure when there isn't any. Hit it slightly, and see if the +hand swings back."</p> + +<p>Tom did so. At once the hand fell to zero, indicating that +there was not an ampere of current left. The battery was +exhausted, but this fact had not been indicated on the gauge.</p> + +<p>"I see now!" cried Tom. "It was those fellows at the hotel +barn! They monkeyed with the mechanism, short circuited the +battery, and jammed the gauge so I couldn't tell when my power +was gone. If I had known there wasn't enough to carry us I could +have recharged the battery at the hotel. But I figured that I had +enough current for the entire trip, and so there would have been, +if it hadn't leaked away. Now we're in a pretty pickle."</p> + +<p>"Bless my hat band!" cried Mr. Damon. "Does that mean we can't +move?"</p> + +<p>"Guess that's about it," answered Mr. Sharp, and Tom nodded.</p> + +<p>"Well, why can't we go on to some place where they sell +electricity, and get enough to take us where we want to go?" +asked the odd character, whose ideas of machinery were somewhat +hazy.</p> + +<p>"The only trouble is we can't carry the heavy car with us," +replied Tom. "It's too big to pick up and take to a charging +station."</p> + +<p>"Then we've got to wait until some one comes along with a team +of horses, and tows us in," commented Mr. Sharp. "And that will +be some time, on this lonely road."</p> + +<p>Tom shook his head despondently. He went all over the car +again, but was forced to the first conclusion, that the reserve +current had leaked away, in consequence of the meddling prank of +the youth at the hotel. The situation was far from pleasant, and +the delay would seriously interfere with their plans.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, as Tom was pacing up and down the road, he heard from +afar, a peculiar humming sound. He paused to listen.</p> + +<p>"Trolley car," observed Mr. Sharp. "Maybe one of us could go +somewhere on the trolley and get help. There it is," and he +pointed to the electric vehicle, moving along about half a mile +away, at the foot of a gentle slope.</p> + +<p>At the sight of the car Tom uttered a cry. "I have it!" he +exclaimed. "None of us need go for help! It's right at hand!" +His companions looked curiously, as the young inventor pointed +triumphantly to the fast disappearing electric.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> <h2>ON THE TRACK</h2> + +<p>"What do you mean?" asked Mr. Damon. "Will the electric trolley +pull us to a charging station?"</p> + +<p>"No, we'll not need to go to a station," answered the youth. +"If we can get my car to the trolley tracks I can charge my +battery from there. And I think we can push the auto near enough. +It's down hill, and I've got a long wire so we won't have to go +too close."</p> + +<p>"Good!" cried Mr. Sharp. "But attach the rope to the front of +the car, Tom. Mr. Damon and I will pull it. You'll have to ride +in it to steer it."</p> + +<p>"We can take turns at riding," was Tom's answer, for he did not +want his companions to do all the work.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! You ride," said Mr. Damon. "You're lighter than we +are, and can steer better. It won't be any trouble at all to pull +this car down hill."</p> + +<p>It proved to be an easy task, and in a short time the "dead" +auto was near enough to the electric line to permit Tom to run +his charging wire over to it.</p> + +<p>"Why bless my soul!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, looking up. "There's +no overhead trolley wire. The car must run on storage batteries."</p> + +<p>"Third rail, more likely," was the opinion of Mr. Sharp and so +it proved.</p> + +<p>"I can charge from either the third rail or the trolley wire," +declared Tom, who was insulating his hands in rubber gloves, and +getting his wires ready. In a short time he had the proper +connections made, and the much-needed current was soon flowing +into the depleted battery, or batteries, for there were several +sets, though the whole source of motive power was usually +referred to as a "storage battery."</p> + +<p>"How long will it take?" asked Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"About two hours," answered the lad. "We'll probably have to +disconnect our wires several times, whenever a trolley car comes +past. By my system I can recharge the battery very quickly.</p> + +<p>"Do you suppose the owners of the road will make any +objection?" asked the balloonist.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to pay for the current I use," explained the young +inventor. "I have a meter which tells how much I take."</p> + +<p>The hum of an approaching car was heard, and Tom took the wires +from the third rail. The car came to a stop opposite the +automobile, the passengers, as well as the crew, looking +curiously at the queer racing machine. Tom explained to the +conductor what was going on, and asked the fare-collector to +notify those in charge of the power station that all current used +would be paid for. The conductor said this would be satisfactory, +he was sure, and the car proceeded, Tom resuming the charging of +his battery.</p> + +<p>Allowing plenty of reserve power to accumulate, and making sure +that the gauge would not stick again, and deceive him, the owner +of the speedy electric was soon ready to proceed again. They had +been delayed a little over three hours, for they had to make +several shifts, as the cars came past.</p> + +<p>They reached their shore cottage late that night, and, after +seeing that the runabout was safely locked in the big shed where +the submarine had been built, they all went to bed, for they were +very tired.</p> + +<p>Tom sent word, the next day, to the managers of the race, that +he would be on hand at the time stipulated, and announced that he +had made part of the trip, as required, under the power of the +auto itself.</p> + +<p>The next day was spent in overhauling the machinery, tightening +up some loose bearings, oiling different parts, and further +charging the battery. Tires were looked to, and the ones on the +spare wheels were gone over to prepare for any emergency that +might arise when the race was started.</p> + +<p>On the third day, Tom, Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon, leaving the +cottage completed the trip to Havenford, Long Island, where the +new track had been constructed.</p> + +<p>They reached the place shortly before noon, and, if they had +been unaware of the location they could not have missed it, for +there were many autos speeding along the road toward the scene of +the race, which would take place the following day.</p> + +<p>Several electric cars passed Tom and his friends, whizzing +swiftly by, but the young inventor was not going to show off his +speed until the time came. Besides, he did not want to run any +risks of an accident. But some of the contestants seemed anxious +for impromptu "brushes," and more than one called to our hero to +"speed up and let's see what she can do." But Tom smiled, and +shook his head.</p> + +<p>There were many gasolene and some steam autos going out to the +new track, which was considered a remarkable piece of +engineering. It was in the shape of an octagon, and the turns +were considered very safe. It was a five mile track, and to +complete the race it would be necessary to make a hundred +circuits.</p> + +<p>Through scores of autos Tom and his friends threaded their way, +the young inventor keeping a watchful eye on the various types of +machine with which he would soon have to compete.</p> + +<p>There were many kinds. Some were larger and some smaller than +his. Many obviously carried very large batteries, but whether +they had the speed or not was another question. Some, in spurts, +seemed to Tom, to be fully as fast as his own, and he began to +have some doubts whether he would win the race.</p> + +<p>"But I'm not going to give up until the five hundredth mile is +finished," he thought, grimly.</p> + +<p>They were now in sight of the track, and noted many machines +speeding around it.</p> + +<p>"Go on in and try your car, Tom," urged Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"Yes, do," added Mr. Damon. "Let's see how it travels."</p> + +<p>"I will, after I notify the proper officials that I have +arrived," decided the lad.</p> + +<p>The formalities were soon complied with. Tom received his entry +card, after paying the fee, made affidavit that he had completed +the entire trip from home under his own power, save for the +little stretch when the car was pulled, which did not count +against him, and was soon ready to go on the track. Only electric +cars were allowed there.</p> + +<p>As the young inventor guided his latest effort in the machine +line onto the big track there were murmurs of surprise from the +throngs.</p> + +<p>"That's a queer machine," said one.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but it looks speedy," was another's opinion.</p> + +<p>"There's the car for my money," added a third, pointing to a +big red electric which was certainly whizzing around the track. +Tom noted the red car. Behind it was a green one, also moving at +a fast rate of speed.</p> + +<p>"Those will be my nearest rivals," thought the lad, as he +guided his car onto the track. A moment later he was sending the +auto ahead at moderate speed, while the other contestants looked +at the new arrival, as if trying to discover whether in it they +would have a dangerous competitor.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2> <h2>WINNING THE PRIZE</h2> + + +<p>After making two circuits of the track at moderate speed, Tom +turned on more power, deciding to see how the machine would +behave on the turns, going at a fast speed. As it happened he +forged ahead just as the big red car was coming up behind him. +The driver of it took this for a challenge and threw his +controller handle forward.</p> + +<p>"Come on!" he cried to our hero, when even with him.</p> + +<p>Tom did not want to decline the invitation, and the impromptu +race was under way. Soon the green car came rushing up, and for +two miles the three kept almost in line. It was evident that +neither the green nor the red car drivers wanted to "open out," +until they saw Tom do so.</p> + +<p>He was willing to oblige them, and suddenly increased his +speed. They did the same, and went ahead of him. Then Tom turned +on a little more juice and got the lead, but the two men were +right after him, and they see-sawed like this for two more miles. +Then, with a cry the man in the red car, with a sudden burst of +speed, left Tom and the green car behind. The green car was soon +up to its rival, but Tom decided he would not spurt.</p> + +<p>The lad and his friends spent the early part of the night in +making a final inspection of the machinery, finding it in good +order. Then, with his head filled with visions of the race on the +morrow Tom went to bed. He had made inquiries, by telephone, of +the friends of Miss Nestor, and learned that she had not arrived. +Tom felt a distinct sense of disappointment.</p> + +<p>The day of the race could not have been better. It was ideal +weather, and conditions at the track were just right. Tom was up +early, and went over every inch of his car with a nervous dread +that he might find something the matter.</p> + +<p>The final details of the race were completed, and the entrants +given their numbers and places. Tom drew a good position, not the +best, but he had no reason to complain. Half an hour before the +start he again telephoned to see if Miss Nestor had arrived, but +she had not, and it was with rather gloomy thoughts that the lad +entered his car, in which Mr. Sharp had already taken his place. +Mr. Damon went to the grandstand to watch the race.</p> + +<p>"I wanted Mary to see me win," thought our hero, for he had +grimly set his mind on coming in ahead.</p> + +<p>There was a great crowd in the grandstand and scattered about +the big track, which took in a large extent of territory. In +spite of its size—five miles around—it seemed solidly +packed for the entire length with autos, containing gay parties +who had come to see the electric contest. There was a band +playing gay airs, as Tom guided his machine through the entrance +gate, and onto the track.</p> + +<p>The judges made their final inspection. There were twenty cars +entered, but it was obvious that some of them would not last +long, as their battery capacity was not large enough. Their +owners might have relied on recharging, but how they could do +this under the usual slow system, and hope to win, Tom could not +see. He hoped to run the entire distance on the single charge, +but, if by some accident part of his current should leak away, +his battery could be charged in a short time, by means of his new +system, to run for a considerable distance, or he could install a +new one already charged, for he had two sets on hand. Tom glanced +over the cars of his competitors. They were to be sent away in +batches, the affair being a handicap one, with time allowance for +the smaller powered cars. Tom noted that his car and the red and +the green ones were in the same bunch. Tom's car was purple.</p> + +<p>"Are you all ready?" asked the starter of the first group of +races.</p> + +<p>"Ready," was the low-voiced response.</p> + +<p>"Crack!" went the pistol, and there followed the hum of the +motors as the current set the mechanism to work. Forward went the +cars, amid the crash of the band and the cheers of the crowd. The +big race was under way.</p> + +<p>"Do you feel nervous, Tom?" asked Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"Not a bit," replied the lad.</p> + +<p>Around and around the track flew the speedy electrics. It was +evident that the holding of a meet solely for cars of this +character had brought out many new ideas that would be to the +benefit of the industry. Some cars were "freaks" and others, like +Tom's, showed a distinct advance over previous styles of +construction.</p> + +<p>A five-hundred mile race around a track is rather a monotonous +affair, except for what happens, and things very soon began to +happen at this race.</p> + +<p>As Tom had expected, several of the machines were forced to +withdraw. Tire troubles beset some, and others found that they +were hopelessly out of it because of low power, or lack of +battery capacity.</p> + +<p>Tom determined not to let the red or the green car gain any +advantage over him, and so he watched those two vehicles +narrowly. On the other hand, the red and the green electrics were +evidently afraid of one another and of Tom.</p> + +<p>They all three kept pretty much together for the first thirty +miles. By this time the race had settled down into a steady +grind. There was some excitement when the steering gear of one +car broke, and it crashed Into the fence, injuring the driver, +but the race went on.</p> + +<p>The young inventor was holding his own with his two chief +rivals, and was feeling rather proud of his car, when there came +from it a report like a pistol shot.</p> + +<p>"Blow out!" yelled Tom desperately, steering to one of the +several repair stations on the inner side of the track. "Be ready +with the extra wheel, Mr. Sharp!"</p> + +<p>"Right you are!" cried the balloonist. The car was scarcely +stopped when he had leaped out, and had the lifting jack under +the left rear wheel, where the tire had gone to the bad. He and +Tom labored like Trojans to take off the wheel, and put on the +other. They lost five minutes, and when they got under way again +the red and the green cars were three quarters of a lap ahead.</p> + +<p>"You've got to catch them!" declared Sharp firmly.</p> + +<p>But the red and the green car drivers saw their advantage, and +were determined to hold it. Tom could not catch them without +going his limit, and he did not want to do this just yet. +However, he had his opportunity when about two hundred miles had +been covered. Both the red and the green cars had tire troubles, +but the red one was delayed scarcely two minutes as there was a +corps of mechanics on hand to take off the defective wheel and +put on another. Still Tom regained his lost ground, and once more +the race between those three cars was even.</p> + +<p>In the rear of Tom's car Mr. Sharp was mending the blown-out +tire, though there was still one spare wheel on reserve. Tom, in +front, peered eagerly at the track. Nearly side by side raced the +red and the green cars, the latter somewhat to the rear.</p> + +<p>It was at the three hundred and fiftieth mile that Tom had +another blow-out. This time it took a little longer to change the +wheel, and the red and green cars gained a full lap on him. The +track was now so dusty that it was difficult to see the +contesting cars. Many had dropped out, and more were on the verge +of giving up.</p> + +<p>With the odds against him, Tom started in to regain the lost +ground. Narrowly he watched his electric power. Slowly he saw it +dropping. Would he have enough left to finish out the race? He +feared not. The hours were passing. Still there was a hundred +miles yet to go twenty circuits of the track. Some of the +spectators were getting weary and leaving. The band played +spasmodically.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Tom saw the red car shoot to one side of the track, +toward a charging station; The green car followed.</p> + +<p>"That's our cue!" cried the young inventor "We need a little +more 'juice' and now is the time to get it."</p> + +<p>The lad ran to the shed where his charging wires were, and they +were connected in a trice. He allowed twenty-five minutes for the +charging, as he knew with his improved battery he could get +enough current in that time to finish the contest. Before the red +and green car drivers had finished installing new batteries, for +they could not recharge as quickly as could our hero, Tom was on +the track again. But, in a little while, his two rivals were +after him.</p> + +<p>It was now a spectacular race. Around and around swept the +three big cars. All the others were practically out of it. The +crowd became lively airs. Mile after mile was reeled off. The day +was passing. Tired and covered with dust from the track, Tom +still sat at the steering wheel.</p> + +<p>"Two laps more!" cried Mr. Sharp, as the starter's pistol gave +this warning. "Can you get away from 'em, Tom?"</p> + +<p>The red and the green cars were following closely. The young +inventor looked back and nodded. He turned on more power, almost +to the limit—that he was saving for the final spurt. But after +him still came the two big cars. Suddenly the red car shot ahead, +just as the last lap was beginning. The green tried to follow, +but there was a flash of fire, a loud report, and Tom knew a fuse +had blown out. There was no time for his rival to put in a new +one. The race was now between Tom and the red car. Could the lad +catch and pass it?</p> + +<p>They were now only a mile from the finish. The red car was +three lengths ahead. With a quick motion Tom turned on the last +bit of power. There seemed to come a roar from his Motor and his +car shot ahead. It was on even terms with the red car when what +Tom had been fearing for the last five minutes happened: his fuse +blew out.</p> + +<p>"Too bad! It's all up with us!" cried Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"No!" cried Tom in a ringing voice. "I've got an emergency fuse +ready!" He snapped a switch in place, putting into commission +another fuse. The motor that had lost speed began to pick it up +again. Tom had pulled back the controller handle, but he now +shoved it forward again, notch by notch, until it was at the +limit. He had fallen back from the red car, and the occupants of +that, with a yell of triumph, prepared to cross the line a +winner.</p> + +<p>But, like a race horse that nerves himself for the last +desperate spurt, Tom's machine fairly leaped ahead. With his +hands gripping the rim of the steering wheel, until it seemed +that the bones of his fingers would protrude, Tom sent his car +straight for the finishing tape. There was a yell from the +spectators. Men were standing up, waving their hats and shouting. +Women were fairly screaming. Mr. Damon was blessing everything +within sight. Mr. Sharp, in his excitement, was pushing on the +back of the front seats as if to shove the car ahead.</p> + +<p>Then, as the pistol announced the close of the race, Tom's car, +with what seemed a mighty leap, like a hunter clearing a ditch, +forged ahead, and crossed the line a length in advance of the red +car. Tom Swift had Won.</p> + +<p>Amid the cheers of the crowd the lad slowed up, and, at the +direction of the judges, wheeled back to the stand, to receive +the prize. A certified check for three thousand dollars was +handed him, and he received the congratulations of the racing +officials. The driver of the red car also generously praised him.</p> + +<p>"You won fair and square," he said, shaking hands with Tom.</p> + +<p>The young inventor and his friends drove their car to their +shed. As Tom was descending, weary and begrimed with dust he +heard a voice asking:</p> + +<p>"Mayn't I congratulate you also?"</p> + +<p>He wheeled around, to confront Mary Nestor, immaculate in a +summer gown.</p> + +<p>"Why—why," he stammered. "I—I thought you didn't come."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes I did," she answered, laughing. "I wouldn't have +missed it for anything. I arrived late, but I saw the whole race. +Wasn't it glorious. I'm so glad you won!" Tom was too, now, but +he shrank back when Miss Nestor held out both daintily gloved +hands to him. His hands were covered with oil and dirt.</p> + +<p>"As if I cared for my gloves!" she cried, and she took +possession of his hands, a proceeding to which Tom was nothing +loath. "Are you going to race any more?" she asked, as he walked +along by her side, away from the gathering crowd.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," he replied. "My car is speedier than I thought +it was. Perhaps I may enter it in other contests."</p> + +<p>But what Tom Swift did later on will be told in another volume, +to be called, "Tom Swift and His Wireless Message; or, The +Castaways of Earthquake Island"—a strange tale of ship-wreck and +mystery.</p> + +<p>The run back home was made without incident, save for a broken +chain, easily repaired, the day following the race, and Tom later +received a number of invitations to give exhibitions of speed. +Several automobile manufacturers wanted to secure the rights to +his machine, but he said he desired to consider the matter before +acting. He did not forget his promise to Mrs. Baggert, regarding +the diamond earrings, and bought her the finest pair he could +find.</p> + +<p>"Come on, Mr. Sharp," proposed Tom, a week or so after the big +race, "let's go for a spin in the airship. I want to see how it +feels to be among the clouds once more," and they were soon +soaring aloft.</p> + +<p>The new bank, started by Mr. Foger, did not flourish long. It +closed its doors in less than six months, but the old institution +was stronger than ever. Mr. Berg disappeared, and Tom never +learned whether the agent really was the man he had chased, and +whose watch charm he tore loose, though he always had his +suspicions. Nor did it ever develop who crossed the electric +wires, so that Tom was so nearly fatally shocked. Andy Foger +disliked our hero more than ever, and on several occasions caused +him not a little trouble, but Tom was able to look after himself.</p> + + + + + +<h4>THE END</h4> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + + + +<p>This Isn't All!</p> + +<p>Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have +made in this book?</p> + +<p>Would you like to read other stories continuing their adventures +and experiences, or other books quite as entertaining by the same +author?</p> + +<p>On the reverse side of the wrapper which comes with this book, +you will find a wonderful list of stories which you can buy at +the same store where you got this book.</p> + +<p>Don't throw away the Wrapper</p> + +<p>Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want some day to have. +But in case you do mislay it, write to the Publishers for a +complete catalog.</p> + +<p> </p> +<h3>THE TOM SWIFT SERIES</h3> + +<h3>By VICTOR APPLETON</h3> + +<p>Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers, +Every Volume Complete in Itself.</p> + +<p>Every boy possesses some form of inventive genius. Tom Swift is +a bright, ingenious boy and his inventions and adventures make +the most interesting kind of reading.</p> + +<p>TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTORBOAT<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE<br /> +TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS<br /> +TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE<br /> +TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER<br /> +TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL<br /> +TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDER<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS WAR TANK<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR SCOUT<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS UNDERSEA SEARCH<br /> +TOM SWIFT AMONG THE FIRE FIGHTERS<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS FLYING BOAT<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT OIL GUSHER<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS CHEST OF SECRETS<br /> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRLINE EXPRESS</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>THE DON STURDY SERIES</h3> +<h3>By VICTOR APPLETON</h3> + +<p>Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations by +WALTER S. ROGERS</p> + +<p>Every Volume Complete in Itself.</p> + +<p>In the company with his uncles, one a mighty hunter and the other +a noted scientist, Don Sturdy travels far and wide, gaining much +useful knowledge and meeting many thrilling adventures.</p> + +<p>DON STURDY ON THE DESERT OF MYSTERY<br /> +An engrossing tale of the Sahara Desert, of encounters with +wild animals and crafty Arabs.</p> + +<p>DON STURDY WITH THE BIG SNAKE HUNTERS<br /> +Don's uncle, the hunter, took an order for some of the biggest +snakes to be found in South America—to be delivered alive!</p> + +<p>DON STURDY IN THE TOMBS OF GOLD<br /> +A fascinating tale of exploration and adventure in the Valley +of Kings in Egypt.</p> + +<p>DON STURDY ACROSS THE NORTH POLE<br /> +A great polar blizzard nearly wrecks the airship of the +explorers.</p> + +<p>DON STURDY IN THE LAND OF VOLCANOES<br /> +An absorbing tale of adventure among the volcanos of Alaska.</p> + +<p>DON STURDY IN THE PORT OF LOST SHIPS<br /> +This story is just full of exciting and fearful experiences on +the sea.</p> + +<p>DON STURDY AMONG THE GORILLAS<br /> +A thrilling story of adventure in darkest Africa. Don is +carried over a mighty waterfall into the heart of gorilla land.</p> + +<hr class="full" /> + + + +<pre>End of Project Gutenberg's Etext of Tom Swift And His Electric Runabout</pre> + + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/old/05tom10h.zip b/old/05tom10h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8fd8653 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/05tom10h.zip diff --git a/old/05tom10p.prc b/old/05tom10p.prc Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fe97db8 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/05tom10p.prc diff --git a/old/05tom10p.zip b/old/05tom10p.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f032ed9 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/05tom10p.zip diff --git a/old/05tom11l.lit b/old/05tom11l.lit Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c36b4c4 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/05tom11l.lit diff --git a/old/05tom11l.zip b/old/05tom11l.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..527e684 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/05tom11l.zip |