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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/951-h.zip b/951-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2dc63c6 --- /dev/null +++ b/951-h.zip diff --git a/951-h/951-h.htm b/951-h/951-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..55f1671 --- /dev/null +++ b/951-h/951-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8664 @@ +<!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 Sky Racer, +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 } + +PRE { font-size: 10pt; + font-family: "Courier New", serif; } + +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 Sky Racer, 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 Sky Racer + or, The Quickest Flight on Record + +Author: Victor Appleton + +Posting Date: July 13, 2008 [EBook #951] +Release Date: June, 1997 +Last updated: October 10, 2011 +Last updated: April 13, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER *** + + + + +Produced by Anthony Matonac. + + + + + +</pre> + + +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER +</H1> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +or +</H3> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +The Quickest Flight on Record +</H2> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +By +</H3> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +VICTOR APPLETON +</H2> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +CONTENTS +</H2> + +<TABLE ALIGN="center" WIDTH="80%"> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">I </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap01">The Prize Offer</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">II </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap02">Mr. Swift Is Ill</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">III </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap03">The Plans Disappear</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap04">Anxious Days</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">V </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap05">Building the Sky Racer</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap06">Andy Foger Will Contest</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap07">Seeking a Clue</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap08">The Empty Shed</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IX </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap09">A Trial Flight</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">X </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap10">A Midnight Intruder</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap11">Tom Is Hurt</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap12">Miss Nestor Calls</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap13">A Clash with Andy</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap14">The Great Test</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap15">A Noise in the Night</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap16">A Mysterious Fire</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap17">Mr. Swift Is Worse</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap18">The Broken Bridge</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIX </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap19">A Nervy Specialist</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XX </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap20">Just in Time</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXI </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap21">"Will He Live?"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap22">Off to the Meet</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIII </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap23">The Great Race</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap24">Won by a Length</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXV </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap25">Home Again—Conclusion</A></TD> +</TR> + +</TABLE> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap01"></A> +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER +</H1> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter One +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +The Prize Offer +</H3> + +<P> +"Is this Tom Swift, the inventor of several airships?" +</P> + +<P> +The man who had rung the bell glanced at the youth who answered his +summons. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I'm Tom Swift," was the reply. "Did you wish to see me?" +</P> + +<P> +"I do. I'm Mr. James Gunmore, secretary of the Eagle Park Aviation +Association. I had some correspondence with you about a prize contest +we are going to hold. I believe—" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes, I remember now," and the young inventor smiled pleasantly as +he opened wider the door of his home. "Won't you come in? My father +will be glad to see you. He is as much interested in airships as I am." +And Tom led the way to the library, where the secretary of the aviation +society was soon seated in a big, comfortable leather chair. +</P> + +<P> +"I thought we could do better, and perhaps come to some decision more +quickly, if I came to see you, than if we corresponded," went on Mr. +Gunmore. "I hope I haven't disturbed you at any of your inventions," +and the secretary smiled at the youth. +</P> + +<P> +"No. I'm through for to-day," replied Tom. "I'm glad to see you. I +thought at first it was my chum, Ned Newton. He generally runs over in +the evening." +</P> + +<P> +"Our society, as I wrote you, Mr. Swift, is planning to hold a very +large and important aviation meet at Eagle Park, which is a suburb of +Westville, New York State. We expect to have all the prominent +'bird-men' there, to compete for prizes, and your name was mentioned. I +wrote to you, as you doubtless recall, asking if you did not care to +enter." +</P> + +<P> +"And I think I wrote you that my big aeroplane-dirigible, the Red +Cloud, was destroyed in Alaska, during a recent trip we made to the +caves of ice there, after gold," replied Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, you did," admitted Mr. Gunmore, "and while our committee was very +sorry to hear that, we hoped you might have some other air craft that +you could enter at our meet. We want to make it as complete as +possible, and we all feel that it would not be so unless we had a Swift +aeroplane there." +</P> + +<P> +"It's very kind of you to say so," remarked Tom, "but since my big +craft was destroyed I really have nothing I could enter." +</P> + +<P> +"Haven't you an aeroplane of any kind? I made this trip especially to +get you to enter. Haven't you anything in which you could compete for +the prizes? There are several to be offered, some for distance flights, +some for altitude, and the largest, ten thousand dollars, for the +speediest craft. Ten thousand dollars is the grand prize, to be awarded +for the quickest flight on record." +</P> + +<P> +"I surely would like to try for that," said Tom, "but the only craft I +have is a small monoplane, the Butterfly, I call it, and while it is +very speedy, there have been such advances made in aeroplane +construction since I made mine that I fear I would be distanced if I +raced in her. And I wouldn't like that." +</P> + +<P> +"No," agreed Mr. Gunmore. "I suppose not. Still, I do wish we could +induce you to enter. I don't mind telling you that we consider you a +drawing-card. Can't we induce you, some way?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'm afraid not. I haven't any machine which—" +</P> + +<P> +"Look here!" exclaimed the secretary eagerly. "Why can't you build a +special aeroplane to enter in the next meet? You'll have plenty of +time, as it doesn't come off for three months yet. We are only making +the preliminary arrangements. It is now June, and the meet is scheduled +for early in September. Couldn't you build a new and speedy aeroplane +in that time?" +</P> + +<P> +Eagerly Mr. Gunmore waited for the answer. Tom Swift seemed to be +considering it. There was an increased brightness to his eyes, and one +could tell that he was thinking deeply. The secretary sought to clinch +his argument. +</P> + +<P> +"I believe, from what I have heard of your work in the past, that you +could build an aeroplane which would win the ten-thousand-dollar +prize," he went on. "I would be very glad if you did win it, and, so I +think, would be the gentlemen associated with me in this enterprise. It +would be fine to have a New York State youth win the grand prize. Come, +Tom Swift, build a special craft, and enter the contest!" +</P> + +<P> +As he paused for an answer footsteps were heard coming along the hall, +and a moment later an aged gentleman opened the door of the library. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! Excuse me, Tom," he said, "I didn't know you had company." And he +was about to withdraw. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't go, father," said Tom. "You will be as much interested in this +as I am. This is Mr. Gunmore, of the Eagle Park Aviation Association. +This is my father, Mr. Gunmore." +</P> + +<P> +"I've heard of you," spoke the secretary as he shook hands with the +aged inventor. "You and your son have made, in aeronautics, a name to +be proud of." +</P> + +<P> +"And he wants us to go still farther, dad," broke in the youth. "He +wants me to build a specially speedy aeroplane, and race for ten +thousand dollars." +</P> + +<P> +"Hum!" mused Mr. Swift. "Well, are you going to do it, Tom? Seems to me +you ought to take a rest. You haven't been back from your gold-hunting +trip to Alaska long enough to more than catch your breath, and now—" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, he doesn't have to go in this right away," eagerly explained Mr. +Gunmore. "There is plenty of time to make a new craft." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, Tom can do as he likes about it," said his father. "Do you think +you could build anything speedier than your Butterfly, son?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think so, father. That is, if you'd help me. I have a plan partly +thought out, but it will take some time to finish it. Still, I might +get it done in time." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope you'll try!" exclaimed the secretary. "May I ask whether it +would be a monoplane or a biplane?" +</P> + +<P> +"A monoplane, I think," answered Tom. "They are much more speedy than +the double-deckers, and if I'm going to try for the ten thousand +dollars I need the fastest machine I can build." +</P> + +<P> +"We have the promise of one or two very fast monoplanes for the meet," +went on Mr. Gunmore. "Would yours be of a new type?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think it would," was the reply of the young inventor. "In fact, I am +thinking of making a smaller monoplane than any that have yet been +constructed, and yet one that will carry two persons. The hardest work +will be to make the engine light enough and still have it sufficiently +powerful to make over a hundred miles an hour, if necessary. +</P> + +<P> +"A hundred miles an hour in a small monoplane! It isn't possible!" +cried the secretary. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll make better time than that," said Tom quietly, and with not a +trace of boasting in his tones. +</P> + +<P> +"Then you'll enter the meet?" asked Mr. Gunmore eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I'll think about it," promised Tom. "I'll let you know in a few +days. Meanwhile, I'll be thinking out the details for my new craft. I +have been going to build one ever since I got back, after having seen +my Red Cloud crushed in the ice cave. Now I think I had better begin +active work." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope you will soon let me know," resumed the secretary. "I'm going +to put you down as a possible contestant for the ten-thousand-dollar +prize. That can do no harm, and I hope you win it. I trust—" +</P> + +<P> +He paused suddenly, and listened. So did Tom Swift and his father, for +they all distinctly heard stealthy footsteps under the open windows of +the library. +</P> + +<P> +"Some one is out there, listening," said Tom in low tones. +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps it's Eradicate Sampson," suggested Mr. Swift, referring to the +eccentric colored man who was employed by the inventor and his son to +help around the place. "Very likely it was Eradicate, Tom." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think so," was the lad's answer. "He went to the village a +while ago, and said he wouldn't be back until late to-night. He had to +get some medicine for his mule, Boomerang, who is sick. No, it wasn't +Eradicate; but some one was under that window, trying to hear what we +said." +</P> + +<P> +As he spoke in guarded tones, Tom went softly to the casement and +looked out. He could observe nothing, as the night was dark, and the +new moon, which had been shining, was now dimmed by clouds. +</P> + +<P> +"See anything?" asked Mr. Gunmore as he advanced to Tom's side. +</P> + +<P> +"No," was the low answer. "I can't hear anything now, either." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll go speak to Mrs. Baggert, the housekeeper," volunteered Mr. +Swift. "Perhaps it was she, or she may know something about it." +</P> + +<P> +He started from the room, and as he went Tom noticed, with something of +a start, that his father appeared older that night than he had ever +looked before. There was a trace of pain on the face of the aged +inventor, and his step was lagging. +</P> + +<P> +"I guess dad needs a rest and doctoring up," thought the young inventor +as he turned the electric chandelier off by a button on the wall, in +order to darken the room, so that he might peer out to better +advantage. "I think he's been working too hard on his wireless motor. +I must get Dr. Gladby to come over and see dad. But now I want to find +out who that was under this window." +</P> + +<P> +Once more Tom looked out. The moon had emerged from behind a thin bank +of clouds, and gave a little light. +</P> + +<P> +"See anything?" asked Mr. Gunmore cautiously. +</P> + +<P> +"No," whispered the youth, for it being a warm might, the windows were +open top and bottom, a screen on the outside keeping out mosquitoes and +other insects. "I can't see a thing," went on Tom, "but I'm sure—" +</P> + +<P> +He paused suddenly. As he spoke there sounded a rustling in the +shrubbery a little distance from the window. +</P> + +<P> +"There's something!" exclaimed Mr. Gunmore. +</P> + +<P> +"I see!" answered the young inventor. +</P> + +<P> +Without another word he softly opened the screen, and then, stooping +down to get under the lower sash (for the windows in the library ran +all the way to the floor), Tom dropped out of the casement upon the +thick grass. +</P> + +<P> +As he did so he was aware of a further movement in the bushes. They +were violently agitated, and a second later a dark object sprang from +them and sprinted along the path. +</P> + +<P> +"Here! Who are you? Hold on!" cried the young inventor. +</P> + +<P> +But the figure never halted. Tom sprang forward, determined to see who +it was, and, if possible, capture him. +</P> + +<P> +"Hold on!" he cried again. There was no answer. +</P> + +<P> +Tom was a good runner, and in a few seconds he had gained on the +fugitive, who could just be seen in the dim light from the crescent +moon. +</P> + +<P> +"I've got you!" cried Tom. +</P> + +<P> +But he was mistaken, for at that instant his foot caught on the +outcropping root of a tree, and the young inventor went flat on his +face. +</P> + +<P> +"Just my luck!" he cried. +</P> + +<P> +He was quickly on his feet again, and took after the fugitive. The +latter glanced back, and, as it happened, Tom had a good look at his +face. He almost came to a stop, so startled was he. +</P> + +<P> +"Andy Foger!" he exclaimed as he recognized the bully who had always +proved himself such an enemy of our hero. "Andy Foger sneaking under my +windows to hear what I had to say about my new aeroplane! I wonder what +his game can be? I'll soon find out!" +</P> + +<P> +Tom was about to resume the chase, when he lost sight of the figure. A +moment later he heard the puffing of an automobile, as some one cranked +it up. +</P> + +<P> +"It's too late!" exclaimed Tom. "There he goes in his car!" And knowing +it would be useless to keep up the chase, the youth turned back toward +his house. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap02"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Two +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Mr. Swift is Ill +</H3> + +<P> +"Who was it?" asked Mr. Gunmore as Tom again entered the library. "A +friend of yours?" +</P> + +<P> +"Hardly a friend," replied Tom grimly. "It was a young fellow who has +made lots of trouble for me in the past, and who, lately, with his +father, tried to get ahead of me and some friends of mine in locating a +gold claim in Alaska. I don't know what he's up to now, but certainly +it wasn't any good. He's got nerve, sneaking up under our windows!" +</P> + +<P> +"What do you think was his object?" +</P> + +<P> +"It would be hard to say." +</P> + +<P> +"Can't you find him to-morrow, and ask him?" +</P> + +<P> +"There's not much satisfaction in that. The less I have to do with Andy +Foger the better I'm satisfied. Well, perhaps it's just as well I fell, +and couldn't catch him. There would have been a fight, and I don't want +to worry dad any more than I can help. He hasn't been very well of +late." +</P> + +<P> +"No, he doesn't look very strong," agreed the secretary. "But I hope he +doesn't get sick, and I hope no bad consequences result from the +eavesdropping of this Foger fellow." +</P> + +<P> +Tom started for the hall, to get a brush with which to remove some of +the dust gathered in his chase after Andy. As he opened the library +door to go out Mr. Swift came in again. +</P> + +<P> +"I saw Mrs. Baggert, Tom," he said. "She wasn't out under the window, +and, as you said, Eradicate isn't about. His mule is in the barn, so it +couldn't have been the animal straying around." +</P> + +<P> +"No, dad. It was Andy Foger." +</P> + +<P> +"Andy Foger!" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. I couldn't catch him. But you'd better go lie down, father. It's +getting late, and you look tired." +</P> + +<P> +"I am tired, Tom, and I think I'll go to bed. Have you finished your +arrangements with Mr. Gunmore?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I guess we've gone as far as we can until I invent the new +aeroplane," replied Tom, with a smile. +</P> + +<P> +"Then you'll really enter the meet?" asked the secretary eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +"I think I will," decided Tom. "The prize of ten thousand dollars is +worth trying for, and besides that, I'll be glad to get to work again +on a speedy craft. Yes, I'll enter the meet." +</P> + +<P> +"Good!" exclaimed Mr. Gunmore, shaking hands with the young inventor. +"I didn't have my trip for nothing, then. I'll go back in the morning +and report to the committee that I've been successful. I am greatly +obliged to you." +</P> + +<P> +He left the Swift home, after refusing Tom's invitation to remain all +night, and went to his hotel. Tom then insisted that his father retire. +</P> + +<P> +As for the young inventor, he was not satisfied with the result of his +attempt to catch Andy Foger. He had no idea why the bully was hiding +under the library window, but Tom surmised that some mischief might be +afoot. +</P> + +<P> +"Sam Snedecker or Pete Bailey, the two cronies of Andy, may still be +around here, trying to play some trick on me," mused Tom. "I think I'll +take a look outside." And taking a stout cane from the umbrella rack, +the youth sallied forth into the yard and extensive grounds surrounding +his house. +</P> + +<P> +While he is thus looking for possible intruders we will tell you a +little more about him than has been possible since the call of the +aviation secretary. +</P> + +<P> +Tom Swift lived with his father, Barton Swift, in the town of Shopton, +New York State. The young man had followed in the footsteps of his +parent, and was already an inventor of note. +</P> + +<P> +Their home was presided over by Mrs. Baggert, as housekeeper, since +Mrs. Swift had been dead several years. In addition, there was Garret +Jackson, an engineer, who aided Tom and his father, and Eradicate +Sampson, an odd colored man, who, with his mule, Boomerang, worked +about the place. +</P> + +<P> +In the first volume of this series, entitled "Tom Swift and his +Motor-Cycle," here was related how he came to possess that machine. A +certain Mr. Wakefield Damon, an eccentric gentleman, who was always +blessing himself, or something about him, owned the cycle, but he came +to grief on it, and sold it to Tom very cheaply. +</P> + +<P> +Tom had a number of adventures on the wheel, and, after having used the +motor to save a valuable patent model from a gang of unscrupulous men, +the lad acquired possession of a power boat, in which he made several +trips, and took part in many exciting happenings. +</P> + +<P> +Some time later, in company with John Sharp, an aeronaut, whom Tom had +rescued from Lake Carlopa, after the airman had nearly lost his life in +a burning balloon, the young inventor made a big airship, called the +Red Cloud. With Mr. Damon, Tom made several trips in this craft, as set +forth in the book, "Tom Swift and His Airship." +</P> + +<P> +It was after this that Tom and his father built a submarine boat, and +went under the ocean for sunken treasure, and, following that trip Tom +built a speedy electric runabout, and by a remarkable run in that, with +Mr. Damon, saved a bank from ruin, bringing gold in time to stave off a +panic. +</P> + +<P> +"Tom Swift and His Wireless Message" told of the young inventor's plan +to save the castaways of Earthquake Island, and how he accomplished it +by constructing a wireless plant from the remains of the wrecked +airship Whizzer. After Tom got back from Earthquake Island he went with +Mr. Barcoe Jenks, whom he met on the ill-fated bit of land, to discover +the secret of the diamond makers. They found the mysterious men, but +the trip was not entirely successful, for the mountain containing the +cave where the diamonds were made was destroyed by a lightning shock, +just as Mr. Parker, a celebrated scientist, who accompanied the party, +said it would be. +</P> + +<P> +But his adventure in seeking to discover the secret of making precious +stones did not satisfy Tom Swift, and when he and his friends got back +from the mountains they prepared to go to Alaska to search for gold in +the caves of ice. They were almost defeated in their purpose by the +actions of Andy Foger and his father, who in an under-hand manner, got +possession of a valuable map, showing the location of the gold, and +made a copy of the drawing. +</P> + +<P> +Then, when Tom and his friends set off in the Red Cloud, as related in +"Tom Swift in the Caves of Ice," the Fogers, in another airship, did +likewise. But Tom and his party were first on the scene, and +accomplished their purpose, though they had to fight the savage +Indians. The airship was wrecked in a cave of ice, that collapsed on +it, and the survivors had desperate work getting away from the frozen +North. +</P> + +<P> +Tom had been home all the following winter and spring, and he had done +little more than work on some small inventions, when a new turn was +given his thoughts and energies by a visit from Mr. Gunmore, as +narrated in the first chapter of the present volume. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I guess no one is here," remarked the young inventor as he +completed the circuit of the grounds and walked slowly back toward the +house. "I think I scared Andy so that he won't come back right away. He +had the laugh on me, though, when I stumbled and fell." +</P> + +<P> +As Tom proceeded he heard some one approaching, around the path at the +side of the house. +</P> + +<P> +"Who's there?" he called quickly, taking a firmer grasp of his stick. +</P> + +<P> +"It's me, Massa Swift," was the response. "I jest come back from town. +I got some peppermint fo' mah mule, Boomerang, dat's what I got." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! It's you, is it, Rad?" asked the youth in easier tones. +</P> + +<P> +"Dat's who it am. Did yo' t'ink it were some un else?" +</P> + +<P> +"I did," replied Tom. "Andy Foger has been sneaking around. Keep your +eyes open the rest of the night, Rad." +</P> + +<P> +"I will, Massa Tom." +</P> + +<P> +The youth went into the house, having left word with the engineer, Mr. +Jackson, to be on the alert for anything suspicious. +</P> + +<P> +"And now I guess I'll go to bed, and make an early start to-morrow +morning, planning my new aeroplane," mused Tom. "I'm going to make the +speediest craft of the air ever seen!" +</P> + +<P> +As he started toward his room Tom Swift heard the voice of the +housekeeper calling to him: +</P> + +<P> +"Tom! Oh, Tom! Come here, quickly!" +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter?" he asked, in vague alarm. +</P> + +<P> +"Something has happened to your father!" was the startling reply. "He's +fallen down, and is unconscious! Come quickly! Send for the doctor!" +</P> + +<P> +Tom fairly ran toward his father's room. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap03"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Three +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +The Plans Disappear +</H3> + +<P> +Mr. Swift was lying on the floor, where he had fallen, in front of his +bed, as he was preparing to retire. There was no mark of injury upon +him, and at first, as he knelt down at his father's side, Tom was at a +loss to account for what had taken place. +</P> + +<P> +"How did it happen? When was it?" he asked of Mrs. Baggert, as he held +up his father's head, and noted that the aged man was breathing +slightly. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know what happened, Tom," answered the housekeeper, "but I +heard him fall, and ran upstairs, only to find him lying there, just +like that. Then I called you. Hadn't you better have a doctor?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; we'll need one at once. Send Eradicate. Tell him to run—not to +wait for his mule—Boomerang is too slow. Oh, no! The telephone, of +course! Why didn't I think of that at first? Please telephone for Dr. +Gladby, Mrs. Baggert. Ask him to come as soon as possible, and then +tell Garret Jackson to step here. I'll have him help me get father into +bed." +</P> + +<P> +The housekeeper hastened to the instrument, and was soon in +communication with the physician, who promised to call at once. The +engineer was summoned from another part of the house, and then +Eradicate was aroused. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Baggert had the colored man help her get some kettles of hot water +in readiness for possible use by the doctor. Mr. Jackson aided Tom to +lift Mr. Swift up on the bed, and they got off some of his clothes. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll try to see if I can revive him with a little aromatic spirits of +ammonia," decided Tom, as he noticed that his father was still +unconscious. He hastened to prepare the strong spirits, while he was +conscious of a feeling of fear and alarm, mingled with sadness. +</P> + +<P> +Suppose his father should die? Tom could not bear to think of that. He +would be left all alone, and how much he would miss the companionship +and comradeship of his father none but himself knew. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! but I mustn't think he's going to die!" exclaimed the youth, as he +mixed the medicine. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Swift feebly opened his eyes after Tom and Mr. Jackson had +succeeded in forcing some of the ammonia between his lips. +</P> + +<P> +"Where am I? What happened?" asked the aged inventor faintly. +</P> + +<P> +"We don't know, exactly," spoke Tom softly. "You are ill, father. I've +sent for the doctor. He'll fix you up. He'll be here soon." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I'm—I'm ill," murmured the aged man. "Something hurts me—here," +and he put his hand over his heart. +</P> + +<P> +Tom felt a nameless sense of fear. He wished now that he had insisted +on his parent consulting a physician some time before, when Mr. Swift +first complained of a minor ailment. Perhaps now it was too late. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! when will that doctor come?" murmured Tom impatiently. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Baggert, who was nervously going in and out of the room, again +went to the telephone. +</P> + +<P> +"He's on his way," the housekeeper reported. "His wife said he just +started out in his auto." +</P> + +<P> +Dr. Gladby hurried into the room a little later, and cast a quick look +at Mr. Swift, who had again lapsed into unconsciousness. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you think he—think he's going to die?" faltered Tom. He was no +longer the self-reliant young inventor. He could meet danger bravely +when it threatened himself alone, but when his father was stricken he +seemed to lose all courage. +</P> + +<P> +"Die? Nonsense!" exclaimed the doctor heartily. "He's not dead yet, at +all events, and while there's life there's hope. I'll soon have him out +of this spell." +</P> + +<P> +It was some little time, however, before Mr. Swift again opened his +eyes, but he seemed to gain strength from the remedies which Dr. Gladby +administered, and in about an hour the inventor could sit up. +</P> + +<P> +"But you must be careful," cautioned the physician. "Don't overdo +yourself. I'll be in again in the morning, and now I'll leave you some +medicine, to be taken every two hours." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I feel much better," said Mr. Swift, and his voice certainly +seemed stronger. "I can't imagine what happened. I came upstairs, after +Tom had received a visit from the minister, and that's all I remember." +</P> + +<P> +"The minister, father!" exclaimed Tom, in great amazement. "The +minister wasn't here this evening! That was Mr. Gunmore, the aviation +secretary. Don't you remember?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't remember any gentleman like that calling here to-night," Mr. +Swift said blankly. "It was the minister, I'm sure, Tom." +</P> + +<P> +"The minister was here last night, Mr. Swift," said the housekeeper. +</P> + +<P> +"Was he? Why, it seems like to-night. And I came upstairs after talking +to him, and then it all got black, and—and—" +</P> + +<P> +"There, now; don't try to think," advised the doctor. "You'll be all +right in the morning." +</P> + +<P> +"But I can't remember anything about that aviation man," protested Mr. +Swift. "I never used to be that way—forgetting things. I don't like +it!" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, it's just because you're tired," declared the physician. "It will +all come back to you in the morning. I'll stop in and see you then. Now +try to go to sleep." And he left the room. +</P> + +<P> +Tom followed him, Mrs. Baggert and Mr. Jackson remaining with the sick +man. +</P> + +<P> +"What is the matter with my father, Dr. Gladby?" asked Tom earnestly, +as the doctor prepared to take his departure. "Is it anything serious?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well," began the medical man, "I would not be doing my duty, Tom, if I +did not tell you what it is. That is, it is comparatively serious, but +it is curable, and I think we can bring him around. He has an affection +of the heart, that, while it is common enough, is sometimes fatal. +</P> + +<P> +"But I do not think it will be so in your father's case. He has a fine +constitution, and this would never have happened had he not been run +down from overwork. That is the principal trouble. What he needs is +rest; and then, with the proper remedies, he will be as well as before." +</P> + +<P> +"But that strange lapse of memory, doctor?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, that is nothing. It is due to the fact that he has been using his +brain too much. The brain protests, and refuses to work until rested. +Your father has been working rather hard of late hasn't he?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; on a new wireless motor." +</P> + +<P> +"I thought so. Well, a good rest is what he needs, and then his mind +and body will be in tune again. I'll be around in the morning." +</P> + +<P> +Tom was somewhat relieved by the doctor's words, but not very much so, +and he spent an anxious night, getting up every two hours to administer +the medicine. Toward morning Mr. Swift fell into a heavy sleep, and did +not awaken for some time. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, you're much better!" declared Dr. Gladby when he saw his patient +that day. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I feel better," admitted Mr. Swift. +</P> + +<P> +"And can't you remember about Mr. Gunmore calling?" asked Tom. +</P> + +<P> +The aged inventor shook his head, with a puzzled air. +</P> + +<P> +"I can't remember it at all," he said. "The minister is the last person +I remember calling here." +</P> + +<P> +Tom looked worried, but the physician said it was a common feature of +the disease from which Mr. Swift suffered, and would doubtless pass +away. +</P> + +<P> +"And you don't remember how we talked about me building a speedy +aeroplane and trying for the ten-thousand-dollar prize?" asked Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"I can't remember a thing about it," said the inventor, with a puzzled +shake of his head, "and I'm not going to try, at least not right away. +But, Tom, if you're going to build a new aeroplane, I want to help you. +I'll give you the benefit of my advice. I think my new form of motor +can be used in it." +</P> + +<P> +"Now! now! No inventions—at least not just yet!" objected the +physician. "You must have a good rest first, Mr. Swift, and get strong. +Then you and Tom can build as many airships as you like." +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Swift felt so much better about three days later that he wanted to +get right to work planning the airship that was to win the big prize, +but the doctor would not hear of it. Tom, however, began to make rough +sketches of what he had in mind changing them from time to time. He +also worked on a type of motor, very light, and modeled after one his +father had recently patented. +</P> + +<P> +Then a new idea came to Tom in regard to the shape of his aeroplane, +and he worked several days drawing the plans for it. It was a new idea +in construction, and he believed it would give him the great speed he +desired. +</P> + +<P> +"But I'd like dad to see it," he said. "As soon as he's well enough +I'll go over it with him." +</P> + +<P> +That time came a week later, and with a complete set of the plans, +embodying his latest ideas, Tom went into the library where his father +was seated in an easy-chair. Dr. Gladby had said it would not now harm +the aged inventor to do a little work. Tom spread the drawings out in +front of his father, and began to explain them in detail. +</P> + +<P> +"I really think you have something great there, Tom!" exclaimed Mr. +Swift, at length. "It is a very small monoplane, to be sure, but I +think with the new principle you have introduced it will work; but, if +I were you, I'd shape those wing tips a little differently." +</P> + +<P> +"No, they're better that way," said Tom pleasantly, for he did not +often disagree with his father. "I'll show you from a little model I +have made. I'll get it right away." +</P> + +<P> +Anxious to demonstrate that he was right in his theory, Tom hurried +from the library to get the model of which he had spoken. He left the +roll of plans lying on a small table near where his father was seated. +</P> + +<P> +"There, you see, dad," said the young inventor as he re-entered the +library a few minutes later, "when you warp the wing tips in making a +spiral ascent it throws your tail wings out of plumb, and so—" +</P> + +<P> +Tom paused in some amazement, for Mr. Swift was lying back in his +chair, with his eyes closed. The lad started in alarm, laid aside his +model, and sprang to his father's side. +</P> + +<P> +"He's had another of those heart attacks!" gasped Tom. He was just +going to call Mrs. Baggert, when Mr. Swift opened his eyes. He looked +at Tom, and the lad could see that they were bright, and did not show +any signs of illness. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I declare!" exclaimed the inventor. "I must have dozed off, Tom, +while you were gone. That's what I did. I fell asleep!" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh!" said Tom, much relieved. "I was afraid you were ill again. Now, +in this model, as you will see by the plans, it is necessary—" +</P> + +<P> +He paused, and looked over at the table where he had left the drawings. +They were not there! +</P> + +<P> +"The plans, father!" Tom exclaimed. "The plans I left on the table! +Where are they?" +</P> + +<P> +"I haven't touched them," was the answer. "They were on that table, +where you put them, when I closed my eyes for a little nap. I forgot +all about them. Are you sure they're missing?" +</P> + +<P> +"They're not here!" And Tom gazed wildly about the room. "Where can +they have gone?" +</P> + +<P> +"I wasn't out of my chair," said Mr. Swift, "I ought not to have gone +to sleep, but—" +</P> + +<P> +Tom fairly jumped toward the long library window, the same one from +which he had leaped to pursue Andy Foger. The casement was open, and +Tom noted that the screen was also unhooked. It had been closed when he +went to get the model, he was sure of that. +</P> + +<P> +"Look, dad! See!" he exclaimed, as he picked up from the floor a small +piece of paper. +</P> + +<P> +"What is it, Tom?" +</P> + +<P> +"A sheet on which I did some figuring. It is no good, but it was in +with the plans. It must have dropped out." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you mean that some one has been in here and taken the plans of your +new aeroplane, Tom?" gasped his father. +</P> + +<P> +"That's just what I mean! They sneaked in here while you were dozing, +took the plans, and jumped out of the window with them. On the way this +paper fell out. It's the only clue we have. Stay here, dad. I'm going +to have a look." And Tom jumped from the library window and ran down +the path after the unknown thief. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap04"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Four +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Anxious Days +</H3> + +<P> +Peering on all sides as he dashed along the gravel walk, hoping to +catch a glimpse of the unknown intruder in the garden or shrubbery, Tom +sprinted on at top speed. Now and then he paused to listen, but no +sound came to him to tell of some one in retreat before him. There was +only Silence. +</P> + +<P> +"Mighty queer," mused the youth. "Whoever it was, he couldn't have had +more than a minute start of me—no, not even half a minute—and yet +they've disappeared as completely as though the ground had opened and +let them down; and the worst of it is, that they've taken my plans with +them!" +</P> + +<P> +He turned about and retraced his steps, making a careful search. He saw +no one, until, turning a corner, a little later, he met Eradicate +Sampson. +</P> + +<P> +"You haven't seen any strangers around here just now, have you, Rad?" +asked Tom anxiously. +</P> + +<P> +"No, indeedy, I hasn't, Massa Tom. What fo' kind ob a stranger was him?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's just what I don't know. Rad. But some one sneaked into the +library just now and took some of my plans while my father dozed off. I +jumped out after him as soon as I could, but he has disappeared." +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe it were th' man who done stowed hisself away on yo' airship, de +time yo' all went after de diamonds," suggested the colored man. +</P> + +<P> +"No, it couldn't have been him. If it was anybody, it was Andy Foger, +or some of his crowd. You didn't see Andy, did you, Rad?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, indeedy; but if I do, I suah will turn mah mule, Boomerang, loose +on him, an' he won't take any mo' plans—not right off, Massa Tom." +</P> + +<P> +"No, I guess not. Well, I must get back to dad, or he'll worry. Keep +your eyes open, Rad, and if you see Andy Foger, or any one else, around +here, let me know. Just sing out for all you're worth." +</P> + +<P> +"Shall I call out, Massa Tom, ef I sees dat blessin' man?" +</P> + +<P> +"You mean Mr. Damon?" +</P> + +<P> +"Dat's de one. De gen'man what's allers a-blessin' ob hisself or his +shoelaces, or suffin laik dat. Shall I sing out ef I sees him?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, no; not exactly, Rad. Just show Mr. Damon up to the house. I'd +be glad to see him again, though I don't fancy he'll call. He's off on +a little trip, and won't be back for a week. But watch out, Rad." And +with that Tom turned toward the house, shaking his head over the puzzle +of the missing plans. +</P> + +<P> +"Did you find any one?" asked his father eagerly as the young inventor +entered the library. +</P> + +<P> +"No," was the gloomy answer. "There wasn't a sign of any one." +</P> + +<P> +Tom went over to the window and looked about for clues. There was none +that he could see, and a further examination of the ground under the +window disclosed nothing. There was gravel beneath the casement, and +this was not the best medium for retaining footprints. Nor were the +gravel walks any better. +</P> + +<P> +"Not a sign of any one," murmured Tom. "Are you sure you didn't hear +any noise, dad, when you dozed off?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not a sound, Tom. In fact, it's rather unusual for me to go to sleep +like that, but I suppose it's because of my illness. But I couldn't +have been asleep long—not more than two minutes." +</P> + +<P> +"That's what I think. Yet in that time someone, who must have been on +the watch, managed to get in here and take my plans for the new sky +racer. I don't see how they got the wire screen open from the outside, +though. It fastens with a strong hook." +</P> + +<P> +"And was the screen open?" asked Mr. Swift +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, it was unhooked. Either they pushed a wire in through the mesh, +caught it under the hook, and pulled it up from the outside, or else +the screen was opened from the inside." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't believe they could get inside to open the screen without some +of us seeing them," spoke the older inventor. "More likely, Tom, it +wasn't hooked, and they found it an easy matter to simply pull it open." +</P> + +<P> +"That's possible. I'll ask Mrs. Baggert if the screen was unhooked." +</P> + +<P> +But the housekeeper could not be certain on that point, and so that +part of the investigation amounted to nothing. +</P> + +<P> +"It's too bad!" exclaimed Mr. Swift. "It's my fault, for dozing off +that way." +</P> + +<P> +"No, indeed, it isn't!" declared Tom stoutly. +</P> + +<P> +"Is the loss a serious one?" asked his father. "Have you no copy of the +plans?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I have a rough draft from which I made the completed drawings, +and I can easily make another set. But that isn't what worries me—the +mere loss of the plans." +</P> + +<P> +"What is it, then, Tom?" +</P> + +<P> +"The fact that whoever took them must know that they are the plans for +a sky racer that is to take part in the big meet. I have worked it out +on a new principle, and it is not yet patented. Whoever stole my plans +can make the same kind of a sky racer that I intended to construct, and +so stand as good a chance to win the prize of ten thousand dollars as I +will." +</P> + +<P> +"That certainly is too bad, Tom. I never thought of that. Do you +suspect any one?" +</P> + +<P> +"No one, unless it's Andy Foger. He's mean enough to do a thing like +that, but I didn't think he'd have the nerve. However, I'll see if I +can learn anything about him. He may have been sneaking around, and if +he has my plans he'd ask nothing better than to make a sky racer and +beat me." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, Tom, I'm so sorry!" exclaimed Mr. Swift "I—I feel very bad about +it!" +</P> + +<P> +"There, never mind!" spoke the lad, seeing that his father was looking +ill again. "Don't think any more about it, dad. I'll get back those +plans. Come, now. It's time for your medicine, and then you must lie +down." For the aged inventor was looking tired and weak. +</P> + +<P> +Wearily he let Tom lead him to his room, and after seeing that the +invalid was comfortable Tom called up Dr. Gladby, to have him come and +see Mr. Swift. The doctor said his patient had been overdoing himself a +little, and must rest more if he was to completely recover. +</P> + +<P> +Learning that his father was no worse, Tom set off to find Andy Foger. +</P> + +<P> +"I can't rest until I know whether or not he has my plans," he said to +himself. "I don't want to make a speedy aeroplane, and find out at the +last minute that Andy, or some of his cronies, have duplicated it." +</P> + +<P> +But Tom got little satisfaction from Andy Foger. When that bully was +accused of having been around Tom's house he denied it, and though the +young inventor did not actually accuse him of taking the plans, he +hinted at it. Andy muttered many indignant negatives, and called on +some of his cronies to witness that at the time the plans were taken he +and they were some distance from the Swift home. +</P> + +<P> +So Tom was baffled; and though he did not believe the red-haired lad's +denial, there was no way in which he could prove to the contrary. +</P> + +<P> +"If he didn't take the plans, who did?" mused Tom. +</P> + +<P> +As the young inventor turned away after cross-questioning Andy, the +bully called out: +</P> + +<P> +"You'll never win that ten thousand dollars!" +</P> + +<P> +"What do you know about that?" demanded Tom quickly. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I know," sneered Andy. "There'll be bigger and better aeroplanes +in that meet than you can make, and you'll never win the prize." +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose you heard about the affair by sneaking around under our +windows, and listening," said Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Never mind how I know it, but I do," retorted the bully. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I'll tell you one thing," said Tom calmly. "If you come around +again it won't be healthy for you. Look out for live wires, if you try +to do the listening act any more, Andy!" And with that ominous warning +Tom turned away. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you suppose he means, Andy?" asked Pete Bailey, one of Andy's +cronies. +</P> + +<P> +"It means he's got electrical wires strung around his place," declared +Sam Snedecker, "and that we'll be shocked if we go up there. I'm not +going!" +</P> + +<P> +"Me, either," added Pete, and Andy laughed uneasily. +</P> + +<P> +Tom heard what they said, and in the next few days he made himself busy +by putting some heavy wires in and about the grounds where they would +show best. But the wires carried no current, and were only displayed to +impress a sense of fear on Andy and his cronies, which purpose they +served well. +</P> + +<P> +But it was like locking the stable door after the horse had been +stolen, for with all the precautions he could take Tom could not get +back his plans, and he spent many anxious days seeking them. They +seemed to have completely disappeared, however, and the young inventor +decided there was nothing else to do but to draw new ones. +</P> + +<P> +He set to work on them, and in the meanwhile tried to learn whether or +not Andy had the missing plans. He sought this information by stealth, +and was aided by his chum, Ned Newton. But all to no purpose. Not the +slightest trace or clue was discovered. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap05"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Five +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Building the Sky Racer +</H3> + +<P> +"What will you do, if, after you have your little monoplane all +constructed, and get ready to race, you find that some one else has one +exactly like it at the meet?" asked Ned Newton one day, when he and Tom +were out in the big workshop, talking things over. "What will you do, +Tom?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't see that there is anything I can do. I'll go on to the meet, +of course, and trust to some improvements I have since brought out, and +to what I know about aeroplanes, to help me win the race. I'll know, +too, who stole my plans." +</P> + +<P> +"But it will be too late, then." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, too late, perhaps, to stop them from using the drawings, but not +too late to punish them for the theft. It's a great mystery, and I'll +be on the anxious seat all the while. But it can't be helped." +</P> + +<P> +"When are you going to start work on the sky racer?" +</P> + +<P> +"Pretty soon, now. I've got another set of plans made, and I've fixed +them so that if they are stolen it won't do any one any good." +</P> + +<P> +"How's that?" +</P> + +<P> +"I've put in a whole lot of wrong figures and measurements, and scores +of lines and curves that mean nothing. I have marked the right figures +and lines by a secret mark, and when I work on them I'll use only the +proper ones. But any one else wouldn't know this. Oh, I'll fool 'em +this time!" +</P> + +<P> +"I hope you do. Well, when you get the machine done I'd like to ride in +it. Will it carry two, as your Butterfly does?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, only it will be much different; and, of course, it will go much +faster. I'll give you a ride, all right, Ned. Well, now I must get busy +and see what material I need for what I hope will prove to be the +speediest aeroplane in the world." +</P> + +<P> +"That's going some! I must be leaving now. Don't forget your promise. I +saw Mary Nestor on my way over here. She was asking for you. She said +you must be very busy, for she hadn't seen you in some time." +</P> + +<P> +"Um!" was all Tom answered, but by the blush that mounted to his face +it was evident that he was more interested in Mary Nestor than his mere +exclamation indicated. +</P> + +<P> +When Ned had gone Tom got out pencil and paper, and was busily engaged +in making some intricate calculations. He drew odd little sketches on +the margin of the sheet, and then wrote out a list of the things he +would need to construct the new aeroplane. +</P> + +<P> +This finished, he went to Mr. Jackson, the engineer, and asked him to +get the various things together, and to have them put in the special +shop where Tom did most of his work. +</P> + +<P> +"I want to get the machine together as soon as I can," he remarked to +the engineer, "for it will need to be given a good tryout before I +enter in the race, and I may find that I'll have to make several +changes in it." +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Jackson promised to attend to the matter right away, and then Tom +went in to talk to his father about the motor that was to whirl the +propeller of the new air craft. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Swift had improved very much in the past few days, and though Dr. +Gladby said he was far from being well, the physician declared there +was no reason why he should not do some inventive work. +</P> + +<P> +He and Tom were deep in an argument of gasoline motors, discussing the +best manner of attaching the fins to the cylinders to make them +air-cooled, when a voice sounded outside, the voice of Eradicate: +</P> + +<P> +"Heah! Whar yo' goin'?" demanded the colored man. "Whar yo' goin'?" +</P> + +<P> +"Somebody's out in the garden!" exclaimed Tom, jumping up suddenly. +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps it's the same person who took the plans!" suggested Mr. Swift. +</P> + +<P> +"Hold on, dere!" yelled Eradicate again. +</P> + +<P> +Then a voice replied: +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my insurance policy! What's the matter? Have there been burglars +around? Why all these precautions? Bless my steam heater! Don't you +know me?" +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Damon!" cried Tom, a look of pleasure coming over his face. "Mr. +Damon is coming!" +</P> + +<P> +"So I should judge," responded Mr. Swift, with a smile. "I wonder why +Eradicate didn't recognize him?" +</P> + +<P> +They learned why a moment later, for on looking from the library +window, Tom saw the colored man coming up the walk behind a +well-dressed gentleman. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, mah goodness! It's Mr. Damon!" exclaimed Eradicate. "I didn't +know yo', sah, wif dem whiskers on! I didn't, fo' a fac'!" +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my razor! I suppose it does make a difference," said the +eccentric man. "Yes, my wife thought I'd look better, and more sedate, +with a beard, so I grew one to please her. But I don't like it. A beard +is too warm this kind of weather; eh, Tom?" And Mr. Damon waved his +hand to the young inventor and his father, who stood in the low windows +of the library. "Entirely too warm, bless my finger-nails, yes!" +</P> + +<P> +"I agree with you!" exclaimed Tom. "Come in! We're glad to see you!" +</P> + +<P> +"I called to see if you aren't going on another trip to the North Pole, +or somewhere in the Arctic regions," went on Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"Why?" inquired Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, then this heavy beard of mine would come in handy. It would keep +my throat and chin warm." And Mr. Damon ran his hands through his +luxuriant whiskers. +</P> + +<P> +"No more northern trips right away," said Tom. "I'm about to build a +speedy monoplane, to take part in the big meet at Eagle Park." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes, I heard about the meet," said Mr. Damon. "I'd like to be in +that." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I'm building a machine that will carry two," went on Tom, "and +if you think you can stand a speed of a hundred miles an hour, or +better, I'll let you come with me. There are some races where a +passenger is allowed." +</P> + +<P> +"Have you got a razor?" asked Mr. Damon suddenly. +</P> + +<P> +"What for?" inquired Mr. Swift, wondering what the eccentric man was +going to do. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, bless my shaving soap! I'm going to cut off my beard. If I go in +a monoplane at a hundred miles an hour I don't want to make any more +resistance to the wind than possible, and my whiskers would certainly +hold back Tom's machine. Where's a razor? I'm going to shave at once. +My wife won't mind when I tell her what it's for. Lend me a razor, +please, Tom." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, there's plenty of time," explained the lad, with a laugh. "The +race doesn't take place for over two months. But when it does, I think +you would be better off without a beard." +</P> + +<P> +"I know it," said Mr. Damon simply. "I'll shave before we enter the +contest, Tom. But now tell me all about it." +</P> + +<P> +Tom did so, relating the story of the theft of the plans. Mr. Damon was +for having Andy arrested at once, but Mr. Swift and his son pointed out +that they had no evidence against him. +</P> + +<P> +"All we can do," said the young inventor, "is to keep watch on him, and +see if he is building another aeroplane. He has all the facilities, and +he may attempt to get ahead of me. If he enters a sky craft at the meet +I'll be pretty sure that he has made it from my stolen plans." +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my wing tips!" cried Mr. Damon. "But can't we do anything to +stop him?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'm afraid not," answered Tom; and then he showed Mr. Damon his +re-drawn plans, and told in detail of how he intended to construct the +new aeroplane. +</P> + +<P> +The eccentric man remained as the guest of the Swift family that night, +departing for his home the next day, and promising to be on hand as +soon as Tom was ready to test his new craft, which would be in about a +month. +</P> + +<P> +As the days passed, Tom, with the help of his father, whose health was +slightly better, and with the aid of Mr. Jackson, began work on the +speedy little sky racer. +</P> + +<P> +As you boys are all more or less familiar with aeroplanes, we will not +devote much space to the description of the new one Tom Swift made. We +can describe it in general terms, but there were some features of it +which Tom kept a secret from all save his father. +</P> + +<P> +Suffice it to say that Tom had decided to build a small air craft of +the single-wing type, known as the monoplane. It was to be a cross +between the Bleriot and the Antoinette, with the general features of +both, but with many changes or improvements. +</P> + +<P> +The wings were shaped somewhat like those of a humming-bird, which, as +is well known, can, at times, vibrate its wings with such velocity that +the most rapid camera lens cannot quite catch. +</P> + +<P> +And when it is known that a bullet in flight has been successfully +photographed, the speed of the wings of the humming-bird can be better +appreciated. +</P> + +<P> +The writer has seen a friend, with a very rapid camera, which was used +to snap automobiles in flight, attempt to take a picture of a +humming-bird. He got the picture, all right, but the plate was blurred, +showing that the wings had moved faster than the lens could throw them +on the sensitive plate. +</P> + +<P> +Not that Tom intended the wings of his monoplane to vibrate, but he +adopted that style as being the best adapted to allow of rapid flight +through the air; and the young inventor had determined that he would +clip many minutes from the best record yet made. +</P> + +<P> +The body of his craft, between the forward wings and the rear ones, +where the rudders were located, was shaped like a cigar, with side +wings somewhat like the fin keels of the ocean liner to prevent a +rolling motion. In addition, Tom had an ingenious device to +automatically adapt his monoplane to sudden currents of air that might +overturn it, and this device was one of the points which he kept secret. +</P> + +<P> +The motor, which was air-cooled, was located forward, and was just +above the heads of the operator and the passenger who sat beside him. +The single propeller, which was ten feet in diameter, gave a minimum +thrust of one thousand pounds at two thousand revolutions per minute. +</P> + +<P> +This was one feature wherein Tom's craft differed from others. The +usual aeroplane propeller is eight feet in diameter, and gives from +four to five hundred pounds thrust at about one thousand revolutions +per minute, so it can be readily seen wherein Tom had an advantage. +</P> + +<P> +"But I'm building this for speed," he said to Mr. Jackson, "and I'm +going to get it! We'll make a hundred miles an hour without trouble." +</P> + +<P> +"I believe you," replied the engineer. "The motor you and your father +have made is a wonder for lightness and power." +</P> + +<P> +In fact, the whole monoplane was so light and frail as to give one the +idea of a rather large model, instead of a real craft, intended for +service. But a careful inspection showed the great strength it had, for +it was braced and guyed in a new way, and was as rigid as a +steel-trussed bridge. +</P> + +<P> +"What are you going to call her?" asked Mr. Jackson, about two weeks +after they had started work on the craft, and when it had begun to +assume shape and form. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm going to name her the Humming-Bird," replied Tom. "She's little, +but oh, my!" +</P> + +<P> +"And I guess she'll bring home the prize," added the engineer. +</P> + +<P> +And as the days went by, and Tom, his father and Mr. Jackson continued +to work on the speedy craft, this hope grew in the heart of the young +inventor. But he could not rid himself of worry as to the fate of the +plans that had disappeared. Who had them? Was some one making a machine +like his own from them? Tom wished he knew. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap06"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Six +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Andy Foger Will Contest +</H3> + +<P> +One afternoon, as Tom was working away in the shop on his sky racer, +adjusting one of the rear rudders, and pausing now and then to admire +the trim little craft, he heard some one approaching. Looking out +through a small observation peephole made for this purpose, he saw Mrs. +Baggert hurrying toward the building. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder what's the matter?" he said aloud, for there was a look of +worriment on the lady's face. Tom threw open the door. "What is it, +Mrs. Baggert?" he called. "Some one up at the house who wants to see +me?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, it's your father!" panted the housekeeper, for she was quite +stout. "He is very ill again, and I can't seem to get Dr. Gladby on +the telephone. Central says he doesn't answer." +</P> + +<P> +"My father worse!" cried Tom in alarm, dropping his tools and hurrying +from the shop. "Where's Eradicate? Send him for the doctor. Perhaps the +wires are broken. If he can't locate Dr. Gladby, get Dr. Kurtz. We must +have some one. Here, Rad! Where are you?" he called, raising his voice. +</P> + +<P> +"Heah I be!" answered the colored man, coming from the direction of the +garden, which he had been weeding. +</P> + +<P> +"Get out your mule, and go for Dr. Gladby. If he isn't home, get Dr. +Kurtz. Hurry, Rad!" +</P> + +<P> +"I's mighty sorry, Massa Tom," answered the colored man, "but I cain't +hurry, nohow." +</P> + +<P> +"Why not?" +</P> + +<P> +"Because Boomerang done gone lame, an' he won't run. I'll go mahse'f, +but I cain't take dat air mule." +</P> + +<P> +"Never mind. I'll go in the Butterfly," decided Tom quickly. "I'll run +up to the house and see how dad is, and while I'm gone, Rad, you get +out the Butterfly. I can make the trip in that. If Dr. Kurtz had a +'phone I could get him, but he lives over on the back road, where there +isn't a line. Hurry, Rad!" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sah, Massa Tom, I'll hurry!" +</P> + +<P> +The colored man knew how to get the monoplane in shape for a flight, as +he had often done it. +</P> + +<P> +Tom found his father in no immediate danger, but Mr. Swift had had a +slight recurrence of his heart trouble, and it was thought best to have +a doctor. So Tom started off in his air craft, rising swiftly above the +housetop, and sailed off toward the old-fashioned residence of Dr. +Kurtz, a sturdy, elderly German physician, who sometimes attended Mr. +Swift. Tom decided that as long as Dr. Gladby did not answer his +'phone, he could not be at home, and this, he learned later, was the +case, the physician being in a distant town on a consultation. +</P> + +<P> +"My, this Butterfly seems big and clumsy beside my Humming-Bird," mused +Tom as he slid along through the air, now flying high and now low, +merely for practice. "This machine can go, but wait until I have my new +one in the air! Then I'll show 'em what speed is!" +</P> + +<P> +He was soon at the physician's house, and found him in. +</P> + +<P> +"Won't you ride back with me in the monoplane?" asked Tom. "I'm anxious +to have you see dad as soon as you can. +</P> + +<P> +"Vot! Me drust mineself in one ob dem airships? I dinks not!" exclaimed +Dr. Kurtz ponderously. "Vy, I vould not efen ride in an outer-mobile, +yet, so vy should I go in von contrivance vot is efen more dangerous? +No, I gomes to your fader in der carriage, mit mine old Dobbin horse. +Dot vill not drop me to der ground, or run me up a tree, yet! Vot?" +</P> + +<P> +"Very well," said Tom, "only hurry, please." +</P> + +<P> +The young inventor, in his airship, reached home some time before the +slow-going doctor got there in his carriage. Mr. Swift was no worse, +Tom was glad to find, though he was evidently quite ill. +</P> + +<P> +"So, ve must take goot care of him," said the doctor, when he had +examined the patient. "Dr. Gladby he has done much for him, und I can +do little more. You must dake care of yourself, Herr Swift, or you +vill—but den, vot is der use of being gloomy-minded? I am sure you +vill go more easy, und not vork so much." +</P> + +<P> +"I haven't worked much," replied the aged inventor. "I have only been +helping my son on a new airship." +</P> + +<P> +"Den dot must stop," insisted the doctor. "You must haf gomplete +rest—dot's it—gomplete rest." +</P> + +<P> +"We'll do just as you say, doctor," said Tom. "We'll give up the +aeroplane matters, dad, and go away, you and I, where we can't see a +blueprint or a pattern, or hear the sound of machinery. We'll cut it +all out." +</P> + +<P> +"Dot vould he goot," said Dr. Kurtz ponderously. +</P> + +<P> +"No, I couldn't think of it," answered Mr. Swift. "I want you to go in +that race, Tom—and win!" +</P> + +<P> +"But I'll not do it, dad, if you're going to be ill." +</P> + +<P> +"He is ill now," interrupted the doctor. "Very ill, Dom Swift." +</P> + +<P> +"That settles it. I don't go in the race. You and I'll go away, dad—to +California, or up in Canada. We'll travel for your health." +</P> + +<P> +"No! no!" insisted the old inventor gently. "I will be all right. Most +of the work on the monoplane is done now, isn't it, Tom?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, dad." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you go on, and finish it. You and Mr. Jackson can do it without +me now. I'll take a rest, doctor, but I want my son to enter that race, +and, what's more, I want him to win!" +</P> + +<P> +"Vell, if you don't vork, dot is all I ask. I must forbid you to do any +more. Mit Dom, dot is different. He is young und strong, und he can +vork. But you—not, Herr Swift, or I doctor you no more." And the +physician shook his big head. +</P> + +<P> +"Very well. I'll agree to that if Tom will promise to enter the race," +said the inventor. +</P> + +<P> +"I will," said Tom. +</P> + +<P> +The physician took his leave shortly after that, the medicine he gave +to Mr. Swift somewhat relieving him. Then the young inventor, who felt +in a little better spirits, went back to his workshop. +</P> + +<P> +"Poor dad," he mused. "He thinks more of me and this aeroplane than he +does of himself. Well, I will go in the race, and I'll—yes, I'll win!" +And Tom looked very determined. +</P> + +<P> +He was about to resume work on his craft when something about the way +one of the forward planes was tilted attracted his attention. +</P> + +<P> +"I never left it that way," mused Tom. "Some one has been in here. I +wonder if it was Mr. Jackson?" +</P> + +<P> +Tom stepped to the door and called for Eradicate. The colored man came +from the direction of the garden, which he was still weeding. +</P> + +<P> +"Has Mr. Jackson been around, Rad?" asked the lad. +</P> + +<P> +"No, sah. I ain't seed him." +</P> + +<P> +"Have you been in here, looking at the Humming-Bird?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, Massa Tom. I nebber goes in dere, lessen as how yo' is dere. Dem's +yo' orders." +</P> + +<P> +"That's so, Rad. I might have known you wouldn't go in. But did you see +any one enter the shop?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not a pusson, sab." +</P> + +<P> +"Have you been here all the while?" +</P> + +<P> +"All but jes' a few minutes, when I went to de barn to put some +liniment on Boomerang's so' foot." +</P> + +<P> +"H'm! Some one might have slipped in here while I was away," mused Tom. +"I ought to have locked the doors, but I was in a hurry. This thing is +getting on my nerves. I wonder if it's Andy Foger, or some one else, +who is after my secret?" +</P> + +<P> +He made a hasty examination of the shop, but could discover nothing +more wrong, except that one of the planes of the Humming-Bird had been +shifted. +</P> + +<P> +"It looks as if they were trying to see how it was fastened on, and how +it worked," mused Tom. "But my plans haven't been touched, and no +damage has been done. Only I don't like to think that people have been +in here. They may have stolen some of my ideas. I must keep this place +locked night and day after this." +</P> + +<P> +Tom spent a busy week in making improvements on his craft. Mr. Swift +was doing well, and after a consultation by Dr. Kurtz and Dr. Gladby it +was decided to adopt a new style of treatment. In the meanwhile, Mr. +Swift kept his promise, and did no work. He sat in his easy-chair, out +in the garden, and dozed away, while Tom visited him frequently to see +if he needed anything. +</P> + +<P> +"Poor old dad!" mused the young inventor. "I hope he is well enough to +come and see me try for the ten-thousand-dollar prize—and win it! I +hope I do; but if some one builds, from my stolen plans, a machine on +this model, I'll have my work cut out for me." And he gazed with pride +on the Humming-Bird. +</P> + +<P> +For the past two weeks Tom had seen nothing of Andy Foger. The +red-haired bully seemed to have dropped out of sight, and even his +cronies, Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey, did not know where he had gone. +</P> + +<P> +"I hope he has gone for good," said Ned Newton, who lived near Andy. +"He's an infernal nuisance. I wish he'd never come back to Shopton." +</P> + +<P> +But Andy was destined to come back. +</P> + +<P> +One day, when Tom was busy installing a wireless apparatus on his new +aeroplane, he heard Eradicate hurrying up the path that led to the shop. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder if dad is worse?" thought Tom, that always being his first +idea when he knew a summons was coming for him. Quickly be opened the +door. +</P> + +<P> +"Some one's comin' out to see you, Massa Tom," said the colored man. +</P> + +<P> +"Who is it?" asked the lad, taking the precaution to put his precious +plans out of sight. +</P> + +<P> +"I dunno, sah; but yo' father knows him, an' he said fo' me to come out +heah, ahead ob de gen'man, an' tell yo' he were comin'. He'll be right +heah." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, well, if dad knows him, it's all right. Let him come, Rad." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sah. Heah he comes." And the colored man pointed to a figure +advancing down the gravel path. Tom watched the stranger curiously. +There was something familiar about him, and Tom was sure he had met him +before, yet he could not seem to place him. +</P> + +<P> +"How are you, Tom Swift?" greeted the newcomer pleasantly. "I guess +you've forgotten me, haven't you?" He held out his hand, which Tom +took. "Don't know me, do you?" he went on. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I'm afraid I've forgotten your name," admitted the lad, just a +bit embarrassed. "But your face is familiar, somehow, and yet it isn't." +</P> + +<P> +"I've shaved off my mustache," went on the other. "That makes a +difference. But you haven't forgotten John Sharp, the balloonist, whom +you rescued from Lake Carlopa, and who helped you build the Red Cloud? +You haven't forgotten John Sharp, have you, Tom?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I should say not!" cried the lad heartily. "I'm real glad to see +you. What are you doing around here? Come in. I've got something to +show you," and he motioned to the shop where the Humming-Bird was +housed. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I know what it is," said the veteran balloonist. +</P> + +<P> +"You do?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. It's your new aeroplane. In fact, I came to see you about it." +</P> + +<P> +"To see me about it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. I'm one of the committee of arrangements for the meet to be held +at Eagle Park, where I understand you are going to contest. I came to +see how near you were ready, and to get you to make a formal entry of +your machine. Mr. Gunmore sent me." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, so you're in with them now, eh?" asked Tom. "Well, I'm glad to +know I've got a friend on the committee. Yes, my machine is getting +along very well. I'll soon be ready for a trial flight. Come in and +look at it. I think it's a bird—a regular Humming-Bird!" And Tom +laughed. +</P> + +<P> +"It certainly is something new," admitted Mr. Sharp as his eyes took in +the details of the trim little craft. "By the way, Shopton is going to +be well represented at the meet." +</P> + +<P> +"How is that? I thought I was the only one around here to enter an +aeroplane." +</P> + +<P> +"No. We have just received an entry from Andy Foger." +</P> + +<P> +"From Andy Foger!" gasped Tom. "Is he going to try to win some of the +prizes?" +</P> + +<P> +"He's entered for the big one, the ten-thousand-dollar prize," replied +the balloonist. "He has made formal application to be allowed to +compete, and we have to accept any one who applies. Why, do you object +to him, Tom?" +</P> + +<P> +"Object to him? Mr. Sharp, let me tell you something. Some time ago a +set of plans of my machine here were stolen from my house. I suspected +Andy Foger of taking them, but I could get no proof. Now you say he is +building a machine to compete for the big prize. Do you happen to know +what style it is?" +</P> + +<P> +"It's a small monoplane, something like the Antoinette, his application +states, though he may change it later." +</P> + +<P> +"Then he's stolen my ideas, and is making a craft like this!" exclaimed +Tom, as he sank upon a bench, and gazed from the balloonist to the +Humming-Bird, and back to Mr. Sharp again. "Andy Foger is trying to +beat me with my own machine!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap07"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Seven +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Seeking a Clue +</H3> + +<P> +John Sharp was more than surprised at the effect his piece of +information had on Tom Swift. Though the young inventor had all along +suspected Andy of having the missing plans, yet there had been no +positive evidence on this point. That, coupled with the fact that the +red-haired bully had not been seen in the vicinity of Shopton lately, +had, in a measure, lulled Tom's suspicions to rest, but now his hope +had been rudely shattered. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you really think that's his game?" asked Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm sure of it," replied the youth. "Though where he is building his +aeroplane I can't imagine, for I haven't seen him in town. He's away." +</P> + +<P> +"Are you sure of that?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, not absolutely sure," replied Tom. "It's the general rumor that +he's out of town." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, old General Rumor is sometimes a person not to be relied upon," +remarked the balloonist grimly. "Now this is the way I size it up: Of +course, all I know officially is that Andy Foger has sent in an entry +for the big race for the ten-thousand-dollar prize which is offered by +the Eagle Park Aviation Association. I'm a member of the arrangements +committee, and so I know. I also know that you and several others are +going to try for the prize. That's all I am absolutely sure of. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, when you tell me about the missing plans, and you conclude that +Andy is doing some underhanded work, I agree with you. But I go a step +farther. I don't believe he's out of town at all." +</P> + +<P> +"Why not?" exclaimed Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Because when he has an airship shed right in his own backyard, where, +you tell me, he once made a craft in which he tried to beat you out in +the trip to Alaska, when you think of that, doesn't it seem reasonable +that he'd use that same building in which to make his new craft?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, it does," admitted Tom slowly, "but then everybody says he's out +of town." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, what everybody says is generally not so. I think you'll find +that Andy is keeping himself in seclusion, and that he's working +secretly in his shop, building a machine with which to beat you." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you, really?" +</P> + +<P> +"I certainly do. Have you been around his place lately?" +</P> + +<P> +"No. I've been too busy; and then I never have much to do with him." +</P> + +<P> +"Then take my advice, and see if you can't get a look inside that shop. +You may see something that will surprise you. If you find that Andy is +infringing on your patented ideas, you can stop him by an injunction. +You've got this model patented, I take it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes. I didn't have at the time the plans were stolen, but I've +patented it since. I could get at him that way." +</P> + +<P> +"Then take my advice, and do it. Get a look inside that shed, and +you'll find Andy working secretly there, no matter if his cronies do +think he's out of town." +</P> + +<P> +"I believe I will," agreed Tom, and somehow he felt better now that he +had decided on a plan of action. He and the balloonist talked over at +some length just the best way to go about it, for the young inventor +recalled the time when he and Ned Newton had endeavored to look into +Andy's shed, with somewhat disastrous results to themselves; but Tom +knew that the matter at stake justified a risk, and he was willing to +take it. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, now that's settled," said Mr. Sharp, "tell me more about +yourself and your aeroplane. My! To think that the Red Cloud was +destroyed! That was a fine craft." +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed she was," agreed Tom. "I'm going to make another on similar +lines, some day, but now all my time is occupied with the Humming-Bird." +</P> + +<P> +"She is a hummer, too," complimented Mr. Sharp. "But I almost forgot +the real object of my trip here. There is no doubt about you going in +the race, is there?" +</P> + +<P> +"I fully expect to," replied Tom. "The only thing that will prevent me +will be—" +</P> + +<P> +"Don't say you're worried on account of what Andy Foger may do," +interrupted Mr. Sharp. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm not. I'll attend to Andy, all right. I was going to say that my +father's illness might interfere. He's not well at all. I'm quite +worried about him." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I sincerely hope he'll be all right," remarked the balloonist. "We +want you in this race. In fact, we're going to feature you, as they say +about the actors and story-writers. The committee is planning to do +considerable advertising on the strength of Tom Swift, the well-known +young inventor, being a contestant for the ten-thousand-dollar prize." +</P> + +<P> +"That's very nice, I'm sure," replied Tom, "and I'm going to do my +best. Perhaps dad will take a turn for the better. He wants me to win +as much as I want to myself. Well, we'll not worry about it, anyhow, +until the time comes. I want to show you some new features of my latest +aeroplane." +</P> + +<P> +"And I want to see them, Tom. Don't you think you're making a mistake, +though, in equipping it with a wireless outfit?" +</P> + +<P> +"Why so?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, because it will add to the weight, and you want such a small +machine to be as light as possible." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, but you see I have a very light engine. That part my father +helped me with. In fact, it is the lightest air-cooled motor made, for +the amount of horsepower it develops, so I can afford to put on the +extra weight of the wireless outfit. I may need to signal when I am +flying along at a hundred miles an hour." +</P> + +<P> +"That's so. Well, show me some of the other good points. You've +certainly got a wonderful craft here." +</P> + +<P> +Tom and Mr. Sharp spent some time going over the Humming-Bird and in +talking over old times. The balloonist paid another visit to Mr. Swift, +who was feeling pretty good, and who expressed his pleasure in seeing +his old friend again. +</P> + +<P> +"Can't you stay for a few days?" asked Tom, when Mr. Sharp was about to +leave. "If you wait long enough you may be able to help me work up the +clues against Andy Foger, and also witness a trial flight of the +Humming-Bird." +</P> + +<P> +"I'd like to stay, but I can't," was the answer. "The committee will be +anxious for me to get back with my report. Good luck to you. I'll see +you at the time of the race, if not before." +</P> + +<P> +Tom resolved to get right to work seeking clues against his old enemy, +Andy, but the next day Mr. Swift was not so well, and Tom had to remain +in the house. Then followed several days, during which time it was +necessary to do some important work on his craft, and so a week passed +without any information having been obtained. +</P> + +<P> +In the meanwhile Tom had made some cautious inquiries, but had learned +nothing about Andy. He had no chance to interview Pete or Sam, the two +cronies, and he did not think it wise to make a bald request for +information at the Foger home. +</P> + +<P> +Ned Newton could not be of any aid to his friend, as he was kept busy +in the bank night and day, working over a new set of books. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder how I can find out what I want to know?" mused Tom one +afternoon, when he had done considerable work on the Humming-Bird. "I +certainly ought to do it soon, so as to be able to stop Andy if he's +infringing on my patents. Yet, I don't see how—" +</P> + +<P> +His thoughts were interrupted by hearing a voice outside the shop, +exclaiming: +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my toothpick! I know the way, Eradicate, my good fellow. It +isn't necessary for you to come. As long as Tom Swift is out there, +I'll find him. Bless my horizontal rudder! I'm anxious to see what +progress he's made. I'll find him, if he's about!" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sah, he's right in dere," spoke the colored man. "He's workin' on +dat Dragon Fly of his." Eradicate did not always get his names right. +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Damon!" exclaimed Tom in delight, at the sound of his friend's +voice. "I believe he can help me get evidence against Andy Foger. I +wonder I didn't think of it before! The very thing! I'll do it!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap08"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Eight +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +The Empty Shed +</H3> + +<P> +"Bless my dark-lantern! Where are you, Tom?" called Mr. Damon as he +entered the dim shed where the somewhat frail-appearing aeroplane +loomed up in the semi-darkness, for it was afternoon, and rather +cloudy. "Where are you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Here!" called the young inventor. "I'm glad to see you! Come in!" +</P> + +<P> +"Ah! there it is, eh?" exclaimed the odd man, as he looked at the +aeroplane, for there had been much work done on it since he had last +seen it. "Bless my parachute, Tom! But it looks as though you could +blow it over." +</P> + +<P> +"It's stronger than it seems," replied the lad. "But, Mr. Damon, I've +got something very important to talk to you about." +</P> + +<P> +Thereupon Tom told all about Mr. Sharp's visit, of Andy's entry in the +big race, and of the suspicions of himself and the balloonist. +</P> + +<P> +"And what is it you wish me to do?" asked Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"Work up some clues against Andy Foger." +</P> + +<P> +"Good! I'll do it! I'd like to get ahead of that bully and his father, +who once tried to wreck the bank I'm interested in. I'll help you, Tom! +I'll play detective! Let me see—what disguise shall I assume? I think +I'll take the part of a tramp. Bless my ham sandwich! That will be the +very thing. I'll get some ragged clothes, let my beard grow again—you +see I shaved it off since my last visit—and I'll go around to the +Foger place and ask for work. Then I can get inside the shed and look +around. How's that for a plan?" +</P> + +<P> +"It might be all right," agreed Tom, "only I don't believe you're cut +out for the part of a tramp, Mr. Damon." +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my fingernails! Why not?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, well, it isn't very pleasant to go around in ragged clothes." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't mind about me. I'll do it." And the odd gentleman seemed quite +delighted at the idea. He and Tom talked it over at some length, and +then adjourned to the house, where Mr. Swift, who had seemed to improve +in the last few days, was told of the plan. +</P> + +<P> +"Couldn't you go around after evidence just as you are?" asked the aged +inventor. "I don't much care for this disguising business." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, it's very necessary," insisted Mr. Damon earnestly. "Bless my +gizzard! but it's very necessary. Why, if I went around the Foger place +as I am now, they'd know me in a minute, and I couldn't find out what I +want to know." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, if you keep on blessing yourself," said Tom, with a laugh, +"they'll know you, no matter what disguise you put on, Mr. Damon." +</P> + +<P> +"That's so," admitted the eccentric gentleman. "I must break myself of +that habit. I will. Bless my topknot! I'll never do it any more. Bless +my trousers buttons!" +</P> + +<P> +"I'm afraid you'll never do it!" exclaimed Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"It is rather hard," said Mr. Damon ruefully, as he realized what he +had said. "But I'll do it. Bless—" +</P> + +<P> +He paused a moment, looked at Tom and his father, and then burst into a +laugh. The habit was more firmly fastened on him than he was aware. +</P> + +<P> +For several hours Tom, his father and Mr. Damon discussed various +methods of proceeding, and it was finally agreed that Mr. Damon should +first try to learn what Andy was doing, if anything, without resorting +to a disguise. +</P> + +<P> +"Then, if that doesn't work, I'll become a tramp," was the decision of +the odd character. "I'll wear the raggedest clothes I can find Bless—" +But he stopped in time. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Damon took up his residence in the Swift household, as he had often +done before, and for the next week he went and came as he pleased, +sometimes being away all night. +</P> + +<P> +"It's no use, though," declared Mr. Damon at the end of the week. "I +can't get anywhere near that shed, nor even get a glimpse inside of it. +I haven't been able to learn anything, either. There are two gardeners +on guard all the while, and several times when I've tried to go in the +side gate, they've stopped me." +</P> + +<P> +"Isn't there any news of Andy about town?" asked Tom. "I should think +Sam or Pete would know where he is." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I didn't ask them, for they'd know right away why I was +inquiring," said Mr. Damon, "but it seems to me as if there was +something queer going on. If Andy Foger is working in that shed of his, +he's keeping mighty quiet about it. Bless my—" +</P> + +<P> +And once more he stopped in time. He was conquering the habit in a +measure. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, what do you propose to do next?" asked Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Disguise myself like a tramp, and go there looking for work," was the +firm answer. "There are plenty of odd jobs on a big place such as the +Foger family have. I'll find out what I want to know, you see." +</P> + +<P> +It seemed useless to further combat this resolution, and, in a few days +Mr. Damon presented a very different appearance. He had on a most +ragged suit, there was a scrubby beard on his face, and he walked with +a curious shuffle, caused by a pair of big, heavy shoes which he had +donned, first having taken the precaution to make holes in them and get +them muddy. +</P> + +<P> +"Now I'm all ready," he said to Tom one day, when his disguise was +complete. "I'm going over and try my luck." +</P> + +<P> +He left the house by a side door, so that no one would see him, and +started down the walk. As he did so a voice shouted: +</P> + +<P> +"Hi, there! Git right out oh heah! Mistah Swift doan't allow no tramps +heah, an' we ain't got no wuk fo' yo', an' there ain't no cold +victuals. I does all de wuk, me an' mah mule Boomerang, an' we takes +all de cold victuals, too! Git right along, now!" +</P> + +<P> +"It's Eradicate. He doesn't know you," said Tom, with a chuckle. +</P> + +<P> +"So much the better," whispered Mr. Damon. But the disguise proved +almost too much of a success, for seeing the supposed tramp lingering +near the house, Eradicate caught up a stout stick and rushed forward. +He was about to strike the ragged man, when Tom called out: +</P> + +<P> +"That's Mr. Damon, Rad!" +</P> + +<P> +"Wh—what!" gasped the colored man; and when the situation had been +explained to him, and the necessity for silence impressed upon him, he +turned away, too surprised to utter a word. He sought consolation in +the stable with his mule. +</P> + +<P> +Just what methods Mr. Damon used he never disclosed, but one thing is +certain: That night there came a cautious knock on the door of the +Swift home, and Tom, answering it, beheld his odd friend. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," he asked eagerly, "what luck?" +</P> + +<P> +"Put on a suit of old clothes, and come with me," said Mr. Damon. +"We'll look like two tramps, and then, if we're discovered, they won't +know it was you." +</P> + +<P> +"Have you found out anything?" asked Tom eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +"Not yet; but I've got a key to one of the side doors of the shed, and +we can get in as soon as it's late enough so that everybody there will +be in bed." +</P> + +<P> +"A key? How did you get it?" inquired the youth. +</P> + +<P> +"Never mind," was the answer, with a chuckle. "That was because of my +disguise; and I haven't blessed anything to-day. I'm going to, soon, +though. I can feel it coming on. But hurry, Tom, or we may be too late." +</P> + +<P> +"And you haven't had a look inside the shed?" asked the young inventor. +"You don't know what's there?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; but we soon will." +</P> + +<P> +Eagerly Tom put on some of the oldest and most ragged garments he could +find, and then he and the odd gentleman set off toward the Foger home. +They waited some time after getting in sight of it, because they saw a +light in one of the windows. Then, when the house was dark, they stole +cautiously forward toward the big, gloomy shed. +</P> + +<P> +"On this side," directed Mr. Damon in a whisper. "The key I have opens +this door." +</P> + +<P> +"But we can't see when we get inside," objected Tom. "I should have +brought a dark lantern." +</P> + +<P> +"I have one of those pocket electric flashlights," said Mr. Damon. +"Bless my candlestick! but I thought of that." And he chuckled +gleefully. +</P> + +<P> +Cautiously they advanced in the darkness. Mr. Damon fumbled at the lock +of the door. The key grated as he turned it. The portal swung back, and +Tom and his friend found themselves inside the shed which, of late, had +been such an object of worry and conjecture to the young inventor. What +would he find there? +</P> + +<P> +"Flash the light," he called to Mr. Damon in a hoarse whisper. +</P> + +<P> +The eccentric man drew it from his packet. He pressed the spring switch, +and in an instant a brilliant shaft of radiance shot out, cutting the +intense blackness like a knife. Mr. Damon flashed it on all sides. +</P> + +<P> +But to the amazement of Tom and his companion, it did not illuminate +the broad white wings and stretches of canvas of an aeroplane. It only +shone on the bare walls of the shed, and on some piles of rubbish in +the corners. Up and down, to right and left, shot the pencil of light. +</P> + +<P> +"There's—there's nothing here!" gasped Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"I—I guess you're right!" agreed Mr. Damon "The shed is empty!" +</P> + +<P> +"Then where is Andy Foger building his aeroplane?" asked Tom in a +whisper; but Mr. Damon could not answer him. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap09"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Nine +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A Trial Flight +</H3> + +<P> +For a few moments after their exclamations of surprise Tom and Mr. +Damon did not know what else to say. They stared about in amazement, +hardly able to believe that the shed could be empty. They had expected +to see some form of aeroplane in it, and Tom was almost sure his eyes +would meet a reproduction of his Humming-Bird, made from the stolen +plans. +</P> + +<P> +"Can it be possible there's nothing here?" went on Tom, after a long +pause. He could not seem to believe it. +</P> + +<P> +"Evidently not," answered Mr. Damon, as he advanced toward the center +of the big building and flashed the light on all sides. "You can see +for yourself." +</P> + +<P> +"Or, rather, you can't see," spoke the youth. "It isn't here, that's +sure. You can't stick an aeroplane, even as small a one as my Humming +Bird, in a corner. No; it isn't here." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, we'll have to look further," went on Mr. Damon. "I think—" +</P> + +<P> +But a sudden noise near the big main doors of the shed interrupted him. +</P> + +<P> +"Come on!" exclaimed Tom in a whisper. "Some one's coming! They may see +us! Let's get out!" +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Damon released the pressure on the spring switch, and the light +went out. After waiting a moment to let their eyes become accustomed to +the darkness, he and Tom stole to the door by which they had entered. +As they swung it cautiously open they again heard the noise near the +main portals by which Andy had formerly taken in and out the Anthony, +as he had named the aeroplane in which he and his father went to +Alaska, where, like Tom's craft, it was wrecked. +</P> + +<P> +"Some one is coming in!" whispered Tom. +</P> + +<P> +Hardly had he spoken when a light shone in the direction of the sound. +The illumination came from a big lantern of the ordinary kind, carried +by some one who had just entered the shed. +</P> + +<P> +"Can you see who it is?" whispered Mr. Damon, peering eagerly forward; +too eagerly, for his foot struck against the wooden side wall with a +loud bang. +</P> + +<P> +"Who's there?" suddenly demanded the person carrying the lantern. +</P> + +<P> +He raised it high above his head, in order to cast the gleams into all +the distant corners. As he did so a ray of light fell upon his face. +"Andy Foger!" gasped Tom in a hoarse whisper. +</P> + +<P> +Andy must have heard, for he ran forward just as Tom and Mr. Damon +slipped out. +</P> + +<P> +"Hold on! Who are you?" came in the unmistakable tones of the +red-haired bully. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't think we're going to tell," chuckled Tom softly, as he and his +friend sped off into the darkness. They were not followed, and as they +looked back they could see a light bobbing about in the shed. +</P> + +<P> +"He's looking for us!" exclaimed Mr. Damon with an inward laugh. "Bless +my watch chain! But it's a good thing we got in ahead of him. Are you +sure it was Andy himself?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure! I'd know his face anywhere. But I can't understand it. Where has +he been? What is he doing? Where is he building his aeroplane? I +thought he was out of town." +</P> + +<P> +"He may have come back to-night," said Mr. Damon. "That's the only one +of your questions I can answer. We'll have to wait about the rest, I'm +sure he wasn't around the house to-day, though, for I was working at +weeding the flower beds, in my disguise as a tramp, and if he was home +I'd have seen him. He must have just come back, and he went out to his +shed to get something. Well, we did the best we could." +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed we did," agreed Tom, "and I'm ever so much obliged to you, Mr. +Damon." +</P> + +<P> +"And we'll try again, when we get more clues. Bless my shoelaces! but +it's a relief to be able to talk as you like." +</P> + +<P> +And forthwith the eccentric man began to call down so many blessings on +himself and on his belongings, no less than on his friends, that Tom +laughingly warned him that he had better save some for another time. +</P> + +<P> +The two reached home safely, removed their "disguises," and told Mr. +Swift of the result of their trip. He agreed with them that there was a +mystery about Andy's aeroplane which was yet to be solved. +</P> + +<P> +But Tom was glad to find that, at any rate, the craft was not being +made in Shopton, and during the next two weeks he devoted all his time +to finishing his own machine. Mr. Jackson was a valuable assistant, and +Mr. Damon gave what aid he could. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I think I'll be ready for a trial flight in another week," said +Tom one day, as he stepped back to get a view of the almost completed +Humming-Bird. +</P> + +<P> +"Shall you want a passenger?" asked Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I wish you would take a chance with me. I could use a bag of +sand, not that I mean you are to be compared to that," added Tom +quickly, "but I'd rather have a real person, in order to test the +balancing apparatus. Yes, we'll make a trial trip together." +</P> + +<P> +In the following few days Tom went carefully over the aeroplane, making +some slight changes, strengthening it here and there, and testing the +motor thoroughly. It seemed to work perfectly. +</P> + +<P> +At length the day of the trial came, and the Humming-Bird was wheeled +out of the shed. In spite of the fact that it was practically finished, +there yet remained much to do on it. It was not painted or decorated, +and looked rather crude. But what Tom wanted to know was how it would +fly, what control he had over it, what speed it could make, and how it +balanced. For it was, at best, very frail, and the least change in +equilibrium might be fatal. +</P> + +<P> +Before taking his place in the operator's seat Tom started the motor, +and by means of a spring balance tested the thrust of the propellers. +It was satisfactory, though he knew that when the engine had been run +for some time, and had warmed up, it would do much better. +</P> + +<P> +"All ready, I guess, Mr. Damon!" he called, and the odd gentleman took +his place. Tom got up into his own seat, in front of several wheels and +levers by which he operated the craft. +</P> + +<P> +"Start the propeller!" he requested of Mr. Jackson, and soon the motor +was spitting fire, while the big, fan-like blades were whirring around +like wings of light. The engineer and Eradicate were holding back the +Humming-Bird. +</P> + +<P> +"Let her go!" cried Tom as he turned on more gasoline and further +advanced the spark of the motor. The roar increased, the propeller +looked like a solid circle of wood, and the trim little monoplane moved +slowly across the rising ground, increasing its speed every second, +until, like some graceful bird, it suddenly rose in the air as Tom +tilted the wing tips, and soared splendidly aloft! +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap10"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Ten +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A Midnight Intruder +</H3> + +<P> +Tom Swift sent his wonderful little craft upward on a gentle slant. +Higher and higher it rose above the ground. Now it topped the trees; +now it was well over them. +</P> + +<P> +On the earth below stood Mr. Swift, Mr. Jackson, Eradicate and Mrs. +Baggert. They were the only witnesses of the trial flight, and as the +aged inventor saw his son's latest design in aeroplanes circling in the +air he gave a cheer of delight. It was too feeble for Tom to hear, but +the lad, glancing down, saw his father waving his hand to him. +</P> + +<P> +"Dear old dad!" thought Tom, waving in return. "I hope he's well enough +to see me win the big prize." +</P> + +<P> +Tom and Mr. Damon went skimming easily through the air, at no great +speed, to be sure, for the young inventor did not want to put too +sudden a strain on his motor. +</P> + +<P> +"This is glorious!" cried the odd gentleman. "I never shall have enough +of aeroplaning, Tom!" +</P> + +<P> +"Nor I, either," added his companion. "But how do you like it? Don't +you think it's an improvement on my Butterfly, Mr. Damon?" +</P> + +<P> +"It certainly is. You're a wonder, Tom! Look out! What are you up to?" +for the machine had suddenly swerved in a startling manner. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, that's just a new kind of spiral dip I was trying," answered Tom. +"I couldn't do that with my other machine, for I couldn't turn sharp +enough." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, don't do it right away again," begged Mr. Damon, who had turned +a little white, and whose breath was coming in gasps, even though he +was used to hair-raising stunts in the frail craft of the air. +</P> + +<P> +Tom did not take his machine far away, for he did not want to exhibit +it to the public yet, and he preferred to remain in the vicinity of his +home, in case of any accident. So he circled around, did figures of +eight, went up and down on long slants, took sharp turns, and gave the +craft a good tryout. +</P> + +<P> +"Does it satisfy you?" asked Mr. Damon, when Tom had once more made the +spiral dip, but not at high speed. +</P> + +<P> +"In a way, yes," was the answer. "I see a chance for several changes +and improvements. Of course, I know nothing about the speed yet, and +that's something that I'm anxious about, for I built this with the idea +of breaking all records, and nothing else. I know, now, that I can +construct a craft that will successfully navigate the air; in fact, +there are any number of people who can do that; but to construct a +monoplane that will beat anything ever before made is a different +thing. I don't yet know that I have done it." +</P> + +<P> +"When will you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, when I make some changes, get the motor tuned up better, and let +her out for all she's worth. I want to do a hundred miles an hour, at +least. I'll arrange for a speedy flight in about two weeks more." +</P> + +<P> +"Then I think I will stay home," said Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"No; I'll need you," insisted Tom, laughing. "Now watch. I'm going to +let her out just a little." +</P> + +<P> +He did, with the result that they skimmed through the air so fast that +Mr. Damon's breath became a mere series of gasps. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll have to wear goggles and mouth protectors when we really go +fast!" yelled Tom above the noise of the motor, as he slowed down and +turned about for home. +</P> + +<P> +"Go fast! Wasn't that fast?" asked Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +Tom shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +"You wait, and you'll see," he announced. +</P> + +<P> +They made a good landing, and Mr. Swift hastened up to congratulate his +son. +</P> + +<P> +"I knew you could do it, Tom!" he cried. +</P> + +<P> +"I couldn't, though, if it hadn't been for that wonderful engine of +yours, dad! How do you feel?" +</P> + +<P> +"Pretty good. Oh! but that's a fine machine, Tom!" +</P> + +<P> +"It certainly is," agreed Mr. Jackson. +</P> + +<P> +"It will be when I have it in better trim," admitted the young inventor +modestly. +</P> + +<P> +"By golly!" cried Eradicate, who was grinning almost from ear to ear, +"I's proud oh yo', Massa Tom, an' so will mah mule Boomerang be, when I +tells him. Yes, sah, dat's what he will be—proud ob yo', Massa Tom!" +</P> + +<P> +"Thanks, Rad." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, some folks is satisfied with mighty little under 'em, when they +go up in the air, that's my opinion," said Mrs. Baggert. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, wouldn't you ride in this?" asked Tom of the buxom housekeeper. +</P> + +<P> +"Not if you was to give me ten thousand dollars!" she cried firmly. +"Oh, dear! I think the potatoes are burning!" And she rushed back into +the house. +</P> + +<P> +The next day Tom started to work overhauling the Humming-Bird, and +making some changes. He altered the wing tips slightly, and adjusted +the motor, until in a thrust test it developed nearly half again as +much power as formerly. +</P> + +<P> +"And I'll need it all," declared Tom as he thought of the number of +contestants that had entered the great race. +</P> + +<P> +For the Eagle Park meet was to be a large and important one, and the +principal "bird-men" of the world were to have a part in it. Tom knew +that he must do his very best, and he spared no efforts to make his +monoplane come up to his ideal, which was a very exacting one. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll have a real speed test to-morrow," Tom announced to Mr. Damon +one night. "I'll see what the Humming-Bird can really do. You'll come, +won't you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I suppose so. Bless my insurance policy! I might as well take the +same chance you do. But if you're going to have such a nerve-racking +thing as that on the program, you'd better get to bed early and have +plenty of sleep." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I'm not tired. I think I'll go out this evening." +</P> + +<P> +"Where?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, just around town, to see some of the fellows." But if Tom was only +going around town merely to see his male friends, why did he dress so +carefully, put on a new necktie, and take several looks in the glass +before he went out? We think you can guess, and also the girl's name. +</P> + +<P> +The young inventor got in rather late, and after a visit to the +aeroplane shed, to see that all was right there, he went to bed, first +connecting up the burglar-alarm wires that guarded the doors and +windows of the aerodrome. +</P> + +<P> +How long he had been asleep Tom did not know, but he was suddenly +awakened by hearing the buzzing of the alarm at the head of his bed. At +first he took it for the droning and humming of the aeroplane motor, as +he had a hazy notion, and a sort of dream, that he was in his craft. +</P> + +<P> +Then, with a start, he realized what it was—the burglar alarm. +</P> + +<P> +"Some one's in the shed!" he gasped. +</P> + +<P> +Out of bed he leaped, drawing on his trousers and coat, and putting on +a pair of slippers, with speed worthy of a fireman. He grabbed up a +revolver and rushed from his room, pounding on the door of Mr. +Jackson's apartment in passing. +</P> + +<P> +"Some one in the shed, after the Humming-Bird!" shouted Tom. "Get a +gun, and come down!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap11"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Eleven +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Tom Is Hurt +</H3> + +<P> +As Tom passed down the hall on his way to the side door, from which he +could more quickly reach the aeroplane shed, he saw his father coming +from his room. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter? What is it?" asked Mr. Swift, and alarm showed on +his pale face. +</P> + +<P> +"It's nothing much, dad," said the youth, as quietly as he could, for +he realized that to excite his father might have a bad effect on the +invalid. +</P> + +<P> +"Then why are you in such a hurry? Why have you that revolver? I know +there is something wrong, Tom. I am going to help you!" +</P> + +<P> +In his father's present weakened state Tom desired this least of all, +so he said: +</P> + +<P> +"Now, never mind, dad. I thought I heard a noise out in the yard, and +I'm not going to take any chances. So I roused Mr. Jackson, and I'm +going down to see what it is. Perhaps it may only be Eradicate's mule, +Boomerang, kicking around, or it may be Rad himself, or some one after +his chickens. Don't worry. Mr. Jackson and I can attend to it. You go +back to bed, father." +</P> + +<P> +Tom spoke with such assurance that Mr. Swift believed him, and retired +to his room, just as the engineer, partly dressed, came hurrying out in +response to Tom's summons. He had his rifle, and, had the invalid +inventor seen that, he surely would have worried more. +</P> + +<P> +"Come on!" whispered Tom. "Don't make any noise. I don't want to excite +my father." +</P> + +<P> +"What was it?" asked the engineer. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know. Burglar alarm went off, that's all I can say until we +get to the shed." +</P> + +<P> +Together the two left the house softly, and soon were hurrying toward +the aeroplane shed. +</P> + +<P> +"Look!" exclaimed Mr. Jackson. "Didn't you see a light just then, Tom?" +</P> + +<P> +"Where?" +</P> + +<P> +"By the side window of the shed?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I didn't notice it! Oh, yes! There it is! Some one is in there! If +it's Andy Foger, I'll have him arrested, sure!" +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe we can't catch him." +</P> + +<P> +"That's so. Andy is a pretty slippery customer. Say, Mr. Jackson, you +go around and get Eradicate, and have him bring a club. We can't trust +him with a gun. Tell him to get at the back door, and I'll wait for you +to join me, and we'll go in the front door. Then we'll have 'em between +two fires. They can't get away." +</P> + +<P> +"How about the windows?" +</P> + +<P> +"They're high up, and hard to open since I put the new catches on them. +Whoever got in must have forced the lock of the door. There goes the +light again!" +</P> + +<P> +As Tom spoke there was seen the faint glimmer of a light. It moved +slowly about the interior of the shed, and with a peculiar bobbing +motion, which indicated that some one was carrying it. +</P> + +<P> +"Go for Eradicate, and don't make any more noise than you can help in +waking him up," whispered Tom, for they were now close to the shed, and +might be heard. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Jackson slipped off in the darkness, and Tom drew nearer to the +building that housed his Humming-Bird. There was one window lower than +the others, and near it was a box, that Tom remembered having seen that +afternoon. He planned to get up on that and look in, before making a +raid to capture the intruder. +</P> + +<P> +Tom raised himself up to the window. The light had been visible a +moment before he placed the box in position, but an instant later it +seemed to go out, and the place was in darkness. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder if they've gone away?" thought Tom. "I can't hear any noise." +</P> + +<P> +He listened intently. It was dark and silent in the shop. Suddenly the +light flashed up brighter than before, and the young inventor caught +sight of a man walking around the new aeroplane, examining it +carefully. He carried, as Tom could see, a large-sized electric +flash-lamp, with a brilliant tungsten filament, which gave a powerful +light. +</P> + +<P> +As the youth watched, he saw the intruder place the light on a bench, +in such a position that the rays fell full upon the Humming-Bird. Then, +adjusting the spring switch so that the light would continue to glow, +the man stepped back and drew something from an inner pocket. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder what he's up to?" mused Tom. "I wish Eradicate and Mr. +Jackson would hurry back. Who can that fellow be, I wonder? I've never +seen him before, as far as I know. I thought sure it was going to turn +out to be Andy Foger!" +</P> + +<P> +Tom turned around to look into the dark yard surrounding the shed. He +was anxious to hear the approach of his two allies, but there was no +sound of their footsteps. +</P> + +<P> +As he turned back to watch the man he could not repress a cry of alarm, +for what the intruder had drawn from his pocket was a small hatchet, +and he was advancing with it toward the Humming-Bird! +</P> + +<P> +"He's going to destroy my aeroplane!" gasped Tom, and he raised his +revolver to fire. +</P> + +<P> +He did not intend to shoot at the man, but only to fire to scare him, +and thus hasten the coming of Mr. Jackson and the colored man. But +there was no need of this, for an instant later the two came running up +silently, Eradicate with a big club. +</P> + +<P> +"Whar am he?" he asked in a hoarse whisper. "Let me git at him, Massa +Tom!" +</P> + +<P> +"Hush!" exclaimed the young inventor. "We have no time to lose! He's in +there, getting ready to chop my aeroplane to bits! Go to the back door, +Rad, and if he tries to come out don't let him get away." +</P> + +<P> +"I won't!" declared the colored man emphatically, and he shook his club +suggestively. +</P> + +<P> +"Come on! We'll go in the front door," whispered Tom to the engineer. +"I have the key. We'll catch him red-handed, and hand him over to the +police." +</P> + +<P> +Waiting a few seconds, to enable Eradicate to get to his place, Tom and +the engineer stole softly toward the big double doors. Every moment the +youth expected to hear the crash of the hatchet on his prize machine. +He shivered in anticipation, but the blows did not fall. +</P> + +<P> +Tom pushed open the door and stepped inside, followed by Mr. Jackson. +As they did so they saw the man standing in front of the Humming-Bird. +He again raised the little hatchet, which was like an Indian tomahawk, +and poised it for an instant over the delicate framework and planes of +the air craft. Then his arm began to descend. +</P> + +<P> +"Stop!" yelled Tom, and at the same time he fired in the air. +</P> + +<P> +The man turned as suddenly as though a bullet had struck him, and for a +moment Tom was afraid lest he had hit him by accident; but an instant +later the intruder grabbed up his flashlight, and holding it before +him, so that its rays shone full on Tom and Mr. Jackson, while it left +him in the shadow, sprang toward them, the hatchet still in his hand. +</P> + +<P> +"Look out, Tom!" cried Mr. Jackson. +</P> + +<P> +"Out of my way!" shouted the man. +</P> + +<P> +Bravely Tom stood his ground. He wished now that he had a club instead +of his revolver. The would-be vandal was almost upon him. Mr. Jackson +clubbed his rifle and swung it at the fellow. The latter dodged, and +came straight at Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Look out!" yelled the engineer again, but it was too late. There was +the sound of a blow, and Tom went down like a log. Then the place was +in darkness, and the sound of footsteps in rapid flight could be heard +outside the shed. +</P> + +<P> +The intruder, after wounding the young inventor, had made his escape. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap12"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Twelve +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Miss Nestor Calls +</H3> + +<P> +"What's de mattah? Shall I come in? Am anybody hurted?" yelled +Eradicate Sampson as he pounded on the rear door of the aeroplane shed. +"Let me in, Massa Tom!" +</P> + +<P> +"All right! Wait a minute! I'm coming!" called Mr. Jackson. He tried to +peer through the darkness, to where a huddled heap indicated the +presence of Tom. Then he thought of the electric lights, which were run +by a storage battery when the dynamo was shut down, and a moment later +the engineer had switched on the incandescents, filling the big shed +with radiance. +</P> + +<P> +"Tom, are you badly hurt?" gasped Mr. Jackson. +</P> + +<P> +There was no answer, for Tom was unconscious. +</P> + +<P> +"Let me in! Let me git at dat robber wif mah club!" cried the colored +man eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +Knowing that he would need help in carrying Tom to the house, Mr. +Jackson hurried to the back door. He had a key to it, and it was +quicker to open it than to send Eradicate away around the shed to the +front portals. +</P> + +<P> +"Whar am he?" gasped the faithful darky, as he took a firmer grasp of +his club and looked around the place. "Let me git mah hands on him! +I'll feed him t' Boomerang, when I gits froo wif him!" +</P> + +<P> +"He's gone," said the engineer. "Help me look after Tom. I'm afraid +he's badly hurt." +</P> + +<P> +They hastened to the unconscious lad. On one side of his head was a bad +cut, which was bleeding freely. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! he's daid! I know he's daid!" wailed Eradicate. +</P> + +<P> +"Not a bit of it. He isn't dead, but he may die, if we don't get him +into the house, and have a doctor here soon," said Mr. Jackson sternly. +"Catch hold of him, Rad, and, mind, don't carry on, and get excited, +and scare Mr. Swift. Just pretend it isn't very bad, or we'll have two +patients on our hands instead of only Tom." +</P> + +<P> +They managed to get the youth into the house, and, contrary to their +fears, Mr. Swift was not nearly so nervous as they had expected. Calmly +he took charge of matters, and even telephoned for Dr. Gladby himself, +while Mr. Jackson and Eradicate undressed Tom and got him to bed. Mrs. +Baggert busied herself heating water and getting things in readiness +for the doctor, who had promised to come at once. +</P> + +<P> +Tom was just regaining consciousness when the physician came in, having +driven over at top speed. +</P> + +<P> +"What—what happened? Did the Humming-Bird fall?" asked Tom in a +whisper, putting his hand to his head. +</P> + +<P> +"No, something fell on you, I guess," said the doctor, who had been +hurriedly told of the circumstances. "But don't worry, Tom. You'll be +all right in a few days. You got a bad cut on the head, but the skull +isn't fractured, I'm glad to say. Here, now, just drink this," and he +gave Tom some medicine he had mixed in a glass. +</P> + +<P> +The cut was soon dressed, and Tom felt much better, though weak and a +trifle dizzy. +</P> + +<P> +"Did he hit me with the hatchet?" he asked Mr. Jackson. +</P> + +<P> +"I couldn't tell," was the engineer's reply, "it all happened so +quickly. In another instant I'd have bowled him over, instead of him +landing on you, but I just missed him. He either used the hatchet, or +some blunt instrument." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, don't talk about it now," urged the doctor. "I want Tom to get +quiet and go to sleep. He'll be much better in the morning, but I must +forbid any aeroplane flights." And he shook his finger at Tom in +warning. "You'll have to lie quiet for several days," he added. +</P> + +<P> +"All right," agreed the young inventor weakly, and then he dozed off, +for the physician had given him a quieting medicine. +</P> + +<P> +"Haven't you any idea who it was?" asked Dr. Gladby of Mr. Jackson, as +he prepared to leave. +</P> + +<P> +"Not the slightest. It was no one Tom or I had ever seen before. But +whoever it was, he intended to destroy the Humming-Bird, that was +evident!" +</P> + +<P> +"The scoundrel! I'm glad you foiled him in time; but it's too bad about +Tom. However, we'll soon have him all right again." +</P> + +<P> +"I knows who done it!" broke in Eradicate, who was a sort of privileged +character about the Swift home. +</P> + +<P> +"Who?" asked Mr. Jackson. +</P> + +<P> +"It were dat Andy Foger. Leastways, he send dat man heah t' make +mincemeat oh de Hummin'-Bird. I's positib 'bout dat, so I am!" And +Eradicate grinned triumphantly. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, perhaps Andy did have a hand in it," admitted Mr. Swift, "but we +have no proof of it, I can't see what his object would be in wanting to +destroy Tom's new craft." +</P> + +<P> +"Pure meanness. Afraid that Tom will beat him in the race," suggested +Mr. Jackson. +</P> + +<P> +"It's too big a risk to take," went on the aged inventor. "I'm inclined +to think it might be one of the gang of men who made the diamonds in +the cave in the mountains. They might have sent a spy on East, and he +might try to damage the aeroplane to be revenged for what Tom and Mr. +Jenks did to them." +</P> + +<P> +"It's possible," agreed the engineer. "Well, we'll wait until Tom can +talk, and we'll go over it with him." +</P> + +<P> +"Not until he is stronger, though," stipulated the physician as he went +away. "Don't excite Tom for a few days." +</P> + +<P> +The young inventor was much better the following day, and when Dr. +Gladby called he said Tom could sit up for a little while. Two days +later Tom was well enough to be talked to, and his father and Mr. +Jackson went over all the details of the matter. Mr. Damon, who had +returned home, came to see his friend as soon as he heard of his +plight, and was also a member of the consulting party. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my dictionary!" exclaimed the eccentric man. "I wish I had been +here to take a hand in it. But, Tom, do you believe it was one of the +diamond-making gang?" +</P> + +<P> +"I hardly think so," was the reply. "They would take some other means +of revenge than by destroying my new aeroplane. I'm inclined to think +it was some one who is in with Andy Foger." +</P> + +<P> +"Then we'll hire detectives, and locate him and them," declared Mr. +Damon, blessing several things in succession. +</P> + +<P> +Tom, however, did not like that plan, and it was decided to do nothing +right away. In another few days Tom was able to be up, though he was +still a semi-invalid, not venturing out of the house. +</P> + +<P> +It was one afternoon, when, rather tired of his confinement, he was +wishing he could resume work on his air craft, that Mrs. Baggert came +in, and said: +</P> + +<P> +"Some one to see you, Tom." +</P> + +<P> +"Is it Mr. Damon?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, it's a lady. She—" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, Tom! How are you?" cried a girlish voice, and Mary Nestor walked +into the room, holding out both hands to the young inventor. Tom, with +a blush, arose hastily. +</P> + +<P> +"No! no! Sit still!" commanded the girl. "Oh! I'm so sorry to hear +about your accident! In fact, I only heard this morning. We've been +away, mamma and I, and we just got back. Tell me all about it, that is, +if you feel able. But don't exert yourself. Oh! I wish I had hold of +that man!" +</P> + +<P> +And Miss Nestor clenched her two pretty little hands and set her white, +even teeth grimly together, as though she would do most desperate +things indeed. +</P> + +<P> +"I wish you did, too!" exclaimed Tom. "That is, so you could hold him +until I had a chance at him. But I'm all right now. It was very good of +you to call. How are you, and how are your folks?" +</P> + +<P> +"Very well. But I came to hear about you. Tell me," and she looked +anxiously at Tom, while Mrs. Baggert discreetly withdrew to the +adjoining room, and made a great noise, rattling papers and moving +chairs about. +</P> + +<P> +Thereupon Tom told what had happened, while Mary Nestor listened +interestedly and with expressions of fear at times. +</P> + +<P> +"But if Andy had anything to do with it," concluded Tom, "I can't +understand what his object is. Andy is acting very strangely lately. We +can't locate him, nor find out where he is building his airship. That's +what I want to know; but Mr. Damon and I, after a lot of trouble, only +found his aeroplane shed empty." +</P> + +<P> +"And you want to find out where Andy Foger is building his aeroplane +which he has entered in the big race?" asked Miss Nestor. +</P> + +<P> +"That's what I'd like to know," declared Tom earnestly. "Only we can't +seem to do it. No one knows." +</P> + +<P> +"Why don't you write to Mr. Sharp, or some one of the aviation meet +committee?" asked the girl simply. "They would know, for you say Andy +made his formal entry with them, and the rules require him to tell from +what city and State he will enter his craft. Write to the committee, +Tom." +</P> + +<P> +For a moment the young inventor stared at her. Then he banged his fist +down on the arm of his chair. +</P> + +<P> +"By Jove, Mary! That's the very thing!" he cried. "I wonder why I never +thought of that, instead of fiddling around in disguises, and things +like that? I wonder why I never thought of that plan?" +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps because it was so simple," she answered, with a pretty blush. +</P> + +<P> +"I guess that's it," agreed Tom. "It takes a woman to jump across a +bridge to a conclusion every time. I'll write to Mr. Sharp at once." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap13"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Thirteen +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A Clash with Andy +</H3> + +<P> +Tom lost no time in writing to Mr. Sharp. He wondered more and more at +his own neglect in not before having asked the balloonist, when the +latter was in Shopton, where Andy was building his aeroplane. But, as +it developed later, Mr. Sharp did not know at that time. +</P> + +<P> +While waiting for a reply to his letter, Tom busied himself about his +own craft, making several changes he had decided on. He also began to +paint and decorate it, for he wanted to have the Humming-Bird present a +neat appearance when she was officially entered in the great race. +</P> + +<P> +Miss Nestor called on Tom again, and Mr. Damon was a frequent visitor. +He agreed to accompany Tom to the aviation park when it was time for +the race, and also to be a passenger in the ten-thousand-dollar contest. +</P> + +<P> +"It must be perfectly wonderful to fly through the air," said Miss +Nestor one day, when Tom and Mr. Damon had the Humming-Bird out on the +testing ground, trying the engine, which had been keyed up to a higher +pitch of speed. "I consider it perfectly marvelous, and I can't imagine +how it must seem to skim along that way." +</P> + +<P> +"Come and try it," urged Tom suddenly. "There's not a bit of danger. +Really there isn't." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! I'd never dare do it!" replied the girl, with a gasp. "That +machine is too swift by name and swift by nature for me." +</P> + +<P> +"Why don't you take Miss Nestor on a grass-cutting flight, Tom?" +suggested Mr. Damon. "Bless my lawn mower! but she wouldn't be +frightened at that." +</P> + +<P> +"Grass cutting?" repeated the girl. "What in the world does that mean?" +</P> + +<P> +"It means skimming along a few feet up in the air," answered the young +inventor, who had now fully recovered from the effects of the blow +given him by the midnight intruder. In spite of many inquiries, no +clues to his identity had been obtained. +</P> + +<P> +"How high do you go when you 'cut grass,' as you call it?" asked Miss +Nestor, and Tom thought he detected a note of eager curiosity in her +voice. +</P> + +<P> +"Not high at all," he said. "In fact, sometimes I do cut off the tops +of tall daisies. Come, Mary! Won't you try that? I know you'll like it, +and when you've been over the lawn a few times you'll be ready for a +high flight. Come! there's no danger." +</P> + +<P> +"I—I almost believe I will," she said hesitatingly. "Will you take me +down when I want to come?" +</P> + +<P> +"Of course," said Tom. "Get in, and we'll start." +</P> + +<P> +The Humming-Bird was all ready for a trial flight, and Tom was glad of +the chance to test it, especially with such a pretty passenger as was +Miss Nestor. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my shoelaces!" cried Mr. Damon. "I can see where I am going to +be cut out, Tom Swift. I'll not get many more rides with you now that +Miss Nestor is taking to aeroplaning, you young rascal!" And he +playfully shook his finger at Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I don't expect to get enthusiastic over it," said Miss Nestor, +who, now that she had taken her place in one of the small seats under +the engine, appeared as if she would be glad of the chance to change +her mind. But she did not. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, if you take me more than five feet up in the air, I'll never +speak to you again, Tom Swift!" she exclaimed. +</P> + +<P> +"Five feet it shall be, unless you yourself ask to go higher," was the +youth's reply, as he winked at Mr. Damon. Well he knew the fascination +of aeroplaning, and he was almost sure of what would happen. "You can +take a tape measure along, and see for yourself," he added to his fair +passenger. "The barograph will hardly register such a little height." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it's as high as I want to go," said the girl. "Oh!" with a +scream, as Tom started the propeller. "Are we going?" +</P> + +<P> +"In a moment," was his reply. He took his seat beside the girl. The +motor was speeded up until it sounded like the roar of the ocean surf +in a storm. +</P> + +<P> +"Let her go!" cried Tom to Mr. Damon and Mr. Jackson, who were holding +back the Humming-Bird. They gave her a slight shove to over-come the +inertia, and the trim little craft darted across the ground at every +increasing speed. +</P> + +<P> +Miss Nestor caught her breath with a gasp, glanced at Tom, and noted +how cool he was, and then her frantic grip of the uprights slightly +relaxed. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll go up a little way in a minute!" shouted Tom in her ear as they +were speeding over the level ground. +</P> + +<P> +He pulled a lever slightly, and the Humming-Bird rose a little in the +air, but only for a short distance, not more than five feet, and Tom +held her there, though he had to run the engine at a greater speed than +would have been the case had he been in the sustaining upper currents. +It was as if the Humming-Bird resented being held so closely to the +earth. +</P> + +<P> +Around in a big circle, back and forth went the craft, at no time being +more than seven feet from the ground. Tom glanced at Miss Nestor. Her +cheeks were unusually red, and there was a bright sparkle in her eyes. +</P> + +<P> +"It's glorious!" she cried. "Do you—do you think there's any danger in +going higher? I believe I'd like to go up a bit." +</P> + +<P> +"I knew it!" cried Tom. "Up we go!" And he pulled the wind-bending +plane lever toward him. Upward shot the craft, as if alive. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh!" gasped Mary. +</P> + +<P> +"Sit still! It's all right!" commanded Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"It's glorious; glorious!" she cried. "I'm not a bit afraid now!" +</P> + +<P> +"I knew you wouldn't be," declared the young inventor, who had +calculated on the fascination which the motion through the air, +untrammeled and free, always produces. "Shall we go higher?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes!" cried Miss Nestor, and she gazed fearlessly down at the earth, +which was falling away from beneath their feet. She was in the grip of +the air, and it was a new and wonderful sensation. +</P> + +<P> +Tom went up to a considerable distance, for, once a person loses his +first fright, one hundred feet or one thousand feet elevation makes +little difference to him. It was this way with Miss Nestor. +</P> + +<P> +Now, indeed, could Tom demonstrate to her some of the fine points of +navigation in the upper currents, and though he did no risky "stunts," +he showed the girl what it means to do an ascending spiral, how to cut +corners, how to twist around in the figure eight, and do other things. +Tom did not try for the great speed of which he knew his craft was +capable, for he knew there was some risk with Miss Nestor aboard. But +he did nearly everything else, and when he sent the Humming-Bird down +he had made another convert and devotee to the royal sport of +aeroplaning. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! I never would have dared believe I could do it!" exclaimed the girl, as +with flushed cheeks and dancing eyes she dismounted from the seat. +"Mamma and papa will never believe I did it!" +</P> + +<P> +"Bring them over, and I'll take them for a flight," said Tom, with a +laugh, as Mary departed. +</P> + +<P> +Tom received an answer to his letter to Mr. Sharp that night. +</P> + +<P> +"Andy Foger's entry blank states," wrote the balloonist, "that he is +constructing his aeroplane in the village of Hampton, which is about +fifty miles from your place. If there is anything further I can do for +you, Tom, let me know. I will see you at the meet. Hope you win the +prize." +</P> + +<P> +"In Hampton, eh?" mused Tom. "So that's where Andy has been keeping +himself all this while. His uncle lives there, and that's the reason +for it. He wanted to keep it a secret from me, so he could use my +stolen plans for his craft. But he shan't do it! I'll go to Hampton!" +</P> + +<P> +"And I'll go with you!" declared Mr. Damon, who was with Tom when he +got the note from the balloonist. "We'll get to the bottom of this +mystery after a while, Tom." +</P> + +<P> +Delaying a few days, to make the final changes in his aeroplane, Tom +and Mr. Damon departed for Hampton one morning. They thought first of +going in the Butterfly, but as they wanted to keep their mission as +secret as possible, they decided to go by train, and arrive in the town +quietly and unostentatiously. They got to Hampton late that afternoon. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the first thing to be done?" asked Mr. Damon as they walked up +from the station, where they were almost the only persons who alighted +from the train. +</P> + +<P> +"Go to the hotel," decided Tom. "There's only one, I was told, so +there's not much choice." +</P> + +<P> +Hampton was a quiet little country town of about five thousand +inhabitants, and Tom soon learned the address of Mr. Bentley, Andy's +uncle, from the hotel clerk. +</P> + +<P> +"What business is Mr. Bentley in?" asked Tom, for he wanted to learn +all he could without inquiring of persons who might question his +motives. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, he's retired," said the clerk. "He lives on the interest of his +money. But of late he's been erecting some sort of a building on his +back lot, like a big shed, and folks are sort of wondering what he's +doing in it. Keeps mighty secret about it. He's got a young fellow +helping him." +</P> + +<P> +"Has he got red hair?" asked Tom, while his heart beat strangely fast. +</P> + +<P> +"Who? Mr. Bentley? No. His hair's black." +</P> + +<P> +"I mean the young fellow." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! his? Yes, his is red. He's a nephew, or some relation to Mr. +Bentley. I did hear his name, but I've forgotten it. Sandy, or Andy, or +some such name as that." +</P> + +<P> +This was near enough for Tom and Mr. Damon, and they did not want to +risk asking any more questions. They turned away to go to their rooms, +as the clerk was busy answering inquiries from some other guests. A +little later, supper was served, and Tom, having finished, whispered to +Mr. Damon to join him upstairs as soon as he was through. +</P> + +<P> +"What are you going to do?" asked the eccentric man. +</P> + +<P> +"We're going out and have a look at this new shed by moonlight," +decided Tom. "I want to see what it's like, and, if possible, I want to +get a peep inside. I'll soon be able to tell whether or not Andy is +using my stolen plans." +</P> + +<P> +"All right. I'm with you. Bless my bill of fare! But we seem to be +doing a lot of mysterious work of late." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," agreed Tom. "But if you have to bless anything to-night, Mr. +Damon, please whisper it. Andy, or some of his friends, may be about +the shed, and as soon as they hear one of your blessings they'll know +who's coming." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I'll be careful," promised Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"Andy will find out, sooner or later, that we are in town," went on +Tom, "but we may be able to learn to-night what we want to know, and +then we can tell how to act." +</P> + +<P> +A little later, as if they were merely strolling about, Mr. Damon and +Tom headed for Mr. Bentley's place, which was on the outskirts of the +town. There was a full moon, and the night was just right for the kind +of observation Tom wanted to make. There were few persons abroad, and +the young inventor thought he would have no one spying on him. +</P> + +<P> +They located the big house of Andy's uncle without trouble. Going down +a side street, they had a glimpse of a shed, built of new boards, +standing in the middle of a large lot. About the structure was a new, +high wooden fence, but as Tom and his friend passed along it they saw +that a gate in it was open. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm going in!" whispered Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Will it be safe?" asked Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't care whether it will be or not. I've got to know what Andy is +doing. Come on! We'll take a chance!" +</P> + +<P> +Cautiously they entered the enclosure. The big shed was dark, and stood +out conspicuously in the moonlight. +</P> + +<P> +"There doesn't seem to be any one here," whispered Tom. "I wonder if we +could get a look in the window?" +</P> + +<P> +"It's worth trying, anyhow," agreed Mr. Damon. "I'm with you, Tom." +</P> + +<P> +They drew nearer to the shed. Suddenly Tom stepped on a stick, which +broke with a sharp report. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my spectacles!" cried Mr. Damon, half aloud. +</P> + +<P> +There was silence for a moment, and then a voice cried out: +</P> + +<P> +"Who's there? Hold on! Don't come any farther! It's dangerous!" +</P> + +<P> +Tom and Mr. Damon stood still, and from behind the shed stepped Andy +Foger and a man. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! it's you, is it, Tom Swift?" exclaimed the red-haired bully. "I +thought you'd come sneaking around. Come on, Jake! We'll make them wish +they'd stayed home!" And Andy made a rush for Tom. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap14"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Fourteen +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +The Great Test +</H3> + +<P> +"Bless my gizzard!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, who hardly knew what to do. +"We'd better be getting out of here, Tom!" +</P> + +<P> +"Not much!" exclaimed the young inventor. "I never ran from Andy Foger +yet, and I'm not going to begin now." +</P> + +<P> +He assumed an attitude of defense, and stood calmly awaiting the +onslaught of the bully; but Andy knew better than to come to a personal +argument with Tom, and so the red-haired lad halted some paces off. The +man, who had followed young Foger, also stopped. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you want around here, Tom Swift?" demanded Andy. +</P> + +<P> +"You know very well what I want," said the young inventor, calmly. "I +want to know what you did with the aeroplane plans you took from my +house." +</P> + +<P> +"I never took any!" declared Andy vigorously. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, there's no use discussing that," went on Tom. "What I came here +to find out, and I don't mind telling you, is whether or not you are +building a monoplane to compete against me, and building it on a model +invented by me; and what's more, Andy Foger, I intend to find this out, +too!" +</P> + +<P> +Tom started toward the big shed, which loomed up in the moonlight. +</P> + +<P> +"Stand back!" cried Andy, getting in Tom's way. "I can build any kind +of an aeroplane I like, and you can't stop me!" +</P> + +<P> +"We'll see about that," declared the young inventor, as he kept on. +"I'm not going to allow my plans to be stolen, and a monoplane made +after them, and do nothing about it." +</P> + +<P> +"You keep away!" snarled Andy, and he grabbed Tom by the shoulder and +struck him a blow in the chest. He must have been very much excited, or +otherwise he never would have come to hostilities this way with Tom, +whom he well knew could easily beat him. +</P> + +<P> +The blow, together with the many things he had suffered at Andy's +hands, was too much for our hero. He drew back his fist, and a moment +later Andy Foger was stretched out on the grass. He lay there for a +moment, and then rose up slowly to his knees, his face distorted with +rage. +</P> + +<P> +"You—you hit me!" he snarled. +</P> + +<P> +"Not until you hit first," said Tom calmly. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my punching bag! That's so!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"You'll suffer for this!" whined Andy, getting to his feet, but taking +care to retreat from Tom, who stood ready for him. "I'll get square +with you for this! Jake, come on, and we'll get our guns!" +</P> + +<P> +Andy turned and hurried back toward the shed, followed by the +evil-looking man, who had apparently been undecided whether to attack +Mr. Damon or Tom. Now the bully and his companion were in full retreat. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll get our guns, and then we'll see whether they'll want to stay +where they're not wanted!" went on Andy, threateningly. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my powderhorn! What had we better do?" asked Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"I guess we'd better go back," said Tom calmly. "Not that I'm afraid of +Andy. His talk about guns is all bluff; but I don't want to get into +any more of a row, and he is just ugly and reckless enough to make +trouble. I'm afraid we can't learn what we came to find out, though +I'm more convinced than ever that Andy is using my plans to make his +aeroplane." +</P> + +<P> +"But what can you do?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'll see Mr. Sharp, and send a protest to the aviation committee. I'll +refuse to enter if Andy flies in a model of my Humming-Bird, and I'll +try to prevent him from using it after he gets it on the ground. That +is all I can do, it seems, lacking positive information. Come on, Mr. +Damon. Let's get back to our hotel, and we'll start for home in the +morning." +</P> + +<P> +"I have a plan," whispered the odd man. +</P> + +<P> +"What is it?" asked Tom, narrowly watching for the reappearance of Andy +and the man. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll stay here until they come, then I'll pretend to run away. They'll +chase after me, and get all excited, and you can go up and look in the +shed windows. Then you can join me later. How's that?" +</P> + +<P> +"Too risky. They might fire at you by mistake. No. We'll both go. I've +found out more than enough to confirm my suspicions." +</P> + +<P> +They turned out of the lot which contained the shed, and walked toward +the road, just as Andy and his crony came back. +</P> + +<P> +"Huh! You'd better go!" taunted the bully. +</P> + +<P> +Tom had a bitter feeling in his heart. It seemed as if he was defeated, +and he did not like to retreat before Andy. +</P> + +<P> +"You'd better not come back here again, either," went on Andy. +</P> + +<P> +Tom and Mr. Damon did not reply, but kept on in silence. They returned +to Shopton the next day. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," remarked Tom, when he had gone out to look at his Humming-Bird, +"I know one thing. Andy Foger may build a machine something like this, +but I don't believe he can put in all the improvements I have, and +certainly he can't equal that engine; eh, dad?" +</P> + +<P> +"I hope not, Tom," replied his father, who seemed to be much improved +in health. +</P> + +<P> +"When are you going to try for speed?" asked Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"To-morrow, if I can get it tuned up enough," replied Tom, "and I think +I can. Yes, we'll have the great test to-morrow, and then I'll know +whether I really have a chance for that ten thousand dollars." +</P> + +<P> +Never before had Tom been so exacting in his requirements of his air +craft as when, the next day, the Humming-Bird was wheeled out to the +flight ground, and gotten ready for the test. The young inventor went +over every bolt, brace, stay, guy wire and upright. He examined every +square inch of the wings, the tips, planes and rudders. The levers, the +steering wheel, the automatic equilibrium attachments and the balancing +weights were looked at again and again. +</P> + +<P> +As for the engine, had it been a delicate watch, Tom could not have +scrutinized each valve, wheel, cam and spur gear more carefully. Then +the gasoline tank was filled, the magneto was looked after, the oil +reservoirs were cleaned out and freshly filled, and finally the lad +remarked: +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I guess I'm ready. Come along, Mr. Damon." +</P> + +<P> +"Am I going with you in the test?" +</P> + +<P> +"Surely. I've been counting on you. If you're to be with me in the +race, you want to get a sample of what we can do. Take your place. Mr. +Jackson, are you ready to time us?" +</P> + +<P> +"All ready, Tom." +</P> + +<P> +"And, dad, do you feel well enough to check back Mr. Jackson's results? +I don't want any errors." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes, Tom. I can do it." +</P> + +<P> +"Very well, then. Now this is my plan. I'm going to mount upward on an +easy slant, and put her through a few stunts first, to warm up, and see +that everything is all right. Then, when I give the signal, by dropping +this small white ball, that means I'm ready for you to start to time +me. Then I'll begin to try for the record. I'll go about the course in +a big ellipse, and—well, we'll see what happens." +</P> + +<P> +While Mr. Damon was in his seat the young inventor started the +propeller, and noted the thrust developed. It was satisfactory, as +measured on the scale, and then Tom took his place. +</P> + +<P> +"Let her go!" he cried to Mr. Jackson and Eradicate, after he had +listened to the song of the motor for a moment. The Humming-Bird flew +across the course, and a moment later mounted into the air. +</P> + +<P> +Tom quickly took her up to about two thousand feet, and there, finding +the conditions to his liking, he began a few evolutions designed to +severely test the craft's stability, and to learn whether the engine +was working properly. +</P> + +<P> +"How about it?" asked Mr. Damon anxiously. +</P> + +<P> +"All right!" shouted Tom in his ear, for the motor was making a great +racket. "I guess we'll make the trial next time we come around. Get +ready to drop the signal ball." +</P> + +<P> +Tom slowly brought the aeroplane around in a graceful curve. He sighted +down, and saw the first tall white pole that marked the beginning of +the course. +</P> + +<P> +"Drop!" he called to Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +The white rubber ball went to the earth like a shot. Mr. Jackson and +Mr. Swift saw it, and started their timing-watches. Tom opened the +throttle and advanced the spark. The great test was on! +</P> + +<P> +The Humming-Bird trembled and throbbed with the awful speed of the +motor, like a thing alive. She seemed to rush forward as an eagle +dropping down from a dizzy height upon some hapless prey. +</P> + +<P> +"Faster yet!" murmured Tom. "We must go faster yet!" +</P> + +<P> +The motor was warming up. Streaks of fire came from it. The exhaust of +the explosions was a continuous roar. Faster and faster flew the frail +craft. +</P> + +<P> +Around and around the air course she circled. The wind appeared to be +rushing beneath the planes and rudders with the velocity of a +hurricane. Had it not been for the face protectors they wore, Tom and +Mr. Damon could not have breathed. For ten minutes this fearful speed +was kept up. Then Tom, knowing he had run the motor to the limit, +slowed it down. Next he shut it off completely, and prepared to +volplane back to earth. The silence after the terrific racket was +almost startling. For a moment neither of the aviators spoke. Then Mr. +Damon said: +</P> + +<P> +"Do you think you did it, Tom?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know. We'll soon find out. They'll have the record." And he +motioned toward the earth, which they were rapidly nearing. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap15"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Fifteen +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A Noise in the Night +</H3> + +<P> +"Well, did I make it? Make any kind of a record?" asked Tom eagerly, as +he brought the trim little craft to a stop, after it had rolled along +the ground on the bicycle wheels. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you think you did?" asked Mr. Jackson, who had been busy +figuring on a slip of paper. +</P> + +<P> +"Did I get her up to ninety miles an hour?" inquired Tom eagerly. "If I +did, I know when the motor wears down a bit smoother that I can make +her hit a hundred in the race, easily. Did I touch ninety, Mr. Jackson?" +</P> + +<P> +"Better than that, Tom! Better than that!" cried his father. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," joined in Mr. Jackson. "Allowing for the difference in our +watches, Tom, your father and I figure that you did the course at the +rate of one hundred and twelve miles an hour!" +</P> + +<P> +"One hundred and twelve!" gasped the young inventor, hardly able to +believe it. +</P> + +<P> +"I made it a hundred and fifteen," said Mr. Swift, who was almost as +pleased as was his son, "and Mr. Jackson made it one hundred and +eleven; so we split the difference, so to speak. You certainly have a +sky racer, Tom, my boy!" +</P> + +<P> +"And I'll need it, too, dad, if I'm to compete with Andy Foger, who may +have a machine almost like mine." +</P> + +<P> +"But I thought you were going to object to him if he has," said Mr. +Damon, who had hardly recovered from the speedy flight through space. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I was just providing for a contingency, in case my protest was +overruled," remarked Tom. "But I'm glad the Humming-Bird did so well on +her first trial. I know she'll do better the more I run her. Now we'll +get her back in her 'nest,' and I'll look her over, when she cools +down, and see if anything has worked loose." +</P> + +<P> +But the trim little craft needed only slight adjustments after her +tryout, for Tom had built her to stand up under a terrific strain. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll soon be in shape for the big race," he announced, "and when I +bring home that ten thousand dollars I'm going to abandon this +sky-scraping business, except for occasional trips." +</P> + +<P> +"What will you do to occupy your mind?" asked Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I'm going to travel," announced Tom. "Then there's my new electric +rifle, which I have not perfected yet. I'll work on that after I win +the big race." +</P> + +<P> +For several days after the first real trial of his sky racer Tom was +busy going over the Humming-Bird, making slight changes here and there. +He was the sort of a lad who was satisfied with nothing short of the +best, and though neither his father nor Mr. Jackson could see where +there was room for improvement, Tom was so exacting that he sat up for +several nights to perfect such little details as a better grip for the +steering-lever, a quicker way of making the automatic equilibriumizer +take its position, or an improved transmitter for the wireless +apparatus. +</P> + +<P> +That was a part of his monoplane of which Tom was justly proud, for +though many aeroplanes to-day are equipped with the sending device, few +can receive wireless messages in mid-air. But Tom had seen the +advantage of this while making a trip in the ill-fated Red Cloud to the +cave of the diamond makers, and he determined to have his new craft +thus provided against emergencies. The wireless outfit of the +Humming-Bird was a marvel of compactness. +</P> + +<P> +Thus the days passed, with Tom very busy; so busy, in fact, that he +hardly had time to call on Miss Nestor. As for Andy Foger, he heard no +more from him, and the bully was not seen around Shopton. Tom concluded +that he was at his uncle's place, working on his racing craft. +</P> + +<P> +The young inventor sent a formal protest to the aviation committee, to +be used in the event of Andy entering a craft which infringed on the +Humming-Bird, and received word from Mr. Sharp that the interests of +the young inventor would be protected. This satisfied Tom. +</P> + +<P> +Still, at times, he could not help wondering how the first plans had so +mysteriously disappeared, and he would have given a good deal to know +just how Andy got possession of them, and how he knew enough to use +them. +</P> + +<P> +"He, or some one whom he hired, must have gotten into our house mighty +quickly that day," mused Tom, "and then skipped out while dad fell into +a little doze. It was a mighty queer thing, but it's lucky it was no +worse." +</P> + +<P> +The time was approaching for the big aviation meet. Tom's craft was in +readiness, and had been given several other trials, developing more +speed each time. Additional locks were put on the doors of the shed, +and more burglar-alarm wires were strung, so that it was almost a +physical impossibility to get into the Humming-Bird's "nest" without +arousing some one in the Swift household. +</P> + +<P> +"And if they do, I guess we'll be ready for them," said Tom grimly. He +had been unable to find out who it was that had attempted once before +to damage the monoplane, but he suspected it was the ill-favored man +who was working with Andy. +</P> + +<P> +As for Mr. Swift, at times he seemed quite well, and again he required +the services of a physician. +</P> + +<P> +"You will have to be very careful of your father, Tom," said Dr. +Gladby. "Any sudden shock or excitement may aggravate his malady, and +in that case a serious operation will be necessary." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, we'll take good care of him," said the lad; but he could not help +worrying, though he tried not to let his father see the strain which he +was under. +</P> + +<P> +It was some days after this, and lacking about a week until the meet +was to open, when a peculiar thing happened. Tom had given his +Humming-Bird a tryout one day, and had then begun to make arrangements +for taking it apart and shipping it to Eagle Park. For he would not fly +to the meet in it, for fear of some accident. So big cases had been +provided. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll take it apart in the morning," decided Tom, as he went to his +room, after seeing to the burglar alarm, "and ship her off. Then Mr. +Damon and I will go there, set her up, and get ready to win the race." +</P> + +<P> +Tom had opened all the windows in his room, for it was very warm. In +fact it was so warm that sleep was almost out of the question, and he +got up to sit near the windows in the hope of feeling a breeze. +</P> + +<P> +There it was more comfortable, and he was just dozing off, and +beginning to think of getting back into bed, when he was aware of a +peculiar sound in the air overhead. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder if that's a heavy wind starting up?" he mused. "Good luck, if +it is! We need it." The noise increased, sounding more and more like +wind, but Tom, looking out into the night, saw the leaves of the trees +barely moving. +</P> + +<P> +"If that's a breeze, it's taking its own time getting here," he went on. +</P> + +<P> +The sound came nearer, and then Tom knew that it was not the noise of +the wind in the trees. It was more like a roaring and rumbling. +</P> + +<P> +"Can it be distant thunder?" Tom asked himself. "There is no sign of a +storm." Once more he looked from the window. The night was calm and +clear—the trees as still as if they were painted. +</P> + +<P> +The sound was even more plain now, and Tom, who had sharp ears, at once +decided that it was just over the house—directly overhead. An instant +later he knew what it was. +</P> + +<P> +"The motor of an aeroplane, or a dirigible balloon!" he exclaimed. +"Some one is flying overhead!" +</P> + +<P> +For an instant he feared lest the shed had been broken into, and his +Humming-Bird taken, but a glance toward the place seemed to show that +it was all right. +</P> + +<P> +Then Tom hastily made his way to where a flight of stairs led to a +little enclosed observatory on the roof. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm going to see what sort of a craft it is making that noise," he +said. +</P> + +<P> +As he opened the trap door, and stepped out into the little observatory +the sound was so plain as to startle him. He looked up quickly, and, +directly overhead he saw a curious sight. +</P> + +<P> +For, flying so low as to almost brush the lightning rod on the chimney +of the Swift home, was a small aeroplane, and, as Tom looked up, he saw +in a light that gleamed from it, two figures looking down on him. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap16"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Sixteen +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A Mysterious Fire +</H3> + +<P> +For a few moments Tom did not know what to think. Not that the sight of +aeroplanes in flight were any novelty to him, but to see one flying +over his house in the dead of night was a little out of the ordinary. +Then, as he realized that night-flights were becoming more common, Tom +tried to make out the details of the craft. +</P> + +<P> +"I wish I had brought the night glasses with me," he said aloud. +</P> + +<P> +"Here they are," spoke a voice at his side, and so suddenly that Tom +was startled. He looked down, and saw Mr. Jackson standing beside him. +</P> + +<P> +"Did you hear the noise, too?" the lad asked the engineer. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. It woke me up. Then I heard you moving around, and I heard you +come up here. I thought maybe it was a flight of meteors you'd come to +see, and I knew the glasses would be handy, so I stopped for them. Take +a look, Tom. It's an aeroplane; isn't it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, and not moving very fast, either. They seem to be circling around +here." +</P> + +<P> +The young inventor was peering through the binoculars, and, as soon as +he had the mysterious craft in focus, he cried: +</P> + +<P> +"Look, Mr. Jackson, it's a new kind of monoplane. I never saw one like +it before. I wonder who could have invented that? It's something like a +Santos-Dumont and a Bleriot, with some features of Cornu's Helicopter. +That's a queer machine." +</P> + +<P> +"It certainly is," agreed the engineer, who was now sighting through +the glasses. In spite of the darkness the binoculars brought out the +peculiarities of the aeroplane with considerable distinctness. +</P> + +<P> +"Can you make out who are in it?" asked Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"No," answered Mr. Jackson. "You try." +</P> + +<P> +But Tom had no better luck. There were two persons in the odd machine, +which was slowly flying along, moving in a great circle, with the Swift +house for its center. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder why they're hanging around here?" asked Tom, suspiciously. +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps they want to talk to you," suggested Mr. Jackson. "They may be +fellow inventors—perhaps one of them is that Philadelphia man who had +the Whizzer." +</P> + +<P> +"No," replied the lad. "He would have sent me word if he intended +calling on me. Those are strangers, I think. There they are, coming +back again." +</P> + +<P> +The mysterious aeroplane was once more circling toward the watchers on +the roof. There was a movement on the steps, near which Tom was +standing, and his father came up. +</P> + +<P> +"Is anything the matter?" he asked anxiously. +</P> + +<P> +"Only a queer craft circling around up here," was the reply. "Come and +see, dad." +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Swift ascended to the roof. The aeroplane was higher now, and those +in her could not so easily be made out. Tom felt a vague sense of fear, +as though he was being watched by the evil eyes of his enemies. More +than once he looked over to the shed where his craft was housed, as +though some danger might threaten it. But the shed of the Humming-Bird +showed no signs of invaders. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly the mysterious aeroplane increased its speed. It circled about +more quickly, and shot upward, as though to show the watchers of what +it was capable. Then, with a quick swoop it darted downward, straight +for the building where Tom's newest invention was housed. +</P> + +<P> +"Look out! They'll hit something!" cried the young inventor, as though +those in the aeroplane could hear him. +</P> + +<P> +Then, just as though they had heeded his warning, the pilots of the +mysterious craft shot her upward, after she had hovered for an instant +over the big shed. +</P> + +<P> +"That was a queer move," said Tom. "It looked as if they lost control +of her for a moment." +</P> + +<P> +"And they dropped something!" cried Mr. Jackson. "Look! something fell +from the aeroplane on the roof of the shed." +</P> + +<P> +"Some tool, likely," spoke Tom. "I'll get it in the morning, and see +what sort of instruments they carry. I'd like to examine that machine, +though." +</P> + +<P> +The queer aeroplane was now shooting off in the darkness and Tom +followed it with the glasses, wondering what its construction could be +like. He was to have another sight of it sooner than he expected. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, we may as well get back to bed," said Mr. Jackson. "I'm tired, +and we've got lots to do to-morrow." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," agreed Tom. "It's cooler now. Come on, dad." +</P> + +<P> +Tom fell into a light doze. He thought afterward he could not have +slept more than half an hour when he heard a commotion out in the yard. +For an instant he could not tell what it was, and then, as he grew +wider awake he knew that it was the shouting of Eradicate Sampson, and +the braying of Boomerang. +</P> + +<P> +But what was Eradicate shouting? +</P> + +<P> +"Fire! Fire! Fire!" +</P> + +<P> +Tom leaped to his window. +</P> + +<P> +"Wake up, Massa Tom! Wake up! De areoplane shed am on fire, an' de +Humming-Bird will burn up! Hurry! Hurry!" +</P> + +<P> +Tom looked out. Flames were shooting up from the roof of the shed where +his precious craft was kept. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap17"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Seventeen +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Mr. Swift is Worse +</H3> + +<P> +Almost before the echoes of Eradicate's direful warning cry had died +away, Tom was on his way out of the house, pausing only long enough to +slip on a pair of shoes and his trousers. There was but one thought in +his mind. If he could get the Humming-Bird safely out he would not care +if the shed did burn, even though it contained many valuable tools and +appliances. +</P> + +<P> +"We must save my new aeroplane!" thought Tom, desperately. "I've got to +save her!" +</P> + +<P> +As he raced through the hall he caught up a portable chemical +fire-extinguisher. Tom saw his father's door open, and Mr. Swift looked +out. +</P> + +<P> +"What is it?" he called anxiously. +</P> + +<P> +"Fire!" answered the young inventor, almost before he thought of the +doctor's warning that Mr. Swift must not be excited. Tom wished he +could recall the word, but it was too late. Besides Eradicate, down in +the yard was shouting at the top of his voice: +</P> + +<P> +"Fire! Fire! Fire!" +</P> + +<P> +"Where, Tom?" gasped Mr. Swift, and his son thought the aged inventor +grew suddenly paler. +</P> + +<P> +"Aeroplane shed," answered the lad. "But don't worry dad. It's only a +small blaze. We'll get it out. You stay here. We'll attend to it—Mr. +Jackson and Eradicate and I." +</P> + +<P> +"No—I'm going to help!" exclaimed Mr. Swift, sturdily. "I'll be with +you, Tom. Go on!" +</P> + +<P> +The lad rushed down to the yard, closely followed by the engineer, who +had caught up another extinguisher. Eradicate was rushing about, not +knowing what to do, but still keeping up his shouting. +</P> + +<P> +"It's on de roof! De roof am all blazin'!" he yelled. +</P> + +<P> +"Quit your noise, and get to work!" cried Tom. "Get out a ladder, Rad, +and raise it to the side of the shed. Then play this extinguisher on +the blaze. Mr. Jackson, you help me run the Humming-Bird out. After +she's safe we'll tackle the fire." +</P> + +<P> +Tom cast a hurried look at the burning shed. The flames were shooting +high up from the roof, now, and eating their way down. As he rushed +toward the big doors, which he intended to open to enable him to run +out his sky racer, he was wondering how the fire came to start so high +up as the roof. He wondered if a meteor could have fallen and caused it. +</P> + +<P> +As the doors, which were quickly unlocked by Tom, swung back, and as he +and the engineer started to go in, they were met by choking fumes as if +of some gas. They recoiled for the moment. +</P> + +<P> +"What—what's that?" gasped Tom, coughing and sneezing. +</P> + +<P> +"Some chemical—I—I don't know what kind," spluttered Mr. Jackson. +"Have you any carboys of acid in there Tom, that might have exploded by +the heat?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; not a thing. Let's try again." +</P> + +<P> +Once more they tried to go in, but were again driven back by the +distressing fumes. The fire was eating down, now. There was a hole +burned in the roof, and by the leaping tongues of flame Tom could see +his aeroplane. It was almost in the path of the blaze. +</P> + +<P> +"We must get her out!" he shouted. "I'm going in!" +</P> + +<P> +But it was impossible, and the daring young inventor nearly succumbed +to the choking odors. Mr. Jackson dragged him back. +</P> + +<P> +"We can't go in!" he cried. "There has been some mysterious work here! +Those fumes were put here to keep us from saving the machine. This fire +has been set by some enemy! We can't go in!" +</P> + +<P> +"But I am going!" declared Tom. "We'll try the back door." +</P> + +<P> +They rushed to that, but again were driven out by the gases and vapors, +which were mingled with the smoke. Disheartened, yet with a wild desire +to do something to save his precious craft, Tom Swift drew back for a +moment. +</P> + +<P> +As he did so he heard a hiss, as Eradicate turned the chemical stream +on the blaze. Tom looked up. The faithful colored man was on a ladder +near the burning roof, acting well his part as a fireman. +</P> + +<P> +"That's the stuff!" cried Tom. "Come on, Mr. Jackson. Maybe if we use +the chemical extinguishers we can drive out those fumes!" +</P> + +<P> +The engineer understood. He took up the extinguisher he had brought, +and Tom got a second one from a nearby shed. Then Mr. Swift came out +bearing another. +</P> + +<P> +"You shouldn't have come, dad! We can attend to it!" cried Tom, fearing +for the effect of the excitement on his invalid parent. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I couldn't stay there and see the shed burn. Are you getting it +under control? Why don't you run out the Humming-Bird?" +</P> + +<P> +Tom did not mention the choking fumes. He passed up a full extinguisher +to Eradicate, who had used all the chemical in his. Then Tom got +another ladder, and soon three streams were being directed on the +flames. They had eaten, a pretty big hole in the roof, but the +chemicals were slowly telling on them. +</P> + +<P> +As soon as he saw that Eradicate and Mr. Jackson could control the +blaze, Tom descended to the ground, and ran once more to the big doors. +He was determined to make another try to wheel out the aeroplane, for +he saw from above that the flames were now on the side wall, and might +reach the craft any minute. And it would not take much to inflict +serious damage on the sky racer. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll get her, fumes or no fumes!" murmured Tom, grimly. And, whether +it was the effect of the chemical streams, or whether the choking odors +were dissipated through the hole in the roof was not manifested, but, +at any rate, Tom found that he could go in, though he coughed and +gasped for breath. +</P> + +<P> +He wheeled the aeroplane outside, for the Humming-Bird was almost as +light as her namesake. A hurried glance by the gleam of the dying fire +assured Tom that his craft was not damaged beyond a slight scorching of +one of the wing tips. +</P> + +<P> +"That was a narrow escape!" he murmured, as he wheeled the sky racer +far away, out of any danger from sparks. Then he went back to help +fight the fire, which was extinguished in about ten minutes more. +</P> + +<P> +"It was a mighty queer blaze," said Mr. Jackson, "starting at the top +that way. I wonder what caused it?" +</P> + +<P> +"We'll investigate in the morning," decided Tom. "Now, dad, you must +get back to your room." He turned to help his father in, but at that +moment Mr. Swift, who was trying to say something, fell over in a dead +faint. +</P> + +<P> +"Quick! Help me carry him into the house!" cried Tom. "Then telephone +for Dr. Gladby, Mr. Jackson." +</P> + +<P> +The physician looked grave when, half an hour later, he examined his +patient. +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Swift is very much worse," he said in a low voice. "The excitement +of the fire has aggravated his ailment. I would like another doctor to +see him, Tom." +</P> + +<P> +"Another doctor?" Tom's voice showed his alarm. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, we must have a consultation. I think Dr. Kurtz will be a good one +to call in. I should like his opinion before I decide what course to +take." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll send Eradicate for him at once," said the young inventor, and he +went to give the colored man his instructions, while his heart was +filled with a great fear for his father. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap18"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Eighteen +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +The Broken Bridge +</H3> + +<P> +Dr. Kurtz looked as grave as did Dr. Gladby when he had made an +examination of the patient. Mr. Swift was still in a semi-conscious +condition, hardly breathing as he rested on the bed where they had +placed him after the fire. +</P> + +<P> +"Vell," said the German physician, after a long silence, "vot is your +obinion, my dear Gladby?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think an operation is necessary." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, dot is so; but you know vot kind of an operation alone vill safe +him; eh, my dear Gladby?" +</P> + +<P> +Dr. Gladby nodded. +</P> + +<P> +"It will be a rare and delicate one," he said. "There is but one +surgeon I know of who can do it." +</P> + +<P> +"You mean Herr Hendrix?" asked Dr. Kurtz. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Dr. Edward Hendrix, of Kirkville. If he can be induced to come I +think there is a chance of saving Mr. Swift's life. I'll speak to Tom +about it." +</P> + +<P> +The two physicians, who had been consulting together, summoned the +youth from another room, where, with Mrs. Baggert and Mr. Jackson he +had been anxiously awaiting the verdict. +</P> + +<P> +"What is it?" the young inventor asked Dr. Gladby. +</P> + +<P> +The medical man told him to what conclusion he and his colleague had +arrived, adding: +</P> + +<P> +"We advise that Dr. Hendrix be sent for at once. But I need hardly tell +you, Tom, that he is a noted specialist, and his services are in great +demand. He is hard to get." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll pay him any sum he asks!" burst out the youth. "I'll spend all my +fortune—and I have made considerable money of late—I'll spend every +cent to get my father well! Money need not stand in the way, Dr. +Gladby." +</P> + +<P> +"I knew that, Tom. Still Dr. Hendrix is a very busy man, and it is hard +to induce him to come a long distance. It is over a hundred miles to +Kirkville, and it is an out-of-the-way place. I never could understand +why Dr. Hendrix settled there. But there he is, and if we want him he +will have to come from there. The worst of it is that there are few +trains, and only a single railroad line from there to Shopton." +</P> + +<P> +"Then I'll telegraph," decided Tom. "I'll offer him his own price, and +ask him to rush here as soon as he can." +</P> + +<P> +"You had better let Dr. Kurtz and me attend to that part of it," +suggested the physician. "Dr. Hendrix would hardly come on the request +of some one whom he did not know. I'll prepare a telegram, briefly +explaining the case. It is the sort of an operation Dr. Hendrix is much +interested in, and I think he will come on that account, if for no +other reason. I'll write out the message, and you can have Eradicate +take it to the telegraph office." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll take it myself!" exclaimed Tom, as he got ready to go out into +the night with the urgent request. "Is there any immediate danger for +my father?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"No; not any immediate danger," replied Dr. Gladby. "But the operation +is imperative if he is to live. It is his one and only chance." +</P> + +<P> +Tom thought only of his father as he hurried on through the night. Even +the prospect of the great race, so soon to take place, had no part in +his mind. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll not race until I'm sure dad is going to get better," he decided. +With the message to the noted specialist Tom also sent one to Mr. +Damon, telling him the news, and asking him to come to Shopton. Tom +felt that the presence of the odd gentleman would help him, and Mr. +Damon, who first intended to stay on at the Swift home until he and Tom +departed for Eagle Park, had gone back to his own residence to attend +to some business Tom knew he would come in the morning, and Mr. Damon +did arrive on the first train. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my soul!" he exclaimed with ready sympathy, as he extended his +hand to Tom. "What's all this?" The young inventor told him, beginning +with the fire that had been the cause of the excitement which produced +the change in Mr. Swift. +</P> + +<P> +"But I have great hopes that the specialist will be able to cure him," +said Tom, for, with the coming of daylight, his courage had returned to +him. "Dr. Gladby and Dr. Kurtz depend a great deal on Dr. Hendrix," he +said. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, he certainly is a wonderful man. I have heard a great deal about +him. I have no doubt but what he will cure your father. But about the +fire? How did it start?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know, but now that I have a few hours to spare before the +doctor can get here, I'm going to make an examination." +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my penwiper, but I'll help you." +</P> + +<P> +Tom went into the house, to inquire of Mrs. Baggert, for probably the +tenth time that morning, how his father was doing. Mr. Swift was still +in a semi-conscious condition, but he recognized Tom, when the youth +stood at his bedside. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't worry about me, son," said the brave old inventor, as he took +Tom's hand. "I'll be all right. Go ahead and get ready for the race. I +want you to win!" +</P> + +<P> +Tears came into Tom's eyes. Would his father be well enough to allow +him to take part in the big event? He feared not. +</P> + +<P> +By daylight it was seen that quite a hole had been burned in the +aeroplane shed. Tom and Mr. Damon, accompanied by Mr. Jackson, walked +through the place. +</P> + +<P> +"And you say the fire broke out right after you had seen the mysterious +airship hovering over the house?" asked the eccentric man. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, not exactly after," answered Tom, "but within an hour or so. Why +do you ask?" +</P> + +<P> +But Mr. Damon did not answer. Something on the floor of the shed, amid +a pile of blackened and charred pieces of wood, attracted his +attention. He stooped over and picked it up. +</P> + +<P> +"Is this yours?" he asked Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"No. What is it?" +</P> + +<P> +The object looked like a small iron ball, with a tube about half an +inch in diameter projecting slightly from it. Tom took it. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, it looks like an infernal machine or a dynamite bomb," he said. +"I wonder where it came from? Guess I'd better drop it in a pail of +water. Maybe Eradicate found it and brought it here. I never saw it +before. Mr. Jackson, please hand me that pail of water. We'll soak this +bomb." +</P> + +<P> +"There is no need," said Mr. Damon, quietly. "It is harmless now. It +has done its work. It was that which set fire to your shed, and which +caused the stifling fumes." +</P> + +<P> +"That?" cried Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. This ball is hollow, and was filled with a chemical. It was +dropped on the roof, and, after a certain time, the plug in the tube +was eaten through, the chemicals ran out, set the roof ablaze, and, +dripping down inside spread the choking odors that nearly prevented you +from getting out your aeroplane." +</P> + +<P> +"Are you sure of this?" asked the young inventor. +</P> + +<P> +"Positive. I read about these bombs recently. A German invented them to +be used in attacking a besieged city in case of war." +</P> + +<P> +"But how did this one get on my shed roof?" asked Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"It was dropped there by the mysterious airship!" exclaimed the odd +man. "That was why the aeroplane moved about over your place. Those in +it hoped that the fire would not break out until you were all asleep, +and that the shed and the Humming-Bird would be destroyed before you +came to the rescue. Some of your enemies are still after you, Tom." +</P> + +<P> +"And it was Andy Foger, I'll wager!" he cried. "He was in that +aircraft! Oh, I'll have a long score to settle with him!" +</P> + +<P> +"Of course you can't be sure it was he," said Mr. Damon, "but I +wouldn't be a bit surprised but what it was. Andy is capable of such a +thing. He wanted to prevent you from taking part in the race." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, he sha'n't!" cried Tom, and then he thought of his invalid +father. They made a further examination of the shed, and discovered +another empty bomb. Then Tom recalled having seen something drop from +the mysterious aeroplane as it passed over the shed. +</P> + +<P> +"It was these bombs," he said. "We certainly had a narrow escape! Oh, +wait until I settle my score with Andy Foger!" +</P> + +<P> +As there would be but little use for the aeroplane shed now, if Tom +sent his craft off to the meet, it was decided to repair it temporarily +only, until he returned. +</P> + +<P> +Accordingly, a big tarpaulin was fastened over the hole in the roof. +Then Tom put a new wing tip on in place of the one that had been +scorched. He looked all over his sky racer, and decided that it was in +fit condition for the coming meet. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll begin to take it apart for shipment, as soon as I hear from the +specialist that dad is well enough for me to go," he said. +</P> + +<P> +It was a few hours after the discovery of the empty bomb that Tom saw +Dr. Gladby coming along. The physician was urging his horse to top +speed. Tom felt a vague fear in his heart. +</P> + +<P> +"I've got a message from Dr. Hendrix, Tom," he said, as he stopped his +carriage, and approached the lad. +</P> + +<P> +"When can he come?" asked the young inventor, eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +"He can't get here, Tom." +</P> + +<P> +"Can't get here! Why not?" +</P> + +<P> +"Because the railroad bridge has collapsed, and there is no way to +come. He can't make any other connections to get here in time—in time +to do your father any good, Tom. He has just sent me a telegram to that +effect. Dr. Hendrix can't get here, and..." Dr. Gladby paused. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you mean that my father may die if the operation is not performed?" +asked Tom, in a low voice. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," was the answer. +</P> + +<P> +"But can't Dr. Hendrix drive here in an auto?" asked the lad. "Surely +there must be some way of getting over the river, even if the railroad +bridge is down. Can't he cross in a boat and drive here?" +</P> + +<P> +"He wouldn't be in time, Tom. Don't you understand, Dr. Hendrix must be +here within four hours, if he is to save your father's life. He never +could do it by driving or by coming on some other road, or in an auto. +He can't make the proper connections. There is no way." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, there is!" cried Tom, suddenly. "I know a way!" +</P> + +<P> +"How?" asked Dr. Gladby, thrilled by Tom's ringing tones. "How can you +do it, Tom?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'll go for Dr. Hendrix in my Humming-Bird." +</P> + +<P> +"Going for him would do no good. He must be brought here." +</P> + +<P> +"And so he shall be!" cried Tom. "I'll bring him here in my sky +racer—if he has the nerve to stand the journey, and I think he has! +I'll bring Dr. Hendrix here!" and Tom hurried away to prepare for the +thrilling trip. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap19"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Nineteen +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +A Nervy Specialist +</H3> + +<P> +There was little time to lose. Every moment of delay meant so much less +chance for the recovery of Mr. Swift. Even now the periods of +consciousness were becoming shorter and farther apart. He seemed to be +sinking. +</P> + +<P> +Tom resolutely refused to think of the possibility of death, as he went +in to bid his parent good-by before starting off on his trip through +the air. Mr. Swift barely knew his son, and, with tears in his eyes, +though he bravely tried to keep them back, the young inventor went out +into the yard. +</P> + +<P> +There stood the Humming-Bird, with Mr. Jackson, Mr. Damon and Eradicate +working over her, to get her in perfect trim for the race before her—a +race with death. +</P> + +<P> +Fortunately there was little to be done to get the speedy craft ready. +Tom had accomplished most of what was necessary, while waiting for word +from Dr. Hendrix. Now about all that needed to be done was to see that +there was plenty of gasoline and oil in the reservoirs. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll give you a note to Dr. Hendrix," said Mr. Gladby, as Tom was +fastening on his faceguard. "I—I trust you won't be disappointed, Tom. +I hope he will consent to return with you." +</P> + +<P> +"He's got to come," said the young inventor, simply, as if that was all +there was to it. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you think you can make the trip in time?" asked Mr. Damon. "It is a +little less than a hundred miles in an airline, but you have to go and +go back. Can the aeroplane do it?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'd be ashamed of her if she couldn't," said Tom, with a grim +tightening of his lips. "She's just got to do it; that's all! But I +know she will," and he patted the big propeller and the motor's shining +cylinders as though the machine was a thing alive, like a horse or a +dog, who could understand him. +</P> + +<P> +He climbed to his seat, the other one holding a bag of sand to maintain +a good balance. +</P> + +<P> +"Start her," ordered Tom, and Mr. Jackson twisted the propeller. The +motor caught at once, and the air throbbed with the noise of the +explosions. Tom listened to the tune of the machinery. It sang true. +</P> + +<P> +"Two thousand pounds thrust!" called the engineer, as he looked at the +scale. +</P> + +<P> +"Let her go!" cried Tom, whose voice was hardly heard above the roar. +The trim little aeroplane scudded over the ground, gathering speed at +every revolution of the wheels. Then with a spring like that of some +great bird launching itself in flight, she left the earth, and took to +the air. Tom was off on his trip. +</P> + +<P> +Those left behind sent up a cautious cheer, for they did not want to +disturb Mr. Swift. They waved their hands to the young inventor, and he +waved his in reply. Then he settled down for one of the swiftest +flights he had ever undertaken. +</P> + +<P> +Tom ascended until he struck a favorable current of air. There was a +little wind blowing in the direction he wished to take, and that aided +him. But even against a powerful head-wind the Humming-Bird could make +progress. +</P> + +<P> +The young inventor saw the ground slipping backward beneath him. +Carefully he watched the various indicators, and listened intently to +the sound of the cylinders' explosions. They came rapidly and +regularly. The motor was working well. +</P> + +<P> +Tom glanced at the barograph. It registered two thousand feet, and he +decided to keep at about that height, as it gave him a good view, and +he could see to steer, for a route had been hastily mapped out for him +by his friends. +</P> + +<P> +Over cities, towns, villages, scattered farmhouses; across stretches of +forest; over rivers, above big stretches of open country he flew. Often +he could see eager crowds below, gazing up at him. But he paid no heed. +He was looking for a sight of a certain broad river, which was near +Kirkville. Then he knew he would be close to his goal. +</P> + +<P> +He had speeded up the motor to the limit, and there was nothing to do +now, save to manage the planes, wing tips and rudders, and to see that +the gasoline and oil were properly fed to the machine. +</P> + +<P> +Faster and faster went the Humming-Bird, but Tom's thoughts were even +faster. He was thinking of many things—of his father—of what he would +do if Mr. Swift died—of the mysterious airship—of the stolen +plans—of the fire in the shed—of the great race—and of Andy Foger. +</P> + +<P> +He took little note of time, and when, in less than an hour he sighted +the river that told him he was near to Kirkville, he was rather +startled. +</P> + +<P> +"You certainly did come right along, Humming-Bird!" he murmured proudly. +</P> + +<P> +He descended several hundred feet, and, as he passed over the town, the +people of which grew wildly excited, he looked about for the house of +the noted specialist. He knew how to pick it out, for Dr. Gladby had +described it to him, and Tom was glad to see, as he came within view of +the residence, that it was surrounded by a large yard. +</P> + +<P> +"I can land almost at his door," he said, and he did, volplaning to +earth with an ease born of long practice. +</P> + +<P> +To say that Dr. Hendrix was astonished when Tom dropped in on him in +this manner, would not be exactly true. The specialist was not in the +habit of receiving calls from youths in aeroplanes, but the fact was, +that Dr. Hendrix was so absorbed in his work, and thought so constantly +about it, that it took a great deal to startle him out of his usual +calm. +</P> + +<P> +"And so you came for me in your aeroplane?" he asked of Tom, as he +gazed at the trim little craft. It is doubtful if he really saw it, +however, as Dr. Hendrix was just then thinking of an operation he had +performed a few hours before. "I'm sorry you had your trip for +nothing," he went on. "I'd like very much to come to your father, but +didn't you get my telegram, telling about the broken bridge? There is +no way for me to get to Shopton in time." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, there is!" cried Tom, eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +"How?" +</P> + +<P> +"The same way I came—in the aeroplane! Dr. Hendrix you must go back +with me! It's the only way to save my father's life. Come with me in +the Humming-Bird. It's perfectly safe. I can make the trip in less than +an hour. I can carry you and your instruments. Will you come? Won't you +come to save my father's life?" Tom was fairly pleading now. +</P> + +<P> +"A trip in an aeroplane," mused Dr. Hendrix "I've never taken such a +thing. I—" +</P> + +<P> +"Don't be afraid, there's really no danger," said Tom. +</P> + +<P> +The physician seemed to reach a sudden conclusion. His eyes brightened. +He walked over and looked at the little Humming-Bird. For the time +being he forgot about his operations. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll go with you!" he suddenly cried. "I'll go with you, Tom Swift! If +you've got the nerve, so have I! and if my science and skill can save +your father's life, he'll live to be an old man! Wait until I get my +bag and I'll be with you!" +</P> + +<P> +Tom's heart gave a bound of hope. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap20"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Twenty +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Just in Time +</H3> + +<P> +While Dr. Hendrix was in his office, getting ready to make the +thrilling trip through the air with Tom, the young inventor spent a few +minutes going over his monoplane. The wonderful little craft had made +her first big flight in excellent time, though Tom knew she could do +better the farther she was flown. Not a stay had started, not a guy +wire was loose. The motor had not overheated, and every bearing was as +cool as though it had not taken part in thousands of revolutions. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I can depend on you!" murmured Tom, as he looked to see that the +propeller was tight on the shaft. He gave the bearing a slight +adjustment to make sure of it. +</P> + +<P> +He was at this when the specialist reappeared. Dr. Hendrix, after his +first show of excitement, when he had made his decision to accompany +Tom, had resumed his usual calm demeanor. Once again he was the grave +surgeon, with his mind on the case before him. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, is my auto ready?" he asked absentmindedly. Then, as he saw the +little aeroplane, and Tom standing waiting beside it, he added: "Oh, I +forgot for the moment that I was to make a trip through the air, +instead of in my car. Well, Mr. Swift, are we all ready?" +</P> + +<P> +"All ready," replied the young inventor. "We're going to make fast +time, Dr. Hendrix. You'd better put this on," and Tom extended a face +protector. +</P> + +<P> +"What's it for?" The physician looked curiously at it. +</P> + +<P> +"To keep the air from cutting your cheeks and lips. We are going to +travel a hundred miles an hour this trip." +</P> + +<P> +"A hundred miles an hour!" Dr. Hendrix spoke as though he would like to +back out. +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe more, if I can manage it," went on Tom, calmly, as he proceeded +to remove the bag of sand from the place where the surgeon was to sit. +Then he looked to the various equilibrium arrangements and the control +levers. He was so cool about it, taking it all for granted, as if +rising and flying through the air at a speed rivaling that of the +fastest birds, was a matter of no moment, that Dr. Hendrix was +impressed by the calm demeanor of the young inventor. +</P> + +<P> +"Very well," said the surgeon with a shrug of his shoulders, "I guess +I'm game, Tom Swift." +</P> + +<P> +The doctor took the seat Tom pointed out to him, with his bag of +instruments on his knees. He put on the face protector, and had, at the +suggestion of our hero, donned a heavy coat. +</P> + +<P> +"For it's cold in the upper regions," said Tom. +</P> + +<P> +Several servants in the physician's household had gathered to see him +depart in this novel fashion, and the chauffeur of the auto, in which +the specialist usually made his calls, was also there. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll give you a hand," said the chauffeur to the young inventor. "I +was at an aviation meet once, and I know how it's done." +</P> + +<P> +"Good," exclaimed Tom. "Then you can hold the machine, and shove when I +give the word." +</P> + +<P> +Tom started the propeller himself, and quickly jumped into his seat. +The chauffeur held back the Humming-Bird until the young aviator had +speeded up the motor. +</P> + +<P> +"Let go!" cried the youthful inventor, and the man gave the little +craft a shove. Across the rather uneven ground of the doctor's yard it +ran, straight for a big iron barrier. +</P> + +<P> +"Look out! We'll be into the fence!" shouted the surgeon. "We'll be +killed!" He seemed about to leap off. +</P> + +<P> +"Sit still!" cried Tom, and at that instant he tilted the elevation +planes, and the craft shot upward, going over the fence like a circus +horse taking a seven-barred gate. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh!" exclaimed the physician in a curious voice. They were off on +their trip to save the life of Mr. Swift. +</P> + +<P> +What the sensations of the celebrated specialist were, Tom never +learned. If he was afraid, his fright quickly gave place to wonder, and +the wonder soon changed to delight as the machine rose higher and +higher, acquired more speed, and soared in the air over the country +that spread out in all directions from Kirkville. +</P> + +<P> +"Magnificent! Magnificent!" murmured the doctor, and then Tom knew that +the surgeon was in the grip of the air, and was one of the "bird-men." +</P> + +<P> +Every moment the Humming-Bird increased her speed. They passed over the +river near where men were working on the broken bridge. It was now no +barrier to them. Tom, noting the barograph, and seeing that they were +twenty-two hundred feet high, decided to keep at about that distance +from the earth. +</P> + +<P> +"How fast are we going?" cried Dr. Hendrix, into the ear of the young +inventor. +</P> + +<P> +"Just a little short of a hundred an hour!" Tom shouted back. "We'll +hit a hundred and five before long." +</P> + +<P> +His prediction proved true, and when about forty miles from Shopton +that terrific speed had been attained. It seemed as if they were going +to have a trip devoid of incident, and Tom was congratulating himself +on the quick time made, when he ran into a contrary strata of air. +Almost before he knew it the Humming-Bird gave a dangerous and +sickening dive, and tilted at a terrifying angle. +</P> + +<P> +"Are we going to turn turtle?" cried the doctor. +</P> + +<P> +"I—I hope not!" gasped Tom. He could not understand why the +equilibrium weights did not work, but he had no time then to +investigate. Quickly he warped the wing tips and brought the craft up +on an even keel. +</P> + +<P> +He gave a sigh of relief as the aeroplane was once more shooting +forward, and he was not mistaken when he thought he heard Dr. Hendrix +murmur a prayer of thankfulness. Their escape had been a narrow one. +Tom's nerve, and the coolness of the physician, had alone saved them +from a fall to death. +</P> + +<P> +But now, as if ashamed of her prank, the Humming-Bird went along even +better than before. Tom was peering through the slight haze that hung +over the earth, for a sight of Shopton. At length the spires of the +churches came into view. +</P> + +<P> +"There it is," he called, pointing downward. "We'll land in two minutes +more." +</P> + +<P> +"No time to spare," murmured the doctor, who knew the serious nature of +the aged inventor's illness. "How long did it take us?" +</P> + +<P> +"Fifty-one minutes," replied Tom, glancing at a small clock in front of +him. Then he shut off the motor and volplaned to earth, to the no small +astonishment of the surgeon. He made a perfect landing in the yard +before the shed, leaped from his seat, and called: +</P> + +<P> +"Come, Dr. Hendrix!" +</P> + +<P> +The surgeon followed him. Dr. Gladby and Dr. Kurtz came to the door of +the house. On their faces were grave looks. They greeted the celebrated +surgeon eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +"Well?" he asked quickly, and they knew what he meant. +</P> + +<P> +"You are only just in time," said Dr. Gladby, softly, and Tom, +following the doctors into the house, wondered if his trip with the +specialist had been in vain. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap21"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Twenty-One +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +"Will He Live?" +</H3> + +<P> +Soon there were busy scenes in the Swift home, as preparations were +made for a serious operation on the aged inventor. Tom's father had +sunk into deep unconsciousness, and was stretched out on the bed as +though there was no more life in him. In fact, Tom, for the moment, +feared that it was all over. But good old Dr. Kurtz, noting the look on +the lad's face, said: +</P> + +<P> +"Ach, Dom, doan't vorry! Maybe it vill yet all be vell, und der vater +vill hear of der great race. Bluck up your courage, und doan't gif up. +Der greatest surgeon in der vorld is here now, und if anybody gan safe +your vater, Herr Hendriz gan. Dot vos a great drip you made—a great +drip!" +</P> + +<P> +Tom felt a little comforted and, after a sight of his father, and a +silent prayer that God would spare his life for years to come, the +young inventor went out in the yard. He wanted to be busy about +something, for he knew, with the doctors, and a trained nurse who had +been hastily summoned, there was no immediate need for him. He wanted +to get his mind off the operation that would soon take place, and so he +decided to look over his aeroplane. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Damon came out when Tom was going over the guy wires and braces, to +see how they had stood the strain. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, Tom, my lad," said the eccentric man, sadly, as he grasped our +hero's hand, "it's too bad. But hope for the best. I'm sure your father +will pull through. We will have to begin taking the Humming-Bird apart +soon; won't we, if we're going to ship it to Eagle Park?" He wanted to +take Tom's mind off his troubles. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know whether we will or not," was the answer, and Tom tried to +speak unbrokenly, but there was a troublesome lump in his throat, and a +mist of tears in his eyes that prevented him from seeing well. The +Humming-Bird, to him, looked as if she was in a fog. +</P> + +<P> +"Nonsense! Of course we will!" cried Mr. Damon. "Why, bless my +wishbone! Tom, you don't mean to say you're going to let that little +shrimp Andy Foger walk away with that ten-thousand-dollar prize without +giving him a fight for it; are you?" +</P> + +<P> +This was just what Tom needed, and it seemed good to have Mr. Damon +bless something again, even if it was only a wishbone. +</P> + +<P> +"No!" exclaimed Tom, in ringing tones. "Andy Foger isn't going to beat +me, and if I find out he is going to race with a machine made after my +stolen plans, I'll make him wish he'd never taken them." +</P> + +<P> +"But if the machine he had flying over here when he dropped that bomb +on the shed roof, and set fire to it, is the one he's going to race +with, it isn't like yours," suggested Mr. Damon, who was glad he had +turned the conversation into a more cheerful channel. +</P> + +<P> +"That's so," agreed the young inventor. "Well, we'll have to wait and +see." He was busy now, going over every detail of the Humming-Bird. Mr. +Damon helped him, and they discovered the defect in the equilibrium +weights, and remedied it. +</P> + +<P> +"We can't afford to have an accident in the race," said Tom. He glanced +toward the house, and wondered if the operation had begun yet. He could +see the trained nurse hurrying here and there, Mrs. Baggert helping her. +</P> + +<P> +Eradicate Sampson shuffled out from the stable where he kept his mule +Boomerang. On the face of the honest colored man there was a dejected +look. +</P> + +<P> +"Am Massa Swift any better, Massa Tom?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"We can't tell yet," was the answer. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, if he doan't git well, den I'm goin' t' sell mah mule," went on +the dirt-chaser, from which line of activity Eradicate had derived his +name. +</P> + +<P> +"Sell Boomerang! Bless my curry comb! what for?" asked Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"'Case as how he wouldn't neber be any good fo' wuk any mo'," explained +Eradicate. "He's got so attached t' dis place, an' all de folkes on it, +dat he'd feel so sorry ef—ef—well, ef any ob 'em went away, dat I +couldn't git no mo' wuk out ob him, no how. So ef Massa Swift doan't +git well, den I an' Boomerang parts!" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, we hope it won't happen," said Tom, greatly touched by the +simple grief of Eradicate. The young inventor was silent a moment, and +then he softly added: "I—I wonder when—when we'll know?" +</P> + +<P> +"Soon now, I think," answered Mr. Damon, in a low voice. +</P> + +<P> +Silently they waited about the aeroplane. Tom tried to busy himself, +but he could not. He kept his eyes fastened on the house. +</P> + +<P> +It seemed like several hours, but it was not more than one, ere the +white-capped nurse came to the door and waved her hand to Tom. He +sprang to his feet and rushed forward. What would be the message he was +to receive? +</P> + +<P> +He stood before the nurse, his heart madly beating. She looked gently +at him. +</P> + +<P> +"Will he—will he live?" Tom asked, pantingly. +</P> + +<P> +"I think so," she answered gently. "The operation is over. It was a +success, so far. Time alone will tell, now. Dr. Hendrix says you can +see your father for just a moment." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap22"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Twenty-Two +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Off to the Meet +</H3> + +<P> +Softly Tom tiptoed into the room where his father lay. At the bedside +were the three doctors, and the nurse followed the young inventor in. +Mrs. Baggert stood in the hall, and near her was Garret Jackson. The +aged housekeeper had been weeping, but she smiled at Tom through her +tears. +</P> + +<P> +"I think he's going to get well," she whispered. She always looked on +the bright side of things. Tom's heart felt better. +</P> + +<P> +"You must only speak a few words to him," cautioned the specialist, who +had performed such a rare and delicate operation, near the heart of the +invalid. "He is very weak, Tom." +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Swift opened his eyes as his son approached. He looked around +feebly. +</P> + +<P> +"Tom—are you there?" he asked in a whisper. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, dad," was the eager answer. +</P> + +<P> +"They tell me you—you made a great trip to get Dr. Hendrix—broken +bridge—came through the air with him. Is that right?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, dad. But don't tire yourself. You must get well and strong." +</P> + +<P> +"I will, Tom. But tell me; did you go in—in the Humming-Bird?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, dad." +</P> + +<P> +"How did she work?" +</P> + +<P> +"Fine. Over a hundred, and the motor wasn't at its best." +</P> + +<P> +"That's good. Then you can go in the big race, and win." +</P> + +<P> +"No, I don't believe I'll go, dad." +</P> + +<P> +"Why not?" Mr. Swift spoke more strongly. +</P> + +<P> +"I—because—well, I don't want to." +</P> + +<P> +"Nonsense, Tom! I know; it's on my account. I know it is. But listen to +me. I want you to go in! I want you to win that race! Never mind about +me. I'm going to get well, and I'll recover all the more quickly if you +win that race. Now promise me you'll go in it and—and—win!" +</P> + +<P> +The invalid's strength was fast leaving him. +</P> + +<P> +"I—I—-," began Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Promise!" insisted the aged inventor, trying to rise. Dr. Hendrix made +a hasty move toward the bed. +</P> + +<P> +"Promise!" whispered the surgeon to Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"I—I promise!" exclaimed Tom, and the aged inventor sank back with a +smile of satisfaction on his pale face. +</P> + +<P> +"Now you must go," said Dr. Gladby to Tom. "He has talked long enough. +He must sleep now, and get up his strength." +</P> + +<P> +"Will he get better?" asked Tom, anxiously. +</P> + +<P> +"We can't say for sure," was the answer. "We have great hopes." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't want to enter the race unless I know he is going to live," +went on Tom, as Dr. Gladby followed him out of the room. +</P> + +<P> +"No one can say for a certainty that he will recover," spoke the +physician. "You will have to hope for the best, that is all, Tom. If I +were you I'd go in the race. It will occupy your mind, and if you could +send good news to your father it might help him in the fight for life +he is making." +</P> + +<P> +"But suppose—suppose something happens while I am away?" suggested the +young inventor. +</P> + +<P> +The doctor thought for a moment. Then he exclaimed: +</P> + +<P> +"You have a wireless outfit on your craft; haven't you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you can receive messages from here every hour if you wish. Garret +Jackson, your engineer, can send them, and you can pick them up in +mid-air if need be." +</P> + +<P> +"So I can!" cried Tom. "I will go to the meet. I'll take the +Humming-Bird apart at once, and ship it to Eagle Park. Unless Dr. +Hendrix wants to go back in it," he added as an after thought. +</P> + +<P> +"No," spoke Dr. Gladby, "Dr. Hendrix is going to remain here for a few +days, in case of an emergency. By that time the bridge will have been +repaired, and he can go back by train. I gather, from what he said, +that though he liked the air trip, he will not care for another one." +</P> + +<P> +"Very well," assented Tom, and Mr. Damon and he were kept busy, packing +the Humming-Bird for shipment. Mr. Jackson helped them, and Eradicate +and his mule Boomerang were called on occasionally when boxes or crates +were to be taken to the railroad station. +</P> + +<P> +In the meanwhile, Mr. Swift, if he did not improve any, at least held +his own. This the doctors said was a sign of hope, and, though Tom was +filled with anxiety, he tried to think that fate would be kind to him, +and that his father would recover. Dr. Hendrix left, saying there was +nothing more he could do, and that the rest depended on the local +physicians, and on the nurse. +</P> + +<P> +"Und ve vill do our duty!" ponderously exclaimed Dr. Kurtz. "You go off +to dot bird race, Dom, und doan't vorry. Ve vill send der with-out-vire +messages to you venever dere is anyt'ing to report. Go mit a light +heart!" +</P> + +<P> +How Tom wished he could, but it was out of the question. The last of +the parts of the Humming-Bird had been sent away, and our hero +forwarded a telegram to Mr. Sharp, of the arrangement committee, +stating that he and Mr. Damon would soon follow. Then, having bidden +his father a fond farewell, and after arranging with Mr. Jackson to +send frequent wireless messages, Tom and the eccentric man left for the +meet. +</P> + +<P> +There was a wireless station at Eagle Park, and Tom had planned to +receive the messages from home there until he could set up his own +plant. He would have two outfits. One in the big tent where the +Humming-Bird was to be put together, and another on the machine itself, +so that when in the air, practicing, or even in the great race itself, +there would be no break in the news that was to be flashed through +space. +</P> + +<P> +Tom and Mr. Damon arrived at Eagle Park on time, and Tom's first +inquiry was for a message from home. There was one, stating that Mr. +Swift was fairly comfortable, and seemed to be doing well. With +happiness in his heart, the young inventor then set about getting the +parts of his craft from the station to the park, where he and Mr. +Damon, with a trusty machinist whom Mr. Sharp had recommended, would +assemble it. Tom arranged that in his absence the wireless operator on +the grounds would take any message that came for him. +</P> + +<P> +The Humming-Bird, in the big cases and boxes, had safely arrived, and +these were soon in the tent which had been assigned to Tom. It was +still several days until the opening of the meet, and the grounds +presented a scene of confusion. +</P> + +<P> +Workmen were putting up grand stands, tents and sheds were being +erected, exhibitors were getting their machines in shape, and excited +contestants of many nationalities were hurrying to and fro, inquiring +about parts delayed in shipment, or worrying lest some of their pet +ideas be stolen. +</P> + +<P> +Tom and Mr. Damon, with Frank Forker, the young machinist, were soon +busy in their big tent, which was a combined workshop and living +quarters, for Tom had determined to stay right on the ground until the +big race was over. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't see anything of Andy Foger," remarked Mr. Damon, on the second +day of their residence in the park. "There are lots of new entries +arriving, but he doesn't seem to be on hand." +</P> + +<P> +"There's time enough," replied Tom. "I am afraid he's hanging back +until the last minute, and will spring his machine so late that I won't +have time to lodge a protest. It would be just like him." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I'll be on the lookout for him. Have you heard from home to-day, +Tom?" +</P> + +<P> +"No. I'm expecting a message any minute." The young inventor glanced +toward the wireless apparatus which had been set up in the tent. At +that moment there came the peculiar sound which indicated a message +coming through space, and down the receiving wires. "There's something +now!" exclaimed Tom, as he hurried over and clamped the telephone +receiver to his ear. He listened a moment. +</P> + +<P> +"Good news!" he exclaimed. "Dad sat up a little to-day! I guess he's +going to get well!" and he clicked back congratulations to his father +and the others in Shopton. +</P> + +<P> +Another day saw the Humming-Bird almost in shape again, and Tom was +preparing for a tryout of the engine. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Damon had gone over to the committee headquarters to consult with +Mr. Sharp about the steps necessary for Tom to take in case Andy did +attempt to enter a craft that infringed on the ideas of the young +inventor, and on his way back he saw a newly-erected tent. There was a +young man standing in the entrance, at the sight of whom the eccentric +man murmured: +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my skate-strap! His face looks very familiar!" +</P> + +<P> +The youth disappeared inside the tent suddenly, and, as Mr. Damon came +opposite the canvas shelter, he started in surprise. +</P> + +<P> +For, on a strip of muslin which was across the tent, painted in gay +colors, were the words: +</P> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE FOGER AEROPLANE +</H3> + +<BR> + +<P> +"Bless my elevation rudder!" cried Mr. Damon. "Andy's here at last! I +must tell Tom!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap23"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Twenty-Three +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +The Great Race +</H3> + +<P> +"Well," remarked Mr. Sharp, when Tom and Mr. Damon had called on him, +to state that Andy Foger's machine was now on the grounds, and +demanding to be allowed to view it, to see if it was an infringement on +the one entered by the young inventor, "I'll do the best I can for you. +I'll lay the case before the committee. It will meet at once, and I'll +let you know what they say." +</P> + +<P> +"Understand," said Tom, "I don't want to interfere unless I am +convinced that Andy is trying an underhand trick. My plans are missing, +and I think he took them. If his machine is made after those plans, it +is, obviously, a steal, and I want him ruled out of the meet." +</P> + +<P> +"And so he shall be!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp. "Get the evidence against +him, and we'll act quickly enough." +</P> + +<P> +The committee met in about an hour, and considered the case. Meanwhile, +Tom and Mr. Damon strolled past the tent with its flaring sign. There +was a man on guard, but Andy was not in sight. +</P> + +<P> +Then Tom was sent for, and Mr. Sharp told him what conclusion had been +arrived at. It was this: +</P> + +<P> +"Under the rules of the meet," said the balloonist, "we had to +guarantee privacy to all the contestants until such time as they choose +to exhibit their machines. That is, they need not bring them out until +just before the races," he added. "This is not a handicap affair, and +the speediest machine, or the one that goes to the greatest height, +according to which class it enters, will win. In consequence we cannot +force any contestant to declare what kind of a machine he will use +until he gets ready. +</P> + +<P> +"Some are going to use the familiar type of biplanes and, as you can +see, there is no secret about them. They are trying them out now." This +was so, for several machines of this type were either in the air, +circling about, or were being run over the ground. +</P> + +<P> +"But others," continued Mr. Sharp, "will not even take the committee +into their confidence until just before the race. They want to keep +their craft a secret. We can't compel them to do otherwise. I'm sorry, +Tom, but the only thing I see for you to do is to wait until the last +minute. Then, if you find Andy has infringed on your machine, lodge a +protest—that is unless you can get evidence against him before that +time." +</P> + +<P> +Tom well knew the uselessness of the latter plan. He and Mr. Damon had +tried several times to get a glimpse of the craft Andy had made, but +without success. As to the other alternative—that of waiting until the +last moment—Tom feared that, too, would be futile. +</P> + +<P> +"For," he reasoned, "just before the race there will be a lot of +confusion, officials will be here and there, scattered over the ground, +they will be hard to find, and it will be almost useless to protest +then. Andy will enter the race, and there is a possibility that he may +win. Almost any one could with a machine like the Humming-Bird. It's +the machine almost as much as the operator, in a case like this." +</P> + +<P> +"But you can protest after the race," suggested Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"That would be little good, in case Andy beat me. The public would say +I was a sorehead, and jealous. No, I've either got to stop Andy before +the race, or not at all. I will try to think of a plan." +</P> + +<P> +Tom did think of several, but abandoned them one after the other. He +tried to get a glimpse inside the tent where the Foger aeroplane was +housed, but it was too closely guarded. Andy himself was not much in +evidence, and Tom only had fleeting glimpses of the bully. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile he and Mr. Damon, together with their machinist, were kept +busy. As Tom's craft was fully protected by patents now, he had no +hesitation in taking it out, and it was given several severe tests +around the aerial course. It did even better than Tom expected of it, +and he had great hopes. +</P> + +<P> +Always, though, there were two things that worried him. One was his +father's illness, and the other the uneasiness he felt as to what Andy +Foger might do. As to the former, the wireless reports indicated that +Mr. Swift was doing as well as could be expected, but his improvement +was not rapid. Regarding the latter worry, Tom saw no way of getting +rid of it. +</P> + +<P> +"I've just got to wait, that's all," he thought. +</P> + +<P> +The day before the opening of the meet, Tom and Mr. Damon had given the +Humming-Bird a grueling tryout. They had taken her high up—so high +that no prying eyes could time them, and there Tom had opened the motor +for all the power in it. They had flashed through space at the rate of +one hundred and twenty miles an hour. +</P> + +<P> +"If we can only do that in the race, the ten thousand dollars is mine!" +exulted Tom, as he slanted the nose of the aeroplane toward the earth. +</P> + +<P> +The day of the race dawned clear and beautiful. Tom was up early, for +there remained many little things to do to get his craft in final trim +for the contest. Then, too, he wanted to be ready to act promptly as +soon as Andy's machine was wheeled out, and he also wanted to get a +message from home. +</P> + +<P> +The wireless arrived soon after breakfast, and did not contain very +cheering news. +</P> + +<P> +"Your father not so well," Mr. Jackson sent. "Poor night, but doctor +thinks day will show improvement. Don't worry." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't worry! I wonder who could help it," mused poor Tom. "Well, I'll +hope for the best," and he wired back to tell the engineer in Shopton +to keep in touch with him, and to flash the messages to the +Humming-Bird in the air, after the big race started. +</P> + +<P> +"Now I'll go out and see if I can catch a glimpse of what that sneak +Andy has to pit against me," said Tom. +</P> + +<P> +The Foger tent was tightly closed, and Tom turned back to his own +place, having arranged with a messenger to come and let him know as +soon as Andy's craft was wheeled out. +</P> + +<P> +All about was a scene of great activity. The grand stands were filled, +and a big crowd stood about the field anxiously waiting for the first +sight of the "bird-men" in their wonderful machines. Now and then the +band blared out, and cheers arose as one after another the frail craft +were wheeled to the starting place. +</P> + +<P> +Men in queer leather costumes darted here and there—they were the +aviators who were soon to risk life and limb for glory and gold. Most +of them were nervously smoking cigarettes. The air was filled with +guttural German or nasal French, while now and then the staccato +Russian was heard, and occasionally the liquid tones of a Japanese. For +men of many nations were competing for the prizes. +</P> + +<P> +The majority of the machines were monoplanes and biplanes though one +triplane was entered, and there were several "freaks" as the biplane +and monoplane men called them—craft of the helicopter, or the wheel +type. There was also one Witzig Liore Dutilleul biplane, with three +planes behind. +</P> + +<P> +Tom was familiar with most of these types, but occasionally he saw a +new one that excited his curiosity. However, he was more interested in +what Andy Foger would turn out. Andy's machine had not been tried, and +Tom wondered how he dared risk flying in it, without at least a +preliminary tryout. But Andy, and those with him, were evidently full +of confidence. +</P> + +<P> +News of the suspicions of Tom, and what he intended to do in case these +suspicions proved true, had gotten around, and there was quite a crowd +about his own tent, and another throng around that of Andy. +</P> + +<P> +Tom and Mr. Damon had wheeled the Humming-Bird out of her canvas +"nest." There was a cheer as the crowd caught sight of the trim little +craft. The young inventor, the eccentric man, and the machinist were +busy going over every part. +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile the meet had been officially opened, and it was announced +that the preliminary event would be some air evolutions at no great +height, and for no particular prize. Several biplanes and monoplanes +took part in this. It was very interesting, but the big +ten-thousand-dollar race, over a distance of a hundred miles was the +principal feature of the meet, and all waited anxiously for this. +</P> + +<P> +The opening stunts passed off successfully, save that a German operator +in a Bleriot came to grief, crashing down to the ground, wrecking his +machine, and breaking an arm. But he only laughed at that, and coolly +demanded another cigarette, as he crawled out of the tangle of wires, +planes and the motor. +</P> + +<P> +After this there was an exhibition flight by a French aviator in a +Curtis biplane, who raced against one in a Baby Wright. It was a dead +heat, according to the judges. Then came a flight for height; and while +no records were broken, the crowd was well satisfied. +</P> + +<P> +"Get ready for the hundred-mile ten-thousand-dollar-prize race!" +shouted the announcer, through his megaphone. +</P> + +<P> +Tom's heart gave a bound. There were seven entrants in this contest +besides Tom and Andy Foger, and as announced by the starter they were +as follows: +</P> + +<PRE> + CONTESTANT MACHINE + Von Bergen.................Wright Biplane + Alameda..............Antoinette Monoplane + Perique.................Bleriot Monoplane + Loi Tong..........Santos-Dumont Monoplane + Wendell....................Curtis Biplane + De Tromp...................Farman Biplane + Lascalle.............Demoiselle Monoplane + Andy Foger................. ---------- + Tom Swift..........Humming-Bird Monoplane +</PRE> + +<BR> + +<P> +"What is the style of the Foger machine?" yelled some one in the crowd, +as the announcer lowered his megaphone. +</P> + +<P> +"It has not been announced," was the reply. "It will at once be wheeled +out though, in accordance with the conditions of the race." +</P> + +<P> +There was a craning of necks, and an uneasy movement in the crowd, for +Tom's story was now generally known. +</P> + +<P> +"Get ready to make your protest," advised Mr. Damon to the young +inventor. "I'll stay by the machine here until you come back. Bless my +radiator! I hope you beat him!" +</P> + +<P> +"I will, if it's possible!" murmured Tom, with a grim tightening of his +lips. +</P> + +<P> +There was a movement about Andy's tent, whence, for the last half hour +had come spasmodic noises that indicated the trying-out of the motor. +The flaps were pulled back and a curious machine was wheeled into view. +Tom rushed over toward it, intent on getting the first view. Would it +prove to be a copy of his speedy Humming-Bird? +</P> + +<P> +Eagerly he looked, but a curious sight met his eyes. The machine was +totally unlike any he had expected to see. It was large, and to his +mind rather clumsy, but it looked powerful. Then, as he took in the +details, he knew that it was the same one that had flown over his house +that night—it was the one from which the fire bomb had been dropped. +</P> + +<P> +He pushed his way through the crowd. He saw Andy standing near the +curious biplane, which type of air craft it nearest resembled, though +it had some monoplane features. On the side was painted the name: +</P> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +SLUGGER +</H3> + +<BR> + +<P> +Andy caught sight of Tom Swift. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm going to beat you!" the bully boasted, "and I haven't a machine +like yours, after all. You were wrong." +</P> + +<P> +"So I see," stammered Tom, hardly knowing what to think. "What did you +do with my plans then?" +</P> + +<P> +"I never had them!" +</P> + +<P> +Andy turned away, and began to assist the men he had hired to help him. +Like all the others, his machine had two seats, for in this race each +operator must carry a passenger. +</P> + +<P> +Tom turned away, both glad and sorry,—glad that his rival was not to +race him in a duplicate of the Humming-Bird, but sorry that he had as +yet no track of the strangely missing plans. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder where they can be?" mused the young inventor. +</P> + +<P> +Then came the firing of the preliminary gun. Tom rushed back to where +Mr. Damon stood waiting for him. +</P> + +<P> +There was a last look at the Humming-Bird. She was fit to race any +machine on the ground. Mr. Damon took his place. Tom started the +propeller. The other contestants were in their seats with their +passengers. Their assistants stood ready to shove them off. The +explosions of so many motors in action were deafening. +</P> + +<P> +"How much thrust?" cried Tom to his machinist. +</P> + +<P> +"Twenty-two hundred pounds!" +</P> + +<P> +"Good!" +</P> + +<P> +The report of the starting-gun could not be heard. But the smoke of it +leaped into the air. It was the signal to go. +</P> + +<P> +Tom's voice would not have carried five feet. He waved his hands as a +signal. His helper thrust the Humming-Bird forward. Over the smooth +ground it rushed. Tom looked eagerly ahead. On a line with him were the +other machines, including Andy Foger's Slugger. +</P> + +<P> +Tom pulled a lever. He felt his craft soar upward. The other machines +also pointed their noses into the air. +</P> + +<P> +The big race for the ten-thousand-dollar prize was under way! +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap24"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Twenty-Four +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Won by a Length +</H3> + +<P> +Rising upward, on a steep slant, for he wanted to get into the upper +currents as soon as possible, Tom looked down and off to his left and +saw one machine going over the ground in curious leaps and bounds. It +was the tiny Demoiselle—the smallest craft in the race, and its +peculiar style of starting was always thus manifested. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't believe he's going to make it," thought Tom. +</P> + +<P> +He was right. In another moment the tiny craft, after rising a short +distance, dove downward, and was wrecked. The young inventor saw the +two men crawling out from the tangled planes and wings, apparently +uninjured. +</P> + +<P> +"One contestant less," thought Tom, grimly, though with pity in his +heart for the unfortunates. +</P> + +<P> +However, he must think of himself and his own craft now. He glanced at +Mr. Damon sitting beside him. That odd gentleman, with never a thought +of blessing anything now, unless he did it silently, was watching the +lubricating system. This was a vital part of the craft, for if anything +went wrong with it, and the bearings overheated, the race would have to +be abandoned. So Tom was not trusting to any automatic arrangement, but +had instituted, almost at the last moment, a duplicate hand-worked +system, so that if one failed him he would have the other. +</P> + +<P> +"A good start!" shouted Mr. Damon in his ear. +</P> + +<P> +Tom nodded, and glanced behind him. On a line with the Humming-Bird, +and at about the same elevation, were the Bleriot monoplane and a +Wright biplane. Below were the Santos-Dumont and the Antoinette. +</P> + +<P> +"Where's the Slugger?" called Tom to his friend. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Damon motioned upward. There, in the air above Tom's machine, and +slightly in advance, was Andy Foger's craft. He had gotten away in +better shape than had the Humming-Bird. +</P> + +<P> +For a moment Tom's heart misgave him. Then he turned on more power, and +had the satisfaction of mounting upward and shooting onward until he +was on even terms with Andy. +</P> + +<P> +The bully gave one glance over toward his rival, and pulled a lever. +The Slugger increased her speed, but Tom was not a second behind him. +</P> + +<P> +There was a roaring noise in the rear, and up shot De Tromp in the +Farman, and Loi Tong, the little Japanese, in the Santos-Dumont. Truly +the race was going to be a hotly contested one. But the end was far off +yet. +</P> + +<P> +After the first jockeying for a start and position, the race settled +down into what might be termed a "grind." The course was a large one, +but so favorable was the atmosphere that day, and such was the location +of Eagle Park in a great valley, that even on the far side of the great +ellipse the contestants could be seen, dimly with the naked eye, but +very plainly with glasses, with which many of the spectators were +provided. +</P> + +<P> +Around and around they went, at no very great height, for it was +necessary to make out the signals set up by the race officials, so that +the contestants would know when they were near the finish, that they +might use the last atom of speed. So at varying heights the wonderful +machines circled about the course. +</P> + +<P> +The Humming-Bird was working well, and Tom felt a sense of pride as he +saw the ground slipping away below him. He felt sure that he would win, +even when Alameda, the Spaniard, in the Antoinette, came creeping up on +him, and even when Andy Foger, with a burst of speed, placed himself +and his passenger in the lead. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll catch him!" muttered Tom, and he opened the throttle a trifle +wider, and went after Andy, passing him with ease. +</P> + +<P> +They had covered about thirty miles of the course, when the humming and +crackling of the wireless apparatus told Tom that a message was coming. +He snapped the receiver to his ear, adjusting the outer covering to +shut out the racket of the motor, and listened. +</P> + +<P> +"Well?" asked Mr. Damon, as Tom took off the receiver. +</P> + +<P> +"Dad isn't quite so well," answered the lad. "Mr. Jackson says they +have sent for Dr. Hendrix again. But dad is game. He sends me word to +go on and win, and I'll do it, too, only—" +</P> + +<P> +Tom paused, and choked back a sob. Then he prepared to get more speed +out of his motor. +</P> + +<P> +"Of course you will!" cried Mr. Damon. "Bless my—!" +</P> + +<P> +But they encountered an adverse current of wind at that moment, and it +required the attention of both of the aviators to manage the machine. +It was soon on an even keel again, and once more was shooting forward +around the course. +</P> + +<P> +At times Tom would be in advance, and again he would have to give place +to the Curtis, the Farman, or the Santos-Dumont, as these speedy +machines, favored by a spurt from their motors, or by some current of +air, shot ahead. But, in general, Tom maintained the lead, and among +the spectators there began a series of guesses as to how much he would +win by. +</P> + +<P> +Tom glanced at the barograph. It registered a little over twelve +hundred feet. He looked at the speed gage. He was doing a trifle better +than a hundred miles an hour. He looked down at the signals. There was +twenty miles yet to go. It was almost time for the spurt for which he +had been holding back. Yet he would wait until five miles from the end, +and then he felt that he could gain and maintain a lead. +</P> + +<P> +"Andy seems to be doing well," said Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, he has a good machine," conceded Tom. +</P> + +<P> +Five miles more were reeled off. Then another five. Another round of +that distance and Tom would key his motor up to the highest pitch, and +then the Humming-Bird would show what she could do. Eagerly Tom waited +for the right signal. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly the wireless began buzzing again. Quickly the young inventor +clamped the receiver to his ear. Mr. Damon saw him turn pale. +</P> + +<P> +"Dr. Gladby says dad has a turn for the worse. There is little hope," +translated Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Will you—are you going to quit?" asked Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +Tom shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +"No!" he cried. "My father has become unconscious, so Mr. Jackson says, +but his last words were to me: 'Tell Tom to win the race!' And I'm +going to do it!" +</P> + +<P> +Tom suddenly changed his plans. There was to be no waiting for the +signal now. He would begin his final spurt, and if possible finish the +hundred miles at his utmost speed, win the race and then hasten to his +father's side. +</P> + +<P> +With a menacing roar the motor of the Humming-Bird took up the +additional power that Tom sent into her. She shot ahead like an eagle +darting after his prey. Tom opened up a big gap between his machine and +the one nearest him, which, at that moment, was the Antoinette, with +the Spaniard driving her. +</P> + +<P> +"Now to win!" cried Tom, grimly. +</P> + +<P> +Surely no race was ever flown as was that one! Tom flashed through the +air so quickly that his speed was almost incredible. The gage +registered one hundred and thirty miles an hour! +</P> + +<P> +Down below in the grand stands, and on the aviation field, there were +yells of approval—of wonder—of fear. But Tom and Mr. Damon could not +hear them. They only heard the powerful song of the motor. +</P> + +<P> +Faster and faster flew the Humming-Bird. Tom looked down, and saw the +signal put up which meant that there were but three miles more to go. +He felt that he could do it. He was half a lap ahead of them all now. +But he saw Andy Foger's machine pulling away from the bunch. +</P> + +<P> +"He's going to try to catch me!" exulted Tom. +</P> + +<P> +Then something happened. The motor of the Humming-Bird suddenly +slackened its speed, it missed explosions, and the trim little craft +began to drop behind. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter?" cried Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"Three of the cylinders are out of business!" yelled Tom. "We're done +for, I guess." +</P> + +<P> +On came the other machines, Andy in the lead, then the Santos-Dumont, +then the Farman, and lastly the Wright. They saw the plight of the +Humming-Bird and determined to beat her. Tom cast a despairing look up +at the motor. There was nothing to be done. He could not reach it in +mid-air. He could only keep on, crippled as he was, and trust to luck. +</P> + +<P> +Andy passed by his rival with an evil smile on his ugly face. Then the +Antoinette flashed by. In turn all the others left Tom in the rear. His +heart was like lead. Mr. Damon gazed blankly forward. They were beaten. +It did not seem possible. +</P> + +<P> +There was but a single chance. If Tom shut off all power, coasted for a +moment, and then, ere the propeller had ceased revolving, if he could +start the motor on the spark, the silent cylinders might pick up, with +the others, and begin again. He would try it. They could be no worse +off than they were. +</P> + +<P> +"A mile behind!" gasped Tom. "It's a long chance, but I'll take it." +</P> + +<P> +He shut off the power. The motor was silent, the Humming-Bird began to +fall. But ere she had gone down ten feet Tom suddenly switched on the +batteries. There was a moment of silence, and then came the welcome +roar that told of the rekindled motor. And such a roar as it was! Every +cylinder was exploding as though none of them had ever stopped! +</P> + +<P> +"We did it!" yelled Tom. Opening up at full speed, he sent the sky +racer on the course to overtake and pass his rivals. +</P> + +<P> +Slowly he crept on them. They looked back and saw him coming. They +tried to put on more speed, but it was impossible. Andy Foger was in +the lead. He was being slowly overhauled by the Santos-Dumont, with +the queer tail-rudders. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll get him!" muttered Tom. "I'll pass 'em all!" +</P> + +<P> +And he did. With a wonderful burst of speed the little Humming-Bird +overtook one after another of her larger rivals, and passed them. Then +she crept up on Andy's Slugger. +</P> + +<P> +In an instant more it was done, and, a good length in advance of the +Foger craft, Tom shot over the finish line a winner, richer by ten +thousand dollars, and, not only that, but he had picked up a mile that +had been lost, and had snatched victory from almost certain defeat. +</P> + +<P> +There was a succession of thundering cheers as he shut off the motor, +and volplaned to earth, but he paid little attention to them. He +brought his craft to a stop just as the wireless on it buzzed again. +</P> + +<P> +He listened with a look of pain on his face. +</P> + +<P> +"My father is dying," he said simply. "I must go to him. Mr. Damon, +will you fill the tanks with oil and gasoline, while I send off a +message?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oil and gasoline," murmured the odd man, while hundreds pressed up to +congratulate Tom Swift "What are you going to do?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'm going to my father in the Humming-Bird," said Tom. "It's the only +way I can see him alive," and he began to click off a message to Mr. +Jackson, stating that he had won the race and was going to fly to +Shopton, while Mr. Damon and several others replenished the fuel and +oil of the aeroplane. +</P> + +<P> +Tom Swift had won one race. Could he win the other? +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap25"></A> +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Chapter Twenty-Five +</H3> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Home Again—Conclusion +</H3> + +<P> +Mr. Sharp pushed his way through the crowd. +</P> + +<P> +"The committee has the certified check ready for you, Tom," called the +balloonist. "Will you come and get it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Send it to me, please," answered the young inventor. "I must go to my +father." +</P> + +<P> +"Huh! I'd have beaten him in another round," boasted Andy Foger. No one +paid any attention to him. +</P> + +<P> +"Monsieur ezz plucky!" said the Frenchman, Perique. "I am honaired to +shake his hand! He has broken all ze records!" +</P> + +<P> +"Dot's der best machine I effer saw," spoke the Dutchman, De Tromp, +ponderously. "Shake hands!" +</P> + +<P> +"Ver' fine, ver' good!" came from the little Japanese, and all the +contestants congratulated Tom warmly. Never before had a hundred miles +been covered so speedily. +</P> + +<P> +A man elbowed his way through the press of people. +</P> + +<P> +"Is your machine fully protected by patents?" he inquired earnestly. +</P> + +<P> +"It is," said Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Then, as a representative of the United States Government, I would +like an option to purchase the exclusive right to use them," said the +man. "Can you guarantee that no one else has any plans of them? It +will mean a fortune to you." +</P> + +<P> +Tom hesitated. He thought of the stolen plans. If he could only get +possession of them! He glanced at Andy Foger, who was wheeling his +machine back into the tent. But there was no time now to have it out +with the bully. +</P> + +<P> +"I will see you again," said Tom to the government agent. "I must go to +my father, who is dying. I can't answer you now." +</P> + +<P> +The tanks were filled. Tom gave a hasty look to his machine, and, +bidding his new friends farewell, he and Mr. Damon took their places +aboard the Humming-Bird. The little craft rose in the air, and soon +they had left Eagle Park far behind. Eagerly Tom strained his eyes for +a sight of his home town, though he knew it would be several hours ere +he could hover over it. +</P> + +<P> +Would he be in time? Would he be in time? That question came to him +again and again. +</P> + +<P> +For a time the Humming-Bird skimmed along as though she delighted in +the rapid motion, in slipping through the air and sliding along on the +billows of wind. Tom, with critical ears, listened to the hum of the +motor, the puffing of the exhaust, the grinding of the gear wheels, and +the clicking of the trips, as valve after valve opened or closed to +admit the mixture of air and gasoline, or closed to give the +compression necessary for the proper explosion. +</P> + +<P> +"Is she working all right?" asked Mr. Damon, anxiously, and, such was +the strain on him that he did not think to bless anything. "Is she all +right, Tom, my lad?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think so. I'm speeding her to the limit. Faster than I ever did +before, but I guess she'll do. She was built to stand a strain, and +she's got to do it now!" +</P> + +<P> +Then there was silence again, as they slid along through the air like a +coaster gliding down a steep descent. +</P> + +<P> +"It was a great race, wasn't it?" asked Mr. Damon, as he shifted to an +easier position in his seat. "A great race, Tom. I didn't think you'd +do it, one spell there." +</P> + +<P> +"Neither did I," came the answer, as the young inventor changed the +spark lever. "But I made up my mind I wouldn't be beaten by Andy Foger, +if I could help it. Though it was taking a risk to shut off the current +the way I did." +</P> + +<P> +"A risk?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; it might not have started again," and Tom looked down at the +earth below them, as if measuring the distance he would have fallen had +not his sky racer kept on at the critical moment. +</P> + +<P> +"And—and if the current hadn't come on again; eh, Tom? Would we—?" +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Damon did not finish, but Tom knew what he meant. +</P> + +<P> +"It would have been all up with us," he said simply. "I might have +volplaned back to earth, but at the speed we were going, and at the +height, around a curve, we might have turned turtle." +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my—!" began Mr. Damon, and then he stopped. The thought of +Tom's trouble came to him, and he realized that his words might grate +on the feelings of his companion. +</P> + +<P> +On they rushed through the air with the Humming-Bird speeded up faster +and faster as she warmed to her task. The machinery seemed to be +working perfectly, and as Tom listened to the hum a look of pleasure +replaced the look of anxiety on his face. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't you think we'll make it?" asked Mr. Damon, after another pause, +during which they passed over a large city, the inhabitants exhibiting +much excitement as they sighted the airship over their heads. +</P> + +<P> +"We've got to make it!" declared Tom between his clenched teeth. +</P> + +<P> +He turned on a little more gasoline, and there was a spurt in their +speed which made Mr. Damon grasp the upright braces near him with firm +hands, and his face became a little paler. +</P> + +<P> +"It's all right," spoke Tom, reassuringly. "There's no danger." +</P> + +<P> +But Tom almost reckoned without his host, for a few moments later, as +he was trying to get more revolutions out of the propellers, he ran +into an adverse current of air. +</P> + +<P> +In an instant the Humming-Bird was tilted up almost on her "beams' +ends," so to speak, and had it not been that the young inventor quickly +warped the wing tips, to counteract the pressure on one side, there +might have been a different end to this story. +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my——!" began Mr. Damon, but he got no further, for he had to +bend his body as Tom did, to equalize the pressure of the wind current. +</P> + +<P> +"A little farther over!" yelled the lad. "A little farther over this +way, Mr. Damon!" +</P> + +<P> +"But if I come any more toward you I'll be out of my seat!" objected +the eccentric man. +</P> + +<P> +"If you don't you'll be out of the aeroplane!" cried Tom grimly, and +his companion leaned over as far as he could until the young pilot had +brought the craft to an even keel again. +</P> + +<P> +Then Tom speeded up the motor, which he had partly shut down as they +passed through the danger zone, and again they were racing through +space. +</P> + +<P> +They were nearing Shopton now, as the lad and Mr. Damon could tell by +the familiar landmarks which loomed up in sight. Tom strained his eyes +for the first view of his home. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly, as they were skimming along, there came a cessation of the +hum and roar that told of the perfectly-working motor. It was an +ominous silence. +</P> + +<P> +"What's—what's wrong?" gasped Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"Something's given way," answered Tom quickly. "I'm afraid the magneto +isn't sparking as it ought to." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, can't we volplane back to earth?" asked the odd man, for he had +become familiar with this feat when anything happened to the motor. +</P> + +<P> +"We could," answered Tom, "but I'm not going to." +</P> + +<P> +"Why not?" +</P> + +<P> +"Because we're too far from Shopton—and dad! I'm going to keep on. +I've got to—if I want to be there in time!" +</P> + +<P> +"But if the motor doesn't work?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'll make her work!" +</P> + +<P> +Tom was desperately manipulating the various levers and handles +connected with the electrical ignition system. He tried in vain to get +the magneto to resume the giving out of sparks, and, failing in that, +he switched on the batteries. But, to his horror, the dry cells had +given out. There was no way of getting a spark unless the little +electrical machine would work. +</P> + +<P> +The propellers were still whirring around by their own momentum, and if +Tom could switch in the magneto in time all might yet be well. +</P> + +<P> +They had started to fall, but, by quickly bringing up the head plane +tips, Tom sent his craft soaring upward again on a bank of air. +</P> + +<P> +"Here!" he cried to Mr. Damon. "Take the steering-wheel and kept her on +this level as long as you can." +</P> + +<P> +"What are you going to do?" +</P> + +<P> +"I've got to fix that magneto!" +</P> + +<P> +"But if she dips down?" +</P> + +<P> +"Throw up the head planes as I did. It's our only chance! I can't go +down now, so far from Shopton!" +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Damon reached over and took the wheel from Tom's hands. Then the +young inventor, leaning forward, for the magneto was within easy reach, +looked to see what the trouble was. He found it quickly. A wire had +vibrated loose from a binding-post. In a second Tom had it in place +again; and, ere the propellers had ceased revolving, he had turned the +switch. The magneto took up the work in a flash. Once more the spark +exploded the gasoline mixture, and the propellers sent the Humming-Bird +swiftly ahead. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll make it now!" declared Tom grimly. +</P> + +<P> +"We're almost there," added Mr. Damon, as he relinquished the wheel to +the young pilot. The craft had gone down some, but Tom sent her up +again. +</P> + +<P> +Nearer and nearer home they came, until at last the spires of the +Shopton churches loomed into view. Then he was over the village. Now he +was within sight of his own house. +</P> + +<P> +Tom coasted down a bank of air, and brought the Humming-Bird up with a +jerk of the ground brakes. Before the wheels had ceased turning he had +leaped out. +</P> + +<P> +"It's Massa Tom!" cried Eradicate, as he saw Tom alight. +</P> + +<P> +The young inventor hurried into the house. He was met by the nurse, who +held up a warning finger. Tom's heart almost stopped beating. He was +aware that Dr. Gladby came from the room where Mr. Swift lay. +</P> + +<P> +"Is he—is he—am I too late?" gulped Tom. +</P> + +<P> +"Hush!" cautioned the nurse. +</P> + +<P> +Tom reeled, and would have fallen had not the doctor caught him, for +the lad was weak and worn out. +</P> + +<P> +"He is going to get well!" were the joyful words he heard, as if in a +dream, and then his strength suddenly came back to him. "The crisis is +just passed, Tom," went on Dr. Gladby, "and your father will recover, +and be stronger than ever. Your good news of winning was like a tonic +to him. Now let me congratulate you on the race." Tom had flashed by +wireless a brief message of his success. +</P> + +<P> +"Dad's news is better than all the congratulations in the world," he +said softly, as he grasped the doctor's hand. +</P> + +<P> +* * * * * +</P> + +<P> +It was a week later. Mr. Swift improved rapidly once the course of the +disease was permanently checked, and he was soon able to sit up. Tom +was with him in the room, talking of the great race, and how he had +won. He fingered the certified check for ten thousand dollars that had +just come to him by mail. +</P> + +<P> +"You certainly did wonderfully well," said the aged inventor, softly. +"Wonderfully well, Tom. I'm proud of you." +</P> + +<P> +"You may well be," added Mr. Damon. "Bless my shoelaces, but I thought +Andy Foger had us there one spell; didn't you, Tom?" +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed I did. But you helped me win, Mr. Damon." +</P> + +<P> +"Nonsense!" exclaimed the odd man. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, you did. You helped me a lot." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, are you going to keep after more air-prizes, Tom, or are you +going to try for something else?" asked his father. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't believe I'll go in any more aeroplane races right away," +answered the young inventor. "For some time I've been wanting to +complete and perfect my electric rifle. I think I'll begin work on that +soon." +</P> + +<P> +"And go hunting?" asked Mr. Damon. +</P> + +<P> +"I think so," answered Tom, dreamily. "I don't know just where, though." +</P> + +<P> +Where he went, and what he shot, will be told in the next volume of +this series, to be called: "Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle; or, +Daring Adventures in Elephant Land." +</P> + +<P> +For a few moments after Tom's announcement no one spoke, then the young +inventor said: +</P> + +<P> +"It's too bad that first set of plans were stolen. If I had them I +could make a good deal with the Government about my little aeroplane. +But they don't want to take up with it as long as there is a chance of +some foreign nation getting information about the secret parts, and my +patents won't hold abroad. I wonder if there is any way of getting +those plans away from Andy Foger? I don't understand why he hasn't used +them before this. I thought sure he would make a craft like the +Humming-Bird to race against me." +</P> + +<P> +"What plans are those?" asked Mr. Swift. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, don't you remember?" asked Tom. "The ones I showed you one day, +in the library, when you fell asleep, and some one slipped in and stole +them." +</P> + +<P> +A curious look came over Mr. Swift's face. He passed his hand across +his brow. +</P> + +<P> +"I am beginning to remember something I have been trying to recall ever +since I became ill," he said slowly. "It is coming back to me. Those +plans—in the library—I fell asleep, but before I did so I hid those +plans, Tom!" +</P> + +<P> +"You hid those plans!" Tom fairly shouted the words. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I remember feeling a drowsy feeling coming on, and I feared lest +some one might see the drawings. I got up and put them under the +window, in a little, hollow place in the foundation wall. Then I came +back in through the window again, and went to sleep. Then, on account +of my illness, just as I once before forgot something, and thought the +minister had called, I lost all recollection of them. I hid those +plans." +</P> + +<P> +Tom leaped to his feet. He rushed to the place named by his father. +Soon his triumphant shout told of his success. He came hurrying back +into the house with a roll of papers in his hands. +</P> + +<P> +And there were the long-missing plans! damp and stained by the weather, +but all there. No enemy had them, and Tom's secret was safe. +</P> + +<P> +"Now I can accept the Government offer!" he cried. And a few weeks +later he made a most advantageous deal with the United States officials +for his patents. +</P> + +<P> +Dr. Gladby explained that Mr. Swift's queer action was due to his +illness. He became liable to lapses of memory, and one happened just +after he hid away the plans. Even the hiding of them was caused by the +peculiar condition of his brain. He had opened the library window, +slipped out with the papers, and hastened in again, to fall asleep in +his chair, during the short time Tom was gone. +</P> + +<P> +"And Andy Foger never took them at all," remarked Mary Nestor, when Tom +was telling her about it a few days afterward. +</P> + +<P> +"No. I guess I must apologize to him." Which Tom did, but Andy did not +receive it very graciously, especially as Tom accused him of trying to +destroy the Humming-Bird. +</P> + +<P> +Andy denied this and denied having anything to do with the mysterious +fire, and, as there was no way to prove him guilty, Tom could not +proceed against him. So the matter was dropped. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Swift continued to improve, and was soon himself again, and able to +resume his inventive work. Tom received several offers to give +exhibition flights at big aero meets, but refused, as he was busy on +his new rifle. Mr. Damon helped him. +</P> + +<P> +Andy Foger made several successful flights in his queer aeroplane, +which turned out to be the product of a German genius who was supplied +with money by Mr. Foger. Andy became very proud, and boasted that he +and the German were going abroad to give flights in Europe. +</P> + +<P> +"I'd be glad if he would," said Tom, when he heard of the plan. "He +wouldn't bother me then." +</P> + +<P> +With the money received from winning the big race, and from his +contracts from the Government, Tom Swift was now in a fair way to +become quite wealthy. He was destined to have many more adventures; +yet, come what might, never would he forget the thrilling happenings +that fell to his lot while flying for the ten-thousand dollar prize in +his sky racer. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR><BR> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Tom Swift and his Sky Racer, by Victor Appleton + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER *** + +***** This file should be named 951-h.htm or 951-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/9/5/951/ + +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 Sky Racer + or, The Quickest Flight on Record + +Author: Victor Appleton + +Posting Date: July 13, 2008 [EBook #951] +Release Date: June, 1997 +Last updated: October 10, 2011 +Last updated: April 13, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER *** + + + + +Produced by Anthony Matonac. + + + + + + + + + +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER + +or + +The Quickest Flight on Record + + +By + +VICTOR APPLETON + + + + +CONTENTS + + I The Prize Offer + II Mr. Swift Is Ill + III The Plans Disappear + IV Anxious Days + V Building the Sky Racer + VI Andy Foger Will Contest + VII Seeking a Clue + VIII The Empty Shed + IX A Trial Flight + X A Midnight Intruder + XI Tom Is Hurt + XII Miss Nestor Calls + XIII A Clash with Andy + XIV The Great Test + XV A Noise in the Night + XVI A Mysterious Fire + XVII Mr. Swift Is Worse + XVIII The Broken Bridge + XIX A Nervy Specialist + XX Just in Time + XXI "Will He Live?" + XXII Off to the Meet + XXIII The Great Race + XXIV Won by a Length + XXV Home Again--Conclusion + + + + +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER + + + +Chapter One + +The Prize Offer + + +"Is this Tom Swift, the inventor of several airships?" + +The man who had rung the bell glanced at the youth who answered his +summons. + +"Yes, I'm Tom Swift," was the reply. "Did you wish to see me?" + +"I do. I'm Mr. James Gunmore, secretary of the Eagle Park Aviation +Association. I had some correspondence with you about a prize contest +we are going to hold. I believe--" + +"Oh, yes, I remember now," and the young inventor smiled pleasantly as +he opened wider the door of his home. "Won't you come in? My father +will be glad to see you. He is as much interested in airships as I am." +And Tom led the way to the library, where the secretary of the aviation +society was soon seated in a big, comfortable leather chair. + +"I thought we could do better, and perhaps come to some decision more +quickly, if I came to see you, than if we corresponded," went on Mr. +Gunmore. "I hope I haven't disturbed you at any of your inventions," +and the secretary smiled at the youth. + +"No. I'm through for to-day," replied Tom. "I'm glad to see you. I +thought at first it was my chum, Ned Newton. He generally runs over in +the evening." + +"Our society, as I wrote you, Mr. Swift, is planning to hold a very +large and important aviation meet at Eagle Park, which is a suburb of +Westville, New York State. We expect to have all the prominent +'bird-men' there, to compete for prizes, and your name was mentioned. I +wrote to you, as you doubtless recall, asking if you did not care to +enter." + +"And I think I wrote you that my big aeroplane-dirigible, the Red +Cloud, was destroyed in Alaska, during a recent trip we made to the +caves of ice there, after gold," replied Tom. + +"Yes, you did," admitted Mr. Gunmore, "and while our committee was very +sorry to hear that, we hoped you might have some other air craft that +you could enter at our meet. We want to make it as complete as +possible, and we all feel that it would not be so unless we had a Swift +aeroplane there." + +"It's very kind of you to say so," remarked Tom, "but since my big +craft was destroyed I really have nothing I could enter." + +"Haven't you an aeroplane of any kind? I made this trip especially to +get you to enter. Haven't you anything in which you could compete for +the prizes? There are several to be offered, some for distance flights, +some for altitude, and the largest, ten thousand dollars, for the +speediest craft. Ten thousand dollars is the grand prize, to be awarded +for the quickest flight on record." + +"I surely would like to try for that," said Tom, "but the only craft I +have is a small monoplane, the Butterfly, I call it, and while it is +very speedy, there have been such advances made in aeroplane +construction since I made mine that I fear I would be distanced if I +raced in her. And I wouldn't like that." + +"No," agreed Mr. Gunmore. "I suppose not. Still, I do wish we could +induce you to enter. I don't mind telling you that we consider you a +drawing-card. Can't we induce you, some way?" + +"I'm afraid not. I haven't any machine which--" + +"Look here!" exclaimed the secretary eagerly. "Why can't you build a +special aeroplane to enter in the next meet? You'll have plenty of +time, as it doesn't come off for three months yet. We are only making +the preliminary arrangements. It is now June, and the meet is scheduled +for early in September. Couldn't you build a new and speedy aeroplane +in that time?" + +Eagerly Mr. Gunmore waited for the answer. Tom Swift seemed to be +considering it. There was an increased brightness to his eyes, and one +could tell that he was thinking deeply. The secretary sought to clinch +his argument. + +"I believe, from what I have heard of your work in the past, that you +could build an aeroplane which would win the ten-thousand-dollar +prize," he went on. "I would be very glad if you did win it, and, so I +think, would be the gentlemen associated with me in this enterprise. It +would be fine to have a New York State youth win the grand prize. Come, +Tom Swift, build a special craft, and enter the contest!" + +As he paused for an answer footsteps were heard coming along the hall, +and a moment later an aged gentleman opened the door of the library. + +"Oh! Excuse me, Tom," he said, "I didn't know you had company." And he +was about to withdraw. + +"Don't go, father," said Tom. "You will be as much interested in this +as I am. This is Mr. Gunmore, of the Eagle Park Aviation Association. +This is my father, Mr. Gunmore." + +"I've heard of you," spoke the secretary as he shook hands with the +aged inventor. "You and your son have made, in aeronautics, a name to +be proud of." + +"And he wants us to go still farther, dad," broke in the youth. "He +wants me to build a specially speedy aeroplane, and race for ten +thousand dollars." + +"Hum!" mused Mr. Swift. "Well, are you going to do it, Tom? Seems to me +you ought to take a rest. You haven't been back from your gold-hunting +trip to Alaska long enough to more than catch your breath, and now--" + +"Oh, he doesn't have to go in this right away," eagerly explained Mr. +Gunmore. "There is plenty of time to make a new craft." + +"Well, Tom can do as he likes about it," said his father. "Do you think +you could build anything speedier than your Butterfly, son?" + +"I think so, father. That is, if you'd help me. I have a plan partly +thought out, but it will take some time to finish it. Still, I might +get it done in time." + +"I hope you'll try!" exclaimed the secretary. "May I ask whether it +would be a monoplane or a biplane?" + +"A monoplane, I think," answered Tom. "They are much more speedy than +the double-deckers, and if I'm going to try for the ten thousand +dollars I need the fastest machine I can build." + +"We have the promise of one or two very fast monoplanes for the meet," +went on Mr. Gunmore. "Would yours be of a new type?" + +"I think it would," was the reply of the young inventor. "In fact, I am +thinking of making a smaller monoplane than any that have yet been +constructed, and yet one that will carry two persons. The hardest work +will be to make the engine light enough and still have it sufficiently +powerful to make over a hundred miles an hour, if necessary. + +"A hundred miles an hour in a small monoplane! It isn't possible!" +cried the secretary. + +"I'll make better time than that," said Tom quietly, and with not a +trace of boasting in his tones. + +"Then you'll enter the meet?" asked Mr. Gunmore eagerly. + +"Well, I'll think about it," promised Tom. "I'll let you know in a few +days. Meanwhile, I'll be thinking out the details for my new craft. I +have been going to build one ever since I got back, after having seen +my Red Cloud crushed in the ice cave. Now I think I had better begin +active work." + +"I hope you will soon let me know," resumed the secretary. "I'm going +to put you down as a possible contestant for the ten-thousand-dollar +prize. That can do no harm, and I hope you win it. I trust--" + +He paused suddenly, and listened. So did Tom Swift and his father, for +they all distinctly heard stealthy footsteps under the open windows of +the library. + +"Some one is out there, listening," said Tom in low tones. + +"Perhaps it's Eradicate Sampson," suggested Mr. Swift, referring to the +eccentric colored man who was employed by the inventor and his son to +help around the place. "Very likely it was Eradicate, Tom." + +"I don't think so," was the lad's answer. "He went to the village a +while ago, and said he wouldn't be back until late to-night. He had to +get some medicine for his mule, Boomerang, who is sick. No, it wasn't +Eradicate; but some one was under that window, trying to hear what we +said." + +As he spoke in guarded tones, Tom went softly to the casement and +looked out. He could observe nothing, as the night was dark, and the +new moon, which had been shining, was now dimmed by clouds. + +"See anything?" asked Mr. Gunmore as he advanced to Tom's side. + +"No," was the low answer. "I can't hear anything now, either." + +"I'll go speak to Mrs. Baggert, the housekeeper," volunteered Mr. +Swift. "Perhaps it was she, or she may know something about it." + +He started from the room, and as he went Tom noticed, with something of +a start, that his father appeared older that night than he had ever +looked before. There was a trace of pain on the face of the aged +inventor, and his step was lagging. + +"I guess dad needs a rest and doctoring up," thought the young inventor +as he turned the electric chandelier off by a button on the wall, in +order to darken the room, so that he might peer out to better +advantage. "I think he's been working too hard on his wireless motor. +I must get Dr. Gladby to come over and see dad. But now I want to find +out who that was under this window." + +Once more Tom looked out. The moon had emerged from behind a thin bank +of clouds, and gave a little light. + +"See anything?" asked Mr. Gunmore cautiously. + +"No," whispered the youth, for it being a warm might, the windows were +open top and bottom, a screen on the outside keeping out mosquitoes and +other insects. "I can't see a thing," went on Tom, "but I'm sure--" + +He paused suddenly. As he spoke there sounded a rustling in the +shrubbery a little distance from the window. + +"There's something!" exclaimed Mr. Gunmore. + +"I see!" answered the young inventor. + +Without another word he softly opened the screen, and then, stooping +down to get under the lower sash (for the windows in the library ran +all the way to the floor), Tom dropped out of the casement upon the +thick grass. + +As he did so he was aware of a further movement in the bushes. They +were violently agitated, and a second later a dark object sprang from +them and sprinted along the path. + +"Here! Who are you? Hold on!" cried the young inventor. + +But the figure never halted. Tom sprang forward, determined to see who +it was, and, if possible, capture him. + +"Hold on!" he cried again. There was no answer. + +Tom was a good runner, and in a few seconds he had gained on the +fugitive, who could just be seen in the dim light from the crescent +moon. + +"I've got you!" cried Tom. + +But he was mistaken, for at that instant his foot caught on the +outcropping root of a tree, and the young inventor went flat on his +face. + +"Just my luck!" he cried. + +He was quickly on his feet again, and took after the fugitive. The +latter glanced back, and, as it happened, Tom had a good look at his +face. He almost came to a stop, so startled was he. + +"Andy Foger!" he exclaimed as he recognized the bully who had always +proved himself such an enemy of our hero. "Andy Foger sneaking under my +windows to hear what I had to say about my new aeroplane! I wonder what +his game can be? I'll soon find out!" + +Tom was about to resume the chase, when he lost sight of the figure. A +moment later he heard the puffing of an automobile, as some one cranked +it up. + +"It's too late!" exclaimed Tom. "There he goes in his car!" And knowing +it would be useless to keep up the chase, the youth turned back toward +his house. + + + + +Chapter Two + +Mr. Swift is Ill + + +"Who was it?" asked Mr. Gunmore as Tom again entered the library. "A +friend of yours?" + +"Hardly a friend," replied Tom grimly. "It was a young fellow who has +made lots of trouble for me in the past, and who, lately, with his +father, tried to get ahead of me and some friends of mine in locating a +gold claim in Alaska. I don't know what he's up to now, but certainly +it wasn't any good. He's got nerve, sneaking up under our windows!" + +"What do you think was his object?" + +"It would be hard to say." + +"Can't you find him to-morrow, and ask him?" + +"There's not much satisfaction in that. The less I have to do with Andy +Foger the better I'm satisfied. Well, perhaps it's just as well I fell, +and couldn't catch him. There would have been a fight, and I don't want +to worry dad any more than I can help. He hasn't been very well of +late." + +"No, he doesn't look very strong," agreed the secretary. "But I hope he +doesn't get sick, and I hope no bad consequences result from the +eavesdropping of this Foger fellow." + +Tom started for the hall, to get a brush with which to remove some of +the dust gathered in his chase after Andy. As he opened the library +door to go out Mr. Swift came in again. + +"I saw Mrs. Baggert, Tom," he said. "She wasn't out under the window, +and, as you said, Eradicate isn't about. His mule is in the barn, so it +couldn't have been the animal straying around." + +"No, dad. It was Andy Foger." + +"Andy Foger!" + +"Yes. I couldn't catch him. But you'd better go lie down, father. It's +getting late, and you look tired." + +"I am tired, Tom, and I think I'll go to bed. Have you finished your +arrangements with Mr. Gunmore?" + +"Well, I guess we've gone as far as we can until I invent the new +aeroplane," replied Tom, with a smile. + +"Then you'll really enter the meet?" asked the secretary eagerly. + +"I think I will," decided Tom. "The prize of ten thousand dollars is +worth trying for, and besides that, I'll be glad to get to work again +on a speedy craft. Yes, I'll enter the meet." + +"Good!" exclaimed Mr. Gunmore, shaking hands with the young inventor. +"I didn't have my trip for nothing, then. I'll go back in the morning +and report to the committee that I've been successful. I am greatly +obliged to you." + +He left the Swift home, after refusing Tom's invitation to remain all +night, and went to his hotel. Tom then insisted that his father retire. + +As for the young inventor, he was not satisfied with the result of his +attempt to catch Andy Foger. He had no idea why the bully was hiding +under the library window, but Tom surmised that some mischief might be +afoot. + +"Sam Snedecker or Pete Bailey, the two cronies of Andy, may still be +around here, trying to play some trick on me," mused Tom. "I think I'll +take a look outside." And taking a stout cane from the umbrella rack, +the youth sallied forth into the yard and extensive grounds surrounding +his house. + +While he is thus looking for possible intruders we will tell you a +little more about him than has been possible since the call of the +aviation secretary. + +Tom Swift lived with his father, Barton Swift, in the town of Shopton, +New York State. The young man had followed in the footsteps of his +parent, and was already an inventor of note. + +Their home was presided over by Mrs. Baggert, as housekeeper, since +Mrs. Swift had been dead several years. In addition, there was Garret +Jackson, an engineer, who aided Tom and his father, and Eradicate +Sampson, an odd colored man, who, with his mule, Boomerang, worked +about the place. + +In the first volume of this series, entitled "Tom Swift and his +Motor-Cycle," here was related how he came to possess that machine. A +certain Mr. Wakefield Damon, an eccentric gentleman, who was always +blessing himself, or something about him, owned the cycle, but he came +to grief on it, and sold it to Tom very cheaply. + +Tom had a number of adventures on the wheel, and, after having used the +motor to save a valuable patent model from a gang of unscrupulous men, +the lad acquired possession of a power boat, in which he made several +trips, and took part in many exciting happenings. + +Some time later, in company with John Sharp, an aeronaut, whom Tom had +rescued from Lake Carlopa, after the airman had nearly lost his life in +a burning balloon, the young inventor made a big airship, called the +Red Cloud. With Mr. Damon, Tom made several trips in this craft, as set +forth in the book, "Tom Swift and His Airship." + +It was after this that Tom and his father built a submarine boat, and +went under the ocean for sunken treasure, and, following that trip Tom +built a speedy electric runabout, and by a remarkable run in that, with +Mr. Damon, saved a bank from ruin, bringing gold in time to stave off a +panic. + +"Tom Swift and His Wireless Message" told of the young inventor's plan +to save the castaways of Earthquake Island, and how he accomplished it +by constructing a wireless plant from the remains of the wrecked +airship Whizzer. After Tom got back from Earthquake Island he went with +Mr. Barcoe Jenks, whom he met on the ill-fated bit of land, to discover +the secret of the diamond makers. They found the mysterious men, but +the trip was not entirely successful, for the mountain containing the +cave where the diamonds were made was destroyed by a lightning shock, +just as Mr. Parker, a celebrated scientist, who accompanied the party, +said it would be. + +But his adventure in seeking to discover the secret of making precious +stones did not satisfy Tom Swift, and when he and his friends got back +from the mountains they prepared to go to Alaska to search for gold in +the caves of ice. They were almost defeated in their purpose by the +actions of Andy Foger and his father, who in an under-hand manner, got +possession of a valuable map, showing the location of the gold, and +made a copy of the drawing. + +Then, when Tom and his friends set off in the Red Cloud, as related in +"Tom Swift in the Caves of Ice," the Fogers, in another airship, did +likewise. But Tom and his party were first on the scene, and +accomplished their purpose, though they had to fight the savage +Indians. The airship was wrecked in a cave of ice, that collapsed on +it, and the survivors had desperate work getting away from the frozen +North. + +Tom had been home all the following winter and spring, and he had done +little more than work on some small inventions, when a new turn was +given his thoughts and energies by a visit from Mr. Gunmore, as +narrated in the first chapter of the present volume. + +"Well, I guess no one is here," remarked the young inventor as he +completed the circuit of the grounds and walked slowly back toward the +house. "I think I scared Andy so that he won't come back right away. He +had the laugh on me, though, when I stumbled and fell." + +As Tom proceeded he heard some one approaching, around the path at the +side of the house. + +"Who's there?" he called quickly, taking a firmer grasp of his stick. + +"It's me, Massa Swift," was the response. "I jest come back from town. +I got some peppermint fo' mah mule, Boomerang, dat's what I got." + +"Oh! It's you, is it, Rad?" asked the youth in easier tones. + +"Dat's who it am. Did yo' t'ink it were some un else?" + +"I did," replied Tom. "Andy Foger has been sneaking around. Keep your +eyes open the rest of the night, Rad." + +"I will, Massa Tom." + +The youth went into the house, having left word with the engineer, Mr. +Jackson, to be on the alert for anything suspicious. + +"And now I guess I'll go to bed, and make an early start to-morrow +morning, planning my new aeroplane," mused Tom. "I'm going to make the +speediest craft of the air ever seen!" + +As he started toward his room Tom Swift heard the voice of the +housekeeper calling to him: + +"Tom! Oh, Tom! Come here, quickly!" + +"What's the matter?" he asked, in vague alarm. + +"Something has happened to your father!" was the startling reply. "He's +fallen down, and is unconscious! Come quickly! Send for the doctor!" + +Tom fairly ran toward his father's room. + + + + +Chapter Three + +The Plans Disappear + + +Mr. Swift was lying on the floor, where he had fallen, in front of his +bed, as he was preparing to retire. There was no mark of injury upon +him, and at first, as he knelt down at his father's side, Tom was at a +loss to account for what had taken place. + +"How did it happen? When was it?" he asked of Mrs. Baggert, as he held +up his father's head, and noted that the aged man was breathing +slightly. + +"I don't know what happened, Tom," answered the housekeeper, "but I +heard him fall, and ran upstairs, only to find him lying there, just +like that. Then I called you. Hadn't you better have a doctor?" + +"Yes; we'll need one at once. Send Eradicate. Tell him to run--not to +wait for his mule--Boomerang is too slow. Oh, no! The telephone, of +course! Why didn't I think of that at first? Please telephone for Dr. +Gladby, Mrs. Baggert. Ask him to come as soon as possible, and then +tell Garret Jackson to step here. I'll have him help me get father into +bed." + +The housekeeper hastened to the instrument, and was soon in +communication with the physician, who promised to call at once. The +engineer was summoned from another part of the house, and then +Eradicate was aroused. + +Mrs. Baggert had the colored man help her get some kettles of hot water +in readiness for possible use by the doctor. Mr. Jackson aided Tom to +lift Mr. Swift up on the bed, and they got off some of his clothes. + +"I'll try to see if I can revive him with a little aromatic spirits of +ammonia," decided Tom, as he noticed that his father was still +unconscious. He hastened to prepare the strong spirits, while he was +conscious of a feeling of fear and alarm, mingled with sadness. + +Suppose his father should die? Tom could not bear to think of that. He +would be left all alone, and how much he would miss the companionship +and comradeship of his father none but himself knew. + +"Oh! but I mustn't think he's going to die!" exclaimed the youth, as he +mixed the medicine. + +Mr. Swift feebly opened his eyes after Tom and Mr. Jackson had +succeeded in forcing some of the ammonia between his lips. + +"Where am I? What happened?" asked the aged inventor faintly. + +"We don't know, exactly," spoke Tom softly. "You are ill, father. I've +sent for the doctor. He'll fix you up. He'll be here soon." + +"Yes, I'm--I'm ill," murmured the aged man. "Something hurts me--here," +and he put his hand over his heart. + +Tom felt a nameless sense of fear. He wished now that he had insisted +on his parent consulting a physician some time before, when Mr. Swift +first complained of a minor ailment. Perhaps now it was too late. + +"Oh! when will that doctor come?" murmured Tom impatiently. + +Mrs. Baggert, who was nervously going in and out of the room, again +went to the telephone. + +"He's on his way," the housekeeper reported. "His wife said he just +started out in his auto." + +Dr. Gladby hurried into the room a little later, and cast a quick look +at Mr. Swift, who had again lapsed into unconsciousness. + +"Do you think he--think he's going to die?" faltered Tom. He was no +longer the self-reliant young inventor. He could meet danger bravely +when it threatened himself alone, but when his father was stricken he +seemed to lose all courage. + +"Die? Nonsense!" exclaimed the doctor heartily. "He's not dead yet, at +all events, and while there's life there's hope. I'll soon have him out +of this spell." + +It was some little time, however, before Mr. Swift again opened his +eyes, but he seemed to gain strength from the remedies which Dr. Gladby +administered, and in about an hour the inventor could sit up. + +"But you must be careful," cautioned the physician. "Don't overdo +yourself. I'll be in again in the morning, and now I'll leave you some +medicine, to be taken every two hours." + +"Oh, I feel much better," said Mr. Swift, and his voice certainly +seemed stronger. "I can't imagine what happened. I came upstairs, after +Tom had received a visit from the minister, and that's all I remember." + +"The minister, father!" exclaimed Tom, in great amazement. "The +minister wasn't here this evening! That was Mr. Gunmore, the aviation +secretary. Don't you remember?" + +"I don't remember any gentleman like that calling here to-night," Mr. +Swift said blankly. "It was the minister, I'm sure, Tom." + +"The minister was here last night, Mr. Swift," said the housekeeper. + +"Was he? Why, it seems like to-night. And I came upstairs after talking +to him, and then it all got black, and--and--" + +"There, now; don't try to think," advised the doctor. "You'll be all +right in the morning." + +"But I can't remember anything about that aviation man," protested Mr. +Swift. "I never used to be that way--forgetting things. I don't like +it!" + +"Oh, it's just because you're tired," declared the physician. "It will +all come back to you in the morning. I'll stop in and see you then. Now +try to go to sleep." And he left the room. + +Tom followed him, Mrs. Baggert and Mr. Jackson remaining with the sick +man. + +"What is the matter with my father, Dr. Gladby?" asked Tom earnestly, +as the doctor prepared to take his departure. "Is it anything serious?" + +"Well," began the medical man, "I would not be doing my duty, Tom, if I +did not tell you what it is. That is, it is comparatively serious, but +it is curable, and I think we can bring him around. He has an affection +of the heart, that, while it is common enough, is sometimes fatal. + +"But I do not think it will be so in your father's case. He has a fine +constitution, and this would never have happened had he not been run +down from overwork. That is the principal trouble. What he needs is +rest; and then, with the proper remedies, he will be as well as before." + +"But that strange lapse of memory, doctor?" + +"Oh, that is nothing. It is due to the fact that he has been using his +brain too much. The brain protests, and refuses to work until rested. +Your father has been working rather hard of late hasn't he?" + +"Yes; on a new wireless motor." + +"I thought so. Well, a good rest is what he needs, and then his mind +and body will be in tune again. I'll be around in the morning." + +Tom was somewhat relieved by the doctor's words, but not very much so, +and he spent an anxious night, getting up every two hours to administer +the medicine. Toward morning Mr. Swift fell into a heavy sleep, and did +not awaken for some time. + +"Oh, you're much better!" declared Dr. Gladby when he saw his patient +that day. + +"Yes, I feel better," admitted Mr. Swift. + +"And can't you remember about Mr. Gunmore calling?" asked Tom. + +The aged inventor shook his head, with a puzzled air. + +"I can't remember it at all," he said. "The minister is the last person +I remember calling here." + +Tom looked worried, but the physician said it was a common feature of +the disease from which Mr. Swift suffered, and would doubtless pass +away. + +"And you don't remember how we talked about me building a speedy +aeroplane and trying for the ten-thousand-dollar prize?" asked Tom. + +"I can't remember a thing about it," said the inventor, with a puzzled +shake of his head, "and I'm not going to try, at least not right away. +But, Tom, if you're going to build a new aeroplane, I want to help you. +I'll give you the benefit of my advice. I think my new form of motor +can be used in it." + +"Now! now! No inventions--at least not just yet!" objected the +physician. "You must have a good rest first, Mr. Swift, and get strong. +Then you and Tom can build as many airships as you like." + +Mr. Swift felt so much better about three days later that he wanted to +get right to work planning the airship that was to win the big prize, +but the doctor would not hear of it. Tom, however, began to make rough +sketches of what he had in mind changing them from time to time. He +also worked on a type of motor, very light, and modeled after one his +father had recently patented. + +Then a new idea came to Tom in regard to the shape of his aeroplane, +and he worked several days drawing the plans for it. It was a new idea +in construction, and he believed it would give him the great speed he +desired. + +"But I'd like dad to see it," he said. "As soon as he's well enough +I'll go over it with him." + +That time came a week later, and with a complete set of the plans, +embodying his latest ideas, Tom went into the library where his father +was seated in an easy-chair. Dr. Gladby had said it would not now harm +the aged inventor to do a little work. Tom spread the drawings out in +front of his father, and began to explain them in detail. + +"I really think you have something great there, Tom!" exclaimed Mr. +Swift, at length. "It is a very small monoplane, to be sure, but I +think with the new principle you have introduced it will work; but, if +I were you, I'd shape those wing tips a little differently." + +"No, they're better that way," said Tom pleasantly, for he did not +often disagree with his father. "I'll show you from a little model I +have made. I'll get it right away." + +Anxious to demonstrate that he was right in his theory, Tom hurried +from the library to get the model of which he had spoken. He left the +roll of plans lying on a small table near where his father was seated. + +"There, you see, dad," said the young inventor as he re-entered the +library a few minutes later, "when you warp the wing tips in making a +spiral ascent it throws your tail wings out of plumb, and so--" + +Tom paused in some amazement, for Mr. Swift was lying back in his +chair, with his eyes closed. The lad started in alarm, laid aside his +model, and sprang to his father's side. + +"He's had another of those heart attacks!" gasped Tom. He was just +going to call Mrs. Baggert, when Mr. Swift opened his eyes. He looked +at Tom, and the lad could see that they were bright, and did not show +any signs of illness. + +"Well, I declare!" exclaimed the inventor. "I must have dozed off, Tom, +while you were gone. That's what I did. I fell asleep!" + +"Oh!" said Tom, much relieved. "I was afraid you were ill again. Now, +in this model, as you will see by the plans, it is necessary--" + +He paused, and looked over at the table where he had left the drawings. +They were not there! + +"The plans, father!" Tom exclaimed. "The plans I left on the table! +Where are they?" + +"I haven't touched them," was the answer. "They were on that table, +where you put them, when I closed my eyes for a little nap. I forgot +all about them. Are you sure they're missing?" + +"They're not here!" And Tom gazed wildly about the room. "Where can +they have gone?" + +"I wasn't out of my chair," said Mr. Swift, "I ought not to have gone +to sleep, but--" + +Tom fairly jumped toward the long library window, the same one from +which he had leaped to pursue Andy Foger. The casement was open, and +Tom noted that the screen was also unhooked. It had been closed when he +went to get the model, he was sure of that. + +"Look, dad! See!" he exclaimed, as he picked up from the floor a small +piece of paper. + +"What is it, Tom?" + +"A sheet on which I did some figuring. It is no good, but it was in +with the plans. It must have dropped out." + +"Do you mean that some one has been in here and taken the plans of your +new aeroplane, Tom?" gasped his father. + +"That's just what I mean! They sneaked in here while you were dozing, +took the plans, and jumped out of the window with them. On the way this +paper fell out. It's the only clue we have. Stay here, dad. I'm going +to have a look." And Tom jumped from the library window and ran down +the path after the unknown thief. + + + + +Chapter Four + +Anxious Days + + +Peering on all sides as he dashed along the gravel walk, hoping to +catch a glimpse of the unknown intruder in the garden or shrubbery, Tom +sprinted on at top speed. Now and then he paused to listen, but no +sound came to him to tell of some one in retreat before him. There was +only Silence. + +"Mighty queer," mused the youth. "Whoever it was, he couldn't have had +more than a minute start of me--no, not even half a minute--and yet +they've disappeared as completely as though the ground had opened and +let them down; and the worst of it is, that they've taken my plans with +them!" + +He turned about and retraced his steps, making a careful search. He saw +no one, until, turning a corner, a little later, he met Eradicate +Sampson. + +"You haven't seen any strangers around here just now, have you, Rad?" +asked Tom anxiously. + +"No, indeedy, I hasn't, Massa Tom. What fo' kind ob a stranger was him?" + +"That's just what I don't know. Rad. But some one sneaked into the +library just now and took some of my plans while my father dozed off. I +jumped out after him as soon as I could, but he has disappeared." + +"Maybe it were th' man who done stowed hisself away on yo' airship, de +time yo' all went after de diamonds," suggested the colored man. + +"No, it couldn't have been him. If it was anybody, it was Andy Foger, +or some of his crowd. You didn't see Andy, did you, Rad?" + +"No, indeedy; but if I do, I suah will turn mah mule, Boomerang, loose +on him, an' he won't take any mo' plans--not right off, Massa Tom." + +"No, I guess not. Well, I must get back to dad, or he'll worry. Keep +your eyes open, Rad, and if you see Andy Foger, or any one else, around +here, let me know. Just sing out for all you're worth." + +"Shall I call out, Massa Tom, ef I sees dat blessin' man?" + +"You mean Mr. Damon?" + +"Dat's de one. De gen'man what's allers a-blessin' ob hisself or his +shoelaces, or suffin laik dat. Shall I sing out ef I sees him?" + +"Well, no; not exactly, Rad. Just show Mr. Damon up to the house. I'd +be glad to see him again, though I don't fancy he'll call. He's off on +a little trip, and won't be back for a week. But watch out, Rad." And +with that Tom turned toward the house, shaking his head over the puzzle +of the missing plans. + +"Did you find any one?" asked his father eagerly as the young inventor +entered the library. + +"No," was the gloomy answer. "There wasn't a sign of any one." + +Tom went over to the window and looked about for clues. There was none +that he could see, and a further examination of the ground under the +window disclosed nothing. There was gravel beneath the casement, and +this was not the best medium for retaining footprints. Nor were the +gravel walks any better. + +"Not a sign of any one," murmured Tom. "Are you sure you didn't hear +any noise, dad, when you dozed off?" + +"Not a sound, Tom. In fact, it's rather unusual for me to go to sleep +like that, but I suppose it's because of my illness. But I couldn't +have been asleep long--not more than two minutes." + +"That's what I think. Yet in that time someone, who must have been on +the watch, managed to get in here and take my plans for the new sky +racer. I don't see how they got the wire screen open from the outside, +though. It fastens with a strong hook." + +"And was the screen open?" asked Mr. Swift + +"Yes, it was unhooked. Either they pushed a wire in through the mesh, +caught it under the hook, and pulled it up from the outside, or else +the screen was opened from the inside." + +"I don't believe they could get inside to open the screen without some +of us seeing them," spoke the older inventor. "More likely, Tom, it +wasn't hooked, and they found it an easy matter to simply pull it open." + +"That's possible. I'll ask Mrs. Baggert if the screen was unhooked." + +But the housekeeper could not be certain on that point, and so that +part of the investigation amounted to nothing. + +"It's too bad!" exclaimed Mr. Swift. "It's my fault, for dozing off +that way." + +"No, indeed, it isn't!" declared Tom stoutly. + +"Is the loss a serious one?" asked his father. "Have you no copy of the +plans?" + +"Yes, I have a rough draft from which I made the completed drawings, +and I can easily make another set. But that isn't what worries me--the +mere loss of the plans." + +"What is it, then, Tom?" + +"The fact that whoever took them must know that they are the plans for +a sky racer that is to take part in the big meet. I have worked it out +on a new principle, and it is not yet patented. Whoever stole my plans +can make the same kind of a sky racer that I intended to construct, and +so stand as good a chance to win the prize of ten thousand dollars as I +will." + +"That certainly is too bad, Tom. I never thought of that. Do you +suspect any one?" + +"No one, unless it's Andy Foger. He's mean enough to do a thing like +that, but I didn't think he'd have the nerve. However, I'll see if I +can learn anything about him. He may have been sneaking around, and if +he has my plans he'd ask nothing better than to make a sky racer and +beat me." + +"Oh, Tom, I'm so sorry!" exclaimed Mr. Swift "I--I feel very bad about +it!" + +"There, never mind!" spoke the lad, seeing that his father was looking +ill again. "Don't think any more about it, dad. I'll get back those +plans. Come, now. It's time for your medicine, and then you must lie +down." For the aged inventor was looking tired and weak. + +Wearily he let Tom lead him to his room, and after seeing that the +invalid was comfortable Tom called up Dr. Gladby, to have him come and +see Mr. Swift. The doctor said his patient had been overdoing himself a +little, and must rest more if he was to completely recover. + +Learning that his father was no worse, Tom set off to find Andy Foger. + +"I can't rest until I know whether or not he has my plans," he said to +himself. "I don't want to make a speedy aeroplane, and find out at the +last minute that Andy, or some of his cronies, have duplicated it." + +But Tom got little satisfaction from Andy Foger. When that bully was +accused of having been around Tom's house he denied it, and though the +young inventor did not actually accuse him of taking the plans, he +hinted at it. Andy muttered many indignant negatives, and called on +some of his cronies to witness that at the time the plans were taken he +and they were some distance from the Swift home. + +So Tom was baffled; and though he did not believe the red-haired lad's +denial, there was no way in which he could prove to the contrary. + +"If he didn't take the plans, who did?" mused Tom. + +As the young inventor turned away after cross-questioning Andy, the +bully called out: + +"You'll never win that ten thousand dollars!" + +"What do you know about that?" demanded Tom quickly. + +"Oh, I know," sneered Andy. "There'll be bigger and better aeroplanes +in that meet than you can make, and you'll never win the prize." + +"I suppose you heard about the affair by sneaking around under our +windows, and listening," said Tom. + +"Never mind how I know it, but I do," retorted the bully. + +"Well, I'll tell you one thing," said Tom calmly. "If you come around +again it won't be healthy for you. Look out for live wires, if you try +to do the listening act any more, Andy!" And with that ominous warning +Tom turned away. + +"What do you suppose he means, Andy?" asked Pete Bailey, one of Andy's +cronies. + +"It means he's got electrical wires strung around his place," declared +Sam Snedecker, "and that we'll be shocked if we go up there. I'm not +going!" + +"Me, either," added Pete, and Andy laughed uneasily. + +Tom heard what they said, and in the next few days he made himself busy +by putting some heavy wires in and about the grounds where they would +show best. But the wires carried no current, and were only displayed to +impress a sense of fear on Andy and his cronies, which purpose they +served well. + +But it was like locking the stable door after the horse had been +stolen, for with all the precautions he could take Tom could not get +back his plans, and he spent many anxious days seeking them. They +seemed to have completely disappeared, however, and the young inventor +decided there was nothing else to do but to draw new ones. + +He set to work on them, and in the meanwhile tried to learn whether or +not Andy had the missing plans. He sought this information by stealth, +and was aided by his chum, Ned Newton. But all to no purpose. Not the +slightest trace or clue was discovered. + + + + +Chapter Five + +Building the Sky Racer + + +"What will you do, if, after you have your little monoplane all +constructed, and get ready to race, you find that some one else has one +exactly like it at the meet?" asked Ned Newton one day, when he and Tom +were out in the big workshop, talking things over. "What will you do, +Tom?" + +"I don't see that there is anything I can do. I'll go on to the meet, +of course, and trust to some improvements I have since brought out, and +to what I know about aeroplanes, to help me win the race. I'll know, +too, who stole my plans." + +"But it will be too late, then." + +"Yes, too late, perhaps, to stop them from using the drawings, but not +too late to punish them for the theft. It's a great mystery, and I'll +be on the anxious seat all the while. But it can't be helped." + +"When are you going to start work on the sky racer?" + +"Pretty soon, now. I've got another set of plans made, and I've fixed +them so that if they are stolen it won't do any one any good." + +"How's that?" + +"I've put in a whole lot of wrong figures and measurements, and scores +of lines and curves that mean nothing. I have marked the right figures +and lines by a secret mark, and when I work on them I'll use only the +proper ones. But any one else wouldn't know this. Oh, I'll fool 'em +this time!" + +"I hope you do. Well, when you get the machine done I'd like to ride in +it. Will it carry two, as your Butterfly does?" + +"Yes, only it will be much different; and, of course, it will go much +faster. I'll give you a ride, all right, Ned. Well, now I must get busy +and see what material I need for what I hope will prove to be the +speediest aeroplane in the world." + +"That's going some! I must be leaving now. Don't forget your promise. I +saw Mary Nestor on my way over here. She was asking for you. She said +you must be very busy, for she hadn't seen you in some time." + +"Um!" was all Tom answered, but by the blush that mounted to his face +it was evident that he was more interested in Mary Nestor than his mere +exclamation indicated. + +When Ned had gone Tom got out pencil and paper, and was busily engaged +in making some intricate calculations. He drew odd little sketches on +the margin of the sheet, and then wrote out a list of the things he +would need to construct the new aeroplane. + +This finished, he went to Mr. Jackson, the engineer, and asked him to +get the various things together, and to have them put in the special +shop where Tom did most of his work. + +"I want to get the machine together as soon as I can," he remarked to +the engineer, "for it will need to be given a good tryout before I +enter in the race, and I may find that I'll have to make several +changes in it." + +Mr. Jackson promised to attend to the matter right away, and then Tom +went in to talk to his father about the motor that was to whirl the +propeller of the new air craft. + +Mr. Swift had improved very much in the past few days, and though Dr. +Gladby said he was far from being well, the physician declared there +was no reason why he should not do some inventive work. + +He and Tom were deep in an argument of gasoline motors, discussing the +best manner of attaching the fins to the cylinders to make them +air-cooled, when a voice sounded outside, the voice of Eradicate: + +"Heah! Whar yo' goin'?" demanded the colored man. "Whar yo' goin'?" + +"Somebody's out in the garden!" exclaimed Tom, jumping up suddenly. + +"Perhaps it's the same person who took the plans!" suggested Mr. Swift. + +"Hold on, dere!" yelled Eradicate again. + +Then a voice replied: + +"Bless my insurance policy! What's the matter? Have there been burglars +around? Why all these precautions? Bless my steam heater! Don't you +know me?" + +"Mr. Damon!" cried Tom, a look of pleasure coming over his face. "Mr. +Damon is coming!" + +"So I should judge," responded Mr. Swift, with a smile. "I wonder why +Eradicate didn't recognize him?" + +They learned why a moment later, for on looking from the library +window, Tom saw the colored man coming up the walk behind a +well-dressed gentleman. + +"Why, mah goodness! It's Mr. Damon!" exclaimed Eradicate. "I didn't +know yo', sah, wif dem whiskers on! I didn't, fo' a fac'!" + +"Bless my razor! I suppose it does make a difference," said the +eccentric man. "Yes, my wife thought I'd look better, and more sedate, +with a beard, so I grew one to please her. But I don't like it. A beard +is too warm this kind of weather; eh, Tom?" And Mr. Damon waved his +hand to the young inventor and his father, who stood in the low windows +of the library. "Entirely too warm, bless my finger-nails, yes!" + +"I agree with you!" exclaimed Tom. "Come in! We're glad to see you!" + +"I called to see if you aren't going on another trip to the North Pole, +or somewhere in the Arctic regions," went on Mr. Damon. + +"Why?" inquired Tom. + +"Why, then this heavy beard of mine would come in handy. It would keep +my throat and chin warm." And Mr. Damon ran his hands through his +luxuriant whiskers. + +"No more northern trips right away," said Tom. "I'm about to build a +speedy monoplane, to take part in the big meet at Eagle Park." + +"Oh, yes, I heard about the meet," said Mr. Damon. "I'd like to be in +that." + +"Well, I'm building a machine that will carry two," went on Tom, "and +if you think you can stand a speed of a hundred miles an hour, or +better, I'll let you come with me. There are some races where a +passenger is allowed." + +"Have you got a razor?" asked Mr. Damon suddenly. + +"What for?" inquired Mr. Swift, wondering what the eccentric man was +going to do. + +"Why, bless my shaving soap! I'm going to cut off my beard. If I go in +a monoplane at a hundred miles an hour I don't want to make any more +resistance to the wind than possible, and my whiskers would certainly +hold back Tom's machine. Where's a razor? I'm going to shave at once. +My wife won't mind when I tell her what it's for. Lend me a razor, +please, Tom." + +"Oh, there's plenty of time," explained the lad, with a laugh. "The +race doesn't take place for over two months. But when it does, I think +you would be better off without a beard." + +"I know it," said Mr. Damon simply. "I'll shave before we enter the +contest, Tom. But now tell me all about it." + +Tom did so, relating the story of the theft of the plans. Mr. Damon was +for having Andy arrested at once, but Mr. Swift and his son pointed out +that they had no evidence against him. + +"All we can do," said the young inventor, "is to keep watch on him, and +see if he is building another aeroplane. He has all the facilities, and +he may attempt to get ahead of me. If he enters a sky craft at the meet +I'll be pretty sure that he has made it from my stolen plans." + +"Bless my wing tips!" cried Mr. Damon. "But can't we do anything to +stop him?" + +"I'm afraid not," answered Tom; and then he showed Mr. Damon his +re-drawn plans, and told in detail of how he intended to construct the +new aeroplane. + +The eccentric man remained as the guest of the Swift family that night, +departing for his home the next day, and promising to be on hand as +soon as Tom was ready to test his new craft, which would be in about a +month. + +As the days passed, Tom, with the help of his father, whose health was +slightly better, and with the aid of Mr. Jackson, began work on the +speedy little sky racer. + +As you boys are all more or less familiar with aeroplanes, we will not +devote much space to the description of the new one Tom Swift made. We +can describe it in general terms, but there were some features of it +which Tom kept a secret from all save his father. + +Suffice it to say that Tom had decided to build a small air craft of +the single-wing type, known as the monoplane. It was to be a cross +between the Bleriot and the Antoinette, with the general features of +both, but with many changes or improvements. + +The wings were shaped somewhat like those of a humming-bird, which, as +is well known, can, at times, vibrate its wings with such velocity that +the most rapid camera lens cannot quite catch. + +And when it is known that a bullet in flight has been successfully +photographed, the speed of the wings of the humming-bird can be better +appreciated. + +The writer has seen a friend, with a very rapid camera, which was used +to snap automobiles in flight, attempt to take a picture of a +humming-bird. He got the picture, all right, but the plate was blurred, +showing that the wings had moved faster than the lens could throw them +on the sensitive plate. + +Not that Tom intended the wings of his monoplane to vibrate, but he +adopted that style as being the best adapted to allow of rapid flight +through the air; and the young inventor had determined that he would +clip many minutes from the best record yet made. + +The body of his craft, between the forward wings and the rear ones, +where the rudders were located, was shaped like a cigar, with side +wings somewhat like the fin keels of the ocean liner to prevent a +rolling motion. In addition, Tom had an ingenious device to +automatically adapt his monoplane to sudden currents of air that might +overturn it, and this device was one of the points which he kept secret. + +The motor, which was air-cooled, was located forward, and was just +above the heads of the operator and the passenger who sat beside him. +The single propeller, which was ten feet in diameter, gave a minimum +thrust of one thousand pounds at two thousand revolutions per minute. + +This was one feature wherein Tom's craft differed from others. The +usual aeroplane propeller is eight feet in diameter, and gives from +four to five hundred pounds thrust at about one thousand revolutions +per minute, so it can be readily seen wherein Tom had an advantage. + +"But I'm building this for speed," he said to Mr. Jackson, "and I'm +going to get it! We'll make a hundred miles an hour without trouble." + +"I believe you," replied the engineer. "The motor you and your father +have made is a wonder for lightness and power." + +In fact, the whole monoplane was so light and frail as to give one the +idea of a rather large model, instead of a real craft, intended for +service. But a careful inspection showed the great strength it had, for +it was braced and guyed in a new way, and was as rigid as a +steel-trussed bridge. + +"What are you going to call her?" asked Mr. Jackson, about two weeks +after they had started work on the craft, and when it had begun to +assume shape and form. + +"I'm going to name her the Humming-Bird," replied Tom. "She's little, +but oh, my!" + +"And I guess she'll bring home the prize," added the engineer. + +And as the days went by, and Tom, his father and Mr. Jackson continued +to work on the speedy craft, this hope grew in the heart of the young +inventor. But he could not rid himself of worry as to the fate of the +plans that had disappeared. Who had them? Was some one making a machine +like his own from them? Tom wished he knew. + + + + +Chapter Six + +Andy Foger Will Contest + + +One afternoon, as Tom was working away in the shop on his sky racer, +adjusting one of the rear rudders, and pausing now and then to admire +the trim little craft, he heard some one approaching. Looking out +through a small observation peephole made for this purpose, he saw Mrs. +Baggert hurrying toward the building. + +"I wonder what's the matter?" he said aloud, for there was a look of +worriment on the lady's face. Tom threw open the door. "What is it, +Mrs. Baggert?" he called. "Some one up at the house who wants to see +me?" + +"No, it's your father!" panted the housekeeper, for she was quite +stout. "He is very ill again, and I can't seem to get Dr. Gladby on +the telephone. Central says he doesn't answer." + +"My father worse!" cried Tom in alarm, dropping his tools and hurrying +from the shop. "Where's Eradicate? Send him for the doctor. Perhaps the +wires are broken. If he can't locate Dr. Gladby, get Dr. Kurtz. We must +have some one. Here, Rad! Where are you?" he called, raising his voice. + +"Heah I be!" answered the colored man, coming from the direction of the +garden, which he had been weeding. + +"Get out your mule, and go for Dr. Gladby. If he isn't home, get Dr. +Kurtz. Hurry, Rad!" + +"I's mighty sorry, Massa Tom," answered the colored man, "but I cain't +hurry, nohow." + +"Why not?" + +"Because Boomerang done gone lame, an' he won't run. I'll go mahse'f, +but I cain't take dat air mule." + +"Never mind. I'll go in the Butterfly," decided Tom quickly. "I'll run +up to the house and see how dad is, and while I'm gone, Rad, you get +out the Butterfly. I can make the trip in that. If Dr. Kurtz had a +'phone I could get him, but he lives over on the back road, where there +isn't a line. Hurry, Rad!" + +"Yes, sah, Massa Tom, I'll hurry!" + +The colored man knew how to get the monoplane in shape for a flight, as +he had often done it. + +Tom found his father in no immediate danger, but Mr. Swift had had a +slight recurrence of his heart trouble, and it was thought best to have +a doctor. So Tom started off in his air craft, rising swiftly above the +housetop, and sailed off toward the old-fashioned residence of Dr. +Kurtz, a sturdy, elderly German physician, who sometimes attended Mr. +Swift. Tom decided that as long as Dr. Gladby did not answer his +'phone, he could not be at home, and this, he learned later, was the +case, the physician being in a distant town on a consultation. + +"My, this Butterfly seems big and clumsy beside my Humming-Bird," mused +Tom as he slid along through the air, now flying high and now low, +merely for practice. "This machine can go, but wait until I have my new +one in the air! Then I'll show 'em what speed is!" + +He was soon at the physician's house, and found him in. + +"Won't you ride back with me in the monoplane?" asked Tom. "I'm anxious +to have you see dad as soon as you can. + +"Vot! Me drust mineself in one ob dem airships? I dinks not!" exclaimed +Dr. Kurtz ponderously. "Vy, I vould not efen ride in an outer-mobile, +yet, so vy should I go in von contrivance vot is efen more dangerous? +No, I gomes to your fader in der carriage, mit mine old Dobbin horse. +Dot vill not drop me to der ground, or run me up a tree, yet! Vot?" + +"Very well," said Tom, "only hurry, please." + +The young inventor, in his airship, reached home some time before the +slow-going doctor got there in his carriage. Mr. Swift was no worse, +Tom was glad to find, though he was evidently quite ill. + +"So, ve must take goot care of him," said the doctor, when he had +examined the patient. "Dr. Gladby he has done much for him, und I can +do little more. You must dake care of yourself, Herr Swift, or you +vill--but den, vot is der use of being gloomy-minded? I am sure you +vill go more easy, und not vork so much." + +"I haven't worked much," replied the aged inventor. "I have only been +helping my son on a new airship." + +"Den dot must stop," insisted the doctor. "You must haf gomplete +rest--dot's it--gomplete rest." + +"We'll do just as you say, doctor," said Tom. "We'll give up the +aeroplane matters, dad, and go away, you and I, where we can't see a +blueprint or a pattern, or hear the sound of machinery. We'll cut it +all out." + +"Dot vould he goot," said Dr. Kurtz ponderously. + +"No, I couldn't think of it," answered Mr. Swift. "I want you to go in +that race, Tom--and win!" + +"But I'll not do it, dad, if you're going to be ill." + +"He is ill now," interrupted the doctor. "Very ill, Dom Swift." + +"That settles it. I don't go in the race. You and I'll go away, dad--to +California, or up in Canada. We'll travel for your health." + +"No! no!" insisted the old inventor gently. "I will be all right. Most +of the work on the monoplane is done now, isn't it, Tom?" + +"Yes, dad." + +"Then you go on, and finish it. You and Mr. Jackson can do it without +me now. I'll take a rest, doctor, but I want my son to enter that race, +and, what's more, I want him to win!" + +"Vell, if you don't vork, dot is all I ask. I must forbid you to do any +more. Mit Dom, dot is different. He is young und strong, und he can +vork. But you--not, Herr Swift, or I doctor you no more." And the +physician shook his big head. + +"Very well. I'll agree to that if Tom will promise to enter the race," +said the inventor. + +"I will," said Tom. + +The physician took his leave shortly after that, the medicine he gave +to Mr. Swift somewhat relieving him. Then the young inventor, who felt +in a little better spirits, went back to his workshop. + +"Poor dad," he mused. "He thinks more of me and this aeroplane than he +does of himself. Well, I will go in the race, and I'll--yes, I'll win!" +And Tom looked very determined. + +He was about to resume work on his craft when something about the way +one of the forward planes was tilted attracted his attention. + +"I never left it that way," mused Tom. "Some one has been in here. I +wonder if it was Mr. Jackson?" + +Tom stepped to the door and called for Eradicate. The colored man came +from the direction of the garden, which he was still weeding. + +"Has Mr. Jackson been around, Rad?" asked the lad. + +"No, sah. I ain't seed him." + +"Have you been in here, looking at the Humming-Bird?" + +"No, Massa Tom. I nebber goes in dere, lessen as how yo' is dere. Dem's +yo' orders." + +"That's so, Rad. I might have known you wouldn't go in. But did you see +any one enter the shop?" + +"Not a pusson, sab." + +"Have you been here all the while?" + +"All but jes' a few minutes, when I went to de barn to put some +liniment on Boomerang's so' foot." + +"H'm! Some one might have slipped in here while I was away," mused Tom. +"I ought to have locked the doors, but I was in a hurry. This thing is +getting on my nerves. I wonder if it's Andy Foger, or some one else, +who is after my secret?" + +He made a hasty examination of the shop, but could discover nothing +more wrong, except that one of the planes of the Humming-Bird had been +shifted. + +"It looks as if they were trying to see how it was fastened on, and how +it worked," mused Tom. "But my plans haven't been touched, and no +damage has been done. Only I don't like to think that people have been +in here. They may have stolen some of my ideas. I must keep this place +locked night and day after this." + +Tom spent a busy week in making improvements on his craft. Mr. Swift +was doing well, and after a consultation by Dr. Kurtz and Dr. Gladby it +was decided to adopt a new style of treatment. In the meanwhile, Mr. +Swift kept his promise, and did no work. He sat in his easy-chair, out +in the garden, and dozed away, while Tom visited him frequently to see +if he needed anything. + +"Poor old dad!" mused the young inventor. "I hope he is well enough to +come and see me try for the ten-thousand-dollar prize--and win it! I +hope I do; but if some one builds, from my stolen plans, a machine on +this model, I'll have my work cut out for me." And he gazed with pride +on the Humming-Bird. + +For the past two weeks Tom had seen nothing of Andy Foger. The +red-haired bully seemed to have dropped out of sight, and even his +cronies, Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey, did not know where he had gone. + +"I hope he has gone for good," said Ned Newton, who lived near Andy. +"He's an infernal nuisance. I wish he'd never come back to Shopton." + +But Andy was destined to come back. + +One day, when Tom was busy installing a wireless apparatus on his new +aeroplane, he heard Eradicate hurrying up the path that led to the shop. + +"I wonder if dad is worse?" thought Tom, that always being his first +idea when he knew a summons was coming for him. Quickly be opened the +door. + +"Some one's comin' out to see you, Massa Tom," said the colored man. + +"Who is it?" asked the lad, taking the precaution to put his precious +plans out of sight. + +"I dunno, sah; but yo' father knows him, an' he said fo' me to come out +heah, ahead ob de gen'man, an' tell yo' he were comin'. He'll be right +heah." + +"Oh, well, if dad knows him, it's all right. Let him come, Rad." + +"Yes, sah. Heah he comes." And the colored man pointed to a figure +advancing down the gravel path. Tom watched the stranger curiously. +There was something familiar about him, and Tom was sure he had met him +before, yet he could not seem to place him. + +"How are you, Tom Swift?" greeted the newcomer pleasantly. "I guess +you've forgotten me, haven't you?" He held out his hand, which Tom +took. "Don't know me, do you?" he went on. + +"Well, I'm afraid I've forgotten your name," admitted the lad, just a +bit embarrassed. "But your face is familiar, somehow, and yet it isn't." + +"I've shaved off my mustache," went on the other. "That makes a +difference. But you haven't forgotten John Sharp, the balloonist, whom +you rescued from Lake Carlopa, and who helped you build the Red Cloud? +You haven't forgotten John Sharp, have you, Tom?" + +"Well, I should say not!" cried the lad heartily. "I'm real glad to see +you. What are you doing around here? Come in. I've got something to +show you," and he motioned to the shop where the Humming-Bird was +housed. + +"Oh, I know what it is," said the veteran balloonist. + +"You do?" + +"Yes. It's your new aeroplane. In fact, I came to see you about it." + +"To see me about it?" + +"Yes. I'm one of the committee of arrangements for the meet to be held +at Eagle Park, where I understand you are going to contest. I came to +see how near you were ready, and to get you to make a formal entry of +your machine. Mr. Gunmore sent me." + +"Oh, so you're in with them now, eh?" asked Tom. "Well, I'm glad to +know I've got a friend on the committee. Yes, my machine is getting +along very well. I'll soon be ready for a trial flight. Come in and +look at it. I think it's a bird--a regular Humming-Bird!" And Tom +laughed. + +"It certainly is something new," admitted Mr. Sharp as his eyes took in +the details of the trim little craft. "By the way, Shopton is going to +be well represented at the meet." + +"How is that? I thought I was the only one around here to enter an +aeroplane." + +"No. We have just received an entry from Andy Foger." + +"From Andy Foger!" gasped Tom. "Is he going to try to win some of the +prizes?" + +"He's entered for the big one, the ten-thousand-dollar prize," replied +the balloonist. "He has made formal application to be allowed to +compete, and we have to accept any one who applies. Why, do you object +to him, Tom?" + +"Object to him? Mr. Sharp, let me tell you something. Some time ago a +set of plans of my machine here were stolen from my house. I suspected +Andy Foger of taking them, but I could get no proof. Now you say he is +building a machine to compete for the big prize. Do you happen to know +what style it is?" + +"It's a small monoplane, something like the Antoinette, his application +states, though he may change it later." + +"Then he's stolen my ideas, and is making a craft like this!" exclaimed +Tom, as he sank upon a bench, and gazed from the balloonist to the +Humming-Bird, and back to Mr. Sharp again. "Andy Foger is trying to +beat me with my own machine!" + + + + +Chapter Seven + +Seeking a Clue + + +John Sharp was more than surprised at the effect his piece of +information had on Tom Swift. Though the young inventor had all along +suspected Andy of having the missing plans, yet there had been no +positive evidence on this point. That, coupled with the fact that the +red-haired bully had not been seen in the vicinity of Shopton lately, +had, in a measure, lulled Tom's suspicions to rest, but now his hope +had been rudely shattered. + +"Do you really think that's his game?" asked Mr. Sharp. + +"I'm sure of it," replied the youth. "Though where he is building his +aeroplane I can't imagine, for I haven't seen him in town. He's away." + +"Are you sure of that?" + +"Well, not absolutely sure," replied Tom. "It's the general rumor that +he's out of town." + +"Well, old General Rumor is sometimes a person not to be relied upon," +remarked the balloonist grimly. "Now this is the way I size it up: Of +course, all I know officially is that Andy Foger has sent in an entry +for the big race for the ten-thousand-dollar prize which is offered by +the Eagle Park Aviation Association. I'm a member of the arrangements +committee, and so I know. I also know that you and several others are +going to try for the prize. That's all I am absolutely sure of. + +"Now, when you tell me about the missing plans, and you conclude that +Andy is doing some underhanded work, I agree with you. But I go a step +farther. I don't believe he's out of town at all." + +"Why not?" exclaimed Tom. + +"Because when he has an airship shed right in his own backyard, where, +you tell me, he once made a craft in which he tried to beat you out in +the trip to Alaska, when you think of that, doesn't it seem reasonable +that he'd use that same building in which to make his new craft?" + +"Yes, it does," admitted Tom slowly, "but then everybody says he's out +of town." + +"Well, what everybody says is generally not so. I think you'll find +that Andy is keeping himself in seclusion, and that he's working +secretly in his shop, building a machine with which to beat you." + +"Do you, really?" + +"I certainly do. Have you been around his place lately?" + +"No. I've been too busy; and then I never have much to do with him." + +"Then take my advice, and see if you can't get a look inside that shop. +You may see something that will surprise you. If you find that Andy is +infringing on your patented ideas, you can stop him by an injunction. +You've got this model patented, I take it?" + +"Oh, yes. I didn't have at the time the plans were stolen, but I've +patented it since. I could get at him that way." + +"Then take my advice, and do it. Get a look inside that shed, and +you'll find Andy working secretly there, no matter if his cronies do +think he's out of town." + +"I believe I will," agreed Tom, and somehow he felt better now that he +had decided on a plan of action. He and the balloonist talked over at +some length just the best way to go about it, for the young inventor +recalled the time when he and Ned Newton had endeavored to look into +Andy's shed, with somewhat disastrous results to themselves; but Tom +knew that the matter at stake justified a risk, and he was willing to +take it. + +"Well, now that's settled," said Mr. Sharp, "tell me more about +yourself and your aeroplane. My! To think that the Red Cloud was +destroyed! That was a fine craft." + +"Indeed she was," agreed Tom. "I'm going to make another on similar +lines, some day, but now all my time is occupied with the Humming-Bird." + +"She is a hummer, too," complimented Mr. Sharp. "But I almost forgot +the real object of my trip here. There is no doubt about you going in +the race, is there?" + +"I fully expect to," replied Tom. "The only thing that will prevent me +will be--" + +"Don't say you're worried on account of what Andy Foger may do," +interrupted Mr. Sharp. + +"I'm not. I'll attend to Andy, all right. I was going to say that my +father's illness might interfere. He's not well at all. I'm quite +worried about him." + +"Oh, I sincerely hope he'll be all right," remarked the balloonist. "We +want you in this race. In fact, we're going to feature you, as they say +about the actors and story-writers. The committee is planning to do +considerable advertising on the strength of Tom Swift, the well-known +young inventor, being a contestant for the ten-thousand-dollar prize." + +"That's very nice, I'm sure," replied Tom, "and I'm going to do my +best. Perhaps dad will take a turn for the better. He wants me to win +as much as I want to myself. Well, we'll not worry about it, anyhow, +until the time comes. I want to show you some new features of my latest +aeroplane." + +"And I want to see them, Tom. Don't you think you're making a mistake, +though, in equipping it with a wireless outfit?" + +"Why so?" + +"Well, because it will add to the weight, and you want such a small +machine to be as light as possible." + +"Yes, but you see I have a very light engine. That part my father +helped me with. In fact, it is the lightest air-cooled motor made, for +the amount of horsepower it develops, so I can afford to put on the +extra weight of the wireless outfit. I may need to signal when I am +flying along at a hundred miles an hour." + +"That's so. Well, show me some of the other good points. You've +certainly got a wonderful craft here." + +Tom and Mr. Sharp spent some time going over the Humming-Bird and in +talking over old times. The balloonist paid another visit to Mr. Swift, +who was feeling pretty good, and who expressed his pleasure in seeing +his old friend again. + +"Can't you stay for a few days?" asked Tom, when Mr. Sharp was about to +leave. "If you wait long enough you may be able to help me work up the +clues against Andy Foger, and also witness a trial flight of the +Humming-Bird." + +"I'd like to stay, but I can't," was the answer. "The committee will be +anxious for me to get back with my report. Good luck to you. I'll see +you at the time of the race, if not before." + +Tom resolved to get right to work seeking clues against his old enemy, +Andy, but the next day Mr. Swift was not so well, and Tom had to remain +in the house. Then followed several days, during which time it was +necessary to do some important work on his craft, and so a week passed +without any information having been obtained. + +In the meanwhile Tom had made some cautious inquiries, but had learned +nothing about Andy. He had no chance to interview Pete or Sam, the two +cronies, and he did not think it wise to make a bald request for +information at the Foger home. + +Ned Newton could not be of any aid to his friend, as he was kept busy +in the bank night and day, working over a new set of books. + +"I wonder how I can find out what I want to know?" mused Tom one +afternoon, when he had done considerable work on the Humming-Bird. "I +certainly ought to do it soon, so as to be able to stop Andy if he's +infringing on my patents. Yet, I don't see how--" + +His thoughts were interrupted by hearing a voice outside the shop, +exclaiming: + +"Bless my toothpick! I know the way, Eradicate, my good fellow. It +isn't necessary for you to come. As long as Tom Swift is out there, +I'll find him. Bless my horizontal rudder! I'm anxious to see what +progress he's made. I'll find him, if he's about!" + +"Yes, sah, he's right in dere," spoke the colored man. "He's workin' on +dat Dragon Fly of his." Eradicate did not always get his names right. + +"Mr. Damon!" exclaimed Tom in delight, at the sound of his friend's +voice. "I believe he can help me get evidence against Andy Foger. I +wonder I didn't think of it before! The very thing! I'll do it!" + + + + +Chapter Eight + +The Empty Shed + + +"Bless my dark-lantern! Where are you, Tom?" called Mr. Damon as he +entered the dim shed where the somewhat frail-appearing aeroplane +loomed up in the semi-darkness, for it was afternoon, and rather +cloudy. "Where are you?" + +"Here!" called the young inventor. "I'm glad to see you! Come in!" + +"Ah! there it is, eh?" exclaimed the odd man, as he looked at the +aeroplane, for there had been much work done on it since he had last +seen it. "Bless my parachute, Tom! But it looks as though you could +blow it over." + +"It's stronger than it seems," replied the lad. "But, Mr. Damon, I've +got something very important to talk to you about." + +Thereupon Tom told all about Mr. Sharp's visit, of Andy's entry in the +big race, and of the suspicions of himself and the balloonist. + +"And what is it you wish me to do?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"Work up some clues against Andy Foger." + +"Good! I'll do it! I'd like to get ahead of that bully and his father, +who once tried to wreck the bank I'm interested in. I'll help you, Tom! +I'll play detective! Let me see--what disguise shall I assume? I think +I'll take the part of a tramp. Bless my ham sandwich! That will be the +very thing. I'll get some ragged clothes, let my beard grow again--you +see I shaved it off since my last visit--and I'll go around to the +Foger place and ask for work. Then I can get inside the shed and look +around. How's that for a plan?" + +"It might be all right," agreed Tom, "only I don't believe you're cut +out for the part of a tramp, Mr. Damon." + +"Bless my fingernails! Why not?" + +"Oh, well, it isn't very pleasant to go around in ragged clothes." + +"Don't mind about me. I'll do it." And the odd gentleman seemed quite +delighted at the idea. He and Tom talked it over at some length, and +then adjourned to the house, where Mr. Swift, who had seemed to improve +in the last few days, was told of the plan. + +"Couldn't you go around after evidence just as you are?" asked the aged +inventor. "I don't much care for this disguising business." + +"Oh, it's very necessary," insisted Mr. Damon earnestly. "Bless my +gizzard! but it's very necessary. Why, if I went around the Foger place +as I am now, they'd know me in a minute, and I couldn't find out what I +want to know." + +"Well, if you keep on blessing yourself," said Tom, with a laugh, +"they'll know you, no matter what disguise you put on, Mr. Damon." + +"That's so," admitted the eccentric gentleman. "I must break myself of +that habit. I will. Bless my topknot! I'll never do it any more. Bless +my trousers buttons!" + +"I'm afraid you'll never do it!" exclaimed Tom. + +"It is rather hard," said Mr. Damon ruefully, as he realized what he +had said. "But I'll do it. Bless--" + +He paused a moment, looked at Tom and his father, and then burst into a +laugh. The habit was more firmly fastened on him than he was aware. + +For several hours Tom, his father and Mr. Damon discussed various +methods of proceeding, and it was finally agreed that Mr. Damon should +first try to learn what Andy was doing, if anything, without resorting +to a disguise. + +"Then, if that doesn't work, I'll become a tramp," was the decision of +the odd character. "I'll wear the raggedest clothes I can find Bless--" +But he stopped in time. + +Mr. Damon took up his residence in the Swift household, as he had often +done before, and for the next week he went and came as he pleased, +sometimes being away all night. + +"It's no use, though," declared Mr. Damon at the end of the week. "I +can't get anywhere near that shed, nor even get a glimpse inside of it. +I haven't been able to learn anything, either. There are two gardeners +on guard all the while, and several times when I've tried to go in the +side gate, they've stopped me." + +"Isn't there any news of Andy about town?" asked Tom. "I should think +Sam or Pete would know where he is." + +"Well, I didn't ask them, for they'd know right away why I was +inquiring," said Mr. Damon, "but it seems to me as if there was +something queer going on. If Andy Foger is working in that shed of his, +he's keeping mighty quiet about it. Bless my--" + +And once more he stopped in time. He was conquering the habit in a +measure. + +"Well, what do you propose to do next?" asked Tom. + +"Disguise myself like a tramp, and go there looking for work," was the +firm answer. "There are plenty of odd jobs on a big place such as the +Foger family have. I'll find out what I want to know, you see." + +It seemed useless to further combat this resolution, and, in a few days +Mr. Damon presented a very different appearance. He had on a most +ragged suit, there was a scrubby beard on his face, and he walked with +a curious shuffle, caused by a pair of big, heavy shoes which he had +donned, first having taken the precaution to make holes in them and get +them muddy. + +"Now I'm all ready," he said to Tom one day, when his disguise was +complete. "I'm going over and try my luck." + +He left the house by a side door, so that no one would see him, and +started down the walk. As he did so a voice shouted: + +"Hi, there! Git right out oh heah! Mistah Swift doan't allow no tramps +heah, an' we ain't got no wuk fo' yo', an' there ain't no cold +victuals. I does all de wuk, me an' mah mule Boomerang, an' we takes +all de cold victuals, too! Git right along, now!" + +"It's Eradicate. He doesn't know you," said Tom, with a chuckle. + +"So much the better," whispered Mr. Damon. But the disguise proved +almost too much of a success, for seeing the supposed tramp lingering +near the house, Eradicate caught up a stout stick and rushed forward. +He was about to strike the ragged man, when Tom called out: + +"That's Mr. Damon, Rad!" + +"Wh--what!" gasped the colored man; and when the situation had been +explained to him, and the necessity for silence impressed upon him, he +turned away, too surprised to utter a word. He sought consolation in +the stable with his mule. + +Just what methods Mr. Damon used he never disclosed, but one thing is +certain: That night there came a cautious knock on the door of the +Swift home, and Tom, answering it, beheld his odd friend. + +"Well," he asked eagerly, "what luck?" + +"Put on a suit of old clothes, and come with me," said Mr. Damon. +"We'll look like two tramps, and then, if we're discovered, they won't +know it was you." + +"Have you found out anything?" asked Tom eagerly. + +"Not yet; but I've got a key to one of the side doors of the shed, and +we can get in as soon as it's late enough so that everybody there will +be in bed." + +"A key? How did you get it?" inquired the youth. + +"Never mind," was the answer, with a chuckle. "That was because of my +disguise; and I haven't blessed anything to-day. I'm going to, soon, +though. I can feel it coming on. But hurry, Tom, or we may be too late." + +"And you haven't had a look inside the shed?" asked the young inventor. +"You don't know what's there?" + +"No; but we soon will." + +Eagerly Tom put on some of the oldest and most ragged garments he could +find, and then he and the odd gentleman set off toward the Foger home. +They waited some time after getting in sight of it, because they saw a +light in one of the windows. Then, when the house was dark, they stole +cautiously forward toward the big, gloomy shed. + +"On this side," directed Mr. Damon in a whisper. "The key I have opens +this door." + +"But we can't see when we get inside," objected Tom. "I should have +brought a dark lantern." + +"I have one of those pocket electric flashlights," said Mr. Damon. +"Bless my candlestick! but I thought of that." And he chuckled +gleefully. + +Cautiously they advanced in the darkness. Mr. Damon fumbled at the lock +of the door. The key grated as he turned it. The portal swung back, and +Tom and his friend found themselves inside the shed which, of late, had +been such an object of worry and conjecture to the young inventor. What +would he find there? + +"Flash the light," he called to Mr. Damon in a hoarse whisper. + +The eccentric man drew it from his packet. He pressed the spring switch, +and in an instant a brilliant shaft of radiance shot out, cutting the +intense blackness like a knife. Mr. Damon flashed it on all sides. + +But to the amazement of Tom and his companion, it did not illuminate +the broad white wings and stretches of canvas of an aeroplane. It only +shone on the bare walls of the shed, and on some piles of rubbish in +the corners. Up and down, to right and left, shot the pencil of light. + +"There's--there's nothing here!" gasped Tom. + +"I--I guess you're right!" agreed Mr. Damon "The shed is empty!" + +"Then where is Andy Foger building his aeroplane?" asked Tom in a +whisper; but Mr. Damon could not answer him. + + + + +Chapter Nine + +A Trial Flight + + +For a few moments after their exclamations of surprise Tom and Mr. +Damon did not know what else to say. They stared about in amazement, +hardly able to believe that the shed could be empty. They had expected +to see some form of aeroplane in it, and Tom was almost sure his eyes +would meet a reproduction of his Humming-Bird, made from the stolen +plans. + +"Can it be possible there's nothing here?" went on Tom, after a long +pause. He could not seem to believe it. + +"Evidently not," answered Mr. Damon, as he advanced toward the center +of the big building and flashed the light on all sides. "You can see +for yourself." + +"Or, rather, you can't see," spoke the youth. "It isn't here, that's +sure. You can't stick an aeroplane, even as small a one as my Humming +Bird, in a corner. No; it isn't here." + +"Well, we'll have to look further," went on Mr. Damon. "I think--" + +But a sudden noise near the big main doors of the shed interrupted him. + +"Come on!" exclaimed Tom in a whisper. "Some one's coming! They may see +us! Let's get out!" + +Mr. Damon released the pressure on the spring switch, and the light +went out. After waiting a moment to let their eyes become accustomed to +the darkness, he and Tom stole to the door by which they had entered. +As they swung it cautiously open they again heard the noise near the +main portals by which Andy had formerly taken in and out the Anthony, +as he had named the aeroplane in which he and his father went to +Alaska, where, like Tom's craft, it was wrecked. + +"Some one is coming in!" whispered Tom. + +Hardly had he spoken when a light shone in the direction of the sound. +The illumination came from a big lantern of the ordinary kind, carried +by some one who had just entered the shed. + +"Can you see who it is?" whispered Mr. Damon, peering eagerly forward; +too eagerly, for his foot struck against the wooden side wall with a +loud bang. + +"Who's there?" suddenly demanded the person carrying the lantern. + +He raised it high above his head, in order to cast the gleams into all +the distant corners. As he did so a ray of light fell upon his face. +"Andy Foger!" gasped Tom in a hoarse whisper. + +Andy must have heard, for he ran forward just as Tom and Mr. Damon +slipped out. + +"Hold on! Who are you?" came in the unmistakable tones of the +red-haired bully. + +"I don't think we're going to tell," chuckled Tom softly, as he and his +friend sped off into the darkness. They were not followed, and as they +looked back they could see a light bobbing about in the shed. + +"He's looking for us!" exclaimed Mr. Damon with an inward laugh. "Bless +my watch chain! But it's a good thing we got in ahead of him. Are you +sure it was Andy himself?" + +"Sure! I'd know his face anywhere. But I can't understand it. Where has +he been? What is he doing? Where is he building his aeroplane? I +thought he was out of town." + +"He may have come back to-night," said Mr. Damon. "That's the only one +of your questions I can answer. We'll have to wait about the rest, I'm +sure he wasn't around the house to-day, though, for I was working at +weeding the flower beds, in my disguise as a tramp, and if he was home +I'd have seen him. He must have just come back, and he went out to his +shed to get something. Well, we did the best we could." + +"Indeed we did," agreed Tom, "and I'm ever so much obliged to you, Mr. +Damon." + +"And we'll try again, when we get more clues. Bless my shoelaces! but +it's a relief to be able to talk as you like." + +And forthwith the eccentric man began to call down so many blessings on +himself and on his belongings, no less than on his friends, that Tom +laughingly warned him that he had better save some for another time. + +The two reached home safely, removed their "disguises," and told Mr. +Swift of the result of their trip. He agreed with them that there was a +mystery about Andy's aeroplane which was yet to be solved. + +But Tom was glad to find that, at any rate, the craft was not being +made in Shopton, and during the next two weeks he devoted all his time +to finishing his own machine. Mr. Jackson was a valuable assistant, and +Mr. Damon gave what aid he could. + +"Well, I think I'll be ready for a trial flight in another week," said +Tom one day, as he stepped back to get a view of the almost completed +Humming-Bird. + +"Shall you want a passenger?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"Yes, I wish you would take a chance with me. I could use a bag of +sand, not that I mean you are to be compared to that," added Tom +quickly, "but I'd rather have a real person, in order to test the +balancing apparatus. Yes, we'll make a trial trip together." + +In the following few days Tom went carefully over the aeroplane, making +some slight changes, strengthening it here and there, and testing the +motor thoroughly. It seemed to work perfectly. + +At length the day of the trial came, and the Humming-Bird was wheeled +out of the shed. In spite of the fact that it was practically finished, +there yet remained much to do on it. It was not painted or decorated, +and looked rather crude. But what Tom wanted to know was how it would +fly, what control he had over it, what speed it could make, and how it +balanced. For it was, at best, very frail, and the least change in +equilibrium might be fatal. + +Before taking his place in the operator's seat Tom started the motor, +and by means of a spring balance tested the thrust of the propellers. +It was satisfactory, though he knew that when the engine had been run +for some time, and had warmed up, it would do much better. + +"All ready, I guess, Mr. Damon!" he called, and the odd gentleman took +his place. Tom got up into his own seat, in front of several wheels and +levers by which he operated the craft. + +"Start the propeller!" he requested of Mr. Jackson, and soon the motor +was spitting fire, while the big, fan-like blades were whirring around +like wings of light. The engineer and Eradicate were holding back the +Humming-Bird. + +"Let her go!" cried Tom as he turned on more gasoline and further +advanced the spark of the motor. The roar increased, the propeller +looked like a solid circle of wood, and the trim little monoplane moved +slowly across the rising ground, increasing its speed every second, +until, like some graceful bird, it suddenly rose in the air as Tom +tilted the wing tips, and soared splendidly aloft! + + + + +Chapter Ten + +A Midnight Intruder + + +Tom Swift sent his wonderful little craft upward on a gentle slant. +Higher and higher it rose above the ground. Now it topped the trees; +now it was well over them. + +On the earth below stood Mr. Swift, Mr. Jackson, Eradicate and Mrs. +Baggert. They were the only witnesses of the trial flight, and as the +aged inventor saw his son's latest design in aeroplanes circling in the +air he gave a cheer of delight. It was too feeble for Tom to hear, but +the lad, glancing down, saw his father waving his hand to him. + +"Dear old dad!" thought Tom, waving in return. "I hope he's well enough +to see me win the big prize." + +Tom and Mr. Damon went skimming easily through the air, at no great +speed, to be sure, for the young inventor did not want to put too +sudden a strain on his motor. + +"This is glorious!" cried the odd gentleman. "I never shall have enough +of aeroplaning, Tom!" + +"Nor I, either," added his companion. "But how do you like it? Don't +you think it's an improvement on my Butterfly, Mr. Damon?" + +"It certainly is. You're a wonder, Tom! Look out! What are you up to?" +for the machine had suddenly swerved in a startling manner. + +"Oh, that's just a new kind of spiral dip I was trying," answered Tom. +"I couldn't do that with my other machine, for I couldn't turn sharp +enough." + +"Well, don't do it right away again," begged Mr. Damon, who had turned +a little white, and whose breath was coming in gasps, even though he +was used to hair-raising stunts in the frail craft of the air. + +Tom did not take his machine far away, for he did not want to exhibit +it to the public yet, and he preferred to remain in the vicinity of his +home, in case of any accident. So he circled around, did figures of +eight, went up and down on long slants, took sharp turns, and gave the +craft a good tryout. + +"Does it satisfy you?" asked Mr. Damon, when Tom had once more made the +spiral dip, but not at high speed. + +"In a way, yes," was the answer. "I see a chance for several changes +and improvements. Of course, I know nothing about the speed yet, and +that's something that I'm anxious about, for I built this with the idea +of breaking all records, and nothing else. I know, now, that I can +construct a craft that will successfully navigate the air; in fact, +there are any number of people who can do that; but to construct a +monoplane that will beat anything ever before made is a different +thing. I don't yet know that I have done it." + +"When will you?" + +"Oh, when I make some changes, get the motor tuned up better, and let +her out for all she's worth. I want to do a hundred miles an hour, at +least. I'll arrange for a speedy flight in about two weeks more." + +"Then I think I will stay home," said Mr. Damon. + +"No; I'll need you," insisted Tom, laughing. "Now watch. I'm going to +let her out just a little." + +He did, with the result that they skimmed through the air so fast that +Mr. Damon's breath became a mere series of gasps. + +"We'll have to wear goggles and mouth protectors when we really go +fast!" yelled Tom above the noise of the motor, as he slowed down and +turned about for home. + +"Go fast! Wasn't that fast?" asked Mr. Damon. + +Tom shook his head. + +"You wait, and you'll see," he announced. + +They made a good landing, and Mr. Swift hastened up to congratulate his +son. + +"I knew you could do it, Tom!" he cried. + +"I couldn't, though, if it hadn't been for that wonderful engine of +yours, dad! How do you feel?" + +"Pretty good. Oh! but that's a fine machine, Tom!" + +"It certainly is," agreed Mr. Jackson. + +"It will be when I have it in better trim," admitted the young inventor +modestly. + +"By golly!" cried Eradicate, who was grinning almost from ear to ear, +"I's proud oh yo', Massa Tom, an' so will mah mule Boomerang be, when I +tells him. Yes, sah, dat's what he will be--proud ob yo', Massa Tom!" + +"Thanks, Rad." + +"Well, some folks is satisfied with mighty little under 'em, when they +go up in the air, that's my opinion," said Mrs. Baggert. + +"Why, wouldn't you ride in this?" asked Tom of the buxom housekeeper. + +"Not if you was to give me ten thousand dollars!" she cried firmly. +"Oh, dear! I think the potatoes are burning!" And she rushed back into +the house. + +The next day Tom started to work overhauling the Humming-Bird, and +making some changes. He altered the wing tips slightly, and adjusted +the motor, until in a thrust test it developed nearly half again as +much power as formerly. + +"And I'll need it all," declared Tom as he thought of the number of +contestants that had entered the great race. + +For the Eagle Park meet was to be a large and important one, and the +principal "bird-men" of the world were to have a part in it. Tom knew +that he must do his very best, and he spared no efforts to make his +monoplane come up to his ideal, which was a very exacting one. + +"We'll have a real speed test to-morrow," Tom announced to Mr. Damon +one night. "I'll see what the Humming-Bird can really do. You'll come, +won't you?" + +"Oh, I suppose so. Bless my insurance policy! I might as well take the +same chance you do. But if you're going to have such a nerve-racking +thing as that on the program, you'd better get to bed early and have +plenty of sleep." + +"Oh, I'm not tired. I think I'll go out this evening." + +"Where?" + +"Oh, just around town, to see some of the fellows." But if Tom was only +going around town merely to see his male friends, why did he dress so +carefully, put on a new necktie, and take several looks in the glass +before he went out? We think you can guess, and also the girl's name. + +The young inventor got in rather late, and after a visit to the +aeroplane shed, to see that all was right there, he went to bed, first +connecting up the burglar-alarm wires that guarded the doors and +windows of the aerodrome. + +How long he had been asleep Tom did not know, but he was suddenly +awakened by hearing the buzzing of the alarm at the head of his bed. At +first he took it for the droning and humming of the aeroplane motor, as +he had a hazy notion, and a sort of dream, that he was in his craft. + +Then, with a start, he realized what it was--the burglar alarm. + +"Some one's in the shed!" he gasped. + +Out of bed he leaped, drawing on his trousers and coat, and putting on +a pair of slippers, with speed worthy of a fireman. He grabbed up a +revolver and rushed from his room, pounding on the door of Mr. +Jackson's apartment in passing. + +"Some one in the shed, after the Humming-Bird!" shouted Tom. "Get a +gun, and come down!" + + + + +Chapter Eleven + +Tom Is Hurt + + +As Tom passed down the hall on his way to the side door, from which he +could more quickly reach the aeroplane shed, he saw his father coming +from his room. + +"What's the matter? What is it?" asked Mr. Swift, and alarm showed on +his pale face. + +"It's nothing much, dad," said the youth, as quietly as he could, for +he realized that to excite his father might have a bad effect on the +invalid. + +"Then why are you in such a hurry? Why have you that revolver? I know +there is something wrong, Tom. I am going to help you!" + +In his father's present weakened state Tom desired this least of all, +so he said: + +"Now, never mind, dad. I thought I heard a noise out in the yard, and +I'm not going to take any chances. So I roused Mr. Jackson, and I'm +going down to see what it is. Perhaps it may only be Eradicate's mule, +Boomerang, kicking around, or it may be Rad himself, or some one after +his chickens. Don't worry. Mr. Jackson and I can attend to it. You go +back to bed, father." + +Tom spoke with such assurance that Mr. Swift believed him, and retired +to his room, just as the engineer, partly dressed, came hurrying out in +response to Tom's summons. He had his rifle, and, had the invalid +inventor seen that, he surely would have worried more. + +"Come on!" whispered Tom. "Don't make any noise. I don't want to excite +my father." + +"What was it?" asked the engineer. + +"I don't know. Burglar alarm went off, that's all I can say until we +get to the shed." + +Together the two left the house softly, and soon were hurrying toward +the aeroplane shed. + +"Look!" exclaimed Mr. Jackson. "Didn't you see a light just then, Tom?" + +"Where?" + +"By the side window of the shed?" + +"No, I didn't notice it! Oh, yes! There it is! Some one is in there! If +it's Andy Foger, I'll have him arrested, sure!" + +"Maybe we can't catch him." + +"That's so. Andy is a pretty slippery customer. Say, Mr. Jackson, you +go around and get Eradicate, and have him bring a club. We can't trust +him with a gun. Tell him to get at the back door, and I'll wait for you +to join me, and we'll go in the front door. Then we'll have 'em between +two fires. They can't get away." + +"How about the windows?" + +"They're high up, and hard to open since I put the new catches on them. +Whoever got in must have forced the lock of the door. There goes the +light again!" + +As Tom spoke there was seen the faint glimmer of a light. It moved +slowly about the interior of the shed, and with a peculiar bobbing +motion, which indicated that some one was carrying it. + +"Go for Eradicate, and don't make any more noise than you can help in +waking him up," whispered Tom, for they were now close to the shed, and +might be heard. + +Mr. Jackson slipped off in the darkness, and Tom drew nearer to the +building that housed his Humming-Bird. There was one window lower than +the others, and near it was a box, that Tom remembered having seen that +afternoon. He planned to get up on that and look in, before making a +raid to capture the intruder. + +Tom raised himself up to the window. The light had been visible a +moment before he placed the box in position, but an instant later it +seemed to go out, and the place was in darkness. + +"I wonder if they've gone away?" thought Tom. "I can't hear any noise." + +He listened intently. It was dark and silent in the shop. Suddenly the +light flashed up brighter than before, and the young inventor caught +sight of a man walking around the new aeroplane, examining it +carefully. He carried, as Tom could see, a large-sized electric +flash-lamp, with a brilliant tungsten filament, which gave a powerful +light. + +As the youth watched, he saw the intruder place the light on a bench, +in such a position that the rays fell full upon the Humming-Bird. Then, +adjusting the spring switch so that the light would continue to glow, +the man stepped back and drew something from an inner pocket. + +"I wonder what he's up to?" mused Tom. "I wish Eradicate and Mr. +Jackson would hurry back. Who can that fellow be, I wonder? I've never +seen him before, as far as I know. I thought sure it was going to turn +out to be Andy Foger!" + +Tom turned around to look into the dark yard surrounding the shed. He +was anxious to hear the approach of his two allies, but there was no +sound of their footsteps. + +As he turned back to watch the man he could not repress a cry of alarm, +for what the intruder had drawn from his pocket was a small hatchet, +and he was advancing with it toward the Humming-Bird! + +"He's going to destroy my aeroplane!" gasped Tom, and he raised his +revolver to fire. + +He did not intend to shoot at the man, but only to fire to scare him, +and thus hasten the coming of Mr. Jackson and the colored man. But +there was no need of this, for an instant later the two came running up +silently, Eradicate with a big club. + +"Whar am he?" he asked in a hoarse whisper. "Let me git at him, Massa +Tom!" + +"Hush!" exclaimed the young inventor. "We have no time to lose! He's in +there, getting ready to chop my aeroplane to bits! Go to the back door, +Rad, and if he tries to come out don't let him get away." + +"I won't!" declared the colored man emphatically, and he shook his club +suggestively. + +"Come on! We'll go in the front door," whispered Tom to the engineer. +"I have the key. We'll catch him red-handed, and hand him over to the +police." + +Waiting a few seconds, to enable Eradicate to get to his place, Tom and +the engineer stole softly toward the big double doors. Every moment the +youth expected to hear the crash of the hatchet on his prize machine. +He shivered in anticipation, but the blows did not fall. + +Tom pushed open the door and stepped inside, followed by Mr. Jackson. +As they did so they saw the man standing in front of the Humming-Bird. +He again raised the little hatchet, which was like an Indian tomahawk, +and poised it for an instant over the delicate framework and planes of +the air craft. Then his arm began to descend. + +"Stop!" yelled Tom, and at the same time he fired in the air. + +The man turned as suddenly as though a bullet had struck him, and for a +moment Tom was afraid lest he had hit him by accident; but an instant +later the intruder grabbed up his flashlight, and holding it before +him, so that its rays shone full on Tom and Mr. Jackson, while it left +him in the shadow, sprang toward them, the hatchet still in his hand. + +"Look out, Tom!" cried Mr. Jackson. + +"Out of my way!" shouted the man. + +Bravely Tom stood his ground. He wished now that he had a club instead +of his revolver. The would-be vandal was almost upon him. Mr. Jackson +clubbed his rifle and swung it at the fellow. The latter dodged, and +came straight at Tom. + +"Look out!" yelled the engineer again, but it was too late. There was +the sound of a blow, and Tom went down like a log. Then the place was +in darkness, and the sound of footsteps in rapid flight could be heard +outside the shed. + +The intruder, after wounding the young inventor, had made his escape. + + + + +Chapter Twelve + +Miss Nestor Calls + + +"What's de mattah? Shall I come in? Am anybody hurted?" yelled +Eradicate Sampson as he pounded on the rear door of the aeroplane shed. +"Let me in, Massa Tom!" + +"All right! Wait a minute! I'm coming!" called Mr. Jackson. He tried to +peer through the darkness, to where a huddled heap indicated the +presence of Tom. Then he thought of the electric lights, which were run +by a storage battery when the dynamo was shut down, and a moment later +the engineer had switched on the incandescents, filling the big shed +with radiance. + +"Tom, are you badly hurt?" gasped Mr. Jackson. + +There was no answer, for Tom was unconscious. + +"Let me in! Let me git at dat robber wif mah club!" cried the colored +man eagerly. + +Knowing that he would need help in carrying Tom to the house, Mr. +Jackson hurried to the back door. He had a key to it, and it was +quicker to open it than to send Eradicate away around the shed to the +front portals. + +"Whar am he?" gasped the faithful darky, as he took a firmer grasp of +his club and looked around the place. "Let me git mah hands on him! +I'll feed him t' Boomerang, when I gits froo wif him!" + +"He's gone," said the engineer. "Help me look after Tom. I'm afraid +he's badly hurt." + +They hastened to the unconscious lad. On one side of his head was a bad +cut, which was bleeding freely. + +"Oh! he's daid! I know he's daid!" wailed Eradicate. + +"Not a bit of it. He isn't dead, but he may die, if we don't get him +into the house, and have a doctor here soon," said Mr. Jackson sternly. +"Catch hold of him, Rad, and, mind, don't carry on, and get excited, +and scare Mr. Swift. Just pretend it isn't very bad, or we'll have two +patients on our hands instead of only Tom." + +They managed to get the youth into the house, and, contrary to their +fears, Mr. Swift was not nearly so nervous as they had expected. Calmly +he took charge of matters, and even telephoned for Dr. Gladby himself, +while Mr. Jackson and Eradicate undressed Tom and got him to bed. Mrs. +Baggert busied herself heating water and getting things in readiness +for the doctor, who had promised to come at once. + +Tom was just regaining consciousness when the physician came in, having +driven over at top speed. + +"What--what happened? Did the Humming-Bird fall?" asked Tom in a +whisper, putting his hand to his head. + +"No, something fell on you, I guess," said the doctor, who had been +hurriedly told of the circumstances. "But don't worry, Tom. You'll be +all right in a few days. You got a bad cut on the head, but the skull +isn't fractured, I'm glad to say. Here, now, just drink this," and he +gave Tom some medicine he had mixed in a glass. + +The cut was soon dressed, and Tom felt much better, though weak and a +trifle dizzy. + +"Did he hit me with the hatchet?" he asked Mr. Jackson. + +"I couldn't tell," was the engineer's reply, "it all happened so +quickly. In another instant I'd have bowled him over, instead of him +landing on you, but I just missed him. He either used the hatchet, or +some blunt instrument." + +"Well, don't talk about it now," urged the doctor. "I want Tom to get +quiet and go to sleep. He'll be much better in the morning, but I must +forbid any aeroplane flights." And he shook his finger at Tom in +warning. "You'll have to lie quiet for several days," he added. + +"All right," agreed the young inventor weakly, and then he dozed off, +for the physician had given him a quieting medicine. + +"Haven't you any idea who it was?" asked Dr. Gladby of Mr. Jackson, as +he prepared to leave. + +"Not the slightest. It was no one Tom or I had ever seen before. But +whoever it was, he intended to destroy the Humming-Bird, that was +evident!" + +"The scoundrel! I'm glad you foiled him in time; but it's too bad about +Tom. However, we'll soon have him all right again." + +"I knows who done it!" broke in Eradicate, who was a sort of privileged +character about the Swift home. + +"Who?" asked Mr. Jackson. + +"It were dat Andy Foger. Leastways, he send dat man heah t' make +mincemeat oh de Hummin'-Bird. I's positib 'bout dat, so I am!" And +Eradicate grinned triumphantly. + +"Well, perhaps Andy did have a hand in it," admitted Mr. Swift, "but we +have no proof of it, I can't see what his object would be in wanting to +destroy Tom's new craft." + +"Pure meanness. Afraid that Tom will beat him in the race," suggested +Mr. Jackson. + +"It's too big a risk to take," went on the aged inventor. "I'm inclined +to think it might be one of the gang of men who made the diamonds in +the cave in the mountains. They might have sent a spy on East, and he +might try to damage the aeroplane to be revenged for what Tom and Mr. +Jenks did to them." + +"It's possible," agreed the engineer. "Well, we'll wait until Tom can +talk, and we'll go over it with him." + +"Not until he is stronger, though," stipulated the physician as he went +away. "Don't excite Tom for a few days." + +The young inventor was much better the following day, and when Dr. +Gladby called he said Tom could sit up for a little while. Two days +later Tom was well enough to be talked to, and his father and Mr. +Jackson went over all the details of the matter. Mr. Damon, who had +returned home, came to see his friend as soon as he heard of his +plight, and was also a member of the consulting party. + +"Bless my dictionary!" exclaimed the eccentric man. "I wish I had been +here to take a hand in it. But, Tom, do you believe it was one of the +diamond-making gang?" + +"I hardly think so," was the reply. "They would take some other means +of revenge than by destroying my new aeroplane. I'm inclined to think +it was some one who is in with Andy Foger." + +"Then we'll hire detectives, and locate him and them," declared Mr. +Damon, blessing several things in succession. + +Tom, however, did not like that plan, and it was decided to do nothing +right away. In another few days Tom was able to be up, though he was +still a semi-invalid, not venturing out of the house. + +It was one afternoon, when, rather tired of his confinement, he was +wishing he could resume work on his air craft, that Mrs. Baggert came +in, and said: + +"Some one to see you, Tom." + +"Is it Mr. Damon?" + +"No, it's a lady. She--" + +"Oh, Tom! How are you?" cried a girlish voice, and Mary Nestor walked +into the room, holding out both hands to the young inventor. Tom, with +a blush, arose hastily. + +"No! no! Sit still!" commanded the girl. "Oh! I'm so sorry to hear +about your accident! In fact, I only heard this morning. We've been +away, mamma and I, and we just got back. Tell me all about it, that is, +if you feel able. But don't exert yourself. Oh! I wish I had hold of +that man!" + +And Miss Nestor clenched her two pretty little hands and set her white, +even teeth grimly together, as though she would do most desperate +things indeed. + +"I wish you did, too!" exclaimed Tom. "That is, so you could hold him +until I had a chance at him. But I'm all right now. It was very good of +you to call. How are you, and how are your folks?" + +"Very well. But I came to hear about you. Tell me," and she looked +anxiously at Tom, while Mrs. Baggert discreetly withdrew to the +adjoining room, and made a great noise, rattling papers and moving +chairs about. + +Thereupon Tom told what had happened, while Mary Nestor listened +interestedly and with expressions of fear at times. + +"But if Andy had anything to do with it," concluded Tom, "I can't +understand what his object is. Andy is acting very strangely lately. We +can't locate him, nor find out where he is building his airship. That's +what I want to know; but Mr. Damon and I, after a lot of trouble, only +found his aeroplane shed empty." + +"And you want to find out where Andy Foger is building his aeroplane +which he has entered in the big race?" asked Miss Nestor. + +"That's what I'd like to know," declared Tom earnestly. "Only we can't +seem to do it. No one knows." + +"Why don't you write to Mr. Sharp, or some one of the aviation meet +committee?" asked the girl simply. "They would know, for you say Andy +made his formal entry with them, and the rules require him to tell from +what city and State he will enter his craft. Write to the committee, +Tom." + +For a moment the young inventor stared at her. Then he banged his fist +down on the arm of his chair. + +"By Jove, Mary! That's the very thing!" he cried. "I wonder why I never +thought of that, instead of fiddling around in disguises, and things +like that? I wonder why I never thought of that plan?" + +"Perhaps because it was so simple," she answered, with a pretty blush. + +"I guess that's it," agreed Tom. "It takes a woman to jump across a +bridge to a conclusion every time. I'll write to Mr. Sharp at once." + + + + +Chapter Thirteen + +A Clash with Andy + + +Tom lost no time in writing to Mr. Sharp. He wondered more and more at +his own neglect in not before having asked the balloonist, when the +latter was in Shopton, where Andy was building his aeroplane. But, as +it developed later, Mr. Sharp did not know at that time. + +While waiting for a reply to his letter, Tom busied himself about his +own craft, making several changes he had decided on. He also began to +paint and decorate it, for he wanted to have the Humming-Bird present a +neat appearance when she was officially entered in the great race. + +Miss Nestor called on Tom again, and Mr. Damon was a frequent visitor. +He agreed to accompany Tom to the aviation park when it was time for +the race, and also to be a passenger in the ten-thousand-dollar contest. + +"It must be perfectly wonderful to fly through the air," said Miss +Nestor one day, when Tom and Mr. Damon had the Humming-Bird out on the +testing ground, trying the engine, which had been keyed up to a higher +pitch of speed. "I consider it perfectly marvelous, and I can't imagine +how it must seem to skim along that way." + +"Come and try it," urged Tom suddenly. "There's not a bit of danger. +Really there isn't." + +"Oh! I'd never dare do it!" replied the girl, with a gasp. "That +machine is too swift by name and swift by nature for me." + +"Why don't you take Miss Nestor on a grass-cutting flight, Tom?" +suggested Mr. Damon. "Bless my lawn mower! but she wouldn't be +frightened at that." + +"Grass cutting?" repeated the girl. "What in the world does that mean?" + +"It means skimming along a few feet up in the air," answered the young +inventor, who had now fully recovered from the effects of the blow +given him by the midnight intruder. In spite of many inquiries, no +clues to his identity had been obtained. + +"How high do you go when you 'cut grass,' as you call it?" asked Miss +Nestor, and Tom thought he detected a note of eager curiosity in her +voice. + +"Not high at all," he said. "In fact, sometimes I do cut off the tops +of tall daisies. Come, Mary! Won't you try that? I know you'll like it, +and when you've been over the lawn a few times you'll be ready for a +high flight. Come! there's no danger." + +"I--I almost believe I will," she said hesitatingly. "Will you take me +down when I want to come?" + +"Of course," said Tom. "Get in, and we'll start." + +The Humming-Bird was all ready for a trial flight, and Tom was glad of +the chance to test it, especially with such a pretty passenger as was +Miss Nestor. + +"Bless my shoelaces!" cried Mr. Damon. "I can see where I am going to +be cut out, Tom Swift. I'll not get many more rides with you now that +Miss Nestor is taking to aeroplaning, you young rascal!" And he +playfully shook his finger at Tom. + +"Oh, I don't expect to get enthusiastic over it," said Miss Nestor, +who, now that she had taken her place in one of the small seats under +the engine, appeared as if she would be glad of the chance to change +her mind. But she did not. + +"Now, if you take me more than five feet up in the air, I'll never +speak to you again, Tom Swift!" she exclaimed. + +"Five feet it shall be, unless you yourself ask to go higher," was the +youth's reply, as he winked at Mr. Damon. Well he knew the fascination +of aeroplaning, and he was almost sure of what would happen. "You can +take a tape measure along, and see for yourself," he added to his fair +passenger. "The barograph will hardly register such a little height." + +"Well, it's as high as I want to go," said the girl. "Oh!" with a +scream, as Tom started the propeller. "Are we going?" + +"In a moment," was his reply. He took his seat beside the girl. The +motor was speeded up until it sounded like the roar of the ocean surf +in a storm. + +"Let her go!" cried Tom to Mr. Damon and Mr. Jackson, who were holding +back the Humming-Bird. They gave her a slight shove to over-come the +inertia, and the trim little craft darted across the ground at every +increasing speed. + +Miss Nestor caught her breath with a gasp, glanced at Tom, and noted +how cool he was, and then her frantic grip of the uprights slightly +relaxed. + +"We'll go up a little way in a minute!" shouted Tom in her ear as they +were speeding over the level ground. + +He pulled a lever slightly, and the Humming-Bird rose a little in the +air, but only for a short distance, not more than five feet, and Tom +held her there, though he had to run the engine at a greater speed than +would have been the case had he been in the sustaining upper currents. +It was as if the Humming-Bird resented being held so closely to the +earth. + +Around in a big circle, back and forth went the craft, at no time being +more than seven feet from the ground. Tom glanced at Miss Nestor. Her +cheeks were unusually red, and there was a bright sparkle in her eyes. + +"It's glorious!" she cried. "Do you--do you think there's any danger in +going higher? I believe I'd like to go up a bit." + +"I knew it!" cried Tom. "Up we go!" And he pulled the wind-bending +plane lever toward him. Upward shot the craft, as if alive. + +"Oh!" gasped Mary. + +"Sit still! It's all right!" commanded Tom. + +"It's glorious; glorious!" she cried. "I'm not a bit afraid now!" + +"I knew you wouldn't be," declared the young inventor, who had +calculated on the fascination which the motion through the air, +untrammeled and free, always produces. "Shall we go higher?" + +"Yes!" cried Miss Nestor, and she gazed fearlessly down at the earth, +which was falling away from beneath their feet. She was in the grip of +the air, and it was a new and wonderful sensation. + +Tom went up to a considerable distance, for, once a person loses his +first fright, one hundred feet or one thousand feet elevation makes +little difference to him. It was this way with Miss Nestor. + +Now, indeed, could Tom demonstrate to her some of the fine points of +navigation in the upper currents, and though he did no risky "stunts," +he showed the girl what it means to do an ascending spiral, how to cut +corners, how to twist around in the figure eight, and do other things. +Tom did not try for the great speed of which he knew his craft was +capable, for he knew there was some risk with Miss Nestor aboard. But +he did nearly everything else, and when he sent the Humming-Bird down +he had made another convert and devotee to the royal sport of +aeroplaning. + +"Oh! I never would have dared believe I could do it!" exclaimed the girl, +as with flushed cheeks and dancing eyes she dismounted from the seat. +"Mamma and papa will never believe I did it!" + +"Bring them over, and I'll take them for a flight," said Tom, with a +laugh, as Mary departed. + +Tom received an answer to his letter to Mr. Sharp that night. + +"Andy Foger's entry blank states," wrote the balloonist, "that he is +constructing his aeroplane in the village of Hampton, which is about +fifty miles from your place. If there is anything further I can do for +you, Tom, let me know. I will see you at the meet. Hope you win the +prize." + +"In Hampton, eh?" mused Tom. "So that's where Andy has been keeping +himself all this while. His uncle lives there, and that's the reason +for it. He wanted to keep it a secret from me, so he could use my +stolen plans for his craft. But he shan't do it! I'll go to Hampton!" + +"And I'll go with you!" declared Mr. Damon, who was with Tom when he +got the note from the balloonist. "We'll get to the bottom of this +mystery after a while, Tom." + +Delaying a few days, to make the final changes in his aeroplane, Tom +and Mr. Damon departed for Hampton one morning. They thought first of +going in the Butterfly, but as they wanted to keep their mission as +secret as possible, they decided to go by train, and arrive in the town +quietly and unostentatiously. They got to Hampton late that afternoon. + +"What's the first thing to be done?" asked Mr. Damon as they walked up +from the station, where they were almost the only persons who alighted +from the train. + +"Go to the hotel," decided Tom. "There's only one, I was told, so +there's not much choice." + +Hampton was a quiet little country town of about five thousand +inhabitants, and Tom soon learned the address of Mr. Bentley, Andy's +uncle, from the hotel clerk. + +"What business is Mr. Bentley in?" asked Tom, for he wanted to learn +all he could without inquiring of persons who might question his +motives. + +"Oh, he's retired," said the clerk. "He lives on the interest of his +money. But of late he's been erecting some sort of a building on his +back lot, like a big shed, and folks are sort of wondering what he's +doing in it. Keeps mighty secret about it. He's got a young fellow +helping him." + +"Has he got red hair?" asked Tom, while his heart beat strangely fast. + +"Who? Mr. Bentley? No. His hair's black." + +"I mean the young fellow." + +"Oh! his? Yes, his is red. He's a nephew, or some relation to Mr. +Bentley. I did hear his name, but I've forgotten it. Sandy, or Andy, or +some such name as that." + +This was near enough for Tom and Mr. Damon, and they did not want to +risk asking any more questions. They turned away to go to their rooms, +as the clerk was busy answering inquiries from some other guests. A +little later, supper was served, and Tom, having finished, whispered to +Mr. Damon to join him upstairs as soon as he was through. + +"What are you going to do?" asked the eccentric man. + +"We're going out and have a look at this new shed by moonlight," +decided Tom. "I want to see what it's like, and, if possible, I want to +get a peep inside. I'll soon be able to tell whether or not Andy is +using my stolen plans." + +"All right. I'm with you. Bless my bill of fare! But we seem to be +doing a lot of mysterious work of late." + +"Yes," agreed Tom. "But if you have to bless anything to-night, Mr. +Damon, please whisper it. Andy, or some of his friends, may be about +the shed, and as soon as they hear one of your blessings they'll know +who's coming." + +"Oh, I'll be careful," promised Mr. Damon. + +"Andy will find out, sooner or later, that we are in town," went on +Tom, "but we may be able to learn to-night what we want to know, and +then we can tell how to act." + +A little later, as if they were merely strolling about, Mr. Damon and +Tom headed for Mr. Bentley's place, which was on the outskirts of the +town. There was a full moon, and the night was just right for the kind +of observation Tom wanted to make. There were few persons abroad, and +the young inventor thought he would have no one spying on him. + +They located the big house of Andy's uncle without trouble. Going down +a side street, they had a glimpse of a shed, built of new boards, +standing in the middle of a large lot. About the structure was a new, +high wooden fence, but as Tom and his friend passed along it they saw +that a gate in it was open. + +"I'm going in!" whispered Tom. + +"Will it be safe?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"I don't care whether it will be or not. I've got to know what Andy is +doing. Come on! We'll take a chance!" + +Cautiously they entered the enclosure. The big shed was dark, and stood +out conspicuously in the moonlight. + +"There doesn't seem to be any one here," whispered Tom. "I wonder if we +could get a look in the window?" + +"It's worth trying, anyhow," agreed Mr. Damon. "I'm with you, Tom." + +They drew nearer to the shed. Suddenly Tom stepped on a stick, which +broke with a sharp report. + +"Bless my spectacles!" cried Mr. Damon, half aloud. + +There was silence for a moment, and then a voice cried out: + +"Who's there? Hold on! Don't come any farther! It's dangerous!" + +Tom and Mr. Damon stood still, and from behind the shed stepped Andy +Foger and a man. + +"Oh! it's you, is it, Tom Swift?" exclaimed the red-haired bully. "I +thought you'd come sneaking around. Come on, Jake! We'll make them wish +they'd stayed home!" And Andy made a rush for Tom. + + + + +Chapter Fourteen + +The Great Test + + +"Bless my gizzard!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, who hardly knew what to do. +"We'd better be getting out of here, Tom!" + +"Not much!" exclaimed the young inventor. "I never ran from Andy Foger +yet, and I'm not going to begin now." + +He assumed an attitude of defense, and stood calmly awaiting the +onslaught of the bully; but Andy knew better than to come to a personal +argument with Tom, and so the red-haired lad halted some paces off. The +man, who had followed young Foger, also stopped. + +"What do you want around here, Tom Swift?" demanded Andy. + +"You know very well what I want," said the young inventor, calmly. "I +want to know what you did with the aeroplane plans you took from my +house." + +"I never took any!" declared Andy vigorously. + +"Well, there's no use discussing that," went on Tom. "What I came here +to find out, and I don't mind telling you, is whether or not you are +building a monoplane to compete against me, and building it on a model +invented by me; and what's more, Andy Foger, I intend to find this out, +too!" + +Tom started toward the big shed, which loomed up in the moonlight. + +"Stand back!" cried Andy, getting in Tom's way. "I can build any kind +of an aeroplane I like, and you can't stop me!" + +"We'll see about that," declared the young inventor, as he kept on. +"I'm not going to allow my plans to be stolen, and a monoplane made +after them, and do nothing about it." + +"You keep away!" snarled Andy, and he grabbed Tom by the shoulder and +struck him a blow in the chest. He must have been very much excited, or +otherwise he never would have come to hostilities this way with Tom, +whom he well knew could easily beat him. + +The blow, together with the many things he had suffered at Andy's +hands, was too much for our hero. He drew back his fist, and a moment +later Andy Foger was stretched out on the grass. He lay there for a +moment, and then rose up slowly to his knees, his face distorted with +rage. + +"You--you hit me!" he snarled. + +"Not until you hit first," said Tom calmly. + +"Bless my punching bag! That's so!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. + +"You'll suffer for this!" whined Andy, getting to his feet, but taking +care to retreat from Tom, who stood ready for him. "I'll get square +with you for this! Jake, come on, and we'll get our guns!" + +Andy turned and hurried back toward the shed, followed by the +evil-looking man, who had apparently been undecided whether to attack +Mr. Damon or Tom. Now the bully and his companion were in full retreat. + +"We'll get our guns, and then we'll see whether they'll want to stay +where they're not wanted!" went on Andy, threateningly. + +"Bless my powderhorn! What had we better do?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"I guess we'd better go back," said Tom calmly. "Not that I'm afraid of +Andy. His talk about guns is all bluff; but I don't want to get into +any more of a row, and he is just ugly and reckless enough to make +trouble. I'm afraid we can't learn what we came to find out, though +I'm more convinced than ever that Andy is using my plans to make his +aeroplane." + +"But what can you do?" + +"I'll see Mr. Sharp, and send a protest to the aviation committee. I'll +refuse to enter if Andy flies in a model of my Humming-Bird, and I'll +try to prevent him from using it after he gets it on the ground. That +is all I can do, it seems, lacking positive information. Come on, Mr. +Damon. Let's get back to our hotel, and we'll start for home in the +morning." + +"I have a plan," whispered the odd man. + +"What is it?" asked Tom, narrowly watching for the reappearance of Andy +and the man. + +"I'll stay here until they come, then I'll pretend to run away. They'll +chase after me, and get all excited, and you can go up and look in the +shed windows. Then you can join me later. How's that?" + +"Too risky. They might fire at you by mistake. No. We'll both go. I've +found out more than enough to confirm my suspicions." + +They turned out of the lot which contained the shed, and walked toward +the road, just as Andy and his crony came back. + +"Huh! You'd better go!" taunted the bully. + +Tom had a bitter feeling in his heart. It seemed as if he was defeated, +and he did not like to retreat before Andy. + +"You'd better not come back here again, either," went on Andy. + +Tom and Mr. Damon did not reply, but kept on in silence. They returned +to Shopton the next day. + +"Well," remarked Tom, when he had gone out to look at his Humming-Bird, +"I know one thing. Andy Foger may build a machine something like this, +but I don't believe he can put in all the improvements I have, and +certainly he can't equal that engine; eh, dad?" + +"I hope not, Tom," replied his father, who seemed to be much improved +in health. + +"When are you going to try for speed?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"To-morrow, if I can get it tuned up enough," replied Tom, "and I think +I can. Yes, we'll have the great test to-morrow, and then I'll know +whether I really have a chance for that ten thousand dollars." + +Never before had Tom been so exacting in his requirements of his air +craft as when, the next day, the Humming-Bird was wheeled out to the +flight ground, and gotten ready for the test. The young inventor went +over every bolt, brace, stay, guy wire and upright. He examined every +square inch of the wings, the tips, planes and rudders. The levers, the +steering wheel, the automatic equilibrium attachments and the balancing +weights were looked at again and again. + +As for the engine, had it been a delicate watch, Tom could not have +scrutinized each valve, wheel, cam and spur gear more carefully. Then +the gasoline tank was filled, the magneto was looked after, the oil +reservoirs were cleaned out and freshly filled, and finally the lad +remarked: + +"Well, I guess I'm ready. Come along, Mr. Damon." + +"Am I going with you in the test?" + +"Surely. I've been counting on you. If you're to be with me in the +race, you want to get a sample of what we can do. Take your place. Mr. +Jackson, are you ready to time us?" + +"All ready, Tom." + +"And, dad, do you feel well enough to check back Mr. Jackson's results? +I don't want any errors." + +"Oh, yes, Tom. I can do it." + +"Very well, then. Now this is my plan. I'm going to mount upward on an +easy slant, and put her through a few stunts first, to warm up, and see +that everything is all right. Then, when I give the signal, by dropping +this small white ball, that means I'm ready for you to start to time +me. Then I'll begin to try for the record. I'll go about the course in +a big ellipse, and--well, we'll see what happens." + +While Mr. Damon was in his seat the young inventor started the +propeller, and noted the thrust developed. It was satisfactory, as +measured on the scale, and then Tom took his place. + +"Let her go!" he cried to Mr. Jackson and Eradicate, after he had +listened to the song of the motor for a moment. The Humming-Bird flew +across the course, and a moment later mounted into the air. + +Tom quickly took her up to about two thousand feet, and there, finding +the conditions to his liking, he began a few evolutions designed to +severely test the craft's stability, and to learn whether the engine +was working properly. + +"How about it?" asked Mr. Damon anxiously. + +"All right!" shouted Tom in his ear, for the motor was making a great +racket. "I guess we'll make the trial next time we come around. Get +ready to drop the signal ball." + +Tom slowly brought the aeroplane around in a graceful curve. He sighted +down, and saw the first tall white pole that marked the beginning of +the course. + +"Drop!" he called to Mr. Damon. + +The white rubber ball went to the earth like a shot. Mr. Jackson and +Mr. Swift saw it, and started their timing-watches. Tom opened the +throttle and advanced the spark. The great test was on! + +The Humming-Bird trembled and throbbed with the awful speed of the +motor, like a thing alive. She seemed to rush forward as an eagle +dropping down from a dizzy height upon some hapless prey. + +"Faster yet!" murmured Tom. "We must go faster yet!" + +The motor was warming up. Streaks of fire came from it. The exhaust of +the explosions was a continuous roar. Faster and faster flew the frail +craft. + +Around and around the air course she circled. The wind appeared to be +rushing beneath the planes and rudders with the velocity of a +hurricane. Had it not been for the face protectors they wore, Tom and +Mr. Damon could not have breathed. For ten minutes this fearful speed +was kept up. Then Tom, knowing he had run the motor to the limit, +slowed it down. Next he shut it off completely, and prepared to +volplane back to earth. The silence after the terrific racket was +almost startling. For a moment neither of the aviators spoke. Then Mr. +Damon said: + +"Do you think you did it, Tom?" + +"I don't know. We'll soon find out. They'll have the record." And he +motioned toward the earth, which they were rapidly nearing. + + + + +Chapter Fifteen + +A Noise in the Night + + +"Well, did I make it? Make any kind of a record?" asked Tom eagerly, as +he brought the trim little craft to a stop, after it had rolled along +the ground on the bicycle wheels. + +"What do you think you did?" asked Mr. Jackson, who had been busy +figuring on a slip of paper. + +"Did I get her up to ninety miles an hour?" inquired Tom eagerly. "If I +did, I know when the motor wears down a bit smoother that I can make +her hit a hundred in the race, easily. Did I touch ninety, Mr. Jackson?" + +"Better than that, Tom! Better than that!" cried his father. + +"Yes," joined in Mr. Jackson. "Allowing for the difference in our +watches, Tom, your father and I figure that you did the course at the +rate of one hundred and twelve miles an hour!" + +"One hundred and twelve!" gasped the young inventor, hardly able to +believe it. + +"I made it a hundred and fifteen," said Mr. Swift, who was almost as +pleased as was his son, "and Mr. Jackson made it one hundred and +eleven; so we split the difference, so to speak. You certainly have a +sky racer, Tom, my boy!" + +"And I'll need it, too, dad, if I'm to compete with Andy Foger, who may +have a machine almost like mine." + +"But I thought you were going to object to him if he has," said Mr. +Damon, who had hardly recovered from the speedy flight through space. + +"Well, I was just providing for a contingency, in case my protest was +overruled," remarked Tom. "But I'm glad the Humming-Bird did so well on +her first trial. I know she'll do better the more I run her. Now we'll +get her back in her 'nest,' and I'll look her over, when she cools +down, and see if anything has worked loose." + +But the trim little craft needed only slight adjustments after her +tryout, for Tom had built her to stand up under a terrific strain. + +"We'll soon be in shape for the big race," he announced, "and when I +bring home that ten thousand dollars I'm going to abandon this +sky-scraping business, except for occasional trips." + +"What will you do to occupy your mind?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"Oh, I'm going to travel," announced Tom. "Then there's my new electric +rifle, which I have not perfected yet. I'll work on that after I win +the big race." + +For several days after the first real trial of his sky racer Tom was +busy going over the Humming-Bird, making slight changes here and there. +He was the sort of a lad who was satisfied with nothing short of the +best, and though neither his father nor Mr. Jackson could see where +there was room for improvement, Tom was so exacting that he sat up for +several nights to perfect such little details as a better grip for the +steering-lever, a quicker way of making the automatic equilibriumizer +take its position, or an improved transmitter for the wireless +apparatus. + +That was a part of his monoplane of which Tom was justly proud, for +though many aeroplanes to-day are equipped with the sending device, few +can receive wireless messages in mid-air. But Tom had seen the +advantage of this while making a trip in the ill-fated Red Cloud to the +cave of the diamond makers, and he determined to have his new craft +thus provided against emergencies. The wireless outfit of the +Humming-Bird was a marvel of compactness. + +Thus the days passed, with Tom very busy; so busy, in fact, that he +hardly had time to call on Miss Nestor. As for Andy Foger, he heard no +more from him, and the bully was not seen around Shopton. Tom concluded +that he was at his uncle's place, working on his racing craft. + +The young inventor sent a formal protest to the aviation committee, to +be used in the event of Andy entering a craft which infringed on the +Humming-Bird, and received word from Mr. Sharp that the interests of +the young inventor would be protected. This satisfied Tom. + +Still, at times, he could not help wondering how the first plans had so +mysteriously disappeared, and he would have given a good deal to know +just how Andy got possession of them, and how he knew enough to use +them. + +"He, or some one whom he hired, must have gotten into our house mighty +quickly that day," mused Tom, "and then skipped out while dad fell into +a little doze. It was a mighty queer thing, but it's lucky it was no +worse." + +The time was approaching for the big aviation meet. Tom's craft was in +readiness, and had been given several other trials, developing more +speed each time. Additional locks were put on the doors of the shed, +and more burglar-alarm wires were strung, so that it was almost a +physical impossibility to get into the Humming-Bird's "nest" without +arousing some one in the Swift household. + +"And if they do, I guess we'll be ready for them," said Tom grimly. He +had been unable to find out who it was that had attempted once before +to damage the monoplane, but he suspected it was the ill-favored man +who was working with Andy. + +As for Mr. Swift, at times he seemed quite well, and again he required +the services of a physician. + +"You will have to be very careful of your father, Tom," said Dr. +Gladby. "Any sudden shock or excitement may aggravate his malady, and +in that case a serious operation will be necessary." + +"Oh, we'll take good care of him," said the lad; but he could not help +worrying, though he tried not to let his father see the strain which he +was under. + +It was some days after this, and lacking about a week until the meet +was to open, when a peculiar thing happened. Tom had given his +Humming-Bird a tryout one day, and had then begun to make arrangements +for taking it apart and shipping it to Eagle Park. For he would not fly +to the meet in it, for fear of some accident. So big cases had been +provided. + +"I'll take it apart in the morning," decided Tom, as he went to his +room, after seeing to the burglar alarm, "and ship her off. Then Mr. +Damon and I will go there, set her up, and get ready to win the race." + +Tom had opened all the windows in his room, for it was very warm. In +fact it was so warm that sleep was almost out of the question, and he +got up to sit near the windows in the hope of feeling a breeze. + +There it was more comfortable, and he was just dozing off, and +beginning to think of getting back into bed, when he was aware of a +peculiar sound in the air overhead. + +"I wonder if that's a heavy wind starting up?" he mused. "Good luck, if +it is! We need it." The noise increased, sounding more and more like +wind, but Tom, looking out into the night, saw the leaves of the trees +barely moving. + +"If that's a breeze, it's taking its own time getting here," he went on. + +The sound came nearer, and then Tom knew that it was not the noise of +the wind in the trees. It was more like a roaring and rumbling. + +"Can it be distant thunder?" Tom asked himself. "There is no sign of a +storm." Once more he looked from the window. The night was calm and +clear--the trees as still as if they were painted. + +The sound was even more plain now, and Tom, who had sharp ears, at once +decided that it was just over the house--directly overhead. An instant +later he knew what it was. + +"The motor of an aeroplane, or a dirigible balloon!" he exclaimed. +"Some one is flying overhead!" + +For an instant he feared lest the shed had been broken into, and his +Humming-Bird taken, but a glance toward the place seemed to show that +it was all right. + +Then Tom hastily made his way to where a flight of stairs led to a +little enclosed observatory on the roof. + +"I'm going to see what sort of a craft it is making that noise," he +said. + +As he opened the trap door, and stepped out into the little observatory +the sound was so plain as to startle him. He looked up quickly, and, +directly overhead he saw a curious sight. + +For, flying so low as to almost brush the lightning rod on the chimney +of the Swift home, was a small aeroplane, and, as Tom looked up, he saw +in a light that gleamed from it, two figures looking down on him. + + + + +Chapter Sixteen + +A Mysterious Fire + + +For a few moments Tom did not know what to think. Not that the sight of +aeroplanes in flight were any novelty to him, but to see one flying +over his house in the dead of night was a little out of the ordinary. +Then, as he realized that night-flights were becoming more common, Tom +tried to make out the details of the craft. + +"I wish I had brought the night glasses with me," he said aloud. + +"Here they are," spoke a voice at his side, and so suddenly that Tom +was startled. He looked down, and saw Mr. Jackson standing beside him. + +"Did you hear the noise, too?" the lad asked the engineer. + +"Yes. It woke me up. Then I heard you moving around, and I heard you +come up here. I thought maybe it was a flight of meteors you'd come to +see, and I knew the glasses would be handy, so I stopped for them. Take +a look, Tom. It's an aeroplane; isn't it?" + +"Yes, and not moving very fast, either. They seem to be circling around +here." + +The young inventor was peering through the binoculars, and, as soon as +he had the mysterious craft in focus, he cried: + +"Look, Mr. Jackson, it's a new kind of monoplane. I never saw one like +it before. I wonder who could have invented that? It's something like a +Santos-Dumont and a Bleriot, with some features of Cornu's Helicopter. +That's a queer machine." + +"It certainly is," agreed the engineer, who was now sighting through +the glasses. In spite of the darkness the binoculars brought out the +peculiarities of the aeroplane with considerable distinctness. + +"Can you make out who are in it?" asked Tom. + +"No," answered Mr. Jackson. "You try." + +But Tom had no better luck. There were two persons in the odd machine, +which was slowly flying along, moving in a great circle, with the Swift +house for its center. + +"I wonder why they're hanging around here?" asked Tom, suspiciously. + +"Perhaps they want to talk to you," suggested Mr. Jackson. "They may be +fellow inventors--perhaps one of them is that Philadelphia man who had +the Whizzer." + +"No," replied the lad. "He would have sent me word if he intended +calling on me. Those are strangers, I think. There they are, coming +back again." + +The mysterious aeroplane was once more circling toward the watchers on +the roof. There was a movement on the steps, near which Tom was +standing, and his father came up. + +"Is anything the matter?" he asked anxiously. + +"Only a queer craft circling around up here," was the reply. "Come and +see, dad." + +Mr. Swift ascended to the roof. The aeroplane was higher now, and those +in her could not so easily be made out. Tom felt a vague sense of fear, +as though he was being watched by the evil eyes of his enemies. More +than once he looked over to the shed where his craft was housed, as +though some danger might threaten it. But the shed of the Humming-Bird +showed no signs of invaders. + +Suddenly the mysterious aeroplane increased its speed. It circled about +more quickly, and shot upward, as though to show the watchers of what +it was capable. Then, with a quick swoop it darted downward, straight +for the building where Tom's newest invention was housed. + +"Look out! They'll hit something!" cried the young inventor, as though +those in the aeroplane could hear him. + +Then, just as though they had heeded his warning, the pilots of the +mysterious craft shot her upward, after she had hovered for an instant +over the big shed. + +"That was a queer move," said Tom. "It looked as if they lost control +of her for a moment." + +"And they dropped something!" cried Mr. Jackson. "Look! something fell +from the aeroplane on the roof of the shed." + +"Some tool, likely," spoke Tom. "I'll get it in the morning, and see +what sort of instruments they carry. I'd like to examine that machine, +though." + +The queer aeroplane was now shooting off in the darkness and Tom +followed it with the glasses, wondering what its construction could be +like. He was to have another sight of it sooner than he expected. + +"Well, we may as well get back to bed," said Mr. Jackson. "I'm tired, +and we've got lots to do to-morrow." + +"Yes," agreed Tom. "It's cooler now. Come on, dad." + +Tom fell into a light doze. He thought afterward he could not have +slept more than half an hour when he heard a commotion out in the yard. +For an instant he could not tell what it was, and then, as he grew +wider awake he knew that it was the shouting of Eradicate Sampson, and +the braying of Boomerang. + +But what was Eradicate shouting? + +"Fire! Fire! Fire!" + +Tom leaped to his window. + +"Wake up, Massa Tom! Wake up! De areoplane shed am on fire, an' de +Humming-Bird will burn up! Hurry! Hurry!" + +Tom looked out. Flames were shooting up from the roof of the shed where +his precious craft was kept. + + + + +Chapter Seventeen + +Mr. Swift is Worse + + +Almost before the echoes of Eradicate's direful warning cry had died +away, Tom was on his way out of the house, pausing only long enough to +slip on a pair of shoes and his trousers. There was but one thought in +his mind. If he could get the Humming-Bird safely out he would not care +if the shed did burn, even though it contained many valuable tools and +appliances. + +"We must save my new aeroplane!" thought Tom, desperately. "I've got to +save her!" + +As he raced through the hall he caught up a portable chemical +fire-extinguisher. Tom saw his father's door open, and Mr. Swift looked +out. + +"What is it?" he called anxiously. + +"Fire!" answered the young inventor, almost before he thought of the +doctor's warning that Mr. Swift must not be excited. Tom wished he +could recall the word, but it was too late. Besides Eradicate, down in +the yard was shouting at the top of his voice: + +"Fire! Fire! Fire!" + +"Where, Tom?" gasped Mr. Swift, and his son thought the aged inventor +grew suddenly paler. + +"Aeroplane shed," answered the lad. "But don't worry dad. It's only a +small blaze. We'll get it out. You stay here. We'll attend to it--Mr. +Jackson and Eradicate and I." + +"No--I'm going to help!" exclaimed Mr. Swift, sturdily. "I'll be with +you, Tom. Go on!" + +The lad rushed down to the yard, closely followed by the engineer, who +had caught up another extinguisher. Eradicate was rushing about, not +knowing what to do, but still keeping up his shouting. + +"It's on de roof! De roof am all blazin'!" he yelled. + +"Quit your noise, and get to work!" cried Tom. "Get out a ladder, Rad, +and raise it to the side of the shed. Then play this extinguisher on +the blaze. Mr. Jackson, you help me run the Humming-Bird out. After +she's safe we'll tackle the fire." + +Tom cast a hurried look at the burning shed. The flames were shooting +high up from the roof, now, and eating their way down. As he rushed +toward the big doors, which he intended to open to enable him to run +out his sky racer, he was wondering how the fire came to start so high +up as the roof. He wondered if a meteor could have fallen and caused it. + +As the doors, which were quickly unlocked by Tom, swung back, and as he +and the engineer started to go in, they were met by choking fumes as if +of some gas. They recoiled for the moment. + +"What--what's that?" gasped Tom, coughing and sneezing. + +"Some chemical--I--I don't know what kind," spluttered Mr. Jackson. +"Have you any carboys of acid in there Tom, that might have exploded by +the heat?" + +"No; not a thing. Let's try again." + +Once more they tried to go in, but were again driven back by the +distressing fumes. The fire was eating down, now. There was a hole +burned in the roof, and by the leaping tongues of flame Tom could see +his aeroplane. It was almost in the path of the blaze. + +"We must get her out!" he shouted. "I'm going in!" + +But it was impossible, and the daring young inventor nearly succumbed +to the choking odors. Mr. Jackson dragged him back. + +"We can't go in!" he cried. "There has been some mysterious work here! +Those fumes were put here to keep us from saving the machine. This fire +has been set by some enemy! We can't go in!" + +"But I am going!" declared Tom. "We'll try the back door." + +They rushed to that, but again were driven out by the gases and vapors, +which were mingled with the smoke. Disheartened, yet with a wild desire +to do something to save his precious craft, Tom Swift drew back for a +moment. + +As he did so he heard a hiss, as Eradicate turned the chemical stream +on the blaze. Tom looked up. The faithful colored man was on a ladder +near the burning roof, acting well his part as a fireman. + +"That's the stuff!" cried Tom. "Come on, Mr. Jackson. Maybe if we use +the chemical extinguishers we can drive out those fumes!" + +The engineer understood. He took up the extinguisher he had brought, +and Tom got a second one from a nearby shed. Then Mr. Swift came out +bearing another. + +"You shouldn't have come, dad! We can attend to it!" cried Tom, fearing +for the effect of the excitement on his invalid parent. + +"Oh, I couldn't stay there and see the shed burn. Are you getting it +under control? Why don't you run out the Humming-Bird?" + +Tom did not mention the choking fumes. He passed up a full extinguisher +to Eradicate, who had used all the chemical in his. Then Tom got +another ladder, and soon three streams were being directed on the +flames. They had eaten, a pretty big hole in the roof, but the +chemicals were slowly telling on them. + +As soon as he saw that Eradicate and Mr. Jackson could control the +blaze, Tom descended to the ground, and ran once more to the big doors. +He was determined to make another try to wheel out the aeroplane, for +he saw from above that the flames were now on the side wall, and might +reach the craft any minute. And it would not take much to inflict +serious damage on the sky racer. + +"I'll get her, fumes or no fumes!" murmured Tom, grimly. And, whether +it was the effect of the chemical streams, or whether the choking odors +were dissipated through the hole in the roof was not manifested, but, +at any rate, Tom found that he could go in, though he coughed and +gasped for breath. + +He wheeled the aeroplane outside, for the Humming-Bird was almost as +light as her namesake. A hurried glance by the gleam of the dying fire +assured Tom that his craft was not damaged beyond a slight scorching of +one of the wing tips. + +"That was a narrow escape!" he murmured, as he wheeled the sky racer +far away, out of any danger from sparks. Then he went back to help +fight the fire, which was extinguished in about ten minutes more. + +"It was a mighty queer blaze," said Mr. Jackson, "starting at the top +that way. I wonder what caused it?" + +"We'll investigate in the morning," decided Tom. "Now, dad, you must +get back to your room." He turned to help his father in, but at that +moment Mr. Swift, who was trying to say something, fell over in a dead +faint. + +"Quick! Help me carry him into the house!" cried Tom. "Then telephone +for Dr. Gladby, Mr. Jackson." + +The physician looked grave when, half an hour later, he examined his +patient. + +"Mr. Swift is very much worse," he said in a low voice. "The excitement +of the fire has aggravated his ailment. I would like another doctor to +see him, Tom." + +"Another doctor?" Tom's voice showed his alarm. + +"Yes, we must have a consultation. I think Dr. Kurtz will be a good one +to call in. I should like his opinion before I decide what course to +take." + +"I'll send Eradicate for him at once," said the young inventor, and he +went to give the colored man his instructions, while his heart was +filled with a great fear for his father. + + + + +Chapter Eighteen + +The Broken Bridge + + +Dr. Kurtz looked as grave as did Dr. Gladby when he had made an +examination of the patient. Mr. Swift was still in a semi-conscious +condition, hardly breathing as he rested on the bed where they had +placed him after the fire. + +"Vell," said the German physician, after a long silence, "vot is your +obinion, my dear Gladby?" + +"I think an operation is necessary." + +"Yes, dot is so; but you know vot kind of an operation alone vill safe +him; eh, my dear Gladby?" + +Dr. Gladby nodded. + +"It will be a rare and delicate one," he said. "There is but one +surgeon I know of who can do it." + +"You mean Herr Hendrix?" asked Dr. Kurtz. + +"Yes, Dr. Edward Hendrix, of Kirkville. If he can be induced to come I +think there is a chance of saving Mr. Swift's life. I'll speak to Tom +about it." + +The two physicians, who had been consulting together, summoned the +youth from another room, where, with Mrs. Baggert and Mr. Jackson he +had been anxiously awaiting the verdict. + +"What is it?" the young inventor asked Dr. Gladby. + +The medical man told him to what conclusion he and his colleague had +arrived, adding: + +"We advise that Dr. Hendrix be sent for at once. But I need hardly tell +you, Tom, that he is a noted specialist, and his services are in great +demand. He is hard to get." + +"I'll pay him any sum he asks!" burst out the youth. "I'll spend all my +fortune--and I have made considerable money of late--I'll spend every +cent to get my father well! Money need not stand in the way, Dr. +Gladby." + +"I knew that, Tom. Still Dr. Hendrix is a very busy man, and it is hard +to induce him to come a long distance. It is over a hundred miles to +Kirkville, and it is an out-of-the-way place. I never could understand +why Dr. Hendrix settled there. But there he is, and if we want him he +will have to come from there. The worst of it is that there are few +trains, and only a single railroad line from there to Shopton." + +"Then I'll telegraph," decided Tom. "I'll offer him his own price, and +ask him to rush here as soon as he can." + +"You had better let Dr. Kurtz and me attend to that part of it," +suggested the physician. "Dr. Hendrix would hardly come on the request +of some one whom he did not know. I'll prepare a telegram, briefly +explaining the case. It is the sort of an operation Dr. Hendrix is much +interested in, and I think he will come on that account, if for no +other reason. I'll write out the message, and you can have Eradicate +take it to the telegraph office." + +"I'll take it myself!" exclaimed Tom, as he got ready to go out into +the night with the urgent request. "Is there any immediate danger for +my father?" he asked. + +"No; not any immediate danger," replied Dr. Gladby. "But the operation +is imperative if he is to live. It is his one and only chance." + +Tom thought only of his father as he hurried on through the night. Even +the prospect of the great race, so soon to take place, had no part in +his mind. + +"I'll not race until I'm sure dad is going to get better," he decided. +With the message to the noted specialist Tom also sent one to Mr. +Damon, telling him the news, and asking him to come to Shopton. Tom +felt that the presence of the odd gentleman would help him, and Mr. +Damon, who first intended to stay on at the Swift home until he and Tom +departed for Eagle Park, had gone back to his own residence to attend +to some business Tom knew he would come in the morning, and Mr. Damon +did arrive on the first train. + +"Bless my soul!" he exclaimed with ready sympathy, as he extended his +hand to Tom. "What's all this?" The young inventor told him, beginning +with the fire that had been the cause of the excitement which produced +the change in Mr. Swift. + +"But I have great hopes that the specialist will be able to cure him," +said Tom, for, with the coming of daylight, his courage had returned to +him. "Dr. Gladby and Dr. Kurtz depend a great deal on Dr. Hendrix," he +said. + +"Yes, he certainly is a wonderful man. I have heard a great deal about +him. I have no doubt but what he will cure your father. But about the +fire? How did it start?" + +"I don't know, but now that I have a few hours to spare before the +doctor can get here, I'm going to make an examination." + +"Bless my penwiper, but I'll help you." + +Tom went into the house, to inquire of Mrs. Baggert, for probably the +tenth time that morning, how his father was doing. Mr. Swift was still +in a semi-conscious condition, but he recognized Tom, when the youth +stood at his bedside. + +"Don't worry about me, son," said the brave old inventor, as he took +Tom's hand. "I'll be all right. Go ahead and get ready for the race. I +want you to win!" + +Tears came into Tom's eyes. Would his father be well enough to allow +him to take part in the big event? He feared not. + +By daylight it was seen that quite a hole had been burned in the +aeroplane shed. Tom and Mr. Damon, accompanied by Mr. Jackson, walked +through the place. + +"And you say the fire broke out right after you had seen the mysterious +airship hovering over the house?" asked the eccentric man. + +"Well, not exactly after," answered Tom, "but within an hour or so. Why +do you ask?" + +But Mr. Damon did not answer. Something on the floor of the shed, amid +a pile of blackened and charred pieces of wood, attracted his +attention. He stooped over and picked it up. + +"Is this yours?" he asked Tom. + +"No. What is it?" + +The object looked like a small iron ball, with a tube about half an +inch in diameter projecting slightly from it. Tom took it. + +"Why, it looks like an infernal machine or a dynamite bomb," he said. +"I wonder where it came from? Guess I'd better drop it in a pail of +water. Maybe Eradicate found it and brought it here. I never saw it +before. Mr. Jackson, please hand me that pail of water. We'll soak this +bomb." + +"There is no need," said Mr. Damon, quietly. "It is harmless now. It +has done its work. It was that which set fire to your shed, and which +caused the stifling fumes." + +"That?" cried Tom. + +"Yes. This ball is hollow, and was filled with a chemical. It was +dropped on the roof, and, after a certain time, the plug in the tube +was eaten through, the chemicals ran out, set the roof ablaze, and, +dripping down inside spread the choking odors that nearly prevented you +from getting out your aeroplane." + +"Are you sure of this?" asked the young inventor. + +"Positive. I read about these bombs recently. A German invented them to +be used in attacking a besieged city in case of war." + +"But how did this one get on my shed roof?" asked Tom. + +"It was dropped there by the mysterious airship!" exclaimed the odd +man. "That was why the aeroplane moved about over your place. Those in +it hoped that the fire would not break out until you were all asleep, +and that the shed and the Humming-Bird would be destroyed before you +came to the rescue. Some of your enemies are still after you, Tom." + +"And it was Andy Foger, I'll wager!" he cried. "He was in that +aircraft! Oh, I'll have a long score to settle with him!" + +"Of course you can't be sure it was he," said Mr. Damon, "but I +wouldn't be a bit surprised but what it was. Andy is capable of such a +thing. He wanted to prevent you from taking part in the race." + +"Well, he sha'n't!" cried Tom, and then he thought of his invalid +father. They made a further examination of the shed, and discovered +another empty bomb. Then Tom recalled having seen something drop from +the mysterious aeroplane as it passed over the shed. + +"It was these bombs," he said. "We certainly had a narrow escape! Oh, +wait until I settle my score with Andy Foger!" + +As there would be but little use for the aeroplane shed now, if Tom +sent his craft off to the meet, it was decided to repair it temporarily +only, until he returned. + +Accordingly, a big tarpaulin was fastened over the hole in the roof. +Then Tom put a new wing tip on in place of the one that had been +scorched. He looked all over his sky racer, and decided that it was in +fit condition for the coming meet. + +"I'll begin to take it apart for shipment, as soon as I hear from the +specialist that dad is well enough for me to go," he said. + +It was a few hours after the discovery of the empty bomb that Tom saw +Dr. Gladby coming along. The physician was urging his horse to top +speed. Tom felt a vague fear in his heart. + +"I've got a message from Dr. Hendrix, Tom," he said, as he stopped his +carriage, and approached the lad. + +"When can he come?" asked the young inventor, eagerly. + +"He can't get here, Tom." + +"Can't get here! Why not?" + +"Because the railroad bridge has collapsed, and there is no way to +come. He can't make any other connections to get here in time--in time +to do your father any good, Tom. He has just sent me a telegram to that +effect. Dr. Hendrix can't get here, and..." Dr. Gladby paused. + +"Do you mean that my father may die if the operation is not performed?" +asked Tom, in a low voice. + +"Yes," was the answer. + +"But can't Dr. Hendrix drive here in an auto?" asked the lad. "Surely +there must be some way of getting over the river, even if the railroad +bridge is down. Can't he cross in a boat and drive here?" + +"He wouldn't be in time, Tom. Don't you understand, Dr. Hendrix must be +here within four hours, if he is to save your father's life. He never +could do it by driving or by coming on some other road, or in an auto. +He can't make the proper connections. There is no way." + +"Yes, there is!" cried Tom, suddenly. "I know a way!" + +"How?" asked Dr. Gladby, thrilled by Tom's ringing tones. "How can you +do it, Tom?" + +"I'll go for Dr. Hendrix in my Humming-Bird." + +"Going for him would do no good. He must be brought here." + +"And so he shall be!" cried Tom. "I'll bring him here in my sky +racer--if he has the nerve to stand the journey, and I think he has! +I'll bring Dr. Hendrix here!" and Tom hurried away to prepare for the +thrilling trip. + + + + +Chapter Nineteen + +A Nervy Specialist + + +There was little time to lose. Every moment of delay meant so much less +chance for the recovery of Mr. Swift. Even now the periods of +consciousness were becoming shorter and farther apart. He seemed to be +sinking. + +Tom resolutely refused to think of the possibility of death, as he went +in to bid his parent good-by before starting off on his trip through +the air. Mr. Swift barely knew his son, and, with tears in his eyes, +though he bravely tried to keep them back, the young inventor went out +into the yard. + +There stood the Humming-Bird, with Mr. Jackson, Mr. Damon and Eradicate +working over her, to get her in perfect trim for the race before her--a +race with death. + +Fortunately there was little to be done to get the speedy craft ready. +Tom had accomplished most of what was necessary, while waiting for word +from Dr. Hendrix. Now about all that needed to be done was to see that +there was plenty of gasoline and oil in the reservoirs. + +"I'll give you a note to Dr. Hendrix," said Mr. Gladby, as Tom was +fastening on his faceguard. "I--I trust you won't be disappointed, Tom. +I hope he will consent to return with you." + +"He's got to come," said the young inventor, simply, as if that was all +there was to it. + +"Do you think you can make the trip in time?" asked Mr. Damon. "It is a +little less than a hundred miles in an airline, but you have to go and +go back. Can the aeroplane do it?" + +"I'd be ashamed of her if she couldn't," said Tom, with a grim +tightening of his lips. "She's just got to do it; that's all! But I +know she will," and he patted the big propeller and the motor's shining +cylinders as though the machine was a thing alive, like a horse or a +dog, who could understand him. + +He climbed to his seat, the other one holding a bag of sand to maintain +a good balance. + +"Start her," ordered Tom, and Mr. Jackson twisted the propeller. The +motor caught at once, and the air throbbed with the noise of the +explosions. Tom listened to the tune of the machinery. It sang true. + +"Two thousand pounds thrust!" called the engineer, as he looked at the +scale. + +"Let her go!" cried Tom, whose voice was hardly heard above the roar. +The trim little aeroplane scudded over the ground, gathering speed at +every revolution of the wheels. Then with a spring like that of some +great bird launching itself in flight, she left the earth, and took to +the air. Tom was off on his trip. + +Those left behind sent up a cautious cheer, for they did not want to +disturb Mr. Swift. They waved their hands to the young inventor, and he +waved his in reply. Then he settled down for one of the swiftest +flights he had ever undertaken. + +Tom ascended until he struck a favorable current of air. There was a +little wind blowing in the direction he wished to take, and that aided +him. But even against a powerful head-wind the Humming-Bird could make +progress. + +The young inventor saw the ground slipping backward beneath him. +Carefully he watched the various indicators, and listened intently to +the sound of the cylinders' explosions. They came rapidly and +regularly. The motor was working well. + +Tom glanced at the barograph. It registered two thousand feet, and he +decided to keep at about that height, as it gave him a good view, and +he could see to steer, for a route had been hastily mapped out for him +by his friends. + +Over cities, towns, villages, scattered farmhouses; across stretches of +forest; over rivers, above big stretches of open country he flew. Often +he could see eager crowds below, gazing up at him. But he paid no heed. +He was looking for a sight of a certain broad river, which was near +Kirkville. Then he knew he would be close to his goal. + +He had speeded up the motor to the limit, and there was nothing to do +now, save to manage the planes, wing tips and rudders, and to see that +the gasoline and oil were properly fed to the machine. + +Faster and faster went the Humming-Bird, but Tom's thoughts were even +faster. He was thinking of many things--of his father--of what he would +do if Mr. Swift died--of the mysterious airship--of the stolen +plans--of the fire in the shed--of the great race--and of Andy Foger. + +He took little note of time, and when, in less than an hour he sighted +the river that told him he was near to Kirkville, he was rather +startled. + +"You certainly did come right along, Humming-Bird!" he murmured proudly. + +He descended several hundred feet, and, as he passed over the town, the +people of which grew wildly excited, he looked about for the house of +the noted specialist. He knew how to pick it out, for Dr. Gladby had +described it to him, and Tom was glad to see, as he came within view of +the residence, that it was surrounded by a large yard. + +"I can land almost at his door," he said, and he did, volplaning to +earth with an ease born of long practice. + +To say that Dr. Hendrix was astonished when Tom dropped in on him in +this manner, would not be exactly true. The specialist was not in the +habit of receiving calls from youths in aeroplanes, but the fact was, +that Dr. Hendrix was so absorbed in his work, and thought so constantly +about it, that it took a great deal to startle him out of his usual +calm. + +"And so you came for me in your aeroplane?" he asked of Tom, as he +gazed at the trim little craft. It is doubtful if he really saw it, +however, as Dr. Hendrix was just then thinking of an operation he had +performed a few hours before. "I'm sorry you had your trip for +nothing," he went on. "I'd like very much to come to your father, but +didn't you get my telegram, telling about the broken bridge? There is +no way for me to get to Shopton in time." + +"Yes, there is!" cried Tom, eagerly. + +"How?" + +"The same way I came--in the aeroplane! Dr. Hendrix you must go back +with me! It's the only way to save my father's life. Come with me in +the Humming-Bird. It's perfectly safe. I can make the trip in less than +an hour. I can carry you and your instruments. Will you come? Won't you +come to save my father's life?" Tom was fairly pleading now. + +"A trip in an aeroplane," mused Dr. Hendrix "I've never taken such a +thing. I--" + +"Don't be afraid, there's really no danger," said Tom. + +The physician seemed to reach a sudden conclusion. His eyes brightened. +He walked over and looked at the little Humming-Bird. For the time +being he forgot about his operations. + +"I'll go with you!" he suddenly cried. "I'll go with you, Tom Swift! If +you've got the nerve, so have I! and if my science and skill can save +your father's life, he'll live to be an old man! Wait until I get my +bag and I'll be with you!" + +Tom's heart gave a bound of hope. + + + + +Chapter Twenty + +Just in Time + + +While Dr. Hendrix was in his office, getting ready to make the +thrilling trip through the air with Tom, the young inventor spent a few +minutes going over his monoplane. The wonderful little craft had made +her first big flight in excellent time, though Tom knew she could do +better the farther she was flown. Not a stay had started, not a guy +wire was loose. The motor had not overheated, and every bearing was as +cool as though it had not taken part in thousands of revolutions. + +"Oh, I can depend on you!" murmured Tom, as he looked to see that the +propeller was tight on the shaft. He gave the bearing a slight +adjustment to make sure of it. + +He was at this when the specialist reappeared. Dr. Hendrix, after his +first show of excitement, when he had made his decision to accompany +Tom, had resumed his usual calm demeanor. Once again he was the grave +surgeon, with his mind on the case before him. + +"Well, is my auto ready?" he asked absentmindedly. Then, as he saw the +little aeroplane, and Tom standing waiting beside it, he added: "Oh, I +forgot for the moment that I was to make a trip through the air, +instead of in my car. Well, Mr. Swift, are we all ready?" + +"All ready," replied the young inventor. "We're going to make fast +time, Dr. Hendrix. You'd better put this on," and Tom extended a face +protector. + +"What's it for?" The physician looked curiously at it. + +"To keep the air from cutting your cheeks and lips. We are going to +travel a hundred miles an hour this trip." + +"A hundred miles an hour!" Dr. Hendrix spoke as though he would like to +back out. + +"Maybe more, if I can manage it," went on Tom, calmly, as he proceeded +to remove the bag of sand from the place where the surgeon was to sit. +Then he looked to the various equilibrium arrangements and the control +levers. He was so cool about it, taking it all for granted, as if +rising and flying through the air at a speed rivaling that of the +fastest birds, was a matter of no moment, that Dr. Hendrix was +impressed by the calm demeanor of the young inventor. + +"Very well," said the surgeon with a shrug of his shoulders, "I guess +I'm game, Tom Swift." + +The doctor took the seat Tom pointed out to him, with his bag of +instruments on his knees. He put on the face protector, and had, at the +suggestion of our hero, donned a heavy coat. + +"For it's cold in the upper regions," said Tom. + +Several servants in the physician's household had gathered to see him +depart in this novel fashion, and the chauffeur of the auto, in which +the specialist usually made his calls, was also there. + +"I'll give you a hand," said the chauffeur to the young inventor. "I +was at an aviation meet once, and I know how it's done." + +"Good," exclaimed Tom. "Then you can hold the machine, and shove when I +give the word." + +Tom started the propeller himself, and quickly jumped into his seat. +The chauffeur held back the Humming-Bird until the young aviator had +speeded up the motor. + +"Let go!" cried the youthful inventor, and the man gave the little +craft a shove. Across the rather uneven ground of the doctor's yard it +ran, straight for a big iron barrier. + +"Look out! We'll be into the fence!" shouted the surgeon. "We'll be +killed!" He seemed about to leap off. + +"Sit still!" cried Tom, and at that instant he tilted the elevation +planes, and the craft shot upward, going over the fence like a circus +horse taking a seven-barred gate. + +"Oh!" exclaimed the physician in a curious voice. They were off on +their trip to save the life of Mr. Swift. + +What the sensations of the celebrated specialist were, Tom never +learned. If he was afraid, his fright quickly gave place to wonder, and +the wonder soon changed to delight as the machine rose higher and +higher, acquired more speed, and soared in the air over the country +that spread out in all directions from Kirkville. + +"Magnificent! Magnificent!" murmured the doctor, and then Tom knew that +the surgeon was in the grip of the air, and was one of the "bird-men." + +Every moment the Humming-Bird increased her speed. They passed over the +river near where men were working on the broken bridge. It was now no +barrier to them. Tom, noting the barograph, and seeing that they were +twenty-two hundred feet high, decided to keep at about that distance +from the earth. + +"How fast are we going?" cried Dr. Hendrix, into the ear of the young +inventor. + +"Just a little short of a hundred an hour!" Tom shouted back. "We'll +hit a hundred and five before long." + +His prediction proved true, and when about forty miles from Shopton +that terrific speed had been attained. It seemed as if they were going +to have a trip devoid of incident, and Tom was congratulating himself +on the quick time made, when he ran into a contrary strata of air. +Almost before he knew it the Humming-Bird gave a dangerous and +sickening dive, and tilted at a terrifying angle. + +"Are we going to turn turtle?" cried the doctor. + +"I--I hope not!" gasped Tom. He could not understand why the +equilibrium weights did not work, but he had no time then to +investigate. Quickly he warped the wing tips and brought the craft up +on an even keel. + +He gave a sigh of relief as the aeroplane was once more shooting +forward, and he was not mistaken when he thought he heard Dr. Hendrix +murmur a prayer of thankfulness. Their escape had been a narrow one. +Tom's nerve, and the coolness of the physician, had alone saved them +from a fall to death. + +But now, as if ashamed of her prank, the Humming-Bird went along even +better than before. Tom was peering through the slight haze that hung +over the earth, for a sight of Shopton. At length the spires of the +churches came into view. + +"There it is," he called, pointing downward. "We'll land in two minutes +more." + +"No time to spare," murmured the doctor, who knew the serious nature of +the aged inventor's illness. "How long did it take us?" + +"Fifty-one minutes," replied Tom, glancing at a small clock in front of +him. Then he shut off the motor and volplaned to earth, to the no small +astonishment of the surgeon. He made a perfect landing in the yard +before the shed, leaped from his seat, and called: + +"Come, Dr. Hendrix!" + +The surgeon followed him. Dr. Gladby and Dr. Kurtz came to the door of +the house. On their faces were grave looks. They greeted the celebrated +surgeon eagerly. + +"Well?" he asked quickly, and they knew what he meant. + +"You are only just in time," said Dr. Gladby, softly, and Tom, +following the doctors into the house, wondered if his trip with the +specialist had been in vain. + + + + +Chapter Twenty-One + +"Will He Live?" + + +Soon there were busy scenes in the Swift home, as preparations were +made for a serious operation on the aged inventor. Tom's father had +sunk into deep unconsciousness, and was stretched out on the bed as +though there was no more life in him. In fact, Tom, for the moment, +feared that it was all over. But good old Dr. Kurtz, noting the look on +the lad's face, said: + +"Ach, Dom, doan't vorry! Maybe it vill yet all be vell, und der vater +vill hear of der great race. Bluck up your courage, und doan't gif up. +Der greatest surgeon in der vorld is here now, und if anybody gan safe +your vater, Herr Hendriz gan. Dot vos a great drip you made--a great +drip!" + +Tom felt a little comforted and, after a sight of his father, and a +silent prayer that God would spare his life for years to come, the +young inventor went out in the yard. He wanted to be busy about +something, for he knew, with the doctors, and a trained nurse who had +been hastily summoned, there was no immediate need for him. He wanted +to get his mind off the operation that would soon take place, and so he +decided to look over his aeroplane. + +Mr. Damon came out when Tom was going over the guy wires and braces, to +see how they had stood the strain. + +"Well, Tom, my lad," said the eccentric man, sadly, as he grasped our +hero's hand, "it's too bad. But hope for the best. I'm sure your father +will pull through. We will have to begin taking the Humming-Bird apart +soon; won't we, if we're going to ship it to Eagle Park?" He wanted to +take Tom's mind off his troubles. + +"I don't know whether we will or not," was the answer, and Tom tried to +speak unbrokenly, but there was a troublesome lump in his throat, and a +mist of tears in his eyes that prevented him from seeing well. The +Humming-Bird, to him, looked as if she was in a fog. + +"Nonsense! Of course we will!" cried Mr. Damon. "Why, bless my +wishbone! Tom, you don't mean to say you're going to let that little +shrimp Andy Foger walk away with that ten-thousand-dollar prize without +giving him a fight for it; are you?" + +This was just what Tom needed, and it seemed good to have Mr. Damon +bless something again, even if it was only a wishbone. + +"No!" exclaimed Tom, in ringing tones. "Andy Foger isn't going to beat +me, and if I find out he is going to race with a machine made after my +stolen plans, I'll make him wish he'd never taken them." + +"But if the machine he had flying over here when he dropped that bomb +on the shed roof, and set fire to it, is the one he's going to race +with, it isn't like yours," suggested Mr. Damon, who was glad he had +turned the conversation into a more cheerful channel. + +"That's so," agreed the young inventor. "Well, we'll have to wait and +see." He was busy now, going over every detail of the Humming-Bird. Mr. +Damon helped him, and they discovered the defect in the equilibrium +weights, and remedied it. + +"We can't afford to have an accident in the race," said Tom. He glanced +toward the house, and wondered if the operation had begun yet. He could +see the trained nurse hurrying here and there, Mrs. Baggert helping her. + +Eradicate Sampson shuffled out from the stable where he kept his mule +Boomerang. On the face of the honest colored man there was a dejected +look. + +"Am Massa Swift any better, Massa Tom?" he asked. + +"We can't tell yet," was the answer. + +"Well, if he doan't git well, den I'm goin' t' sell mah mule," went on +the dirt-chaser, from which line of activity Eradicate had derived his +name. + +"Sell Boomerang! Bless my curry comb! what for?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"'Case as how he wouldn't neber be any good fo' wuk any mo'," explained +Eradicate. "He's got so attached t' dis place, an' all de folkes on it, +dat he'd feel so sorry ef--ef--well, ef any ob 'em went away, dat I +couldn't git no mo' wuk out ob him, no how. So ef Massa Swift doan't +git well, den I an' Boomerang parts!" + +"Well, we hope it won't happen," said Tom, greatly touched by the +simple grief of Eradicate. The young inventor was silent a moment, and +then he softly added: "I--I wonder when--when we'll know?" + +"Soon now, I think," answered Mr. Damon, in a low voice. + +Silently they waited about the aeroplane. Tom tried to busy himself, +but he could not. He kept his eyes fastened on the house. + +It seemed like several hours, but it was not more than one, ere the +white-capped nurse came to the door and waved her hand to Tom. He +sprang to his feet and rushed forward. What would be the message he was +to receive? + +He stood before the nurse, his heart madly beating. She looked gently +at him. + +"Will he--will he live?" Tom asked, pantingly. + +"I think so," she answered gently. "The operation is over. It was a +success, so far. Time alone will tell, now. Dr. Hendrix says you can +see your father for just a moment." + + + + +Chapter Twenty-Two + +Off to the Meet + + +Softly Tom tiptoed into the room where his father lay. At the bedside +were the three doctors, and the nurse followed the young inventor in. +Mrs. Baggert stood in the hall, and near her was Garret Jackson. The +aged housekeeper had been weeping, but she smiled at Tom through her +tears. + +"I think he's going to get well," she whispered. She always looked on +the bright side of things. Tom's heart felt better. + +"You must only speak a few words to him," cautioned the specialist, who +had performed such a rare and delicate operation, near the heart of the +invalid. "He is very weak, Tom." + +Mr. Swift opened his eyes as his son approached. He looked around +feebly. + +"Tom--are you there?" he asked in a whisper. + +"Yes, dad," was the eager answer. + +"They tell me you--you made a great trip to get Dr. Hendrix--broken +bridge--came through the air with him. Is that right?" + +"Yes, dad. But don't tire yourself. You must get well and strong." + +"I will, Tom. But tell me; did you go in--in the Humming-Bird?" + +"Yes, dad." + +"How did she work?" + +"Fine. Over a hundred, and the motor wasn't at its best." + +"That's good. Then you can go in the big race, and win." + +"No, I don't believe I'll go, dad." + +"Why not?" Mr. Swift spoke more strongly. + +"I--because--well, I don't want to." + +"Nonsense, Tom! I know; it's on my account. I know it is. But listen to +me. I want you to go in! I want you to win that race! Never mind about +me. I'm going to get well, and I'll recover all the more quickly if you +win that race. Now promise me you'll go in it and--and--win!" + +The invalid's strength was fast leaving him. + +"I--I---," began Tom. + +"Promise!" insisted the aged inventor, trying to rise. Dr. Hendrix made +a hasty move toward the bed. + +"Promise!" whispered the surgeon to Tom. + +"I--I promise!" exclaimed Tom, and the aged inventor sank back with a +smile of satisfaction on his pale face. + +"Now you must go," said Dr. Gladby to Tom. "He has talked long enough. +He must sleep now, and get up his strength." + +"Will he get better?" asked Tom, anxiously. + +"We can't say for sure," was the answer. "We have great hopes." + +"I don't want to enter the race unless I know he is going to live," +went on Tom, as Dr. Gladby followed him out of the room. + +"No one can say for a certainty that he will recover," spoke the +physician. "You will have to hope for the best, that is all, Tom. If I +were you I'd go in the race. It will occupy your mind, and if you could +send good news to your father it might help him in the fight for life +he is making." + +"But suppose--suppose something happens while I am away?" suggested the +young inventor. + +The doctor thought for a moment. Then he exclaimed: + +"You have a wireless outfit on your craft; haven't you?" + +"Yes." + +"Then you can receive messages from here every hour if you wish. Garret +Jackson, your engineer, can send them, and you can pick them up in +mid-air if need be." + +"So I can!" cried Tom. "I will go to the meet. I'll take the +Humming-Bird apart at once, and ship it to Eagle Park. Unless Dr. +Hendrix wants to go back in it," he added as an after thought. + +"No," spoke Dr. Gladby, "Dr. Hendrix is going to remain here for a few +days, in case of an emergency. By that time the bridge will have been +repaired, and he can go back by train. I gather, from what he said, +that though he liked the air trip, he will not care for another one." + +"Very well," assented Tom, and Mr. Damon and he were kept busy, packing +the Humming-Bird for shipment. Mr. Jackson helped them, and Eradicate +and his mule Boomerang were called on occasionally when boxes or crates +were to be taken to the railroad station. + +In the meanwhile, Mr. Swift, if he did not improve any, at least held +his own. This the doctors said was a sign of hope, and, though Tom was +filled with anxiety, he tried to think that fate would be kind to him, +and that his father would recover. Dr. Hendrix left, saying there was +nothing more he could do, and that the rest depended on the local +physicians, and on the nurse. + +"Und ve vill do our duty!" ponderously exclaimed Dr. Kurtz. "You go off +to dot bird race, Dom, und doan't vorry. Ve vill send der with-out-vire +messages to you venever dere is anyt'ing to report. Go mit a light +heart!" + +How Tom wished he could, but it was out of the question. The last of +the parts of the Humming-Bird had been sent away, and our hero +forwarded a telegram to Mr. Sharp, of the arrangement committee, +stating that he and Mr. Damon would soon follow. Then, having bidden +his father a fond farewell, and after arranging with Mr. Jackson to +send frequent wireless messages, Tom and the eccentric man left for the +meet. + +There was a wireless station at Eagle Park, and Tom had planned to +receive the messages from home there until he could set up his own +plant. He would have two outfits. One in the big tent where the +Humming-Bird was to be put together, and another on the machine itself, +so that when in the air, practicing, or even in the great race itself, +there would be no break in the news that was to be flashed through +space. + +Tom and Mr. Damon arrived at Eagle Park on time, and Tom's first +inquiry was for a message from home. There was one, stating that Mr. +Swift was fairly comfortable, and seemed to be doing well. With +happiness in his heart, the young inventor then set about getting the +parts of his craft from the station to the park, where he and Mr. +Damon, with a trusty machinist whom Mr. Sharp had recommended, would +assemble it. Tom arranged that in his absence the wireless operator on +the grounds would take any message that came for him. + +The Humming-Bird, in the big cases and boxes, had safely arrived, and +these were soon in the tent which had been assigned to Tom. It was +still several days until the opening of the meet, and the grounds +presented a scene of confusion. + +Workmen were putting up grand stands, tents and sheds were being +erected, exhibitors were getting their machines in shape, and excited +contestants of many nationalities were hurrying to and fro, inquiring +about parts delayed in shipment, or worrying lest some of their pet +ideas be stolen. + +Tom and Mr. Damon, with Frank Forker, the young machinist, were soon +busy in their big tent, which was a combined workshop and living +quarters, for Tom had determined to stay right on the ground until the +big race was over. + +"I don't see anything of Andy Foger," remarked Mr. Damon, on the second +day of their residence in the park. "There are lots of new entries +arriving, but he doesn't seem to be on hand." + +"There's time enough," replied Tom. "I am afraid he's hanging back +until the last minute, and will spring his machine so late that I won't +have time to lodge a protest. It would be just like him." + +"Well, I'll be on the lookout for him. Have you heard from home to-day, +Tom?" + +"No. I'm expecting a message any minute." The young inventor glanced +toward the wireless apparatus which had been set up in the tent. At +that moment there came the peculiar sound which indicated a message +coming through space, and down the receiving wires. "There's something +now!" exclaimed Tom, as he hurried over and clamped the telephone +receiver to his ear. He listened a moment. + +"Good news!" he exclaimed. "Dad sat up a little to-day! I guess he's +going to get well!" and he clicked back congratulations to his father +and the others in Shopton. + +Another day saw the Humming-Bird almost in shape again, and Tom was +preparing for a tryout of the engine. + +Mr. Damon had gone over to the committee headquarters to consult with +Mr. Sharp about the steps necessary for Tom to take in case Andy did +attempt to enter a craft that infringed on the ideas of the young +inventor, and on his way back he saw a newly-erected tent. There was a +young man standing in the entrance, at the sight of whom the eccentric +man murmured: + +"Bless my skate-strap! His face looks very familiar!" + +The youth disappeared inside the tent suddenly, and, as Mr. Damon came +opposite the canvas shelter, he started in surprise. + +For, on a strip of muslin which was across the tent, painted in gay +colors, were the words: + + +THE FOGER AEROPLANE + + +"Bless my elevation rudder!" cried Mr. Damon. "Andy's here at last! I +must tell Tom!" + + + + +Chapter Twenty-Three + +The Great Race + + +"Well," remarked Mr. Sharp, when Tom and Mr. Damon had called on him, +to state that Andy Foger's machine was now on the grounds, and +demanding to be allowed to view it, to see if it was an infringement on +the one entered by the young inventor, "I'll do the best I can for you. +I'll lay the case before the committee. It will meet at once, and I'll +let you know what they say." + +"Understand," said Tom, "I don't want to interfere unless I am +convinced that Andy is trying an underhand trick. My plans are missing, +and I think he took them. If his machine is made after those plans, it +is, obviously, a steal, and I want him ruled out of the meet." + +"And so he shall be!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp. "Get the evidence against +him, and we'll act quickly enough." + +The committee met in about an hour, and considered the case. Meanwhile, +Tom and Mr. Damon strolled past the tent with its flaring sign. There +was a man on guard, but Andy was not in sight. + +Then Tom was sent for, and Mr. Sharp told him what conclusion had been +arrived at. It was this: + +"Under the rules of the meet," said the balloonist, "we had to +guarantee privacy to all the contestants until such time as they choose +to exhibit their machines. That is, they need not bring them out until +just before the races," he added. "This is not a handicap affair, and +the speediest machine, or the one that goes to the greatest height, +according to which class it enters, will win. In consequence we cannot +force any contestant to declare what kind of a machine he will use +until he gets ready. + +"Some are going to use the familiar type of biplanes and, as you can +see, there is no secret about them. They are trying them out now." This +was so, for several machines of this type were either in the air, +circling about, or were being run over the ground. + +"But others," continued Mr. Sharp, "will not even take the committee +into their confidence until just before the race. They want to keep +their craft a secret. We can't compel them to do otherwise. I'm sorry, +Tom, but the only thing I see for you to do is to wait until the last +minute. Then, if you find Andy has infringed on your machine, lodge a +protest--that is unless you can get evidence against him before that +time." + +Tom well knew the uselessness of the latter plan. He and Mr. Damon had +tried several times to get a glimpse of the craft Andy had made, but +without success. As to the other alternative--that of waiting until the +last moment--Tom feared that, too, would be futile. + +"For," he reasoned, "just before the race there will be a lot of +confusion, officials will be here and there, scattered over the ground, +they will be hard to find, and it will be almost useless to protest +then. Andy will enter the race, and there is a possibility that he may +win. Almost any one could with a machine like the Humming-Bird. It's +the machine almost as much as the operator, in a case like this." + +"But you can protest after the race," suggested Mr. Damon. + +"That would be little good, in case Andy beat me. The public would say +I was a sorehead, and jealous. No, I've either got to stop Andy before +the race, or not at all. I will try to think of a plan." + +Tom did think of several, but abandoned them one after the other. He +tried to get a glimpse inside the tent where the Foger aeroplane was +housed, but it was too closely guarded. Andy himself was not much in +evidence, and Tom only had fleeting glimpses of the bully. + +Meanwhile he and Mr. Damon, together with their machinist, were kept +busy. As Tom's craft was fully protected by patents now, he had no +hesitation in taking it out, and it was given several severe tests +around the aerial course. It did even better than Tom expected of it, +and he had great hopes. + +Always, though, there were two things that worried him. One was his +father's illness, and the other the uneasiness he felt as to what Andy +Foger might do. As to the former, the wireless reports indicated that +Mr. Swift was doing as well as could be expected, but his improvement +was not rapid. Regarding the latter worry, Tom saw no way of getting +rid of it. + +"I've just got to wait, that's all," he thought. + +The day before the opening of the meet, Tom and Mr. Damon had given the +Humming-Bird a grueling tryout. They had taken her high up--so high +that no prying eyes could time them, and there Tom had opened the motor +for all the power in it. They had flashed through space at the rate of +one hundred and twenty miles an hour. + +"If we can only do that in the race, the ten thousand dollars is mine!" +exulted Tom, as he slanted the nose of the aeroplane toward the earth. + +The day of the race dawned clear and beautiful. Tom was up early, for +there remained many little things to do to get his craft in final trim +for the contest. Then, too, he wanted to be ready to act promptly as +soon as Andy's machine was wheeled out, and he also wanted to get a +message from home. + +The wireless arrived soon after breakfast, and did not contain very +cheering news. + +"Your father not so well," Mr. Jackson sent. "Poor night, but doctor +thinks day will show improvement. Don't worry." + +"Don't worry! I wonder who could help it," mused poor Tom. "Well, I'll +hope for the best," and he wired back to tell the engineer in Shopton +to keep in touch with him, and to flash the messages to the +Humming-Bird in the air, after the big race started. + +"Now I'll go out and see if I can catch a glimpse of what that sneak +Andy has to pit against me," said Tom. + +The Foger tent was tightly closed, and Tom turned back to his own +place, having arranged with a messenger to come and let him know as +soon as Andy's craft was wheeled out. + +All about was a scene of great activity. The grand stands were filled, +and a big crowd stood about the field anxiously waiting for the first +sight of the "bird-men" in their wonderful machines. Now and then the +band blared out, and cheers arose as one after another the frail craft +were wheeled to the starting place. + +Men in queer leather costumes darted here and there--they were the +aviators who were soon to risk life and limb for glory and gold. Most +of them were nervously smoking cigarettes. The air was filled with +guttural German or nasal French, while now and then the staccato +Russian was heard, and occasionally the liquid tones of a Japanese. For +men of many nations were competing for the prizes. + +The majority of the machines were monoplanes and biplanes though one +triplane was entered, and there were several "freaks" as the biplane +and monoplane men called them--craft of the helicopter, or the wheel +type. There was also one Witzig Liore Dutilleul biplane, with three +planes behind. + +Tom was familiar with most of these types, but occasionally he saw a +new one that excited his curiosity. However, he was more interested in +what Andy Foger would turn out. Andy's machine had not been tried, and +Tom wondered how he dared risk flying in it, without at least a +preliminary tryout. But Andy, and those with him, were evidently full +of confidence. + +News of the suspicions of Tom, and what he intended to do in case these +suspicions proved true, had gotten around, and there was quite a crowd +about his own tent, and another throng around that of Andy. + +Tom and Mr. Damon had wheeled the Humming-Bird out of her canvas +"nest." There was a cheer as the crowd caught sight of the trim little +craft. The young inventor, the eccentric man, and the machinist were +busy going over every part. + +Meanwhile the meet had been officially opened, and it was announced +that the preliminary event would be some air evolutions at no great +height, and for no particular prize. Several biplanes and monoplanes +took part in this. It was very interesting, but the big +ten-thousand-dollar race, over a distance of a hundred miles was the +principal feature of the meet, and all waited anxiously for this. + +The opening stunts passed off successfully, save that a German operator +in a Bleriot came to grief, crashing down to the ground, wrecking his +machine, and breaking an arm. But he only laughed at that, and coolly +demanded another cigarette, as he crawled out of the tangle of wires, +planes and the motor. + +After this there was an exhibition flight by a French aviator in a +Curtis biplane, who raced against one in a Baby Wright. It was a dead +heat, according to the judges. Then came a flight for height; and while +no records were broken, the crowd was well satisfied. + +"Get ready for the hundred-mile ten-thousand-dollar-prize race!" +shouted the announcer, through his megaphone. + +Tom's heart gave a bound. There were seven entrants in this contest +besides Tom and Andy Foger, and as announced by the starter they were +as follows: + + CONTESTANT MACHINE + Von Bergen.................Wright Biplane + Alameda..............Antoinette Monoplane + Perique.................Bleriot Monoplane + Loi Tong..........Santos-Dumont Monoplane + Wendell....................Curtis Biplane + De Tromp...................Farman Biplane + Lascalle.............Demoiselle Monoplane + Andy Foger.................-------------- + Tom Swift..........Humming-Bird Monoplane + + +"What is the style of the Foger machine?" yelled some one in the crowd, +as the announcer lowered his megaphone. + +"It has not been announced," was the reply. "It will at once be wheeled +out though, in accordance with the conditions of the race." + +There was a craning of necks, and an uneasy movement in the crowd, for +Tom's story was now generally known. + +"Get ready to make your protest," advised Mr. Damon to the young +inventor. "I'll stay by the machine here until you come back. Bless my +radiator! I hope you beat him!" + +"I will, if it's possible!" murmured Tom, with a grim tightening of his +lips. + +There was a movement about Andy's tent, whence, for the last half hour +had come spasmodic noises that indicated the trying-out of the motor. +The flaps were pulled back and a curious machine was wheeled into view. +Tom rushed over toward it, intent on getting the first view. Would it +prove to be a copy of his speedy Humming-Bird? + +Eagerly he looked, but a curious sight met his eyes. The machine was +totally unlike any he had expected to see. It was large, and to his +mind rather clumsy, but it looked powerful. Then, as he took in the +details, he knew that it was the same one that had flown over his house +that night--it was the one from which the fire bomb had been dropped. + +He pushed his way through the crowd. He saw Andy standing near the +curious biplane, which type of air craft it nearest resembled, though +it had some monoplane features. On the side was painted the name: + + SLUGGER + + +Andy caught sight of Tom Swift. + +"I'm going to beat you!" the bully boasted, "and I haven't a machine +like yours, after all. You were wrong." + +"So I see," stammered Tom, hardly knowing what to think. "What did you +do with my plans then?" + +"I never had them!" + +Andy turned away, and began to assist the men he had hired to help him. +Like all the others, his machine had two seats, for in this race each +operator must carry a passenger. + +Tom turned away, both glad and sorry,--glad that his rival was not to +race him in a duplicate of the Humming-Bird, but sorry that he had as +yet no track of the strangely missing plans. + +"I wonder where they can be?" mused the young inventor. + +Then came the firing of the preliminary gun. Tom rushed back to where +Mr. Damon stood waiting for him. + +There was a last look at the Humming-Bird. She was fit to race any +machine on the ground. Mr. Damon took his place. Tom started the +propeller. The other contestants were in their seats with their +passengers. Their assistants stood ready to shove them off. The +explosions of so many motors in action were deafening. + +"How much thrust?" cried Tom to his machinist. + +"Twenty-two hundred pounds!" + +"Good!" + +The report of the starting-gun could not be heard. But the smoke of it +leaped into the air. It was the signal to go. + +Tom's voice would not have carried five feet. He waved his hands as a +signal. His helper thrust the Humming-Bird forward. Over the smooth +ground it rushed. Tom looked eagerly ahead. On a line with him were the +other machines, including Andy Foger's Slugger. + +Tom pulled a lever. He felt his craft soar upward. The other machines +also pointed their noses into the air. + +The big race for the ten-thousand-dollar prize was under way! + + + + +Chapter Twenty-Four + +Won by a Length + + +Rising upward, on a steep slant, for he wanted to get into the upper +currents as soon as possible, Tom looked down and off to his left and +saw one machine going over the ground in curious leaps and bounds. It +was the tiny Demoiselle--the smallest craft in the race, and its +peculiar style of starting was always thus manifested. + +"I don't believe he's going to make it," thought Tom. + +He was right. In another moment the tiny craft, after rising a short +distance, dove downward, and was wrecked. The young inventor saw the +two men crawling out from the tangled planes and wings, apparently +uninjured. + +"One contestant less," thought Tom, grimly, though with pity in his +heart for the unfortunates. + +However, he must think of himself and his own craft now. He glanced at +Mr. Damon sitting beside him. That odd gentleman, with never a thought +of blessing anything now, unless he did it silently, was watching the +lubricating system. This was a vital part of the craft, for if anything +went wrong with it, and the bearings overheated, the race would have to +be abandoned. So Tom was not trusting to any automatic arrangement, but +had instituted, almost at the last moment, a duplicate hand-worked +system, so that if one failed him he would have the other. + +"A good start!" shouted Mr. Damon in his ear. + +Tom nodded, and glanced behind him. On a line with the Humming-Bird, +and at about the same elevation, were the Bleriot monoplane and a +Wright biplane. Below were the Santos-Dumont and the Antoinette. + +"Where's the Slugger?" called Tom to his friend. + +Mr. Damon motioned upward. There, in the air above Tom's machine, and +slightly in advance, was Andy Foger's craft. He had gotten away in +better shape than had the Humming-Bird. + +For a moment Tom's heart misgave him. Then he turned on more power, and +had the satisfaction of mounting upward and shooting onward until he +was on even terms with Andy. + +The bully gave one glance over toward his rival, and pulled a lever. +The Slugger increased her speed, but Tom was not a second behind him. + +There was a roaring noise in the rear, and up shot De Tromp in the +Farman, and Loi Tong, the little Japanese, in the Santos-Dumont. Truly +the race was going to be a hotly contested one. But the end was far off +yet. + +After the first jockeying for a start and position, the race settled +down into what might be termed a "grind." The course was a large one, +but so favorable was the atmosphere that day, and such was the location +of Eagle Park in a great valley, that even on the far side of the great +ellipse the contestants could be seen, dimly with the naked eye, but +very plainly with glasses, with which many of the spectators were +provided. + +Around and around they went, at no very great height, for it was +necessary to make out the signals set up by the race officials, so that +the contestants would know when they were near the finish, that they +might use the last atom of speed. So at varying heights the wonderful +machines circled about the course. + +The Humming-Bird was working well, and Tom felt a sense of pride as he +saw the ground slipping away below him. He felt sure that he would win, +even when Alameda, the Spaniard, in the Antoinette, came creeping up on +him, and even when Andy Foger, with a burst of speed, placed himself +and his passenger in the lead. + +"I'll catch him!" muttered Tom, and he opened the throttle a trifle +wider, and went after Andy, passing him with ease. + +They had covered about thirty miles of the course, when the humming and +crackling of the wireless apparatus told Tom that a message was coming. +He snapped the receiver to his ear, adjusting the outer covering to +shut out the racket of the motor, and listened. + +"Well?" asked Mr. Damon, as Tom took off the receiver. + +"Dad isn't quite so well," answered the lad. "Mr. Jackson says they +have sent for Dr. Hendrix again. But dad is game. He sends me word to +go on and win, and I'll do it, too, only--" + +Tom paused, and choked back a sob. Then he prepared to get more speed +out of his motor. + +"Of course you will!" cried Mr. Damon. "Bless my--!" + +But they encountered an adverse current of wind at that moment, and it +required the attention of both of the aviators to manage the machine. +It was soon on an even keel again, and once more was shooting forward +around the course. + +At times Tom would be in advance, and again he would have to give place +to the Curtis, the Farman, or the Santos-Dumont, as these speedy +machines, favored by a spurt from their motors, or by some current of +air, shot ahead. But, in general, Tom maintained the lead, and among +the spectators there began a series of guesses as to how much he would +win by. + +Tom glanced at the barograph. It registered a little over twelve +hundred feet. He looked at the speed gage. He was doing a trifle better +than a hundred miles an hour. He looked down at the signals. There was +twenty miles yet to go. It was almost time for the spurt for which he +had been holding back. Yet he would wait until five miles from the end, +and then he felt that he could gain and maintain a lead. + +"Andy seems to be doing well," said Mr. Damon. + +"Yes, he has a good machine," conceded Tom. + +Five miles more were reeled off. Then another five. Another round of +that distance and Tom would key his motor up to the highest pitch, and +then the Humming-Bird would show what she could do. Eagerly Tom waited +for the right signal. + +Suddenly the wireless began buzzing again. Quickly the young inventor +clamped the receiver to his ear. Mr. Damon saw him turn pale. + +"Dr. Gladby says dad has a turn for the worse. There is little hope," +translated Tom. + +"Will you--are you going to quit?" asked Mr. Damon. + +Tom shook his head. + +"No!" he cried. "My father has become unconscious, so Mr. Jackson says, +but his last words were to me: 'Tell Tom to win the race!' And I'm +going to do it!" + +Tom suddenly changed his plans. There was to be no waiting for the +signal now. He would begin his final spurt, and if possible finish the +hundred miles at his utmost speed, win the race and then hasten to his +father's side. + +With a menacing roar the motor of the Humming-Bird took up the +additional power that Tom sent into her. She shot ahead like an eagle +darting after his prey. Tom opened up a big gap between his machine and +the one nearest him, which, at that moment, was the Antoinette, with +the Spaniard driving her. + +"Now to win!" cried Tom, grimly. + +Surely no race was ever flown as was that one! Tom flashed through the +air so quickly that his speed was almost incredible. The gage +registered one hundred and thirty miles an hour! + +Down below in the grand stands, and on the aviation field, there were +yells of approval--of wonder--of fear. But Tom and Mr. Damon could not +hear them. They only heard the powerful song of the motor. + +Faster and faster flew the Humming-Bird. Tom looked down, and saw the +signal put up which meant that there were but three miles more to go. +He felt that he could do it. He was half a lap ahead of them all now. +But he saw Andy Foger's machine pulling away from the bunch. + +"He's going to try to catch me!" exulted Tom. + +Then something happened. The motor of the Humming-Bird suddenly +slackened its speed, it missed explosions, and the trim little craft +began to drop behind. + +"What's the matter?" cried Mr. Damon. + +"Three of the cylinders are out of business!" yelled Tom. "We're done +for, I guess." + +On came the other machines, Andy in the lead, then the Santos-Dumont, +then the Farman, and lastly the Wright. They saw the plight of the +Humming-Bird and determined to beat her. Tom cast a despairing look up +at the motor. There was nothing to be done. He could not reach it in +mid-air. He could only keep on, crippled as he was, and trust to luck. + +Andy passed by his rival with an evil smile on his ugly face. Then the +Antoinette flashed by. In turn all the others left Tom in the rear. His +heart was like lead. Mr. Damon gazed blankly forward. They were beaten. +It did not seem possible. + +There was but a single chance. If Tom shut off all power, coasted for a +moment, and then, ere the propeller had ceased revolving, if he could +start the motor on the spark, the silent cylinders might pick up, with +the others, and begin again. He would try it. They could be no worse +off than they were. + +"A mile behind!" gasped Tom. "It's a long chance, but I'll take it." + +He shut off the power. The motor was silent, the Humming-Bird began to +fall. But ere she had gone down ten feet Tom suddenly switched on the +batteries. There was a moment of silence, and then came the welcome +roar that told of the rekindled motor. And such a roar as it was! Every +cylinder was exploding as though none of them had ever stopped! + +"We did it!" yelled Tom. Opening up at full speed, he sent the sky +racer on the course to overtake and pass his rivals. + +Slowly he crept on them. They looked back and saw him coming. They +tried to put on more speed, but it was impossible. Andy Foger was in +the lead. He was being slowly overhauled by the Santos-Dumont, with +the queer tail-rudders. + +"I'll get him!" muttered Tom. "I'll pass 'em all!" + +And he did. With a wonderful burst of speed the little Humming-Bird +overtook one after another of her larger rivals, and passed them. Then +she crept up on Andy's Slugger. + +In an instant more it was done, and, a good length in advance of the +Foger craft, Tom shot over the finish line a winner, richer by ten +thousand dollars, and, not only that, but he had picked up a mile that +had been lost, and had snatched victory from almost certain defeat. + +There was a succession of thundering cheers as he shut off the motor, +and volplaned to earth, but he paid little attention to them. He +brought his craft to a stop just as the wireless on it buzzed again. + +He listened with a look of pain on his face. + +"My father is dying," he said simply. "I must go to him. Mr. Damon, +will you fill the tanks with oil and gasoline, while I send off a +message?" + +"Oil and gasoline," murmured the odd man, while hundreds pressed up to +congratulate Tom Swift "What are you going to do?" + +"I'm going to my father in the Humming-Bird," said Tom. "It's the only +way I can see him alive," and he began to click off a message to Mr. +Jackson, stating that he had won the race and was going to fly to +Shopton, while Mr. Damon and several others replenished the fuel and +oil of the aeroplane. + +Tom Swift had won one race. Could he win the other? + + + + +Chapter Twenty-Five + +Home Again--Conclusion + + +Mr. Sharp pushed his way through the crowd. + +"The committee has the certified check ready for you, Tom," called the +balloonist. "Will you come and get it?" + +"Send it to me, please," answered the young inventor. "I must go to my +father." + +"Huh! I'd have beaten him in another round," boasted Andy Foger. No one +paid any attention to him. + +"Monsieur ezz plucky!" said the Frenchman, Perique. "I am honaired to +shake his hand! He has broken all ze records!" + +"Dot's der best machine I effer saw," spoke the Dutchman, De Tromp, +ponderously. "Shake hands!" + +"Ver' fine, ver' good!" came from the little Japanese, and all the +contestants congratulated Tom warmly. Never before had a hundred miles +been covered so speedily. + +A man elbowed his way through the press of people. + +"Is your machine fully protected by patents?" he inquired earnestly. + +"It is," said Tom. + +"Then, as a representative of the United States Government, I would +like an option to purchase the exclusive right to use them," said the +man. "Can you guarantee that no one else has any plans of them? It +will mean a fortune to you." + +Tom hesitated. He thought of the stolen plans. If he could only get +possession of them! He glanced at Andy Foger, who was wheeling his +machine back into the tent. But there was no time now to have it out +with the bully. + +"I will see you again," said Tom to the government agent. "I must go to +my father, who is dying. I can't answer you now." + +The tanks were filled. Tom gave a hasty look to his machine, and, +bidding his new friends farewell, he and Mr. Damon took their places +aboard the Humming-Bird. The little craft rose in the air, and soon +they had left Eagle Park far behind. Eagerly Tom strained his eyes for +a sight of his home town, though he knew it would be several hours ere +he could hover over it. + +Would he be in time? Would he be in time? That question came to him +again and again. + +For a time the Humming-Bird skimmed along as though she delighted in +the rapid motion, in slipping through the air and sliding along on the +billows of wind. Tom, with critical ears, listened to the hum of the +motor, the puffing of the exhaust, the grinding of the gear wheels, and +the clicking of the trips, as valve after valve opened or closed to +admit the mixture of air and gasoline, or closed to give the +compression necessary for the proper explosion. + +"Is she working all right?" asked Mr. Damon, anxiously, and, such was +the strain on him that he did not think to bless anything. "Is she all +right, Tom, my lad?" + +"I think so. I'm speeding her to the limit. Faster than I ever did +before, but I guess she'll do. She was built to stand a strain, and +she's got to do it now!" + +Then there was silence again, as they slid along through the air like a +coaster gliding down a steep descent. + +"It was a great race, wasn't it?" asked Mr. Damon, as he shifted to an +easier position in his seat. "A great race, Tom. I didn't think you'd +do it, one spell there." + +"Neither did I," came the answer, as the young inventor changed the +spark lever. "But I made up my mind I wouldn't be beaten by Andy Foger, +if I could help it. Though it was taking a risk to shut off the current +the way I did." + +"A risk?" + +"Yes; it might not have started again," and Tom looked down at the +earth below them, as if measuring the distance he would have fallen had +not his sky racer kept on at the critical moment. + +"And--and if the current hadn't come on again; eh, Tom? Would we--?" + +Mr. Damon did not finish, but Tom knew what he meant. + +"It would have been all up with us," he said simply. "I might have +volplaned back to earth, but at the speed we were going, and at the +height, around a curve, we might have turned turtle." + +"Bless my--!" began Mr. Damon, and then he stopped. The thought of +Tom's trouble came to him, and he realized that his words might grate +on the feelings of his companion. + +On they rushed through the air with the Humming-Bird speeded up faster +and faster as she warmed to her task. The machinery seemed to be +working perfectly, and as Tom listened to the hum a look of pleasure +replaced the look of anxiety on his face. + +"Don't you think we'll make it?" asked Mr. Damon, after another pause, +during which they passed over a large city, the inhabitants exhibiting +much excitement as they sighted the airship over their heads. + +"We've got to make it!" declared Tom between his clenched teeth. + +He turned on a little more gasoline, and there was a spurt in their +speed which made Mr. Damon grasp the upright braces near him with firm +hands, and his face became a little paler. + +"It's all right," spoke Tom, reassuringly. "There's no danger." + +But Tom almost reckoned without his host, for a few moments later, as +he was trying to get more revolutions out of the propellers, he ran +into an adverse current of air. + +In an instant the Humming-Bird was tilted up almost on her "beams' +ends," so to speak, and had it not been that the young inventor quickly +warped the wing tips, to counteract the pressure on one side, there +might have been a different end to this story. + +"Bless my----!" began Mr. Damon, but he got no further, for he had to +bend his body as Tom did, to equalize the pressure of the wind current. + +"A little farther over!" yelled the lad. "A little farther over this +way, Mr. Damon!" + +"But if I come any more toward you I'll be out of my seat!" objected +the eccentric man. + +"If you don't you'll be out of the aeroplane!" cried Tom grimly, and +his companion leaned over as far as he could until the young pilot had +brought the craft to an even keel again. + +Then Tom speeded up the motor, which he had partly shut down as they +passed through the danger zone, and again they were racing through +space. + +They were nearing Shopton now, as the lad and Mr. Damon could tell by +the familiar landmarks which loomed up in sight. Tom strained his eyes +for the first view of his home. + +Suddenly, as they were skimming along, there came a cessation of the +hum and roar that told of the perfectly-working motor. It was an +ominous silence. + +"What's--what's wrong?" gasped Mr. Damon. + +"Something's given way," answered Tom quickly. "I'm afraid the magneto +isn't sparking as it ought to." + +"Well, can't we volplane back to earth?" asked the odd man, for he had +become familiar with this feat when anything happened to the motor. + +"We could," answered Tom, "but I'm not going to." + +"Why not?" + +"Because we're too far from Shopton--and dad! I'm going to keep on. +I've got to--if I want to be there in time!" + +"But if the motor doesn't work?" + +"I'll make her work!" + +Tom was desperately manipulating the various levers and handles +connected with the electrical ignition system. He tried in vain to get +the magneto to resume the giving out of sparks, and, failing in that, +he switched on the batteries. But, to his horror, the dry cells had +given out. There was no way of getting a spark unless the little +electrical machine would work. + +The propellers were still whirring around by their own momentum, and if +Tom could switch in the magneto in time all might yet be well. + +They had started to fall, but, by quickly bringing up the head plane +tips, Tom sent his craft soaring upward again on a bank of air. + +"Here!" he cried to Mr. Damon. "Take the steering-wheel and kept her on +this level as long as you can." + +"What are you going to do?" + +"I've got to fix that magneto!" + +"But if she dips down?" + +"Throw up the head planes as I did. It's our only chance! I can't go +down now, so far from Shopton!" + +Mr. Damon reached over and took the wheel from Tom's hands. Then the +young inventor, leaning forward, for the magneto was within easy reach, +looked to see what the trouble was. He found it quickly. A wire had +vibrated loose from a binding-post. In a second Tom had it in place +again; and, ere the propellers had ceased revolving, he had turned the +switch. The magneto took up the work in a flash. Once more the spark +exploded the gasoline mixture, and the propellers sent the Humming-Bird +swiftly ahead. + +"We'll make it now!" declared Tom grimly. + +"We're almost there," added Mr. Damon, as he relinquished the wheel to +the young pilot. The craft had gone down some, but Tom sent her up +again. + +Nearer and nearer home they came, until at last the spires of the +Shopton churches loomed into view. Then he was over the village. Now he +was within sight of his own house. + +Tom coasted down a bank of air, and brought the Humming-Bird up with a +jerk of the ground brakes. Before the wheels had ceased turning he had +leaped out. + +"It's Massa Tom!" cried Eradicate, as he saw Tom alight. + +The young inventor hurried into the house. He was met by the nurse, who +held up a warning finger. Tom's heart almost stopped beating. He was +aware that Dr. Gladby came from the room where Mr. Swift lay. + +"Is he--is he--am I too late?" gulped Tom. + +"Hush!" cautioned the nurse. + +Tom reeled, and would have fallen had not the doctor caught him, for +the lad was weak and worn out. + +"He is going to get well!" were the joyful words he heard, as if in a +dream, and then his strength suddenly came back to him. "The crisis is +just passed, Tom," went on Dr. Gladby, "and your father will recover, +and be stronger than ever. Your good news of winning was like a tonic +to him. Now let me congratulate you on the race." Tom had flashed by +wireless a brief message of his success. + +"Dad's news is better than all the congratulations in the world," he +said softly, as he grasped the doctor's hand. + + * * * * * + +It was a week later. Mr. Swift improved rapidly once the course of the +disease was permanently checked, and he was soon able to sit up. Tom +was with him in the room, talking of the great race, and how he had +won. He fingered the certified check for ten thousand dollars that had +just come to him by mail. + +"You certainly did wonderfully well," said the aged inventor, softly. +"Wonderfully well, Tom. I'm proud of you." + +"You may well be," added Mr. Damon. "Bless my shoelaces, but I thought +Andy Foger had us there one spell; didn't you, Tom?" + +"Indeed I did. But you helped me win, Mr. Damon." + +"Nonsense!" exclaimed the odd man. + +"Yes, you did. You helped me a lot." + +"Well, are you going to keep after more air-prizes, Tom, or are you +going to try for something else?" asked his father. + +"I don't believe I'll go in any more aeroplane races right away," +answered the young inventor. "For some time I've been wanting to +complete and perfect my electric rifle. I think I'll begin work on that +soon." + +"And go hunting?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"I think so," answered Tom, dreamily. "I don't know just where, though." + +Where he went, and what he shot, will be told in the next volume of +this series, to be called: "Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle; or, +Daring Adventures in Elephant Land." + +For a few moments after Tom's announcement no one spoke, then the young +inventor said: + +"It's too bad that first set of plans were stolen. If I had them I +could make a good deal with the Government about my little aeroplane. +But they don't want to take up with it as long as there is a chance of +some foreign nation getting information about the secret parts, and my +patents won't hold abroad. I wonder if there is any way of getting +those plans away from Andy Foger? I don't understand why he hasn't used +them before this. I thought sure he would make a craft like the +Humming-Bird to race against me." + +"What plans are those?" asked Mr. Swift. + +"Why, don't you remember?" asked Tom. "The ones I showed you one day, +in the library, when you fell asleep, and some one slipped in and stole +them." + +A curious look came over Mr. Swift's face. He passed his hand across +his brow. + +"I am beginning to remember something I have been trying to recall ever +since I became ill," he said slowly. "It is coming back to me. Those +plans--in the library--I fell asleep, but before I did so I hid those +plans, Tom!" + +"You hid those plans!" Tom fairly shouted the words. + +"Yes, I remember feeling a drowsy feeling coming on, and I feared lest +some one might see the drawings. I got up and put them under the +window, in a little, hollow place in the foundation wall. Then I came +back in through the window again, and went to sleep. Then, on account +of my illness, just as I once before forgot something, and thought the +minister had called, I lost all recollection of them. I hid those +plans." + +Tom leaped to his feet. He rushed to the place named by his father. +Soon his triumphant shout told of his success. He came hurrying back +into the house with a roll of papers in his hands. + +And there were the long-missing plans! damp and stained by the weather, +but all there. No enemy had them, and Tom's secret was safe. + +"Now I can accept the Government offer!" he cried. And a few weeks +later he made a most advantageous deal with the United States officials +for his patents. + +Dr. Gladby explained that Mr. Swift's queer action was due to his +illness. He became liable to lapses of memory, and one happened just +after he hid away the plans. Even the hiding of them was caused by the +peculiar condition of his brain. He had opened the library window, +slipped oot with the papers, and hastened in again, to fall asleep in +his chair, during the short time Tom was gone. + +"And Andy Foger never took them at all," remarked Mary Nestor, when Tom +was telling her about it a few days afterward. + +"No. I guess I must apologize to him." Which Tom did, but Andy did not +receive it very graciously, especially as Tom accused him of trying to +destroy the Humming-Bird. + +Andy denied this and denied having anything to do with the mysterious +fire, and, as there was no way to prove him guilty, Tom could not +proceed against him. So the matter was dropped. + +Mr. Swift continued to improve, and was soon himself again, and able to +resume his inventive work. Tom received several offers to give +exhibition flights at big aero meets, but refused, as he was busy on +his new rifle. Mr. Damon helped him. + +Andy Foger made several successful flights in his queer aeroplane, +which turned out to be the product of a German genius who was supplied +with money by Mr. Foger. Andy became very proud, and boasted that he +and the German were going abroad to give flights in Europe. + +"I'd be glad if he would," said Tom, when he heard of the plan. "He +wouldn't bother me then." + +With the money received from winning the big race, and from his +contracts from the Government, Tom Swift was now in a fair way to +become quite wealthy. He was destined to have many more adventures; +yet, come what might, never would he forget the thrilling happenings +that fell to his lot while flying for the ten-thousand dollar prize in +his sky racer. + + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Tom Swift and his Sky Racer, by Victor Appleton + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER *** + +***** This file should be named 951.txt or 951.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/9/5/951/ + +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 SKY RACER + +or + +The Quickest Flight on Record + +By + +VICTOR APPLETON + + + +/$ +CONTENTS + + + I The Prize Offer + II Mr. Swift Is Ill + III The Plans Disappear + IV Anxious Days + V Building the Sky Racer + VI Andy Foger Will Contest + VII Seeking a Clue + VIII The Empty Shed + IX A Trial Flight + X A Midnight Intruder + XI Tom Is Hurt + XII Miss Nestor Calls + XIII A Clash with Andy + XIV The Great Test + XV A Noise in the Night + XVI A Mysterious Fire + XVII Mr. Swift Is Worse +XVIII The Broken Bridge + XIX A Nervy Specialist + XX Just in Time + XXI "Will He Live?" + XXII Off to the Meet +XXIII The Great Race + XXIV Won by a Length + XXV Home Again--Conclusion +$/ + + +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER + + + + +Chapter One + +The Prize Offer + + +"Is this Tom Swift, the inventor of several airships?" + +The man who had rung the bell glanced at the youth who answered his +summons. + +"Yes, I'm Tom Swift," was the reply. "Did you wish to see me?" + +"I do. I'm Mr. James Gunmore, secretary of the Eagle Park Aviation +Association. I had some correspondence with you about a prize contest we +are going to hold. I believe--" + +"Oh, yes, I remember now," and the young inventor smiled pleasantly as +he opened wider the door of his home. "Won't you come in? My father will +be glad to see you. He is as much interested in airships as I am." And +Tom led the way to the library, where the secretary of the aviation +society was soon seated in a big, comfortable leather chair. + +"I thought we could do better, and perhaps come to some decision more +quickly, if I came to see you, than if we corresponded," went on Mr. +Gunmore. "I hope I haven't disturbed you at any of your inventions," and +the secretary smiled at the youth. + +"No. I'm through for to-day," replied Tom. "I'm glad to see you. I +thought at first it was my chum, Ned Newton. He generally runs over in +the evening." + +"Our society, as I wrote you, Mr. Swift, is planning to hold a very +large and important aviation meet at Eagle Park, which is a suburb of +Westville, New York State. We expect to have all the prominent +'bird-men' there, to compete for prizes, and your name was mentioned. I +wrote to you, as you doubtless recall, asking if you did not care to +enter." + +"And I think I wrote you that my big aeroplane-dirigible, the Red Cloud, +was destroyed in Alaska, during a recent trip we made to the caves of +ice there, after gold," replied Tom. + +"Yes, you did," admitted Mr. Gunmore, "and while our committee was very +sorry to hear that, we hoped you might have some other air craft that +you could enter at our meet. We want to make it as complete as possible, +and we all feel that it would not be so unless we had a Swift aeroplane +there." + +"It's very kind of you to say so," remarked Tom, "but since my big craft +was destroyed I really have nothing I could enter." + +"Haven't you an aeroplane of any kind? I made this trip especially to +get you to enter. Haven't you anything in which you could compete for +the prizes? There are several to be offered, some for distance flights, +some for altitude, and the largest, ten thousand dollars, for the +speediest craft. Ten thousand dollars is the grand prize, to be awarded +for the quickest flight on record." + +"I surely would like to try for that," said Tim, "but the only craft I +have is a small monoplane, the Butterfly, I call it, and while it is +very speedy, there have been such advances made in aeroplane +construction since I made mine that I fear I would be distanced if I +raced in her. And I wouldn't like that." + +"No," agreed Mr. Gunmore. "I suppose not. Still, I do wish we could +induce you to enter. I don't mind telling you that we consider you a +drawing-card. Can't we induce you, some way?" + +"I'm afraid not. I haven't any machine which--" + +"Look here!" exclaimed the secretary eagerly. "Why can't you build a +special aeroplane to enter in the next meet? You'll have plenty of time, +as it doesn't come off for three months yet. We are only making the +preliminary arrangements. It is now June, and the meet is scheduled for +early in September. Couldn't you build a new and speedy aeroplane in +that time?" + +Eagerly Mr. Gunmore waited for the answer. Tom Swift seemed to be +considering it. There was an increased brightness to his eyes, and one +could tell that he was thinking deeply. The secretary sought to clinch +his argument. + +"I believe, from what I have heard of your work in the past, that you +could build an aeroplane which would win the ten-thousand-dollar prize," +he went on. "I would be very glad if you did win it, and, so I think, +would be the gentlemen associated with me in this enterprise. It would +be fine to have a New York State youth win the grand prize. Come, Tom +Swift, build a special craft, and enter the contest!" + +As he paused for an answer footsteps were heard coming along the hall, +and a moment later an aged gentleman opened the door of the library. + +"Oh! Excuse me, Tom," he said, "I didn't know you had company." And he +was about to withdraw. + +"Don't go, father," said Tom. "You will be as much interested in this as +I am. This is Mr. Gunmore, of the Eagle Park Aviation Association. This +is my father, Mr. Gunmore." + +"I've heard of you," spoke the secretary as he shook hands with the aged +inventor. "You and your son have made, in aeronautics, a name to be +proud of." + +"And he wants us to go still farther, dad," broke in the youth. "Me +wants me to build a specially speedy aeroplane, and race for ten +thousand dollars." + +"Hum!" mused Mr. Swift. "Well, are you going to do it, Tom? Seems to me +you ought to take a rest. You haven't been back from your gold-hunting +trip to Alaska long enough to more than catch your breath, and now--" + +"Oh, he doesn't have to go in this right away," eagerly explained Mr. +Gunmore. "There is plenty of time to make a new craft." + +"Well, Tom can do as he likes about it," said his father. "Do you think +you could build anything speedier than your Butterfly, son?" + +"I think so, father. That is, if you'd help me. I have a plan partly +thought out, but it will take some time to finish it. Still, I might get +it done in time." + +"I hope you'll try!" exclaimed the secretary. "May I ask whether it +would be a monoplane or a biplane?" + +"A monoplane, I think," answered Tom. "They are much more speedy than +the double-deckers, and if I'm going to try for the ten thousand dollars +I need the fastest machine I can build." + +"We have the promise of one or two very fast monoplanes for the meet," +went on Mr. Gunmore. "Would yours be of a new type?" + +"I think it would," was the reply of the young inventor. "In fact, I am +thinking of making a smaller monoplane than any that have yet been +constructed, and yet one that will carry two persons. The hardest work +will be to make the engine light enough and still have it sufficiently +powerful to make over a hundred miles an hour, if necessary. + +"A hundred miles an hour in a small monoplane! It isn't possible!" cried +the secretary. + +"I'll make better time than that," said Tom quietly, and with not a +trace of boasting in his tones. + +"Then you'll enter the meet?" asked Mr. Gunmore eagerly. + +"Well, I'll think about it," promised Tom. "I'll let you know in a few +days. Meanwhile, I'll be thinking out the details for my new craft. I +have been going to build one ever since I got back, after having seen my +Red Cloud crushed in the ice cave. Now I think I had better begin active +work." + +"I hope you will soon let me know," resumed the secretary. "I'm going to +put you down as a possible contestant for the ten-thousand-dollar prize. +That can do no harm, and I hope you win it. I trust--" + +He paused suddenly, and listened. So did Tom Swift and his father, for +they all distinctly heard stealthy footsteps under the open windows of +the library. + +"Some one is out there, listening," said Tom in low tones. + +"Perhaps it's Eradicate Sampson," suggested Mr. Swift, referring to the +eccentric colored man who was employed by the inventor and his son to +help around the place. "Very likely it was Eradicate, Tom." + +"I don't think so," was the lad's answer. "He went to the village a +while ago, and said he wouldn't be back until late to-night. He had to +get some medicine for his mule, Boomerang, who is sick. No, it wasn't +Eradicate; but some one was under that window, trying to hear what we +said." + +As he spoke in guarded tones, Tom went softly to the casement and looked +out. He could observe nothing, as the night was dark, and the new moon, +which had been shining, was now dimmed by clouds. + +"See anything?" asked Mr. Gunmore as he advanced to Tom's side. + +"No," was the low answer. I can't hear anything now, either." + +"I'll go speak to Mrs. Baggert, the housekeeper," volunteered Mr. Swift. +"Perhaps it was she, or she may know something about it." + +He started from the room, and as he went Tom noticed, with something of +a start, that his father appeared older that night than he had ever +looked before. There was a trace of pain on the face of the aged +inventor, and his step was lagging. + +"I guess dad needs a rest and doctoring up," thought the young inventor +as he turned the electric chandelier off by a button on the wall, in +order to darken the room, so that he might peer out to better advantage. +"I think he's been working too hard on his wireless motor. I must get +Dr. Gladby to come over and see dad. But now I want to find out who that +was under this window." + +Once more Tom looked out. The moon had emerged from behind a thin bank +of clouds, and gave a little light. + +"See anything?" asked Mr. Gunmore cautiously. + +"No," whispered the youth, for it being a warm might, the windows were +open top and bottom, a screen on the outside keeping out mosquitoes and +other insects. "I can't see a thing," went on Tom, "but I'm sure--" + +He paused suddenly. As he spoke there sounded a rustling in the +shrubbery a little distance from the window. + +"There's something!" exclaimed Mr. Gunmore. + +"I see!" answered the young inventor. + +Without another word he softly opened the screen, and then, stooping +down to get under the lower sash (for the windows in the library ran all +the way to the floor), Tom dropped out of the casement upon the thick +grass. + +As he did so he was aware of a further movement in the bushes. They were +violently agitated, and a second later a dark object sprang from them +and sprinted along the path. + +"Here! Who are you? Hold on!" cried the young inventor. + +But the figure never halted. Tom sprang forward, determined to see who +it was, and, if possible, capture him. + +"Hold on!" he cried again. There was no answer. + +Tom was a good runner, and in a few seconds he had gained on the +fugitive, who could just be seen in the dim light from the crescent +moon. + +"I've got you!" cried Tom. + +But he was mistaken, for at that instant his foot caught on the +outcropping root of a tree, and the young inventor went flat on his +face. + +"Just my luck!" he cried. + +He was quickly on his feet again, and took after the fugitive. The +latter glanced back, and, as it happened, Tom had a good look at his +face. He almost came to a stop, so startled was he. + +"Andy Foger!" he exclaimed as he recognized the bully who had always +proved himself such an enemy of our hero. "Andy Foger sneaking under my +windows to hear what I had to say about my new aeroplane! I wonder what +his game can be? I'll soon find out!" + +Tom was about to resume the chase, when he lost sight of the figure. A +moment later he heard the puffing of an automobile, as some one cranked +it up. + +"It's too late!" exclaimed Tom. "There he goes in his car!" And knowing +it would be useless to keep up the chase, the youth turned back toward +his house. + + + + +Chapter Two + +Mr. Swift is Ill + + +"Who was it?" asked Mr. Gunmore as Tom again entered the library. "A +friend of yours?" + +"Hardly a friend," replied Tom grimly. "It was a young fellow who has +made lots of trouble for me in the past, and who, lately, with his +father, tried to get ahead of me and some friends of mine in locating a +gold claim in Alaska. I don't know what he's up to now, but certainly it +wasn't any good. He's got nerve, sneaking up under our windows!" + +"What do you think was his object?" + +"It would he hard to say." + +"Can't you find him to-morrow, and ask him?" + +"There's not much satisfaction in that. The less I have to do with Andy +Foger the better I'm satisfied. Well, perhaps it's just as well I fell, +and couldn't catch him. There would have been a fight, and I don't want +to worry dad any more than I can help. He hasn't been very well of +late." + +"No, he doesn't look very strong," agreed the secretary. "But I hope he +doesn't get sick, and I hope no bad consequences result from the +eavesdropping of this Foger fellow." + +Tom started for the hall, to get a brush with which to remove some of +the dust gathered in his chase after Andy. As he opened the library door +to go out Mr. Swift came in again. + +"I saw Mrs. Baggert, Tom," he said. "She wasn't out under the window, +and, as you said, Eradicate isn't about. His mule is in the barn, so it +couldn't have been the animal straying around." + +"No, dad. It was Andy Foger." + +"Andy Foger!" + +"Yes. I couldn't catch him. But you'd better go lie down, father. It's +getting late, and you look tired." + +"I am tired, Tom, and I think I'll go to bed. Have you finished your +arrangements with Mr. Gunmore?" + +"Well, I guess we've gone as far as we can until I invent the new +aeroplane," replied Tom, with a smile. + +"Then you'll really enter the meet?" asked the secretary eagerly. + +"I think I will," decided Tom. "The prize of ten thousand dollars is +worth trying for, and besides that, I'll be glad to get to work again on +a speedy craft. Yes, I'll enter the meet." + +"Good!" exclaimed Mr. Gunmore, shaking hands with the young inventor. "I +didn't have my trip for nothing, then. I'll go back in the morning and +report to the committee that I've been successful. I am greatly obliged +to you." + +He left the Swift home, after refusing Tom's invitation to remain all +night, and went to his hotel. Tom then insisted that his father retire. + +As for the young inventor, he was not satisfied with the result of his +attempt to catch Andy Foger. He had no idea why the bully was hiding +under the library window, but Tom surmised that some mischief might be +afoot. + +"Sam Snedecker or Pete Bailey, the two cronies of Andy, may still be +around here, trying to play some trick on me," mused Tom. "I think I'll +take a look outside." And taking a stout cane from the umbrella rack, +the youth sallied forth into the yard and extensive grounds surrounding +his house. + +While he is thus looking for possible intruders we will tell you a +little more about him than has been possible since the call of the +aviation secretary. + +Tom Swift lived with his father, Barton Swift, in the town of Shopton, +New York State. The young man had followed in the footsteps of his +parent, and was already an inventor of note. + +Their home was presided over by Mrs. Baggert, as housekeeper, since Mrs. +Swift had been dead several years. In addition, there was Garret +Jackson, an engineer, who aided Tom and his father, and Eradicate +Sampson, an odd colored man, who, with his mule, Boomerang, worked about +the place. + +In the first volume of this series, entitled "Tom Swift and his +Motor-Cycle," here was related how he came to possess that machine. A +certain Mr. Wakefield Damon, an eccentric gentleman, who was always +blessing himself, or something about him, owned the cycle, but he came +to grief on it, and sold it to Tom very cheaply. + +Tom had a number of adventures on the wheel, and, after having used the +motor to save a valuable patent model from a gang of unscrupulous men, +the lad acquired possession of a power boat, in which he made several +trips, and took part in many exciting happenings. + +Some time later, in company with John Sharp, an aeronaut, whom Tom had +rescued from Lake Carlopa, after the airman had nearly lost his life in +a burning balloon, the young inventor made a big airship, called the Red +Cloud. With Mr. Damon, Tom made several trips in this craft, as set +forth in the book, "Tom Swift and His Airship." + +It was after this that Tom and his father built a submarine boat, and +went under the ocean for sunken treasure, and, following that trip Tom +built a speedy electric runabout, and by a remarkable run in that, with +Mr. Damon, saved a bank from ruin, bringing gold in time to stave off a +panic. + +"Tom Swift and His Wireless Message" told of the young inventor's plan +to save the castaways of Earthquake Island, and how he accomplished it +by constructing a wireless plant from the remains of the wrecked airship +Whizzer. After Tom got back from Earthquake Island he went with Mr. +Barcoe Jenks, whom he met on the ill-fated bit of land, to discover the +secret of the diamond makers. They found the mysterious men, but the +trip was not entirely successful, for the mountain containing the cave +where the diamonds were made was destroyed by a lightning shock, just as +Mr. Parker, a celebrated scientist, who accompanied the party, said it +would be. + +But his adventure in seeking to discover the secret of making precious +stones did not satisfy Tom Swift, and when he and his friends got back +from the mountains they prepared to go to Alaska to search for gold in +the caves of ice. They were almost defeated in their purpose by the +actions of Andy Foger and his father, who in an under-hand manner, got +possession of a valuable map, showing the location of the gold, and made +a copy of the drawing. + +Then, when Tom and his friends set off in the Red Cloud, as related in +"Tom Swift in the Caves of Ice," the Fogers, in another airship, did +likewise. But Tom and his party were first on the scene, and +accomplished their purpose, though they had to fight the savage Indians. +The airship was wrecked in a cave of ice, that collapsed on it, and the +survivors had desperate work getting away from the frozen North. + +Tom had been home all the following winter and spring, and he had done +little more than work on some small inventions, when a new turn was +given his thoughts and energies by a visit from Mr. Gunmore, as narrated +in the first chapter of the present volume. + +"Well, I guess no one is here," remarked the young inventor as he +completed the circuit of the grounds and walked slowly back toward the +house. "I think I scared Andy so that he won't come back right away. He +had the laugh on me, though, when I stumbled and fell." + +As Tom proceeded he heard some one approaching, around the path at the +side of the house. + +"Who's there?" he called quickly, taking a firmer grasp of his stick, + +"It's me, Massa Swift," was the response. "I jest come back from town. I +got some peppermint fo' mah mule, Boomerang, dat's what I got." + +"Oh! It's you, is it, Rad?" asked the youth in easier tones. + +"Dat's who it am, Did yo' t'ink it were some un else?" + +"I did," replied Tom. "Andy Foger has been sneaking around. Keep your +eyes open the rest of the night, Rad." + +"I will, Massa Tom." + +The youth went into the house, having left word with the engineer, Mr. +Jackson, to be on the alert for anything suspicious. + +"And now I guess I'll go to bed, and make an early start to-morrow +morning, planning my new aeroplane," mused Tom. "I'm going to make the +speediest craft of the air ever seen!" + +As he started toward his room Tom Swift heard the voice of the +housekeeper calling to him: + +"Tom! Oh, Tom! Come here, quickly!" + +"What's the matter?" he asked, in vague alarm. + +"Something has happened to your father!" was the startling reply. "He's +fallen down, and is Unconscious! Come quickly! Send for the doctor!" + +Tom fairly ran toward his father's room. + + + + +Chapter Three + +The Plans Disappear + + +Mr. Swift was lying on the floor, where he had fallen, in front of his +bed, as he was preparing to retire. There was no mark of injury upon +him, and at first, as he knelt down at his father's side, Tom was at a +loss to account for what had taken place. + +"How did it happen? When was it?" he asked of Mrs. Baggert, as he held +up his father's head, and noted that the aged man was breathing +slightly. + +"I don't know what happened, Tom," answered the housekeeper, "but I +beard him fall, and ran upstairs, only to find him lying there, just +like that. Then I called you. Hadn't you better have a doctor?" + +"Yes; we'll need one at once. Send Eradicate Tell him to run--not to +wait for his mule--Boomerang is too slow. Oh, no! The telephone, of +course! Why didn't I think of that at first? Please telephone for Dr. +Gladby, Mrs. Baggert. Ask him to come as soon as possible, and then tell +Garret Jackson to step here. I'll have him help me get father into bed." + +The housekeeper hastened to the instrument, and was soon in +communication with the physician, who promised to call at once. The +engineer was summoned from another part of the house, and then Eradicate +was aroused. + +Mrs. Baggert had the colored man help her get some kettles of hot water +in readiness for possible use by the doctor. Mr. Jackson aided Tom to +lift Mr. Swift up on the bed, and they got off some of his clothes. + +"I'll try to see if I can revive him with a little aromatic spirits of +ammonia," decided Tom, as he noticed that his father was still +unconscious. He hastened to prepare the strong spirits, while he was +conscious of a feeling of fear and alarm, mingled with sadness. + +Suppose his father should die? Tom could not bear to think of that. He +would be left all alone, and how much he would miss the companionship +and comradeship of his father none but himself knew. + +"Oh! but I mustn't think he's going to die!" exclaimed the youth, as he +mixed the medicine. + +Mr. Swift feebly opened his eyes after Tom and Mr. Jackson had succeeded +in forcing some of the ammonia between his lips. + +"Where am I? What happened?" asked the aged inventor faintly. + +"We don't know, exactly," spoke Tom softly. "You are ill, father. I've +sent for the doctor. He'll fix you up. He'll be here soon." + +"Yes, I'm--I'm ill," murmured the aged man. "Something hurts me--here," +and he put his hand over his heart. + +Tom felt a nameless sense of fear. He wished now that he had insisted on +his parent consulting a physician some time before, when Mr. Swift first +complained of a minor ailment. Perhaps now it was too late. + +"Oh! when will that doctor come?" murmured Tom impatiently. + +Mrs. Baggert, who was nervously going in and out of the room, again went +to the telephone. + +"He's on his way," the housekeeper reported. "His wife said he just +started out in his auto." + +Dr. Gladby hurried into the room a little later, and cast a quick look +at Mr. Swift, who had again lapsed into unconsciousness. + +"Do you think he--think he's going to die?" faltered Tom. He was no +longer the self-reliant young inventor. He could meet danger bravely +when it threatened himself alone, but when his father was stricken he +seemed to lose all courage. + +"Die? Nonsense!" exclaimed the doctor heartily. "He's not dead yet, at +all events, and while there's life there's hope. I'll soon have him out +of this spell." + +It was some little time, however, before Mr. Swift again opened his +eyes, but he seemed to gain strength from the remedies which Dr. Gladby +administered, and in about an hour the inventor could sit up. + +"But you must be careful," cautioned the physician. "Don't overdo +yourself. I'll be in again in the morning, and now I'll leave you some +medicine, to be taken every two hours." + +"Oh, I feel much better," said Mr. Swift, and his voice certainly seemed +Stronger. "I can't imagine what happened. I came upstairs, after Tom had +received a visit from the minister, and that's all I remember." + +"The minister, father!" exclaimed Tom, in great amazement. "The minister +wasn't here this evening! That was Mr. Gunmore, the aviation secretary. +Don't you remember?" + +"I don't remember any gentleman like that calling here to-night," Mr. +Swift said blankly. "It was the minister, I'm sure, Tom." + +"The minister was here last night, Mr. Swift," said the housekeeper. + +"Was he? Why, it seems like to-night. And I came upstairs after talking +to him, and then it all got black, and--and--" + +"There, now; don't try to think," advised the doctor. "You'll be all +right in the morning." + +"But I can't remember anything about that aviation man," protested Mr. +Swift. "I never used to be that way--forgetting things. I don't like +it!" + +"Oh, it's just because you're tired," declared the physician. "It will +all come back to you in the morning. I'll stop in and see you then. Now +try to go to sleep." And he left the room. + +Tom followed him, Mrs. Baggert and Mr. Jackson remaining with the sick +man. + +"What is the matter with my father, Dr. Gladby?" asked Tom earnestly, as +the doctor prepared to take his departure. "Is it anything serious?" + +"Well," began the medical man, "I would not be doing my duty, Tom, if I +did not tell you what it is. That is, it is comparatively serious, but +it is curable, and I think we can bring him around. He has an affection +of the heart, that, while it is common enough, is sometimes fatal. + +"But I do not think it will be so in your father's case. He has a fine +constitution, and this would never have happened had he not been run +down from overwork. That is the principal trouble. What he needs is +rest; and then, with the proper remedies, he will be as well as before." + +"But that strange lapse of memory, doctor?" + +"Oh, that is nothing. It is due to the fact that he has been using his +brain too much. The brain protests, and refuses to work until rested. +Your father has been working rather hard of late hasn't he?" + +"Yes; on a new wireless motor." + +"I thought so. Well, a good rest is what he needs, and then his mind and +body will be in tune again. I'll be around in the morning." + +Tom was somewhat relieved by the doctor's words, but not very much so, +and he spent an anxious night, getting up every two hours to administer +the medicine. Toward morning Mr. Swift fell into a heavy sleep, and did +not awaken for some time. + +"Oh, you're much better!" declared Dr. Gladby when he saw his patient +that day. + +"Yes, I feel better," admitted Mr. Swift. + +"And can't you remember about Mr. Gunmore calling?" asked Tom. + +The aged inventor shook his head, with a puzzled air. + +"I can't remember it at all," he said. "The minister is the last person +I remember calling here." + +Tom looked worried, but the physician said it was a common feature of +the disease from which Mr. Swift suffered, and would doubtless pass +away. + +"And you don't remember how we talked about me building a speedy +aeroplane and trying for the ten-thousand-dollar prize?" asked Tom. + +"I can't remember a thing about it," said the inventor, with a puzzled +shake of his head, "and I'm not going to try, at least not right away. +But, Tom, if you're going to build a new aeroplane, I want to help you. +I'll give you the benefit of my advice. I think my new form of motor can +be used in it." + +"Now! now! No inventions--at least not just yet!" objected the +physician. "You must have a good rest first, Mr. Swift, and get strong. +Then you and Tom can build as many airships as you like." + +Mr. Swift felt so much better about three days later that he wanted to +get right to work planning the airship that was to win the big prize, +but the doctor would not hear of it. Tom, however, began to make rough +sketches of what he had in mind changing them from time to time, He also +worked on a type of motor, very light, and modeled after one his father +had recently patented. + +Then a new idea came to Tom in regard to the shape of his aeroplane, and +he worked several days drawing the plans for it. It was a new idea in +construction, and he believed it would give him the great speed he +desired. + +"But I'd like dad to see it," he said. "As soon as he's well enough I'll +go over it with him." + +That time came a week later, and with a complete set of the plans, +embodying his latest ideas, Tom went into the library where his father +was seated in an easy-chair. Dr. Gladby had said it would not now harm +the aged inventor to do a little work. Tom spread the drawings out in +front of his father, and began to explain them in detail. + +"I really think you have something great there, Tom!" exclaimed Mr. +Swift, at length. "It is a very small monoplane, to be sure, but I think +with the new principle you have introduced it will work; but, if I were +you, I'd shape those wing tips a little differently." + +"No, they're better that way," said Tom pleasantly, for he did not often +disagree with his father. "I'll show you from a little model I have +made. I'll get it right away." + +Anxious to demonstrate that he was right in his theory, Tom hurried from +the library to get the model of which he had spoken. He left the roll of +plans lying on a small table near where his father was seated. + +"There, you see, dad," said the young inventor as he re-entered the +library a few minutes later, "when you warp the wing tips in making a +spiral ascent it throws your tail wings out of plumb, and so--" + +Tom paused in some amazement, for Mr. Swift was lying back in his chair, +with his eyes closed. The lad started in alarm, laid aside his model, +and sprang to his father's side. + +"He's had another of those heart attacks!" gasped Tom. He was just going +to call Mrs. Baggert, when Mr. Swift opened his eyes. He looked at Tom, +and the lad could see that they were bright, and did not show any signs +of illness. + +"Well, I declare!" exclaimed the inventor. "I must have dozed off, Tom, +while you were gone. That's what I did. I fell asleep!" + +"Oh!" said Tom, much relieved. "I was afraid you were ill again. Now, in +this model, as you will see by the plans, it is necessary--" + +He paused, and looked over at the table where he had left the drawings. +They were not there! + +"The plans, father!" Tom exclaimed. "The plans I left on the table! +Where are they?" + +"I haven't touched them," was the answer. "They were on that table, +where you put them, when I closed my eyes for a little nap. I forgot all +about them. Are you sure they're missing?" + +"They're not here!" And Tom gazed wildly about the room. "Where can they +have gone?" + +"I wasn't out of my chair," said Mr. Swift, "I ought not to have gone to +sleep, but--" + +Tom fairly jumped toward the long library window, the same one from +which he had leaped to pursue Andy Foger. The casement was open, and Tom +noted that the screen was also unhooked, It had been closed when he went +to get the model, he was sure of that. + +"Look, dad! See!" he exclaimed, as he picked up from the floor a small +piece of paper. + +"What is it, Tom?" + +"A sheet on which I did some figuring. It is no good, but it was in with +the plans. It must have dropped out." + +"Do you mean that some one has been in here and taken the plans of your +new aeroplane, Tom?" gasped his father. + +"That's just what I mean! They sneaked in here while you were dozing, +took the plans, and jumped out of the window with them. On the way this +paper fell out. It's the only clue we have. Stay here, dad. I'm going to +have a look." And Tom jumped from the library window and ran down the +path after the unknown thief. + + + + +Chapter Four + +Anxious Days + + +Peering on all sides as he dashed along the gravel walk, hoping to catch +a glimpse of the unknown intruder in the garden or shrubbery, Tom +sprinted on at top speed. Now and then he paused to listen, but no sound +came to him to tell of some one in retreat before him. There was only +Silence. + +"Mighty queer," mused the youth. "Whoever it was, he couldn't have had +more than a minute start of me--no, not even half a minute--and yet +they've disappeared as completely as though the ground had opened and +let them down; and the worst of it is, that they've taken my plans with +them!" + +He turned about and retraced his steps, making a careful search. He saw +no one, until, turning a corner, a little later, he met Eradicate +Sampson. + +"You haven't seen any strangers around here just now, have you, Rad?" +asked Tom anxiously. + +"No, indeedy, I hasn't, Massa Tom. What fo' kind ob a stranger was him?" + +"That's just what I don't know. Rad. But some one sneaked into the +library lust now and took some of my plans while my father dozed off. I +jumped out after him as soon as I could, but he has disappeared." + +"Maybe it were th' man who done stowed hisself away on yo' airship, de +time yo' all went after de diamonds," suggested the colored man. + +"No, it couldn't have been him. If it was anybody, it was Andy Foger, or +some of his crowd. You didn't see Andy, did you, Rad?" + +"No, indeedy; but if I do, I suah will turn mah mule, Boomerang, loose +on him, an' he won't take any mo' plans--not right off, Massa Tom." + +"No, I guess not. Well, I must get back to dad, or he'll worry. Keep +your eyes open, Rad, and if you see Andy Foger, or any one else, around +here, let me know. Just sing out for all you're worth." + +"Shall I call out, Massa Tom, ef I sees dat blessin' man?" + +"You mean Mr. Damon?" + +"Dat's de one. De gen'man what's allers a-blessin' ob hisself or his +shoelaces, or suffin laik dat. Shall I sing out ef I sees him?" + +"Well, no; not exactly, Rad. Just show Mr. Damon up to the house. I'd be +glad to see him again, though I don't fancy he'll call. He's off on a +little trip, and won't be back for a week. But watch out, Rad." And with +that Tom turned toward the house, shaking his head over the puzzle of +the missing plans. + +"Did you find any one?" asked his father eagerly as the young inventor +entered the library. + +"No," was the gloomy answer. "There wasn't a sign of any one." + +Tom went over to the window and looked about for clues. There was none +that he could see, and a further examination of the ground under the +window disclosed nothing. There was gravel beneath the casement, and +this was not the best medium for retaining footprints. Nor were the +gravel walks any better. + +"Not a sign of any one," murmured Tom. "Are you sure you didn't hear any +noise, dad, when you dozed off?" + +"Not a sound, Tom. In fact, it's rather unusual for me to go to sleep +like that, but I suppose it's because of my illness. But I couldn't have +been asleep long--not more than two minutes." + +"That's what I think. Yet in that time someone, who must have been on +the watch, managed to get in here and take my plans for the new sky +racer. I don't see how they got the wire screen open from the outside, +though. It fastens with a strong hook." + +"And was the screen open?" asked Mr. Swift + +"Yes, it was unhooked. Either they pushed a wire in through the mesh, +caught it under the hook, and pulled it up from the outside, or else the +screen was opened from the inside." + +"I don't believe they could get inside to open the screen without some +of us seeing them," spoke the older inventor. "More likely, Tom, it +wasn't hooked, and they found it an easy matter to simply pull it open." + +"That's possible. I'll ask Mrs. Baggert if the screen was unhooked." + +But the housekeeper could not be certain on that point, and so that part +of the investigation amounted to nothing. + +"It's too bad!" exclaimed Mr. Swift. "It's my fault, for dozing off that +way." + +"No, indeed, it isn't!" declared Tom stoutly. + +"Is the loss a serious one?" asked his father. "Have you no copy of the +plans?" + +"Yes, I have a rough draft from which I made the completed drawings, and +I can easily make another set. But that isn't what worries me--the mere +loss of the plans." + +"What is it, then, Tom?" + +"The fact that whoever took them must know what they are the plans for a +sky racer that is to take part in the big meet. I have worked it out on +a new principle, and it is not yet patented. Whoever stole my plans can +make the same kind of a sky racer that I intended to construct, and so +stand as good a chance to win the prize of ten thousand dollars as I +will." + +"That certainly is too bad, Tom. I never thought of that. Do you suspect +any one?" + +"No one, unless it's Andy Foger. He's mean enough to do a thing like +that, but I didn't think he'd have the nerve. However, I'll see if I can +learn anything about him. He may have been sneaking around, and if he +has my plans he'd ask nothing better than to make a sky racer and beat +me." + +"Oh, Tom, I'm so sorry!" exclaimed Mr. Swift "I--I feel very bad about +it!" + +"There, never mind!" spoke the lad, seeing that his father was looking +ill again. "Don't think any more about it, dad. I'll get back those +plans. Come, now. It's time for your medicine, and then you must lie +down." For the aged inventor was looking tired and weak. + +Wearily he let Tom lead him to his room, and after seeing that the +invalid was comfortable Tom called up Dr. Gladby, to have him come and +see Mr. Swift. The doctor said his patient had been overdoing himself a +little, and must rest more if he was to completely recover. + +Learning that his father was no worse, Tom set off to find Andy Foger. + +"I can't rest until I know whether or not he has my plans," he said to +himself. "I don't want to make a speedy aeroplane, and find out at the +last minute that Andy, or some of his cronies, have duplicated it." + +But Tom got little satisfaction from Andy Foger. When that bully was +accused of having been around Tom's house he denied it, and though the +young inventor did not actually accuse him of taking the plans, he +hinted at it. Andy muttered many indignant negatives, and called on some +of his cronies to witness that at the time the plans were taken he and +they were some distance from the Swift home. + +So Tom was baffled; and though he did not believe the red-haired lad's +denial, there was no way in which he could prove to the contrary. + +"If he didn't take the plans, who did?" mused Tom. + +As the young inventor turned away after cross-questioning Andy, the +bully called out: + +"You'll never win that ten thousand dollars!" + +"What do you know about that?" demanded Tom quickly. + +"Oh, I know," sneered Andy. "There'll be bigger and better aeroplanes in +that meet than you can make, and you'll never win the prize." + +"I suppose you heard about the affair by sneaking around under our +windows, and listening," said Tom. + +"Never mind how I know it, but I do," retorted the bully. + +"Well, I'll tell you one thing," said Tom calmly. "If you come around +again it won't be healthy for you. Look out for live wires, if you try +to do the listening act any more, Andy!" And with that ominous warning +Tom turned away. + +"What do you suppose he means, Andy?" asked Pete Bailey, one of Andy's +cronies. + +"It means he's got electrical wires strung around his place," declared +Sam Snedecker, "and that we'll be shocked if we go up there. I'm not +going!" + +"Me, either," added Pete, and Andy laughed uneasily. + +Tom heard what they said, and in the next few days he made himself busy +by putting some heavy wires in and about the grounds where they would +show best. But the wires carried no current, and were only displayed to +impress a sense of fear on Andy and his cronies, which purpose they +served well. + +But it was like locking the stable door after the horse had been stolen, +for with all the precautions he could take Tom could not get back his +plans, and he spent many anxious days seeking them. They seemed to have +completely disappeared, however, and the young inventor decided there +was nothing else to do but to draw new ones. + +He set to work on them, and in the meanwhile tried to learn whether or +not Andy had the missing plans. He sought this information by stealth, +and was aided by his chum, Ned Newton. But all to no purpose. Not the +slightest trace or clue was discovered. + + + + +Chapter Five + +Building the Sky Racer + + +"What will you do, if, after you have your little monoplane all +constructed, and get ready to race, you find that some one else has one +exactly like it at the meet?" asked Ned Newton one day, when he and Tom +were out in the big workshop, talking things over. "What will you do, +Tom?" + +"I don't see that there is anything I can do. I'll go on to the meet, of +course, and trust to some improvements I have since brought out, and to +what I know about aeroplanes, to help me win the race. I'll know, too, +who stole my plans." + +"But it will be too late, then." + +"Yes, too late, perhaps, to stop them from using the drawings, hot not +too late to punish them for the theft. It's a great mystery, and I'll be +on the anxious seat all the while. But it can't be helped." + +"When are you going to start work on the sky racer?" + +"Pretty soon, now. I've got another set of plans made, and I've fixed +them so that if they are stolen it won't do any one any good." + +"How's that?" + +"I've put in a whole lot of wrong figures and measurements, and scores +of lines and curves that mean nothing. I have marked the right figures +and lines by a secret mark, and when I work on them I'll use only the +proper ones. But any one else wouldn't know this. Oh, I'll fool 'em this +time!" + +"I hope you do. Well, when you get the machine done I'd like to ride in +it. Will it carry two, as your Butterfly does?" + +"Yes, only it will be much different; and, of course, it will go much +faster. I'll give you a ride, all right, Ned. Well, now I must get busy +and see what material I need for what I hope will prove to be the +speediest aeroplane in the world." + +"That's going some! I must be leaving now. Don't forget your promise. I +saw Mary Nestor on my way over here. She was asking for you. She said +you must be very busy, for she hadn't seen you in some time." + +"Um!" was all Tom answered, but by the blush that mounted to his face it +was evident that he was more interested in Mary Nestor than his mere +exclamation indicated. + +When Ned had gone Tom got out pencil and paper, and was busily engaged +in making some intricate calculations. He drew odd little sketches on +the margin of the sheet, and then wrote out a list of the things he +would need to construct the new aeroplane. + +This finished, he went to Mr. Jackson, the engineer, and asked him to +get the various things together, and to have them put in the special +shop where Tom did most of his work. + +"I want to get the machine together as soon as I can," he remarked to +the engineer, "for it will need to be given a good tryout before I enter +in the race, and I may find that I'll have to make several changes in +it." + +Mr. Jackson promised to attend to the matter right away, and then Tom +went in to talk to his father about the motor that was to whirl the +propeller of the new air craft. + +Mr. Swift had improved very much in the past few days, and though Dr. +Gladby said he was far from being well, the physician declared there was +no reason why he should not do some inventive work. + +He and Tom were deep in an argument of gasoline motors, discussing the +best manner of attaching the fins to the cylinders to make them +air-cooled, when a voice sounded outside, the voice of Eradicate: + +"Heah! Whar yo' goin'?" demanded the colored man. "Whar yo' goin'?" + +"Somebody's out in the garden!" exclaimed Tom, jumping up suddenly. + +"Perhaps it's the same person who took the plans!" suggested Mr. Swift. + +"Hold on, dere!" yelled Eradicate again. + +Then a voice replied: + +"Bless my insurance policy! What's the matter? Have there been burglars +around? Why all these precautions? Bless my steam heater! Don't you know +me?" + +"Mr. Damon!" cried Tom, a look of pleasure coming over his face. "Mr. +Damon is coming!" + +"So I should judge," responded Mr. Swift, with a smile. "I wonder why +Eradicate didn't recognize him?" + +They learned why a moment later, for on looking from the library window, +Tom saw the colored man coming up the walk behind a well-dressed +gentleman. + +"Why, mah goodness! It's Mr. Damon!" exclaimed Eradicate. "I didn't know +yo', sah, wif dem whiskers on! I didn't, fo' a fac'!" + +"Bless my razor! I suppose it does make a difference," said the +eccentric man. "Yes, my wife thought I'd look better, and more sedate, +with a beard, so I grew one to please her. But I don't like it. A beard +is too warm this kind of weather; eh, Tom?" And Mr. Damon waved his hand +to the young inventor and his father, who stood in the low windows of +the library. "Entirely too warm, bless my finger-nails, yes!" + +"I agree with you!" exclaimed Tom. "Come in! We're glad to see you!" + +"I called to see if you aren't going on another trip to the North Pole, +or somewhere in the Arctic regions," went on Mr. Damon. + +"Why?" inquired Tom. + +"Why, then this heavy beard of mine would come in handy. It would keep +my throat and chin warm." And Mr. Damon ran his hands through his +luxuriant whiskers. + +"No more northern trips right away," said Tom. "I'm about to build a +speedy monoplane, to take part in the big meet at Eagle Park." + +"Oh, yes, I heard about the meet," said Mr. Damon. "I'd like to be in +that." + +"Well, I'm building a machine that will carry two," went on Tom, "and if +you think you can stand a speed of a hundred miles an hour, or better, +I'll let you come with me. There are some races where a passenger is +allowed." + +"Have you got a razor?" asked Mr. Damon suddenly. + +"What for?" inquired Mr. Swift, wondering what the eccentric man was +going to do. + +"Why, bless my shaving soap! I'm going to cut off my beard. If I go in a +monoplane at a hundred miles an hour I don't want to make any more +resistance to the wind than possible, and my whiskers would certainly +hold back Tom's machine. Where's a razor? I'm going to shave at once. My +wife won't mind when I tell her what it's for. Lend me a razor, please, +Tom." + +"Oh, there's plenty of time," explained the lad, with a laugh. "The race +doesn't take place for over two months. But when it does, I think you +would be better off without a beard." + +"I know it," said Mr. Damon simply. "I'll shave before we enter the +contest, Tom. But now tell me all about it." + +Tom did so, relating the story of the theft of the plans. Mr. Damon was +for having Andy arrested at once, but Mr. Swift and his son pointed out +that they had no evidence against him. + +"All we can do," said the young inventor, "is to keep watch on him, and +see if he is building another aeroplane. He has all the facilities, and +he may attempt to get ahead of me. If he enters a sky craft at the meet +I'll be pretty sure that he has made it from my stolen plans." + +"Bless my wing tips!" cried Mr. Damon. "But can't we do anything to stop +him?" + +"I'm afraid not," answered Tom; and then he showed Mr. Damon his +re-drawn plans, and told in detail of how he intended to construct the +new aeroplane. + +The eccentric man remained as the guest of the Swift family that night, +departing for his home the next day, and promising to be on hand as soon +as Tom was ready to test his new craft, which would he in about a month. + +As the days passed, Tom, with the help of his father, whose health was +slightly better, and with the aid of Mr. Jackson, began work on the +speedy little sky racer. + +As you boys are all more or less familiar with aeroplanes, we will not +devote much space to the description of the new one Tom Swift made. We +can describe it in general terms, but there were some features of it +which Tom kept a secret from all save his father. + +Suffice it to say that Tom had decided to build a small air craft of the +single-wing type, known as the monoplane. It was to be a cross between +the Bleriot and the Antoinette, with the general features of both, but +with many changes or improvements. + +The wings were shaped somewhat like those of a humming-bird, which, as +is well known, can, at times, vibrate its wings with such velocity that +the most rapid camera lens cannot quite catch. + +And when it is known that a bullet in flight has been successfully +photographed, the speed of the wings of the humming-bird can be better +appreciated. + +The writer has seen a friend, with a very rapid camera, which was used +to snap automobiles in flight, attempt to take a picture of a +humming-bird. He got the picture, all right, but the plate was blurred, +showing that the wings had moved faster than the lens could throw them +on the sensitive plate. + +Not that Tom intended the wings of his monoplane to vibrate, but he +adopted that style as being the best adapted to allow of rapid flight +through the air; and the young inventor had determined that he would +clip many minutes from the best record yet made. + +The body of his craft, between the forward wings and the rear ones, +where the rudders were located, was shaped like a cigar, with side wings +somewhat like the fin keels of the ocean liner to prevent a rolling +motion. In addition, Tom had an ingenious device to automatically adapt +his monoplane to sudden currents of air that might overturn it, and this +device was one of the points which he kept secret. + +The motor, which was air-cooled, was located forward, and was just above +the heads of the operator and the passenger who sat beside him. The +single propeller, which was ten feet in diameter, gave a minimum thrust +of one thousand pounds at two thousand revolutions per minute. + +This was one feature wherein Tom's craft differed from others. The usual +aeroplane propeller is eight feet in diameter, and gives from four to +five hundred pounds thrust at about one thousand revolutions per minute, +so it can be readily seen wherein Tom had an advantage. + +"But I'm building this for speed," he said to Mr. Jackson, "and I'm +going to get it! We'll make a hundred miles an hour without trouble." + +"I believe you," replied the engineer. "The motor you and your father +have made is a wonder for lightness and power." + +In fact, the whole monoplane was so light and frail as to give one the +idea of a rather large model, instead of a real craft, intended for +service. But a careful inspection showed the great strength it had, for +it was braced and guyed in a new way, and was as rigid as a +steel-trussed bridge. + +"What are you going to call her?" asked Mr. Jackson, about two weeks +after they had started work on the craft, and when it had begun to +assume shape and form. + +"I'm going to name her the Humming-Bird," replied Tom. "She's little, +but oh, my!" + +"And I guess she'll bring home the prize," added the engineer. + +And as the days went by, and Tom, his father and Mr. Jackson continued +to work on the speedy craft, this hope grew in the heart of the young +inventor. But he could not rid himself of worry as to the fate of the +plans that had disappeared. Who had them? Was some one making a machine +like his own from them? Tom wished he knew. + + + + +Chapter Six + +Andy Foger Will Contest + + +One afternoon, as Tom was working away in the shop on his sky racer, +adjusting one of the rear rudders, and pausing now and then to admire +the trim little craft, he heard some one approaching. Looking out +through a small observation peephole made for this purpose, he saw Mrs. +Baggert hurrying toward the building. + +"I wonder what's the matter?" he said aloud, for there was a look of +worriment on the lady's face. Tom threw open the door. "What is it, Mrs. +Baggert?" he called. "Some one up at the house who wants to see me?" + +"No, it's your father!" panted the housekeeper, for she was quite stout. +"He is very ill again, and I can't seem to get Dr. Gladby on the +telephone. Central says he doesn't answer." + +"My father worse!" cried Tom in alarm, dropping his tools and hurrying +from the shop. "Where's Eradicate? Send him for the doctor. Perhaps the +wires are broken. If he can't locate Dr. Gladby, get Dr. Kurtz. We must +have some one. Here, Rad! Where are you?" he called, raising his voice. + +"Heah I be!" answered the colored man, coming from the direction of the +garden, which he had been weeding. + +"Get cut your mule, and go for Dr. Gladby. If he isn't home, get Dr. +Kurtz. Hurry, Rad!" + +"I's mighty sorry, Massa Tom," answered the colored man, "but I cain't +hurry, nohow." + +"Why not?" + +"Because Boomerang done gone lame, an' he won't run. I'll go mahse'f, +but I cain't take dat air mule." + +"Never mind. I'll go in the Butterfly," decided Tom quickly. "I'll run +up to the house and see how dad is, and while I'm gone, Rad, you get out +the Butterfly. I can make the trip in that. If Dr. Kurtz had a 'phone I +could get him, but he lives over on the back road, where there isn't a +line. Hurry, Rad!" + +"Yes, sah, Massa Tom, I'll hurry!" + +The colored man knew how to get the monoplane in shape for a flight, as +he had often done it. + +Tom found his father in no immediate danger, but Mr. Swift had had a +slight recurrence of his heart trouble, and it was thought best to have +a doctor. So Tom started off in his air craft, rising swiftly above the +housetop, and sailed off toward the old-fashioned residence of Dr. +Kurtz, a sturdy, elderly German physician, who sometimes attended Mr. +Swift. Tom decided that as long as Dr. Gladby did not answer his 'phone, +he could not be at home, and this, he learned later, was the case, the +physician being in a distant town on a consultation. + +"My, this Butterfly seems big and clumsy beside my Humming-Bird," mused +Tom as he slid along through the air, now flying high and now low, +merely for practice. "This machine can go, but wait until I have my new +one in the air! Then I'll show 'em what speed is!" + +He was soon at the physician's house, and found him in. + +"Won't you ride back with me in the monoplane?" asked Tom. "I'm anxious +to have you see dad as soon as you can. + +"Vot! Me drust mineself in one ob dem airships? I dinks not!" exclaimed +Dr. Kurtz ponderously. "Vy, I vould not efen ride in an outer-mobile, +yet, so vy should I go in von contrivance vot is efen more dangerous? +No, I gomes to your fader in der carriage, mit mine old Dobbin horse. +Dot vill not drop me to der ground, or run me up a tree, yet! Vot?" + +"Very well," said Tom, "only hurry, please." + +The young inventor, in his airship, reached home some time before the +slow-going doctor got there in his carriage. Mr. Swift was no worse, Tom +was glad to find, though he was evidently quite ill. + +"So, ve must take goot care of him," said the doctor, when he had +examined the patient. "Dr. Gladby he has done much for him, und I can do +little more. You must dake care of yourself, Herr Swift, or you +vill--but den, vot is der use of being gloomy-minded? I am sure you vill +go more easy, und not vork so much." + +"I haven't worked much," replied the aged inventor. "I have only been +helping my son on a new airship." + +"Den dot must stop," insisted the doctor. "You must haf gomplete +rest--dot's it--gomplete rest." + +"We'll do just as you say, doctor," said Tom. "We'll give up the +aeroplane matters, dad, and go away, you and I, where we can t see a +blueprint or a pattern, or hear the sound of machinery. We'll cut it all +out." + +"Dot vould he goot," said Dr. Kurtz ponderously. + +"No, I couldn't think of it," answered Mr. Swift. "I want you to go in +that race, Tom--and win!" + +"But I'll not do it, dad, if you're going to be ill." + +"He is ill now," interrupted the doctor. "Very ill, Dom Swift." + +"That settles it. I don't go in the race. You and I'll go away, dad--to +California, or up in Canada. We'll travel for your health." + +"No! no!" insisted the old inventor gently. "I will be all right. Most +of the work on the monoplane is done now, isn't it, Tom?" + +"Yes, dad." + +"Then you go on, and finish it. You and Mr. Jackson can do it without me +now. I'll take a rest, doctor, but I want my son to enter that race, +and, what's more, I want him to win!" + +"Vell, if you don't vork, dot is all I ask. I must forbid you to do any +more. Mit Dom, dot is different. He is young und strong, und he can +vork. But you--not, Herr Swift, or I doctor you no more." And the +physician shook his big head. + +"Very well. I'll agree to that if Tom will promise to enter the race," +said the inventor. + +"I will," said Tom. + +The physician took his leave shortly after that, the medicine he gave to +Mr. Swift somewhat relieving him. Then the young inventor, who felt in a +little better spirits, went back to his workshop. + +"Poor dad," he mused. "He thinks more of me and this aeroplane than he +does of himself. Well, I will go in the race, and I'll--yes, I'll win!" +And Tom looked very determined. + +He was about to resume work on his craft when something about the way +one of the forward planes was tilted attracted his attention. + +"I never left it that way," mused Tom. "Some one has been in here. I +wonder if it was Mr. Jackson?" + +Tom stepped to the door and called for Eradicate. The colored man came +from the direction of the garden, which he was still weeding. + +"Has Mr. Jackson been around, Rad?" asked the lad. + +"No, sah. I ain't seed him." + +"Have you been in here, looking at the Humming-Bird?" + +"No, Massa Tom. I nebber goes in dere, lessen as how yo' is dere. Dem's +yo' orders." + +"That's so, Rad. I might have known you wouldn't go in. But did you see +any one enter the shop?" + +"Not a pusson, sab." + +"Have you been here all the while?" + +"All but jes' a few minutes, when I went to de barn to put some liniment +on Boomerang's So' foot." + +"H'm! Some one might have slipped in here while I was away," mused Tom. +"I ought to have locked the doors, but I was in a hurry. This thing is +getting on my nerves. I wonder if it's Andy Foger, or some one else, who +is after my secret?" + +He made a hasty examination of the shop, but could discover nothing more +wrong, except that one of the planes of the Humming-Bird had been +shifted. + +"It looks as if they were trying to see how it was fastened on, and how +it worked," mused Tom. "But my plans haven't been touched, and no damage +has been done. Only I don't like to think that people have been in here. +They may have stolen some of my ideas. I must keep this place locked +night and day after this." + +Tom spent a busy week in making improvements on his craft. Mr. Swift was +doing well, and after a consultation by Dr. Kurtz and Dr. Gladby it was +decided to adopt a new style of treatment. In the meanwhile, Mr. Swift +kept his promise, and did no work. He sat in his easy-chair, out in the +garden, and dozed away, while Tom visited him frequently to see if he +needed anything. + +"Poor old dad!" mused the young inventor. "I hope he is well enough to +come and see me try for the ten-thousand-dollar prize--and win it! I +hope I do; but if some one builds, from my stolen plans, a machine on +this model, I'll have my work cut out for me." And he gazed with pride +on the Humming-Bird. + +For the past two weeks Tom had seen nothing of Andy Foger. The +red-haired bully seemed to have dropped out of sight, and even his +cronies, Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey, did not know where he had gone. + +"I hope he has gone for good," said Ned Newton, who lived near Andy. +"He's an infernal nuisance. I wish he'd never come back to Shopton." + +But Andy was destined to come back. + +One day, when Tom was busy installing a wireless apparatus on his new +aeroplane, he heard Eradicate hurrying up the path that led to the shop. + +"I wonder if dad is worse?" thought Tom, that always being his first +idea when he knew a summons was coming for him. Quickly be opened the +door. + +"Some one's comin' out to see you, Massa Tom," said the colored man. + +"Who is it?" asked the lad, taking the precaution to put his precious +plans out of sight. + +"I dunno, sah; but yo' father knows him, an' he said fo' me to come out +heah, ahead ob de gen'man, an' tell yo' he were comin'. He'll be right +heah." + +"Oh, well, if dad knows him, it's all right. Let him come, Rad." + +"Yes, sah. Heah he comes." And the colored man pointed to a figure +advancing down the gravel path. Tom watched the stranger curiously. +There was something familiar about him, and Tom was sure he had met him +before, yet he could not seem to place him. + +"How are you, Tom Swift?" greeted the newcomer pleasantly. "I guess +you've forgotten me, haven't you?" He held out his hand, which Tom took. +"Don't know me, do you?" he went on. + +"Well, I'm afraid I've forgotten your name," admitted the lad, just a +bit embarrassed. "But your face is familiar, somehow, and yet it isn't" + +"I've shaved off my mustache," went on the other. "That makes a +difference. But you haven't forgotten John Sharp, the balloonist, whom +you rescued from Lake Carlopa, and who helped you build the Red Cloud? +You haven't forgotten John Sharp, have you, Tom?" + +"Well, I should say not!" cried the lad heartily. "I'm real glad to see +you. What are you doing around here? Come in. I've got something to show +you," and he motioned to the shop where the Humming-Bird was housed. + +"Oh, I know what it is," said the veteran balloonist. + +"You do?" + +"Yes. It's your new aeroplane. In fact, I came to see you about it." + +"To see me about it?" + +"Yes. I'm one of the committee of arrangements for the meet to be held +at Eagle Park, where I understand you are going to contest. I came to +see how near you were ready, and to get you to make a formal entry of +your machine. Mr. Gunmore sent me." + +"Oh, so you're in with them now, eh?" asked Tom. "Well, I'm glad to know +I've got a friend on the committee. Yes, my machine is getting along +very well. I'll soon be ready for a trial flight. Come in and look at +it. I think it's a bird--a regular Humming-Bird!" And Tom laughed. + +"It certainly is something new," admitted Mr. Sharp as his eyes took in +the details of the trim little craft. "By the way, Shopton is going to +be well represented at the meet." + +"How is that? I thought I was the only one around here to enter an +aeroplane." + +"No. We have just received an entry from Andy Foger." + +"From Andy Foger!" gasped Tom. "Is he going to try to win some of the +prizes?" + +"He's entered for the big one, the ten-thousand-dollar prize," replied +the balloonist. "He has made formal application to be allowed to +compete, and we have to accept any one who applies. Why, do you object +to him, Tom?" + +"Object to him? Mr. Sharp, let me tell you something. Some time ago a +set of plans of my machine here were stolen from my house. I suspected +Andy Foger of taking them, but I could get no proof. Now you say he is +building a machine to compete for the big prize. Do you happen to know +what style it is?" + +"It's a small monoplane, something like the Antoinette, his application +states, though he may change it later." + +"Then he's stolen my ideas, and is making a craft like this!" exclaimed +Tom, as he sank upon a bench, and gazed from the balloonist to the +Humming-Bird, and hack to Mr. Sharp again. "Andy Foger is trying to beat +me with my own machine!" + + + + +Chapter Seven + +Seeking a Clue + + +John Sharp was more than surprised at the effect his piece of +information had on Tom Swift. Though the young inventor had all along +suspected Andy of having the missing plans, yet there had been no +positive evidence on this point. That, coupled with the fact that the +red-haired bully had not been seen in the vicinity of Shopton lately, +had, in a measure, lulled Tom's suspicions to rest, but now his hope had +been rudely shattered. + +"Do you really think that's his game?" asked Mr. Sharp. + +"I'm sure of it," replied the youth. "Though where he is building his +aeroplane I can't imagine, for I haven't seen him in town. He's away." + +"Are you sure of that?" + +"Well, not absolutely sure," replied Tom. "It's the general rumor that +he's out of town." + +"Well, old General Rumor is sometimes a person not to be relied upon," +remarked the balloonist grimly. "Now this is the way I size it up: Of +course, all I know officially is that Andy Foger has sent in an entry +for the big race for the ten-thousand-dollar prize which is offered by +the Eagle Park Aviation Association. I'm a member of the arrangements +committee, and so I know. I also know that you and several others are +going to try for the prize. That's all I am absolutely sure of. + +"Now, when you tell me about the missing plans, and you conclude that +Andy is doing some underhanded work, I agree with you. But I go a step +farther. I don't believe he's out of town at all." + +"Why not?" exclaimed Tom. + +"Because when he has an airship shed right in his own backyard, where, +you tell me, he once made a craft in which he tried to beat you out in +the trip to Alaska, when you think of that, doesn't it seem reasonable +that he'd use that same building in which to make his new craft?" + +"Yes, it does," admitted Tom slowly, "but then everybody says he's out +of town." + +"Well, what everybody says is generally not So. I think you'll find that +Andy is keeping himself in seclusion, and that he's working secretly in +his ship, building a machine with which to beat you." + +"Do you, really?" + +"I certainly do. Have you been around his place lately?" + +"No. I've been too busy; and then I never have much to do with him." + +"Then take my advice, and see if you can't get a look inside that shop. +You may see something that will surprise you. If you find that Andy is +infringing on your patented ideas, you can stop him by an injunction. +You've got this model patented, I take it?" + +"Oh, yes. I didn't have at the time the plans were stolen, but I've +patented it since. I could get at him that way." + +"Then take my advice, and do it. Get a look inside that shed, and you'll +find Andy working secretly there, no matter if his cronies do think he's +out of town." + +"I believe I will," agreed Tom, and somehow he felt better now that he +had decided on a plan of action. He and the balloonist talked over at +some length just the best way to go about it, for the young inventor +recalled the time when he and Ned Newton had endeavored to look into +Andy's shed, with somewhat disastrous results to themselves; but Tom +knew that the matter at stake justified a risk, and he was willing to +take it. + +"Well, now that's settled," said Mr. Sharp, "tell me more about yourself +and your aeroplane. My! To think that the Red Cloud was destroyed! That +was a fine craft." + +"Indeed she was," agreed Tom. "I'm going to make another on similar +lines, some day, but now all my time is occupied with the Humming Bird." + +"She is a hummer, too," complimented Mr. Sharp. "But I almost forgot the +real object of my trip here. There is no doubt about you going in the +race, is there?" + +"I fully expect to," replied Tom. "The only thing that will prevent me +will be--" + +"Don't say you're worried on account of what Andy Foger may do," +interrupted Mr. Sharp. + +"I'm not. I'll attend to Andy, all right. I was going to say that my +father's illness might interfere. He's not well at all. I'm quite +worried about him." + +"Oh, I sincerely hope he'll be all right," remarked the balloonist. "We +want you in this race. In fact, we're going to feature you, as they say +about the actors and story-writers. The committee is planning to do +considerable advertising on the strength of Tom Swift, the well-known +young inventor, being a contestant for the ten-thousand-dollar prize." + +"That's very nice, I'm sure," replied Tom, "and I'm going to do my best. +Perhaps dad will take a turn for the better. He wants me to win as much +as I want to myself. Well, we'll not worry about it, anyhow, until the +time comes. I want to show you some new features of my latest +aeroplane." + +"And I want to see them, Tom. Don't you think you're making a mistake, +though, in equipping it with a wireless outfit?" + +"Why so?" + +"Well, because it will add to the weight, and you want such a small +machine to be as light as possible." + +"Yes, but you see I have a very light engine. That part my father helped +me with. In fact, it is the lightest air-cooled motor made, for the +amount of horsepower it develops, so I can afford to put on the extra +weight of the wireless outfit. I may need to signal when I am flying +along at a hundred miles an hour." + +"That's so. Well, show me some of the other good points. You've +certainly got a wonderful craft here." + +Tom and Mr. Sharp spent some time going over the Humming-Bird and in +talking over old times. The balloonist paid another visit to Mr. Swift, +who was feeling pretty good, and who expressed his pleasure in seeing +his old friend again. + +"Can't you stay for a few days?" asked Tom, when Mr. Sharp was about to +leave. "If you wait long enough you may be able to help me work up the +clues against Andy Foger, and also witness a trial flight of the +Humming-Bird." + +"I'd like to stay, but I can't," was the answer. "The committee will be +anxious for me to get back with my report. Good luck to you. I'll see +you at the time of the race, if not before." + +Tom resolved to get right to work seeking clues against his old enemy, +Andy, but the next day Mr. Swift was not so well, and Tom had to remain +in the house. Then followed several days, during which time it was +necessary to do some important work on his craft, and so a week passed +without any information having been obtained. + +In the meanwhile Tom had made some cautious inquiries, but had learned +nothing about Andy. He had no chance to interview Pete or Sam, the two +cronies, and he did not think it wise to make a bald request for +information at the Foger home. + +Ned Newton could not be of any aid to his friend, as he was kept busy in +the bank night and day, working over a new set of books. + +"I wonder how I can find out what I want to know?" mused Tom one +afternoon, when he had done considerable work on the Humming-Bird. "I +certainly ought to do it soon, so as to be able to stop Andy if he's +infringing on my patents. Yet, I don't see how--" + +His thoughts were interrupted by hearing a voice outside the shop, +exclaiming: + +"Bless my toothpick! I know the way, Eradicate, my good fellow. It isn't +necessary for you to come. As long as Tom Swift is out there, I'll find +him. Bless my horizontal rudder! I'm anxious to see what progress he's +made. I'll find him, if he's about!" + +"Yes, sah, he's right in dere," spoke the colored man. "He's workin' on +dat Dragon Fly of his." Eradicate did not always get his names right. + +"Mr. Damon!" exclaimed Tom in delight, at the sound of his friend's +voice. "I believe he can help me get evidence against Andy Foger. I +wonder I didn't think of it before! The very thing! I'll do it!" + + + + +Chapter Eight + +The Empty Shed + + +"Bless my dark-lantern! Where are you, Tom?" called Mr. Damon as he +entered the dim shed where the somewhat frail-appearing aeroplane loomed +up in the semi-darkness, for it was afternoon, and rather cloudy. "Where +are you?" + +"Here!" called the young inventor. "I'm glad to see you! Come in!" + +"Ah! there it is, eh?" exclaimed the odd man, as he looked at the +aeroplane, for there had been much work done on it since he had last +seen it. "Bless my parachute, Tom! But it looks as though you could blow +it over." + +"It's stronger than it seems," replied the lad. "But, Mr. Damon, I've +got something very important to talk to you about." + +Thereupon Tom told all about Mr. Sharp's visit, of Andy's entry in the +big race, and of the suspicions of himself and the balloonist. + +"And what is it you wish me to do?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"Work up some clues against Andy Foger." + +"Good! I'll do it! I'd like to get ahead of that bully and his father, +who once tried to wreck the bank I'm interested in. I'll help you, Tom! +I'll play detective! Let me see--what disguise shall I assume? I think +I'll take the part of a tramp. Bless my ham sandwich! That will be the +very thing. I'll get some ragged clothes, let my beard grow again--you +see I shaved it off since my last visit--and I'll go around to the Foger +place and ask for work. Then I can get inside the shed and look around. +How's that for a plan?" + +"It might be all right," agreed Tom, "only I don't believe you're cut +out for the part of a tramp, Mr. Damon." + +"Bless my fingernails! Why not?" + +"Oh, well, it isn't very pleasant to go around in ragged clothes." + +"Don't mind about me. I'll do it." And the odd gentleman seemed quite +delighted at the idea. He and Tom talked it over at some length, and +then adjourned to the house, where Mr. Swift, who had seemed to improve +in the last few days, was told of the plan. + +"Couldn't you go around after evidence just as you are?" asked the aged +inventor. "I don't much care for this disguising business." + +"Oh, it's very necessary," insisted Mr. Damon earnestly. "Bless my +gizzard! but it's very necessary. Why, if I went around the Foger place +as I am now, they'd know me in a minute, and I couldn't find out what I +want to know." + +"Well, if you keep on blessing yourself," said Tom, with a laugh, +"they'll know you, no matter what disguise you put on, Mr. Damon." + +"That's so," admitted the eccentric gentleman. "I must break myself of +that habit. I will. Bless my topknot! I'll never do it any more. Bless +my trousers buttons!" + +"I'm afraid you'll never do it!" exclaimed Tom. + +"It is rather hard," said Mr. Damon ruefully, as he realized what he had +said. "But I'll do it. Bless--" + +He paused a moment, looked at Tom and his father, and then burst into a +laugh. The habit was more firmly fastened on him than he was aware. + +For several hours Tom, his father and Mr. Damon discussed various +methods of proceeding, and it was finally agreed that Mr. Damon should +first try to learn what Andy was doing, if anything, without resorting +to a disguise. + +"Then, if that doesn't work, I'll become a tramp," was the decision of +the odd character. "I'll wear the raggedest clothes I can find Bless--" +But he stopped in time. + +Mr. Damon took up his residence in the Swift household, as he had often +done before, and for the next week he went and came as he pleased, +sometimes being away all night. + +"It's no use, though," declared Mr. Damon at the end of the week. "I +can't get anywhere near that shed, nor even get a glimpse inside of it. +I haven't been able to learn anything, either'. There are two gardeners +on guard all the while, and several times when I've tried to go in the +side gate, they've stopped me." + +"Isn't there any news of Andy about town?" asked Tom. "I should think +Sam or Pete would know where he is." + +"Well, I didn't ask them, for they'd know right away why I was +inquiring," said Mr. Damon, "but it seems to me as if there was +something queer going on. If Andy Foger is working in that shed of his, +he's keeping mighty quiet about it. Bless my--" + +And once more he stopped in time. He was conquering the habit in a +measure. + +"Well, what do you propose to do next?" asked Tom. + +"Disguise myself like a tramp, and go there looking for work," was the +firm answer. "There are plenty of odd jobs on a big place such as the +Foger family have. I'll find out what I want to know, you see." + +It seemed useless to further combat this resolution, and, in a few days +Mr. Damon presented a very different appearance. He had on a most ragged +suit, there was a scrubby beard on his face, and he walked with a +curious shuffle, caused by a pair of big, heavy shoes which he had +donned, first having taken the precaution to make holes in them and get +them muddy. + +"Now I'm all ready," he said to Tom one day, when his disguise was +complete. "I'm going over and try my luck." + +He left the house by a side door, so that no one would see him, and +started down the walk. As he did so a voice shouted: + +"Hi, there! Git right out oh heah! Mistah Swift doan't allow no tramps +heah, an' we ain't got no wuk fo' yo', an' there ain't no cold victuals. +I does all de wuk, me an' mah mule Boomerang, an' we takes all de cold +victuals, too! Git right along, now!" + +"It's Eradicate. He doesn't know you," said Tom, with a chuckle. + +"So much the better," whispered Mr. Damon. But the disguise proved +almost too much of a success, for seeing the supposed tramp lingering +near the house, Eradicate caught up a stout stick and rushed forward. He +was about to strike the ragged man, when Tom called out: + +"That's Mr. Damon, Rad!" + +"Wh--what!" gasped the colored man; and when the situation had been +explained to him, and the necessity for silence impressed upon him, he +turned away, too surprised to utter a word. He sought consolation in the +stable with his mule. + +Just what methods Mr. Damon used he never disclosed, but one thing is +certain: That night there came a cautious knock on the door of the Swift +home, and Tom, answering it, beheld his odd friend. + +"Well," he asked eagerly, "what luck?" + +"Put on a suit of old clothes, and come with me," said Mr. Damon. "We'll +look like two tramps, and then, if we're discovered, they won't know it +was you." + +"Have you found out anything?" asked Tom eagerly. + +"Not yet; but I've got a key to one of the side doors of the shed, and +we can get in as soon as it's late enough so that everybody there will +be in bed." + +"A key? How did you get it?" inquired the youth. + +"Never mind," was the answer, with a chuckle. "That was because of my +disguise; and I haven't blessed anything to-day. I'm going to, soon, +though. I can feel it coming on. But hurry, Tom, or we may be too late." + +"And you haven't had a look inside the shed?" asked the young inventor. +"You don't know what's there?" + +"No; but we soon will." + +Eagerly Tom put on tome of the oldest and most ragged garments he could +find, and then he and the odd gentleman set off toward the Foger home. +They waited some time after getting in sight of it, because they saw a +light in one of the windows. Then, when the house was dark, they stole +cautiously forward toward the big, gloomy shed. + +"On this side," directed Mr. Damon in a whisper. "The key I have opens +this door." + +"But we can't see when we get inside," objected Tom. "I should have +brought a dark lantern." + +"I have one of those pocket electric flashlights," said Mr. Damon. +"Bless my candlestick! but I thought of that." And he chuckled +gleefully. + +Cautiously they advanced in the darkness. Mr. Damon fumbled at the lock +of the door. The key grated as he turned it. The portal swung back, and +Tom and his friend found themselves inside the shed which, of late, had +been such an object of worry and conjecture to the young inventor. What +would he find there? + +"Flash the light," he called to Mr. Damon in a hoarse whisper. + +The eccentric man drew it from his packet He pressed the spring switch, +and in an instant a brilliant shaft of radiance shot out, cutting the +intense blackness like a knife. Mr. Damon flashed it on all sides. + +But to the amazement of Tom and his companion, it did not illuminate the +broad white wings and stretches of canvas of an aeroplane It only shone +on the bare walls of the shed, and on some piles of rubbish in the +corners. Up and down, to right and left, shot the pencil of light. +"There's--there's nothing here!" gasped Tom, + +"I--I guess you're right!" agreed Mr. Damon "The shed is empty!" + +"Then where is Andy Foger building his aeroplane?" asked Tom in a +whisper; but Mr. Damon could not answer him. + + + + +Chapter Nine + +A Trial Flight + + +For a few moments after their exclamations of surprise Tom and Mr. Damon +did not know what else to say. They stared about in amazement, hardly +able to believe that the shed could be empty. They had expected to see +some form of aeroplane in it, and Tom was almost sure his eyes would +meet a reproduction of his Humming Bird, made from the stolen plans. + +"Can it be possible there's nothing here?" went on Tom, after a long +pause. He could not seem to believe it. + +"Evidently not," answered Mr. Damon, as he advanced toward the center of +the big building and flashed the light on all sides. "You can see for +yourself." + +"Or, rather, you can't see," spoke the youth. "It isn't here, that's +sure. You can't stick an aeroplane, even as small a one as my Humming +Bird, in a corner. No; it isn't here," + +"Well, we'll have to look further," went on Mr. Damon. "I think--" + +But a sudden noise near the big main doors of the shed interrupted him. + +"Come on!" exclaimed Tom in a whisper. "Some one's coming! They may see +us! Let's get out!" + +Mr. Damon released the pressure on the spring switch, and the light went +out. After waiting a moment to let their eyes become accustomed to the +darkness, he and Tom stole to the door by which they had entered. As +they swung it cautiously open they again heard the noise near the main +portals by which Andy had formerly taken in and out the Anthony, as he +had named the aeroplane in which he and his father went to Alaska, +where, like Tom's craft, it was wrecked. + +"Some one is coming in!" whispered Tom. + +Hardly had he spoken when a light shone in the direction of the sound. +The illumination came from a big lantern of the ordinary kind, carried +by some one who had just entered the shed. + +"Can you see who it is?" whispered Mr. Damon, peering eagerly forward; +too eagerly, for his foot struck against the wooden side wall with a +loud hang. + +"Who's there?" suddenly demanded the person carrying the lantern. + +He raised it high above his head, in order to cast the gleams into all +the distant corners. As he did so a ray of light fell upon his face. +"Andy Foger!" gasped Tom in a hoarse whisper. + +Andy must have heard, for he ran forward just as Tom and Mr. Damon +slipped out. + +"Hold on! Who are you?" came in the unmistakable tones of the red-haired +bully. + +"I don't think we're going to tell," chuckled Tom softly, as he and his +friend sped off into the darkness. They were not followed, and as they +looked back they could see a light bobbing about in the shed. + +"He's looking for us!" exclaimed Mr. Damon with an inward laugh. "Bless +my watch chain! But it's a good thing we got in ahead of him. Are you +sure it was Andy himself?" + +"Sure! I'd know his face anywhere. But I can't understand it. Where has +he been? What is he doing? Where is he building his aeroplane? I thought +he was out of town." + +"He may have come back to-night," said Mr. Damon. "That's the only one +of your questions I can answer. We'll have to wait about the rest, I'm +sure he wasn't around the house to-day, though, for I was working at +weeding the flower beds, in my disguise as a tramp, and if he was home +I'd have seen him. He must have just come back, and he went out to his +shed to get something. Well, we did the best we could." + +"Indeed we did," agreed Tom, "and I'm ever so much obliged to you, Mr. +Damon." + +"And we'll try again, when we get more clues. Bless my shoelaces! but +it's a relief to be able to talk as you like." + +And forthwith the eccentric man began to call down so many blessings on +himself and on his belongings, no less than on his friends, that Tom +laughingly warned him that he had better save some for another time. + +The two reached home safely, removed their "disguises," and told Mr. +Swift of the result of their trip. He agreed with them that there was a +mystery about Andy's aeroplane which was yet to be solved. + +But Tom was glad to find that, at any rate, the craft was not being made +in Shopton, and during the next two weeks he devoted all his time to +finishing his own machine. Mr. Jackson was a valuable assistant, and Mr. +Damon gave what aid he could. + +"Well, I think I'll be ready for a trial flight in another week," said +Tom one day, as he stepped back to get a view of the almost completed +Humming-Bird. + +"Shall you want a passenger?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"Yes, I wish you would take a chance with me. I could use a bag of sand, +not that I mean you are to be compared to that," added Tom quickly, "but +I'd rather have a real person, in order to test the balancing apparatus. +Yes, we'll make a trial trip together." + +In the following few days Tom went carefully over the aeroplane, making +some slight changes, strengthening it here and there, and testing the +motor thoroughly. It seemed to work perfectly. + +At length the day of the trial came, and the Humming-Bird was wheeled +out of the shed. In spite of the fact that it was practically finished, +there yet remained much to do on it. It was not painted or decorated, +and looked rather crude. But what Tom wanted to know was how it would +fly, what control he had over it, what speed it could make, and how it +balanced. For it was, at best, very frail, and the least change in +equilibrium might be fatal. + +Before taking his place in the operator's seat Tom started the motor, +and by means of a spring balance tested the thrust of the propellers. It +was satisfactory, though he knew that when the engine had been run for +some time, and had warmed up, it would do much better. + +"All ready, I guess, Mr. Damon!" he called, and the odd gentleman took +his place. Tom got up into his own seat, in front of several wheels and +levers by which he operated the craft. + +"Start the propeller!" he requested of Mr. Jackson, and soon the motor +was spitting fire, while the big, fan-like blades were whirring around +like wings of light. The engineer and Eradicate were holding back the +Humming-Bird. + +"Let her go!" cried Tom as he turned on more gasoline and further +advanced the spark of the motor. The roar increased, the propeller +looked like a solid circle of wood, and the trim little monoplane moved +slowly across the rising ground, increasing its speed every second, +until, like some graceful bird, it suddenly rose in the air as Tom +tilted the wing tips, and soared splendidly aloft! + + + + +Chapter Ten + +A Midnight Intruder + + +Tom Swift sent his wonderful little craft upward on a gentle slant. +Higher and higher it rose above the ground. Now it topped the trees; now +it was well over them. + +On the earth below stood Mr. Swift, Mr. Jack son, Eradicate and Mrs. +Baggert. They were the only witnesses of the trial flight, and as the +aged inventor saw his son's latest design in aeroplanes circling in the +air he gave a cheer of delight. It was too feeble for Tom to hear, but +the lad, glancing down, saw his father waving his hand to him. + +"Dear old dad!" thought Tom, waving in return. "I hope he's well enough +to see me win the big prize." + +Tom and Mr. Damon went skimming easily through the air, at no great +speed, to be sure, for the young inventor did not want to put too sudden +a strain on his motor. + +"This is glorious!" cried the odd gentleman. "I never shall have enough +of aeroplaning, Tom!" + +"Nor I, either," added his companion. "But how do you like it? Don't you +think it's an improvement on my Butterfly, Mr. Damon?" + +"It certainly is. You're a wonder, Tom! Look out! What are you up to?" +for the machine had suddenly swerved in a startling manner. + +"Oh, that's just a new kind of spiral dip I was trying," answered Tom. +"I couldn't do that with my other machine, for I couldn't turn sharp +enough." + +"Well, don't do it right away again," begged Mr. Damon, who had turned a +little white, and whose breath was coming in gasps, even though he was +used to hair-raising stunts in the frail craft of the air. + +Tom did not take his machine far away, for he did not want to exhibit it +to the public yet, and he preferred to remain in the vicinity of his +home, in case of any accident. So he circled around, did figures of +eight, went up and down on long slants, took sharp turns, and gave the +craft a good tryout. + +"Does it satisfy you?" asked Mr. Damon, when Tom had once more made the +spiral dip, but not at high speed. + +"In a way, yes," was the answer. "I see a chance for several changes and +improvements. Of course, I know nothing about the speed yet, and that's +something that I'm anxious about, for I built this with the idea of +breaking all records, and nothing else. I know, now, that I can +construct a craft that will successfully navigate the air; in fact, +there are any number of people who can do that; but to construct a +monoplane that will beat anything ever before made is a different thing. +I don't yet know that I have done it." + +"When will you?" + +"Oh, when I make some changes, get the motor tuned up better, and let +her out for all she's worth. I want to do a hundred miles an hour, at +least. I'll arrange for a speedy flight in about two weeks more." + +"Then I think I will stay home," said Mr. Damon. + +"No; I'll need you," insisted Tom, laughing. "Now watch. I'm going to +let her out just a little." + +He did, with the result that they skimmed through the air so fast that +Mr. Damon's breath became a mere series of gasps. + +"We'll have to wear goggles and mouth protectors when we really go +fast!" yelled Tom above the noise of the motor, as he slowed down and +turned about for home. + +"Go fast! Wasn't that fast?" asked Mr. Damon. + +Tom shook his head. + +"You wait, and you'll see," he announced. + +They made a good landing, and Mr. Swift hastened up to congratulate his +son. + +"I knew you could do it, Tom!" he cried. + +"I couldn't, though, if it hadn't been for that wonderful engine of +yours, dad! How do you feel?" + +"Pretty good. Oh! but that's a fine machine, Tom!" + +"It certainly is," agreed Mr. Jackson. + +"It will be when I have it in better trim," admitted the young inventor +modestly. + +"By golly!" cried Eradicate, who was grinning almost from ear to ear, +"I's proud oh yo', Massa Tom, an' so will mah mule Boomerang be, when I +tells him. Yes, sah, dat's what he will be--proud ob yo', Massa Tom!" + +"Thanks, Rad." + +"Well, some folks is satisfied with mighty little under 'em, when they +go up in the air, that's my opinion," said Mrs. Baggert. + +"Why, wouldn't you ride in this?" asked Tom of the buxom housekeeper. + +"Not if you was to give me ten thousand dollars!" she cried firmly. "Oh, +dear! I think the potatoes are burning!" And she rushed back into the +house. + +The next day Tom started to work overhauling the Humming-Bird, and +making some changes. He altered the wing tips slightly, and adjusted the +motor, until in a thrust test it developed nearly half again as much +power as formerly. + +"And I'll need it all," declared Tom as he thought of the number of +contestants that had entered the great race. + +For the Eagle Park meet was to be a large and important one, and the +principal "bird-men" of the world were to have a part in it. Tom knew +that he must do his very best, and he spared no efforts to make his +monoplane come up to his ideal, which was a very exacting one. + +"We'll have a real speed test to-morrow," Tom announced to Mr. Damon one +night. "I'll see what the Humming-Bird can really do. You'll come, won't +you?" + +"Oh, I suppose so. Bless my insurance policy! I might as well take the +same chance you do. But if you're going to have such a nerve-racking +thing as that on the program, you'd better get to bed early and have +plenty of sleep." + +"Oh, I'm not tired. I think I'll go out this evening." + +"Where?" + +"Oh, just around town, to see some of the fellows." But if Tom was only +going around town merely to see his male friends, why did he dress so +carefully, put on a new necktie, and take several looks in the glass +before he went out? We think you can guess, and also the girl's name. + +The young inventor got in rather late, and after a visit to the +aeroplane shed, to see that all was right there, he went to bed, first +connecting up the burglar-alarm wires that guarded the doors and windows +of the aerodrome. + +How long he had been asleep Tom did not know, but he was suddenly +awakened by hearing the buzzing of the alarm at the head of his bed. At +first he took it for the droning and humming of the aeroplane motor, as +he had a hazy notion, and a sort of dream, that he was in his craft. + +Then, with a start, he realized what it was--the burglar alarm. + +"Some one's in the shed!" he gasped. + +Out of bed he leaped, drawing on his trousers and coat, and putting on a +pair of slippers, with speed worthy of a fireman. He grabbed up a +revolver and rushed from his room, pounding on the door of Mr. Jackson's +apartment in passing. + +"Some one in the shed, after the Humming-Bird!" shouted Tom. "Get a gun, +and come down!" + + + + +Chapter Eleven + +Tom Is Hurt + + +As Tom passed down the hall on his way to the side door, from which he +could more quickly reach the aeroplane shed, he saw his father coming +from his room. + +"What's the matter? What is it?" asked Mr. Swift, and alarm showed on +his pale face. + +"It's nothing much, dad," said the youth, as quietly as he could, for he +realized that to excite his father might have a bad effect on the +invalid. + +"Then why are you in such a hurry? Why have you that revolver? I know +there is something wrong, Tom. I am going to help you!" + +In his father's present weakened state Tom desired this least of all, so +he said: + +"Now, never mind, dad. I thought I heard a noise out in the yard, and +I'm not going to take any chances. So I roused Mr. Jackson, and I'm +going down to see what it is. Perhaps it may only be Eradicate's mule, +Boomerang, kicking around, or it may be Rad himself, or some one after +his chickens. Don't worry. Mr. Jackson and I can attend to it. You go +back to bed, father." + +Tom spoke with such assurance that Mr. Swift believed him, and retired +to his room, just as the engineer, partly dressed, came hurrying out in +response to Tom's summons. He had his rifle, and, bad the invalid +inventor seen that, he surely would have worried more. + +"Come on!" whispered Tom. "Don't make any noise. I don't want to excite +my father." + +"What was it?" asked the engineer. + +"I don't know. Burglar alarm went off, that's all I can say until we get +to the shed." + +Together the two left the house softly, and soon were hurrying toward +the aeroplane shed. + +"Look!" exclaimed Mr. Jackson. "Didn't you see a light just then, Tom?" + +"Where?" + +"By the side window of the shed?" + +"No, I didn't notice it! Oh, yes! There it is! Some one is in there! If +it's Andy Foger, I'll have him arrested, sure!" + +"Maybe we can't catch him." + +"That's so. Andy is a pretty slippery customer. Say, Mr. Jackson, you go +around and get Eradicate, and have him bring a club. We can't trust him +with a gun. Tell him to get at the back door, and I'll wait for you to +join me, and we'll go in the front door. Then we'll have 'em between two +fires. They can't get away." + +"How about the windows?" + +"They're high up, and hard to open since I put the new catches on them. +Whoever got in must have forced the lock of the door. There goes the +light again!" + +As Tom spoke there was seen the faint glimmer of a light. It moved +slowly about the interior of the shed, and with a peculiar bobbing +motion, which indicated that some one was carrying it. + +"Go for Eradicate, and don't make any more noise than you can help in +waking him up," whispered Tom, for they were now close to the shed, and +might be heard. + +Mr. Jackson slipped off in the darkness, and Tom drew nearer to the +building that housed his Humming-Bird. There was one window lower than +the others, and near it was a box, that Tom remembered having seen that +afternoon. He planned to get up on that and look in, before making a +raid to capture the intruder. + +Tom raised himself up to the window. The light had been visible a moment +before he placed the box in position, but an instant later it seemed to +go out, and the place was in darkness. + +"I wonder if they've gone away?" thought Tom. "I can't hear any noise." + +He listened intently. It was dark and silent in the shop. Suddenly the +light flashed up brighter than before, and the young inventor caught +sight of a man walking around the new aeroplane, examining it carefully. +He carried, as Tom could see, a large-sized electric flash-lamp, with a +brilliant tungsten filament, which gave a powerful light. + +As the youth watched, he saw the intruder place the light on a bench, in +such a position that the rays fell full upon the Humming-Bird. Then, +adjusting the spring switch so that the light would continue to glow, +the man stepped back and drew something from an inner pocket. + +"I wonder what he's up to?" mused Tom. "I wish Eradicate and Mr. Jackson +would hurry back. Who can that fellow be, I wonder? I've never seen him +before, as far as I know. I thought sure it was going to turn out to be +Andy Foger!" + +Tom turned around to look into the dark yard surrounding the shed. He +was anxious to hear the approach of his two allies, but there was no +sound of their footsteps. + +As be turned back to watch the man he could not repress a cry of alarm, +for what the intruder had drawn from his pocket was a small hatchet, and +he was advancing with it toward the Humming-Bird! + +"He's going to destroy my aeroplane!" gasped Tom, and he raised his +revolver to fire. + +He did not intend to shoot at the man, but only to fire to scare him, +and thus hasten the coming of Mr. Jackson and the colored man. But there +was no need of this, for an instant later the two came running up +silently, Eradicate with a big club. + +"Whar am he?" he asked in a hoarse whisper. "Let me git at him, Massa +Tom!" + +"Hush!" exclaimed the young inventor. "We have no time to lose! He's in +there, getting ready to chop my aeroplane to bits! Go to the back door, +Rad, and if he tries to come out don't let him get away." + +"I won't!" declared the colored man emphatically, and he shook his club +suggestively. + +"Come on! We'll go in the front door," whispered Tom to the engineer. "I +have the key. We'll catch him red-handed, and hand him over to the +police." + +Waiting a few seconds, to enable Eradicate to get to his place, Tom and +the engineer stole softly toward the big double doors. Every moment the +youth expected to hear the crash of the hatchet on his prize machine. He +shivered in anticipation, but the blows did not fall. + +Tom pushed open the door and stepped inside, followed by Mr. Jackson. As +they did so they saw the man standing in front of the Humming-Bird. He +again raised the little hatchet, which was like an Indian tomahawk, and +poised it for an instant over the delicate framework and planes of the +air craft. Then his arm began to descend. + +"Stop!" yelled Tom, and at the same time he fired in the air. + +The man turned as suddenly as though a bullet had struck him, and for a +moment Tom was afraid lest he had hit him by accident; but an instant +later the intruder grabbed up his flashlight, and holding it before him, +so that its rays shone full on Tom and Mr. Jackson, while it left him in +the shadow, sprang toward them, the hatchet still in his hand. + +"Look out, Tom!" cried Mr. Jackson. + +"Out of my way!" shouted the man. + +Bravely Tom stood his ground. He wished now that he had a club instead +of his revolver. The would-be vandal was almost upon him. Mr. Jackson +clubbed his rifle and swung it at the fellow. The latter dodged, and +came straight at Tom. + +"Look out!" yelled the engineer again, but it was too late. There was +the sound of a blow, and Tom went down like a log. Then the place was in +darkness, and the sound of footsteps in rapid flight could be heard +outside the shed. + +The intruder, after wounding the young inventor, had made his escape. + + + + +Chapter Twelve + +Miss Nestor Calls + + +"What's de mattah? Shall I come in? Am anybody hurted?" yelled Eradicate +Sampson as he pounded on the rear door of the aeroplane shed. "Let me +in, Massa Tom!" + +"All right! Wait a minute! I'm coming!" called Mr. Jackson. He tried to +peer through the darkness, to where a huddled heap indicated the +presence of Tom. Then he thought of the electric lights, which were run +by a storage battery when the dynamo was shut down, and a moment later +the engineer had switched on the incandescents, filling the big shed +with radiance. + +"Tom, are you badly hurt?" gasped Mr. Jackson. + +There was no answer, for Tom was unconscious. + +"Let me in! Let me git at dat robber wif mah club!" cried the colored +man eagerly. + +Knowing that he would need help in carrying Tom to the house, Mr. +Jackson hurried to the back door. He had a key to it, and it was quicker +to open it than to send Eradicate away around the shed to the front +portals. + +"Whar am he?" gasped the faithful darky, as he took a firmer grasp of +his club and looked around the place. "Let me git mah hands on him! I'll +feed him t' Boomerang, when I gits froo wif him!" + +"He's gone," said the engineer. "Help me look after Tom. I'm afraid he's +badly hurt." + +They hastened to the unconscious lad. On one side of his head was a bad +cut, which was bleeding freely. + +"Oh! he's daid! I know he's daid!" wailed Eradicate. + +"Not a bit of it. He isn't dead, but he may die, if we don't get him +into the house, and have a doctor here soon," said Mr. Jackson sternly. +"Catch hold of him, Rad, and, mind, don't carry on, and get excited, and +scare Mr. Swift. Just pretend it isn't very bad, or we'll have two +patents on our hands instead of only Tom." + +They managed to get the youth into the house, and, contrary to their +fears, Mr. Swift was not nearly so nervous as they had expected. Calmly +he took charge of matters, and even telephoned for Dr. Gladby himself, +while Mr. Jackson and Eradicate undressed Tom and got him to bed. Mrs. +Baggert busied herself heating water and getting things in readiness for +the doctor, who had promised to come at once. + +Tom was just regaining consciousness when the physician came in, having +driven over at top speed. + +"What--what happened? Did the Humming Bird fall?" asked Tom in a +whisper, putting his hand to his head. + +"No, something fell on you, I guess," said the doctor, who had been +hurriedly told of the circumstances. "But don't worry, Tom. You'll be +all right in a few days. You got a bad cut on the head, but the skull +isn't fractured, I'm glad to say. Here, now, just drink this," and he +gave Tom some medicine he had mixed in a glass. + +The cut was soon dressed, and Tom felt much better, though weak and a +trifle dizzy. + +"Did he hit me with the hatchet?" he asked Mr. Jackson. + +"I couldn't tell," was the engineer's reply, "it all happened so +quickly. In another instant I'd have bowled him over, instead of him +landing on you, but I just missed him. He either used the hatchet, or +some blunt instrument." + +"Well, don't talk about it now," urged the doctor. "I want Tom to get +quiet and go to sleep. We'll be much better in the morning, but I must +forbid any aeroplane flights." And he shook his finger at Tom in +warning. "You'll have to lie quiet for several days," he added. + +"All right," agreed the young inventor weakly, and then he dozed off, +for the physician had given him a quieting medicine. + +"Haven't you any idea who it was?" asked Dr. Gladby of Mr. Jackson, as +he prepared to leave. + +"Not the slightest. It was no one Tom or I had ever seen before. But +whoever it was, he intended to destroy the Humming-Bird, that was +evident!" + +"The scoundrel! I'm glad you foiled him in time; but it's too bad about +Tom. However, we'll soon have him all right again." + +"I knows who done it!" broke in Eradicate, who was a sort of privileged +character about the Swift home. + +"Who?" asked Mr. Jackson. + +"It were dat Andy Foger. Leastways, he send dat man heah t' make +mincemeat oh de Hummin'-Bird. I's positib 'bout dat, so I am!" And +Eradicate grinned triumphantly. + +"Well, perhaps Andy did have a hand in it," admitted Mr. Swift, but we +have no proof of it, I can't see what his object would be in wanting to +destroy Tom's new craft." + +"Pure meanness. Afraid that Tom will beat him in the race," suggested +Mr. Jackson. + +"It's too big a risk to take," went on the aged inventor. "I'm inclined +to think it might be one of the gang of men who made the diamonds in the +cave in the mountains. They might have sent a spy on East, and he might +try to damage the aeroplane to be revenged for what Tom and Mr. Jenks +did to them." + +"It's possible," agreed the engineer. "Well, we'll wait until Tom can +talk, and we'll go over it with him." + +"Not until he is stronger, though," stipulated the physician as he went +away. "Don't excite Tom for a few days." + +The young inventor was much better the following day, and when Dr. +Gladby called he said Tom could sit up for a little while. Two days +later Tom was well enough to be talked to, and his father and Mr. +Jackson went over all the details of the matter. Mr. Damon, who had +returned home, came to see his friend as soon as he heard of his plight, +and was also a member of the consulting party. + +"Bless my dictionary!" exclaimed the eccentric man. "I wish I had been +here to take a hand in it. But, Tom, do you believe it was one of the +diamond-making gang?" + +"I hardly think so," was the reply. "They would take some other means of +revenge than by destroying my new aeroplane. I'm inclined to think it +was some one who is in with Andy Foger." + +"Then we'll hire detectives, and locate him and them," declared Mr. +Damon, blessing several things in succession. + +Tom, however, did not like that plan, and it was decided to do nothing +right away. In another few days Tom was able to be up, though he was +still a semi-invalid, not venturing out of the house. + +It was one afternoon, when, rather tired of his confinement, he was +wishing he could resume work on his air craft, that Mrs. Baggert came +in, and said: + +"Some one to see you, Tom." + +"Is it Mr. Damon?" + +"No, it's a lady. She--" + +"Oh, Tom! How are you?" cried a girlish voice, and Mary Nestor walked +into the room, holding out both hands to the young inventor. Tom, with a +blush, arose hastily. + +"No! no! Sit still!" commanded the girl. "Oh! I'm so sorry to hear about +your accident! In fact, I only heard this morning. We've been away, +mamma and I, and we just got back. Tell me all about it, that is, if you +feel able. But don't exert yourself. Oh! I wish I had hold of that man!" + +And Miss Nestor clenched her two pretty little hands and set her white, +even teeth grimly together, as though she would do most desperate things +indeed. + +"I wish you did, too!" exclaimed Tom. "That is, so you could hold him +until I had a chance at him. But I'm all right now. It was very good of +you to call. How are you, and how are your folks?" + +"Very well. But I came to hear about you. Tell me," and she looked +anxiously at Tom, while Mrs. Baggert discreetly withdrew to the +adjoining room, and made a great noise, rattling papers and moving +chairs about. + +Thereupon Tom told what had happened, while Mary Nestor listened +interestedly and with expressions of fear at times. + +"But if Andy had anything to do with it," concluded Tom, "I can't +understand what his object is. Andy is acting very strangely lately. We +can't locate him, nor find out where he is building his airship. That's +what I want to know; but Mr. Damon and I, after a lot of trouble, only +found his aeroplane shed empty." + +"And you want to find out where Andy Foger is building his aeroplane +which he has entered in the big race?" asked Miss Nestor. + +"That's what I'd like to know," declared Tom earnestly. "Only we can't +seem to do it. No one knows." + +"Why don't you write to Mr. Sharp, or some one of the aviation meet +committee?" asked the girl simply. "They would know, for you say Andy +made his formal entry with them, and the rules require him to tell from +what city and State he will enter his craft. Write to the committee, +Tom." + +For a moment the young inventor stared at her. Then he banged his fist +down on the arm of his chair. + +"By Jove, Mary! That's the very thing!" he cried. "I wonder why I never +thought of that, instead of fiddling around in disguises, and things +like that? I wonder why I never thought of that plan?" + +"Perhaps because it was so simple," she answered, with a pretty blush. + +"I guess that's it," agreed Tom. "It takes a woman to jump across a +bridge to a conclusion every time. I'll write to Mr. Sharp at once." + + + + +Chapter Thirteen + +A Clash with Andy + + +Tom lost no time in writing to Mr. Sharp. He wondered more and more at +his own neglect in not before having asked the balloonist, when the +latter was in Shopton, where Andy was building his aeroplane. But, as it +developed later, Mr. Sharp did not know at that time. + +While waiting for a reply to his letter, Tom busied himself about his +own craft, making several changes he had decided on. He also began to +paint and decorate it, for he wanted to have the Humming-Bird present a +neat appearance when she was officially entered in the great race. + +Miss Nestor called on Tom again, and Mr. Damon was a frequent visitor. +He agreed to accompany Tom to the aviation park when it was time for the +race, and also to be a passenger in the ten-thousand-dollar contest. + +"It must be perfectly wonderful to fly through the air," said Miss +Nestor one day, when Tom and Mr. Damon had the Humming-Bird out on the +testing ground, trying the engine, which had been keyed up to a higher +pitch of speed. "I consider it perfectly marvelous, and I can't imagine +how it must seem to skim along that way." + +"Come and try it," urged Tom suddenly. "There's not a bit of danger. +Really there isn't." + +"Oh! I'd never dare do it!" replied the girl, with a gasp. "That machine +is too swift by name and swift by nature for me." + +"Why don't you take Miss Nestor on a grass-cutting flight, Tom?" +suggested Mr. Damon. "Bless my lawn mower! but she wouldn't be +frightened at that." + +"Grass cutting?" repeated the girl. "What in the world does that mean?" + +"It means skimming along a few feet up in the air," answered the young +inventor, who had now fully recovered from the effects of the blow given +him by the midnight intruder. In spite of many inquiries, no clues to +his identity had been obtained. + +"How high do you go when you 'cut grass,' as you call it?" asked Miss +Nestor, and Tom thought he detected a note of eager curiosity in her +voice. + +"Not high at all," he said. "In fact, sometimes I do cut off the tops of +tall daisies. Come, Mary! Won't you try that? I know you'll like it, and +when you've been over the lawn a few times you'll be ready for a high +flight. Come! there's no danger." + +"I--I almost believe I will," she said hesitatingly. "Will you take me +down when I want to come?" + +"Of course," said Tom. "Get in, and we'll start." + +The Humming-Bird was all ready for a trial flight, and Tom was glad of +the chance to test it, especially with such a pretty passenger as was +Miss Nestor. + +"Bless my shoelaces!" cried Mr. Damon. "I can see where I am going to be +cut out, Tom Swift. I'll not get many more rides with you now that Miss +Nestor is taking to aeroplaning, you young rascal!" And he playfully +shook his finger at Tom. + +"Oh, I don't expect to get enthusiastic over it," said Miss Nestor, who, +now that she had taken her place in one of the small seats under the +engine, appeared as if she would be glad of the chance to change her +mind. But she did not. + +"Now, if you take me more than five feet up in the air, I'll never speak +to you again, Tom Swift!" she exclaimed. + +"Five feet it shall be, unless you yourself ask to go higher," was the +youth's reply, as he winked at Mr. Damon. Well he knew the fascination +of aeroplaning, and he was almost sure of what would happen. "You can +take a tape measure along, and see for yourself," he added to his fair +passenger. "The barograph will hardly register such a little height." + +"Well, it's as high as I want to go," said the girl. "Oh!" with a +scream, as Tom started the propeller. "Are we going?" + +"In a moment," was his reply. He took his seat beside the girl. The +motor was speeded up until it sounded like the roar of the ocean surf in +a storm. + +"Let her go!" cried Tom to Mr. Damon and Mr. Jackson, who were holding +back the Humming-Bird. They gave her a slight shove to over-come the +inertia, and the trim little craft darted across the ground at every +increasing speed. + +Miss Nestor caught her breath with a gasp, glanced at Tom, and noted how +cool he was, and then her frantic grip of the uprights slightly relaxed. + +"We'll go up a little way in a minute!" shouted Tom in her ear as they +were speeding over the level ground. + +He pulled a lever slightly, and the Humming-Bird rose a little in the +air, but only for a short distance, not more than five feet, and Tom +held her there, though he had to run the engine at a greater speed than +would have been the case had he been in the sustaining upper currents. +It was as if the Humming-Bird resented being held so closely to the +earth. + +Around in a big circle, back and forth went the craft, at no time being +more than seven feet from the ground. Tom glanced at Miss Nestor. Her +cheeks were unusually red, and there was a bright sparkle in her eyes. + +"It's glorious!" she cried. "Do you--do you think there's any danger in +going higher? I believe I'd like to go up a bit." + +"I knew it!" cried Tom. "Up we go!" And he pulled the wind-bending plane +lever toward him. Upward shot the craft, as if alive. + +"Oh!" gasped Mary. + +"Sit still! It's all right!" commanded Tom. + +"It's glorious; glorious!" she cried. I'm not a bit afraid now!" + +"I knew you wouldn't be," declared the young inventor, who had +calculated on the fascination which the motion through the air, +untrammeled and free, always produces. "Shall we go higher?" + +"Yes!" cried Miss Nestor, and she gazed fearlessly down at the earth, +which was falling away from beneath their feet. She was in the grip of +the air, and it was a new and wonderful sensation. + +Tom went up to a considerable distance, for, once a person loses his +first fright, one hundred feet or one thousand feet elevation makes +little difference to him. It was this way with Miss Nestor. + +Now, indeed, could Tom demonstrate to her some of the fine points of +navigation in the upper currents, and though he did no risky "stunts," +he showed the girl what it means to do an ascending spiral, how to cut +corners, how to twist around in the figure eight, and do other things. +Tom did not try for the great speed of which he knew his craft was +capable, for he knew there was some risk with Miss Nestor aboard. But he +did nearly everything else, and when he sent the Humming-Bird down he +had made another convert and devotee to the royal sport of aeroplaning. + +"Oh! I never would dared believe I could do it!" exclaimed the girl, as +with flushed cheeks and dancing eyes she dismounted from the seat. +"Mamma and papa will never believe I did it!" + +"Bring them over, and I'll take them for a flight," said Tom, with a +laugh, as Mary departed. + +Tom received an answer to his letter to Mr. Sharp that night. + +"Andy Foger's entry blank states," wrote the balloonist, "that he is +constructing his aeroplane in the village of Hampton, which is about +fifty miles from your place. If there is anything further I can do for +you, Tom, let me know. I will see you at the meet. Hope you win the +prize." + +"In Hampton, eh?" mused Tom. "So that's where Andy has been keeping +himself all this while. His uncle lives there, and that's the reason for +it. He wanted to keep it a secret from me, so he could use my stolen +plans for his craft. But he shan't do it! I'll go to Hampton!" + +"And I'll go with you!" declared Mr. Damon, who was with Tom when he got +the note from the balloonist. "We'll get to the bottom of this mystery +after a while, Tom." + +Delaying a few days, to make the final changes in his aeroplane, Tom and +Mr. Damon departed for Hampton one morning. They thought first of going +in the Butterfly, but as they wanted to keep their mission as secret as +possible, they decided to go by train, and arrive in the town quietly +and unostentatiously. They got to Hampton late that afternoon. + +"What's the first thing to be done?" asked Mr. Damon as they walked up +from the station, where they were almost the only persons who alighted +from the train. + +"Go to the hotel," decided Tom. "There's only one, I was told, so +there's not much choice." + +Hampton was a quiet little country town of about five thousand +inhabitants, and Tom soon learned the address of Mr. Bentley, Andy's +uncle, from the hotel clerk. + +"What business is Mr. Bentley in?" asked Tom, for he wanted to learn all +he could without inquiring of persons who might question his motives. + +"Oh, he's retired," said the clerk. "He lives on the interest of his +money. But of late he's been erecting some sort of a building on his +back lot, like a big shed, and folks are sort of wondering what he's +doing in it. Keeps mighty secret about it. He's got a young fellow +helping him." + +"Has he got red hair?" asked Tom, while his heart beat strangely fast. + +"Who? Mr. Bentley? No. His hair's black." + +"I mean the young fellow." + +"Oh! his? Yes, his is red. He's a nephew, or some relation to Mr. +Bentley. I did hear his name, but I've forgotten it. Sandy, or Andy, or +some such name as that." + +This was near enough for Tom and Mr. Damon, and they did not want to +risk asking any more questions. They turned away to go to their rooms, +as the clerk was busy answering inquiries from some other guests. A +little later, supper was served, and Tom, having finished, whispered to +Mr. Damon to join him upstairs as soon as he was through. + +"What are you going to do?" asked the eccentric man. + +"We're going out and have a look at this new shed by moonlight," decided +Tom. "I want to see what it's like, and, if possible, I want to get a +peep inside. I'll soon be able to tell whether or not Andy is using my +stolen plans." + +"All right. I'm with you. Bless my bill of fare! But we seem to be doing +a lot of mysterious work of late." + +"Yes," agreed Tom. "But if you have to bless anything to-night, Mr. +Damon, please whisper it. Andy, or some of his friends, may be about the +shed, and as soon as they hear one of your blessings they'll know who's +coming." + +"Oh, I'll be careful," promised Mr. Damon. + +"Andy will find out, sooner or later, that we are in town," went on Tom, +"but we may be able to learn to-night what we want to know, and then we +can tell how to act." + +A little later, as if they were merely strolling about, Mr. Damon and +Tom headed for Mr. Bentley's place, which was on the outskirts of the +town. There was a full moon, and the night was just right for the kind +of observation Tom wanted to make. There were few persons abroad, and +the young inventor thought he would have no one spying on him. + +They located the big house of Andy's uncle without trouble. Going down a +side street, they had a glimpse of a shed, built of new boards, standing +in the middle of a large lot. About the structure was a new, high wooden +fence, but as Tom and his friend passed along it they saw that a gate in +it was open. + +"I'm going in!" whispered Tom. + +"Will it be safe?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"I don't care whether it will be or not. I've got to know what Andy is +doing. Come on! We'll take a chance!" + +Cautiously they entered the enclosure. The big shed was dark, and stood +out conspicuously in the moonlight. + +"There doesn't seem to be any one here," whispered Tom. "I wonder if we +could get a look in the window?" + +"It's worth trying, anyhow," agreed Mr. Damon. "I'm with you, Tom." + +They drew nearer to the shed. Suddenly Tom stepped on a stick, which +broke with a sharp report. + +"Bless my spectacles!" cried Mr. Damon, half aloud. + +There was silence for a moment, and then a voice cried out: + +"Who's there? Hold on! Don't come any farther! It's dangerous!" + +Tom and Mr. Damon stood still, and from behind the shed stepped Andy +Foger and a man. + +"Oh! it's you, is it, Tom Swift?" exclaimed the red-haired bully. "I +thought you'd come sneaking around. Come on, Jake! We'll make them wish +they'd stayed home!" And Andy made a rush for Tom. + + + + +Chapter Fourteen + +The Great Test + + +"Bless my gizzard!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, who hardly knew what to do. +"We'd better be getting out of here, Tom!" + +"Not much!" exclaimed the young inventor. "I never ran from Andy Foger +yet, and I'm not going to begin now." + +He assumed an attitude of defense, and stood calmly awaiting the +onslaught of the bully; but Andy knew better than to come to a personal +argument with Tom, and so the red-haired lad halted some paces off. The +man, who had followed young Foger, also stopped. + +"What do you want around here, Tom Swift?" demanded Andy. + +"You know very well what I want," said the young inventor, calmly. "I +want to know what you did with the aeroplane plans you took from my +house." + +"I never took any!" declared Andy vigorously + +"Well, there's no use discussing that," went on Tom. "What I came here +to find out, and I don't mind telling you, is whether or not you are +building a monoplane to compete against me, and building it on a model +invented by me; and what's more, Andy Foger, I intend to find this out, +too!" + +Tom started toward the big shed, which loomed up in the moonlight. + +"Stand back!" cried Andy, getting in Tom's way. "I can build any kind of +an aeroplane I like, and you can't stop me!" + +"We'll see about that," declared the young inventor, as he kept on. "I'm +not going to allow my plans to be stolen, and a monoplane made after +them, and do nothing about it." + +"You keep away!" snarled Andy, and he grabbed Tom by the shoulder and +struck him a blow in the chest. He must have been very much excited, or +otherwise he never would have come to hostilities this way with Tom, +whom he well knew could easily beat him. + +The blow, together with the many things he had suffered at Andy's hands, +was too much for our hero. He drew back his fist, and a moment later +Andy Foger was stretched out on the grass. He lay there for a moment, +and then rose up slowly to his knees, his face distorted with rage. + +"You--you hit me!" he snarled. + +"Not until you hit first," said Tom calmly. + +"Bless my punching bag! That's so!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. + +"You'll suffer for this!" whined Andy, getting to his feet, but taking +care to retreat from Tom, who stood ready for him. "I'll get square with +you for this! Jake, come on, and we'll get our guns!" + +Andy turned and hurried back toward the shed, followed by the +evil-looking man, who had apparently been undecided whether to attack +Mr. Damon or Tom. Now the bully and his companion were in full retreat. + +"We'll get our guns, and then we'll see whether they'll want to stay +where they're not wanted!" went on Andy, threateningly. + +"Bless my powderhorn! What had we better do?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"I guess we'd better go back," said Tom calmly. "Not that I'm afraid of +Andy. His talk about guns is all bluff; but I don't want to get into any +more of a row, and he is just ugly and reckless enough to make trouble. +I'm afraid we can't learn what we came to find out, though I'm more +convinced than ever that Andy is using my plans to make his aeroplane." + +"But what can you do?" + +"I'll see Mr. Sharp, and send a protest to the aviation committee. I'll +refuse to enter if Andy flies in a model of my Humming-Bird, and I'll +try to prevent him from using it after he gets it on the ground. That is +all I can do, it seems, lacking positive information. Come on, Mr. +Damon. Let's get back to our hotel, and we'll start for home in the +morning." + +"I have a plan," whispered the odd man. + +"What is it?" asked Tom, narrowly watching for the reappearance of Andy +and the man. + +"I'll stay here until they come, then I'll pretend to run away. They'll +chase after me, and get all excited, and you can go up and look in the +shed windows. Then you can join me later. How's that?" + +"Too risky. They might fire at you by mistake. No. We'll both go. I've +found out more than enough to confirm my suspicions." + +They turned out of the lot which contained the shed, and walked toward +the road, just as Andy and his crony came back. + +"Huh! You'd better go!" taunted the bully. + +Tom had a bitter feeling in his heart. It seemed as if he was defeated, +and he did not like to retreat before Andy. + +"You'd better not come back here again, either," went on Andy. + +Tom and Mr. Damon did not reply, but kept on in silence. They returned +to Shopton the next day. + +"Well," remarked Tom, when he had gone out to look at his Humming-Bird, +"I know one thing. Andy Foger may build a machine something like this, +but I don't believe he can put in all the improvements I have, and +certainly he can't equal that engine; eh, dad?" + +"I hope not, Tom," replied his father, who seemed to be much improved in +health. + +"When are you going to try for speed?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"To-morrow, if I can get it tuned up enough," replied Tom, "and I think +I can. Yes, we'll have the great test to-morrow, and then I'll know +whether I really have a chance for that ten thousand dollars." + +Never before had Tom been so exacting in his requirements of his air +craft as when, the next day, the Humming-Bird was wheeled out to the +flight ground, and gotten ready for the test. The young inventor went +over every bolt, brace, stay, guy wire and upright. He examined every +square inch of the wings, the tips, planes and rudders. The levers, the +steering wheel, the automatic equilibrium attachments and the balancing +weights were looked at again and again. + +As for the engine, had it been a delicate watch, Tom could not have +scrutinized each valve, wheel, cam and spur gear more carefully. Then +the gasoline tank was filled, the magneto was looked after, the oil +reservoirs were cleaned out and freshly filled, and finally the lad +remarked: + +"Well, I guess I'm ready. Come along, Mr. Damon." + +"Am I going with you in the test?" + +"Surely. I've been counting on you. If you're to be with me in the race, +you want to get a sample of what we can do. Take your place. Mr. +Jackson, are you ready to time us?" + +"All ready, Tom." + +"And, dad, do you feel well enough to check back Mr. Jackson's results? +I don't want any errors." + +"Oh, yes, Tom. I can do it." + +"Very well, then. Now this is my plan. I'm going to mount upward on an +easy slant, and put her through a few stunts first, to warm up, and see +that everything is all right. Then, when I give the signal, by dropping +this small white ball, that means I'm ready for you to start to time me. +Then I'll begin to try for the record. I'll go about the course in a big +ellipse, and--well, we'll see what happens." + +While Mr. Damon was in his seat the young inventor started the +propeller, and noted the thrust developed. It was satisfactory, as +measured on the scale, and then Tom took his place. + +"Let her go!" he cried to Mr. Jackson and Eradicate, after he had +listened to the song of the motor for a moment. The Humming-Bird flew +across the course, and a moment later mounted into the air. + +Tom quickly took her up to about two thousand feet, and there, finding +the conditions to his liking, he began a few evolutions designed to +severely test the craft's stability, and to learn whether the engine was +working properly. + +"How about it?" asked Mr. Damon anxiously. + +"All right!" shouted Tom in his ear, for the motor was making a great +racket. "I guess we'll make the trial next time we come around. Get +ready to drop the signal ball." + +Tom slowly brought the aeroplane around in a graceful curve. He sighted +down, and saw the first tall white pole that marked the beginning of the +course. + +"Drop!" he called to Mr. Damon. + +The white rubber ball went to the earth like a shot. Mr. Jackson and Mr. +Swift saw it, and started their timing-watches. Tom opened the throttle +and advanced the spark. The great test was on! + +The Humming-Bird trembled and throbbed with the awful speed of the +motor, like a thing alive. She seemed to rush forward as an eagle +dropping down from a dizzy height upon some hapless prey. + +"Faster yet!" murmured Tom. "We must go faster yet!" + +The motor was warming up. Streaks of fire came from it. The exhaust of +the explosions was a continuous roar. Faster and faster flew the frail +craft. + +Around and around the air course she circled. The wind appeared to be +rushing beneath the planes and rudders with the velocity of a hurricane. +Had it not been for the face protectors they wore, Tom and Mr. Damon +could not have breathed. For ten minutes this fearful speed was kept up. +Then Tom, knowing he had run the motor to the limit, slowed it down. +Next he shut it off completely, and prepared to volplane back to earth. +The silence after the terrific racket was almost startling. For a moment +neither of the aviators spoke. Then Mr. Damon said: + +"Do you think you did it, Tom?" + +"I don't know. We'll soon find out. They'll have the record." And he +motioned toward the earth, which they were rapidly nearing. + + + + +Chapter Fifteen + +A Noise in the Night + + +"Well, did I make it? Make any kind of a record?" asked Tom eagerly, as +he brought the trim little craft to a stop, after it had rolled along +the ground on the bicycle wheels. + +"What do you think you did?" asked Mr. Jackson, who had been busy +figuring on a slip of paper. + +"Did I get her up to ninety miles an hour?" inquired Tom eagerly. "If I +did, I know when the motor wears down a bit smoother that I can make her +hit a hundred in the race, easily. Did I touch ninety, Mr. Jackson?" + +"Better than that, Tom! Better than that!" cried his father. + +"Yes," joined in Mr. Jackson. "Allowing for the difference in our +watches, Tom, your father and I figure that you did the course at the +rate of one hundred and twelve miles an hour!" + +"One hundred and twelve!" gasped the young inventor, hardly able to +believe it. + +"I made it a hundred and fifteen," said Mr. Swift, who was almost as +pleased as was his son, "and Mr. Jackson made it one hundred and eleven; +so we split the difference, so to speak. You certainly have a sky racer, +Tom, my boy!" + +"And I'll need it, too, dad, if I'm to compete with Andy Foger, who may +have a machine almost like mine." + +"But I thought you were going to object to him if he has," said Mr. +Damon, who had hardly recovered from the speedy flight through space. + +"Well, I was just providing for a contingency, in case my protest was +overruled," remarked Tom. "But I'm glad the Humming-Bird did so well on +her first trial. I know she'll do better the more I run her. Now we'll +get her back in her 'nest,' and I'll look her over, when she cools down, +and see if anything has worked loose." + +But the trim little craft needed only slight adjustments after her +tryout, for Tom had built her to stand up under a terrific strain. + +"We'll soon be in shape for the big race," he announced, "and when I +bring home that ten thousand dollars I'm going to abandon this +sky-scraping business, except for occasional trips." + +"What will you do to occupy your mind?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"Oh, I'm going to travel," announced Tom. "Then there's my new electric +rifle, which I have not perfected yet. I'll work on that after I win the +big race." + +For several days after the first real trial of his sky racer Tom was +busy going over the Humming-Bird, making slight changes here and there. +He was the sort of a lad who was satisfied with nothing short of the +best, and though neither his father nor Mr. Jackson could see where +there was room for improvement, Tom was so exacting that he sat up for +several nights to perfect such little details as a better grip for the +steering-lever, a quicker way of making the automatic equilibriumizer +take its position, or an improved transmitter for the wireless +apparatus. + +That was a part of his monoplane of which Tom was justly proud, for +though many aeroplanes to-day are equipped with the sending device, few +can receive wireless messages in mid-air. But Tom had seen the advantage +of this while making a trip in the ill-fated Red Cloud to the cave of +the diamond makers, and he determined to have his new craft thus +provided against emergencies. The wireless outfit of the Humming-Bird +was a marvel of compactness. + +Thus the days passed, with Tom very busy; so busy, in fact, that he +hardly had time to call on Miss Nestor. As for Andy Foger, he heard no +more from him, and the bully was not seen around Shopton. Tom concluded +that he was at his uncle's place, working on his racing craft. + +The young inventor sent a formal protest to the aviation committee, to +be used in the event of Andy entering a craft which infringed on the +Humming-Bird, and received word from Mr. Sharp that the interests of the +young inventor would be protected. This satisfied Tom. + +Still, at times, he could not help wondering how the first plans had so +mysteriously disappeared, and he would have given a good deal to know +just how Andy got possession of them, and how he knew enough to use +them. + +"He, or some one whom he hired, must have gotten into our house mighty +quickly that day," mused Tom, "and then skipped out while dad fell into +a little doze. It was a mighty queer thing, but it's lucky it was no +worse." + +The time was approaching for the big aviation meet. Tom's craft was in +readiness, and had been given several other trials, developing more +speed each time. Additional locks were put on the doors of the shed, and +more burglar-alarm wires were strung, so that it was almost a physical +impossibility to get into the Humming-Bird's "nest" without arousing +some one in the Swift household. + +"And if they do, I guess we'll be ready for them," said Tom grimly. He +had been unable to find out who it was that had attempted once before to +damage the monoplane, but he suspected it was the ill-favored man who +was working with Andy. + +As for Mr. Swift, at times he seemed quite well, and again he required +the services of a physician. + +"You will have to be very careful of your father, Tom," said Dr. Gladby. +"Any sudden shock or excitement may aggravate his malady, and in that +case a serious operation will be necessary." + +"Oh, we'll take good care of him," said the lad; but he could not help +worrying, though he tried not to let his father see the strain which he +was under. + +It was some days after this, and lacking about a week until the meet was +to open, when a peculiar thing happened. Tom had given his Humming-Bird +a tryout one day, and had then begun to make arrangements for taking it +apart and shipping it to Eagle Park. For he would not fly to the meet in +it, for fear of some accident. So big cases had been provided. + +"I'll take it apart in the morning," decided Tom, as he went to his +room, after seeing to the burglar alarm, "and ship her off. Then Mr. +Damon and I will go there, set her up, and get ready to win the race." + +Tom had opened all the windows in his room, for it was very warm. In +fact it was so warm that sleep was almost out of the question, and he +got up to sit near the windows in the hope of feeling a breeze. + +There it was more comfortable, and he was just dozing off, and beginning +to think of getting back into bed, when he was aware of a peculiar sound +in the air overhead. + +"I wonder if that's a heavy wind starting up?" he mused. "Good luck, if +it is! We need it." The noise increased, sounding more and more like +wind, but Tom, looking out into the night, saw the leaves of the trees +barely moving. + +"If that's a breeze, it's taking its own time getting here," he went on. + +The sound came nearer, and then Tom knew that it was not the noise of +the wind in the trees. It was more like a roaring and rumbling, + +"Can it be distant thunder?" Tom asked himself. "There is no sign of a +storm." Once more he looked from the window. The night was calm and +clear--the trees as still as if they were painted. + +The sound was even more plain now, and Tom, who had sharp ears, at once +decided that it was just over the house--directly overhead. An instant +later he knew what it was. + +"The motor of an aeroplane, or a dirigible balloon!" he exclaimed. "Some +one is flying overhead!" + +For an instant he feared lest the shed had been broken into, and his +Humming-Bird taken, but a glance toward the place seemed to show that it +was all right. + +Then Tom hastily made his way to where a flight of stairs led to a +little enclosed observatory on the roof. + +"I'm going to see what sort of a craft it is making that noise," he +said. + +As he opened the trap door, and stepped out into the little observatory +the sound was so plain as to startle him. He looked up quickly, and, +directly overhead he saw a curious sight. + +For, flying so low as to almost brush the lightning rod on the chimney +of the Swift home, was a small aeroplane, and, as Tom looked up, he saw +in a light that gleamed from it, two figures looking down on him. + + + + +Chapter Sixteen + +A Mysterious Fire + + +For a few moments Tom did not know what to think. Not that the sight of +aeroplanes in flight were any novelty to him, but to see one flying over +his house in the dead of night was a little out of the ordinary. Then, +as he realized that night-flights were becoming more common, Tom tried +to make out the details of the craft. + +"I wish I had brought the night glasses with me," he said aloud. + +"Here they are," spoke a voice at his side, and so suddenly that Tom was +startled. He looked down, and saw Mr. Jackson standing beside him. + +"Did you hear the noise, too?" the lad asked the engineer. + +"Yes. It woke me up. Then I heard you moving around, and I heard you +come up here. I thought maybe it was a flight of meteors you'd come to +see, and I knew the glasses would be handy, so I stopped for them. Take +a look, Tom. It's an aeroplane; isn't it?" + +"Yes, and not moving very fast, either. They seem to be circling around +here." + +The young inventor was peering through the binoculars, and, as soon as +he had the mysterious craft in focus, he cried: + +"Look, Mr. Jackson, it's a new kind of monoplane. I never saw one like +it before. I wonder who could have invented that? It's something like a +Santos-Dumont and a Bleriot, with some features of Cornu's Helicopter. +That's a queer machine." + +"It certainly is," agreed the engineer, who was now sighting through the +glasses. In spite of the darkness the binoculars brought out the +peculiarities of the aeroplane with considerable distinctness. + +"Can you make out who are in it?" asked Tom. + +"No," answered Mr. Jackson. "You try." + +But Tom had no better luck. There were two persons in the odd machine, +which was slowly flying along, moving in a great circle, with the Swift +house for its center. + +"I wonder why they're hanging around here?" asked Tom, suspiciously. + +"Perhaps they want to talk to you," suggested Mr. Jackson. "They may be +fellow inventor--perhaps one of them is that Philadelphia man who had +the Whizzer." + +"No," replied the lad. "He would have sent me word if he intended +calling on me. Those are strangers, I think. There they are, coming back +again." + +The mysterious aeroplane was once more circling toward the watchers on +the roof. There was a movement on the steps, near which Tom was +standing, and his father came up. + +"Is anything the matter?" he asked anxiously. + +"Only a queer craft circling around up here," was the reply. "Come and +see, dad." + +Mr. Swift ascended to the roof. The aeroplane was higher now, and those +in her could not so easily be made out. Tom felt a vague sense of fear, +as though he was being watched by the evil eyes of his enemies. More +than once he looked over to the shed where his craft was housed, as +though some danger might threaten it. But the shed of the Humming-Bird +showed no signs of invaders. + +Suddenly the mysterious aeroplane increased its speed. It circled about +more quickly, and shot upward, as though to show the watchers of what it +was capable. Then, with a quick swoop it darted downward, straight for +the building where Tom's newest invention was housed. + +"Look out! They'll hit something!" cried the young inventor, as though +those in the aeroplane could hear him. + +Then, just as though they had heeded his warning, the pilots of the +mysterious craft shot her upward, after she had hovered for an instant +over the big shed. + +"That was a queer move," said Tom. "It looked as if they lost control of +her for a moment." + +"And they dropped something!" cried Mr. Jackson. "Look! something fell +from the aeroplane on the roof of the shed." + +"Some tool, likely," spoke Tom. "I'll get it in the morning, and see +what sort of instruments they carry. I'd like to examine that machine, +though." + +The queer aeroplane was now shooting off in the darkness and Tom +followed it with the glasses, wondering what its construction could be +like. He was to have another sight of it sooner than he expected. + +"Well, we may as well get back to bed," said Mr. Jackson. "I'm tired, +and we've got lots to do to-morrow." + +"Yes," agreed Tom. "It's cooler now. Come on, dad." + +Tom fell into a light doze. He thought afterward he could not have slept +more than half an hour when he heard a commotion out in the yard. For an +instant he could not tell what it was, and then, as he grew wider awake +he knew that it was the shouting of Eradicate Sampson, and the braying +of Boomerang. + +But what was Eradicate shouting? + +"Fire! Fire! Fire!" + +Tom leaped to his window. + +"Wake up, Massa Tom! Wake up! De areoplane shed am on fire, an' de +Humming-Bird will burn up! Hurry! Hurry!" + +Tom looked out. Flames were shooting up from the roof of the shed where +his precious craft was kept. + + + + +Chapter Seventeen + +Mr. Swift is Worse + + +Almost before the echoes of Eradicate's direful warning cry had died +away, Tom was on his way out of the house, pausing only long enough to +slip on a pair of shoes and his trousers. There was but one thought in +his mind. If he could get the Humming-Bird safely out he would not care +if the shed did burn, even though it contained many valuable tools and +appliances. + +"We must save my new aeroplane!" thought Tom, desperately. "I've got to +save her!" + +As he raced through the hall he caught up a portable chemical +fire-extinguisher. Tom saw his father's door open, and Mr. Swift looked +out. + +"What is it?" he called anxiously. + +"Fire!" answered the young inventor, almost before he thought of the +doctor's warning that Mr. Swift must not be excited. Tom wished he could +recall the word, but it was too late. Besides Eradicate, down in the +yard was shouting at the top of his voice: + +"Fire! Fire! Fire!" + +"Where, Tom?" gasped Mr. Swift, and his son thought the aged inventor +grew suddenly paler. + +"Aeroplane shed," answered the lad. "But don't worry dad. It's only a +small blaze. We'll get it out. You stay here. We'll attend to it--Mr. +Jackson and Eradicate and I." + +"No--I'm going to help!" exclaimed Mr. Swift, sturdily. "I'll be with +you, Tom. Go on!" + +The lad rushed down to the yard, closely followed by the engineer, who +had caught up another extinguisher. Eradicate was rushing about, not +knowing what to do, but still keeping up his shouting. + +"It's on de roof! De roof am all blazin'!" he yelled. + +"Quit your noise, and get to work!" cried Tom. "Get out a ladder, Rad, +and raise it to the side of the shed. Then play this extinguisher on the +blaze. Mr. Jackson, you help me run the Humming-Bird out. After she's +safe we'll tackle the fire." + +Tom cast a hurried look at the burning shed. The flames were shooting +high up from the roof, now, and eating their way down. As he rushed +toward the big doors, which he intended to open to enable him to run out +his sky racer, he was wondering how the fire came to start so high up as +the roof. He wondered if a meteor could have fallen and caused it. + +As the doors, which were quickly unlocked by Tom, swung back, and as he +and the engineer started to go in, they were met by choking fumes as if +of some gas. They recoiled for the moment. + +"What--what's that?" gasped Tom, coughing and sneezing. + +"Some chemical--I--I don't know what kind," spluttered Mr. Jackson. +"Have you any carboys of acid in there Tom, that might have exploded by +the heat?" + +"No; not a thing. Let's try again." + +Once more they tried to go in, but were again driven back by the +distressing fumes. The fire was eating down, now. There was a hole +burned in the roof, and by the leaping tongues of flame Tom could see +his aeroplane. It was almost in the path of the blaze. + +"We must get her out!" he shouted. "I'm going in!" + +But it was impossible, and the daring young inventor nearly succumbed to +the choking odors. Mr. Jackson dragged him back. + +"We can't go in!" he cried. "There has been some mysterious work here! +Those fumes were put here to keep us from saving the machine. This fire +has been set by some enemy! We can't go in!" + +"But I am going!" declared Tom. "We'll try the back door." + +They rushed to that, but again were driven out by the gases and vapors, +which were mingled with the smoke. Disheartened, yet with a wild desire +to do something to save his precious craft, Tom Swift drew back for a +moment. + +As he did so he heard a hiss, as Eradicate turned the chemical stream on +the blaze. Tom looked up. The faithful colored man was on a ladder near +the burning roof, acting well his part as a fireman. + +"That's the stuff!" cried Tom. "Come on, Mr. Jackson. Maybe if we use +the chemical extinguishers we can drive out those fumes!" + +The engineer understood. He took up the extinguisher he had brought, and +Tom got a second one from a nearby shed. Then Mr. Swift came out bearing +another. + +"You shouldn't have come, dad! We can attend to it!" cried Tom, fearing +for the effect of the excitement on his invalid parent. + +"Oh, I couldn't stay there and see the shed burn. Are you getting it +under control? Why don't you run out the Humming-Bird?" + +Tom did not mention the choking fumes. He passed up a full extinguisher +to Eradicate, who had used all the chemical in his. Then Tom got another +ladder, and soon three streams were being directed on the flames. They +had eaten, a pretty big hole in the roof, but the chemicals were slowly +telling on them. + +As soon as he saw that Eradicate and Mr. Jackson could control the +blaze, Tom descended to the ground, and ran once more to the big doors. +He was determined to make another try to wheel out the aeroplane, for he +saw from above that the flames were now on the side wall, and might +reach the craft any minute. And it would not take much to inflict +serious damage on the sky racer. + +"I'll get her, fumes or no fumes!" murmured Tom, grimly. And, whether it +was the effect of the chemical streams, or whether the choking odors +were dissipated through the hole in the roof was not manifested, but, at +any rate, Tom found that he could go in, though he coughed and gasped +for breath. + +He wheeled the aeroplane outside, for the Humming-Bird was almost as +light as her namesake. A hurried glance by the gleam of the dying fire +assured Tom that his craft was not damaged beyond a slight scorching of +one of the wing tips. + +"That was a narrow escape!" he murmured, as he wheeled the sky racer far +away, out of any danger from sparks. Then he went back to help fight the +fire, which was extinguished in about ten minutes more. + +"It was a mighty queer blaze," said Mr. Jackson, "starting at the top +that way. I wonder what caused it?" + +"We'll investigate in the morning," decided Tom. "Now, dad, you must get +back to your room." He turned to help his father in, but at that moment +Mr. Swift, who was trying to say something, fell over in a dead faint. + +"Quick! Help me carry him into the house!" cried Tom. "Then telephone +for Dr. Gladby, Mr. Jackson." + +The physician looked grave when, half an hour later, he examined his +patient. + +"Mr. Swift is very much worse," he said in a low voice. "The excitement +of the fire has aggravated his ailment. I would like another doctor to +see him, Tom." + +"Another doctor?" Tom's voice showed his alarm. + +"Yes, we must have a consultation. I think Dr. Kurtz will be a good one +to call in. I should like his opinion before I decide what course to +take." + +"I'll send Eradicate for him at once," said the young inventor, and he +went to give the colored man his instructions, while his heart was +filled with a great fear for his father. + + + + +Chapter Eighteen + +The Broken Bridge + + +Dr. Kurtz looked as grave as did Dr. Gladby when he had made an +examination of the patient. Mr. Swift was still in a semi-conscious +condition, hardly breathing as he rested on the bed where they had +placed him after the fire. + +"Vell," said the German physician, after a long silence, "vot is your +obinion, my dear Gladby?" + +"I think an operation is necessary." + +"Yes, dot is so; but you know vot kind of an operation alone vill safe +him; eh, my dear Gladby?" + +Dr. Gladby nodded. + +"It will be a rare and delicate one," he said. "There is but one surgeon +I know of who can do it." + +"You mean Herr Hendrix?" asked Dr. Kurtz. + +"Yes, Dr. Edward Hendrix, of Kirkville. If he can be induced to come I +think there is a chance of saving Mr. Swift's life. I'll speak to Tom +about it." + +The two physicians, who had been consulting together, summoned the youth +from another room, where, with Mrs. Baggert and Mr. Jackson he had been +anxiously awaiting the verdict. + +"What is it?" the young inventor asked Dr. Gladby. + +The medical man told him to what conclusion he and his colleague had +arrived, adding: + +"We advise that Dr. Hendrix be sent for at once. But I need hardly tell +you, Tom, that he is a noted specialist, and his services are in great +demand. He is hard to get." + +"I'll pay him any sum he asks!" burst out the youth. "I'll spend all my +fortune--and I have made considerable money of late--I'll spend every +cent to get my father well! Money need not stand in the way, Dr. +Gladby." + +"I knew that, Tom. Still Dr. Hendrix is a very busy man, and it is hard +to induce him to come a long distance. It is over a hundred miles to +Kirkville, and it is an out-of-the-way place. I never could understand +why Dr. Hendrix settled there. But there he is, and if we want him he +will have to come from there. The worst of it is that there are few +trains, and only a single railroad line from there to Shopton." + +"Then I'll telegraph," decided Tom. "I'll offer him his own price, and +ask him to rush here as soon as he can." + +"You had better let Dr. Kurtz and me attend to that part of it," +suggested the physician. "Dr. Hendrix would hardly come on the request +of some one whom he did not know. I'll prepare a telegram, briefly +explaining the case. It is the sort of an operation Dr. Hendrix is much +interested in, and I think he will come on that account, if for no other +reason. I'll write out the message, and you can have Eradicate take it +to the telegraph office." + +"I'll take it myself!" exclaimed Tom, as he got ready to go out into the +night with the urgent request. "Is there any immediate danger for my +father?" he asked. + +"No; not any immediate danger," replied Dr. Gladby. "But the operation +is imperative if he is to live. It is his one and only chance." + +Tom thought only of his father as he hurried on through the night. Even +the prospect of the great race, so soon to take place, had no part in +his mind. + +"I'll not race until I'm sure dad is going to get better," he decided. +With the message to the noted specialist Tom also sent one to Mr. Damon, +telling him the news, and asking him to come to Shopton. Tom felt that +the presence of the odd gentleman would help him, and Mr. Damon, who +first intended to stay on at the Swift home until he and Tom departed +for Eagle Park, had gone back to his own residence to attend to some +business Tom knew he would come in the morning, and Mr. Damon did arrive +on the first train. + +"Bless my soul!" he exclaimed with ready sympathy, as he extended his +hand to Tom. "What's all this?" The young inventor told him, beginning +with the fire that had been the cause of the excitement which produced +the change in Mr. Swift. + +"But I have great hopes that the specialist will be able to cure him," +said Tom, for, with the coming of daylight, his courage had returned to +him. "Dr. Gladby and Dr. Kurtz depend a great deal on Dr. Hendrix," he +said. + +"Yes, he certainly is a wonderful man. I have heard a great deal about +him. I have no doubt but what he will cure your father. But about the +fire? How did it start?" + +"I don't know, but now that I have a few hours to spare before the +doctor can get here, I'm going to make an examination." + +"Bless my penwiper, but I'll help you." + +Tom went into the house, to inquire of Mrs. Baggert, for probably the +tenth time that morning, how his father was doing. Mr. Swift was still +in a semi-conscious condition, but he recognized Tom, when the youth +stood at his bedside. + +"Don't worry about me, son," said the brave old inventor, as he took +Tom's hand. "I'll be all right. Go ahead and get ready for the race. I +want you to win!" + +Tears came into Tom's eyes. Would his father be well enough to allow him +to take part in the big event? He feared not. + +By daylight it was seen that quite a hole had been burned in the +aeroplane shed. Tom and Mr. Damon, accompanied by Mr. Jackson, walked +through the place. + +"And you say the fire broke out right after you had seen the mysterious +airship hovering over the house?" asked the eccentric man. + +"Well, not exactly after," answered Tom, "but within an hour or so. Why +do you ask?" + +But Mr. Damon did not answer. Something on the floor of the shed, amid a +pile of blackened and charred pieces of wood, attracted his attention. +He stooped over and picked it up. + +"Is this yours?" he asked Tom. + +"No. What is it?" + +The object looked like a small iron ball, with a tube about half an inch +in diameter projecting slightly from it. Tom took it'. + +"Why, it looks like an infernal machine or a dynamite bomb," he said. "I +wonder where it came from? Guess I'd better drop it in a pail of water. +Maybe Eradicate found it and brought it here. I never saw it before. Mr. +Jackson, please hand me that pail of water. We'll soak this bomb." + +"There is no need," said Mr. Damon, quietly. "It is harmless now. It has +done its work. It was that which set fire to your shed, and which caused +the stifling fumes." + +"That?" cried Tom. + +"Yes. This ball is hollow, and was filled with a chemical. It was +dropped on the roof, and, after a certain time, the plug in the tube was +eaten through, the chemicals ran out, set the roof ablaze, and, dripping +down inside spread the choking odors that nearly prevented you from +getting out your aeroplane." + +"Are you sure of this?" asked the young inventor. + +"Positive. I read about these bombs recently. A German invented them to +be used in attacking a besieged city in case of war." + +"But how did this one get on my shed roof?" asked Tom. + +"It was dropped there by the mysterious airship!" exclaimed the odd man. +"That was why the aeroplane moved about over your place. Those in it +hoped that the fire would not break out until you were all asleep, and +that the shed and the Humming-Bird would be destroyed before you came to +the rescue. Some of your enemies are still after you, Tom." + +"And it was Andy Foger, I'll wager!" he cried. "He was in that aircraft! +Oh, I'll have a long score to settle with him!" + +"Of course you can't be sure it was he," said Mr. Damon, "but I wouldn't +be a bit surprised but what it was. Andy is capable of such a thing. He +wanted to prevent you from taking part in the race." + +"Well, he sha'n't!" cried Tom, and then he thought of his invalid +father. They made a further examination of the shed, and discovered +another empty bomb. Then Tom recalled having seen something drop from +the mysterious aeroplane as it passed over the shed. + +"It was these bombs," he said. "We certainly had a narrow escape! Oh, +wait until I settle my score with Andy Foger!" + +As there would be but little use for the aeroplane shed now, if Tom sent +his craft off to the meet, it was decided to repair it temporarily only, +until he returned. + +Accordingly, a big tarpaulin was fastened over the hole in the roof. +Then Tom put a new wing tip on in place of the one that had been +scorched. He looked all over his sky racer, and decided that it was in +fit condition for the coming meet. + +"I'll begin to take it apart for shipment, as soon as I hear from the +specialist that dad is well enough for me to go," he said. + +It was a few hours after the discovery of the empty bomb that Tom saw +Dr. Gladby coming along. The physician was urging his horse to top +speed. Tom felt a vague fear in his heart. + +"I've got a message from Dr. Hendrix, Tom," he said, as he stopped his +carriage, and approached the lad. + +"When can he come?" asked the young inventor, eagerly. + +"He can't get here, Tom." + +"Can't get here! Why not?" + +"Because the railroad bridge has collapsed, and there is no way to come. +He can't make any other connections to get here in time--in time to do +your father any good, Tom. He has just sent me a telegram to that +effect. Dr. Hendrix can't get here, and..." Dr. Gladby paused. + +"Do you mean that my father may die if the operation is not performed?" +asked Tom, in a low voice. + +"Yes," was the answer. + +"But can't Dr. Hendrix drive here in an auto?" asked the lad. "Surely +there must be some way of getting over the river, even if the railroad +bridge is down. Can't he cross in a boat and drive here?" + +"He wouldn't be in time, Tom. Don't you understand, Dr. Hendrix must be +here within four hours, if he is to save your father's life. He never +could do it by driving or by coming on some other road, or in an auto. +He can't make the proper connections. There is no way." + +"Yes, there is!" cried Tom, suddenly. "I know a way!" + +"How?" asked Dr. Gladby, thrilled by Tom's ringing tones. "How can you +do it, Tom?" + +"I'll go for Dr. Hendrix in my Humming-Bird." + +"Going for him would do no good. He must be brought here." + +"And so he shall be!" cried Tom. "I'll bring him here in my sky +racer--if he has the nerve to stand the journey, and I think he has! +I'll bring Dr. Hendrix here!" and Tom hurried away to prepare for the +thrilling trip. + + + + +Chapter Nineteen + +A Nervy Specialist + + +There was little time to lose. Every moment of delay meant so much less +chance for the recovery of Mr. Swift. Even now the periods of +consciousness were becoming shorter and farther apart. He seemed to be +sinking. + +Tom resolutely refused to think of the possibility of death, as he went +in to bid his parent good-by before starting off on his trip through the +air. Mr. Swift barely knew his son, and, with tears in his eyes, though +he bravely tried to keep them back, the young inventor went out into the +yard. + +There stood the Humming-Bird, with Mr. Jackson, Mr. Damon and Eradicate +working over her, to get her in perfect trim for the race before her--a +race with death. + +Fortunately there was little to be done to get the speedy craft ready. +Tom had accomplished most of what was necessary, while waiting for word +from Dr. Hendrix. Now about all that needed to be done was to see that +there was plenty of gasoline and oil in the reservoirs. + +"I'll give you a note to Dr. Hendrix," said Mr. Gladby, as Tom was +fastening on his faceguard. "I--I trust you won't be disappointed, Tom. +I hope he will consent to return with you." + +"He's got to come," said the young inventor, simply, as if that was all +there was to it. + +"Do you think you can make the trip in time?" asked Mr. Damon. "It is a +little less than a hundred miles in an airline, but you have to go and +go back. Can the aeroplane do it?" + +"I'd be ashamed of her if she couldn't," said Tom, with a grim +tightening of his lips. "She's just got to do it; that's all! But I know +she will," and he patted the big propeller and the motor's shining +cylinders as though the machine was a thing alive, like a horse or a +dog, who could understand him. + +He climbed to his seat, the other one holding a bag of sand to maintain +a good balance. + +"Start her," ordered Tom, and Mr. Jackson twisted the propeller. The +motor caught at once, and the air throbbed with the noise of the +explosions. Tom listened to the tune of the machinery. It sang true. + +"Two thousand pounds thrust!" called the engineer, as he looked at the +scale. + +"Let her go!" cried Tom, whose voice was hardly heard above the roar. +The trim little aeroplane scudded over the ground, gathering speed at +every revolution of the wheels. Then with a spring like that of some +great bird launching itself in flight, she left the earth, and took to +the air. Tom was off on his trip. + +Those left behind sent up a cautious cheer, for they did not want to +disturb Mr. Swift. They waved their hands to the young inventor, and he +waved his in reply. Then he settled down for one of the swiftest flights +he had ever undertaken. + +Tom ascended until he struck a favorable current of air. There was a +little wind blowing in the direction he wished to take, and that aided +him. But even against a powerful head-wind the Humming-Bird could make +progress. + +The young inventor saw the ground slipping backward beneath him. +Carefully he watched the various indicators, and listened intently to +the sound of the cylinders' explosions. They came rapidly and regularly. +The motor was working well. + +Tom glanced at the barograph. It registered two thousand feet, and he +decided to keep at about that height, as it gave him a good view, and he +could see to steer, for a route had been hastily mapped out for him by +his friends. + +Over cities, towns, villages, scattered farmhouses; across stretches of +forest; over rivers, above big stretches of open country he flew. Often +he could see eager crowds below, gazing up at him. But he paid no heed. +He was looking for a sight of a certain broad river, which was near +Kirkville. Then he knew he would be close to his goal. + +He had speeded up the motor to the limit, and there was nothing to do +now, save to manage the planes, wing tips and rudders, and to see that +the gasoline and oil were properly fed to the machine. + +Faster and faster went the Humming-Bird, but Tom's thoughts were even +faster. He was thinking of many things--of his father--of what he would +do if Mr. Swift died--of the mysterious airship--of the stolen plans--of +the fire in the shed--of the great race--and of Andy Foger. + +He took little note of time, and when, in less than an hour he sighted +the river that told him he was near to Kirkville, he was rather +startled. + +"You certainly did come right along, Humming-Bird!" he murmured proudly. + +He descended several hundred feet, and, as he passed over the town, the +people of which grew wildly excited, he looked about for the house of +the noted specialist. He knew how to pick it out, for Dr. Gladby had +described it to him, and Tom was glad to see, as he came within view of +the residence, that it was surrounded by a large yard. + +"I can land almost at his door," he said, and he did, volplaning to +earth with an ease born of long practice. + +To say that Dr. Hendrix was astonished when Tom dropped in on him in +this manner, would not be exactly true. The specialist was not in the +habit of receiving calls from youths in aeroplanes, but the fact was, +that Dr. Hendrix was so absorbed in his work, and thought so constantly +about it, that it took a great deal to startle him out of his usual +calm. + +"And so you came for me in your aeroplane?" he asked of Tom, as he gazed +at the trim little craft. It is doubtful if he really saw it, however, +as Dr. Hendrix was just then thinking of an operation he had performed a +few hours before. "I'm sorry you had your trip for nothing," he went on. +"I'd like very much to come to your father, but didn't you get my +telegram, telling about the broken bridge? There is no way for me to get +to Shopton in time." + +"Yes, there is!" cried Tom, eagerly. + +"How?" + +"The same way I came--in the aeroplane! Dr. Hendrix you must go back +with me! It's the only way to save my father's life. Come with me in the +Humming-Bird. It's perfectly safe. I can make the trip in less than an +hour. I can carry you and your instruments. Will you come? Won't you +come to save my father's life?" Tom was fairly pleading now. + +"A trip in an aeroplane," mused Dr. Hendrix "I've never taken such a +thing. I--" + +"Don't be afraid, there's really no danger," said Tom. + +The physician seemed to reach a sudden conclusion. His eyes brightened. +He walked over and looked at the little Humming-Bird. For the time being +he forgot about his operations. + +"I'll go with you!" he suddenly cried. "I'll go with you, Tom Swift! If +you've got the nerve, so have I! and if my science and skill can save +your father's life, he'll live to be an old man! Wait until I get my bag +and I'll be with you!" + +Tom's heart gave a bound of hope. + + + + +Chapter Twenty + +Just in Time + + +While Dr. Hendrix was in his office, getting ready to make the thrilling +trip through the air with Tom, the young inventor spent a few minutes +going over his monoplane. The wonderful little craft had made her first +big flight in excellent time, though Tom knew she could do better the +farther she was flown. Not a stay had started, not a guy wire was loose. +The motor had not overheated, and every bearing was as cool as though it +had not taken part in thousands of revolutions. + +"Oh, I can depend on you!" murmured Tom, as he looked to see that the +propeller was tight on the shaft. He gave the bearing a slight +adjustment to make sure of it. + +He was at this when the specialist reappeared. Dr. Hendrix, after his +first show of excitement, when he had made his decision to accompany +Tom, had resumed his usual calm demeanor. Once again he was the grave +surgeon, with his mind on the case before him. + +"Well, is my auto ready?" he asked absentmindedly. Then, as he saw the +little aeroplane, and Tom standing waiting beside it, he added: "Oh, I +forgot for the moment that I was to make a trip through the air, instead +of in my car. Well, Mr. Swift, are we all ready?" + +"All ready," replied the young inventor. "We're going to make fast time, +Dr. Hendrix. You'd better put this on," and Tom extended a face +protector. + +"What's it for?" The physician looked curiously at it. + +"To keep the air from cutting your cheeks and lips. We are going to +travel a hundred miles an hour this trip." + +"A hundred miles an hour!" Dr. Hendrix spoke as though he would like to +back out. + +"Maybe more, if I can manage it," went on Tom, calmly, as he proceeded +to remove the bag of sand from the place where the surgeon was to sit. +Then he looked to the various equilibrium arrangements and the control +levers. He was so cool about it, taking it all for granted, as if rising +and flying through the air at a speed rivaling that of the fastest +birds, was a matter of no moment, that Dr. Hendrix was impressed by the +calm demeanor of the young inventor. + +"Very well," said the surgeon with a shrug of his shoulders, "I guess +I'm game, Tom Swift." + +The doctor took the seat Tom pointed out to him, with his bag of +instruments on his knees. He put on the face protector, and had, at the +suggestion of our hero, donned a heavy coat. + +"For it's cold in the upper regions," said Tom. + +Several servants in the physician's household had gathered to see him +depart in this novel fashion, and the chauffeur of the auto, in which +the specialist usually made his calls, was also there. + +"I'll give you a hand," said the chauffeur to the young inventor. "I was +at an aviation meet once, and I know how it's done." + +"Good," exclaimed Tom. "Then you can hold the machine, and shove when I +give the word." + +Tom started the propeller himself, and quickly jumped into his seat. The +chauffeur held back the Humming-Bird until the young aviator had speeded +up the motor. + +"Let go!" cried the youthful inventor, and the man gave the little craft +a shove. Across the rather uneven ground of the doctor's yard it ran, +straight for a big iron barrier. + +"Look out! We'll be into the fence!" shouted the surgeon. "We'll be +killed!" He seemed about to leap off. + +"Sit still!" cried Tom, and at that instant he tilted the elevation +planes, and the craft shot upward, going over the fence like a circus +horse taking a seven-barred gate. + +"Oh!" exclaimed the physician in a curious voice. They were off on their +trip to save the life of Mr. Swift. + +What the sensations of the celebrated specialist were, Tom never +learned. If he was afraid, his fright quickly gave place to wonder, and +the wonder soon changed to delight as the machine rose higher and +higher, acquired more speed, and soared in the air over the country that +spread out in all directions from Kirkville. + +"Magnificent! Magnificent!" murmured the doctor, and then Tom knew that +the surgeon was in the grip of the air, and was one of the "bird-men." + +Every moment the Humming-Bird increased her speed. They passed over the +river near where men were working on the broken bridge. It was now no +barrier to them. Tom, noting the barograph, and seeing that they were +twenty-two hundred feet high, decided to keep at about that distance +from the earth. + +"How fast are we going?" cried Dr. Hendrix, into the ear of the young +inventor. + +"Just a little short of a hundred an hour!" Tom shouted back. "We'll hit +a hundred and five before long." + +His prediction proved true, and when about forty miles from Shopton that +terrific speed had been attained. It seemed as if they were going to +have a trip devoid of incident, and Tom was congratulating himself on +the quick time made, when he ran into a contrary strata of air. Almost +before he knew it the Humming-Bird gave a dangerous and sickening dive, +and tilted at a terrifying angle. + +"Are we going to turn turtle?" cried the doctor. + +"I--I hope not!" gasped Tom. He could not understand why the equilibrium +weights did not work, but he had no time then to investigate. Quickly he +warped the wing tips and brought the craft up on an even keel. + +He gave a sigh of relief as the aeroplane was once more shooting +forward, and he was not mistaken when he thought he heard Dr. Hendrix +murmur a prayer of thankfulness. Their escape had been a narrow one. +Tom's nerve, and the coolness of the physician, had alone saved them +from a fall to death. + +But now, as if ashamed of her prank, the Humming-Bird went along even +better than before. Tom was peering through the slight haze that hung +over the earth, for a sight of Shopton. At length the spires of the +churches came into view. + +"There it is," he called, pointing downward. "We'll land in two minutes +more." + +"No time to spare," murmured the doctor, who knew the serious nature of +the aged inventor's illness. "How long did it take us?" + +"Fifty-one minutes," replied Tom, glancing at a small clock in front of +him. Then he shut off the motor and volplaned to earth, to the no small +astonishment of the surgeon. He made a perfect landing in the yard +before the shed, leaped from his seat, and called: + +"Come, Dr. Hendrix!" + +The surgeon followed him. Dr. Gladby and Dr. Kurtz came to the door of +the house. On their faces were grave looks. They greeted the celebrated +surgeon eagerly. + +"Well?" he asked quickly, and they knew what he meant. + +"You are only just in time," said Dr. Gladby, softly, and Tom, following +the doctors into the house, wondered if his trip with the specialist had +been in vain. + + + + +Chapter Twenty-One + +"Will He Live?" + + +Soon there were busy scenes in the Swift home, as preparations were made +for a serious operation on the aged inventor. Tom's father had sunk into +deep unconsciousness, and was stretched out on the bed as though there +was no more life in him. In fact, Tom, for the moment, feared that it +was all over. But good old Dr. Kurtz, noting the look on the lad's face, +said: + +"Ach, Dom, doan't vorry! Maybe it vill yet all be vell, und der vater +vill hear of der great race. Bluck up your courage, und doan't gif up. +Der greatest surgeon in der vorld is here now, und if anybody gan safe +your vater, Herr Hendriz gan. Dot vos a great drip you made--a great +drip!" + +Tom felt a little comforted and, after a sight of his father, and a +silent prayer that God would spare his life for years to come, the young +inventor went out in the yard. He wanted to be busy about something, for +he knew, with the doctors, and a trained nurse who had been hastily +summoned, there was no immediate need for him. He wanted to get his mind +off the operation that would soon take place, and so he decided to look +over his aeroplane. + +Mr. Damon came out when Tom was going over the guy wires and braces, to +see how they had stood the strain. + +"Well, Tom, my lad," said the eccentric man, sadly, as he grasped our +hero's hand, "it's too bad. But hope for the best. I'm sure your father +will pull through. We will have to begin taking the Humming-Bird apart +soon; won't we, if we're going to ship it to Eagle Park?" He wanted to +take Tom's mind off his troubles. + +"I don't know whether we will or not," was the answer, and Tom tried to +speak unbrokenly, but there was a troublesome lump in his throat, and a +mist of tears in his eyes that prevented him from seeing well. The +Hamming-Bird, to him, looked as if she was in a fog. + +"Nonsense! Of course we will!" cried Mr. Damon. "Why, bless my wishbone! +Tom, you don't mean to say you're going to let that little shrimp Andy +Foger walk away with that ten-thousand-dollar prize without giving him a +fight for it; are you?" + +This was just what Tom needed, and it seemed good to have Mr. Damon +bless something again, even if it was only a wishbone. + +"No!" exclaimed Tom, in ringing tones. "Andy Foger isn't going to beat +me, and if I find out he is going to race with a machine made after my +stolen plans, I'll make him wish he'd never taken them." + +"But if the machine he had flying over here when he dropped that bomb on +the shed roof, and set fire to it, is the one he's going to race with, +it isn't like yours," suggested Mr. Damon, who was glad he had turned +the conversation into a more cheerful channel. + +"That's so," agreed the young inventor. "We'll, we'll have to wait and +see." He was busy now, going over every detail of the Humming-Bird. Mr. +Damon helped him, and they discovered the defect in the equilibrium +weights, and remedied it. + +"We can't afford to have an accident in the race," said Tom. He glanced +toward the house, and wondered if the operation had begun yet. He could +see the trained nurse hurrying here and there, Mrs. Baggert helping her. + +Eradicate Sampson shuffled out from the stable where he kept his mule +Boomerang. On the face of the honest colored man there was a dejected +look. + +"Am Massa Swift any better, Massa Tom?" he asked. + +"We can't tell yet," was the answer. + +"Well, if he doan't git well, den I'm goin' t' sell mah mule," went on +the dirt-chaser, from which line of activity Eradicate had derived his +name. + +"Sell Boomerang! Bless my curry comb! what for?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"'Case as how he wouldn't neber be any good fo' wuk any mo'," explained +Eradicate. "He's got so attached t' dis place, an' all de folkes on it, +dat he'd feel so sorry ef--ef--well, ef any ob 'em went away, dat I +couldn't git no mo' wuk out ob him, no how. So ef Massa Swift doan't git +well, den I an' Boomerang parts!" + +"Well, we hope it won't happen," said Tom, greatly touched by the simple +grief of Eradicate. The young inventor was silent a moment, and then he +softly added: "I--I wonder when--when we'll know?" + +"Soon now, I think," answered Mr. Damon, in a low voice. + +Silently they waited about the aeroplane. Tom tried to busy himself, but +he could not. He kept his eyes fastened on the house. + +It seemed like several hours, but it was not more than one, ere the +white-capped nurse came to the door and waved her hand to Tom. He sprang +to his feet and rushed forward. What would be the message he was to +receive? + +He stood before the nurse, his heart madly beating. She looked gently at +him. + +"Will he--will he live?" Tom asked, pantingly. + +"I think so," she answered gently. "The operation is over. It was a +success, so far. Time alone will tell, now. Dr. Hendrix says you can see +your father for lust a moment." + + + + +Chapter Twenty-Two + +Off to the Meet + + +Softly Tom tiptoed into the room where his father lay. At the bedside +were the three doctors, and the nurse followed the young inventor in. +Mrs. Baggert stood in the hall, and near her was Garret Jackson. The +aged housekeeper had been weeping, but she smiled at Tom through her +tears. + +"I think he's going to get well," she whispered. She always looked on +the bright side of things. Tom's heart felt better. + +"You must only speak a few words to him," cautioned the specialist, who +had performed such a rare and delicate operation, near the heart of the +invalid. "He is very weak, Tom." + +Mr. Swift opened his eyes as his son approached. He looked around +feebly. + +"Tom--are you there?" he asked in a whisper. + +"Yes, dad," was the eager answer + +"They tell me you--you made a great trip to get Dr. Hendrix--broken +bridge--came through the air with him. Is that right?" + +"Yes, dad. But don't tire yourself. You must get well and strong." + +"I will, Tom. But tell me; did you go in--in the Humming-Bird?" + +"Yes, dad." + +"How did she work?" + +"Fine. Over a hundred, and the motor wasn't at its best." + +"That's good. Then you can go in the big race, and win." + +"No, I don't believe I'll go, dad." + +"Why not?" Mr. Swift spoke more strongly. + +"I--because--well, I don't want to." + +"Nonsense, Tom! I know; it's on my account. I know it is. But listen to +me. I want you to go in! I want you to win that race! Never mind about +me. I'm going to get well, and I'll recover all the more quickly if you +win that race. Now promise me you'll go in it and--and--win!" + +The invalid's strength was fast leaving him. + +"I--I---," began Tom. + +"Promise!" insisted the aged inventor, trying to rise. Dr. Hendrix made +a hasty move toward the bed. + +"Promise!" whispered the surgeon to Tom. + +"I--I promise!" exclaimed Tom, and the aged inventor sank back with a +smile of satisfaction on his pale face. + +"Now you must go," said Dr. Gladby to Tom. "He has talked long enough. +He must sleep now, and get up his strength." + +"Will he get better?" asked Tom, anxiously. + +"We can't say for sure," was the answer. "We have great hopes." + +"I don't want to enter the race unless I know he is going to live," went +on Tom, as Dr. Gladby followed him out of the room. + +"No one can say for a certainty that he will recover," spoke the +physician. "You will have to hope for the best, that is all, Tom. If I +were you I'd go in the race. It will occupy your mind, and if you could +send good news to your father it might help him in the fight for life he +is making." + +"But suppose--suppose something happens while I am away?" suggested the +young inventor. + +The doctor thought for a moment. Then he exclaimed: + +"You have a wireless outfit on your craft; haven't you?" + +"Yes." + +"Then you can receive messages from here every hour if you wish. Garret +Jackson, your engineer, can send them, and you can pick them up in +mid-air if need be." + +"So I can!" cried Tom. "I will go to the meet. I'll take the +Humming-Bird apart at once, and ship it to Eagle Park. Unless Dr. +Hendrix wants to go back in it," he added as an after thought. + +"No," spoke Dr. Gladby, "Dr. Hendrix is going to remain here for a few +days, in case of an emergency. By that time the bridge will have been +repaired, and he can go back by train. I gather, from what he said, that +though he liked the air trip, he will not care for another one." + +"Very well," assented Tom, and Mr. Damon and he were kept busy, packing +the Humming-Bird for shipment. Mr. Jackson helped them, and Eradicate +and his mule Boomerang were called on occasionally when boxes or crates +were to be taken to the railroad station. + +In the meanwhile, Mr. Swift, if he did not improve any, at least held +his own. This the doctors said was a sign of hope, and, though Tom was +filled with anxiety, he tried to think that fate would be kind to him, +and that his father would recover. Dr. Hendrix left, saying there was +nothing more he could do, and that the rest depended on the local +physicians, and on the nurse. + +"Und ve vill do our duty!" ponderously exclaimed Dr. Kurtz. "You go off +to dot bird race, Dom, und doan't vorry. Ve vill send der with-out-vire +messages to you venever dere is anyt'ing to report. Go mit a light +heart!" + +How Tom wished he could, but it was out of the question. The last of the +parts of the Humming-Bird had been sent away, and our hero forwarded a +telegram to Mr. Sharp, of the arrangement committee, stating that he and +Mr. Damon would soon follow. Then, having bidden his father a fond +farewell, and after arranging with Mr. Jackson to send frequent wireless +messages, Tom and the eccentric man left for the meet. + +There was a wireless station at Eagle Park, and Tom had planned to +receive the messages from home there until he could set up his own +plant. He would have two outfits. One in the big tent where the +Humming-Bird was to be put together, and another on the machine itself, +so that when in the air, practicing, or even in the great race itself, +there would be no break in the news that was to be flashed through +space. + +Tom and Mr. Damon arrived at Eagle Park on time, and Tom's first inquiry +was for a message from home. There was one, Stating that Mr. Swift was +fairly comfortable, and seemed to be doing well. With happiness in his +heart, the young inventor then set about getting the parts of his craft +from the station to the park, where he and Mr. Damon, with a trusty +machinist whom Mr. Sharp had recommended, would assemble it. Tom +arranged that in his absence the wireless operator on the grounds would +take any message that came for him. + +The Humming-Bird, in the big cases and boxes, had safely arrived, and +these were soon in the tent which had been assigned to Tom. It was still +several days until the opening of the meet, and the grounds presented a +scene of confusion. + +Workmen were putting up grand stands, tents and sheds were being +erected, exhibitors were getting their machines in shape, and excited +contestants of many nationalities were hurrying to and fro, inquiring +about parts delayed in shipment, or worrying lest some of their pet +ideas be stolen. + +Tom and Mr. Damon, with Frank Forker, the young machinist, were soon +busy in their big tent, which was a combined workshop and living +quarters, for Tom had determined to stay right on the ground until the +big race was over. + +"I don't see anything of Andy Foger," remarked Mr. Damon, on the second +day of their residence in the park. "There are lots of new entries +arriving, but he doesn't seem to be on hand." + +"There's time enough," replied Tom. "I am afraid he's hanging back until +the last minute, and will spring his machine so late that I won't have +time to lodge a protest. It would be just like him." + +"Well, I'll be on the lookout for him. Have you heard from home to-day, +Tom?" + +"No. I'm expecting a message any minute." The young inventor glanced +toward the wireless apparatus which had been set up in the tent. At that +moment there came the peculiar sound which indicated a message coming +through space, and down the receiving wires. "There's something now!" +exclaimed Tom, as he hurried over and clamped the telephone receiver to +his ear. He listened a moment. + +"Good news!" he exclaimed. "Dad sat up a little to-day! I guess he's +going to get well!" and he clicked back congratulations to his father +and the others in Shopton. + +Another day saw the Humming-Bird almost in shape again, and Tom was +preparing for a tryout of the engine. + +Mr. Damon had gone over to the committee headquarters to consult with +Mr. Sharp about the steps necessary for Tom to take in case Andy did +attempt to enter a craft that infringed on the ideas of the young +inventor, and on his way back he saw a newly-erected tent. There was a +young man standing in the entrance, at the sight of whom the eccentric +man murmured: + +"Bless my skate-strap! His face looks very familiar!" + +The youth disappeared inside the tent suddenly, and, as Mr. Damon came +opposite the canvas shelter, he started in surprise. + +For, on a strip of muslin which was across the tent, painted in gay +colors, were the words: + + +THE FOGER AEROPLANE + + +"Bless my elevation rudder!" cried Mr. Damon. "Andy's here at last! I +must tell Tom!" + + + + +Chapter Twenty-Three + +The Great Race + + +"Well," remarked Mr. Sharp, when Tom and Mr. Damon had called on him, to +state that Andy Foger's machine was now on the grounds, and demanding to +be allowed to view it, to see if it was an infringement on the one +entered by the young inventor, "I'll do the best I can for you. I'll lay +the case before the committee. It will meet at once, and I'll let you +know what they say." + +"Understand," said Tom, "I don't want to interfere unless I am convinced +that Andy is trying an underhand trick. My plans are missing, and I +think he took them. If his machine is made after those plans, it is, +obviously, a steal, and I want him ruled out of the meet." + +"And so he shall be!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp. "Get the evidence against +him, and we'll act quickly enough." + +The committee met in about an hour, and considered the case. Meanwhile, +Tom and Mr. Damon strolled past the tent with its flaring sign. There +was a man on guard, but Andy was not in sight. + +Then Tom was sent for, and Mr. Sharp told him what conclusion had been +arrived at. It was this: + +"Under the rules of the meet," said the balloonist, "we had to guarantee +privacy to all the contestants until such time as they choose to exhibit +their machines. That is, they need not bring them out until just before +the races," he added. "This is not a handicap affair, and the speediest +machine, or the one that goes to the greatest height, according to which +class it enters, will win. In consequence we cannot force any contestant +to declare what kind of a machine he will use until he gets ready. + +"Some are going to use the familiar type of biplanes and, as you can +see, there is no secret about them. They are trying them out now." This +was so, for several machines of this type were either in the air, +circling about, or were being run over the ground. + +"But others," continued Mr. Sharp, "will not even take the committee +into their confidence until just before the race. They want to keep +their craft a secret. We can't compel them to do otherwise. I'm sorry, +Tom, but the only thing I see for you to do is to wait until the last +minute. Then, if you find Andy has infringed on your machine, lodge a +protest--that is unless you can get evidence against him before that +time." + +Tom well knew the uselessness of the latter plan. He and Mr. Damon had +tried several times to get a glimpse of the craft Andy had made, but +without success. As to the other alternative--that of waiting until the +last moment--Tom feared that, too, would be futile. + +"For," he reasoned, "just before the race there will be a lot of +confusion, officials will be here and there, scattered over the ground, +they will be hard to find, and it will be almost useless to protest +then. Andy will enter the race, and there is a possibility that he may +win. Almost any one could with a machine like the Humming-Bird. It's the +machine almost as much as the operator, in a case like this." + +"But you can protest after the race," suggested Mr. Damon. + +"That would be little good, in case Andy beat me. The public would say I +was a sorehead, and jealous. No, I've either got to stop Andy before the +race, or not at all. I will try to think of a plan." + +Tom did think of several, but abandoned them one after the other. He +tried to get a glimpse inside the tent where the Foger aeroplane Was +housed, but it was too closely guarded. Andy himself was not much in +evidence, and Tom only had fleeting glimpses of the bully. + +Meanwhile he and Mr. Damon, together with their machinist, were kept +busy. As Tom's craft was fully protected by patents now, he had no +hesitation in taking it out, and it was given several severe tests +around the aerial course. It did even better than Tom expected of it, +and he had great hopes. + +Always, though, there were two things that worried him. One was his +father's illness, and the other the uneasiness he felt as to what Andy +Foger might do. As to the former, the wireless reports indicated that +Mr. Swift was doing as well as could be expected, but his improvement +was not rapid. Regarding the latter worry, Tom saw no way of getting rid +of it. + +"I've just got to wait, that's all," he thought. + +The day before the opening of the meet, Tom and Mr. Damon had given the +Humming-Bird a grueling tryout. They had taken her high up--so high that +no prying eyes could time them, and there Tom had opened the motor for +all the power in it. They had flashed through space at the rate of one +hundred and twenty miles an hour. + +"If we can only do that in the race, the ten thousand dollars is mine!" +exulted Tom, as he slanted the nose of the aeroplane toward the earth. + +The day of the race dawned clear and beautiful. Tom was up early, for +there remained many little things to do to get his craft in final trim +for the contest. Then, too, he wanted to be ready to act promptly as +soon as Andy's machine was wheeled out, and he also wanted to get a +message from home. + +The wireless arrived soon after breakfast, and did not contain very +cheering news. + +"Your father not so well," Mr. Jackson sent. "Poor night, but doctor +thinks day will show improvement. Don't worry." + +"Don't worry! I wonder who could help it," mused poor Tom. "Well, I'll +hope for the best," and he wired back to tell the engineer in Shopton to +keep in touch with him, and to flash the messages to the Humming-Bird in +the air, after the big race started. + +"Now I'll go out and see if I can catch a glimpse of what that sneak +Andy has to pit against me," said Tom. + +The Foger tent was tightly closed, and Tom turned back to his own place, +having arranged with a messenger to come and let him know as soon as +Andy's craft was wheeled out. + +All about was a scene of great activity. The grand stands were filled, +and a big crowd stood about the field anxiously waiting for the first +sight of the "bird-men" in their wonderful machines. Now and then the +band blared out, and cheers arose as one after another the frail craft +were wheeled to the starting place. + +Men in queer leather costumes darted here and there-they were the +aviators who were soon to risk life and limb for glory and gold. Most of +them were nervously smoking cigarettes. The air was filled with guttural +German or nasal French, while now and then the staccato Russian was +heard, and occasionally the liquid tones of a Japanese. For men of many +nations were competing for the prizes. + +The majority of the machines were monoplanes and biplanes though one +triplane was entered, and there were several "freaks" as the biplane and +monoplane men called them--craft of the helicopter, or the wheel type. +There was also one Witzig Liore Dutilleul biplane, with three planes +behind. + +Tom was familiar with most of these types, but occasionally he saw a new +one that excited his curiosity. However, he was more interested in what +Andy Foger would turn out. Andy's machine had not been tried, and Tom +wondered how he dared risk flying in it, without at least a preliminary +tryout. But Andy, and those with him, were evidently full of confidence. + +News of the suspicions of Tom, and what he intended to do in case these +suspicions proved true, had gotten around, and there was quite a crowd +about his own tent, and another throng around that of Andy. + +Tom and Mr. Damon had wheeled the Humming-Bird out of her canvas +"nest.". There was a cheer as the crowd caught sight of the trim little +craft. The young inventor, the eccentric man, and the machinist were +busy going over every part. + +Meanwhile the meet had been officially opened, and it was announced that +the preliminary event would be some air evolutions at no great height, +and for no particular prize. Several biplanes and monoplanes took part +in this. It was very interesting, but the big ten-thousand-dollar race, +over a distance of a hundred miles was the principal feature of the +meet, and all waited anxiously for this. + +The opening stunts passed off successfully, save that a German operator +in a Bleriot came to grief, crashing down to the ground, wrecking his +machine, and breaking an arm. But he only laughed at that, and coolly +demanded another cigarette, as he crawled out of the tangle of wires, +planes and the motor. + +After this there was an exhibition flight by a French aviator in a +Curtis biplane, who raced against one in a Baby Wright. It was a dead +heat, according to the judges. Then came a flight for height; and while +no records were broken, the crowd was well satisfied. + +"Get ready for the hundred-mile ten-thousand-dollar-prize race!" shouted +the announcer, through his megaphone. + +Tom's heart gave a bound. There were seven entrants in this contest +besides Tom and Andy Foger, and as announced by the starter they were as +follows: + +/$ +CONTESTANT MACHINE +Von Bergen.................Wright Biplane +Alameda..............Antoinette Monoplane +Perique.................Bleriot Monoplane +Loi Tong..........Santos-Dumont Monoplane +Wendell....................Curtis Biplane +De Tromp...................Farman Biplane +Lascalle.............Demoiselle Monoplane +Andy Foger.................-------------- +Tom Swift..........Humming-Bird Monoplane +$/ + +"What is the style of the Foger machine?" yelled some one in the crowd, +as the announcer lowered his megaphone. + +"It has not been announced," was the reply. "It will at once be wheeled +out though, in accordance with the conditions of the race." + +There was a craning of necks, and an uneasy movement in the crowd, for +Tom's story was now generally known. + +"Get ready to make your protest," advised Mr. Damon to the young +inventor. "I'll stay by the machine here until you come back. Bless my +radiator! I hope you beat him!" + +"I will, if it's possible!" murmured Tom, with a grim tightening of his +lips. + +There was a movement about Andy's tent, whence, for the last half hour +had come spasmodic noises that indicated the trying-out of the motor. +The flaps were pulled back and a curious machine was wheeled into view. +Tom rushed over toward it, intent on getting the first view. Would it +prove to be a copy of his speedy Humming-Bird? + +Eagerly he looked, but a curious sight met his eyes. The machine was +totally unlike any he had expected to see. It was large, and to his mind +rather clumsy, but it looked powerful. Then, as he took in the details, +he knew that it was the same one that had flown over his house that +night--it was the one from which the fire bomb had been dropped. + +He pushed his way through the crowd. He saw Andy standing near the +curious biplane, which type of air craft it nearest resembled, though it +had some monoplane features. On the side was painted the name: + +/$ + SLUGGER +$/ + +Andy caught sight of Tom Swift. + +"I'm going to beat you!" the bully boasted, and I haven't a machine like +yours, after all. You were wrong." + +"So I see," stammered Tom, hardly knowing what to think. "What did you +do with my plans then?" + +"I never had them!" + +Andy turned away, and began to assist the men he had hired to help him. +Like all the others, his machine had two seats, for in this race each +operator must carry a passenger. + +Tom turned away, both glad and sorry,--glad that his rival was not to +race him in a duplicate of the Humming-Bird, but sorry that he had as +yet no track of the strangely missing plans. + +"I wonder where they can be?" mused the young inventor. + +Then came the firing of the preliminary gun. Tom rushed back to where +Mr. Damon stood waiting for him. + +There was a last lock at the Humming-Bird. She was fit to race any +machine on the ground. Mr. Damon took his place. Tom started the +propeller. The other contestants were in their seats with their +passengers. Their assistants stood ready to shove them off. The +explosions of so many motors in action were deafening. + +"How much thrust?" cried Tom to his machinist. + +"Twenty-two hundred pounds!" + +"Good!" + +The report of the starting-gun could not be heard. But the smoke of it +leaped into the air. It was the signal to go. + +Tom's voice would not have carried five feet. He waved his hands as a +signal. His helper thrust the Humming-Bird forward. Over the smooth +ground it rushed. Tom looked eagerly ahead. On a line with him were the +other machines, including Andy Foger's Slugger. + +Tom pulled a lever. He felt his craft soar upward. The other machines +also pointed their noses into the air. + +The big race for the ten-thousand-dollar prize was under way! + + + + +Chapter Twenty Four + +Won by a Length + + +Rising upward, on a steep slant, for he wanted to get into the upper +currents as soon as possible, Tom looked down and off to his left and +saw one machine going over the ground in curious leaps and bounds. It +was the tiny Demoiselle--the smallest craft in the race, and its +peculiar style of starting was always thus manifested. + +"I don't believe he's going to make it," thought Tom. + +He was right. In another moment the tiny craft, after rising a short +distance, dove downward, and was wrecked. The young inventor saw the two +men crawling out from the tangled planes and wings, apparently +uninjured. + +"One contestant less," thought Tom, grimly, though with pity in his +heart for the unfortunates. + +However, he must think of himself and his own craft now. He glanced at +Mr. Damon sitting beside him. That odd gentleman, with never a thought +of blessing anything now, unless he did it silently, was watching the +lubricating system. This was a vital part of the craft, for if anything +went wrong with it, and the bearings overheated, the race would have to +be abandoned. So Tom was not trusting to any automatic arrangement, but +had instituted, almost at the last moment, a duplicate hand-worked +system, so that if one failed him he would have the other. + +"A good start!" shouted Mr. Damon in his car. + +Tom nodded, and glanced behind him. On a line with the Humming-Bird, and +at about the same elevation, were the Bleriot monoplane and a Wright +biplane. Below were the Santos-Dumont and the Antoinette. + +"Where's the Slugger?" called Tom to his friend. + +Mr. Damon motioned upward. There, in the air above Tom's machine, and +slightly in advance, was Andy Foger's craft. He had gotten away in +better shape than had the Humming-Bird. + +For a moment Tom's heart misgave him. Then he turned on more power, and +had the satisfaction of mounting upward and shooting onward until he was +on even terms with Andy. + +The bully gave one glance over toward his rival, and pulled a lever. The +Slugger increased her speed, but Tom was not a second behind him. + +There was a roaring noise in the rear, and up shot De Tromp in the +Farman, and Loi Tong, the little Japanese, in the Santos-Dumont. Truly +the race was going to be a hotly contested one. But the end was far off +yet. + +After the first jockeying for a start and position, the race settled +down into what might be termed a "grind." The course was a large one, +but so favorable was the atmosphere that day, and such was the location +of Eagle Park in a great valley, that even on the far side of the great +ellipse the contestants could be seen, dimly with the naked eye, but +very plainly with glasses, with which many of the spectators were +provided. + +Around and around they went, at no very great height, for it was +necessary to make out the signals set up by the race officials, so that +the contestants would know when they were near the finish, that they +might use the last atom of speed. So at varying heights the wonderful +machines circled about the course. + +The Humming-Bird was working well, and Tom felt a sense of pride as he +saw the ground slipping away below him. He felt sure that he would win, +even when Alameda, the Spaniard, in the Antoinette, came creeping up on +him, and even when Andy Foger, with a burst of speed, placed himself and +his passenger in the lead. + +"I'll catch him!" muttered Tom, and he opened the throttle a trifle +wider, and went after Andy, passing him with ease. + +They had covered about thirty miles of the course, when the humming and +crackling of the wireless apparatus told Tom that a message was coming. +He snapped the receiver to his ear, adjusting the outer covering to shut +out the racket of the motor, and listened. + +"Well?" asked Mr. Damon, as Tom took off the receiver. + +"Dad isn't quite so well," answered the lad. "Mr. Jackson says they have +sent for Dr. Hendrix again. But dad is game. He sends me word to go on +and win, and I'll do it, too, only--" + +Tom paused, and choked back a sob. Then he prepared to get more speed +out of his motor. + +"Of course you will!" cried Mr. Damon. "Bless my--!" + +But they encountered an adverse current of wind at that moment, and it +required the attention of both of the aviators to manage the machine. It +was soon on an even keel again, and once more was shooting forward +around the course. + +At times Tom would be in advance, and again he would have to give place +to the Curtis, the Farman, or the Santos-Dumont, as these speedy +machines, favored by a spurt from their motors, or by some current of +air, shot ahead. But, in general, Tom maintained the lead, and among the +spectators there began a series of guesses as to how much he would win +by. + +Tom glanced at the barograph. It registered a little over twelve hundred +feet. He looked at the speed gage. He was doing a trifle better than a +hundred miles an hour. He looked down at the signals. There was twenty +miles yet to go. It was almost time for the spurt for which he had been +holding back. Yet he would wait until five miles from the end, and then +he felt that he could gain and maintain a lead. + +"Andy seems to be doing well," said Mr. Damon. + +"Yes, he has a good machine," conceded Tom. + +Five miles more were reeled off. Then an other five. Another round of +that distance and Tom would key his motor up to the highest pitch, and +then the Humming-Bird would show what she could do. Eagerly Tom waited +for the right signal. + +Suddenly the wireless began buzzing again. Quickly the young inventor +clamped the receiver to his ear. Mr. Damon saw him turn pale. + +"Dr. Gladby says dad has a turn for the worse. There is little hope," +translated Tom. + +"Will you--are you going to quit?" asked Mr. Damon. + +Tom shook his head. + +"No!" he cried. "My father has become unconscious, so Mr. Jackson says, +but his last words were to me: 'Tell Tom to win the race!' And I'm going +to do it!" + +Tom suddenly changed his plans. There was to be no waiting for the +signal now. He would begin his final spurt, and if possible finish the +hundred miles at his utmost speed, win the race and then hasten to his +father's side. + +With a menacing roar the motor of the Humming-Bird took up the +additional power that Tom sent into her. She shot ahead like an eagle +darting after his prey. Tom opened up a big gap between his machine and +the one nearest him, which, at that moment, was the Antoinette, with the +Spaniard driving her. + +"Now to win!" cried Tom, grimly. + +Surely no race was ever flown as was that one! Tom flashed through the +air so quickly that his speed was almost incredible. The gage registered +one hundred and thirty miles an hour! + +Down below in the grand stands, and on the aviation field, there were +yells of approval--of wonder--of fear. But Tom and Mr. Damon could not +hear them. They only heard the powerful song of the motor. + +Faster and faster flew the Humming-Bird Tom looked down, and saw the +signal put up which meant that there were but three miles more to go. He +felt that he could do it. He was half a lap ahead of them all now. But +he saw Andy Foger's machine pulling away from the bunch. + +"He's going to try to catch me!" exulted Tom. + +Then something happened. The motor of the Humming-Bird suddenly +slackened its speed, it missed explosions, and the trim little craft +began to drop behind. + +"What's the matter?" cried Mr. Damon. + +"Three of the cylinders are out of business!" yelled Tom. "We're done +for, I guess." + +On came the other machines, Andy in the lead, then the Santos-Dumont, +then the Farman, and lastly the Wright. They saw the plight of the +Humming-Bird and determined to beat her. Tom cast a despairing look up +at the motor. There was nothing to be done. He could not reach it In +mid-air. He could only keep on, crippled as he was, and trust to luck. + +Andy passed by his rival with an evil smile on his ugly face. Then the +Antoinette flashed by. In turn all the others left Tom in the rear Toms +heart was like lead. Mr. Damon gazed blankly forward. They were beaten. +It did not seem possible. + +There was but a single chance. If Tom shut off all power, coasted for a +moment, and then, ere the propeller had ceased revolving, if he could +start the motor on the spark, the silent cylinders might pick up, with +the others, and begin again. He would try it. They could be no worse off +than they were. + +"A mile behind!" gasped Tom. "It's a long chance, but I'll take it." + +He shut off the power. The motor was silent, the Humming-Bird began to +fall. But ere she had gone down ten feet Tom suddenly switched on the +batteries. There was a moment of silence, and then came the welcome roar +that told of the rekindled motor. And such a roar as it was! Every +cylinder was exploding as though none of them had ever stopped! + +"We did it!" yelled Tom. Opening up at full speed, he sent the sky racer +on the course to overtake and pass his rivals. + +Slowly he crept on them. They looked back and saw him coming. They tried +to put on more speed, but it was impossible. Andy Foger was in the lead. +He was being slowly overhauled by the Santos-Dumont, with the queer +tail-rudders. + +"I'll get him!" muttered Tom. "I'll pass 'em all!" + +And he did. With a wonderful burst of speed the little Humming-Bird +overtook one after another of her larger rivals, and passed them. Then +she crept up on Andy's Slugger. + +In an instant more it was done, and, a good length in advance of the +Foger craft, Tom shot over the finish line a winner, richer by ten +thousand dollars, and, not only that, but he had picked up a mile that +had been lost, and had snatched victory from almost certain defeat. + +There was a succession of thundering cheers as he shut off the motor, +and volplaned to earth, but he paid little attention to them. He brought +his craft to a stop just as the wireless on it buzzed again. + +He listened with a look of pain on his face. + +"My father is dying," he said simply. "I must go to him. Mr. Damon, will +you fill the tanks with oil and gasoline, while I send off a message?" + +"Oil and gasoline," murmured the odd man, while hundreds pressed up to +congratulate Tom Swift "What are you going to do?" + +"I'm going to my father in the Humming-Bird," said Tom. "It's the only +way I can see him alive," and he began to click off a message to Mr. +Jackson, stating that he had won the race and was going to fly to +Shopton, while Mr. Damon and several others replenished the fuel and oil +of the aeroplane. + +Tom Swift had won one race. Could he win the other? + + + + +Chapter Twenty-Five + +Home Again--Conclusion + + +Mr. Sharp pushed his way through the crowd. + +"The committee has the certified check ready for you, Tom," called the +balloonist. "Will you come and get it?" + +"Send it to me, please," answered the young inventor. "I must go to my +father." + +"Huh! I'd have beaten him in another round," boasted Andy Foger. No one +paid any attention to him. + +"Monsieur ezz plucky!" said the Frenchman, Perique. "I am honaired to +shake his hand! He has broken all ze records!" + +"Dot's der best machine I effer saw," spoke the Dutchman, De Tromp, +ponderously. "Shake hands!" + +"Ver' fine, ver' good!" came from the little Japanese, and all the +contestants congratulated Tom warmly. Never before had a hundred miles +been covered so speedily. + +A man elbowed his way through the press of people. + +"Is your machine fully protected by patents?" he inquired earnestly. + +"It is," said Tom. + +"Then, as a representative of the United States Government, I would like +an option to purchase the exclusive right to use them," said the man. +"Can you guarantee that no one else has any plans of them? It will mean +a fortune to you." + +Tom hesitated. He thought of the stolen plans. If he could only get +possession of them! He glanced at Andy Foger, who was wheeling his +machine hack into the tent. But there was no time now to have it out +with the bully. + +"I will see you again," said Tom to the government agent. "I must go to +my father, who is dying. I can't answer you now." + +The tanks were filled. Tom gave a hasty look to his machine, and, +bidding his new friends fairwell, he and Mr. Damon took their places +aboard the Humming-Bird. The little craft rose in the air, and soon they +had left Eagle Park far behind. Eagerly Tom strained his eyes for a +sight of his home town, though he knew it would be several hours ere he +could hover over it. + +Would he be in time? Would he be in time? That question came to him +again and again. + +For a time the Humming-Bird skimmed along as though she delighted in the +rapid motion, in slipping through the air and sliding along on the +billows of wind. Tom, with critical ears, listened to the hum of the +motor, the puffing of the exhaust, the grinding of the gear wheels, and +the clicking of the trips, as valve after valve opened or closed to +admit the mixture of air and gasoline, or closed to give the compression +necessary for the proper explosion. + +"Is she working all right?" asked Mr. Damon, anxiously, and, such was +the strain on him that he did not think to bless anything. "Is she all +right, Tom, my lad?" + +"I think so. I'm speeding her to the limit. Faster than I ever did +before, but I guess she'll do. She was built to stand a strain, and +she's got to do it now!" + +Then there was silence again, as they slid along through the air like a +coaster gliding down a steep descent. + +"It was a great race, wasn't it?" asked Mr. Damon, as he shifted to an +easier position in his seat. "A great race, Tom. I didn't think you'd do +it, one spell there." + +"Neither did I," came the answer, as the young inventor changed the +spark lever. "But I made up my mind I wouldn't be beaten by Andy Foger, +if I could help it. Though it was taking a risk to shut off the current +the way I did." + +"A risk?" + +"Yes; it might not have started again," and Tom looked down at the earth +below them, as if measuring the distance he would have fallen had not +his sky racer kept on at the critical moment. + +"And--and if the current hadn't come on again; eh, Tom? Would we--?" + +Mr. Damon did not finish, but Tom knew what he meant. + +"It would have been all up with us," he said simply. "I might have +volplaned back to earth, but at the speed we were going, and at the +height, around a curve, we might have turned turtle." + +"Bless my--!" began Mr. Damon, and then he stopped. The thought of Tom's +trouble came to him, and he realized that his words might grate on the +feelings of his companion. + +On they rushed through the air with the Humming-Bird speeded up faster +and faster as she warmed to her task. The machinery seemed to be working +perfectly, and as Tom listened to the hum a look of pleasure replaced +the look of anxiety on his face. + +"Don't you think we'll make it?" asked Mr. Damon, after another pause, +during which they passed over a large city, the inhabitants exhibiting +much excitement as they sighted the airship over their heads. + +"We've got to make it!" declared Tom between his clenched teeth. + +Ne turned on a little more gasoline, and there was a spurt in their +speed which made Mr. Damon grasp the upright braces near him with firm +hands, and his face became a little paler. + +"It's all right," spoke Tom, reassuringly. "There's no danger." + +But Tom almost reckoned without his host, for a few moments later, as he +was trying to get more revolutions out of the propellers, he ran into an +adverse current of air. + +In an instant the Humming-Bird was tilted up almost on her "beams' +ends," so to speak, and had it not been that the young inventor quickly +warped the wing tips, to counteract the pressure on one side, there +might have been a different end to this story. + +"Bless my----!" began Mr. Damon, but he got no further, for he had to +bend his body as Tom did, to equalize the pressure of the wind current. + +"A little farther over!" yelled the lad. "A little farther over this +way, Mr. Damon!" + +"But if I come any more toward you I'll be out of my seat!" objected the +eccentric man. + +"If you don't you'll be out of the aeroplane!" cried Tom grimly, and his +companion leaned over as far as he could until the young pilot had +brought the craft to an even keel again. + +Then Tom speeded up the motor, which he had partly shut down as they +passed through the danger zone, and again they were racing through +space. + +They were nearing Shopton now, as the lad and Mr. Damon could tell by +the familiar landmarks which loomed up in sight. Tom strained his eyes +for the first view of his home. + +Suddenly, as they were skimming along, there came a cessation of the hum +and roar that told of the perfectly-working motor. It was an ominous +silence. + +"What's--what's wrong?" gasped Mr. Damon. + +"Something's given way," answered Tom quickly. "I'm afraid the magneto +isn't sparking as it ought to." + +"Well, can't we volplane hack to earth?" asked the odd man, for he had +become familiar with this feat when anything happened to the motor. + +"We could," answered Tom, "but I'm not going to." + +"Why not?" + +"Because we're too far from Shopton--and dad! I'm going to keep on. I've +got to--if I want to be there in time!" + +"But if the motor doesn't work?" + +"I'll make her work!" + +Tom was desperately manipulating the various levers and handles +connected with the electrical ignition system. He tried in vain to get +the magneto to resume the giving out of sparks, and, failing in that, he +switched on the batteries. But, to his horror, the dry cells had given +out. There was no way of getting a spark unless the little electrical +machine would work. + +The propellers were still whirring around by their own momentum, and if +Tom could switch in the magneto in time all might yet be well. + +They had started to fall, but, by quickly bringing up the head plane +tips, Tom sent his craft soaring upward again on a bank of air. + +"Here!" he cried to Mr. Damon. "Take the steering-wheel and kept her on +this level as long as you can." + +"What are you going to do?" + +"I've got to fix that magneto!" + +"But if she dips down?" + +"Throw up the head planes as I did. It's our only chance! I can't go +down now, so far from Shopton!" + +Mr. Damon reached over and took the wheel from Tom's hands. Then the +young inventor, leaning forward, for the magneto was within easy reach, +looked to see what the trouble was. He found it quickly. A wire had +vibrated loose from a binding-post. In a second Tom had it in place +again; and, ere the propellers had ceased revolving, he had turned the +switch. The magneto took up the work in a flash. Once more the spark +exploded the gasoline mixture, and the propellers sent the Humming-Bird +swiftly ahead. + +"We'll make it now!" declared Tom grimly. + +"We're almost there," added Mr. Damon, as he relinquished the wheel to +the young pilot. The craft had gone down some, but Tom sent her up +again. + +Nearer and nearer home they came, until at last the spires of the +Shopton churches loomed into view. Then he was over the village. Now he +was within sight of his own house. + +Tom coasted down a bank of air, and brought the Humming-Bird up with a +jerk of the ground brakes. Before the wheels had ceased turning he had +leaped out. + +"It's Massa Tom!" cried Eradicate, as he saw Tom alight. + +The young inventor hurried into the house. He was met by the nurse, who +held up a warning finger. Tom's heart almost stopped beating. He was +aware that Dr. Gladby came from the room where Mr. Swift lay. + +"Is he--is he--am I too late?" gulped Tom. + +"Hush!" cautioned the nurse. + +Tom reeled, and would have fallen had not the doctor caught him, for the +lad was weak and wornout. + +"He is going to get well!" were the joyful words he heard, as if in a +dream, and then his strength suddenly came back to him. "The crisis is +just passed, Tom," went on Dr. Gladby, "and your father will recover, +and be stronger than ever. Your good news of winning was like a tonic to +him. Now let me congratulate you on the race." Tom had flashed by +wireless a brief message of his success. + +"Dad's news is better than all the congratulations in the world," he +said softly, as he grasped the doctor's hand. + + * * * * * + +It was a week later. Mr. Swift improved rapidly once the course of the +disease was permanently checked, and he was soon able to sit up. Tom was +with him in the room, talking of the great race, and how he had won. He +fingered the certified check for ten thousand dollars that had just come +to him by mail. + +"You certainly did wonderfully well," said the aged inventor, softly. +"Wonderfully well, Tom. I'm proud of you." + +"You may well be," added Mr. Damon. "Bless my shoelaces, but I thought +Andy Foger had us there one spell; didn't you, Tom?" + +"Indeed I did. But you helped me win, Mr. Damon." + +"Nonsense!" exclaimed the odd man. + +"Yes, you did. You helped me a lot." + +"Well, are you going to keep after more air-prizes, Tom, or are you +going to try for something else?" asked his father. + +"I don't believe I'll go in any more aeroplane races right away," +answered the young inventor. "For some time I've been wanting to +complete and perfect my electric rifle. I think I'll begin work on that +soon." + +"And go hunting?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"I think so," answered Tom, dreamily. "I don't know just where, though." + +Where he went, and what he shot, will be told in the next volume of this +series, to be called: "Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle; or, Daring +Adventures in Elephant Land." + +For a few moments after Tom's announcement no one spoke, then the young +inventor said: + +"It's too bad that first set of plans were stolen. If I had them I could +make a good deal with the Government about my little aeroplane. But they +don't want to take up with it as long as there is a chance of some +foreign nation getting information about the secret parts, and my +patents won't hold abroad. I wonder if there is any way of getting those +plans away from Andy Foger? I don't understand why he hasn't used them +before this. I thought sure he would make a craft like the Humming-Bird +to race against me." + +"What plans are those?" asked Mr. Swift. + +"Why, don't you remember?" asked Tom. "The ones I showed you one day, in +the library, when you fell asleep, and some one slipped in and stole +them." + +A curious look came over Mr. Swift's face. He passed his hand across his +brow. + +"I am beginning to remember something I have been trying to recall ever +since I became ill," he said slowly. "It is coming back to me. Those +plans--in the library--I fell asleep, but before I did so I hid those +plans, Tom!" + +"You hid those plans!" Tom fairly shouted the words. + +"Yes, I remember feeling a drowsy feeling coming on, and I feared lest +some one might see the drawings. I got up and put them under the window, +in a little, hollow place in the foundation wall. Then I came back in +through the window again, and went to sleep. Then, on account of my +illness, just as I once before forgot something, and thought the +minister had called, I lost all recollection of them. I hid those +plans." + +Tom leaped to his feet. He rushed to the place named by his father. Soon +his triumphant shout told of his success. He came hurrying back into the +house with a roll of papers in his hands. + +And there were the long-missing plans! damp and stained by the weather, +but all there. No enemy had them, and Tom's secret was safe. + +"Now I can accept the Government offer!" he cried. And a few weeks later +he made a most advantageous deal with the United States officials for +his patents. + +Dr. Gladby explained that Mr. Swift's queer action was due to his +illness. He became liable to lapses of memory, and one happened just +after he hid away the plans. Even the hiding of them was caused by the +peculiar condition of his brain. He had opened the library window, +slipped oat with the papers, and hastened in again, to fall asleep in +his chair, during the short time Tom was gone. + +"And Andy Foger never took them at all," remarked Mary Nestor, when Tom +was telling her about it a few days afterward. + +"No. I guess I must apologize to him." Which Tom did, but Andy did not +receive it very graciously, especially as Tom accused him of trying to +destroy the Humming-Bird. + +Andy denied this and denied having anything to do with the mysterious +fire, and, as there was no way to prove him guilty, Tom could not +proceed against him. So the matter was dropped. + +Mr. Swift continued to improve, and was soon himself again, and able to +resume his inventive work. Tom received several offers to give +exhibition flights at big aero meets, but refused, as he was busy on his +new rifle. Mr. Damon helped him. + +Andy Foger made several successful flights in his queer aeroplane, which +turned out to be the product of a German genius who was supplied with +money by Mr. Foger. Andy became very proud, and boasted that he and the +German were going abroad to give flights in Europe. + +"I'd be glad if he would," said Tom, when he heard of the plan. "He +wouldn't bother me then." + +With the money received from winning the big race, and from his +contracts from the Government, Tom Swift was now in a fair way to become +quite wealthy. He was destined to have many more adventures; yet, come +what might, never would he forget the thrilling happenings that fell to +his lot while flying for the ten-thousand dollar prize in his sky racer. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Etext of Tom Swift And His Sky Racer diff --git a/old/09tom10.zip b/old/09tom10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f18600c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/09tom10.zip diff --git a/old/09tom10h.htm b/old/09tom10h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c9a16b3 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/09tom10h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5639 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Tom Swift And His Sky Racer, by Victor Appleton. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} /* page numbers */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;} + + .bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + .bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + .bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + .br {border-right: solid 2px;} + .bbox {border: solid 2px;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span {display: block; margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> +<pre> +***Project Gutenberg's Etext of Tom Swift And His Sky Racer*** +#9 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 #9 in the series so the file name is 09tomxxx.xxx, +where the x's are place holders for editon # and file type such +as 09tom11.txt and 09tom11.zip, when we do a .htm, 09tom11h.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> + + + + + + +<h1>TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER</h1> + +<h3>or</h3> + +<h2>The Quickest Flight on Record</h2> + +<h3>By</h3> + +<h2>VICTOR APPLETON</h2> + + + +<h2><br /><br /><br />CONTENTS</h2> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#Chapter_One">I</a></td><td align='left'>The Prize Offer</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#Chapter_Two">II</a></td><td align='left'>Mr. Swift Is Ill</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#Chapter_Three">III</a></td><td align='left'>The Plans Disappear</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#Chapter_Four">IV</a></td><td align='left'>Anxious Days</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#Chapter_Five">V</a></td><td align='left'>Building the Sky Racer</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#Chapter_Six">VI</a></td><td align='left'>Andy Foger Will Contest</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#Chapter_Seven">VII</a></td><td align='left'>Seeking a Clue</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#Chapter_Eight">VIII</a></td><td align='left'>The Empty Shed</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#Chapter_Nine">IX</a></td><td align='left'>A Trial Flight</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#Chapter_Ten">X</a></td><td align='left'>A Midnight Intruder</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#Chapter_Eleven">XI</a></td><td align='left'>Tom Is Hurt</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#Chapter_Twelve">XII</a></td><td align='left'>Miss Nestor Calls</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#Chapter_Thirteen">XIII</a></td><td align='left'>A Clash with Andy</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#Chapter_Fourteen">XIV</a></td><td align='left'>The Great Test</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#Chapter_Fifteen">XV</a></td><td align='left'>A Noise in the Night</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#Chapter_Sixteen">XVI</a></td><td align='left'>A Mysterious Fire</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#Chapter_Seventeen">XVII</a></td><td align='left'>Mr. Swift Is Worse</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#Chapter_Eighteen">XVIII</a></td><td align='left'>The Broken Bridge</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#Chapter_Nineteen">XIX</a></td><td align='left'>A Nervy Specialist</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#Chapter_Twenty">XX</a></td><td align='left'>Just in Time</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#Chapter_Twenty_One">XXI</a></td><td align='left'>"Will He Live?"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#Chapter_Twenty_Two">XXII</a></td><td align='left'>Off to the Meet</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#Chapter_Twenty_Three">XXIII</a></td><td align='left'>The Great Race</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#Chapter_Twenty_Four">XXIV</a></td><td align='left'>Won by a Length</td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><a href="#Chapter_Twenty_Five">XXV</a></td><td align='left'>Home Again--Conclusion</td></tr></table> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2>TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_One" id="Chapter_One" />Chapter One</h2> + +<h3>The Prize Offer</h3> + + +<p>"Is this Tom Swift, the inventor of several airships?"</p> + +<p>The man who had rung the bell glanced at the youth who answered his +summons.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm Tom Swift," was the reply. "Did you wish to see me?"</p> + +<p>"I do. I'm Mr. James Gunmore, secretary of the Eagle Park Aviation +Association. I had some correspondence with you about a prize contest we +are going to hold. I believe—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I remember now," and the young inventor smiled pleasantly as +he opened wider the door of his home. "Won't you come in? My father will +be glad to see you. He is as much interested in airships as I am." And +Tom led the way to the library, where the secretary of the aviation +society was soon seated in a big, comfortable leather chair.</p> + +<p>"I thought we could do better, and perhaps come to some decision more +quickly, if I came to see you, than if we corresponded," went on Mr. +Gunmore. "I hope I haven't disturbed you at any of your inventions," and +the secretary smiled at the youth.</p> + +<p>"No. I'm through for to-day," replied Tom. "I'm glad to see you. I +thought at first it was my chum, Ned Newton. He generally runs over in +the evening."</p> + +<p>"Our society, as I wrote you, Mr. Swift, is planning to hold a very +large and important aviation meet at Eagle Park, which is a suburb of +Westville, New York State. We expect to have all the prominent +'bird-men' there, to compete for prizes, and your name was mentioned. I +wrote to you, as you doubtless recall, asking if you did not care to +enter."</p> + +<p>"And I think I wrote you that my big aeroplane-dirigible, the Red Cloud, +was destroyed in Alaska, during a recent trip we made to the caves of +ice there, after gold," replied Tom.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you did," admitted Mr. Gunmore, "and while our committee was very +sorry to hear that, we hoped you might have some other air craft that +you could enter at our meet. We want to make it as complete as possible, +and we all feel that it would not be so unless we had a Swift aeroplane +there."</p> + +<p>"It's very kind of you to say so," remarked Tom, "but since my big craft +was destroyed I really have nothing I could enter."</p> + +<p>"Haven't you an aeroplane of any kind? I made this trip especially to +get you to enter. Haven't you anything in which you could compete for +the prizes? There are several to be offered, some for distance flights, +some for altitude, and the largest, ten thousand dollars, for the +speediest craft. Ten thousand dollars is the grand prize, to be awarded +for the quickest flight on record."</p> + +<p>"I surely would like to try for that," said Tim, "but the only craft I +have is a small monoplane, the Butterfly, I call it, and while it is +very speedy, there have been such advances made in aeroplane +construction since I made mine that I fear I would be distanced if I +raced in her. And I wouldn't like that."</p> + +<p>"No," agreed Mr. Gunmore. "I suppose not. Still, I do wish we could +induce you to enter. I don't mind telling you that we consider you a +drawing-card. Can't we induce you, some way?"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid not. I haven't any machine which—"</p> + +<p>"Look here!" exclaimed the secretary eagerly. "Why can't you build a +special aeroplane to enter in the next meet? You'll have plenty of time, +as it doesn't come off for three months yet. We are only making the +preliminary arrangements. It is now June, and the meet is scheduled for +early in September. Couldn't you build a new and speedy aeroplane in +that time?"</p> + +<p>Eagerly Mr. Gunmore waited for the answer. Tom Swift seemed to be +considering it. There was an increased brightness to his eyes, and one +could tell that he was thinking deeply. The secretary sought to clinch +his argument.</p> + +<p>"I believe, from what I have heard of your work in the past, that you +could build an aeroplane which would win the ten-thousand-dollar prize," +he went on. "I would be very glad if you did win it, and, so I think, +would be the gentlemen associated with me in this enterprise. It would +be fine to have a New York State youth win the grand prize. Come, Tom +Swift, build a special craft, and enter the contest!"</p> + +<p>As he paused for an answer footsteps were heard coming along the hall, +and a moment later an aged gentleman opened the door of the library.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Excuse me, Tom," he said, "I didn't know you had company." And he +was about to withdraw.</p> + +<p>"Don't go, father," said Tom. "You will be as much interested in this as +I am. This is Mr. Gunmore, of the Eagle Park Aviation Association. This +is my father, Mr. Gunmore."</p> + +<p>"I've heard of you," spoke the secretary as he shook hands with the aged +inventor. "You and your son have made, in aeronautics, a name to be +proud of."</p> + +<p>"And he wants us to go still farther, dad," broke in the youth. "Me +wants me to build a specially speedy aeroplane, and race for ten +thousand dollars."</p> + +<p>"Hum!" mused Mr. Swift. "Well, are you going to do it, Tom? Seems to me +you ought to take a rest. You haven't been back from your gold-hunting +trip to Alaska long enough to more than catch your breath, and now—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he doesn't have to go in this right away," eagerly explained Mr. +Gunmore. "There is plenty of time to make a new craft."</p> + +<p>"Well, Tom can do as he likes about it," said his father. "Do you think +you could build anything speedier than your Butterfly, son?"</p> + +<p>"I think so, father. That is, if you'd help me. I have a plan partly +thought out, but it will take some time to finish it. Still, I might get +it done in time."</p> + +<p>"I hope you'll try!" exclaimed the secretary. "May I ask whether it +would be a monoplane or a biplane?"</p> + +<p>"A monoplane, I think," answered Tom. "They are much more speedy than +the double-deckers, and if I'm going to try for the ten thousand dollars +I need the fastest machine I can build."</p> + +<p>"We have the promise of one or two very fast monoplanes for the meet," +went on Mr. Gunmore. "Would yours be of a new type?"</p> + +<p>"I think it would," was the reply of the young inventor. "In fact, I am +thinking of making a smaller monoplane than any that have yet been +constructed, and yet one that will carry two persons. The hardest work +will be to make the engine light enough and still have it sufficiently +powerful to make over a hundred miles an hour, if necessary.</p> + +<p>"A hundred miles an hour in a small monoplane! It isn't possible!" cried +the secretary.</p> + +<p>"I'll make better time than that," said Tom quietly, and with not a +trace of boasting in his tones.</p> + +<p>"Then you'll enter the meet?" asked Mr. Gunmore eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll think about it," promised Tom. "I'll let you know in a few +days. Meanwhile, I'll be thinking out the details for my new craft. I +have been going to build one ever since I got back, after having seen my +Red Cloud crushed in the ice cave. Now I think I had better begin active +work."</p> + +<p>"I hope you will soon let me know," resumed the secretary. "I'm going to +put you down as a possible contestant for the ten-thousand-dollar prize. +That can do no harm, and I hope you win it. I trust—"</p> + +<p>He paused suddenly, and listened. So did Tom Swift and his father, for +they all distinctly heard stealthy footsteps under the open windows of +the library.</p> + +<p>"Some one is out there, listening," said Tom in low tones.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it's Eradicate Sampson," suggested Mr. Swift, referring to the +eccentric colored man who was employed by the inventor and his son to +help around the place. "Very likely it was Eradicate, Tom."</p> + +<p>"I don't think so," was the lad's answer. "He went to the village a +while ago, and said he wouldn't be back until late to-night. He had to +get some medicine for his mule, Boomerang, who is sick. No, it wasn't +Eradicate; but some one was under that window, trying to hear what we +said."</p> + +<p>As he spoke in guarded tones, Tom went softly to the casement and looked +out. He could observe nothing, as the night was dark, and the new moon, +which had been shining, was now dimmed by clouds.</p> + +<p>"See anything?" asked Mr. Gunmore as he advanced to Tom's side.</p> + +<p>"No," was the low answer. I can't hear anything now, either."</p> + +<p>"I'll go speak to Mrs. Baggert, the housekeeper," volunteered Mr. Swift. +"Perhaps it was she, or she may know something about it."</p> + +<p>He started from the room, and as he went Tom noticed, with something of +a start, that his father appeared older that night than he had ever +looked before. There was a trace of pain on the face of the aged +inventor, and his step was lagging.</p> + +<p>"I guess dad needs a rest and doctoring up," thought the young inventor +as he turned the electric chandelier off by a button on the wall, in +order to darken the room, so that he might peer out to better advantage. +"I think he's been working too hard on his wireless motor. I must get +Dr. Gladby to come over and see dad. But now I want to find out who that +was under this window."</p> + +<p>Once more Tom looked out. The moon had emerged from behind a thin bank +of clouds, and gave a little light.</p> + +<p>"See anything?" asked Mr. Gunmore cautiously.</p> + +<p>"No," whispered the youth, for it being a warm might, the windows were +open top and bottom, a screen on the outside keeping out mosquitoes and +other insects. "I can't see a thing," went on Tom, "but I'm sure—"</p> + +<p>He paused suddenly. As he spoke there sounded a rustling in the +shrubbery a little distance from the window.</p> + +<p>"There's something!" exclaimed Mr. Gunmore.</p> + +<p>"I see!" answered the young inventor.</p> + +<p>Without another word he softly opened the screen, and then, stooping +down to get under the lower sash (for the windows in the library ran all +the way to the floor), Tom dropped out of the casement upon the thick +grass.</p> + +<p>As he did so he was aware of a further movement in the bushes. They were +violently agitated, and a second later a dark object sprang from them +and sprinted along the path.</p> + +<p>"Here! Who are you? Hold on!" cried the young inventor.</p> + +<p>But the figure never halted. Tom sprang forward, determined to see who +it was, and, if possible, capture him.</p> + +<p>"Hold on!" he cried again. There was no answer.</p> + +<p>Tom was a good runner, and in a few seconds he had gained on the +fugitive, who could just be seen in the dim light from the crescent +moon.</p> + +<p>"I've got you!" cried Tom.</p> + +<p>But he was mistaken, for at that instant his foot caught on the +outcropping root of a tree, and the young inventor went flat on his +face.</p> + +<p>"Just my luck!" he cried.</p> + +<p>He was quickly on his feet again, and took after the fugitive. The +latter glanced back, and, as it happened, Tom had a good look at his +face. He almost came to a stop, so startled was he.</p> + +<p>"Andy Foger!" he exclaimed as he recognized the bully who had always +proved himself such an enemy of our hero. "Andy Foger sneaking under my +windows to hear what I had to say about my new aeroplane! I wonder what +his game can be? I'll soon find out!"</p> + +<p>Tom was about to resume the chase, when he lost sight of the figure. A +moment later he heard the puffing of an automobile, as some one cranked +it up.</p> + +<p>"It's too late!" exclaimed Tom. "There he goes in his car!" And knowing +it would be useless to keep up the chase, the youth turned back toward +his house.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_Two" id="Chapter_Two" />Chapter Two</h2> + +<h3>Mr. Swift is Ill</h3> + + +<p>"Who was it?" asked Mr. Gunmore as Tom again entered the library. "A +friend of yours?"</p> + +<p>"Hardly a friend," replied Tom grimly. "It was a young fellow who has +made lots of trouble for me in the past, and who, lately, with his +father, tried to get ahead of me and some friends of mine in locating a +gold claim in Alaska. I don't know what he's up to now, but certainly it +wasn't any good. He's got nerve, sneaking up under our windows!"</p> + +<p>"What do you think was his object?"</p> + +<p>"It would he hard to say."</p> + +<p>"Can't you find him to-morrow, and ask him?"</p> + +<p>"There's not much satisfaction in that. The less I have to do with Andy +Foger the better I'm satisfied. Well, perhaps it's just as well I fell, +and couldn't catch him. There would have been a fight, and I don't want +to worry dad any more than I can help. He hasn't been very well of +late."</p> + +<p>"No, he doesn't look very strong," agreed the secretary. "But I hope he +doesn't get sick, and I hope no bad consequences result from the +eavesdropping of this Foger fellow."</p> + +<p>Tom started for the hall, to get a brush with which to remove some of +the dust gathered in his chase after Andy. As he opened the library door +to go out Mr. Swift came in again.</p> + +<p>"I saw Mrs. Baggert, Tom," he said. "She wasn't out under the window, +and, as you said, Eradicate isn't about. His mule is in the barn, so it +couldn't have been the animal straying around."</p> + +<p>"No, dad. It was Andy Foger."</p> + +<p>"Andy Foger!"</p> + +<p>"Yes. I couldn't catch him. But you'd better go lie down, father. It's +getting late, and you look tired."</p> + +<p>"I am tired, Tom, and I think I'll go to bed. Have you finished your +arrangements with Mr. Gunmore?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess we've gone as far as we can until I invent the new +aeroplane," replied Tom, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Then you'll really enter the meet?" asked the secretary eagerly.</p> + +<p>"I think I will," decided Tom. "The prize of ten thousand dollars is +worth trying for, and besides that, I'll be glad to get to work again on +a speedy craft. Yes, I'll enter the meet."</p> + +<p>"Good!" exclaimed Mr. Gunmore, shaking hands with the young inventor. "I +didn't have my trip for nothing, then. I'll go back in the morning and +report to the committee that I've been successful. I am greatly obliged +to you."</p> + +<p>He left the Swift home, after refusing Tom's invitation to remain all +night, and went to his hotel. Tom then insisted that his father retire.</p> + +<p>As for the young inventor, he was not satisfied with the result of his +attempt to catch Andy Foger. He had no idea why the bully was hiding +under the library window, but Tom surmised that some mischief might be +afoot.</p> + +<p>"Sam Snedecker or Pete Bailey, the two cronies of Andy, may still be +around here, trying to play some trick on me," mused Tom. "I think I'll +take a look outside." And taking a stout cane from the umbrella rack, +the youth sallied forth into the yard and extensive grounds surrounding +his house.</p> + +<p>While he is thus looking for possible intruders we will tell you a +little more about him than has been possible since the call of the +aviation secretary.</p> + +<p>Tom Swift lived with his father, Barton Swift, in the town of Shopton, +New York State. The young man had followed in the footsteps of his +parent, and was already an inventor of note.</p> + +<p>Their home was presided over by Mrs. Baggert, as housekeeper, since Mrs. +Swift had been dead several years. In addition, there was Garret +Jackson, an engineer, who aided Tom and his father, and Eradicate +Sampson, an odd colored man, who, with his mule, Boomerang, worked about +the place.</p> + +<p>In the first volume of this series, entitled "Tom Swift and his +Motor-Cycle," here was related how he came to possess that machine. A +certain Mr. Wakefield Damon, an eccentric gentleman, who was always +blessing himself, or something about him, owned the cycle, but he came +to grief on it, and sold it to Tom very cheaply.</p> + +<p>Tom had a number of adventures on the wheel, and, after having used the +motor to save a valuable patent model from a gang of unscrupulous men, +the lad acquired possession of a power boat, in which he made several +trips, and took part in many exciting happenings.</p> + +<p>Some time later, in company with John Sharp, an aeronaut, whom Tom had +rescued from Lake Carlopa, after the airman had nearly lost his life in +a burning balloon, the young inventor made a big airship, called the Red +Cloud. With Mr. Damon, Tom made several trips in this craft, as set +forth in the book, "Tom Swift and His Airship."</p> + +<p>It was after this that Tom and his father built a submarine boat, and +went under the ocean for sunken treasure, and, following that trip Tom +built a speedy electric runabout, and by a remarkable run in that, with +Mr. Damon, saved a bank from ruin, bringing gold in time to stave off a +panic.</p> + +<p>"Tom Swift and His Wireless Message" told of the young inventor's plan +to save the castaways of Earthquake Island, and how he accomplished it +by constructing a wireless plant from the remains of the wrecked airship +Whizzer. After Tom got back from Earthquake Island he went with Mr. +Barcoe Jenks, whom he met on the ill-fated bit of land, to discover the +secret of the diamond makers. They found the mysterious men, but the +trip was not entirely successful, for the mountain containing the cave +where the diamonds were made was destroyed by a lightning shock, just as +Mr. Parker, a celebrated scientist, who accompanied the party, said it +would be.</p> + +<p>But his adventure in seeking to discover the secret of making precious +stones did not satisfy Tom Swift, and when he and his friends got back +from the mountains they prepared to go to Alaska to search for gold in +the caves of ice. They were almost defeated in their purpose by the +actions of Andy Foger and his father, who in an under-hand manner, got +possession of a valuable map, showing the location of the gold, and made +a copy of the drawing.</p> + +<p>Then, when Tom and his friends set off in the Red Cloud, as related in +"Tom Swift in the Caves of Ice," the Fogers, in another airship, did +likewise. But Tom and his party were first on the scene, and +accomplished their purpose, though they had to fight the savage Indians. +The airship was wrecked in a cave of ice, that collapsed on it, and the +survivors had desperate work getting away from the frozen North.</p> + +<p>Tom had been home all the following winter and spring, and he had done +little more than work on some small inventions, when a new turn was +given his thoughts and energies by a visit from Mr. Gunmore, as narrated +in the first chapter of the present volume.</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess no one is here," remarked the young inventor as he +completed the circuit of the grounds and walked slowly back toward the +house. "I think I scared Andy so that he won't come back right away. He +had the laugh on me, though, when I stumbled and fell."</p> + +<p>As Tom proceeded he heard some one approaching, around the path at the +side of the house.</p> + +<p>"Who's there?" he called quickly, taking a firmer grasp of his stick,</p> + +<p>"It's me, Massa Swift," was the response. "I jest come back from town. I +got some peppermint fo' mah mule, Boomerang, dat's what I got."</p> + +<p>"Oh! It's you, is it, Rad?" asked the youth in easier tones.</p> + +<p>"Dat's who it am, Did yo' t'ink it were some un else?"</p> + +<p>"I did," replied Tom. "Andy Foger has been sneaking around. Keep your +eyes open the rest of the night, Rad."</p> + +<p>"I will, Massa Tom."</p> + +<p>The youth went into the house, having left word with the engineer, Mr. +Jackson, to be on the alert for anything suspicious.</p> + +<p>"And now I guess I'll go to bed, and make an early start to-morrow +morning, planning my new aeroplane," mused Tom. "I'm going to make the +speediest craft of the air ever seen!"</p> + +<p>As he started toward his room Tom Swift heard the voice of the +housekeeper calling to him:</p> + +<p>"Tom! Oh, Tom! Come here, quickly!"</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" he asked, in vague alarm.</p> + +<p>"Something has happened to your father!" was the startling reply. "He's +fallen down, and is Unconscious! Come quickly! Send for the doctor!"</p> + +<p>Tom fairly ran toward his father's room.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_Three" id="Chapter_Three" />Chapter Three</h2> + +<h3>The Plans Disappear</h3> + + +<p>Mr. Swift was lying on the floor, where he had fallen, in front of his +bed, as he was preparing to retire. There was no mark of injury upon +him, and at first, as he knelt down at his father's side, Tom was at a +loss to account for what had taken place.</p> + +<p>"How did it happen? When was it?" he asked of Mrs. Baggert, as he held +up his father's head, and noted that the aged man was breathing +slightly.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what happened, Tom," answered the housekeeper, "but I +beard him fall, and ran upstairs, only to find him lying there, just +like that. Then I called you. Hadn't you better have a doctor?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; we'll need one at once. Send Eradicate Tell him to run—not to +wait for his mule—Boomerang is too slow. Oh, no! The telephone, of +course! Why didn't I think of that at first? Please telephone for Dr. +Gladby, Mrs. Baggert. Ask him to come as soon as possible, and then tell +Garret Jackson to step here. I'll have him help me get father into bed."</p> + +<p>The housekeeper hastened to the instrument, and was soon in +communication with the physician, who promised to call at once. The +engineer was summoned from another part of the house, and then Eradicate +was aroused.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Baggert had the colored man help her get some kettles of hot water +in readiness for possible use by the doctor. Mr. Jackson aided Tom to +lift Mr. Swift up on the bed, and they got off some of his clothes.</p> + +<p>"I'll try to see if I can revive him with a little aromatic spirits of +ammonia," decided Tom, as he noticed that his father was still +unconscious. He hastened to prepare the strong spirits, while he was +conscious of a feeling of fear and alarm, mingled with sadness.</p> + +<p>Suppose his father should die? Tom could not bear to think of that. He +would be left all alone, and how much he would miss the companionship +and comradeship of his father none but himself knew.</p> + +<p>"Oh! but I mustn't think he's going to die!" exclaimed the youth, as he +mixed the medicine.</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift feebly opened his eyes after Tom and Mr. Jackson had succeeded +in forcing some of the ammonia between his lips.</p> + +<p>"Where am I? What happened?" asked the aged inventor faintly.</p> + +<p>"We don't know, exactly," spoke Tom softly. "You are ill, father. I've +sent for the doctor. He'll fix you up. He'll be here soon."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm—I'm ill," murmured the aged man. "Something hurts me—here," +and he put his hand over his heart.</p> + +<p>Tom felt a nameless sense of fear. He wished now that he had insisted on +his parent consulting a physician some time before, when Mr. Swift first +complained of a minor ailment. Perhaps now it was too late.</p> + +<p>"Oh! when will that doctor come?" murmured Tom impatiently.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Baggert, who was nervously going in and out of the room, again went +to the telephone.</p> + +<p>"He's on his way," the housekeeper reported. "His wife said he just +started out in his auto."</p> + +<p>Dr. Gladby hurried into the room a little later, and cast a quick look +at Mr. Swift, who had again lapsed into unconsciousness.</p> + +<p>"Do you think he—think he's going to die?" faltered Tom. He was no +longer the self-reliant young inventor. He could meet danger bravely +when it threatened himself alone, but when his father was stricken he +seemed to lose all courage.</p> + +<p>"Die? Nonsense!" exclaimed the doctor heartily. "He's not dead yet, at +all events, and while there's life there's hope. I'll soon have him out +of this spell."</p> + +<p>It was some little time, however, before Mr. Swift again opened his +eyes, but he seemed to gain strength from the remedies which Dr. Gladby +administered, and in about an hour the inventor could sit up.</p> + +<p>"But you must be careful," cautioned the physician. "Don't overdo +yourself. I'll be in again in the morning, and now I'll leave you some +medicine, to be taken every two hours."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I feel much better," said Mr. Swift, and his voice certainly seemed +Stronger. "I can't imagine what happened. I came upstairs, after Tom had +received a visit from the minister, and that's all I remember."</p> + +<p>"The minister, father!" exclaimed Tom, in great amazement. "The minister +wasn't here this evening! That was Mr. Gunmore, the aviation secretary. +Don't you remember?"</p> + +<p>"I don't remember any gentleman like that calling here to-night," Mr. +Swift said blankly. "It was the minister, I'm sure, Tom."</p> + +<p>"The minister was here last night, Mr. Swift," said the housekeeper.</p> + +<p>"Was he? Why, it seems like to-night. And I came upstairs after talking +to him, and then it all got black, and—and—"</p> + +<p>"There, now; don't try to think," advised the doctor. "You'll be all +right in the morning."</p> + +<p>"But I can't remember anything about that aviation man," protested Mr. +Swift. "I never used to be that way—forgetting things. I don't like +it!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's just because you're tired," declared the physician. "It will +all come back to you in the morning. I'll stop in and see you then. Now +try to go to sleep." And he left the room.</p> + +<p>Tom followed him, Mrs. Baggert and Mr. Jackson remaining with the sick +man.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter with my father, Dr. Gladby?" asked Tom earnestly, as +the doctor prepared to take his departure. "Is it anything serious?"</p> + +<p>"Well," began the medical man, "I would not be doing my duty, Tom, if I +did not tell you what it is. That is, it is comparatively serious, but +it is curable, and I think we can bring him around. He has an affection +of the heart, that, while it is common enough, is sometimes fatal.</p> + +<p>"But I do not think it will be so in your father's case. He has a fine +constitution, and this would never have happened had he not been run +down from overwork. That is the principal trouble. What he needs is +rest; and then, with the proper remedies, he will be as well as before."</p> + +<p>"But that strange lapse of memory, doctor?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, that is nothing. It is due to the fact that he has been using his +brain too much. The brain protests, and refuses to work until rested. +Your father has been working rather hard of late hasn't he?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; on a new wireless motor."</p> + +<p>"I thought so. Well, a good rest is what he needs, and then his mind and +body will be in tune again. I'll be around in the morning."</p> + +<p>Tom was somewhat relieved by the doctor's words, but not very much so, +and he spent an anxious night, getting up every two hours to administer +the medicine. Toward morning Mr. Swift fell into a heavy sleep, and did +not awaken for some time.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you're much better!" declared Dr. Gladby when he saw his patient +that day.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I feel better," admitted Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"And can't you remember about Mr. Gunmore calling?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>The aged inventor shook his head, with a puzzled air.</p> + +<p>"I can't remember it at all," he said. "The minister is the last person +I remember calling here."</p> + +<p>Tom looked worried, but the physician said it was a common feature of +the disease from which Mr. Swift suffered, and would doubtless pass +away.</p> + +<p>"And you don't remember how we talked about me building a speedy +aeroplane and trying for the ten-thousand-dollar prize?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"I can't remember a thing about it," said the inventor, with a puzzled +shake of his head, "and I'm not going to try, at least not right away. +But, Tom, if you're going to build a new aeroplane, I want to help you. +I'll give you the benefit of my advice. I think my new form of motor can +be used in it."</p> + +<p>"Now! now! No inventions—at least not just yet!" objected the +physician. "You must have a good rest first, Mr. Swift, and get strong. +Then you and Tom can build as many airships as you like."</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift felt so much better about three days later that he wanted to +get right to work planning the airship that was to win the big prize, +but the doctor would not hear of it. Tom, however, began to make rough +sketches of what he had in mind changing them from time to time, He also +worked on a type of motor, very light, and modeled after one his father +had recently patented.</p> + +<p>Then a new idea came to Tom in regard to the shape of his aeroplane, and +he worked several days drawing the plans for it. It was a new idea in +construction, and he believed it would give him the great speed he +desired.</p> + +<p>"But I'd like dad to see it," he said. "As soon as he's well enough I'll +go over it with him."</p> + +<p>That time came a week later, and with a complete set of the plans, +embodying his latest ideas, Tom went into the library where his father +was seated in an easy-chair. Dr. Gladby had said it would not now harm +the aged inventor to do a little work. Tom spread the drawings out in +front of his father, and began to explain them in detail.</p> + +<p>"I really think you have something great there, Tom!" exclaimed Mr. +Swift, at length. "It is a very small monoplane, to be sure, but I think +with the new principle you have introduced it will work; but, if I were +you, I'd shape those wing tips a little differently."</p> + +<p>"No, they're better that way," said Tom pleasantly, for he did not often +disagree with his father. "I'll show you from a little model I have +made. I'll get it right away."</p> + +<p>Anxious to demonstrate that he was right in his theory, Tom hurried from +the library to get the model of which he had spoken. He left the roll of +plans lying on a small table near where his father was seated.</p> + +<p>"There, you see, dad," said the young inventor as he re-entered the +library a few minutes later, "when you warp the wing tips in making a +spiral ascent it throws your tail wings out of plumb, and so—"</p> + +<p>Tom paused in some amazement, for Mr. Swift was lying back in his chair, +with his eyes closed. The lad started in alarm, laid aside his model, +and sprang to his father's side.</p> + +<p>"He's had another of those heart attacks!" gasped Tom. He was just going +to call Mrs. Baggert, when Mr. Swift opened his eyes. He looked at Tom, +and the lad could see that they were bright, and did not show any signs +of illness.</p> + +<p>"Well, I declare!" exclaimed the inventor. "I must have dozed off, Tom, +while you were gone. That's what I did. I fell asleep!"</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Tom, much relieved. "I was afraid you were ill again. Now, in +this model, as you will see by the plans, it is necessary—"</p> + +<p>He paused, and looked over at the table where he had left the drawings. +They were not there!</p> + +<p>"The plans, father!" Tom exclaimed. "The plans I left on the table! +Where are they?"</p> + +<p>"I haven't touched them," was the answer. "They were on that table, +where you put them, when I closed my eyes for a little nap. I forgot all +about them. Are you sure they're missing?"</p> + +<p>"They're not here!" And Tom gazed wildly about the room. "Where can they +have gone?"</p> + +<p>"I wasn't out of my chair," said Mr. Swift, "I ought not to have gone to +sleep, but—"</p> + +<p>Tom fairly jumped toward the long library window, the same one from +which he had leaped to pursue Andy Foger. The casement was open, and Tom +noted that the screen was also unhooked, It had been closed when he went +to get the model, he was sure of that.</p> + +<p>"Look, dad! See!" he exclaimed, as he picked up from the floor a small +piece of paper.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"A sheet on which I did some figuring. It is no good, but it was in with +the plans. It must have dropped out."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean that some one has been in here and taken the plans of your +new aeroplane, Tom?" gasped his father.</p> + +<p>"That's just what I mean! They sneaked in here while you were dozing, +took the plans, and jumped out of the window with them. On the way this +paper fell out. It's the only clue we have. Stay here, dad. I'm going to +have a look." And Tom jumped from the library window and ran down the +path after the unknown thief.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_Four" id="Chapter_Four" />Chapter Four</h2> + +<h3>Anxious Days</h3> + + +<p>Peering on all sides as he dashed along the gravel walk, hoping to catch +a glimpse of the unknown intruder in the garden or shrubbery, Tom +sprinted on at top speed. Now and then he paused to listen, but no sound +came to him to tell of some one in retreat before him. There was only +Silence.</p> + +<p>"Mighty queer," mused the youth. "Whoever it was, he couldn't have had +more than a minute start of me—no, not even half a minute—and yet +they've disappeared as completely as though the ground had opened and +let them down; and the worst of it is, that they've taken my plans with +them!"</p> + +<p>He turned about and retraced his steps, making a careful search. He saw +no one, until, turning a corner, a little later, he met Eradicate +Sampson.</p> + +<p>"You haven't seen any strangers around here just now, have you, Rad?" +asked Tom anxiously.</p> + +<p>"No, indeedy, I hasn't, Massa Tom. What fo' kind ob a stranger was him?"</p> + +<p>"That's just what I don't know. Rad. But some one sneaked into the +library lust now and took some of my plans while my father dozed off. I +jumped out after him as soon as I could, but he has disappeared."</p> + +<p>"Maybe it were th' man who done stowed hisself away on yo' airship, de +time yo' all went after de diamonds," suggested the colored man.</p> + +<p>"No, it couldn't have been him. If it was anybody, it was Andy Foger, or +some of his crowd. You didn't see Andy, did you, Rad?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeedy; but if I do, I suah will turn mah mule, Boomerang, loose +on him, an' he won't take any mo' plans—not right off, Massa Tom."</p> + +<p>"No, I guess not. Well, I must get back to dad, or he'll worry. Keep +your eyes open, Rad, and if you see Andy Foger, or any one else, around +here, let me know. Just sing out for all you're worth."</p> + +<p>"Shall I call out, Massa Tom, ef I sees dat blessin' man?"</p> + +<p>"You mean Mr. Damon?"</p> + +<p>"Dat's de one. De gen'man what's allers a-blessin' ob hisself or his +shoelaces, or suffin laik dat. Shall I sing out ef I sees him?"</p> + +<p>"Well, no; not exactly, Rad. Just show Mr. Damon up to the house. I'd be +glad to see him again, though I don't fancy he'll call. He's off on a +little trip, and won't be back for a week. But watch out, Rad." And with +that Tom turned toward the house, shaking his head over the puzzle of +the missing plans.</p> + +<p>"Did you find any one?" asked his father eagerly as the young inventor +entered the library.</p> + +<p>"No," was the gloomy answer. "There wasn't a sign of any one."</p> + +<p>Tom went over to the window and looked about for clues. There was none +that he could see, and a further examination of the ground under the +window disclosed nothing. There was gravel beneath the casement, and +this was not the best medium for retaining footprints. Nor were the +gravel walks any better.</p> + +<p>"Not a sign of any one," murmured Tom. "Are you sure you didn't hear any +noise, dad, when you dozed off?"</p> + +<p>"Not a sound, Tom. In fact, it's rather unusual for me to go to sleep +like that, but I suppose it's because of my illness. But I couldn't have +been asleep long—not more than two minutes."</p> + +<p>"That's what I think. Yet in that time someone, who must have been on +the watch, managed to get in here and take my plans for the new sky +racer. I don't see how they got the wire screen open from the outside, +though. It fastens with a strong hook."</p> + +<p>"And was the screen open?" asked Mr. Swift</p> + +<p>"Yes, it was unhooked. Either they pushed a wire in through the mesh, +caught it under the hook, and pulled it up from the outside, or else the +screen was opened from the inside."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe they could get inside to open the screen without some +of us seeing them," spoke the older inventor. "More likely, Tom, it +wasn't hooked, and they found it an easy matter to simply pull it open."</p> + +<p>"That's possible. I'll ask Mrs. Baggert if the screen was unhooked."</p> + +<p>But the housekeeper could not be certain on that point, and so that part +of the investigation amounted to nothing.</p> + +<p>"It's too bad!" exclaimed Mr. Swift. "It's my fault, for dozing off that +way."</p> + +<p>"No, indeed, it isn't!" declared Tom stoutly.</p> + +<p>"Is the loss a serious one?" asked his father. "Have you no copy of the +plans?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have a rough draft from which I made the completed drawings, and +I can easily make another set. But that isn't what worries me—the mere +loss of the plans."</p> + +<p>"What is it, then, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"The fact that whoever took them must know what they are the plans for a +sky racer that is to take part in the big meet. I have worked it out on +a new principle, and it is not yet patented. Whoever stole my plans can +make the same kind of a sky racer that I intended to construct, and so +stand as good a chance to win the prize of ten thousand dollars as I +will."</p> + +<p>"That certainly is too bad, Tom. I never thought of that. Do you suspect +any one?"</p> + +<p>"No one, unless it's Andy Foger. He's mean enough to do a thing like +that, but I didn't think he'd have the nerve. However, I'll see if I can +learn anything about him. He may have been sneaking around, and if he +has my plans he'd ask nothing better than to make a sky racer and beat +me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Tom, I'm so sorry!" exclaimed Mr. Swift "I—I feel very bad about +it!"</p> + +<p>"There, never mind!" spoke the lad, seeing that his father was looking +ill again. "Don't think any more about it, dad. I'll get back those +plans. Come, now. It's time for your medicine, and then you must lie +down." For the aged inventor was looking tired and weak.</p> + +<p>Wearily he let Tom lead him to his room, and after seeing that the +invalid was comfortable Tom called up Dr. Gladby, to have him come and +see Mr. Swift. The doctor said his patient had been overdoing himself a +little, and must rest more if he was to completely recover.</p> + +<p>Learning that his father was no worse, Tom set off to find Andy Foger.</p> + +<p>"I can't rest until I know whether or not he has my plans," he said to +himself. "I don't want to make a speedy aeroplane, and find out at the +last minute that Andy, or some of his cronies, have duplicated it."</p> + +<p>But Tom got little satisfaction from Andy Foger. When that bully was +accused of having been around Tom's house he denied it, and though the +young inventor did not actually accuse him of taking the plans, he +hinted at it. Andy muttered many indignant negatives, and called on some +of his cronies to witness that at the time the plans were taken he and +they were some distance from the Swift home.</p> + +<p>So Tom was baffled; and though he did not believe the red-haired lad's +denial, there was no way in which he could prove to the contrary.</p> + +<p>"If he didn't take the plans, who did?" mused Tom.</p> + +<p>As the young inventor turned away after cross-questioning Andy, the +bully called out:</p> + +<p>"You'll never win that ten thousand dollars!"</p> + +<p>"What do you know about that?" demanded Tom quickly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know," sneered Andy. "There'll be bigger and better aeroplanes in +that meet than you can make, and you'll never win the prize."</p> + +<p>"I suppose you heard about the affair by sneaking around under our +windows, and listening," said Tom.</p> + +<p>"Never mind how I know it, but I do," retorted the bully.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll tell you one thing," said Tom calmly. "If you come around +again it won't be healthy for you. Look out for live wires, if you try +to do the listening act any more, Andy!" And with that ominous warning +Tom turned away.</p> + +<p>"What do you suppose he means, Andy?" asked Pete Bailey, one of Andy's +cronies.</p> + +<p>"It means he's got electrical wires strung around his place," declared +Sam Snedecker, "and that we'll be shocked if we go up there. I'm not +going!"</p> + +<p>"Me, either," added Pete, and Andy laughed uneasily.</p> + +<p>Tom heard what they said, and in the next few days he made himself busy +by putting some heavy wires in and about the grounds where they would +show best. But the wires carried no current, and were only displayed to +impress a sense of fear on Andy and his cronies, which purpose they +served well.</p> + +<p>But it was like locking the stable door after the horse had been stolen, +for with all the precautions he could take Tom could not get back his +plans, and he spent many anxious days seeking them. They seemed to have +completely disappeared, however, and the young inventor decided there +was nothing else to do but to draw new ones.</p> + +<p>He set to work on them, and in the meanwhile tried to learn whether or +not Andy had the missing plans. He sought this information by stealth, +and was aided by his chum, Ned Newton. But all to no purpose. Not the +slightest trace or clue was discovered.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_Five" id="Chapter_Five" />Chapter Five</h2> + +<h3>Building the Sky Racer</h3> + + +<p>"What will you do, if, after you have your little monoplane all +constructed, and get ready to race, you find that some one else has one +exactly like it at the meet?" asked Ned Newton one day, when he and Tom +were out in the big workshop, talking things over. "What will you do, +Tom?"</p> + +<p>"I don't see that there is anything I can do. I'll go on to the meet, of +course, and trust to some improvements I have since brought out, and to +what I know about aeroplanes, to help me win the race. I'll know, too, +who stole my plans."</p> + +<p>"But it will be too late, then."</p> + +<p>"Yes, too late, perhaps, to stop them from using the drawings, hot not +too late to punish them for the theft. It's a great mystery, and I'll be +on the anxious seat all the while. But it can't be helped."</p> + +<p>"When are you going to start work on the sky racer?"</p> + +<p>"Pretty soon, now. I've got another set of plans made, and I've fixed +them so that if they are stolen it won't do any one any good."</p> + +<p>"How's that?"</p> + +<p>"I've put in a whole lot of wrong figures and measurements, and scores +of lines and curves that mean nothing. I have marked the right figures +and lines by a secret mark, and when I work on them I'll use only the +proper ones. But any one else wouldn't know this. Oh, I'll fool 'em this +time!"</p> + +<p>"I hope you do. Well, when you get the machine done I'd like to ride in +it. Will it carry two, as your Butterfly does?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, only it will be much different; and, of course, it will go much +faster. I'll give you a ride, all right, Ned. Well, now I must get busy +and see what material I need for what I hope will prove to be the +speediest aeroplane in the world."</p> + +<p>"That's going some! I must be leaving now. Don't forget your promise. I +saw Mary Nestor on my way over here. She was asking for you. She said +you must be very busy, for she hadn't seen you in some time."</p> + +<p>"Um!" was all Tom answered, but by the blush that mounted to his face it +was evident that he was more interested in Mary Nestor than his mere +exclamation indicated.</p> + +<p>When Ned had gone Tom got out pencil and paper, and was busily engaged +in making some intricate calculations. He drew odd little sketches on +the margin of the sheet, and then wrote out a list of the things he +would need to construct the new aeroplane.</p> + +<p>This finished, he went to Mr. Jackson, the engineer, and asked him to +get the various things together, and to have them put in the special +shop where Tom did most of his work.</p> + +<p>"I want to get the machine together as soon as I can," he remarked to +the engineer, "for it will need to be given a good tryout before I enter +in the race, and I may find that I'll have to make several changes in +it."</p> + +<p>Mr. Jackson promised to attend to the matter right away, and then Tom +went in to talk to his father about the motor that was to whirl the +propeller of the new air craft.</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift had improved very much in the past few days, and though Dr. +Gladby said he was far from being well, the physician declared there was +no reason why he should not do some inventive work.</p> + +<p>He and Tom were deep in an argument of gasoline motors, discussing the +best manner of attaching the fins to the cylinders to make them +air-cooled, when a voice sounded outside, the voice of Eradicate:</p> + +<p>"Heah! Whar yo' goin'?" demanded the colored man. "Whar yo' goin'?"</p> + +<p>"Somebody's out in the garden!" exclaimed Tom, jumping up suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it's the same person who took the plans!" suggested Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"Hold on, dere!" yelled Eradicate again.</p> + +<p>Then a voice replied:</p> + +<p>"Bless my insurance policy! What's the matter? Have there been burglars +around? Why all these precautions? Bless my steam heater! Don't you know +me?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Damon!" cried Tom, a look of pleasure coming over his face. "Mr. +Damon is coming!"</p> + +<p>"So I should judge," responded Mr. Swift, with a smile. "I wonder why +Eradicate didn't recognize him?"</p> + +<p>They learned why a moment later, for on looking from the library window, +Tom saw the colored man coming up the walk behind a well-dressed +gentleman.</p> + +<p>"Why, mah goodness! It's Mr. Damon!" exclaimed Eradicate. "I didn't know +yo', sah, wif dem whiskers on! I didn't, fo' a fac'!"</p> + +<p>"Bless my razor! I suppose it does make a difference," said the +eccentric man. "Yes, my wife thought I'd look better, and more sedate, +with a beard, so I grew one to please her. But I don't like it. A beard +is too warm this kind of weather; eh, Tom?" And Mr. Damon waved his hand +to the young inventor and his father, who stood in the low windows of +the library. "Entirely too warm, bless my finger-nails, yes!"</p> + +<p>"I agree with you!" exclaimed Tom. "Come in! We're glad to see you!"</p> + +<p>"I called to see if you aren't going on another trip to the North Pole, +or somewhere in the Arctic regions," went on Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Why?" inquired Tom.</p> + +<p>"Why, then this heavy beard of mine would come in handy. It would keep +my throat and chin warm." And Mr. Damon ran his hands through his +luxuriant whiskers.</p> + +<p>"No more northern trips right away," said Tom. "I'm about to build a +speedy monoplane, to take part in the big meet at Eagle Park."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I heard about the meet," said Mr. Damon. "I'd like to be in +that."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm building a machine that will carry two," went on Tom, "and if +you think you can stand a speed of a hundred miles an hour, or better, +I'll let you come with me. There are some races where a passenger is +allowed."</p> + +<p>"Have you got a razor?" asked Mr. Damon suddenly.</p> + +<p>"What for?" inquired Mr. Swift, wondering what the eccentric man was +going to do.</p> + +<p>"Why, bless my shaving soap! I'm going to cut off my beard. If I go in a +monoplane at a hundred miles an hour I don't want to make any more +resistance to the wind than possible, and my whiskers would certainly +hold back Tom's machine. Where's a razor? I'm going to shave at once. My +wife won't mind when I tell her what it's for. Lend me a razor, please, +Tom."</p> + +<p>"Oh, there's plenty of time," explained the lad, with a laugh. "The race +doesn't take place for over two months. But when it does, I think you +would be better off without a beard."</p> + +<p>"I know it," said Mr. Damon simply. "I'll shave before we enter the +contest, Tom. But now tell me all about it."</p> + +<p>Tom did so, relating the story of the theft of the plans. Mr. Damon was +for having Andy arrested at once, but Mr. Swift and his son pointed out +that they had no evidence against him.</p> + +<p>"All we can do," said the young inventor, "is to keep watch on him, and +see if he is building another aeroplane. He has all the facilities, and +he may attempt to get ahead of me. If he enters a sky craft at the meet +I'll be pretty sure that he has made it from my stolen plans."</p> + +<p>"Bless my wing tips!" cried Mr. Damon. "But can't we do anything to stop +him?"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid not," answered Tom; and then he showed Mr. Damon his +re-drawn plans, and told in detail of how he intended to construct the +new aeroplane.</p> + +<p>The eccentric man remained as the guest of the Swift family that night, +departing for his home the next day, and promising to be on hand as soon +as Tom was ready to test his new craft, which would he in about a month.</p> + +<p>As the days passed, Tom, with the help of his father, whose health was +slightly better, and with the aid of Mr. Jackson, began work on the +speedy little sky racer.</p> + +<p>As you boys are all more or less familiar with aeroplanes, we will not +devote much space to the description of the new one Tom Swift made. We +can describe it in general terms, but there were some features of it +which Tom kept a secret from all save his father.</p> + +<p>Suffice it to say that Tom had decided to build a small air craft of the +single-wing type, known as the monoplane. It was to be a cross between +the Bleriot and the Antoinette, with the general features of both, but +with many changes or improvements.</p> + +<p>The wings were shaped somewhat like those of a humming-bird, which, as +is well known, can, at times, vibrate its wings with such velocity that +the most rapid camera lens cannot quite catch.</p> + +<p>And when it is known that a bullet in flight has been successfully +photographed, the speed of the wings of the humming-bird can be better +appreciated.</p> + +<p>The writer has seen a friend, with a very rapid camera, which was used +to snap automobiles in flight, attempt to take a picture of a +humming-bird. He got the picture, all right, but the plate was blurred, +showing that the wings had moved faster than the lens could throw them +on the sensitive plate.</p> + +<p>Not that Tom intended the wings of his monoplane to vibrate, but he +adopted that style as being the best adapted to allow of rapid flight +through the air; and the young inventor had determined that he would +clip many minutes from the best record yet made.</p> + +<p>The body of his craft, between the forward wings and the rear ones, +where the rudders were located, was shaped like a cigar, with side wings +somewhat like the fin keels of the ocean liner to prevent a rolling +motion. In addition, Tom had an ingenious device to automatically adapt +his monoplane to sudden currents of air that might overturn it, and this +device was one of the points which he kept secret.</p> + +<p>The motor, which was air-cooled, was located forward, and was just above +the heads of the operator and the passenger who sat beside him. The +single propeller, which was ten feet in diameter, gave a minimum thrust +of one thousand pounds at two thousand revolutions per minute.</p> + +<p>This was one feature wherein Tom's craft differed from others. The usual +aeroplane propeller is eight feet in diameter, and gives from four to +five hundred pounds thrust at about one thousand revolutions per minute, +so it can be readily seen wherein Tom had an advantage.</p> + +<p>"But I'm building this for speed," he said to Mr. Jackson, "and I'm +going to get it! We'll make a hundred miles an hour without trouble."</p> + +<p>"I believe you," replied the engineer. "The motor you and your father +have made is a wonder for lightness and power."</p> + +<p>In fact, the whole monoplane was so light and frail as to give one the +idea of a rather large model, instead of a real craft, intended for +service. But a careful inspection showed the great strength it had, for +it was braced and guyed in a new way, and was as rigid as a +steel-trussed bridge.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to call her?" asked Mr. Jackson, about two weeks +after they had started work on the craft, and when it had begun to +assume shape and form.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to name her the Humming-Bird," replied Tom. "She's little, +but oh, my!"</p> + +<p>"And I guess she'll bring home the prize," added the engineer.</p> + +<p>And as the days went by, and Tom, his father and Mr. Jackson continued +to work on the speedy craft, this hope grew in the heart of the young +inventor. But he could not rid himself of worry as to the fate of the +plans that had disappeared. Who had them? Was some one making a machine +like his own from them? Tom wished he knew.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_Six" id="Chapter_Six" />Chapter Six</h2> + +<h3>Andy Foger Will Contest</h3> + + +<p>One afternoon, as Tom was working away in the shop on his sky racer, +adjusting one of the rear rudders, and pausing now and then to admire +the trim little craft, he heard some one approaching. Looking out +through a small observation peephole made for this purpose, he saw Mrs. +Baggert hurrying toward the building.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what's the matter?" he said aloud, for there was a look of +worriment on the lady's face. Tom threw open the door. "What is it, Mrs. +Baggert?" he called. "Some one up at the house who wants to see me?"</p> + +<p>"No, it's your father!" panted the housekeeper, for she was quite stout. +"He is very ill again, and I can't seem to get Dr. Gladby on the +telephone. Central says he doesn't answer."</p> + +<p>"My father worse!" cried Tom in alarm, dropping his tools and hurrying +from the shop. "Where's Eradicate? Send him for the doctor. Perhaps the +wires are broken. If he can't locate Dr. Gladby, get Dr. Kurtz. We must +have some one. Here, Rad! Where are you?" he called, raising his voice.</p> + +<p>"Heah I be!" answered the colored man, coming from the direction of the +garden, which he had been weeding.</p> + +<p>"Get cut your mule, and go for Dr. Gladby. If he isn't home, get Dr. +Kurtz. Hurry, Rad!"</p> + +<p>"I's mighty sorry, Massa Tom," answered the colored man, "but I cain't +hurry, nohow."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Because Boomerang done gone lame, an' he won't run. I'll go mahse'f, +but I cain't take dat air mule."</p> + +<p>"Never mind. I'll go in the Butterfly," decided Tom quickly. "I'll run +up to the house and see how dad is, and while I'm gone, Rad, you get out +the Butterfly. I can make the trip in that. If Dr. Kurtz had a 'phone I +could get him, but he lives over on the back road, where there isn't a +line. Hurry, Rad!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sah, Massa Tom, I'll hurry!"</p> + +<p>The colored man knew how to get the monoplane in shape for a flight, as +he had often done it.</p> + +<p>Tom found his father in no immediate danger, but Mr. Swift had had a +slight recurrence of his heart trouble, and it was thought best to have +a doctor. So Tom started off in his air craft, rising swiftly above the +housetop, and sailed off toward the old-fashioned residence of Dr. +Kurtz, a sturdy, elderly German physician, who sometimes attended Mr. +Swift. Tom decided that as long as Dr. Gladby did not answer his 'phone, +he could not be at home, and this, he learned later, was the case, the +physician being in a distant town on a consultation.</p> + +<p>"My, this Butterfly seems big and clumsy beside my Humming-Bird," mused +Tom as he slid along through the air, now flying high and now low, +merely for practice. "This machine can go, but wait until I have my new +one in the air! Then I'll show 'em what speed is!"</p> + +<p>He was soon at the physician's house, and found him in.</p> + +<p>"Won't you ride back with me in the monoplane?" asked Tom. "I'm anxious +to have you see dad as soon as you can.</p> + +<p>"Vot! Me drust mineself in one ob dem airships? I dinks not!" exclaimed +Dr. Kurtz ponderously. "Vy, I vould not efen ride in an outer-mobile, +yet, so vy should I go in von contrivance vot is efen more dangerous? +No, I gomes to your fader in der carriage, mit mine old Dobbin horse. +Dot vill not drop me to der ground, or run me up a tree, yet! Vot?"</p> + +<p>"Very well," said Tom, "only hurry, please."</p> + +<p>The young inventor, in his airship, reached home some time before the +slow-going doctor got there in his carriage. Mr. Swift was no worse, Tom +was glad to find, though he was evidently quite ill.</p> + +<p>"So, ve must take goot care of him," said the doctor, when he had +examined the patient. "Dr. Gladby he has done much for him, und I can do +little more. You must dake care of yourself, Herr Swift, or you +vill—but den, vot is der use of being gloomy-minded? I am sure you vill +go more easy, und not vork so much."</p> + +<p>"I haven't worked much," replied the aged inventor. "I have only been +helping my son on a new airship."</p> + +<p>"Den dot must stop," insisted the doctor. "You must haf gomplete +rest—dot's it—gomplete rest."</p> + +<p>"We'll do just as you say, doctor," said Tom. "We'll give up the +aeroplane matters, dad, and go away, you and I, where we can t see a +blueprint or a pattern, or hear the sound of machinery. We'll cut it all +out."</p> + +<p>"Dot vould he goot," said Dr. Kurtz ponderously.</p> + +<p>"No, I couldn't think of it," answered Mr. Swift. "I want you to go in +that race, Tom—and win!"</p> + +<p>"But I'll not do it, dad, if you're going to be ill."</p> + +<p>"He is ill now," interrupted the doctor. "Very ill, Dom Swift."</p> + +<p>"That settles it. I don't go in the race. You and I'll go away, dad—to +California, or up in Canada. We'll travel for your health."</p> + +<p>"No! no!" insisted the old inventor gently. "I will be all right. Most +of the work on the monoplane is done now, isn't it, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, dad."</p> + +<p>"Then you go on, and finish it. You and Mr. Jackson can do it without me +now. I'll take a rest, doctor, but I want my son to enter that race, +and, what's more, I want him to win!"</p> + +<p>"Vell, if you don't vork, dot is all I ask. I must forbid you to do any +more. Mit Dom, dot is different. He is young und strong, und he can +vork. But you—not, Herr Swift, or I doctor you no more." And the +physician shook his big head.</p> + +<p>"Very well. I'll agree to that if Tom will promise to enter the race," +said the inventor.</p> + +<p>"I will," said Tom.</p> + +<p>The physician took his leave shortly after that, the medicine he gave to +Mr. Swift somewhat relieving him. Then the young inventor, who felt in a +little better spirits, went back to his workshop.</p> + +<p>"Poor dad," he mused. "He thinks more of me and this aeroplane than he +does of himself. Well, I will go in the race, and I'll—yes, I'll win!" +And Tom looked very determined.</p> + +<p>He was about to resume work on his craft when something about the way +one of the forward planes was tilted attracted his attention.</p> + +<p>"I never left it that way," mused Tom. "Some one has been in here. I +wonder if it was Mr. Jackson?"</p> + +<p>Tom stepped to the door and called for Eradicate. The colored man came +from the direction of the garden, which he was still weeding.</p> + +<p>"Has Mr. Jackson been around, Rad?" asked the lad.</p> + +<p>"No, sah. I ain't seed him."</p> + +<p>"Have you been in here, looking at the Humming-Bird?"</p> + +<p>"No, Massa Tom. I nebber goes in dere, lessen as how yo' is dere. Dem's +yo' orders."</p> + +<p>"That's so, Rad. I might have known you wouldn't go in. But did you see +any one enter the shop?"</p> + +<p>"Not a pusson, sab."</p> + +<p>"Have you been here all the while?"</p> + +<p>"All but jes' a few minutes, when I went to de barn to put some liniment +on Boomerang's So' foot."</p> + +<p>"H'm! Some one might have slipped in here while I was away," mused Tom. +"I ought to have locked the doors, but I was in a hurry. This thing is +getting on my nerves. I wonder if it's Andy Foger, or some one else, who +is after my secret?"</p> + +<p>He made a hasty examination of the shop, but could discover nothing more +wrong, except that one of the planes of the Humming-Bird had been +shifted.</p> + +<p>"It looks as if they were trying to see how it was fastened on, and how +it worked," mused Tom. "But my plans haven't been touched, and no damage +has been done. Only I don't like to think that people have been in here. +They may have stolen some of my ideas. I must keep this place locked +night and day after this."</p> + +<p>Tom spent a busy week in making improvements on his craft. Mr. Swift was +doing well, and after a consultation by Dr. Kurtz and Dr. Gladby it was +decided to adopt a new style of treatment. In the meanwhile, Mr. Swift +kept his promise, and did no work. He sat in his easy-chair, out in the +garden, and dozed away, while Tom visited him frequently to see if he +needed anything.</p> + +<p>"Poor old dad!" mused the young inventor. "I hope he is well enough to +come and see me try for the ten-thousand-dollar prize—and win it! I +hope I do; but if some one builds, from my stolen plans, a machine on +this model, I'll have my work cut out for me." And he gazed with pride +on the Humming-Bird.</p> + +<p>For the past two weeks Tom had seen nothing of Andy Foger. The +red-haired bully seemed to have dropped out of sight, and even his +cronies, Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey, did not know where he had gone.</p> + +<p>"I hope he has gone for good," said Ned Newton, who lived near Andy. +"He's an infernal nuisance. I wish he'd never come back to Shopton."</p> + +<p>But Andy was destined to come back.</p> + +<p>One day, when Tom was busy installing a wireless apparatus on his new +aeroplane, he heard Eradicate hurrying up the path that led to the shop.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if dad is worse?" thought Tom, that always being his first +idea when he knew a summons was coming for him. Quickly be opened the +door.</p> + +<p>"Some one's comin' out to see you, Massa Tom," said the colored man.</p> + +<p>"Who is it?" asked the lad, taking the precaution to put his precious +plans out of sight.</p> + +<p>"I dunno, sah; but yo' father knows him, an' he said fo' me to come out +heah, ahead ob de gen'man, an' tell yo' he were comin'. He'll be right +heah."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, if dad knows him, it's all right. Let him come, Rad."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sah. Heah he comes." And the colored man pointed to a figure +advancing down the gravel path. Tom watched the stranger curiously. +There was something familiar about him, and Tom was sure he had met him +before, yet he could not seem to place him.</p> + +<p>"How are you, Tom Swift?" greeted the newcomer pleasantly. "I guess +you've forgotten me, haven't you?" He held out his hand, which Tom took. +"Don't know me, do you?" he went on.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm afraid I've forgotten your name," admitted the lad, just a +bit embarrassed. "But your face is familiar, somehow, and yet it isn't"</p> + +<p>"I've shaved off my mustache," went on the other. "That makes a +difference. But you haven't forgotten John Sharp, the balloonist, whom +you rescued from Lake Carlopa, and who helped you build the Red Cloud? +You haven't forgotten John Sharp, have you, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I should say not!" cried the lad heartily. "I'm real glad to see +you. What are you doing around here? Come in. I've got something to show +you," and he motioned to the shop where the Humming-Bird was housed.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know what it is," said the veteran balloonist.</p> + +<p>"You do?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. It's your new aeroplane. In fact, I came to see you about it."</p> + +<p>"To see me about it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. I'm one of the committee of arrangements for the meet to be held +at Eagle Park, where I understand you are going to contest. I came to +see how near you were ready, and to get you to make a formal entry of +your machine. Mr. Gunmore sent me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, so you're in with them now, eh?" asked Tom. "Well, I'm glad to know +I've got a friend on the committee. Yes, my machine is getting along +very well. I'll soon be ready for a trial flight. Come in and look at +it. I think it's a bird—a regular Humming-Bird!" And Tom laughed.</p> + +<p>"It certainly is something new," admitted Mr. Sharp as his eyes took in +the details of the trim little craft. "By the way, Shopton is going to +be well represented at the meet."</p> + +<p>"How is that? I thought I was the only one around here to enter an +aeroplane."</p> + +<p>"No. We have just received an entry from Andy Foger."</p> + +<p>"From Andy Foger!" gasped Tom. "Is he going to try to win some of the +prizes?"</p> + +<p>"He's entered for the big one, the ten-thousand-dollar prize," replied +the balloonist. "He has made formal application to be allowed to +compete, and we have to accept any one who applies. Why, do you object +to him, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"Object to him? Mr. Sharp, let me tell you something. Some time ago a +set of plans of my machine here were stolen from my house. I suspected +Andy Foger of taking them, but I could get no proof. Now you say he is +building a machine to compete for the big prize. Do you happen to know +what style it is?"</p> + +<p>"It's a small monoplane, something like the Antoinette, his application +states, though he may change it later."</p> + +<p>"Then he's stolen my ideas, and is making a craft like this!" exclaimed +Tom, as he sank upon a bench, and gazed from the balloonist to the +Humming-Bird, and hack to Mr. Sharp again. "Andy Foger is trying to beat +me with my own machine!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_Seven" id="Chapter_Seven" />Chapter Seven</h2> + +<h3>Seeking a Clue</h3> + + +<p>John Sharp was more than surprised at the effect his piece of +information had on Tom Swift. Though the young inventor had all along +suspected Andy of having the missing plans, yet there had been no +positive evidence on this point. That, coupled with the fact that the +red-haired bully had not been seen in the vicinity of Shopton lately, +had, in a measure, lulled Tom's suspicions to rest, but now his hope had +been rudely shattered.</p> + +<p>"Do you really think that's his game?" asked Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure of it," replied the youth. "Though where he is building his +aeroplane I can't imagine, for I haven't seen him in town. He's away."</p> + +<p>"Are you sure of that?"</p> + +<p>"Well, not absolutely sure," replied Tom. "It's the general rumor that +he's out of town."</p> + +<p>"Well, old General Rumor is sometimes a person not to be relied upon," +remarked the balloonist grimly. "Now this is the way I size it up: Of +course, all I know officially is that Andy Foger has sent in an entry +for the big race for the ten-thousand-dollar prize which is offered by +the Eagle Park Aviation Association. I'm a member of the arrangements +committee, and so I know. I also know that you and several others are +going to try for the prize. That's all I am absolutely sure of.</p> + +<p>"Now, when you tell me about the missing plans, and you conclude that +Andy is doing some underhanded work, I agree with you. But I go a step +farther. I don't believe he's out of town at all."</p> + +<p>"Why not?" exclaimed Tom.</p> + +<p>"Because when he has an airship shed right in his own backyard, where, +you tell me, he once made a craft in which he tried to beat you out in +the trip to Alaska, when you think of that, doesn't it seem reasonable +that he'd use that same building in which to make his new craft?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it does," admitted Tom slowly, "but then everybody says he's out +of town."</p> + +<p>"Well, what everybody says is generally not So. I think you'll find that +Andy is keeping himself in seclusion, and that he's working secretly in +his ship, building a machine with which to beat you."</p> + +<p>"Do you, really?"</p> + +<p>"I certainly do. Have you been around his place lately?"</p> + +<p>"No. I've been too busy; and then I never have much to do with him."</p> + +<p>"Then take my advice, and see if you can't get a look inside that shop. +You may see something that will surprise you. If you find that Andy is +infringing on your patented ideas, you can stop him by an injunction. +You've got this model patented, I take it?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes. I didn't have at the time the plans were stolen, but I've +patented it since. I could get at him that way."</p> + +<p>"Then take my advice, and do it. Get a look inside that shed, and you'll +find Andy working secretly there, no matter if his cronies do think he's +out of town."</p> + +<p>"I believe I will," agreed Tom, and somehow he felt better now that he +had decided on a plan of action. He and the balloonist talked over at +some length just the best way to go about it, for the young inventor +recalled the time when he and Ned Newton had endeavored to look into +Andy's shed, with somewhat disastrous results to themselves; but Tom +knew that the matter at stake justified a risk, and he was willing to +take it.</p> + +<p>"Well, now that's settled," said Mr. Sharp, "tell me more about yourself +and your aeroplane. My! To think that the Red Cloud was destroyed! That +was a fine craft."</p> + +<p>"Indeed she was," agreed Tom. "I'm going to make another on similar +lines, some day, but now all my time is occupied with the Humming Bird."</p> + +<p>"She is a hummer, too," complimented Mr. Sharp. "But I almost forgot the +real object of my trip here. There is no doubt about you going in the +race, is there?"</p> + +<p>"I fully expect to," replied Tom. "The only thing that will prevent me +will be—"</p> + +<p>"Don't say you're worried on account of what Andy Foger may do," +interrupted Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"I'm not. I'll attend to Andy, all right. I was going to say that my +father's illness might interfere. He's not well at all. I'm quite +worried about him."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I sincerely hope he'll be all right," remarked the balloonist. "We +want you in this race. In fact, we're going to feature you, as they say +about the actors and story-writers. The committee is planning to do +considerable advertising on the strength of Tom Swift, the well-known +young inventor, being a contestant for the ten-thousand-dollar prize."</p> + +<p>"That's very nice, I'm sure," replied Tom, "and I'm going to do my best. +Perhaps dad will take a turn for the better. He wants me to win as much +as I want to myself. Well, we'll not worry about it, anyhow, until the +time comes. I want to show you some new features of my latest +aeroplane."</p> + +<p>"And I want to see them, Tom. Don't you think you're making a mistake, +though, in equipping it with a wireless outfit?"</p> + +<p>"Why so?"</p> + +<p>"Well, because it will add to the weight, and you want such a small +machine to be as light as possible."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but you see I have a very light engine. That part my father helped +me with. In fact, it is the lightest air-cooled motor made, for the +amount of horsepower it develops, so I can afford to put on the extra +weight of the wireless outfit. I may need to signal when I am flying +along at a hundred miles an hour."</p> + +<p>"That's so. Well, show me some of the other good points. You've +certainly got a wonderful craft here."</p> + +<p>Tom and Mr. Sharp spent some time going over the Humming-Bird and in +talking over old times. The balloonist paid another visit to Mr. Swift, +who was feeling pretty good, and who expressed his pleasure in seeing +his old friend again.</p> + +<p>"Can't you stay for a few days?" asked Tom, when Mr. Sharp was about to +leave. "If you wait long enough you may be able to help me work up the +clues against Andy Foger, and also witness a trial flight of the +Humming-Bird."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to stay, but I can't," was the answer. "The committee will be +anxious for me to get back with my report. Good luck to you. I'll see +you at the time of the race, if not before."</p> + +<p>Tom resolved to get right to work seeking clues against his old enemy, +Andy, but the next day Mr. Swift was not so well, and Tom had to remain +in the house. Then followed several days, during which time it was +necessary to do some important work on his craft, and so a week passed +without any information having been obtained.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile Tom had made some cautious inquiries, but had learned +nothing about Andy. He had no chance to interview Pete or Sam, the two +cronies, and he did not think it wise to make a bald request for +information at the Foger home.</p> + +<p>Ned Newton could not be of any aid to his friend, as he was kept busy in +the bank night and day, working over a new set of books.</p> + +<p>"I wonder how I can find out what I want to know?" mused Tom one +afternoon, when he had done considerable work on the Humming-Bird. "I +certainly ought to do it soon, so as to be able to stop Andy if he's +infringing on my patents. Yet, I don't see how—"</p> + +<p>His thoughts were interrupted by hearing a voice outside the shop, +exclaiming:</p> + +<p>"Bless my toothpick! I know the way, Eradicate, my good fellow. It isn't +necessary for you to come. As long as Tom Swift is out there, I'll find +him. Bless my horizontal rudder! I'm anxious to see what progress he's +made. I'll find him, if he's about!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sah, he's right in dere," spoke the colored man. "He's workin' on +dat Dragon Fly of his." Eradicate did not always get his names right.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Damon!" exclaimed Tom in delight, at the sound of his friend's +voice. "I believe he can help me get evidence against Andy Foger. I +wonder I didn't think of it before! The very thing! I'll do it!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_Eight" id="Chapter_Eight" />Chapter Eight</h2> + +<h3>The Empty Shed</h3> + + +<p>"Bless my dark-lantern! Where are you, Tom?" called Mr. Damon as he +entered the dim shed where the somewhat frail-appearing aeroplane loomed +up in the semi-darkness, for it was afternoon, and rather cloudy. "Where +are you?"</p> + +<p>"Here!" called the young inventor. "I'm glad to see you! Come in!"</p> + +<p>"Ah! there it is, eh?" exclaimed the odd man, as he looked at the +aeroplane, for there had been much work done on it since he had last +seen it. "Bless my parachute, Tom! But it looks as though you could blow +it over."</p> + +<p>"It's stronger than it seems," replied the lad. "But, Mr. Damon, I've +got something very important to talk to you about."</p> + +<p>Thereupon Tom told all about Mr. Sharp's visit, of Andy's entry in the +big race, and of the suspicions of himself and the balloonist.</p> + +<p>"And what is it you wish me to do?" asked Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Work up some clues against Andy Foger."</p> + +<p>"Good! I'll do it! I'd like to get ahead of that bully and his father, +who once tried to wreck the bank I'm interested in. I'll help you, Tom! +I'll play detective! Let me see—what disguise shall I assume? I think +I'll take the part of a tramp. Bless my ham sandwich! That will be the +very thing. I'll get some ragged clothes, let my beard grow again—you +see I shaved it off since my last visit—and I'll go around to the Foger +place and ask for work. Then I can get inside the shed and look around. +How's that for a plan?"</p> + +<p>"It might be all right," agreed Tom, "only I don't believe you're cut +out for the part of a tramp, Mr. Damon."</p> + +<p>"Bless my fingernails! Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, it isn't very pleasant to go around in ragged clothes."</p> + +<p>"Don't mind about me. I'll do it." And the odd gentleman seemed quite +delighted at the idea. He and Tom talked it over at some length, and +then adjourned to the house, where Mr. Swift, who had seemed to improve +in the last few days, was told of the plan.</p> + +<p>"Couldn't you go around after evidence just as you are?" asked the aged +inventor. "I don't much care for this disguising business."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's very necessary," insisted Mr. Damon earnestly. "Bless my +gizzard! but it's very necessary. Why, if I went around the Foger place +as I am now, they'd know me in a minute, and I couldn't find out what I +want to know."</p> + +<p>"Well, if you keep on blessing yourself," said Tom, with a laugh, +"they'll know you, no matter what disguise you put on, Mr. Damon."</p> + +<p>"That's so," admitted the eccentric gentleman. "I must break myself of +that habit. I will. Bless my topknot! I'll never do it any more. Bless +my trousers buttons!"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid you'll never do it!" exclaimed Tom.</p> + +<p>"It is rather hard," said Mr. Damon ruefully, as he realized what he had +said. "But I'll do it. Bless—"</p> + +<p>He paused a moment, looked at Tom and his father, and then burst into a +laugh. The habit was more firmly fastened on him than he was aware.</p> + +<p>For several hours Tom, his father and Mr. Damon discussed various +methods of proceeding, and it was finally agreed that Mr. Damon should +first try to learn what Andy was doing, if anything, without resorting +to a disguise.</p> + +<p>"Then, if that doesn't work, I'll become a tramp," was the decision of +the odd character. "I'll wear the raggedest clothes I can find Bless—" +But he stopped in time.</p> + +<p>Mr. Damon took up his residence in the Swift household, as he had often +done before, and for the next week he went and came as he pleased, +sometimes being away all night.</p> + +<p>"It's no use, though," declared Mr. Damon at the end of the week. "I +can't get anywhere near that shed, nor even get a glimpse inside of it. +I haven't been able to learn anything, either'. There are two gardeners +on guard all the while, and several times when I've tried to go in the +side gate, they've stopped me."</p> + +<p>"Isn't there any news of Andy about town?" asked Tom. "I should think +Sam or Pete would know where he is."</p> + +<p>"Well, I didn't ask them, for they'd know right away why I was +inquiring," said Mr. Damon, "but it seems to me as if there was +something queer going on. If Andy Foger is working in that shed of his, +he's keeping mighty quiet about it. Bless my—"</p> + +<p>And once more he stopped in time. He was conquering the habit in a +measure.</p> + +<p>"Well, what do you propose to do next?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"Disguise myself like a tramp, and go there looking for work," was the +firm answer. "There are plenty of odd jobs on a big place such as the +Foger family have. I'll find out what I want to know, you see."</p> + +<p>It seemed useless to further combat this resolution, and, in a few days +Mr. Damon presented a very different appearance. He had on a most ragged +suit, there was a scrubby beard on his face, and he walked with a +curious shuffle, caused by a pair of big, heavy shoes which he had +donned, first having taken the precaution to make holes in them and get +them muddy.</p> + +<p>"Now I'm all ready," he said to Tom one day, when his disguise was +complete. "I'm going over and try my luck."</p> + +<p>He left the house by a side door, so that no one would see him, and +started down the walk. As he did so a voice shouted:</p> + +<p>"Hi, there! Git right out oh heah! Mistah Swift doan't allow no tramps +heah, an' we ain't got no wuk fo' yo', an' there ain't no cold victuals. +I does all de wuk, me an' mah mule Boomerang, an' we takes all de cold +victuals, too! Git right along, now!"</p> + +<p>"It's Eradicate. He doesn't know you," said Tom, with a chuckle.</p> + +<p>"So much the better," whispered Mr. Damon. But the disguise proved +almost too much of a success, for seeing the supposed tramp lingering +near the house, Eradicate caught up a stout stick and rushed forward. He +was about to strike the ragged man, when Tom called out:</p> + +<p>"That's Mr. Damon, Rad!"</p> + +<p>"Wh—what!" gasped the colored man; and when the situation had been +explained to him, and the necessity for silence impressed upon him, he +turned away, too surprised to utter a word. He sought consolation in the +stable with his mule.</p> + +<p>Just what methods Mr. Damon used he never disclosed, but one thing is +certain: That night there came a cautious knock on the door of the Swift +home, and Tom, answering it, beheld his odd friend.</p> + +<p>"Well," he asked eagerly, "what luck?"</p> + +<p>"Put on a suit of old clothes, and come with me," said Mr. Damon. "We'll +look like two tramps, and then, if we're discovered, they won't know it +was you."</p> + +<p>"Have you found out anything?" asked Tom eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Not yet; but I've got a key to one of the side doors of the shed, and +we can get in as soon as it's late enough so that everybody there will +be in bed."</p> + +<p>"A key? How did you get it?" inquired the youth.</p> + +<p>"Never mind," was the answer, with a chuckle. "That was because of my +disguise; and I haven't blessed anything to-day. I'm going to, soon, +though. I can feel it coming on. But hurry, Tom, or we may be too late."</p> + +<p>"And you haven't had a look inside the shed?" asked the young inventor. +"You don't know what's there?"</p> + +<p>"No; but we soon will."</p> + +<p>Eagerly Tom put on tome of the oldest and most ragged garments he could +find, and then he and the odd gentleman set off toward the Foger home. +They waited some time after getting in sight of it, because they saw a +light in one of the windows. Then, when the house was dark, they stole +cautiously forward toward the big, gloomy shed.</p> + +<p>"On this side," directed Mr. Damon in a whisper. "The key I have opens +this door."</p> + +<p>"But we can't see when we get inside," objected Tom. "I should have +brought a dark lantern."</p> + +<p>"I have one of those pocket electric flashlights," said Mr. Damon. +"Bless my candlestick! but I thought of that." And he chuckled +gleefully.</p> + +<p>Cautiously they advanced in the darkness. Mr. Damon fumbled at the lock +of the door. The key grated as he turned it. The portal swung back, and +Tom and his friend found themselves inside the shed which, of late, had +been such an object of worry and conjecture to the young inventor. What +would he find there?</p> + +<p>"Flash the light," he called to Mr. Damon in a hoarse whisper.</p> + +<p>The eccentric man drew it from his packet He pressed the spring switch, +and in an instant a brilliant shaft of radiance shot out, cutting the +intense blackness like a knife. Mr. Damon flashed it on all sides.</p> + +<p>But to the amazement of Tom and his companion, it did not illuminate the +broad white wings and stretches of canvas of an aeroplane It only shone +on the bare walls of the shed, and on some piles of rubbish in the +corners. Up and down, to right and left, shot the pencil of light. +"There's—there's nothing here!" gasped Tom,</p> + +<p>"I—I guess you're right!" agreed Mr. Damon "The shed is empty!"</p> + +<p>"Then where is Andy Foger building his aeroplane?" asked Tom in a +whisper; but Mr. Damon could not answer him.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_Nine" id="Chapter_Nine" />Chapter Nine</h2> + +<h3>A Trial Flight</h3> + + +<p>For a few moments after their exclamations of surprise Tom and Mr. Damon +did not know what else to say. They stared about in amazement, hardly +able to believe that the shed could be empty. They had expected to see +some form of aeroplane in it, and Tom was almost sure his eyes would +meet a reproduction of his Humming Bird, made from the stolen plans.</p> + +<p>"Can it be possible there's nothing here?" went on Tom, after a long +pause. He could not seem to believe it.</p> + +<p>"Evidently not," answered Mr. Damon, as he advanced toward the center of +the big building and flashed the light on all sides. "You can see for +yourself."</p> + +<p>"Or, rather, you can't see," spoke the youth. "It isn't here, that's +sure. You can't stick an aeroplane, even as small a one as my Humming +Bird, in a corner. No; it isn't here,"</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll have to look further," went on Mr. Damon. "I think—"</p> + +<p>But a sudden noise near the big main doors of the shed interrupted him.</p> + +<p>"Come on!" exclaimed Tom in a whisper. "Some one's coming! They may see +us! Let's get out!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Damon released the pressure on the spring switch, and the light went +out. After waiting a moment to let their eyes become accustomed to the +darkness, he and Tom stole to the door by which they had entered. As +they swung it cautiously open they again heard the noise near the main +portals by which Andy had formerly taken in and out the Anthony, as he +had named the aeroplane in which he and his father went to Alaska, +where, like Tom's craft, it was wrecked.</p> + +<p>"Some one is coming in!" whispered Tom.</p> + +<p>Hardly had he spoken when a light shone in the direction of the sound. +The illumination came from a big lantern of the ordinary kind, carried +by some one who had just entered the shed.</p> + +<p>"Can you see who it is?" whispered Mr. Damon, peering eagerly forward; +too eagerly, for his foot struck against the wooden side wall with a +loud hang.</p> + +<p>"Who's there?" suddenly demanded the person carrying the lantern.</p> + +<p>He raised it high above his head, in order to cast the gleams into all +the distant corners. As he did so a ray of light fell upon his face. +"Andy Foger!" gasped Tom in a hoarse whisper.</p> + +<p>Andy must have heard, for he ran forward just as Tom and Mr. Damon +slipped out.</p> + +<p>"Hold on! Who are you?" came in the unmistakable tones of the red-haired +bully.</p> + +<p>"I don't think we're going to tell," chuckled Tom softly, as he and his +friend sped off into the darkness. They were not followed, and as they +looked back they could see a light bobbing about in the shed.</p> + +<p>"He's looking for us!" exclaimed Mr. Damon with an inward laugh. "Bless +my watch chain! But it's a good thing we got in ahead of him. Are you +sure it was Andy himself?"</p> + +<p>"Sure! I'd know his face anywhere. But I can't understand it. Where has +he been? What is he doing? Where is he building his aeroplane? I thought +he was out of town."</p> + +<p>"He may have come back to-night," said Mr. Damon. "That's the only one +of your questions I can answer. We'll have to wait about the rest, I'm +sure he wasn't around the house to-day, though, for I was working at +weeding the flower beds, in my disguise as a tramp, and if he was home +I'd have seen him. He must have just come back, and he went out to his +shed to get something. Well, we did the best we could."</p> + +<p>"Indeed we did," agreed Tom, "and I'm ever so much obliged to you, Mr. +Damon."</p> + +<p>"And we'll try again, when we get more clues. Bless my shoelaces! but +it's a relief to be able to talk as you like."</p> + +<p>And forthwith the eccentric man began to call down so many blessings on +himself and on his belongings, no less than on his friends, that Tom +laughingly warned him that he had better save some for another time.</p> + +<p>The two reached home safely, removed their "disguises," and told Mr. +Swift of the result of their trip. He agreed with them that there was a +mystery about Andy's aeroplane which was yet to be solved.</p> + +<p>But Tom was glad to find that, at any rate, the craft was not being made +in Shopton, and during the next two weeks he devoted all his time to +finishing his own machine. Mr. Jackson was a valuable assistant, and Mr. +Damon gave what aid he could.</p> + +<p>"Well, I think I'll be ready for a trial flight in another week," said +Tom one day, as he stepped back to get a view of the almost completed +Humming-Bird.</p> + +<p>"Shall you want a passenger?" asked Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I wish you would take a chance with me. I could use a bag of sand, +not that I mean you are to be compared to that," added Tom quickly, "but +I'd rather have a real person, in order to test the balancing apparatus. +Yes, we'll make a trial trip together."</p> + +<p>In the following few days Tom went carefully over the aeroplane, making +some slight changes, strengthening it here and there, and testing the +motor thoroughly. It seemed to work perfectly.</p> + +<p>At length the day of the trial came, and the Humming-Bird was wheeled +out of the shed. In spite of the fact that it was practically finished, +there yet remained much to do on it. It was not painted or decorated, +and looked rather crude. But what Tom wanted to know was how it would +fly, what control he had over it, what speed it could make, and how it +balanced. For it was, at best, very frail, and the least change in +equilibrium might be fatal.</p> + +<p>Before taking his place in the operator's seat Tom started the motor, +and by means of a spring balance tested the thrust of the propellers. It +was satisfactory, though he knew that when the engine had been run for +some time, and had warmed up, it would do much better.</p> + +<p>"All ready, I guess, Mr. Damon!" he called, and the odd gentleman took +his place. Tom got up into his own seat, in front of several wheels and +levers by which he operated the craft.</p> + +<p>"Start the propeller!" he requested of Mr. Jackson, and soon the motor +was spitting fire, while the big, fan-like blades were whirring around +like wings of light. The engineer and Eradicate were holding back the +Humming-Bird.</p> + +<p>"Let her go!" cried Tom as he turned on more gasoline and further +advanced the spark of the motor. The roar increased, the propeller +looked like a solid circle of wood, and the trim little monoplane moved +slowly across the rising ground, increasing its speed every second, +until, like some graceful bird, it suddenly rose in the air as Tom +tilted the wing tips, and soared splendidly aloft!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_Ten" id="Chapter_Ten" />Chapter Ten</h2> + +<h3>A Midnight Intruder</h3> + + +<p>Tom Swift sent his wonderful little craft upward on a gentle slant. +Higher and higher it rose above the ground. Now it topped the trees; now +it was well over them.</p> + +<p>On the earth below stood Mr. Swift, Mr. Jack son, Eradicate and Mrs. +Baggert. They were the only witnesses of the trial flight, and as the +aged inventor saw his son's latest design in aeroplanes circling in the +air he gave a cheer of delight. It was too feeble for Tom to hear, but +the lad, glancing down, saw his father waving his hand to him.</p> + +<p>"Dear old dad!" thought Tom, waving in return. "I hope he's well enough +to see me win the big prize."</p> + +<p>Tom and Mr. Damon went skimming easily through the air, at no great +speed, to be sure, for the young inventor did not want to put too sudden +a strain on his motor.</p> + +<p>"This is glorious!" cried the odd gentleman. "I never shall have enough +of aeroplaning, Tom!"</p> + +<p>"Nor I, either," added his companion. "But how do you like it? Don't you +think it's an improvement on my Butterfly, Mr. Damon?"</p> + +<p>"It certainly is. You're a wonder, Tom! Look out! What are you up to?" +for the machine had suddenly swerved in a startling manner.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's just a new kind of spiral dip I was trying," answered Tom. +"I couldn't do that with my other machine, for I couldn't turn sharp +enough."</p> + +<p>"Well, don't do it right away again," begged Mr. Damon, who had turned a +little white, and whose breath was coming in gasps, even though he was +used to hair-raising stunts in the frail craft of the air.</p> + +<p>Tom did not take his machine far away, for he did not want to exhibit it +to the public yet, and he preferred to remain in the vicinity of his +home, in case of any accident. So he circled around, did figures of +eight, went up and down on long slants, took sharp turns, and gave the +craft a good tryout.</p> + +<p>"Does it satisfy you?" asked Mr. Damon, when Tom had once more made the +spiral dip, but not at high speed.</p> + +<p>"In a way, yes," was the answer. "I see a chance for several changes and +improvements. Of course, I know nothing about the speed yet, and that's +something that I'm anxious about, for I built this with the idea of +breaking all records, and nothing else. I know, now, that I can +construct a craft that will successfully navigate the air; in fact, +there are any number of people who can do that; but to construct a +monoplane that will beat anything ever before made is a different thing. +I don't yet know that I have done it."</p> + +<p>"When will you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, when I make some changes, get the motor tuned up better, and let +her out for all she's worth. I want to do a hundred miles an hour, at +least. I'll arrange for a speedy flight in about two weeks more."</p> + +<p>"Then I think I will stay home," said Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"No; I'll need you," insisted Tom, laughing. "Now watch. I'm going to +let her out just a little."</p> + +<p>He did, with the result that they skimmed through the air so fast that +Mr. Damon's breath became a mere series of gasps.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to wear goggles and mouth protectors when we really go +fast!" yelled Tom above the noise of the motor, as he slowed down and +turned about for home.</p> + +<p>"Go fast! Wasn't that fast?" asked Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>Tom shook his head.</p> + +<p>"You wait, and you'll see," he announced.</p> + +<p>They made a good landing, and Mr. Swift hastened up to congratulate his +son.</p> + +<p>"I knew you could do it, Tom!" he cried.</p> + +<p>"I couldn't, though, if it hadn't been for that wonderful engine of +yours, dad! How do you feel?"</p> + +<p>"Pretty good. Oh! but that's a fine machine, Tom!"</p> + +<p>"It certainly is," agreed Mr. Jackson.</p> + +<p>"It will be when I have it in better trim," admitted the young inventor +modestly.</p> + +<p>"By golly!" cried Eradicate, who was grinning almost from ear to ear, +"I's proud oh yo', Massa Tom, an' so will mah mule Boomerang be, when I +tells him. Yes, sah, dat's what he will be—proud ob yo', Massa Tom!"</p> + +<p>"Thanks, Rad."</p> + +<p>"Well, some folks is satisfied with mighty little under 'em, when they +go up in the air, that's my opinion," said Mrs. Baggert.</p> + +<p>"Why, wouldn't you ride in this?" asked Tom of the buxom housekeeper.</p> + +<p>"Not if you was to give me ten thousand dollars!" she cried firmly. "Oh, +dear! I think the potatoes are burning!" And she rushed back into the +house.</p> + +<p>The next day Tom started to work overhauling the Humming-Bird, and +making some changes. He altered the wing tips slightly, and adjusted the +motor, until in a thrust test it developed nearly half again as much +power as formerly.</p> + +<p>"And I'll need it all," declared Tom as he thought of the number of +contestants that had entered the great race.</p> + +<p>For the Eagle Park meet was to be a large and important one, and the +principal "bird-men" of the world were to have a part in it. Tom knew +that he must do his very best, and he spared no efforts to make his +monoplane come up to his ideal, which was a very exacting one.</p> + +<p>"We'll have a real speed test to-morrow," Tom announced to Mr. Damon one +night. "I'll see what the Humming-Bird can really do. You'll come, won't +you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I suppose so. Bless my insurance policy! I might as well take the +same chance you do. But if you're going to have such a nerve-racking +thing as that on the program, you'd better get to bed early and have +plenty of sleep."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm not tired. I think I'll go out this evening."</p> + +<p>"Where?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, just around town, to see some of the fellows." But if Tom was only +going around town merely to see his male friends, why did he dress so +carefully, put on a new necktie, and take several looks in the glass +before he went out? We think you can guess, and also the girl's name.</p> + +<p>The young inventor got in rather late, and after a visit to the +aeroplane shed, to see that all was right there, he went to bed, first +connecting up the burglar-alarm wires that guarded the doors and windows +of the aerodrome.</p> + +<p>How long he had been asleep Tom did not know, but he was suddenly +awakened by hearing the buzzing of the alarm at the head of his bed. At +first he took it for the droning and humming of the aeroplane motor, as +he had a hazy notion, and a sort of dream, that he was in his craft.</p> + +<p>Then, with a start, he realized what it was—the burglar alarm.</p> + +<p>"Some one's in the shed!" he gasped.</p> + +<p>Out of bed he leaped, drawing on his trousers and coat, and putting on a +pair of slippers, with speed worthy of a fireman. He grabbed up a +revolver and rushed from his room, pounding on the door of Mr. Jackson's +apartment in passing.</p> + +<p>"Some one in the shed, after the Humming-Bird!" shouted Tom. "Get a gun, +and come down!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_Eleven" id="Chapter_Eleven" />Chapter Eleven</h2> + +<h3>Tom Is Hurt</h3> + + +<p>As Tom passed down the hall on his way to the side door, from which he +could more quickly reach the aeroplane shed, he saw his father coming +from his room.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter? What is it?" asked Mr. Swift, and alarm showed on +his pale face.</p> + +<p>"It's nothing much, dad," said the youth, as quietly as he could, for he +realized that to excite his father might have a bad effect on the +invalid.</p> + +<p>"Then why are you in such a hurry? Why have you that revolver? I know +there is something wrong, Tom. I am going to help you!"</p> + +<p>In his father's present weakened state Tom desired this least of all, so +he said:</p> + +<p>"Now, never mind, dad. I thought I heard a noise out in the yard, and +I'm not going to take any chances. So I roused Mr. Jackson, and I'm +going down to see what it is. Perhaps it may only be Eradicate's mule, +Boomerang, kicking around, or it may be Rad himself, or some one after +his chickens. Don't worry. Mr. Jackson and I can attend to it. You go +back to bed, father."</p> + +<p>Tom spoke with such assurance that Mr. Swift believed him, and retired +to his room, just as the engineer, partly dressed, came hurrying out in +response to Tom's summons. He had his rifle, and, bad the invalid +inventor seen that, he surely would have worried more.</p> + +<p>"Come on!" whispered Tom. "Don't make any noise. I don't want to excite +my father."</p> + +<p>"What was it?" asked the engineer.</p> + +<p>"I don't know. Burglar alarm went off, that's all I can say until we get +to the shed."</p> + +<p>Together the two left the house softly, and soon were hurrying toward +the aeroplane shed.</p> + +<p>"Look!" exclaimed Mr. Jackson. "Didn't you see a light just then, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"Where?"</p> + +<p>"By the side window of the shed?"</p> + +<p>"No, I didn't notice it! Oh, yes! There it is! Some one is in there! If +it's Andy Foger, I'll have him arrested, sure!"</p> + +<p>"Maybe we can't catch him."</p> + +<p>"That's so. Andy is a pretty slippery customer. Say, Mr. Jackson, you go +around and get Eradicate, and have him bring a club. We can't trust him +with a gun. Tell him to get at the back door, and I'll wait for you to +join me, and we'll go in the front door. Then we'll have 'em between two +fires. They can't get away."</p> + +<p>"How about the windows?"</p> + +<p>"They're high up, and hard to open since I put the new catches on them. +Whoever got in must have forced the lock of the door. There goes the +light again!"</p> + +<p>As Tom spoke there was seen the faint glimmer of a light. It moved +slowly about the interior of the shed, and with a peculiar bobbing +motion, which indicated that some one was carrying it.</p> + +<p>"Go for Eradicate, and don't make any more noise than you can help in +waking him up," whispered Tom, for they were now close to the shed, and +might be heard.</p> + +<p>Mr. Jackson slipped off in the darkness, and Tom drew nearer to the +building that housed his Humming-Bird. There was one window lower than +the others, and near it was a box, that Tom remembered having seen that +afternoon. He planned to get up on that and look in, before making a +raid to capture the intruder.</p> + +<p>Tom raised himself up to the window. The light had been visible a moment +before he placed the box in position, but an instant later it seemed to +go out, and the place was in darkness.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if they've gone away?" thought Tom. "I can't hear any noise."</p> + +<p>He listened intently. It was dark and silent in the shop. Suddenly the +light flashed up brighter than before, and the young inventor caught +sight of a man walking around the new aeroplane, examining it carefully. +He carried, as Tom could see, a large-sized electric flash-lamp, with a +brilliant tungsten filament, which gave a powerful light.</p> + +<p>As the youth watched, he saw the intruder place the light on a bench, in +such a position that the rays fell full upon the Humming-Bird. Then, +adjusting the spring switch so that the light would continue to glow, +the man stepped back and drew something from an inner pocket.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what he's up to?" mused Tom. "I wish Eradicate and Mr. Jackson +would hurry back. Who can that fellow be, I wonder? I've never seen him +before, as far as I know. I thought sure it was going to turn out to be +Andy Foger!"</p> + +<p>Tom turned around to look into the dark yard surrounding the shed. He +was anxious to hear the approach of his two allies, but there was no +sound of their footsteps.</p> + +<p>As be turned back to watch the man he could not repress a cry of alarm, +for what the intruder had drawn from his pocket was a small hatchet, and +he was advancing with it toward the Humming-Bird!</p> + +<p>"He's going to destroy my aeroplane!" gasped Tom, and he raised his +revolver to fire.</p> + +<p>He did not intend to shoot at the man, but only to fire to scare him, +and thus hasten the coming of Mr. Jackson and the colored man. But there +was no need of this, for an instant later the two came running up +silently, Eradicate with a big club.</p> + +<p>"Whar am he?" he asked in a hoarse whisper. "Let me git at him, Massa +Tom!"</p> + +<p>"Hush!" exclaimed the young inventor. "We have no time to lose! He's in +there, getting ready to chop my aeroplane to bits! Go to the back door, +Rad, and if he tries to come out don't let him get away."</p> + +<p>"I won't!" declared the colored man emphatically, and he shook his club +suggestively.</p> + +<p>"Come on! We'll go in the front door," whispered Tom to the engineer. "I +have the key. We'll catch him red-handed, and hand him over to the +police."</p> + +<p>Waiting a few seconds, to enable Eradicate to get to his place, Tom and +the engineer stole softly toward the big double doors. Every moment the +youth expected to hear the crash of the hatchet on his prize machine. He +shivered in anticipation, but the blows did not fall.</p> + +<p>Tom pushed open the door and stepped inside, followed by Mr. Jackson. As +they did so they saw the man standing in front of the Humming-Bird. He +again raised the little hatchet, which was like an Indian tomahawk, and +poised it for an instant over the delicate framework and planes of the +air craft. Then his arm began to descend.</p> + +<p>"Stop!" yelled Tom, and at the same time he fired in the air.</p> + +<p>The man turned as suddenly as though a bullet had struck him, and for a +moment Tom was afraid lest he had hit him by accident; but an instant +later the intruder grabbed up his flashlight, and holding it before him, +so that its rays shone full on Tom and Mr. Jackson, while it left him in +the shadow, sprang toward them, the hatchet still in his hand.</p> + +<p>"Look out, Tom!" cried Mr. Jackson.</p> + +<p>"Out of my way!" shouted the man.</p> + +<p>Bravely Tom stood his ground. He wished now that he had a club instead +of his revolver. The would-be vandal was almost upon him. Mr. Jackson +clubbed his rifle and swung it at the fellow. The latter dodged, and +came straight at Tom.</p> + +<p>"Look out!" yelled the engineer again, but it was too late. There was +the sound of a blow, and Tom went down like a log. Then the place was in +darkness, and the sound of footsteps in rapid flight could be heard +outside the shed.</p> + +<p>The intruder, after wounding the young inventor, had made his escape.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_Twelve" id="Chapter_Twelve" />Chapter Twelve</h2> + +<h3>Miss Nestor Calls</h3> + + +<p>"What's de mattah? Shall I come in? Am anybody hurted?" yelled Eradicate +Sampson as he pounded on the rear door of the aeroplane shed. "Let me +in, Massa Tom!"</p> + +<p>"All right! Wait a minute! I'm coming!" called Mr. Jackson. He tried to +peer through the darkness, to where a huddled heap indicated the +presence of Tom. Then he thought of the electric lights, which were run +by a storage battery when the dynamo was shut down, and a moment later +the engineer had switched on the incandescents, filling the big shed +with radiance.</p> + +<p>"Tom, are you badly hurt?" gasped Mr. Jackson.</p> + +<p>There was no answer, for Tom was unconscious.</p> + +<p>"Let me in! Let me git at dat robber wif mah club!" cried the colored +man eagerly.</p> + +<p>Knowing that he would need help in carrying Tom to the house, Mr. +Jackson hurried to the back door. He had a key to it, and it was quicker +to open it than to send Eradicate away around the shed to the front +portals.</p> + +<p>"Whar am he?" gasped the faithful darky, as he took a firmer grasp of +his club and looked around the place. "Let me git mah hands on him! I'll +feed him t' Boomerang, when I gits froo wif him!"</p> + +<p>"He's gone," said the engineer. "Help me look after Tom. I'm afraid he's +badly hurt."</p> + +<p>They hastened to the unconscious lad. On one side of his head was a bad +cut, which was bleeding freely.</p> + +<p>"Oh! he's daid! I know he's daid!" wailed Eradicate.</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it. He isn't dead, but he may die, if we don't get him +into the house, and have a doctor here soon," said Mr. Jackson sternly. +"Catch hold of him, Rad, and, mind, don't carry on, and get excited, and +scare Mr. Swift. Just pretend it isn't very bad, or we'll have two +patents on our hands instead of only Tom."</p> + +<p>They managed to get the youth into the house, and, contrary to their +fears, Mr. Swift was not nearly so nervous as they had expected. Calmly +he took charge of matters, and even telephoned for Dr. Gladby himself, +while Mr. Jackson and Eradicate undressed Tom and got him to bed. Mrs. +Baggert busied herself heating water and getting things in readiness for +the doctor, who had promised to come at once.</p> + +<p>Tom was just regaining consciousness when the physician came in, having +driven over at top speed.</p> + +<p>"What—what happened? Did the Humming Bird fall?" asked Tom in a +whisper, putting his hand to his head.</p> + +<p>"No, something fell on you, I guess," said the doctor, who had been +hurriedly told of the circumstances. "But don't worry, Tom. You'll be +all right in a few days. You got a bad cut on the head, but the skull +isn't fractured, I'm glad to say. Here, now, just drink this," and he +gave Tom some medicine he had mixed in a glass.</p> + +<p>The cut was soon dressed, and Tom felt much better, though weak and a +trifle dizzy.</p> + +<p>"Did he hit me with the hatchet?" he asked Mr. Jackson.</p> + +<p>"I couldn't tell," was the engineer's reply, "it all happened so +quickly. In another instant I'd have bowled him over, instead of him +landing on you, but I just missed him. He either used the hatchet, or +some blunt instrument."</p> + +<p>"Well, don't talk about it now," urged the doctor. "I want Tom to get +quiet and go to sleep. We'll be much better in the morning, but I must +forbid any aeroplane flights." And he shook his finger at Tom in +warning. "You'll have to lie quiet for several days," he added.</p> + +<p>"All right," agreed the young inventor weakly, and then he dozed off, +for the physician had given him a quieting medicine.</p> + +<p>"Haven't you any idea who it was?" asked Dr. Gladby of Mr. Jackson, as +he prepared to leave.</p> + +<p>"Not the slightest. It was no one Tom or I had ever seen before. But +whoever it was, he intended to destroy the Humming-Bird, that was +evident!"</p> + +<p>"The scoundrel! I'm glad you foiled him in time; but it's too bad about +Tom. However, we'll soon have him all right again."</p> + +<p>"I knows who done it!" broke in Eradicate, who was a sort of privileged +character about the Swift home.</p> + +<p>"Who?" asked Mr. Jackson.</p> + +<p>"It were dat Andy Foger. Leastways, he send dat man heah t' make +mincemeat oh de Hummin'-Bird. I's positib 'bout dat, so I am!" And +Eradicate grinned triumphantly.</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps Andy did have a hand in it," admitted Mr. Swift, but we +have no proof of it, I can't see what his object would be in wanting to +destroy Tom's new craft."</p> + +<p>"Pure meanness. Afraid that Tom will beat him in the race," suggested +Mr. Jackson.</p> + +<p>"It's too big a risk to take," went on the aged inventor. "I'm inclined +to think it might be one of the gang of men who made the diamonds in the +cave in the mountains. They might have sent a spy on East, and he might +try to damage the aeroplane to be revenged for what Tom and Mr. Jenks +did to them."</p> + +<p>"It's possible," agreed the engineer. "Well, we'll wait until Tom can +talk, and we'll go over it with him."</p> + +<p>"Not until he is stronger, though," stipulated the physician as he went +away. "Don't excite Tom for a few days."</p> + +<p>The young inventor was much better the following day, and when Dr. +Gladby called he said Tom could sit up for a little while. Two days +later Tom was well enough to be talked to, and his father and Mr. +Jackson went over all the details of the matter. Mr. Damon, who had +returned home, came to see his friend as soon as he heard of his plight, +and was also a member of the consulting party.</p> + +<p>"Bless my dictionary!" exclaimed the eccentric man. "I wish I had been +here to take a hand in it. But, Tom, do you believe it was one of the +diamond-making gang?"</p> + +<p>"I hardly think so," was the reply. "They would take some other means of +revenge than by destroying my new aeroplane. I'm inclined to think it +was some one who is in with Andy Foger."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll hire detectives, and locate him and them," declared Mr. +Damon, blessing several things in succession.</p> + +<p>Tom, however, did not like that plan, and it was decided to do nothing +right away. In another few days Tom was able to be up, though he was +still a semi-invalid, not venturing out of the house.</p> + +<p>It was one afternoon, when, rather tired of his confinement, he was +wishing he could resume work on his air craft, that Mrs. Baggert came +in, and said:</p> + +<p>"Some one to see you, Tom."</p> + +<p>"Is it Mr. Damon?"</p> + +<p>"No, it's a lady. She—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Tom! How are you?" cried a girlish voice, and Mary Nestor walked +into the room, holding out both hands to the young inventor. Tom, with a +blush, arose hastily.</p> + +<p>"No! no! Sit still!" commanded the girl. "Oh! I'm so sorry to hear about +your accident! In fact, I only heard this morning. We've been away, +mamma and I, and we just got back. Tell me all about it, that is, if you +feel able. But don't exert yourself. Oh! I wish I had hold of that man!"</p> + +<p>And Miss Nestor clenched her two pretty little hands and set her white, +even teeth grimly together, as though she would do most desperate things +indeed.</p> + +<p>"I wish you did, too!" exclaimed Tom. "That is, so you could hold him +until I had a chance at him. But I'm all right now. It was very good of +you to call. How are you, and how are your folks?"</p> + +<p>"Very well. But I came to hear about you. Tell me," and she looked +anxiously at Tom, while Mrs. Baggert discreetly withdrew to the +adjoining room, and made a great noise, rattling papers and moving +chairs about.</p> + +<p>Thereupon Tom told what had happened, while Mary Nestor listened +interestedly and with expressions of fear at times.</p> + +<p>"But if Andy had anything to do with it," concluded Tom, "I can't +understand what his object is. Andy is acting very strangely lately. We +can't locate him, nor find out where he is building his airship. That's +what I want to know; but Mr. Damon and I, after a lot of trouble, only +found his aeroplane shed empty."</p> + +<p>"And you want to find out where Andy Foger is building his aeroplane +which he has entered in the big race?" asked Miss Nestor.</p> + +<p>"That's what I'd like to know," declared Tom earnestly. "Only we can't +seem to do it. No one knows."</p> + +<p>"Why don't you write to Mr. Sharp, or some one of the aviation meet +committee?" asked the girl simply. "They would know, for you say Andy +made his formal entry with them, and the rules require him to tell from +what city and State he will enter his craft. Write to the committee, +Tom."</p> + +<p>For a moment the young inventor stared at her. Then he banged his fist +down on the arm of his chair.</p> + +<p>"By Jove, Mary! That's the very thing!" he cried. "I wonder why I never +thought of that, instead of fiddling around in disguises, and things +like that? I wonder why I never thought of that plan?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps because it was so simple," she answered, with a pretty blush.</p> + +<p>"I guess that's it," agreed Tom. "It takes a woman to jump across a +bridge to a conclusion every time. I'll write to Mr. Sharp at once."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_Thirteen" id="Chapter_Thirteen" />Chapter Thirteen</h2> + +<h3>A Clash with Andy</h3> + + +<p>Tom lost no time in writing to Mr. Sharp. He wondered more and more at +his own neglect in not before having asked the balloonist, when the +latter was in Shopton, where Andy was building his aeroplane. But, as it +developed later, Mr. Sharp did not know at that time.</p> + +<p>While waiting for a reply to his letter, Tom busied himself about his +own craft, making several changes he had decided on. He also began to +paint and decorate it, for he wanted to have the Humming-Bird present a +neat appearance when she was officially entered in the great race.</p> + +<p>Miss Nestor called on Tom again, and Mr. Damon was a frequent visitor. +He agreed to accompany Tom to the aviation park when it was time for the +race, and also to be a passenger in the ten-thousand-dollar contest.</p> + +<p>"It must be perfectly wonderful to fly through the air," said Miss +Nestor one day, when Tom and Mr. Damon had the Humming-Bird out on the +testing ground, trying the engine, which had been keyed up to a higher +pitch of speed. "I consider it perfectly marvelous, and I can't imagine +how it must seem to skim along that way."</p> + +<p>"Come and try it," urged Tom suddenly. "There's not a bit of danger. +Really there isn't."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I'd never dare do it!" replied the girl, with a gasp. "That machine +is too swift by name and swift by nature for me."</p> + +<p>"Why don't you take Miss Nestor on a grass-cutting flight, Tom?" +suggested Mr. Damon. "Bless my lawn mower! but she wouldn't be +frightened at that."</p> + +<p>"Grass cutting?" repeated the girl. "What in the world does that mean?"</p> + +<p>"It means skimming along a few feet up in the air," answered the young +inventor, who had now fully recovered from the effects of the blow given +him by the midnight intruder. In spite of many inquiries, no clues to +his identity had been obtained.</p> + +<p>"How high do you go when you 'cut grass,' as you call it?" asked Miss +Nestor, and Tom thought he detected a note of eager curiosity in her +voice.</p> + +<p>"Not high at all," he said. "In fact, sometimes I do cut off the tops of +tall daisies. Come, Mary! Won't you try that? I know you'll like it, and +when you've been over the lawn a few times you'll be ready for a high +flight. Come! there's no danger."</p> + +<p>"I—I almost believe I will," she said hesitatingly. "Will you take me +down when I want to come?"</p> + +<p>"Of course," said Tom. "Get in, and we'll start."</p> + +<p>The Humming-Bird was all ready for a trial flight, and Tom was glad of +the chance to test it, especially with such a pretty passenger as was +Miss Nestor.</p> + +<p>"Bless my shoelaces!" cried Mr. Damon. "I can see where I am going to be +cut out, Tom Swift. I'll not get many more rides with you now that Miss +Nestor is taking to aeroplaning, you young rascal!" And he playfully +shook his finger at Tom.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't expect to get enthusiastic over it," said Miss Nestor, who, +now that she had taken her place in one of the small seats under the +engine, appeared as if she would be glad of the chance to change her +mind. But she did not.</p> + +<p>"Now, if you take me more than five feet up in the air, I'll never speak +to you again, Tom Swift!" she exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Five feet it shall be, unless you yourself ask to go higher," was the +youth's reply, as he winked at Mr. Damon. Well he knew the fascination +of aeroplaning, and he was almost sure of what would happen. "You can +take a tape measure along, and see for yourself," he added to his fair +passenger. "The barograph will hardly register such a little height."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's as high as I want to go," said the girl. "Oh!" with a +scream, as Tom started the propeller. "Are we going?"</p> + +<p>"In a moment," was his reply. He took his seat beside the girl. The +motor was speeded up until it sounded like the roar of the ocean surf in +a storm.</p> + +<p>"Let her go!" cried Tom to Mr. Damon and Mr. Jackson, who were holding +back the Humming-Bird. They gave her a slight shove to over-come the +inertia, and the trim little craft darted across the ground at every +increasing speed.</p> + +<p>Miss Nestor caught her breath with a gasp, glanced at Tom, and noted how +cool he was, and then her frantic grip of the uprights slightly relaxed.</p> + +<p>"We'll go up a little way in a minute!" shouted Tom in her ear as they +were speeding over the level ground.</p> + +<p>He pulled a lever slightly, and the Humming-Bird rose a little in the +air, but only for a short distance, not more than five feet, and Tom +held her there, though he had to run the engine at a greater speed than +would have been the case had he been in the sustaining upper currents. +It was as if the Humming-Bird resented being held so closely to the +earth.</p> + +<p>Around in a big circle, back and forth went the craft, at no time being +more than seven feet from the ground. Tom glanced at Miss Nestor. Her +cheeks were unusually red, and there was a bright sparkle in her eyes.</p> + +<p>"It's glorious!" she cried. "Do you—do you think there's any danger in +going higher? I believe I'd like to go up a bit."</p> + +<p>"I knew it!" cried Tom. "Up we go!" And he pulled the wind-bending plane +lever toward him. Upward shot the craft, as if alive.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" gasped Mary.</p> + +<p>"Sit still! It's all right!" commanded Tom.</p> + +<p>"It's glorious; glorious!" she cried. I'm not a bit afraid now!"</p> + +<p>"I knew you wouldn't be," declared the young inventor, who had +calculated on the fascination which the motion through the air, +untrammeled and free, always produces. "Shall we go higher?"</p> + +<p>"Yes!" cried Miss Nestor, and she gazed fearlessly down at the earth, +which was falling away from beneath their feet. She was in the grip of +the air, and it was a new and wonderful sensation.</p> + +<p>Tom went up to a considerable distance, for, once a person loses his +first fright, one hundred feet or one thousand feet elevation makes +little difference to him. It was this way with Miss Nestor.</p> + +<p>Now, indeed, could Tom demonstrate to her some of the fine points of +navigation in the upper currents, and though he did no risky "stunts," +he showed the girl what it means to do an ascending spiral, how to cut +corners, how to twist around in the figure eight, and do other things. +Tom did not try for the great speed of which he knew his craft was +capable, for he knew there was some risk with Miss Nestor aboard. But he +did nearly everything else, and when he sent the Humming-Bird down he +had made another convert and devotee to the royal sport of aeroplaning.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I never would dared believe I could do it!" exclaimed the girl, as +with flushed cheeks and dancing eyes she dismounted from the seat. +"Mamma and papa will never believe I did it!"</p> + +<p>"Bring them over, and I'll take them for a flight," said Tom, with a +laugh, as Mary departed.</p> + +<p>Tom received an answer to his letter to Mr. Sharp that night.</p> + +<p>"Andy Foger's entry blank states," wrote the balloonist, "that he is +constructing his aeroplane in the village of Hampton, which is about +fifty miles from your place. If there is anything further I can do for +you, Tom, let me know. I will see you at the meet. Hope you win the +prize."</p> + +<p>"In Hampton, eh?" mused Tom. "So that's where Andy has been keeping +himself all this while. His uncle lives there, and that's the reason for +it. He wanted to keep it a secret from me, so he could use my stolen +plans for his craft. But he shan't do it! I'll go to Hampton!"</p> + +<p>"And I'll go with you!" declared Mr. Damon, who was with Tom when he got +the note from the balloonist. "We'll get to the bottom of this mystery +after a while, Tom."</p> + +<p>Delaying a few days, to make the final changes in his aeroplane, Tom and +Mr. Damon departed for Hampton one morning. They thought first of going +in the Butterfly, but as they wanted to keep their mission as secret as +possible, they decided to go by train, and arrive in the town quietly +and unostentatiously. They got to Hampton late that afternoon.</p> + +<p>"What's the first thing to be done?" asked Mr. Damon as they walked up +from the station, where they were almost the only persons who alighted +from the train.</p> + +<p>"Go to the hotel," decided Tom. "There's only one, I was told, so +there's not much choice."</p> + +<p>Hampton was a quiet little country town of about five thousand +inhabitants, and Tom soon learned the address of Mr. Bentley, Andy's +uncle, from the hotel clerk.</p> + +<p>"What business is Mr. Bentley in?" asked Tom, for he wanted to learn all +he could without inquiring of persons who might question his motives.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he's retired," said the clerk. "He lives on the interest of his +money. But of late he's been erecting some sort of a building on his +back lot, like a big shed, and folks are sort of wondering what he's +doing in it. Keeps mighty secret about it. He's got a young fellow +helping him."</p> + +<p>"Has he got red hair?" asked Tom, while his heart beat strangely fast.</p> + +<p>"Who? Mr. Bentley? No. His hair's black."</p> + +<p>"I mean the young fellow."</p> + +<p>"Oh! his? Yes, his is red. He's a nephew, or some relation to Mr. +Bentley. I did hear his name, but I've forgotten it. Sandy, or Andy, or +some such name as that."</p> + +<p>This was near enough for Tom and Mr. Damon, and they did not want to +risk asking any more questions. They turned away to go to their rooms, +as the clerk was busy answering inquiries from some other guests. A +little later, supper was served, and Tom, having finished, whispered to +Mr. Damon to join him upstairs as soon as he was through.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do?" asked the eccentric man.</p> + +<p>"We're going out and have a look at this new shed by moonlight," decided +Tom. "I want to see what it's like, and, if possible, I want to get a +peep inside. I'll soon be able to tell whether or not Andy is using my +stolen plans."</p> + +<p>"All right. I'm with you. Bless my bill of fare! But we seem to be doing +a lot of mysterious work of late."</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Tom. "But if you have to bless anything to-night, Mr. +Damon, please whisper it. Andy, or some of his friends, may be about the +shed, and as soon as they hear one of your blessings they'll know who's +coming."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll be careful," promised Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Andy will find out, sooner or later, that we are in town," went on Tom, +"but we may be able to learn to-night what we want to know, and then we +can tell how to act."</p> + +<p>A little later, as if they were merely strolling about, Mr. Damon and +Tom headed for Mr. Bentley's place, which was on the outskirts of the +town. There was a full moon, and the night was just right for the kind +of observation Tom wanted to make. There were few persons abroad, and +the young inventor thought he would have no one spying on him.</p> + +<p>They located the big house of Andy's uncle without trouble. Going down a +side street, they had a glimpse of a shed, built of new boards, standing +in the middle of a large lot. About the structure was a new, high wooden +fence, but as Tom and his friend passed along it they saw that a gate in +it was open.</p> + +<p>"I'm going in!" whispered Tom.</p> + +<p>"Will it be safe?" asked Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"I don't care whether it will be or not. I've got to know what Andy is +doing. Come on! We'll take a chance!"</p> + +<p>Cautiously they entered the enclosure. The big shed was dark, and stood +out conspicuously in the moonlight.</p> + +<p>"There doesn't seem to be any one here," whispered Tom. "I wonder if we +could get a look in the window?"</p> + +<p>"It's worth trying, anyhow," agreed Mr. Damon. "I'm with you, Tom."</p> + +<p>They drew nearer to the shed. Suddenly Tom stepped on a stick, which +broke with a sharp report.</p> + +<p>"Bless my spectacles!" cried Mr. Damon, half aloud.</p> + +<p>There was silence for a moment, and then a voice cried out:</p> + +<p>"Who's there? Hold on! Don't come any farther! It's dangerous!"</p> + +<p>Tom and Mr. Damon stood still, and from behind the shed stepped Andy +Foger and a man.</p> + +<p>"Oh! it's you, is it, Tom Swift?" exclaimed the red-haired bully. "I +thought you'd come sneaking around. Come on, Jake! We'll make them wish +they'd stayed home!" And Andy made a rush for Tom.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_Fourteen" id="Chapter_Fourteen" />Chapter Fourteen</h2> + +<h3>The Great Test</h3> + + +<p>"Bless my gizzard!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, who hardly knew what to do. +"We'd better be getting out of here, Tom!"</p> + +<p>"Not much!" exclaimed the young inventor. "I never ran from Andy Foger +yet, and I'm not going to begin now."</p> + +<p>He assumed an attitude of defense, and stood calmly awaiting the +onslaught of the bully; but Andy knew better than to come to a personal +argument with Tom, and so the red-haired lad halted some paces off. The +man, who had followed young Foger, also stopped.</p> + +<p>"What do you want around here, Tom Swift?" demanded Andy.</p> + +<p>"You know very well what I want," said the young inventor, calmly. "I +want to know what you did with the aeroplane plans you took from my +house."</p> + +<p>"I never took any!" declared Andy vigorously</p> + +<p>"Well, there's no use discussing that," went on Tom. "What I came here +to find out, and I don't mind telling you, is whether or not you are +building a monoplane to compete against me, and building it on a model +invented by me; and what's more, Andy Foger, I intend to find this out, +too!"</p> + +<p>Tom started toward the big shed, which loomed up in the moonlight.</p> + +<p>"Stand back!" cried Andy, getting in Tom's way. "I can build any kind of +an aeroplane I like, and you can't stop me!"</p> + +<p>"We'll see about that," declared the young inventor, as he kept on. "I'm +not going to allow my plans to be stolen, and a monoplane made after +them, and do nothing about it."</p> + +<p>"You keep away!" snarled Andy, and he grabbed Tom by the shoulder and +struck him a blow in the chest. He must have been very much excited, or +otherwise he never would have come to hostilities this way with Tom, +whom he well knew could easily beat him.</p> + +<p>The blow, together with the many things he had suffered at Andy's hands, +was too much for our hero. He drew back his fist, and a moment later +Andy Foger was stretched out on the grass. He lay there for a moment, +and then rose up slowly to his knees, his face distorted with rage.</p> + +<p>"You—you hit me!" he snarled.</p> + +<p>"Not until you hit first," said Tom calmly.</p> + +<p>"Bless my punching bag! That's so!" exclaimed Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"You'll suffer for this!" whined Andy, getting to his feet, but taking +care to retreat from Tom, who stood ready for him. "I'll get square with +you for this! Jake, come on, and we'll get our guns!"</p> + +<p>Andy turned and hurried back toward the shed, followed by the +evil-looking man, who had apparently been undecided whether to attack +Mr. Damon or Tom. Now the bully and his companion were in full retreat.</p> + +<p>"We'll get our guns, and then we'll see whether they'll want to stay +where they're not wanted!" went on Andy, threateningly.</p> + +<p>"Bless my powderhorn! What had we better do?" asked Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"I guess we'd better go back," said Tom calmly. "Not that I'm afraid of +Andy. His talk about guns is all bluff; but I don't want to get into any +more of a row, and he is just ugly and reckless enough to make trouble. +I'm afraid we can't learn what we came to find out, though I'm more +convinced than ever that Andy is using my plans to make his aeroplane."</p> + +<p>"But what can you do?"</p> + +<p>"I'll see Mr. Sharp, and send a protest to the aviation committee. I'll +refuse to enter if Andy flies in a model of my Humming-Bird, and I'll +try to prevent him from using it after he gets it on the ground. That is +all I can do, it seems, lacking positive information. Come on, Mr. +Damon. Let's get back to our hotel, and we'll start for home in the +morning."</p> + +<p>"I have a plan," whispered the odd man.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Tom, narrowly watching for the reappearance of Andy +and the man.</p> + +<p>"I'll stay here until they come, then I'll pretend to run away. They'll +chase after me, and get all excited, and you can go up and look in the +shed windows. Then you can join me later. How's that?"</p> + +<p>"Too risky. They might fire at you by mistake. No. We'll both go. I've +found out more than enough to confirm my suspicions."</p> + +<p>They turned out of the lot which contained the shed, and walked toward +the road, just as Andy and his crony came back.</p> + +<p>"Huh! You'd better go!" taunted the bully.</p> + +<p>Tom had a bitter feeling in his heart. It seemed as if he was defeated, +and he did not like to retreat before Andy.</p> + +<p>"You'd better not come back here again, either," went on Andy.</p> + +<p>Tom and Mr. Damon did not reply, but kept on in silence. They returned +to Shopton the next day.</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Tom, when he had gone out to look at his Humming-Bird, +"I know one thing. Andy Foger may build a machine something like this, +but I don't believe he can put in all the improvements I have, and +certainly he can't equal that engine; eh, dad?"</p> + +<p>"I hope not, Tom," replied his father, who seemed to be much improved in +health.</p> + +<p>"When are you going to try for speed?" asked Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"To-morrow, if I can get it tuned up enough," replied Tom, "and I think +I can. Yes, we'll have the great test to-morrow, and then I'll know +whether I really have a chance for that ten thousand dollars."</p> + +<p>Never before had Tom been so exacting in his requirements of his air +craft as when, the next day, the Humming-Bird was wheeled out to the +flight ground, and gotten ready for the test. The young inventor went +over every bolt, brace, stay, guy wire and upright. He examined every +square inch of the wings, the tips, planes and rudders. The levers, the +steering wheel, the automatic equilibrium attachments and the balancing +weights were looked at again and again.</p> + +<p>As for the engine, had it been a delicate watch, Tom could not have +scrutinized each valve, wheel, cam and spur gear more carefully. Then +the gasoline tank was filled, the magneto was looked after, the oil +reservoirs were cleaned out and freshly filled, and finally the lad +remarked:</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess I'm ready. Come along, Mr. Damon."</p> + +<p>"Am I going with you in the test?"</p> + +<p>"Surely. I've been counting on you. If you're to be with me in the race, +you want to get a sample of what we can do. Take your place. Mr. +Jackson, are you ready to time us?"</p> + +<p>"All ready, Tom."</p> + +<p>"And, dad, do you feel well enough to check back Mr. Jackson's results? +I don't want any errors."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, Tom. I can do it."</p> + +<p>"Very well, then. Now this is my plan. I'm going to mount upward on an +easy slant, and put her through a few stunts first, to warm up, and see +that everything is all right. Then, when I give the signal, by dropping +this small white ball, that means I'm ready for you to start to time me. +Then I'll begin to try for the record. I'll go about the course in a big +ellipse, and—well, we'll see what happens."</p> + +<p>While Mr. Damon was in his seat the young inventor started the +propeller, and noted the thrust developed. It was satisfactory, as +measured on the scale, and then Tom took his place.</p> + +<p>"Let her go!" he cried to Mr. Jackson and Eradicate, after he had +listened to the song of the motor for a moment. The Humming-Bird flew +across the course, and a moment later mounted into the air.</p> + +<p>Tom quickly took her up to about two thousand feet, and there, finding +the conditions to his liking, he began a few evolutions designed to +severely test the craft's stability, and to learn whether the engine was +working properly.</p> + +<p>"How about it?" asked Mr. Damon anxiously.</p> + +<p>"All right!" shouted Tom in his ear, for the motor was making a great +racket. "I guess we'll make the trial next time we come around. Get +ready to drop the signal ball."</p> + +<p>Tom slowly brought the aeroplane around in a graceful curve. He sighted +down, and saw the first tall white pole that marked the beginning of the +course.</p> + +<p>"Drop!" he called to Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>The white rubber ball went to the earth like a shot. Mr. Jackson and Mr. +Swift saw it, and started their timing-watches. Tom opened the throttle +and advanced the spark. The great test was on!</p> + +<p>The Humming-Bird trembled and throbbed with the awful speed of the +motor, like a thing alive. She seemed to rush forward as an eagle +dropping down from a dizzy height upon some hapless prey.</p> + +<p>"Faster yet!" murmured Tom. "We must go faster yet!"</p> + +<p>The motor was warming up. Streaks of fire came from it. The exhaust of +the explosions was a continuous roar. Faster and faster flew the frail +craft.</p> + +<p>Around and around the air course she circled. The wind appeared to be +rushing beneath the planes and rudders with the velocity of a hurricane. +Had it not been for the face protectors they wore, Tom and Mr. Damon +could not have breathed. For ten minutes this fearful speed was kept up. +Then Tom, knowing he had run the motor to the limit, slowed it down. +Next he shut it off completely, and prepared to volplane back to earth. +The silence after the terrific racket was almost startling. For a moment +neither of the aviators spoke. Then Mr. Damon said:</p> + +<p>"Do you think you did it, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know. We'll soon find out. They'll have the record." And he +motioned toward the earth, which they were rapidly nearing.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_Fifteen" id="Chapter_Fifteen" />Chapter Fifteen</h2> + +<h3>A Noise in the Night</h3> + + +<p>"Well, did I make it? Make any kind of a record?" asked Tom eagerly, as +he brought the trim little craft to a stop, after it had rolled along +the ground on the bicycle wheels.</p> + +<p>"What do you think you did?" asked Mr. Jackson, who had been busy +figuring on a slip of paper.</p> + +<p>"Did I get her up to ninety miles an hour?" inquired Tom eagerly. "If I +did, I know when the motor wears down a bit smoother that I can make her +hit a hundred in the race, easily. Did I touch ninety, Mr. Jackson?"</p> + +<p>"Better than that, Tom! Better than that!" cried his father.</p> + +<p>"Yes," joined in Mr. Jackson. "Allowing for the difference in our +watches, Tom, your father and I figure that you did the course at the +rate of one hundred and twelve miles an hour!"</p> + +<p>"One hundred and twelve!" gasped the young inventor, hardly able to +believe it.</p> + +<p>"I made it a hundred and fifteen," said Mr. Swift, who was almost as +pleased as was his son, "and Mr. Jackson made it one hundred and eleven; +so we split the difference, so to speak. You certainly have a sky racer, +Tom, my boy!"</p> + +<p>"And I'll need it, too, dad, if I'm to compete with Andy Foger, who may +have a machine almost like mine."</p> + +<p>"But I thought you were going to object to him if he has," said Mr. +Damon, who had hardly recovered from the speedy flight through space.</p> + +<p>"Well, I was just providing for a contingency, in case my protest was +overruled," remarked Tom. "But I'm glad the Humming-Bird did so well on +her first trial. I know she'll do better the more I run her. Now we'll +get her back in her 'nest,' and I'll look her over, when she cools down, +and see if anything has worked loose."</p> + +<p>But the trim little craft needed only slight adjustments after her +tryout, for Tom had built her to stand up under a terrific strain.</p> + +<p>"We'll soon be in shape for the big race," he announced, "and when I +bring home that ten thousand dollars I'm going to abandon this +sky-scraping business, except for occasional trips."</p> + +<p>"What will you do to occupy your mind?" asked Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm going to travel," announced Tom. "Then there's my new electric +rifle, which I have not perfected yet. I'll work on that after I win the +big race."</p> + +<p>For several days after the first real trial of his sky racer Tom was +busy going over the Humming-Bird, making slight changes here and there. +He was the sort of a lad who was satisfied with nothing short of the +best, and though neither his father nor Mr. Jackson could see where +there was room for improvement, Tom was so exacting that he sat up for +several nights to perfect such little details as a better grip for the +steering-lever, a quicker way of making the automatic equilibriumizer +take its position, or an improved transmitter for the wireless +apparatus.</p> + +<p>That was a part of his monoplane of which Tom was justly proud, for +though many aeroplanes to-day are equipped with the sending device, few +can receive wireless messages in mid-air. But Tom had seen the advantage +of this while making a trip in the ill-fated Red Cloud to the cave of +the diamond makers, and he determined to have his new craft thus +provided against emergencies. The wireless outfit of the Humming-Bird +was a marvel of compactness.</p> + +<p>Thus the days passed, with Tom very busy; so busy, in fact, that he +hardly had time to call on Miss Nestor. As for Andy Foger, he heard no +more from him, and the bully was not seen around Shopton. Tom concluded +that he was at his uncle's place, working on his racing craft.</p> + +<p>The young inventor sent a formal protest to the aviation committee, to +be used in the event of Andy entering a craft which infringed on the +Humming-Bird, and received word from Mr. Sharp that the interests of the +young inventor would be protected. This satisfied Tom.</p> + +<p>Still, at times, he could not help wondering how the first plans had so +mysteriously disappeared, and he would have given a good deal to know +just how Andy got possession of them, and how he knew enough to use +them.</p> + +<p>"He, or some one whom he hired, must have gotten into our house mighty +quickly that day," mused Tom, "and then skipped out while dad fell into +a little doze. It was a mighty queer thing, but it's lucky it was no +worse."</p> + +<p>The time was approaching for the big aviation meet. Tom's craft was in +readiness, and had been given several other trials, developing more +speed each time. Additional locks were put on the doors of the shed, and +more burglar-alarm wires were strung, so that it was almost a physical +impossibility to get into the Humming-Bird's "nest" without arousing +some one in the Swift household.</p> + +<p>"And if they do, I guess we'll be ready for them," said Tom grimly. He +had been unable to find out who it was that had attempted once before to +damage the monoplane, but he suspected it was the ill-favored man who +was working with Andy.</p> + +<p>As for Mr. Swift, at times he seemed quite well, and again he required +the services of a physician.</p> + +<p>"You will have to be very careful of your father, Tom," said Dr. Gladby. +"Any sudden shock or excitement may aggravate his malady, and in that +case a serious operation will be necessary."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we'll take good care of him," said the lad; but he could not help +worrying, though he tried not to let his father see the strain which he +was under.</p> + +<p>It was some days after this, and lacking about a week until the meet was +to open, when a peculiar thing happened. Tom had given his Humming-Bird +a tryout one day, and had then begun to make arrangements for taking it +apart and shipping it to Eagle Park. For he would not fly to the meet in +it, for fear of some accident. So big cases had been provided.</p> + +<p>"I'll take it apart in the morning," decided Tom, as he went to his +room, after seeing to the burglar alarm, "and ship her off. Then Mr. +Damon and I will go there, set her up, and get ready to win the race."</p> + +<p>Tom had opened all the windows in his room, for it was very warm. In +fact it was so warm that sleep was almost out of the question, and he +got up to sit near the windows in the hope of feeling a breeze.</p> + +<p>There it was more comfortable, and he was just dozing off, and beginning +to think of getting back into bed, when he was aware of a peculiar sound +in the air overhead.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if that's a heavy wind starting up?" he mused. "Good luck, if +it is! We need it." The noise increased, sounding more and more like +wind, but Tom, looking out into the night, saw the leaves of the trees +barely moving.</p> + +<p>"If that's a breeze, it's taking its own time getting here," he went on.</p> + +<p>The sound came nearer, and then Tom knew that it was not the noise of +the wind in the trees. It was more like a roaring and rumbling,</p> + +<p>"Can it be distant thunder?" Tom asked himself. "There is no sign of a +storm." Once more he looked from the window. The night was calm and +clear—the trees as still as if they were painted.</p> + +<p>The sound was even more plain now, and Tom, who had sharp ears, at once +decided that it was just over the house—directly overhead. An instant +later he knew what it was.</p> + +<p>"The motor of an aeroplane, or a dirigible balloon!" he exclaimed. "Some +one is flying overhead!"</p> + +<p>For an instant he feared lest the shed had been broken into, and his +Humming-Bird taken, but a glance toward the place seemed to show that it +was all right.</p> + +<p>Then Tom hastily made his way to where a flight of stairs led to a +little enclosed observatory on the roof.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to see what sort of a craft it is making that noise," he +said.</p> + +<p>As he opened the trap door, and stepped out into the little observatory +the sound was so plain as to startle him. He looked up quickly, and, +directly overhead he saw a curious sight.</p> + +<p>For, flying so low as to almost brush the lightning rod on the chimney +of the Swift home, was a small aeroplane, and, as Tom looked up, he saw +in a light that gleamed from it, two figures looking down on him.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_Sixteen" id="Chapter_Sixteen" />Chapter Sixteen</h2> + +<h3>A Mysterious Fire</h3> + + +<p>For a few moments Tom did not know what to think. Not that the sight of +aeroplanes in flight were any novelty to him, but to see one flying over +his house in the dead of night was a little out of the ordinary. Then, +as he realized that night-flights were becoming more common, Tom tried +to make out the details of the craft.</p> + +<p>"I wish I had brought the night glasses with me," he said aloud.</p> + +<p>"Here they are," spoke a voice at his side, and so suddenly that Tom was +startled. He looked down, and saw Mr. Jackson standing beside him.</p> + +<p>"Did you hear the noise, too?" the lad asked the engineer.</p> + +<p>"Yes. It woke me up. Then I heard you moving around, and I heard you +come up here. I thought maybe it was a flight of meteors you'd come to +see, and I knew the glasses would be handy, so I stopped for them. Take +a look, Tom. It's an aeroplane; isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and not moving very fast, either. They seem to be circling around +here."</p> + +<p>The young inventor was peering through the binoculars, and, as soon as +he had the mysterious craft in focus, he cried:</p> + +<p>"Look, Mr. Jackson, it's a new kind of monoplane. I never saw one like +it before. I wonder who could have invented that? It's something like a +Santos-Dumont and a Bleriot, with some features of Cornu's Helicopter. +That's a queer machine."</p> + +<p>"It certainly is," agreed the engineer, who was now sighting through the +glasses. In spite of the darkness the binoculars brought out the +peculiarities of the aeroplane with considerable distinctness.</p> + +<p>"Can you make out who are in it?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"No," answered Mr. Jackson. "You try."</p> + +<p>But Tom had no better luck. There were two persons in the odd machine, +which was slowly flying along, moving in a great circle, with the Swift +house for its center.</p> + +<p>"I wonder why they're hanging around here?" asked Tom, suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they want to talk to you," suggested Mr. Jackson. "They may be +fellow inventor—perhaps one of them is that Philadelphia man who had +the Whizzer."</p> + +<p>"No," replied the lad. "He would have sent me word if he intended +calling on me. Those are strangers, I think. There they are, coming back +again."</p> + +<p>The mysterious aeroplane was once more circling toward the watchers on +the roof. There was a movement on the steps, near which Tom was +standing, and his father came up.</p> + +<p>"Is anything the matter?" he asked anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Only a queer craft circling around up here," was the reply. "Come and +see, dad."</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift ascended to the roof. The aeroplane was higher now, and those +in her could not so easily be made out. Tom felt a vague sense of fear, +as though he was being watched by the evil eyes of his enemies. More +than once he looked over to the shed where his craft was housed, as +though some danger might threaten it. But the shed of the Humming-Bird +showed no signs of invaders.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the mysterious aeroplane increased its speed. It circled about +more quickly, and shot upward, as though to show the watchers of what it +was capable. Then, with a quick swoop it darted downward, straight for +the building where Tom's newest invention was housed.</p> + +<p>"Look out! They'll hit something!" cried the young inventor, as though +those in the aeroplane could hear him.</p> + +<p>Then, just as though they had heeded his warning, the pilots of the +mysterious craft shot her upward, after she had hovered for an instant +over the big shed.</p> + +<p>"That was a queer move," said Tom. "It looked as if they lost control of +her for a moment."</p> + +<p>"And they dropped something!" cried Mr. Jackson. "Look! something fell +from the aeroplane on the roof of the shed."</p> + +<p>"Some tool, likely," spoke Tom. "I'll get it in the morning, and see +what sort of instruments they carry. I'd like to examine that machine, +though."</p> + +<p>The queer aeroplane was now shooting off in the darkness and Tom +followed it with the glasses, wondering what its construction could be +like. He was to have another sight of it sooner than he expected.</p> + +<p>"Well, we may as well get back to bed," said Mr. Jackson. "I'm tired, +and we've got lots to do to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Tom. "It's cooler now. Come on, dad."</p> + +<p>Tom fell into a light doze. He thought afterward he could not have slept +more than half an hour when he heard a commotion out in the yard. For an +instant he could not tell what it was, and then, as he grew wider awake +he knew that it was the shouting of Eradicate Sampson, and the braying +of Boomerang.</p> + +<p>But what was Eradicate shouting?</p> + +<p>"Fire! Fire! Fire!"</p> + +<p>Tom leaped to his window.</p> + +<p>"Wake up, Massa Tom! Wake up! De areoplane shed am on fire, an' de +Humming-Bird will burn up! Hurry! Hurry!"</p> + +<p>Tom looked out. Flames were shooting up from the roof of the shed where +his precious craft was kept.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_Seventeen" id="Chapter_Seventeen" />Chapter Seventeen</h2> + +<h3>Mr. Swift is Worse</h3> + + +<p>Almost before the echoes of Eradicate's direful warning cry had died +away, Tom was on his way out of the house, pausing only long enough to +slip on a pair of shoes and his trousers. There was but one thought in +his mind. If he could get the Humming-Bird safely out he would not care +if the shed did burn, even though it contained many valuable tools and +appliances.</p> + +<p>"We must save my new aeroplane!" thought Tom, desperately. "I've got to +save her!"</p> + +<p>As he raced through the hall he caught up a portable chemical +fire-extinguisher. Tom saw his father's door open, and Mr. Swift looked +out.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" he called anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Fire!" answered the young inventor, almost before he thought of the +doctor's warning that Mr. Swift must not be excited. Tom wished he could +recall the word, but it was too late. Besides Eradicate, down in the +yard was shouting at the top of his voice:</p> + +<p>"Fire! Fire! Fire!"</p> + +<p>"Where, Tom?" gasped Mr. Swift, and his son thought the aged inventor +grew suddenly paler.</p> + +<p>"Aeroplane shed," answered the lad. "But don't worry dad. It's only a +small blaze. We'll get it out. You stay here. We'll attend to it—Mr. +Jackson and Eradicate and I."</p> + +<p>"No—I'm going to help!" exclaimed Mr. Swift, sturdily. "I'll be with +you, Tom. Go on!"</p> + +<p>The lad rushed down to the yard, closely followed by the engineer, who +had caught up another extinguisher. Eradicate was rushing about, not +knowing what to do, but still keeping up his shouting.</p> + +<p>"It's on de roof! De roof am all blazin'!" he yelled.</p> + +<p>"Quit your noise, and get to work!" cried Tom. "Get out a ladder, Rad, +and raise it to the side of the shed. Then play this extinguisher on the +blaze. Mr. Jackson, you help me run the Humming-Bird out. After she's +safe we'll tackle the fire."</p> + +<p>Tom cast a hurried look at the burning shed. The flames were shooting +high up from the roof, now, and eating their way down. As he rushed +toward the big doors, which he intended to open to enable him to run out +his sky racer, he was wondering how the fire came to start so high up as +the roof. He wondered if a meteor could have fallen and caused it.</p> + +<p>As the doors, which were quickly unlocked by Tom, swung back, and as he +and the engineer started to go in, they were met by choking fumes as if +of some gas. They recoiled for the moment.</p> + +<p>"What—what's that?" gasped Tom, coughing and sneezing.</p> + +<p>"Some chemical—I—I don't know what kind," spluttered Mr. Jackson. +"Have you any carboys of acid in there Tom, that might have exploded by +the heat?"</p> + +<p>"No; not a thing. Let's try again."</p> + +<p>Once more they tried to go in, but were again driven back by the +distressing fumes. The fire was eating down, now. There was a hole +burned in the roof, and by the leaping tongues of flame Tom could see +his aeroplane. It was almost in the path of the blaze.</p> + +<p>"We must get her out!" he shouted. "I'm going in!"</p> + +<p>But it was impossible, and the daring young inventor nearly succumbed to +the choking odors. Mr. Jackson dragged him back.</p> + +<p>"We can't go in!" he cried. "There has been some mysterious work here! +Those fumes were put here to keep us from saving the machine. This fire +has been set by some enemy! We can't go in!"</p> + +<p>"But I am going!" declared Tom. "We'll try the back door."</p> + +<p>They rushed to that, but again were driven out by the gases and vapors, +which were mingled with the smoke. Disheartened, yet with a wild desire +to do something to save his precious craft, Tom Swift drew back for a +moment.</p> + +<p>As he did so he heard a hiss, as Eradicate turned the chemical stream on +the blaze. Tom looked up. The faithful colored man was on a ladder near +the burning roof, acting well his part as a fireman.</p> + +<p>"That's the stuff!" cried Tom. "Come on, Mr. Jackson. Maybe if we use +the chemical extinguishers we can drive out those fumes!"</p> + +<p>The engineer understood. He took up the extinguisher he had brought, and +Tom got a second one from a nearby shed. Then Mr. Swift came out bearing +another.</p> + +<p>"You shouldn't have come, dad! We can attend to it!" cried Tom, fearing +for the effect of the excitement on his invalid parent.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I couldn't stay there and see the shed burn. Are you getting it +under control? Why don't you run out the Humming-Bird?"</p> + +<p>Tom did not mention the choking fumes. He passed up a full extinguisher +to Eradicate, who had used all the chemical in his. Then Tom got another +ladder, and soon three streams were being directed on the flames. They +had eaten, a pretty big hole in the roof, but the chemicals were slowly +telling on them.</p> + +<p>As soon as he saw that Eradicate and Mr. Jackson could control the +blaze, Tom descended to the ground, and ran once more to the big doors. +He was determined to make another try to wheel out the aeroplane, for he +saw from above that the flames were now on the side wall, and might +reach the craft any minute. And it would not take much to inflict +serious damage on the sky racer.</p> + +<p>"I'll get her, fumes or no fumes!" murmured Tom, grimly. And, whether it +was the effect of the chemical streams, or whether the choking odors +were dissipated through the hole in the roof was not manifested, but, at +any rate, Tom found that he could go in, though he coughed and gasped +for breath.</p> + +<p>He wheeled the aeroplane outside, for the Humming-Bird was almost as +light as her namesake. A hurried glance by the gleam of the dying fire +assured Tom that his craft was not damaged beyond a slight scorching of +one of the wing tips.</p> + +<p>"That was a narrow escape!" he murmured, as he wheeled the sky racer far +away, out of any danger from sparks. Then he went back to help fight the +fire, which was extinguished in about ten minutes more.</p> + +<p>"It was a mighty queer blaze," said Mr. Jackson, "starting at the top +that way. I wonder what caused it?"</p> + +<p>"We'll investigate in the morning," decided Tom. "Now, dad, you must get +back to your room." He turned to help his father in, but at that moment +Mr. Swift, who was trying to say something, fell over in a dead faint.</p> + +<p>"Quick! Help me carry him into the house!" cried Tom. "Then telephone +for Dr. Gladby, Mr. Jackson."</p> + +<p>The physician looked grave when, half an hour later, he examined his +patient.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Swift is very much worse," he said in a low voice. "The excitement +of the fire has aggravated his ailment. I would like another doctor to +see him, Tom."</p> + +<p>"Another doctor?" Tom's voice showed his alarm.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we must have a consultation. I think Dr. Kurtz will be a good one +to call in. I should like his opinion before I decide what course to +take."</p> + +<p>"I'll send Eradicate for him at once," said the young inventor, and he +went to give the colored man his instructions, while his heart was +filled with a great fear for his father.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_Eighteen" id="Chapter_Eighteen" />Chapter Eighteen</h2> + +<h3>The Broken Bridge</h3> + + +<p>Dr. Kurtz looked as grave as did Dr. Gladby when he had made an +examination of the patient. Mr. Swift was still in a semi-conscious +condition, hardly breathing as he rested on the bed where they had +placed him after the fire.</p> + +<p>"Vell," said the German physician, after a long silence, "vot is your +obinion, my dear Gladby?"</p> + +<p>"I think an operation is necessary."</p> + +<p>"Yes, dot is so; but you know vot kind of an operation alone vill safe +him; eh, my dear Gladby?"</p> + +<p>Dr. Gladby nodded.</p> + +<p>"It will be a rare and delicate one," he said. "There is but one surgeon +I know of who can do it."</p> + +<p>"You mean Herr Hendrix?" asked Dr. Kurtz.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Dr. Edward Hendrix, of Kirkville. If he can be induced to come I +think there is a chance of saving Mr. Swift's life. I'll speak to Tom +about it."</p> + +<p>The two physicians, who had been consulting together, summoned the youth +from another room, where, with Mrs. Baggert and Mr. Jackson he had been +anxiously awaiting the verdict.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" the young inventor asked Dr. Gladby.</p> + +<p>The medical man told him to what conclusion he and his colleague had +arrived, adding:</p> + +<p>"We advise that Dr. Hendrix be sent for at once. But I need hardly tell +you, Tom, that he is a noted specialist, and his services are in great +demand. He is hard to get."</p> + +<p>"I'll pay him any sum he asks!" burst out the youth. "I'll spend all my +fortune—and I have made considerable money of late—I'll spend every +cent to get my father well! Money need not stand in the way, Dr. +Gladby."</p> + +<p>"I knew that, Tom. Still Dr. Hendrix is a very busy man, and it is hard +to induce him to come a long distance. It is over a hundred miles to +Kirkville, and it is an out-of-the-way place. I never could understand +why Dr. Hendrix settled there. But there he is, and if we want him he +will have to come from there. The worst of it is that there are few +trains, and only a single railroad line from there to Shopton."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll telegraph," decided Tom. "I'll offer him his own price, and +ask him to rush here as soon as he can."</p> + +<p>"You had better let Dr. Kurtz and me attend to that part of it," +suggested the physician. "Dr. Hendrix would hardly come on the request +of some one whom he did not know. I'll prepare a telegram, briefly +explaining the case. It is the sort of an operation Dr. Hendrix is much +interested in, and I think he will come on that account, if for no other +reason. I'll write out the message, and you can have Eradicate take it +to the telegraph office."</p> + +<p>"I'll take it myself!" exclaimed Tom, as he got ready to go out into the +night with the urgent request. "Is there any immediate danger for my +father?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"No; not any immediate danger," replied Dr. Gladby. "But the operation +is imperative if he is to live. It is his one and only chance."</p> + +<p>Tom thought only of his father as he hurried on through the night. Even +the prospect of the great race, so soon to take place, had no part in +his mind.</p> + +<p>"I'll not race until I'm sure dad is going to get better," he decided. +With the message to the noted specialist Tom also sent one to Mr. Damon, +telling him the news, and asking him to come to Shopton. Tom felt that +the presence of the odd gentleman would help him, and Mr. Damon, who +first intended to stay on at the Swift home until he and Tom departed +for Eagle Park, had gone back to his own residence to attend to some +business Tom knew he would come in the morning, and Mr. Damon did arrive +on the first train.</p> + +<p>"Bless my soul!" he exclaimed with ready sympathy, as he extended his +hand to Tom. "What's all this?" The young inventor told him, beginning +with the fire that had been the cause of the excitement which produced +the change in Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"But I have great hopes that the specialist will be able to cure him," +said Tom, for, with the coming of daylight, his courage had returned to +him. "Dr. Gladby and Dr. Kurtz depend a great deal on Dr. Hendrix," he +said.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he certainly is a wonderful man. I have heard a great deal about +him. I have no doubt but what he will cure your father. But about the +fire? How did it start?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, but now that I have a few hours to spare before the +doctor can get here, I'm going to make an examination."</p> + +<p>"Bless my penwiper, but I'll help you."</p> + +<p>Tom went into the house, to inquire of Mrs. Baggert, for probably the +tenth time that morning, how his father was doing. Mr. Swift was still +in a semi-conscious condition, but he recognized Tom, when the youth +stood at his bedside.</p> + +<p>"Don't worry about me, son," said the brave old inventor, as he took +Tom's hand. "I'll be all right. Go ahead and get ready for the race. I +want you to win!"</p> + +<p>Tears came into Tom's eyes. Would his father be well enough to allow him +to take part in the big event? He feared not.</p> + +<p>By daylight it was seen that quite a hole had been burned in the +aeroplane shed. Tom and Mr. Damon, accompanied by Mr. Jackson, walked +through the place.</p> + +<p>"And you say the fire broke out right after you had seen the mysterious +airship hovering over the house?" asked the eccentric man.</p> + +<p>"Well, not exactly after," answered Tom, "but within an hour or so. Why +do you ask?"</p> + +<p>But Mr. Damon did not answer. Something on the floor of the shed, amid a +pile of blackened and charred pieces of wood, attracted his attention. +He stooped over and picked it up.</p> + +<p>"Is this yours?" he asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"No. What is it?"</p> + +<p>The object looked like a small iron ball, with a tube about half an inch +in diameter projecting slightly from it. Tom took it'.</p> + +<p>"Why, it looks like an infernal machine or a dynamite bomb," he said. "I +wonder where it came from? Guess I'd better drop it in a pail of water. +Maybe Eradicate found it and brought it here. I never saw it before. Mr. +Jackson, please hand me that pail of water. We'll soak this bomb."</p> + +<p>"There is no need," said Mr. Damon, quietly. "It is harmless now. It has +done its work. It was that which set fire to your shed, and which caused +the stifling fumes."</p> + +<p>"That?" cried Tom.</p> + +<p>"Yes. This ball is hollow, and was filled with a chemical. It was +dropped on the roof, and, after a certain time, the plug in the tube was +eaten through, the chemicals ran out, set the roof ablaze, and, dripping +down inside spread the choking odors that nearly prevented you from +getting out your aeroplane."</p> + +<p>"Are you sure of this?" asked the young inventor.</p> + +<p>"Positive. I read about these bombs recently. A German invented them to +be used in attacking a besieged city in case of war."</p> + +<p>"But how did this one get on my shed roof?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"It was dropped there by the mysterious airship!" exclaimed the odd man. +"That was why the aeroplane moved about over your place. Those in it +hoped that the fire would not break out until you were all asleep, and +that the shed and the Humming-Bird would be destroyed before you came to +the rescue. Some of your enemies are still after you, Tom."</p> + +<p>"And it was Andy Foger, I'll wager!" he cried. "He was in that aircraft! +Oh, I'll have a long score to settle with him!"</p> + +<p>"Of course you can't be sure it was he," said Mr. Damon, "but I wouldn't +be a bit surprised but what it was. Andy is capable of such a thing. He +wanted to prevent you from taking part in the race."</p> + +<p>"Well, he sha'n't!" cried Tom, and then he thought of his invalid +father. They made a further examination of the shed, and discovered +another empty bomb. Then Tom recalled having seen something drop from +the mysterious aeroplane as it passed over the shed.</p> + +<p>"It was these bombs," he said. "We certainly had a narrow escape! Oh, +wait until I settle my score with Andy Foger!"</p> + +<p>As there would be but little use for the aeroplane shed now, if Tom sent +his craft off to the meet, it was decided to repair it temporarily only, +until he returned.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, a big tarpaulin was fastened over the hole in the roof. +Then Tom put a new wing tip on in place of the one that had been +scorched. He looked all over his sky racer, and decided that it was in +fit condition for the coming meet.</p> + +<p>"I'll begin to take it apart for shipment, as soon as I hear from the +specialist that dad is well enough for me to go," he said.</p> + +<p>It was a few hours after the discovery of the empty bomb that Tom saw +Dr. Gladby coming along. The physician was urging his horse to top +speed. Tom felt a vague fear in his heart.</p> + +<p>"I've got a message from Dr. Hendrix, Tom," he said, as he stopped his +carriage, and approached the lad.</p> + +<p>"When can he come?" asked the young inventor, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"He can't get here, Tom."</p> + +<p>"Can't get here! Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Because the railroad bridge has collapsed, and there is no way to come. +He can't make any other connections to get here in time—in time to do +your father any good, Tom. He has just sent me a telegram to that +effect. Dr. Hendrix can't get here, and..." Dr. Gladby paused.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean that my father may die if the operation is not performed?" +asked Tom, in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"Yes," was the answer.</p> + +<p>"But can't Dr. Hendrix drive here in an auto?" asked the lad. "Surely +there must be some way of getting over the river, even if the railroad +bridge is down. Can't he cross in a boat and drive here?"</p> + +<p>"He wouldn't be in time, Tom. Don't you understand, Dr. Hendrix must be +here within four hours, if he is to save your father's life. He never +could do it by driving or by coming on some other road, or in an auto. +He can't make the proper connections. There is no way."</p> + +<p>"Yes, there is!" cried Tom, suddenly. "I know a way!"</p> + +<p>"How?" asked Dr. Gladby, thrilled by Tom's ringing tones. "How can you +do it, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"I'll go for Dr. Hendrix in my Humming-Bird."</p> + +<p>"Going for him would do no good. He must be brought here."</p> + +<p>"And so he shall be!" cried Tom. "I'll bring him here in my sky +racer—if he has the nerve to stand the journey, and I think he has! +I'll bring Dr. Hendrix here!" and Tom hurried away to prepare for the +thrilling trip.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_Nineteen" id="Chapter_Nineteen" />Chapter Nineteen</h2> + +<h3>A Nervy Specialist</h3> + + +<p>There was little time to lose. Every moment of delay meant so much less +chance for the recovery of Mr. Swift. Even now the periods of +consciousness were becoming shorter and farther apart. He seemed to be +sinking.</p> + +<p>Tom resolutely refused to think of the possibility of death, as he went +in to bid his parent good-by before starting off on his trip through the +air. Mr. Swift barely knew his son, and, with tears in his eyes, though +he bravely tried to keep them back, the young inventor went out into the +yard.</p> + +<p>There stood the Humming-Bird, with Mr. Jackson, Mr. Damon and Eradicate +working over her, to get her in perfect trim for the race before her—a +race with death.</p> + +<p>Fortunately there was little to be done to get the speedy craft ready. +Tom had accomplished most of what was necessary, while waiting for word +from Dr. Hendrix. Now about all that needed to be done was to see that +there was plenty of gasoline and oil in the reservoirs.</p> + +<p>"I'll give you a note to Dr. Hendrix," said Mr. Gladby, as Tom was +fastening on his faceguard. "I—I trust you won't be disappointed, Tom. +I hope he will consent to return with you."</p> + +<p>"He's got to come," said the young inventor, simply, as if that was all +there was to it.</p> + +<p>"Do you think you can make the trip in time?" asked Mr. Damon. "It is a +little less than a hundred miles in an airline, but you have to go and +go back. Can the aeroplane do it?"</p> + +<p>"I'd be ashamed of her if she couldn't," said Tom, with a grim +tightening of his lips. "She's just got to do it; that's all! But I know +she will," and he patted the big propeller and the motor's shining +cylinders as though the machine was a thing alive, like a horse or a +dog, who could understand him.</p> + +<p>He climbed to his seat, the other one holding a bag of sand to maintain +a good balance.</p> + +<p>"Start her," ordered Tom, and Mr. Jackson twisted the propeller. The +motor caught at once, and the air throbbed with the noise of the +explosions. Tom listened to the tune of the machinery. It sang true.</p> + +<p>"Two thousand pounds thrust!" called the engineer, as he looked at the +scale.</p> + +<p>"Let her go!" cried Tom, whose voice was hardly heard above the roar. +The trim little aeroplane scudded over the ground, gathering speed at +every revolution of the wheels. Then with a spring like that of some +great bird launching itself in flight, she left the earth, and took to +the air. Tom was off on his trip.</p> + +<p>Those left behind sent up a cautious cheer, for they did not want to +disturb Mr. Swift. They waved their hands to the young inventor, and he +waved his in reply. Then he settled down for one of the swiftest flights +he had ever undertaken.</p> + +<p>Tom ascended until he struck a favorable current of air. There was a +little wind blowing in the direction he wished to take, and that aided +him. But even against a powerful head-wind the Humming-Bird could make +progress.</p> + +<p>The young inventor saw the ground slipping backward beneath him. +Carefully he watched the various indicators, and listened intently to +the sound of the cylinders' explosions. They came rapidly and regularly. +The motor was working well.</p> + +<p>Tom glanced at the barograph. It registered two thousand feet, and he +decided to keep at about that height, as it gave him a good view, and he +could see to steer, for a route had been hastily mapped out for him by +his friends.</p> + +<p>Over cities, towns, villages, scattered farmhouses; across stretches of +forest; over rivers, above big stretches of open country he flew. Often +he could see eager crowds below, gazing up at him. But he paid no heed. +He was looking for a sight of a certain broad river, which was near +Kirkville. Then he knew he would be close to his goal.</p> + +<p>He had speeded up the motor to the limit, and there was nothing to do +now, save to manage the planes, wing tips and rudders, and to see that +the gasoline and oil were properly fed to the machine.</p> + +<p>Faster and faster went the Humming-Bird, but Tom's thoughts were even +faster. He was thinking of many things—of his father—of what he would +do if Mr. Swift died—of the mysterious airship—of the stolen plans—of +the fire in the shed—of the great race—and of Andy Foger.</p> + +<p>He took little note of time, and when, in less than an hour he sighted +the river that told him he was near to Kirkville, he was rather +startled.</p> + +<p>"You certainly did come right along, Humming-Bird!" he murmured proudly.</p> + +<p>He descended several hundred feet, and, as he passed over the town, the +people of which grew wildly excited, he looked about for the house of +the noted specialist. He knew how to pick it out, for Dr. Gladby had +described it to him, and Tom was glad to see, as he came within view of +the residence, that it was surrounded by a large yard.</p> + +<p>"I can land almost at his door," he said, and he did, volplaning to +earth with an ease born of long practice.</p> + +<p>To say that Dr. Hendrix was astonished when Tom dropped in on him in +this manner, would not be exactly true. The specialist was not in the +habit of receiving calls from youths in aeroplanes, but the fact was, +that Dr. Hendrix was so absorbed in his work, and thought so constantly +about it, that it took a great deal to startle him out of his usual +calm.</p> + +<p>"And so you came for me in your aeroplane?" he asked of Tom, as he gazed +at the trim little craft. It is doubtful if he really saw it, however, +as Dr. Hendrix was just then thinking of an operation he had performed a +few hours before. "I'm sorry you had your trip for nothing," he went on. +"I'd like very much to come to your father, but didn't you get my +telegram, telling about the broken bridge? There is no way for me to get +to Shopton in time."</p> + +<p>"Yes, there is!" cried Tom, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"The same way I came—in the aeroplane! Dr. Hendrix you must go back +with me! It's the only way to save my father's life. Come with me in the +Humming-Bird. It's perfectly safe. I can make the trip in less than an +hour. I can carry you and your instruments. Will you come? Won't you +come to save my father's life?" Tom was fairly pleading now.</p> + +<p>"A trip in an aeroplane," mused Dr. Hendrix "I've never taken such a +thing. I—"</p> + +<p>"Don't be afraid, there's really no danger," said Tom.</p> + +<p>The physician seemed to reach a sudden conclusion. His eyes brightened. +He walked over and looked at the little Humming-Bird. For the time being +he forgot about his operations.</p> + +<p>"I'll go with you!" he suddenly cried. "I'll go with you, Tom Swift! If +you've got the nerve, so have I! and if my science and skill can save +your father's life, he'll live to be an old man! Wait until I get my bag +and I'll be with you!"</p> + +<p>Tom's heart gave a bound of hope.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_Twenty" id="Chapter_Twenty" />Chapter Twenty</h2> + +<h3>Just in Time</h3> + + +<p>While Dr. Hendrix was in his office, getting ready to make the thrilling +trip through the air with Tom, the young inventor spent a few minutes +going over his monoplane. The wonderful little craft had made her first +big flight in excellent time, though Tom knew she could do better the +farther she was flown. Not a stay had started, not a guy wire was loose. +The motor had not overheated, and every bearing was as cool as though it +had not taken part in thousands of revolutions.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I can depend on you!" murmured Tom, as he looked to see that the +propeller was tight on the shaft. He gave the bearing a slight +adjustment to make sure of it.</p> + +<p>He was at this when the specialist reappeared. Dr. Hendrix, after his +first show of excitement, when he had made his decision to accompany +Tom, had resumed his usual calm demeanor. Once again he was the grave +surgeon, with his mind on the case before him.</p> + +<p>"Well, is my auto ready?" he asked absentmindedly. Then, as he saw the +little aeroplane, and Tom standing waiting beside it, he added: "Oh, I +forgot for the moment that I was to make a trip through the air, instead +of in my car. Well, Mr. Swift, are we all ready?"</p> + +<p>"All ready," replied the young inventor. "We're going to make fast time, +Dr. Hendrix. You'd better put this on," and Tom extended a face +protector.</p> + +<p>"What's it for?" The physician looked curiously at it.</p> + +<p>"To keep the air from cutting your cheeks and lips. We are going to +travel a hundred miles an hour this trip."</p> + +<p>"A hundred miles an hour!" Dr. Hendrix spoke as though he would like to +back out.</p> + +<p>"Maybe more, if I can manage it," went on Tom, calmly, as he proceeded +to remove the bag of sand from the place where the surgeon was to sit. +Then he looked to the various equilibrium arrangements and the control +levers. He was so cool about it, taking it all for granted, as if rising +and flying through the air at a speed rivaling that of the fastest +birds, was a matter of no moment, that Dr. Hendrix was impressed by the +calm demeanor of the young inventor.</p> + +<p>"Very well," said the surgeon with a shrug of his shoulders, "I guess +I'm game, Tom Swift."</p> + +<p>The doctor took the seat Tom pointed out to him, with his bag of +instruments on his knees. He put on the face protector, and had, at the +suggestion of our hero, donned a heavy coat.</p> + +<p>"For it's cold in the upper regions," said Tom.</p> + +<p>Several servants in the physician's household had gathered to see him +depart in this novel fashion, and the chauffeur of the auto, in which +the specialist usually made his calls, was also there.</p> + +<p>"I'll give you a hand," said the chauffeur to the young inventor. "I was +at an aviation meet once, and I know how it's done."</p> + +<p>"Good," exclaimed Tom. "Then you can hold the machine, and shove when I +give the word."</p> + +<p>Tom started the propeller himself, and quickly jumped into his seat. The +chauffeur held back the Humming-Bird until the young aviator had speeded +up the motor.</p> + +<p>"Let go!" cried the youthful inventor, and the man gave the little craft +a shove. Across the rather uneven ground of the doctor's yard it ran, +straight for a big iron barrier.</p> + +<p>"Look out! We'll be into the fence!" shouted the surgeon. "We'll be +killed!" He seemed about to leap off.</p> + +<p>"Sit still!" cried Tom, and at that instant he tilted the elevation +planes, and the craft shot upward, going over the fence like a circus +horse taking a seven-barred gate.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" exclaimed the physician in a curious voice. They were off on their +trip to save the life of Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>What the sensations of the celebrated specialist were, Tom never +learned. If he was afraid, his fright quickly gave place to wonder, and +the wonder soon changed to delight as the machine rose higher and +higher, acquired more speed, and soared in the air over the country that +spread out in all directions from Kirkville.</p> + +<p>"Magnificent! Magnificent!" murmured the doctor, and then Tom knew that +the surgeon was in the grip of the air, and was one of the "bird-men."</p> + +<p>Every moment the Humming-Bird increased her speed. They passed over the +river near where men were working on the broken bridge. It was now no +barrier to them. Tom, noting the barograph, and seeing that they were +twenty-two hundred feet high, decided to keep at about that distance +from the earth.</p> + +<p>"How fast are we going?" cried Dr. Hendrix, into the ear of the young +inventor.</p> + +<p>"Just a little short of a hundred an hour!" Tom shouted back. "We'll hit +a hundred and five before long."</p> + +<p>His prediction proved true, and when about forty miles from Shopton that +terrific speed had been attained. It seemed as if they were going to +have a trip devoid of incident, and Tom was congratulating himself on +the quick time made, when he ran into a contrary strata of air. Almost +before he knew it the Humming-Bird gave a dangerous and sickening dive, +and tilted at a terrifying angle.</p> + +<p>"Are we going to turn turtle?" cried the doctor.</p> + +<p>"I—I hope not!" gasped Tom. He could not understand why the equilibrium +weights did not work, but he had no time then to investigate. Quickly he +warped the wing tips and brought the craft up on an even keel.</p> + +<p>He gave a sigh of relief as the aeroplane was once more shooting +forward, and he was not mistaken when he thought he heard Dr. Hendrix +murmur a prayer of thankfulness. Their escape had been a narrow one. +Tom's nerve, and the coolness of the physician, had alone saved them +from a fall to death.</p> + +<p>But now, as if ashamed of her prank, the Humming-Bird went along even +better than before. Tom was peering through the slight haze that hung +over the earth, for a sight of Shopton. At length the spires of the +churches came into view.</p> + +<p>"There it is," he called, pointing downward. "We'll land in two minutes +more."</p> + +<p>"No time to spare," murmured the doctor, who knew the serious nature of +the aged inventor's illness. "How long did it take us?"</p> + +<p>"Fifty-one minutes," replied Tom, glancing at a small clock in front of +him. Then he shut off the motor and volplaned to earth, to the no small +astonishment of the surgeon. He made a perfect landing in the yard +before the shed, leaped from his seat, and called:</p> + +<p>"Come, Dr. Hendrix!"</p> + +<p>The surgeon followed him. Dr. Gladby and Dr. Kurtz came to the door of +the house. On their faces were grave looks. They greeted the celebrated +surgeon eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Well?" he asked quickly, and they knew what he meant.</p> + +<p>"You are only just in time," said Dr. Gladby, softly, and Tom, following +the doctors into the house, wondered if his trip with the specialist had +been in vain.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_Twenty_One" id="Chapter_Twenty_One" />Chapter Twenty-One</h2> + +<h3>"Will He Live?"</h3> + + +<p>Soon there were busy scenes in the Swift home, as preparations were made +for a serious operation on the aged inventor. Tom's father had sunk into +deep unconsciousness, and was stretched out on the bed as though there +was no more life in him. In fact, Tom, for the moment, feared that it +was all over. But good old Dr. Kurtz, noting the look on the lad's face, +said:</p> + +<p>"Ach, Dom, doan't vorry! Maybe it vill yet all be vell, und der vater +vill hear of der great race. Bluck up your courage, und doan't gif up. +Der greatest surgeon in der vorld is here now, und if anybody gan safe +your vater, Herr Hendriz gan. Dot vos a great drip you made—a great +drip!"</p> + +<p>Tom felt a little comforted and, after a sight of his father, and a +silent prayer that God would spare his life for years to come, the young +inventor went out in the yard. He wanted to be busy about something, for +he knew, with the doctors, and a trained nurse who had been hastily +summoned, there was no immediate need for him. He wanted to get his mind +off the operation that would soon take place, and so he decided to look +over his aeroplane.</p> + +<p>Mr. Damon came out when Tom was going over the guy wires and braces, to +see how they had stood the strain.</p> + +<p>"Well, Tom, my lad," said the eccentric man, sadly, as he grasped our +hero's hand, "it's too bad. But hope for the best. I'm sure your father +will pull through. We will have to begin taking the Humming-Bird apart +soon; won't we, if we're going to ship it to Eagle Park?" He wanted to +take Tom's mind off his troubles.</p> + +<p>"I don't know whether we will or not," was the answer, and Tom tried to +speak unbrokenly, but there was a troublesome lump in his throat, and a +mist of tears in his eyes that prevented him from seeing well. The +Hamming-Bird, to him, looked as if she was in a fog.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! Of course we will!" cried Mr. Damon. "Why, bless my wishbone! +Tom, you don't mean to say you're going to let that little shrimp Andy +Foger walk away with that ten-thousand-dollar prize without giving him a +fight for it; are you?"</p> + +<p>This was just what Tom needed, and it seemed good to have Mr. Damon +bless something again, even if it was only a wishbone.</p> + +<p>"No!" exclaimed Tom, in ringing tones. "Andy Foger isn't going to beat +me, and if I find out he is going to race with a machine made after my +stolen plans, I'll make him wish he'd never taken them."</p> + +<p>"But if the machine he had flying over here when he dropped that bomb on +the shed roof, and set fire to it, is the one he's going to race with, +it isn't like yours," suggested Mr. Damon, who was glad he had turned +the conversation into a more cheerful channel.</p> + +<p>"That's so," agreed the young inventor. "We'll, we'll have to wait and +see." He was busy now, going over every detail of the Humming-Bird. Mr. +Damon helped him, and they discovered the defect in the equilibrium +weights, and remedied it.</p> + +<p>"We can't afford to have an accident in the race," said Tom. He glanced +toward the house, and wondered if the operation had begun yet. He could +see the trained nurse hurrying here and there, Mrs. Baggert helping her.</p> + +<p>Eradicate Sampson shuffled out from the stable where he kept his mule +Boomerang. On the face of the honest colored man there was a dejected +look.</p> + +<p>"Am Massa Swift any better, Massa Tom?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"We can't tell yet," was the answer.</p> + +<p>"Well, if he doan't git well, den I'm goin' t' sell mah mule," went on +the dirt-chaser, from which line of activity Eradicate had derived his +name.</p> + +<p>"Sell Boomerang! Bless my curry comb! what for?" asked Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"'Case as how he wouldn't neber be any good fo' wuk any mo'," explained +Eradicate. "He's got so attached t' dis place, an' all de folkes on it, +dat he'd feel so sorry ef—ef—well, ef any ob 'em went away, dat I +couldn't git no mo' wuk out ob him, no how. So ef Massa Swift doan't git +well, den I an' Boomerang parts!"</p> + +<p>"Well, we hope it won't happen," said Tom, greatly touched by the simple +grief of Eradicate. The young inventor was silent a moment, and then he +softly added: "I—I wonder when—when we'll know?"</p> + +<p>"Soon now, I think," answered Mr. Damon, in a low voice.</p> + +<p>Silently they waited about the aeroplane. Tom tried to busy himself, but +he could not. He kept his eyes fastened on the house.</p> + +<p>It seemed like several hours, but it was not more than one, ere the +white-capped nurse came to the door and waved her hand to Tom. He sprang +to his feet and rushed forward. What would be the message he was to +receive?</p> + +<p>He stood before the nurse, his heart madly beating. She looked gently at +him.</p> + +<p>"Will he—will he live?" Tom asked, pantingly.</p> + +<p>"I think so," she answered gently. "The operation is over. It was a +success, so far. Time alone will tell, now. Dr. Hendrix says you can see +your father for lust a moment."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_Twenty_Two" id="Chapter_Twenty_Two" />Chapter Twenty-Two</h2> + +<h3>Off to the Meet</h3> + + +<p>Softly Tom tiptoed into the room where his father lay. At the bedside +were the three doctors, and the nurse followed the young inventor in. +Mrs. Baggert stood in the hall, and near her was Garret Jackson. The +aged housekeeper had been weeping, but she smiled at Tom through her +tears.</p> + +<p>"I think he's going to get well," she whispered. She always looked on +the bright side of things. Tom's heart felt better.</p> + +<p>"You must only speak a few words to him," cautioned the specialist, who +had performed such a rare and delicate operation, near the heart of the +invalid. "He is very weak, Tom."</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift opened his eyes as his son approached. He looked around +feebly.</p> + +<p>"Tom—are you there?" he asked in a whisper.</p> + +<p>"Yes, dad," was the eager answer</p> + +<p>"They tell me you—you made a great trip to get Dr. Hendrix—broken +bridge—came through the air with him. Is that right?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, dad. But don't tire yourself. You must get well and strong."</p> + +<p>"I will, Tom. But tell me; did you go in—in the Humming-Bird?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, dad."</p> + +<p>"How did she work?"</p> + +<p>"Fine. Over a hundred, and the motor wasn't at its best."</p> + +<p>"That's good. Then you can go in the big race, and win."</p> + +<p>"No, I don't believe I'll go, dad."</p> + +<p>"Why not?" Mr. Swift spoke more strongly.</p> + +<p>"I—because—well, I don't want to."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, Tom! I know; it's on my account. I know it is. But listen to +me. I want you to go in! I want you to win that race! Never mind about +me. I'm going to get well, and I'll recover all the more quickly if you +win that race. Now promise me you'll go in it and—and—win!"</p> + +<p>The invalid's strength was fast leaving him.</p> + +<p>"I—I—-," began Tom.</p> + +<p>"Promise!" insisted the aged inventor, trying to rise. Dr. Hendrix made +a hasty move toward the bed.</p> + +<p>"Promise!" whispered the surgeon to Tom.</p> + +<p>"I—I promise!" exclaimed Tom, and the aged inventor sank back with a +smile of satisfaction on his pale face.</p> + +<p>"Now you must go," said Dr. Gladby to Tom. "He has talked long enough. +He must sleep now, and get up his strength."</p> + +<p>"Will he get better?" asked Tom, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"We can't say for sure," was the answer. "We have great hopes."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to enter the race unless I know he is going to live," went +on Tom, as Dr. Gladby followed him out of the room.</p> + +<p>"No one can say for a certainty that he will recover," spoke the +physician. "You will have to hope for the best, that is all, Tom. If I +were you I'd go in the race. It will occupy your mind, and if you could +send good news to your father it might help him in the fight for life he +is making."</p> + +<p>"But suppose—suppose something happens while I am away?" suggested the +young inventor.</p> + +<p>The doctor thought for a moment. Then he exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"You have a wireless outfit on your craft; haven't you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Then you can receive messages from here every hour if you wish. Garret +Jackson, your engineer, can send them, and you can pick them up in +mid-air if need be."</p> + +<p>"So I can!" cried Tom. "I will go to the meet. I'll take the +Humming-Bird apart at once, and ship it to Eagle Park. Unless Dr. +Hendrix wants to go back in it," he added as an after thought.</p> + +<p>"No," spoke Dr. Gladby, "Dr. Hendrix is going to remain here for a few +days, in case of an emergency. By that time the bridge will have been +repaired, and he can go back by train. I gather, from what he said, that +though he liked the air trip, he will not care for another one."</p> + +<p>"Very well," assented Tom, and Mr. Damon and he were kept busy, packing +the Humming-Bird for shipment. Mr. Jackson helped them, and Eradicate +and his mule Boomerang were called on occasionally when boxes or crates +were to be taken to the railroad station.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile, Mr. Swift, if he did not improve any, at least held +his own. This the doctors said was a sign of hope, and, though Tom was +filled with anxiety, he tried to think that fate would be kind to him, +and that his father would recover. Dr. Hendrix left, saying there was +nothing more he could do, and that the rest depended on the local +physicians, and on the nurse.</p> + +<p>"Und ve vill do our duty!" ponderously exclaimed Dr. Kurtz. "You go off +to dot bird race, Dom, und doan't vorry. Ve vill send der with-out-vire +messages to you venever dere is anyt'ing to report. Go mit a light +heart!"</p> + +<p>How Tom wished he could, but it was out of the question. The last of the +parts of the Humming-Bird had been sent away, and our hero forwarded a +telegram to Mr. Sharp, of the arrangement committee, stating that he and +Mr. Damon would soon follow. Then, having bidden his father a fond +farewell, and after arranging with Mr. Jackson to send frequent wireless +messages, Tom and the eccentric man left for the meet.</p> + +<p>There was a wireless station at Eagle Park, and Tom had planned to +receive the messages from home there until he could set up his own +plant. He would have two outfits. One in the big tent where the +Humming-Bird was to be put together, and another on the machine itself, +so that when in the air, practicing, or even in the great race itself, +there would be no break in the news that was to be flashed through +space.</p> + +<p>Tom and Mr. Damon arrived at Eagle Park on time, and Tom's first inquiry +was for a message from home. There was one, Stating that Mr. Swift was +fairly comfortable, and seemed to be doing well. With happiness in his +heart, the young inventor then set about getting the parts of his craft +from the station to the park, where he and Mr. Damon, with a trusty +machinist whom Mr. Sharp had recommended, would assemble it. Tom +arranged that in his absence the wireless operator on the grounds would +take any message that came for him.</p> + +<p>The Humming-Bird, in the big cases and boxes, had safely arrived, and +these were soon in the tent which had been assigned to Tom. It was still +several days until the opening of the meet, and the grounds presented a +scene of confusion.</p> + +<p>Workmen were putting up grand stands, tents and sheds were being +erected, exhibitors were getting their machines in shape, and excited +contestants of many nationalities were hurrying to and fro, inquiring +about parts delayed in shipment, or worrying lest some of their pet +ideas be stolen.</p> + +<p>Tom and Mr. Damon, with Frank Forker, the young machinist, were soon +busy in their big tent, which was a combined workshop and living +quarters, for Tom had determined to stay right on the ground until the +big race was over.</p> + +<p>"I don't see anything of Andy Foger," remarked Mr. Damon, on the second +day of their residence in the park. "There are lots of new entries +arriving, but he doesn't seem to be on hand."</p> + +<p>"There's time enough," replied Tom. "I am afraid he's hanging back until +the last minute, and will spring his machine so late that I won't have +time to lodge a protest. It would be just like him."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll be on the lookout for him. Have you heard from home to-day, +Tom?"</p> + +<p>"No. I'm expecting a message any minute." The young inventor glanced +toward the wireless apparatus which had been set up in the tent. At that +moment there came the peculiar sound which indicated a message coming +through space, and down the receiving wires. "There's something now!" +exclaimed Tom, as he hurried over and clamped the telephone receiver to +his ear. He listened a moment.</p> + +<p>"Good news!" he exclaimed. "Dad sat up a little to-day! I guess he's +going to get well!" and he clicked back congratulations to his father +and the others in Shopton.</p> + +<p>Another day saw the Humming-Bird almost in shape again, and Tom was +preparing for a tryout of the engine.</p> + +<p>Mr. Damon had gone over to the committee headquarters to consult with +Mr. Sharp about the steps necessary for Tom to take in case Andy did +attempt to enter a craft that infringed on the ideas of the young +inventor, and on his way back he saw a newly-erected tent. There was a +young man standing in the entrance, at the sight of whom the eccentric +man murmured:</p> + +<p>"Bless my skate-strap! His face looks very familiar!"</p> + +<p>The youth disappeared inside the tent suddenly, and, as Mr. Damon came +opposite the canvas shelter, he started in surprise.</p> + +<p>For, on a strip of muslin which was across the tent, painted in gay +colors, were the words:</p> + + +<p class="center">THE FOGER AEROPLANE</p> + + +<p>"Bless my elevation rudder!" cried Mr. Damon. "Andy's here at last! I +must tell Tom!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_Twenty_Three" id="Chapter_Twenty_Three" />Chapter Twenty-Three</h2> + +<h3>The Great Race</h3> + + +<p>"Well," remarked Mr. Sharp, when Tom and Mr. Damon had called on him, to +state that Andy Foger's machine was now on the grounds, and demanding to +be allowed to view it, to see if it was an infringement on the one +entered by the young inventor, "I'll do the best I can for you. I'll lay +the case before the committee. It will meet at once, and I'll let you +know what they say."</p> + +<p>"Understand," said Tom, "I don't want to interfere unless I am convinced +that Andy is trying an underhand trick. My plans are missing, and I +think he took them. If his machine is made after those plans, it is, +obviously, a steal, and I want him ruled out of the meet."</p> + +<p>"And so he shall be!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp. "Get the evidence against +him, and we'll act quickly enough."</p> + +<p>The committee met in about an hour, and considered the case. Meanwhile, +Tom and Mr. Damon strolled past the tent with its flaring sign. There +was a man on guard, but Andy was not in sight.</p> + +<p>Then Tom was sent for, and Mr. Sharp told him what conclusion had been +arrived at. It was this:</p> + +<p>"Under the rules of the meet," said the balloonist, "we had to guarantee +privacy to all the contestants until such time as they choose to exhibit +their machines. That is, they need not bring them out until just before +the races," he added. "This is not a handicap affair, and the speediest +machine, or the one that goes to the greatest height, according to which +class it enters, will win. In consequence we cannot force any contestant +to declare what kind of a machine he will use until he gets ready.</p> + +<p>"Some are going to use the familiar type of biplanes and, as you can +see, there is no secret about them. They are trying them out now." This +was so, for several machines of this type were either in the air, +circling about, or were being run over the ground.</p> + +<p>"But others," continued Mr. Sharp, "will not even take the committee +into their confidence until just before the race. They want to keep +their craft a secret. We can't compel them to do otherwise. I'm sorry, +Tom, but the only thing I see for you to do is to wait until the last +minute. Then, if you find Andy has infringed on your machine, lodge a +protest—that is unless you can get evidence against him before that +time."</p> + +<p>Tom well knew the uselessness of the latter plan. He and Mr. Damon had +tried several times to get a glimpse of the craft Andy had made, but +without success. As to the other alternative—that of waiting until the +last moment—Tom feared that, too, would be futile.</p> + +<p>"For," he reasoned, "just before the race there will be a lot of +confusion, officials will be here and there, scattered over the ground, +they will be hard to find, and it will be almost useless to protest +then. Andy will enter the race, and there is a possibility that he may +win. Almost any one could with a machine like the Humming-Bird. It's the +machine almost as much as the operator, in a case like this."</p> + +<p>"But you can protest after the race," suggested Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"That would be little good, in case Andy beat me. The public would say I +was a sorehead, and jealous. No, I've either got to stop Andy before the +race, or not at all. I will try to think of a plan."</p> + +<p>Tom did think of several, but abandoned them one after the other. He +tried to get a glimpse inside the tent where the Foger aeroplane Was +housed, but it was too closely guarded. Andy himself was not much in +evidence, and Tom only had fleeting glimpses of the bully.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile he and Mr. Damon, together with their machinist, were kept +busy. As Tom's craft was fully protected by patents now, he had no +hesitation in taking it out, and it was given several severe tests +around the aerial course. It did even better than Tom expected of it, +and he had great hopes.</p> + +<p>Always, though, there were two things that worried him. One was his +father's illness, and the other the uneasiness he felt as to what Andy +Foger might do. As to the former, the wireless reports indicated that +Mr. Swift was doing as well as could be expected, but his improvement +was not rapid. Regarding the latter worry, Tom saw no way of getting rid +of it.</p> + +<p>"I've just got to wait, that's all," he thought.</p> + +<p>The day before the opening of the meet, Tom and Mr. Damon had given the +Humming-Bird a grueling tryout. They had taken her high up—so high that +no prying eyes could time them, and there Tom had opened the motor for +all the power in it. They had flashed through space at the rate of one +hundred and twenty miles an hour.</p> + +<p>"If we can only do that in the race, the ten thousand dollars is mine!" +exulted Tom, as he slanted the nose of the aeroplane toward the earth.</p> + +<p>The day of the race dawned clear and beautiful. Tom was up early, for +there remained many little things to do to get his craft in final trim +for the contest. Then, too, he wanted to be ready to act promptly as +soon as Andy's machine was wheeled out, and he also wanted to get a +message from home.</p> + +<p>The wireless arrived soon after breakfast, and did not contain very +cheering news.</p> + +<p>"Your father not so well," Mr. Jackson sent. "Poor night, but doctor +thinks day will show improvement. Don't worry."</p> + +<p>"Don't worry! I wonder who could help it," mused poor Tom. "Well, I'll +hope for the best," and he wired back to tell the engineer in Shopton to +keep in touch with him, and to flash the messages to the Humming-Bird in +the air, after the big race started.</p> + +<p>"Now I'll go out and see if I can catch a glimpse of what that sneak +Andy has to pit against me," said Tom.</p> + +<p>The Foger tent was tightly closed, and Tom turned back to his own place, +having arranged with a messenger to come and let him know as soon as +Andy's craft was wheeled out.</p> + +<p>All about was a scene of great activity. The grand stands were filled, +and a big crowd stood about the field anxiously waiting for the first +sight of the "bird-men" in their wonderful machines. Now and then the +band blared out, and cheers arose as one after another the frail craft +were wheeled to the starting place.</p> + +<p>Men in queer leather costumes darted here and there-they were the +aviators who were soon to risk life and limb for glory and gold. Most of +them were nervously smoking cigarettes. The air was filled with guttural +German or nasal French, while now and then the staccato Russian was +heard, and occasionally the liquid tones of a Japanese. For men of many +nations were competing for the prizes.</p> + +<p>The majority of the machines were monoplanes and biplanes though one +triplane was entered, and there were several "freaks" as the biplane and +monoplane men called them—craft of the helicopter, or the wheel type. +There was also one Witzig Liore Dutilleul biplane, with three planes +behind.</p> + +<p>Tom was familiar with most of these types, but occasionally he saw a new +one that excited his curiosity. However, he was more interested in what +Andy Foger would turn out. Andy's machine had not been tried, and Tom +wondered how he dared risk flying in it, without at least a preliminary +tryout. But Andy, and those with him, were evidently full of confidence.</p> + +<p>News of the suspicions of Tom, and what he intended to do in case these +suspicions proved true, had gotten around, and there was quite a crowd +about his own tent, and another throng around that of Andy.</p> + +<p>Tom and Mr. Damon had wheeled the Humming-Bird out of her canvas +"nest.". There was a cheer as the crowd caught sight of the trim little +craft. The young inventor, the eccentric man, and the machinist were +busy going over every part.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the meet had been officially opened, and it was announced that +the preliminary event would be some air evolutions at no great height, +and for no particular prize. Several biplanes and monoplanes took part +in this. It was very interesting, but the big ten-thousand-dollar race, +over a distance of a hundred miles was the principal feature of the +meet, and all waited anxiously for this.</p> + +<p>The opening stunts passed off successfully, save that a German operator +in a Bleriot came to grief, crashing down to the ground, wrecking his +machine, and breaking an arm. But he only laughed at that, and coolly +demanded another cigarette, as he crawled out of the tangle of wires, +planes and the motor.</p> + +<p>After this there was an exhibition flight by a French aviator in a +Curtis biplane, who raced against one in a Baby Wright. It was a dead +heat, according to the judges. Then came a flight for height; and while +no records were broken, the crowd was well satisfied.</p> + +<p>"Get ready for the hundred-mile ten-thousand-dollar-prize race!" shouted +the announcer, through his megaphone.</p> + +<p>Tom's heart gave a bound. There were seven entrants in this contest +besides Tom and Andy Foger, and as announced by the starter they were as +follows:</p> + +<p> +CONTESTANT MACHINE<br /> +Von Bergen.................Wright Biplane<br /> +Alameda..............Antoinette Monoplane<br /> +Perique.................Bleriot Monoplane<br /> +Loi Tong..........Santos-Dumont Monoplane<br /> +Wendell....................Curtis Biplane<br /> +De Tromp...................Farman Biplane<br /> +Lascalle.............Demoiselle Monoplane<br /> +Andy Foger.................———————<br /> +Tom Swift..........Humming-Bird Monoplane<br /> +</p> + +<p>"What is the style of the Foger machine?" yelled some one in the crowd, +as the announcer lowered his megaphone.</p> + +<p>"It has not been announced," was the reply. "It will at once be wheeled +out though, in accordance with the conditions of the race."</p> + +<p>There was a craning of necks, and an uneasy movement in the crowd, for +Tom's story was now generally known.</p> + +<p>"Get ready to make your protest," advised Mr. Damon to the young +inventor. "I'll stay by the machine here until you come back. Bless my +radiator! I hope you beat him!"</p> + +<p>"I will, if it's possible!" murmured Tom, with a grim tightening of his +lips.</p> + +<p>There was a movement about Andy's tent, whence, for the last half hour +had come spasmodic noises that indicated the trying-out of the motor. +The flaps were pulled back and a curious machine was wheeled into view. +Tom rushed over toward it, intent on getting the first view. Would it +prove to be a copy of his speedy Humming-Bird?</p> + +<p>Eagerly he looked, but a curious sight met his eyes. The machine was +totally unlike any he had expected to see. It was large, and to his mind +rather clumsy, but it looked powerful. Then, as he took in the details, +he knew that it was the same one that had flown over his house that +night—it was the one from which the fire bomb had been dropped.</p> + +<p>He pushed his way through the crowd. He saw Andy standing near the +curious biplane, which type of air craft it nearest resembled, though it +had some monoplane features. On the side was painted the name:</p> + +<p class="center">SLUGGER</p> + +<p>Andy caught sight of Tom Swift.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to beat you!" the bully boasted, and I haven't a machine like +yours, after all. You were wrong."</p> + +<p>"So I see," stammered Tom, hardly knowing what to think. "What did you +do with my plans then?"</p> + +<p>"I never had them!"</p> + +<p>Andy turned away, and began to assist the men he had hired to help him. +Like all the others, his machine had two seats, for in this race each +operator must carry a passenger.</p> + +<p>Tom turned away, both glad and sorry,—glad that his rival was not to +race him in a duplicate of the Humming-Bird, but sorry that he had as +yet no track of the strangely missing plans.</p> + +<p>"I wonder where they can be?" mused the young inventor.</p> + +<p>Then came the firing of the preliminary gun. Tom rushed back to where +Mr. Damon stood waiting for him.</p> + +<p>There was a last lock at the Humming-Bird. She was fit to race any +machine on the ground. Mr. Damon took his place. Tom started the +propeller. The other contestants were in their seats with their +passengers. Their assistants stood ready to shove them off. The +explosions of so many motors in action were deafening.</p> + +<p>"How much thrust?" cried Tom to his machinist.</p> + +<p>"Twenty-two hundred pounds!"</p> + +<p>"Good!"</p> + +<p>The report of the starting-gun could not be heard. But the smoke of it +leaped into the air. It was the signal to go.</p> + +<p>Tom's voice would not have carried five feet. He waved his hands as a +signal. His helper thrust the Humming-Bird forward. Over the smooth +ground it rushed. Tom looked eagerly ahead. On a line with him were the +other machines, including Andy Foger's Slugger.</p> + +<p>Tom pulled a lever. He felt his craft soar upward. The other machines +also pointed their noses into the air.</p> + +<p>The big race for the ten-thousand-dollar prize was under way!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_Twenty_Four" id="Chapter_Twenty_Four" />Chapter Twenty Four</h2> + +<h3>Won by a Length</h3> + + +<p>Rising upward, on a steep slant, for he wanted to get into the upper +currents as soon as possible, Tom looked down and off to his left and +saw one machine going over the ground in curious leaps and bounds. It +was the tiny Demoiselle—the smallest craft in the race, and its +peculiar style of starting was always thus manifested.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe he's going to make it," thought Tom.</p> + +<p>He was right. In another moment the tiny craft, after rising a short +distance, dove downward, and was wrecked. The young inventor saw the two +men crawling out from the tangled planes and wings, apparently +uninjured.</p> + +<p>"One contestant less," thought Tom, grimly, though with pity in his +heart for the unfortunates.</p> + +<p>However, he must think of himself and his own craft now. He glanced at +Mr. Damon sitting beside him. That odd gentleman, with never a thought +of blessing anything now, unless he did it silently, was watching the +lubricating system. This was a vital part of the craft, for if anything +went wrong with it, and the bearings overheated, the race would have to +be abandoned. So Tom was not trusting to any automatic arrangement, but +had instituted, almost at the last moment, a duplicate hand-worked +system, so that if one failed him he would have the other.</p> + +<p>"A good start!" shouted Mr. Damon in his car.</p> + +<p>Tom nodded, and glanced behind him. On a line with the Humming-Bird, and +at about the same elevation, were the Bleriot monoplane and a Wright +biplane. Below were the Santos-Dumont and the Antoinette.</p> + +<p>"Where's the Slugger?" called Tom to his friend.</p> + +<p>Mr. Damon motioned upward. There, in the air above Tom's machine, and +slightly in advance, was Andy Foger's craft. He had gotten away in +better shape than had the Humming-Bird.</p> + +<p>For a moment Tom's heart misgave him. Then he turned on more power, and +had the satisfaction of mounting upward and shooting onward until he was +on even terms with Andy.</p> + +<p>The bully gave one glance over toward his rival, and pulled a lever. The +Slugger increased her speed, but Tom was not a second behind him.</p> + +<p>There was a roaring noise in the rear, and up shot De Tromp in the +Farman, and Loi Tong, the little Japanese, in the Santos-Dumont. Truly +the race was going to be a hotly contested one. But the end was far off +yet.</p> + +<p>After the first jockeying for a start and position, the race settled +down into what might be termed a "grind." The course was a large one, +but so favorable was the atmosphere that day, and such was the location +of Eagle Park in a great valley, that even on the far side of the great +ellipse the contestants could be seen, dimly with the naked eye, but +very plainly with glasses, with which many of the spectators were +provided.</p> + +<p>Around and around they went, at no very great height, for it was +necessary to make out the signals set up by the race officials, so that +the contestants would know when they were near the finish, that they +might use the last atom of speed. So at varying heights the wonderful +machines circled about the course.</p> + +<p>The Humming-Bird was working well, and Tom felt a sense of pride as he +saw the ground slipping away below him. He felt sure that he would win, +even when Alameda, the Spaniard, in the Antoinette, came creeping up on +him, and even when Andy Foger, with a burst of speed, placed himself and +his passenger in the lead.</p> + +<p>"I'll catch him!" muttered Tom, and he opened the throttle a trifle +wider, and went after Andy, passing him with ease.</p> + +<p>They had covered about thirty miles of the course, when the humming and +crackling of the wireless apparatus told Tom that a message was coming. +He snapped the receiver to his ear, adjusting the outer covering to shut +out the racket of the motor, and listened.</p> + +<p>"Well?" asked Mr. Damon, as Tom took off the receiver.</p> + +<p>"Dad isn't quite so well," answered the lad. "Mr. Jackson says they have +sent for Dr. Hendrix again. But dad is game. He sends me word to go on +and win, and I'll do it, too, only—"</p> + +<p>Tom paused, and choked back a sob. Then he prepared to get more speed +out of his motor.</p> + +<p>"Of course you will!" cried Mr. Damon. "Bless my—!"</p> + +<p>But they encountered an adverse current of wind at that moment, and it +required the attention of both of the aviators to manage the machine. It +was soon on an even keel again, and once more was shooting forward +around the course.</p> + +<p>At times Tom would be in advance, and again he would have to give place +to the Curtis, the Farman, or the Santos-Dumont, as these speedy +machines, favored by a spurt from their motors, or by some current of +air, shot ahead. But, in general, Tom maintained the lead, and among the +spectators there began a series of guesses as to how much he would win +by.</p> + +<p>Tom glanced at the barograph. It registered a little over twelve hundred +feet. He looked at the speed gage. He was doing a trifle better than a +hundred miles an hour. He looked down at the signals. There was twenty +miles yet to go. It was almost time for the spurt for which he had been +holding back. Yet he would wait until five miles from the end, and then +he felt that he could gain and maintain a lead.</p> + +<p>"Andy seems to be doing well," said Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he has a good machine," conceded Tom.</p> + +<p>Five miles more were reeled off. Then an other five. Another round of +that distance and Tom would key his motor up to the highest pitch, and +then the Humming-Bird would show what she could do. Eagerly Tom waited +for the right signal.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the wireless began buzzing again. Quickly the young inventor +clamped the receiver to his ear. Mr. Damon saw him turn pale.</p> + +<p>"Dr. Gladby says dad has a turn for the worse. There is little hope," +translated Tom.</p> + +<p>"Will you—are you going to quit?" asked Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>Tom shook his head.</p> + +<p>"No!" he cried. "My father has become unconscious, so Mr. Jackson says, +but his last words were to me: 'Tell Tom to win the race!' And I'm going +to do it!"</p> + +<p>Tom suddenly changed his plans. There was to be no waiting for the +signal now. He would begin his final spurt, and if possible finish the +hundred miles at his utmost speed, win the race and then hasten to his +father's side.</p> + +<p>With a menacing roar the motor of the Humming-Bird took up the +additional power that Tom sent into her. She shot ahead like an eagle +darting after his prey. Tom opened up a big gap between his machine and +the one nearest him, which, at that moment, was the Antoinette, with the +Spaniard driving her.</p> + +<p>"Now to win!" cried Tom, grimly.</p> + +<p>Surely no race was ever flown as was that one! Tom flashed through the +air so quickly that his speed was almost incredible. The gage registered +one hundred and thirty miles an hour!</p> + +<p>Down below in the grand stands, and on the aviation field, there were +yells of approval—of wonder—of fear. But Tom and Mr. Damon could not +hear them. They only heard the powerful song of the motor.</p> + +<p>Faster and faster flew the Humming-Bird Tom looked down, and saw the +signal put up which meant that there were but three miles more to go. He +felt that he could do it. He was half a lap ahead of them all now. But +he saw Andy Foger's machine pulling away from the bunch.</p> + +<p>"He's going to try to catch me!" exulted Tom.</p> + +<p>Then something happened. The motor of the Humming-Bird suddenly +slackened its speed, it missed explosions, and the trim little craft +began to drop behind.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" cried Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Three of the cylinders are out of business!" yelled Tom. "We're done +for, I guess."</p> + +<p>On came the other machines, Andy in the lead, then the Santos-Dumont, +then the Farman, and lastly the Wright. They saw the plight of the +Humming-Bird and determined to beat her. Tom cast a despairing look up +at the motor. There was nothing to be done. He could not reach it In +mid-air. He could only keep on, crippled as he was, and trust to luck.</p> + +<p>Andy passed by his rival with an evil smile on his ugly face. Then the +Antoinette flashed by. In turn all the others left Tom in the rear Toms +heart was like lead. Mr. Damon gazed blankly forward. They were beaten. +It did not seem possible.</p> + +<p>There was but a single chance. If Tom shut off all power, coasted for a +moment, and then, ere the propeller had ceased revolving, if he could +start the motor on the spark, the silent cylinders might pick up, with +the others, and begin again. He would try it. They could be no worse off +than they were.</p> + +<p>"A mile behind!" gasped Tom. "It's a long chance, but I'll take it."</p> + +<p>He shut off the power. The motor was silent, the Humming-Bird began to +fall. But ere she had gone down ten feet Tom suddenly switched on the +batteries. There was a moment of silence, and then came the welcome roar +that told of the rekindled motor. And such a roar as it was! Every +cylinder was exploding as though none of them had ever stopped!</p> + +<p>"We did it!" yelled Tom. Opening up at full speed, he sent the sky racer +on the course to overtake and pass his rivals.</p> + +<p>Slowly he crept on them. They looked back and saw him coming. They tried +to put on more speed, but it was impossible. Andy Foger was in the lead. +He was being slowly overhauled by the Santos-Dumont, with the queer +tail-rudders.</p> + +<p>"I'll get him!" muttered Tom. "I'll pass 'em all!"</p> + +<p>And he did. With a wonderful burst of speed the little Humming-Bird +overtook one after another of her larger rivals, and passed them. Then +she crept up on Andy's Slugger.</p> + +<p>In an instant more it was done, and, a good length in advance of the +Foger craft, Tom shot over the finish line a winner, richer by ten +thousand dollars, and, not only that, but he had picked up a mile that +had been lost, and had snatched victory from almost certain defeat.</p> + +<p>There was a succession of thundering cheers as he shut off the motor, +and volplaned to earth, but he paid little attention to them. He brought +his craft to a stop just as the wireless on it buzzed again.</p> + +<p>He listened with a look of pain on his face.</p> + +<p>"My father is dying," he said simply. "I must go to him. Mr. Damon, will +you fill the tanks with oil and gasoline, while I send off a message?"</p> + +<p>"Oil and gasoline," murmured the odd man, while hundreds pressed up to +congratulate Tom Swift "What are you going to do?"</p> + +<p>"I'm going to my father in the Humming-Bird," said Tom. "It's the only +way I can see him alive," and he began to click off a message to Mr. +Jackson, stating that he had won the race and was going to fly to +Shopton, while Mr. Damon and several others replenished the fuel and oil +of the aeroplane.</p> + +<p>Tom Swift had won one race. Could he win the other?</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="Chapter_Twenty_Five" id="Chapter_Twenty_Five" />Chapter Twenty-Five</h2> + +<h3>Home Again—Conclusion</h3> + + +<p>Mr. Sharp pushed his way through the crowd.</p> + +<p>"The committee has the certified check ready for you, Tom," called the +balloonist. "Will you come and get it?"</p> + +<p>"Send it to me, please," answered the young inventor. "I must go to my +father."</p> + +<p>"Huh! I'd have beaten him in another round," boasted Andy Foger. No one +paid any attention to him.</p> + +<p>"Monsieur ezz plucky!" said the Frenchman, Perique. "I am honaired to +shake his hand! He has broken all ze records!"</p> + +<p>"Dot's der best machine I effer saw," spoke the Dutchman, De Tromp, +ponderously. "Shake hands!"</p> + +<p>"Ver' fine, ver' good!" came from the little Japanese, and all the +contestants congratulated Tom warmly. Never before had a hundred miles +been covered so speedily.</p> + +<p>A man elbowed his way through the press of people.</p> + +<p>"Is your machine fully protected by patents?" he inquired earnestly.</p> + +<p>"It is," said Tom.</p> + +<p>"Then, as a representative of the United States Government, I would like +an option to purchase the exclusive right to use them," said the man. +"Can you guarantee that no one else has any plans of them? It will mean +a fortune to you."</p> + +<p>Tom hesitated. He thought of the stolen plans. If he could only get +possession of them! He glanced at Andy Foger, who was wheeling his +machine hack into the tent. But there was no time now to have it out +with the bully.</p> + +<p>"I will see you again," said Tom to the government agent. "I must go to +my father, who is dying. I can't answer you now."</p> + +<p>The tanks were filled. Tom gave a hasty look to his machine, and, +bidding his new friends fairwell, he and Mr. Damon took their places +aboard the Humming-Bird. The little craft rose in the air, and soon they +had left Eagle Park far behind. Eagerly Tom strained his eyes for a +sight of his home town, though he knew it would be several hours ere he +could hover over it.</p> + +<p>Would he be in time? Would he be in time? That question came to him +again and again.</p> + +<p>For a time the Humming-Bird skimmed along as though she delighted in the +rapid motion, in slipping through the air and sliding along on the +billows of wind. Tom, with critical ears, listened to the hum of the +motor, the puffing of the exhaust, the grinding of the gear wheels, and +the clicking of the trips, as valve after valve opened or closed to +admit the mixture of air and gasoline, or closed to give the compression +necessary for the proper explosion.</p> + +<p>"Is she working all right?" asked Mr. Damon, anxiously, and, such was +the strain on him that he did not think to bless anything. "Is she all +right, Tom, my lad?"</p> + +<p>"I think so. I'm speeding her to the limit. Faster than I ever did +before, but I guess she'll do. She was built to stand a strain, and +she's got to do it now!"</p> + +<p>Then there was silence again, as they slid along through the air like a +coaster gliding down a steep descent.</p> + +<p>"It was a great race, wasn't it?" asked Mr. Damon, as he shifted to an +easier position in his seat. "A great race, Tom. I didn't think you'd do +it, one spell there."</p> + +<p>"Neither did I," came the answer, as the young inventor changed the +spark lever. "But I made up my mind I wouldn't be beaten by Andy Foger, +if I could help it. Though it was taking a risk to shut off the current +the way I did."</p> + +<p>"A risk?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; it might not have started again," and Tom looked down at the earth +below them, as if measuring the distance he would have fallen had not +his sky racer kept on at the critical moment.</p> + +<p>"And—and if the current hadn't come on again; eh, Tom? Would we—?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Damon did not finish, but Tom knew what he meant.</p> + +<p>"It would have been all up with us," he said simply. "I might have +volplaned back to earth, but at the speed we were going, and at the +height, around a curve, we might have turned turtle."</p> + +<p>"Bless my—!" began Mr. Damon, and then he stopped. The thought of Tom's +trouble came to him, and he realized that his words might grate on the +feelings of his companion.</p> + +<p>On they rushed through the air with the Humming-Bird speeded up faster +and faster as she warmed to her task. The machinery seemed to be working +perfectly, and as Tom listened to the hum a look of pleasure replaced +the look of anxiety on his face.</p> + +<p>"Don't you think we'll make it?" asked Mr. Damon, after another pause, +during which they passed over a large city, the inhabitants exhibiting +much excitement as they sighted the airship over their heads.</p> + +<p>"We've got to make it!" declared Tom between his clenched teeth.</p> + +<p>Ne turned on a little more gasoline, and there was a spurt in their +speed which made Mr. Damon grasp the upright braces near him with firm +hands, and his face became a little paler.</p> + +<p>"It's all right," spoke Tom, reassuringly. "There's no danger."</p> + +<p>But Tom almost reckoned without his host, for a few moments later, as he +was trying to get more revolutions out of the propellers, he ran into an +adverse current of air.</p> + +<p>In an instant the Humming-Bird was tilted up almost on her "beams' +ends," so to speak, and had it not been that the young inventor quickly +warped the wing tips, to counteract the pressure on one side, there +might have been a different end to this story.</p> + +<p>"Bless my——!" began Mr. Damon, but he got no further, for he had to +bend his body as Tom did, to equalize the pressure of the wind current.</p> + +<p>"A little farther over!" yelled the lad. "A little farther over this +way, Mr. Damon!"</p> + +<p>"But if I come any more toward you I'll be out of my seat!" objected the +eccentric man.</p> + +<p>"If you don't you'll be out of the aeroplane!" cried Tom grimly, and his +companion leaned over as far as he could until the young pilot had +brought the craft to an even keel again.</p> + +<p>Then Tom speeded up the motor, which he had partly shut down as they +passed through the danger zone, and again they were racing through +space.</p> + +<p>They were nearing Shopton now, as the lad and Mr. Damon could tell by +the familiar landmarks which loomed up in sight. Tom strained his eyes +for the first view of his home.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, as they were skimming along, there came a cessation of the hum +and roar that told of the perfectly-working motor. It was an ominous +silence.</p> + +<p>"What's—what's wrong?" gasped Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Something's given way," answered Tom quickly. "I'm afraid the magneto +isn't sparking as it ought to."</p> + +<p>"Well, can't we volplane hack to earth?" asked the odd man, for he had +become familiar with this feat when anything happened to the motor.</p> + +<p>"We could," answered Tom, "but I'm not going to."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Because we're too far from Shopton—and dad! I'm going to keep on. I've +got to—if I want to be there in time!"</p> + +<p>"But if the motor doesn't work?"</p> + +<p>"I'll make her work!"</p> + +<p>Tom was desperately manipulating the various levers and handles +connected with the electrical ignition system. He tried in vain to get +the magneto to resume the giving out of sparks, and, failing in that, he +switched on the batteries. But, to his horror, the dry cells had given +out. There was no way of getting a spark unless the little electrical +machine would work.</p> + +<p>The propellers were still whirring around by their own momentum, and if +Tom could switch in the magneto in time all might yet be well.</p> + +<p>They had started to fall, but, by quickly bringing up the head plane +tips, Tom sent his craft soaring upward again on a bank of air.</p> + +<p>"Here!" he cried to Mr. Damon. "Take the steering-wheel and kept her on +this level as long as you can."</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do?"</p> + +<p>"I've got to fix that magneto!"</p> + +<p>"But if she dips down?"</p> + +<p>"Throw up the head planes as I did. It's our only chance! I can't go +down now, so far from Shopton!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Damon reached over and took the wheel from Tom's hands. Then the +young inventor, leaning forward, for the magneto was within easy reach, +looked to see what the trouble was. He found it quickly. A wire had +vibrated loose from a binding-post. In a second Tom had it in place +again; and, ere the propellers had ceased revolving, he had turned the +switch. The magneto took up the work in a flash. Once more the spark +exploded the gasoline mixture, and the propellers sent the Humming-Bird +swiftly ahead.</p> + +<p>"We'll make it now!" declared Tom grimly.</p> + +<p>"We're almost there," added Mr. Damon, as he relinquished the wheel to +the young pilot. The craft had gone down some, but Tom sent her up +again.</p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer home they came, until at last the spires of the +Shopton churches loomed into view. Then he was over the village. Now he +was within sight of his own house.</p> + +<p>Tom coasted down a bank of air, and brought the Humming-Bird up with a +jerk of the ground brakes. Before the wheels had ceased turning he had +leaped out.</p> + +<p>"It's Massa Tom!" cried Eradicate, as he saw Tom alight.</p> + +<p>The young inventor hurried into the house. He was met by the nurse, who +held up a warning finger. Tom's heart almost stopped beating. He was +aware that Dr. Gladby came from the room where Mr. Swift lay.</p> + +<p>"Is he—is he—am I too late?" gulped Tom.</p> + +<p>"Hush!" cautioned the nurse.</p> + +<p>Tom reeled, and would have fallen had not the doctor caught him, for the +lad was weak and wornout.</p> + +<p>"He is going to get well!" were the joyful words he heard, as if in a +dream, and then his strength suddenly came back to him. "The crisis is +just passed, Tom," went on Dr. Gladby, "and your father will recover, +and be stronger than ever. Your good news of winning was like a tonic to +him. Now let me congratulate you on the race." Tom had flashed by +wireless a brief message of his success.</p> + +<p>"Dad's news is better than all the congratulations in the world," he +said softly, as he grasped the doctor's hand.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>It was a week later. Mr. Swift improved rapidly once the course of the +disease was permanently checked, and he was soon able to sit up. Tom was +with him in the room, talking of the great race, and how he had won. He +fingered the certified check for ten thousand dollars that had just come +to him by mail.</p> + +<p>"You certainly did wonderfully well," said the aged inventor, softly. +"Wonderfully well, Tom. I'm proud of you."</p> + +<p>"You may well be," added Mr. Damon. "Bless my shoelaces, but I thought +Andy Foger had us there one spell; didn't you, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed I did. But you helped me win, Mr. Damon."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" exclaimed the odd man.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you did. You helped me a lot."</p> + +<p>"Well, are you going to keep after more air-prizes, Tom, or are you +going to try for something else?" asked his father.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe I'll go in any more aeroplane races right away," +answered the young inventor. "For some time I've been wanting to +complete and perfect my electric rifle. I think I'll begin work on that +soon."</p> + +<p>"And go hunting?" asked Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"I think so," answered Tom, dreamily. "I don't know just where, though."</p> + +<p>Where he went, and what he shot, will be told in the next volume of this +series, to be called: "Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle; or, Daring +Adventures in Elephant Land."</p> + +<p>For a few moments after Tom's announcement no one spoke, then the young +inventor said:</p> + +<p>"It's too bad that first set of plans were stolen. If I had them I could +make a good deal with the Government about my little aeroplane. But they +don't want to take up with it as long as there is a chance of some +foreign nation getting information about the secret parts, and my +patents won't hold abroad. I wonder if there is any way of getting those +plans away from Andy Foger? I don't understand why he hasn't used them +before this. I thought sure he would make a craft like the Humming-Bird +to race against me."</p> + +<p>"What plans are those?" asked Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"Why, don't you remember?" asked Tom. "The ones I showed you one day, in +the library, when you fell asleep, and some one slipped in and stole +them."</p> + +<p>A curious look came over Mr. Swift's face. He passed his hand across his +brow.</p> + +<p>"I am beginning to remember something I have been trying to recall ever +since I became ill," he said slowly. "It is coming back to me. Those +plans—in the library—I fell asleep, but before I did so I hid those +plans, Tom!"</p> + +<p>"You hid those plans!" Tom fairly shouted the words.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I remember feeling a drowsy feeling coming on, and I feared lest +some one might see the drawings. I got up and put them under the window, +in a little, hollow place in the foundation wall. Then I came back in +through the window again, and went to sleep. Then, on account of my +illness, just as I once before forgot something, and thought the +minister had called, I lost all recollection of them. I hid those +plans."</p> + +<p>Tom leaped to his feet. He rushed to the place named by his father. Soon +his triumphant shout told of his success. He came hurrying back into the +house with a roll of papers in his hands.</p> + +<p>And there were the long-missing plans! damp and stained by the weather, +but all there. No enemy had them, and Tom's secret was safe.</p> + +<p>"Now I can accept the Government offer!" he cried. And a few weeks later +he made a most advantageous deal with the United States officials for +his patents.</p> + +<p>Dr. Gladby explained that Mr. Swift's queer action was due to his +illness. He became liable to lapses of memory, and one happened just +after he hid away the plans. Even the hiding of them was caused by the +peculiar condition of his brain. He had opened the library window, +slipped oat with the papers, and hastened in again, to fall asleep in +his chair, during the short time Tom was gone.</p> + +<p>"And Andy Foger never took them at all," remarked Mary Nestor, when Tom +was telling her about it a few days afterward.</p> + +<p>"No. I guess I must apologize to him." Which Tom did, but Andy did not +receive it very graciously, especially as Tom accused him of trying to +destroy the Humming-Bird.</p> + +<p>Andy denied this and denied having anything to do with the mysterious +fire, and, as there was no way to prove him guilty, Tom could not +proceed against him. So the matter was dropped.</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift continued to improve, and was soon himself again, and able to +resume his inventive work. Tom received several offers to give +exhibition flights at big aero meets, but refused, as he was busy on his +new rifle. Mr. Damon helped him.</p> + +<p>Andy Foger made several successful flights in his queer aeroplane, which +turned out to be the product of a German genius who was supplied with +money by Mr. Foger. Andy became very proud, and boasted that he and the +German were going abroad to give flights in Europe.</p> + +<p>"I'd be glad if he would," said Tom, when he heard of the plan. "He +wouldn't bother me then."</p> + +<p>With the money received from winning the big race, and from his +contracts from the Government, Tom Swift was now in a fair way to become +quite wealthy. He was destined to have many more adventures; yet, come +what might, never would he forget the thrilling happenings that fell to +his lot while flying for the ten-thousand dollar prize in his sky racer.</p> +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Etext of Tom Swift And His Sky Racer +</pre> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/old/09tom10h.zip b/old/09tom10h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0a94183 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/09tom10h.zip diff --git a/old/09tom10l.lit b/old/09tom10l.lit Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..10851ae --- /dev/null +++ b/old/09tom10l.lit diff --git a/old/09tom10l.zip b/old/09tom10l.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..661f85a --- /dev/null +++ b/old/09tom10l.zip diff --git a/old/09tom10p.prc b/old/09tom10p.prc Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4b1b511 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/09tom10p.prc diff --git a/old/09tom10p.zip b/old/09tom10p.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..37a8f02 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/09tom10p.zip |