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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* + + + + + +The Etext was prepared for Project Gutenberg by Ronald Benninghoff +and proof read by Erin Hartshorn and George Joseph + + + + + +TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR-BOAT +Or The Rivals of Lake Carlopa + +By VICTOR APPLETON + + +CONTENTS + +I ----- A Motor-boat Auction +II ---- Some Lively Bidding +III --- A Timely Warning +IV ---- Tom And Andy Clash +V ----- A Test Of Speed +VI ---- Towing Some Girls +VII --- A Brush With Andy +VIII -- Off On A Trip +IX ---- Mr. Swift Is Alarmed +X ----- A Cry For Help +XI ---- A Quick Run +XII --- Suspicious Characters +XIII -- Tom In Danger +XIV --- The ARROW Disappears +XV ---- A Damaging Statement +XVI --- Still On The Search +XVII -- "There She Is!" +XVIII - The Pursuit +XIX --- A Quiet Cruise +XX ---- News Of A Robbery +XXI --- The Balloon On Fire +XXII -- The Rescue +XXIII - Plans For An Airship +XXIV -- The Mystery Solved +XXV --- Winning A Race + + + + +CHAPTER I + +A MOTOR-BOAT AUCTION + +"Where are you going, Tom?" asked Mr. Barton Swift of his son as +the young man was slowly pushing his motor-cycle out of the yard +toward the country road. "You look as though you had some object +in view." + +"So I have, dad. I'm going over to Lanton." + +"To Lanton? What for?" + +"I want to have a look at that motor-boat." + +"Which boat is that, Tom? I don't recall your speaking about a +boat over at Lanton. What do you want to look at it for?" + +"It's the motor-boat those fellows had who tried to get away with +your turbine model invention, dad. The one they used at the old +General Harkness mansion, in the woods near the lake, and the same +boat that fellow used when he got away from me the day I was +chasing him here." + +"Oh, yes, I remember now. But what is the boat doing over at +Lanton?" + +"That's where it belongs. It's the property of Mr. Bently +Hastings. The thieves stole it from him, and when they ran away +from the old mansion, the time Mr. Damon and I raided the place, +they left the boat on the lake. I turned it over to the county +authorities, and they found out it belonged to Mr. Hastings. He +has it back now, but I understand it's somewhat damaged, and he +wants to get rid of it. He's going to sell it at auction to-day, +and I thought I'd go over and take a look at it. You see--" + +"Yes, I see, Tom," exclaimed Mr. Swift with a laugh. "I see what +you're aiming at. You want a motor-boat, and you're going all +around Robin Hood's barn to get at it." + +"No, dad, I only--" + +"Oh, I know you, Tom, my lad!" interrupted the inventor, shaking +his finger at his son, who seemed somewhat confused. "You have a +nice rowing skiff and a sailboat, yet you are hankering for a +motor-boat. Come now, own up. Aren't you?" + +"Well, dad, a motor-boat certainly would go fine on Lake Carlopa. +There's plenty of room to speed her, and I wonder there aren't +more of them. I was going to see what Mr. Hastings' boat would +sell for, but I didn't exactly think of buying it' Still--" + +"But you wouldn't buy a damaged boat, would you?" + +"It isn't much damaged," and in his eagerness the young inventor +(for Tom Swift had taken out several patents) stood his +motor-cycle up against the fence and came closer to his father. +"It's only slightly damaged," he went on. "I can easily fix it. +I looked it all over before I gave it in charge of the +authorities, and it's certainly a fine boat. It's worth nine +hundred dollars--or it was when it was new." + +"That's a good deal of money for a boat," and Mr. Swift looked +serious, for though he was well off, he was inclined to be +conservative. + +"Oh, I shouldn't think of paying that much. In fact, dad, I +really had no idea of bidding at the auction. I only thought I'd +go over and get an idea of what the boat might sell for. Perhaps +some day--" + +Tom paused. Since his father had begun to question him some new +plans had come into the lad's head. He looked at his parent and +saw a smile beginning to work around the corners of Mr. Swift's +lips. There was also a humorous look in the eyes of the older +inventor. He understood boys fairly well, even if he only had +one, and he knew Tom perfectly. + +"Would you really like to make a bid on that boat Tom?" he asked. + +"Would I, dad? Well--" The youth did not finish, but his father +knew what he meant. + +"I suppose a motor-boat would be a nice thing to have on Lake +Carlopa," went on Mr. Swift musingly. "You and I could take +frequent trips in it. It isn't like a motor-cycle, only useful +for one. What do you suppose the boat will go for, Tom?" + +"I hardly know. Not a high price, I believe, for motor-boats are +so new on our lake that few persons will take a chance on them. +But if Mr. Hastings is getting another, he will not be so +particular about insisting on a high price for the old one. Then, +too, the fact that it is damaged will help to keep the price down, +though I know I can easily put it in good shape. I would like to +make a bid, if you think it's all right." + +Well, I guess you may, Tom, if you really want it. You have money +of your own and a motor-boat is not a bad investment. What do you +think ought to be the limit?" + +"Would you consider a hundred and fifty dollars too high?" + +Mr. Swift looked at Tom critically. He was plainly going over +several matters in his mind, and not the least of them was the +pluck his son had shown in getting back some valuable papers and a +model from a gang of thieves. The lad certainly was entitled to +some reward, and to allow him to get a boat might properly be part +of it. + +"I think you could safely go as high as two hundred dollars, Tom," +said Mr. Swift at length. "That would be my limit on a damaged +boat for it might be better to pay a little more and get a new +one. However, use your own judgment, but don't go over two +hundred. So the thieves who made so much trouble for me stole +that boat from Mr. Hastings, eh?" + +"Yes, and they didn't take much care of it either. They damaged +the engine, but the hull is in good shape. I'm ever so glad +you'll let me bid on it. I'll start right off. The auction is at +ten o'clock and I haven't more than time to get there." + +"Now be careful how you bid. Don't raise your own figures, as +I've sometimes seen women, and men too, do in their excitement. +Somebody may go over your head; and if he does, let them. If you +get the boat I'll be very glad on your account. But don't bring +any of Anson Morse's gang back in it with you. I've seen enough +of them." + +"I'll not dad!" cried Tom as he trundled his motor-cycle out of +the gate and into the country road that led to the village of +Shopton, where he lived, and to Lanton, where the auction was to +be held. The young inventor had not gone far before he turned +back, leaving his machine standing on the side path. + +"What's the matter?" asked his father, who had started toward one +of several machine shops on the premises--shops where Mr. Swift +and his son did inventive work. + +"Guess I'd better get a blank check and some money," replied Tom +as he entered the house. "I'll need to pay a deposit if I secure +the boat." + +"That's so. Well, good luck," and with his mind busy on a plan +for a new kind of storage battery, the inventor went on to his +workroom. Tom got some cash and his checkbook from a small safe +he owned and was soon speeding over the road to Lanton, his motor- +cycle making quite a cloud of dust. While he is thus hurrying +along to the auction I will tell you something about him. + +Tom Swift, son of Barton Swift, lived with his father and a +motherly housekeeper, Mrs. Baggert, in a large house on the +outskirts of the town of Shopton, in New York State. Mr. Swift +had acquired considerable wealth from his many inventions and +patents, but he did not give up working out his ideas simply +because he had plenty of money. Tom followed in the footsteps of +his parent and had already taken out several patents. + +Shortly before this story opens the youth had become possessed of +a motor-cycle in a peculiar fashion. As told in the first volume +of this series, entitled "Tom Swift and His Motor-cycle," Tom was +riding to the town of Mansburg on an errand for his father one day +when he was nearly run down by a motorcyclist. A little later the +same motorcyclist, who was a Mr. Wakefield Damon, of Waterfield, +collided with a tree near Tom's home and was severely cut and +bruised, the machine being broken. Tom and his father cared for +the injured rider, and Mr. Damon, who was an eccentric individual, +was so disheartened by his attempts to ride the motor-cycle that +he sold it to Tom for fifty dollars, though it had cost much more. + +About the same time that Tom bought the motor-cycle a firm of +rascally lawyers, Smeak & Katch by name, had, in conjunction with +several men, made an attempt to get control of an invention of a +turbine motor perfected by Mr. Swift. The men, who were Ferguson +Appleson, Anson Morse, Wilson Featherton, alias Simpson, and Jake +Burke, alias Happy Harry, who sometimes disguised himself as a +tramp, tried several times to steal the model. + +Their anxiety to get it was due to the fact that they had invested +a large sum in a turbine motor invented by another man, but their +motor would not work and they sought to steal Mr. Swift's. Tom +was sent to Albany on his motor-cycle to deliver the model and +some valuable papers to Mr. Crawford, of the law firm of Reid & +Crawford, of Washington, attorneys for Mr. Swift. Mr. Crawford +had an errand in Albany and had agreed to meet Tom there with the +model. + +But, on the way, Tom was attacked by the gang of unscrupulous men +and the model was stolen. He was assaulted and carried far away +in an automobile. In an attempt to capture the gang in a deserted +mansion, in the woods on the shore of Lake Carlopa, Tom was aided +by Mr. Damon, of whom he had purchased the motor-cycle. The men +escaped, however, and nothing could be done to punish them. + +Tom was thinking of the exciting scenes he had passed through +about a month previous as he spun along the road leading to +Lanton. + +"I hope I don't meet Happy Harry or any of his gang to-day," mused +the lad as he turned on a little more power to enable his machine +to mount a hill. "I don't believe they'll attend the auction, +though. It would be too risky for them." + +As Tom swung along at a rapid pace he heard, behind him, the +puffing of an automobile, with the muffler cut out. He turned and +cast a hasty glance behind. + +"I hope that ain't Andy Foger or any of his cronies," he said to +himself. "He might try to run me down just for spite. He +generally rushes along with the muffler open so as to attract +attention and make folks think he has a racing car." + +It was not Andy, however, as Tom saw a little later, as a man +passed him in a big touring car. Andy Foger, as my readers will +recollect, was a red-haired, squinty-eyed lad with plenty of money +and not much else. He and his cronies, including Sam Snedecker, +nearly ran Tom down one day, when the latter was on his bicycle, +as told in the first volume of this series. Andy had been off on +a tour with his chums during the time when Tom was having such +strenuous adventures and had recently returned. + +"If I can only get that boat," mused Tom as he swung back into the +middle of the road after the auto had passed him, "I certainly +will have lots of fun. I'll make a week's tour of Lake Carlopa +and take dad and Ned Newton with me." Ned was Tom's most +particular chum, but as young Newton was employed in the Shopton +bank, the lad did not have much time for pleasure. Lake Carlopa +was a large body of water, and it would take a moderately powered +boat several days to make a complete circuit of the shore, so cut +up into bays and inlets was it. + +In about an hour Tom was at Lanton, and as he neared the home of +Mr. Hastings, which was on the shore of the lake, he saw quite a +throng going down toward the boathouse. + +"There'll be some lively bidding," thought Tom as he got off his +machine and pushed it ahead of him through the drive and down +toward the river. I hope they don't go above two hundred dollars, +though." + +"Get out the way there!" called a sudden voice, and looking back, +Tom saw that an automobile had crept up silently behind him. In +it were Andy Foger and Sam Snedecker. "Why don't you get out the +way?" petulantly demanded the red-haired lad. + +"Because I don't choose to," replied Tom calmly, knowing that Andy +would never dare to speed up his machine on the slope leading down +to the lake. + +"Go ahead, bump him!" the young inventor heard Sam whisper. + +"You'd better try it, if you want to get the best trouncing you +ever had!" cried Tom hotly. + +"Hu! I s'pose you think you're going to bid on the boat?" sneered +Andy. + +"Is there any law against it?" asked Tom. + +"Hu! Well, you'll not get it. I'm going to take that boat," +retorted the squint-eyed bully. "Dad gave me the money to get +it." + +"All right," answered Tom non-committally. "Go ahead. It's a +free country." + +He stood his motor-cycle up against a tree and went toward a group +of persons who were surrounding the auctioneer. The time had +arrived to start the sale. As Tom edged in closer he brushed +against a man who looked at him sharply. The lad was just +wondering if he had ever seen the individual before, as there +seemed to be something strangely familiar about him, when the man +turned quickly away, as if afraid of being recognized. + +"That's odd," thought Tom, but he had no further time for +speculation, as the auctioneer was mounting on a soapbox and had +begun to address the gathering. + + +CHAPTER II + +SOME LIVELY BIDDING + +"Attention, people!" cried the auctioneer. "Give me your +attention for a few minutes, and we will proceed with the business +in hand. As you all know, I am about to dispose of a fine motor- +boat, the property of Mr. Bently Hastings. The reason for +disposing of it at auction is known to most of you, but for the +benefit of those who do not, I will briefly state them. The boat +was stolen by a gang of thieves and recovered recently through the +efforts of a young man, Thomas Swift, son of Barton Swift, our +fellow-townsman, of Shopton." At that moment the auctioneer, Jacob +Wood, caught sight of Tom in the press, and, looking directly at +the lad, continued: + +"I understand that young Mr. Swift is here to-day, and I hope he +intends to bid on this boat. If he does, the bidding will be +lively, for Tom Swift is a lively young man. I wish I could say +that some of the men who stole the boat were here to-day." + +The auctioneer paused and there were some murmurs from those in +the throng as to why such a wish should be uttered. Tom felt some +one moving near him, and, looking around, he saw the same man with +whom he had come in contact before. The person seemed desirous of +getting out on the edge of the crowd, and Tom felt a return of his +vague suspicions. He looked closely at the fellow, but could +trace no resemblance to any of the men who had so daringly stolen +his father's model. + +"The reason I wish they were here to-day," went on Mr. Wood, "is +that the men did some slight damage to the boat, and if they were +here to-day we would make them pay for it. However, the damage is +slight and can easily be repaired. I mention that, as Mr. +Hastings desired me to. Now we will proceed with the bidding, and +I will say that an opportunity will first be given all to examine +the boat. Perhaps Tom Swift will give us his opinion on the state +it is in as we know he is well qualified to talk about machinery." + +All eyes were turned on Tom, for many knew him. + +"Humph! I guess I know as much about boats and motors as he does," +sneered Andy Foger. 'He isn't the only one in this crowd! Why +didn't the auctioneer ask me?" + +"Keep quiet," begged Sam Snedecker. "People are laughing at you, +Andy." + +"I don't care if they are," muttered the sandy haired youth. "Tom +Swift needn't think he's everything." + +"If you will come down to the dock," went on the auctioneer, "you +can all see the boat, and I would be glad to have young Mr. Swift +give us the benefit of his advice." + +The throng trooped down to the lake, and, blushing somewhat, Tom +told what was the matter with the motor and how it could be fixed. +It was noticed that there was less enthusiasm over the matter than +there had been, for certainly the engine, rusty and out of order +as it was, did not present an attractive sight. Tom noted that +the man, who had acted so strangely, did not come down to the +dock. + +"Guess he can't be much interested in the motor," decided Tom. + +"Now then, if it's all the same to you folks, I'll proceed with +the auction here," went on Mr. Wood. "You can all see the boat +from here. It is, as you see, a regular family launch and will +carry twelve persons comfortably. With a canopy fitted to it a +person could cruise all about the lake and stay out over night, +for you could sleep on the seat cushions. It is twenty-one feet +in length and has a five-and-a-half-foot beam, the design being +what is known as a compromise stern. The motor is a double- +cylinder two-cycle one, of ten horsepower. It has a float-feed +carburetor, mechanical oiler, and the ignition system is the jump- +spark--the best for this style of motor. The boat will make ten +miles an hour, with twelve in, and, of course, more than that with +a lighter load. A good deal will depend on the way the motor is +managed. + +"Now, as you know, Mr. Hastings wishes to dispose of the boat +partly because he does not wish to repair it and partly because he +has a newer and larger one. The craft, which is named CARLOPA by +the way, cost originally nine hundred dollars. It could not be +purchased new to day, in many places, for a thousand. Now what am +I offered in its present condition? Will any one make an offer? +Will you give me five hundred dollars?" + +The auctioneer paused and looked critically at the throng. +Several persons smiled. Tom looked worried. He had no idea that +the price would start so high. + +"Well, perhaps that is a bit stiff," went on Mr. Wood. "Shall we +say four hundred dollars? Come now, I'm sure it's worth four +hundred. Who'll start it at four hundred?" + +No one would, and the auctioneer descended to three hundred, then +to two and finally, as if impatient, he called out: + +"Well, will any one start at fifty dollars?" + +Instantly there were several cries of "I will!" + +"I thought you would," went on the auctioneer. "Now we will get +down to work. I'm offered fifty dollars for this twenty-one foot, +ten horsepower family launch. Will any one make it sixty?" + +"Sixty!" called out Andy Foger in a shrill voice. Several turned +to look at him. + +"I didn't know he was going to bid," thought Tom. "He may go +above me. He's got plenty of money, and, while I have too, I'm +not going to pay too much for a damaged boat." + +"Sixty I'm bid, sixty--sixty!" cried Mr. Wood in a sing-song +tone, "who'll make it seventy?" + +"Sixty-five!" spoke a quiet voice at Tom's elbow, and he turned to +see the mysterious man who had joined the crowd at the edge of the +lake. + +"Sixty-five from the gentleman in the white straw hat!" called Mr. +Wood with a smile at his wit, for there were many men wearing +white straw hats, the day being a warm one in June. + +"Here, who's bidding above me?" exclaimed Andy, as if it was +against the law. + +"I guess you'll find a number going ahead of you, my young +friend," remarked the auctioneer. "Will you have the goodness not +to interrupt me, except when you want to bid?" + +"Well, I offered sixty," said the squint-eyed bully, while his +crony, Sam Snedecker, was vainly, pulling at his sleeve. + +"I know you did, and this gentleman went above you. If you want +to bid more you can do so. I'm offered sixty-five, sixty-five I'm +offered for this boat. Will any one make it seventy-five?" + +Mr. Wood looked at Tom, and our hero, thinking it was time for +him to make a bid, offered seventy. "Seventy from Tom Swift!" +cried the auctioneer. "There is a lad who knows a motor-boat +from stem to stern, if those are the right words. I don't know +much about boats except what I'm told, but Tom Swift does. Now, +if he bids, you people ought to know that it's all right. I'm +bid seventy--seventy I'm bid. Will any one make it eighty?" + +"Eighty!" exclaimed Andy Foger after a whispered conference with +Sam. "I know as much about boats as Tom Swift. I'll make it +eighty." + +"No side remarks. I'll do most of the talking. You just bid, +young man," remarked Mr. Wood. "I have eighty bid for this +boat--eighty dollars. Why, my friends, I can't understand this. +I ought to have it up to three hundred dollars, at least. But I +thank you all the same. We are coming on. I'm bid eighty--" + +"Ninety!" exclaimed the quiet man at Tom's elbow. He was +continually fingering his upper lip, as though he had a mustache +there, but his face was clean-shaven. He looked around nervously +as he spoke. + +"Ninety!" called out the auctioneer. + +"Ninety-five!" returned Tom. Andy Foger scowled at him, but the +young inventor only smiled. It was evident that the bully did not +relish being bid against. He and his crony whispered together +again. + +"One hundred!" called Andy, as if no one would dare go above that. + +"I'm offered an even hundred," resumed Mr. Wood. "We are +certainly coming on. A hundred I am bid, a hundred--a hundred--a +hundred--" + +"And five," said the strange man hastily, and he seemed to choke +as he uttered the words. + +"Oh, come now; we ought to have at least ten-dollar bids from now +on," suggested Mr. Wood. "Won't you make it a hundred and ten?" +The auctioneer looked directly at the man, who seemed to shrink +back into the crowd. He shook his head, cast a sort of despairing +look at the boat and hurried away. + +"That's queer," murmured Tom. "I guess that was his limit, yet if +he wanted the boat badly that wasn't a high price." + +"Who's going ahead of me?" demanded Andy in loud tones. + +"Keep quiet!" urged Sam. "We may get it yet." + +"Yes, don't make so many remarks," counseled the auctioneer. "I'm +bid a hundred and five. Will any one make it a hundred and +twenty-five?" + +Tom wondered why the man bad not remained to see if his bid was +accepted, for no one raised it at once, but he hurried off and did +not look back. Tom took a sudden resolve. + +"A hundred and twenty-five!" he called out. + +"That's what I like to hear," exclaimed Mr. Wood. "Now we are +doing business. A hundred and twenty-five from Tom Swift. Will +any one offer me fifty?" + +Andy and Sam seemed to be having some dispute. + +"Let's make him quit right now," suggested Andy in a hoarse +whisper. + +"You can't," declared Sam' + +"Yes, I can. I'll go up to my limit right now." + +"And some one will go above you---maybe Tom will," was Sam's +retort. + +"I don't believe he can afford to," Andy came back with. "I'm +going to call his bluffs. I believe he's only bidding to make +others think he wants it. I don't believe he'll buy it." + +Tom heard what was said, but did not reply. The auctioneer was +calling monotonously: "I'm bid a hundred and twenty-five--twenty-five. +Will any one make it fifty?" + +"A hundred and fifty!" sang out Andy, and all eyes were directed +toward him. + +"Sixty!" said Tom quietly. + +"Here, you--" began the red-haired lad. You--" + +"That will do!" exclaimed the auctioneer sternly. "I am offered a +hundred and sixty. Now who will give me an advance? I want to get +the boat up to two hundred, and then the real bidding will begin." + +Tom's heart sank. He hoped it would be some time before a two +hundred dollar offer would be heard. As for Andy Foger, he was +almost speechless with rage. He shook off the restraining arm of +Sam, and, worming his way to the front of the throng, exclaimed: + +"I'll give a hundred and seventy-five dollars for that boat!" + +"Good!" cried the auctioneer. "That's the way to talk. I'm +offered a hundred and seventy-five." + +"Eighty," said Tom quietly, though his heart was beating fast. + +"Well, of all--" began Andy, but Sam Snedecker dragged him back. + +"You haven't got any more money," said the bully's crony. +"Better stop now." + +"I will not! I'm going home for more," declared Andy. "I must +have that boat." + +"It will be sold when you get back," said Sam. + +"Haven't you got any money you can lend me?" inquired the squint- +eyed one, scowling in Tom's direction. + +"No, not a bit. There, some one raised Tom's bid." + +At that moment a man in the crowd offered a hundred and eighty-one +dollars. + +"Small amounts thankfully received," said Mr. Wood with a laugh. +Then the bidding became lively, a number making one-dollar +advances. + +The price got up to one hundred and ninety-five dollars and there +it hung for several minutes, despite the eloquence of Mr. Wood, +who tried by all his persuasive powers to get a substantial +advance. But every one seemed afraid to bid. As for the young +inventor, he was in a quandary. He could only offer five dollars +more, and, if he bid it in a lump, some one might go to two +hundred and five, and he would not get the boat. He wished he had +secured permission from his father to go higher, yet he knew that +as a fair proposition two hundred dollars was about all the motor- +boat in its present condition was worth, at least to him. Then he +made a sudden resolve. He thought he might as well have the +suspense over. + +"Two hundred dollars!" he called boldly. + +"I'm offered two hundred!" repeated Mr. Wood. "That is something +like it. Now who will raise that?" + +There was a moment of silence. Then the auctioneer swung into an +enthusiastic description of the boat. He begged for an advance, +but none was made, though Tom's heart seemed in his throat, so +afraid was he that he would not get the CARLOPA. + +"Two hundred--two hundred!" droned on Mr. Wood. "I am offered +two hundred. Will any of you go any higher?" He paused a moment, +and Tom's heart beat harder than ever. "If not," resumed the +speaker, "I will declare the bidding closed. Are you all done? +Once--twice--three times. Two hundred dollars. Going--going--gone!" +He clapped his hands. "The boat is sold to Thomas Swift for two +hundred dollars. If he'll step up I'll take his money." + +There was a laugh as Tom, blushingly, advanced. He passed Andy +Foger, who had worked his way over near him. + +"You got the boat," sneered the bully, "and I s'pose you think you +got ahead of me." + +"Keep quiet!" begged Sam. + +"I won't!" exclaimed Andy. "He outbid me just out of spite, and +I'll get even with him. You see if I don't!" + +Tom looked Andy Foger straight in the eyes, but did not answer, +and the red-haired youth turned aside, followed by his crony, and +started toward his automobile. + +"I congratulate you on your bargain," said Mr. Wood as Tom +proceeded to make out a check. He gave little thought to the +threat Andy Foger had made, but the time was coming when he was to +remember it well. + + +CHAPTER III + +A TIMELY WARNING + +"Well, are you satisfied with your bargain, Tom?" asked Mr. Wood +when the formalities about transferring the ownership of the +motor-boat had been completed. + +"Oh, yes, I calculated to pay just what I did." + +"I'm glad you're satisfied, for Mr. Hastings told me to be sure +the purchaser was satisfied. Here he comes now. I guess he +wasn't at the auction." + +An elderly gentleman was approaching Mr. Wood and Tom. Most of +the throng was dispersing, but the young inventor noticed that +Andy Foger and Sam Snedecker stood to one side, regarding him +closely. + +"So you got my boat," remarked the former owner of the craft. "I +hope you will be able to fix it up." + +"Oh, I think I shall," answered the new owner of the CARLOPA. "If +I can't, father will help me." + +"Yes, you have an advantage there. Are you going to keep the same +name?" and Mr. Hastings seemed quite interested in what answer the +lad would make. + +"I think not," replied Tom. "It's a good name, but I want +something that tells more what a fast boat it is, for I'm going to +make some changes that will increase the speed." + +"That's a good idea. Call it the Swift." + +"Folks would say I was stuck up if I did that," retorted the youth +quickly. "I think I shall call it the ARROW. That's a good, +short name, and--" + +"It's certainly speedy," interrupted Mr. Hastings. "Well now, +since you're not going to use the name CARLOPA, would you mind if +I took it for my new boat? I have a fancy for it." + +"Not in the least," said Tom. "Don't you want the letters from +each side of the bow to put on your new craft?" + +"It's very kind of you to offer them, and, since you will have no +need for them, I'll be glad to take them off." + +"Come down to my boat," invited Tom, using the word "my" with a +proper pride, "and I'll take off the brass letters. I have a +screw driver in my motor-cycle tool bag." + +As the former and present owners of the ARROW (which is the name +by which I shall hereafter designate Tom's motor-boat) walked down +toward the dock where it was moored the young inventor gave a +startled cry. + +"What's the matter?" asked Mr. Hastings. + +"That man! See him at my motor-boat?" cried Tom. He pointed to +the craft in the lake. A man was in the cockpit and seemed to be +doing something to the forward bulkhead, which closed off the +compartment holding the gasoline tank. + +"Who is he?" asked Mr. Hastings, while Tom started on a run toward +the boat. + +"I don't know. Some man who bid on the boat at the auction, but +who didn't go high enough," answered the lad. As he neared the +craft the man sprang out, ran along the lakeshore for a short +distance and then disappeared amid the bushes which bordered the +estate of Mr. Hastings. Tom hurriedly entered the ARROW. + +"Did he do any damage?" asked Mr. Hastings. + +"I guess he didn't have time," responded Tom. "But he was +tampering with the lock on the door of the forward compartment. +What's in there?" + +"Nothing but the gasoline tank. I keep the bulkhead sliding door +locked on general principles. I can't imagine what the fellow +would want to open it for. There's nothing of value in there. +Perhaps he isn't right in his head. Was he a tramp?" + +"No, he was well dressed but he seemed very nervous during the +auction, as if he was disappointed not to have secured the boat. +Yet what could he want in that compartment? Have you the key to +the lock, Mr. Hastings?" + +"Yes, it belongs to you now, Mr. Swift," and the former owner +handed it to Tom, who quickly unlocked the compartment. He slid +back the door and peered within, but all he saw was the big +galvanized tank. + +"Nothing in there he could want," commented the former owner of +the craft. + +"No," agreed Tom in a low voice. "I don't see what he wanted to +open the door for." But the time was to come, and not far off, +when Tom was to discover quite a mystery connected with the +forward compartment of his boat, and the solution of it was fated +to bring him into no little danger. + +"It certainly is odd," went on Mr. Hastings when, after Tom had +secured the screw driver from his motor-cycle tool bag, he aided +the lad in removing the letters from the bow of the boat "Are you +sure you don't know the man?" + +"No, I never saw him before. At first I thought his voice sounded +like one of the members of the Happy Harry gang, but when I looked +squarely at him I could not see a bit of resemblance. Besides, +that gang would not venture again into this neighborhood." + +"No, I imagine not. Perhaps he was only a curious, meddlesome +person. I have frequently been bothered by such individuals. +They want to see all the working parts of an automobile or motor- +boat, and they don't care what damage they do by investigating." + +Tom did not reply, but he was pretty certain that the man in +question had more of an object than mere curiosity in tampering +with the boat. However, he could discover no solution just then, +and he proceeded with the work of taking off the letters. + +"What are you going to do with your boat, now that you have it?" +asked Mr. Hastings. "Can you run it down to your dock in the +condition in which it is now?" + +"No, I shall have to go back home, get some tools and fix up the +motor. It will take half a day, at least. I will come back this +afternoon and, have the boat at my house by night. That is if I +may leave it at your dock here." + +"Certainly, as long as you like." + +The young inventor had many things to think about as he rode +toward home, and though he was somewhat puzzled over the actions +of the stranger, he forgot about that in anticipating the pleasure +he would have when the motor-boat was in running order. + +"I'll take dad off on a cruise about the lake," he decided. "He +needs a rest, for he's been working hard and worrying over the +theft of the turbine motor model. I'll take Ned Newton for some +rides, too, and he can bring his camera along and get a lot of +pictures. Oh, I'll have some jolly sport this summer!" + +Tom was riding swiftly along a quiet country road and was +approaching a steep hill, which he could not see until he was +close to it, owing to a sharp turn. + +As he was about to swing around it and coast swiftly down the +steep declivity he was startled by hearing a voice calling to him +from the bushes at the side of the road. + +"Hold on, dar I Hold on, Mistah Swift!" cried a colored man, +suddenly popping into view. "Doan't go down dat hill." + +"Why, it's Eradicate Sampson!" exclaimed Tom, quickly shutting off +the power and applying the brakes. "What's the matter, Rad? Why +shouldn't I go down that hill?" + +"Beca'se, Mistah Swift, dere's a pow'ful monstrous tree trunk +right across de road at a place whar yo' cain't see it till yo' +gits right on top ob it. Ef yo' done hit dat ar tree on yo' +lickity-split machine, yo' suah would land in kingdom come. +Doan't go down dat hill!" + +Tom leaped off his machine and approached the colored man. +Eradicate Sampson did odd jobs in the neighborhood of Shopton, and +more than once Tom had done him favors in repairing his lawn mower +or his wood-sawing machine. In turn Eradicate had given Tom a +valuable clue as to the hiding place of the model thieves. + +"How'd the log get across the road, Rad?" asked Tom. + +"I dunno, Mistah Swift. I see it when I come along wid mah mule, +Boomerang, an' I tried t' git it outer de way, but I couldn't. +Den I left Boomerang an' mah wagon at de foot ob de hill an' I +come up heah t' git a long pole t' pry de log outer de way. I +didn't t'ink nobody would come along, case dis road ain't much +trabeled." + +"I took it for a short cut," said the lad. "Come on, let's take a +look at the log." + +Leaving his machine at the top of the slope, the young inventor +accompanied the colored man 'down the hill. At the foot of it, +well hidden from sight of any one who might come riding down, was +a big log. It was all the way across the road. + +"That never fell there," exclaimed Tom in some excitement. "That +never rolled off a load of logs, even if there had been one along, +which there wasn't. That log was put there!" + +"Does yo' t'ink dat, Mistah Swift?" asked Eradicate, his eyes +getting big. + +"I certainly do, and, if you hadn't warned me, I might have been +killed." + +"Oh, I heard yo' lickity-split machine chug-chuggin' along when I +were in de bushes, lookin' for a pryin' pole, an' I hurried out to +warn yo. I knowed I could leave Boomerang safe, 'case he's +asleep." + +"I'm glad you did warn me," went on the youth solemnly. Then, as +he went closer to the log, he uttered an exclamation. + +"That has been dragged here by an automobile!" he cried. "It's +been done on purpose to injure some one. Come on, Rad, let's see +if we can't find out who did it." + +Something on the ground caught Tom's eye. He stooped and picked +up a nickle-plated wrench. + +"This may come in handy as evidence," he murmured. + + +CHAPTER IV + +TOM AND ANDY CLASH + +Even a casual observer could have told that an auto had had some +part in dragging the log to the place where it blockaded the road. +In the dust were many marks of the big rubber tires and even the +imprint of a rope, which had been used to tow the tree trunk. + +"What fo' yo' t'ink any one put dat log dere?" asked the colored +man as he followed Tom. Boomerang, the mule, so called because +Eradicate said you never could tell what he was going to do, +opened his eyes lazily and closed them again. "I don't know why, +Rad, unless they wanted to wreck an automobile or a wagon. Maybe +tramps did it for spite." + +"Maybe some one done it to make yo' hab trouble, Mistah Swift." + +"No, I hardly think so. I don't know of any one who would want to +make trouble for me, and how would they know I was coming this +way--" + +Tom suddenly checked himself. The memory of the scene at the +auction came back to him and he recalled what Andy Foger had said +about "'getting even." + +"Which way did dat auto go?" resumed Eradicate. + +"It came from down the road," answered Tom, not completing the +sentence he had left unfinished. "They dragged the log up to the +foot of the hill and left it. Then the auto went down this way." +It was comparatively easy, for a lad of such sharp observation as +was Tom, to trace the movements of the vehicle. + +"Den if it's down heah, maybe we cotch 'em," suggested the colored +man. + +The young inventor did not answer at once. He was hurrying along, +his eyes on the telltale marks. He had proceeded some distance +from the place where the log was when he uttered a cry. At the +same moment he hurried from the road toward a thick clump of +bushes that were in the ditch alongside of the highway. Reaching +them, he parted the leaves and called: + +"Here's the auto, Rad!" + +The colored man ran up, his eyes wider open than ever. There, +hidden amid the bushes, was a large touring car. + +"Whose am dat?" asked Eradicate. + +Tom did not answer. He penetrated the underbrush, noting where +the broken branches had been bent upright after the forced +entrance of the car, the better to hide it. The young inventor +was, seeking some clew to discover the owner of the machine. To +this end he climbed up in the tonneau and was looking about when +some one burst in through the screen of bushes and a voice cried: +"Here, you get out of my car!" + +"Oh, is it your car, Andy Foger?" asked Tom calmly as he +recognized his squint-eyed rival. "I was just beginning to think +it was. Allow me to return your wrench," and he held out the one +he had picked up near the log. "The next time you drag trees +across the road," went on the lad in the tonneau, facing the angry +and dismayed Andy, "I'd advise you to post a notice at the top of +the hill, so persons riding down will not be injured." "Notice-- +road--hill--logs!" stammered Andy, turning red under his freckles. + +"That's what I said," replied Tom coolly. + +"I--I didn't have anything to do with putting a log across any +road," mumbled the bully. "I--I've been off toward the creek." + +"Have you?" asked Tom with a peculiar smile. + +"I thought you might have been looking for the wrench you dropped +near the log. You should be more careful and so should Sam +Snedecker, who's hiding outside the bushes," went on our hero, for +he had caught sight of the form of Andy's crony. "I--I told him +not to do it!" exclaimed Sam as he came from his hiding place. + +"Shut up!" exclaimed Andy desperately. + +"Oh, I think I know your secret," continued the young inventor. +"You wanted to get even with me for outbidding you on the motor- +boat. You watched which road I took, and then, in your auto, you +came a shorter way, ahead of me. You hauled the log across the +foot of the hill, hoping, I suppose, that my machine would be +broken. But, let me tell you, it was a risky trick. Not only +might I have been killed, but so would whoever else who happened +to drive down the slope over the log, whether in a wagon or +automobile. Fortunately Eradicate discovered it in time and +warned me. I ought to have you arrested, but you're not worth it. +A good thrashing is what such sneaks as you deserve!" + +"You haven't got any evidence against us," sneered Andy +confidently, his old bravado coming back. + +"I have all I want," replied Tom. "You needn't worry. I'm not +going to tell the police. But you've got to do one thing or I'll +make you sorry you ever tried this trick. Eradicate will help me, +to don't think you're going to escape." + +"You get out of my automobile!" demanded Andy. "I'll have you +arrested if you don't." + +"I'll get out because I'm ready to, but not on account of your +threats," retorted Mr. Swift's son. "Here's your wrench. Now I +want you and Sam to start up this machine and haul that log out of +the way." + +"S'pose I won't do it?" snapped Andy. + +"Then I'll cause your arrest, besides thrashing you into the +bargain! You can take your choice of removing the log so travelers +can pass or having a good hiding, you and Sam. Eradicate, you +take Sam and I'll tackle Andy." + +"Don't you dare touch me!" cried the bully, but there was a whine +in his tones. + +"You let me alone or I'll tell my father!" added Sam. "I--I +didn't have nothin' to do with it, anyhow. I told Andy it would +make trouble, but he made me help him." + +"Say, what's the matter with you?" demanded Andy indignantly of +his crony. "Do you want to--" + +"I wish I'd never come with you," went on Sam, who was beginning +to be frightened. + +"Come now. Start up that machine and haul the log out of the +way," demanded Tom again. + +"I won't do it!" retorted the red-haired lad impudently. + +"Yes, you will," insisted our hero, and he took a step toward the +bully. They were out of the clump of bushes now and in the +roadside ditch. "You let me alone," almost screamed Andy, and in +his baffled rage he rushed at Tom, aiming a blow. + +The young inventor quickly stepped to one side, and, as the bully +passed him, Tom sent out a neat left-hander. Andy Foger went down +in a heap on the grass. + + +CHAPTER V + +A TEST OF SPEED + +Whether Tom or Andy was the most surprised at the happening would +be hard to say. The former had not meant to hit so hard and he +certainly did not intend to knock the squint-eyed youth down. The +latter's fall was due, as much as anything, to his senseless, +rushing tactics and to the fact that he slipped on the green +grass. The bully was up in a moment, however, but he knew better +than to try conclusions with Tom again. Instead he stood out of +reach and spluttered: + +"You just wait, Tom Swift! You just wait!" + +"Well, I'm waiting," responded the other calmly. + +"I'll get even with you," went on Andy. "You think you're smart +because you got ahead of me, but I'll get square!" + +"Look here!" burst out the young inventor determinedly, taking a +step toward his antagonist, at which Andy quickly retreated, "I +don't want any more of that talk from you, Andy Foger. That's +twice you've made threats against me to-day. You put that log +across the road, and if you try anything like it for your second +attempt I'll make you wish you hadn't. That applies to you, too, +Sam," he added, glancing at the other lad. + +"I--I ain't gone' to do nothin'," declared Sam. + +"I told Andy not to put that tree--" + +"Keep still, can't you!" shouted the bully. "Come on. We'll get +even with him, that's all," he muttered as he went back into the +bushes where the auto was. Andy cranked up and he and his crony +getting into the car were about to start off. + +"Hold on!" cried Tom. "You'll take that log from across the road +or I'll have you arrested for obstructing traffic, and that's a +serious offense." + +"I'm goin' to take it away!" growled Andy. "Give a fellow a show +can't you?" + +He cast an ugly look at Tom, but the latter only smiled. It was +no easy task for Sam and Andy to pull the log out of the way, as +they could hardly lift it to slip the rope under. But they +finally managed it, and, by the power of the car, hauled it to one +side. Then they speed off. + +"I 'clar t' gracious, dem young fellers am most as mean an' +contrary as mah mule Boomerang am sometimes," observed Eradicate. +"Only Boomerang ain't quite so mean as dat." + +"I should hope not, Rad," observed Tom. "I'm ever so much obliged +for your warning. I guess I'll be getting, home now. Come around +next week; we have some work for you." + +"'Deed an' I will," replied the colored man. "I'll come around +an' eradicate all de dirt on yo' place, Mistah Swift. Yais, sah, +I's Eradicate by name, and dat's my perfession--eradicatin' dirt. +Much obleeged, I'll call around. Giddap, Boomerang!" + +The mule lazily flicked his ears, but did not stir, and Tom, +knowing the process of arousing the animal would take some time, +hurried up the hill to where he had left his motor-cycle. +Eradicate was still engaged on the task of trying to arouse his +steed to a sense of its duty when the young inventor flashed by on +his way home. + +"So now you own a broken motor-boat," observed Mr. Swift when Tom +had related the circumstances of the auction. "Well, now you have +it, what are you going to do with it?" + +"Fix it, first of all," replied his son. "It needs considerable +tinkering up, but nothing but what I can do, if you'll help me." + +"Of course I will. Do you think you can get any speed out of it?" + +"Well, I'm not so anxious for speed. I wart a good, comfortable +boat, and the ARROW will be that. I've named it, you see. I'm +going back to Lanton this afternoon, take some tools along, and +repair it so I can run the boat over to here. Then I'll get at it +and fix it up. I've got a plan for you, dad." + +"What is it?" asked the inventor, his rather tired face lighting +up with interest. + +"I'm going to take you on a vacation trip." + +"A vacation trip?" + +"Yes, you need a rest. You've been working, too hard over that +gyroscope invention." + +"Yes, Tom, I think I have," admitted Mr. Swift. "But I am very +much interested in it, and I think I can get it to work. If I do +it will make a great difference in the control of aeroplanes. It +will make them more stable able to fly in almost any wind. But I +certainly have puzzled my brains over some features of it. +However, I don't quite see what you mean." + +"You need a rest, dad," said Mr. Swift's son kindly. "I want you +to forget all about patents, invention, machinery and even the +gyroscope for a week or two. When I get my motor-boat in shape +I'm going to take you and Ned Newton up the lake for a cruise. We +can camp out, or, if we had to, we could sleep in the boat. I'm +going to put a canopy on it and arrange some bunks. It will do +you good and perhaps new ideas for your gyroscope may come to you +after a rest." + +"Perhaps they will, Tom. I am certainly tired enough to need a +vacation. It's very kind of you to think of me in connection with +your boat. But if you're going to get it this afternoon you'd +better start if you expect to get back by night. I think Mrs. +Baggert has dinner ready." + +After the meal Tom selected a number of tools from his, own +particular machine shop and carried them down to the dock on the +lake, where his two small boats were tied. + +"Aren't you going back on your motor-cycle" asked his father. "No, +Dad, I'm going to row over to Lanton, and, if I can get the ARROW +fixed, 'I'll tow my rowboat back." + +"Very well, then you won't be in any danger from Andy Foger. I +must speak to his father about him." + +"No, dad, don't," exclaimed the young inventor quickly. "I can +fight my own battles with Andy. I don't fancy he will bother me +again right away." + +Tom found it more of a task than he had anticipated to get the +motor in shape to run the ARROW back under her own power. The +magneto was out of order and the batteries needed renewing, while +the spark coil had short-circuited and took considerable time to +adjust. But by using some new dry cells, which Mr. Hastings gave +him, and cutting out the magneto, or small dynamo which produces +the spark that exploded the gasoline in the cylinders, Tom soon +had a fine, "fat" hot spark from the auxiliary ignition system. +Then, adjusting the timer and throttle on the engine and seeing +that the gasoline tank was filled, the lad started up his motor. +Mr. Hastings helped him, but after a few turns of the flywheel +there were no explosions. Finally, after the carburetor (which is +the device where gasoline is mixed with air to produce an +explosive mixture) had been adjusted, the motor started off as if +it had intended to do so all the while and was only taking its +time about it. + +"The machine doesn't run as smooth as it ought to," commented Mr. +Hastings. "No, it needs a thorough overhauling," agreed the owner +of the ARROW. "I'll get at it to-morrow," and with that he swung +out into the lake, towing his rowboat after him. + +"A motor-boat of my own!" exulted Tom as he twirled the steering +wheel and noted how readily the craft answered her helm. "This is +great!" + +He steered down the lake and then, turning around, went up it a +mile or more before heading for his own dock, as he wanted to see +how the engine behaved. + +"With some changes and adjustments I can make this a speedy boat," +thought Tom. "I'll get right at it. I shouldn't wonder if I +could make a good showing against Mr. Hastings' new CARLOPA, +though his boat's got four cylinders and mine has but two." + +The lad was proceeding leisurely along the lakeshore, near his +home, with the motor throttled down to test it at low speed, when +he heard some one shout. Looking toward the bank, Tom saw a man +waving his hands. + +"I wonder what he wants?" thought our hero as he put the wheel +over to send his craft to shore. He heard a moment later, for the +man on the bank cried: + +"I say, my young friend, do you know anything about automobiles? +Of course you do or you wouldn't be running a motor-boat. Bless +my very existence, but I'm in trouble! My machine has stopped on +a lonely road and I can't seem to get it started. I happened to +hear your boat and I came here to hail you. Bless my coat-pockets +but I am in trouble! Can you help me? Bless my soul and +gizzard!" + +"Mr. Damon" exclaimed Tom, shutting off the power, for he was now +near shore. "Of course I'll help you, Mr. Damon," for the young +inventor had recognized the eccentric man of whom he had purchased +the motor-cycle and who had helped him in rounding up the thieves. + +"Why, bless my shoe-laces, if it isn't Tom Swift!" exclaimed Mr. +Damon, who seemed very fond of calling down blessings upon himself +or upon articles of his dress or person. + +"Yes '. I'm here," admitted Tom with a laugh. + +"And in a motor-boat, too! Bless my pocketbook, but did that run +away with some one who sold it to you cheap?" + +"No, not exactly," and the lad explained how he had come into +possession of it. By this time he was ashore and had tied the +ARROW to an overhanging tree. Then Tom proceeded to where Mr. +Damon had left his stalled automobile. The eccentric man was +wealthy and his physician had instructed him to ride about in the +car for his health. Tom soon located the trouble. The carburetor +had become clogged, and it was soon in working order again. + +"Well, now that you have a boat ', I don't suppose you will be +riding about the country so much," commented Mr. Damon as he got +into his car. "Bless my spark-plug! But if you ever get over to +Waterfield, where I live, come and see me. It's handy to get to +by water." + +"I'll come some day," promised the lad. + +"Bless my hat band, but I hope so," went on the eccentric +individual as he prepared to start his car. + +Tom completed the remainder of the trip to his house without +incident and his father came down to the dock to see the motor- +boat. He agreed with his son that it was a bargain and that it +could easily be put in fine shape. + +The youth spent all the next day and part of the following working +on the craft. He overhauled the ignition system, which was the +jump-spark style, cleaned the magneto and adjusted the gasoline +and compression taps so that they fitted better. Then he +readjusted the rudder lines, tightening them on the steering +wheel, and looked over the piping from the gasoline tank. + +The tank was in the forward compartment, and, upon inspecting +this, the lad concluded to change the plan by which the big +galvanized iron box was held in place. He took out the old wooden +braces and set them closer together, putting in a few new ones. + +"The tank will not vibrate so when I'm going at full speed," he +explained to his father. + +"Is that where the strange man was tampering with the lock the day +of the auction?" asked Mr. Swift. + +"Yes, but I don't see what he could want in this compartment, do +you dad?" + +The inventor got into the boat and looked carefully into the +rather dark space where the tank fitted. He went over every inch +of it, and, pointing to one of the thick wooden blocks that +supported the tank, asked: + +"Did you bore that hole in there, Tom?" + +"No, it was there before I touched the braces. But it isn't a +hole, or rather, someone bored it and stopped it up again. It +doesn't weaken the brace any." + +"No, I suppose not. I was just wondering weather that was one of +the new blocks or an old one." + +"Oh, an old one. I'm going to paint them, too, so in case the +water leaks in or the gasoline leaks out the wood won't be +affected. A gasoline tank should vibrate as little as possible, +if you don't want it to leak. I guess I'll paint the whole +interior of this compartment white, then I can see away into the +far corners of it." + +"I think that's a good idea," commented Mr. Swift. + +It was four days after his purchase of the boat before Tom was +ready to make a long trip in it. Up to that time he had gone on +short spins not far from the dock, in order to test the engine +adjustment. The lad found it was working very well, but he +decided with a new kind of spark plugs for the two cylinders that +he could get more speed out of it. Finally the forward +compartment was painted and a general overhauling given the hull +and Tom was ready to put, his boat to a good test. + +"Come on, Ned," he said to his chum early one evening after Mr. +Swift had said he was too tired to go out on a trial run. "We'll +see what the ARROW will do now." + +From the time Tom started up the motor it was evident that the +boat was going through the water at a rapid rate. For a mile or +more the two lads speeded along, enjoying it hugely. Then Ned +exclaimed: + +"Something's coming behind us." + +Tom turned his head and looked. Then he called out: + +"It's Mr. Hastings in his new CARLOPA. I wonder if he wants a +race?" + +"Guess he'd have it all his own way," suggested Ned. + +"Oh, I don't know. I can get a little more speed out of my boat." + +Tom waited until the former owner of the ARROW was up to him. + +"Want a race?" asked Mr. Hastings good-naturedly. + +"Sure!" agreed Tom, and he shoved the timer ahead to produce +quicker explosions. + +The ARROW seemed to leap forward and for a moment was ahead of the +CARLOPA, but with a motion of his hand to the spark lever Mr. +Hastings also increased his speed. For a moment the two boats +were on even terms and then the larger and newer one forged ahead. +Tom had expected it', but he was a little disappointed. + +"That's doing first rate," complimented Mr. Hastings as he passed +them. "Better than I was ever able to make her do even when she +was new, Tom." + +This made the present owner of the ARROW feel somewhat consoled. +He and Ned ran on for a few miles, the CARLOPA in the meanwhile +disappearing from view around a bend. Then Tom and his chum +turned around and made for the Swift dock. + +"She certainly is a dandy!" declared Ned. "I wish I had one like +it." + +"Oh, I intend that you shall have plenty of rides in this," went +on his friend. "When you get your vacation, you and dad and I are +going on a tour," and he explained his plan, which, it is needless +to say, met with Ned's hearty approval. + +Just before going to bed, some hours later, Tom decided to go down +to the dock to make sure he had shut off the gasoline cock leading +from the tank of his boat to the motor. It was a calm, early +summer night, with a new moon giving a little light, and the lad +went down to the lake in his slippers. As he neared the boathouse +he heard a noise. + +"Water rat," he murmured, "or maybe muskrats. I must set some +traps." + +As Tom entered the boathouse he started back in alarm, for a +bright light flashed up, almost in his eyes. + +"Who's here?" he cried, and at that moment someone sprang out of +his motor-boat, scrambled into a rowing craft which the youth +could dimly make out in front of the dock and began to pull away +quickly. + +"Hold on there!" cried the young inventor. "Who are you? What do +you want? Come back here!" + +The person in the 'coat returned no answer. With his heart doing +beats over-time Tom lighted a lantern and made a hasty examination +of the ARROW. It did not appear to have been harmed, but a glance +showed that the door of the gasoline compartment had been unlocked +and was open. Tom jumped down into his craft. + +"Some one has been at that compartment again!" he murmured. "I +wonder if it was the same man who acted so suspiciously at the +auction? What can his object be, anyhow?" + +The next moment he uttered an exclamation of startled surprise and +picked up something from the bottom of the boat. It was a bunch +of keys, with a tag attached, bearing the owner's name. + +"Andy Foger!" murmured Tom. "So this is, how he was trying to get +even! Maybe he started to put a hole in the tank or in my boat." + + +CHAPTER VI + +TOWING SOME GIRLS + +With a sense of anger mingled with an apprehension lest some harm +should have been done to his craft, the owner of the ARROW went +carefully over it. He could find nothing wrong. The engine was +all right and all that appeared to have been accomplished by the +unbidden visitor was the opening of the locked forward +compartment. That this had been done by one of the many keys on +Andy Foger's ring was evident. + +"Now what could have been his object?" mused Tom. "I should think +if he wanted to put a hole in the boat he would have done it +amidships, where the water would have a better chance to come in, +or perhaps he wanted to flood it with gasoline and--" + +The idea of fire was in Tom's mind, and he did not finish his +half-completed thought. + +"That may have been it," he resumed after a hasty examination of +the gasoline tank, to make sure there were no leaks in it. "To +get even with me for outbidding him on the boat, Andy may have +wanted to destroy the ARROW. Well, of all the mean tricks, that's +about the limit! But wait until I see him. I've got evidence +against him," and Tom looked at the key ring. "I could almost +have him arrested for this." + +Going outside the boathouse, Tom stood on the edge of the dock and +peered into the darkness. He could hear the faint sound of +someone rowing across the lake, but there was no light. + +"He had one of those electric flash lanterns," decided Tom. "If I +hadn't found his keys, I might have thought it was Happy Harry +instead of Andy." + +The young inventor went back into the house after carefully +locking the boat compartment and detaching from the engine an +electrical device, without which the motor in the ARROW could not +be started. + +"That will prevent them from running away with my boat, anyhow," +decided Tom. "And I'll tell Garret Jackson to keep a sharp watch +to-night." Jackson was the engineer at Mr. Swift's workshop. + +Tom told his father of the happening and Mr. Swift was properly +indignant. He wanted to go at once to see Mr. Foger and complain +of Andy's act, but Tom counseled waiting. + +"I'll attend to Andy myself," said the young inventor. "He's +getting desperate, I guess, or he wouldn't try to set the place on +fire. But wait until I show him these keys." + +Bright and early the next morning the owner of the motor-boat was +down to the dock inspecting it. The engineer, who had been on +watch part of the night, reported that there had been no +disturbance, and Tom found everything all right. "I wonder if I'd +better go over and accuse Andy now or wait until I see him and +spring this evidence on him?" thought our hero. Then he decided +it would be better to wait. He took the ARROW out after +breakfast, his father going on a short spin with him. + +"But I must go back now and work on my gyroscope invention," said +Mr. Swift when about two hours had been spent on the lake. "I am +making good progress with it." + +"You need a vacation," decided Tom, "I'll be ready to take you and +Ned in about two weeks. He will have two weeks off then and, +we'll have some glorious times together." + +That afternoon Tom put some new style spark plugs in the cylinders +of his motor and found that he had considerably increased the +revolutions of the engine, due to a better explosion being +obtained. He also made some minor adjustments and the next day he +went out alone for a long run. + +Heading up the lake, Tom was soon in sight of a popular excursion +resort that was frequently visited by church and Sunday-school +organizations in the vicinity of Shopton. The lad saw a number of +rowing craft and a small motor-boat circling around opposite the +resort and remarked: "There must be a picnic at the grove to-day. +Guess I'll run up and take a look." + +The lad was soon in the midst of quite a flotilla of rowboats, +most of them manned by pretty girls or in charge of boys who were +giving sisters (their own or some other chap's) a trip on the +water. Tom throttled his boat down to slow speed and looked with +pleasure on the pretty scene. His boat attracted considerable +attention, for motor craft were not numerous on Lake Carlopa. + +As our hero passed a boat, containing three very pretty young +ladies, Tom heard one of them exclaim: + +"There he is now! That's Tom Swift." + +Something in the tones of the voice attracted his attention. He +turned and saw a brown-eyed girl smiling at him. She bowed and +asked, blushing the while: + +"Well, have you caught any more runaway horses lately?" + +"Runaway horses--why--what? Oh, it's Miss Nestor!" exclaimed +the lad, recognizing the young lady whose steed he had frightened +one day when he was on his bicycle. As told in the first volume +of this series, the horse had run away, being alarmed at the +flashing of Tom's wheel, and Miss Mary Nestor, of Mansburg, was in +grave danger. + +"So you've given up the bicycle for the motor-boat," went on the +young lady. + +"Yes," replied Tom with a smile, shutting off the power, "and I +haven't had a chance to save any girls since I've had it." + +The two boats had drifted close together, and Miss Nestor +introduced her two companions to Tom. + +"Don't you want to come in and take a ride?" he asked. + +"Is it safe?" asked Jennie Haddon, one of the trio. + +"Of course it is, Jennie, or he wouldn't be out in it," said Miss +Nestor hastily. "Come on, let's get in. I'm just dying for a +motor-boat ride." + +"What will we do with our boat?" asked Katie Carson. + +"Oh, I can tow that," replied the youth. "Get right in and I'll +take you all around the lake." + +"Not too far," stipulated the girl who had figured in the runaway. +"We must be back for lunch, which will be served in about an hour. +Our church and Sunday-school are having a picnic." + +"Maybe Mr. Swift will come and have some lunch with us," suggested +Miss Carson, blushing prettily. + +"Nothing would give me greater pleasure," answered Tom, and then +he laughed at his formal reply, the girls joining in. + +"We'd be glad to have you," added Miss Haddon. "Oh!" she suddenly +screamed, "the boat's tipping over!" + +"Oh, no," Tom hastened to assure her, coming, to the side to help +her in. "It just tilts a bit, with the weight of so many on one +side. It couldn't capsize if it tried." + +In another moment the three were in the roomy cockpit and Tom had +made the empty rowboat fast to the stern. He was about to start +up when from another boat, containing two little girls and two +slightly larger boys, came a plaintive cry: + +"Oh, mister, give us a ride!" + +"Sure!" agreed Tom pleasantly. "Just fasten your boat to the +other rowboat and I'll tow you." + +One of the boys did this, and then, with three pretty girls as his +companions in the ARROW and towing the two boats, Tom started off. + +The girls were very much interested in the craft and asked all +sorts of questions about how the engine operated. Tom explained +as clearly as he could how the gasoline exploded in the cylinders, +about the electric spark and about the propeller. Then, when he +had finished, Miss Haddon remarked naively: + +"Oh, Mr. Swift, you've explained it beautifully, and I'm sure if +our teacher in school made things as clear as you have that I +could get along fine. I understand all about it, except I don't +see what makes the engine go." + +"Oh," said Tom faintly, and he wondering what would be the best +remark to make under the circumstances, when Miss Nestor created a +diversion by looking at her watch and exclaiming: + +"Oh, girls, it's lunch time! We must go ashore. Will you kindly +put about, Mr. Swift--I hope that is the proper term--and--land +us--is that right?" and she looked archly at Tom. + +"That's perfectly right," he admitted with a laugh and a glance +into the girl's brown eyes. "I'll put you ashore at once," and he +headed for a small dock. + +"And come yourself to take lunch with us, added Miss Haddon. + +"I'm afraid I might be in the way," stammered Tom. "I--I have a +pretty good appetite, and--" + +"I suppose you think that girls on a picnic don't take much +lunch," finished Miss Nestor. "But I assure you that we have +plenty, and that you will be very welcome," she added warmly. + +"Yes, and I'd like to have him explain over again how the engine +works," went on Miss Haddon. "I am so interested." + +Tom helped the girls out, receiving their thanks as well as those +of the children in the second boat. But as he walked with the +young ladies through the grove the young inventor registered a +mental vow that he would steer clear of explaining again how a +gasoline engine worked. + +"Now come right over this way to our table," invited Miss Nestor. +"I want you to meet papa and mamma." + +Tom followed her. As he stepped from behind a clump of trees he +saw, standing not far away, a figure that seemed strangely +familiar. A moment later the figure turned and Tom saw Andy Foger +confronting him. At the sight of our hero the bully turned red +and walked quickly away, while Tom's fingers touched the ring of +keys in his pocket. + + +CHAPTER VII + +A BRUSH WITH ANDY + +So unexpected was his encounter with Andy that the young inventor +hardly knew how to act, especially since he was a guest of the +young ladies. Tom did not want to do or say anything to embarrass +them or make a scene, yet he did want to have a talk, and a very +serious talk, with Andy Foger. + +Miss Nestor must have noticed Tom's sudden start at his glimpse of +Andy, for she asked: "Did you see some one you knew, Mr. Swift?" + +"Yes," replied Tom, "I did--er--that is--" He paused in some +confusion. + +"Perhaps you'd like---that is prefer--to go with them instead of +taking lunch with girls who don't know anything about engines?" +she persisted. + +"Oh, no indeed," Tom hastened to assure her. "He--that is--the +person I saw wouldn't care to have me lunch with him," and the +youth smiled grimly. + +"Would you like to bring him over to our table?" inquired Miss +Carson. "We have plenty for him." + +"No, I think that would hardly do," continued the lad, who tried +not to smile at the picture of the red-haired and squint-eyed Andy +Foger making one of a party with the girls. The young ladies +fortunately had not noticed the bully, who was out of view by this +time. + +Tom was presented to Mr. and Mrs. Nestor, who told him how glad +they were to meet the young man who had been instrumental in +saving their daughter from injury, if not death. Tom was a bit +embarrassed, but bore the praise as well as he could, and he was +very glad when a diversion, in the shape of lunch, occurred. + +After a meal on tables under the trees in the grove Tom took the +girls and some of their friends out in his motor-boat again. They +covered several miles around the lake before returning to the +picnic ground. + +As Tom was starting toward home in his boat, wondering what had +become of Andy and trying to think of a reason why the bully +should attend anything as "tame" as a church picnic, the object of +his thoughts came strolling through the trees down to the shore of +the lake. The moment he saw Tom the red-haired lad started back, +but the young inventor, leaping out of his boat, called out: + +"Hold on there, Andy Foger, I want to see you!" and there was +menace in Tom's tone. + +"But, I don't want to see you!" retorted the other sulkily. "I've +got no use for you." + +"No more have I for you," was Tom's quick reply. "But I want to +return you these keys. You dropped them in my boat the other +night when you tried to set it afire. If I ever catch you--" + +"My keys! Your boat! On fire!" gasped Andy, so plainly +astonished that Tom knew his surprise was genuine. + +"Yes, your keys. You were a little, too quick for me or I'd have +caught you at it. The next time you pick a lock don't leave your +keys behind you," and he held out the jingling ring. + +Andy Foger advanced slowly. He took the bunch of keys and looked +at the tag. + +"They are mine," he said slowly, as if there was some doubt about +it. + +"Of course they are," declared Tom. "I found them where you +dropped them--in my boat." + +"Do you mean over at the auction?" + +"No, I mean down in my boathouse, where you sneaked in the other +night and tried to do some damage. + +"The other night!" cried Andy. "I never was near your boathouse +any night and I never lost my keys there! I lost these the day of +the auction, on Mr. Hastings' ground, and I've been looking for +them ever since." + +"Didn't you sneak in my boathouse the other night and try to do +some mischief? Didn't you drop them then?" + +"No, I didn't," retorted Andy earnestly. "I lost those keys at +the auction, and I can prove it to you. Look, I advertised for +them in the weekly Gazette." + +The red-haired lad pulled a crumpled paper from his pocket and +showed Tom an advertisement offering a reward of two dollars for a +bunch of keys on a ring, supposed to have been lost at the auction +on Mr. Hastings' grounds in Lanton. The finder was to return them +to Andy Foger. + +"Does that look as if I lost the keys in your boathouse?" demanded +the bully sneeringly. "I wouldn't have advertised them that way +if I' been trying to keep my visit quiet. Besides, I can prove +that I was out of town several nights. I was over to an +entertainment in Mansburg one night and I didn't get home until +two o'clock in the morning, because my machine broke down. Ask +Ned Newton. He saw me at the entertainment." + +Andy's manner was so earnest that Tom could not help believing +him. Then there was the evidence of the advertisement. Clearly +the squint-eyed youth had not been the mysterious visitor to the +boathouse and had not unlocked the forward compartment. But if it +was not he, who could it have been and how did the keys get there? +These were questions which racked Tom's brain. + +"You can ask Ned Newton," repeated Andy. "He'll prove that I +couldn't have been near your place, if you don't believe me." + +"Oh, I believe you all right," answered Tom, for there could be no +doubting Andy's manner, even though he and the young inventor were +not on good terms. "But how did your keys get in my boat?" + +"I don't know, unless you found them, kept them and dropped them +there," was the insolent answer. + +"You know better than that," exclaimed Tom. + +"Well, I owe you a reward of two dollars for giving them back to +me," continued the bully patronizingly. "Here it is," and he +hauled out some bills. + +"I don't want your money!" fired back Tom. + +"But I'd like to know who it was that was in my boat." + +"And I'd like to know who it was took my keys," and Andy stuffed +the money back in his pocket. Tom did not answer. He was +puzzling over a queer matter and he wanted to be alone and think. +He turned aside from the red-haired lad and walked toward his +motor-boat. + +"I'll give you a surprise in a few days," Andy called after him, +but Tom did not turn his head nor did he inquire what the surprise +might be. + +Mr. Swift was somewhat puzzled when his son related the outcome of +the key incident. He agreed with Tom that some one might have +found the ring and kept it, and that the same person might have +been the one whom Tom had surprised in the boathouse. + +"But it's idle to speculate on it," commented the inventor. "Andy +might have induced some of his chums to act for him in harming +your boat, and the key advertisement might have been only a ruse." + +"I hardly think so," answered his son, shaking his head. "It +strikes me as being very curious, and I'm going to see if I can't +get at the bottom of it." + +But a week or more passed and Tom had no clew. In the meanwhile +he was working away at his motor-boat, installing several +improvements. + +One of these was a better pump, which circulated the water around +the cylinders, and another was a new system of lubrication under +forced feed. + +"This ought to give me a little more speed," reasoned Tom, who was +not yet satisfied with his craft. "Guess I'll take it out for a +spin." + +He was alone in the ARROW, taking a long course up the lake when, +as he passed a wooded point that concealed from view a sort of +bay, he heard the puffing of another motor-boat. + +"Maybe that's Mr. Hastings," thought Tom. "If I raced with him +now, I think the ARROW could give a better account of herself." + +The young inventor looked at the boat as it came into view. It +needed but a glance to show that it was not the CARLOPA. Then, as +it came nearer, Tom saw a familiar figure in it--a red-haired, +squint-eyed chap. + +"Andy Foger!" exclaimed Tom. "He's got a motor-boat! This is the +surprise he spoke of." + +The boat was rapidly approaching him, and he saw that it was +painted a vivid red. Then he could make out the name on the bow, +RED STREAK. Andy was sending the craft toward him at a fast rate. + +"You needn't think you're the only one on this lake who has a +gasoline boat!" called Andy boastfully. "This is my new one and +the fastest thing afloat around here. I can go all around you. +Do you want to race?" + +It was a "dare," and Tom never took such things when he could +reasonably enter a contest. He swung his boat around so as to +shoot alongside of Andy and answered: + +"Yes, I'll race you. Where to?" + +"Down opposite Kolb's dock and back to this point," was the +answer. "I'll give you a start, as my engine has three cylinders. +This is a racing boat." + +"I don't need any start," declared Tom. "I'll race you on even +terms. Go ahead!" + +Both lads adjusted their timers to get more speed. The water +began to curl away from the sharp prows, the motors exploded +faster and faster. The race was on between the ARROW and the RED +STREAK. + + +CHAPTER VIII + +OFF ON A TRIP + +Glancing with critical eyes at the craft of his rival, Tom saw +that Andy Foger had a very fine boat. The young inventor also +realized that if he was to come anywhere near winning the race he +would have to get the utmost speed out of his engine, for the new +boat the bully had was designed primarily, for racing, while Tom's +was an all-around pleasure craft, though capable of something in +the speed line. + +"I'll be giving you a tow in a few minutes, as soon as my engine +gets warmed up!" sneered Andy. + +"Maybe," said Tom, and then he crouched down to make as little +resistance as possible to the wind. Andy, on the contrary, sat +boldly upright at the auto steering wheel of his boat. + +On rushed the two motor craft, their prows exactly even and the +propellers tossing up a bulge in the water at their sterns. +Rapidly acquiring speed after the two lads had adjusted the timers +on their motors, the boats were racing side by side, seemingly on +even terms. + +The RED STREAK had a very sharp prow, designed to cut through +the water. It was of the type known as an automobile launch. +That is, the engine was located forward, under a sort of hood, +which had two hinged covers like a bat's wings. The +steering-wheel shaft went through the forward bulkhead, +slantingly, like the wheel of an auto, and was arranged with +gasoline and sparking levers on the center post in a similar +manner. At the right of the wheel was a reversing lever, by +which the propeller blades could be set at neutral, or arranged +so as to drive the boat backward. Altogether the RED STREAK was +a very fine boat and had cost considerably more than had Tom's, +even when the latter was new. All these things the young owner +of the ARROW thought of as he steered his craft over the course. + +"I hardly think I can win," Tom remarked to himself in a whisper. +"His boat is too speedy for this one. I have a chance, though, +for his engine is new, and I don't believe he understands it as +well as I do mine. Then, too, I am sure I have a better ignition +system." + +But if Tom had any immediate hopes of defeating Andy, they were +doomed to disappointment, for about two minutes after the race +started the RED STREAK forged slowly ahead. + +"Come on!" cried the red-haired lad. "I thought you wanted a +race." + +"I do," answered the young inventor. "We're a long way from the +dock yet, and we've got to come back." + +"You'll be out of it by the time I get to the dock," declared +Andy. + +Indeed it began to look so, for the auto boat was now a full +length ahead of Tom's craft and there was open water between them. +But our hero knew a thing or two about racing, though he had not +long been a motor-boat owner. He adjusted the automatic oiler on +the cylinders to give more lubrication, as he intended to get more +speed out of his engine. Then he opened the gasoline cock a +trifle more and set his timer forward a few notches to get an +earlier spark. He was not going to use the maximum speed just +yet, but he first wanted to see how the motor of the ARROW would +behave under these conditions. To his delight he saw his boat +slowly creeping up on Andy's. The latter, with a glance over his +shoulder, saw it too, and he advanced his spark. His craft forged +ahead, but the rate of increase was not equal to Tom's. "If I can +keep up to him I suppose I ought to be glad," thought the young +inventor, "for his boat is away ahead of mine in rating." + +Through the water the sharp bows cut. There were only a few +witnesses to the race, but those who were out in boats saw a +pretty sight as the two speedy craft came on toward the dock, +which was the turning point. + +Andy's boat reached it first, and swung about in a wide circle for +the return. Tom decided it was time to make his boat do its best, +so he set the timer at the limit, and the spark, coming more +quickly, increased the explosions. + +Up shot the ARROW and, straightening out after the turn, Tom's +craft crept along until it lapped the stern of the RED STREAK. +Andy looked back in dismay. Then he tried to get more speed out +of his engine. He did cause the screw to revolve a little faster, +and Tom noted that he was again being left behind. Then one of +those things, which may happen at any time to a gasoline motor, +happened to Andy's. It began to miss explosions. At first it was +only occasionally, then the misses became more frequent. + +The owner of the RED STREAK with one hand on the steering wheel, +tried with the other to adjust the motor to get rid of the +trouble, but he only made it worse. Andy's boat began to fall +back and Tom's to creep up. Frantically Andy worked the gasoline +and sparking levers, but without avail. At last one cylinder went +completely out of service. + +The two boats were now on even terms and were racing along side by +side toward the wooded, point, which marked the finish. + +"I'll beat you yet!" exclaimed Andy fiercely. + +"Better hurry up!" retorted Tom. + +But the young inventor was not to have it all his own way. With a +freakishness equal to that with which it had ceased to explode the +dead cylinder came to life again, and the RED STREAK shot ahead. +Once more Andy's boat had the lead of a length and the finish of +the race was close at hand. The squint-eyed lad turned and +shouted: "I told you I'd beat you! Want a tow now?" + +It began to look as though Tom would need it, but he still had +something in reserve. One of the improvements he had put in the +ARROW was a new auxiliary ignition system. This he now decided to +use. + +With a quick motion Tom threw over the switch that put it into +operation. A hotter, "fatter" spark was at once produced, and +adjusting his gasoline cock so that a little more of the fluid +would be drawn in, making a "richer" mixture, the owner of the +ARROW saw the craft shoot forward as if, like some weary runner, +new life had been infused. + +In vain did Andy frantically try to get more speed out of his +motor. He cut out the muffler, and the explosions sounded loudly +over the lake. But it was no use. A minute later the ARROW, +which had slowly forged ahead, crossed the bows of the RED STREAK +opposite the finishing point, and Tom had won the race. + +"Well, was that fair?" our hero called to Andy, who had quickly +shut off some of his power as he saw his rival's daring trick. +"Did I beat you fair?" + +"You wouldn't have beaten me if my engine hadn't gone back on me," +grumbled Andy, chagrin showing on his face. "Wait until my motor +runs smoother and I'll give you a big handicap and beat you. My +boat's faster than yours. It ought to be. It cost fifteen +hundred dollars and it's a racer." + +"I guess it doesn't like racing," commented Tom as he swung the +prow of his craft down the lake toward his home. But he knew +there was some truth in what Andy had said. The RED STREAK was a +more speedy boat, and, with proper handling, could have beaten the +ARROW. That was where Tom's superior knowledge came in useful. +"Just you wait, I'll beat you yet," called Andy, after the young +inventor, but the latter made no answer. He was satisfied. + +Mr. Swift was much interested that night in his son's account of +the race. + +"I had no idea yours was such a speedy boat," he said. + +"Well, it wasn't originally," admitted Tom, "but the improvements +I put on it made it so. But, dad, when are we going on our tour? +You look more worn out than I've seen you in some time, not +excepting when the turbine model was stolen. Are you worrying +over your gyroscope invention?" + +"Somewhat, Tom. I can't seem to hit on just what I want. It's a +difficult problem." + +"Then I tell you what let's do, dad. Let's drop everything in the +inventive line and go off on a vacation. I'll take you up the +lake in my boat and you can spend a week at the Lakeview Hotel at +Sandport. It will do you good." + +"What will you do, Tom?" + +"Oh, Ned Newton and I will cruise about and we'll take you along +any time you want to go. We're going to camp out nights or sleep +in the boat if it rains. I've ordered a canopy with side +curtains. Ned and I don't care for the hotel life in the summer. +Will you go?" + +Mr. Swift considered a moment. He did need a rest, for he had +been working hard and his brain was weary with thinking of many +problems. His son's program sounded very attractive. + +"I think I will accept," said the inventor with a smile. "When +can you start, Tom?" + +"In about four days. Ned Newton, will get his vacation then and +I'll have the canopy on. I'll start to work at it to-morrow. +Then we'll go on a trip." + +Sandport was a summer resort at the extreme southern end of Lake +Carlopa, and Mr. Swift at once wrote to the Lakeview Hotel there +to engage a room for himself. In the meanwhile Tom began to put +the canopy on his boat and arrange for the trip, which would take +nearly a whole day. Ned Newton was delighted with the prospect of +a camping tour and helped Tom to get ready. They took a small +tent and plenty of supplies, with some food. They did not need to +carry many rations, as the shores of the lake were lined with +towns and villages where food could be procured. + +Finally all was ready for the trip and the night before the start +Ned Newton stayed at Tom's house so as to be in readiness for +going off early in the morning. The day was all that could be +desired, Tom noted, as he and his chum hurried down to the dock +before breakfast to put their blankets in the boat. As the young +inventor entered the craft he uttered an exclamation. + +"What's the matter?" asked Ned. + +"I was sure I locked the sliding door of that forward +compartment," was the reply. "Now it's open." He looked inside +the space occupied by the gasoline tank and cried out: "One of +the braces is gone! There's been some one at my boat in the night +and they tried to damage her." + +"Much harm done?" asked Ned anxiously. + +"No, none at all, to speak of," replied Tom. "I can easily put a +new block under the tank. In fact, I don't really need all I +have. But why should any one take one out, and who did it? +That's what I want to know." + +The two lads looked carefully about the dock and boat for a sign +of the missing block or any clews that might show who had been +tampering with the ARROW, but they could find nothing. + +"Maybe the block fell out," suggested Ned. + +"It couldn't," replied Tom. "It was one of the new ones I put in +myself and it was nailed fast. You can see where it's been pried +loose. I can't, understand it," and Tom thought rapidly of +several mysterious occurrences of late in which the strange man at +the auction and the person he had surprised one night in the +boathouse had a part. + +"Well, it needn't delay our trip," resumed the young inventor. +"Maybe there's a hoodoo around here, and it will do us good to get +away a few days. Come on, we'll have breakfast, get dad and +start." + +A little later the ARROW was puffing away up the lake in the +direction of Sandport. + + +CHAPTER IX + +MR. SWIFT IS ALARMED + +"Don't you feel better already, dad?" asked Tom that noon as they +stopped under a leaning, overhanging tree for lunch on the shore +of the lake. "I'll leave it to Ned if you don't look more +contented and less worried." + +"I believe he does," agreed the other lad. "Well, I must say I +certainly have enjoyed the outing so far," admitted the inventor +with a smile. "And I haven't been bothering about my gyroscope. +I think I'll take another sandwich, Tom, and a few more olives." + +"That's the way to talk!" cried the son. "Your appetite is +improving, too. If Mrs. Baggert could see you she'd say so." + +"Oh, yes, Mrs. Baggert. I do hope she and Garret will look after +the house and shops well," said Mr. Swift, and the old, worried +look came like a shadow over his face. + +"Now don't be thinking of that, dad," advised Tom, "Of course +everything will be all right. Do you think some of those model +thieves will return and try to get some of your other inventions?" + +"I don't know, Tom. Those men were unscrupulous scoundrels, and +you can never tell what they might do to revenge themselves on us +for defeating their plans." + +"Well, I guess Garret and Mrs. Baggert will look out for them," +remarked his son. "Don't worry." + +"Yes, it's bad for the digestion," added Ned. "If you don't mind, +Tom, I'll have some more coffee and another sandwich myself." + +"Nothing the matter with your appetite, either," commented the +young inventor as he passed the coffee pot and the plate. + +They were soon on their way again, the ARROW making good time up +the lake. Tom was at the engine, making several minor adjustments +to it, while Ned steered. Mr. Swift reclined on one of the +cushioned seats under the shade of the canopy. The young owner of +the ARROW looked over the stretch of water from time to time for a +possible sight of Andy Foger, but the RED STREAK was not to be +seen. The Lakeview Hotel was reached late that afternoon and the +boat was tied up to the dock, while Tom and Ned accompanied Mr. +Swift to see him comfortably established in his room. + +"Won't you stay to supper with me?" invited the inventor to his +son and the latter's chum. "Or do you want to start right in on +camp life?" + +"I guess we'll stay to supper and remain at the hotel to-night," +decided Tom. "We got here a little later than I expected, and Ned +and I hardly have time to go very far and establish a temporary +camp. We'll live a life of luxurious ease to-night and begin to +be 'wanderlusters' and get back to nature to-morrow." + +In the morning Tom and his chum, full of enthusiasm for the +pleasures before them, started off, promising to come back to the +hotel in a few days to see how Mr. Swift felt. The trip had +already done the man good and his face wore a brighter look. + +Tom and Ned, in the speedy ARROW, cruised along the lakeshores all +that morning. At noon they, went ashore, made a temporary camp +and arranged to spend the night there in the tent. After this was +erected they got out their fishing tackle and passed the afternoon +at that sport, having such good luck that they provided their own +supper without having to depend on canned stuff. + +They lived this life for three days, making a new camp each night, +being favored with good weather, so that they did not have to +sleep in the boat to keep dry. On the afternoon of the third +day Tom, with a critical glance at the sky, remarked: + +"I shouldn't be surprised if it rained to-morrow, Ned." + +"Me either. It does look sort of hazy, and the wind is in a bad +quarter." + +"Then what do you say to heading for the hotel? I fancy dad will +be glad to see us." "That suits me. We can start camp life again +after the storm passes." + +They started for Sandport that afternoon. When within about two +miles of the hotel dock Tom saw, just ahead of them, a small +motor-boat. Ned observed it too and called out: + +"S'pose that's Andy looking for another race?" + +"No, the boat's too small for his. We'll put over that way and +see who it is." + +The other craft did not appear to be moving very rapidly and the +ARROW was soon overhauling it. As the two chums came nearer they +could hear the puffing of the motor. Tom listened with critical +ears. + +"That machine isn't working right," he remarked to his chum. + +At that moment there sounded a loud explosion from the other boat +and at the same time there came over the water a shrill cry of +alarm. "That's a girl in that boat!" exclaimed Ned. "Maybe she's +hurt." + +"No, the motor only backfired," observed Tom. "But we'll go over +and see if we can help her. Perhaps she doesn't understand it. +Girls don't know much about machinery." + +A little later the ARROW shot up alongside the other craft, which +had come to a stop. The two lads could see a girl bending over +the motor, twirling the flywheel and trying to get it started. +"Can I help you?" asked Tom, shutting off the power from his +craft. + +The young lady glanced up. Her face was red and she seemed ill at +ease. At the sight of the young inventor she uttered an +exclamation of relief. + +"Why, Mr. Swift!" she cried. "Oh, I'm in such trouble. I can't +make the machine work, and I'm afraid it's broken; it exploded." + +"Miss Nestor!" blurted out Tom, more surprised evidently to see +his acquaintance of the runaway again than she was at beholding +him. "I didn't know you ran a motor-boat," he added. "I don't," +said she simply and helplessly. "That's the trouble, it won't +run." + +"How comes it that you are up here?" went on Tom. + +"I am stopping with friends, who have a cottage near the Lakeview +Hotel. They have a motor-boat and I got Dick Blythe--he's the +owner of this--to show me how to run it. I thought I knew, and I +started out a little while ago. At first it went beautifully, but +a few minutes ago it blew up, or--or something dreadful +happened." + +"Nothing very dreadful, I guess," Tom assured her. "I think I can +fix it." He got into the other boat and soon saw what the trouble +was. The carburetor had gotten out of adjustment and the gasoline +was not feeding properly. The young inventor soon had it in +order, and, testing the motor, found that it worked perfectly. + +"Oh, I can't thank you enough," cried Miss Nestor with a flash +from her brown eyes that made Tom's heart beat double time. "I +was afraid I had damaged the boat, and I knew Dick, who is a sort +of second cousin of mine, would never forgive me." + +"There's no harm done," Tom assured her. "But you had better keep +near us on your way back, that is, if you are going back." + +"Oh, indeed I am. I was frightened when I found I'd come so far +away from shore, and then, when that explosion took place--well, +you can imagine how I felt. Indeed I will keep near you. Are you +stopping near here? If you are, I wish you'd come and see me, you +and Mr. Newton" she added, for Tom had introduced his chum. + +"I'll be very glad to," answered our hero, and he told how he +happened to be in the neighborhood. "I'll give you a few lessons +in managing a boat, if you like," he added. + +"Oh, will you? That will be lovely! I won't tell Dick about it, +and I'll surprise him some day by showing him how well I can run +his boat." + +"Good idea," commented Tom. + +He started the motor for Miss Nestor, having stopped it after his +first test, and then, with the DOT, which was the name of the +small boat Miss Nestor was in, following the larger ARROW, the run +back to the hotel was made. The young lady turned off near the +Lakeview dock to go to the cottage where she was stopping and the +lads tied up at the hotel boathouse. + +"Yes, we are in for a storm," remarked Tom as he and his chum +walked up toward the hotel. "I wonder how dad is? I hope the +outing is doing him good." + +"There he comes now," observed Ned, and, looking up, Tom saw his +father approaching. The young inventor was at once struck by the +expression on his parent's face. Mr. Swift looked worried and Tom +anxiously hastened forward to meet him. + +"What's the matter dad?" he asked as cheerfully as he could. +"Have you been figuring over that gyroscope problem again, against +my express orders?" and he laughed a little. + +"No, Tom, it's not the gyroscope that's worrying me." + +"What is it then?" + +"Those scoundrels are around again, Tom!" and Mr. Swift looked +apprehensively about him. + +"You mean the men who stole the turbine model?" + +"Yes. I was walking in the woods near the hotel yesterday and I +saw Anson Morse. He did not see me, for I turned aside as quickly +as I had a glimpse of him. He was talking to another man." + +"What sort of a man?" + +"Well, an ordinary enough individual, but I noticed that he had +tattooed on the little finger of his left hand a blue ring." + +"Happy Harry, the tramp!" exclaimed Tom. "What can he and Morse +be doing here?" + +"I don't know, Tom, but I'm worried. I wish I was back home. I'm +afraid something may happen to some of my inventions. I want to +go back to Shopton, Tom." + +"Nonsense, dad. Don't worry just because you saw some of your +former enemies. Everything is all right at home. Mrs. Baggert +and Garret Jackson will look after things. But, if you like, I, +can find out for you how matters are." + +"How, Tom?" + +"By taking a run down there in my motor-boat. I can do it +to-morrow and get back by night, if I start early. Then you will +not worry." + +"All right, Tom; I wish you would. Come up to my room and we will +talk it over. I'd rather leave you go than telephone, as I don't +like to talk of my business over the wire if I can avoid it." + + +CHAPTER X + +A CRY FOR HELP + +"Now, dad, tell me all about it," requested Tom when he and Ned +were in Mr. Swift's apartment at the hotel, safe from the rain +that was falling. "How did you happen to see Anson Morse and +Happy Harry?" My old readers will doubtless remember that the +latter was the disguised tramp who was so vindictive toward Tom, +while Morse was the man who endeavored to sneak in Mr. Swift's +shop and steal a valuable invention. + +"Well, Tom," proceeded the inventor, "there isn't much to tell. I +was out walking in the woods yesterday, and when I was behind a +clump of bushes I heard voices. I looked out and there I saw the +two men." + +"At first I thought they were trailing me, but I saw that they had +not seen me, and I didn't see how they could know I was in the +neighborhood. So I quietly made my way back to the hotel." + +"Could you hear what they were saying?" + +"Not all, but they seemed angry over something. The man with the +blue ring on his finger asked the other man whether Murdock had +been heard from." + +"Who is Murdock?" + +"I don't know, unless he is another member of the gang or unless +that is an assumed name." + +"It may be that. What else did you hear?" + +"The man we know as Morse replied that he hadn't heard from him, +but that he suspected Murdock was playing a double game. Then the +tramp--Happy Harry--asked this question: 'Have you any clew to +the sparkler?' And Morse answered: 'No, but I think Murdock has +hid it somewhere and is trying to get away with it without giving +us our share.' Then the two men walked away, and I came back to +the hotel," finished Mr. Swift. + +"Sparkler," murmured Tom. "I wonder what that can be?" + +"That's a slang word for diamonds," suggested Ned. + +"So it is. In that case, dad, I think we have nothing to worry +about. Those fellows must be going to commit a diamond robbery or +perhaps it has already taken place." + +The inventor seemed relieved at this theory of his son. His face +brightened and he said: "If they are going to commit a robbery, +Tom, we ought to notify the police." + +"But if they said that 'Murdock,' whoever he is, had the sparkler +and was trying to get away with it without giving them their +share, wouldn't that indicate that the robbery had already taken +place?" asked Ned. + +"That's so," agreed Tom. "But it won't do any harm to tell the +hotel detective that suspicious characters are around, no matter +if the has been committed. Then he can be on the lookout. But I +don't think we have anything to worry about, dad. Still, if you +like, I'll take a run down to the house to see that everything is +all right, though I'm sure it will be found that we have nothing +to be alarmed over." + +"Well, I will be more relieved if you do," said the inventor, +"However, suppose we have a good supper now and you boys can stay +at the hotel to-night. Then you and Ned can start off early in +the morning." + +"All right," agreed Tom, but there was a thoughtful look on his +face and he appeared to be planning something that needed careful +attention to details. + +After supper that night Tom took his chum to one side and asked: +"Would you mind very much if you didn't make the trip to Shopton +with me?" + +"No, Tom, of course not, if it will help you any. Do you want me +to stay here?" + +"I think it will be a good plan. I don't like to leave dad alone +if those scoundrels are around. Of course he's able to look after +himself, but sometimes he gets absent minded from thinking too +much about his inventions." + +"Of course I'll stay here at the hotel. This is just as good a +vacation as I could wish." + +"Oh, I don't mean all the while. Just a day or so--until I come +back. I may be here again by to-morrow night and find that my +father is needlessly alarmed. Then something may have happened at +home and I would be delayed. If I should be, I'd feel better to +know that you were here." + +"Then I'll stay, and if I see any of those men--" + +"You'd better steer clear of them," advised Tom quickly. "They +are dangerous customers." + +"All right. Then I'll go over and give Miss Nestor lessons on how +to run a motor-boat," was the smiling response. "I fancy, with +what she and I know, we can make out pretty well." + +"Hold on there!" cried Tom gaily. "No trespassing, you know." + +"Oh, I'll just say I'm your agent," promised Ned with a grin. +"You can't object to that." + +"No, I s'pose not. Well, do the best you can. She is certainly a +nice girl." + +"Yes, but you do seem to turn up at most opportune times. Luck is +certainly with you where she is concerned. First you save her in +a runaway--" + +"After I start the runaway," interrupted Tom. + +"Then you take her for a ride in your motor-boat, and, lastly, you +come to her relief when she is stalled in the middle of the lake. +Oh you certainly are a lucky dog!" + +"Never mind, I'm giving you a show. Now let's get to bed early, +as I want to get a good start." + +Tom awoke to find a nasty, drizzling rainstorm in progress, and +the lake was almost hidden from view by a swirling fog. Still he +was not to be daunted from his trip to Shopton by the weather, +and, after a substantial breakfast, he bade his father and Ned +good-by and started off in the ARROW. + +The canopy he had provided was an efficient protection against the +rain, a celluloid window in the forward hanging curtains affording +him a view so that he could steer. + +Through the mist puffed the boat, the motor being throttled down +to medium speed, for Tom was not as familiar with the lake as he +would like to have been, and he did not want to run aground or +into another craft. + +He was thinking over what his father had told him about the +presence of the men and vainly wondering what might be their +reference to the "sparkler." His thoughts also dwelt on the +curious removal of the bracing block from under the gasoline tank +of his boat. + +"I shouldn't be surprised but what Andy Foger did that," he mused. +"Some day he and I will have a grand fight, and then maybe he'll +let me alone. Well, I've got other things to think about now. +The hotel detective can keep a lookout for the men around the +hotel, after the, warning I gave him, and I'll see that all is +right at home." + +The fog lifted somewhat and Tom put on more speed. As he was +steering the boat along near shore he heard, off to the woods at +his right, the report of a gun. It came so suddenly that he +jumped involuntarily. A moment later there sounded, plainly +through the damp air, a cry for help. + +"Some one's hurt--shot" cried the youth aloud. + +He turned the boat in toward the bank. As he shut off the power +from the motor he heard the cry again: + +"Help! Help! Help!" + +"I must go ashore!" he exclaimed. "Probably some one is badly +wounded by a gun." + +He paused for a moment as the fear came to him that it might be +some of the patent thieves. Then, dismissing that idea as the +ARROW's prow touched the gravel, Tom sprang out, drew the boat up +a little way, fastened the rope to a tree and hurried off into the +dripping woods in the direction of the voice that was calling for +aid. + + +CHAPTER XI + +A QUICK RUN + +"Where are you?" cried Tom. "Are you hurt? Where are you?" + +Uttering these words after he had hurried into the woods a short +distance, the young inventor paused for an answer. At first he +could hear nothing but the drip of water from the branches of the +trees; then, as he listened intently, he became aware of a groan +not far away. + +"Where are you?" cried the lad again. "I've come to help you. +Where are you?" + +He had lost what little fear he had had at first, that it might be +one of the unscrupulous gang, and came to the conclusion that he +might safely offer to help. + +Once more the groan sounded and it was followed by a faint voice +speaking: + +"Here I am, under the big oak tree. Oh, whoever you are, help me +quickly! I'm bleeding to death!" + +With the sound of the voice to guide him, Tom swung around. The +appeal had come from the left and, looking in that direction, he +saw, through the mist, a large oak tree. Leaping over the +underbrush toward it he caught sight of the wounded man at its +foot. Beside him lay a gun and there was a wound in the man's +right arm. + +"Who shot you?" cried Tom, hurrying to the side of the man. "Was +it some of those patent thieves?" Then, realizing that a stranger +would know nothing of the men who had stolen the model, Tom +prepared to change the form of his question. But, before he had +an opportunity to do this, the man, whose eyes were closed, opened +them, and, as he got a better sight of his face, Tom uttered a +cry. + +"Why, it's Mr. Duncan!" exclaimed the lad. He had recognized the +rich hunter, whom he had first met in the woods that spring +shortly after Happy Harry, the tramp, had disabled Tom's motor- +cycle. "Mr. Duncan," the young inventor repeated, "how did you +get shot?" + +"Is that you, Tom Swift?" asked the gunner. "Help me, please. I +must stop this bleeding in my arm. I'll tell you about it +afterward. Wind something around it tight--your handkerchief +will do." + +The man sighed weakly and his eyes closed again. The lad saw the +blood spurting from an ugly wound. + +"I must make a tourniquet," the youth exclaimed. "That will check +the bleeding until I can get him to a doctor." + +With Tom to think was to act. He took out his knife and cut off +Mr. Duncan's sleeves below the injury, slashing through coat and +shirts. Then he saw that part of a charge of shot had torn away +some of the large muscular development of the upper arm. The +hunter seemed to have fainted and the youth worked quickly. Tying +his handkerchief above the wound and inserting a small stone under +the cloth, so that the pebble would press on the main artery, Tom +put a stick in the handkerchief and began to twist it. This had +the effect of tightening the linen around the arm, and in a few +seconds the lad was glad to see that the blood had stopped +spurting out with every beat of the heart. Giving the tourniquet +a few more twists to completely stop the flow of blood, Tom +fastened the stick-lever in place by a bit of string. + +"That's--that's better," murmured Mr. Duncan. "Now if you can go +for a doctor--" He had to pause for breath. + +"I'll not leave you here alone while I go for a doctor," declared +Tom. "I have my motor-boat on the lake. Do you think I could get +you down to it and take you home?" + +"Perhaps--maybe. I'll be stronger in a moment, now that the +bleeding has stopped. But not--not home--frighten my wife. +Take me to the sanitarium if you can--sanitarium up the lake, a +few miles from here." + +The unfortunate man, who had tried to sit upright, had to lean +back against the tree again. Tom understood what he meant in +spite of the broken sentences. Mr. Duncan did not want to be +taken home in the condition he was then in, for fear of alarming +his wife. He wanted to be taken to the sanitarium, and Tom knew +where this was, a well-known resort for the treatment of various +diseases and surgical cases. It was about five miles away and on +the opposite shore of the lake. + +"Water--a drink!" murmured Mr. Duncan. + +Seeing that his patient would be all right, for a few minutes at +least, Tom hurried to his motor-boat, got a cup and, filling it +with water from a jug he carried, he hastened with it to the +hunter. The fluid revived the man wonderfully and now that the +bleeding had almost completely stopped, Mr. Duncan was much +stronger. + +"Do you think you can get to the boat, if I help you?" asked Tom. + +"Yes, I believe so. To think of meeting you again, and under such +circumstances! It is providential." + +"Did someone shoot you?" inquired Tom, who could not get out of +his head the notion of the men who had once assaulted him. + +"No, I shot myself," answered Mr. Duncan as he got to his feet +with Tom's help. "I was out with my gun, practicing just as I was +that day when I met you in the woods. I stooped down to crawl +under a bush and the weapon went off, the muzzle being close +against my arm. I can't understand how it happened. I fell down +and called for help. Then I guess I must have fainted, but I came +to when I heard you talking to me. I shouldn't have come out +to-day as it is so wet, but I had some new shot shells I wished to +try in order to test them before the hunting season. But if I can +get to the sanitarium, I will be well taken care of. I know one +of the doctors there." + +With Tom leading him and acting as a sort of support, the journey +to the motor-boat was slowly made. Making as comfortable a bed as +possible out of the seat cushions, Tom assisted Mr. Duncan to it, +and then starting the engine he sent his boat out from shore at +half speed, as the fog was still thick and he did not want to run +upon a rock. + +"Do you know where the sanitarium is?" asked the wounded hunter. + +"About," answered Tom a little doubtfully, "but I'm afraid it's +going to be hard to locate it in this fog." + +"There's a compass in my coat pocket," said Mr. Duncan. "Take it +out and I'll tell you how to steer. You ought to carry a compass +if you're going to be a sailor." + +Tom was beginning to think so himself and wondered that he had not +thought of it before. He found the one the hunter had, and +placing it on the seat near him, he carefully listened to the +wounded man's directions. Tom easily comprehended and soon had +the boat headed in the proper direction. After that it was +comparatively easy to keep on the right course, even in the fog. + +But there was another danger, however, and this was that he might +run into another boat. True, there were not many on Lake Carlopa, +but there were some, and one of the few motor-boats might be out +in spite of the bad weather. + +"Guess I'll not run at full speed," decided Tom. "I wouldn't like +to crash into the RED STREAK. We'd both sink." + +So he did not run his motor at the limit and sat at the steering- +wheel, peering ahead into the fog for the first sight of another +craft. + +He turned to look at Mr. Duncan and was alarmed at the pallor of +his face. The man's eyes were closed and he was breathing in a +peculiar manner. + +"Mr. Duncan," cried Tom, "are you worse?" + +There was no answer. Leaving the helm for a moment, Tom bent over +the injured hunter. A glance showed him what had happened. The +tourniquet had slipped and the wound was bleeding again. Tom +quickly shut off the motor, so that he might give his whole +attention to the work of tightening the handkerchief. But +something seemed to be wrong. No matter how tightly he twisted +the stick the blood did not stop flowing. The lad was frightened. +In a short time the man would bleed to death. + +"I've got to get him to the sanitarium in record time!" exclaimed +Tom. "Fog or no fog, I've got to run at full speed! I've got to +chance it!" + +Making the bandage as tight as he could and fastening it in place, +the young inventor sprang to the motor and set it in motion. Then +he went to the wheel. In a few minutes the ARROW was speeding +through the water as it had never done before, except when it had +raced the RED STREAK. "If I hit anything--good-by!" thought Tom +grimly. His hands were tense on the rim of the steering-wheel and +he was ready in an instant to reverse the motor as he sat there +straining his eyes to see through the curtain of mist that hung +over the lake. Now and then he glanced at the compass, to keep on +the right course, and from time to time he looked at Mr. Duncan. +The hunter was still unconscious. + +How Tom accomplished that trip he hardly remembered afterward. +Through the fog he shot, expecting any moment to crash into some +other boat. He did pass a rowing craft in which sat a lone +fisherman. The lad was upon him in an instant, but a turn of the +wheel sent the ARROW safely past, and the startled fisherman, +whose frail craft was set to rocking violently by the swell from +the motor-boat, sent an objecting cry through the fog after Tom. +But the youth did not reply. On and on he raced, getting the last +atom of power from his motor. + +He feared Mr. Duncan would be dead when he arrived, but when he +saw the dock of the sanitarium looming up out of the mist and shut +off the power to slowly run up to it, he placed his hand on the +wounded man's heart and found it still beating. + +"He's alive, anyhow," thought the youth, and then his craft bumped +up against the bulkhead and a man in the boathouse on the dock was +sent on the run for a physician. + +Mr. Duncan was quickly taken up to the sanitarium on a stretcher +and Tom followed. + +"You must have made a record run," observed one of the physicians +a little while afterward, when Tom was telling of his trip while +waiting in the office to hear the report on the hunter's +condition. + +"I guess I did," muttered the young inventor "only I didn't think +so at the time. It seemed as if we were only crawling along." + + +CHAPTER XII + +SUSPICIOUS CHARACTERS + +Under the skill of the physicians at the lake sanitarium Mr. +Duncan's wound was quickly attended to and the bleeding, which Tom +had partly checked, was completely stopped. Some medicines having +been administered, the hunter regained a little of his strength, +and, about an hour after he had been brought to the resort, he was +able to see Tom, who, at his request, was admitted to his room. +The young inventor found Mr. Duncan propped up in bed, with his +injured arm bandaged. + +"Is the injury a bad one?" asked Tom, entering softly. + +"Not as bad as I feared," replied the hunter, while a trained +nurse placed a chair for the lad at the bedside. "If it had not +been for you, though, I'm afraid to think of what might have +happened." + +"I am glad I chanced to be going past when you called," replied +the lad. + +"Well, you can imagine how thankful I am," resumed Mr. Duncan. +"I'll thank you more properly at another time. I hope I didn't +delay you on your trip." + +"It's not of much consequence," responded the youth. "I was only +going to see that everything was all right at our house," and he +explained about his father being at the hotel and mentioned his +worriment. "I will go on now unless I can do something more for +you," resumed Tom. "I will probably stay at our house all night +to-night instead of trying to get back to Sandport." + +"I'd like to send word to my wife about what has happened," said +the hunter. "If it would not be too much out of your way, I'd +appreciate it if you could stop at my home in Waterford and tell +her, so she will not be alarmed at my absence." + +"I'll do it," replied our hero. "There is no special need of my +hurrying. I have brought your gun and compass up from the boat. +They are down in the office." + +"Will you do me a favor?" asked Mr. Duncan quickly. + +"Of course." + +"Then please accept that gun and compass with my compliments. +They are both of excellent make, and I don't think I shall use +that gun this season. My wife would be superstitious about it. +As for the compass, you'll need one in this fog, and I can +recommend mine as being accurate." + +"Oh, I couldn't think of taking them," expostulated Tom, but his +eyes sparkled in anticipation, for he had been wishing for a gun +such as Mr. Duncan owned. He also needed a compass. + +"If you don't take them I shall feel very much offended," the +hunter said, "and the nurse here will tell you that sick persons +ought to be humored. Hadn't they?" and he appealed to the pretty +young woman, who was smiling at Tom. + +"That's perfectly true," she said, showing her white, even teeth. +"I think, Mr. Swift, I shall have to order you to take them." + +"All right," agreed Tom, "only it's too much for what I did." + +"It isn't half enough," remarked Mr. Duncan solemnly. "Just +explain matters to my wife, if you will, and tell her the doctor +says I can be out in about a week. But I'm not going hunting or +practicing shots again." + +A little later Tom, with the compass before him to guide him on +his course through the fog, was speeding his boat toward +Waterford. Now and then he glanced at the fine shotgun which he +had so unexpectedly acquired. + +"This will come in dandy this fall!" he exclaimed. "I'll go +hunting quail and partridge as well as wild ducks. This compass +is just what I need, too." + +Mrs. Duncan was at first very much alarmed when Tom started to +tell her of the accident, but she soon calmed down as the lad went +more into details and stated how comparatively out of danger her +husband now was. The hunter's wife insisted that Tom remain to +dinner, and as he had made up his mind he would have to devote two +days instead of one to the trip to his house, he consented. + +The fog lifted that afternoon, and Tom, rejoicing in the sunlight, +which drove away the storm clouds, speeded up the ARROW until she +was skimming over the lake like a shaft from a bow. + +"This is something like," he exclaimed. "I'll soon be at home, +find everything all right and telephone to dad. Then I'll sleep +in my own room and start back in the morning." + +When Tom was within a few miles of his own boathouse he heard +behind him the "put-put" of a motor craft. Turning, he saw the +RED STREAK fairly flying along at some distance from him. + +"Andy certainly is getting the speed out of her now," he remarked. +"He'd beat me if we were racing, but the trouble with his boat and +engine is that he can't always depend on it. I guess he doesn't +understand how to run it. I wonder if he'll offer to race now?" + +But the red-haired owner of the auto boat evidently did not intend +to offer Tom a race. The RED STREAK went on down the lake, +passing the ARROW about half a mile away. Then the young inventor +saw that Andy had two other lads in the boat with him. + +"Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey, I guess," he murmured. "Well, +they're a trio pretty much alike. The farther off they are the +better I like it." + +Tom once more gave his attention to his own boat. He was going at +a fair speed, but not the limit, and he counted on reaching home +in about a half hour. Suddenly, when he was just congratulating +himself on the smooth-running qualities of his motor, which had +not missed an explosion, the machinery stopped. + +"Hello!" exclaimed the young inventor in some alarm. "What's up +now?" + +He quickly shut off the gasoline and went back to the motor. Now +there are so many things that may happen to a gasoline engine that +it would be difficult to name them all offhand, and Tom, who had +not had very much experience, was at a loss to find what had +stopped his machinery. He tried the spark and found that by +touching the wire to the top of the cylinder, when the proper +connection was, made, that he had a hot, "fat one." The +compression seemed all right and the supply pipe from the gasoline +tank was in perfect order. Still the motor would not go. No +explosion resulted when he turned the flywheel over, not even +when he primed the cylinder by putting a little gasoline in +through the cocks on the cylinder heads. + +"That's funny," he remarked to himself as he rested from his +labors and contemplated the "dead" motor. "First time it has gone +back on me." The boat was drifting down the lake, and, at the +sound of another motor craft approaching, Tom looked up. He saw +the RED STREAK, containing Andy Foger and his cronies. They had +observed the young inventor's plight. + +"Want a tow?" sneered Andy. + +"What'll you take for your second-hand boat that won't run?" +asked Pete Bailey. + +"Better get out of the way or you might be run down," added Sam +Snedecker. + +Tom was too angry and chagrined to reply, and the RED STREAK swept +on. + +"I'll make her go, if it takes all night!" declared Tom +energetically. Once more he tried to start the motor. It coughed +and sighed, as if in protest, but would not explode. Then Tom +cried: "The spark plug! That's where the trouble is, I'll wager. +Why didn't I think of it before?" + +It was the work of but a minute to unscrew the spark plugs from +the tops of the cylinders. He found that both had such +accumulations of carbon on them that no spark could ever have +reached the mixture of gasoline and air. + +"I'll put new ones in," he decided, for he carried a few spare +plugs for emergencies. Inside of five minutes, with the new plugs +in place, the motor was running better than before. + +"Now for home!" cried Tom, "and if I meet Andy Foger I'll race +him this time." + +But the RED STREAK was not in sight, and, a little later, Tom had +run the ARROW into the boathouse, locked the door and was on his +way up to the mansion. + +"I suppose Mrs. Baggert and Garret will be surprised to see me," +he remarked. "Maybe they'll think we don't trust them, by coming +back in this fashion to see that everything is safe. But then, I +suppose, dad is naturally nervous about some of his valuable +machinery and inventions. I think I'll find everything all right, +though." + +As Tom went up the main path and swung off to a side one, which +was a short cut to the house, he saw in the dusk, for it was now +early evening, a movement in the bushes that lined the walk. + +"Hello, Garret!" exclaimed the lad, taking it for granted it was +the engineer employed by Mr. Swift. + +There was no reply, and Tom, with a sudden suspicion, sprang +toward the bushes. The shrubbery was more violently agitated and, +as the lad reached the screen of foliage, he saw a man spring up +from the ground and take to his heels. + +"Here! Who are you? What do you want?" yelled Tom. + +Hardly had he spoken when from behind a big apple tree another man +sprung. It was light enough so that the lad could see his face, +and a glimpse of it caused him to cry out: + +"Happy Harry, the tramp!" + +Before he could call again the two men had disappeared. + + +CHAPTER XIII + +TOM IN DANGER + +"Garret! Garret Jackson!" cried Tom as he struggled through the +hedge of bushes and ran after the men. "Where are you, Garret? +Come on and help me chase these men!" + +But there came no answer to Tom's hail. He could not hear the +sound of the retreating footsteps of the men now and concluded +that they had made their escape. Still he would not give up, but +dashed on, slipping and stumbling, now and then colliding with a +tree. + +"What can they be doing here?" thought Tom in great anxiety. "Are +they after some more of dad's inventions because they didn't get +his turbine motor?" + +"Hello! Who's there? Who are you?" called a voice suddenly. + +"Oh, Garret! Where have you been?" asked the young inventor, +recognizing the tones of his father's keeper. "I've been calling +you. Some of those scoundrels are around again!" + +"Why if it isn't Tom!" ejaculated the engineer. "However in the +world did you get here? I thought you were at Sandport." + +"I'll explain later, Garret. Just now I want to catch those men, +if I can." + +"Which men?" + +"Happy Harry and another one. I saw them hiding down by the +orchard path. Come on, they're right ahead of us." + +But though they hunted as well as they were able to in the fast- +gathering darkness, there was no trace of the intruders. They had +to give up, and Tom, after going to the boathouse to see that the +ARROW was all right, returned to the house, where he told the +engineer and housekeeper what had brought him back and how he had +surprised the two men. + +"Is everything all right, Garret?" he concluded. "Dad is nervous +and frightened. I must telephone him at the hotel to-night and +let him know, for I promised to come back. I can't, though, until +to-morrow." + +"Everything is all right as far as I know," answered Jackson. +"I've kept a careful watch and the burglar alarm has been in +working order. Mrs. Baggert and I haven't been disturbed a single +night since you went away. It's curious that the men should be +here the very night you come back. Maybe they followed you." + +"I hardly think so, for they didn't know I was coming." + +"You can't tell what those fellows know," commented the engineer. +"But, anyhow, I don't suppose they could have gotten here from +Sandport as soon as you did." + +"Oh, yes they could, in their automobile," declared Tom. "But I +don't believe they knew I was coming. They knew we were away, +however, and thought it would be a good time to steal something, I +guess. Are you sure nothing has been taken?" + +"Perfectly sure, but you and I will take a look around the shop." + +They made a hasty examination, but found nothing disturbed and no +signs that anyone had tried to break in. + +"I think I'll telephone dad that everything is all right," decided +Tom. "It is as far as his inventions are concerned, and if I tell +about seeing the men it will only worry him. I can explain that +part better when I see him. But when I go back, Garret, you will +have to be on your guard, since those men are in the neighborhood." + +"I will, Tom. Don't worry." + +Mr. Swift was soon informed by his son over the telephone that +nothing in the shops had been disturbed, and the inventor received +the news with evident satisfaction. He requested Tom to come back +to the hotel in the morning, in order that the three of them might +go for a ride about the lake in the afternoon, and Tom decided to +make an early start. + +The night passed without incident, though Tom, who kept the gun +Mr. Duncan had given him in readiness for use, got up several +times, thinking he heard suspicious noises. After an early +breakfast, and having once more cautioned the engineer and +housekeeper to be on their guard, Tom started back in the ARROW. + +As it would not be much out of his way, the young inventor decided +to cut across the lake and stop at the sanitarium, that he might +inquire about Mr. Duncan. He thought he could speed the ARROW up +sufficiently to make up for any time he might lose, and, with this +in mind, he headed out toward the middle of Lake Carlopa. The +engine was working splendidly with the new spark plugs, and Tom +was wondering if there was any possible method of getting more +revolutions out of the motor. He had about come to the conclusion +that a new propeller might answer his purpose when he heard the +noise of an approaching boat. He looked up quickly and exclaimed: + +"Andy Foger again, and Pete and Sam are with him. It's a wonder +he wouldn't go off on a trip instead of cruising around so near +home. Guess he's afraid he'll get stuck." + +Idly Tom watched the RED STREAK. It was cutting through the water +at a fast rate, throwing up curling foam on either side of the +sharp bow. "He seems to be heading this way," mused Tom. "Well, +I'm not going to race with him to-day." + +Nearer and nearer came the speedy craft, straight for the ARROW. +The young inventor shifted his helm in order to get out of Andy's +course, but to his surprise he saw that the red haired lad changed +the direction of his own boat. + +"Guess he wants to see how close he can come to me," thought our +hero. "Maybe he wants to show how fast he's going." + +The RED STREAK was now so close that the features of the occupants +could easily be distinguished. There were grins on the faces of +Andy and his cronies. + +"Get out of the way or we'll run you down!" cried the bully. +"We've got the right of way." + +"Don't you try anything like that!" shouted Tom in some alarm, not +that he was afraid of Andy, but the RED STREAK was getting +dangerously near, and he knew Andy was not a skillful helmsman. +The auto-boat was now headed directly at the ARROW and coming on +speedily. Andy was bending over the wheel and Tom had begun to +turn his, in order to get well out of the way of the insolent, +squint-eyed lad and his friends. + +Suddenly Andy uttered a cry and leaped up. + +"Look out! Look out!" he yelled. "My steering gear has broken! +I can't change my course. Look out!" + +The RED STREAK was bearing right down on Tom's boat. + +"Shut off your power! Reverse!" shouted Tom. + +Andy seemed confused and did not know what to do. Sam Snedecker +sprang to the side of his crony, but he knew even less about a +motor-boat. It looked as if Tom would be run down, and he was in +great danger. + +But the young inventor did not lose his head. He put his wheel +hard over and then, leaping to his motor, sent it full speed +forward. Not a moment too soon had he acted, for an instant later +the other boat shot past the stern of the ARROW, hitting it a +severe but glancing blow. Tom's boat quivered from end to end and +he quickly shut off the power. By this time Andy had succeeded in +slowing down his craft. The young inventor hastily looked over +the side of the ARROW. One of the rudder fastenings had been torn +loose. + +"What do you mean by running me down?" shouted Tom angrily. + +"I--I didn't do it on purpose," returned Andy contritely. "I was +seeing how near I could come to you when my steering gear broke. +I hope I haven't damaged you." + +"My rudder's broken," went on Tom "and I've got to put back to +repair it. I ought to have you arrested for this!" + +"I'll pay for the damage," replied Andy, and he was so frightened +that he was white, in spite of his tan and freckles. + +"That won't do me any good now," retorted Tom. "It will delay me +a couple of hours. If you try any tricks like that again, I'll +complain to the authorities and you won't be allowed to run a boat +on this lake." + +Andy knew that his rival was in the right and did not reply. The +bully and his cronies busied themselves over the broken steering +gear, and the young inventor, finding that he could make a shift +to get back to his boathouse, turned his craft around and headed +for there, in order to repair the damage. + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE ARROW DISAPPEARS + +Paying no heed to the occupants of the bully's boat, who, by +reason of their daring, had been responsible for his accident that +might have resulted seriously, Tom was soon at his dock. He had +it conveniently arranged for hoisting craft out of the water to +repair them, and in a few minutes the stern of the ARROW was +elevated so that he could get at the rudder. + +"Well, it's not as bad as I thought," he remarked when, with +critical eye, he had noted the damage done. "I can fix it in about +an hour if Garret helps me." + +Going up to the house to get some tools and to tell the engineer +that he had returned, Tom looked out over the lake and saw Andy's +boat moving slowly off. + +"They've got her fixed up in some kind of shape," he murmured. +"It's a shame for a chump like Andy to have a good boat like that. +He'll spoil it in one season. He's getting altogether too +reckless. First thing he knows, he and I will have a clash and +I'll pay back some of the old scores." + +Mr. Jackson was much surprised to see the young inventor home +again so soon, as was also Mrs. Baggert. Tom explained what had +happened, and he and the engineer went to work repairing the +damage done by the RED STREAK. As the owner of the ARROW had +anticipated, the work did not take long, and, shortly before +dinner time, the boat was ready to resume the interrupted trip to +Sandport. + +"Better stay and have lunch," urged Mrs. Baggert. "You can hardly +get to the hotel by night, anyhow, and maybe it would be better +not to start until to-morrow." + +"No, I must get back to-night or dad would be worried," declared +Tom. "I've been gone longer now than I calculated on. But I will +have dinner here, and, if necessary, I can do the last half of the +trip after dark. I know the way now and I have a compass and a +good searchlight." + +The ARROW was let down into the water again and tied outside the +boathouse ready for a quick start. The dinner Mrs. Baggert +provided was so good that Tom lingered over it longer than he +meant to, and he asked for a second apple dumpling with hard sauce +on. So it was with a very comfortable feeling indeed and with an +almost forgiving spirit toward Andy Foger that our hero started +down the path to the lake. + +"Now for a quick run to Sandport," he said aloud. "I hope I +shan't see any more of those men and that dad hasn't been bothered +by them. His suspicions about the house weren't altogether +unfounded, for I did see the tramp and some one else sneaking +around, but I don't believe they'll come back now." + +Tom swung around the path that led to the dock. As he came in +sight of the water, he stared as if he could not believe what he +saw, or, rather, what he did not see. For there was no craft tied +to the string-piece, where he had fastened his motor-boat. He +looked again, rubbed his eyes to make sure and then cried out: + +"The ARROW is gone!" + +There was no doubt of it. The craft was not at the dock. +Breaking into a run, Tom hastened to the boathouse. The ARROW was +not in there, and a look across the lake showed only a few +rowboats in sight. + +"That's mighty funny," mused the youth. "I wonder--" + +He paused suddenly in his thoughts. + +"Maybe Garret took it out to try and see that it worked all +right," he said hopefully. "He knows how to run a boat. Maybe he +wanted to see how the rudder behaved and is out in it now. He got +through dinner before I did. But I should have thought he'd have +said something to me if he was going out in it." + +This was the one weak point in Tom's theory, and he felt it at +once. + +"I'll see if Garret is in his shop," he went on as he turned back +toward the house. + +The first person he met as he headed for the group of small +structures where Mr. Swift's inventive work was carried on was +Garret Jackson, the engineer. + +"I--I thought you were out in my boat!" stammered Tom. + +"Your boat! Why would I be out in your boat?" and Mr. Jackson +removed his pipe from his mouth and stared at the young inventor. + +"Because it's gone!" + +"Gone!" repeated the engineer, and then Tom told him. The two +hurried down to the dock, but the addition of another pair of eyes +was of no assistance in locating the ARROW. The trim little motor +craft was nowhere to be seen. + +"I can't understand it," said Tom helplessly. "I wasn't gone more +than an hour at dinner, and yet--" + +"It doesn't take long to steal a motor-boat," commented the +engineer. + +"But I think I would have heard them start it," went on the lad. +"Maybe it drifted off, though I'm sure I tied it securely." + +"No, there's not much likelihood of that. There's no wind to-day +and no currents in the lake. But it could easily have been towed +off by some one in a rowboat and then you would not have heard the +motor start." + +"That's so," agreed the youth. "That's probably how they did it. +They sneaked up here in a rowboat and towed the ARROW off. I'm +sure of it." + +"And I'll wager I know who did it," exclaimed Mr. Jackson +energetically. + +"Who?" demanded Tom quickly. + +"Those men who were sneaking around--Happy Harry and his gang. +They stole the boat once and they'd do it again. Those men took +your boat, Tom." + +The young inventor shook his head. + +"No," he answered, "I don't believe they did." + +"Why not?" + +"Well, because they wouldn't dare come back here when they knew +we're on the lookout for them. It would be too risky." + +"Oh, those fellows don't care for risk," was the opinion of Mr. +Jackson. "Take my word for it, they have your boat. They have +been keeping watch, and as soon as they saw the dock unprotected +they sneaked up and stole the ARROW." + +"I don't think so," repeated Mr. Swift's son. + +"Who do you think took it then?" + +"Andy Foger!" was the quick response. "I believe he and his +cronies did it to annoy me. They have been trying to get even +with me-or at least Andy has--for outbidding him on this boat. +He's tried several times, but he hasn't succeeded--until now. +I'm sure Andy Foger has my boat," and Tom, with a grim tightening +of his lips, swung around as though to start in instant pursuit. + +"Where are you going?" asked Mr. Jackson. + +"To find Andy and his cronies. When I locate them I'll make them +tell me where my boat is." + +"Hadn't you better send some word to your father? You can hardly +get to Sandport now, and he'll be worried about you." + +"That's so, I will. I'll telephone dad that the boat--no, I'll +not do that either, for he'd only worry and maybe get sick. I'll +just tell him I've had a little accident, that Andy ran into me +and that I can't come back to the hotel for a day or two. Maybe +I'll be lucky to find my boat in that time. But dad won't worry +then, and, when I see him, I can explain. That's what I'll do," +and Tom was soon talking to Mr. Swift by telephone. + +The inventor was very sorry his son could not come back to rejoin +him and Ned, but there was no help for it, and, with as cheerful +voice as he could assume, the lad promised to start for Sandport +at the earliest opportunity. + +"Now to find Andy and my boat!" Tom exclaimed as he hung up the +telephone receiver. + + +CHAPTER XV + +A DISMAYING STATEMENT + +Trouble is sometimes good in a way; it makes a person resourceful. +Tom Swift had had his share of annoyances of late, but they had +served a purpose. He had learned to think clearly and quickly. +Now, when he found his boat stolen, he at once began to map out +a plan of action. + +"What will you do first?" asked Mr. Jackson as he saw his +employer's son hesitating. + +"First I'm going to Andy Foger's house," declared the young +inventor. "If he's home I'm going to tell him what I think of +him. If he's not, I'm going to find him." + +"Why don't you take your sailboat and run down to his dock?" +suggested the engineer. "It isn't as quick as your motor-boat, +but it's better than walking." + +"So it is," exclaimed the lad. "I will use my catboat. I had +forgotten all about it of late. I'm glad you spoke." + +He was soon sailing down the lake in the direction of the +boathouse on the waterfront of Mr. Foger's property. It needed +but a glance around the dock to show him that the RED STREAK was +not there, but Tom recollected the accident to the steering gear +and thought perhaps Andy had taken his boat to some wharf where +there was a repair shop and there left it to return home himself. +But inquiry of Mrs. Foger, who was as nice a woman as her son was +a mean lad, gave Tom the information that his enemy was not at +home. + +"He telephoned to me that his boat was damaged," said Mrs. Foger +gently, "and that he had taken it to get fixed. Then, he said, he +and some friends were going on a little cruise and might not be +back to-night." + +"Did he say where he was going?" asked our hero, who did not tell +Andy's mother why he wanted to see her son. + +"No, and I'm worried about him. Sometimes I think Andy is too-- +well, too impetuous, and I'm afraid he will get into trouble." + +Tom, in spite of his trouble, could hardly forbear smiling. +Andy's mother was totally unaware of the mean traits of her son +and thought him a very fine chap. Tom was not going to undeceive +her. + +"I'm afraid something will happen to him," she went on. "Do you +think there is any danger being out on the lake in a motor-boat, +Mr. Swift? I understand you have one." + +"Yes, I have one," answered Tom. He was going to say he had once +had one, but thought better of it. "No, there is very little +danger this time of year," he added. + +"I am very glad to hear you say so," went on Mrs. Foger with a +sigh. "I shall feel more at ease when Andy is away now. When he +returns home, I shall tell him you called upon him and he will +return your visit. I am glad to see that the custom of paying +calls has not died out among the present generation. It is a +pleasant habit, and I am glad to have my son conform to it. He +shall return your kind visit." + +"Oh, no, it's of no consequence," replied Tom quickly, thinking +grimly that his visit was far from a friendly one. "There is no +need to tell your son I was here. I will probably see him in a +day or two. + +"Oh, but I shall tell him," insisted Mrs. Foger with a kind smile. +"I'm sure he will appreciate your call." + +There was much doubt concerning this in the mind of the young +inventor, but he did not express it and soon took his leave. Up +and down the lake for the rest of the day he cruised, looking in +vain for a sight of Andy Foger in the RED STREAK, but the racing +boat appeared to be well hidden. + +"If I only could find where they've taken mine," mused Tom. "Hang +it all, this is rotten luck!" and for the first time he began to +feel discouraged. + +"Maybe you'd better notify the police," suggested Mr. Jackson when +Tom returned to the Swift house that night. "They might help +locate it." + +"I think I can do as well as the police," answered the youth. "If +the boat is anywhere it's on the lake, and the police have no +craft in which to make a search." + +"That's so," agreed the engineer. "I wish I could help you, but I +don't believe it would be wise for me to leave the house, +especially since those men have been about lately." + +"No, you must stay here," was Tom's opinion. "I'll take another +day or two to search. By this time Andy and his gang will return, +I'm sure, and I can tackle them." + +"Suppose they don't?" + +"Well, then I'll make a tour of the lake in my sailboat and I'll +run up to Sandport and tell dad, for he will wonder what's keeping +me. I'll know better next time than to leave my boat at the dock +without taking out the connection at the spark coil, so no one can +start the motor. I should have done that at first, but you always +think of those things afterward." + +The lad began his search again the next morning and cruised about +in little bays and gulfs looking for a sight of the RED STREAK or +the ARROW, but he saw neither, and a call at Andy's house showed +that the red-haired youth had not returned. Mrs. Foger was quite +nervous over her son's continued absence, but Mr. Foger thought it +was all right. + +Another day passed without any results and the young inventor was +getting so nervous, partly with worrying over the loss of his boat +and partly on his father's account, that he did not know what to +do. + +"I can't stand it any longer," he announced to Mrs. Baggert the +night of the third day, after a telephone message had been +received from Mr. Swift. The inventor wanted to know why his son +did not return to the hotel to join him and Ned. "Well, what will +you do?" asked the housekeeper. + +"If I don't find my boat to-morrow, I'll sail to Sandport, bring +home dad and Ned and we three will go all over the lake. My boat +must be on it somewhere, but Lake Carlopa is so cut up that it +could easily be hidden." + +"It's queer that the Foger boy doesn't come home. That makes it +look as if he was guilty." + +"Oh, I'm sure he took it all right," returned Tom. "All I want is +to see him. It certainly is queer that he stays away as long as +he does. Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey are with him, too. But +they'll have to return some time." + +Tom dreamed that night of finding his boat and that it was a +wreck. He awoke, glad to find that the latter part was not true, +but wishing that some of his night vision might come to pass +during the day. + +He started out right after breakfast, and, as usual, headed for +the Foger home. He almost disliked to ask Mrs. Foger if her son +had yet returned, for Andy's mother was so polite and so anxious +to know whether any danger threatened that Tom hardly knew how to +answer her. But he was saved that embarrassment on this occasion, +for as he was going up the walk from the lake to the residence he +met the gardener and from him learned that Andy had not yet come +back. + +"But his mother had a message from him, I did hear," went on the +man. "He's on his way. It seems he had some trouble." + +"Trouble. What kind of trouble?" asked Tom. + +"I don't rightly know, sir, but," and here the gardener winked his +eye, "Master Andy isn't particular what kind of trouble he gets +into." + +"That's right," agreed our hero, and as he went down again to +where he had left his boat he thought: "Nor what kind of trouble +he gets other people into. I wish I had hold of him for about +five minutes!" + +The sailboat swung slowly from the dock and heeled over to the +gentle breeze. Hardly knowing what to do, Tom headed for the +middle of the lake. He was discouraged and tired of making plans +only to have them fail. + +As he looked across the stretch of water he saw a boat coming +toward him. He shaded his eyes with his hand to see better, and +then, with a pair of marine glasses, took an observation. He +uttered an exclamation. + +"That's the RED STREAK as sure as I'm alive!" he cried. "But +what's the matter with her? They're rowing!" + +The lad headed his boat toward the approaching one. There was no +doubt about it. It was Andy Foger's craft, but it was not +speeding forward under the power of the motor. Slowly and +laborious the occupants were pulling it along, and as it was not +meant to be rowed, progress was very slow. + +"They've had a breakdown," thought Tom. "Serves 'em right! Now +wait till I tackle 'em and find out where my boat is. I've a good +notion to have Andy Foger arrested!" + +The sailing craft swiftly approached the motor-boat. Tom could see +the three occupants looking at him, apprehensively as well as +curiously, he thought. + +"Guess they didn't think I'd keep after 'em," mused the young +inventor, and a little later he was beside the RED STREAK. + +"Well," cried Tom angrily, "it's about time you came back!" + +"We've had a breakdown," remarked Andy, and he seemed quite +humiliated. He was beginning to find out that he didn't know as +much about a motor-boat as he thought he did. + +"I've been waiting for you," went on Tom. + +"Waiting for us? What for?" asked Sam Snedecker. + +"What for? As if you didn't know!" blurted out the owner of the +ARROW. "I want my boat, Andy Foger, the one you stole from me and +hid! Tell me where it is at once or I'll have you arrested!" + +"Your boat!" repeated the bully, and there was no mistaking the +surprise in his tones. + +"Yes, my boat! Don't try to bluff me like that." + +"I'm not trying to bluff you. We've been away, three days and +just got back." + +"Yes, I know you have. You took my boat with you, too." + +"Are you crazy?" demanded Pete Bailey. + +"No, but you fellows must have been to think you could take my +boat and me not know it," and Tom, filled with wrath, grasped the +gunwale of the RED STREAK as if he feared it would suddenly shoot +away. + +"Look here!" burst out Andy, and he spoke sincerely, "we didn't +touch your boat. Did we, fellows?" + +"No!" exclaimed Sam and Pete at once, and they were very much in +earnest. + +"We didn't even know it was stolen, did we?" went on Andy. + +"No," agreed his chums. Tom looked unconvinced. + +"We haven't taken your boat and we can prove it," continued the +bully. "I know you and I have had quarrels, but I'm telling you +the truth, Tom Swift. I never touched your boat." + +There was no mistaking the sincerity of Andy. He was not a +skilful deceiver, and Tom, looking into his squint-eyes, which +were opened unusually wide, could not but help believing the +fellow. + +"We haven't seen it since the day we had the collision," added +Andy, and his chums confirmed this statement. + +"We went off on a little cruise," continued the red-haired bully, +"and broke down several times. We had bad luck. Just as we were +nearing home something went wrong with the engine again. I never +saw such a poor motor. But we never took your boat, Tom Swift, +and we can prove it." + +Tom was in despair. He had been so sure that Andy was the thief, +that to believe otherwise was difficult. Yet he felt that he +must. He looked at the disabled motor of the RED STREAK and +viewed it with the interested and expert eye of a machinist, no +matter if the owner of it was his enemy. Then suddenly a +brilliant idea came into Tom's head. + + +CHAPTER XVI + +STILL ON THE SEARCH + +"You seem to have lots of trouble with your boat, Andy," said Tom +after a few moments of rather embarrassed silence. + +"I do," admitted the owner of the RED STREAK. "I've had bad luck +ever since I got it, but usually I've been able to fix it by +looking in the book. This time I can't find out what the trouble +is, nor can any of the fellows. It stopped when we were out in +the middle of the lake and we had to row. I'm sick of motor +boating." + +"Suppose I fix it for you?" went on Tom. + +"If you do, I'll pay you well." + +"I wouldn't do it for pay--not the kind you mean," continued the +young inventor. + +"What do you mean then?" and Andy's face, that had lighted up, +became glum again. + +"Well, if I fix your boat for you, will you let me run it a little +while?" + +"You mean show me how to run it?" + +"No, I mean take it myself. Look here, Andy, my boat's been +stolen, and I thought you took it to get even with me. You say +you didn't--" + +"And I didn't touch it," interposed the squint-eyed lad quickly. + +"All right, I believe you. But somebody stole it, and I think I +know who." + +"Who?" asked Sam Snedecker. + +"Well, you wouldn't know if I told you, but I suspect some men +with whom I had trouble before," and Tom referred to Happy Harry +and his gang. "I think they have my boat on this lake, and I'd +like to get another speedy craft to cruise about it and make a +further search. How about it, Andy? If I fix your boat, will you +let me take it to look for my boat?" + +"Sure thing!" agreed the bully quickly, and his voice for once was +friendly toward Tom. "Fix the engine so it will run, and you can +use the RED STREAK as long as you like." + +"Oh, I probably wouldn't want it very long. I could cover the +lake in about three days, and I hope by that time I could locate +the thieves. Is it a bargain?" + +"Sure," agreed Andy again, and Tom got into the motor-boat to look +at the engine. He found that it would require some time to adjust +it properly and that it would be necessary to take the motor +apart. + +"I think I'd better tow you to my dock," the young inventor said +to Andy. "I can use some tools from the shop then, and by +to-night I'll have the RED STREAK in running order." + +The breeze was in the right quarter, fortunately, and with the +motor-boat dragging behind, the ARROW's owner put the nose of the +sailing craft toward his home dock. + +When Tom reached his house he found that Mrs. Baggert had received +another telephone message from Mr. Swift, inquiring why his son +had not returned to Sandport. + +"He says if you don't come back by to-morrow," repeated the +housekeeper, "that he'll come home by train. He's getting +anxious, I believe." + +"Shouldn't wonder," admitted Tom. "But I want him to stay there. +The change will do him good. I'll soon have my boat back, now +that I can go about the lake swiftly, and then I'll join him. +I'll tell him to be patient." + +Tom talked with his father at some length, assuring him that +everything was well at the Shopton house and promising to soon be +with him. Then the young inventor began work on the motor of the +RED STREAK. He found it quite a job and had to call on Mr. +Jackson to help him, for one of the pistons had to be repaired and +a number of adjustments made to the cylinders. + +But that night the motor was fully mended and placed back in the +boat. It was in better shape than it had been since Andy had +purchased the craft. + +"There," remarked Tom, "now I'm ready to hunt for those +scoundrels. Will you leave your boat at my dock to-night, Andy?" + +"Yes, so you can start out early in the morning. I'm not going." + +"Why not?" demanded Tom quickly. + +"Well--er--you see I've had enough of motoring for a while," +explained Andy. "Besides, I don't believe my mother would like me +to go out on a chase after thieves. If we had to shoot I might +hit one of them, and--" + +"Oh, I see," answered Tom. "But I don't like to take your boat +alone. Besides, I don't fancy there will be much shooting. I +know I'm not going to take a gun. In fact, the one Mr. Duncan +gave me is in the boat. All I want is to get the ARROW back." + +"That's all right," went on Andy. "You take my boat and use it as +long as you like. I'll rest up a few days. When you find your +boat you can bring mine back." + +Tom understood. He was just as glad not to have Andy accompany +him in the chase, as he and the red-haired lad had never been good +friends and probably never would be. So it would cause some +embarrassment to be together in a boat all day. Then again Tom +knew he could manage the RED STREAK better alone, but, of course, +he did not want to mention this when he asked for the loan of the +craft. Andy's own suggestion, however, had solved the difficulty. +Tom had an idea that Andy felt a little timid about going in +pursuit of the thieves, but naturally it would not do to mention +this, for the squint-eyed lad considered himself quite a fighter. + +Early the next morning, alone in the RED STREAK, Tom continued the +search for his stolen boat. He started out from his home dock and +mapped out a course that would take him well around the lake. + +"I s'pose I could take a run to Sandport now," mused the youth as +he shot in and out of the little bays, keeping watch for the +ARROW. "But if I do dad will have to be told all about it, and, +he'll worry. Then, too, he might want to accompany me, and I +think I can manage this better alone, for the RED STREAK will run +faster with only one in. I ought to wind up this search in two +days, if my boat is still on the lake. And if those scoundrels +have sunk her I'll make them pay for it." + +On shot the speedy motor-boat, in and out along the winding +shoreline, with the lad in the bow at the steering-wheel peering +with eager eyes into every nook and corner where his craft might +be hidden. + + +CHAPTER XVII + +"THERE SHE IS!" + +Anticipating that he would be some time on his search, the young +inventor had gone prepared for it. He had a supply of provisions +and he had told Mrs. Baggert he might not be back that night. But +he did not intend to sleep aboard the RED STREAK, which, being a +racing boat, was not large enough to afford much room for +passengers. Tom had planned, therefore, to put up at some hotel +near the lake in case his hunt should last beyond one night. + +That it would do this was almost certain, for all that morning he +searched unavailingly for the ARROW. A distant mill whistle +sounding over Lake Carlopa told him it was noon. + +"Dinner time," he announced to himself. "Guess I'll run up along +shore in the shade and eat." + +Selecting a place where the trees overhung the water, forming a +quiet, cool nook, Tom sent the boat in there, and, tying it to a +leaning tree, he began his simple meal. Various thoughts filled +his mind, but chief among them was the desire to overtake the +thieves who had his boat. That it was Happy Harry's gang he was +positive. + +The lad nearly finished eating and was considering what direction +he might best search in next when he heard, running along a road +that bordered the lake, an automobile. + +"Wonder who that is?" mused Tom. "It won't do any harm to take a +look, for it might be some of those thieves again. They probably +still have their auto or Happy Harry couldn't have gotten from +Sandport to Shopton so quickly." + +The young inventor slipped ashore from the motor-boat, taking care +to make no noise. Stealing silently along toward the road, he +peered through the underbrush for a sight of the machine, which +seemed to be going slowly. But before the youth had a glimpse of +it he was made aware who the occupant was by hearing someone +exclaim: + +"Bless my shoe laces if this cantankerous contraption isn't going +wrong again! I wonder if it's going to have a fit here in this +lonely place. It acts just as if it was. Bless my very +existence! Hold on now. Be nice! Be nice!" + +"Mr. Damon!" exclaimed Tom, and, without knowing it, he had spoken +aloud. + +"Hold on there! Hold on! Who's calling me in this forsaken +locality? Bless my shirt studs! But who is it?" and the +eccentric man who had sold Tom the motor-cycle looked intently at +the bushes. + +"Here I am, Mr. Damon," answered the lad, stepping out into the +road. "I knew it was you as soon as I saw you." + +"Bless my liver, but that's very true! I suppose you heard my +unfortunate automobile puffing along. I declare I don't know what +ails it. I got it on the advice of my physician, who said I must +get out in the air, but, bless my gears, it's the auto who needs a +doctor more than I do! It's continually out of order. Something +is going to happen right away. I can tell by the way it's +behaving." + +Mr. Damon had thrown out the clutch, but the engine was still +running, though in a jerky, uncertain fashion, which indicated to +the trained ear of the young inventor that something was wrong. + +"Perhaps I can fix it for you as I did before," ventured Tom. + +"Bless my eyebrows! Perhaps you can," cried the eccentric man +hopefully. "You always seem to turn up at the right moment. How +do you manage it?" + +"I don't know. I remember the time you turned up just when I +wanted you to help me capture Happy Harry and his gang, and now, +by, a strange coincidence, I'm after them again." + +"You don't say so! My good gracious! Bless my hatband! But +that's odd. There!" he ejaculated suddenly as the automobile +engine stopped with a choking sigh, "I knew something was going to +happen." + +"Let me take a look," proposed the lad, and he was soon busy +peering into the interior of the machine. At first he could not +find the trouble, but being a persistent youth, Tom went at it +systematically and located it in two places. The clutch was not +rightly adjusted and the carburetor float feed needed fixing. The +young inventor was not long in making the slight repairs and then +he assured Mr. Damon that his automobile would run properly. + +"Bless my very existence, but what a thing it is to have a head +for mechanics!" exclaimed the odd man gratefully. "Now it would +bother me to adjust a nutmeg grater if it got out of order, but I +dare say you could fix it in no time." + +"Yes," answered Tom, "I could and so could you, for there's +nothing about it to fix. But you can go ahead now if you wish." + +"Thank you. It just shows how ignorant I am of machinery. I +presume something will go wrong in another mile or two. But may I +ask what you are doing here? I presume you are in your motor- +boat, sailing about for pleasure. And didn't I understand you to +say you were after those chaps again? Bless my watch charm, but I +was so interested in my machine that I didn't think to ask you." + +"Yes, I am after those thieves again." + +"In your motor-boat, I presume. Well, I hope you catch them. +What have they stolen now?" + +"My motor-boat. That's why I'm after them, but I had to borrow a +craft to chase them with." + +"Bless my soul! You don't tell me! How did it happen?" + +Thereupon the lad related as much of the story as was necessary to +put Mr. Damon in possession of the facts and he ended up with: + +"I don't suppose you have seen anything of the men in my boat, +have you?" + +Mr. Damon seemed strangely excited. He had entered his auto, but +as the lad's story progressed the odd gentleman had descended. +When Tom finished he exclaimed: + +"Don't say a word now--not a word. I want to think, and that is +a process, which, for me, requires a little time. Don't speak a +word now. Bless my left hand, but I think I can help you!" + +He frowned, stamped first one foot, then the other, looked up at +the sky, as if seeking inspiration there, and then down at the +ground, as if that would help him to think. Then he clapped his +hands smartly together and cried out: + +"Bless my shoe buttons!" + +"Have you seen them?" asked Tom eagerly. + +"Was your boat one with a red arrow painted on the bow?" asked Mr. +Damon in turn. + +"It was!" and the lad was now almost as excited as was his friend. + +"Then I've seen it and, what's more, this morning! Bless my spark +plug, I've seen it!" + +"Tell me about it!" pleaded the young inventor, and Mr. Damon, +calming himself after an effort, resumed: + +"I was out for an early spin in my auto," he said, "and was +traveling along a road that bordered the lake, about fifteen miles +above here. I heard a motor-boat puffing along near shore, and, +looking through the trees, I saw one containing three men. It had +a red arrow on the bow, and that's why I noticed it, because I +recalled that your boat was named the DART." + +"ARROW," corrected Tom. + +"The ARROW. Oh, yes, I knew it was something like that. Well of +course at the time I didn't think that it was your boat, but I +associated it in my mind with yours. Do you catch my meaning?" + +Tom did and said so, wishing Mr. Damon would hurry and get to the +point. But the eccentric character had to do things in his own +way. + +"Exactly," he resumed. "Well, I didn't think that was your boat, +but, at the same time, I watched the men out of curiosity, and I +was struck with their behavior. They seemed to be quarreling, +and, from what I could hear, two of them seemed to be +remonstrating with the third one for having taken some sort of a +piece of wood from the forward compartment. I believe that is +the proper term." + +"Yes!" Tom almost shouted. "But where did they go? What became +of them? What was the man doing to the forward compartment--where +the gasoline tank is?" + +"Exactly. I was trying to think what was kept there. That's it, +the gasoline tank. Well, the boat kept on up the lake, and I +don't know what became of the men. But about that piece of wood. +It seems that one of the men removed a block, from under the tank +and the others objected. That's why they were quarreling." + +"That's very strange," exclaimed the lad. "There must be some +mystery about my boat that I don't understand. But that will keep +until I get the boat itself. Good-by, Mr. Damon. I must be off." + +"Where to?" + +"Up the lake after those thieves. I must lose no time," and Tom +started to go back to where he had left the RED STREAK. + +"Hold on!" cried Mr. Damon. "I have something to propose, Tom. +Two heads are better than one, even if one doesn't know how to +adjust a nutmeg grate. Suppose I come along with you? I can +point out the direction the men took, at any rate." + +"I'll be very glad to have you," answered the lad, who felt that +he might need help if there were three of the thieves in his +craft. "But what will you do with your automobile?" + +"I'll just run it down the road a way to where a friend of mine +has a stable. I'll leave it in there and join you. Will you let +me come? Bless my eye glasses, but I'd like to help catch those +scoundrels!" + +"I'll be very glad to have you. Go ahead, put the auto in the +barn and I'll wait for you." + +"I have a better plan than that," replied Mr. Damon. "Run your +boat down to that point," and he indicated one about a mile up the +lake. "I'll be there waiting for you, and we'll lose no time. I +can cover the ground faster in my auto than you can in your boat." + +Tom saw the advantage of this and was soon under way, while he +heard on shore the puffing of his friend's car. On the trip to +the point Tom puzzled over the strange actions of the man in +taking one of the braces from under the gasoline tank. + +"I'll wager he did it before," thought the lad. "It must be the +same person who was tampering with the lock of the forward +compartment the day I bought the boat. But why--that's the +question--why?" + +He could find no answer to this, puzzle over it as he did, and he +gave it up. His whole desire now was to get on the trail of the +thieves, and he had strong hopes, after the clew Mr. Damon had +given him. The latter was waiting for him on the point, and so +nimble was the owner of the auto, in spite of his size, that Tom +was not delayed more than the fraction of a minute ere he was +under way again, speeding up the lake. + +"Now keep well in toward shore," advised Mr. Damon. "Those +fellows don't want to be observed any more than they can help, and +they'll sneak along the bank, They were headed in that direction," +and he pointed it out. "Now I hope you won't think I'm in the +way. Besides, you know, if you get your boat back, you'll want +some one to help steer it, while you run this one. I can do that, +at all events, bless my very existence!" + +"I am very glad of your help," replied the lad, but he did not +take his eyes from the water before him, and he was looking for a +sight of his boat with the men in it. + +For three hours or more Tom and Mr. Damon cruised in and out along +the shore of the lake, going farther and farther up the body of +water. Tom was beginning to think that he would reach Sandport +without catching sight of the thieves, and he was wondering if, +after all, he might not better stop off and see his father when, +above the puffing of the motor in the RED STREAK, he heard the +put-put of another boat. + +"Listen!" cried Mr. Damon, who had heard it at the same time. + +Tom nodded. + +"They're just ahead of us," whispered his companion. + +"If it's them," was the lad's reply. + +"Speed up and we'll soon see," suggested Mr. Damon, and Tom +shoved the timer over. The RED STREAK forged ahead. The sound of +the other boat came more plainly now. It was beyond a little +point of land. The young inventor steered out to get around it +and leaned eagerly forward to catch the first glimpse of the +unseen craft. Would it prove to be the ARROW? + +The put-put became louder now. Mr. Damon was standing up, as if +that would, in some mysterious way, help. Then suddenly the other +boat came into view. Tom saw it in an instant and knew it for the +ARROW. + +"There she is!" he cried. + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +THE PURSUIT + +For an instant after Tom's exultant cry the men in the boat ahead +were not aware that they were being pursued. Then, as the +explosions from the motor of the RED STREAK sounded over the +water, they turned to see who was coming up behind them. There +was no mistaking the attitude of the young inventor and his +companion. They were leaning eagerly forward, as if they could +reach out and grasp the criminals who were fleeing before them. + +"Put on all the speed you can, Tom!" begged Mr. Damon. "We'll +catch the scoundrels now. Speed up the motor! Oh, if I only had +my automobile now. Bless my crank shaft, but one can go so much +faster on land than on water." + +The lad did not reply, but thought, with grim humor, that running +an automobile over Lake Carlopa would be no small feat. Mr. +Damon, however, knew what he was saying. + +"We'll catch them! We'll nab 'em!" he cried. "Speed her up, +Tom." + +The youth was doing his best with the motor of the RED STREAK. He +was not as well acquainted with it as he was with the one in his +boat, but he knew, even better than Andy Foger, how to make it do +efficient work. It was a foregone conclusion that the RED STREAK, +if rightly handled, could beat the ARROW, but there were several +points in favor of the thieves. The motor of Tom's boat was in +perfect order, and even an amateur, with some knowledge of a boat, +could make it do nearly its best. On the other hand, the RED +STREAK's machinery needed "nursing." Again, the thieves had a +good start, and that counted for much. But Tom counted on two +other points. One was that Happy Harry and his gang would +probably know little about the fine points of a motor. They had +shown this in letting the motor of the boat they had first stolen +get out of order, and Tom knew the ins and outs of a gasoline +engine to perfection. So the chase was not so hopeless as it +seemed. + +"Do you think you can catch them?" asked Mr. Damon anxiously. + +"I'm going to make a big try," answered his companion. + +"They're heading out into the middle of the lake!" cried the +eccentric man. + +"If they do, I can cut them off!" murmured Tom as he put the wheel +over. + +But whoever was steering the ARROW knew better than to send it on +a course that would enable the pursuing boat to cut across and +shorten the distance to it. After sending the stolen craft far +enough out from shore to clear points of land that jutted out into +the lake, the leading boat was sent straight ahead. + +"A stern chase and a long chase!" murmured Mr. Damon. "Bless my +rudder, but those fellows are not going to give up easily." + +"I guess not," murmured Tom. "Will you steer for a while, Mr. +Damon?" + +"Of course I will. If I could get out and pull the boat after me, +to make it go faster, I would. But as I always lose my breath +when I run, perhaps it's just as well that I stay in here." Tom +thought so too, but his attention was soon given to the engine. +He adjusted the timer to get if possible a little more speed out +of the boat he had borrowed from Andy, and he paid particular +attention to the oiling system. + +"We're going a bit faster!" called Mr. Damon' encouragingly, "or +else they're slacking up." + +Tom peered ahead to see if this was so. It was hard to judge +whether he was overhauling the ARROW, as it was a stern chase, and +that is always difficult to judge. But a glimpse along shore +showed him that they were slipping through the water at a faster +speed. + +"They're up to something!" suddenly exclaimed Mr. Damon a moment +later. "I believe they're going to fire on us, Tom. They are +pointing something this way." + +The lad stood up and gazed earnestly at his boat, which seemed to +be slipping away from him so fast. One of the occupants was in +the stern, aiming some glittering object at those in the RED +STREAK. For a moment Tom thought it might be a gun. Then, as the +man turned, he saw what it was. + +"A pair of marine glasses," cried the lad. "They're trying to +make out who we are." + +"I guess they know well enough," rejoined Mr. Damon. "Can't you +go any faster, Tom?" + +"I'm afraid not. But we'll land them, sooner or later. They +can't go very far in this direction without running ashore and +we'll have them. They're cutting across the lake now." + +"They may escape us if it gets dark. Probably that's what they're +working for. They want to keep ahead of us until nightfall." + +The young inventor thought of this too, but there was little he +could do. The motor was running at top speed. It could be made +to go faster, Tom knew, with another ignition system, but that was +out of the question now. + +The man with the glasses had resumed his seat, and the efforts of +the trio seemed concentrated on the motor of the ARROW. They, +too, wished to go faster. But they had not skill enough to +accomplish it, and in about ten minutes, when Tom took another +long and careful look to ascertain if possible whether or not he +was overhauling the thieves, he was delighted to see that the +distance between the boats had lessened. + +"We're catching them! We're creeping up on them!" cried Mr. +Damon. "Keep it up, Tom." There was nothing to do, however, save +wait. The boat ahead had shifted her course somewhat and was now +turning in toward the shore, for the lake was narrow at this +point, and abandoning their evident intention of keeping straight +up the lake, the thieves seemed now bent on something else. + +"I believe they're going to run ashore and get out!" cried Mr. +Damon. + +"If they do, it's just what I want," declared the lad. "I don't +care for the men. I want my boat back!" + +The occupants of the ARROW were looking to the rear again, and +one--Happy Harry, Tom thought--shook his fist. + +"Ah, wait until I get hold of you!" cried Mr. Damon, following his +example. "I'll make you wish you'd behaved yourselves, you +scoundrels! Bless my overcoat! Catch them if you can, Tom." + +There was now no doubt of the intention of the fleeing ones. The +shore was looming up ahead and straight for it was headed the +ARROW. Tom sent Andy's boat in the same direction. He was +rapidly overhauling the escaping ones now, for they had slowed +down the motor. Three minutes later the foremost boat grated on +the beach of the lake. The men leaped out, one of them pausing an +instant in the bow. + +"Here, don't you damage my boat!" cried Tom involuntarily, for the +man seemed to be hammering something. + +The fellow leaped over the side, holding something in his hand. + +"There they go! Catch them!" yelled Mr. Damon. + +"Let them go!" answered the lad as the men ran toward the wood. +"I want my boat. I'm afraid they've damaged her. One of them +tore something from the bow." + +At the same instant the two companions of the fellow who had +paused in the forward part of the ARROW saw that he had something +in his hand. With yells of rage they dashed at him, but he, +shaking his fist at them, plunged into the bushes and could be +heard breaking his way through, while his companions were in +pursuit. + +"They've quarreled among themselves," commented Mr. Damon as high +and angry voices could be heard from the woods. "There's some +mystery here, Tom." + +"I don't doubt it, but my first concern is for my boat. I want to +see if they have damaged her." + +Tom had run so closely in shore with the RED STREAK that he had to +reverse to avoid damaging the craft against the bank. In a mass +of foam he stopped her in time, and then springing ashore, he +hurried to his motor-boat. + + +CHAPTER XIX + +A QUIET CRUISE + +"Have they done any damage?" asked Mr. Damon as he stood in the +bow of the RED STREAK. + +Tom did not answer for a moment. His trained eye was looking over +the engine. + +"They yanked out the high tension wire instead of stopping the +motor with the switch," he answered at length, and then, when he +had taken a look into the compartment where the gasoline tank was, +he added: "And they've ripped out two more of the braces I put in. +Why in the world they did that I can't imagine." + +"That's evidently what one man had that the others wanted," was +Mr. Damon's opinion. + +"Probably," agreed Tom. "But what could he or they want with +wooden braces?" + +That was a puzzler for Mr. Damon, but he answered: + +"Perhaps they wanted to damage your boat and those two men were +mad because the other got ahead of them." + +"Taking out the braces wouldn't do much damage. I can easily put +others in. All it would do would be to cause the tank to sag down +and maybe cause a leak in the pipe. But that would be a queer +thing to do. No, I think there's some mystery that I haven't +gotten to the bottom of yet. But I'm going to." + +"Good!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "I'll help you. But can you run +your boat back home?" + +"Not without fixing it a bit. I must brace up that tank and put +in a new high-tension wire from the spark coil. I can do it here, +but I'd rather take it to the shop. Besides, with two boats to +run back, for I must return Andy's to him, I don't see how I can +do it very well unless you operate one, Mr. Damon." + +"Excuse me, but I can't do it. Bless my slippers, but I would be +sure to run on a rock! The best plan will be for you to tow your +boat and I'll ride in it and steer. I can do that much, anyhow. +You can ride in the RED STREAK." + +Tom agreed that this would be a good plan. So, after temporarily +bracing up the tank in the ARROW, it was shoved out into the lake +and attached to Andy's craft. + +"But aren't you going to make a search for those men?" asked Mr. +Damon when Tom was ready to start back. + +"No, I think it would be useless. They are well away by this +time, and I don't fancy chasing them through the woods, especially +as night is coming on. Besides, I won't leave these boats." + +"No doubt you are right, but I would like to see them punished, +and I am curious enough to wish to know what object that scoundrel +could have in ripping out the blocks that served as a brace for +the tank." + +"I feel the same way myself," commented the lad, "especially since +this is the second time that's happened. But we'll have to wait, +I guess." + +A little later the start back was made, Mr. Damon steering the +ARROW skillfully enough so that it did not drag on the leading +boat, in which Tom rode. His course took him not far from the +lake sanitarium, where Mr. Duncan, the hunter, had been brought, +and desiring to know how the wounded man was getting on, the youth +proposed that they make a halt, explaining to Mr. Damon his +reason. + +"Yes, and while you're about it you'd better telephone your father +that you will join him to-morrow," suggested the other. "I know +what it is to fret and worry. You can fix your boat up in time to +go to Sandport to-morrow, can't you?" + +"Yes, I'm glad you reminded me of it. I'll telephone from the +sanitarium, if they'll let me." + +Mr. Duncan was not at the institution, Tom was told, his injury +having healed sufficiently to allow of his being removed to his +home. The youth readily secured permission to use the telephone, +and was soon in communication with Mr. Swift. While not telling +him all the occurrences that had delayed him, Tom gave his father +and Ned Newton enough information to explain his absence. Then +the trip to Shopton was resumed in the two boats. + +"What are you going to do about your automobile?" asked Tom as +they neared the point where the machine had been left. + +"Never mind about that," replied Mr. Damon. "It will do it good +to have a night's vacation. I will go on to your house with you, +and perhaps I can get a train back to my friend's home, so that I +can claim my car." + +"Won't you stay all night with me?" invited the young inventor. +"I'd be glad to have you." + +Mr. Damon agreed, and, Tom putting more speed on the RED STREAK, +was soon opposite his own dock. The ARROW was run in the +boathouse and the owner hastily told Mrs. Baggert and the engineer +what had occurred. Then he took Andy's boat to Mr. Foger's dock +and warmly thanked the red-haired lad for the use of his craft. + +"Did you find your boat?" asked Andy eagerly. "How did the RED +STREAK run?" + +"I got my boat and yours runs fine," explained Tom. + +"Good! I'll race you again some day," declared Andy. + +Mr. Damon enjoyed his visit at our hero's house, for Mrs. Baggert +cooked one of her best suppers for him. Tom and the engineer +spent the evening repairing the motor-boat, Mr. Damon looking on +and exclaiming "Bless my shoe leather" or some other part of his +dress or anatomy at every stage of the work. The engineer wanted +to know all about the men and their doings, but he could supply no +reason for their queer actions regarding the braces under the +gasoline tank. + +In the morning Tom once more prepared for an early start for +Sandport, and Mr. Damon, reconsidering his plans, rode as far with +him as the place where the automobile had been left. There he +took leave of the young inventor, promising to call on Mr. Swift +in the near future. + +"I hope you arrive at the hotel where your father is without any +more accidents," remarked the automobilist. "Bless my very +existence, but you seem to have the most remarkable series of +adventures I ever heard of!" + +"They are rather odd," admitted Tom. "I don't know that I +particularly care for them, either. But, now that I have my boat +back, I guess everything will be all right." + +But Tom could not look ahead. He was destined to have still more +exciting times, as presently will be related. + +Without further incident he arrived at the Lakeview Hotel in +Sandport that evening and found his father and Ned very glad to +see him. Of course he had to explain everything then, and, with +his son safely in his sight, Mr. Swift was not so nervous over the +recital as he would have been had Tom not been present. + +"Now for some nice, quiet trips," remarked the lad when he had +finished his account. "I feel as if I had cheated you out of part +of your vacation, Ned, staying away as long as I did." + +"Well, of course we missed you," answered his chum. "But your +father and I had a good time." + +"Yes, and I invented a new attachment for a kitchen boiler," added +Mr. Swift. "I had a chance for it when I passed through the hotel +kitchen one day, for I wanted to see what kind of a range they +used." + +"I guess there's no stopping you from inventing," replied his son +with a laugh and a hopeless shake of the head. "But don't let it +happen again when you go away to rest." + +"Oh, I only just thought of it," said Mr. Swift. "I haven't +worked the details out yet." + +Then he wanted to know about everything at home and he seemed +particularly anxious lest the Happy Harry gang do some damage. + +"I don't believe they will," Tom assured him. "Garret and Mrs. +Baggert will be on guard." + +The next few days were pleasant ones for Tom, his father and Ned +Newton. They cruised about the lake, went fishing and camped in +the woods. Even Mr. Swift spent one night in the tent and said he +liked it very much. For a week the three led an ideal existence, +going about as they pleased, Ned taking a number of photographs +with his new camera. The ARROW proved herself a fine boat, and +Tom and Ned, when Mr. Swift did not accompany them, explored the +seldom visited parts of Lake Carlopa. + +The three had been out one day and were discussing the necessity +of returning home soon when Ned spoke. + +"I shall hate to give up this life and go to slaving in the bank +again," he complained. "I wish I was an inventor." + +"Oh, we inventors don't have such an easy time," said Mr. Swift. +"You never know when trouble is coming," and he little imagined +how near the truth he was. + +A little later they were at the hotel dock. When Tom had tied up +his boat the three walked up the path to the broad veranda that +faced the lake. A boy in uniform met them. + +"Some one has just called you on the telephone, Mr. Swift," he +reported. + +"Some one wants me? Who is it?" + +"I think he said his name is Jackson, sir, Garret Jackson, and he +says the message is very important." + +"Tom, something has happened at home!" exclaimed the inventor as +he hurried up the steps. "I'm afraid there's bad news." + +Unable to still the fear in his heart, Tom followed his father. + + +CHAPTER XX + +NEWS OF A ROBBERY + +With a hand that trembled so he could scarcely hold the receiver +of the telephone, Mr. Swift placed it to his ear. + +"Hello! Hello!" he cried into the transmitter. "Yes, this is Mr. +Swift--yes, Garret. What is it?" + +Then came a series of clicks, which Tom and Ned listened to. The +inventor spoke again. + +"What's that? The same men? Broke in early this evening? Oh, +that's too bad! Of course, I'll come at once." + +There followed more meaningless clicks, which Tom wished he could +translate. His father hung up the receiver, turned to him and +exclaimed: + +"I've been robbed again!" + +"Robbed again! How, dad?" + +"By that same rascally gang, Garret thinks. This evening, when he +and Mrs. Baggert were in the house the burglar alarm went off. +The indicator showed that the electrical shop had been entered, +and the engineer hurried there. He saw a light inside and the +shadows of persons on the windows. Before he could reach the +shop, however, the thieves heard him coming and escaped. Oh, Tom, +I should never have come away!" + +"But did they take anything, dad? Perhaps Garret frightened them +away before they had a chance to steal any of your things. Did +you ask him that?" + +"I didn't need to. He said he made a hasty exanimation before he +called me up, and he is sure a number of my electrical inventions +are missing. Some of them are devices I never have had patented, +and if I lose them I will have no recovery." + +"But just what ones are they? Perhaps we can send out a police +alarm to-night." + +"Garret couldn't tell that," answered Mr. Swift as he paced to and +fro in the hotel office. "He doesn't know all the tools and +machinery I had in there. But it is certain that some of my most +valuable things have been taken." + +"Never mind. Don't worry, dad," and Tom tried to speak +soothingly, for he saw that his father was much excited. "We may +be able to get them back. How does Garret know the same men who +stole the turbine model broke in the shop this evening?" + +"He saw them. One was Happy Harry, he is positive. The others he +did not know, but he recognized the tramp from our description of +him." + +"Then we must tell the police at once." + +"Yes, Tom, I wish you would telephone. I'll give you a +description of the things. No, I can't do that either, for I +don't know what was stolen. I must go home at once to find out. +It's a good thing the motor-boat is here. Come, let's start at +once. What is my bill here?" and the inventor turned to the hotel +proprietor, who had come into the office. "I have suffered a +severe loss and must leave at once." + +"I am very sorry, sir. I'll have it ready for you in a few +minutes." + +"All right. Tom, is your boat ready for a quick trip?" + +"Yes, dad, but I don't like to make it at night with three in. Of +course it might be perfectly safe, but there's a risk, and I don't +like to take it." + +"Don't worry about the risk on my account, Tom. I'm not afraid. +I must get home and see of what I have been robbed." + +The young inventor was in a quandary. He wanted to do as his +father requested and to aid him all he could, yet he knew that an +all-night trip in the boat down the lake would be dangerous, not +only from the chance of running on an unknown shore or into a +hidden rock, but because Mr. Swift was not physically fitted to +stand the journey. + +"Come, Tom," exclaimed the aged inventor impatiently, "we must +start at once!" + +"Won't morning do as well, dad?" + +"No, I must start now. I could not sleep worrying over what has +happened. We will start--" + +At that instant there came a low, rumbling peal of thunder. Mr. +Swift started and peered from a window. There came a flash of +lightning and another vibrant report from the storm-charged +clouds. + +"There is your bill, Mr. Swift," remarked the proprietor, coming +up, "but I would not advise you to start to-night. There is a bad +storm in the west, and it will reach here in a few minutes. +Storms on Lake Carlopa, especially at this open and exposed end, +are not to be despised, I assure you." + +"But I must get home!" insisted Tom's father. + +The lace curtain over the window blew almost straight out with a +sudden breeze, and a flash of lightning so bright that it +reflected even in the room where the incandescent electrics were +glowing made several others jump. Then came a mighty crash, and +with that the flood-gates of the storm were opened, and the rain +came down in torrents. Tom actually breathed a sigh of relief. +The problem was solved for him. It would be impossible to start +to-night, and he was glad of it, much as he wanted to get on the +trail of the thieves. + +There was a scurrying on the part of the hotel attendants to close +the windows, and the guests who had been enjoying the air out on +the porches came running in. With a rush, a roar and a muttering, +as peal after peal of thunder sounded, the deluge continued. + +"It's a good thing we didn't start," observed Ned. + +"I should say so," agreed Tom. "But we'll get off the first thing +in the morning, dad." + +Mr. Swift did not reply, but his nervous pacing to and fro in the +hotel office showed how anxious he was to be at home again. There +was no help for it, however, and, after a time, finding that to +think of reaching his house that night was out of the question, +the inventor calmed down somewhat, + +The storm continued nearly all night, as Tom could bear witness, +for he did not sleep well, nor did his father. And when he came +down to breakfast in the morning Mr. Swift plainly showed the +effects of the bad news. His face was haggard and drawn and his +eyes smarted and burned from lack of sleep. + +"Well, Tom, we must start early," he said nervously. "I am glad +it has cleared off. Is the boat all ready?" + +"Yes, and it's a good thing it was under shelter last night or +we'd have to bail it out now, and that would delay us." + +An hour later they were under way, having telephoned to the +engineer at the Swift home that they were coming. Garret Jackson +reported over the wire that he had notified the Shopton police of +the robbery, but that little could be done until the inventor +arrived to give a description of the stolen articles. + +"And that will do little good, I fear," remarked Tom. "Those +fellows have evidently been planning this for some time and will +cover their tracks well. I'd like to catch them, not only to +recover your things, dad, but to find out the mystery of my boat +and why the man took the tank braces." + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE BALLOON ON FIRE + +Down Lake Carlopa speeded the ARROW, those on board watching the +banks slip past as the motor-boat rapidly cut through the water. + +"What time do you think we ought to reach home, Tom?" asked Mr. +Swift. + +"Oh, about four o'clock, if we don't stop for lunch." + +"Then we'll not stop," decided the inventor. "We'll eat what we +have on board. I suppose you have some rations?" and he smiled, +the first time since hearing the bad news. + +"Oh, yes, Ned and I didn't eat everything on our camping trips," +and Tom was glad to note that the fine weather which followed the +storm was having a good effect on his father. + +"We certainly had a good time," remarked Ned. "I don't know when +I've enjoyed a vacation so." + +"It's too bad it had to be cut short by this robbery," commented +Mr. Swift. + +"Oh, well, my time would be up in a few days more," went on the +young bank employee. "It's just as well to start back now." + +Tom took the shortest route he knew, keeping in as close to shore +as he dared, for now he was as anxious to get home as was his +father. On and on speeded the ARROW, yet fast as it was, it +seemed slow to Mr. Swift, who, like all nervous persons, always +wanted to go wherever he desired to go instantly. + +Tom headed his boat around a little point of land, and was urging +the engine to the top notch of speed, for now he was on a clear +course, with no danger from shoals or hidden rocks, when he saw, +darting out from shore, a tiny craft which somehow seemed familiar +to him. He recognized a peculiar put-putter of the motor. + +"That's the DOT," he remarked in a low voice to Ned, "Miss +Nestor's cousin's boat." + +"Is she in it now?" asked Ned. + +"Yes," answered Tom quickly. + +"You've got good eyesight," remarked Ned dryly, "to tell a girl at +that distance. It looks to me like a boy." + +"No, it's Mary--I mean Miss Nestor," the youth quickly corrected +himself, and a close observer would have noticed that he blushed a +bit under his coat of tan. + +Ned laughed, Tom blushed still more, and Mr. Swift, who was in a +stern seat, glanced up quickly. + +"It looks as if that boat wanted to hail us," the inventor +remarked. + +Tom was thinking the same thing, for, though he had changed his +course slightly since sighting the DOT, the little craft was put +over so as to meet him. Wondering what Miss Nestor could want, +but being only too willing to have a chat with her, the young +inventor shifted his helm. In a short time the two craft were +within hailing distance. + +"How do you do?" called Miss Nestor, as she slowed down her motor. +"Don't you think I'm improving, Mr. Swift?" + +"What's that? I--er--I beg your pardon, but I didn't catch +that," exclaimed the aged inventor quickly, coming out of a sort +of day-dream. "I beg your pardon." He thought she had addressed +him. + +Miss Nestor blushed and looked questioningly at Tom. + +"My father," he explained as he introduced his parent. Ned needed +none, having met Miss Nestor before. "Indeed you have improved +very much," went on our hero. "You seem able to manage the boat +all alone." + +"Yes, I'm doing pretty well. Dick lets me take the DOT whenever I +want to, and I thought I'd come out for a little trial run this +morning. I'm getting ready for the races. I suppose you are +going to enter them?" and she steered her boat alongside Tom's, +who throttled down his powerful motor so as not to pass his +friend. + +"Races? I hadn't heard of them," he replied. + +"Oh, indeed there are to be fine ones under the auspices of the +Lanton Motor Club. Mr. Hastings, of whom you bought that boat, is +going to enter his new CARLOPA, and Dick has entered the DOT, in +the baby class of course. But I'm going to run it, and that's why +I'm practicing." + +"I hope you win," remarked Tom. "I hadn't heard of the races, but +I think I'll enter. I'm glad you told me. Do you want to race +now?" and he laughed as he looked into the brown eyes of Mary +Nestor. + +"No, indeed, unless you give me a start of several miles." + +They kept together for some little time longer, and then, as Tom +knew his father would be restless at the slow speed, he told Miss +Nestor the need of haste, and, advancing his timer, he soon left +the DOT behind. The girl called a laughing good-by and urged him +not to forget the races, which were to take place in about two +weeks. + +"I suppose Andy Foger will enter his boat," commented Ned. + +"Naturally," agreed Tom. "It's a racer, and he'll probably think +it can beat anything on the lake. But if he doesn't manage his +motor differently, it won't." + +The distance from Sandport to Shopton had been more than half +covered at noon, when the travelers ate a lunch in the boat. Mr. +Swift was looking anxiously ahead to catch the first glimpse of +his dock and Tom was adjusting the machinery as finely as he dared +to get out of it the maximum speed. + +Ned Newton, who happened to be gazing aloft, wondering at the +perfect beauty of the blue sky after the storm, uttered a sudden +exclamation. Then he arose and pointed at some object in the air. + +"Look!" he cried, "A balloon! It must have gone up from some +fair." + +Tom and his father looked upward. High in the air, almost over +their heads, was an immense balloon. It was of the hot-air +variety, such as performers use in which to make ascensions from +fair grounds and circuses, and below it dangled a trapeze, upon +which could be observed a man, only he looked more like a doll +than a human being. + +"I shouldn't like to be as high as that," remarked Ned. + +"I would," answered Tom as he slowed down the engine the better to +watch the balloon. "I'd like to go up in an airship, and I intend +to some day." + +"I believe he's going to jump!" suddenly exclaimed Ned after a few +minutes. "He's going to do something, anyhow." + +"Probably come down in a parachute," said Tom. "They generally do +that." + +"No! No!" cried Ned. "He isn't going to jump. Something has +happened! The balloon is on fire! He'll be burned to death!" + +Horror stricken, they all gazed aloft. From the mouth of the +balloon there shot a tongue of fire, and it was followed by a +cloud of black smoke. The big bag was getting smaller and seemed +to be descending, while the man on the trapeze was hanging +downward by his hands to get as far as possible away from the +terrible heat. + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE RESCUE + +"Jump! Jump!" cried Mr. Swift, leaping to his feet and motioning +to the man on the trapeze of the balloon. But it is doubtful +whether or not the performer heard him. Certainly he could not +see the frantic motions of the inventor. "Why doesn't he jump?" +Mr. Swift went on piteously to the two lads. "He'll surely be +burned to death if he hangs on there!" + +"It's too far to leap!" exclaimed Tom. "He's a good way up in the +air, though it looks like only a short distance. He would be +killed if he dropped now." + +"He ought to have a parachute," added Ned. "Most of those men do +when they go up in a balloon. Why doesn't he come down in that? +I wonder how the balloon took fire?" + +"Maybe he hasn't a parachute," suggested Tom, while he slowed down +the motor-boat still more so as to remain very nearly under the +blazing balloon. + +"Yes, he has!" cried Ned. "See, it's hanging to one side of the +big bag. He ought to cut loose. He could save himself then. Why +doesn't he?" + +The balloon was slowly twisting about, gradually settling to the +surface of the lake, but all the while the flames were becoming +fiercer and the black clouds of smoke increased in size. + +"There, see the parachute!" went on Ned. + +The twisting of the bag had brought into view the parachute or +big, umbrella-shaped bag, which would have enabled the man to +safely drop to the surface of the lake. Without it he would have +hit the water with such force that he would have been killed as +surely as if he had struck the solid earth. But the boys and Mr. +Swift also saw something else, and this was that the balloon was +on fire on the same side where the parachute was suspended. + +"Look! Look!" shouted Tom, bringing his boat to a stop. "That's +why he can't jump! He can't reach the parachute!" + +By this time the balloon had settled so low that the actions of +the man could be plainly seen. That he was in great agony of +fear, as well as in great pain from the terrific heat over his +head was evident. He shifted about on the trapeze bar, now +hanging by one hand, so as to bring his body a little farther +below the blazing end of the bag, then, when one arm tired, he +would hang by the other. If the balloon would only come down +more quickly it would get to within such a short distance of the +water that the man could safely make the drop. But the immense +canvas bag was settling so slowly, for it was still very +buoyant, that considerable time must elapse before it would be +near enough to the water to make it safe for the unfortunate man +to let go the trapeze. + +"Oh, if we could only do something!" cried Tom. "We have to +remain here helpless and watch him burn to death. It's awful!" + +The three in the boat continued to gaze upward. They could see +the man making frantic efforts to reach his parachute from time to +time. Once, as a little current of air blew the flames and smoke +to one side, he thought he had a chance. Up on the trapeze bar he +pulled himself and then edged along it in an endeavor to grasp the +ring of the parachute. Once he almost had hold of that and also +the cord, which ran to a knife blade. This cord, being pulled, +would sever the rope that bound it to the balloon, and he would be +comparatively safe, so he might drop to the lake. But, just as he +was about to grasp the ring and cord the smoke came swirling down +on him and the hungry flames seemed to put out their fiery tongues +to devour him. He had to slide back and once more hung by his +hands. + +"I thought he was saved then," whispered Tom, and even the whisper +sounded loud in the silence. + +Several men came running along the shore of the lake now. They +saw the occupants in the ARROW and cried out: + +"Why don't you save him? Go to his rescue!" + +"What can we do?" asked Ned quietly of his two friends, but he did +not trouble to answer the men on shore, who probably did not know +what they were saying. + +The motor-boat had drifted from a spot under the unfortunate +balloonist, and at a word from his father the young inventor +started the engine and steered the craft back directly under the +blazing bag again. + +"If he does drop, perhaps we may be able to pick him up," said Mr. +Swift. "I wish we could save him!" + +A cry from Ned startled Tom and his father, and their eyes, that +had momentarily been directed away from the burning bag high in +the air, were again turned toward it. + +"The balloon is falling apart!" exclaimed Ned. "It's all up with +him now!" + +Indeed it did seem so, for pieces of the burning canvas, blazing +and smoking, were falling in a shower from the part of the bag +already consumed, and the fiery particles were fairly raining down +on the man. But he still had his wits about him, though his +perilous position was enough to make any one lose his mind, and he +swung from side to side on the bar, shifting skillfully with his +hands and dodging the larger particles of blazing canvas. When +some small sparks fell on his clothing he beat them out with one +hand, while with the other he clung to the trapeze. + +There was scarcely any wind or the man's plight might have been +more bearable, for the current of air would have carried the smoke +and fire to one side. As it was, most of the smoke and flames +went straight up, save now and then, when a draught created by the +heat would swirl the black clouds down on the performer, hiding +him from sight for a second or two. A breeze would have carried +the sparks away instead of letting them fall on him. + +Nearer and nearer to the surface of the lake sank the balloon. By +this time the crowd on the bank had increased and there were +excited opinions as to what was best to do. But the trouble was +that little could be done. If the man could hold out until he got +near enough to the water to let go he might yet be saved, but this +would not be for some time at the present rate the balloon was +falling. The performer realized this, and, as the fire was +getting hotter, he made another desperate attempt to reach the +parachute. It was unavailing and he had to drop back, hanging +below the slender bar. + +Suddenly there came a puff of wind, fanning the faces of those in +the motor-boat, and they looked intently to observe if there was +any current as high as was the balloonist. They saw the big bag +sway to one side and the flames broke out more fiercely as they +caught the draught. The balloon moved slowly down the lake. + +"Keep after it, Tom!" urged his father. "We may be able to save +him!" + +The lad increased the speed of his engine and Ned, who was at the +wheel, gave it a little twist. Then, with a suddenness that was +startling, the blazing canvas airship began to settle swiftly +toward the water. It had lost much of its buoyancy. + +"Now he can jump! He's near enough to the water now!" cried Tom. + +But a new danger arose. True, the balloon was rapidly approaching +the surface of the lake and in a few seconds more would be within +such a short distance that a leap would not be fatal. But the +burning bag was coming straight down and scarcely would the man be +in the water ere the fiery canvas mass would be on top of him. + +In such an event he would either be burned to death or so held +down that drowning must quickly follow. + +"If there was only wind enough to carry the balloon beyond him +after he jumped he could do it safely!" cried Ned. + +Tom said nothing. He was measuring, with, his eye, the distance +the balloon had yet to go and also the distance away the motor- +boat was from where it would probably land. + +"He can do it!" exclaimed the young inventor. + +"How?" asked his father. + +For answer Tom caught up a newspaper he had purchased at the hotel +that morning. Rolling it quickly into a cone, so that it formed a +rough megaphone, he put the smaller end to his mouth, and, +pointing the larger opening at the balloonist, he called out: + +"Drop into the lake! We'll pick you up before the bag falls on +you! Jump! Let go now!" + +The balloonist heard and understood. So did Ned and Mr. Swift. +Tom's quick wit had found a way to save the man. + +Faster and faster the blazing bag settled toward the surface of +the water. It was now merely a mushroom-shaped piece of burning +and smoking canvas, yet it was supporting the man almost as a +parachute would have done. + +With one look upward to the burning mass above him and a glance +downward to the lake, the aeronaut let go his hold. Like a shot +he came down, holding his body rigid and straight as a stick, for +he knew how to fall into water, did that balloonist. + +Tom Swift was ready for him. No sooner had the lad called his +directions through the megaphone than the young inventor had +speeded up his engine to the top notch. + +"Steer so as to pick him up!" Tom cried to Ned, who was at the +wheel. "Pass by him on a curve, and, as soon as I grab him, put +the wheel over so as to get out from under the balloon." + +It was a risky thing to do, but our hero had it all planned out. +He made a loop of the boat's painter, and, hurrying to the bow, +leaned over as far as he could, holding the rope in readiness. +His idea was to have the balloonist grab the strands and be pulled +out of danger by the speedy motor-boat, for the blazing canvas +would cover such an extent of water that the man could not have +swum out of the danger zone in time. + +Down shot the balloonist and down more slowly settled the +collapsed bag, yet not so slowly that there was any time to spare. +It needed only a few seconds to drop over the performer, to burn +and smother him. + +Into the water splashed the man, disappearing from sight as when a +stick is dropped in, point first. Ned was alert and steered the +boat to the side in which the man's face was, for he concluded +that the aeronaut would strike out in that direction when he came +up. The ARROW was now directly under the blazing balloon and +cries of fear from the watchers on shore urged upon Tom and his +companions the danger of their position. But they had to take +some risk to rescue the man. + +"There he is!" cried Mr. Swift, who was on the watch, leaning over +the side of the boat. Tom and Ned saw him at the same instant. +Ned shifted his wheel and the young inventor bent over, holding +out the rope for the man to grasp. He saw it and struck out +toward the ARROW. But there was no need for him to go far. An +instant more and the speeding motor-boat shot past him. He +grabbed the rope and Tom, aided by Mr. Swift, began to lift him +out of the water. + +"Quick! To one side, Ned!" yelled Tom, for the heat of the +descending mass of burning canvas struck him like a furnace blast. + +Ned needed no urging. With a swirl of the screw the ARROW shot +herself out of the way, carrying the aeronaut with her. A moment +later the burning balloon, or what there was left of it, settled +down into the lake, hissing angrily as the fire was quenched by +the water and completely covering the spot where, but a few +seconds before, the man had been swimming. He had been saved in +the nick of time. + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +PLANS FOR AN AIRSHIP + +"Slow her down, Ned!" cried Tom, for the ARROW was shooting so +swiftly through the water that the young inventor found it +impossible to pull up the balloonist. Ned hurried back to the +motor, and, when the boat's way had been checked, it was an easy +matter to pull the dripping and almost exhausted man into the +craft. + +"Are you much hurt?" asked Mr. Swift anxiously, for Tom was too +much out of breath with his exertion to ask any questions. For +that matter the man was in almost as bad a plight. He was +breathing heavily, as one who had run a long race. + +"I--I guess I'm all right," he panted. "Only burned a little on +my hands. That--that was a close call!" + +The boat swung around and headed for shore, on which was quite a +throng of persons. Some of them had cheered when they saw the +plucky rescue. + +"I'm afraid we can't save your balloon," gasped Tom as he looked +at the place where the canvas was still floating and burning. + +"No matter. It wasn't worth much. That's the last time I'll ever +go up in a hot-air balloon," said the man with more energy than he +had before exhibited. "I'm done with 'em. I've had my lesson. +Hereafter an aeroplane or a gas balloon for me. I only did this +to oblige the fair committee. I'll not do it again." + +The man spoke in short, crisp sentences, as though he was in too +much of a hurry to waste his words. + +"Let it sink," he went on. "It's no good. Glad to see the last +of it." + +Almost as he spoke, with a final hiss and a cloud of steam that +mingled with the black smoke, the remains of the big bag sunk +beneath the surface of the lake. + +"We must get you ashore at once and to a doctor," said Mr. Swift. +"You must be badly burned." + +"Not much. Only my hands, where some burning pieces of canvas +fell on' em. If I had a little oil to put on I'd be all right." + +"I can fix you up better than that," put in Tom. "I have some +Vaseline." + +"Good! Just the thing. Pass it over," and the man, though he +spoke shortly, seemed grateful for the offer. "My name's Sharp," +he went on, "John Sharp, of no place in particular, for I travel +all over. I'm a professional balloonist. Ha! That's the stuff!" + +This last was in reference to a bottle of Vaseline, which Tom +produced. Mr. Sharp spread some over the backs of his hands and +went on: + +"That's better. Much obliged. I can't begin to thank you for +what you did for me--saved my life. I thought it was all up with +me--would have been but for you. Mustn't mind my manner--it's a +way I have--have to talk quick when you're balloonin'--no time-- +but I'm grateful all the same. Who might you people be?" + +Tom told him their names and Mr. Swift asked the aeronaut if he +was sure he didn't need the services of a physician. + +"No doctor for me," answered the balloonist. "I've been in lots +of tight places, but this was the worst squeeze. If you'll put me +ashore, I guess I can manage now." + +"But you're all wet," objected Tom. "Where will you go? You need +some other clothes," for the man wore a suit of tights and +spangles. + +"Oh, I'm used to this," went on the performer. "I frequently have +to fall in the water. I always carry a little money with me so as +to get back to the place where I started from. By the way, where +am I?" + +"Opposite Daleton," answered Tom. "Where did you go up from?" + +"Pratonia. Big fair there. I was one of the features." + +"Then you're about fifteen miles away," commented Mr. Swift. "You +can hardly get back before night. Must you go there?" + +"Left my clothes there. Also a valuable gas balloon. No more +hot-air ones for me. Guess I'd better go back," and the aeronaut +continued to speak in his quick, jerky sentences. + +"We'd be very glad to have you come with us, Mr. Sharp," went on +the inventor. "We are not far from Shopton, and if you would like +to remain over night I'm sure we would make you comfortable. You +can proceed to Pratonia in the morning." + +"Thanks. Might not be a bad idea," said Mr. Sharp. "I'm obliged +to you. I've got to go there to collect my money, though I +suppose they won't give it all to me." + +"Why not?" demanded Ned. + +"Didn't drop from my parachute. Couldn't. Fire was one reason-- +couldn't reach the parachute, and if I could have, guess it +wouldn't have been safe. Parachute probably was burned too. But +I'm done with hot-air balloons though I guess I said that before." + +The boys were much interested in the somewhat odd performer, +and, on his part, he seemed to take quite a notion to Tom, who +told him of several things that he had invented. "Well," +remarked Mr. Swift after a while, during which the boat had been +moving slowly down the lake, "if we are not to go ashore for a +doctor for you, Mr. Sharp, suppose we put on more speed and get +to my home? I'm anxious about a robbery that occurred there," +and he related some facts in the case. + +"Speed her up!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp. "Wish I could help you catch +the scoundrels, but afraid I can't--hands too sore," and he +looked at his burns. Then he told how he had made the ascension +from the Pratonia fair grounds and how, when he was high in the +air, he had discovered that the balloon was on fire. He described +his sensations and told how he thought his time had surely come. +Sparks from the hot air used to inflate it probably caused the +blaze, he said. + +"I've made a number of trips," he concluded, "hot air and gas +bags, but this was the worst ever. It got on my nerves for a few +minutes," he added coolly. + +"I should think it would," agreed Tom as he speeded up the motor +and sent the ARROW on her homeward way. + +The boys and Mr. Swift were much interested in the experiences of +the balloonist and asked him many questions, which he answered +modestly. Several hours passed and late that afternoon the party +approached Shopton. + +"Here we are!" exclaimed Mr. Swift, relief in his tones. "Now to +see of what I have been robbed and to get the police after the +scoundrels!" + +When the boat was nearing the dock Mr. Sharp, who had been silent +for some time, suddenly turned to Tom and asked: + +"Ever invent an airship?" + +"No," replied the lad, somewhat surprised. "I never did." + +"I have," went on the balloonist. "That is, I've invented part of +it. I'm stuck over some details. Maybe you and I'll finish it +some day. How about it?" + +"Maybe," assented Tom, who was occupied just then in making a good +landing. "I am interested in airships, but I never thought I +could build one." + +"Easiest thing in the world," went on Mr. Sharp, as if it was an +everyday matter. "You and I will get busy as soon as we clear up +this robbery." He talked as though he had been a friend of the +family for some time, for he had a genial, taking manner. + +A little later Mr. Swift was excitedly questioning Garret Jackson +concerning the robbery and making an examination of the electrical +shop to discover what was missing. + +"They've taken some parts of my gyroscope!" he exclaimed, "and +some valuable tools and papers, as well as some unfinished work +that will be difficult to replace." + +"Much of a loss?" asked Mr. Sharp with a business-like air. + +"Well, not so large as regards money," answered the inventor, "but +they took things I can never replace, and I will miss them very +much if I cannot get them back." + +"Then we'll get them back!" snapped the balloonist, as if that was +all there was to it. + +The police were called up on the telephone and the facts given to +them, as well as a description of the stolen things. They +promised to do what they could, but, in the light of past +experiences, Tom and his father did not think this would be much. +There was little more that could be done that evening. Ned Newton +went to his home, and, after Mr. Swift had insisted in calling in +his physician to look after Mr. Sharp's burns the balloonist was +given a room next to Tom's. Then the Swift household settled +down. + +"Well," remarked Tom to his father, as he got ready for bed, "this +sure has been an exciting day." + +"And my loss is a serious one," added the inventor somewhat sadly. + +"Don't worry, dad," begged his son. "I'll do my best to recover +those things for you." + +Several days passed, but there was no clew to the thieves. That +they were the same ones who had stolen the turbine model there was +little doubt, but they seemed to have covered their tracks well. +The police were at a loss, and, though Tom and Mr. Sharp cruised +about the lake, they could get no trace of the men. The +balloonist had sent to Pratonia for his clothing and other baggage +and was now installed in the Swift home, where he was invited to +stay a week or two. + +One night when he was looking over some papers he had taken from +his trunk the balloonist came over to where Tom was making a +drawing of a new machine he was planning and said: + +"Like to see my idea for an airship? Different from some. It's a +dirigible balloon with an aeroplane front and rear to steer and +balance it in big winds. It would be a winner, only for one +thing. Maybe you can help me." + +"Maybe I can," agreed Tom, who was at once interested. + +"We ought to be able to do something. Look at our names--Swift +and Sharp--quick and penetrating--a good firm to build airships," +and he laughed genially. "Shall we do it?" + +"I'm willing," agreed Tom, and the balloonist spread his plans out +on the table, he and the young inventor soon being deep in a +discussion of them. + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE MYSTERY SOLVED + +From then on, for several days, the young inventor and his new +friend lived in an atmosphere of airships. They talked them from +morning until night, and even Mr. Swift, much as he was exercised +over his loss, took part in the discussions. + +In the meanwhile efforts had not ceased to locate the robbers and +recover the stolen goods, but so far without success. + +One afternoon, about two weeks after the thrilling rescue of John +Sharp, Tom said to the balloonist: + +"Wouldn't you like to come for a ride in the motor-boat? Maybe it +will help us to solve the puzzle of the airship. We'll take a +trip across and up the opposite shore." + +"Good idea," commented Mr. Sharp. "Fine day for a sail. Come on. +Blow the cobwebs from our brains." + +Mr. Swift declined an invitation to accompany them, as he said he +would stay home and try to straighten out his affairs, which were +somewhat muddled by the robbery. + +Out over the blue waters of Lake Carlopa shot the ARROW. It was +making only moderate speed, as Tom was in no hurry, and he knew +his engine would last longer if not forced too frequently. They +glided along, crossed the lake and were proceeding up the opposite +shore when, as they turned out from a little bay and rounded a +point of land, Mr. Sharp exclaimed: + +"Look out, Tom, there's rowboat just ahead!" + +"Oh, I'll pass well to one side of that," answered the young +inventor, looking at the craft. As he did so, noting that there +were four men in it, one of the occupants caught a glimpse of the +ARROW. No sooner had he done so than he spoke to his companions, +and they all turned to stare at Tom. At first the lad could +scarcely believe his eyes, but as he looked more intently he +uttered a cry. + +"There they are!" + +"Who?" inquired Mr. Sharp. + +"Those men--the thieves! We must catch them!" + +Tom had spoken loudly, but even though the men in the rowboat did +hear what he said, they would have realized without that that they +were about to be pursued, for there was no mistaking the attitude +of our hero. + +Two of the thieves were at the oars, and, with one accord, they at +once increased their speed. The boat swung about sharply and was +headed for the shore, which they seemed to have come from only a +short time previous, as the craft was not far out in the lake. + +"No, you don't!" cried Tom. "I see your game! You want to get to +the woods, where you'll have a better chance to escape! If this +isn't great luck, coming upon them this way!" + +It was the work of but a moment to speed up the engine and head +the ARROW for the rowboat. The men were pulling frantically, but +they had no chance. + +"Get between them and the shore!" cried Mr. Sharp. "You can head +them off then." This was good advice and Tom followed it. The +men, among whom the lad could recognize Happy Harry and Anson +Morse, were all excited. Two of them stood up, as though to jump +overboard, but their companions called to them to stop. + +"If we only had a gun now, not to shoot at them but to intimidate +them," murmured the balloonist, "maybe they'd stop." + +"Here's one," answered Tom, pointing to the seat locker, where he +kept the shotgun Mr. Duncan had given him. In a moment Mr. Sharp +had it out. + +"Surrender!" he cried, pointing the weapon at the men in the small +boat. + +"Don't shoot! Don't fire on us! We'll give up!" cried Happy +Harry, and the two with the oars ceased pulling. + +"Don't take any chances," urged Mr. Sharp in a low voice. "Keep +between them and the shore. I'll cover them." Tom was steering +from an auxiliary side wheel near the motor, and soon the ARROW +had cut off the retreat of the men. They could not land and to +row across the lake meant speedy capture. + +"Well, what do you want of us?" growled Morse. "What right have +you got to interfere with us in this fashion?" + +"The best of right," answered Tom. "You'll find out when you're +landed in jail." + +"You can't arrest us," sneered Happy Harry. "You're not an +officer and you haven't any warrant." + +Tom hadn't thought of that, and his chagrin showed in his face. +Happy Harry was quick to see it. + +"You'd better let us go," he threatened "We can have you arrested +for bothering us. You haven't any right to stop us, Tom Swift." + +"Maybe he hasn't, but I have!" exclaimed John Sharp suddenly. + +"You! Who are you?" demanded Featherton, alias Simpson, the man +who had run the automobile that carried Tom away. + +"Me. I'm a special deputy sheriff for this county," answered the +balloonist simply. "Here's my badge," and, throwing back his +coat, he displayed it. "You see I got the appointment in order to +have some authority in the crowds that gather to watch me go up," +he explained to Tom, who plainly showed his astonishment. "I +found it very useful to be able to threaten arrest, but in this +case I'll do more than threaten. You are my prisoners," he went +on to the men in the boat, and he handled the shotgun as if he +knew how to use it. "I'll take you into custody on complaint of +Mr. Swift for robbery. Now will you go quietly or are you going +to make a fuss?" and Mr. Sharp shut his jaw grimly. + +"Well, seeing as how you have the drop on us, I guess we'll have +to do as you say," admitted Happy Harry, alias Jim Burke. "But +you can't prove anything against us. We haven't any of Mr. +Swift's property." + +"Well, you know where it is then," retorted Tom quickly. + +Under the restraining influence of the gun the men made no +resistance. While Mr. Sharp covered them, Tom towed their boat +toward shore. Then, while the young inventor held the gun, the +balloonist tied the hands and feet of the thieves in a most +scientific manner, for what he did not know about ropes and knots +was not worth putting into a book. + +"Now, I guess they'll stay quiet for a while," remarked Mr. Sharp +as he surveyed the crestfallen criminals. "I'll remain on guard +here, Tom, while you go notify the nearest constable and we'll +take them to jail. We bagged the whole lot as neatly as could be +desired." + +"No, you didn't get all of us!" exclaimed Happy Harry, and there +was a savage anger in his tones. + +"Keep quiet!" urged Morse. + +"No, I'll not keep quiet! It's a shame that we have to take our +medicine while that trimmer, Tod Boreck, goes free. He ought to +have been with us, and he would be, only he's trying to get away +with that sparkler!" + +"Keep quiet," again urged Morse. + +Tom was all attention. He had caught the word "sparkler," and he +at once associated it with the occasion he had heard the men use +it before. He felt that he was on the track of solving the +mystery connected with his boat. + +He looked at the men. They were the same four who had been +involved in the former theft--Appleson, Featherton, Morse and +Burke. Were there five of them? He recalled the man who had been +caught tampering with his boat--the man who had tried to bid on +the ARROW at the auction. Where was he? + +"Boreck didn't get what he was after," resumed Happy Harry, "and +I'm going to spoil his game for him. Say, kid," he went on to +Tom, "look in the front part of your boat--where the gasoline +tank is." + +Tom felt his heart beating fast. At last he felt that he would +solve the puzzle. He opened the forward compartment. To his +disappointment it seemed as usual. Morse and the others were +making a vain effort to silence Happy Harry. + +"I don't see anything here," said Tom. + +"No, because it's hidden in one of those blocks of wood you use +for a brace," continued the man. "Which one it is, Boreck didn't +know, so he pulled out two or three, only to be fooled each time. +You must have shifted them, kid, from the way they were when we +had the boat." + +"I did," answered the young inventor, recollecting how he had +taken out some of the braces and inserted new ones, then painted +the interior of the compartment. "What is in the braces, anyhow?" + +"The sparkler--a big diamond--in a hollow place in the wood, +kid!" exclaimed Happy Harry, blurting out the words. "I'm not +going to let Tod Boreck get away with it while we stay in jail." + +"Take out all the braces that haven't been moved and have a look," +suggested Mr. Sharp. Tom only had to remove two, those farthest +back, for all the others had, at one time or another, been changed +or taken away by the thief. + +One of the blocks did not seem to have anything unusual about it, +but at the sight of the other Tom could not repress a cry. It was +the one that seemed to have had a hole bored in it and then +plugged up again. He remembered his father noticing it on the +occasion of overhauling the boat. + +"The sparkler's in there," said the tramp as he saw the brace. +"Boreck was after it several times, but he never pulled out the +right one." + +With his knife Tom dug out the putty that covered the round hole +in the block. No sooner had he done so than there rolled out into +his hand a white object. It was something done up in tissue +paper, and as he removed the wrapper, there was a flash in the +sunlight and a large, beautiful diamond was revealed. The mystery +had been solved. + + +CHAPTER XXV + +WINNING A RACE + +"Where did this diamond come from?" demanded Mr. Sharp of the +quartette of criminals. + +"That's for us to know and you to find out," sneered Happy Harry. +"I don't care as long as that trimmer Boreck didn't get it. He +tried to do us out of our share." + +"Well, I guess the police will make you tell," went on the +balloonist. "Go for the constable, Tom." + +Leaving his friend to guard the ugly men, who for a time at least +were beyond the possibility of doing harm, Tom hurried off through +the woods to the nearest village. There he found an officer and +the gang was soon lodged in jail. The diamond was turned over to +the authorities, who said they would soon locate the owner. + +Nor were they long in doing it, for it appeared the gem was part +of a large jewel robbery that had taken place some time before in +a distant city. The Happy Harry gang, as the men came to be +called, were implicated in it, though they got only a small share +of the plunder. Search was made for Tod Boreck and he was +captured about a week after his companions. Seeing that their +game was up, the men made a partial confession, telling where Mr. +Swift's goods had been secreted, and the inventor's valuable +tools, papers and machinery were recovered, no damage having been +done to them. + +It developed that after the diamond theft, and when the gang still +had possession of Mr. Hastings' boat, Boreck, sometimes called +Murdock by his cronies, unknown to them, had secreted the jewel in +one of the braces under the gasoline tank. He expected to get it +out secretly, but the capture of the gang and the sale of the boat +prevented this. Then he tried to buy the craft to take out the +diamond, but Tom overbid him. It was Boreck who found Andy's +bunch of keys and used one to open the compartment lock when Tom +surprised him. The man did manage to remove some of the blocks, +thinking he had the one with the diamond in it, but the fact of +Tom changing them, and painting the compartment deceived him. The +gang hoped to get some valuables from Mr. Swift's shops, and, to a +certain extent, succeeded after hanging around for several nights +and following him to Sandport, but Tom eventually proved too much +for them. Even stealing the Arrow, which was taken to aid the +gang in robbing Mr. Swift, did not succeed, and Boreck's plan then +to get possession of the diamond fell through. + +It was thought that the gang would get long terms in prison, but +one night, during a violent storm, they escaped from the local +jail and that was the last seen of them for some time. + +A few days after the capture as Tom was in the boathouse making +some minor repairs to the motor he heard a voice calling: + +"Mistah Swift, am yo' about?" + +"Hello, Rad, is that you?" he inquired, recognizing the voice of +the colored owner of the mule Boomerang. + +"Yais, sa, dat's me. I got a lettah fo' yo'. I were passin' de +post-office an' de clerk asted me to brung it to yo' 'case as how +it's marked 'hurry,' an' he said he hadn't seen yo' to-day." + +"That's right. I've been so busy I haven't had time to go for the +mail," and Tom took the letter, giving Eradicate ten cents for his +trouble. + +"Ha, that's good!" exclaimed Tom as he read it. + +"Hab some one done gone an' left yo' a fortune, Mistah Swift?" +asked the negro. + +"No, but it's almost as good. It's an invitation to take part in +the motor-boat races next week. I'd forgotten all about them. I +must get ready." + +"Good land! Dat's all de risin' generation t'inks about now," +observed Eradicate, "racin' an' goin' fast. Mah ole mule +Boomerang am good enough fo' me," and, shaking his head in a +woeful manner, Eradicate went on his way. + +Tom told Mr. Sharp and his father of the proposed races of the +Lanton Motor-boat Club, and, as it was required that two persons +be in a craft the size of the ARROW, the young inventor arranged +for the balloonist to accompany him. Our hero spent the next few +days in tuning up his motor and in getting the ARROW ready for the +contest. + +The races took place on that side of Lake Carlopa near where Mr. +Hastings lived, and he was one of the officials of the club. +There were several classes, graded according to the horsepower of +the motors, and Tom found himself in a class with Andy Foger. + +"Here's where I beat you," boasted the red-haired youth +exultantly, though his manner toward Tom was more temperate than +usual. Andy had learned a lesson. + +"Well, if you can beat me I'll give you credit for it," answered +Tom. + +The first race was for high-powered craft, and in this Mr. +Hastings' new CARLOPA won. Then came the trial of the small +boats, and Tom was pleased to note that Miss Nestor was on hand in +the tiny DOT. + +"Good luck!" he called to her as he was adjusting his timer, for +his turn would come soon. "Remember what I told you about the +spark," for he had given her a few lessons. + +"If I win it will be due to you," she called brightly. + +She did win, coming in ahead of several confident lads who had +better boats. But Miss Nestor handled the DOT to perfection and +crossed the line a boat's length ahead of her nearest competitor. + +"Fine!" cried Tom, and then came the warning gun that told him to +get ready for his trial. + +This was a five-mile race and had several entrants. The affair +was a handicap one and Tom had no reason to complain of the rating +allowed him. + +"Crack!" went the starting pistol and away went Tom and one or two +others who had the same allowance as did he. A little later the +others started and finally the last class, including Andy Foger. +The RED STREAK shot ahead and was soon in the lead, for Andy and +Sam had learned better how to handle their craft. Tom and Mr. +Sharp were worried, but they stuck grimly to the race and when the +turning stake was reached Tom's motor had so warmed up and was +running so well that he crept up on Andy. A mile from the final +mark Andy and Tom were on even terms, and though the red-haired +lad tried to shake off his rival he could not. Andy's ignition +system failed him several times and he changed from batteries to +magneto and back again in the hope of getting a little more speed +out of the motor. + +But it was not to be. A half-mile away from the finish Tom, who +had fallen behind a little, crept up on even terms. Then he +slowly forged ahead, and, a hundred rods from the stake, the young +inventor knew that the race was his. He clinched it a few minutes +later, crossing the line amid a burst of cheers. The ARROW had +beaten several boats out of her own class and Tom was very proud +and happy. + +"My, but we certainly did scoot along some!" cried Mr. Sharp. +"But that's nothing to how we'll go when we build our airship, eh, +Tom?" and he looked at the flushed face of the lad. + +"No, indeed," agreed the young inventor. "But I don't know that +we'll take part in any races in it. We'll build it, however, as +soon as we can solve that one difficulty." + +They did solve it, as will be told in the next book of this +series, to be called "Tom Swift and His Airship; or, The Stirring +Cruise of the RED CLOUD." They had some remarkable adventures in +the wonderful craft, and solved the mystery of a great bank +robbery. + +This ended the contests of the motor-boats and the little fleet +crowded up to the floats and docks, where the prizes were to be +awarded. Tom received a handsome silver cup and Miss Nestor a +gold bracelet. + +"Now I want all the contestants, winners and losers, to come up to +my house and have lunch," invited Mr. Hastings. + +As Tom and the balloonist strolled up the walk to the handsome +house Andy Foger passed them. + +"You wouldn't have beaten me if my spark coil hadn't gone back on +me," he said, somewhat sneeringly. + +"Maybe," admitted Tom, and just then he caught sight of Mary +Nestor. "May I take you in to lunch?" he asked. + +"Yes," she said, "because you helped me to win," and she blushed +prettily. And then they all sat down to the tables set out on the +lawn, while Tom looked so often at Mary Nestor that Mr. Sharp said +afterward it was a wonder he found time to eat. But Tom didn't +care. He was happy. + + + + + +End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of Tom Swift And His Motor-Boat diff --git a/old/02tom10.zip b/old/02tom10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..800d7df --- /dev/null +++ b/old/02tom10.zip diff --git a/old/02tom10h.htm b/old/02tom10h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8ec7b5c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/02tom10h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5791 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii" /> + + <title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Tom Swift and His Motor-boat by Victor Appleton</title> + + <style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + p {text-align: justify;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {text-align: center;} + h2 {margin-top: 1.5em;} + pre {font-size: 0.9em;} + + hr {text-align: center; width: 50%;} + ol.RU {list-style-type: upper-roman; } + .toc {margin: 0 10%; text-align: left;} + --> + + </style> +</head> +<body> +<pre> +**The Project Gutenberg Etext of Tom Swift And His Motor-Boat** +#2 in Victor Appleton's Tom Swift Series + +We name the Tom Swift files as they are numbered in the books-- +i.e. This is #2 in the series so the file name is 02tomxxx.xxx +where the x's are place holders for edition # and file type such +as 02tom10.txt and 02tom10.zip, when we do a .htm, 02tom10h.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* + + + + + +The Etext was prepared for Project Gutenberg by Ronald Benninghoff +and proof read by Erin Hartshorn and George Joseph +</pre> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h1>TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR-BOAT</h1> +<h4>Or</h4> +<h2>The Rivals of Lake Carlopa</h2> + +<h4>By</h4> +<h2>VICTOR APPLETON</h2> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h3>CONTENTS</h3> +<div class="toc"> + <ol class="RU"> +<li>A Motor-boat Auction</li> +<li>Some Lively Bidding</li> +<li>A Timely Warning</li> +<li>Tom And Andy Clash</li> +<li>A Test Of Speed</li> +<li>Towing Some Girls</li> +<li>A Brush With Andy</li> +<li>Off On A Trip</li> +<li>Mr. Swift Is Alarmed</li> +<li>A Cry For Help</li> +<li>A Quick Run</li> +<li>Suspicious Characters</li> +<li>Tom In Danger</li> +<li>The ARROW Disappears</li> +<li>A Damaging Statement</li> +<li>Still On The Search</li> +<li>"There She Is!"</li> +<li>The Pursuit</li> +<li>A Quiet Cruise</li> +<li>News Of A Robbery</li> +<li>The Balloon On Fire</li> +<li>The Rescue</li> +<li>Plans For An Airship</li> +<li>The Mystery Solved</li> +<li>Winning A Race</li> +</ol> +</div> +<hr /> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h2>A MOTOR-BOAT AUCTION</h2> + +<p>"Where are you going, Tom?" asked Mr. Barton Swift of his son as +the young man was slowly pushing his motor-cycle out of the yard +toward the country road. "You look as though you had some object +in view."</p> + +<p>"So I have, dad. I'm going over to Lanton."</p> + +<p>"To Lanton? What for?"</p> + +<p>"I want to have a look at that motor-boat."</p> + +<p>"Which boat is that, Tom? I don't recall your speaking about a +boat over at Lanton. What do you want to look at it for?"</p> + +<p>"It's the motor-boat those fellows had who tried to get away with +your turbine model invention, dad. The one they used at the old +General Harkness mansion, in the woods near the lake, and the same +boat that fellow used when he got away from me the day I was +chasing him here."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I remember now. But what is the boat doing over at +Lanton?"</p> + +<p>"That's where it belongs. It's the property of Mr. Bently +Hastings. The thieves stole it from him, and when they ran away +from the old mansion, the time Mr. Damon and I raided the place, +they left the boat on the lake. I turned it over to the county +authorities, and they found out it belonged to Mr. Hastings. He +has it back now, but I understand it's somewhat damaged, and he +wants to get rid of it. He's going to sell it at auction to-day, +and I thought I'd go over and take a look at it. You see—"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I see, Tom," exclaimed Mr. Swift with a laugh. "I see what +you're aiming at. You want a motor-boat, and you're going all +around Robin Hood's barn to get at it."</p> + +<p>"No, dad, I only—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know you, Tom, my lad!" interrupted the inventor, shaking +his finger at his son, who seemed somewhat confused. "You have a +nice rowing skiff and a sailboat, yet you are hankering for a +motor-boat. Come now, own up. Aren't you?"</p> + +<p>"Well, dad, a motor-boat certainly would go fine on Lake Carlopa. +There's plenty of room to speed her, and I wonder there aren't +more of them. I was going to see what Mr. Hastings' boat would +sell for, but I didn't exactly think of buying it' Still—"</p> + +<p>"But you wouldn't buy a damaged boat, would you?"</p> + +<p>"It isn't much damaged," and in his eagerness the young inventor +(for Tom Swift had taken out several patents) stood his +motor-cycle up against the fence and came closer to his father. +"It's only slightly damaged," he went on. "I can easily fix it. +I looked it all over before I gave it in charge of the +authorities, and it's certainly a fine boat. It's worth nine +hundred dollars—or it was when it was new."</p> + +<p>"That's a good deal of money for a boat," and Mr. Swift looked +serious, for though he was well off, he was inclined to be +conservative.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I shouldn't think of paying that much. In fact, dad, I +really had no idea of bidding at the auction. I only thought I'd +go over and get an idea of what the boat might sell for. Perhaps +some day—"</p> + +<p>Tom paused. Since his father had begun to question him some new +plans had come into the lad's head. He looked at his parent and +saw a smile beginning to work around the corners of Mr. Swift's +lips. There was also a humorous look in the eyes of the older +inventor. He understood boys fairly well, even if he only had +one, and he knew Tom perfectly.</p> + +<p>"Would you really like to make a bid on that boat Tom?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Would I, dad? Well—" The youth did not finish, but his father +knew what he meant.</p> + +<p>"I suppose a motor-boat would be a nice thing to have on Lake +Carlopa," went on Mr. Swift musingly. "You and I could take +frequent trips in it. It isn't like a motor-cycle, only useful +for one. What do you suppose the boat will go for, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"I hardly know. Not a high price, I believe, for motor-boats are +so new on our lake that few persons will take a chance on them. +But if Mr. Hastings is getting another, he will not be so +particular about insisting on a high price for the old one. Then, +too, the fact that it is damaged will help to keep the price down, +though I know I can easily put it in good shape. I would like to +make a bid, if you think it's all right."</p> + +<p>Well, I guess you may, Tom, if you really want it. You have money +of your own and a motor-boat is not a bad investment. What do you +think ought to be the limit?"</p> + +<p>"Would you consider a hundred and fifty dollars too high?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift looked at Tom critically. He was plainly going over +several matters in his mind, and not the least of them was the +pluck his son had shown in getting back some valuable papers and a +model from a gang of thieves. The lad certainly was entitled to +some reward, and to allow him to get a boat might properly be part +of it.</p> + +<p>"I think you could safely go as high as two hundred dollars, Tom," +said Mr. Swift at length. "That would be my limit on a damaged +boat for it might be better to pay a little more and get a new +one. However, use your own judgment, but don't go over two +hundred. So the thieves who made so much trouble for me stole +that boat from Mr. Hastings, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and they didn't take much care of it either. They damaged +the engine, but the hull is in good shape. I'm ever so glad +you'll let me bid on it. I'll start right off. The auction is at +ten o'clock and I haven't more than time to get there."</p> + +<p>"Now be careful how you bid. Don't raise your own figures, as +I've sometimes seen women, and men too, do in their excitement. +Somebody may go over your head; and if he does, let them. If you +get the boat I'll be very glad on your account. But don't bring +any of Anson Morse's gang back in it with you. I've seen enough +of them."</p> + +<p>"I'll not dad!" cried Tom as he trundled his motor-cycle out of +the gate and into the country road that led to the village of +Shopton, where he lived, and to Lanton, where the auction was to +be held. The young inventor had not gone far before he turned +back, leaving his machine standing on the side path.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked his father, who had started toward one +of several machine shops on the premises—shops where Mr. Swift +and his son did inventive work.</p> + +<p>"Guess I'd better get a blank check and some money," replied Tom +as he entered the house. "I'll need to pay a deposit if I secure +the boat."</p> + +<p>"That's so. Well, good luck," and with his mind busy on a plan +for a new kind of storage battery, the inventor went on to his +workroom. Tom got some cash and his checkbook from a small safe +he owned and was soon speeding over the road to Lanton, his motor-cycle +making quite a cloud of dust. While he is thus hurrying +along to the auction I will tell you something about him.</p> + +<p>Tom Swift, son of Barton Swift, lived with his father and a +motherly housekeeper, Mrs. Baggert, in a large house on the +outskirts of the town of Shopton, in New York State. Mr. Swift +had acquired considerable wealth from his many inventions and +patents, but he did not give up working out his ideas simply +because he had plenty of money. Tom followed in the footsteps of +his parent and had already taken out several patents.</p> + +<p>Shortly before this story opens the youth had become possessed of +a motor-cycle in a peculiar fashion. As told in the first volume +of this series, entitled "Tom Swift and His Motor-cycle," Tom was +riding to the town of Mansburg on an errand for his father one day +when he was nearly run down by a motorcyclist. A little later the +same motorcyclist, who was a Mr. Wakefield Damon, of Waterfield, +collided with a tree near Tom's home and was severely cut and +bruised, the machine being broken. Tom and his father cared for +the injured rider, and Mr. Damon, who was an eccentric individual, +was so disheartened by his attempts to ride the motor-cycle that +he sold it to Tom for fifty dollars, though it had cost much more.</p> + +<p>About the same time that Tom bought the motor-cycle a firm of +rascally lawyers, Smeak & Katch by name, had, in conjunction with +several men, made an attempt to get control of an invention of a +turbine motor perfected by Mr. Swift. The men, who were Ferguson +Appleson, Anson Morse, Wilson Featherton, alias Simpson, and Jake +Burke, alias Happy Harry, who sometimes disguised himself as a +tramp, tried several times to steal the model.</p> + +<p>Their anxiety to get it was due to the fact that they had invested +a large sum in a turbine motor invented by another man, but their +motor would not work and they sought to steal Mr. Swift's. Tom +was sent to Albany on his motor-cycle to deliver the model and +some valuable papers to Mr. Crawford, of the law firm of Reid & +Crawford, of Washington, attorneys for Mr. Swift. Mr. Crawford +had an errand in Albany and had agreed to meet Tom there with the +model.</p> + +<p>But, on the way, Tom was attacked by the gang of unscrupulous men +and the model was stolen. He was assaulted and carried far away +in an automobile. In an attempt to capture the gang in a deserted +mansion, in the woods on the shore of Lake Carlopa, Tom was aided +by Mr. Damon, of whom he had purchased the motor-cycle. The men +escaped, however, and nothing could be done to punish them.</p> + +<p>Tom was thinking of the exciting scenes he had passed through +about a month previous as he spun along the road leading to +Lanton.</p> + +<p>"I hope I don't meet Happy Harry or any of his gang to-day," mused +the lad as he turned on a little more power to enable his machine +to mount a hill. "I don't believe they'll attend the auction, +though. It would be too risky for them."</p> + +<p>As Tom swung along at a rapid pace he heard, behind him, the +puffing of an automobile, with the muffler cut out. He turned and +cast a hasty glance behind.</p> + +<p>"I hope that ain't Andy Foger or any of his cronies," he said to +himself. "He might try to run me down just for spite. He +generally rushes along with the muffler open so as to attract +attention and make folks think he has a racing car."</p> + +<p>It was not Andy, however, as Tom saw a little later, as a man +passed him in a big touring car. Andy Foger, as my readers will +recollect, was a red-haired, squinty-eyed lad with plenty of money +and not much else. He and his cronies, including Sam Snedecker, +nearly ran Tom down one day, when the latter was on his bicycle, +as told in the first volume of this series. Andy had been off on +a tour with his chums during the time when Tom was having such +strenuous adventures and had recently returned.</p> + +<p>"If I can only get that boat," mused Tom as he swung back into the +middle of the road after the auto had passed him, "I certainly +will have lots of fun. I'll make a week's tour of Lake Carlopa +and take dad and Ned Newton with me." Ned was Tom's most +particular chum, but as young Newton was employed in the Shopton +bank, the lad did not have much time for pleasure. Lake Carlopa +was a large body of water, and it would take a moderately powered +boat several days to make a complete circuit of the shore, so cut +up into bays and inlets was it.</p> + +<p>In about an hour Tom was at Lanton, and as he neared the home of +Mr. Hastings, which was on the shore of the lake, he saw quite a +throng going down toward the boathouse.</p> + +<p>"There'll be some lively bidding," thought Tom as he got off his +machine and pushed it ahead of him through the drive and down +toward the river. I hope they don't go above two hundred dollars, +though."</p> + +<p>"Get out the way there!" called a sudden voice, and looking back, +Tom saw that an automobile had crept up silently behind him. In +it were Andy Foger and Sam Snedecker. "Why don't you get out the +way?" petulantly demanded the red-haired lad.</p> + +<p>"Because I don't choose to," replied Tom calmly, knowing that Andy +would never dare to speed up his machine on the slope leading down +to the lake.</p> + +<p>"Go ahead, bump him!" the young inventor heard Sam whisper.</p> + +<p>"You'd better try it, if you want to get the best trouncing you +ever had!" cried Tom hotly.</p> + +<p>"Hu! I s'pose you think you're going to bid on the boat?" sneered +Andy.</p> + +<p>"Is there any law against it?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"Hu! Well, you'll not get it. I'm going to take that boat," +retorted the squint-eyed bully. "Dad gave me the money to get +it."</p> + +<p>"All right," answered Tom non-committally. "Go ahead. It's a +free country."</p> + +<p>He stood his motor-cycle up against a tree and went toward a group +of persons who were surrounding the auctioneer. The time had +arrived to start the sale. As Tom edged in closer he brushed +against a man who looked at him sharply. The lad was just +wondering if he had ever seen the individual before, as there +seemed to be something strangely familiar about him, when the man +turned quickly away, as if afraid of being recognized.</p> + +<p>"That's odd," thought Tom, but he had no further time for +speculation, as the auctioneer was mounting on a soapbox and had +begun to address the gathering.</p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h2>SOME LIVELY BIDDING</h2> + +<p>"Attention, people!" cried the auctioneer. "Give me your +attention for a few minutes, and we will proceed with the business +in hand. As you all know, I am about to dispose of a fine +motor-boat, the property of Mr. Bently Hastings. The reason for +disposing of it at auction is known to most of you, but for the +benefit of those who do not, I will briefly state them. The boat +was stolen by a gang of thieves and recovered recently through the +efforts of a young man, Thomas Swift, son of Barton Swift, our +fellow-townsman, of Shopton." At that moment the auctioneer, Jacob +Wood, caught sight of Tom in the press, and, looking directly at +the lad, continued:</p> + +<p>"I understand that young Mr. Swift is here to-day, and I hope he +intends to bid on this boat. If he does, the bidding will be +lively, for Tom Swift is a lively young man. I wish I could say +that some of the men who stole the boat were here to-day."</p> + +<p>The auctioneer paused and there were some murmurs from those in +the throng as to why such a wish should be uttered. Tom felt some +one moving near him, and, looking around, he saw the same man with +whom he had come in contact before. The person seemed desirous of +getting out on the edge of the crowd, and Tom felt a return of his +vague suspicions. He looked closely at the fellow, but could +trace no resemblance to any of the men who had so daringly stolen +his father's model.</p> + +<p>"The reason I wish they were here to-day," went on Mr. Wood, "is +that the men did some slight damage to the boat, and if they were +here to-day we would make them pay for it. However, the damage is +slight and can easily be repaired. I mention that, as Mr. +Hastings desired me to. Now we will proceed with the bidding, and +I will say that an opportunity will first be given all to examine +the boat. Perhaps Tom Swift will give us his opinion on the state +it is in as we know he is well qualified to talk about machinery."</p> + +<p>All eyes were turned on Tom, for many knew him.</p> + +<p>"Humph! I guess I know as much about boats and motors as he does," +sneered Andy Foger. 'He isn't the only one in this crowd! Why +didn't the auctioneer ask me?"</p> + +<p>"Keep quiet," begged Sam Snedecker. "People are laughing at you, +Andy."</p> + +<p>"I don't care if they are," muttered the sandy haired youth. "Tom +Swift needn't think he's everything."</p> + +<p>"If you will come down to the dock," went on the auctioneer, "you +can all see the boat, and I would be glad to have young Mr. Swift +give us the benefit of his advice."</p> + +<p>The throng trooped down to the lake, and, blushing somewhat, Tom +told what was the matter with the motor and how it could be fixed. +It was noticed that there was less enthusiasm over the matter than +there had been, for certainly the engine, rusty and out of order +as it was, did not present an attractive sight. Tom noted that +the man, who had acted so strangely, did not come down to the +dock.</p> + +<p>"Guess he can't be much interested in the motor," decided Tom.</p> + +<p>"Now then, if it's all the same to you folks, I'll proceed with +the auction here," went on Mr. Wood. "You can all see the boat +from here. It is, as you see, a regular family launch and will +carry twelve persons comfortably. With a canopy fitted to it a +person could cruise all about the lake and stay out over night, +for you could sleep on the seat cushions. It is twenty-one feet +in length and has a five-and-a-half-foot beam, the design being +what is known as a compromise stern. The motor is a double-cylinder +two-cycle one, of ten horsepower. It has a float-feed +carburetor, mechanical oiler, and the ignition system is the jump-spark— +the best for this style of motor. The boat will make ten +miles an hour, with twelve in, and, of course, more than that with +a lighter load. A good deal will depend on the way the motor is +managed.</p> + +<p>"Now, as you know, Mr. Hastings wishes to dispose of the boat +partly because he does not wish to repair it and partly because he +has a newer and larger one. The craft, which is named CARLOPA by +the way, cost originally nine hundred dollars. It could not be +purchased new to day, in many places, for a thousand. Now what am +I offered in its present condition? Will any one make an offer? +Will you give me five hundred dollars?"</p> + +<p>The auctioneer paused and looked critically at the throng. +Several persons smiled. Tom looked worried. He had no idea that +the price would start so high.</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps that is a bit stiff," went on Mr. Wood. "Shall we +say four hundred dollars? Come now, I'm sure it's worth four +hundred. Who'll start it at four hundred?"</p> + +<p>No one would, and the auctioneer descended to three hundred, then +to two and finally, as if impatient, he called out:</p> + +<p>"Well, will any one start at fifty dollars?"</p> + +<p>Instantly there were several cries of "I will!"</p> + +<p>"I thought you would," went on the auctioneer. "Now we will get +down to work. I'm offered fifty dollars for this twenty-one foot, +ten horsepower family launch. Will any one make it sixty?"</p> + +<p>"Sixty!" called out Andy Foger in a shrill voice. Several turned +to look at him.</p> + +<p>"I didn't know he was going to bid," thought Tom. "He may go +above me. He's got plenty of money, and, while I have too, I'm +not going to pay too much for a damaged boat."</p> + +<p>"Sixty I'm bid, sixty—sixty!" cried Mr. Wood in a sing-song +tone, "who'll make it seventy?"</p> + +<p>"Sixty-five!" spoke a quiet voice at Tom's elbow, and he turned to +see the mysterious man who had joined the crowd at the edge of the +lake.</p> + +<p>"Sixty-five from the gentleman in the white straw hat!" called Mr. +Wood with a smile at his wit, for there were many men wearing +white straw hats, the day being a warm one in June.</p> + +<p>"Here, who's bidding above me?" exclaimed Andy, as if it was +against the law.</p> + +<p>"I guess you'll find a number going ahead of you, my young +friend," remarked the auctioneer. "Will you have the goodness not +to interrupt me, except when you want to bid?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I offered sixty," said the squint-eyed bully, while his +crony, Sam Snedecker, was vainly, pulling at his sleeve.</p> + +<p>"I know you did, and this gentleman went above you. If you want +to bid more you can do so. I'm offered sixty-five, sixty-five I'm +offered for this boat. Will any one make it seventy-five?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Wood looked at Tom, and our hero, thinking it was time for +him to make a bid, offered seventy. "Seventy from Tom Swift!" +cried the auctioneer. "There is a lad who knows a motor-boat +from stem to stern, if those are the right words. I don't know +much about boats except what I'm told, but Tom Swift does. Now, +if he bids, you people ought to know that it's all right. I'm +bid seventy—seventy I'm bid. Will any one make it eighty?"</p> + +<p>"Eighty!" exclaimed Andy Foger after a whispered conference with +Sam. "I know as much about boats as Tom Swift. I'll make it +eighty."</p> + +<p>"No side remarks. I'll do most of the talking. You just bid, +young man," remarked Mr. Wood. "I have eighty bid for this +boat—eighty dollars. Why, my friends, I can't understand this. +I ought to have it up to three hundred dollars, at least. But I +thank you all the same. We are coming on. I'm bid eighty—"</p> + +<p>"Ninety!" exclaimed the quiet man at Tom's elbow. He was +continually fingering his upper lip, as though he had a mustache +there, but his face was clean-shaven. He looked around nervously +as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"Ninety!" called out the auctioneer.</p> + +<p>"Ninety-five!" returned Tom. Andy Foger scowled at him, but the +young inventor only smiled. It was evident that the bully did not +relish being bid against. He and his crony whispered together +again.</p> + +<p>"One hundred!" called Andy, as if no one would dare go above that.</p> + +<p>"I'm offered an even hundred," resumed Mr. Wood. "We are +certainly coming on. A hundred I am bid, a hundred—a hundred—a +hundred—"</p> + +<p>"And five," said the strange man hastily, and he seemed to choke +as he uttered the words.</p> + +<p>"Oh, come now; we ought to have at least ten-dollar bids from now +on," suggested Mr. Wood. "Won't you make it a hundred and ten?" +The auctioneer looked directly at the man, who seemed to shrink +back into the crowd. He shook his head, cast a sort of despairing +look at the boat and hurried away.</p> + +<p>"That's queer," murmured Tom. "I guess that was his limit, yet if +he wanted the boat badly that wasn't a high price."</p> + +<p>"Who's going ahead of me?" demanded Andy in loud tones.</p> + +<p>"Keep quiet!" urged Sam. "We may get it yet."</p> + +<p>"Yes, don't make so many remarks," counseled the auctioneer. "I'm +bid a hundred and five. Will any one make it a hundred and +twenty-five?"</p> + +<p>Tom wondered why the man bad not remained to see if his bid was +accepted, for no one raised it at once, but he hurried off and did +not look back. Tom took a sudden resolve.</p> + +<p>"A hundred and twenty-five!" he called out.</p> + +<p>"That's what I like to hear," exclaimed Mr. Wood. "Now we are +doing business. A hundred and twenty-five from Tom Swift. Will +any one offer me fifty?"</p> + +<p>Andy and Sam seemed to be having some dispute.</p> + +<p>"Let's make him quit right now," suggested Andy in a hoarse +whisper.</p> + +<p>"You can't," declared Sam'</p> + +<p>"Yes, I can. I'll go up to my limit right now."</p> + +<p>"And some one will go above you—-maybe Tom will," was Sam's +retort.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe he can afford to," Andy came back with. "I'm +going to call his bluffs. I believe he's only bidding to make +others think he wants it. I don't believe he'll buy it."</p> + +<p>Tom heard what was said, but did not reply. The auctioneer was +calling monotonously: "I'm bid a hundred and twenty-five—twenty-five. +Will any one make it fifty?"</p> + +<p>"A hundred and fifty!" sang out Andy, and all eyes were directed +toward him.</p> + +<p>"Sixty!" said Tom quietly.</p> + +<p>"Here, you—" began the red-haired lad. You—"</p> + +<p>"That will do!" exclaimed the auctioneer sternly. "I am offered a +hundred and sixty. Now who will give me an advance? I want to get +the boat up to two hundred, and then the real bidding will begin."</p> + +<p>Tom's heart sank. He hoped it would be some time before a two +hundred dollar offer would be heard. As for Andy Foger, he was +almost speechless with rage. He shook off the restraining arm of +Sam, and, worming his way to the front of the throng, exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"I'll give a hundred and seventy-five dollars for that boat!"</p> + +<p>"Good!" cried the auctioneer. "That's the way to talk. I'm +offered a hundred and seventy-five."</p> + +<p>"Eighty," said Tom quietly, though his heart was beating fast.</p> + +<p>"Well, of all—" began Andy, but Sam Snedecker dragged him back.</p> + +<p>"You haven't got any more money," said the bully's crony. +"Better stop now."</p> + +<p>"I will not! I'm going home for more," declared Andy. "I must +have that boat."</p> + +<p>"It will be sold when you get back," said Sam.</p> + +<p>"Haven't you got any money you can lend me?" inquired the squint-eyed +one, scowling in Tom's direction.</p> + +<p>"No, not a bit. There, some one raised Tom's bid."</p> + +<p>At that moment a man in the crowd offered a hundred and eighty-one +dollars.</p> + +<p>"Small amounts thankfully received," said Mr. Wood with a laugh. +Then the bidding became lively, a number making one-dollar +advances.</p> + +<p>The price got up to one hundred and ninety-five dollars and there +it hung for several minutes, despite the eloquence of Mr. Wood, +who tried by all his persuasive powers to get a substantial +advance. But every one seemed afraid to bid. As for the young +inventor, he was in a quandary. He could only offer five dollars +more, and, if he bid it in a lump, some one might go to two +hundred and five, and he would not get the boat. He wished he had +secured permission from his father to go higher, yet he knew that +as a fair proposition two hundred dollars was about all the +motor-boat in its present condition was worth, at least to him. +Then he made a sudden resolve. He thought he might as well have the +suspense over.</p> + +<p>"Two hundred dollars!" he called boldly.</p> + +<p>"I'm offered two hundred!" repeated Mr. Wood. "That is something +like it. Now who will raise that?"</p> + +<p>There was a moment of silence. Then the auctioneer swung into an +enthusiastic description of the boat. He begged for an advance, +but none was made, though Tom's heart seemed in his throat, so +afraid was he that he would not get the CARLOPA.</p> + +<p>"Two hundred—two hundred!" droned on Mr. Wood. "I am offered +two hundred. Will any of you go any higher?" He paused a moment, +and Tom's heart beat harder than ever. "If not," resumed the +speaker, "I will declare the bidding closed. Are you all done? +Once—twice—three times. Two hundred dollars. Going—going—gone!" +He clapped his hands. "The boat is sold to Thomas Swift for two +hundred dollars. If he'll step up I'll take his money."</p> + +<p>There was a laugh as Tom, blushingly, advanced. He passed Andy +Foger, who had worked his way over near him.</p> + +<p>"You got the boat," sneered the bully, "and I s'pose you think you +got ahead of me."</p> + +<p>"Keep quiet!" begged Sam.</p> + +<p>"I won't!" exclaimed Andy. "He outbid me just out of spite, and +I'll get even with him. You see if I don't!"</p> + +<p>Tom looked Andy Foger straight in the eyes, but did not answer, +and the red-haired youth turned aside, followed by his crony, and +started toward his automobile.</p> + +<p>"I congratulate you on your bargain," said Mr. Wood as Tom +proceeded to make out a check. He gave little thought to the +threat Andy Foger had made, but the time was coming when he was to +remember it well.</p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h2>A TIMELY WARNING</h2> + +<p>"Well, are you satisfied with your bargain, Tom?" asked Mr. Wood +when the formalities about transferring the ownership of the +motor-boat had been completed.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I calculated to pay just what I did."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you're satisfied, for Mr. Hastings told me to be sure +the purchaser was satisfied. Here he comes now. I guess he +wasn't at the auction."</p> + +<p>An elderly gentleman was approaching Mr. Wood and Tom. Most of +the throng was dispersing, but the young inventor noticed that +Andy Foger and Sam Snedecker stood to one side, regarding him +closely.</p> + +<p>"So you got my boat," remarked the former owner of the craft. "I +hope you will be able to fix it up."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I think I shall," answered the new owner of the CARLOPA. "If +I can't, father will help me."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you have an advantage there. Are you going to keep the same +name?" and Mr. Hastings seemed quite interested in what answer the +lad would make.</p> + +<p>"I think not," replied Tom. "It's a good name, but I want +something that tells more what a fast boat it is, for I'm going to +make some changes that will increase the speed."</p> + +<p>"That's a good idea. Call it the Swift."</p> + +<p>"Folks would say I was stuck up if I did that," retorted the youth +quickly. "I think I shall call it the ARROW. That's a good, +short name, and—"</p> + +<p>"It's certainly speedy," interrupted Mr. Hastings. "Well now, +since you're not going to use the name CARLOPA, would you mind if +I took it for my new boat? I have a fancy for it."</p> + +<p>"Not in the least," said Tom. "Don't you want the letters from +each side of the bow to put on your new craft?"</p> + +<p>"It's very kind of you to offer them, and, since you will have no +need for them, I'll be glad to take them off."</p> + +<p>"Come down to my boat," invited Tom, using the word "my" with a +proper pride, "and I'll take off the brass letters. I have a +screw driver in my motor-cycle tool bag."</p> + +<p>As the former and present owners of the ARROW (which is the name +by which I shall hereafter designate Tom's motor-boat) walked down +toward the dock where it was moored the young inventor gave a +startled cry.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Mr. Hastings.</p> + +<p>"That man! See him at my motor-boat?" cried Tom. He pointed to +the craft in the lake. A man was in the cockpit and seemed to be +doing something to the forward bulkhead, which closed off the +compartment holding the gasoline tank.</p> + +<p>"Who is he?" asked Mr. Hastings, while Tom started on a run toward +the boat.</p> + +<p>"I don't know. Some man who bid on the boat at the auction, but +who didn't go high enough," answered the lad. As he neared the +craft the man sprang out, ran along the lakeshore for a short +distance and then disappeared amid the bushes which bordered the +estate of Mr. Hastings. Tom hurriedly entered the ARROW.</p> + +<p>"Did he do any damage?" asked Mr. Hastings.</p> + +<p>"I guess he didn't have time," responded Tom. "But he was +tampering with the lock on the door of the forward compartment. +What's in there?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing but the gasoline tank. I keep the bulkhead sliding door +locked on general principles. I can't imagine what the fellow +would want to open it for. There's nothing of value in there. +Perhaps he isn't right in his head. Was he a tramp?"</p> + +<p>"No, he was well dressed but he seemed very nervous during the +auction, as if he was disappointed not to have secured the boat. +Yet what could he want in that compartment? Have you the key to +the lock, Mr. Hastings?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it belongs to you now, Mr. Swift," and the former owner +handed it to Tom, who quickly unlocked the compartment. He slid +back the door and peered within, but all he saw was the big +galvanized tank.</p> + +<p>"Nothing in there he could want," commented the former owner of +the craft.</p> + +<p>"No," agreed Tom in a low voice. "I don't see what he wanted to +open the door for." But the time was to come, and not far off, +when Tom was to discover quite a mystery connected with the +forward compartment of his boat, and the solution of it was fated +to bring him into no little danger.</p> + +<p>"It certainly is odd," went on Mr. Hastings when, after Tom had +secured the screw driver from his motor-cycle tool bag, he aided +the lad in removing the letters from the bow of the boat "Are you +sure you don't know the man?"</p> + +<p>"No, I never saw him before. At first I thought his voice sounded +like one of the members of the Happy Harry gang, but when I looked +squarely at him I could not see a bit of resemblance. Besides, +that gang would not venture again into this neighborhood."</p> + +<p>"No, I imagine not. Perhaps he was only a curious, meddlesome +person. I have frequently been bothered by such individuals. +They want to see all the working parts of an automobile or +motor-boat, and they don't care what damage they do by investigating."</p> + +<p>Tom did not reply, but he was pretty certain that the man in +question had more of an object than mere curiosity in tampering +with the boat. However, he could discover no solution just then, +and he proceeded with the work of taking off the letters.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do with your boat, now that you have it?" +asked Mr. Hastings. "Can you run it down to your dock in the +condition in which it is now?"</p> + +<p>"No, I shall have to go back home, get some tools and fix up the +motor. It will take half a day, at least. I will come back this +afternoon and, have the boat at my house by night. That is if I +may leave it at your dock here."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, as long as you like."</p> + +<p>The young inventor had many things to think about as he rode +toward home, and though he was somewhat puzzled over the actions +of the stranger, he forgot about that in anticipating the pleasure +he would have when the motor-boat was in running order.</p> + +<p>"I'll take dad off on a cruise about the lake," he decided. "He +needs a rest, for he's been working hard and worrying over the +theft of the turbine motor model. I'll take Ned Newton for some +rides, too, and he can bring his camera along and get a lot of +pictures. Oh, I'll have some jolly sport this summer!"</p> + +<p>Tom was riding swiftly along a quiet country road and was +approaching a steep hill, which he could not see until he was +close to it, owing to a sharp turn.</p> + +<p>As he was about to swing around it and coast swiftly down the +steep declivity he was startled by hearing a voice calling to him +from the bushes at the side of the road.</p> + +<p>"Hold on, dar I Hold on, Mistah Swift!" cried a colored man, +suddenly popping into view. "Doan't go down dat hill."</p> + +<p>"Why, it's Eradicate Sampson!" exclaimed Tom, quickly shutting off +the power and applying the brakes. "What's the matter, Rad? Why +shouldn't I go down that hill?"</p> + +<p>"Beca'se, Mistah Swift, dere's a pow'ful monstrous tree trunk +right across de road at a place whar yo' cain't see it till yo' +gits right on top ob it. Ef yo' done hit dat ar tree on yo' +lickity-split machine, yo' suah would land in kingdom come. +Doan't go down dat hill!"</p> + +<p>Tom leaped off his machine and approached the colored man. +Eradicate Sampson did odd jobs in the neighborhood of Shopton, and +more than once Tom had done him favors in repairing his lawn mower +or his wood-sawing machine. In turn Eradicate had given Tom a +valuable clue as to the hiding place of the model thieves.</p> + +<p>"How'd the log get across the road, Rad?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"I dunno, Mistah Swift. I see it when I come along wid mah mule, +Boomerang, an' I tried t' git it outer de way, but I couldn't. +Den I left Boomerang an' mah wagon at de foot ob de hill an' I +come up heah t' git a long pole t' pry de log outer de way. I +didn't t'ink nobody would come along, case dis road ain't much +trabeled."</p> + +<p>"I took it for a short cut," said the lad. "Come on, let's take a +look at the log."</p> + +<p>Leaving his machine at the top of the slope, the young inventor +accompanied the colored man 'down the hill. At the foot of it, +well hidden from sight of any one who might come riding down, was +a big log. It was all the way across the road.</p> + +<p>"That never fell there," exclaimed Tom in some excitement. "That +never rolled off a load of logs, even if there had been one along, +which there wasn't. That log was put there!"</p> + +<p>"Does yo' t'ink dat, Mistah Swift?" asked Eradicate, his eyes +getting big.</p> + +<p>"I certainly do, and, if you hadn't warned me, I might have been +killed."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I heard yo' lickity-split machine chug-chuggin' along when I +were in de bushes, lookin' for a pryin' pole, an' I hurried out to +warn yo. I knowed I could leave Boomerang safe, 'case he's +asleep."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you did warn me," went on the youth solemnly. Then, as +he went closer to the log, he uttered an exclamation.</p> + +<p>"That has been dragged here by an automobile!" he cried. "It's +been done on purpose to injure some one. Come on, Rad, let's see +if we can't find out who did it."</p> + +<p>Something on the ground caught Tom's eye. He stooped and picked +up a nickle-plated wrench.</p> + +<p>"This may come in handy as evidence," he murmured.</p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h2>TOM AND ANDY CLASH</h2> + +<p>Even a casual observer could have told that an auto had had some +part in dragging the log to the place where it blockaded the road. +In the dust were many marks of the big rubber tires and even the +imprint of a rope, which had been used to tow the tree trunk.</p> + +<p>"What fo' yo' t'ink any one put dat log dere?" asked the colored +man as he followed Tom. Boomerang, the mule, so called because +Eradicate said you never could tell what he was going to do, +opened his eyes lazily and closed them again. "I don't know why, +Rad, unless they wanted to wreck an automobile or a wagon. Maybe +tramps did it for spite."</p> + +<p>"Maybe some one done it to make yo' hab trouble, Mistah Swift."</p> + +<p>"No, I hardly think so. I don't know of any one who would want to +make trouble for me, and how would they know I was coming this +way—"</p> + +<p>Tom suddenly checked himself. The memory of the scene at the +auction came back to him and he recalled what Andy Foger had said +about "'getting even."</p> + +<p>"Which way did dat auto go?" resumed Eradicate.</p> + +<p>"It came from down the road," answered Tom, not completing the +sentence he had left unfinished. "They dragged the log up to the +foot of the hill and left it. Then the auto went down this way." +It was comparatively easy, for a lad of such sharp observation as +was Tom, to trace the movements of the vehicle.</p> + +<p>"Den if it's down heah, maybe we cotch 'em," suggested the colored +man.</p> + +<p>The young inventor did not answer at once. He was hurrying along, +his eyes on the telltale marks. He had proceeded some distance +from the place where the log was when he uttered a cry. At the +same moment he hurried from the road toward a thick clump of +bushes that were in the ditch alongside of the highway. Reaching +them, he parted the leaves and called:</p> + +<p>"Here's the auto, Rad!"</p> + +<p>The colored man ran up, his eyes wider open than ever. There, +hidden amid the bushes, was a large touring car.</p> + +<p>"Whose am dat?" asked Eradicate.</p> + +<p>Tom did not answer. He penetrated the underbrush, noting where +the broken branches had been bent upright after the forced +entrance of the car, the better to hide it. The young inventor +was, seeking some clew to discover the owner of the machine. To +this end he climbed up in the tonneau and was looking about when +some one burst in through the screen of bushes and a voice cried: +"Here, you get out of my car!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, is it your car, Andy Foger?" asked Tom calmly as he +recognized his squint-eyed rival. "I was just beginning to think +it was. Allow me to return your wrench," and he held out the one +he had picked up near the log. "The next time you drag trees +across the road," went on the lad in the tonneau, facing the angry +and dismayed Andy, "I'd advise you to post a notice at the top of +the hill, so persons riding down will not be injured." +"Notice—road—hill—logs!" stammered Andy, turning +red under his freckles.</p> + +<p>"That's what I said," replied Tom coolly.</p> + +<p>"I—I didn't have anything to do with putting a log across any +road," mumbled the bully. "I—I've been off toward the creek."</p> + +<p>"Have you?" asked Tom with a peculiar smile.</p> + +<p>"I thought you might have been looking for the wrench you dropped +near the log. You should be more careful and so should Sam +Snedecker, who's hiding outside the bushes," went on our hero, for +he had caught sight of the form of Andy's crony. "I—I told him +not to do it!" exclaimed Sam as he came from his hiding place.</p> + +<p>"Shut up!" exclaimed Andy desperately.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I think I know your secret," continued the young inventor. +"You wanted to get even with me for outbidding you on the motor-boat. +You watched which road I took, and then, in your auto, you +came a shorter way, ahead of me. You hauled the log across the +foot of the hill, hoping, I suppose, that my machine would be +broken. But, let me tell you, it was a risky trick. Not only +might I have been killed, but so would whoever else who happened +to drive down the slope over the log, whether in a wagon or +automobile. Fortunately Eradicate discovered it in time and +warned me. I ought to have you arrested, but you're not worth it. +A good thrashing is what such sneaks as you deserve!"</p> + +<p>"You haven't got any evidence against us," sneered Andy +confidently, his old bravado coming back.</p> + +<p>"I have all I want," replied Tom. "You needn't worry. I'm not +going to tell the police. But you've got to do one thing or I'll +make you sorry you ever tried this trick. Eradicate will help me, +to don't think you're going to escape."</p> + +<p>"You get out of my automobile!" demanded Andy. "I'll have you +arrested if you don't."</p> + +<p>"I'll get out because I'm ready to, but not on account of your +threats," retorted Mr. Swift's son. "Here's your wrench. Now I +want you and Sam to start up this machine and haul that log out of +the way."</p> + +<p>"S'pose I won't do it?" snapped Andy.</p> + +<p>"Then I'll cause your arrest, besides thrashing you into the +bargain! You can take your choice of removing the log so travelers +can pass or having a good hiding, you and Sam. Eradicate, you +take Sam and I'll tackle Andy."</p> + +<p>"Don't you dare touch me!" cried the bully, but there was a whine +in his tones.</p> + +<p>"You let me alone or I'll tell my father!" added Sam. "I—I +didn't have nothin' to do with it, anyhow. I told Andy it would +make trouble, but he made me help him."</p> + +<p>"Say, what's the matter with you?" demanded Andy indignantly of +his crony. "Do you want to—"</p> + +<p>"I wish I'd never come with you," went on Sam, who was beginning +to be frightened.</p> + +<p>"Come now. Start up that machine and haul the log out of the +way," demanded Tom again.</p> + +<p>"I won't do it!" retorted the red-haired lad impudently.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you will," insisted our hero, and he took a step toward the +bully. They were out of the clump of bushes now and in the +roadside ditch. "You let me alone," almost screamed Andy, and in +his baffled rage he rushed at Tom, aiming a blow.</p> + +<p>The young inventor quickly stepped to one side, and, as the bully +passed him, Tom sent out a neat left-hander. Andy Foger went down +in a heap on the grass.</p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h2>A TEST OF SPEED</h2> + +<p>Whether Tom or Andy was the most surprised at the happening would +be hard to say. The former had not meant to hit so hard and he +certainly did not intend to knock the squint-eyed youth down. The +latter's fall was due, as much as anything, to his senseless, +rushing tactics and to the fact that he slipped on the green +grass. The bully was up in a moment, however, but he knew better +than to try conclusions with Tom again. Instead he stood out of +reach and spluttered:</p> + +<p>"You just wait, Tom Swift! You just wait!"</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm waiting," responded the other calmly.</p> + +<p>"I'll get even with you," went on Andy. "You think you're smart +because you got ahead of me, but I'll get square!"</p> + +<p>"Look here!" burst out the young inventor determinedly, taking a +step toward his antagonist, at which Andy quickly retreated, "I +don't want any more of that talk from you, Andy Foger. That's +twice you've made threats against me to-day. You put that log +across the road, and if you try anything like it for your second +attempt I'll make you wish you hadn't. That applies to you, too, +Sam," he added, glancing at the other lad.</p> + +<p>"I—I ain't gone' to do nothin'," declared Sam.</p> + +<p>"I told Andy not to put that tree—"</p> + +<p>"Keep still, can't you!" shouted the bully. "Come on. We'll get +even with him, that's all," he muttered as he went back into the +bushes where the auto was. Andy cranked up and he and his crony +getting into the car were about to start off.</p> + +<p>"Hold on!" cried Tom. "You'll take that log from across the road +or I'll have you arrested for obstructing traffic, and that's a +serious offense."</p> + +<p>"I'm goin' to take it away!" growled Andy. "Give a fellow a show +can't you?"</p> + +<p>He cast an ugly look at Tom, but the latter only smiled. It was +no easy task for Sam and Andy to pull the log out of the way, as +they could hardly lift it to slip the rope under. But they +finally managed it, and, by the power of the car, hauled it to one +side. Then they speed off.</p> + +<p>"I 'clar t' gracious, dem young fellers am most as mean an' +contrary as mah mule Boomerang am sometimes," observed Eradicate. +"Only Boomerang ain't quite so mean as dat."</p> + +<p>"I should hope not, Rad," observed Tom. "I'm ever so much obliged +for your warning. I guess I'll be getting, home now. Come around +next week; we have some work for you."</p> + +<p>"'Deed an' I will," replied the colored man. "I'll come around +an' eradicate all de dirt on yo' place, Mistah Swift. Yais, sah, +I's Eradicate by name, and dat's my perfession—eradicatin' dirt. +Much obleeged, I'll call around. Giddap, Boomerang!"</p> + +<p>The mule lazily flicked his ears, but did not stir, and Tom, +knowing the process of arousing the animal would take some time, +hurried up the hill to where he had left his motor-cycle. +Eradicate was still engaged on the task of trying to arouse his +steed to a sense of its duty when the young inventor flashed by on +his way home.</p> + +<p>"So now you own a broken motor-boat," observed Mr. Swift when Tom +had related the circumstances of the auction. "Well, now you have +it, what are you going to do with it?"</p> + +<p>"Fix it, first of all," replied his son. "It needs considerable +tinkering up, but nothing but what I can do, if you'll help me."</p> + +<p>"Of course I will. Do you think you can get any speed out of it?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm not so anxious for speed. I wart a good, comfortable +boat, and the ARROW will be that. I've named it, you see. I'm +going back to Lanton this afternoon, take some tools along, and +repair it so I can run the boat over to here. Then I'll get at it +and fix it up. I've got a plan for you, dad."</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked the inventor, his rather tired face lighting +up with interest.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to take you on a vacation trip."</p> + +<p>"A vacation trip?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, you need a rest. You've been working, too hard over that +gyroscope invention."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Tom, I think I have," admitted Mr. Swift. "But I am very +much interested in it, and I think I can get it to work. If I do +it will make a great difference in the control of aeroplanes. It +will make them more stable able to fly in almost any wind. But I +certainly have puzzled my brains over some features of it. +However, I don't quite see what you mean."</p> + +<p>"You need a rest, dad," said Mr. Swift's son kindly. "I want you +to forget all about patents, invention, machinery and even the +gyroscope for a week or two. When I get my motor-boat in shape +I'm going to take you and Ned Newton up the lake for a cruise. We +can camp out, or, if we had to, we could sleep in the boat. I'm +going to put a canopy on it and arrange some bunks. It will do +you good and perhaps new ideas for your gyroscope may come to you +after a rest."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they will, Tom. I am certainly tired enough to need a +vacation. It's very kind of you to think of me in connection with +your boat. But if you're going to get it this afternoon you'd +better start if you expect to get back by night. I think Mrs. +Baggert has dinner ready."</p> + +<p>After the meal Tom selected a number of tools from his, own +particular machine shop and carried them down to the dock on the +lake, where his two small boats were tied.</p> + +<p>"Aren't you going back on your motor-cycle" asked his father. "No, +Dad, I'm going to row over to Lanton, and, if I can get the ARROW +fixed, 'I'll tow my rowboat back."</p> + +<p>"Very well, then you won't be in any danger from Andy Foger. I +must speak to his father about him."</p> + +<p>"No, dad, don't," exclaimed the young inventor quickly. "I can +fight my own battles with Andy. I don't fancy he will bother me +again right away."</p> + +<p>Tom found it more of a task than he had anticipated to get the +motor in shape to run the ARROW back under her own power. The +magneto was out of order and the batteries needed renewing, while +the spark coil had short-circuited and took considerable time to +adjust. But by using some new dry cells, which Mr. Hastings gave +him, and cutting out the magneto, or small dynamo which produces +the spark that exploded the gasoline in the cylinders, Tom soon +had a fine, "fat" hot spark from the auxiliary ignition system. +Then, adjusting the timer and throttle on the engine and seeing +that the gasoline tank was filled, the lad started up his motor. +Mr. Hastings helped him, but after a few turns of the flywheel +there were no explosions. Finally, after the carburetor (which is +the device where gasoline is mixed with air to produce an +explosive mixture) had been adjusted, the motor started off as if +it had intended to do so all the while and was only taking its +time about it.</p> + +<p>"The machine doesn't run as smooth as it ought to," commented Mr. +Hastings. "No, it needs a thorough overhauling," agreed the owner +of the ARROW. "I'll get at it to-morrow," and with that he swung +out into the lake, towing his rowboat after him.</p> + +<p>"A motor-boat of my own!" exulted Tom as he twirled the steering +wheel and noted how readily the craft answered her helm. "This is +great!"</p> + +<p>He steered down the lake and then, turning around, went up it a +mile or more before heading for his own dock, as he wanted to see +how the engine behaved.</p> + +<p>"With some changes and adjustments I can make this a speedy boat," +thought Tom. "I'll get right at it. I shouldn't wonder if I +could make a good showing against Mr. Hastings' new CARLOPA, +though his boat's got four cylinders and mine has but two."</p> + +<p>The lad was proceeding leisurely along the lakeshore, near his +home, with the motor throttled down to test it at low speed, when +he heard some one shout. Looking toward the bank, Tom saw a man +waving his hands.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what he wants?" thought our hero as he put the wheel +over to send his craft to shore. He heard a moment later, for the +man on the bank cried:</p> + +<p>"I say, my young friend, do you know anything about automobiles? +Of course you do or you wouldn't be running a motor-boat. Bless +my very existence, but I'm in trouble! My machine has stopped on +a lonely road and I can't seem to get it started. I happened to +hear your boat and I came here to hail you. Bless my coat-pockets +but I am in trouble! Can you help me? Bless my soul and +gizzard!"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Damon" exclaimed Tom, shutting off the power, for he was now +near shore. "Of course I'll help you, Mr. Damon," for the young +inventor had recognized the eccentric man of whom he had purchased +the motor-cycle and who had helped him in rounding up the thieves.</p> + +<p>"Why, bless my shoe-laces, if it isn't Tom Swift!" exclaimed Mr. +Damon, who seemed very fond of calling down blessings upon himself +or upon articles of his dress or person.</p> + +<p>"Yes '. I'm here," admitted Tom with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"And in a motor-boat, too! Bless my pocketbook, but did that run +away with some one who sold it to you cheap?"</p> + +<p>"No, not exactly," and the lad explained how he had come into +possession of it. By this time he was ashore and had tied the +ARROW to an overhanging tree. Then Tom proceeded to where Mr. +Damon had left his stalled automobile. The eccentric man was +wealthy and his physician had instructed him to ride about in the +car for his health. Tom soon located the trouble. The carburetor +had become clogged, and it was soon in working order again.</p> + +<p>"Well, now that you have a boat ', I don't suppose you will be +riding about the country so much," commented Mr. Damon as he got +into his car. "Bless my spark-plug! But if you ever get over to +Waterfield, where I live, come and see me. It's handy to get to +by water."</p> + +<p>"I'll come some day," promised the lad.</p> + +<p>"Bless my hat band, but I hope so," went on the eccentric +individual as he prepared to start his car.</p> + +<p>Tom completed the remainder of the trip to his house without +incident and his father came down to the dock to see the +motor-boat. He agreed with his son that it was a bargain and that it +could easily be put in fine shape.</p> + +<p>The youth spent all the next day and part of the following working +on the craft. He overhauled the ignition system, which was the +jump-spark style, cleaned the magneto and adjusted the gasoline +and compression taps so that they fitted better. Then he +readjusted the rudder lines, tightening them on the steering +wheel, and looked over the piping from the gasoline tank.</p> + +<p>The tank was in the forward compartment, and, upon inspecting +this, the lad concluded to change the plan by which the big +galvanized iron box was held in place. He took out the old wooden +braces and set them closer together, putting in a few new ones.</p> + +<p>"The tank will not vibrate so when I'm going at full speed," he +explained to his father.</p> + +<p>"Is that where the strange man was tampering with the lock the day +of the auction?" asked Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I don't see what he could want in this compartment, do +you dad?"</p> + +<p>The inventor got into the boat and looked carefully into the +rather dark space where the tank fitted. He went over every inch +of it, and, pointing to one of the thick wooden blocks that +supported the tank, asked:</p> + +<p>"Did you bore that hole in there, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"No, it was there before I touched the braces. But it isn't a +hole, or rather, someone bored it and stopped it up again. It +doesn't weaken the brace any."</p> + +<p>"No, I suppose not. I was just wondering weather that was one of +the new blocks or an old one."</p> + +<p>"Oh, an old one. I'm going to paint them, too, so in case the +water leaks in or the gasoline leaks out the wood won't be +affected. A gasoline tank should vibrate as little as possible, +if you don't want it to leak. I guess I'll paint the whole +interior of this compartment white, then I can see away into the +far corners of it."</p> + +<p>"I think that's a good idea," commented Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>It was four days after his purchase of the boat before Tom was +ready to make a long trip in it. Up to that time he had gone on +short spins not far from the dock, in order to test the engine +adjustment. The lad found it was working very well, but he +decided with a new kind of spark plugs for the two cylinders that +he could get more speed out of it. Finally the forward +compartment was painted and a general overhauling given the hull +and Tom was ready to put, his boat to a good test.</p> + +<p>"Come on, Ned," he said to his chum early one evening after Mr. +Swift had said he was too tired to go out on a trial run. "We'll +see what the ARROW will do now."</p> + +<p>From the time Tom started up the motor it was evident that the +boat was going through the water at a rapid rate. For a mile or +more the two lads speeded along, enjoying it hugely. Then Ned +exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Something's coming behind us."</p> + +<p>Tom turned his head and looked. Then he called out:</p> + +<p>"It's Mr. Hastings in his new CARLOPA. I wonder if he wants a +race?"</p> + +<p>"Guess he'd have it all his own way," suggested Ned.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know. I can get a little more speed out of my boat."</p> + +<p>Tom waited until the former owner of the ARROW was up to him.</p> + +<p>"Want a race?" asked Mr. Hastings good-naturedly.</p> + +<p>"Sure!" agreed Tom, and he shoved the timer ahead to produce +quicker explosions.</p> + +<p>The ARROW seemed to leap forward and for a moment was ahead of the +CARLOPA, but with a motion of his hand to the spark lever Mr. +Hastings also increased his speed. For a moment the two boats +were on even terms and then the larger and newer one forged ahead. +Tom had expected it', but he was a little disappointed.</p> + +<p>"That's doing first rate," complimented Mr. Hastings as he passed +them. "Better than I was ever able to make her do even when she +was new, Tom."</p> + +<p>This made the present owner of the ARROW feel somewhat consoled. +He and Ned ran on for a few miles, the CARLOPA in the meanwhile +disappearing from view around a bend. Then Tom and his chum +turned around and made for the Swift dock.</p> + +<p>"She certainly is a dandy!" declared Ned. "I wish I had one like +it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I intend that you shall have plenty of rides in this," went +on his friend. "When you get your vacation, you and dad and I are +going on a tour," and he explained his plan, which, it is needless +to say, met with Ned's hearty approval.</p> + +<p>Just before going to bed, some hours later, Tom decided to go down +to the dock to make sure he had shut off the gasoline cock leading +from the tank of his boat to the motor. It was a calm, early +summer night, with a new moon giving a little light, and the lad +went down to the lake in his slippers. As he neared the boathouse +he heard a noise.</p> + +<p>"Water rat," he murmured, "or maybe muskrats. I must set some +traps."</p> + +<p>As Tom entered the boathouse he started back in alarm, for a +bright light flashed up, almost in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Who's here?" he cried, and at that moment someone sprang out of +his motor-boat, scrambled into a rowing craft which the youth +could dimly make out in front of the dock and began to pull away +quickly.</p> + +<p>"Hold on there!" cried the young inventor. "Who are you? What do +you want? Come back here!"</p> + +<p>The person in the 'coat returned no answer. With his heart doing +beats over-time Tom lighted a lantern and made a hasty examination +of the ARROW. It did not appear to have been harmed, but a glance +showed that the door of the gasoline compartment had been unlocked +and was open. Tom jumped down into his craft.</p> + +<p>"Some one has been at that compartment again!" he murmured. "I +wonder if it was the same man who acted so suspiciously at the +auction? What can his object be, anyhow?"</p> + +<p>The next moment he uttered an exclamation of startled surprise and +picked up something from the bottom of the boat. It was a bunch +of keys, with a tag attached, bearing the owner's name.</p> + +<p>"Andy Foger!" murmured Tom. "So this is, how he was trying to get +even! Maybe he started to put a hole in the tank or in my boat."</p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h2>TOWING SOME GIRLS</h2> + +<p>With a sense of anger mingled with an apprehension lest some harm +should have been done to his craft, the owner of the ARROW went +carefully over it. He could find nothing wrong. The engine was +all right and all that appeared to have been accomplished by the +unbidden visitor was the opening of the locked forward +compartment. That this had been done by one of the many keys on +Andy Foger's ring was evident.</p> + +<p>"Now what could have been his object?" mused Tom. "I should think +if he wanted to put a hole in the boat he would have done it +amidships, where the water would have a better chance to come in, +or perhaps he wanted to flood it with gasoline and—"</p> + +<p>The idea of fire was in Tom's mind, and he did not finish his +half-completed thought.</p> + +<p>"That may have been it," he resumed after a hasty examination of +the gasoline tank, to make sure there were no leaks in it. "To +get even with me for outbidding him on the boat, Andy may have +wanted to destroy the ARROW. Well, of all the mean tricks, that's +about the limit! But wait until I see him. I've got evidence +against him," and Tom looked at the key ring. "I could almost +have him arrested for this."</p> + +<p>Going outside the boathouse, Tom stood on the edge of the dock and +peered into the darkness. He could hear the faint sound of +someone rowing across the lake, but there was no light.</p> + +<p>"He had one of those electric flash lanterns," decided Tom. "If I +hadn't found his keys, I might have thought it was Happy Harry +instead of Andy."</p> + +<p>The young inventor went back into the house after carefully +locking the boat compartment and detaching from the engine an +electrical device, without which the motor in the ARROW could not +be started.</p> + +<p>"That will prevent them from running away with my boat, anyhow," +decided Tom. "And I'll tell Garret Jackson to keep a sharp watch +to-night." Jackson was the engineer at Mr. Swift's workshop.</p> + +<p>Tom told his father of the happening and Mr. Swift was properly +indignant. He wanted to go at once to see Mr. Foger and complain +of Andy's act, but Tom counseled waiting.</p> + +<p>"I'll attend to Andy myself," said the young inventor. "He's +getting desperate, I guess, or he wouldn't try to set the place on +fire. But wait until I show him these keys."</p> + +<p>Bright and early the next morning the owner of the motor-boat was +down to the dock inspecting it. The engineer, who had been on +watch part of the night, reported that there had been no +disturbance, and Tom found everything all right. "I wonder if I'd +better go over and accuse Andy now or wait until I see him and +spring this evidence on him?" thought our hero. Then he decided +it would be better to wait. He took the ARROW out after +breakfast, his father going on a short spin with him.</p> + +<p>"But I must go back now and work on my gyroscope invention," said +Mr. Swift when about two hours had been spent on the lake. "I am +making good progress with it."</p> + +<p>"You need a vacation," decided Tom, "I'll be ready to take you and +Ned in about two weeks. He will have two weeks off then and, +we'll have some glorious times together."</p> + +<p>That afternoon Tom put some new style spark plugs in the cylinders +of his motor and found that he had considerably increased the +revolutions of the engine, due to a better explosion being +obtained. He also made some minor adjustments and the next day he +went out alone for a long run.</p> + +<p>Heading up the lake, Tom was soon in sight of a popular excursion +resort that was frequently visited by church and Sunday-school +organizations in the vicinity of Shopton. The lad saw a number of +rowing craft and a small motor-boat circling around opposite the +resort and remarked: "There must be a picnic at the grove to-day. +Guess I'll run up and take a look."</p> + +<p>The lad was soon in the midst of quite a flotilla of rowboats, +most of them manned by pretty girls or in charge of boys who were +giving sisters (their own or some other chap's) a trip on the +water. Tom throttled his boat down to slow speed and looked with +pleasure on the pretty scene. His boat attracted considerable +attention, for motor craft were not numerous on Lake Carlopa.</p> + +<p>As our hero passed a boat, containing three very pretty young +ladies, Tom heard one of them exclaim:</p> + +<p>"There he is now! That's Tom Swift."</p> + +<p>Something in the tones of the voice attracted his attention. He +turned and saw a brown-eyed girl smiling at him. She bowed and +asked, blushing the while:</p> + +<p>"Well, have you caught any more runaway horses lately?"</p> + +<p>"Runaway horses—why—what? Oh, it's Miss Nestor!" exclaimed +the lad, recognizing the young lady whose steed he had frightened +one day when he was on his bicycle. As told in the first volume +of this series, the horse had run away, being alarmed at the +flashing of Tom's wheel, and Miss Mary Nestor, of Mansburg, was in +grave danger.</p> + +<p>"So you've given up the bicycle for the motor-boat," went on the +young lady.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Tom with a smile, shutting off the power, "and I +haven't had a chance to save any girls since I've had it."</p> + +<p>The two boats had drifted close together, and Miss Nestor +introduced her two companions to Tom.</p> + +<p>"Don't you want to come in and take a ride?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Is it safe?" asked Jennie Haddon, one of the trio.</p> + +<p>"Of course it is, Jennie, or he wouldn't be out in it," said Miss +Nestor hastily. "Come on, let's get in. I'm just dying for a +motor-boat ride."</p> + +<p>"What will we do with our boat?" asked Katie Carson.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I can tow that," replied the youth. "Get right in and I'll +take you all around the lake."</p> + +<p>"Not too far," stipulated the girl who had figured in the runaway. +"We must be back for lunch, which will be served in about an hour. +Our church and Sunday-school are having a picnic."</p> + +<p>"Maybe Mr. Swift will come and have some lunch with us," suggested +Miss Carson, blushing prettily.</p> + +<p>"Nothing would give me greater pleasure," answered Tom, and then +he laughed at his formal reply, the girls joining in.</p> + +<p>"We'd be glad to have you," added Miss Haddon. "Oh!" she suddenly +screamed, "the boat's tipping over!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no," Tom hastened to assure her, coming, to the side to help +her in. "It just tilts a bit, with the weight of so many on one +side. It couldn't capsize if it tried."</p> + +<p>In another moment the three were in the roomy cockpit and Tom had +made the empty rowboat fast to the stern. He was about to start +up when from another boat, containing two little girls and two +slightly larger boys, came a plaintive cry:</p> + +<p>"Oh, mister, give us a ride!"</p> + +<p>"Sure!" agreed Tom pleasantly. "Just fasten your boat to the +other rowboat and I'll tow you."</p> + +<p>One of the boys did this, and then, with three pretty girls as his +companions in the ARROW and towing the two boats, Tom started off.</p> + +<p>The girls were very much interested in the craft and asked all +sorts of questions about how the engine operated. Tom explained +as clearly as he could how the gasoline exploded in the cylinders, +about the electric spark and about the propeller. Then, when he +had finished, Miss Haddon remarked naively:</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mr. Swift, you've explained it beautifully, and I'm sure if +our teacher in school made things as clear as you have that I +could get along fine. I understand all about it, except I don't +see what makes the engine go."</p> + +<p>"Oh," said Tom faintly, and he wondering what would be the best +remark to make under the circumstances, when Miss Nestor created a +diversion by looking at her watch and exclaiming:</p> + +<p>"Oh, girls, it's lunch time! We must go ashore. Will you kindly +put about, Mr. Swift—I hope that is the proper term—and—land +us—is that right?" and she looked archly at Tom.</p> + +<p>"That's perfectly right," he admitted with a laugh and a glance +into the girl's brown eyes. "I'll put you ashore at once," and he +headed for a small dock.</p> + +<p>"And come yourself to take lunch with us, added Miss Haddon.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I might be in the way," stammered Tom. "I—I have a +pretty good appetite, and—"</p> + +<p>"I suppose you think that girls on a picnic don't take much +lunch," finished Miss Nestor. "But I assure you that we have +plenty, and that you will be very welcome," she added warmly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I'd like to have him explain over again how the engine +works," went on Miss Haddon. "I am so interested."</p> + +<p>Tom helped the girls out, receiving their thanks as well as those +of the children in the second boat. But as he walked with the +young ladies through the grove the young inventor registered a +mental vow that he would steer clear of explaining again how a +gasoline engine worked.</p> + +<p>"Now come right over this way to our table," invited Miss Nestor. +"I want you to meet papa and mamma."</p> + +<p>Tom followed her. As he stepped from behind a clump of trees he +saw, standing not far away, a figure that seemed strangely +familiar. A moment later the figure turned and Tom saw Andy Foger +confronting him. At the sight of our hero the bully turned red +and walked quickly away, while Tom's fingers touched the ring of +keys in his pocket.</p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h2>A BRUSH WITH ANDY</h2> + +<p>So unexpected was his encounter with Andy that the young inventor +hardly knew how to act, especially since he was a guest of the +young ladies. Tom did not want to do or say anything to embarrass +them or make a scene, yet he did want to have a talk, and a very +serious talk, with Andy Foger.</p> + +<p>Miss Nestor must have noticed Tom's sudden start at his glimpse of +Andy, for she asked: "Did you see some one you knew, Mr. Swift?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Tom, "I did—er—that is—" He paused in some +confusion.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you'd like—-that is prefer—to go with them instead of +taking lunch with girls who don't know anything about engines?" +she persisted.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no indeed," Tom hastened to assure her. "He—that is—the +person I saw wouldn't care to have me lunch with him," and the +youth smiled grimly.</p> + +<p>"Would you like to bring him over to our table?" inquired Miss +Carson. "We have plenty for him."</p> + +<p>"No, I think that would hardly do," continued the lad, who tried +not to smile at the picture of the red-haired and squint-eyed Andy +Foger making one of a party with the girls. The young ladies +fortunately had not noticed the bully, who was out of view by this +time.</p> + +<p>Tom was presented to Mr. and Mrs. Nestor, who told him how glad +they were to meet the young man who had been instrumental in +saving their daughter from injury, if not death. Tom was a bit +embarrassed, but bore the praise as well as he could, and he was +very glad when a diversion, in the shape of lunch, occurred.</p> + +<p>After a meal on tables under the trees in the grove Tom took the +girls and some of their friends out in his motor-boat again. They +covered several miles around the lake before returning to the +picnic ground.</p> + +<p>As Tom was starting toward home in his boat, wondering what had +become of Andy and trying to think of a reason why the bully +should attend anything as "tame" as a church picnic, the object of +his thoughts came strolling through the trees down to the shore of +the lake. The moment he saw Tom the red-haired lad started back, +but the young inventor, leaping out of his boat, called out:</p> + +<p>"Hold on there, Andy Foger, I want to see you!" and there was +menace in Tom's tone.</p> + +<p>"But, I don't want to see you!" retorted the other sulkily. "I've +got no use for you."</p> + +<p>"No more have I for you," was Tom's quick reply. "But I want to +return you these keys. You dropped them in my boat the other +night when you tried to set it afire. If I ever catch you—"</p> + +<p>"My keys! Your boat! On fire!" gasped Andy, so plainly +astonished that Tom knew his surprise was genuine.</p> + +<p>"Yes, your keys. You were a little, too quick for me or I'd have +caught you at it. The next time you pick a lock don't leave your +keys behind you," and he held out the jingling ring.</p> + +<p>Andy Foger advanced slowly. He took the bunch of keys and looked +at the tag.</p> + +<p>"They are mine," he said slowly, as if there was some doubt about +it.</p> + +<p>"Of course they are," declared Tom. "I found them where you +dropped them—in my boat."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean over at the auction?"</p> + +<p>"No, I mean down in my boathouse, where you sneaked in the other +night and tried to do some damage.</p> + +<p>"The other night!" cried Andy. "I never was near your boathouse +any night and I never lost my keys there! I lost these the day of +the auction, on Mr. Hastings' ground, and I've been looking for +them ever since."</p> + +<p>"Didn't you sneak in my boathouse the other night and try to do +some mischief? Didn't you drop them then?"</p> + +<p>"No, I didn't," retorted Andy earnestly. "I lost those keys at +the auction, and I can prove it to you. Look, I advertised for +them in the weekly Gazette."</p> + +<p>The red-haired lad pulled a crumpled paper from his pocket and +showed Tom an advertisement offering a reward of two dollars for a +bunch of keys on a ring, supposed to have been lost at the auction +on Mr. Hastings' grounds in Lanton. The finder was to return them +to Andy Foger.</p> + +<p>"Does that look as if I lost the keys in your boathouse?" demanded +the bully sneeringly. "I wouldn't have advertised them that way +if I' been trying to keep my visit quiet. Besides, I can prove +that I was out of town several nights. I was over to an +entertainment in Mansburg one night and I didn't get home until +two o'clock in the morning, because my machine broke down. Ask +Ned Newton. He saw me at the entertainment."</p> + +<p>Andy's manner was so earnest that Tom could not help believing +him. Then there was the evidence of the advertisement. Clearly +the squint-eyed youth had not been the mysterious visitor to the +boathouse and had not unlocked the forward compartment. But if it +was not he, who could it have been and how did the keys get there? +These were questions which racked Tom's brain.</p> + +<p>"You can ask Ned Newton," repeated Andy. "He'll prove that I +couldn't have been near your place, if you don't believe me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I believe you all right," answered Tom, for there could be no +doubting Andy's manner, even though he and the young inventor were +not on good terms. "But how did your keys get in my boat?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, unless you found them, kept them and dropped them +there," was the insolent answer.</p> + +<p>"You know better than that," exclaimed Tom.</p> + +<p>"Well, I owe you a reward of two dollars for giving them back to +me," continued the bully patronizingly. "Here it is," and he +hauled out some bills.</p> + +<p>"I don't want your money!" fired back Tom.</p> + +<p>"But I'd like to know who it was that was in my boat."</p> + +<p>"And I'd like to know who it was took my keys," and Andy stuffed +the money back in his pocket. Tom did not answer. He was +puzzling over a queer matter and he wanted to be alone and think. +He turned aside from the red-haired lad and walked toward his +motor-boat.</p> + +<p>"I'll give you a surprise in a few days," Andy called after him, +but Tom did not turn his head nor did he inquire what the surprise +might be.</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift was somewhat puzzled when his son related the outcome of +the key incident. He agreed with Tom that some one might have +found the ring and kept it, and that the same person might have +been the one whom Tom had surprised in the boathouse.</p> + +<p>"But it's idle to speculate on it," commented the inventor. "Andy +might have induced some of his chums to act for him in harming +your boat, and the key advertisement might have been only a ruse."</p> + +<p>"I hardly think so," answered his son, shaking his head. "It +strikes me as being very curious, and I'm going to see if I can't +get at the bottom of it."</p> + +<p>But a week or more passed and Tom had no clew. In the meanwhile +he was working away at his motor-boat, installing several +improvements.</p> + +<p>One of these was a better pump, which circulated the water around +the cylinders, and another was a new system of lubrication under +forced feed.</p> + +<p>"This ought to give me a little more speed," reasoned Tom, who was +not yet satisfied with his craft. "Guess I'll take it out for a +spin."</p> + +<p>He was alone in the ARROW, taking a long course up the lake when, +as he passed a wooded point that concealed from view a sort of +bay, he heard the puffing of another motor-boat.</p> + +<p>"Maybe that's Mr. Hastings," thought Tom. "If I raced with him +now, I think the ARROW could give a better account of herself."</p> + +<p>The young inventor looked at the boat as it came into view. It +needed but a glance to show that it was not the CARLOPA. Then, as +it came nearer, Tom saw a familiar figure in it—a red-haired, +squint-eyed chap.</p> + +<p>"Andy Foger!" exclaimed Tom. "He's got a motor-boat! This is the +surprise he spoke of."</p> + +<p>The boat was rapidly approaching him, and he saw that it was +painted a vivid red. Then he could make out the name on the bow, +RED STREAK. Andy was sending the craft toward him at a fast rate.</p> + +<p>"You needn't think you're the only one on this lake who has a +gasoline boat!" called Andy boastfully. "This is my new one and +the fastest thing afloat around here. I can go all around you. +Do you want to race?"</p> + +<p>It was a "dare," and Tom never took such things when he could +reasonably enter a contest. He swung his boat around so as to +shoot alongside of Andy and answered:</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'll race you. Where to?"</p> + +<p>"Down opposite Kolb's dock and back to this point," was the +answer. "I'll give you a start, as my engine has three cylinders. +This is a racing boat."</p> + +<p>"I don't need any start," declared Tom. "I'll race you on even +terms. Go ahead!"</p> + +<p>Both lads adjusted their timers to get more speed. The water +began to curl away from the sharp prows, the motors exploded +faster and faster. The race was on between the ARROW and the RED +STREAK.</p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h2>OFF ON A TRIP</h2> + +<p>Glancing with critical eyes at the craft of his rival, Tom saw +that Andy Foger had a very fine boat. The young inventor also +realized that if he was to come anywhere near winning the race he +would have to get the utmost speed out of his engine, for the new +boat the bully had was designed primarily, for racing, while Tom's +was an all-around pleasure craft, though capable of something in +the speed line.</p> + +<p>"I'll be giving you a tow in a few minutes, as soon as my engine +gets warmed up!" sneered Andy.</p> + +<p>"Maybe," said Tom, and then he crouched down to make as little +resistance as possible to the wind. Andy, on the contrary, sat +boldly upright at the auto steering wheel of his boat.</p> + +<p>On rushed the two motor craft, their prows exactly even and the +propellers tossing up a bulge in the water at their sterns. +Rapidly acquiring speed after the two lads had adjusted the timers +on their motors, the boats were racing side by side, seemingly on +even terms.</p> + +<p>The RED STREAK had a very sharp prow, designed to cut through +the water. It was of the type known as an automobile launch. +That is, the engine was located forward, under a sort of hood, +which had two hinged covers like a bat's wings. The +steering-wheel shaft went through the forward bulkhead, +slantingly, like the wheel of an auto, and was arranged with +gasoline and sparking levers on the center post in a similar +manner. At the right of the wheel was a reversing lever, by +which the propeller blades could be set at neutral, or arranged +so as to drive the boat backward. Altogether the RED STREAK was +a very fine boat and had cost considerably more than had Tom's, +even when the latter was new. All these things the young owner +of the ARROW thought of as he steered his craft over the course.</p> + +<p>"I hardly think I can win," Tom remarked to himself in a whisper. +"His boat is too speedy for this one. I have a chance, though, +for his engine is new, and I don't believe he understands it as +well as I do mine. Then, too, I am sure I have a better ignition +system."</p> + +<p>But if Tom had any immediate hopes of defeating Andy, they were +doomed to disappointment, for about two minutes after the race +started the RED STREAK forged slowly ahead.</p> + +<p>"Come on!" cried the red-haired lad. "I thought you wanted a +race."</p> + +<p>"I do," answered the young inventor. "We're a long way from the +dock yet, and we've got to come back."</p> + +<p>"You'll be out of it by the time I get to the dock," declared +Andy.</p> + +<p>Indeed it began to look so, for the auto boat was now a full +length ahead of Tom's craft and there was open water between them. +But our hero knew a thing or two about racing, though he had not +long been a motor-boat owner. He adjusted the automatic oiler on +the cylinders to give more lubrication, as he intended to get more +speed out of his engine. Then he opened the gasoline cock a +trifle more and set his timer forward a few notches to get an +earlier spark. He was not going to use the maximum speed just +yet, but he first wanted to see how the motor of the ARROW would +behave under these conditions. To his delight he saw his boat +slowly creeping up on Andy's. The latter, with a glance over his +shoulder, saw it too, and he advanced his spark. His craft forged +ahead, but the rate of increase was not equal to Tom's. "If I can +keep up to him I suppose I ought to be glad," thought the young +inventor, "for his boat is away ahead of mine in rating."</p> + +<p>Through the water the sharp bows cut. There were only a few +witnesses to the race, but those who were out in boats saw a +pretty sight as the two speedy craft came on toward the dock, +which was the turning point.</p> + +<p>Andy's boat reached it first, and swung about in a wide circle for +the return. Tom decided it was time to make his boat do its best, +so he set the timer at the limit, and the spark, coming more +quickly, increased the explosions.</p> + +<p>Up shot the ARROW and, straightening out after the turn, Tom's +craft crept along until it lapped the stern of the RED STREAK. +Andy looked back in dismay. Then he tried to get more speed out +of his engine. He did cause the screw to revolve a little faster, +and Tom noted that he was again being left behind. Then one of +those things, which may happen at any time to a gasoline motor, +happened to Andy's. It began to miss explosions. At first it was +only occasionally, then the misses became more frequent.</p> + +<p>The owner of the RED STREAK with one hand on the steering wheel, +tried with the other to adjust the motor to get rid of the +trouble, but he only made it worse. Andy's boat began to fall +back and Tom's to creep up. Frantically Andy worked the gasoline +and sparking levers, but without avail. At last one cylinder went +completely out of service.</p> + +<p>The two boats were now on even terms and were racing along side by +side toward the wooded, point, which marked the finish.</p> + +<p>"I'll beat you yet!" exclaimed Andy fiercely.</p> + +<p>"Better hurry up!" retorted Tom.</p> + +<p>But the young inventor was not to have it all his own way. With a +freakishness equal to that with which it had ceased to explode the +dead cylinder came to life again, and the RED STREAK shot ahead. +Once more Andy's boat had the lead of a length and the finish of +the race was close at hand. The squint-eyed lad turned and +shouted: "I told you I'd beat you! Want a tow now?"</p> + +<p>It began to look as though Tom would need it, but he still had +something in reserve. One of the improvements he had put in the +ARROW was a new auxiliary ignition system. This he now decided to +use.</p> + +<p>With a quick motion Tom threw over the switch that put it into +operation. A hotter, "fatter" spark was at once produced, and +adjusting his gasoline cock so that a little more of the fluid +would be drawn in, making a "richer" mixture, the owner of the +ARROW saw the craft shoot forward as if, like some weary runner, +new life had been infused.</p> + +<p>In vain did Andy frantically try to get more speed out of his +motor. He cut out the muffler, and the explosions sounded loudly +over the lake. But it was no use. A minute later the ARROW, +which had slowly forged ahead, crossed the bows of the RED STREAK +opposite the finishing point, and Tom had won the race.</p> + +<p>"Well, was that fair?" our hero called to Andy, who had quickly +shut off some of his power as he saw his rival's daring trick. +"Did I beat you fair?"</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't have beaten me if my engine hadn't gone back on me," +grumbled Andy, chagrin showing on his face. "Wait until my motor +runs smoother and I'll give you a big handicap and beat you. My +boat's faster than yours. It ought to be. It cost fifteen +hundred dollars and it's a racer."</p> + +<p>"I guess it doesn't like racing," commented Tom as he swung the +prow of his craft down the lake toward his home. But he knew +there was some truth in what Andy had said. The RED STREAK was a +more speedy boat, and, with proper handling, could have beaten the +ARROW. That was where Tom's superior knowledge came in useful. +"Just you wait, I'll beat you yet," called Andy, after the young +inventor, but the latter made no answer. He was satisfied.</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift was much interested that night in his son's account of +the race.</p> + +<p>"I had no idea yours was such a speedy boat," he said.</p> + +<p>"Well, it wasn't originally," admitted Tom, "but the improvements +I put on it made it so. But, dad, when are we going on our tour? +You look more worn out than I've seen you in some time, not +excepting when the turbine model was stolen. Are you worrying +over your gyroscope invention?"</p> + +<p>"Somewhat, Tom. I can't seem to hit on just what I want. It's a +difficult problem."</p> + +<p>"Then I tell you what let's do, dad. Let's drop everything in the +inventive line and go off on a vacation. I'll take you up the +lake in my boat and you can spend a week at the Lakeview Hotel at +Sandport. It will do you good."</p> + +<p>"What will you do, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Ned Newton and I will cruise about and we'll take you along +any time you want to go. We're going to camp out nights or sleep +in the boat if it rains. I've ordered a canopy with side +curtains. Ned and I don't care for the hotel life in the summer. +Will you go?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift considered a moment. He did need a rest, for he had +been working hard and his brain was weary with thinking of many +problems. His son's program sounded very attractive.</p> + +<p>"I think I will accept," said the inventor with a smile. "When +can you start, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"In about four days. Ned Newton, will get his vacation then and +I'll have the canopy on. I'll start to work at it to-morrow. +Then we'll go on a trip."</p> + +<p>Sandport was a summer resort at the extreme southern end of Lake +Carlopa, and Mr. Swift at once wrote to the Lakeview Hotel there +to engage a room for himself. In the meanwhile Tom began to put +the canopy on his boat and arrange for the trip, which would take +nearly a whole day. Ned Newton was delighted with the prospect of +a camping tour and helped Tom to get ready. They took a small +tent and plenty of supplies, with some food. They did not need to +carry many rations, as the shores of the lake were lined with +towns and villages where food could be procured.</p> + +<p>Finally all was ready for the trip and the night before the start +Ned Newton stayed at Tom's house so as to be in readiness for +going off early in the morning. The day was all that could be +desired, Tom noted, as he and his chum hurried down to the dock +before breakfast to put their blankets in the boat. As the young +inventor entered the craft he uttered an exclamation.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Ned.</p> + +<p>"I was sure I locked the sliding door of that forward +compartment," was the reply. "Now it's open." He looked inside +the space occupied by the gasoline tank and cried out: "One of +the braces is gone! There's been some one at my boat in the night +and they tried to damage her."</p> + +<p>"Much harm done?" asked Ned anxiously.</p> + +<p>"No, none at all, to speak of," replied Tom. "I can easily put a +new block under the tank. In fact, I don't really need all I +have. But why should any one take one out, and who did it? +That's what I want to know."</p> + +<p>The two lads looked carefully about the dock and boat for a sign +of the missing block or any clews that might show who had been +tampering with the ARROW, but they could find nothing.</p> + +<p>"Maybe the block fell out," suggested Ned.</p> + +<p>"It couldn't," replied Tom. "It was one of the new ones I put in +myself and it was nailed fast. You can see where it's been pried +loose. I can't, understand it," and Tom thought rapidly of +several mysterious occurrences of late in which the strange man at +the auction and the person he had surprised one night in the +boathouse had a part.</p> + +<p>"Well, it needn't delay our trip," resumed the young inventor. +"Maybe there's a hoodoo around here, and it will do us good to get +away a few days. Come on, we'll have breakfast, get dad and +start."</p> + +<p>A little later the ARROW was puffing away up the lake in the +direction of Sandport.</p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h2>MR. SWIFT IS ALARMED</h2> + +<p>"Don't you feel better already, dad?" asked Tom that noon as they +stopped under a leaning, overhanging tree for lunch on the shore +of the lake. "I'll leave it to Ned if you don't look more +contented and less worried."</p> + +<p>"I believe he does," agreed the other lad. "Well, I must say I +certainly have enjoyed the outing so far," admitted the inventor +with a smile. "And I haven't been bothering about my gyroscope. +I think I'll take another sandwich, Tom, and a few more olives."</p> + +<p>"That's the way to talk!" cried the son. "Your appetite is +improving, too. If Mrs. Baggert could see you she'd say so."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, Mrs. Baggert. I do hope she and Garret will look after +the house and shops well," said Mr. Swift, and the old, worried +look came like a shadow over his face.</p> + +<p>"Now don't be thinking of that, dad," advised Tom, "Of course +everything will be all right. Do you think some of those model +thieves will return and try to get some of your other inventions?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, Tom. Those men were unscrupulous scoundrels, and +you can never tell what they might do to revenge themselves on us +for defeating their plans."</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess Garret and Mrs. Baggert will look out for them," +remarked his son. "Don't worry."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's bad for the digestion," added Ned. "If you don't mind, +Tom, I'll have some more coffee and another sandwich myself."</p> + +<p>"Nothing the matter with your appetite, either," commented the +young inventor as he passed the coffee pot and the plate.</p> + +<p>They were soon on their way again, the ARROW making good time up +the lake. Tom was at the engine, making several minor adjustments +to it, while Ned steered. Mr. Swift reclined on one of the +cushioned seats under the shade of the canopy. The young owner of +the ARROW looked over the stretch of water from time to time for a +possible sight of Andy Foger, but the RED STREAK was not to be +seen. The Lakeview Hotel was reached late that afternoon and the +boat was tied up to the dock, while Tom and Ned accompanied Mr. +Swift to see him comfortably established in his room.</p> + +<p>"Won't you stay to supper with me?" invited the inventor to his +son and the latter's chum. "Or do you want to start right in on +camp life?"</p> + +<p>"I guess we'll stay to supper and remain at the hotel to-night," +decided Tom. "We got here a little later than I expected, and Ned +and I hardly have time to go very far and establish a temporary +camp. We'll live a life of luxurious ease to-night and begin to +be 'wanderlusters' and get back to nature to-morrow."</p> + +<p>In the morning Tom and his chum, full of enthusiasm for the +pleasures before them, started off, promising to come back to the +hotel in a few days to see how Mr. Swift felt. The trip had +already done the man good and his face wore a brighter look.</p> + +<p>Tom and Ned, in the speedy ARROW, cruised along the lakeshores all +that morning. At noon they, went ashore, made a temporary camp +and arranged to spend the night there in the tent. After this was +erected they got out their fishing tackle and passed the afternoon +at that sport, having such good luck that they provided their own +supper without having to depend on canned stuff.</p> + +<p>They lived this life for three days, making a new camp each night, +being favored with good weather, so that they did not have to +sleep in the boat to keep dry. On the afternoon of the third +day Tom, with a critical glance at the sky, remarked:</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't be surprised if it rained to-morrow, Ned."</p> + +<p>"Me either. It does look sort of hazy, and the wind is in a bad +quarter."</p> + +<p>"Then what do you say to heading for the hotel? I fancy dad will +be glad to see us." "That suits me. We can start camp life again +after the storm passes."</p> + +<p>They started for Sandport that afternoon. When within about two +miles of the hotel dock Tom saw, just ahead of them, a small +motor-boat. Ned observed it too and called out:</p> + +<p>"S'pose that's Andy looking for another race?"</p> + +<p>"No, the boat's too small for his. We'll put over that way and +see who it is."</p> + +<p>The other craft did not appear to be moving very rapidly and the +ARROW was soon overhauling it. As the two chums came nearer they +could hear the puffing of the motor. Tom listened with critical +ears.</p> + +<p>"That machine isn't working right," he remarked to his chum.</p> + +<p>At that moment there sounded a loud explosion from the other boat +and at the same time there came over the water a shrill cry of +alarm. "That's a girl in that boat!" exclaimed Ned. "Maybe she's +hurt."</p> + +<p>"No, the motor only backfired," observed Tom. "But we'll go over +and see if we can help her. Perhaps she doesn't understand it. +Girls don't know much about machinery."</p> + +<p>A little later the ARROW shot up alongside the other craft, which +had come to a stop. The two lads could see a girl bending over +the motor, twirling the flywheel and trying to get it started. +"Can I help you?" asked Tom, shutting off the power from his +craft.</p> + +<p>The young lady glanced up. Her face was red and she seemed ill at +ease. At the sight of the young inventor she uttered an +exclamation of relief.</p> + +<p>"Why, Mr. Swift!" she cried. "Oh, I'm in such trouble. I can't +make the machine work, and I'm afraid it's broken; it exploded."</p> + +<p>"Miss Nestor!" blurted out Tom, more surprised evidently to see +his acquaintance of the runaway again than she was at beholding +him. "I didn't know you ran a motor-boat," he added. "I don't," +said she simply and helplessly. "That's the trouble, it won't +run."</p> + +<p>"How comes it that you are up here?" went on Tom.</p> + +<p>"I am stopping with friends, who have a cottage near the Lakeview +Hotel. They have a motor-boat and I got Dick Blythe—he's the +owner of this—to show me how to run it. I thought I knew, and I +started out a little while ago. At first it went beautifully, but +a few minutes ago it blew up, or—or something dreadful +happened."</p> + +<p>"Nothing very dreadful, I guess," Tom assured her. "I think I can +fix it." He got into the other boat and soon saw what the trouble +was. The carburetor had gotten out of adjustment and the gasoline +was not feeding properly. The young inventor soon had it in +order, and, testing the motor, found that it worked perfectly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I can't thank you enough," cried Miss Nestor with a flash +from her brown eyes that made Tom's heart beat double time. "I +was afraid I had damaged the boat, and I knew Dick, who is a sort +of second cousin of mine, would never forgive me."</p> + +<p>"There's no harm done," Tom assured her. "But you had better keep +near us on your way back, that is, if you are going back."</p> + +<p>"Oh, indeed I am. I was frightened when I found I'd come so far +away from shore, and then, when that explosion took place—well, +you can imagine how I felt. Indeed I will keep near you. Are you +stopping near here? If you are, I wish you'd come and see me, you +and Mr. Newton" she added, for Tom had introduced his chum.</p> + +<p>"I'll be very glad to," answered our hero, and he told how he +happened to be in the neighborhood. "I'll give you a few lessons +in managing a boat, if you like," he added.</p> + +<p>"Oh, will you? That will be lovely! I won't tell Dick about it, +and I'll surprise him some day by showing him how well I can run +his boat."</p> + +<p>"Good idea," commented Tom.</p> + +<p>He started the motor for Miss Nestor, having stopped it after his +first test, and then, with the DOT, which was the name of the +small boat Miss Nestor was in, following the larger ARROW, the run +back to the hotel was made. The young lady turned off near the +Lakeview dock to go to the cottage where she was stopping and the +lads tied up at the hotel boathouse.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we are in for a storm," remarked Tom as he and his chum +walked up toward the hotel. "I wonder how dad is? I hope the +outing is doing him good."</p> + +<p>"There he comes now," observed Ned, and, looking up, Tom saw his +father approaching. The young inventor was at once struck by the +expression on his parent's face. Mr. Swift looked worried and Tom +anxiously hastened forward to meet him.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter dad?" he asked as cheerfully as he could. +"Have you been figuring over that gyroscope problem again, against +my express orders?" and he laughed a little.</p> + +<p>"No, Tom, it's not the gyroscope that's worrying me."</p> + +<p>"What is it then?"</p> + +<p>"Those scoundrels are around again, Tom!" and Mr. Swift looked +apprehensively about him.</p> + +<p>"You mean the men who stole the turbine model?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. I was walking in the woods near the hotel yesterday and I +saw Anson Morse. He did not see me, for I turned aside as quickly +as I had a glimpse of him. He was talking to another man."</p> + +<p>"What sort of a man?"</p> + +<p>"Well, an ordinary enough individual, but I noticed that he had +tattooed on the little finger of his left hand a blue ring."</p> + +<p>"Happy Harry, the tramp!" exclaimed Tom. "What can he and Morse +be doing here?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, Tom, but I'm worried. I wish I was back home. I'm +afraid something may happen to some of my inventions. I want to +go back to Shopton, Tom."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, dad. Don't worry just because you saw some of your +former enemies. Everything is all right at home. Mrs. Baggert +and Garret Jackson will look after things. But, if you like, I, +can find out for you how matters are."</p> + +<p>"How, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"By taking a run down there in my motor-boat. I can do it +to-morrow and get back by night, if I start early. Then you will not +worry."</p> + +<p>"All right, Tom; I wish you would. Come up to my room and we will +talk it over. I'd rather leave you go than telephone, as I don't +like to talk of my business over the wire if I can avoid it."</p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h2>A CRY FOR HELP</h2> + +<p>"Now, dad, tell me all about it," requested Tom when he and Ned +were in Mr. Swift's apartment at the hotel, safe from the rain +that was falling. "How did you happen to see Anson Morse and +Happy Harry?" My old readers will doubtless remember that the +latter was the disguised tramp who was so vindictive toward Tom, +while Morse was the man who endeavored to sneak in Mr. Swift's +shop and steal a valuable invention.</p> + +<p>"Well, Tom," proceeded the inventor, "there isn't much to tell. I +was out walking in the woods yesterday, and when I was behind a +clump of bushes I heard voices. I looked out and there I saw the +two men."</p> + +<p>"At first I thought they were trailing me, but I saw that they had +not seen me, and I didn't see how they could know I was in the +neighborhood. So I quietly made my way back to the hotel."</p> + +<p>"Could you hear what they were saying?"</p> + +<p>"Not all, but they seemed angry over something. The man with the +blue ring on his finger asked the other man whether Murdock had +been heard from."</p> + +<p>"Who is Murdock?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, unless he is another member of the gang or unless +that is an assumed name."</p> + +<p>"It may be that. What else did you hear?"</p> + +<p>"The man we know as Morse replied that he hadn't heard from him, +but that he suspected Murdock was playing a double game. Then the +tramp—Happy Harry—asked this question: 'Have you any clew to +the sparkler?' And Morse answered: 'No, but I think Murdock has +hid it somewhere and is trying to get away with it without giving +us our share.' Then the two men walked away, and I came back to +the hotel," finished Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"Sparkler," murmured Tom. "I wonder what that can be?"</p> + +<p>"That's a slang word for diamonds," suggested Ned.</p> + +<p>"So it is. In that case, dad, I think we have nothing to worry +about. Those fellows must be going to commit a diamond robbery or +perhaps it has already taken place."</p> + +<p>The inventor seemed relieved at this theory of his son. His face +brightened and he said: "If they are going to commit a robbery, +Tom, we ought to notify the police."</p> + +<p>"But if they said that 'Murdock,' whoever he is, had the sparkler +and was trying to get away with it without giving them their +share, wouldn't that indicate that the robbery had already taken +place?" asked Ned.</p> + +<p>"That's so," agreed Tom. "But it won't do any harm to tell the +hotel detective that suspicious characters are around, no matter +if the has been committed. Then he can be on the lookout. But I +don't think we have anything to worry about, dad. Still, if you +like, I'll take a run down to the house to see that everything is +all right, though I'm sure it will be found that we have nothing +to be alarmed over."</p> + +<p>"Well, I will be more relieved if you do," said the inventor, +"However, suppose we have a good supper now and you boys can stay +at the hotel to-night. Then you and Ned can start off early in +the morning."</p> + +<p>"All right," agreed Tom, but there was a thoughtful look on his +face and he appeared to be planning something that needed careful +attention to details.</p> + +<p>After supper that night Tom took his chum to one side and asked: +"Would you mind very much if you didn't make the trip to Shopton +with me?"</p> + +<p>"No, Tom, of course not, if it will help you any. Do you want me +to stay here?"</p> + +<p>"I think it will be a good plan. I don't like to leave dad alone +if those scoundrels are around. Of course he's able to look after +himself, but sometimes he gets absent minded from thinking too +much about his inventions."</p> + +<p>"Of course I'll stay here at the hotel. This is just as good a +vacation as I could wish."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't mean all the while. Just a day or so—until I come +back. I may be here again by to-morrow night and find that my +father is needlessly alarmed. Then something may have happened at +home and I would be delayed. If I should be, I'd feel better to +know that you were here."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll stay, and if I see any of those men—"</p> + +<p>"You'd better steer clear of them," advised Tom quickly. "They +are dangerous customers."</p> + +<p>"All right. Then I'll go over and give Miss Nestor lessons on how +to run a motor-boat," was the smiling response. "I fancy, with +what she and I know, we can make out pretty well."</p> + +<p>"Hold on there!" cried Tom gaily. "No trespassing, you know."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll just say I'm your agent," promised Ned with a grin. +"You can't object to that."</p> + +<p>"No, I s'pose not. Well, do the best you can. She is certainly a +nice girl."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but you do seem to turn up at most opportune times. Luck is +certainly with you where she is concerned. First you save her in +a runaway—"</p> + +<p>"After I start the runaway," interrupted Tom.</p> + +<p>"Then you take her for a ride in your motor-boat, and, lastly, you +come to her relief when she is stalled in the middle of the lake. +Oh you certainly are a lucky dog!"</p> + +<p>"Never mind, I'm giving you a show. Now let's get to bed early, +as I want to get a good start."</p> + +<p>Tom awoke to find a nasty, drizzling rainstorm in progress, and +the lake was almost hidden from view by a swirling fog. Still he +was not to be daunted from his trip to Shopton by the weather, +and, after a substantial breakfast, he bade his father and Ned +good-by and started off in the ARROW.</p> + +<p>The canopy he had provided was an efficient protection against the +rain, a celluloid window in the forward hanging curtains affording +him a view so that he could steer.</p> + +<p>Through the mist puffed the boat, the motor being throttled down +to medium speed, for Tom was not as familiar with the lake as he +would like to have been, and he did not want to run aground or +into another craft.</p> + +<p>He was thinking over what his father had told him about the +presence of the men and vainly wondering what might be their +reference to the "sparkler." His thoughts also dwelt on the +curious removal of the bracing block from under the gasoline tank +of his boat.</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't be surprised but what Andy Foger did that," he mused. +"Some day he and I will have a grand fight, and then maybe he'll +let me alone. Well, I've got other things to think about now. +The hotel detective can keep a lookout for the men around the +hotel, after the, warning I gave him, and I'll see that all is +right at home."</p> + +<p>The fog lifted somewhat and Tom put on more speed. As he was +steering the boat along near shore he heard, off to the woods at +his right, the report of a gun. It came so suddenly that he +jumped involuntarily. A moment later there sounded, plainly +through the damp air, a cry for help.</p> + +<p>"Some one's hurt—shot" cried the youth aloud.</p> + +<p>He turned the boat in toward the bank. As he shut off the power +from the motor he heard the cry again:</p> + +<p>"Help! Help! Help!"</p> + +<p>"I must go ashore!" he exclaimed. "Probably some one is badly +wounded by a gun."</p> + +<p>He paused for a moment as the fear came to him that it might be +some of the patent thieves. Then, dismissing that idea as the +ARROW's prow touched the gravel, Tom sprang out, drew the boat up +a little way, fastened the rope to a tree and hurried off into the +dripping woods in the direction of the voice that was calling for +aid.</p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h2>A QUICK RUN</h2> + +<p>"Where are you?" cried Tom. "Are you hurt? Where are you?"</p> + +<p>Uttering these words after he had hurried into the woods a short +distance, the young inventor paused for an answer. At first he +could hear nothing but the drip of water from the branches of the +trees; then, as he listened intently, he became aware of a groan +not far away.</p> + +<p>"Where are you?" cried the lad again. "I've come to help you. +Where are you?"</p> + +<p>He had lost what little fear he had had at first, that it might be +one of the unscrupulous gang, and came to the conclusion that he +might safely offer to help.</p> + +<p>Once more the groan sounded and it was followed by a faint voice +speaking:</p> + +<p>"Here I am, under the big oak tree. Oh, whoever you are, help me +quickly! I'm bleeding to death!"</p> + +<p>With the sound of the voice to guide him, Tom swung around. The +appeal had come from the left and, looking in that direction, he +saw, through the mist, a large oak tree. Leaping over the +underbrush toward it he caught sight of the wounded man at its +foot. Beside him lay a gun and there was a wound in the man's +right arm.</p> + +<p>"Who shot you?" cried Tom, hurrying to the side of the man. "Was +it some of those patent thieves?" Then, realizing that a stranger +would know nothing of the men who had stolen the model, Tom +prepared to change the form of his question. But, before he had +an opportunity to do this, the man, whose eyes were closed, opened +them, and, as he got a better sight of his face, Tom uttered a +cry.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's Mr. Duncan!" exclaimed the lad. He had recognized the +rich hunter, whom he had first met in the woods that spring +shortly after Happy Harry, the tramp, had disabled Tom's motor-cycle. +"Mr. Duncan," the young inventor repeated, "how did you +get shot?"</p> + +<p>"Is that you, Tom Swift?" asked the gunner. "Help me, please. I +must stop this bleeding in my arm. I'll tell you about it +afterward. Wind something around it tight—your handkerchief +will do."</p> + +<p>The man sighed weakly and his eyes closed again. The lad saw the +blood spurting from an ugly wound.</p> + +<p>"I must make a tourniquet," the youth exclaimed. "That will check +the bleeding until I can get him to a doctor."</p> + +<p>With Tom to think was to act. He took out his knife and cut off +Mr. Duncan's sleeves below the injury, slashing through coat and +shirts. Then he saw that part of a charge of shot had torn away +some of the large muscular development of the upper arm. The +hunter seemed to have fainted and the youth worked quickly. Tying +his handkerchief above the wound and inserting a small stone under +the cloth, so that the pebble would press on the main artery, Tom +put a stick in the handkerchief and began to twist it. This had +the effect of tightening the linen around the arm, and in a few +seconds the lad was glad to see that the blood had stopped +spurting out with every beat of the heart. Giving the tourniquet +a few more twists to completely stop the flow of blood, Tom +fastened the stick-lever in place by a bit of string.</p> + +<p>"That's—that's better," murmured Mr. Duncan. "Now if you can go +for a doctor—" He had to pause for breath.</p> + +<p>"I'll not leave you here alone while I go for a doctor," declared +Tom. "I have my motor-boat on the lake. Do you think I could get +you down to it and take you home?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps—maybe. I'll be stronger in a moment, now that the +bleeding has stopped. But not—not home—frighten my wife. +Take me to the sanitarium if you can—sanitarium up the lake, a +few miles from here."</p> + +<p>The unfortunate man, who had tried to sit upright, had to lean +back against the tree again. Tom understood what he meant in +spite of the broken sentences. Mr. Duncan did not want to be +taken home in the condition he was then in, for fear of alarming +his wife. He wanted to be taken to the sanitarium, and Tom knew +where this was, a well-known resort for the treatment of various +diseases and surgical cases. It was about five miles away and on +the opposite shore of the lake.</p> + +<p>"Water—a drink!" murmured Mr. Duncan.</p> + +<p>Seeing that his patient would be all right, for a few minutes at +least, Tom hurried to his motor-boat, got a cup and, filling it +with water from a jug he carried, he hastened with it to the +hunter. The fluid revived the man wonderfully and now that the +bleeding had almost completely stopped, Mr. Duncan was much +stronger.</p> + +<p>"Do you think you can get to the boat, if I help you?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe so. To think of meeting you again, and under such +circumstances! It is providential."</p> + +<p>"Did someone shoot you?" inquired Tom, who could not get out of +his head the notion of the men who had once assaulted him.</p> + +<p>"No, I shot myself," answered Mr. Duncan as he got to his feet +with Tom's help. "I was out with my gun, practicing just as I was +that day when I met you in the woods. I stooped down to crawl +under a bush and the weapon went off, the muzzle being close +against my arm. I can't understand how it happened. I fell down +and called for help. Then I guess I must have fainted, but I came +to when I heard you talking to me. I shouldn't have come out +to-day as it is so wet, but I had some new shot shells I wished to +try in order to test them before the hunting season. But if I can +get to the sanitarium, I will be well taken care of. I know one +of the doctors there."</p> + +<p>With Tom leading him and acting as a sort of support, the journey +to the motor-boat was slowly made. Making as comfortable a bed as +possible out of the seat cushions, Tom assisted Mr. Duncan to it, +and then starting the engine he sent his boat out from shore at +half speed, as the fog was still thick and he did not want to run +upon a rock.</p> + +<p>"Do you know where the sanitarium is?" asked the wounded hunter.</p> + +<p>"About," answered Tom a little doubtfully, "but I'm afraid it's +going to be hard to locate it in this fog."</p> + +<p>"There's a compass in my coat pocket," said Mr. Duncan. "Take it +out and I'll tell you how to steer. You ought to carry a compass +if you're going to be a sailor."</p> + +<p>Tom was beginning to think so himself and wondered that he had not +thought of it before. He found the one the hunter had, and +placing it on the seat near him, he carefully listened to the +wounded man's directions. Tom easily comprehended and soon had +the boat headed in the proper direction. After that it was +comparatively easy to keep on the right course, even in the fog.</p> + +<p>But there was another danger, however, and this was that he might +run into another boat. True, there were not many on Lake Carlopa, +but there were some, and one of the few motor-boats might be out +in spite of the bad weather.</p> + +<p>"Guess I'll not run at full speed," decided Tom. "I wouldn't like +to crash into the RED STREAK. We'd both sink."</p> + +<p>So he did not run his motor at the limit and sat at the steering-wheel, +peering ahead into the fog for the first sight of another craft.</p> + +<p>He turned to look at Mr. Duncan and was alarmed at the pallor of +his face. The man's eyes were closed and he was breathing in a +peculiar manner.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Duncan," cried Tom, "are you worse?"</p> + +<p>There was no answer. Leaving the helm for a moment, Tom bent over +the injured hunter. A glance showed him what had happened. The +tourniquet had slipped and the wound was bleeding again. Tom +quickly shut off the motor, so that he might give his whole +attention to the work of tightening the handkerchief. But +something seemed to be wrong. No matter how tightly he twisted +the stick the blood did not stop flowing. The lad was frightened. +In a short time the man would bleed to death.</p> + +<p>"I've got to get him to the sanitarium in record time!" exclaimed +Tom. "Fog or no fog, I've got to run at full speed! I've got to +chance it!"</p> + +<p>Making the bandage as tight as he could and fastening it in place, +the young inventor sprang to the motor and set it in motion. Then +he went to the wheel. In a few minutes the ARROW was speeding +through the water as it had never done before, except when it had +raced the RED STREAK. "If I hit anything—good-by!" thought Tom +grimly. His hands were tense on the rim of the steering-wheel and +he was ready in an instant to reverse the motor as he sat there +straining his eyes to see through the curtain of mist that hung +over the lake. Now and then he glanced at the compass, to keep on +the right course, and from time to time he looked at Mr. Duncan. +The hunter was still unconscious.</p> + +<p>How Tom accomplished that trip he hardly remembered afterward. +Through the fog he shot, expecting any moment to crash into some +other boat. He did pass a rowing craft in which sat a lone +fisherman. The lad was upon him in an instant, but a turn of the +wheel sent the ARROW safely past, and the startled fisherman, +whose frail craft was set to rocking violently by the swell from +the motor-boat, sent an objecting cry through the fog after Tom. +But the youth did not reply. On and on he raced, getting the last +atom of power from his motor.</p> + +<p>He feared Mr. Duncan would be dead when he arrived, but when he +saw the dock of the sanitarium looming up out of the mist and shut +off the power to slowly run up to it, he placed his hand on the +wounded man's heart and found it still beating.</p> + +<p>"He's alive, anyhow," thought the youth, and then his craft bumped +up against the bulkhead and a man in the boathouse on the dock was +sent on the run for a physician.</p> + +<p>Mr. Duncan was quickly taken up to the sanitarium on a stretcher +and Tom followed.</p> + +<p>"You must have made a record run," observed one of the physicians +a little while afterward, when Tom was telling of his trip while +waiting in the office to hear the report on the hunter's +condition.</p> + +<p>"I guess I did," muttered the young inventor "only I didn't think +so at the time. It seemed as if we were only crawling along."</p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h2>SUSPICIOUS CHARACTERS</h2> + +<p>Under the skill of the physicians at the lake sanitarium Mr. +Duncan's wound was quickly attended to and the bleeding, which Tom +had partly checked, was completely stopped. Some medicines having +been administered, the hunter regained a little of his strength, +and, about an hour after he had been brought to the resort, he was +able to see Tom, who, at his request, was admitted to his room. +The young inventor found Mr. Duncan propped up in bed, with his +injured arm bandaged.</p> + +<p>"Is the injury a bad one?" asked Tom, entering softly.</p> + +<p>"Not as bad as I feared," replied the hunter, while a trained +nurse placed a chair for the lad at the bedside. "If it had not +been for you, though, I'm afraid to think of what might have +happened."</p> + +<p>"I am glad I chanced to be going past when you called," replied +the lad.</p> + +<p>"Well, you can imagine how thankful I am," resumed Mr. Duncan. +"I'll thank you more properly at another time. I hope I didn't +delay you on your trip."</p> + +<p>"It's not of much consequence," responded the youth. "I was only +going to see that everything was all right at our house," and he +explained about his father being at the hotel and mentioned his +worriment. "I will go on now unless I can do something more for +you," resumed Tom. "I will probably stay at our house all night +to-night instead of trying to get back to Sandport."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to send word to my wife about what has happened," said +the hunter. "If it would not be too much out of your way, I'd +appreciate it if you could stop at my home in Waterford and tell +her, so she will not be alarmed at my absence."</p> + +<p>"I'll do it," replied our hero. "There is no special need of my +hurrying. I have brought your gun and compass up from the boat. +They are down in the office."</p> + +<p>"Will you do me a favor?" asked Mr. Duncan quickly.</p> + +<p>"Of course."</p> + +<p>"Then please accept that gun and compass with my compliments. +They are both of excellent make, and I don't think I shall use +that gun this season. My wife would be superstitious about it. +As for the compass, you'll need one in this fog, and I can +recommend mine as being accurate."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I couldn't think of taking them," expostulated Tom, but his +eyes sparkled in anticipation, for he had been wishing for a gun +such as Mr. Duncan owned. He also needed a compass.</p> + +<p>"If you don't take them I shall feel very much offended," the +hunter said, "and the nurse here will tell you that sick persons +ought to be humored. Hadn't they?" and he appealed to the pretty +young woman, who was smiling at Tom.</p> + +<p>"That's perfectly true," she said, showing her white, even teeth. +"I think, Mr. Swift, I shall have to order you to take them."</p> + +<p>"All right," agreed Tom, "only it's too much for what I did."</p> + +<p>"It isn't half enough," remarked Mr. Duncan solemnly. "Just +explain matters to my wife, if you will, and tell her the doctor +says I can be out in about a week. But I'm not going hunting or +practicing shots again."</p> + +<p>A little later Tom, with the compass before him to guide him on +his course through the fog, was speeding his boat toward +Waterford. Now and then he glanced at the fine shotgun which he +had so unexpectedly acquired.</p> + +<p>"This will come in dandy this fall!" he exclaimed. "I'll go +hunting quail and partridge as well as wild ducks. This compass +is just what I need, too."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Duncan was at first very much alarmed when Tom started to +tell her of the accident, but she soon calmed down as the lad went +more into details and stated how comparatively out of danger her +husband now was. The hunter's wife insisted that Tom remain to +dinner, and as he had made up his mind he would have to devote two +days instead of one to the trip to his house, he consented.</p> + +<p>The fog lifted that afternoon, and Tom, rejoicing in the sunlight, +which drove away the storm clouds, speeded up the ARROW until she +was skimming over the lake like a shaft from a bow.</p> + +<p>"This is something like," he exclaimed. "I'll soon be at home, +find everything all right and telephone to dad. Then I'll sleep +in my own room and start back in the morning."</p> + +<p>When Tom was within a few miles of his own boathouse he heard +behind him the "put-put" of a motor craft. Turning, he saw the +RED STREAK fairly flying along at some distance from him.</p> + +<p>"Andy certainly is getting the speed out of her now," he remarked. +"He'd beat me if we were racing, but the trouble with his boat and +engine is that he can't always depend on it. I guess he doesn't +understand how to run it. I wonder if he'll offer to race now?"</p> + +<p>But the red-haired owner of the auto boat evidently did not intend +to offer Tom a race. The RED STREAK went on down the lake, +passing the ARROW about half a mile away. Then the young inventor +saw that Andy had two other lads in the boat with him.</p> + +<p>"Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey, I guess," he murmured. "Well, +they're a trio pretty much alike. The farther off they are the +better I like it."</p> + +<p>Tom once more gave his attention to his own boat. He was going at +a fair speed, but not the limit, and he counted on reaching home +in about a half hour. Suddenly, when he was just congratulating +himself on the smooth-running qualities of his motor, which had +not missed an explosion, the machinery stopped.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" exclaimed the young inventor in some alarm. "What's up +now?"</p> + +<p>He quickly shut off the gasoline and went back to the motor. Now +there are so many things that may happen to a gasoline engine that +it would be difficult to name them all offhand, and Tom, who had +not had very much experience, was at a loss to find what had +stopped his machinery. He tried the spark and found that by +touching the wire to the top of the cylinder, when the proper +connection was, made, that he had a hot, "fat one." The +compression seemed all right and the supply pipe from the gasoline +tank was in perfect order. Still the motor would not go. No +explosion resulted when he turned the flywheel over, not even +when he primed the cylinder by putting a little gasoline in +through the cocks on the cylinder heads.</p> + +<p>"That's funny," he remarked to himself as he rested from his +labors and contemplated the "dead" motor. "First time it has gone +back on me." The boat was drifting down the lake, and, at the +sound of another motor craft approaching, Tom looked up. He saw +the RED STREAK, containing Andy Foger and his cronies. They had +observed the young inventor's plight.</p> + +<p>"Want a tow?" sneered Andy.</p> + +<p>"What'll you take for your second-hand boat that won't run?" +asked Pete Bailey.</p> + +<p>"Better get out of the way or you might be run down," added Sam +Snedecker.</p> + +<p>Tom was too angry and chagrined to reply, and the RED STREAK swept +on.</p> + +<p>"I'll make her go, if it takes all night!" declared Tom +energetically. Once more he tried to start the motor. It coughed +and sighed, as if in protest, but would not explode. Then Tom +cried: "The spark plug! That's where the trouble is, I'll wager. +Why didn't I think of it before?"</p> + +<p>It was the work of but a minute to unscrew the spark plugs from +the tops of the cylinders. He found that both had such +accumulations of carbon on them that no spark could ever have +reached the mixture of gasoline and air.</p> + +<p>"I'll put new ones in," he decided, for he carried a few spare +plugs for emergencies. Inside of five minutes, with the new plugs +in place, the motor was running better than before.</p> + +<p>"Now for home!" cried Tom, "and if I meet Andy Foger I'll race +him this time."</p> + +<p>But the RED STREAK was not in sight, and, a little later, Tom had +run the ARROW into the boathouse, locked the door and was on his +way up to the mansion.</p> + +<p>"I suppose Mrs. Baggert and Garret will be surprised to see me," +he remarked. "Maybe they'll think we don't trust them, by coming +back in this fashion to see that everything is safe. But then, I +suppose, dad is naturally nervous about some of his valuable +machinery and inventions. I think I'll find everything all right, +though."</p> + +<p>As Tom went up the main path and swung off to a side one, which +was a short cut to the house, he saw in the dusk, for it was now +early evening, a movement in the bushes that lined the walk.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Garret!" exclaimed the lad, taking it for granted it was +the engineer employed by Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>There was no reply, and Tom, with a sudden suspicion, sprang +toward the bushes. The shrubbery was more violently agitated and, +as the lad reached the screen of foliage, he saw a man spring up +from the ground and take to his heels.</p> + +<p>"Here! Who are you? What do you want?" yelled Tom.</p> + +<p>Hardly had he spoken when from behind a big apple tree another man +sprung. It was light enough so that the lad could see his face, +and a glimpse of it caused him to cry out:</p> + +<p>"Happy Harry, the tramp!"</p> + +<p>Before he could call again the two men had disappeared.</p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h2>TOM IN DANGER</h2> + +<p>"Garret! Garret Jackson!" cried Tom as he struggled through the +hedge of bushes and ran after the men. "Where are you, Garret? +Come on and help me chase these men!"</p> + +<p>But there came no answer to Tom's hail. He could not hear the +sound of the retreating footsteps of the men now and concluded +that they had made their escape. Still he would not give up, but +dashed on, slipping and stumbling, now and then colliding with a +tree.</p> + +<p>"What can they be doing here?" thought Tom in great anxiety. "Are +they after some more of dad's inventions because they didn't get +his turbine motor?"</p> + +<p>"Hello! Who's there? Who are you?" called a voice suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Garret! Where have you been?" asked the young inventor, +recognizing the tones of his father's keeper. "I've been calling +you. Some of those scoundrels are around again!"</p> + +<p>"Why if it isn't Tom!" ejaculated the engineer. "However in the +world did you get here? I thought you were at Sandport."</p> + +<p>"I'll explain later, Garret. Just now I want to catch those men, +if I can."</p> + +<p>"Which men?"</p> + +<p>"Happy Harry and another one. I saw them hiding down by the +orchard path. Come on, they're right ahead of us."</p> + +<p>But though they hunted as well as they were able to in the +fast-gathering darkness, there was no trace of the intruders. They had +to give up, and Tom, after going to the boathouse to see that the +ARROW was all right, returned to the house, where he told the +engineer and housekeeper what had brought him back and how he had +surprised the two men.</p> + +<p>"Is everything all right, Garret?" he concluded. "Dad is nervous +and frightened. I must telephone him at the hotel to-night and +let him know, for I promised to come back. I can't, though, until +to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Everything is all right as far as I know," answered Jackson. +"I've kept a careful watch and the burglar alarm has been in +working order. Mrs. Baggert and I haven't been disturbed a single +night since you went away. It's curious that the men should be +here the very night you come back. Maybe they followed you."</p> + +<p>"I hardly think so, for they didn't know I was coming."</p> + +<p>"You can't tell what those fellows know," commented the engineer. +"But, anyhow, I don't suppose they could have gotten here from +Sandport as soon as you did."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes they could, in their automobile," declared Tom. "But I +don't believe they knew I was coming. They knew we were away, +however, and thought it would be a good time to steal something, I +guess. Are you sure nothing has been taken?"</p> + +<p>"Perfectly sure, but you and I will take a look around the shop."</p> + +<p>They made a hasty examination, but found nothing disturbed and no +signs that anyone had tried to break in.</p> + +<p>"I think I'll telephone dad that everything is all right," decided +Tom. "It is as far as his inventions are concerned, and if I tell +about seeing the men it will only worry him. I can explain that +part better when I see him. But when I go back, Garret, you will +have to be on your guard, since those men are in the neighborhood."</p> + +<p>"I will, Tom. Don't worry."</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift was soon informed by his son over the telephone that +nothing in the shops had been disturbed, and the inventor received +the news with evident satisfaction. He requested Tom to come back +to the hotel in the morning, in order that the three of them might +go for a ride about the lake in the afternoon, and Tom decided to +make an early start.</p> + +<p>The night passed without incident, though Tom, who kept the gun +Mr. Duncan had given him in readiness for use, got up several +times, thinking he heard suspicious noises. After an early +breakfast, and having once more cautioned the engineer and +housekeeper to be on their guard, Tom started back in the ARROW. +As +it would not be much out of his way, the young inventor decided to +cut across the lake and stop at the sanitarium, that he might +inquire about Mr. Duncan. He thought he could speed the ARROW up +sufficiently to make up for any time he might lose, and, with this +in mind, he headed out toward the middle of Lake Carlopa. The +engine was working splendidly with the new spark plugs, and Tom +was wondering if there was any possible method of getting more +revolutions out of the motor. He had about come to the conclusion +that a new propeller might answer his purpose when he heard the +noise of an approaching boat. He looked up quickly and exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Andy Foger again, and Pete and Sam are with him. It's a wonder +he wouldn't go off on a trip instead of cruising around so near +home. Guess he's afraid he'll get stuck."</p> + +<p>Idly Tom watched the RED STREAK. It was cutting through the water +at a fast rate, throwing up curling foam on either side of the +sharp bow. "He seems to be heading this way," mused Tom. "Well, +I'm not going to race with him to-day."</p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer came the speedy craft, straight for the ARROW. +The young inventor shifted his helm in order to get out of Andy's +course, but to his surprise he saw that the red haired lad changed +the direction of his own boat.</p> + +<p>"Guess he wants to see how close he can come to me," thought our +hero. "Maybe he wants to show how fast he's going."</p> + +<p>The RED STREAK was now so close that the features of the occupants +could easily be distinguished. There were grins on the faces of +Andy and his cronies.</p> + +<p>"Get out of the way or we'll run you down!" cried the bully. +"We've got the right of way."</p> + +<p>"Don't you try anything like that!" shouted Tom in some alarm, not +that he was afraid of Andy, but the RED STREAK was getting +dangerously near, and he knew Andy was not a skillful helmsman. +The auto-boat was now headed directly at the ARROW and coming on +speedily. Andy was bending over the wheel and Tom had begun to +turn his, in order to get well out of the way of the insolent, +squint-eyed lad and his friends.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Andy uttered a cry and leaped up.</p> + +<p>"Look out! Look out!" he yelled. "My steering gear has broken! +I can't change my course. Look out!"</p> + +<p>The RED STREAK was bearing right down on Tom's boat.</p> + +<p>"Shut off your power! Reverse!" shouted Tom.</p> + +<p>Andy seemed confused and did not know what to do. Sam Snedecker +sprang to the side of his crony, but he knew even less about a +motor-boat. It looked as if Tom would be run down, and he was in +great danger.</p> + +<p>But the young inventor did not lose his head. He put his wheel +hard over and then, leaping to his motor, sent it full speed +forward. Not a moment too soon had he acted, for an instant later +the other boat shot past the stern of the ARROW, hitting it a +severe but glancing blow. Tom's boat quivered from end to end and +he quickly shut off the power. By this time Andy had succeeded in +slowing down his craft. The young inventor hastily looked over +the side of the ARROW. One of the rudder fastenings had been torn +loose.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by running me down?" shouted Tom angrily.</p> + +<p>"I—I didn't do it on purpose," returned Andy contritely. "I was +seeing how near I could come to you when my steering gear broke. +I hope I haven't damaged you."</p> + +<p>"My rudder's broken," went on Tom "and I've got to put back to +repair it. I ought to have you arrested for this!"</p> + +<p>"I'll pay for the damage," replied Andy, and he was so frightened +that he was white, in spite of his tan and freckles.</p> + +<p>"That won't do me any good now," retorted Tom. "It will delay me +a couple of hours. If you try any tricks like that again, I'll +complain to the authorities and you won't be allowed to run a boat +on this lake."</p> + +<p>Andy knew that his rival was in the right and did not reply. The +bully and his cronies busied themselves over the broken steering +gear, and the young inventor, finding that he could make a shift +to get back to his boathouse, turned his craft around and headed +for there, in order to repair the damage.</p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h2>THE ARROW DISAPPEARS</h2> + +<p>Paying no heed to the occupants of the bully's boat, who, by +reason of their daring, had been responsible for his accident that +might have resulted seriously, Tom was soon at his dock. He had +it conveniently arranged for hoisting craft out of the water to +repair them, and in a few minutes the stern of the ARROW was +elevated so that he could get at the rudder.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's not as bad as I thought," he remarked when, with +critical eye, he had noted the damage done. "I can fix it in about +an hour if Garret helps me."</p> + +<p>Going up to the house to get some tools and to tell the engineer +that he had returned, Tom looked out over the lake and saw Andy's +boat moving slowly off.</p> + +<p>"They've got her fixed up in some kind of shape," he murmured. +"It's a shame for a chump like Andy to have a good boat like that. +He'll spoil it in one season. He's getting altogether too +reckless. First thing he knows, he and I will have a clash and +I'll pay back some of the old scores."</p> + +<p>Mr. Jackson was much surprised to see the young inventor home +again so soon, as was also Mrs. Baggert. Tom explained what had +happened, and he and the engineer went to work repairing the +damage done by the RED STREAK. As the owner of the ARROW had +anticipated, the work did not take long, and, shortly before +dinner time, the boat was ready to resume the interrupted trip to +Sandport.</p> + +<p>"Better stay and have lunch," urged Mrs. Baggert. "You can hardly +get to the hotel by night, anyhow, and maybe it would be better +not to start until to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"No, I must get back to-night or dad would be worried," declared +Tom. "I've been gone longer now than I calculated on. But I will +have dinner here, and, if necessary, I can do the last half of the +trip after dark. I know the way now and I have a compass and a +good searchlight."</p> + +<p>The ARROW was let down into the water again and tied outside the +boathouse ready for a quick start. The dinner Mrs. Baggert +provided was so good that Tom lingered over it longer than he +meant to, and he asked for a second apple dumpling with hard sauce +on. So it was with a very comfortable feeling indeed and with an +almost forgiving spirit toward Andy Foger that our hero started +down the path to the lake.</p> + +<p>"Now for a quick run to Sandport," he said aloud. "I hope I +shan't see any more of those men and that dad hasn't been bothered +by them. His suspicions about the house weren't altogether +unfounded, for I did see the tramp and some one else sneaking +around, but I don't believe they'll come back now."</p> + +<p>Tom swung around the path that led to the dock. As he came in +sight of the water, he stared as if he could not believe what he +saw, or, rather, what he did not see. For there was no craft tied +to the string-piece, where he had fastened his motor-boat. He +looked again, rubbed his eyes to make sure and then cried out:</p> + +<p>"The ARROW is gone!"</p> + +<p>There was no doubt of it. The craft was not at the dock. +Breaking into a run, Tom hastened to the boathouse. The ARROW was +not in there, and a look across the lake showed only a few +rowboats in sight.</p> + +<p>"That's mighty funny," mused the youth. "I wonder—"</p> + +<p>He paused suddenly in his thoughts.</p> + +<p>"Maybe Garret took it out to try and see that it worked all +right," he said hopefully. "He knows how to run a boat. Maybe he +wanted to see how the rudder behaved and is out in it now. He got +through dinner before I did. But I should have thought he'd have +said something to me if he was going out in it."</p> + +<p>This was the one weak point in Tom's theory, and he felt it at +once.</p> + +<p>"I'll see if Garret is in his shop," he went on as he turned back +toward the house.</p> + +<p>The first person he met as he headed for the group of small +structures where Mr. Swift's inventive work was carried on was +Garret Jackson, the engineer.</p> + +<p>"I—I thought you were out in my boat!" stammered Tom.</p> + +<p>"Your boat! Why would I be out in your boat?" and Mr. Jackson +removed his pipe from his mouth and stared at the young inventor.</p> + +<p>"Because it's gone!"</p> + +<p>"Gone!" repeated the engineer, and then Tom told him. The two +hurried down to the dock, but the addition of another pair of eyes +was of no assistance in locating the ARROW. The trim little motor +craft was nowhere to be seen.</p> + +<p>"I can't understand it," said Tom helplessly. "I wasn't gone more +than an hour at dinner, and yet—"</p> + +<p>"It doesn't take long to steal a motor-boat," commented the +engineer.</p> + +<p>"But I think I would have heard them start it," went on the lad. +"Maybe it drifted off, though I'm sure I tied it securely."</p> + +<p>"No, there's not much likelihood of that. There's no wind to-day +and no currents in the lake. But it could easily have been towed +off by some one in a rowboat and then you would not have heard the +motor start."</p> + +<p>"That's so," agreed the youth. "That's probably how they did it. +They sneaked up here in a rowboat and towed the ARROW off. I'm +sure of it."</p> + +<p>"And I'll wager I know who did it," exclaimed Mr. Jackson +energetically.</p> + +<p>"Who?" demanded Tom quickly.</p> + +<p>"Those men who were sneaking around—Happy Harry and his gang. +They stole the boat once and they'd do it again. Those men took +your boat, Tom."</p> + +<p>The young inventor shook his head.</p> + +<p>"No," he answered, "I don't believe they did."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Well, because they wouldn't dare come back here when they knew +we're on the lookout for them. It would be too risky."</p> + +<p>"Oh, those fellows don't care for risk," was the opinion of Mr. +Jackson. "Take my word for it, they have your boat. They have +been keeping watch, and as soon as they saw the dock unprotected +they sneaked up and stole the ARROW."</p> + +<p>"I don't think so," repeated Mr. Swift's son.</p> + +<p>"Who do you think took it then?"</p> + +<p>"Andy Foger!" was the quick response. "I believe he and his +cronies did it to annoy me. They have been trying to get even +with me-or at least Andy has—for outbidding him on this boat. +He's tried several times, but he hasn't succeeded—until now. +I'm sure Andy Foger has my boat," and Tom, with a grim tightening +of his lips, swung around as though to start in instant pursuit.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?" asked Mr. Jackson.</p> + +<p>"To find Andy and his cronies. When I locate them I'll make them +tell me where my boat is."</p> + +<p>"Hadn't you better send some word to your father? You can hardly +get to Sandport now, and he'll be worried about you."</p> + +<p>"That's so, I will. I'll telephone dad that the boat—no, I'll +not do that either, for he'd only worry and maybe get sick. I'll +just tell him I've had a little accident, that Andy ran into me +and that I can't come back to the hotel for a day or two. Maybe +I'll be lucky to find my boat in that time. But dad won't worry +then, and, when I see him, I can explain. That's what I'll do," +and Tom was soon talking to Mr. Swift by telephone.</p> + +<p>The inventor was very sorry his son could not come back to rejoin +him and Ned, but there was no help for it, and, with as cheerful +voice as he could assume, the lad promised to start for Sandport +at the earliest opportunity.</p> + +<p>"Now to find Andy and my boat!" Tom exclaimed as he hung up the +telephone receiver.</p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h2>A DISMAYING STATEMENT</h2> + +<p>Trouble is sometimes good in a way; it makes a person resourceful. +Tom Swift had had his share of annoyances of late, but they had +served a purpose. He had learned to think clearly and quickly. +Now, when he found his boat stolen, he at once began to map out +a plan of action.</p> + +<p>"What will you do first?" asked Mr. Jackson as he saw his +employer's son hesitating.</p> + +<p>"First I'm going to Andy Foger's house," declared the young +inventor. "If he's home I'm going to tell him what I think of +him. If he's not, I'm going to find him."</p> + +<p>"Why don't you take your sailboat and run down to his dock?" +suggested the engineer. "It isn't as quick as your motor-boat, +but it's better than walking."</p> + +<p>"So it is," exclaimed the lad. "I will use my catboat. I had +forgotten all about it of late. I'm glad you spoke."</p> + +<p>He was soon sailing down the lake in the direction of the +boathouse on the waterfront of Mr. Foger's property. It needed +but a glance around the dock to show him that the RED STREAK was +not there, but Tom recollected the accident to the steering gear +and thought perhaps Andy had taken his boat to some wharf where +there was a repair shop and there left it to return home himself. +But inquiry of Mrs. Foger, who was as nice a woman as her son was +a mean lad, gave Tom the information that his enemy was not at +home.</p> + +<p>"He telephoned to me that his boat was damaged," said Mrs. Foger +gently, "and that he had taken it to get fixed. Then, he said, he +and some friends were going on a little cruise and might not be +back to-night."</p> + +<p>"Did he say where he was going?" asked our hero, who did not tell +Andy's mother why he wanted to see her son.</p> + +<p>"No, and I'm worried about him. Sometimes I think Andy is +too—well, too impetuous, and I'm afraid he will get into +trouble."</p> + +<p>Tom, in spite of his trouble, could hardly forbear smiling. +Andy's mother was totally unaware of the mean traits of her son +and thought him a very fine chap. Tom was not going to undeceive +her.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid something will happen to him," she went on. "Do you +think there is any danger being out on the lake in a motor-boat, +Mr. Swift? I understand you have one."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have one," answered Tom. He was going to say he had once +had one, but thought better of it. "No, there is very little +danger this time of year," he added.</p> + +<p>"I am very glad to hear you say so," went on Mrs. Foger with a +sigh. "I shall feel more at ease when Andy is away now. When he +returns home, I shall tell him you called upon him and he will +return your visit. I am glad to see that the custom of paying +calls has not died out among the present generation. It is a +pleasant habit, and I am glad to have my son conform to it. He +shall return your kind visit."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, it's of no consequence," replied Tom quickly, thinking +grimly that his visit was far from a friendly one. "There is no +need to tell your son I was here. I will probably see him in a +day or two.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but I shall tell him," insisted Mrs. Foger with a kind smile. +"I'm sure he will appreciate your call."</p> + +<p>There was much doubt concerning this in the mind of the young +inventor, but he did not express it and soon took his leave. Up +and down the lake for the rest of the day he cruised, looking in +vain for a sight of Andy Foger in the RED STREAK, but the racing +boat appeared to be well hidden.</p> + +<p>"If I only could find where they've taken mine," mused Tom. "Hang +it all, this is rotten luck!" and for the first time he began to +feel discouraged.</p> + +<p>"Maybe you'd better notify the police," suggested Mr. Jackson when +Tom returned to the Swift house that night. "They might help +locate it."</p> + +<p>"I think I can do as well as the police," answered the youth. "If +the boat is anywhere it's on the lake, and the police have no +craft in which to make a search."</p> + +<p>"That's so," agreed the engineer. "I wish I could help you, but I +don't believe it would be wise for me to leave the house, +especially since those men have been about lately."</p> + +<p>"No, you must stay here," was Tom's opinion. "I'll take another +day or two to search. By this time Andy and his gang will return, +I'm sure, and I can tackle them."</p> + +<p>"Suppose they don't?"</p> + +<p>"Well, then I'll make a tour of the lake in my sailboat and I'll +run up to Sandport and tell dad, for he will wonder what's keeping +me. I'll know better next time than to leave my boat at the dock +without taking out the connection at the spark coil, so no one can +start the motor. I should have done that at first, but you always +think of those things afterward."</p> + +<p>The lad began his search again the next morning and cruised about +in little bays and gulfs looking for a sight of the RED STREAK or +the ARROW, but he saw neither, and a call at Andy's house showed +that the red-haired youth had not returned. Mrs. Foger was quite +nervous over her son's continued absence, but Mr. Foger thought it +was all right.</p> + +<p>Another day passed without any results and the young inventor was +getting so nervous, partly with worrying over the loss of his boat +and partly on his father's account, that he did not know what to +do.</p> + +<p>"I can't stand it any longer," he announced to Mrs. Baggert the +night of the third day, after a telephone message had been +received from Mr. Swift. The inventor wanted to know why his son +did not return to the hotel to join him and Ned. "Well, what will +you do?" asked the housekeeper.</p> + +<p>"If I don't find my boat to-morrow, I'll sail to Sandport, bring +home dad and Ned and we three will go all over the lake. My boat +must be on it somewhere, but Lake Carlopa is so cut up that it +could easily be hidden."</p> + +<p>"It's queer that the Foger boy doesn't come home. That makes it +look as if he was guilty."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm sure he took it all right," returned Tom. "All I want is +to see him. It certainly is queer that he stays away as long as +he does. Sam Snedecker and Pete Bailey are with him, too. But +they'll have to return some time."</p> + +<p>Tom dreamed that night of finding his boat and that it was a +wreck. He awoke, glad to find that the latter part was not true, +but wishing that some of his night vision might come to pass +during the day.</p> + +<p>He started out right after breakfast, and, as usual, headed for +the Foger home. He almost disliked to ask Mrs. Foger if her son +had yet returned, for Andy's mother was so polite and so anxious +to know whether any danger threatened that Tom hardly knew how to +answer her. But he was saved that embarrassment on this occasion, +for as he was going up the walk from the lake to the residence he +met the gardener and from him learned that Andy had not yet come +back.</p> + +<p>"But his mother had a message from him, I did hear," went on the +man. "He's on his way. It seems he had some trouble."</p> + +<p>"Trouble. What kind of trouble?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"I don't rightly know, sir, but," and here the gardener winked his +eye, "Master Andy isn't particular what kind of trouble he gets +into."</p> + +<p>"That's right," agreed our hero, and as he went down again to +where he had left his boat he thought: "Nor what kind of trouble +he gets other people into. I wish I had hold of him for about +five minutes!"</p> + +<p>The sailboat swung slowly from the dock and heeled over to the +gentle breeze. Hardly knowing what to do, Tom headed for the +middle of the lake. He was discouraged and tired of making plans +only to have them fail.</p> + +<p>As he looked across the stretch of water he saw a boat coming +toward him. He shaded his eyes with his hand to see better, and +then, with a pair of marine glasses, took an observation. He +uttered an exclamation.</p> + +<p>"That's the RED STREAK as sure as I'm alive!" he cried. "But +what's the matter with her? They're rowing!"</p> + +<p>The lad headed his boat toward the approaching one. There was no +doubt about it. It was Andy Foger's craft, but it was not +speeding forward under the power of the motor. Slowly and +laborious the occupants were pulling it along, and as it was not +meant to be rowed, progress was very slow.</p> + +<p>"They've had a breakdown," thought Tom. "Serves 'em right! Now +wait till I tackle 'em and find out where my boat is. I've a good +notion to have Andy Foger arrested!"</p> + +<p>The sailing craft swiftly approached the motor-boat. Tom could see +the three occupants looking at him, apprehensively as well as +curiously, he thought.</p> + +<p>"Guess they didn't think I'd keep after 'em," mused the young +inventor, and a little later he was beside the RED STREAK.</p> + +<p>"Well," cried Tom angrily, "it's about time you came back!"</p> + +<p>"We've had a breakdown," remarked Andy, and he seemed quite +humiliated. He was beginning to find out that he didn't know as +much about a motor-boat as he thought he did.</p> + +<p>"I've been waiting for you," went on Tom.</p> + +<p>"Waiting for us? What for?" asked Sam Snedecker.</p> + +<p>"What for? As if you didn't know!" blurted out the owner of the +ARROW. "I want my boat, Andy Foger, the one you stole from me and +hid! Tell me where it is at once or I'll have you arrested!"</p> + +<p>"Your boat!" repeated the bully, and there was no mistaking the +surprise in his tones.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my boat! Don't try to bluff me like that."</p> + +<p>"I'm not trying to bluff you. We've been away, three days and +just got back."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know you have. You took my boat with you, too."</p> + +<p>"Are you crazy?" demanded Pete Bailey.</p> + +<p>"No, but you fellows must have been to think you could take my +boat and me not know it," and Tom, filled with wrath, grasped the +gunwale of the RED STREAK as if he feared it would suddenly shoot +away.</p> + +<p>"Look here!" burst out Andy, and he spoke sincerely, "we didn't +touch your boat. Did we, fellows?"</p> + +<p>"No!" exclaimed Sam and Pete at once, and they were very much in +earnest.</p> + +<p>"We didn't even know it was stolen, did we?" went on Andy.</p> + +<p>"No," agreed his chums. Tom looked unconvinced.</p> + +<p>"We haven't taken your boat and we can prove it," continued the +bully. "I know you and I have had quarrels, but I'm telling you +the truth, Tom Swift. I never touched your boat."</p> + +<p>There was no mistaking the sincerity of Andy. He was not a +skilful deceiver, and Tom, looking into his squint-eyes, which +were opened unusually wide, could not but help believing the +fellow.</p> + +<p>"We haven't seen it since the day we had the collision," added +Andy, and his chums confirmed this statement.</p> + +<p>"We went off on a little cruise," continued the red-haired bully, +"and broke down several times. We had bad luck. Just as we were +nearing home something went wrong with the engine again. I never +saw such a poor motor. But we never took your boat, Tom Swift, +and we can prove it."</p> + +<p>Tom was in despair. He had been so sure that Andy was the thief, +that to believe otherwise was difficult. Yet he felt that he +must. He looked at the disabled motor of the RED STREAK and +viewed it with the interested and expert eye of a machinist, no +matter if the owner of it was his enemy. Then suddenly a +brilliant idea came into Tom's head.</p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h2>STILL ON THE SEARCH</h2> + +<p>"You seem to have lots of trouble with your boat, Andy," said Tom +after a few moments of rather embarrassed silence.</p> + +<p>"I do," admitted the owner of the RED STREAK. "I've had bad luck +ever since I got it, but usually I've been able to fix it by +looking in the book. This time I can't find out what the trouble +is, nor can any of the fellows. It stopped when we were out in +the middle of the lake and we had to row. I'm sick of motor +boating."</p> + +<p>"Suppose I fix it for you?" went on Tom.</p> + +<p>"If you do, I'll pay you well."</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't do it for pay—not the kind you mean," continued the +young inventor.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean then?" and Andy's face, that had lighted up, +became glum again.</p> + +<p>"Well, if I fix your boat for you, will you let me run it a little +while?"</p> + +<p>"You mean show me how to run it?"</p> + +<p>"No, I mean take it myself. Look here, Andy, my boat's been +stolen, and I thought you took it to get even with me. You say +you didn't—"</p> + +<p>"And I didn't touch it," interposed the squint-eyed lad quickly.</p> + +<p>"All right, I believe you. But somebody stole it, and I think I +know who."</p> + +<p>"Who?" asked Sam Snedecker.</p> + +<p>"Well, you wouldn't know if I told you, but I suspect some men +with whom I had trouble before," and Tom referred to Happy Harry +and his gang. "I think they have my boat on this lake, and I'd +like to get another speedy craft to cruise about it and make a +further search. How about it, Andy? If I fix your boat, will you +let me take it to look for my boat?"</p> + +<p>"Sure thing!" agreed the bully quickly, and his voice for once was +friendly toward Tom. "Fix the engine so it will run, and you can +use the RED STREAK as long as you like."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I probably wouldn't want it very long. I could cover the +lake in about three days, and I hope by that time I could locate +the thieves. Is it a bargain?"</p> + +<p>"Sure," agreed Andy again, and Tom got into the motor-boat to look +at the engine. He found that it would require some time to adjust +it properly and that it would be necessary to take the motor +apart.</p> + +<p>"I think I'd better tow you to my dock," the young inventor said +to Andy. "I can use some tools from the shop then, and by +to-night I'll have the RED STREAK in running order."</p> + +<p>The breeze was in the right quarter, fortunately, and with the +motor-boat dragging behind, the ARROW's owner put the nose of the +sailing craft toward his home dock.</p> + +<p>When Tom reached his house he found that Mrs. Baggert had received +another telephone message from Mr. Swift, inquiring why his son +had not returned to Sandport.</p> + +<p>"He says if you don't come back by to-morrow," repeated the +housekeeper, "that he'll come home by train. He's getting +anxious, I believe."</p> + +<p>"Shouldn't wonder," admitted Tom. "But I want him to stay there. +The change will do him good. I'll soon have my boat back, now +that I can go about the lake swiftly, and then I'll join him. +I'll tell him to be patient."</p> + +<p>Tom talked with his father at some length, assuring him that +everything was well at the Shopton house and promising to soon be +with him. Then the young inventor began work on the motor of the +RED STREAK. He found it quite a job and had to call on Mr. +Jackson to help him, for one of the pistons had to be repaired and +a number of adjustments made to the cylinders.</p> + +<p>But that night the motor was fully mended and placed back in the +boat. It was in better shape than it had been since Andy had +purchased the craft.</p> + +<p>"There," remarked Tom, "now I'm ready to hunt for those +scoundrels. Will you leave your boat at my dock to-night, Andy?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, so you can start out early in the morning. I'm not going."</p> + +<p>"Why not?" demanded Tom quickly.</p> + +<p>"Well—er—you see I've had enough of motoring for a while," +explained Andy. "Besides, I don't believe my mother would like me +to go out on a chase after thieves. If we had to shoot I might +hit one of them, and—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I see," answered Tom. "But I don't like to take your boat +alone. Besides, I don't fancy there will be much shooting. I +know I'm not going to take a gun. In fact, the one Mr. Duncan +gave me is in the boat. All I want is to get the ARROW back."</p> + +<p>"That's all right," went on Andy. "You take my boat and use it as +long as you like. I'll rest up a few days. When you find your +boat you can bring mine back."</p> + +<p>Tom understood. He was just as glad not to have Andy accompany +him in the chase, as he and the red-haired lad had never been good +friends and probably never would be. So it would cause some +embarrassment to be together in a boat all day. Then again Tom +knew he could manage the RED STREAK better alone, but, of course, +he did not want to mention this when he asked for the loan of the +craft. Andy's own suggestion, however, had solved the difficulty. +Tom had an idea that Andy felt a little timid about going in +pursuit of the thieves, but naturally it would not do to mention +this, for the squint-eyed lad considered himself quite a fighter.</p> + +<p>Early the next morning, alone in the RED STREAK, Tom continued the +search for his stolen boat. He started out from his home dock and +mapped out a course that would take him well around the lake.</p> + +<p>"I s'pose I could take a run to Sandport now," mused the youth as +he shot in and out of the little bays, keeping watch for the +ARROW. "But if I do dad will have to be told all about it, and, +he'll worry. Then, too, he might want to accompany me, and I +think I can manage this better alone, for the RED STREAK will run +faster with only one in. I ought to wind up this search in two +days, if my boat is still on the lake. And if those scoundrels +have sunk her I'll make them pay for it."</p> + +<p>On shot the speedy motor-boat, in and out along the winding +shoreline, with the lad in the bow at the steering-wheel peering +with eager eyes into every nook and corner where his craft might +be hidden.</p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h2>"THERE SHE IS!"</h2> + +<p>Anticipating that he would be some time on his search, the young +inventor had gone prepared for it. He had a supply of provisions +and he had told Mrs. Baggert he might not be back that night. But +he did not intend to sleep aboard the RED STREAK, which, being a +racing boat, was not large enough to afford much room for +passengers. Tom had planned, therefore, to put up at some hotel +near the lake in case his hunt should last beyond one night.</p> + +<p>That it would do this was almost certain, for all that morning he +searched unavailingly for the ARROW. A distant mill whistle +sounding over Lake Carlopa told him it was noon.</p> + +<p>"Dinner time," he announced to himself. "Guess I'll run up along +shore in the shade and eat."</p> + +<p>Selecting a place where the trees overhung the water, forming a +quiet, cool nook, Tom sent the boat in there, and, tying it to a +leaning tree, he began his simple meal. Various thoughts filled +his mind, but chief among them was the desire to overtake the +thieves who had his boat. That it was Happy Harry's gang he was +positive.</p> + +<p>The lad nearly finished eating and was considering what direction +he might best search in next when he heard, running along a road +that bordered the lake, an automobile.</p> + +<p>"Wonder who that is?" mused Tom. "It won't do any harm to take a +look, for it might be some of those thieves again. They probably +still have their auto or Happy Harry couldn't have gotten from +Sandport to Shopton so quickly."</p> + +<p>The young inventor slipped ashore from the motor-boat, taking care +to make no noise. Stealing silently along toward the road, he +peered through the underbrush for a sight of the machine, which +seemed to be going slowly. But before the youth had a glimpse of +it he was made aware who the occupant was by hearing someone +exclaim:</p> + +<p>"Bless my shoe laces if this cantankerous contraption isn't going +wrong again! I wonder if it's going to have a fit here in this +lonely place. It acts just as if it was. Bless my very +existence! Hold on now. Be nice! Be nice!"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Damon!" exclaimed Tom, and, without knowing it, he had spoken +aloud.</p> + +<p>"Hold on there! Hold on! Who's calling me in this forsaken +locality? Bless my shirt studs! But who is it?" and the +eccentric man who had sold Tom the motor-cycle looked intently at +the bushes.</p> + +<p>"Here I am, Mr. Damon," answered the lad, stepping out into the +road. "I knew it was you as soon as I saw you."</p> + +<p>"Bless my liver, but that's very true! I suppose you heard my +unfortunate automobile puffing along. I declare I don't know what +ails it. I got it on the advice of my physician, who said I must +get out in the air, but, bless my gears, it's the auto who needs a +doctor more than I do! It's continually out of order. Something +is going to happen right away. I can tell by the way it's +behaving."</p> + +<p>Mr. Damon had thrown out the clutch, but the engine was still +running, though in a jerky, uncertain fashion, which indicated to +the trained ear of the young inventor that something was wrong.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I can fix it for you as I did before," ventured Tom.</p> + +<p>"Bless my eyebrows! Perhaps you can," cried the eccentric man +hopefully. "You always seem to turn up at the right moment. How +do you manage it?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know. I remember the time you turned up just when I +wanted you to help me capture Happy Harry and his gang, and now, +by, a strange coincidence, I'm after them again."</p> + +<p>"You don't say so! My good gracious! Bless my hatband! But +that's odd. There!" he ejaculated suddenly as the automobile +engine stopped with a choking sigh, "I knew something was going to +happen."</p> + +<p>"Let me take a look," proposed the lad, and he was soon busy +peering into the interior of the machine. At first he could not +find the trouble, but being a persistent youth, Tom went at it +systematically and located it in two places. The clutch was not +rightly adjusted and the carburetor float feed needed fixing. The +young inventor was not long in making the slight repairs and then +he assured Mr. Damon that his automobile would run properly.</p> + +<p>"Bless my very existence, but what a thing it is to have a head +for mechanics!" exclaimed the odd man gratefully. "Now it would +bother me to adjust a nutmeg grater if it got out of order, but I +dare say you could fix it in no time."</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Tom, "I could and so could you, for there's +nothing about it to fix. But you can go ahead now if you wish."</p> + +<p>"Thank you. It just shows how ignorant I am of machinery. I +presume something will go wrong in another mile or two. But may I +ask what you are doing here? I presume you are in your motor-boat, +sailing about for pleasure. And didn't I understand you to +say you were after those chaps again? Bless my watch charm, but I +was so interested in my machine that I didn't think to ask you."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am after those thieves again."</p> + +<p>"In your motor-boat, I presume. Well, I hope you catch them. +What have they stolen now?"</p> + +<p>"My motor-boat. That's why I'm after them, but I had to borrow a +craft to chase them with."</p> + +<p>"Bless my soul! You don't tell me! How did it happen?"</p> + +<p>Thereupon the lad related as much of the story as was necessary to +put Mr. Damon in possession of the facts and he ended up with:</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose you have seen anything of the men in my boat, +have you?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Damon seemed strangely excited. He had entered his auto, but +as the lad's story progressed the odd gentleman had descended. +When Tom finished he exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Don't say a word now—not a word. I want to think, and that is +a process, which, for me, requires a little time. Don't speak a +word now. Bless my left hand, but I think I can help you!"</p> + +<p>He frowned, stamped first one foot, then the other, looked up at +the sky, as if seeking inspiration there, and then down at the +ground, as if that would help him to think. Then he clapped his +hands smartly together and cried out:</p> + +<p>"Bless my shoe buttons!"</p> + +<p>"Have you seen them?" asked Tom eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Was your boat one with a red arrow painted on the bow?" asked Mr. +Damon in turn.</p> + +<p>"It was!" and the lad was now almost as excited as was his friend.</p> + +<p>"Then I've seen it and, what's more, this morning! Bless my spark +plug, I've seen it!"</p> + +<p>"Tell me about it!" pleaded the young inventor, and Mr. Damon, +calming himself after an effort, resumed:</p> + +<p>"I was out for an early spin in my auto," he said, "and was +traveling along a road that bordered the lake, about fifteen miles +above here. I heard a motor-boat puffing along near shore, and, +looking through the trees, I saw one containing three men. It had +a red arrow on the bow, and that's why I noticed it, because I +recalled that your boat was named the DART."</p> + +<p>"ARROW," corrected Tom.</p> + +<p>"The ARROW. Oh, yes, I knew it was something like that. Well of +course at the time I didn't think that it was your boat, but I +associated it in my mind with yours. Do you catch my meaning?"</p> + +<p>Tom did and said so, wishing Mr. Damon would hurry and get to the +point. But the eccentric character had to do things in his own +way.</p> + +<p>"Exactly," he resumed. "Well, I didn't think that was your boat, +but, at the same time, I watched the men out of curiosity, and I +was struck with their behavior. They seemed to be quarreling, +and, from what I could hear, two of them seemed to be +remonstrating with the third one for having taken some sort of a +piece of wood from the forward compartment. I believe that is +the proper term."</p> + +<p>"Yes!" Tom almost shouted. "But where did they go? What became +of them? What was the man doing to the forward compartment—where +the gasoline tank is?"</p> + +<p>"Exactly. I was trying to think what was kept there. That's it, +the gasoline tank. Well, the boat kept on up the lake, and I +don't know what became of the men. But about that piece of wood. +It seems that one of the men removed a block, from under the tank +and the others objected. That's why they were quarreling."</p> + +<p>"That's very strange," exclaimed the lad. "There must be some +mystery about my boat that I don't understand. But that will keep +until I get the boat itself. Good-by, Mr. Damon. I must be off."</p> + +<p>"Where to?"</p> + +<p>"Up the lake after those thieves. I must lose no time," and Tom +started to go back to where he had left the RED STREAK.</p> + +<p>"Hold on!" cried Mr. Damon. "I have something to propose, Tom. +Two heads are better than one, even if one doesn't know how to +adjust a nutmeg grate. Suppose I come along with you? I can +point out the direction the men took, at any rate."</p> + +<p>"I'll be very glad to have you," answered the lad, who felt that +he might need help if there were three of the thieves in his +craft. "But what will you do with your automobile?"</p> + +<p>"I'll just run it down the road a way to where a friend of mine +has a stable. I'll leave it in there and join you. Will you let +me come? Bless my eye glasses, but I'd like to help catch those +scoundrels!"</p> + +<p>"I'll be very glad to have you. Go ahead, put the auto in the +barn and I'll wait for you."</p> + +<p>"I have a better plan than that," replied Mr. Damon. "Run your +boat down to that point," and he indicated one about a mile up the +lake. "I'll be there waiting for you, and we'll lose no time. I +can cover the ground faster in my auto than you can in your boat."</p> + +<p>Tom saw the advantage of this and was soon under way, while he +heard on shore the puffing of his friend's car. On the trip to +the point Tom puzzled over the strange actions of the man in +taking one of the braces from under the gasoline tank.</p> + +<p>"I'll wager he did it before," thought the lad. "It must be the +same person who was tampering with the lock of the forward +compartment the day I bought the boat. But why—that's the +question—why?"</p> + +<p>He could find no answer to this, puzzle over it as he did, and he +gave it up. His whole desire now was to get on the trail of the +thieves, and he had strong hopes, after the clew Mr. Damon had +given him. The latter was waiting for him on the point, and so +nimble was the owner of the auto, in spite of his size, that Tom +was not delayed more than the fraction of a minute ere he was +under way again, speeding up the lake.</p> + +<p>"Now keep well in toward shore," advised Mr. Damon. "Those +fellows don't want to be observed any more than they can help, and +they'll sneak along the bank, They were headed in that direction," +and he pointed it out. "Now I hope you won't think I'm in the +way. Besides, you know, if you get your boat back, you'll want +some one to help steer it, while you run this one. I can do that, +at all events, bless my very existence!"</p> + +<p>"I am very glad of your help," replied the lad, but he did not +take his eyes from the water before him, and he was looking for a +sight of his boat with the men in it.</p> + +<p>For three hours or more Tom and Mr. Damon cruised in and out along +the shore of the lake, going farther and farther up the body of +water. Tom was beginning to think that he would reach Sandport +without catching sight of the thieves, and he was wondering if, +after all, he might not better stop off and see his father when, +above the puffing of the motor in the RED STREAK, he heard the +put-put of another boat.</p> + +<p>"Listen!" cried Mr. Damon, who had heard it at the same time.</p> + +<p>Tom nodded.</p> + +<p>"They're just ahead of us," whispered his companion.</p> + +<p>"If it's them," was the lad's reply.</p> + +<p>"Speed up and we'll soon see," suggested Mr. Damon, and Tom +shoved the timer over. The RED STREAK forged ahead. The sound of +the other boat came more plainly now. It was beyond a little +point of land. The young inventor steered out to get around it +and leaned eagerly forward to catch the first glimpse of the +unseen craft. Would it prove to be the ARROW?</p> + +<p>The put-put became louder now. Mr. Damon was standing up, as if +that would, in some mysterious way, help. Then suddenly the other +boat came into view. Tom saw it in an instant and knew it for the +ARROW.</p> + +<p>"There she is!" he cried.</p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h2>THE PURSUIT</h2> + +<p>For an instant after Tom's exultant cry the men in the boat ahead +were not aware that they were being pursued. Then, as the +explosions from the motor of the RED STREAK sounded over the +water, they turned to see who was coming up behind them. There +was no mistaking the attitude of the young inventor and his +companion. They were leaning eagerly forward, as if they could +reach out and grasp the criminals who were fleeing before them.</p> + +<p>"Put on all the speed you can, Tom!" begged Mr. Damon. "We'll +catch the scoundrels now. Speed up the motor! Oh, if I only had +my automobile now. Bless my crank shaft, but one can go so much +faster on land than on water."</p> + +<p>The lad did not reply, but thought, with grim humor, that running +an automobile over Lake Carlopa would be no small feat. Mr. +Damon, however, knew what he was saying.</p> + +<p>"We'll catch them! We'll nab 'em!" he cried. "Speed her up, +Tom."</p> + +<p>The youth was doing his best with the motor of the RED STREAK. He +was not as well acquainted with it as he was with the one in his +boat, but he knew, even better than Andy Foger, how to make it do +efficient work. It was a foregone conclusion that the RED STREAK, +if rightly handled, could beat the ARROW, but there were several +points in favor of the thieves. The motor of Tom's boat was in +perfect order, and even an amateur, with some knowledge of a boat, +could make it do nearly its best. On the other hand, the RED +STREAK's machinery needed "nursing." Again, the thieves had a +good start, and that counted for much. But Tom counted on two +other points. One was that Happy Harry and his gang would +probably know little about the fine points of a motor. They had +shown this in letting the motor of the boat they had first stolen +get out of order, and Tom knew the ins and outs of a gasoline +engine to perfection. So the chase was not so hopeless as it +seemed.</p> + +<p>"Do you think you can catch them?" asked Mr. Damon anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to make a big try," answered his companion.</p> + +<p>"They're heading out into the middle of the lake!" cried the +eccentric man.</p> + +<p>"If they do, I can cut them off!" murmured Tom as he put the wheel +over.</p> + +<p>But whoever was steering the ARROW knew better than to send it on +a course that would enable the pursuing boat to cut across and +shorten the distance to it. After sending the stolen craft far +enough out from shore to clear points of land that jutted out into +the lake, the leading boat was sent straight ahead.</p> + +<p>"A stern chase and a long chase!" murmured Mr. Damon. "Bless my +rudder, but those fellows are not going to give up easily."</p> + +<p>"I guess not," murmured Tom. "Will you steer for a while, Mr. +Damon?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I will. If I could get out and pull the boat after me, +to make it go faster, I would. But as I always lose my breath +when I run, perhaps it's just as well that I stay in here." Tom +thought so too, but his attention was soon given to the engine. +He adjusted the timer to get if possible a little more speed out +of the boat he had borrowed from Andy, and he paid particular +attention to the oiling system.</p> + +<p>"We're going a bit faster!" called Mr. Damon' encouragingly, "or +else they're slacking up."</p> + +<p>Tom peered ahead to see if this was so. It was hard to judge +whether he was overhauling the ARROW, as it was a stern chase, and +that is always difficult to judge. But a glimpse along shore +showed him that they were slipping through the water at a faster +speed.</p> + +<p>"They're up to something!" suddenly exclaimed Mr. Damon a moment +later. "I believe they're going to fire on us, Tom. They are +pointing something this way."</p> + +<p>The lad stood up and gazed earnestly at his boat, which seemed to +be slipping away from him so fast. One of the occupants was in +the stern, aiming some glittering object at those in the RED +STREAK. For a moment Tom thought it might be a gun. Then, as the +man turned, he saw what it was.</p> + +<p>"A pair of marine glasses," cried the lad. "They're trying to +make out who we are."</p> + +<p>"I guess they know well enough," rejoined Mr. Damon. "Can't you +go any faster, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid not. But we'll land them, sooner or later. They +can't go very far in this direction without running ashore and +we'll have them. They're cutting across the lake now."</p> + +<p>"They may escape us if it gets dark. Probably that's what they're +working for. They want to keep ahead of us until nightfall."</p> + +<p>The young inventor thought of this too, but there was little he +could do. The motor was running at top speed. It could be made +to go faster, Tom knew, with another ignition system, but that was +out of the question now.</p> + +<p>The man with the glasses had resumed his seat, and the efforts of +the trio seemed concentrated on the motor of the ARROW. They, +too, wished to go faster. But they had not skill enough to +accomplish it, and in about ten minutes, when Tom took another +long and careful look to ascertain if possible whether or not he +was overhauling the thieves, he was delighted to see that the +distance between the boats had lessened.</p> + +<p>"We're catching them! We're creeping up on them!" cried Mr. +Damon. "Keep it up, Tom." There was nothing to do, however, save +wait. The boat ahead had shifted her course somewhat and was now +turning in toward the shore, for the lake was narrow at this +point, and abandoning their evident intention of keeping straight +up the lake, the thieves seemed now bent on something else.</p> + +<p>"I believe they're going to run ashore and get out!" cried Mr. +Damon.</p> + +<p>"If they do, it's just what I want," declared the lad. "I don't +care for the men. I want my boat back!"</p> + +<p>The occupants of the ARROW were looking to the rear again, and +one—Happy Harry, Tom thought—shook his fist.</p> + +<p>"Ah, wait until I get hold of you!" cried Mr. Damon, following his +example. "I'll make you wish you'd behaved yourselves, you +scoundrels! Bless my overcoat! Catch them if you can, Tom."</p> + +<p>There was now no doubt of the intention of the fleeing ones. The +shore was looming up ahead and straight for it was headed the +ARROW. Tom sent Andy's boat in the same direction. He was +rapidly overhauling the escaping ones now, for they had slowed +down the motor. Three minutes later the foremost boat grated on +the beach of the lake. The men leaped out, one of them pausing an +instant in the bow.</p> + +<p>"Here, don't you damage my boat!" cried Tom involuntarily, for the +man seemed to be hammering something.</p> + +<p>The fellow leaped over the side, holding something in his hand.</p> + +<p>"There they go! Catch them!" yelled Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Let them go!" answered the lad as the men ran toward the wood. +"I want my boat. I'm afraid they've damaged her. One of them +tore something from the bow."</p> + +<p>At the same instant the two companions of the fellow who had +paused in the forward part of the ARROW saw that he had something +in his hand. With yells of rage they dashed at him, but he, +shaking his fist at them, plunged into the bushes and could be +heard breaking his way through, while his companions were in +pursuit.</p> + +<p>"They've quarreled among themselves," commented Mr. Damon as high +and angry voices could be heard from the woods. "There's some +mystery here, Tom."</p> + +<p>"I don't doubt it, but my first concern is for my boat. I want to +see if they have damaged her."</p> + +<p>Tom had run so closely in shore with the RED STREAK that he had to +reverse to avoid damaging the craft against the bank. In a mass +of foam he stopped her in time, and then springing ashore, he +hurried to his motor-boat.</p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h2>A QUIET CRUISE</h2> + +<p>"Have they done any damage?" asked Mr. Damon as he stood in the +bow of the RED STREAK.</p> + +<p>Tom did not answer for a moment. His trained eye was looking over +the engine.</p> + +<p>"They yanked out the high tension wire instead of stopping the +motor with the switch," he answered at length, and then, when he +had taken a look into the compartment where the gasoline tank was, +he added: "And they've ripped out two more of the braces I put in. +Why in the world they did that I can't imagine."</p> + +<p>"That's evidently what one man had that the others wanted," was +Mr. Damon's opinion.</p> + +<p>"Probably," agreed Tom. "But what could he or they want with +wooden braces?"</p> + +<p>That was a puzzler for Mr. Damon, but he answered:</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they wanted to damage your boat and those two men were +mad because the other got ahead of them."</p> + +<p>"Taking out the braces wouldn't do much damage. I can easily put +others in. All it would do would be to cause the tank to sag down +and maybe cause a leak in the pipe. But that would be a queer +thing to do. No, I think there's some mystery that I haven't +gotten to the bottom of yet. But I'm going to."</p> + +<p>"Good!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "I'll help you. But can you run +your boat back home?"</p> + +<p>"Not without fixing it a bit. I must brace up that tank and put +in a new high-tension wire from the spark coil. I can do it here, +but I'd rather take it to the shop. Besides, with two boats to +run back, for I must return Andy's to him, I don't see how I can +do it very well unless you operate one, Mr. Damon."</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, but I can't do it. Bless my slippers, but I would be +sure to run on a rock! The best plan will be for you to tow your +boat and I'll ride in it and steer. I can do that much, anyhow. +You can ride in the RED STREAK."</p> + +<p>Tom agreed that this would be a good plan. So, after temporarily +bracing up the tank in the ARROW, it was shoved out into the lake +and attached to Andy's craft.</p> + +<p>"But aren't you going to make a search for those men?" asked Mr. +Damon when Tom was ready to start back.</p> + +<p>"No, I think it would be useless. They are well away by this +time, and I don't fancy chasing them through the woods, especially +as night is coming on. Besides, I won't leave these boats."</p> + +<p>"No doubt you are right, but I would like to see them punished, +and I am curious enough to wish to know what object that scoundrel +could have in ripping out the blocks that served as a brace for +the tank."</p> + +<p>"I feel the same way myself," commented the lad, "especially since +this is the second time that's happened. But we'll have to wait, +I guess."</p> + +<p>A little later the start back was made, Mr. Damon steering the +ARROW skillfully enough so that it did not drag on the leading +boat, in which Tom rode. His course took him not far from the +lake sanitarium, where Mr. Duncan, the hunter, had been brought, +and desiring to know how the wounded man was getting on, the youth +proposed that they make a halt, explaining to Mr. Damon his +reason.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and while you're about it you'd better telephone your father +that you will join him to-morrow," suggested the other. "I know +what it is to fret and worry. You can fix your boat up in time to +go to Sandport to-morrow, can't you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm glad you reminded me of it. I'll telephone from the +sanitarium, if they'll let me."</p> + +<p>Mr. Duncan was not at the institution, Tom was told, his injury +having healed sufficiently to allow of his being removed to his +home. The youth readily secured permission to use the telephone, +and was soon in communication with Mr. Swift. While not telling +him all the occurrences that had delayed him, Tom gave his father +and Ned Newton enough information to explain his absence. Then +the trip to Shopton was resumed in the two boats.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do about your automobile?" asked Tom as +they neared the point where the machine had been left.</p> + +<p>"Never mind about that," replied Mr. Damon. "It will do it good +to have a night's vacation. I will go on to your house with you, +and perhaps I can get a train back to my friend's home, so that I +can claim my car."</p> + +<p>"Won't you stay all night with me?" invited the young inventor. +"I'd be glad to have you."</p> + +<p>Mr. Damon agreed, and, Tom putting more speed on the RED STREAK, +was soon opposite his own dock. The ARROW was run in the +boathouse and the owner hastily told Mrs. Baggert and the engineer +what had occurred. Then he took Andy's boat to Mr. Foger's dock +and warmly thanked the red-haired lad for the use of his craft.</p> + +<p>"Did you find your boat?" asked Andy eagerly. "How did the RED +STREAK run?"</p> + +<p>"I got my boat and yours runs fine," explained Tom.</p> + +<p>"Good! I'll race you again some day," declared Andy.</p> + +<p>Mr. Damon enjoyed his visit at our hero's house, for Mrs. Baggert +cooked one of her best suppers for him. Tom and the engineer +spent the evening repairing the motor-boat, Mr. Damon looking on +and exclaiming "Bless my shoe leather" or some other part of his +dress or anatomy at every stage of the work. The engineer wanted +to know all about the men and their doings, but he could supply no +reason for their queer actions regarding the braces under the +gasoline tank.</p> + +<p>In the morning Tom once more prepared for an early start for +Sandport, and Mr. Damon, reconsidering his plans, rode as far with +him as the place where the automobile had been left. There he +took leave of the young inventor, promising to call on Mr. Swift +in the near future.</p> + +<p>"I hope you arrive at the hotel where your father is without any +more accidents," remarked the automobilist. "Bless my very +existence, but you seem to have the most remarkable series of +adventures I ever heard of!"</p> + +<p>"They are rather odd," admitted Tom. "I don't know that I +particularly care for them, either. But, now that I have my boat +back, I guess everything will be all right."</p> + +<p>But Tom could not look ahead. He was destined to have still more +exciting times, as presently will be related.</p> + +<p>Without further incident he arrived at the Lakeview Hotel in +Sandport that evening and found his father and Ned very glad to +see him. Of course he had to explain everything then, and, with +his son safely in his sight, Mr. Swift was not so nervous over the +recital as he would have been had Tom not been present.</p> + +<p>"Now for some nice, quiet trips," remarked the lad when he had +finished his account. "I feel as if I had cheated you out of part +of your vacation, Ned, staying away as long as I did."</p> + +<p>"Well, of course we missed you," answered his chum. "But your +father and I had a good time."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I invented a new attachment for a kitchen boiler," added +Mr. Swift. "I had a chance for it when I passed through the hotel +kitchen one day, for I wanted to see what kind of a range they +used."</p> + +<p>"I guess there's no stopping you from inventing," replied his son +with a laugh and a hopeless shake of the head. "But don't let it +happen again when you go away to rest."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I only just thought of it," said Mr. Swift. "I haven't +worked the details out yet."</p> + +<p>Then he wanted to know about everything at home and he seemed +particularly anxious lest the Happy Harry gang do some damage.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe they will," Tom assured him. "Garret and Mrs. +Baggert will be on guard."</p> + +<p>The next few days were pleasant ones for Tom, his father and Ned +Newton. They cruised about the lake, went fishing and camped in +the woods. Even Mr. Swift spent one night in the tent and said he +liked it very much. For a week the three led an ideal existence, +going about as they pleased, Ned taking a number of photographs +with his new camera. The ARROW proved herself a fine boat, and +Tom and Ned, when Mr. Swift did not accompany them, explored the +seldom visited parts of Lake Carlopa.</p> + +<p>The three had been out one day and were discussing the necessity +of returning home soon when Ned spoke.</p> + +<p>"I shall hate to give up this life and go to slaving in the bank +again," he complained. "I wish I was an inventor."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we inventors don't have such an easy time," said Mr. Swift. +"You never know when trouble is coming," and he little imagined +how near the truth he was.</p> + +<p>A little later they were at the hotel dock. When Tom had tied up +his boat the three walked up the path to the broad veranda that +faced the lake. A boy in uniform met them.</p> + +<p>"Some one has just called you on the telephone, Mr. Swift," he +reported.</p> + +<p>"Some one wants me? Who is it?"</p> + +<p>"I think he said his name is Jackson, sir, Garret Jackson, and he +says the message is very important."</p> + +<p>"Tom, something has happened at home!" exclaimed the inventor as +he hurried up the steps. "I'm afraid there's bad news."</p> + +<p>Unable to still the fear in his heart, Tom followed his father.</p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h2>NEWS OF A ROBBERY</h2> + +<p>With a hand that trembled so he could scarcely hold the receiver +of the telephone, Mr. Swift placed it to his ear.</p> + +<p>"Hello! Hello!" he cried into the transmitter. "Yes, this is Mr. +Swift—yes, Garret. What is it?"</p> + +<p>Then came a series of clicks, which Tom and Ned listened to. The +inventor spoke again.</p> + +<p>"What's that? The same men? Broke in early this evening? Oh, +that's too bad! Of course, I'll come at once."</p> + +<p>There followed more meaningless clicks, which Tom wished he could +translate. His father hung up the receiver, turned to him and +exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"I've been robbed again!"</p> + +<p>"Robbed again! How, dad?"</p> + +<p>"By that same rascally gang, Garret thinks. This evening, when he +and Mrs. Baggert were in the house the burglar alarm went off. +The indicator showed that the electrical shop had been entered, +and the engineer hurried there. He saw a light inside and the +shadows of persons on the windows. Before he could reach the +shop, however, the thieves heard him coming and escaped. Oh, Tom, +I should never have come away!"</p> + +<p>"But did they take anything, dad? Perhaps Garret frightened them +away before they had a chance to steal any of your things. Did +you ask him that?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't need to. He said he made a hasty exanimation before he +called me up, and he is sure a number of my electrical inventions +are missing. Some of them are devices I never have had patented, +and if I lose them I will have no recovery."</p> + +<p>"But just what ones are they? Perhaps we can send out a police +alarm to-night."</p> + +<p>"Garret couldn't tell that," answered Mr. Swift as he paced to and +fro in the hotel office. "He doesn't know all the tools and +machinery I had in there. But it is certain that some of my most +valuable things have been taken."</p> + +<p>"Never mind. Don't worry, dad," and Tom tried to speak +soothingly, for he saw that his father was much excited. "We may +be able to get them back. How does Garret know the same men who +stole the turbine model broke in the shop this evening?"</p> + +<p>"He saw them. One was Happy Harry, he is positive. The others he +did not know, but he recognized the tramp from our description of +him."</p> + +<p>"Then we must tell the police at once."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Tom, I wish you would telephone. I'll give you a +description of the things. No, I can't do that either, for I +don't know what was stolen. I must go home at once to find out. +It's a good thing the motor-boat is here. Come, let's start at +once. What is my bill here?" and the inventor turned to the hotel +proprietor, who had come into the office. "I have suffered a +severe loss and must leave at once."</p> + +<p>"I am very sorry, sir. I'll have it ready for you in a few +minutes."</p> + +<p>"All right. Tom, is your boat ready for a quick trip?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, dad, but I don't like to make it at night with three in. Of +course it might be perfectly safe, but there's a risk, and I don't +like to take it."</p> + +<p>"Don't worry about the risk on my account, Tom. I'm not afraid. +I must get home and see of what I have been robbed."</p> + +<p>The young inventor was in a quandary. He wanted to do as his +father requested and to aid him all he could, yet he knew that an +all-night trip in the boat down the lake would be dangerous, not +only from the chance of running on an unknown shore or into a +hidden rock, but because Mr. Swift was not physically fitted to +stand the journey.</p> + +<p>"Come, Tom," exclaimed the aged inventor impatiently, "we must +start at once!"</p> + +<p>"Won't morning do as well, dad?"</p> + +<p>"No, I must start now. I could not sleep worrying over what has +happened. We will start—"</p> + +<p>At that instant there came a low, rumbling peal of thunder. Mr. +Swift started and peered from a window. There came a flash of +lightning and another vibrant report from the storm-charged +clouds.</p> + +<p>"There is your bill, Mr. Swift," remarked the proprietor, coming +up, "but I would not advise you to start to-night. There is a bad +storm in the west, and it will reach here in a few minutes. +Storms on Lake Carlopa, especially at this open and exposed end, +are not to be despised, I assure you."</p> + +<p>"But I must get home!" insisted Tom's father.</p> + +<p>The lace curtain over the window blew almost straight out with a +sudden breeze, and a flash of lightning so bright that it +reflected even in the room where the incandescent electrics were +glowing made several others jump. Then came a mighty crash, and +with that the flood-gates of the storm were opened, and the rain +came down in torrents. Tom actually breathed a sigh of relief. +The problem was solved for him. It would be impossible to start +to-night, and he was glad of it, much as he wanted to get on the +trail of the thieves.</p> + +<p>There was a scurrying on the part of the hotel attendants to close +the windows, and the guests who had been enjoying the air out on +the porches came running in. With a rush, a roar and a muttering, +as peal after peal of thunder sounded, the deluge continued.</p> + +<p>"It's a good thing we didn't start," observed Ned.</p> + +<p>"I should say so," agreed Tom. "But we'll get off the first thing +in the morning, dad."</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift did not reply, but his nervous pacing to and fro in the +hotel office showed how anxious he was to be at home again. There +was no help for it, however, and, after a time, finding that to +think of reaching his house that night was out of the question, +the inventor calmed down somewhat,</p> + +<p>The storm continued nearly all night, as Tom could bear witness, +for he did not sleep well, nor did his father. And when he came +down to breakfast in the morning Mr. Swift plainly showed the +effects of the bad news. His face was haggard and drawn and his +eyes smarted and burned from lack of sleep.</p> + +<p>"Well, Tom, we must start early," he said nervously. "I am glad +it has cleared off. Is the boat all ready?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and it's a good thing it was under shelter last night or +we'd have to bail it out now, and that would delay us."</p> + +<p>An hour later they were under way, having telephoned to the +engineer at the Swift home that they were coming. Garret Jackson +reported over the wire that he had notified the Shopton police of +the robbery, but that little could be done until the inventor +arrived to give a description of the stolen articles.</p> + +<p>"And that will do little good, I fear," remarked Tom. "Those +fellows have evidently been planning this for some time and will +cover their tracks well. I'd like to catch them, not only to +recover your things, dad, but to find out the mystery of my boat +and why the man took the tank braces."</p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h2>THE BALLOON ON FIRE</h2> + +<p>Down Lake Carlopa speeded the ARROW, those on board watching the +banks slip past as the motor-boat rapidly cut through the water.</p> + +<p>"What time do you think we ought to reach home, Tom?" asked Mr. +Swift.</p> + +<p>"Oh, about four o'clock, if we don't stop for lunch."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll not stop," decided the inventor. "We'll eat what we +have on board. I suppose you have some rations?" and he smiled, +the first time since hearing the bad news.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, Ned and I didn't eat everything on our camping trips," +and Tom was glad to note that the fine weather which followed the +storm was having a good effect on his father.</p> + +<p>"We certainly had a good time," remarked Ned. "I don't know when +I've enjoyed a vacation so."</p> + +<p>"It's too bad it had to be cut short by this robbery," commented +Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, my time would be up in a few days more," went on the +young bank employee. "It's just as well to start back now."</p> + +<p>Tom took the shortest route he knew, keeping in as close to shore +as he dared, for now he was as anxious to get home as was his +father. On and on speeded the ARROW, yet fast as it was, it +seemed slow to Mr. Swift, who, like all nervous persons, always +wanted to go wherever he desired to go instantly.</p> + +<p>Tom headed his boat around a little point of land, and was urging +the engine to the top notch of speed, for now he was on a clear +course, with no danger from shoals or hidden rocks, when he saw, +darting out from shore, a tiny craft which somehow seemed familiar +to him. He recognized a peculiar put-putter of the motor.</p> + +<p>"That's the DOT," he remarked in a low voice to Ned, "Miss +Nestor's cousin's boat."</p> + +<p>"Is she in it now?" asked Ned.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Tom quickly.</p> + +<p>"You've got good eyesight," remarked Ned dryly, "to tell a girl at +that distance. It looks to me like a boy."</p> + +<p>"No, it's Mary—I mean Miss Nestor," the youth quickly corrected +himself, and a close observer would have noticed that he blushed a +bit under his coat of tan.</p> + +<p>Ned laughed, Tom blushed still more, and Mr. Swift, who was in a +stern seat, glanced up quickly.</p> + +<p>"It looks as if that boat wanted to hail us," the inventor +remarked.</p> + +<p>Tom was thinking the same thing, for, though he had changed his +course slightly since sighting the DOT, the little craft was put +over so as to meet him. Wondering what Miss Nestor could want, +but being only too willing to have a chat with her, the young +inventor shifted his helm. In a short time the two craft were +within hailing distance.</p> + +<p>"How do you do?" called Miss Nestor, as she slowed down her motor. +"Don't you think I'm improving, Mr. Swift?"</p> + +<p>"What's that? I—er—I beg your pardon, but I didn't catch +that," exclaimed the aged inventor quickly, coming out of a sort +of day-dream. "I beg your pardon." He thought she had addressed +him.</p> + +<p>Miss Nestor blushed and looked questioningly at Tom.</p> + +<p>"My father," he explained as he introduced his parent. Ned needed +none, having met Miss Nestor before. "Indeed you have improved +very much," went on our hero. "You seem able to manage the boat +all alone."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm doing pretty well. Dick lets me take the DOT whenever I +want to, and I thought I'd come out for a little trial run this +morning. I'm getting ready for the races. I suppose you are +going to enter them?" and she steered her boat alongside Tom's, +who throttled down his powerful motor so as not to pass his +friend.</p> + +<p>"Races? I hadn't heard of them," he replied.</p> + +<p>"Oh, indeed there are to be fine ones under the auspices of the +Lanton Motor Club. Mr. Hastings, of whom you bought that boat, is +going to enter his new CARLOPA, and Dick has entered the DOT, in +the baby class of course. But I'm going to run it, and that's why +I'm practicing."</p> + +<p>"I hope you win," remarked Tom. "I hadn't heard of the races, but +I think I'll enter. I'm glad you told me. Do you want to race +now?" and he laughed as he looked into the brown eyes of Mary +Nestor.</p> + +<p>"No, indeed, unless you give me a start of several miles."</p> + +<p>They kept together for some little time longer, and then, as Tom +knew his father would be restless at the slow speed, he told Miss +Nestor the need of haste, and, advancing his timer, he soon left +the DOT behind. The girl called a laughing good-by and urged him +not to forget the races, which were to take place in about two +weeks.</p> + +<p>"I suppose Andy Foger will enter his boat," commented Ned.</p> + +<p>"Naturally," agreed Tom. "It's a racer, and he'll probably think +it can beat anything on the lake. But if he doesn't manage his +motor differently, it won't."</p> + +<p>The distance from Sandport to Shopton had been more than half +covered at noon, when the travelers ate a lunch in the boat. Mr. +Swift was looking anxiously ahead to catch the first glimpse of +his dock and Tom was adjusting the machinery as finely as he dared +to get out of it the maximum speed.</p> + +<p>Ned Newton, who happened to be gazing aloft, wondering at the +perfect beauty of the blue sky after the storm, uttered a sudden +exclamation. Then he arose and pointed at some object in the air.</p> + +<p>"Look!" he cried, "A balloon! It must have gone up from some +fair."</p> + +<p>Tom and his father looked upward. High in the air, almost over +their heads, was an immense balloon. It was of the hot-air +variety, such as performers use in which to make ascensions from +fair grounds and circuses, and below it dangled a trapeze, upon +which could be observed a man, only he looked more like a doll +than a human being.</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't like to be as high as that," remarked Ned.</p> + +<p>"I would," answered Tom as he slowed down the engine the better to +watch the balloon. "I'd like to go up in an airship, and I intend +to some day."</p> + +<p>"I believe he's going to jump!" suddenly exclaimed Ned after a few +minutes. "He's going to do something, anyhow."</p> + +<p>"Probably come down in a parachute," said Tom. "They generally do +that."</p> + +<p>"No! No!" cried Ned. "He isn't going to jump. Something has +happened! The balloon is on fire! He'll be burned to death!"</p> + +<p>Horror stricken, they all gazed aloft. From the mouth of the +balloon there shot a tongue of fire, and it was followed by a +cloud of black smoke. The big bag was getting smaller and seemed +to be descending, while the man on the trapeze was hanging +downward by his hands to get as far as possible away from the +terrible heat.</p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h2>THE RESCUE</h2> + +<p>"Jump! Jump!" cried Mr. Swift, leaping to his feet and motioning +to the man on the trapeze of the balloon. But it is doubtful +whether or not the performer heard him. Certainly he could not +see the frantic motions of the inventor. "Why doesn't he jump?" +Mr. Swift went on piteously to the two lads. "He'll surely be +burned to death if he hangs on there!"</p> + +<p>"It's too far to leap!" exclaimed Tom. "He's a good way up in the +air, though it looks like only a short distance. He would be +killed if he dropped now."</p> + +<p>"He ought to have a parachute," added Ned. "Most of those men do +when they go up in a balloon. Why doesn't he come down in that? +I wonder how the balloon took fire?"</p> + +<p>"Maybe he hasn't a parachute," suggested Tom, while he slowed down +the motor-boat still more so as to remain very nearly under the +blazing balloon.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he has!" cried Ned. "See, it's hanging to one side of the +big bag. He ought to cut loose. He could save himself then. Why +doesn't he?"</p> + +<p>The balloon was slowly twisting about, gradually settling to the +surface of the lake, but all the while the flames were becoming +fiercer and the black clouds of smoke increased in size.</p> + +<p>"There, see the parachute!" went on Ned.</p> + +<p>The twisting of the bag had brought into view the parachute or +big, umbrella-shaped bag, which would have enabled the man to +safely drop to the surface of the lake. Without it he would have +hit the water with such force that he would have been killed as +surely as if he had struck the solid earth. But the boys and Mr. +Swift also saw something else, and this was that the balloon was +on fire on the same side where the parachute was suspended.</p> + +<p>"Look! Look!" shouted Tom, bringing his boat to a stop. "That's +why he can't jump! He can't reach the parachute!"</p> + +<p>By this time the balloon had settled so low that the actions of +the man could be plainly seen. That he was in great agony of +fear, as well as in great pain from the terrific heat over his +head was evident. He shifted about on the trapeze bar, now +hanging by one hand, so as to bring his body a little farther +below the blazing end of the bag, then, when one arm tired, he +would hang by the other. If the balloon would only come down +more quickly it would get to within such a short distance of the +water that the man could safely make the drop. But the immense +canvas bag was settling so slowly, for it was still very +buoyant, that considerable time must elapse before it would be +near enough to the water to make it safe for the unfortunate man +to let go the trapeze.</p> + +<p>"Oh, if we could only do something!" cried Tom. "We have to +remain here helpless and watch him burn to death. It's awful!"</p> + +<p>The three in the boat continued to gaze upward. They could see +the man making frantic efforts to reach his parachute from time to +time. Once, as a little current of air blew the flames and smoke +to one side, he thought he had a chance. Up on the trapeze bar he +pulled himself and then edged along it in an endeavor to grasp the +ring of the parachute. Once he almost had hold of that and also +the cord, which ran to a knife blade. This cord, being pulled, +would sever the rope that bound it to the balloon, and he would be +comparatively safe, so he might drop to the lake. But, just as he +was about to grasp the ring and cord the smoke came swirling down +on him and the hungry flames seemed to put out their fiery tongues +to devour him. He had to slide back and once more hung by his +hands.</p> + +<p>"I thought he was saved then," whispered Tom, and even the whisper +sounded loud in the silence.</p> + +<p>Several men came running along the shore of the lake now. They +saw the occupants in the ARROW and cried out:</p> + +<p>"Why don't you save him? Go to his rescue!"</p> + +<p>"What can we do?" asked Ned quietly of his two friends, but he did +not trouble to answer the men on shore, who probably did not know +what they were saying.</p> + +<p>The motor-boat had drifted from a spot under the unfortunate +balloonist, and at a word from his father the young inventor +started the engine and steered the craft back directly under the +blazing bag again.</p> + +<p>"If he does drop, perhaps we may be able to pick him up," said Mr. +Swift. "I wish we could save him!"</p> + +<p>A cry from Ned startled Tom and his father, and their eyes, that +had momentarily been directed away from the burning bag high in +the air, were again turned toward it.</p> + +<p>"The balloon is falling apart!" exclaimed Ned. "It's all up with +him now!"</p> + +<p>Indeed it did seem so, for pieces of the burning canvas, blazing +and smoking, were falling in a shower from the part of the bag +already consumed, and the fiery particles were fairly raining down +on the man. But he still had his wits about him, though his +perilous position was enough to make any one lose his mind, and he +swung from side to side on the bar, shifting skillfully with his +hands and dodging the larger particles of blazing canvas. When +some small sparks fell on his clothing he beat them out with one +hand, while with the other he clung to the trapeze.</p> + +<p>There was scarcely any wind or the man's plight might have been +more bearable, for the current of air would have carried the smoke +and fire to one side. As it was, most of the smoke and flames +went straight up, save now and then, when a draught created by the +heat would swirl the black clouds down on the performer, hiding +him from sight for a second or two. A breeze would have carried +the sparks away instead of letting them fall on him.</p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer to the surface of the lake sank the balloon. By +this time the crowd on the bank had increased and there were +excited opinions as to what was best to do. But the trouble was +that little could be done. If the man could hold out until he got +near enough to the water to let go he might yet be saved, but this +would not be for some time at the present rate the balloon was +falling. The performer realized this, and, as the fire was +getting hotter, he made another desperate attempt to reach the +parachute. It was unavailing and he had to drop back, hanging +below the slender bar.</p> + +<p>Suddenly there came a puff of wind, fanning the faces of those in +the motor-boat, and they looked intently to observe if there was +any current as high as was the balloonist. They saw the big bag +sway to one side and the flames broke out more fiercely as they +caught the draught. The balloon moved slowly down the lake.</p> + +<p>"Keep after it, Tom!" urged his father. "We may be able to save +him!"</p> + +<p>The lad increased the speed of his engine and Ned, who was at the +wheel, gave it a little twist. Then, with a suddenness that was +startling, the blazing canvas airship began to settle swiftly +toward the water. It had lost much of its buoyancy.</p> + +<p>"Now he can jump! He's near enough to the water now!" cried Tom.</p> + +<p>But a new danger arose. True, the balloon was rapidly approaching +the surface of the lake and in a few seconds more would be within +such a short distance that a leap would not be fatal. But the +burning bag was coming straight down and scarcely would the man be +in the water ere the fiery canvas mass would be on top of him.</p> + +<p>In such an event he would either be burned to death or so held +down that drowning must quickly follow.</p> + +<p>"If there was only wind enough to carry the balloon beyond him +after he jumped he could do it safely!" cried Ned.</p> + +<p>Tom said nothing. He was measuring, with, his eye, the distance +the balloon had yet to go and also the distance away the motor-boat +was from where it would probably land.</p> + +<p>"He can do it!" exclaimed the young inventor.</p> + +<p>"How?" asked his father.</p> + +<p>For answer Tom caught up a newspaper he had purchased at the hotel +that morning. Rolling it quickly into a cone, so that it formed a +rough megaphone, he put the smaller end to his mouth, and, +pointing the larger opening at the balloonist, he called out:</p> + +<p>"Drop into the lake! We'll pick you up before the bag falls on +you! Jump! Let go now!"</p> + +<p>The balloonist heard and understood. So did Ned and Mr. Swift. +Tom's quick wit had found a way to save the man.</p> + +<p>Faster and faster the blazing bag settled toward the surface of +the water. It was now merely a mushroom-shaped piece of burning +and smoking canvas, yet it was supporting the man almost as a +parachute would have done.</p> + +<p>With one look upward to the burning mass above him and a glance +downward to the lake, the aeronaut let go his hold. Like a shot +he came down, holding his body rigid and straight as a stick, for +he knew how to fall into water, did that balloonist.</p> + +<p>Tom Swift was ready for him. No sooner had the lad called his +directions through the megaphone than the young inventor had +speeded up his engine to the top notch.</p> + +<p>"Steer so as to pick him up!" Tom cried to Ned, who was at the +wheel. "Pass by him on a curve, and, as soon as I grab him, put +the wheel over so as to get out from under the balloon."</p> + +<p>It was a risky thing to do, but our hero had it all planned out. +He made a loop of the boat's painter, and, hurrying to the bow, +leaned over as far as he could, holding the rope in readiness. +His idea was to have the balloonist grab the strands and be pulled +out of danger by the speedy motor-boat, for the blazing canvas +would cover such an extent of water that the man could not have +swum out of the danger zone in time.</p> + +<p>Down shot the balloonist and down more slowly settled the +collapsed bag, yet not so slowly that there was any time to spare. +It needed only a few seconds to drop over the performer, to burn +and smother him.</p> + +<p>Into the water splashed the man, disappearing from sight as when a +stick is dropped in, point first. Ned was alert and steered the +boat to the side in which the man's face was, for he concluded +that the aeronaut would strike out in that direction when he came +up. The ARROW was now directly under the blazing balloon and +cries of fear from the watchers on shore urged upon Tom and his +companions the danger of their position. But they had to take +some risk to rescue the man.</p> + +<p>"There he is!" cried Mr. Swift, who was on the watch, leaning over +the side of the boat. Tom and Ned saw him at the same instant. +Ned shifted his wheel and the young inventor bent over, holding +out the rope for the man to grasp. He saw it and struck out +toward the ARROW. But there was no need for him to go far. An +instant more and the speeding motor-boat shot past him. He +grabbed the rope and Tom, aided by Mr. Swift, began to lift him +out of the water.</p> + +<p>"Quick! To one side, Ned!" yelled Tom, for the heat of the +descending mass of burning canvas struck him like a furnace blast.</p> + +<p>Ned needed no urging. With a swirl of the screw the ARROW shot +herself out of the way, carrying the aeronaut with her. A moment +later the burning balloon, or what there was left of it, settled +down into the lake, hissing angrily as the fire was quenched by +the water and completely covering the spot where, but a few +seconds before, the man had been swimming. He had been saved in +the nick of time.</p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h2>PLANS FOR AN AIRSHIP</h2> + +<p>"Slow her down, Ned!" cried Tom, for the ARROW was shooting so +swiftly through the water that the young inventor found it +impossible to pull up the balloonist. Ned hurried back to the +motor, and, when the boat's way had been checked, it was an easy +matter to pull the dripping and almost exhausted man into the +craft.</p> + +<p>"Are you much hurt?" asked Mr. Swift anxiously, for Tom was too +much out of breath with his exertion to ask any questions. For +that matter the man was in almost as bad a plight. He was +breathing heavily, as one who had run a long race.</p> + +<p>"I—I guess I'm all right," he panted. "Only burned a little on +my hands. That—that was a close call!"</p> + +<p>The boat swung around and headed for shore, on which was quite a +throng of persons. Some of them had cheered when they saw the +plucky rescue.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid we can't save your balloon," gasped Tom as he looked +at the place where the canvas was still floating and burning.</p> + +<p>"No matter. It wasn't worth much. That's the last time I'll ever +go up in a hot-air balloon," said the man with more energy than he +had before exhibited. "I'm done with 'em. I've had my lesson. +Hereafter an aeroplane or a gas balloon for me. I only did this +to oblige the fair committee. I'll not do it again."</p> + +<p>The man spoke in short, crisp sentences, as though he was in too +much of a hurry to waste his words.</p> + +<p>"Let it sink," he went on. "It's no good. Glad to see the last +of it."</p> + +<p>Almost as he spoke, with a final hiss and a cloud of steam that +mingled with the black smoke, the remains of the big bag sunk +beneath the surface of the lake.</p> + +<p>"We must get you ashore at once and to a doctor," said Mr. Swift. +"You must be badly burned."</p> + +<p>"Not much. Only my hands, where some burning pieces of canvas +fell on' em. If I had a little oil to put on I'd be all right."</p> + +<p>"I can fix you up better than that," put in Tom. "I have some +Vaseline."</p> + +<p>"Good! Just the thing. Pass it over," and the man, though he +spoke shortly, seemed grateful for the offer. "My name's Sharp," +he went on, "John Sharp, of no place in particular, for I travel +all over. I'm a professional balloonist. Ha! That's the stuff!"</p> + +<p>This last was in reference to a bottle of Vaseline, which Tom +produced. Mr. Sharp spread some over the backs of his hands and +went on:</p> + +<p>"That's better. Much obliged. I can't begin to thank you for +what you did for me—saved my life. I thought it was all up with +me—would have been but for you. Mustn't mind my manner—it's a +way I have—have to talk quick when you're balloonin'—no +time—but I'm grateful all the same. Who might you people be?"</p> + +<p>Tom told him their names and Mr. Swift asked the aeronaut if he +was sure he didn't need the services of a physician.</p> + +<p>"No doctor for me," answered the balloonist. "I've been in lots +of tight places, but this was the worst squeeze. If you'll put me +ashore, I guess I can manage now."</p> + +<p>"But you're all wet," objected Tom. "Where will you go? You need +some other clothes," for the man wore a suit of tights and +spangles.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm used to this," went on the performer. "I frequently have +to fall in the water. I always carry a little money with me so as +to get back to the place where I started from. By the way, where +am I?"</p> + +<p>"Opposite Daleton," answered Tom. "Where did you go up from?"</p> + +<p>"Pratonia. Big fair there. I was one of the features."</p> + +<p>"Then you're about fifteen miles away," commented Mr. Swift. "You +can hardly get back before night. Must you go there?"</p> + +<p>"Left my clothes there. Also a valuable gas balloon. No more +hot-air ones for me. Guess I'd better go back," and the aeronaut +continued to speak in his quick, jerky sentences.</p> + +<p>"We'd be very glad to have you come with us, Mr. Sharp," went on +the inventor. "We are not far from Shopton, and if you would like +to remain over night I'm sure we would make you comfortable. You +can proceed to Pratonia in the morning."</p> + +<p>"Thanks. Might not be a bad idea," said Mr. Sharp. "I'm obliged +to you. I've got to go there to collect my money, though I +suppose they won't give it all to me."</p> + +<p>"Why not?" demanded Ned.</p> + +<p>"Didn't drop from my parachute. Couldn't. Fire was one +reason—couldn't reach the parachute, and if I could have, guess +it wouldn't have been safe. Parachute probably was burned too. But +I'm done with hot-air balloons though I guess I said that before."</p> + +<p>The boys were much interested in the somewhat odd performer, +and, on his part, he seemed to take quite a notion to Tom, who +told him of several things that he had invented. "Well," +remarked Mr. Swift after a while, during which the boat had been +moving slowly down the lake, "if we are not to go ashore for a +doctor for you, Mr. Sharp, suppose we put on more speed and get +to my home? I'm anxious about a robbery that occurred there," +and he related some facts in the case.</p> + +<p>"Speed her up!" exclaimed Mr. Sharp. "Wish I could help you catch +the scoundrels, but afraid I can't—hands too sore," and he +looked at his burns. Then he told how he had made the ascension +from the Pratonia fair grounds and how, when he was high in the +air, he had discovered that the balloon was on fire. He described +his sensations and told how he thought his time had surely come. +Sparks from the hot air used to inflate it probably caused the +blaze, he said.</p> + +<p>"I've made a number of trips," he concluded, "hot air and gas +bags, but this was the worst ever. It got on my nerves for a few +minutes," he added coolly.</p> + +<p>"I should think it would," agreed Tom as he speeded up the motor +and sent the ARROW on her homeward way.</p> + +<p>The boys and Mr. Swift were much interested in the experiences of +the balloonist and asked him many questions, which he answered +modestly. Several hours passed and late that afternoon the party +approached Shopton.</p> + +<p>"Here we are!" exclaimed Mr. Swift, relief in his tones. "Now to +see of what I have been robbed and to get the police after the +scoundrels!"</p> + +<p>When the boat was nearing the dock Mr. Sharp, who had been silent +for some time, suddenly turned to Tom and asked:</p> + +<p>"Ever invent an airship?"</p> + +<p>"No," replied the lad, somewhat surprised. "I never did."</p> + +<p>"I have," went on the balloonist. "That is, I've invented part of +it. I'm stuck over some details. Maybe you and I'll finish it +some day. How about it?"</p> + +<p>"Maybe," assented Tom, who was occupied just then in making a good +landing. "I am interested in airships, but I never thought I +could build one."</p> + +<p>"Easiest thing in the world," went on Mr. Sharp, as if it was an +everyday matter. "You and I will get busy as soon as we clear up +this robbery." He talked as though he had been a friend of the +family for some time, for he had a genial, taking manner.</p> + +<p>A little later Mr. Swift was excitedly questioning Garret Jackson +concerning the robbery and making an examination of the electrical +shop to discover what was missing.</p> + +<p>"They've taken some parts of my gyroscope!" he exclaimed, "and +some valuable tools and papers, as well as some unfinished work +that will be difficult to replace."</p> + +<p>"Much of a loss?" asked Mr. Sharp with a business-like air.</p> + +<p>"Well, not so large as regards money," answered the inventor, "but +they took things I can never replace, and I will miss them very +much if I cannot get them back."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll get them back!" snapped the balloonist, as if that was +all there was to it.</p> + +<p>The police were called up on the telephone and the facts given to +them, as well as a description of the stolen things. They +promised to do what they could, but, in the light of past +experiences, Tom and his father did not think this would be much. +There was little more that could be done that evening. Ned Newton +went to his home, and, after Mr. Swift had insisted in calling in +his physician to look after Mr. Sharp's burns the balloonist was +given a room next to Tom's. Then the Swift household settled +down.</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Tom to his father, as he got ready for bed, "this +sure has been an exciting day."</p> + +<p>"And my loss is a serious one," added the inventor somewhat sadly.</p> + +<p>"Don't worry, dad," begged his son. "I'll do my best to recover +those things for you."</p> + +<p>Several days passed, but there was no clew to the thieves. That +they were the same ones who had stolen the turbine model there was +little doubt, but they seemed to have covered their tracks well. +The police were at a loss, and, though Tom and Mr. Sharp cruised +about the lake, they could get no trace of the men. The +balloonist had sent to Pratonia for his clothing and other baggage +and was now installed in the Swift home, where he was invited to +stay a week or two.</p> + +<p>One night when he was looking over some papers he had taken from +his trunk the balloonist came over to where Tom was making a +drawing of a new machine he was planning and said:</p> + +<p>"Like to see my idea for an airship? Different from some. It's a +dirigible balloon with an aeroplane front and rear to steer and +balance it in big winds. It would be a winner, only for one +thing. Maybe you can help me."</p> + +<p>"Maybe I can," agreed Tom, who was at once interested.</p> + +<p>"We ought to be able to do something. Look at our names—Swift +and Sharp—quick and penetrating—a good firm to build +airships," and he laughed genially. "Shall we do it?"</p> + +<p>"I'm willing," agreed Tom, and the balloonist spread his plans out +on the table, he and the young inventor soon being deep in a +discussion of them.</p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h2>THE MYSTERY SOLVED</h2> + +<p>From then on, for several days, the young inventor and his new +friend lived in an atmosphere of airships. They talked them from +morning until night, and even Mr. Swift, much as he was exercised +over his loss, took part in the discussions.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile efforts had not ceased to locate the robbers and +recover the stolen goods, but so far without success.</p> + +<p>One afternoon, about two weeks after the thrilling rescue of John +Sharp, Tom said to the balloonist:</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't you like to come for a ride in the motor-boat? Maybe it +will help us to solve the puzzle of the airship. We'll take a +trip across and up the opposite shore."</p> + +<p>"Good idea," commented Mr. Sharp. "Fine day for a sail. Come on. +Blow the cobwebs from our brains."</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift declined an invitation to accompany them, as he said he +would stay home and try to straighten out his affairs, which were +somewhat muddled by the robbery.</p> + +<p>Out over the blue waters of Lake Carlopa shot the ARROW. It was +making only moderate speed, as Tom was in no hurry, and he knew +his engine would last longer if not forced too frequently. They +glided along, crossed the lake and were proceeding up the opposite +shore when, as they turned out from a little bay and rounded a +point of land, Mr. Sharp exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Look out, Tom, there's rowboat just ahead!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll pass well to one side of that," answered the young +inventor, looking at the craft. As he did so, noting that there +were four men in it, one of the occupants caught a glimpse of the +ARROW. No sooner had he done so than he spoke to his companions, +and they all turned to stare at Tom. At first the lad could +scarcely believe his eyes, but as he looked more intently he +uttered a cry.</p> + +<p>"There they are!"</p> + +<p>"Who?" inquired Mr. Sharp.</p> + +<p>"Those men—the thieves! We must catch them!"</p> + +<p>Tom had spoken loudly, but even though the men in the rowboat did +hear what he said, they would have realized without that that they +were about to be pursued, for there was no mistaking the attitude +of our hero.</p> + +<p>Two of the thieves were at the oars, and, with one accord, they at +once increased their speed. The boat swung about sharply and was +headed for the shore, which they seemed to have come from only a +short time previous, as the craft was not far out in the lake.</p> + +<p>"No, you don't!" cried Tom. "I see your game! You want to get to +the woods, where you'll have a better chance to escape! If this +isn't great luck, coming upon them this way!"</p> + +<p>It was the work of but a moment to speed up the engine and head +the ARROW for the rowboat. The men were pulling frantically, but +they had no chance.</p> + +<p>"Get between them and the shore!" cried Mr. Sharp. "You can head +them off then." This was good advice and Tom followed it. The +men, among whom the lad could recognize Happy Harry and Anson +Morse, were all excited. Two of them stood up, as though to jump +overboard, but their companions called to them to stop.</p> + +<p>"If we only had a gun now, not to shoot at them but to intimidate +them," murmured the balloonist, "maybe they'd stop."</p> + +<p>"Here's one," answered Tom, pointing to the seat locker, where he +kept the shotgun Mr. Duncan had given him. In a moment Mr. Sharp +had it out.</p> + +<p>"Surrender!" he cried, pointing the weapon at the men in the small +boat.</p> + +<p>"Don't shoot! Don't fire on us! We'll give up!" cried Happy +Harry, and the two with the oars ceased pulling.</p> + +<p>"Don't take any chances," urged Mr. Sharp in a low voice. "Keep +between them and the shore. I'll cover them." Tom was steering +from an auxiliary side wheel near the motor, and soon the ARROW +had cut off the retreat of the men. They could not land and to +row across the lake meant speedy capture.</p> + +<p>"Well, what do you want of us?" growled Morse. "What right have +you got to interfere with us in this fashion?"</p> + +<p>"The best of right," answered Tom. "You'll find out when you're +landed in jail."</p> + +<p>"You can't arrest us," sneered Happy Harry. "You're not an +officer and you haven't any warrant."</p> + +<p>Tom hadn't thought of that, and his chagrin showed in his face. +Happy Harry was quick to see it.</p> + +<p>"You'd better let us go," he threatened "We can have you arrested +for bothering us. You haven't any right to stop us, Tom Swift."</p> + +<p>"Maybe he hasn't, but I have!" exclaimed John Sharp suddenly.</p> + +<p>"You! Who are you?" demanded Featherton, alias Simpson, the man +who had run the automobile that carried Tom away.</p> + +<p>"Me. I'm a special deputy sheriff for this county," answered the +balloonist simply. "Here's my badge," and, throwing back his +coat, he displayed it. "You see I got the appointment in order to +have some authority in the crowds that gather to watch me go up," +he explained to Tom, who plainly showed his astonishment. "I +found it very useful to be able to threaten arrest, but in this +case I'll do more than threaten. You are my prisoners," he went +on to the men in the boat, and he handled the shotgun as if he +knew how to use it. "I'll take you into custody on complaint of +Mr. Swift for robbery. Now will you go quietly or are you going +to make a fuss?" and Mr. Sharp shut his jaw grimly.</p> + +<p>"Well, seeing as how you have the drop on us, I guess we'll have +to do as you say," admitted Happy Harry, alias Jim Burke. "But +you can't prove anything against us. We haven't any of Mr. +Swift's property."</p> + +<p>"Well, you know where it is then," retorted Tom quickly.</p> + +<p>Under the restraining influence of the gun the men made no +resistance. While Mr. Sharp covered them, Tom towed their boat +toward shore. Then, while the young inventor held the gun, the +balloonist tied the hands and feet of the thieves in a most +scientific manner, for what he did not know about ropes and knots +was not worth putting into a book.</p> + +<p>"Now, I guess they'll stay quiet for a while," remarked Mr. Sharp +as he surveyed the crestfallen criminals. "I'll remain on guard +here, Tom, while you go notify the nearest constable and we'll +take them to jail. We bagged the whole lot as neatly as could be +desired."</p> + +<p>"No, you didn't get all of us!" exclaimed Happy Harry, and there +was a savage anger in his tones.</p> + +<p>"Keep quiet!" urged Morse.</p> + +<p>"No, I'll not keep quiet! It's a shame that we have to take our +medicine while that trimmer, Tod Boreck, goes free. He ought to +have been with us, and he would be, only he's trying to get away +with that sparkler!"</p> + +<p>"Keep quiet," again urged Morse.</p> + +<p>Tom was all attention. He had caught the word "sparkler," and he +at once associated it with the occasion he had heard the men use +it before. He felt that he was on the track of solving the +mystery connected with his boat.</p> + +<p>He looked at the men. They were the same four who had been +involved in the former theft—Appleson, Featherton, Morse and +Burke. Were there five of them? He recalled the man who had been +caught tampering with his boat—the man who had tried to bid on +the ARROW at the auction. Where was he?</p> + +<p>"Boreck didn't get what he was after," resumed Happy Harry, "and +I'm going to spoil his game for him. Say, kid," he went on to +Tom, "look in the front part of your boat—where the gasoline +tank is."</p> + +<p>Tom felt his heart beating fast. At last he felt that he would +solve the puzzle. He opened the forward compartment. To his +disappointment it seemed as usual. Morse and the others were +making a vain effort to silence Happy Harry.</p> + +<p>"I don't see anything here," said Tom.</p> + +<p>"No, because it's hidden in one of those blocks of wood you use +for a brace," continued the man. "Which one it is, Boreck didn't +know, so he pulled out two or three, only to be fooled each time. +You must have shifted them, kid, from the way they were when we +had the boat."</p> + +<p>"I did," answered the young inventor, recollecting how he had +taken out some of the braces and inserted new ones, then painted +the interior of the compartment. "What is in the braces, anyhow?"</p> + +<p>"The sparkler—a big diamond—in a hollow place in the wood, +kid!" exclaimed Happy Harry, blurting out the words. "I'm not +going to let Tod Boreck get away with it while we stay in jail."</p> + +<p>"Take out all the braces that haven't been moved and have a look," +suggested Mr. Sharp. Tom only had to remove two, those farthest +back, for all the others had, at one time or another, been changed +or taken away by the thief.</p> + +<p>One of the blocks did not seem to have anything unusual about it, +but at the sight of the other Tom could not repress a cry. It was +the one that seemed to have had a hole bored in it and then +plugged up again. He remembered his father noticing it on the +occasion of overhauling the boat.</p> + +<p>"The sparkler's in there," said the tramp as he saw the brace. +"Boreck was after it several times, but he never pulled out the +right one."</p> + +<p>With his knife Tom dug out the putty that covered the round hole +in the block. No sooner had he done so than there rolled out into +his hand a white object. It was something done up in tissue +paper, and as he removed the wrapper, there was a flash in the +sunlight and a large, beautiful diamond was revealed. The mystery +had been solved.</p> + + +<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2> + +<h2>WINNING A RACE</h2> + +<p>"Where did this diamond come from?" demanded Mr. Sharp of the +quartette of criminals.</p> + +<p>"That's for us to know and you to find out," sneered Happy Harry. +"I don't care as long as that trimmer Boreck didn't get it. He +tried to do us out of our share."</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess the police will make you tell," went on the +balloonist. "Go for the constable, Tom."</p> + +<p>Leaving his friend to guard the ugly men, who for a time at least +were beyond the possibility of doing harm, Tom hurried off through +the woods to the nearest village. There he found an officer and +the gang was soon lodged in jail. The diamond was turned over to +the authorities, who said they would soon locate the owner.</p> + +<p>Nor were they long in doing it, for it appeared the gem was part +of a large jewel robbery that had taken place some time before in +a distant city. The Happy Harry gang, as the men came to be +called, were implicated in it, though they got only a small share +of the plunder. Search was made for Tod Boreck and he was +captured about a week after his companions. Seeing that their +game was up, the men made a partial confession, telling where Mr. +Swift's goods had been secreted, and the inventor's valuable +tools, papers and machinery were recovered, no damage having been +done to them.</p> + +<p>It developed that after the diamond theft, and when the gang still +had possession of Mr. Hastings' boat, Boreck, sometimes called +Murdock by his cronies, unknown to them, had secreted the jewel in +one of the braces under the gasoline tank. He expected to get it +out secretly, but the capture of the gang and the sale of the boat +prevented this. Then he tried to buy the craft to take out the +diamond, but Tom overbid him. It was Boreck who found Andy's +bunch of keys and used one to open the compartment lock when Tom +surprised him. The man did manage to remove some of the blocks, +thinking he had the one with the diamond in it, but the fact of +Tom changing them, and painting the compartment deceived him. The +gang hoped to get some valuables from Mr. Swift's shops, and, to a +certain extent, succeeded after hanging around for several nights +and following him to Sandport, but Tom eventually proved too much +for them. Even stealing the Arrow, which was taken to aid the +gang in robbing Mr. Swift, did not succeed, and Boreck's plan then +to get possession of the diamond fell through.</p> + +<p>It was thought that the gang would get long terms in prison, but +one night, during a violent storm, they escaped from the local +jail and that was the last seen of them for some time.</p> + +<p>A few days after the capture as Tom was in the boathouse making +some minor repairs to the motor he heard a voice calling:</p> + +<p>"Mistah Swift, am yo' about?"</p> + +<p>"Hello, Rad, is that you?" he inquired, recognizing the voice of +the colored owner of the mule Boomerang.</p> + +<p>"Yais, sa, dat's me. I got a lettah fo' yo'. I were passin' de +post-office an' de clerk asted me to brung it to yo' 'case as how +it's marked 'hurry,' an' he said he hadn't seen yo' to-day."</p> + +<p>"That's right. I've been so busy I haven't had time to go for the +mail," and Tom took the letter, giving Eradicate ten cents for his +trouble.</p> + +<p>"Ha, that's good!" exclaimed Tom as he read it.</p> + +<p>"Hab some one done gone an' left yo' a fortune, Mistah Swift?" +asked the negro.</p> + +<p>"No, but it's almost as good. It's an invitation to take part in +the motor-boat races next week. I'd forgotten all about them. I +must get ready."</p> + +<p>"Good land! Dat's all de risin' generation t'inks about now," +observed Eradicate, "racin' an' goin' fast. Mah ole mule +Boomerang am good enough fo' me," and, shaking his head in a +woeful manner, Eradicate went on his way.</p> + +<p>Tom told Mr. Sharp and his father of the proposed races of the +Lanton Motor-boat Club, and, as it was required that two persons +be in a craft the size of the ARROW, the young inventor arranged +for the balloonist to accompany him. Our hero spent the next few +days in tuning up his motor and in getting the ARROW ready for the +contest.</p> + +<p>The races took place on that side of Lake Carlopa near where Mr. +Hastings lived, and he was one of the officials of the club. +There were several classes, graded according to the horsepower of +the motors, and Tom found himself in a class with Andy Foger.</p> + +<p>"Here's where I beat you," boasted the red-haired youth +exultantly, though his manner toward Tom was more temperate than +usual. Andy had learned a lesson.</p> + +<p>"Well, if you can beat me I'll give you credit for it," answered +Tom.</p> + +<p>The first race was for high-powered craft, and in this Mr. +Hastings' new CARLOPA won. Then came the trial of the small +boats, and Tom was pleased to note that Miss Nestor was on hand in +the tiny DOT.</p> + +<p>"Good luck!" he called to her as he was adjusting his timer, for +his turn would come soon. "Remember what I told you about the +spark," for he had given her a few lessons.</p> + +<p>"If I win it will be due to you," she called brightly.</p> + +<p>She did win, coming in ahead of several confident lads who had +better boats. But Miss Nestor handled the DOT to perfection and +crossed the line a boat's length ahead of her nearest competitor.</p> + +<p>"Fine!" cried Tom, and then came the warning gun that told him to +get ready for his trial.</p> + +<p>This was a five-mile race and had several entrants. The affair +was a handicap one and Tom had no reason to complain of the rating +allowed him.</p> + +<p>"Crack!" went the starting pistol and away went Tom and one or two +others who had the same allowance as did he. A little later the +others started and finally the last class, including Andy Foger. +The RED STREAK shot ahead and was soon in the lead, for Andy and +Sam had learned better how to handle their craft. Tom and Mr. +Sharp were worried, but they stuck grimly to the race and when the +turning stake was reached Tom's motor had so warmed up and was +running so well that he crept up on Andy. A mile from the final +mark Andy and Tom were on even terms, and though the red-haired +lad tried to shake off his rival he could not. Andy's ignition +system failed him several times and he changed from batteries to +magneto and back again in the hope of getting a little more speed +out of the motor.</p> + +<p>But it was not to be. A half-mile away from the finish Tom, who +had fallen behind a little, crept up on even terms. Then he +slowly forged ahead, and, a hundred rods from the stake, the young +inventor knew that the race was his. He clinched it a few minutes +later, crossing the line amid a burst of cheers. The ARROW had +beaten several boats out of her own class and Tom was very proud +and happy.</p> + +<p>"My, but we certainly did scoot along some!" cried Mr. Sharp. +"But that's nothing to how we'll go when we build our airship, eh, +Tom?" and he looked at the flushed face of the lad.</p> + +<p>"No, indeed," agreed the young inventor. "But I don't know that +we'll take part in any races in it. We'll build it, however, as +soon as we can solve that one difficulty."</p> + +<p>They did solve it, as will be told in the next book of this +series, to be called "Tom Swift and His Airship; or, The Stirring +Cruise of the RED CLOUD." They had some remarkable adventures in +the wonderful craft, and solved the mystery of a great bank +robbery.</p> + +<p>This ended the contests of the motor-boats and the little fleet +crowded up to the floats and docks, where the prizes were to be +awarded. Tom received a handsome silver cup and Miss Nestor a +gold bracelet.</p> + +<p>"Now I want all the contestants, winners and losers, to come up to +my house and have lunch," invited Mr. Hastings.</p> + +<p>As Tom and the balloonist strolled up the walk to the handsome +house Andy Foger passed them.</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't have beaten me if my spark coil hadn't gone back on +me," he said, somewhat sneeringly.</p> + +<p>"Maybe," admitted Tom, and just then he caught sight of Mary +Nestor. "May I take you in to lunch?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said, "because you helped me to win," and she blushed +prettily. And then they all sat down to the tables set out on the +lawn, while Tom looked so often at Mary Nestor that Mr. Sharp said +afterward it was a wonder he found time to eat. But Tom didn't +care. He was happy.</p> + + +<pre>End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of Tom Swift And His Motor-Boat</pre> + + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/old/02tom10h.zip b/old/02tom10h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..99c5003 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/02tom10h.zip diff --git a/old/02tom10l.lit b/old/02tom10l.lit Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..63d44a1 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/02tom10l.lit diff --git a/old/02tom10l.zip b/old/02tom10l.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d99c4ae --- /dev/null +++ b/old/02tom10l.zip diff --git a/old/02tom10p.prc b/old/02tom10p.prc Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..28d1a25 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/02tom10p.prc diff --git a/old/02tom10p.zip b/old/02tom10p.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..02d475e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/02tom10p.zip |