Tom Swift and His Sky Racer; Or The Quickest Flight on Record Read online

  Chapter Seven

  Seeking a Clue

  John Sharp was more than surprised at the effect his piece ofinformation had on Tom Swift. Though the young inventor had all alongsuspected Andy of having the missing plans, yet there had been nopositive evidence on this point. That, coupled with the fact that thered-haired bully had not been seen in the vicinity of Shopton lately,had, in a measure, lulled Tom's suspicions to rest, but now his hopehad been rudely shattered.

  "Do you really think that's his game?" asked Mr. Sharp.

  "I'm sure of it," replied the youth. "Though where he is building hisaeroplane I can't imagine, for I haven't seen him in town. He's away."

  "Are you sure of that?"

  "Well, not absolutely sure," replied Tom. "It's the general rumor thathe's out of town."

  "Well, old General Rumor is sometimes a person not to be relied upon,"remarked the balloonist grimly. "Now this is the way I size it up: Ofcourse, all I know officially is that Andy Foger has sent in an entryfor the big race for the ten-thousand-dollar prize which is offered bythe Eagle Park Aviation Association. I'm a member of the arrangementscommittee, and so I know. I also know that you and several others aregoing to try for the prize. That's all I am absolutely sure of.

  "Now, when you tell me about the missing plans, and you conclude thatAndy is doing some underhanded work, I agree with you. But I go a stepfarther. I don't believe he's out of town at all."

  "Why not?" exclaimed Tom.

  "Because when he has an airship shed right in his own backyard, where,you tell me, he once made a craft in which he tried to beat you out inthe trip to Alaska, when you think of that, doesn't it seem reasonablethat he'd use that same building in which to make his new craft?"

  "Yes, it does," admitted Tom slowly, "but then everybody says he's outof town."

  "Well, what everybody says is generally not so. I think you'll findthat Andy is keeping himself in seclusion, and that he's workingsecretly in his shop, building a machine with which to beat you."

  "Do you, really?"

  "I certainly do. Have you been around his place lately?"

  "No. I've been too busy; and then I never have much to do with him."

  "Then take my advice, and see if you can't get a look inside that shop.You may see something that will surprise you. If you find that Andy isinfringing on your patented ideas, you can stop him by an injunction.You've got this model patented, I take it?"

  "Oh, yes. I didn't have at the time the plans were stolen, but I'vepatented it since. I could get at him that way."

  "Then take my advice, and do it. Get a look inside that shed, andyou'll find Andy working secretly there, no matter if his cronies dothink he's out of town."

  "I believe I will," agreed Tom, and somehow he felt better now that hehad decided on a plan of action. He and the balloonist talked over atsome length just the best way to go about it, for the young inventorrecalled the time when he and Ned Newton had endeavored to look intoAndy's shed, with somewhat disastrous results to themselves; but Tomknew that the matter at stake justified a risk, and he was willing totake it.

  "Well, now that's settled," said Mr. Sharp, "tell me more aboutyourself and your aeroplane. My! To think that the Red Cloud wasdestroyed! That was a fine craft."

  "Indeed she was," agreed Tom. "I'm going to make another on similarlines, some day, but now all my time is occupied with the Humming-Bird."

  "She is a hummer, too," complimented Mr. Sharp. "But I almost forgotthe real object of my trip here. There is no doubt about you going inthe race, is there?"

  "I fully expect to," replied Tom. "The only thing that will prevent mewill be--"

  "Don't say you're worried on account of what Andy Foger may do,"interrupted Mr. Sharp.

  "I'm not. I'll attend to Andy, all right. I was going to say that myfather's illness might interfere. He's not well at all. I'm quiteworried about him."

  "Oh, I sincerely hope he'll be all right," remarked the balloonist. "Wewant you in this race. In fact, we're going to feature you, as they sayabout the actors and story-writers. The committee is planning to doconsiderable advertising on the strength of Tom Swift, the well-knownyoung inventor, being a contestant for the ten-thousand-dollar prize."

  "That's very nice, I'm sure," replied Tom, "and I'm going to do mybest. Perhaps dad will take a turn for the better. He wants me to winas much as I want to myself. Well, we'll not worry about it, anyhow,until the time comes. I want to show you some new features of my latestaeroplane."

  "And I want to see them, Tom. Don't you think you're making a mistake,though, in equipping it with a wireless outfit?"

  "Why so?"

  "Well, because it will add to the weight, and you want such a smallmachine to be as light as possible."

  "Yes, but you see I have a very light engine. That part my fatherhelped me with. In fact, it is the lightest air-cooled motor made, forthe amount of horsepower it develops, so I can afford to put on theextra weight of the wireless outfit. I may need to signal when I amflying along at a hundred miles an hour."

  "That's so. Well, show me some of the other good points. You'vecertainly got a wonderful craft here."

  Tom and Mr. Sharp spent some time going over the Humming-Bird and intalking over old times. The balloonist paid another visit to Mr. Swift,who was feeling pretty good, and who expressed his pleasure in seeinghis old friend again.

  "Can't you stay for a few days?" asked Tom, when Mr. Sharp was about toleave. "If you wait long enough you may be able to help me work up theclues against Andy Foger, and also witness a trial flight of theHumming-Bird."

  "I'd like to stay, but I can't," was the answer. "The committee will beanxious for me to get back with my report. Good luck to you. I'll seeyou at the time of the race, if not before."

  Tom resolved to get right to work seeking clues against his old enemy,Andy, but the next day Mr. Swift was not so well, and Tom had to remainin the house. Then followed several days, during which time it wasnecessary to do some important work on his craft, and so a week passedwithout any information having been obtained.

  In the meanwhile Tom had made some cautious inquiries, but had learnednothing about Andy. He had no chance to interview Pete or Sam, the twocronies, and he did not think it wise to make a bald request forinformation at the Foger home.

  Ned Newton could not be of any aid to his friend, as he was kept busyin the bank night and day, working over a new set of books.

  "I wonder how I can find out what I want to know?" mused Tom oneafternoon, when he had done considerable work on the Humming-Bird. "Icertainly ought to do it soon, so as to be able to stop Andy if he'sinfringing on my patents. Yet, I don't see how--"

  His thoughts were interrupted by hearing a voice outside the shop,exclaiming:

  "Bless my toothpick! I know the way, Eradicate, my good fellow. Itisn't necessary for you to come. As long as Tom Swift is out there,I'll find him. Bless my horizontal rudder! I'm anxious to see whatprogress he's made. I'll find him, if he's about!"

  "Yes, sah, he's right in dere," spoke the colored man. "He's workin' ondat Dragon Fly of his." Eradicate did not always get his names right.

  "Mr. Damon!" exclaimed Tom in delight, at the sound of his friend'svoice. "I believe he can help me get evidence against Andy Foger. Iwonder I didn't think of it before! The very thing! I'll do it!"