His first act, after going to look at the small motor, which was being run with the larger, experimental storage battery, was to get out pencil and paper.
"I've got to plan the electric auto now that my battery is in a fair way to success," he said, for he noted that the one cell he had constructed had done over twice as much mileage in proportion, as had the small battery."I'll soon start building the car," mused Tom, "and then I'll enter it in the race.I must write to that touring club and find how much time I have."All that morning the young inventor drew plan after plan for an electric runabout, and rejected them.Finally he threw aside paper andpencil and exclaimed:
"It's no use.I can't think to-day.I'm dwelling too much on what happened last night.I must clear my brain.
"I know what I'll do.I'll get in my motor-boat and take a run over to Waterfield to see Mr.Damon.Maybe he's home by this time.Then I can ask him what Mr.Foger wanted to see him about, if he did call."It was a fine May morning, and Tom was soon in his boat, the Arrow, gliding over Lake Carlopa, the waters of which sparkled in the sun.As he speeded up his craft, the lad looked about, thinking he might catch sight of Andy Foger, for the bully also owned a boat, called the Red Streak and, more than once, in spite of the fact that Andy's craft was the more powerful, Tom had beaten him in impromptu races.But there was no sign of his rival this morning, and Tom kept on to Waterfield.He found that Mr.Damon had not yet returned home.
"So far I've had my run for nothing," mused the youth."Well, I might as well spend the rest of the morning in the boat."He swung his craft out into the lake, and headed back toward Mansburg, intending to run up to the head of the body of water, which offered so many attractions that beautiful morning.
As Tom passed a small dock he saw a girl just putting out in a rowboat.The figure looked familiar and, having nothing special to do, the lad steered over closer.His first view was confirmed, and he called out cheerfully:
"Good morning, Miss Nestor.Going for a row?""Oh! Mr.Swift!" exclaimed the girl with a blush."I didn't hear you coming.You startled me.""Yes, the engine runs quite silently since I fixed it," resumed Tom."But where are you going?""I was going for a row," answered the girl, "but I have just discovered that one of the oar locks is broken, so I am not going for a row," and she laughed, showing her white, even teeth.
"That's too bad!" remarked the lad."I don't suppose," he added doubtfully, "that I could induce you to accept a motor-boat as a substitute for a rowing craft, could I?" and he looked quizzically at her.
"Are you asking me that as a hypothetical question?" she inquired."Yes," said Tom, trying not to smile.
"Well, if you are asking for information, merely, I will say that I could he induced to make such a change," and her face was nearly as grave as that of the young inventor's.
"What inducement would have to be used?" he asked.
"Suppose you just ask me in plain English to come and have a ride?" she suggested.
"All right, I will!" exclaimed the youth.
"All right, then I'll come!" she retorted with a laugh, and a few minutes later the two were in the Arrow, making a pretty picture as they speeded up the lake.
