"Well, now that's settled," said Mr.Sharp, "tell me more about yourself and your aeroplane.My! To think that the Red Cloud was destroyed! That was a fine craft.""Indeed she was," agreed Tom."I'm going to make another on similar lines, some day, but now all my time is occupied with the Humming Bird." "She is a hummer, too," complimented Mr.Sharp."But I almost forgotthe real object of my trip here.There is no doubt about you going in the race, is there?""I fully expect to," replied Tom."The only thing that will prevent me will be--""Don't say you're worried on account of what Andy Foger may do," interrupted Mr.Sharp.
"I'm not.I'll attend to Andy, all right.I was going to say that myfather's illness might interfere.He's not well at all.I'm quite worried about him.""Oh, I sincerely hope he'll be all right," remarked the balloonist."We want you in this race.In fact, we're going to feature you, as they say about the actors and story- writers.The committee is planning to do considerable advertising on the strength of Tom Swift, the well-known young inventor, being a contestant for the ten-thousand- dollar prize.""That's very nice, I'm sure," replied Tom, "and I'm going to do my best.Perhaps dad will take a turn for the better.He wants me to win as much as I want to myself.Well, we'll not worry about it, anyhow, until the time comes.I want to show you some new features of my.latest aeroplane.""And I want to see them, Tom.Don't you think you're making a mistake, though, in equipping it with a wireless outfit?""Why so?"
"Well, because it will add to the weight, and you want such a small machine to be as light as possible.""Yes, but you see I have a very light engine.That part my father helped me with.In fact, it is the lightest air- cooled motor made, for the amount of horsepower it develops, so I can afford to put on the extra weight of the wireless outfit.I may need to signal when I am flying along at a hundred miles an hour.""That's so.Well, show me some of the other good points.You've certainly got a wonderful craft here."Tom and Mr.Sharp spent some time going over the Humming- Bird and in talking over old times.The balloonist paid another visit to Mr.Swift, who was feeling pretty good, and who expressed his pleasure in seeing his old friend again.
"Can't you stay for a few days?" asked Tom, when Mr.Sharp was about to leave."If you wait long enough you may be able to help me work up the clues against Andy Foger, and also witness a trial flight of the Humming-Bird.""I'd like to stay, but I can't," was the answer."The committee will be anxious for me to get back with my report.Good luck to you.I'll see you at the time of the race, if not before."Tom resolved to get right to work seeking clues against his old enemy, Andy, but the next day Mr.Swift was not so well, and Tom had to remain in the house.Then followed several days, during which time it was necessary to do some important work on his craft, and so a week passed without any information having been obtained.
In the meanwhile Tom had made some cautious inquiries, but had learned nothing about Andy.He had no chance to interview Pete or Sam, the two cronies, and he did not think it wise to make a bald request for information at the Foger home.
Ned Newton could not be of any aid to his friend, as he was kept busy in the bank night and day, working over a new set of books.
"I wonder how I can find out what I want to know?" mused Tom one afternoon, when he had done considerable work on the Humming-Bird."I certainly ought to do it soon, so as to be able to stop Andy if he's infringing on my patents.Yet, I don't see how--"His thoughts were interrupted by hearing a voice outside the shop, exclaiming:
"Bless my toothpick! I know the way, Eradicate, my good fellow.It isn't necessary for you to come.As long as Tom Swift is out there, I'll find him.Bless my horizontal rudder! I'm anxious to see what progress he's made.I'll find him, if he's about!""Yes, sah, he's right in dere," spoke the colored man."He's workin' on dat Dragon Fly of his." Eradicate did not always get his names right.
"Mr.Damon!" exclaimed Tom in delight, at the sound of his friend's voice."I believe he can help me get evidence against Andy Foger.I wonder I didn't think of it before! The very thing! I'll do it!"
