Part 6 (1/2)
”Oh, he hasn't come back from Was.h.i.+ngton yet,” answered the housekeeper.
”He is making a long stay.”
”Yes, he went about a week ago on some business. But we expect him back to-day.”
”Well, then I'll see him. I called to ask if Mr. Swift didn't want to take a few more bonds. We want to double our allotment for Shopton, and beat out some of the other towns in this section. I'll go to see Mr.
Swift.”
On his way to find Tom's father Ned pa.s.sed the big building in front of which Eradicate and Koku were on guard. They nodded to Ned, who pa.s.sed them, wondering much as to what it was Tom was so secretive about.
”It's the first time I remember when he worked on an invention without telling me something about it,” mused Ned. ”Well, I suppose it will all come out in good time. Anything new, Rad?”
”No, Ma.s.sa Ned, nuffin much. I'm detectin' around heah; keepin'
Dutchmen spies away!”
”And Koku is helping you, I suppose?”
”Whut, him? Dat big, good-fo'-nuffin white trash? No, sah! I's detectin' by mahse'f, dat's whut I is!” and Eradicate strutted proudly up and down on his allotted part of the beat, being careful not to approach the building too closely, for that was Koku's ground.
Ned smiled, and pa.s.sed on. He found Mr. Swift, secured his subscription to more bonds, and was about to leave when he heard a call down the road and saw Tom coming in his small racing car, which had been taken to the depot by one of the workmen.
”h.e.l.lo, old man!” cried Ned affectionately, as his chum alighted with a jump. ”Where have you been?”
”Down to Was.h.i.+ngton. Had a bit of a chat with the President and gave him some of my views.”
”About the war, I suppose?” laughed Ned.
”Yes.”
”Did you get your commission?”
”Commission?” And there was a wondering look on Tom's face.
”Yes. Mary Nestor said she thought maybe you were going to Was.h.i.+ngton to take an examination for the engineering corps or something like that. Did you get made an officer?”
”No,” answered Tom slowly. ”I went to Was.h.i.+ngton to get exempted.”
”Exempted?” Cried Ned, and his voice sounded strained.
Chapter VI
Seeing Things
For a moment Tom Swift looked at his chum. Then something of what was pa.s.sing in the mind of the young bond salesman must have been reflected to Tom, for he said,
”Look here, old man; I know it may seem a bit strange to go to all that trouble to get exempted from the draft, to which I am eligible, but, believe me, there's a reason. I can't say anything now, but I'll tell you as soon as I can--tell everybody, in fact. Just now it isn't in shape to talk about.”