Part 9 (2/2)

”Very. I have--But I forget, I do not know you nor you me. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Mr. Walter Simpson, and I am here on a visit I just happened to walk out this way, and, seeing a small stream, thought I should like to fish. I usually carry lines and hooks, and all I needed was the pole. I was looking for it when I heard you, and--”

”I felt you!” interrupted Ned, with a short laugh. He told his own name, but that was all, and seemed about to pa.s.s on.

”Are there any locomotive shops around here?” asked Mr. Simpson.

”Locomotive shops?” queried Ned. ”None that I know of. Why?”

”Well, I heard heavy machinery being used down there;” and he waved his hand toward Tom's shops, ”and I thought--”

”Oh, you mean Shopton!” exclaimed Ned. ”That's the Swift plant. No, they don't make locomotives, though they could if they wanted to, for they turn out airs.h.i.+ps, submarines, tunnel diggers, and I don't know what.”

”Do they make munitions there--for the Allies?” asked Mr. Simpson, and there was an eager look on his face.

”No, I don't believe so,” Ned answered; ”though, in fact, I don't know enough of the place to be in a position to give you any information about it,” he told the man, not deeming it wise to go into particulars.

Perhaps the man felt this, as he did not press for an answer.

The two stood looking at one another for some little time, and then the man, with a bow that had in it something of insolence, as well as politeness, turned and went down the path up which Ned had come.

The young bank clerk waited a little while, and then turned his attention to the tree which seemed to have suddenly a.s.sumed an importance altogether out of proportion to its size.

”Well, since I'm here I'll have a look up that tree,” decided Ned.

Favoring his bruised hand, Ned essayed the ascent of the tree more successfully this time. As he rose up among the branches he found he could look down directly into the yard with the high fence about it. He Could see only a portion, good as his vantage point was, and that portion had in it a few workmen--nothing else.

”No elephants there,” said Ned, with a smile, as he remembered Harry's excitement. ”Still it's just as well for Tom to know that his place can be looked down on. I'll go and tell him.”

As Ned descended the tree he caught a glimpse, off to one side among some bushes, of something moving.

”I wonder if that's my Simp friend, playing I spy?” mused Ned. ”Guess I'd better have a look.”

He worked his way carefully close to the spot where he had seen the movement. Proceeding then with more caution, watching each step and parting the bushes with a careful hand, Ned beheld what he expected.

There was the late occupant of the pine tree the man who had stepped on Ned's fingers, applying a small telescope to his eye and gazing in the direction of Tom Swift's home.

The man stood concealed in a screen of bushes with his back toward Ned, and seemed oblivious to his surroundings. He moved the gla.s.s to and fro, and seemed eagerly intent on discovering something.

”Though what he can see of Tom's place from there isn't much,” mused Ned. ”I've tried it myself, and I know; you have to be on an elevation to look down. Still it shows he's after something, all right. Guess I'll throw a little scare into him.”

As yet, Ned believed himself un.o.bserved, and that his presence was not suspected was proved a moment later when he shouted:

”Hey! What are you doing there?”

He had his eye on the partially concealed man, and the latter, as Ned said afterward, jumped fully two feet in the air, dropping his telescope as he did so, and turning to face the lad.

”Oh, it's you, is it?” he faltered.

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