Part 28 (2/2)

”The crossroads was as far as we could trace you,” remarked Ned.

”Well, it wasn't as far as they took me, by any means,” Tom said. ”They brought me here, took me out of the machine--and I noticed that they'd brought mine along--and then they carted me into the vault.

”But they didn't have it all their own way,” said Tom grimly. ”I managed to get the ropes loose, and I had a regular knock down and drag out with them for a while. But they were too many for me, and locked me up in that place after taking away everything I had in my pockets.”

”Were they highwaymen?” asked Mr. Kimtall.

”No, for they tossed back my money, watch and some trifles like that,”

Tom answered. ”I didn't recognize any of the men, though one of them must have known me, for when they had me tied I heard one of them ask if I was the right party, and another said I was. I know they must belong to the same gang that Simpson, Blakeson, and Schwen are members of--the German spies.”

”But what was their object?” asked Ned. ”Did they try to force you to tell them the secrets of the tank?”

”No; and that's the funny part which makes me so suspicious,” Tom answered. ”If they'd tried to force something out of me, I would understand it better. But they just kept me a prisoner after taking away what papers I had.”

”Were they of any value?” asked Mr. Damon.

”Not as regards the tank. That is, there was nothing of my plans of construction, control or anything like that, though there was some foreign correspondence that I am sorry fell into their hands. However, that can't be helped.”

”And did they just keep you locked up?” asked Ned.

”That's about all they did. After the fight--and it was some fight!”

declared Tom, as he recalled it with a shake of his head--”they left me here with the door shut. There must have been some one on guard, for I could faintly hear somebody moving about.

”I tried to get out, of course, but I couldn't. That vault must have been made to hold something very valuable, for it was almost as strong and solid as one in your bank, Ned. The only window was placed so high that I couldn't reach it, and it was barred at that.

”They opened the door a little, several times, to toss in once some old bags that I made into a bed, and next they gave me a little water and some sandwiches--German bologna sausage sandwiches, Ned! What do you think of that--adding insult to injury?”

”That was tough!” Ned admitted.

”Well, I had to put up with it, for I was half starved, and as sore as a boil from the fight. I didn't know what to do. I knew that you'd miss me sooner or later, and set out to find me, but I hardly thought you'd think of this place. They couldn't have picked out a much better prison to hold me, for, naturally, you wouldn't suppose enough of it was left standing, after my tank had walked through it, to make a hiding place.

”However, there was, and here I've been kept. At last I thought of the plan of sending out a message on the sc.r.a.p of paper I could tear out of my hat. So I wrote it, and after several trials I managed to toss it out of the window. Then I just had to wait, and that was the hardest of all. The last twelve hours I've been without food, and I haven't heard any one around, so I guess they've skipped out and don't intend to come back.”

”We didn't see any one,” Ned reported. ”Maybe they became frightened, Tom.”

”I wish I could think that,” was the answer. ”What is more likely to be the case is that they're up to some new tricks. I must get back home quickly.”

And after a stop had been made at a farmhouse belonging to a business acquaintance of Ned's, where Tom was able to wash and get a cup of hot tea, which added to his recuperative powers, the young inventor, with Ned and Mr. Damon, set out for Shopton.

Before Mr. Kimball started for his home, renewed thanks had been made to the farmer and his son for the part they had played in the rescue, and the young inventor, learning that the boy had a liking for things mechanical, promised to aid him in his intention to become a machinist.

”But first get a good education,” Tom advised. ”Keep on with your school work, and when the time comes I'll take you into my shop.”

”And maybe he'll make a tank that will rival yours, Tom,” said Ned.

”Maybe he will! I hope he does. If he comes along fast enough, he can help with something else I'm going to start soon.”

”Whats that?” asked Mr. Damon.

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