Part 8 (1/2)
”I left the gas on until all the furniture should be taken out,” he explained ”But you will find nothing here”
It needed but a glance about the place to show that only some odds and ends of furniture was all that it contained
”Where does this door lead to,” asked Mr Whitford, when he had made a tour of the place
”Nowhere Oh, that is only down into the cellar” was the reply
”There is nothing there”
”We can't take anything for granted,” went on the agent with a smile ”I'll take a look down there”
He descended with some of his e, while Andy and his father conversed in low tones, occasionally casting glances at our heroes Once Toer looked apprehensively toward the door, through which the custom
But when Mr Whitford came back, with a disappointed look on his face, and said there was nothing to be found, Mr Foger smiled:
”What did I tell you?” he asked triumphantly
”Never h with Shopton yet”
”I'ave you so much trouble on a false clew,” said Toer pre
”That's all right, Toed to you Either ere on the wrong track, or the Fogers are ave the to propose to you It has come to me in the last few minutes I saw you in your airshi+p once, and I know you kno to e such craft Now there is no question inairshi+ps Tom, will you undertake a mission for Uncle Sao to the border, in your airshi+p, and try to catch the s reward, and much fame if we catch them An airshi+p is just what is needed You are the one to do it Will you?”
CHAPTER VII
A SEARCHLIGHT IS NEEDED
For a few moments after the custom officer had hts were busy with s
Somehow, it seemed of late, there had been
In the past he had not hesitated, but in those cases friendshi+p, as well as a desire for adventures, had urged hiht he had had his fill of adventures
”Well?” asked Mr Whitford, gently ”What's your answer, Tom? Don't you think this is a sort of duty-call to you?”
”A duty-call?” repeated the young inventor
”Yes Of course I realize that it isn't like a soldier's call to battle, but Uncle Sam needs you just the same When there is a war the soldiers are called on to repel an enelers are just as much an enemy of the United States, in a certain way, as an armed invader would be”
”One strikes at the life and liberty of the people, while the slers try to cheat Uncle Sa to enter into a discussion as to the right of the government to impose duties People have their own opinion as to that But, as long as the law says certain duties are to be collected, it is the duty of every citizen, not only to pay those dues, but to help collect the you to do, Toet prosy, or deliver a lecture on the work of the custom house, Tom, but, honestly, I think it is a duty you owe to your country to help catch these slers I admit I'ers see We need your help, Tom”