Part 3 (1/2)

”Why he--by Jove! Tom, he's looking at us through opera gla.s.ses, like that other--”

”It isn't ANOTHER, it's the same fellow!” whispered Tom. ”It's the spy who was watching Andy! I'm going to see what's up,” and he strode rapidly toward the street, at the curb of which was the tree that partly screened the man behind it.

CHAPTER III

QUEER REPAIRS

Quickly Tom Swift crossed the s.p.a.ce between the airs.h.i.+p, that was ready for a flight, and the tree. The man behind it had apparently not seen Tom coming, being so interested in looking at the airs.h.i.+p, which was a wonderful craft. He was taken completely by surprise as Tom, stepping up to him, asked sharply:

”Who are you and what are you doing here?”

The man started so that he nearly dropped the opera gla.s.ses, which he had held focused on the aeroplane. Then he stepped back, and eyed Tom sharply.

”What do you want?” repeated our hero. ”What right have you to be spying on that airs.h.i.+p--on these premises?” The man hesitated a moment, and then coolly returned the gla.s.ses to his pocket. He did not seem at all put out, after his first start of surprise.

”What are you doing?” Tom again asked. He looked around to see where Koku, the giant, was, and beheld the big man walking slowly toward him, for Ned had mentioned what had taken place.

”What right have you to question my actions?” asked the man, and there was in his tones a certain authority that made Tom wonder.

”Every right,” retorted our hero. ”That is my airs.h.i.+p, at which you have been spying, and this is where I live.”

”Oh, it is; eh?” asked the man calmly. ”And that's your airs.h.i.+p, too?”

”I invented it, and built the most of it myself. If you are interested in such things, and can a.s.sure me that you have no spying methods in view, I can show you--”

”Have you other airs.h.i.+ps?” interrupted the man quickly.

”Yes, several,” answered Tom. ”But I can't understand why you should be spying on me. If you don't care to accept my offer, like a gentleman, tell me who you are, and what your object is, I will have my a.s.sistant remove you. You are on private property, as this street is not a public one, being cut through by my father. I'll have Koku remove you by force, if you won't go peaceably, and I think you'll agree with me that Koku can do it. Here Koku,” he called sharply, and the big man advanced quickly.

”I wouldn't do anything rash, if I were you,” said the man quietly.

”As for this being private property, that doesn't concern me. You're Tom Swift, aren't you; and you have several airs.h.i.+ps?”

”Yes, but what right have you to--”

”Every right!” interrupted the man, throwing back the lapel of his coat, and showing a badge. ”I'm Special Agent William Whitford, of the United States Customs force, and I'd like to ask you a few questions, Tom Swift.” He looked our hero full in the face.

”Customs department!” gasped Tom. ”You want to ask me some questions?”

”That's it,” went on the man, in a business-like voice.

”What about?”

”Smuggling by airs.h.i.+p from Canada!”

”What!” cried Tom. ”Do you mean to say you suspect me of being implicated in--”

”Now go easy,” advised the man calmly. ”I didn't say anything, except that I wanted to QUESTION you. If you'd like me to do it out here, why I can. But as someone might hear us--”

”Come inside,” said Tom quietly, though his heart was beating in a tumult. ”You may go, Koku, but stay within call,” he added significantly. ”Come on, Ned,” and he motioned to his chum who was approaching. ”This man is a custom officer and not a spy or a detective, as we thought.”

”Oh, yes, I am a SORT of a detective,” corrected Mr. Whitford. ”And I'm a spy, too, in a way, for I've been spying on you, and some other parties in town. But you may be able to explain everything,”