Part 14 (1/2)
”Well, it's past time now. I don't know whether to start, or to wait.”
”Wait a few minutes more,” advised Ned. ”His train may be a few minutes behind time.”
They waited half an hour, and Tom was on the point of starting when a messenger boy came hurrying into the yard where the great airs.h.i.+p rested on its bicycle wheels.
”A telegram for you, Tom,” called the lad, who was well acquainted with our hero.
Hastily the young inventor tore open the envelope.
”Here's news!” he exclaimed,
”What is it?” asked Ned.
”It's from Mr. Whitford,” answered his chum. ”He says: 'Can't be with you at start. Will meet you in Logansville. Have new clew to the Fogers!'”
”Great Scott!” cried Ned, staring at his chum.
CHAPTER XI
ANDY'S NEW AIRs.h.i.+P
Tom Swift tossed a quarter to the messenger boy, and leaped over the rail to the deck of his airs.h.i.+p, making his way toward the pilot house.
”Start the motor, Ned,” he called. ”Are you all ready, Mr. Damon?”
”Bless my ancient history, yes. But--”
”Are you going, Tom?” asked Ned.
”Of course. That's why we're here; isn't it? We're going to start for the border to catch the smugglers. Give me full speed, I want the motor to warm up.”
”But that message from Mr. Whitford? He says he has a new clew to the Fogers.”
”That's all right. He may have, but he doesn't ask us to work it up.
He says he will meet us in Logansville, and he can't if we don't go there. We're off for Logansville. Good-bye dad. I'll bring you back a souvenir, Mrs. Baggert,” he called to the housekeeper. ”Sorry you're not coming, Rad, but I'll take you next time.”
”Dat's all right, Ma.s.sa Tom. I doan't laik dem smugger-fellers, nohow. Good-bye an' good luck!”
”Bless my grab bag!” gasped Mr. Damon. ”You certainly do things, Tom.”
”That's the only way to get things done,” replied the young inventor. ”How about you, Ned? Motor all right?”
”Sure.”
”Then let her go!”
A moment later Ned had started the machinery, and Tom, in the pilot house, had pulled the lever of the elevating rudder. Whizzing along, but making scarcely any sound, the noiseless airs.h.i.+p mounted upward, and was off on her flight to capture the men who were cheating Uncle Sam.
”What are you going to do first, when you get there, Tom?” asked Ned, as he joined his chum in the pilot house, having set the motor and other apparatus to working automatically. ”I mean in Logansville?”