Part 25 (1/2)
Tom Swift decided that to leave this matter to chance or to the eye of the occupant of an airshi+p was too indefinite Accordingly he invented a uns With this it was a conated place
To accomplish this it was necessary to take into consideration the speed of the airshi+p, its height above the ground, the velocity of the wind, the weight of the grenades, and other things of this sort But by an intricate mathematical process Tom solved the problem, so that it was only necessary to set certain pointers and levers along a slide rule in the cockpit of the craft Then when the releasing catch was pressed, the grenades would drop down just about where they wereis ready,” said To sure that all the cheentlemen, ill take our places and start in about half an hour,” he added ”I want to say goodbye to my father, and cheer up Rad--if I can”
”The doctor will know tomorroill he?” asked Mr Damon
”Yes And I'm sorry I will not be here to listen to the report,” said Toh I am almost afraid to receive it,” he added in a low voice ”I shall blah the remainder of his life blind”
”It couldn't be helped,” said Ned ”We'll hope for the best”
”Yes,” agreed Tom, ”that's all we can do--hope for the best By the way,” he went on, turning to Mr Baxter, ”are you any nearer fastening the guilt on those two rascals, Field and Melling?”
”Blessattorney, no!” exclaimed Mr Damon ”Those are the slickest scoundrels I ever tackled! They're like a flea Once you think you have them where you want the around”
”I've about given up,” said Mr Baxter, in discouraged tones ”I guess one forever”
”Don't say that!” exclai to tackle the problem myself We'll either make those fellows sorry they ever et up a new combination of dyes that will put thelad to hear you talk that way!” cried Mr
Damon
”Well, Rad, I'll expect to see you up and around when I get back,” said Tom to his old servant, as he stepped into the sick roooin', Massa Toed head in the direction of the beloved voice
”Yes I'uisher, you know”
”De same one whut fizzed up, an'--an' busted me in de eyes, Massa Tom?”
”Yes, Rad, I'm sorry to say, it's the same one”
”Oh, shucks now, Massa Toht when yo' gits back De doctor iant calls him--says I'll suah be better”
”Of course you will,” declared Toert reht of Rad's burned face and the eyes that had to be kept closed if ever they were again to look on the sunshi+ne and flowers ”And when I coe a little fire for your benefit, and show you how quickly I can put it out”
”Ha! dat's whut I wants to see, Massa Tom, I suah does like to see fires!” chuckled Eradicate ”Mah ole --does yo' 'member him, Massa To he liked fires, too Liked 'eit hi, Massa Toot no time to waste on an ole culled man whut's seen his best days
Yas-sir, I reckon I'se seen mah best days,” and the smile died from the honest, black face
”Oh, don't talk like that!” cried Toot a lot of work in you yet, Rad Hasn't he, Koku?” and the young inventor appealed to the giant, who seldoood man--hi very broadly