Part 4 (1/2)

To library , the saer The casement was open, and Tom noted that the screen was also unhooked It had been closed when he went to get the model, he was sure of that

”Look, dad! See!” he exclaimed, as he picked up from the floor a small piece of paper

”What is it, Toood, but it was in with the plans It must have dropped out”

”Do you mean that some one has been in here and taken the plans of your new aeroplane, Toasped his father

”That's just what I , took the plans, and jumped out of the ith them On the way this paper fell out It's the only clue we have Stay here, dad I' to have a look” And Tom jumped from the libraryand ran down the path after the unknown thief

Chapter Four

Anxious Days

Peering on all sides as he dashed along the gravel walk, hoping to catch a gliarden or shrubbery, Tom sprinted on at top speed Now and then he paused to listen, but no sound came to him to tell of some one in retreat before hihty queer,” mused the youth ”Whoever it was, he couldn't have had more than a minute start of me--no, not even half a h the ground had opened and let them down; and the worst of it is, that they've taken my plans with the a careful search He saw no one, until, turning a corner, a little later, he ers around here just now, have you, Rad?”

asked Tom anxiously

”No, indeedy, I hasn't, Massa Toer was him?”

”That's just what I don't know Rad But some one sneaked into the library just now and took some of my plans while my father dozed off I jumped out after him as soon as I could, but he has disappeared”

”Maybe it were th' man who done stowed hisself away on yo' airshi+p, de tiested the colored man

”No, it couldn't have been hier, or some of his crowd You didn't see Andy, did you, Rad?”

”No, indeedy; but if I do, I suah will turn , loose on hiht off, Massa Toet back to dad, or he'll worry Keep your eyes open, Rad, and if you see Andy Foger, or any one else, around here, letout for all you're worth”

”Shall I call out, Massa Tom, ef I sees dat blessin' en'man what's allers a-blessin' ob hisself or his shoelaces, or suffin laik dat Shall I sing out ef I sees him?”

”Well, no; not exactly, Rad Just show Mr Dah I don't fancy he'll call He's off on a little trip, and won't be back for a week But watch out, Rad” And with that To his head over the puzzle of theplans

”Did you find any one?” asked his father eagerly as the young inventor entered the library

”No,” was the gloon of any one”

Tom went over to theand looked about for clues There was none that he could see, and a further exa There was gravel beneath the case footprints Nor were the gravel walks any better