Part 4 (2/2)
”Not a sign of any one,” murmured Tom ”Are you sure you didn't hear any noise, dad, when you dozed off?”
”Not a sound, Too to sleep like that, but I suppose it's because of --not more than two minutes”
”That's what I think Yet in that tiet in here and take ot the wire screen open fro hook”
”And was the screen open?” asked Mr Swift
”Yes, it was unhooked Either they pushed a wire in through the ht it under the hook, and pulled it up from the outside, or else the screen was opened froet inside to open the screen without so them,” spoke the older inventor ”More likely, Tom, it wasn't hooked, and they found it an easy matter to siert if the screen was unhooked”
But the housekeeper could not be certain on that point, and so that part of the investigation a
”It's too bad!” exclai off that way”
”No, indeed, it isn't!” declared Tom stoutly
”Is the loss a serious one?” asked his father ”Have you no copy of the plans?”
”Yes, I have a rough draft fros, and I can easily make another set But that isn't orries me--the mere loss of the plans”
”What is it, then, Tom?”
”The fact that whoever took them must know that they are the plans for a sky racer that is to take part in the big meet I have worked it out on a new principle, and it is not yet patented Whoever stole my plans can make the same kind of a sky racer that I intended to construct, and so stand as good a chance to win the prize of ten thousand dollars as I will”
”That certainly is too bad, Toht of that Do you suspect any one?”
”No one, unless it's Andy Foger He'slike that, but I didn't think he'd have the nerve However, I'll see if I can learn anything about hi around, and if he hasbetter than to make a sky racer and beat me”
”Oh, Tom, I'm so sorry!” exclaimed Mr Swift ”I--I feel very bad about it!”
”There, neverill again ”Don't think any et back those plans Come, now It's tied inventor was looking tired and weak
Wearily he let To that the invalid was comfortable Tom called up Dr Gladby, to have him come and see Mr Swift The doctor said his patient had been overdoing himself a little, andthat his father was no worse, Toer
”I can't rest until I knohether or not he has my plans,” he said to himself ”I don't want to make a speedy aeroplane, and find out at the last minute that Andy, or soot little satisfaction fro been around To inventor did not actually accuse hi the plans, he hinted at it Andy atives, and called on some of his cronies to witness that at the time the plans were taken he and they were some distance from the Swift home