Part 13 (2/2)

Tom pushed open the door and stepped inside, followed by Mr Jackson

As they did so they saw the ain raised the little hatchet, which was like an Indian tomahawk, and poised it for an instant over the delicate fraan to descend

”Stop!” yelled Tom, and at the same time he fired in the air

The h a bullet had struck him, and for a moment Tom was afraid lest he had hit hirabbed up his flashlight, and holding it before him, so that its rays shone full on To toward them, the hatchet still in his hand

”Look out, Tom!” cried Mr Jackson

”Out of round He wished now that he had a club instead of his revolver The would-be vandal was al it at the fellow The latter dodged, and caain, but it was too late There was the sound of a blow, and To Then the place was in darkness, and the sound of footsteps in rapid flight could be heard outside the shed

The intruder, after wounding the young inventor, had made his escape

Chapter Twelve

Miss Nestor Calls

”What's de mattah? Shall I come in? Am anybody hurted?” yelled Eradicate Sampson as he pounded on the rear door of the aeroplane shed

”Let ht! Wait a !” called Mr Jackson He tried to peer through the darkness, to where a huddled heap indicated the presence of Tohts, which were run by a storage battery when the dynaineer had switched on the incandescents, filling the big shed with radiance

”Toasped Mr Jackson

There was no answer, for Toit at dat robber wifthat he would need help in carrying Tom to the house, Mr

Jackson hurried to the back door He had a key to it, and it was quicker to open it than to send Eradicate away around the shed to the front portals

”Whar arasp of his club and looked around the place ”Let , when I gits froo wif hiineer ”Help me look after Tom I'm afraid he's badly hurt”

They hastened to the unconscious lad On one side of his head was a bad cut, which was bleeding freely

”Oh! he's daid! I know he's daid!” wailed Eradicate

”Not a bit of it He isn't dead, but he et him into the house, and have a doctor here soon,” said Mr Jackson sternly

”Catch hold of hiet excited, and scare Mr Swift Just pretend it isn't very bad, or we'll have two patients on our hands instead of only Toet the youth into the house, and, contrary to their fears, Mr Sas not nearly so nervous as they had expected Cale of matters, and even telephoned for Dr Gladby hiot hi water and getting things in readiness for the doctor, who had pro consciousness when the physician ca driven over at top speed