第26章

Now, indeed, could Tom demonstrate to her some of the fine points of navigation in the upper currents, and though he did no risky "stunts," he showed the girl what it means to do an ascending spiral, how to cut corners, how to twist around in the figure eight, and do other things.Tomdid not try for the great speed of which he knew his craft was capable, for he knew there was some risk with Miss Nestor aboard.But he did nearly everything else, and when he sent the Humming-Bird down he had made another convert and devotee to the royal sport of aeroplaning.

"Oh! I never would dared believe I could do it!' exclaimed the girl, as with flushed cheeks and dancing eyes she dismounted from the seat."Mamma and papa will never believe I did it!""Bring them over, and I'll take them for a flight," said Tom, with a laugh, as Mary departed.

Tom received an answer to his letter to Mr.Sharp that night.

"Andy Foger's entry blank states," wrote the balloonist, "that he is constructing his aeroplane in the village of Hampton, which is about fifty miles from your place.If there is anything further I can do for you, Tom, let me know.I will see you at the meet.Hope you win the prize.""In Hampton, eh?" mused Tom."So that's where Andy has been keeping himself all this while.His uncle lives there, and that's the reason for it.He wanted to keep it a secret from me, so he could use my stolen plans for his craft.But he shan't do it! I'll go to Hampton!""And I'll go with you!" declared Mr.Damon, who was with Tom when he got the note from the balloonist."We'll get to the bottom of this mystery after a while, Tom."Delaying a few days, to make the final changes in his aeroplane, Tom and Mr.Damon departed for Hampton one morning.They thought first of going in the Butterfly, but as they wanted to keep their mission as secret as possible, they decided to go by train, and arrive in the town quietly and unostentatiously.They got to Hampton late that afternoon.

"What's the first thing to be done?" asked Mr.Damon as they walked up from the station, where they were almost the only persons who alighted from the train.

"Go to the hotel," decided Tom."There's only one, I was told, so there's not much choice."Hampton was a quiet little country town of about five thousand inhabitants, and Tom soon learned the address of Mr.Bentley, Andy's uncle, from the hotel clerk.

"What business is Mr.Bentley in?" asked Tom, for he wanted to learn all he could without inquiring of persons who might question his motives.

"Oh, he's retired," said the clerk."He lives on the interest of his money.But of late he's been erecting some sort of a building on his back lot, like a big shed, and folks are sort of wondering what he's doing in it.Keeps mighty secret about it.He's got a young fellow helping him.""Has he got red hair?" asked Tom, while his heart beat strangely fast."Who? Mr.Bentley? No.His hair's black.""I mean the young fellow."

"Oh! his? Yes, his is red.He's a nephew, or some relation to Mr.Bentley.I did hear his name, but I've forgotten it.Sandy, or Andy, or some such name as that."This was near enough for Tom and Mr.Damon, and they did not want to risk asking any more questions.They turned away to go to their rooms, as the clerk was busy answering inquiries from some other guests.A little later, supper was served, and Tom, having finished, whispered to Mr.Damon to join him upstairs as soon as he was through.

"What are you going to do?" asked the eccentric man.

"We're going out and have a look at this new shed by moonlight," decided Tom."I want to see what it's like, and, if possible, I want to get a peep inside.I'll soon be able to tell whether or not Andy is using my stolen plans.""All right.I'm with you.Bless my bill of fare! But we seem to be doing a lot of mysterious work of late.""Yes," agreed Tom."But if you have to bless anything to- night, Mr.Damon, please whisper it.Andy, or some of his friends, may be about the shed, and as soon as they hear one of your blessings they'll know who's coming.""Oh, I'll be careful," promised Mr.Damon.

"Andy will find out, sooner or later, that we are in town," went on Tom, "but we may be able to learn to-night what we want to know, and then we can tell how to act."A little later, as if.they were merely strolling about, Mr.Damon and Tom headed for Mr.Bentley's place, which was on the outskirts of thetown.There was a full moon, and the night was just right for the kind of observation Tom wanted to make.There were few persons abroad, and the young inventor thought he would have no one spying on him.They located the big house of Andy's uncle without trouble.Going down a side street, they had a glimpse of a shed, built of new boards, standing in the middle of a large lot.About the structure was a new, high wooden fence, but as Tom and his friend passed along it they saw that a gate in it was open.

"I'm going in!" whispered Tom."Will it be safe?" asked Mr.Damon.

"I don't care whether it will be or not.I've got to know what Andy is doing.Come on! We'll take a chance!"Cautiously they entered the enclosure.The big shed was dark, and stood out conspicuously in the moonlight.

"There doesn't seem to be any one here," whispered Tom."I wonder if we could get a look in the window?""It's worth trying, anyhow," agreed Mr.Damon."I'm with you, Tom."They drew nearer to the shed.Suddenly Tom stepped on a stick, which broke with a sharp report.

"Bless my spectacles!" cried Mr.Damon, half aloud.

There was silence for a moment, and then a voice cried out: "Who's there? Hold on! Don't come any farther! It's dangerous!"Tom and Mr.Damon stood still, and from behind the shed stepped Andy Foger and a man.

"Oh! it's you, is it, Tom Swift?" exclaimed the red-haired bully."I thought you'd come sneaking around.Come on, Jake! We'll make them wish they'd stayed home!" And Andy made a rush for Tom.