Tom's story was soon told, and Mr. Damon quickly explained to hisfriends in the automobile how he had first made the acquaintance ofthe young inventor.
"But how does it happen that you are trusting yourself in a car likethis?" asked Tom. "I thought you were done with gasolene machines,Mr. Damon."
"I thought so, too, Tom, but, bless my batteries, my doctor insistedthat I must get out in the open air. I'm too stout to walk, and Ican't run. The only solution was in an automobile, for I never woulddream of a motor-cycle. I wonder that one of mine hasn't run awaywith you and killed you. But there! My automobile is nearly as bad.We went along very nicely yesterday, and now, just when I have aparty of friends out, something goes wrong. Bless my liver! I doseem to have the worst luck!"
Tom lost no time in looking for the trouble. He found it in theignition, and soon had it fixed. Then a sort of council of war washeld.
"Do you think those scoundrels are there yet?" asked Mr. Damon.
"I hope so," answered Tom.
"So do I," went on the odd character. "Bless my soul, but I want achance to pummel them. Come, gentlemen, let's be moving. Will youride with us, Tom Swift, or on that dangerous motor-cycle?"
"I think I'll stick to my machine, Mr. Damon. I can easily keep upwith you."
"Very well. Then we'll get along. We'll proceed until we get closeto the old mansion, and then some of us will go down to the lakeshore, and the rest of us will surround the house. We'll catch thevillains red-handed, and I hope we bag that tramp among them."
"I hardly think he is there," said Tom.
In a short time the auto and the motor-cycle had carried therespective riders to the road through the woods. There the machineswere left, and the party proceeded on foot. Tom had a revolver withhim, and one member of Mr. Damon's party also had a small one, moreto scare dogs than for any other purpose. Tom gave his weapon to oneof the men, and cut a stout stick for himself, an example followedby those who had no firearms.
"A club for mine!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "The less I have to do withmachinery the better I like it. Now, Tom Swift is just the other wayaround," he explained to his friends.
Cautiously they approached the house, and when within seeingdistance of it they paused for a consultation. There seemed to be noone stirring about the old mansion, and Tom was fearful lest the menhad left. But this could not be determined until they came closer.Two of Mr. Damon's friends elected to go down to the shore of thelake and prevent any escape in that direction, while the others,including Tom, were to approach from the wood side. When the two whowere to form the water attacking party were ready, one of them wasto fire his revolver as a signal. Then Tom, Mr. Damon and the otherswould rush in.
The young inventor, Mr. Damon, and his friend, whom he addressed asMr. Benson, went as close to the house as they considered prudent.Then, screening themselves in the bushes, they waited. Theyconversed in whispers, Tom giving more details of his experiencewith the patent thieves.
Suddenly the silence of the woods was broken by some one advancingthrough the underbrush.
"Bless my gaiters, some one is coming!" exclaimed Mr. Damon in ahoarse whisper. "Can that be Munson or Dwight coming back?" Hereferred to his two friends who had gone to the lake.
"Or perhaps the fellows are escaping," suggested Mr. Benson."Suppose we take a look."
At that moment the person approaching, whoever he was, began tosing. Tom started.
"I'll wager that's Happy Harry, the tramp!" he exclaimed. "I knowhis voice."
Cautiously Tom peered over the screen of bushes.
"Who is it?" asked Mr. Damon.
"It's Happy Harry!" said Tom. "We'll get them all, now. He's goingup to the house."
They watched the tramp. All unconscious of the eyes of the men andboy in the bushes, he kept on. Presently the door of the houseopened, and a man came out. Tom recognized him as Anson Morse--theperson who had dropped the telegram.
"Say, Burke," called the man at the door, "have you taken themotor-boat?"
"Motor-boat? No," answered the tramp. "I just came here. I've had ahard time--nearly got caught in Swift's house the other night bythat cub of a boy. Is the boat gone?"
"Yes. Appleson came back in it last night and saw some one lookingin the window, but we thought it was only a farmer and chased himaway. This morning the boat's gone. I thought maybe you had taken itfor a joke."
"Not a bit of it! Something's wrong!" exclaimed Happy Harry. "We'dbetter light out. I think the police are ............