Tom Swift and His Sky Racer or The Quickest Flight on ... - Fourmilab

16 CHAPTER 3. THE PLANS DISAPPEAR<strong>The</strong>n a new idea came to <strong>Tom</strong> in regard to the shape of his aeroplane, <strong>and</strong> hew<strong>or</strong>ked several days drawing the plans f<strong>or</strong> it. It was a new idea in construction,<strong>and</strong> he believed it would give him the great speed he desired.“But I’d like dad to see it,” he said. “As soon as he’s well enough I’ll goover it with him.”That time came a week later, <strong>and</strong> with a complete set of the plans, embodyinghis latest ideas, <strong>Tom</strong> went into the library where his father was seated in aneasy-chair. Dr. Gladby had said it would not now harm the aged invent<strong>or</strong> to doa little w<strong>or</strong>k. <strong>Tom</strong> spread the drawings out in front of his father, <strong>and</strong> began toexplain them in detail.“I really think you have something great there, <strong>Tom</strong>!” exclaimed Mr. <strong>Swift</strong>,at length. “It is a very small monoplane, to be sure, but I think with the newprinciple you have introduced it will w<strong>or</strong>k; but, if I were you, I’d shape thosewing tips a little differently.”“No, they’re better that way,” said <strong>Tom</strong> pleasantly, f<strong>or</strong> he did not oftendisagree with his father. “I’ll show you from a little model I have made. I’ll getit right away.”Anxious to demonstrate that he was right in his the<strong>or</strong>y, <strong>Tom</strong> hurried fromthe library to get the model of which he had spoken. He left the roll of planslying on a small table near where his father was seated.“<strong>The</strong>re, you see, dad,” said the young invent<strong>or</strong> as he re-entered the librarya few minutes later, “when you warp the wing tips in making a spiral ascent itthrows your tail wings out of plumb, <strong>and</strong> so—”<strong>Tom</strong> paused in some amazement, f<strong>or</strong> Mr. <strong>Swift</strong> was lying back in his chair,with his eyes closed. <strong>The</strong> lad started in alarm, laid aside his model, <strong>and</strong> sprangto his father’s side.“He’s had another of those heart attacks!” gasped <strong>Tom</strong>. He was just goingto call Mrs. Baggert, when Mr. <strong>Swift</strong> opened his eyes. He looked at <strong>Tom</strong>, <strong>and</strong>the lad could see that they were bright, <strong>and</strong> did not show any signs of illness.“Well, I declare!” exclaimed the invent<strong>or</strong>. “I must have dozed off, <strong>Tom</strong>,while you were gone. That’s what I did. I fell asleep!”“Oh!” said <strong>Tom</strong>, much relieved. “I was afraid you were ill again. Now, inthis model, as you will see by the plans, it is necessary—”He paused, <strong>and</strong> looked over at the table where he had left the drawings.<strong>The</strong>y were not there!“<strong>The</strong> plans, father!” <strong>Tom</strong> exclaimed. “<strong>The</strong> plans I left on the table! Whereare they?”“I haven’t touched them,” was the answer. “<strong>The</strong>y were on that table, whereyou put them, when I closed my eyes f<strong>or</strong> a little nap. I f<strong>or</strong>got all about them.Are you sure they’re missing?”“<strong>The</strong>y’re not here!” And <strong>Tom</strong> gazed wildly about the room. “Where canthey have gone?”“I wasn’t out of my chair,” said Mr. <strong>Swift</strong>, “I ought not to have gone tosleep, but—”<strong>Tom</strong> fairly jumped toward the long library window, the same one from whichhe had leaped to pursue Andy Foger. <strong>The</strong> casement was open, <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tom</strong> noted