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

37“Well, because it will add to the weight, <strong>and</strong> you want such a small machineto be as light as possible.”“Yes, but you see I have a very light engine. That part my father helpedme with. In fact, it is the lightest air-cooled mot<strong>or</strong> made, f<strong>or</strong> the amount ofh<strong>or</strong>sepower it develops, so I can aff<strong>or</strong>d to put on the extra weight of the wirelessoutfit. I may need to signal when I am flying along at a hundred miles an hour.”“That’s so. Well, show me some of the other good points. You’ve certainlygot a wonderful craft here.”<strong>Tom</strong> <strong>and</strong> Mr. Sharp spent some time going over the Humming-Bird <strong>and</strong> intalking over old times. <strong>The</strong> balloonist paid another visit to Mr. <strong>Swift</strong>, whowas feeling pretty good, <strong>and</strong> who expressed his pleasure in seeing his old friendagain.“Can’t you stay f<strong>or</strong> a few days?” asked <strong>Tom</strong>, when Mr. Sharp was about toleave. “If you wait long enough you may be able to help me w<strong>or</strong>k up the cluesagainst Andy Foger, <strong>and</strong> also witness a trial flight of the Humming-Bird.”“I’d like to stay, but I can’t,” was the answer. “<strong>The</strong> committee will beanxious f<strong>or</strong> me to get back with my rep<strong>or</strong>t. Good luck to you. I’ll see you atthe time of the race, if not bef<strong>or</strong>e.”<strong>Tom</strong> resolved to get right to w<strong>or</strong>k seeking clues against his old enemy, Andy,but the next day Mr. <strong>Swift</strong> was not so well, <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tom</strong> had to remain in thehouse. <strong>The</strong>n followed several days, during which time it was necessary to dosome imp<strong>or</strong>tant w<strong>or</strong>k on his craft, <strong>and</strong> so a week passed without any inf<strong>or</strong>mationhaving been obtained.In the meanwhile <strong>Tom</strong> had made some cautious inquiries, but had learnednothing about Andy. He had no chance to interview Pete <strong>or</strong> Sam, the twocronies, <strong>and</strong> he did not think it wise to make a bald request f<strong>or</strong> inf<strong>or</strong>mation atthe Foger home.Ned Newton could not be of any aid to his friend, as he was kept busy inthe bank night <strong>and</strong> day, w<strong>or</strong>king over a new set of books.“I wonder how I can find out what I want to know?” mused <strong>Tom</strong> one afternoon,when he had done considerable w<strong>or</strong>k on the Humming-Bird. “I certainlyought to do it soon, so as to be able to stop Andy if he’s infringing on mypatents. Yet, I don’t see how—”<strong>His</strong> thoughts were interrupted by hearing a voice outside the shop, exclaiming:“Bless my toothpick! I know the way, Eradicate, my good fellow. It isn’tnecessary f<strong>or</strong> you to come. As long as <strong>Tom</strong> <strong>Swift</strong> is out there, I’ll find him.Bless my h<strong>or</strong>izontal rudder! I’m anxious to see what progress he’s made. I’llfind him, if he’s about!”“Yes, sah, he’s right in dere,” spoke the col<strong>or</strong>ed man. “He’s w<strong>or</strong>kin’ on datDragon Fly of his.” Eradicate did not always get his names right.“Mr. Damon!” exclaimed <strong>Tom</strong> in delight, at the sound of his friend’s voice.“I believe he can help me get evidence against Andy Foger. I wonder I didn’tthink of it bef<strong>or</strong>e! <strong>The</strong> very thing! I’ll do it!”