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

57“It’s possible,” agreed the engineer. “Well, we’ll wait until <strong>Tom</strong> can talk,<strong>and</strong> we’ll go over it with him.”“Not until he is stronger, though,” stipulated the physician as he went away.“Don’t excite <strong>Tom</strong> f<strong>or</strong> a few days.”<strong>The</strong> young invent<strong>or</strong> was much better the following day, <strong>and</strong> when Dr. Gladbycalled he said <strong>Tom</strong> could sit up f<strong>or</strong> a little while. Two days later <strong>Tom</strong> was wellenough to he talked to, <strong>and</strong> his father <strong>and</strong> Mr. Jackson went over all the detailsof the matter. Mr. Damon, who had returned home, came to see his friend assoon as he heard of his plight, <strong>and</strong> was also a member of the consulting party.“Bless my dictionary!” exclaimed the eccentric man. “I wish I had been hereto take a h<strong>and</strong> in it. But, <strong>Tom</strong>, do you believe it was one of the diamond-makinggang?”“I hardly think so,” was the reply. “<strong>The</strong>y would take some other means ofrevenge than by destroying my new aeroplane. I’m inclined to think it was someone who is in with Andy Foger.”“<strong>The</strong>n we’ll hire detectives, <strong>and</strong> locate him <strong>and</strong> them,” declared Mr. Damon,blessing several things in succession.<strong>Tom</strong>, however, did not like that plan, <strong>and</strong> it was decided to do nothingright away. In another few days <strong>Tom</strong> was able to be up, though he was still asemi-invalid, not venturing out of the house.It was one afternoon, when, rather tired of his confinement, he was wishinghe could resume w<strong>or</strong>k on his air craft, that Mrs. Baggert came in, <strong>and</strong> said:“Some one to see you, <strong>Tom</strong>.”“Is it Mr. Damon?”“No, it’s a lady. She—”“Oh, <strong>Tom</strong>! How are you?” cried a girlish voice, <strong>and</strong> Mary Nest<strong>or</strong> walkedinto the room, holding out both h<strong>and</strong>s to the young invent<strong>or</strong>. <strong>Tom</strong>, with ablush, arose hastily.“No! no! Sit still!” comm<strong>and</strong>ed the girl. “Oh! I’m so s<strong>or</strong>ry to hear aboutyour accident! In fact, I only heard this m<strong>or</strong>ning. We’ve been away, mamma<strong>and</strong> I, <strong>and</strong> we just got back. Tell me all about it, that is, if you feel able. Butdon’t exert yourself. Oh! I wish I had hold of that man!”And Miss Nest<strong>or</strong> clenched her two pretty little h<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> set her white, eventeeth grimly together, as though she would do most desperate things indeed.“I wish you did, too!” exclaimed <strong>Tom</strong>. “That is, so you could hold him untilI had a chance at him. But I’m all right now. It was very good of you to call.How are you, <strong>and</strong> how are your folks?”“Very well. But I came to hear about you. Tell me,” <strong>and</strong> she looked anxiouslyat <strong>Tom</strong>, while Mrs. Baggert discreetly withdrew to the adjoining room,<strong>and</strong> made a great noise, rattling papers <strong>and</strong> moving chairs about.<strong>The</strong>reupon <strong>Tom</strong> told what had happened, while Mary Nest<strong>or</strong> listened interestedly<strong>and</strong> with expressions of fear at times.“But if Andy had anything to do with it,” concluded <strong>Tom</strong>, “I can’t underst<strong>and</strong>what his object is. Andy is acting very strangely lately. We can’t locatehim, n<strong>or</strong> find out where he is building his airship. That’s what I want to know;