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

above that the flames were now on the side wall, <strong>and</strong> might reach the craft anyminute. And it would not take much to inflict serious damage on the sky racer.“I’ll get her, fumes <strong>or</strong> no fumes!” murmured <strong>Tom</strong>, grimly. And, whetherit was the effect of the chemical streams, <strong>or</strong> whether the choking od<strong>or</strong>s weredissipated through the hole in the roof was not manifested, but, at any rate,<strong>Tom</strong> found that he could go in, though he coughed <strong>and</strong> gasped f<strong>or</strong> breath.He wheeled the aeroplane outside, f<strong>or</strong> the Humming-Bird was almost as lightas her namesake. A hurried glance by the gleam of the dying fire assured <strong>Tom</strong>that his craft was not damaged beyond a slight sc<strong>or</strong>ching of one of the wingtips.“That was a narrow escape!” he murmured, as he wheeled the sky racer faraway, out of any danger from sparks. <strong>The</strong>n he went back to help fight the fire,which was extinguished in about ten minutes m<strong>or</strong>e.“It was a mighty queer blaze,” said Mr. Jackson, “starting at the top thatway. I wonder what caused it?”“We’ll investigate in the m<strong>or</strong>ning,” decided <strong>Tom</strong>. “Now, dad, you must getback to your room.” He turned to help his father in, but at that moment Mr.<strong>Swift</strong>, who was trying to say something, fell over in a dead faint.“Quick! Help me carry him into the house!” cried <strong>Tom</strong>. “<strong>The</strong>n telephonef<strong>or</strong> Dr. Gladby, Mr. Jackson.”<strong>The</strong> physician looked grave when, half an hour later, he examined his patient.“Mr. <strong>Swift</strong> is very much w<strong>or</strong>se,” he said in a low voice. “<strong>The</strong> excitementof the fire has aggravated his ailment. I would like another doct<strong>or</strong> to see him,<strong>Tom</strong>.”“Another doct<strong>or</strong>?” <strong>Tom</strong>’s voice showed his alarm.“Yes, we must have a consultation. I think Dr. Kurtz will be a good one tocall in. I should like his opinion bef<strong>or</strong>e I decide what course to take.”“I’ll send Eradicate f<strong>or</strong> him at once,” said the young invent<strong>or</strong>, <strong>and</strong> he wentto give the col<strong>or</strong>ed man his instructions, while his heart was filled with a greatfear f<strong>or</strong> his father.79