Tom Swift and His Motor-Cycle; Or, Fun and Adventures on the Road

airs. As he passed through the living-room, intending to see what the disturbance was a

s happened? Bless my coat-t

stranger about the shop, and my father nev

find my legs are a bit weaker than I suspected, and I will be g

ster of buildings, were located. He saw his father confronti

to come in here unless I or my son

arton Swift?"

hat is

Swift safety lamp, an

of the motor Mr

d stiffly, "but I must decline to talk about the motor. Ma

an. "I called to see if we could negotiate with y

m plucked his fat

eral who have been inquiring in Mr. Merton's shop about you and your patents

ickly. Then, turning to the stra

hat moment the stranger caught sight o

will see you again, Mr. Swift--excuse the trouble I have put you to--I am in a great hurry," and befor

at him, and so did Tom.

at about him, Tom? Why di

t because he suddenly recognized me." Thereupon he told his father of seeing the man in the

some mischief, Tom?" asked the

hink they are interested in your patents, and you

t, though I have not mentioned it before, I expect to have trouble with it. Soon after I perfected it, with the exception of some

ans becoming public, I sent you to Mansburg to-day. But it seems that the precaution was of little avail. Another matter of surprise was the information that I was infringing on the patent of some one else. I had a very careful examinatio

you think is

Tom. That is what has been worrying me lately. I know these men to be

u fight them

awsuits. I want to live quietly and invent things. I dislike litigation. How

was one of the crowd of

e fact that he sneaked in here, as if he was trying to get p

ed Tom. "Now, if we only

forward. He picked up an envelope that had d

t, dad," said Tom eagerly. "It's

fied in protecting oursel

es

ad the t

low slip of paper. It was

ake offer. If not accepted do the best you c

ll?" asked

pt the si

e telegram

Katch," an

ndicate of wealthy men who are trying to get my turbine motor patents away from me. Tom, we must be on our guard! They wil

ad! We'll show 'em that the firm of Swift &

are rich and unscrupulous. We shall have to be on guard constantly. Let me have that telegram. It may come in useful. Now

rted for the house, they met

beginning to fear something had happened to you. I am gla

my shop, and I never allow that. Do you feel well enough to go? If no

etter. Bless my gaiters, but I never will trust myself in ev

e drew out the bills. "You are sure you will not regret your bargain, Mr. D

etting the best of you. Bless my handkerch

d over the money. "I am going to gear it differently and put som

and if at any time I can reciprocate the favor, I will only be too glad to do so. Bless my soul, though, I hope I don't have to rescue you from

ft. "Somewhat odd and out of the ordinary

l see me scooting around the country on a motor-cycl

nk you can

ult things than that. I'm going to tak

u would take a telegram to town for

ycle into a machine shop, where he did most of his work. "Well, I