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

ventor needed but a glance at the lad's despondent face to have his question answer

ng? Any of your pl

d as if the turbine model had been moved. The only thing missing seems to be a sheet of u

apers in his pocket, dad. Maybe he m

dmit it worries me. I can't im

om eagerly. "Two of them tried to get information here, and now the third on

had been made to steal his inventions, but on this occasion

k they are up to,

must have a motor that is successful. Hence their efforts to get control of mine. I don't know whether I told you or not, but some time ago I refused a very good offer for certain rights in my invention. I knew it was worth more. The offer came through Smeak &

an you

otect myself. I have had trouble before, but never any like

know the

One of them must be Anson Morse. Who the others are I don't know. But now I must

e, dad," responded Tom, drawing himself u

t think ou

motor-cycle a bit. I'll put

o make two small levers and some connecting rods. This he did in his own particular machine shop, which was fitted up with a lathe and other apparatus. The lathe was run by power coming from a small engine, which was operated by

d that the machine worked much better, and was easier to control. He rode about fifteen miles away from home, and then returned. As he entered

m aloud, and the mule opened its eyes,

the colored man. "Movin' when yo' ain't wanted to." Then, as he caught sight of Tom, he exclaimed, "Why, if it ain't young Mistah Swift

ed Tom. "Did you co

ah, an' thinks I dere might be some whitewashin' I co

an do a few jobs," s

house and whitewashing it. The darky was soon at work. A little later Tom passing saw him putti

r, Rad?" asked th

le an' inter mah sleeve. I'm soakin' wet from it now, an' I h

andle in a small rivulet. Tom had once seen a little rubber device on a win

advised. "I think I c

p. He had a small rubber disk, with a hole in the center, the size of the brush handle. Slipping the disk over the

on mah bresh?" asked Era

f hoodoo charm

ides of the coop near the top. The surplus fluid started to run down the handle, but, meeting the piece

lored man. "Yo' suah am a pert gen'men, all right. Now I kin work widout stoppi

Tom. "I think some day I'll invent a

ly. "Dis, an' makin' dirt disappear, am de only perfessi

ll wait until

'ful long time," chuckled Eradicate

e found his father busy wi

the inventor, looking up. "I was

for,

rtant mission for you. I wa

rney?

taken out a complete patent on the machine. I have not done so because I did not want to put my model on exhibition in Washington. I was afraid some of those unscrupulous men would take advantage of

said you wanted m

there, and take them back to Washington with him. In this way they will be well protected. You see, I have to be on my guard, and if I send the model to Albany, instead of the national capital, I may throw the plotters off the track, for I

I can start now

ome matters to arrange. You might go to the stati

oing by

How else c

citement in Tom's eyes

, "why couldn't I g

motor-

e roads are good, and I would enjoy it. I can carry the

I suppose that part would be all right. But you have not had much e

e. Will you l

appeared t

ep this matter secret the best plan would be to let me go on my machine. If those men are on the wat

om, seeing that his father was favorably inclined, ren

, to see that it's in good shape. You get your papers and model ready, dad

isks he was to run, he would not have whistled so light he

roof paper, was fastened back of the saddle on the motor-cycle. Tom carefully pinned in an inside pock

he bade him good-by. "Don't try to make speed, as there

to the saddle, started the machine, and then, after sufficient momentum had been attained, he turned on the gasolene and set the s