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Page 52
But though the young inventor and his friend went around to the
rear of the aeroplane, walking in opposite directions, they saw
no one, nor did any one try to escape past them.
"And yet I was sure I heard some one in here," declared Tom,
when a search had revealed nothing. "It sounded as if some one
were scuffling softly about in rubber-soled shoes, trying to
hide."
"Bless my suspenders!" cried Mr. Damon, "who do you think it
could have been, Tom?"
"Who else but some spy trying to get possession of my secrets?"
was the answer. "But I guess I was too quick for them. They
couldn't learn much from looking at the outside of my muffler,
and it hasn't been disturbed, as far as I can see."
"Who would want to gain a knowledge of it in that unlawful
way?" asked Mr. Damon.
"Perhaps some of the Universal crowd. They may have been
disappointed in perfecting a silent motor themselves, and think
stealing my idea would be the easiest way out of it."
"Do they know you are working on such a model as this Silent
Sam of yours, Tom?"
"Yes, I imagine they do. One of the firm members, as you
recall, overheard something, I think, that gave them a hint as to
what my plans were, though, thanks to the time I fooled the spy,
they haven't any real data to go by, I believe."
"Let us hope not," said Mr. Damon.
Tom and he made a thorough search of the big shed, but found no
one, nor was there any trace of an intruder. Tom notified
Jackson, who, in turn, told the guards and watchmen to be on the
lookout for any suspicious strangers, but none was seen in the
vicinity of the Swift works.
"Well, everything seems to be all right, so we'll have the
test," remarked Torn, after a further search of the premises.
"Now, Mr. Damon, if all goes as I hope you will see what my new
machine can do. Strain your ears for a sound, and let me know how
much you hear."
His men helping him, Tom started the new motor which was tried
for the first time attached to the new craft. No flight was to be
made yet, the motor being tested as though on the block, though,
in reality, the craft was ready for instant flight if need be.
Slowly the great propellers began to revolve, and then Tom,
taking his place in the cockpit, turned on more power. The new
craft--Silent Sam--was made fast so it could not progress even
though the propellers revolved at high speed.
"I'm not sending her to the limit," said Tom to his friend, as
the young inventor throttled down the motor. "If I did I'd tear
her loose from the holding blocks."
"Her!" cried Mr. Damon. "Bless my typewriter, Tom! but I
thought Silent Sam was a gentleman aeroplane.
"So he is!" laughed the young man, frankly. "I forgot about
'Silent Sam.' Guess I'll have to say 'him' instead of 'her,'
though the latter sounds more natural. Anyhow what do you think?"
"I think it's wonderful!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "There the motor
is, going at almost full speed, and I can hardly hear a thing.
You can the easier believe that when I say that I can hear you
talk perfectly well. And I guess you hear me, don't you?"
"Yes," replied Tom. "And we don't have to shout, either. This
is the best test ever! I think everything is a success."
"Are you going to take her aloft, Tom?" the eccentric man went
on.
"Yes, now that I'm sure the engine is all right. Will you go
for a flight with me?"
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