第6章

"We'll hurry work on the ship," said Mr.Swift it length."Tom, I wonder if your friend, Mr.Damon, would care to try how it seems under Water? He stood the air trip fairly well.""I'll write and ask him," answered the lad."I'm sure he'll go."Securing, a few days later, the assistance of two mechanics, whom he knew he could trust, for as yet the construction of the Advance was a secret, Mr.Swift prepared to rush work on the submarine, and for the next three weeks there were busy times in the shed next to the seaside cottage.So busy, in fact, were Tom and Mr.Sharp, that they only found opportunity for one trip in the airship, and that was to get some supplies from the shops at home.

"Well," remarked Mr.Swift one night, at the close of a hard day's work, "another week will see our craft completed.Then we will put it in the water and see how it floats, and whether it submerges as I hope it does.But come on, Tom.I want to lock up.I'm very tired to-night.""All right, dad," answered the young inventor coming from the darkened rear of the shop."I just want to--"Ne paused suddenly, and appeared to be listening.Then he moved softly back to where he had come from.

"What's the matter?" asked his father in a whisper."What's up, Tom?" The lad did not answer Mr.Swift, with a worried look on his face,followed his son.Mr.Sharp stood in the door of the shop.

"I thought I heard some one moving around back here," went on Tom quietly.

"Some one in this shop!" exclaimed the aged inventor excitedly."Some one trying to steal my ideas again! Mr.Sharp, come here! Bring that rifle! We'll teach these scoundrels a lesson!"Tom quickly darted hack to the extreme rear of the building.There was a scuffle, and the next minute Tom cried out:

"What are you doing here?"

"Ha! I beg your pardon," replied a voice."I am looking for Mr.Barton Swift.""My father," remarked Tom."But that's a queer place to look for him.He's up front.Father, here's a man who wishes to see you," he called.

"Yes, I strolled in, and seeing no one about I went to the rear of the place," the voice went on."I hope I haven't transgressed.""We were busy on the other side of the shop, I guess," replied Tom, and he looked suspiciously at the man who emerged from the darkness into the light from a window."I beg your pardon for grabbing you the way I did," went on the lad, "but I thought you were one of a gang of men we've been having trouble with.""Oh, that's all right," continued the man easily."I know Mr.Swift, and I think he will remember me.Ah, Mr.Swift, how do you do?" he added quickly, catching sight of Tom's father, who, with Mr.Sharp, was coming to meet the lad.

"Addison Berg!" exclaimed the aged inventor as he saw the man's face more plainly."What are you doing here?""I came to see you," replied the man."May I have a talk with you privately?""I--I suppose so," assented Mr.Swift nervously."Come into the house."Mr.Berg left Tom's side and advanced to where Mr.Swift was standing.Together the two emerged from the now fast darkening shop and went toward the house.

"Who is he?" asked Mr.Sharp of the young inventor in a whisper.

"I don't know," replied the lad; "but, whoever he is, dad seems afraid of him.I'm going to keep my eyes open."