第53章

What had happened, in brief, was this.Gale and Ware, unable to secure Tom's services, even by the offer of a large sum of money, had stooped to the sending of spies to his shop, to get possession of information about his silent motor.This was after Gale had, by accident, heard Tom speaking of it to Mr.Damon.

But, thanks to Tom's vigilance, Bower was discovered.The man tripped into the mud hole lost in the muck the plans Bower passed to him.They were never recovered.Then Lydane tried again.He managed, through bribery, to gain access to the hangar where the new silent machine was kept, and, unable to get the silencer apart, tried to file it.In doing so he weakened it so that it burst.

The attempt to waylay Tom, and so get the plans from him, had been tried before this, only a mistake had been made, and Mr.Nestor was caught instead.Finding out their error, Lydane and his companions did not tell the Universal people of their mistake, though Gale and Ware knew the attempt was to be made against Tom Swift.

Later, hearing that the young inventor was still at work on his invention, Gale was much surprised, and paid his queer visit, in an attempt to repudiate the actions of Lydane.At this time it was assumed that Gale and his partner did not know that it was Mr.Nestor who had been kidnapped by mistake or they might have insisted on his release.As it was, Lydane had Mary's father, and was afraid to let him go, though really their prisoner became a white elephant on the hands of the conspirators and kidnappers.

And it was after all this was cleared up, and Mr.Nestor restored to his family and friends, that one day, Tom Swift received another visit from Mr.Terrill, the government agent.

"Well, Mr.Swift," was the genial greeting, "I have come to tell you that the favorable report made by my friends and myself as to the performance of your noiseless motor, has been accepted by the War Department, and I have come to ask what your terms are.For how muchwill you sell your patent to the United States?" Tom Swift arose.

"The United States hasn't money enough to buy my patent of a noiseless motor," he said.

"Wha--what!" faltered Mr.Terrill."Why, I understood--you don't mean--they told me you were rather patriotic, and--""I hope I am patriotic!" interrupted Tom with a smile."And when I say that the United States hasn't money enough to buy my latest invention I mean just that.""My Air Scout is not for sale!"

"You mean," faltered the government agent."You say--""I mean," went on Tom, "that Silent Sam is for Uncle Sam without one cent of cost! My father and I take great pleasure in presenting such machines as are already manufactured, those in process of making, and the entire patents, and all other rights, to the government for the winning of the war!""Oh!" said Mr.Terrill in rather a strange voice."Oh!" And that was all he could say for a little while.

But Tom Swift reckoned without a knowledge of a peculiar law which prohibits the United States from accepting gifts totally without compensation, and so, in due season, the young inventor received a check for the sum of one dollar in full payment for his silent motor, and the patent rights thereto.And Tom has that check framed, and hanging over his desk.

And so the silent motor became an accomplished fact and a great success.Those of you who have read of its work against the Boches, and how it helped Uncle Sam to gain the mastery of the sky, need not be reminded of this.By it many surprise attacks were made, and much valuable information was obtained that otherwise could not have been brought in.

One day, after the rogues had been sent to prison for long terms, and Tom had turned over to his government his silent aircraft--except one which he was induced to keep for his own personal use--the young inventor went to call on Mary Nestor.The object of his call, as I believe hestated it, was to see how Mr.Nestor was, but that, of course, was camouflage.

"Would you like to come for a ride, Mary, in the silent airship?" asked Tom, after he had paid his respects to Mr.Nestor and his wife."We can talk very easily on board Silent Sam without the use of a speaking tube.Come on--we'll go for a moonlight sky ride.""It sounds enticing," said Mary, with a shy look at Tom."But wouldn't you just as soon sit on a bench in the garden? It's moonlight there, and we can talk, and--and--""I'd just as soon!" said Tom quickly.

And out they went into the beautiful moonlight; and here we will leave them and say good-bye.

THE END