THE ROUND-UP
TOM SWIFT felt that he was on the verge of several important
discoveries, now that he had located the scoundrels in the blue machine.
The knowledge that Renwick Fawn was among them was startling. So was the
information that Blodgett and Barsky were one and the same person.
“I guess this whole thing was engineered when the men who were
associated with Blythe found I wouldn’t do business with them,”
whispered Tom. “I don’t believe Blythe had anything to do with the plot.
He just saw a good chance to make money, and he would have dealt
honestly, I’m sure. But the others aren’t of that type.”
“Of course that accusation against my father about the Liberty Bonds has
nothing to do with the theft of your box, Tom,” put in Ned. “But it
shows that Fawn is in with criminals, and that’s enough to make me
suspect him. I shouldn’t be surprised but what he stole the bonds
himself.”
“Maybe he did,” agreed Tom. “And if they’re in that machine we are going
to get them back.”
“How?” asked Ned.
“I’ll show you,” was the answer. “Wait until it gets a little later and
they go to sleep, as I think they will.”
Not knowing how long they would have to remain at their vigil and
feeling somewhat chilly in spite of the fact that Tom had said the
nights were warm, they decided to send Koku back for the blankets left
in the auto. With these wrapped about them they were in better condition
to remain on guard.
As the young inventor had suggested, the robbers were not particular to
maintain a guard. The two friends watched the fellows cooking their
evening meal and rather envied them as the odor of a savory stew came to
their noses, for all Tom, Ned and Koku had were cold victuals.
Finally the camp of the robbers grew quiet, though for a time an
occasional figure could be seen moving about the tent. At last even this
did not occur, and Tom guessed that all were asleep.
“I’m going to slip over there and fix things so they can’t get away,”
Tom whispered to Ned. “Once we make sure they can’t move the aeroplane
and my chest, we can go back and get the police to round them up. You
and Koku stay here.”
“What you do, Master?” inquired the giant, in as low a voice as
possible, when he saw Tom stealing out of the bushes where they were
hiding.
“I’m going to put them on the blink, Koku,” was the answer.
“You kill ’um while ’um sleep?” the giant asked, not understanding Tom’s
slang. “Let Koku kill! ’Um tie Koku up—now Koku kill!”
The giant was eager to wreak vengeance on those who had so mistreated
him. But Tom said:
“Hold yourself in, you blood-thirsty man-mountain! There’s going to be
no killing! Anyway, I want to catch those fellows. Mr. Newton’s
vindication may depend on getting them alive.”
Losing interest when he found he could not attack the men with his
fists, Koku sank back beside Ned while Tom, as cautious as an Indian,
made his way toward the camp of the scoundrels. His object was to
disable the aeroplane, rendering it incapable of rising in case the men
tried to make a sudden flight.
Knowing all about aircraft as he did, it was an easy matter for the
young inventor to remove a small portion of the mechanism—one that
would probably be the last thing to be missed by the robbers in case
they looked for a reason for their machine not taking off.
“I’ll just take off the distributor,” decided Tom. This was a small
affair of hard rubber, about as big as one’s thumb, and shaped not
unlike it. On it were some pieces of metal, and it rotated in the timing
case, distributing the electric current to the different spark plugs in
the cylinders in proper order for firing them as the gas charge entered.
Without its distributor an aeroplane or a motor car is as helpless as
though it had no gas.
Slipping around behind the tent and moving so cautiously that he did not
disturb the sleeping men, Tom climbed up on the big blue machine. His
first thought was to look for his chest of secrets, and he saw it stowed
away in the fuselage. He felt a fierce desire to bring Koku there and
carry away the box. But he knew this would make a noise and arouse the
men. With the help of his giant, Tom knew he could have beaten off the
five, but he wanted to capture them as well as get back his chest, and
by crippling the aeroplane he thought this could be brought about.
Having made sure that his chest was there, though of the contents he
could not be so sure, the young inventor removed the distributor from
the motor and slipped back to his friends.
“Now, Ned,” he told his friend, “it’s your turn. Go back to the auto,
ride into town and explain matters to the police. Arrange to have them
assemble here at dawn and raid the place. Koku and I will remain on
guard.”
“Right-o!” whispered Ned, as he made ready to leave.
Several hours passed, with Tom and Koku wrapped in their blankets,
waiting. The camp of the robbers remained quiet and dark.
At last there was a movement near Tom. He started, for he had fallen
into a doze and for a moment he thought he was being attacked by the
robbers. But Ned’s voice whispered in his ear:
“I’ve brought the police. They’ve surrounded the camp and they’ll make
the round-up as soon as you give the word.”
“Wait until it gets a bit lighter,” decided Tom, for dawn was breaking.
“We don’t want any of them to get away.”
“Koku catch ’um!” muttered the giant.
Ned had done his work well, bringing back the chief of police of
Fenwick, the town near which the robbers were camped, and with the chief
came a score of men, for no chances were being taken.
A signal had been agreed upon, and when it was light enough to see, Tom
gave it.
There was a concerted rush upon the camp, and the robbers were taken
completely by surprise. Two tried to start the aeroplane, but though the
propellers were spun there was no answering roar of the motor, for they
were dead with the removal of the distributor which reposed snugly in
Tom’s pocket.
Some of the men showed fight, but the police soon subdued them. Koku
rushed up to Renwick Fawn and, catching hold of him, shook him as a dog
shakes a rat. The giant then caught Barsky and was about to bang
together the heads of the two men, and probably would have killed them,
when Tom cried for him to stop.
“Why stop?” demanded Koku. “’Um tie me up in knots. Now I bust ’um in
mince pies!”
But he was prevailed upon to release the greatly frightened men, who
were then handcuffed with the others and put in the police auto.
“Well, Barsky, you didn’t think I’d get out of the cistern so easily,
did you?” asked Tom of the red-haired man.
A snarl was the only answer.
“Are these yours?” asked the chief of police, as he showed Tom a bundle
of Liberty Bonds. “We found them in a tin box in the tent.”
“They’re mine!” cried Renwick Fawn, throwing out his elbow in the
peculiar manner that identified him.
“I think they’re the ones you accused my father of stealing,” said Ned.
“Hold on to them, Chief.”
“I will, young man,” was the cool answer.
Sullen and defiant, the prisoners were taken to jail. Then with Koku’s
help Tom’s chest of secrets, with the papers, plans and patents intact,
as the young inventor ascertained by a quick inspection, was taken to a
storage vault in a local bank until it could be removed to Shopton.
“I must telephone dad the good news,” Tom said, when the robbers were
safely disposed of. And when Tom got into communication with Mr. Swift
the latter expressed his delight and also told of the mysterious message
demanding a reward for the return of the box.
“I’ll pay myself the reward,” chuckled Tom.
Little remains to be told. As Ned suspected, the Liberty Bonds were
those stolen from the Investment Company and it was proved that Fawn had
taken them. Barsky and Blodgett were one and the same, as Tom suspected,
and he was one of the prime movers in the plot to steal Tom’s secrets.
He and others were sent to prison for long terms.
Mr. Blythe had acted in good faith, knowing nothing of the character of
the men, who, for their own selfish ends, sought to have him act for
them. They had plotted to get Tom’s papers, thinking that when they had
possession of them they could force him to come to terms in the sale of
his tidal engine and other devices.
Accordingly, after open measures had failed, trickery was resorted to.
Blodgett, disguised as a Russian pattern-maker, sought and obtained
employment. When he found he could not sneak away with the papers,
because of the big chest, he attacked Tom, put him out of the way, and
then so arranged matters that his confederates entered the place in the
night, overpowered Koku, and left with the chest.
The men made good their escape, after tying Koku to the tree, and they
had hoped to fly to the fastness of the western mountains, where they
expected to make terms with Tom. But one of the gang, who was anxious to
get cash in a hurry, persuaded them to land in the place near the trees
and try to get money from the Swifts by offering to return the chest. It
was this that caused the robbers to go into camp. They expected to open
negotiations again over the telephone. However, Tom spoiled their plans.
“But I’m not going to take any more chances,” decided the young inventor
several days later. “I’m going to have a special vault made to hold my
chest of secrets.”
“And when you don’t have to worry about them I suppose you’ll start and
make something new, won’t you Tom?” asked Ned.
“Yes, I guess so,” was the answer. “But just now I’m going to pay a
visit to a friend of mine.”
And Ned knew without asking just where Tom Swift was going.
THE END
THE TOM SWIFT SERIES
By VICTOR APPLETON
Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers.
Every Volume Complete in Itself.
Every boy possesses some form of inventive genius. Tom Swift is a
bright, ingenious boy and his inventions and adventures make the most
interesting kind of reading.
TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE
TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT
TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP
TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT
TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT
TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE
TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS
TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE
TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER
TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE
TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD
TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER
TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY
TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA
TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT
TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON
TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE
TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP
TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL
TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS
TOM SWIFT AND HIS WAR TANK
TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR SCOUT
TOM SWIFT AND HIS UNDERSEA SEARCH
TOM SWIFT AND AMONG THE FIRE FIGHTERS
TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE
TOM SWIFT AND HIS FLYING BOAT
TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT OIL GUSHER
GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
THE DON STURDY SERIES
By VICTOR APPLETON
Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations by
WALTER S. ROGERS
Every Volume Complete in Itself
In company with his uncles, one a mighty hunter and the other a noted
scientist, Don Sturdy travels far and wide, gaining much useful
knowledge and meeting many thrilling adventures.
DON STURDY ON THE DESERT OF MYSTERY;
Or, Autoing in the Land of the Caravans.
An engrossing tale of the Sahara Desert, of encounters with wild animals
and crafty Arabs.
DON STURDY WITH THE BIG SNAKE HUNTERS;
Or, Lost in the Jungles of the Amazon.
Don’s uncle, the hunter, took an order for some of the biggest snakes to
be found in South America—to be delivered alive! The filling of that
order brought keen excitement to the boy.
DON STURDY IN THE TOMBS OF GOLD;
Or, The Old Egyptian’s Great Secret.
A fascinating tale of exploration and adventure in the Valley of Kings
in Egypt. Once the whole party became lost in the maze of cavelike tombs
far underground.
DON STURDY ACROSS THE NORTH POLE;
Or, Cast Away in the Land of Ice.
Don and his uncles joined an expedition bound by air across the north
pole. A great polar blizzard nearly wrecks the airship.
DON STURDY IN THE LAND OF VOLCANOES;
Or, The Trail of the Ten Thousand Smokes.
An absorbing tale of adventures among the volcanoes of Alaska in a
territory but recently explored. A story that will make Don dearer to
his readers than ever.
GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
THE RADIO BOYS SERIES
(Trademark Registered)
By ALLEN CHAPMAN
Author of the “Railroad Series,” Etc.
Individual Colored Wrappers. Illustrated.
Every Volume Complete in Itself.
A new series for boys giving full details of radio work; both in sending
and receiving—telling how small and large amateur sets can be made and
operated, and how some boys got a lot of fun and adventure out of what
they did. Each volume from first to last is so thoroughly fascinating,
so strictly up-to-date and accurate, we feel sure all lads will peruse
them with great delight.
Each volume has a Foreword by Jack Binns, the well-known radio expert.
THE RADIO BOYS’ FIRST WIRELESS;
Or, Winning the Ferberton Prize.
THE RADIO BOYS AT OCEAN POINT;
Or, The Message That Saved the Ship.
THE RADIO BOYS AT THE SENDING STATION;
Or, Making Good in the Wireless Room.
THE RADIO BOYS AT MOUNTAIN PASS;
Or, The Midnight Call for Assistance.
THE RADIO BOYS TRAILING A VOICE;
Or, Solving a Wireless Mystery.
THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE FOREST RANGERS;
Or, The Great Fire on Spruce Mountain.
THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE ICEBERG PATROL;
Or, Making Safe the Ocean Lanes.
RADIO BOYS WITH THE FLOOD FIGHTERS;
Or, Saving the City in the Valley.
GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
THE RAILROAD SERIES
By ALLEN CHAPMAN
Author of the “Radio Boys,” Etc.
Uniform Style of Binding. Illustrated.
Every Volume Complete in Itself.
In this line of books there is revealed the whole workings of a great
American railroad system. There are adventures in abundance—railroad
wrecks, dashes through forest fires, the pursuit of a “wildcat”
locomotive, the disappearance of a pay car with a large sum of money on
board—but there is much more than this—the intense rivalry among
railroads and railroad men, the working out of running schedules, the
getting through “on time” in spite of all obstacles, and the
manipulation of railroad securities by evil men who wish to rule or
ruin.
RALPH OF THE ROUND HOUSE;
Or, Bound to Become a Railroad Man.
RALPH IN THE SWITCH TOWER;
Or, Clearing the Track.
RALPH ON THE ENGINE;
Or, The Young Fireman of the Limited Mail.
RALPH ON THE OVERLAND EXPRESS;
Or, The Trials and Triumphs of a Young Engineer.
RALPH, THE TRAIN DISPATCHER;
Or, the Mystery of the Pay Car.
RALPH ON THE ARMY TRAIN;
Or, The Young Railroader’s Most Daring Exploit.
RALPH ON THE MIDNIGHT FLYER;
Or, The Wreck at Shadow Valley.
RALPH AND THE MISSING MAIL POUCH;
Or, The Stolen Government Bonds.
GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
TRANSCRIBER NOTES
Misspelled words and printer errors have been corrected. Where multiple
spellings occur, majority use has been employed.
Punctuation has been maintained except where obvious printer errors
occur.