第11章

Tom Swift had drawn pencil and paper from his pocket, and, as he and Mr.Damon were sitting on the steps of one of the shops, the young inventor was about to demonstrate by a drawing part of his new project, when the interruption came in the shape of one of the men who had, an hour before, made a business offer to Tom.

"Excuse me," went on Mr.Peton Gale, "but Mr.Ware and I got to talking it over on our way to the station--the matter of having you in our company, Mr.Swift--and we concluded that it was worth twenty-five thousand dollars a year for us to have you.So I came back--""It isn't of the slightest use, Mr.Gale, I assure you," said Tom, a bit heatedly, for he did not like the persistency of this man, nor did he like his coming on the factory grounds unannounced and in this secret manner."I told you I could not accept your offer.It is not altogether a matter of money.My word was final.""Oh very well, if you put it that way," said Mr.Gale stiffly, "of course there is nothing more to say.But I thought perhaps you did not consider we had offered you enough and--""Your offer is fair enough from a financial standpoint," said Tom; "but I simply cannot accept it.I have other plans.Jackson!" he called to one of his mechanics who was passing, "kindly see Mr.Gale to the gate, and then let me know how it was any one came in here without a permit.""Yes, sir," said the mechanic, as he stood significantly waiting.

"There was no one at the gate when I came in," said Mr.Gale, and his manner was antagonizing."I wanted to speak to you--to ask you to reconsider your offer--so I came back.""It is against the rules to admit strangers to the shop grounds," said Tom."Good-day!"The president of the Universal Flying Machine Company did not respond, but there was a look on his face as he turned away that, had Tom seen it, might have caused him some uneasiness.But he did not see.Instead, he resumed his talk with Mr.Damon.

"Tom, your idea is most interesting," declared the eccentric man."Ihope you will be able to work it out!"

"I'm going to try," said the young inventor."I hope that man-- Mr.Gale--didn't hear anything of what I was saying.He sneaked up on us before I was aware any one was near but ourselves.""I don't imagine he heard very much, Tom," said Mr.Damon."He may have heard you mention a silent motor--""That's just what I wish he hadn't heard," broke in Tom."That's the germ of the idea, and once it becomes known that I am working on that-- Well, there's no use crying over spilled milk," and he smiled at the homely proverb."I'll have to work in secret, once I've started.""Do you think the government would use it, Tom?" asked his friend.