"I heard you had an accident," said Tom, a chain of thoughts being rapidly forged in his mind, as he thought of what Sam had told him.
"You heard of it?" repeated Mr.Foger, while Andy was busy pumping up the tire.
"Yes, a friend who was out riding with you said you had broken a wheel on Berk's hill.But I see he was slightly wrong.You're a good way from Berk's hill, and it's a tire that is broken, not a wheel.""But I don't understand," said Mr.Foger."No friend has been out riding with us.My son and I were out on a business trip, and--""Come on, pop.I've got it all pumped up.Jump in.There's your pump, Tom Swift.Much obliged," muttered Andy hastily.It was very evident that he wanted to prevent any further conversation between his parent and Tom.
"But I don't understand," went on the banker, clearly puzzled."What friend gave you such information, Mr.--er--Tom Swift?""Sam Snedecker," replied the lad quickly."I caught him sneaking around my machine shop about an hour ago, and when I asked him what he was doing he said he'd been out riding with Andy, and that they broke a wheel.I'm glad it was only a blown- out tire," and Tom's voice had a curious note in it.
"But there must be some mistake," insisted Mr.Foger."Sam Snedecker was not riding with us this evening.We have been over to Waterfield--my son and I, and--""Come on, pop!" cried Andy desperately."We must hurry home.Mom will be worried.""Yes, I think she will.But I can't understand why Sam should say such a thing.However, we are much obliged for the use of your pump, Swift, and--"But Andy prevented any further talk by starting the car with themuffler open, making a great racket, and he hurriedly drove off, almost before his father was seated, leaving Tom standing there in the road, beside his pump and lantern.
"So," mused the young inventor, "there's some game on.Sam wasn't with Andy, yet Andy evidently knew where Sam was, or he wouldn't have been so anxious to choke off talk.Mr.Foger knew nothing of Sam, naturally.But why have Andy and his father been on a midnight trip to Waterfield?"That last question caused Tom to adopt a new line of thought."Waterfield," he mused."That's where Mr.Damon lives.Mr.Damon isa heavy depositor in the old bank.Mr.Foger is going to start a new bank.I wonder if there's any connection there? This is getting mysterious.I must keep my eyes open.I never expected to meet Andy and his father tonight, any more than I expected to find Sam Snedecker sneaking around my shop, but it's a good thing I discovered both parties.I guess Andy must have had nervous prostration when I was talking to his father," and Tom grinned at the thought.Then, picking up the pump, and fastening the lantern in place, he drove Mr.Damon's auto slowly back home.
Tom said nothing to his father or Mr.Sharp, the next morning, about the incidents of the previous night.In the first place he could not exactly understand them, and he wanted to devote more time to thinking of them, before he mentioned the matter to his parent.Another reason was that Mr.Swift was a very nervous person, and the least thing out of the ordinary worried him.So the young inventor concluded to keep quiet.
