CROSSED WIRES
More surprised than hurt, and with a feeling of chagrin and anger at the trick which had been played on him, Tom managed to scramble out of the brook.The water was not deep, but he had splashed in with such force that he was wet all over.And, as he got up, the water drip-ping from his clothes, the lad was conscious of a pain in his head.He put up his hand, and found that contact with a stone had raised a large lump on his forehead.It was as big as a hen's egg.
"Humph! I'll be a pretty sight to-morrow," murmured Tom."I wonder who that fellow was, anyhow, and what he wanted? He tripped me neatly enough, whoever he was.I've a good notion to keep on after him."Then, as he realized what a start the fleeing one had, the young inventor knew that it would be fruitless to renew the chase.Slowly he ascended the sloping bank, and started for home.As he did so he realized that he had, clasped in his fingers, something he had grabbed from the person he was pursuing just before his unlucky tumble.
"It's part of his watch chain!" exclaimed Tom, as he felt of the article."I must have ripped it loose when I fell.Wonder what it is? Evidently some sort of a charm.Maybe it will be a clue." He tried to discern of what style it was, but in the dark woods this was impossible.Then the lad tried to strike a match, but those in his pocket had become wet from his unexpected bath."I'll have to wait until I get home," he went on, and he hastened his steps, for he was anxious to see what he had torn loose from the person who appeared to be spying on him.
"Why Tom, what's the matter?" exclaimed Mrs.Baggert, when he entered the kitchen, dripping water at every step."Is it raining outside? I didn't hear any storm.""It was raining where I was," replied Tom angrily."I fell in the brook.It was so hot I thought I'd cool off.""With your best suit on!" ejaculated the housekeeper.
"It isn't my best," retorted the lad."But I went in before I thought.Itwas an accident; I fell," he added, lest Mrs.Baggert take his joking remarks seriously.He did not want to tell her of the chase.
The chief concern of the lad now was to look at the charm and, as soon as Mrs.Baggert's attention was attracted elsewhere, Tom glanced at the object he still held tightly clenched in his hand.As the light from the kitchen fell upon it he could hardly repress an exclamation of astonishment.
For the charm that he held in his hand was one he had seen before dangling from the watch chain of Addison Berg, the agent for Bentley & Eagert, submarine boat builders, which firm had, as told in "Tom Swift and His Submarine," tried unsuccessfully to secure the gold treasure from the sunken wreck.Berg and his associates had even gone so far as to try to disable the Advance, the boat of Tom and his father, by ramming her when deep down under the ocean, but Mr.Swift's use of an electric cannon had broken the steering gear of the Wonder, the rival craft, and from that time on Tom and his friends had a clear field to search for the bullion held fast in the hold of the Boldero."Addison Berg," murmured Tom, as he looked at the watch charm."What can he be doing in this neighborhood? Hiding, too, as if he wanted to overhear something.That's the way he did when we were building our submarine, and now he's up to the same trick when I'm constructing my electric car.I'm sure this charm is his.It is such a peculiar design that I'm positive I can't be mistaken.I thought, when I was chasing after him, that it would turn out to be Andy Foger, or some of the boys, but it was too big for them.Addison Berg, eh? What can he be doing around here? I must not tell Dad, or he'd worry himself sick.But I must be on my guard."Tom examined the charm closely.It was a compass, but made in an odd form, and was much ornamented.
The young inventor had noticed it on several occasions when he had been in conversation with Mr.Berg previous to the attempt on the part of the owners of the rival submarine to wreck Tom's boat.He felt that he could not be mistaken in identifying the charm.
