XXIV PUTTING THE ENEMY TO FLIGHT

XXV SPEED AND SUCCESS




TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE



Chapter I

A Tempting Offer


"An electric locomotive that can make two miles a minute over a
properly ballasted roadbed might not be an impossibility," said
Mr. Barton Swift ruminatively. "It is one of those things that
are coming," and he flashed his son, Tom Swift, a knowing smile.
It had been a topic of conversation between them before the
visitor from the West had been seated before the library fire and
had sampled one of the elder Swift's good cigars.

"It is not only a future possibility," said the latter
gentleman, shrugging his shoulders. "As far as the Hendrickton
and Pas Alos Railroad Company goes, a two mile a minute gait--not
alone on a level track but through the Pas Alos Range--is an
immediate necessity. It's got to be done now, or our stock will