"Oh, that will be all right," said Tom. "There won't be any
secrets he can get, if you mean you think he might be up to spy
work."

"That's what I did mean, Tom. You never can tell, you know, and
you have some bitter enemies."

"Yes, but I'll take care this man doesn't see the plans, or any
of my drawings. I only want some one to do the heavy assembling
work on the experimental muffler I'm getting up. We can let him
think it's for a new kind of automobile."

"Oh, then I guess it will be all right. I'll send Bower to
you."

Tom rather liked the new workman, who seemed quiet and
efficient. He did not ask questions, either, about the machine on
which he was engaged, but did as he was told. As Tom had said, he
kept his plans and drawing under lock and key--in a safe to be
exact--and he did not think they were in any danger from his new
helper.

But Tom Swift held into altogether too slight regard the powers
of those who were opposed to him. He did not appreciate the
depths to which they would stoop to gain their ends.

He had been working hard on his new device, and had reached a
point further along than when the other motor had exploded. He
began to see success ahead of him, and he was jubilant. Whether