"Why not?" asked Tom, quickly.

"Because he's gone."

"Gone! Bower gone?"

"Yes," answered Jackson. "I saw him running out of the
experiment shop as we raced along to help you. I didn't think, at
the time, that he was doing more than go for aid, perhaps. But I
see the game now."

"Oh, you mean--him?" and Tom pointed to the dripping figure.

"Yes," said Jackson in a low voice, as Koku went on ahead with
his prisoner. "If, as you say, this man was in league with Bower,
the latter has smelled a rat and skipped. He has run away, and I
only hope he hasn't done any damage or got hold of any of your
plans."

"We'll soon know about that," said Tom. "I wonder who is at the
bottom of this?"

"Maybe those men you wouldn't work for," suggested the
machinist.

"You mean Gale and Ware of the Universal Flying Machine
Company?"

"Yes."