"I'm going to see what sort of a craft it is making that noise," he
said.

As he opened the trap door, and stepped out into the little observatory
the sound was so plain as to startle him. He looked up quickly, and,
directly overhead he saw a curious sight.

For, flying so low as to almost brush the lightning rod on the chimney
of the Swift home, was a small aeroplane, and, as Tom looked up, he saw
in a light that gleamed from it, two figures looking down on him.




Chapter Sixteen

A Mysterious Fire


For a few moments Tom did not know what to think. Not that the sight of
aeroplanes in flight were any novelty to him, but to see one flying over
his house in the dead of night was a little out of the ordinary. Then,
as he realized that night-flights were becoming more common, Tom tried
to make out the details of the craft.

"I wish I had brought the night glasses with me," he said aloud.

"Here they are," spoke a voice at his side, and so suddenly that Tom was
startled. He looked down, and saw Mr. Jackson standing beside him.