suggested the physician. "Dr. Hendrix would hardly come on the request
of some one whom he did not know. I'll prepare a telegram, briefly
explaining the case. It is the sort of an operation Dr. Hendrix is much
interested in, and I think he will come on that account, if for no other
reason. I'll write out the message, and you can have Eradicate take it
to the telegraph office."

"I'll take it myself!" exclaimed Tom, as he got ready to go out into the
night with the urgent request. "Is there any immediate danger for my
father?" he asked.

"No; not any immediate danger," replied Dr. Gladby. "But the operation
is imperative if he is to live. It is his one and only chance."

Tom thought only of his father as he hurried on through the night. Even
the prospect of the great race, so soon to take place, had no part in
his mind.

"I'll not race until I'm sure dad is going to get better," he decided.
With the message to the noted specialist Tom also sent one to Mr. Damon,
telling him the news, and asking him to come to Shopton. Tom felt that
the presence of the odd gentleman would help him, and Mr. Damon, who
first intended to stay on at the Swift home until he and Tom departed
for Eagle Park, had gone back to his own residence to attend to some
business Tom knew he would come in the morning, and Mr. Damon did arrive
on the first train.

"Bless my soul!" he exclaimed with ready sympathy, as he extended his
hand to Tom. "What's all this?" The young inventor told him, beginning
with the fire that had been the cause of the excitement which produced