them!"

He turned about and retraced his steps, making a careful search. He saw
no one, until, turning a corner, a little later, he met Eradicate
Sampson.

"You haven't seen any strangers around here just now, have you, Rad?"
asked Tom anxiously.

"No, indeedy, I hasn't, Massa Tom. What fo' kind ob a stranger was him?"

"That's just what I don't know. Rad. But some one sneaked into the
library lust now and took some of my plans while my father dozed off. I
jumped out after him as soon as I could, but he has disappeared."

"Maybe it were th' man who done stowed hisself away on yo' airship, de
time yo' all went after de diamonds," suggested the colored man.

"No, it couldn't have been him. If it was anybody, it was Andy Foger, or
some of his crowd. You didn't see Andy, did you, Rad?"

"No, indeedy; but if I do, I suah will turn mah mule, Boomerang, loose
on him, an' he won't take any mo' plans--not right off, Massa Tom."

"No, I guess not. Well, I must get back to dad, or he'll worry. Keep
your eyes open, Rad, and if you see Andy Foger, or any one else, around
here, let me know. Just sing out for all you're worth."

"Shall I call out, Massa Tom, ef I sees dat blessin' man?"