you at the time of the race, if not before."

Tom resolved to get right to work seeking clues against his old enemy,
Andy, but the next day Mr. Swift was not so well, and Tom had to remain
in the house. Then followed several days, during which time it was
necessary to do some important work on his craft, and so a week passed
without any information having been obtained.

In the meanwhile Tom had made some cautious inquiries, but had learned
nothing about Andy. He had no chance to interview Pete or Sam, the two
cronies, and he did not think it wise to make a bald request for
information at the Foger home.

Ned Newton could not be of any aid to his friend, as he was kept busy in
the bank night and day, working over a new set of books.

"I wonder how I can find out what I want to know?" mused Tom one
afternoon, when he had done considerable work on the Humming-Bird. "I
certainly ought to do it soon, so as to be able to stop Andy if he's
infringing on my patents. Yet, I don't see how--"

His thoughts were interrupted by hearing a voice outside the shop,
exclaiming:

"Bless my toothpick! I know the way, Eradicate, my good fellow. It isn't
necessary for you to come. As long as Tom Swift is out there, I'll find
him. Bless my horizontal rudder! I'm anxious to see what progress he's
made. I'll find him, if he's about!"

"Yes, sah, he's right in dere," spoke the colored man. "He's workin' on