"Then where is Andy Foger building his aeroplane?" asked Tom in a
whisper; but Mr. Damon could not answer him.




Chapter Nine

A Trial Flight


For a few moments after their exclamations of surprise Tom and Mr. Damon
did not know what else to say. They stared about in amazement, hardly
able to believe that the shed could be empty. They had expected to see
some form of aeroplane in it, and Tom was almost sure his eyes would
meet a reproduction of his Humming Bird, made from the stolen plans.

"Can it be possible there's nothing here?" went on Tom, after a long
pause. He could not seem to believe it.

"Evidently not," answered Mr. Damon, as he advanced toward the center of
the big building and flashed the light on all sides. "You can see for
yourself."

"Or, rather, you can't see," spoke the youth. "It isn't here, that's
sure. You can't stick an aeroplane, even as small a one as my Humming
Bird, in a corner. No; it isn't here,"

"Well, we'll have to look further," went on Mr. Damon. "I think--"