Chapter Ten

A Midnight Intruder


Tom Swift sent his wonderful little craft upward on a gentle slant.
Higher and higher it rose above the ground. Now it topped the trees; now
it was well over them.

On the earth below stood Mr. Swift, Mr. Jack son, Eradicate and Mrs.
Baggert. They were the only witnesses of the trial flight, and as the
aged inventor saw his son's latest design in aeroplanes circling in the
air he gave a cheer of delight. It was too feeble for Tom to hear, but
the lad, glancing down, saw his father waving his hand to him.

"Dear old dad!" thought Tom, waving in return. "I hope he's well enough
to see me win the big prize."

Tom and Mr. Damon went skimming easily through the air, at no great
speed, to be sure, for the young inventor did not want to put too sudden
a strain on his motor.

"This is glorious!" cried the odd gentleman. "I never shall have enough
of aeroplaning, Tom!"

"Nor I, either," added his companion. "But how do you like it? Don't you
think it's an improvement on my Butterfly, Mr. Damon?"

"It certainly is. You're a wonder, Tom! Look out! What are you up to?"