6 TOM SWIFT'S ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE
come to us-to Tom and me-in reference to
your railroad difficulties?"
"And this suggestion you have made," added
Tom, “about a possible electric locomotive of a
faster type than has ever yet been put on the
rails?"
"That is it, exactly," replied Bartholomew, sitting suddenly upright in his chair. "We want faster electric motor power than has ever yet been invented. We have got to have it, or the H. & P. A. might as well be scrapped and the whole territory out there handed over to Montagne Lewis and his H. & W. That is the sum total of the matter, gentlemen. If the Swift Construc- tion Company cannot help us, my railroad is going to be junk in about three years from this beauti- ful evening."
His emphasis could not fail to impress both the elder and the younger Swift. They looked at `each other, and the interest displayed upon the father's countenance was reflected upon the fea- tures of the son.
If there was anything Tom Swift liked it was a good fight. The clash of diverse interests was the breath of life to the young fellow. And for some years now, always connected in some way with the development of his inventive genius, he had been entangled in battles both of wits and physi- cal powers. Here was the suggestion of some-
