A FALSE CLEW
131
"It's a bad storm all right!" exclaimed Tom, as he looked at the barometer, and noted that the mercury was still falling.
"Yes, and we have had our trouble for our pains!" declared Mr. Whitford.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I believe that we have been deceived by a false clew. The smugglers probably had no intention of getting goods across at this point tonight. They saw to it that my agent got false information, believing that we would follow it, and leave the vicinity of Logansville. "
"So they could operate there?" asked Tom.
"That's it," replied the agent. "They drew us off the scent. There's no help for it. We must get back as soon as we can. My! This is a bad storm!" he added, as a blast careened the airship.
