Tom sprang to the door, flashing his electric light, and a voice exclaimed:
"Golly! Chicken thieves!"
"Oh, is it you, Eradicate?" asked the young inventor, with a laugh. "No, it isn't chicken thieves—they were after bigger game this time."
"Suffin happen?" asked the colored man. "Massa Swift he heah a noise, an' see a light, an' he sent me out yeah t' see what all am gwine on."
"Yes, something happened," admitted Tom. "They got the Eagle, Rad."
"What! Yo' big airship?"
"Yes."
"Huh! Dat's too bad, Massa Tom. I suah am sorry t' heah dat. Who done it?"
"We don't know, Rad."
"Maybe it was that low-down cousin ob mine what tried t' git mah chickens, onct!"
"No, Rad, it wasn't your cousin. But I'll telephone the alarm to the police. They may be able to help me get the Eagle back."
Within the next hour several messages were sent to the authorities of nearby towns, asking them to be on the watch for the stolen airship. This was about all that could be done, and after Mr. Swift had been told the story of the night's happenings, everyone went back to bed again.
