I can't see what his object would be in wanting to destroy Tom's new craft."
"Pure meanness. Afraid that Tom will beat him in the race," suggested Mr. Jackson.
"It's too big a risk to take," went on the aged inventor. "I'm inclined to think it might be one of the gang of men who made the diamonds in the cave in the mountains. They might have sent a spy on East, and he might try to damage the aeroplane to be revenged for what Tom and Mr. Jenks did to them."
"It's possible," agreed the engineer. "Well, we'll wait until Tom can talk, and we'll go over it with him."
"Not until he is stronger, though," stipulated the physician as he went away. "Don't excite Tom for a few days."
The young inventor was much better the following day, and when Dr. Gladby called he said Tom could sit up for a little while. Two days later Tom was well enough to be talked to, and his father and Mr. Jackson went over all the details of the matter. Mr. Damon, who had returned home, came to see his friend as soon as he heard of his plight, and was also a member of the consulting party.
"Bless my dictionary!" exclaimed the eccentric man. "I wish I had been here to take a hand
