kind, Tom Swift, aided by his father, had forged ahead, building
motor boats, airships, submarines, monoplanes, motion picture
cameras, searchlights, cannons, photo-telephones, war tanks. Of
late, as related in "Tom Swift Among the Fire Fighters," he had
engaged in the invention of an explosive bomb carrying flame-
quenching chemicals that would, in time, revolutionize fire-
fighting in tall buildings.

The matter that Mr. Richard Bartholomew, the railroad magnate,
had brought to Tom's and his father's attention had deeply
interested the young inventor. Thought of the electric
locomotive, the development of which the railroad president
stated was the only salvation of the finances of the H. & P. A.,
had so held Tom's attention as he walked along the street that
being stopped in this sudden way was even more startling than
such an incident might ordinarily have been.

Tom was a muscular young fellow; but a club held over one's
head by a burly thug would have shaken the courage of anybody.
Dark as it was under the archway the young fellow saw that the
bulk of the man was much greater than his own.

"That's right, sonny," said the stranger, in a sneering tone.
"You got just the right idea. When I say 'Stick 'em up' I mean
it. Never take a chance. Ah--ah!"

The fellow ripped open Tom's overcoat, almost tearing the
buttons off. Another masterful jerk and his victim's jacket was
likewise parted widely. He did not lower the club for an instant.
He thrust his left hand into the V-shaped parting of the young