Without doubt the man had slunk about the Swift house and had
peered into one of the library windows while the interview was
proceeding. He had observed Tom making notes on the scratch pad
and judged correctly that those notes dealt with the subject
under discussion between the visitor from the West and the
Swifts.

He had likewise seen Tom thrust the paper into his wallet and
the wallet into his inside vest pocket. Instead of dogging Mr.
Bartholomew's footsteps after that gentleman left the Swift
house, the man had waited for the appearance of Tom. When he was
sure that the young fellow was preparing to walk out, and the
direction he was to stroll, the thug had run ahead and ensconced
himself in the archway on this dark block.

All these things were plain enough. The notes Tom had taken
regarding the offer Mr. Bartholomew had made for the development
of the electric locomotive might, under some circumstances, be
very important. At least, the highwayman evidently thought them
such. But Tom had another thought about that.

One thing the young inventor was convinced about, as he strode
briskly away from the scene of the hold-up: There was going to be
trouble. It had already begun.



Chapter III

Tom Swift's Friends