did you get here? I thought you were at Sandport."

"I'll explain later, Garret. Just now I want to catch those men, if I
can."

"Which men?"

"Happy Harry and another one. I saw them hiding down by the orchard
path. Come on, they're right ahead of us."

But though they hunted as well as they were able to in the
fast-gathering darkness, there was no trace of the intruders. They had
to give up, and Tom, after going to the boathouse to see that the ARROW
was all right, returned to the house, where he told the engineer and
housekeeper what had brought him back and how he had surprised the two
men.

"Is everything all right, Garret?" he concluded. "Dad is nervous and
frightened. I must telephone him at the hotel to-night and let him
know, for I promised to come back. I can't, though, until to-morrow."

"Everything is all right as far as I know," answered Jackson. "I've
kept a careful watch and the burglar alarm has been in working order.
Mrs. Baggert and I haven't been disturbed a single night since you went
away. It's curious that the men should be here the very night you come
back. Maybe they followed you."

"I hardly think so, for they didn't know I was coming."

"You can't tell what those fellows know," commented the engineer.
"But, anyhow, I don't suppose they could have gotten here from Sandport
as soon as you did."

"Oh, yes they could, in their automobile," declared Tom. "But I don't
believe they knew I was coming. They knew we were away, however, and
thought it would be a good time to steal something, I guess. Are you
sure nothing has been taken?"

"Perfectly sure, but you and I will take a look around the shop."

They made a hasty examination, but found nothing disturbed and no signs
that anyone had tried to break in.

"I think I'll telephone dad that everything is all right," decided Tom.
"It is as far as his inventions are concerned, and if I tell about
seeing the men it will only worry him. I can explain that part better
when I see him. But when I go back, Garret, you will have to be on
your guard, since those men are in the neighborhood."

"I will, Tom. Don't worry."

Mr. Swift was soon informed by his son over the telephone that nothing
in the shops had been disturbed, and the inventor received the news
with evident satisfaction. He requested Tom to come back to the hotel
in the morning, in order that the three of them might go for a ride
about the lake in the afternoon,