ce, quiet trips," remarked the lad when he had finished
his account. "I feel as if I had cheated you out of part of your
vacation, Ned, staying away as long as I did."

"Well, of course we missed you," answered his chum. "But your father
and I had a good time."

"Yes, and I invented a new attachment for a kitchen boiler," added Mr.
Swift. "I had a chance for it when I passed through the hotel kitchen
one day, for I wanted to see what kind of a range they used."

"I guess there's no stopping you from inventing," replied his son with
a laugh and a hopeless shake of the head. "But don't let it happen
again when you go away to rest."

"Oh, I only just thought of it," said Mr. Swift. "I haven't worked the
details out yet."

Then he wanted to know about everything at home and he seemed
particularly anxious lest the Happy Harry gang do some damage.

"I don't believe they will," Tom assured him. "Garret and Mrs. Baggert
will be on guard."

The next few days were pleasant ones for Tom, his father and Ned
Newton. They cruised about the lake, went fishing and camped in the
woods. Even Mr. Swift spent one night in the tent and said he liked it
very much. For a week the three led an ideal existence, going about as
they pleased, Ned taking a number of photographs with his new camera.
The ARROW proved herself a fine boat, and Tom and Ned, when Mr. Swift
did not accompany them, explored the seldom visited parts of Lake
Carlopa.

The three had been out one day and were discussing the necessity of
returning home soon when Ned spoke.

"I shall hate to give up this life and go to slaving in the bank
again," he complained. "I wish I was an inventor."

"Oh, we inventors don't have such an easy time," said Mr. Swift. "You
never know when trouble is coming," and he little imagined how near the
truth he was.

A little later they were at the hotel dock. When Tom had tied up his
boat the three walked up the path to the broad veranda that faced the
lake. A boy in uniform met them.

"Some one has just called you on the telephone, Mr. Swift," he reported.

"Some one wants me? Who is it?"

"I think he said his name is Jackson, sir, Garret Jackson, and he says
the message is very important."

"Tom, something has happened at home!" exclaimed the inventor as he
hurried up the steps. "I'm afraid there's bad news."

Unable to still the fear in his heart, Tom followed his father.

CHAPTER XX

NEWS OF A ROBBERY