reserve. One of the improvements he had put in the ARROW
was a new auxiliary ignition system. This he now decided to use.

With a quick motion Tom threw over the switch that put it into
operation. A hotter, "fatter" spark was at once produced, and
adjusting his gasoline cock so that a little more of the fluid would be
drawn in, making a "richer" mixture, the owner of the ARROW saw the
craft shoot forward as if, like some weary runner, new life had been
infused.

In vain did Andy frantically try to get more speed out of his motor.
He cut out the muffler, and the explosions sounded loudly over the
lake. But it was no use. A minute later the ARROW, which had slowly
forged ahead, crossed the bows of the RED STREAK opposite the finishing
point, and Tom had won the race.

"Well, was that fair?" our hero called to Andy, who had quickly shut
off some of his power as he saw his rival's daring trick. "Did I beat
you fair?"

"You wouldn't have beaten me if my engine hadn't gone back on me,"
grumbled Andy, chagrin showing on his face. "Wait until my motor runs
smoother and I'll give you a big handicap and beat you. My boat's
faster than yours. It ought to be. It cost fifteen hundred dollars
and it's a racer."

"I guess it doesn't like racing," commented Tom as he swung the prow of
his craft down the lake toward his home. But he knew there was some
truth in what Andy had said. The RED STREAK was a more speedy boat,
and, with proper handling, could have beaten the ARROW. That was where
Tom's superior knowledge came in useful. "Just you wait, I'll beat you
yet," called Andy, after the young inventor, but the latter made no
answer. He was satisfied.

Mr. Swift was much interested that night in his son's account of the
race.

"I had no idea yours was such a speedy boat," he said.

"Well, it wasn't originally," admitted Tom, "but the improvements I put
on it made it so. But, dad, when are we going on our tour? You look
more worn out than I've seen you in some time, not excepting when the
turbine model was stolen. Are you worrying over your gyroscope
invention?"

"Somewhat, Tom. I can't seem to hit on just what I want. It's a
difficult problem."

"Then I tell you what let's do, dad. Let's drop everything in the
inventive line and go off on a vacation. I'll take you up the lake in
my boat and you can spend a week at the Lakeview Hotel at Sandport. It
will do you good."

"What will you do, Tom?"

"Oh