ome secret formulae during a fire in
Field and Melling's factory."

"You don't say so!" cried Mr. Blake. "Tom Swift, there's something
wrong here! Let you and me talk this over. I begin to see how I may be
able to take a peep through the hole in the grindstone," a colloquial
expression which was as well understood by Tom as were some of Mr.
Damon's blessing remarks.

"If you're going to talk business I think I'll excuse myself," said
Mary.

"Don't go," urged Tom, but she said to him that she would see him
before he left, and then she went out, leaving her uncle and the young
inventor busily engaged in talking.

But though Mr. Blake had certain suspicions regarding Field and
Melling, and though Tom Swift, too, believed they had something to do
with the disappearance of Baxter's secret formulae, it was another
matter to prove anything.

Impetuous as he often was, Mr. Blake was for calling in the police at
once, and having the two men arrested. But Tom counseled delay.

"Wait until we get more evidence against them," he urged.

"But they may skip out!" objected Mary's uncle.

"They won't with that Landmark Building on their hands," said the young
inventor.

"Their hands! Huh! They'll take precious good care that the trouble and
responsibility of it are on other people's hands before they go,"
declared Mr. Blake. "However, I suppose you're right. Barton Keith sets
a deal by your opinion since that undersea search, and while I don't
always agree with him, I do in this case. Especially since he is likely
to have the laugh on me."

"Oh, I wouldn't count everything lost in that building deal," said Tom.
"A way may be found out of the trouble yet. But I must be getting back.
Dr. Henderson was to give a report today on the condition of
Eradicate's eyes, and I want to be there."

"Mary was saying something about your faithful old retainer being in
trouble," said Mr. Blake. "I'm sorry to hear about it."

"We are all sorry for poor Rad," replied Tom slowly. "I only hope he
gets his sight back. His last days will be very sad if he doesn't."

Tom found Mary waiting for him after he had left her uncle, and, after
a short talk with her, he made ready to ride back with Mr. Damon, who,
after having attended to several other matters, was now outside in his
car.

"When are you coming home, Mary?" Tom asked.

"In a week or two," she answered. "I'll send word when I'm ready and
you can come and get me."

"Delighted!" dec