. Swift died--of the mysterious airship--of the stolen
plans--of the fire in the shed--of the great race--and of Andy Foger.

He took little note of time, and when, in less than an hour he sighted
the river that told him he was near to Kirkville, he was rather
startled.

"You certainly did come right along, Humming-Bird!" he murmured proudly.

He descended several hundred feet, and, as he passed over the town, the
people of which grew wildly excited, he looked about for the house of
the noted specialist. He knew how to pick it out, for Dr. Gladby had
described it to him, and Tom was glad to see, as he came within view of
the residence, that it was surrounded by a large yard.

"I can land almost at his door," he said, and he did, volplaning to
earth with an ease born of long practice.

To say that Dr. Hendrix was astonished when Tom dropped in on him in
this manner, would not be exactly true. The specialist was not in the
habit of receiving calls from youths in aeroplanes, but the fact was,
that Dr. Hendrix was so absorbed in his work, and thought so constantly
about it, that it took a great deal to startle him out of his usual
calm.

"And so you came for me in your aeroplane?" he asked of Tom, as he
gazed at the trim little craft. It is doubtful if he really saw it,
however, as Dr. Hendrix was just then thinking of an operation he had
performed a few hours before. "I'm sorry you had your trip for
nothing," he went on. "I'd like very much to come to your father, but
didn't you get my telegram, telling about the broken bridge? There is
no way for me to get to Shopton in time."

"Yes, there is!" cried Tom, eagerly.

"How?"

"The same way I came--in the aeroplane! Dr. Hendrix you must go back
with me! It's the only way to save my father's life. Come with me in
the Humming-Bird. It's perfectly safe. I can make the trip in less than
an hour. I can carry you and your instruments. Will you come? Won't you
come to save my father's life?" Tom was fairly pleading now.

"A trip in an aeroplane," mused Dr. Hendrix "I've never taken such a
thing. I--"

"Don't be afraid, there's really no danger," said Tom.

The physician seemed to reach a sudden conclusion. His eyes brightened.
He walked over and looked at the little Humming-Bird. For the time
being he forgot about his operations.

"I'll go with you!" he suddenly cried. "I'll go with you, Tom Swift! If
you've got the nerve, so have I! and if my science and skill can