“I see now where you got that idea, Tom; for I’ve heard you speak of it more than once. Yes, and I believe the same thing. That is one reason I’m here at the aviation school learning to serve my country and the cause of democracy in the world. But go on. Tell me more about it.”
“Just when father felt absolutely certain that he had solved the problem,” continued Tom dejectedly, “a terrible disaster came upon him as suddenly as a bolt from the blue.”
“Was it a fire that destroyed his papers and set him back in his calculations?” demanded Jack.
“Oh, much worse than that!” came the answer. “A part of the design was stolen. He says he will in time probably be able to make it good, so that isn’t the worst of it. He fears the stolen paper may get into the hands of the German high authorities on aeronautics and prove of priceless value to them in their further conduct of the war!”
CHAPTER II
LOOKING FORWARD TO ACTION
Jack looked aghast at hearing Tom say this.
“Has he some good reason for fearing such a thing, Tom?” he hastened to ask.
“He has,” came the other’s reply. “There was a German who tried hard to get on friendly terms with my father. He finally hinted very broadly that his Government, in order to secure the secret of the new stabilizer, stood ready to double any amount of money our Government at Washington had offered.”
“Whew! then he must have been a secret agent of Wilhelmstrasse!” suggested Jack, with bated breath.
“There’s not the slightest doubt about it.” And Tom frowned and looked very determined. “No one could have made such a promise unless he was in close touch with the German Legation at Washington and the pay agents of the Kaiser in New York City.”