At that moment the telephone set up an insistent ringing, breaking in on Mr. Damon's remarks.
"I'll answer," said Tom, as Mrs. Baggert moved toward the instrument, which was an extension from the main one.
"Hello!" called the young inventor into the transmitter, and as he received an answer a look of pleasure came over his face.
"Yes, Mary, this is Tom," he said. He remained silent a moment, while it was evident he was listening to the voice at the other end of the wire. Then he suddenly exclaimed:
"What's that? Tell him to come home? Why, he isn't here. I just came in and—what—wait a minute!"
With a rather strange look on his face Tom covered the mouth-piece of the instrument with his hand, and, turning to his father, asked:
"Is Mr. Nestor here?"
"No," replied Mr. Swift slowly, "He was here, though. He came a little while after you and Mr. Damon started off in the Air Scout. But he didn't stay. Said he wanted to see you about something and would call again."
"Oh," remarked the young man. "I didn't know he had been there."
"I meant to tell you," said Mrs. Baggert; "but getting the lunch made me forget it, I guess."