Then there was a check-up of every gate and entrance in the big fence, and at no place had Tom been admitted. Granting that his protective plans worked, he could not have entered his own plant without a record having been made of it, and there was none.
“There’s only one answer to this, then,” said Ned, when the search had ended.
“What’s the answer?” asked Mr. Swift.
“Tom didn’t come in here after he left me. He must have gone somewhere else.”
Mr. Swift looked at his watch.
“Do you suppose he could be at Mary’s now?” he asked.
“What time is it?”
“Three.”
“No, he wouldn’t be there at this hour!” declared Ned.
“He might,” replied Mr. Swift hopefully. “When Tom’s mind is busy on his inventions he forgets all about time. It would be just like him to forget that it was three o’clock in the morning and go to call on Mary.”