“Tom Swift? Yes, he’s here. Wait a minute and I’ll let you talk to him. It’s for you, Tom,” he said, as he handed him the receiver.
“Hello!” called Tom into the instrument. Then he recognized his father’s voice and was aware at once that something had happened. “What’s that?” he cried. “An attack on you and Mrs. Baggert? Are you hurt? I’ll be right over! Send Ned with the runabout! Yes, I’ll come right away!”
There was an anxious look on his face as he hung up the receiver and turned to his friends.
“What is it?” asked Mary. “Has anything happened?”
“Lots, apparently,” answered Tom, with a grim smile. “Just a little while ago, while my father was alone, working in our office, he was mysteriously attacked and momentarily knocked senseless. Mrs. Baggert, too, was knocked down; and when Eradicate came to help he was savagely set upon—not that it would take much to knock out the poor old fellow.”
“Who did it?” cried Mr. Nestor.
“Is your father much hurt?” asked Mary.
“Dad doesn’t know who did it,” Tom answered. “He isn’t much hurt, I’m glad to say, or he wouldn’t have been able to telephone. I didn’t get a chance to ask him how Mrs. Baggert and Rad were, but I don’t believe they’re in a serious condition or he would have told me. It’s the mysteriousness of the attack and what it may mean that alarms my father and, naturally, me also.”
“Do you want me to go back with you, Tom?” asked Mr. Nestor. “I may be able to help you.”
“Thank you, but I guess the worst is over. I’ll telephone back and let you know how matters stand as soon as I find out myself. Ned ought to be here in a little while if he has luck.”