"Couldn't have been better, Dad," and he gave a short account of the tryout trip, including the race.
"Dat's fine!" commented Eradicate who, with the freedom of an old family servant, had been listening. "Better put her to bed now, Massa Tom, an' let her hab a good night's rest. Dat's what I used to do wif de race hosses down in ole Virginny."
"'Tisn't a bad idea," returned Tom, with a smile. "Give the motor a thorough examination and test for any possible strains," Tom told one of his men, who came out to help put the House on Wheels into the special garage that had been built for it. "I pushed the motor pretty hard, for a new one, and I want to be sure it's in good shape."
"I'll look after it thoroughly, Mr. Swift," promised the man.
Scarcely had Tom and Ned reached the private office, where some matters awaited their attention, than the telephone bell rang. Answering it, Tom showed some amazement when he learned the identity of the man at the other end of the wire.
"This is Basil Cunningham, Mr. Swift," came the loud, somewhat rasping tones of the burly Englishman. "We'll let bygones be bygones, if it's all the same to you. I want you to take my contract and I'll add a special ten per cent. bonus if you will rush it through for me."
For a moment Tom Swift was too surprised to reply. But he gathered his wits together in a few seconds and called back:
"I wouldn't take your contract, Mr. Cunningham, for even an additional bonus of twenty per cent!"
"You won't?"
"No!"