“No, he hasn’t!” snarled Mr. X. “I’ll force him to do as we want him to.”
“Oh, so you talk of force now, do you?” asked Tom.
“Since you compel me—yes.”
“Then it is time for me to play the same game,” went on the young inventor, with a tantalizing smile.
“What do you mean?” came from three of the men, in evident alarm.
“My instructions were,” said Tom, “to come to this island alone. I did so, as you doubtless know. But early this morning a number of my friends preceded me here—and they are here now. Gentlemen, this house is entirely surrounded. None of you can possibly escape—neither you nor your Negro thugs. If I am not permitted to walk out of here unmolested whenever I please, I will give the signal and you will at once be arrested.”
“You think we will believe such a foolish statement as that?” scoffed Mr. X. “I tell you that you are at our mercy, Tom Swift! This house surrounded? Bosh!”
For answer Tom went to a window and raised the shade. At the same time he pressed the wall switch and plunged the room in darkness.
“Look!” cried Tom, and from the darkness outside, shining through the now dulled window glass, came a flashing light, thrice repeated.
There was a gasp of surprise from the masked men in the dark room.