“Look here!” went on Tom, moving to a window on the other side of the room. From the gloom without there shone another of the thrice flashing lights.
“It is the same on the other two sides of the house,” remarked Tom.
The masked men sat silent, seemingly dazed.
“What is your answer now?” triumphantly asked the young inventor as it was made plain to the plotters that they were surrounded.
CHAPTER XXIII
TOM ACCEPTS
“Gentlemen,” and Tom Swift put a peculiar emphasis on the word, “I repeat—what is your answer now?”
“Oh, the rascal! He’s got us beat!” lamented the fat man. “Let’s make terms with him.”
“Make terms, nothing!” sneered Mr. X. “Those are nothing but lightning bugs! It’s all a clever bluff!”