“But landing in Yarkand doesn’t seem to be,” went on Tom. “Your little trick cost me some money!”
“What trick? I haven’t done anything. I—I——”
“There’s no use in talking about it,” broke in the young inventor. “I know what you did! But I held a trump card,” and with that Tom went to the pilot house and gave the word to take off.
The machine was soon again soaring in the air and, looking back, Ned reported that the Red Arrow was also in progress.
“He’s following us, Tom,” the young inventor’s financial manager stated.
“Let him come!” said Tom grimly. “If he tries any more of his tricks I’ll not let him off so easily next time.”
Wishing to put as much distance as possible between himself and his most dangerous rival, Tom signaled for some of the super gas to be used, and this so speeded up the motors that the Red Arrow, fast as she was traveling, was soon left behind, lost in the mist of the upper regions.
All that day and through the night, Tom Swift’s powerful craft winged her way onward, covering mile after mile. When the pilot thought he had gained enough on Kilborn’s craft he changed back to the ordinary fuel, saving the powerful gasoline for another emergency.
It was shortly after breakfast, when Tom and Ned were taking some very much limited exercise by walking about the cabin, that Peltok, with a worried look on his face, came in to report:
“I’m afraid we’ll have to make another landing, Mr. Swift.”