Tom, with the help of Ned, Peltok, and the two mechanics, spent the remainder of the day putting the finishing touches on the Air Monarch. Stores were taken aboard, together with a supply of a new form of gasoline Tom had perfected in spite of having been nearly blown up by it. There was not enough of this for the entire trip, and it was impossible to provide any at various stopping places or stations around the world. So what had been made was to be reserved for special occasions where great power or speed was needed.
“Well, I guess everything is ready for the hop-off to-morrow morning,” said Tom to Ned that night as they made a last inspection of the Air Monarch in her hangar, which stood in a field not far from Tom’s house. “I hope everything will be all right.”
“It won’t be your fault if it isn’t,” stated Ned. “But if any little thing wrong develops you’ll have time to tinker with it on the Long Island field, won’t you?”
“Oh, yes! But I don’t like these last-minute repairs. I’m hoping I sha'n’t have to make any.”
“Same here,” murmured Ned.
Tom and Ned were sleeping in adjoining rooms, and it must have been some time after midnight that they were awakened by hearing a commotion in the hangar where the Air Monarch was kept. Several shots were fired, and Koku’s booming voice could be heard saying:
“Master! Master! Come! Bad man try to break in!”
“They’re after my machine!” yelled Tom, leaping from his bed and taking an automatic pistol that lay ready to his hand. Ned, too, leaped after his friend to do battle with the midnight prowlers.
CHAPTER IX
THEY'RE OFF!
Out into the night rushed Tom Swift and Ned Newton. They quickly shook the sleep from them and were ready to fight. A noise and commotion in the vicinity of the hangar where the Air Monarch rested drew them in that direction. Several figures were seen rushing about in the gloom, and Ned easily made out the form of the giant.