“Tom, how are things going?” he asked his son. “Very nicely, indeed,” was the answer. “Of course, I am not making as much progress as I’d like to on that train-stop device, but it will come. And when it does, I think it will be worth good money to us.” “Yes, that, and some of the other inventions we have under way, will be worth sixty thousand dollars, I think, when they are completed.” “Well, that estimate may be a bit high,” returned Tom slowly. “No!” protested his father. “I put it low. I think they’ll run over sixty thousand dollars. Why, that mill machinery idea of yours——” “Hark!” exclaimed Tom softly, holding up a hand to caution silence. “What is it?” asked his father. “I heard some sort of a noise outside on the porch.” Tom arose to go toward one of the windows, the shades of which were drawn down. But before he reached the casement Eradicate came hurrying into the room, very much excited. “What’s the matter, Rad?” asked Tom quickly. “Somebody on de piazzy listenin’ at de window!” exclaimed the colored man. “I jest been to see dat de henhouse was locked up, an’ I done seen somebody on piazzy! I runs up, but he runs away an’ I didn’t cotch him! But dey was somebody listenin’!” CHAPTER IX MARY’S MESSAGE ONCE again Tom Swift had occasion to act quickly, as he had when he discovered Barsky in his private office. Without waiting to question Eradicate, the young inventor made a dash for the door. A moment later he was outside, looking for a sign or trace of the mysterious intruder. But the night was dark, there was no moon; and Tom, coming from a lighted room, was at a greater disadvantage than otherwise would have been the case. It was not until several seconds had passed that the young man could make out objects in the gloom, and none of these objects was the unknown person he sought. Still Tom was not going to give up so easily. He shouted to Koku, and when the giant joined him and when Eradicate had come shuffling out the three began a hurried search around the house for the secret listener. “Well, I guess he got away,” sighed Tom. He was greatly disappointed when it was evident that no one was to be caught. “He suah has,” agreed Eradicate. “What sort of man was it?” asked Tom. “I suppose it was a man, Rad, and not a woman?” “Oh, yes, Massa Tom! It suah was a man aw right! An’ he was a sorta big man, but stoopin’ ober like, leanin’ down an’ tryin’ to look under de window shade.” “Why didn’t you jump on him, Rad?” “Dat’s jest what I was tryin’ to sneak up an’ do, Massa Tom. But I done sneezed jest when I got by de piazzy, an’ he done hears me an’ jumps away.” “By golly! I cotch him ef I been dar!” cried the giant. “I take ’um in my two hands—so. I squoze ’urn—so!” Truly there would have been but little chance for the trespasser had Koku got his hands on him.