"Sorry, but I'm afraid I can't go," replied the lad. "I must get this car done, and then I've got to start on the batteries." Mr. Damon rather reluctantly went off alone, looking anxiously at his car, for the machine got out of order on every trip he took. It was a few days after this that Tom received a call from Ned one evening. The bank employee's face wore a happy smile. "What's the matter; some one left you a fortune?" asked Tom. "Pretty nearly as good. I've got a better position." "What? Have you left the old bank, and gone to the new one?" "No, I'm still in the same bank, but I'm one of the two cashiers now. Mr. Foger took several of the old employees when he opened his new bank, and that left vacancies. I was promoted, and so were one or two others. Mr. Damon spoke a good word for me." "That's fine! He's a friend worth having." "That's right. Your father also recommended me. But how are things with you? Has Andy made any more trouble?" "No, and I don't believe he will. I guess he'll steer clear of me." But Tom was soon to learn he was mistaken. CHAPTER VII TOM IS CAPTURED Meanwhile the young inventor, aided by his father, Mr. Sharp and Garret Jackson, the engineer, worked hard over his new car, and the powerful batteries. A month passed, and such was the progress made that Tom felt justified in making formal entry of his vehicle for the races to be held by the Touring Club of America. He paid a contingent fee and was listed as one of the competitors. As is usual in an affair of this kind, the promoters of it desired publicity, and they sought it through the papers. Consequently each new entrant's name was published. In addition something was said about his previous achievements in the speed line. No sooner was the name of Tom Swift received by the officials of the club, than it was at once recalled that young Swift had had a prominent part in the airship Red Cloud, and the submarine Advance. This gave an enterprising reporter a chance for a "special" for the Sunday supplement of a New York newspaper. Tom, it was stated, was building a car which would practically annihilate distance and time, and there were many weird pictures, showing him flying along without touching the ground, in a car, the pictorial construction of which was at once fearful and wonderful.