"There is something going on, that dad should know about," reflected Tom. "I must tell him. I don't believe it will be wise to send any more of his patent work over to Merton. We must do it in the shops at home, and dad and I will have to keep our eyes open. There may be spies about seeking to discover something about his new turbine motor. I'll hurry back with those bolts and tell dad. But first I must get lunch. I'll go to the restaurant and have a good feed while I'm at it." Tom had plenty of spending money, some of which came from a small patent he had marketed himself. He left his wheel outside the restaurant, first taking the precaution to chain the wheels, and then went inside. Tom was hungry and ordered a good meal. He was about half way through it when some one called his name. "Hello, Ned!" he answered, looking up to see a youth about his own age. "Where did you blow in from?" "Oh, I came over from Shopton this morning," replied Ned Newton, taking a seat at the table with Tom. The two lads were chums, and in their younger days had often gone fishing, swimming and hunting together. Now Ned worked in the Shopton bank, and Tom was so busy helping his father, so they did not see each other so often. "On business or pleasure?" asked Tom, putting some more sugar in his coffee. "Business. I had to bring some papers over from our bank to the First National here. But what about you?" "Oh, I came on dad's account." "Invented anything new?" asked Ned as he gave his order to the waitress. "No, nothing since the egg-beater I was telling you about. But I'm working on some things." "Why don't you invent an automobile or an airship?" "Maybe I will some day, but, speaking of autos, did you see the one Andy Foger has?" "Yes; it's a beaut! Have you seen it?" "Altogether at too close range. He nearly ran over me this morning," and the young inventor related the occurrence. "Oh, Andy always was too fresh," commented Ned; "and since his father let him get the touring car I suppose he'll be worse than ever." "Well, if he tries to run me down again he'll get into trouble," declared Tom, calling for a second cup of coffee. The two chums began conversing on more congenial topics, and Ned was telling of a new camera he had, when, from a table directly behind him, Tom heard some one say in rather loud tones: "The plant is located in Shopton, all right, and the buildings are near Swift's house." Tom started, and listened more intently. "That will make it more difficult," one man answered. "But if the invention is as valuable as--" "Hush!" came a caution from another of the party. "This is too public a place to discuss the matter. Wait until we get out. One of us will have to see Swift, of course, and if he proves stubborn--" "I guess you'd better hush yourself," retorted the man who had first spoken, and then the voices subsided.