“I can imagine it,” Tom said. “Of course you had no way of really knowing Ned was aboard the other boat, though I suppose from what happened and the sight of the bound figure in the bottom of the _Turtle_, you might have guessed Ned was aboard.” “I surmised it,” assented Mr. Damon. “But we had no idea where they were taking you.” “No, you couldn’t know that,” said Tom. “Well, we got away from the scoundrels, and the next thing is to catch them.” Having given his father and Mr. Damon a hasty description of what had happened to him and Ned, Tom Swift set about the work of running down the miscreants. The police were notified of the return of the young inventor, and a squad of officers was sent to Rattlesnake Island. Tom did not go, for he felt the need of rest. Besides, there were things at home which needed his attention. “What was it you started to tell me when we were cut off, Mr. Jackson?” Tom asked his superintendent after the police had departed for the island. “You mean about Greenbaum?” “Yes. Is he still here?” “Well, he is, Mr. Swift; and I hope I’m not going against your wishes when I say I wish he wasn’t.” “Not at all, Mr. Jackson. I have no desire to keep that man if he isn’t doing what is right, though I must admit that he is a good workman.” “I agree with you there. But after what happened you must use your own judgment about keeping him on.” “What happened?” “Well, he and I quarreled.” “What did Greenbaum do?” Tom asked. He knew he need not ask what his superintendent had done, for Garret Jackson was thoroughly dependable. “I found him sneaking around your private room, Tom—the room where you have been doing those experiments of late. I don’t know what they are and I don’t want to know until the right time comes. But I felt pretty sure you didn’t want Greenbaum to be prying in there.” “No more I do!” “That’s what I thought. So when I saw him come out of that room the second time, after you had gone to find Ned, I called him to account for it.” “What did he say?” “That you told him to go in there to experiment.” “That was untrue!” cried Tom. “So I guessed. So I took the liberty of putting a new lock on the place—a lock that fellow couldn’t pick if he wanted to, and he came at me hot and heavy. We had a quarrel, and I’m glad you’re here to settle it.” “And I’ll settle it mighty quick!” exclaimed Tom. He was in his private office now, in a part of the shop somewhat removed from his secret experimental laboratory. Pushing a button that summoned a messenger, Tom bade the boy send Greenbaum in. And when the man sauntered in, smiling and seeming very confident of himself, the young inventor said: “Get your time from the cashier and pack your things.” “What for?” demanded Greenbaum, with a quick change of countenance. “Because you’re through here.” “Through, Mr. Swift! Why, you gave me a contract and you can’t fire me off-hand this way without telling me why! It isn’t fair!”