“Listen to what I say. If you do away with me it will make no difference to that machine. It is complete and will be made and marketed. Full details of the invention are already in Washington to be patented. More than this—four models have been made. One is in my laboratory where you may get at it and destroy it—I don’t say you can’t. “But there are three other complete and working models in the hands of three friends of mine in different parts of the country. They have orders in case I do not reappear by a certain time to make public all the facts and to put the machine on the market.” “Oh! oh! He’s got us beat!” lamented the big man. “No, he hasn’t!” snarled Mr. X. “I’ll force him to do as we want him to.” “Oh, so you talk of force now, do you?” asked Tom. “Since you compel me—yes.” “Then it is time for me to play the same game,” went on the young inventor, with a tantalizing smile. “What do you mean?” came from three of the men, in evident alarm. “My instructions were,” said Tom, “to come to this island alone. I did so, as you doubtless know. But early this morning a number of my friends preceded me here—and they are here now. Gentlemen, this house is entirely surrounded. None of you can possibly escape—neither you nor your Negro thugs. If I am not permitted to walk out of here unmolested whenever I please, I will give the signal and you will at once be arrested.” “You think we will believe such a foolish statement as that?” scoffed Mr. X. “I tell you that you are at our mercy, Tom Swift! This house surrounded? Bosh!” For answer Tom went to a window and raised the shade. At the same time he pressed the wall switch and plunged the room in darkness. “Look!” cried Tom, and from the darkness outside, shining through the now dulled window glass, came a flashing light, thrice repeated. There was a gasp of surprise from the masked men in the dark room. “Look here!” went on Tom, moving to a window on the other side of the room. From the gloom without there shone another of the thrice flashing lights. “It is the same on the other two sides of the house,” remarked Tom. The masked men sat silent, seemingly dazed. “What is your answer now?” triumphantly asked the young inventor as it was made plain to the plotters that they were surrounded. CHAPTER XXIII TOM ACCEPTS “GENTLEMEN,” and Tom Swift put a peculiar emphasis on the word, “I repeat—what is your answer now?” “Oh, the rascal! He’s got us beat!” lamented the fat man. “Let’s make terms with him.” “Make terms, nothing!” sneered Mr. X. “Those are nothing but lightning bugs! It’s all a clever bluff!” “Oh, is it?” asked Tom. Again he stood in front of a window and, as he had done before, though unseen by the plotters, Tom raised and flashed the pocket electric torch he had brought with him. Once more, in answer to his signal, came more flashes from without. Tom’s friends were on the alert.