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.For a pencil I used burnt matches.Oh, but I'm glad to be out!" and hebreathed deep of the fresh air."How did you get in there?" asked Ned wonderingly."Those fellowsof course.The German plotters, I'm going to call them, for Ibelieve that Blakeson and his gang though I didn't see himare really workingin the interests of Germany to get the secret of my tank.""Well, they haven't got her yet," said Ned."and they're not likely to now.Goon, Tom, if you feel able tell us in a few words what happened.We've beentrying to think, but can't."Page 66 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html"Well, it all happened because I didn't think enough," said Tom, who wasrapidly recovering his strength and nerve."When I got that message thatseemed to come from you, Ned, I should have known better than to take achance.But it seemed genuine, and as I had no reason to suspect a trap, Istarted off at once.I thought maybe Kanker had repented and was going to makeamends for all the trouble he caused."Anyhow, I started off in my machine, and I hadn't got more than to thecrossroads when I saw a fellow out tinkering with his auto.Of course Istopped to ask if I could help, for I can't bear to see any machinery out oforder, and as I was stooping over the engine to see what was wrong I waspounced on from behind, bound and tied, and before I could do a thing I wasbundled into the cara big limousine, and taken away."The crossroads was as far as we could trace you," remarked Ned."Well, it wasn't as far as they took me, by any means," Tom said."Theybrought me here, took me out of the machine and I noticed that they'd broughtmine alongand then they carted me into the vault.Tom Swift And His War TankChapter XXIII.Gone77"But they didn't have it all their own way," said Tom grimly."I managed toget the ropes loose, and I had a regular knock down and drag out with them fora while.But they were too many for me, and locked me up in that place aftertaking away everything I had in my pockets.""Were they highwaymen?" asked Mr.Kimtall."No, for they tossed back my money, watch and some trifles like that," Tomanswered."I didn't recognize any of the men, though one of them must haveknown me, for when they had me tied I heard one of them ask if I was the rightparty, and another said I was.I know they must belong to the same gang thatSimpson, Blakeson, and Schwen are members ofthe German spies.""But what was their object?" asked Ned."Did they try to force you to tellthem the secrets of the tank?""No; and that's the funny part which makes me so suspicious," Tom answered."If they'd tried to force something out of me, I would understand it better.But they just kept me a prisoner after taking away what papers I had.""Were they of any value?" asked Mr.Damon."Not as regards the tank.That is, there was nothing of my plans ofconstruction, control or anything like that, though there was some foreigncorrespondence that I am sorry fell into their hands.However, that can't hehelped.""And did they just keep you locked up?" asked Ned."That's about all they did.After the fightand it was some fight!" declaredTom, as he recalled it with a shake of his head"they left me here with thedoor shut.There must have been some one on guard, for Icould faintly hear somebody moving about."I tried to get out, of course, but I couldn't.That vault must have been madeto hold something very valuable, for it was almost as strong and solid as onein your bank, Ned.The only window was placed so high that Icouldn't reach it, and it was barred at that."They opened the door a little, several times, to toss in once some old bagsthat I made into a bed, and next they gave me a little water and somesandwichesGerman bologna sausage sandwiches, Ned! What do you think ofthatadding insult to injury?""That was tough!" Ned admitted."Well, I had to put up with it, for I was half starved, and as sore as a boilfrom the fight.I didn't know what to do.I knew that you'd miss me sooner orlater, and set out to find me, but I hardly thought you'd think of this place.They couldn't have picked out a much better prison to hold me, for, naturally,you wouldn't suppose enough of it was left standing, after my tank had walkedPage 67 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlthrough it, to make a hiding place."However, there was, and here I've been kept.At last I thought of the plan ofsending out a message on the scrap of paper I could tear out of my hat.So Iwrote it, and after several trials I managed to toss it out of the window.Then I just had to wait, and that was the hardest of all.The last twelvehours I've been without food, and I haven't heard any one around, so I guessthey've skipped out and don't intend to come back.""We didn't see any one," Ned reported."Maybe they became frightened, Tom."Tom Swift And His War TankChapter XXIII.Gone78"I wish I could think that," was the answer."What is more likely to be thecase is that they're up to some new tricks.I must get back home quickly."And after a stop had been made at a farmhouse belonging to a businessacquaintance of Ned's, where Tom was able to wash and get a cup of hot tea,which added to his recuperative powers, the young inventor, withNed and Mr.Damon, set out for Shopton.Before Mr.Kimball started for his home, renewed thanks had been made to thefarmer and his son for the part they had played in the rescue, and the younginventor, learning that the boy had a liking for things mechanical, promisedto aid him in his intention to become a machinist"But first get a good education," Tom advised."Keep on with your school work,and when the time comes I'll take you into my shop.""And maybe he'll make a tank that will rival yours, Tom," said Ned."Maybe he will! I hope he does.If he comes along fast enough, he can helpwith something else I'm going to start soon.""Whats that?" asked Mr.Damon."Oh, it's something on the same order, designed to help batter down the Germanlines," Tom answered."Ihaven't quite made up my mind what to call it yet.But let's get home.I wantto see that my tank Is safe.The absence of the plotters from the factorymakes me suspicious."On the way back Tom told more of the details of the attack."But we'll forget about it all, now you're out," remarked Ned."And the sooner we get home, the better," added Tom."Can't you get a littlemore speed out of this machine?" he asked."Well, it isn't the Hawk," replied Ned, "but we'll see what we can do," and hemade the runabout fairly fly.Mrs.Baggert was the first to greet Tom as they arrived at his home
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