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had quieted down； but Chief Simonson surprised Tom by saying that he
had expected it。
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TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT or The Speediest Car on the Road
〃The gang that held you up；〃 said the police officer； 〃was one that
escaped from a jail； about twenty miles away。 I got a tip after you left； that
they were going to rob you； for； in some way； they learned about the
money you and Mr。 Damon were to bring from the bank。 The unfortunate
part of it was that the tip I got was to the effect that the hold…up would take
place just outside of Clayton。 I telephoned to the police there； just after
you left； and they said they'd send out a posse。 But the gang changed their
plans； and held you up near here； where I wasn't expecting it。 But I'll get
'em yet。〃
Chief Simonson did not arrest the gang； but some other police officers
did； and they were taken back to jail。 They were not prosecuted for the
attempted robbery of Tom； as it was considered difficult to fix the guilt on
them； but they received such a long additional sentence for breaking jail；
that it will be many years before they are released。
When Tom reached home that night he found some mail from the
officials of the Touring Club of America。 It was to the effect that
arrangements for the big contest had been completed； and that contesting
cars must be on the ground by September first。
〃That gives me two weeks yet；〃 thought our hero。
He read further of the regulations covering the race。 Each car must
proceed from the home town or city of the owner； and go to the track
under its own power。 This was a new regulation； it was stated； and was
adopted to better develop the industry of building electric autos。 Two
passengers； or one in addition to the driver； must be carried； it was stated；
and this one would also be expected to be in the car during the entire race。
Regarding the race proper it was stated that at first it had been decided
to make it a twenty…four hour endurance contest； but that for certain
reasons this was changed； as it was found that few storage batteries could
go this length of time without a number of rechargings。 Therefore the race
was to be one for distancefive hundred miles； on the new Long Island
track； and the car first covering that distance would win。 Cars were
allowed to change their batteries as often as they needed to； but all time
lost would count against them。 There were other rules and regulations of
minor importance。
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TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT or The Speediest Car on the Road
〃Well；〃 remarked Tom； as he read through the circulars； 〃I must get my
car in shape。 It will be quite a tip to Long Island； and I think my best plan
will be to go direct to the cottage we had when we were building the
submarine； and from there proceed to the track。 That will comply with the
rules； I think。 But who will I get to go with me？ I suppose Mr。 Damon or
Mr。 Sharp will be willing。 I'll ask them。〃
He broached the matter to his two friends that night； and they both
agreed to go to Long Island in the car； though only Mr。 Sharp would
accompany Tom in the race。 The next two weeks were busy ones for Tom。
He worked night and day over his car； getting it in shape for the big event。
The young inventor made some changes in his battery； and also
adopted a new gear； which would give greater speed。 He also completed
the exterior of the auto； giving it several coats of purple paint and varnish；
so that when it was finished； though it was different in shape from most
autos； it was as fine an appearing car as one could wish。 He arranged to
carry two extra wheels； with tires inflated； and； under the rear seats； or
tonneau； as he called it； Tom fitted up a complete tire…repairing outfit。 Mr。
Sharp agreed to ride there； and in case there was need to use more than
two spare wheels during the race； the rubber shoes or inner tubes could be
mended while the car was swinging around the track。
Mr。 Damon would ride in front with Tom on the cross…country trip； and
occasionally relieve him at steering； or would help to manage the electrical
connections。 Spare fuses； extra parts； wires and different things he thought
he might need； the young inventor stored in his car。 He also found means
to install a small additional storage battery； to give added power in case of
emergency。
Tom learned from the racing officials that if he made a trip from
Shopton to the cottage on the coast； near the city of Atlantis； and later
traveled from there to the track； it would fulfill the conditions of the
contest。
Finally all was in readiness； and one morning； having spent the better
part of the night going over his machine； to see that he had forgotten
nothing； Tom invited Mr。 Damon and Mr。 Sharp to enter； and prepare for
the trip to Long Island。
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TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT or The Speediest Car on the Road
〃Well； Tom； I certainly hope you win that race；〃 remarked Mrs。
Baggert； as she stood in the doorway； waving a farewell。
〃If I do I'll buy you a pair of diamond earrings to match the diamond
ring I gave you from the money I got from the wreck；〃 promised the lad
with a laugh。
〃An' ef yo' sees dat Andy Foger；〃 added Eradicate Sampson； while he
rubbed the long ears of Boomerang； his mule； 〃ef yo' sees him； jest run
ober him once or twice fer mah sake； Mistah Swift。〃
〃I'll do it for my own； too；〃 agreed Tom。
The youth shook hands with his father； who wished him good luck；
and then； after a final look at his car； he climbed to his seat； and turned on
the power。 There was a low hum from the motor and the electric started off。
Would it return a winner or loser of the big race？
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TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT or The Speediest Car on the Road
CHAPTER XXII
IN A DITCH
Through the streets of Shopton went Tom Swift and his friends。 News
of the big contest the young inventor was about to take part in； had
circulated around town； and there were not wanting many to wish him
good luck。 The lad responded smilingly to the farewells he received。 As
they passed the bank； Ned Newton came out on the steps。
〃Wish I was going along；〃 he called。
〃So do I；〃 replied Tom。 〃How's everything？ Is the bank all right since
the run？〃 for he had not had time to pay much attention to the institution
since his memorable race against time； to get the money。
〃Stronger and better than ever；〃 was Ned's answer； as he came to the
curb； where Tom slowed up。 〃I hear；〃 he added in a whisper； 〃that the
other fellows are going out of businessFoger and his crowd you know。
They loaned money on unsecured notes to make a good showing； and now
they can't get it back But we're all right。 Hope you win the race。〃
〃So do I。〃
〃What will a certain person do while you're away？〃 went on Ned； with
a wink。
〃I don't know what you mean；〃 replied Tom； trying not to blush。 〃Do
you mean my dad or Mrs。 Baggert？〃
〃Neither； you old hypocrite you！ I meant Miss Mary Nestor。〃
〃Oh； hadn't you heard？〃 inquired Tom innocently。 〃She is going to
Long Island to visit some friends； and she'll be at the race。〃
〃You lucky dog；〃 murmured Ned with a laugh； as he went into the
bank。
Once more the electric auto started off； and was soon on the quiet
country road； where Tom speeded it up moderately。 He hoped to be able to
make the entire distance to the shore cottage on the single charge of
current he had put into the battery at home； and； as there was no special
need for haste； he wanted to save his power。 The machine was running
smoothly； and seemed able to make a long race against time