“Have you anything special to do to-night, Ned?”asked Tom Swift, the well-known inventor, as he paused in front ofhis chum’s window, in the Shopton National Bank.
“No, nothing in particular,” replied the bank clerk,as he stacked up some bundles of bills. “Why do youask?”
“I wanted you to come over to the house for awhile.”
“Going to have a surprise party, or something likethat?”
“No, only I’ve got something I’d like to showyou.”
“A new invention?”
“Well, not exactly new. You’ve seen it before, butnot since I’ve improved it. I’m speaking of my newelectric rifle. I’ve got it ready to try, now, and I’dlike to see what you think of it. There’s a rifle range overat the house, and we can practice some shooting, if youhaven’t anything else to do.”
“I haven’t, and I’ll be glad to come. What areyou doing in the bank, anyhow; putting away more of your wealth,Tom?”
“Yes, I just made a little deposit. It’s some moneyI got from the government for the patents on my sky racer, andI’m salting it down here until Dad and I can think of abetter investment.”
“Good idea. Bring us all the money you can,” and thebank clerk, who held a small amount of stock in the financialinstitution, laughed, his chum joining in with him.
“Well, then. I’ll expect you over thisevening,” went on the youthful inventor, as he turned toleave the bank.
“Yes, I’ll be there. Say, Tom, have you heard thelatest about Andy Foger?”
“No, I haven’t heard much since he left town rightafter I beat him in the aeroplane race at Eagle Park.”
“Well, he’s out of town all right, and I guess for along time this trip. He’s gone to Europe.”
“To Europe, eh? Well, he threatened to go there after hefailed to beat me in the race, but I thought he was onlybluffing.”
“No, he’s really gone