well if he wrecks my
invention. But there really is no personal grudge between O'Malley and
me. At least, I feel no particular enmity against the fellow."

There was a pause.

"If you say so we will give you a couple of good men as bodyguards on
your trip West," suggested Blatz, licking his lips hungrily.

"As good men as Myrick?" retorted Tom, rather scornfully. "No, thank
you. Just make your bill out to the Swift Construction Company to date,
and a check will be sent you the first of the month. I will take my own
precautions hereafter."

And those precautions Tom considered sufficient. When the Hercules 0001
was towed out of the enclosure belonging to the Swift Construction
Company early on Monday morning, each door and window of the huge cab
was barred and locked. Inside the cab rode Koku, the giant.

Koku had his orders to allow nobody to enter the Hercules 0001 until
Tom or Ned Newton came to relieve him of his responsibility as guard.
The giant had a swinging cot to sleep on and sufficient food--of a
kind--to last him for a fortnight if necessary.

He was not armed, for Tom did not often trust him with weapons. The
young inventor, however, did not expect that any armed force would
attack the electric locomotive.

If Montagne Lewis desired to wreck the new invention which might mean
so much to Mr. Bartholomew and the H. & P. A., he surely would not
allow his hirelings to attack openly the locomotive while it was en
route.

On the other hand, Tom did not really believe that Andy O'Malley would
attempt any reprisal against him personally. Of course, the Western
desperado might feel himself abused by Tom, especially in the matter of
Tom's use of his ammonia pistol.

But that had happened months ago. O'Malley had undoubtedly been hired
by Mr. Bartholomew's enemies to obtain knowledge of the contract signed
between the young inventor and the railroad president; and later it was
certain that the spy had tried his best to wreck the electric
locomotive.

As for any personal assault so many weeks after O'Malley had clashed
with him Tom Swift did not expect it. With Ned in his company on this
journey to Hendrickton, the young inventor had good reason to consider
that he was perfectly safe.

Mary Nestor and Mr. Swift came to the station to see the two young men
off on Monday evening. Mary had heard about the second attempt made to
blow up the Hercules 0001 and she begged Tom to take every precaution
while he