e construction of an electric locomotive is concerned. But it
falls down in speed and power. I thought so myself when I saw that
locomotive and looked over the results of its work. And this Mr.
Bartholomew has assured father and me this evening that it is a fact.

"It has a record of a mile a minute on a level or easy grade; but it
can't show goods when climbing a real hill. It slows up both freight
and passenger traffic on the Hendrickton & Pas Alos road. That range of
hills is too much for it.

"So the Swift Construction Company is going to step in," concluded the
young inventor eagerly. "I believe we can do it. I've the nucleus of
an idea in my head. I never had a problem put up to me, Ned and Mr.
Damon, that interested me more. So why shouldn't I go at it? Besides, I
have dad to advise me."

"That's right," agreed Ned. "Why shouldn't you? And with such a
contract as you have been offered--"

"Bless my bootsoles!" ejaculated Mr. Damon, getting up and tramping
about the room in his excitement. "I thought the trolley cars that run
between Shopton and Waterfield were about the fastest things on rails."

"Not much. The trolley car is a narrow and prescribed manner of using
electricity for motive power. The motor runs but one car--or one and a
trailer, at most," said Tom. "As I have pointed out, the problem is to
build a machine that will transmit power enough to draw the enormous
weight of a loaded freight train, and that over steep grades.

"A motor for each car is a costly matter. That is why trolley car
companies, no matter how many passengers their cars carry, are so often
on the verge of financial disaster. The margin of profit is too narrow.

"But if you can get a locomotive built that will drag a hundred cars!
Ah! how does that sound?" demanded Tom. "See the difference?"

"Bless my volts and amperes!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "I should say I do!
Why, Tom, you make the problem as plain as plain can be."

"In theory," supplemented Ned Newton, although he meant to suggest no
doubt of his chum's ability to solve almost any problem.

"You've hit it," said Tom promptly. "I only have a theory so far
regarding such a locomotive. But to the inventor the theory always must
come first. You understand that, Ned?"

"I not only appreciate that fact," said his chum warmly; "but I believe
that you are the fellow to show something definite along the line of an
improved electric locomotive. But, whether you can reach the hi