experiments, Mr. Swift. Of course, I do not expect to compete with that
great road. They had millions to spend, and they spent them. Those
Baldwin-Westinghouse locomotives the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul
built in nineteen hundred and nineteen are wonderful machines. They
have got forty-two freight locomotives, fifteen passenger locomotives
and four switchers of that new type.

"The Jandel patent that my road uses is, in some degree, the equal of
those Baldwin-Westinghouse locomotives. At least, our machines equal
the C., M. & St. P. on our level road. They can reach a mile-a-minute
gait. But when it comes to speed and pull on steep grades--Ah! that is
where they fail."

"You will have to get power in the hills for your stations," suggested
Tom, thoughtfully.

"I know that. I know where the power is coming from. I gathered those
waterfalls in years ago. Lewis and his crowd can't shut me off from
them. But I have got to have a speedier and more powerful type of
electric locomotive than has ever yet been built to protect the
Hendrickton & Pas Alos Railroad from any rivalry.

"I am looking to you Swifts to give me that. I am risking this
twenty-five thousand dollars upon your succeeding. And I am offering
you the hundred thousand dollars bonus for the right to purchase the
first successful locomotives that can be built covered by your patents.
Is it plain?"

"It is eminently satisfactory," said Mr. Swift, quietly.

"I will do my very best," agreed Tom, warmly. "There isn't a thing the
matter with the agreement," declared Ned Newton, with confidence.
"Gentlemen, sign on the dotted line."

Five minutes later the twin contracts were in force. One went into the
safe of the Swift Construction Company. The other, Mr. Richard
Bartholomew bore away with him.

Chapter VII

The Man with Big Feet

The consultation in the private office of the Swift Construction
Company after the departure of Mr. Richard Bartholomew between the two
Swifts and Ned Newton had more to do with a vision of the future than
with mere present finances.

"I expect you know just about how you are going to work on this new
invention, Tom?" suggested the financial manager, and Tom's chum.

"Haven't the first idea," rejoined the young inventor, promptly.

"What do you mean?" ejaculated Ned. "You talked just now as though you
knew all about electric locomotives."

"I know a good deal about those that have been built, both under the
Jan