gang is one of the worst in the
country," and Tom, much excited, began to pace the room, while Ned, who
had not dreamed of such an outcome to his narrative, looked startled.

Chapter 3

Whitewashed

"Let's tell your father, Tom," suggested Ned, after a pause. "He'll
know what to do."

"No, I'd rather not," answered the young inventor quickly. "Dad has had
trouble enough with these fellows, and I don't want him to worry any
more. Besides, he is working on a new invention, and if I tell him
about the Happy Harry gang it will take his attention from it."

"What invention is he planning now?"

"I don't know, but it's something important by the way he keeps at it.
He hardly spares time to help Mr. Sharp and me on the airship. No,
we'll keep this news from dad."

"Then I'll inform the bank officials, as you suggest. If the place was
robbed they might blame me; if they found out I had seen the men and
failed to tell them."

"Well, that gang would only be too glad to have the blame fall on some
one else."

Tom little knew how near the truth he had come in his chance
expression, or how soon he himself was to fall under suspicion in
connection with this same band of bad men.

"I'll telephone to the president on my way home," decided Ned, "and he
can notify the watchman at the bank. But do you really expect to have
your airship in shape to fly soon?"

"Oh, yes. Now that we have found out our mistake about the gas, the
rest will be easy."

"I think I'd like to take a trip in one myself, if it didn't go too
high," ventured Ned.

"I'll remember that, when we have ours completed," promised his chum,
"and I'll take you for a spin."

The boys talked for perhaps an hour longer, mostly about the airship,
for it was the latest mechanical affair in which Tom was interested,
and, naturally, foremost in his thoughts. Then Ned went home first,
however, telephoning from Tom's house to the bank president about
having seen the suspicious men. That official thanked his young
employee, and said he would take all necessary precautions. The
telephone message was not sent until Mr. Swift was out of hearing, as
Tom was determined that his father should have no unnecessary worry
about the unscrupulous men. As it was, the news that the gang was out
of jail had caused the aged inventor some alarm.

It was not without some anxiety that Tom arose the next morning,
fearing he would hear news that the bank had been broken into, b