the veteran balloonist.

"You do?"

"Yes. It's your new aeroplane. In fact, I came to see you about it."

"To see me about it?"

"Yes. I'm one of the committee of arrangements for the meet to be held
at Eagle Park, where I understand you are going to contest. I came to
see how near you were ready, and to get you to make a formal entry of
your machine. Mr. Gunmore sent me."

"Oh, so you're in with them now, eh?" asked Tom. "Well, I'm glad to
know I've got a friend on the committee. Yes, my machine is getting
along very well. I'll soon be ready for a trial flight. Come in and
look at it. I think it's a bird--a regular Humming-Bird!" And Tom
laughed.

"It certainly is something new," admitted Mr. Sharp as his eyes took in
the details of the trim little craft. "By the way, Shopton is going to
be well represented at the meet."

"How is that? I thought I was the only one around here to enter an
aeroplane."

"No. We have just received an entry from Andy Foger."

"From Andy Foger!" gasped Tom. "Is he going to try to win some of the
prizes?"

"He's entered for the big one, the ten-thousand-dollar prize," replied
the balloonist. "He has made formal application to be allowed to
compete, and we have to accept any one who applies. Why, do you object
to him, Tom?"

"Object to him? Mr. Sharp, let me tell you something. Some time ago a
set of plans of my machine here were stolen from my house. I suspected
Andy Foger of taking them, but I could get no proof. Now you say he is
building a machine to compete for the big prize. Do you happen to know
what style it is?"

"It's a small monoplane, something like the Antoinette, his application
states, though he may change it later."

"Then he's stolen my ideas, and is making a craft like this!" exclaimed
Tom, as he sank upon a bench, and gazed from the balloonist to the
Humming-Bird, and back to Mr. Sharp again. "Andy Foger is trying to
beat me with my own machine!"

Chapter Seven

Seeking a Clue

John Sharp was more than surprised at the effect his piece of
information had on Tom Swift. Though the young inventor had all along
suspected Andy of having the missing plans, yet there had been no
positive evidence on this point. That, coupled with the fact that the
red-haired bully had not been seen in the vicinity of Shopton lately,
had, in a measure, lulled Tom's suspicions to rest, but now his hope
had been rudely shattered.

"Do you really think that's his game?"