Tom Swift and His Giant Telescope | Page 7

the Swift home in
his car.
"O.K., and hang onto your hat!"
Tom Swift had once driven a fast racing auto of his own design and
Ned knew his chum could get the most out of his roadster. In a few
seconds the little car reached the gate of the works, where the
watchman halted them.
[Illustration: "Hang on to Your Hat."]
"Oh, an' 'tiz you agin, Misther Swift," said Malligan. "Sure, an' I
wouldn't have stopped yez but me orders is to inspect iveryone."
"You did right, Pat," commended Tom, shifting gears. "Good-night."
The Shopton Hospital was located a couple of miles from the Swift
plant. Under the young scientist's guidance the roadster reached its
entrance within a few minutes. At the information desk the boys were
informed where Mr. Damon had been taken.
[Illustration: They Reached the Hospital]
"Room 302, Mr. Swift. Doctor Chilton is with him now."

Just as the boys reached Room 302 the physician came out. Tom was
glad to note that the man was smiling.
"How is he, Doctor?"
[Illustration: "How Is He, Doctor?"]
"Hello, boys. Mr. Damon will be as good as new in a week or so.
Barring a sprained wrist his injuries are trifling--a few bruises and a
slight cut. From the way he's blessing everything in the place no one
would think he was hurt in the least!"
"I'm relieved," said Tom. "May we see him?"
"Go right in. He'll be glad to have some company. But don't stay too
long."
"Bless my operating table, if it isn't Tom and Ned!" exclaimed Mr.
Damon, seeing his visitors enter. The eccentric gentleman was propped
up in bed by several pillows. His left arm was in a sling and around his
head was a big bandage. "You two got here almost as quickly as I did.
But I'm glad they didn't have to carry you in!"
[Illustration: Mr. Damon Was Propped up in Bed]
"Your wife phoned me the news," explained Tom. "We're mighty glad
you weren't injured badly. Tell us how it happened."
"It all occurred so suddenly that I hardly know myself. But I know one
thing!" Mr. Damon seemed very indignant. "The scoundrels
deliberately ran into my car!"
[Illustration: "The Scoundrels Ran into My Car!"]
"Did you get their license number?" inquired Ned Newton. "If you did,
I'll call the police!"
"No, I couldn't see it in the dark. But I know the villains well enough.
They were my two so-called relatives that I told you about--Jones and

Brown! It was spite work for my refusal to tell 'em about your glass!"
Tom now saw the reason why Mrs. Damon was blaming him for the
accident.
[Illustration: "My Two So-Called Relatives."]
"We'll notify the authorities and also do a little detective work
ourselves," he said. "We must leave now because the doctor wants you
to get some rest."
"Come back again, boys. At any rate, I've escaped that house party!"
After reporting the accident at the local police station, Tom and Ned
visited all the garages and repair shops in the little town in an attempt
to learn if any damaged machine had been brought in. They met with
no success, however.
[Illustration: They Visited All the Garages]
"Guess their bus wasn't hurt much," commented Ned as they left the
last place. "We might as well give up for the night."
"The police will be on the job. Unless the two men hid the car
somewhere it's sure to be found. The teletype will flash the word all
through the state."
The following morning the Police Chief telephoned Tom to tell him
that no trace of the mysterious Jones and Brown could be discovered,
nor had any witness to the accident been located.
[Illustration: The Police Chief Called Tom]
Later Ned went to the hospital where he found Mr. Damon much
improved and able to sit up in a wheel chair. After a visit with him he
attended to some business at the bank. On returning to the Swift plant,
he found Tom busy with his green disk, which once more was clamped
to the little telescope.

"Mr. Damon is a lot better," Ned reported, watching his friend's work
curiously. "When I left him he was blessing his hat and coat, so I
suppose he's eager to get out of the hospital."
[Illustration: Mr. Damon Was Much Improved]
"That's great," said Tom. "I knew he was getting along all right. I was
too busy to go with you so I called Doctor Chilton. He told me that the
X-ray showed no broken bones, but our friend must remain under
observation for a few days more."
"You've changed the wiring on the disk, haven't you?" asked Ned, who
knew a little about electricity.
[Illustration: "I Want to Try Alternating Current."]
"I want to