"Ah, good morning, Mr. Swift," greeted Mr. Berg. "I wish
to see your father, but as I don't wish to lay myself open
to suspicions by entering the shop, perhaps you will ask him
to step here."
"Certainly," answered the lad, wondering why the agent had
returned. Getting the blueprints, and asking Mr. Berg to sit
down on the porch, Tom delivered the message.
"You come back with me, Tom," said his father. "I want you
to be a witness to what he says. I'm not going to get into
trouble with these people."
Mr. Berg came to the point at once.
"Mr. Swift," he said, "I wish you would reconsider your
determination not to enter the Government trials. I'd like
to see you compete. So would my firm."
"There is no use going over that again," replied the aged
inventor. "I have another object in view now than trying for
the Government prize. What it is I can't say, but it may
develop in time--if we are successful," and he looked at
his son, smiling the while.
Mr. Berg tried to argue, but it was of no avail Then he
changed his manner, and said:
"Well, since you won't, you won't, I suppose. I'll go back
and report to my firm. Have you anything special to do this
morning?" he went on to Tom.
"Well, I can always find something to keep me busy,"
replied the lad, "but as for anything special--"
"I thought perhaps you'd like to go for a trip in my
auto," interrupted Mr.
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