第19章

"I don't know, but probably to create a lot of smoke, and excitement, so that they could search, and not be detected.Maybe the fellow after he found that the camera was gone, wanted to draw those in the house out to the shop, so he could have a clear field to search in my room for any drawings that would give him a dew as to how my machine works.They certainly did not want to burn the shop, for that pile of rags could have smoldered all day on the concrete floor, without doing any harm.Robbery was the motive, I think.""The police ought to be notified," declared Mr.Nestor."Develop those pictures, Tom, and I'll take the matter up with the police.Maybe they can identify the tramp from the photographs."But this proved impossible.Tom had secured several good films, not only in the first views he took, giving the spectators the impression that they were going up in an airship, but also those showing the shop on fire, and the tramp running away, were very plain.

The police made a search for the incendiary, but of course did not find him.Mr.Period came to Shopton, and declared it was his belief that his rivals, Turbot and Eckert, had had a hand in the matter.But it was only a suspicion, though Tom himself believed the same thing.Still nothingcould be accomplished.

"The thing to do, now that the camera works all right, is for you to hit the trail for India at once," suggested the picture man."They won't follow you there.Get me some pictures of the Durbar, of elephants being captured, of tiger fights, anything exciting.""I'll do my--" began Tom.

"Wait, I'm not through," interrupted the excitable man."Then go get some volcanoes, earthquakes--anything that you think would be interesting.I'll keep in touch with you, and cable occasionally.Get all the films you can.When will you start?""I can leave inside of two weeks," replied Tom."Then do it, and, meanwhile, be on your guard."It was found that a few changes were needed on the camera.And some adjustments to the airship.Another trial flight was made, and some excellent pictures taken.Then Tom and his friends prepared to take the airship apart.and pack it for shipment to Calcutta.It was to go on the same steamer as themselves, and of course the Wizard Camera would accompany Tom.He took along many rolls of films, enough, he thought, for many views.He was also to send back to Mr.Period from time to time, the exposed rolls of film, so they could be developed, and printed in the United States, as Tom would not have very good facilities for this on the airship, and to reproduce them there was almost out of the question.Still he did fit up a small dark room aboard the Flyer, where he could develop pictures if he wished.

There was much to be done, but hard work accomplished it, and finally the party was ready to start for India.Tom said good-bye to Mary Nestor, of course, and her father accompanied our hero from the Nestor house to the Swift homestead, where the start was to take place.

Eradicate bade his master a tearful good-bye, and there was moisture in the eyes of Mr.Swift, as he shook hands with his son.

"Take care of yourself, Tom," he said."Don't run too many risks.This moving picture taking isn't as easy as it sounds.It's more than just pointing your camera at things.Write if you get a chance, or send me a message."Tom promised, and then bade farewell to Mrs.Baggert.All wereassembled, Koku, Mr.Damon, who blessed everything he saw, and some things he did not, Ned, Mr.Nestor and Tom.The five were to go by train to New York, there to go aboard the steamer.

Their journey to the metropolis was uneventful.Mr.Period met them at the steamship dock, after Tom had seen to it that the baggage, and the parts of the airship were safely aboard.

"I wish I were going along!" exclaimed the picture man."It's going to be a great trip.But I can't spare the time.I'm the busiest man in the world.I lose about a thousand dollars just coming down to see you off, but it's a good investment.I don't mind it.Now, Tom, good luck, and don't forget, I want exciting views.""I'll try--" began our here,.

"Wait, I know what you're going to say!" interrupted Mr.Period."You'll do it, of course.Well, I must be going.I will-- Great Scott!" and Mr.Period interrupted himself."He has the nerve to come here!""Who?" asked Tom.

"Wilson Turbot, the rascal! He's trying to balk me at the last minute, I believe.I'm going to see what he means!" and with this, the excited Mr.Period rushed down the gangplank, toward the man at whom he had pointed--one of the men who had tried to buy Tom's picture taking camera.

A moment later the steamer's whistle blew, the last belated passenger rushed up the gangplank, it was drawn in, and the vessel began to move away from the dock.Tom and his friends were on their way to India, and the last glimpse they had of Mr.Period was as he was chasing along the pier, after Mr.Turbot.