The airship swooped down to the great astonishment of some workmen nearby.
Hardly had the wheels ceased revolving on the ground, as Tom made a quick landing, than he was out of his seat, and running toward the telephone. He knew the place at once from having heard Ned's description, and besides, this was one of the places where he had installed his apparatus.
Into the store Tom burst, and made a rush for the 'phone booth. He threw open the door. The place was empty!
"The man—the man who was telephoning!" Tom called to the proprietor of the place.
"You mean that big man, with the tall hat, who was in there so long?"
"Yes, where is he?"
"Gone. About two minutes ago."
"Which way?"
"Over toward Shopton, and in one of the fastest autos that ever scattered dust in this section."
"He's escaped us!" said Tom to Ned. "But we'll get him yet! Come on!"
"I'm with you. Say, do you know what this looks like to me?"
"What?"
"It looks as if Peters was scared and was going to run away to stay!"
