"How was that? We
heard nothing of it in Washington."
"No, I kept it rather quiet," Tom explained. "We had reason to
suspect that it was a fire purposely set, in a shed where I kept
a quantity of explosives."
"Ha!" exclaimed Lieutenant Marbury. "This fits in with what I
have heard. And did you not receive warning?" he asked Tom.
"Warning? No. Of what?"
"Of foreign spies!" was the unexpected answer. "I am sorry.
Some of our Secret Service men unearthed something of a plot
against you, and I presumed you had been told to watch out. If
you had, the fire might not have occurred. There must have been
some error in Washington. But let me tell you now, Tom Swift--be
on your guard!"
CHAPTER VIII
A SUSPECTED PLOT
The officer's words were so filled with meaning that Tom
started. Ned Newton, too, showed the effect he felt.
"Do you really mean that?" asked the young inventor, looking
around to make sure his father was not present. On account of
Professor Swift's weak heart, Tom wished to spare him all
possible worry.
"I certainly do mean it," insisted Lieutenant Marbury. "And,
while I am rather amazed at the news of the fire, for I did not
think the plotters would be so bold as that, it is in line with
what I expected, and what we suspected in Washington.
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