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Tom slowed up to make the turn into the alley。 As he did so he glanced
across the street to the new bank。 In the window stood Andy Foger and his
father。 There was a look of surprise on their faces as they saw the arrival
of the powerful car； and； Tom fancied； also a look of chagrin。
Up the alley went the car； police keeping the crowd from following。
The porter was at the door。 So； also； was Mr。 Pendergast and Mr。 Swift；
while some of the other officers were grouped behind them。
〃Did you get the money？〃 gasped the president。
〃We did；〃 answered Tom。 〃Are we on time； Dad？〃
〃Just on time； my boy！ They're paying out the last of the cash now！
You're on time； thank fortune！〃
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TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT or The Speediest Car on the Road
CHAPTER XXI
OFF TO THE BIG RACE
From their task of handing out money to eager depositors； the
wearied tellers looked up as Tom and Mr。 Damon entered with the big
valise crammed full of money。 It was opened； and the bundles of bills
turned out on a table。
〃Perhaps you'd better make an announcement to the crowd； Mr。
Pendergast；〃 suggested Mr。 Swift。 〃Tell them we now have cash enough to
meet all demands； and that the bank will be kept open until every one is
paid。〃
〃I will；〃 agreed the aged president。 His announcement was received
with cheers； and had exactly the effect the inventor hoped it would。
Many； learning that the bank was safe； and that they could have their
money whenever they wanted it； concluded not to withdraw it； thus saving
the interest。 Scores in the waiting crowd turned out of line and went home。
Their example was contagious； and； though many still remained to get
their deposits； the run was broken。 Only part of the sixty thousand dollars
Tom and Mr。 Damon had brought through after a race with time； was
needed。 But had it not been for the moral effect of the cash arriving as it
did； the bank would have failed。
〃You have a great car； Tom Swift；〃 complimented Mr。 Pendergast；
when the excitement had somewhat cooled down； and the story of the
hold…up had been told。
〃I think so myself；〃 agreed the young inventor modestly。 〃I must get
ready for the races now。〃
〃And as for those farmers； I think I'll send them a reward；〃 went on the
president。 〃They deserve something for the trouble they had with the load
of hay。 I certainly shall send them a reward；〃 which he did； and a
substantial one； too。
Of course the hold…up was at once reported to the police after the run
had quieted down； but Chief Simonson surprised Tom by saying that he
had expected it。
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TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT or The Speediest Car on the Road
〃The gang that held you up；〃 said the police officer； 〃was one that
escaped from a jail； about twenty miles away。 I got a tip after you left； that
they were going to rob you； for； in some way； they learned about the
money you and Mr。 Damon were to bring from the bank。 The unfortunate
part of it was that the tip I got was to the effect that the hold…up would take
place just outside of Clayton。 I telephoned to the police there； just after
you left； and they said they'd send out a posse。 But the gang changed their
plans； and held you up near here； where I wasn't expecting it。 But I'll get
'em yet。〃
Chief Simonson did not arrest the gang； but some other police officers
did； and they were taken back to jail。 They were not prosecuted for the
attempted robbery of Tom； as it was considered difficult to fix the guilt on
them； but they received such a long additional sentence for breaking jail；
that it will be many years before they are released。
When Tom reached home that night he found some mail from the
officials of the Touring Club of America。 It was to the effect that
arrangements for the big contest had been completed； and that contesting
cars must be on the ground by September first。
〃That gives me two weeks yet；〃 thought our hero。
He read further of the regulations covering the race。 Each car must
proceed from the home town or city of the owner； and go to the track
under its own power。 This was a new regulation； it was stated； and was
adopted to better develop the industry of building electric autos。 Two
passengers； or one in addition to the driver； must be carried； it was stated；
and this one would also be expected to be in the car during the entire race。
Regarding the race proper it was stated that at first it had been decided
to make it a twenty…four hour endurance contest； but that for certain
reasons this was changed； as it was found that few storage batteries could
go this length of time without a number of rechargings。 Therefore the race
was to be one for distancefive hundred miles； on the new Long Island
track； and the car first covering that distance would win。 Cars were
allowed to change their batteries as often as they needed to； but all time
lost would count against them。 There were other rules and regulations of
minor importance。
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TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT or The Speediest Car on the Road
〃Well；〃 remarked Tom； as he read through the circulars； 〃I must get my
car in shape。 It will be quite a tip to Long Island； and I think my best plan
will be to go direct to the cottage we had when we were building the
submarine； and from there proceed to the track。 That will comply with the
rules； I think。 But who will I get to go with me？ I suppose Mr。 Damon or
Mr。 Sharp will be willing。 I'll ask them。〃
He broached the matter to his two friends that night； and they both
agreed to go to Long Island in the car； though only Mr。 Sharp would
accompany Tom in the race。 The next two weeks were busy ones for Tom。
He worked night and day over his car； getting it in shape for the big event。
The young inventor made some changes in his battery； and also
adopted a new gear； which would give greater speed。 He also completed
the exterior of the auto； giving it several coats of purple