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been built； they all went to bed； for they were very tired。
Tom sent word； the next day； to the managers of the race； that he
would be on hand at the time stipulated； and announced that he had made
part of the trip； as required； under the power of the auto itself。
The next day was spent in overhauling the machinery； tightening up
some loose bearings； oiling different parts； and further charging the battery。
Tires were looked to； and the ones on the spare wheels were gone over to
prepare for any emergency that might arise when the race was started。
On the third day； Tom； Mr。 Sharp and Mr。 Damon； leaving the cottage
completed the trip to Havenford； Long Island； where the new track had
been constructed。
They reached the place shortly before noon； and； if they had been
unaware of the location they could not have missed it； for there were many
autos speeding along the road toward the scene of the race； which would
take place the following day。
Several electric cars passed Tom and his friends； whizzing swiftly by；
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but the young inventor was not going to show off his speed until the time
came。 Besides； he did not want to run any risks of an accident。 But some
of the contestants seemed anxious for impromptu 〃brushes；〃 and more
than one called to our hero to 〃speed up and let's see what she can do。〃 But
Tom smiled； and shook his head。
There were many gasolene and some steam autos going out to the new
track； which was considered a remarkable piece of engineering。 It was in
the shape of an octagon； and the turns were considered very safe。 It was a
five mile track； and to complete the race it would be necessary to make a
hundred circuits。
Through scores of autos Tom and his friends threaded their way； the
young inventor keeping a watchful eye on the various types of machine
with which he would soon have to compete。
There were many kinds。 Some were larger and some smaller than his。
Many obviously carried very large batteries； but whether they had the
speed or not was another question。 Some； in spurts； seemed to Tom； to be
fully as fast as his own； and he began to have some doubts whether he
would win the race。
〃But I'm not going to give up until the five hundredth mile is finished；〃
he thought； grimly。
They were now in sight of the track； and noted many machines
speeding around it。
〃Go on in and try your car； Tom；〃 urged Mr。 Sharp。
〃Yes； do；〃 added Mr。 Damon。 〃Let's see how it travels。〃
〃I will； after I notify the proper officials that I have arrived；〃 decided
the lad。
The formalities were soon complied with。 Tom received his entry card；
after paying the fee； made affidavit that he had completed the entire trip
from home under his own power； save for the little stretch when the car
was pulled； which did not count against him； and was soon ready to go on
the track。 Only electric cars were allowed there。
As the young inventor guided his latest effort in the machine line onto
the big track there were murmurs of surprise from the throngs。
〃That's a queer machine；〃 said one。
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TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT or The Speediest Car on the Road
〃Yes； but it looks speedy；〃 was another's opinion。
〃There's the car for my money；〃 added a third； pointing to a big red
electric which was certainly whizzing around the track。 Tom noted the red
car。 Behind it was a green one； also moving at a fast rate of speed。
〃Those will be my nearest rivals；〃 thought the lad； as he guided his car
onto the track。 A moment later he was sending the auto ahead at moderate
speed； while the other contestants looked at the new arrival； as if trying to
discover whether in it they would have a dangerous competitor。
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TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT or The Speediest Car on the Road
CHAPTER XXV
WINNING THE PRIZE
After making two circuits of the track at moderate speed； Tom turned
on more power； deciding to see how the machine would behave on the
turns； going at a fast speed。 As it happened he forged ahead just as the big
red car was coming up behind him。 The driver of it took this for a
challenge and threw his controller handle forward。
〃Come on！〃 he cried to our hero； when even with him。
Tom did not want to decline the invitation； and the impromptu race
was under way。 Soon the green car came rushing up； and for two miles the
three kept almost in line。 It was evident that neither the green nor the red
car drivers wanted to 〃open out；〃 until they saw Tom do so。
He was willing to oblige them； and suddenly increased his speed。 They
did the same； and went ahead of him。 Then Tom turned on a little more
juice and got the lead； but the two men were right after him； and they see…
sawed like this for two more miles。 Then； with a cry the man in the red car；
with a sudden burst of speed； left Tom and the green car behind。 The green
car was soon up to its rival； but Tom decided he would not spurt。
The lad and his friends spent the early part of the night in making a
final inspection of the machinery； finding it in good order。 Then； with his
head filled with visions of the race on the morrow Tom went to bed。 He
had made inquiries； by telephone； of the friends of Miss Nestor； and
learned that she had not arrived。 Tom felt a distinct sense of
disappointment。
The day of the race could not have been better。 It was ideal weather；
and conditions at the track were just right。 Tom was up early； and went
over every inch of his car with a nervous dread that he might find
something the matter。
The final details of the race were completed； and the entrants given
their numbers and places。 Tom drew a good position； not the best； but he
had no reason to complain。 Half an hour before the start he again
telephoned to see if Miss Nestor had arrived； but she had not； and it was
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with rather gloomy thoughts that the lad entered his car； in which Mr。
Sha