In that way we'll
leave them behind, and they won't have any chance to get your
camera."
"But what I can't understand," said Tom, "is how they knew I
was coming here. It was just as if that one man had been waiting
in the telegraph office for me to appear. I'm sorry, now, that I
mentioned to Ned where we were ordered to. But I didn't think."
"They probably knew, anyway," was Mr. Nestor's opinion. "I
think this may explain it. The rival concern in New York has been
keeping track of Mr. Period's movements. Probably they have a
paid spy who may be in his employ. They knew when he sent you a
telegram, what it contained, and where it was directed to. Then,
of course, they knew you would call here for it. What they did
not know was when you would come, and so they had to wait. That
one spy was on guard, and, as soon as you came, he went and
summoned Eckert, who was waiting somewhere in the neighborhood."
"Bless my detective story!" cried Mr. Damon. "What a state of
affairs! They ought to be arrested, Tom."
"It would be useless," said Mr. Nestor. "They are probably far
enough away by this time. Or else they have put others on Tom's
track."
"I'll fight my own battles!" exclaimed the young inventor.
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