“More invisible writing?”
“Let’s find out,” Tom proposed quickly.
He daubed the sheets, one by one, with the chemical solution. It revealed diagrams of the entire electrical system of Tom’s paraplane!
Bud was enraged. “That creep!” he cried out.
174 ELECTRONIC RETROSCOPE
“The skinny guy must be an accomplice!” Tom added. “Hutchcraft leaves the plans here for him to take!”
Tom hastily outlined a plan. After stuffing the papers into the envelope and replacing it under the stone, the two boys hurried back to the village. They found Hutchcraft lounging in the plaza.
“You seem all worked up, fellows.” He grinned at them mockingly. “Don’t tell me you’ve found another buried temple!”
“No, but we do have something to show you,” Tom replied. “It’s a secret. I’d like you to come and have a look-you may be able to help us.”
Hutchcraft became intensely curious. His eyes gleamed with sudden interest.
“Can’t you tell me what it is?”
“We’re not sure,” Bud put in. “Come and see for yourself!”
The Bostonian needed no urging. Obviously intrigued by Tom and Bud’s mysterious manner, Hutchcraft accompanied the boys eagerly. They led him into the forest and stopped beside the flat stone. Bud pointed to it. “Any idea what’s under here, Hutchcraft?”
In the glow of their flashlights, the man’s face went ash-white. “I … I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said nervously.
“Oh, no?” Tom reached under the stone and yanked out the envelope.
“Suppose you explain this!”
A STARTLING CONFESSION 175
Hutchcraft made an effort to pull himself together. “I tell you I know nothing about it!” he snarled. “You fellows are just trying to trap me into a phony confession-or-or something. Well, I don’t have to stand here and listen to any trumped-up charges.”