“Well, we’re ready for ’em any time Mr. Whitford is.”

Hardly had he spoken than the tramp of horses’ feet was heard coming along the bridle path through the woods, and a voice was heard to exclaim: 

“There, now, I understand it perfectly!  You don’t need to say another word.  I know it may be against the regulations, but I can fix that.  I’m the busiest man in the world, but I just had to come up here and see Tom Swift.  It’s costing me a thousand dollars, but the money is well spent.  Now don’t interrupt me!  I know what you’re going to say!  That you haven’t time to bother with moving pictures.  But you have!  I must have some moving pictures of your chase after the smugglers.  Now, don’t speak to me, I know all about it.  You can’t tell me anything.  I’ll talk to Tom.  Are we most there?”

“Yes, we’re here,” answered Mr. Whitford’s voice, and Tom fancied the government agent was a bit puzzled by his strange companion.

“Bless my shoe string!” gasped Mr. Damon.

“Him picture man!” cried Koku.

“Mr. Period!” exclaimed Tom.  “I wonder what he is doing here?” and the next moment the excitable little man, for whom Tom had run so many risks getting marvelous moving pictures, with the wizard camera, entered the clearing where the airship was anchored.

CHAPTER XXII

HOVERING O’ER THE BORDER

“Well, Tom, you see I couldn’t get along without you,” exclaimed Mr. Period, as he rushed forward and grasped Tom’s hand, having alighted in rather an undignified manner from the horse that he had ridden.  “I’m after you again.”

“So I see.” remarked our hero.  “But I’m afraid I can’t—­”

“Tut!  Tut!  Don’t say that,” interrupted the moving picture man.  “I know what you’re going to say.  Don’t do it!  Don’t go back on me, Tom!  Have you the wonderful moving picture camera with you.”

“I have, Mr. Period, but—­”

“Now!  Now!  That’ll do,” broke in the excitable little man.  “If you have it, that’s enough.  I want you to get me some films, showing you in chase of the smugglers.  They’ll be great to exhibit in our chain of theatres.”

“How did you know I was here?” asked Tom.  “Easily enough.  I called at your house.  Your father told me where you were.  I came on.  It cost me a thousand dollars—­maybe more.  I don’t care!  I’ve got to have those films!  You’ll get them for me; won’t you?”

“Well, I—­”

“That’s enough!  I know what you’re going to say.  Of course you will!  Now how soon may I expect them.  They ought to make a good run.  Say in a week?”

“It all depends on the smugglers,” said Mr. Whitford.

“Yes, yes!  I understand, of course.  I know!  This friend of yours has been very kind to me, Tom.  I looked him up as soon as I got to Logansville, and told him what I wanted.  He offered to show me the way out here, and here I am.  Let’s have a look at the camera, to see if it’s in good shape.  Are you going to have a try for the smugglers to-night?”