No sooner had they come into the open space in front of the house than they were seen. At the same instant, from the rear, in the direction of the lake, came Mr. Munson and Mr. Dwight.
"We're caught!" cried Happy Harry.
He made a dash for the house, just as a man, carrying a box, rushed out.
"There it is! The model and papers are in that box!" cried Tom. "Don't let them get away with it!"
The criminals were taken by surprise. With leveled weapons the attacking party closed in on them. Mr. Damon raised his club threateningly.
"Surrender! Surrender!" he cried. "We have you! Bless my stars, but you're captured! Surrender!"
"It certainly looks so," admitted Anson Morse. "I guess they have us, boys."
The man with the box made a sudden dash toward the woods, but Tom was watching him. In an instant he sprang at him, and landed on the fellow's back. The two went down in a heap land when Tom arose he had possession of the precious box.
"I have it! I have it I" he cried. "I've got dad's model back!"
The man who had had possession of the box
