“I am expecting a message,” said Tom.

“Yes?  Who for?” asked the clerk.

“Tom Swift.  It will be from America.”

As Tom said this he observed a man sitting in the corner of the office get up hurriedly and go out.  All at once his suspicions were aroused.  He thought of the attempts that had been made to get his Wizard Camera away from him.

“Who was that man?” he quickly asked the agent.

“Him?  Oh, he, too, is expecting a message from America.  He has been here some time.”

“Why did he go out so quickly?” Ned wanted to know.

“Why, I can not tell.  He is an Englishman.  They do strange things.”

“My telegram?  Is it here?” asked Tom impatiently.  He wanted to get whatever word there was from Mr. Period, and be on his way to whatever destination the picture man might select.  Perhaps, after all, his suspicions, against the man who had so suddenly left, were unfounded.

“Yes, there is a cablegram here for you, Monsieur Swift,” said the man, who was French.  “There are charges on it, however.”

“Pay ’em, Ned, while I see what this is,” directed the young inventor, as he tore open the envelope.

“Whew!” he whistled a moment later.  “This is going some.”

“Where to now?” asked Ned.  “The North Pole?”

“No, just the opposite.  Mr. Period wants me to go to Africa—­ the Congo Free State.  There’s an uprising among the natives there, and he wants some war pictures.  Well, I guess I’ll have to go.”

As Tom spoke he looked toward the door of the telegraph office, and he saw the man, who had so hurriedly gone out a few moments before, looking in at him.

CHAPTER XVII — SUSPICIOUS STRANGERS

“Off to Africa; eh?” remarked Ned, as Tom put the envelope in his pocket.  “That’s another long jump.  But I guess the Flyer can do it,

“Yes, I think so.  I say Ned, not so loud,” said Tom, who had hurried to the side of his chum, whispered the last words.

“What’s up?” inquired Ned quickly.  “Anything wrong?”

“I don’t know.  But I think we are being watched.  Did you notice that fellow who was in here a minute ago, when I asked for a telegram?”

“Yes, what about him?”

“Well, he’s looking in the door now I think.  Don’t turn round.  Just look up into that mirror on the wall, and you can see his reflection.”

“I understand,” whispered Ned, as he turned his gaze toward the mirror in question, a large one, with advertisements around the frame.  “I see him,” he went on.  “There’s some one with him.”

“That’s what I thought,” replied Tom.  “Take a good look.  Whom do you think the other chap is?”

Ned looked long and earnestly.  By means of the mirror, he could see, perfectly plain, two men standing just outside the door of the telegraph office.  The portal was only partly open.  Ned drew an old letter from his pocket, and pretended to be showing it to Tom.  But, all the while he was gazing earnestly at the two men.  Suddenly one of them moved, giving Tom’s chum a better view of his face.