第9章

THE LITTLE GREEN GOD

"Tom how soon can we go?" asked Professor Bumper, as he began arranging his papers, maps and documents ready to place them back in the valise.

"Within a week, if you want to start that soon.""The sooner the better.A week will suit me.I don't know just what Beecher's plans are, but, he may try to get on the ground first.Though, without boasting, I may say that he has not had as much experience as I have had, thanks to you, Tom, when you helped me find the lost city of Pelone.""Well, I hope we'll be as successful this time," murmured Tom."I don't want to see Beecher beat you.""I didn't know you knew him, Tom," said the professor.

"Oh, yes, I have met him.once," and there was something in Tom's manner, though he tried to speak indifferently, that made Ned believe there was more behind his chum's sudden change of determination than had yet appeared.

"He never mentioned you," went on Professor Bumper; "yet the last time I saw him I said I was coming to see you, though I did not tell him why.""No, he wouldn't be likely to speak of me," said Tom significantly."Well, if that's all settled, I guess I'll go back home and pack up," saidMr.Damon, making a move to depart.

"There's no special rush," Tom said."We won't leave for a week.I can't get ready in much less time than that.""Bless my socks! I know that," ejaculated Mr.Damon."But if I get my things packed I can go to a hotel to stay while my wife is away.She might take a notion to come home unexpectedly, and, though she is a dear, good soul, she doesn't altogether approve of my going off on these wild trips with you, Tom Swift.But if I get all packed, and clear out, she can't find me and she can't hold me back.She is visiting her mother now.I can send her a wire from Kurzon after I get there.""I don't believe the telegraph there is work- ing," laughed Professor Bumper."But suit yourself.I must go back to New York to arrange for the goods we'll have to take with us.In a week, Tom, we'll start.""You must stay to dinner," Tom said."You can't get a train now anyhow, and father wants to meet you again.He's pretty well, considering his age.And he's much better I verily believe since I said I'd turn over to him the task of finishing the stabilizer.He likes to work.""We'll stay and take the night train back," agreed Mr.Damon."It will be like old times, Tom," he went on, "traveling off together into the wilds.Central America is pretty wild, isn't it?" he asked, as if in fear of being disappointed! on that score.

"Oh, it's wild enough to suit any one," answered Professor Bumper."Well, now to settle a few details," observed Tom."Ned, what is thesituation as regards the financial affairs of my father and myself? Nothing will come to grief if we go away, will there?""I guess not, Tom.But are you going to take your father with you?" "No, of course not.""But you spoke of `we.' "

"I meant you and I are going." "Me, Tom?""Sure, you! I wouldn't think of leaving you behind.You want Ned along, don't you, Professor?""Of course.It will be an ideal party--we four.We'll have to take natives when we get to Honduras, and make up a mule pack-train for the interior.I had some thoughts of asking you to take an airship along, but it might frighten the Indians, and I shall have to depend on them for guides, as well as for porters.So it will be an old-fashioned expedition, in a way."Mr.Swift came in at this point to meet his old friends.

"The boy needs a little excitement," he said."He's been puttering over that stabilizer invention too long.I can finish the model for him in a very short time."Professor Bumper told Mr.Swift something about the proposed trip, while Mr.Damon went out with Tom and Ned to one of the shops to lookat a new model aeroplane the young inventor had designed.

There was a merry party around the table at dinner, though now and then Ned noticed that Tom had an abstracted and preoccupied air.

"Thinking about the idol of gold?" asked Ned in a whisper to his chum, when they were about to leave the table.

"The idol of gold? Oh, yes! Of course! It will be great if we can bring that back with us." But the manner in which he said this made Ned feel sure that Tom had had other thoughts, and that he had used a little subterfuge in his answer.

Ned was right, as he proved for himself a little later, when, Mr.Damon and the professor having gone home, the young financial secretary took his friend to a quiet corner and asked: