"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," said Mr. 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.
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