"He hasn't had any experience in
business of this sort, and with that you and
Professor Bumper and Mr. Damon know we
ought to have little trouble in getting ahead of
the young man."
"Not to speak of your own aid," added Ned.
"Oh, I'll do what I can, of course," said Tom,
with an air of indifference. But Ned knew his
chum would work ceaselessly to help get the idol
of gold.
Tom gave no sign that there was any complication
in his affair with Mary Nestor, and of
course Ned did not tell anything of what he knew
about it.
That night saw the preparations of Ned and
Tom about completed. There were one or two
matters yet to finish on Tom's part in relation
to his business, but these offered no difficulties.
The two chums were in the Swift home, talking
over the prospective trip, when Mrs. Baggert,
answering a ring at the front door, announced
that Mr. Damon was outside.
"Tell him to come in," ordered Tom.
"Bless my baggage check!" exclaimed the
excitable man, as he shook hands with Tom and
Ned and noted the packing evidences all about.
"You're ready to go to the land of wonders."
"The land of wonders?" repeated Ned.
"Yes, that's what Professor Bumper calls the
part of Honduras we're going to. And it must
be wonderful, Tom. Think of whole cities,
some of them containing idols and temples of
gold, buried thirty and forty feet under the
surface! Wonderful is hardly the name for it!"
"It'll be great!" cried Ned. "I suppose you're
ready, Mr.
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