But it is not to be. My
rival is here," sighed Professor Bumper.
"Don't let that discourage you!" exclaimed Tom.
"We can fight all the better now the foe
is in the open, and we know where he is."
"Yes, Tom Swift, that is true," agreed the
scientist. "I am not going to give up, but I
shall have to change my plans a little. Perhaps
you will come into the tent with me," and he
nodded to Tom and Ned. "I want to talk over
certain matters with you and Mr. Damon."
"Pleased to," assented the young inventor, and
his financial secretary nodded.
A little later, supper having been eaten, the
camp made shipshape and the natives settled
down, Tom, Ned, Mr. Damon and Professor
Bumper assembled in the tent of the scientist,
where a dry battery lamp gave sufficient illumination
to show a number of maps and papers scattered
over an improvised table.
"Now, gentlemen," said the professor, "I have
called you here to go over my plans more in
detail than I have hitherto done, now we are on
the ground. You know in a general way what
I hope to accomplish, but the time has come
when I must be specific.
"Aside from being on the spot, below which,
or below the vicinity where, I believe, lies the
lost city of Kurzon and, I hope, the idol of gold,
a situation has arisen--an unexpected situation,
I may say--which calls for different action from
that I had counted on.
"I refer to the presence of my rival, Professor
Beecher. I will not dwell now on what he has
done.
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