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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/1282-0.txt b/1282-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cdb0480 --- /dev/null +++ b/1282-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5423 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1282 *** + +TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS + +or The Secret of Phantom Mountain + +By Victor Appleton + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER + + I A SUSPICIOUS JEWELER + II A MIDNIGHT VISIT + III A STRANGE STORY + IV ANDY FOGER GETS A FRIGHT + V A MYSTERIOUS MAN + VI MR. DAMON IS ON HAND + VII MR. PARKER PREDICTS + VIII OFF FOR THE WEST + IX A WARNING BY WIRELESS + X DROPPING THE STOWAWAY + XI A WEARY SEARCH + XII THE GREAT STONE HEAD + XIII ON PHANTOM MOUNTAIN + XIV WARNED BACK + XV THE LANDSLIDE + XVI THE VAST CAVERN + XVII THE PHANTOM CAPTURED + XVIII BILL RENSHAW WILL HELP + XIX IN THE SECRET CAVE + XX MAKING THE DIAMONDS + XXI FLASHING GEMS + XXII PRISONERS + XXIII BROKEN BONDS + XXIV IN GREAT PERIL + XXV THE MOUNTAIN SHATTERED--CONCLUSION + + + + +CHAPTER I--A SUSPICIOUS JEWELER + + +“Well, Tom Swift, I don't believe you will make any mistake if you buy +that diamond,” said the jeweler to a young man who was inspecting a tray +of pins, set with the sparkling stones. “It is of the first water, and +without a flaw.” + +“It certainly seems so, Mr. Track. I don't know much about diamonds, and +I'm depending on you. But this one looks to be all right.” + +“Is it for yourself, Tom?” + +“Er--no--that is, not exactly,” and Tom Swift, the young inventor of +airships and submarines, blushed slightly. + +“Ah, I see. It's for your housekeeper, Mrs. Baggert. Well, I think she +would like a pin of this sort. True, it's rather expensive, but--” + +“No, it isn't for Mrs. Baggert, Mr. Track,” and Tom seemed a bit +embarrassed. + +“No? Well, then, Tom--of course it's none of my affair, except to +sell you a good stone, But if this brooch is for a young lady, I can't +recommend anything nicer. Do you think you will take this; or do you +prefer to look at some others?” + +“Oh, I think this will do, Mr. Track. I guess I'll take--” + +Tom's words were interrupted by a sudden action on the part of the +jeweler. Mr. Track ran from behind the showcase and hastened toward the +front door. + +“Did you see him, Tom?” he cried. “I wonder which way he went?” + +“Who?” asked the lad, following the shopkeeper. + +“That man. He's been walking up and down in front of my place for the +last ten minutes--ever since you've been in here, in fact, and I don't +like his looks.” + +“What did he do?” + +“Nothing much, except to stare in here as if he was sizing my place up.” + +“Sizing it up?” + +“Yes. Getting the lay of the land, so he or some confederate could +commit a robbery, maybe.” + +“A robbery? Do you think that man was a thief?” + +“I don't know that he was, Tom, and yet a jeweler has to be always +on the watch, and that isn't a joke, either, Tom Swift. Swindlers and +thieves are always on the alert for a chance to rob a jewelry store, and +they work many games.” + +“I didn't notice any particular man looking in here,” said Tom, who +still held the diamond brooch in his hand. + +“Well I did,” went on the jeweler. “I happened to glance out of the +window when you were looking at the pins, and I saw his eyes staring in +here in a suspicious manner. He may have a confederate with him, and, +when you're gone, one may come in, and pretend to want to look at some +diamonds. Then, when I'm showing him some, the other man will enter, +engage my attention, and the first man will slip out with a diamond ring +or pin. It's often done.” + +“You seem to have it all worked out, Mr. Track,” observed the lad, with +a smile. “How do you know but what I'm in with a gang of thieves, and +that I'm only pretending to want to buy a diamond pin?” + +“Oh, I guess I haven't known you, Tom Swift, ever since you were +big enough to toddle, not to be sure about what you're up to. But I +certainly didn't like the looks of that man. However, let's forget about +him. He seems to have gone down the street, and, after all, perhaps I +was mistaken. Just wait until I show you a few more styles before you +decide. The young lady may like one of these,” and the jeweler went to +another showcase and took out some more trays of brooches. + +“What makes you think she's a young lady, Mr. Track?” asked the lad. + +“Oh, it's easy guessing, Tom. We jewelers are good readers of character. +I can size up a young fellow coming in here to buy an engagement or a +wedding ring, as soon as he enters the door. I suppose you'll soon be +in the market for one of those, Tom, if all the reports I hear about you +are true--you and a certain Mary Nestor.” + +“I--er--I think I don't care for any of these pins,” spoke Tom, quickly, +with a blush. “I like the first lot best. I think I'll take the one I +had in my hand when that man alarmed you. Ha! That's odd! What did I do +with it?” + +Tom looked about on the showcase, and glanced down on the floor. He had +mislaid the brooch, but the jeweler, with a laugh, lifted it out of a +tray a moment later. + +“I saw you lay it down,” he said. “We jewelers have to be on the watch. +Here it is. I'll just put it in a box, and--” + +With an exclamation, Mr. Track gave a hasty glance toward his big show +window. Tom looked up, and saw a man's face peering in. At the sight of +it, he, too, uttered a cry of surprise. + +The next instant the man outside knocked on the glass, apparently with +a piece of metal, making a sharp sound. As soon as he heard it, the +jeweler once more sprang from behind the showcase, and leaped for the +door crying: + +“There's the thief! He's trying to cut a hole through my show window and +reach in and get something! It's an old trick. I'll get the police! Tom, +you stay here on guard!” and before the lad could utter a protest, the +jeweler had opened the door, and was speeding down the street in the +gathering darkness. + +Tom stared about him in some bewilderment. He was left alone in charge +of a very valuable stock of jewelry, the owner of which was racing after +a supposed thief, crying: + +“Police! Help! Thieves! Stop him, somebody!” + +“This is a queer go,” mused Tom. “I wonder who that man was? He looked +like somebody I know, and yet I can't seem to place his face. I +wonder if he was trying to rob the place? Maybe there's another one--a +confederate--around here.” + +This thought rather alarmed Tom, so he went to the door, and looked up +and down the street. He could see no suspicious characters, but in the +direction in which the jeweler was running there was a little throng of +people, following Mr. Track after the man who had knocked on the window. + +“I wish I was there, instead of here,” mused the lad. “Still I can't +leave, or a thief might come in. Perhaps that was the game, and one of +the gang is hanging around, hoping the store will be deserted, so he can +enter and take what he likes.” + +Tom had read of such cases, and he at once resolved that he would not +only remain in the jewelry shop, but that he would lock the door, which +he at once proceeded to do. Then he breathed easier. + +The town of Shopton, in the outskirts of which Tom lived with his +father, and where the scene above narrated took place, was none too well +lighted at night, and the lad had his doubts about the jeweler catching +the oddly-acting man, especially as the latter had a good start. + +“But some one may head him off,” reasoned Tom. “Though if they do catch +him, I don't see what they can prove against him. Hello, here I am +carrying this diamond pin around. I might lose it. Guess I'll put it +back on the tray.” + +He replaced in the proper receptacle one of the pins he had been +examining when the excitement occurred. + +“I wonder if Mary will like that?” he said, softly. “I hope she does. +Perhaps it would be better if she could come here herself and pick out +one--” + +Tom's musing was suddenly interrupted by a sharp tattoo on the glass +door of the jewelry shop. With a start, he looked up, to see staring in +on him the face of the man who had been there before--the man of whom +the jeweler was even then in chase. + +“Why--why----” stammered Tom. + +The man knocked again. + +“Tom--Tom Swift!” he called. “Don't you know me?” + +“Know you--you?” repeated the lad. + +“Yes--don't you remember Earthquake Island--how we were nearly killed +there--don't you remember Mr. Jenks?” + +“Mr. Jenks?” + +Tom was so startled that he could only repeat words after the strange +man, who was talking to him from outside the glass door. + +“Yes, Mr. Jenks,” was the reply. “Mr. Barcoe Jenks, who makes diamonds. +I saw you in the store about to buy a diamond--I wanted to tell you not +to--I'll give you a better diamond than you can buy--I just arrived in +this place--I must have a private talk with you--Come out--I'll share a +wonderful secret with you.” + +A flood of memory came to Tom. He did recall the very strange man who +walked around Earthquake Island--where Tom and some friends had been +marooned recently--walked about with a pocketful of what he said were +diamonds. Now Barcoe Jenks was here. + +“I must see you privately, Tom Swift,” went on Mr. Jenks, as he once +more tapped on the glass. “Don't waste money buying diamonds, when you +and I can make better ones. Where can I have a talk with you? I--” Mr. +Jenks suddenly looked down the dimly-lighted street. “They're coming +back!” he cried. “I don't want to be seen. I'll call at your house later +to-night--be on the watch for me--until then--good-by!” + +He waved his hand, and was gone in an instant. Tom stood staring at the +glass door. He hardly knew whether to believe it or not--perhaps it was +all a dream. + +He pinched himself to make sure that he was awake. Very substantial +flesh met his thumb and finger, and he felt the pain. + +“I'm awake all right,” he murmured. “But Barcoe Jenks here--and still +talking that nonsense about his manufactured diamonds. I think he must +be crazy. I wonder--” + +Once more the lad's musing was interrupted. He heard a murmur of excited +voices outside the store, on the street. Then the door of the jewelry +shop was tried. Mr. Track's face was pressed against the glass. + +“Open the door! Let me in, Tom!” he called. “I've caught the thief,” and +as the lad unlocked the portal he saw that the jeweler held by the arm +a ragged lad. “Ah; you scoundrel! I've caught you!” cried the diamond +merchant, shaking the small chap, while Tom looked on, more mystified +than ever. + + + + +CHAPTER II--A MIDNIGHT VISIT + + +While Mr. Track, the jeweler, and several citizens, attracted by the +chase after the supposed thief, are crowded into the store, anxious to +hear explanations of the strange affair, I will take the opportunity to +tell you something of Tom Swift, the lad who is to figure in this story. + +Many of you have already made his acquaintance, when he has been +speeding about in his airship or fast electric runabout, and to others +we will state that our hero first made his bow to the public in the +book called “Tom Swift and His Motor-Cycle,” the initial volume of this +series. + +In that story there was related how Tom made the acquaintance of an +odd individual, named Mr. Wakefield Damon, who was continually blessing +himself, some part of his anatomy, or his possessions. Mr. Damon was +riding a motor-cycle, and it started to climb a tree, to his pain and +fright. Afterward Tom purchased the machine, and had many adventures +on it, including a chase after a gang of men who had stolen a valuable +patent model belonging to Mr. Swift. + +Mr. Swift and his son were both inventors. They lived together in a +fine house in the suburbs of Shopton, New York, and with them dwelt Mrs. +Baggert, the housekeeper (for Tom's mother was dead), and also Garret +Jackson, an expert engineer, who aided the young inventor and his father +in perfecting many machines. + +There was also another semi-member of the household, to wit, Eradicate +Sampson, an eccentric colored man, who owned a mule called Boomerang. +Eradicate did odd jobs around the place, and the mule assisted his +owner--that is when the mule felt like it. + +In the second volume of the series, entitled “Tom Swift and His +Motor-Boat,” there was related the incidents following a pursuit after +a gang of unprincipled men, who sought to get possession of some of Mr. +Swift's patents, and it was while in this boat that Tom, his father, and +a friend, Ned Newton, rescued from Lake Carlopa a Mr. John Sharp, who +fell from his burning balloon. Mr. Sharp was a skilled aeronaut, and +after his recovery he joined Tom in building a big airship, called the +Red Cloud. Tom's adventures in this craft are set down in detail in the +third volume of the series, called “Tom Swift and His Airship.” Not only +did he and Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon make a great trip, but they captured +some bank robbers, and incidentally cleared themselves from the +imputation of having looted the vault of seventy-five thousand dollars, +which charge was fostered by a certain Mr. Foger, and his son Andy, who +was Tom's enemy. + +Not satisfied with having conquered the air, Tom and his father set +to work to gain a victory over the ocean. They built a boat that could +navigate under water, and, in the fourth book of the series, called “Tom +Swift and His Submarine Boat,” you will find an account of how they went +under the ocean to secure a sunken treasure, and the fight they had with +their enemies who sought to get it away from them. They went through +many perils, not the least of which was capture by a foreign warship. + +In the fifth book, entitled “Tom Swift and His Electric Runabout,” there +was told the story of a wonderfully speedy electric automobile the young +inventor constructed, and how he made a great race in it, and saved from +ruin a bank, in which his father and Mr. Damon were interested. + +Tom's ability as an inventor had, by this time, become well known. One +day, as related in a volume called “Tom Swift and His Wireless Message,” + he received a letter from a Mr. Hosmer Fenwick, of Philadelphia, asking +his aid in perfecting an airship which the resident of the Quaker +City had built, but which would not work. In his small monoplane, the +Butterfly, Tom and Mr. Damon went to Philadelphia, as Mr. Damon was +acquainted with Mr. Fenwick. + +Tom carefully inspected the Whizzer which was the name of Mr. Fenwick's +airship, and, after some difficulties, succeeded in getting the electric +craft in shape to make a flight. + +Tom, Mr. Damon and Mr. Fenwick started to make a trip to Cape May in the +Whizzer, but were caught in a terrific storm, and blown out to sea. +The wind became a hurricane, the airship was disabled, and wrecked in +mid-air. When it fell to earth it landed on one of the small West Indian +islands, but what was the terror of the three castaways to find that the +island was subject to earthquake shocks. + +But the earth-tremors were not the only surprise in store for Tom and +his two friends, On the island they found five men and two ladies, who, +by strange chance, had been stranded there when the yacht Resolute, +owned by Mr. George Hosbrook, was wrecked in the same storm that +disabled the airship. Mr. Hosbrook, a millionaire, was taking a party of +friends to the West Indies. + +When the castaways (among whom were Mr. and Mrs. Amos Nestor, parents +of Mary Nestor, a girl of whom Tom was very fond) found that there was +danger of the island being destroyed in an earthquake, they were in +despair. There seemed no way of being rescued, as the island was out of +the line of regular ship travel. + +Tom, however, was resourceful. With the electrical apparatus from the +wrecked airship, he built a wireless plant, and sent messages for help, +broadcast over the ocean. + +They were finally heard, and answered, by an operator on board the +steamer Camberanian, which came on under forced draught, and rescued +Tom and his friends. It was only just in time, for, no sooner had +they gotten aboard the steamer in lifeboats, than the whole island was +destroyed by an earthquake shock. + +But Tom, the parents of Mary Nestor, Mr. Damon, Mr. Fenwick, and all the +others, got safely home. Among the survivors from the yacht Resolute +was a Mr. Barcoe Jenks, who now, most unexpectedly, had confronted Tom +through the glass window of the jewelry store. Mr. Jenks was a peculiar +man. Tom discovered this on Earthquake Island. Mr. Jenks carried with +him some stones which he said were diamonds. He asserted that he had +made them, but Tom did not know whether or not to believe this. + +When it seemed that the castaways would not be saved Mr. Jenks offered +Tom a large sum in these same diamonds for some plan whereby he might +escape the earthquakes. Mr. Jenks said there was a certain secret in +connection with the manufactured diamonds that he had to solve--that he +had been defrauded of his rights--and that a certain Phantom Mountain +figured in it. But Tom, at that time, paid little attention to Mr. +Jenks' talk. The time was to come, however, when he would attach much +importance to it. + +When this story opens, Tom was more interested in Mr. Barcoe Jenks than +in any one else, and was wondering what he wanted to see him about. The +young inventor could not quite understand how Mr. Track, the jeweler, +could come back with a lad he suspected of being a thief, when the +person who had acted so suspiciously, and who had knocked on the glass, +was the queer man, Mr. Jenks. + +“Yes, Tom I caught him,” the jeweler went on. “I chased after him, and +nabbed him. It was hard work, too, for I'm not a good runner. Now, you +little rascal, tell me why you tried to rob my store?” and the diamond +merchant shook the lad roughly. + +“I--I didn't try to rob your store,” was the timid answer. + +“Well, perhaps you didn't, exactly, but your confederates did. Why did +you rap on the glass, and why were you staring in so intently?” + +“I wasn't lookin' in.” + +“Well, if it wasn't you, it was some one just like you. But why did you +run when I raced down the street?” + +“I--I don't know,” and the lad began to snivel. “I--I jest ran--that's +all--'cause I see everybody else runnin', an' I thought there was a +fire.” + +“Ha! That's a likely story! You ran because you are guilty! I'm going to +hand you over to the police.” + +“Did he get anything, Mr. Track?” asked one of the men who had joined +the jeweler in the chase. + +“No, I can't say that he did. He didn't get a chance. Tom Swift was +in here at the time. But this fellow was only waiting for a chance to +steal, or else to aid his confederates.” + +“But, if he didn't take anything, I don't see how you can have him +arrested,” went on the man. + +“On suspicion; that's how!” asserted Mr. Track. “Will some one get me a +constable?” + +“I wouldn't call a constable,” said Tom, quietly. + +“Why not?” + +“Because that isn't the person who looked in your window.” + +“How do you know, Tom?” + +“Because that person came back while you were out. I saw him.” + +“You saw him? Did he try to steal any of my diamonds, Tom?” + +“No, I guess he doesn't need any.” + +“Why not?” There was wonder in the jeweler's tone. + +“Why, he claims he can make all he wants.” + +“Make diamonds?” + +“So he says.” + +“Why, he must be crazy!” and Mr. Track laughed. + +“Perhaps he is,” admitted Tom, “I'm only telling you what he says. He's +the person who acted so suspiciously. He came back here, I'm telling +you, while you were running down the street, and spoke to me.” + +“Oh, then you know him?” The jeweler's voice was suspicious. + +“I didn't at first,” admitted Tom. “But when he said he was Mr. +Barcoe Jenks, I remembered that I had met him when I was cast away on +Earthquake Island.” + +“And he says he can make diamonds?” asked Mr. Track. + +“What did he want of you?” and the jeweler looked at Tom, quizzically. + +“He wanted to have a talk with me,” replied the lad, “and when he saw +me in your store, he tried to attract my attention by knocking on the +glass.” + +“That's a queer way to do,” declared Mr. Track. “What did he want?” + +“I don't know exactly,” answered Tom, not caring to go into details just +then. “But I'm sure, Mr. Track, that you've got the wrong person there. +That lad never looked in the window, nor knocked on the glass.” + +“That's right--I didn't,” asserted the captive. + +The jeweler looked doubtful. + +“Why did you run?” he asked. + +“I told you, I thought there was a fire.” + +“That's right, I don't believe he's the fellow you want,” put in another +man. “I was standing on the corner, near White's grocery store, and +I noticed this lad. That was before I heard you yelling, and saw you +coming, and then I joined in the chase. I guess the man you were after +got away, Track.” + +“He did,” asserted Tom. “He came back here, a little while ago, and he +ran away just now, as he heard you coming.” + +“Where did he go?” asked the jeweler, eagerly. + +“I don't know,” answered Tom. “Only you've got the wrong lad here.” + +“Well, perhaps I have,” admitted the diamond merchant. “You can go, +youngster, but next time, don't run if you're not guilty.” + +“I thought there was a fire,” repeated the lad, as he hurriedly slipped +through the crowd in the store, and disappeared down the dark street. + +“Well, I guess the excitement's all over, and, anyhow, you weren't +robbed, Track,” said a stout man, as he left the store. The others soon +followed, and Tom and the jeweler were once more alone in the shop. + +“Can you tell me something about this man, Tom?” asked Mr. Track, +eagerly. “So he really makes diamonds. Who is he?” + +“I'd rather not tell--just now,” replied the young inventor. “I don't +take much stock in him, myself. I think he's visionary. He may think he +has made diamonds, and he may have made some stones that look like them. +I'm very skeptical.” + +“If you could bring me some, Tom, I could soon tell whether they were +real or not. Can you?” + +The lad shook his head. + +“I don't expect to see Mr. Jenks again,” he said. “He talked +rather wildly about waiting to meet me, but that man is odd--crazy, +perhaps--and I don't imagine I'll see him. He's harmless, but he's +eccentric. Well, there was quite some excitement for a time.” + +“I should say there was. I thought it was a plan to rob me,” and the +jeweler began putting away the diamond pins. In fact, the excitement +so filled the minds of himself and Tom that neither of them thought any +more of the object of the lad's visit, and the young inventor departed +without purchasing the pin he had come after. + +It was not until he was out on the street, walking toward his home, that +the matter came back to his mind. + +“I declare!” he exclaimed. “I didn't get that pin for Mary, after all! +Well, never mind, I have a week until her birthday, and I can get it +to-morrow.” + +He walked rapidly toward home, for the weather looked threatening, and +Tom had no umbrella. He was musing on the happenings of the evening when +he reached his house. His father was out, as was Garret Jackson, the +engineer; and Mrs. Baggert, the housekeeper, was entertaining a lady in +the sitting-room, so, as Tom was rather tired, he went directly to his +own room, and, a little later got into bed. + +It was shortly after midnight when he was awakened by hearing a rattling +on the window of his room. The reason he was able to fix the time +so accurately was because as soon as he awakened he pressed a little +electric button, and it illuminated the face of a small clock on his +bureau. The hands pointed to five minutes past twelve. + +“Humph! That sounds like hail!” exclaimed Tom, as he arose, and looked +out of the casement. “I wonder if any of the skylights of the airship +shed are open? There might be some damage. Guess I'd better go out and +take a look.” + +He had mentally reasoned this far before he had looked out, and when +he saw that the moon was brightly shining in a clear sky, he was a bit +surprised. + +“Why--that wasn't hail,” he murmured. “It isn't even raining. I wonder +what it was?” + +He was answered a moment later, for a shower of fine gravel from the +walk flew up and clattered against the glass. With a start, Tom looked +down, and saw a dark figure standing under an apple tree. + +“Hello! Who's there?” called the lad, after he had raised the sash. + +“It's I--Mr. Jenks,” was the surprising answer. + +“Mr. Jenks?” repeated Tom. + +“Yes--Barcoe Jenks, of Earthquake Island.” + +“You here? What do you want?” + +“Can you come down?” + +“What for?” + +“Tom Swift, I've something very important to tell you,” was the answer +in a low voice, yet which carried to Tom's ears perfectly. “Do you want +to make a fortune for yourself--and for me?” + +“How?” Tom was beginning to think more and more that Mr. Jenks was +crazy. + +“How? By helping me to discover the secret of Phantom Mountain, where +the diamonds are made! Will you?” + +“Wait a minute--I'll come down,” answered Tom, and he began to grope for +his clothes in the dim light of the little electric lamp. + +What was the secret of Phantom Mountain? What did Mr. Jenks really want? +Could he make diamonds? Tom asked himself these questions as he hastily +dressed to go down to his midnight visitor. + + + + +CHAPTER III--A STRANGE STORY + + +“Well, Mr. Jenks,” began Tom, when he had descended to the garden, and +greeted the man who had acted so strangely on Earthquake Island, “this +is rather an odd time for a visit.” + +“I realize that, Tom Swift,” was the answer, and the lad noticed that +the man spoke much more calmly than he had that evening at the jewelry +shop. “I realize that, but I have to be cautious in my movements.” + +“Why?” + +“Because there are enemies on my track. If they thought I was seeking +aid to discover the secret of Phantom Mountain, my life might pay the +forfeit.” + +“Are you in earnest, Mr. Jenks?” + +“I certainly am, and, while I must apologize for awakening you at this +unseemly hour, and for the mysterious nature of my visit, if you will +let me tell my story, you will see the need of secrecy.” + +“Oh, I don't mind being awakened,” answered Tom, good-naturedly, “but +I will be frank with you, Mr. Jenks. I hardly can believe what you have +stated to me several times--that you know how diamonds can be made.” + +“I can prove it to you,” was the quiet answer. + +“Yes, I know. For centuries men have tried to discover the secret of +transmuting base metals into gold, and how to make diamonds by chemical +means. But they have all been failures.” + +“All except this process--the process used at Phantom Mountain,” + insisted the queer man. “Do you want to hear my story?” + +“I have no objections.” + +“Then let me warn you,” went on Mr. Jenks, “that if you do hear it, you +will be so fascinated by it that I am sure you will want to cast your +lot in with mine, and aid me to get my rights, and solve the mystery. +And I also want to warn you that if you do, there is a certain amount of +danger connected with it.” + +“I'm used to danger,” answered Tom, quietly. “Let me hear your story. +But first explain how you came to come here, and why you acted so +strangely at the jewelry store.” + +“Willingly. I tried to attract your attention at the store, because I +saw that you were going to buy a diamond, and I didn't want you to.” + +“Why not?” + +“Because I want to present you with a beautiful stone, that will answer +your purpose as well or better, than any one you could buy. That will +prove my story better than any amount of words or argument. But I could +not attract your attention without also attracting that of the jeweler. +He became suspicious, gave chase, and I thought it best to vanish. I +hope no one was made to suffer for what may have been my imprudence.” + +“No, the lad whom Mr. Track caught was let go. But how did you happen to +come to Shopton?” + +“To see you. I got your address from the owner of the yacht Resolute. I +knew that if there was one person who could aid me to recover my rights, +it would be you, Tom Swift. Will you help me? Will you come with me to +discover the secret of Phantom Mountain? If we go, it will have to be in +an airship, for in no other way, I think, can we come upon the place, as +it is closely guarded. Will you come? I will pay you well.” + +“Perhaps I had better hear your story,” said the young inventor. “But +first let me suggest that we move farther away from the house. My +father, or Mr. Jackson, or the housekeeper, may hear us talking, and it +may disturb them. Come with me to my private shop,” and Tom led the way +to a small building where he did experimental work. He unlocked the door +with a key he carried, turned on the lights, which were run by a storage +battery, and motioned Mr. Jenks to a seat. + +“Now I'll hear your story,” said Tom. + +“I'll make it as short as possible,” went on the queer man. “To begin +with, it is now several years ago since a poorly dressed stranger +applied to me one night for money enough to get a meal and a bed to +sleep in. I was living in New York City at the time, and this was +midnight, as I was returning home from my club. + +“I was touched by the man's appearance, and gave him some money. He +asked for my card, saying he would repay me some day. I gave it to him, +little thinking I would hear from the man again. But I did. He called +at my apartments about a week later, saying he had secured work as an +expert setter of diamonds, and wanted to repay me. I did not want to +take his money, but the fact that such a sorry looking specimen of +manhood as he had been when I aided him, was an expert handler of gems +interested me. I talked with the man, and he made a curious statement. + +“This man, who gave his name as Enos Folwell, said he knew a place where +diamonds could be made, partly in a scientific manner, and partly by the +forces of nature. I laughed at him, but he told me so many details that +I began to believe him. He said he and some other friends of his, who +were diamond cutters, had a plant in the midst of the Rocky Mountains, +where they had succeeded in making several small, but very perfect +diamonds. They had come to the end of their rope, though, so to speak, +because they could not afford to buy the materials needed. Folwell +said that he and his companions had temporarily separated, had left the +mountain where they made diamonds, and agreed to meet there later when +they had more money with which to purchase materials. They had all +agreed to go out into civilization, and work for enough funds to enable +them to go on with their diamond making. + +“I hardly knew whether to believe the man or not, but he offered proof. +He had several small, but very perfect diamonds with him, and he gave +them to me, to have tested in any way I desired. + +“I promised to look into the matter, and, as I was quite wealthy, as, +in fact I am now, and if I found that the stones he gave me were real, I +said I might invest some money in the plant.” + +“Were the diamonds good?” asked Tom, who was beginning to be interested. + +“They were--stones of the first water, though small. An expert gem +merchant, to whom I took them, said he had never seen any diamonds like +them, and he wanted to know where I got them. Of course I did not tell +him. + +“To make a long story short, I saw Folwell again, told him to +communicate with his companions, and to tell them that I would agree to +supply the cash needed, if I could share in the diamond making. To this +they agreed, and, after some weeks spent in preparation, a party of us +set out for Phantom Mountain.” + +“Phantom Mountain?” interrupted Tom. “Where is it?” + +“I don't know, exactly--it's somewhere in the Rockies, but the exact +location is a mystery. That is why I need your help. You will soon +understand the reason. Well, as I said, myself, Folwell and the others, +who were not exactly prepossessing sort of men, started west. When we +got to a small town, called Indian Ridge, near Leadville, Colorado, +the men insisted that I must now proceed in secret, and consent to be +blindfolded, as they were not yet ready to reveal the secret of the +place where they made the diamonds. + +“I did not want to agree to this, but they insisted, and I gave in, +foolishly perhaps. At any rate I was blindfolded one night, placed in +a wagon, and we drove off into the mountains. After traveling for some +distance I was led, still blindfolded, up a steep trail. + +“When the bandage was taken off my eyes I saw that I was in a large +cave. The men were with me, and they apologized for the necessity that +caused them to blindfold me. They said they were ready to proceed with +the making of diamonds, but I must promise not to seek to discover the +secret until they gave me permission, nor was I to attempt to leave the +cave. I had to agree. + +“Next they demanded that I give them a large sum, which I had promised +when they showed me, conclusively, that they could make diamonds. I +refused to do this until I had seen some of the precious stones, and +they agreed that this was fair, but said I would have to wait a few +days. + +“Well, I waited, and, all that while, I was virtually a prisoner in the +cave. All I could learn was that it was in the midst of a great range, +near the top, and that one of the peaks was called Phantom Mountain. +Why, I did not learn until later. + +“At last one night, during a terrific thunder storm, the leader of the +diamond makers--Folwell--announced that I could now see the stones made. +The men had been preparing their chemicals for some days previous. I +was taken into a small chamber of the cave, and there saw quite a +complicated apparatus. Part of it was a great steel box, with a lever on +it. + +“We will let you make some diamonds for yourself,” Folwell said to me, +and he directed me to pull the lever of the box, at a certain signal. +The signal came, just as a terrific crash of thunder shook the very +mountain inside of which we were. The box of steel got red-hot, and when +it cooled off it was opened, and was given a handful of white stones. + +“Were they diamonds?” asked Tom, eagerly. + +Mr. Jenks held out one hand. In the palm glittered a large +stone--ostensibly a diamond. In the rays of the moon it showed all the +colors of the rainbow--a beautiful gem. “That is one of the stones I +made--or rather that I supposed I had made,” went on Mr. Jenks. “It is +one of several I have, but they have not all been cut and polished as +has this one. + +“Naturally I was much impressed by what I saw, and, after I had made +certain tests which convinced me that the stones in the steel box were +diamonds, I paid over the money as I had promised. That was my undoing.” + +“How?” + +“As soon as the men got the cash, they had no further use for me. The +next I remember is eating a rude meal, while we discussed the future of +making diamonds. I knew nothing more until I found myself back in the +small hotel at Indian Ridge, whence I had gone some time previous, with +the men, to the cave in the mountain.” + +“What happened?” asked Tom, much surprised by the unexpected outcome of +the affair. + +“I had been tricked, that was all! As soon as the men had my +money they had no further use for me. They did not want me to learn the +secret of their diamond making, and they drugged me, carried me away +from the cave, and left me in the hotel.” + +“Didn't you try to find the cave again?” + +“I did, but without avail. I spent some time in the Rockies, but no one +could tell where Phantom Mountain was; in fact, few had heard of it, and +I was nearly lost searching for it. + +“I came back East, determined to get even. I had given the men a +very large sum of money, and, in exchange, they had given me several +diamonds. Probably the stones are worth nearly as much as the money I +invested, but I was cheated, for I was promised an equal share in the +profits. These were denied me, and I was tricked. I determined to be +revenged, or at least to discover the secret of making diamonds. It is +my right.” + +“I agree with you,” spoke Tom. + +“But, up to the time I met you on Earthquake Island, I could form no +plan for discovering Phantom Mountain, and learning the secret of the +diamond makers,” went on Mr. Jenks. “I carried the gems about with me, +as you doubtless saw when we were on the island. But I knew I needed an +airship in which to fly over the mountains, and pick out the location of +the cave where the diamonds are made.” + +“But how can you locate it, if you were blindfolded when you were taken +there, Mr. Jenks?” + +“I forgot to tell you that, on our journey into the mountains, and just +before I was carried into the cave, I managed to raise one corner of +the bandage. I caught a glimpse of a very peculiarly shaped cliff--it +is like a great head, standing out in bold relief against the moonlight, +when I saw it. That head of rock is near the cave. It may be the +landmark by which we can locate Phantom Mountain.” + +“Perhaps,” admitted the young inventor. + +“What I want to know is this,” went on Mr. Jenks. “Will you go with me +on this quest--go in your airship to discover the secret of the diamond +makers? If you will, I will share with you whatever diamonds we can +discover, or make; besides paying all expenses. Will you go, Tom Swift?” + +The young inventor did not know what to answer. How far was Mr. Jenks +to be trusted? Were the stones he had real diamonds? Was his story, +fantastical as it sounded--true? Would it be safe for Tom to go? + +The lad asked himself these questions. Mr. Jenks saw his hesitation. + +“Here,” said the strange man, “I will prove what I say. Take this +diamond. I intended it for you, anyhow, for what you did for me on +Earthquake Island. Take it, and--and give it to the person for whom you +were about to purchase a diamond to-night. But, first of all, take it to +a gem expert, and get his opinion. That will prove the truth of what +I say, Tom Swift, and I feel sure that you will cast your lot in with +mine, and help me to discover the secret of Phantom Mountain, and aid me +to get my rights from the diamond makers!” + + + + +CHAPTER IV--ANDY FOGER GETS A FRIGHT + + +Tom Swift considered a few minutes. On the face of it, the proposition +appealed to him. He had been home some time now after his adventures on +Earthquake Island, and he was beginning to long for more excitement. The +search for the mysterious mountain, and the cave of the diamond makers, +might offer a new field for him. But there came to him a certain +distrust of Mr. Jenks. + +“I don't like to doubt your word,” began Tom, slowly, “but you know, +Mr. Jenks, that some of the greatest chemists have tried in vain to make +diamonds; or, at best, they have made only tiny ones. To think that any +man, or set of men, made real diamonds as large as the ones you have, +doesn't seem--well--” and Tom hesitated. + +“You mean you can hardly believe me?” asked Mr. Jenks. + +“I guess that's it,” assented Tom. + +“I don't blame you a bit!” exclaimed the odd man. “In fact, I didn't +believe it when they told me they could make diamonds. But they proved +it to me. I'm ready now to prove it to you.” + +“I'll tell you what I'll do. Here's this one stone, cut ready for +setting. Here's another, uncut,” and Mr. Jenks drew from his pocket +what looked like a piece of crystal. “Take them to any jeweler,” he +resumed--“to the one in whose place I saw you to-night. I'll abide by +the verdict you get, and I'll come here to-morrow night, and hear what +you have to say.” + +“Why do you come at night?” asked Tom, thinking there was something +suspicious in that. + +“Because my life might be in danger if I was seen talking to you, and +showing you diamonds in the daytime--especially just now. + +“Why at this particular time?” + +“For the reason that the diamond makers are on my trail. As long as I +remained quiet, after their shabby treatment of me, and did not try to +discover their secret, they were all right. But, after I realized that +I had been cheated out of my rights, and when I began to make an +investigation, with a view to discovering their secret whereabouts, I +received mysterious and anonymous warnings to stop.” + +“But I did not. I came East, and tried to get help to discover the cave +of the diamond makers, but I was unsuccessful. I needed an airship, as +I said, and no person who could operate one, would agree to go with +me on the quest. Again I received a warning to drop all search for the +diamond makers, but I persisted, and about a week ago I found I was +being shadowed.” + +“Shadowed; by whom?” asked Tom. + +“By a man I never remember seeing, but who, I have no doubt, is one of +the diamond-making gang.” + +“Do you think he means you harm?” + +“I'm sure of it. That is the reason I have to act so in secret, and come +to see you at night. I don't want those scoundrels to find out what I am +about to do. On my return from Earthquake Island, I again endeavored to +interest an airship man in my plan, but he evidently thought me insane. +Then I thought of you, as I had done before, but I was afraid you, too, +would laugh at my proposition. However, I decided to come here, and I +did. It seemed almost providential that my first view of you was in +a jewelry shop, looking at diamonds. I took it as a good omen. Now it +remains with you. May I call here to-morrow night, and get your answer?” + +Tom Swift made up his mind quickly. After all it would be easy enough to +find out if the diamonds were real. If they were, he could then decide +whether or not to go with Mr. Jenks on the mysterious quest. So he +answered: + +“I'll consider the matter, Mr. Jenks. I'll meet you here to-morrow +night. In the meanwhile, for my own satisfaction, I'll let an expert +look at these stones.” + +“Get the greatest diamond expert in the world, and he'll pronounce them +perfect!” predicted the odd man. “Now I'll bid you goodnight, and be +going. I'll be here at this time to-morrow.” + +As Mr. Jenks turned aside there was a movement among the trees in the +orchard, and a shadowy figure was seen hurrying away. + +“Who's that?” asked the diamond man, in a hoarse whisper. “Did you see +that, Tom Swift? Some one was here--listening to what I said! Perhaps it +was the man who has been shadowing me!” + +“I think not. I guess it was Eradicate Sampson, a colored man who does +work for us,” said Tom. “Is that you, Rad?” he called. + +“Yais, sah, Massa Tom, heah I is!” answered the voice of the negro, +but it came from an entirely different direction than that in which the +shadowy figure had been seen. + +“Where are you, Rad?” called the young inventor. + +“Right heah,” was the reply, and the colored man came from the direction +of the stable. “I were jest out seein' if mah mule Boomerang were all +right. Sometimes he's restless, an' don't sleep laik he oughter.” + +“Then that wasn't you over in the orchard?” asked Tom, in some +uneasiness. + +“No, sah, I ain't been in de orchard. I were sleepin' in mah shack, till +jest a few minutes ago, when I got up, an' went in t' see Boomerang. +I had a dream dat some coon were tryin t' steal him, an' it sort ob +'sturbed me, laik.” + +“If it wasn't your man, it was some one else,” said Mr. Jenks, +decidedly. + +“We'll have a look!” exclaimed Tom. “Here, Rad, come over and scurry +among those trees. We just saw some one sneaking around.” + +“I'll sure do dat!” cried the colored man. “Mebby it were somebody arter +Boomerang! I'll find 'em.” + +“I don't believe it was any one after the mule,” murmured Mr. Jenks, +“but it certainly was some one--more likely some one after me.” + +The three made a hasty search among the trees, but the intruder had +vanished, leaving no trace. They went out into the road, which the moon +threw into bold relief along its white stretch, but there was no figure +scurrying away. + +“Whoever it was, is gone,” spoke Tom. “You can go back to bed, Rad,” + for the colored man, of late, had been sleeping in a shack on the Swift +premises. + +“And I guess it's time for me to go, too,” added Mr. Jenks. “I'll be +here to-morrow night, Tom, and I hope your answer will be favorable.” + +Tom did not sleep well the remainder of the night, for his fitful +slumbers were disturbed by dreams of enormous caves, filled with +diamonds, with dark, shadowy figures trying to put him into a red-hot +steel box. Once he awakened with a start, and put his hand under his +pillow to feel if the two stones Mr. Jenks had given him, were still +there. They had not been disturbed. + +Tom made up his mind to find out if the stones were really diamonds, +before saying anything to his father about the chance of going to seek +Phantom Mountain. And the young inventor wished to get the opinion of +some other jeweler than Mr. Track--at least, at first. + +“Though if this one proves to be a good gem, I'll have Mr. Track set it +in a brooch, and give it to Mary for her birthday,” decided the young +inventor. “Guess I'll take a run over to Chester in the Butterfly, and +see what one of the jewelers there has to say.” + +In addition to his big airship, Red Cloud, Tom owned a small, swift +monoplane, which he called Butterfly. This had been damaged by Andy +Foger just before Tom left on the trip that ended at Earthquake Island, +but the monoplane had been repaired, and Andy had left town, not having +returned since. + +Telling his father that he was going off on a little business trip, +which he often did in his aeroplane, Tom, with the aid of Mr. Jackson, +the engineer, wheeled the Butterfly out of its shed. + +Adjusting the mechanism, and seeing that it was in good shape, Tom took +his place in one of the two seats, for the monoplane would carry two. +Mr. Jackson then spun the propellers, and, with a crackle and roar the +motor started. Over the ground ran the dainty, little aeroplane, until, +having momentum enough, Tom tilted the wing planes and the machine +sailed up into the air. + +Rising about a thousand feet, and circling about several times to test +the wind currents, Tom headed his craft toward Chester, a city about +fifty miles from Shopton. In his pocket, snugly tucked away, were the +two stones Mr. Jenks had given him. + +It was not long before Tom saw, looming up in the distance the church +spires and towering factory chimneys of Chester, for his machine was a +speedy one, and could make ninety miles an hour when driven. But now a +slower speed satisfied our hero. + +“I'll just drop down outside of the city,” he reasoned, “for too much +of a crowd gathers when I land in the street. Besides I might frighten +horses, and then, too, it's hard to get a good start from the street. +I'll leave it in some barn until I want to go back.” + +Tom sent his craft down, in order to pick out a safe place for a +landing. He was then over the suburbs of the city, and was following the +line of a straight country road. + +“Looks like a good place there,” he murmured. “I'll shut off the motor, +and vol-plane down.” + +Suiting the action to the word, Tom shut off his power. The little craft +dipped toward the ground, but the lad threw up the forward planes, and +caught a current of air that sent him skimming along horizontally. + +As he got nearer to the ground, he saw the figure of a lad riding a +bicycle along the country highway. Something about the figure struck Tom +as being familiar, and he recognized the cyclist a moment later. + +“It's Andy Foger!” said Tom, in a whisper. “I wondered where he had been +keeping himself since he damaged the Butterfly. Evidently he doesn't +dare venture back to Shopton. Well, here's where I give him a scare.” + +Tom's monoplane was making no more noise, now, than a soaring bird. He +was gliding swiftly toward the earth, and, with the plan in his mind of +administering some sort of punishment to the bully, he aimed the machine +directly at him. + +Nearer and nearer shot the monoplane, as quietly as a sheet of paper +might fall. Andy pedaled on, never looking up nor behind him, A moment +later, as Tom threw up his headplanes, to make his landing more easy, +and just as he swooped down at one side of the cyclist, our hero let out +a most alarming yell, right into Andy's ear. + +“Now I've got you!” he shouted. “I'll teach you to slash my aeroplane! +Come with me!” + +Andy gave one look at the white bird-like apparatus that had flown up +beside him so noiselessly, and, being too frightened to recognize Tom's +voice, must have thought that he had been overtaken by some supernatural +visitor. + +Andy gave a yell like an Indian, about to do a stage scalping act, and +fairly dived over the handlebars of his bicycle, sprawling in a heap on +the dusty road. + +“I guess that will hold you for a while,” observed Tom, grimly, as he +put on the ground-brake and brought his monoplane to a stop not far from +the fallen rider. + + + + +CHAPTER V--A MYSTERIOUS MAN + + +For several minutes Andy Foger did not arise. He remained prostrate in +the dust, and Tom, observing him, thought perhaps the bully might have +been seriously injured. But, a little later, Andy cautiously raised his +head, and inquired in a frightened voice: + +“Is it--is it gone?” + +“Is what gone?” asked Tom, grimly. + +At the sound of his voice, Andy looked up. “Was that you, Tom Swift?” he +demanded. “Did you knock me off my wheel?” + +“My monoplane and I together did,” was the reply; “or, rather, we +didn't. It was the nervous reaction caused by your fright, and +the knowledge that you had done wrong, that made you jump over the +handlebars. That's the scientific explanation.” + +“You--you did it!” stammered Andy, getting to his feet. He wasn't hurt +much, Tom thought. + +“Have it your own way,” resumed our hero. “Did you think it was a +hob-goblin in a chariot of fire after you, Andy?” + +“Huh! Never mind what I thought! I'll have you arrested for this!” + +“Will you? Delighted, as the boys say. Hop in my airship and I'll take +you right into town. And when I get you there I'll make a charge of +malicious mischief against you, for breaking the propeller of the +Butterfly and slashing her wings. I've mended her up, however, so she +goes better than ever, and I can take you to the police station in jig +time. Want to come, Andy?” + +This was too much for the bully. He knew that Tom would have a clear +case against him, and he did not dare answer. Instead he shuffled over +to where his wheel lay, picked it up, and rode slowly off. + +“Good riddance,” murmured Tom. He looked about, and saw that he was near +a house, in the rear of which was a good-sized barn. “Guess I'll ask +if I can leave the Butterfly there,” he murmured, and, ringing the +doorbell, he was greeted by a man. + +“I'll pay you if you'll let me store my machine in the barn a little +while, until I go into the city, and return,” spoke the lad. + +“Indeed, you're welcome to leave it there without pay,” was the answer. +“I'm interested in airships, and, I'll consider it a favor if you'll let +me look yours over while it's here.” + +Tom readily agreed, and a few minutes later he had caught a trolley +going into the city. He was soon in one of the largest jewelry stores of +Chester. + +“I'd like to get an expert opinion as to whether or not those stones are +diamonds,” spoke Tom, to the polite clerk who came up to wait on him, +and our hero handed over the two gems which Mr. Jenks had given him. +“I'm willing to pay for the appraisement, of course,” the young inventor +added, as he saw the clerk looking rather doubtfully at him, for Tom had +on a rough suit, which he always donned when he flew in his monoplane. + +“I'll turn them over to our Mr. Porter, a gem expert,” said the clerk. +“Please be seated.” + +The young man disappeared into a private office with the stones, and Tom +waited. He wondered if he was going to have his trouble for his pains. +Presently two elderly gentlemen came from the little room, on the glass +door of which appeared the word “Diamonds.” + +“Who brought these stones in?” asked one of the men, evidently the +proprietor, from the deference paid him by the clerk. The latter +motioned to Tom. + +“Will you kindly step inside here?” requested the elderly man. When the +door was closed, Tom found himself in a room which was mostly taken up +with a bench for the display of precious stones, a few chairs, and some +lights arranged peculiarly; while various scales and instruments stood +on a table. + +“You wished an opinion on--on these?” queried the proprietor of the +place. Tom noticed at once that the word “diamonds” was not used. + +“I wanted to find out if they were of any value,” he said. “Are they +diamonds?” + +“Would you mind stating where you got them?” asked the other of the two +men. + +“Is that necessary?” inquired the lad. “I came by them in a legitimate +manner, if that's what you mean, and I can satisfy you on that point. +I am willing to pay for any information you may give me as to their +value.” + +“Oh, it isn't that,” the proprietor hastened to assure him. “But these +are diamonds of such a peculiar kind, so perfect and without a flaw, +that I wondered from what part of the world they came.” + +“Then they are diamonds?” asked Tom, eagerly. + +“The finest I have ever tested!” declared the other man, evidently Mr. +Porter, the gem expert. “They are a joy to look at, Mr. Roberts,” he +went on, turning to the proprietor. “If it is possible to get a supply +of them you would be justified in asking half as much again as we charge +for African or Indian diamonds. The Kimberly products are not to be +compared to these,” and he looked at the two stones in his hand--the one +cut, and sparkling brilliantly, the other in a rough state. + +“Do you care to state where these diamonds came from?” asked Mr. +Roberts, looking critically at Tom. + +“I had rather not,” answered the lad. “It is enough for me to know that +they are diamonds. How much is your charge?” + +“Nothing,” was the unexpected answer. “We are very glad to have had the +opportunity of seeing such stones. Is there any chance of getting any +more?” + +“Perhaps,” answered Tom, as he accepted the gems which the expert held +out to him. + +“Then might we speak for a supply?” went on Mr. Roberts, eagerly. “We +will pay you the full market price.” + +“What is the value of these stones?” asked Tom. + +Mr. Roberts looked at his gem expert. + +“It is difficult to say,” was the answer of the man who had handed Tom +the gems. “They are so far superior to the usual run of diamonds, that +I feel justified in saying that the cut one would bring fifteen hundred +dollars, anywhere. In fact, I would offer that for it. The other is +larger, though what it would lose in cutting would be hard to say. I +should say it was worth two thousand dollars as it is now.” + +“Thirty-five hundred dollars for these two stones!” exclaimed Tom. + +“They are worth every cent of it,” declared Mr. Roberts. “Do you want to +sell?” + +Tom shook his head. He could scarcely believe the good news. Mr. Jenks +had told the truth. Now the young inventor could go with him to seek the +diamond makers. + +“Can you get any more of these?” went on Mr. Roberts. + +“I think so--that is I don't know--I am going to try,” answered the lad. + +“Then if you succeed I wish you would sell us some,” fairly begged the +proprietor of the store. + +“I will,” promised Tom, but he little knew what lay before him, or +perhaps he would not have made that promise. He thanked the diamond +merchant for his kindness, and arranged to have the cut stone set in a +pin for Miss Nestor. The uncut gem Tom took away with him. + +Thinking of many things, and wondering how best to start in his airship +Red Cloud for the mysterious Phantom Mountain, Tom hurried back to where +he had left the monoplane, wheeled it out, and was soon soaring through +the air toward Shopton. + +“I think I'll go with Mr. Jenks,” he decided, as he prepared for a +landing in the open space near his aeroplane shed. “It will be a +risky trip, perhaps, but I've taken risks before. When Mr. Jenks comes +to-night I'll tell him I'll help him to get his rights, and discover the +secret of the diamond makers.” + +As Tom was wheeling the Butterfly into the shed, Eradicate came out to +help him. + +“Dere's a gen'man here to see yo', Massa Tom,” said the colored man. + +“Who is it?” + +“I dunno. He keep askin' ef yo' de lad what done bust up Earthquake +Island, an' send lightnin' flashes up to de sky, an' all sech questions +laik dat.” + +“It isn't Mr. Damon; is it, Rad? He hasn't been around in some time.” + +“No, Massa Tom, it ain't him. I knows dat blessin' man good an' proper. +I jest wish he'd bless mah mule Boomerang some day, an' take some oh +de temper out ob him. No, sah, it ain't Massa Damon. De gen'man's in de +airship shed waitin' fo' you.” + +“In the airship shed! No strangers are allowed in there, Rad.” + +“I knows it, Massa Tom, but he done persisted his se'f inter it, an' +he wouldn't come out when I told him; an' your pa an' Mr. Jackson ain't +home.” + +“I'll see about this,” exclaimed Tom, striding to the large shed, where +the Red Cloud was kept. As he entered it he saw a man looking over the +wonderful craft. + +“Did you want to see me?” asked Tom, sharply, for he did not like +strangers prowling around. + +“I did, and I apologize for entering here, but I am interested in +airships, and I thought you might want to hire a pilot. I am in need +of employment, and I have had considerable to do with balloons and +aeroplanes, but never with an airship like this, which combines the two +features. Do you wish to hire any one.” + +“No, I don't!” replied Tom, sharply, for he did not like the looks of +the man. + +“I was told that you did,” was the rather surprising answer. + +“Who told you?” + +The man looked all around the shed, before replying, as if fearful of +being overheard. Then, stepping close to Tom, he whispered: + +“Mr. Jenks told me!” + +“Mr. Jenks?” Tom could not conceal his astonishment. + +“Yes. Mr. Barcoe Jenks. But I did not come here to merely ask you for +employment. I would like to hire out to you, but the real object of my +visit was to say this to you.” + +The man approached still closer to Tom, and, in a lower voice, and one +that could scarcely be heard, he fairly hissed: + +“Don't go with Barcoe Jenks to seek the diamond makers!” + +Then, before Tom could put out a hand to detain him, had the lad so +wished, the man turned suddenly, and fairly ran from the shed. + + + + +CHAPTER VI--MR. DAMON IS ON HAND + + +The young inventor stood almost spellbound for a few moments. Then +recovering himself he made a dash for the door through which the +mysterious man had disappeared. Tom saw him sprinting down the road, and +was half-minded to take after him, but a cooler thought warned him that +he had better not. + +“He may be one of those men who are on Mr. Jenks' trail,” reasoned Tom, +in which case it might not be altogether safe to attempt to stop him, +and make him explain. Or he may be a lunatic, and in that case it +wouldn't be altogether healthy to interfere with him. + +“I'll just let him go, and tell Mr. Jenks about him when he comes +to-night. But I must warn Rad never to let him in here again. He might +damage the airship.” + +Calling to the colored man, Tom pointed to the stranger, who was almost +out of sight down the road, and said earnestly: + +“Rad, do you see that fellow?” + +“I sho do, Massa Tom, but I sorter has t' strain my eyes t' do it. He's +goin' laik my mule Boomerang does when he's comm' home t' dinnah.” + +“That's right, Rad. Well, never let that man set foot inside our fence +again! If he comes, and I'm home, call me. If I'm away, call dad or Mr. +Jackson, and if you're here alone, drive him away, somehow.” + +“I will, Massa Tom!” exclaimed the colored man, earnestly, “an' if I +can't do it alone, I'll get Boomerang t' help. Once let dat ar' mule +git his heels on a pusson, an' dat pusson ain't goin' t' come bodderin' +around any mo'--that is, not right away.” + +“I believe you, Rad. Well, keep a lookout for him, and don't let him +in,” and with that Tom entered the house to think over matters. They +were beginning to assume an aspect he did not altogether like. Not that +Tom was afraid of danger, but he preferred to meet it in the open, and +the warning, or threat, of the mysterious man disquieted him. + +When Mr. Swift came home, a little later, his son told him of the +midnight interview with Mr. Jenks, for, up to this time, the aged +inventor was unaware of it, and Tom also gave an account of the +diamonds, speaking of their value. + +“And do you propose to go to Phantom Mountain, in search of the makers +of these gems, Tom?” asked Mr. Swift. + +“I had about decided to do so, dad.” + +“And you're going in the Red Cloud?' + +“Yes.” + +“Who are going with you?” + +“Well, Mr. Jenks will go, of course, and I've no doubt but that if I +mention the prospective trip to Mr. Damon, that he'll bless his skating +cap, or something like that, and come along.” + +“I suppose so, Tom, and I'd like to have you take him. But I think +you'll need some one else.” + +“Because, from what you have told me, you are going out to a dangerous +part of the country, and you may have to deal with unscrupulous men. +Three of you are hardly enough to cope with them. You ought to have at +least another member of your party. If I was not busy on my invention of +a new wireless motor I would go along, but I can't leave. You might take +Mr. Jackson.” + +“No, you need him here to help you, dad.” + +“How about Eradicate?” + +Tom smiled. + +“Rad would get homesick for his mule Boomerang, and I'd have to bring +him back just when we'd found the diamonds,” replied the young inventor. +“No, we'll have to think of some one else. I'll ask Mr. Damon, and then +I'll consider matters further. I expect to see Mr. Jenks to-night, and +he may have some one in mind.” + +“Perhaps that will be a good plan. Well, Tom, I trust you will take good +care of yourself, and not run into unnecessary danger. Is the Red Cloud +in good shape for the voyage?” + +“It needs looking over. I'm going to get right at it.” + +“It's a pretty indefinite sort of a quest you're going on, Tom, my son. +How do you expect to find Phantom Mountain?” + +“Well, it's going to be quite a task. In the first place we'll head for +Leadville, Colorado, and then we'll go to Indian Ridge and make some +inquiries. We may get on the track of the place that way. If we don't, +why I'll take the airship up as high as is necessary and sort of +prospect until we see that big cliff that's shaped like a head. That +will give us something to go by.” + +“Well, do the best you can. If you can discover the secret of making +diamonds it will be a valuable one.” + +“I guess it will, dad; and Mr. Jenks is entitled to know it, for he paid +his good money to that end. He has promised to go halves with me, as +payment for the use of the airship, and I must say the two diamonds he +gave me last night have proved very valuable.” + +“Two diamonds, Tom? You only showed me one, an uncut gem;” and Mr. Swift +looked at his son. + +“Oh, the other--er--the other is--I left it with a jeweler,” and Tom +blushed a trifle, as he thought of the present he contemplated making to +Mary Nestor. + +That afternoon, as Tom was out in the shed of the Red Cloud looking over +the airship, to see what would be necessary to do to it in order to get +it in shape for a long trip, he heard voices outside. + +“Yes--yes, I know the way in perfectly well,” he caught. “You needn't +bother to come, my good fellow. Just step this way, and I'll show you +something worth seeing.” + +“I wonder if it's that mysterious man coming back?” thought Tom. He +dropped the tool he was using, and hurried to the door. As he approached +it he heard the voice continue. + +“Why bless my shoe laces, Mr. Parker! You'll see a wonderful airship, I +promise you. Wonderful! Bless my hatband, but I hope Tom is here!” + +“Mr. Damon!” exclaimed our hero, as he recognized the tones of his +eccentric friend. “But who is with him?” + +A moment later he caught sight of the gentleman who was always blessing +himself, or something. Behind him stood another man, whose features Tom +could not see plainly. + +“Hello, Tom Swift!” called Mr. Damon. “Looking over the Red Cloud, eh? +Does that mean you're off on another trip?” + +“I guess it does,” answered the lad. + +“Where to this time? if I may ask.” + +“I'm thinking of going off to the mountains to find a band of men +engaged in making diamonds,” replied Tom. + +“Making diamonds! Bless my finger ring! Making diamonds! A trip to the +mountains! Bless my disposition! but do you know I'd like to go with +you!” + +“I was thinking of asking you, Mr. Damon.” + +“Were you? Bless my heart, I'm glad you thought of me. You don't by any +possible chance want another person; do you?” + +“We were thinking of having four in the party, Mr. Damon,” and Tom +wondered who was with his eccentric friend. + +“Then bless my election ticket! This is the very chance for you, Mr. +Parker!” cried Mr. Damon. “Will you go with us? It will be just what you +need,” and Mr. Damon stepped aside, revealing to Tom the features of Mr. +Ralph Parker, the scientist who had correctly predicted the destruction +of Earthquake Island. + + + + +CHAPTER VII--MR. PARKER PREDICTS + + +Tom Swift was a most generous lad, but when he saw that Mr. Damon had +with him Mr. Parker, the gloomy scientist, who seemed to take delight in +predicting disasters, our hero's spirits were not exactly of the best. +He would have much preferred not to take Mr. Parker on the quest for the +diamond makers, but, since Mr. Damon had mentioned it, he did not see +how he could very well refuse. + +“But perhaps he won't care to go,” thought Tom. + +He was undeceived a moment later, however, for the scientist remarked: + +I am very glad to meet you once more, Mr. Swift. I have scarcely thanked +you enough for what you did for us in erecting your wireless station on +Earthquake Island, which, as you recall, I predicted would sink into +the sea. It did, I am glad to say, not because I like to see islands +destroyed, but because science has been vindicated. Now I have just +heard you remark that you are about to set off to the mountains in +search of some men who are making diamonds. I need hardly state that +this is utterly useless, for no diamonds, commercially valuable, can be +made by men. But the trip may be valuable in that it will permit me to +demonstrate some scientific facts. + +“Therefore, if you will permit me, I will be very glad to accompany you +and Mr. Damon. I shall be delighted, in short, and I can start as soon +as you are ready.” + +“There's no hope for it!” thought Tom, dismally. “I suppose he'll wake +up every morning, and predict that before night the world will come to +an end, or he'll prophesy that the airship will blow up, and vanish, +when about seven miles above the clouds. Well, there's no way out of it, +so here goes.” + +Thereupon Tom welcomed the scientist as cordially as he could, and +invited him to form one of the party that would set off in the airship +to search for Phantom Mountain. + +“Bless my jewelry box!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, when this formality was +over. “Tell me more about it, Tom.” + +Which our hero did, stating the need of maintaining secrecy on account +of the danger to Mr. Jenks. Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker both agreed to say +nothing about the matter, and then the scientist became much interested +in the Red Cloud, which he closely examined. He even complimented Tom on +the skill shown in making it, and, contrary to our hero's expectation, +did not predict that it would blow up the next time it was used. + +“How did you happen to arrive just at this time, Mr. Damon?” asked Tom. + +“It was partly due to Mr. Parker,” was the answer. “I had not seen him +since we were rescued from the island, until a few days ago he called +on me at my home. I happened to mention that you lived near here, and +suggested that he might like to see some of your inventions. He agreed, +and we came over in my auto. And now, bless my liver-pin! I find you +about to start off on another trip.” + +“And have you fully decided to go with me?” asked Tom. “There may be +danger, and I don't like the way that mysterious man behaved.” + +“Oh, bless my revolver!” cried Mr. Damon. “I'm used to danger by this +time. Of course I'm going, and so is Mr. Parker. Do you know,” and the +man, who was always blessing something, came closer to the lad, and +whispered: “Do you know, Tom, Mr. Parker is a very peculiar individual.” + +“I'm sure of it,” answered the young inventor, looking at the gentleman +in question, who was then inside the airship cabin. + +“But he's all right, even if he is predicting unpleasant things,” went +on Mr. Damon. “I think we'll get better acquainted with him after a +bit.” + +“I hope so,” agreed Tom, but he did not realize then how close his +companionship with Mr. Parker was to be, nor what dangers they were to +share later. + +The friends talked at considerable length of the prospective trip, and +Tom, by this time, had ascertained what needed to be done to the airship +to get it in shape to travel. It would take about a week, and, in the +meanwhile, Mr. Damon would go home and get his affairs in order for +the voyage. Tom's father was introduced to Mr. Parker, and, the former, +finding that the scientist held some views in common with him, invited +the gloomy predictor to remain at the Swift home until the Red Cloud was +ready to sail. Tom could not repress a groan at this, but he decided he +would have to make the best of it. + +Mr. Damon left for home that afternoon, promising to be on hand at the +time set to start for Phantom Mountain. + +Tom was up waiting for Mr. Jenks at twelve o'clock that night. Shortly +after the hour he saw a dark figure steal into the orchard. At first he +feared lest it might be one of the spies who were, he was now convinced, +on the trail of the man who was seeking to discover the secret of the +diamond makers. But a whistle, which came to the lad's ear a moment +later (that being a signal Mr. Jenks had agreed to sound), told Tom that +it was none other than the visitor he expected. + +“All right, Mr. Jenks, I'm here,” called Tom, cautiously. “Come over +this way,” and he went out from the shadow of the house, where he had +been waiting, and met the men. “We'll go into my private work-shop,” the +youth added, leading the way. + +“Have you decided to go with me?” asked Mr. Jenks, in an anxious +whisper. “Did you find the diamonds to be real ones?” + +“I did; and I'm going,” spoke Tom. + +“Good! That relieves my mind. But we are still in danger. I was followed +by my shadower to-day, and only succeeded in shaking him off just before +coming here. I don't believe he knows what I am about to do.” + +“Oh, yes he does,” said Tom. + +“He does? How?” + +“Because he was here, and warned me against you!” + +“You don't mean it! Well, they are getting desperate! We must be on our +guard. What sort of a man was he?” + +Tom described the fellow, and Mr. Jenks stated that this tallied with +the appearance of the person who had been shadowing him. + +“But we'll fool them yet!” cried Tom, who had now fully entered into the +spirit of the affair. “If they can follow us in the Red Cloud they're +welcome to. I think we'll get ahead of them.” + +He then told of Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker, and Mr. Jenks agreed that +it would add to the strength of the party to take these two gentlemen +along. + +“Though I can't say I care so much for Mr. Parker,” he added. “But now +as to ways and means. When can we start?” + +Thereupon he and Tom talked over details in the seclusion of the little +office, and arranged to leave Shopton in about a week. In the meanwhile +the airship would be overhauled, stocked with supplies and provisions, +and be made ready for a swift dash to the mountains. + +“And now I must be going,” said Mr. Jenks. “I have a great deal to do +before I can start on this trip, and I hope I am not prevented by any of +those men who seem to be trailing me.” + +“How could they prevent you?” Tom wanted to know. + +“Oh, there are any number of ways,” was the answer. “But I'm glad you +found that my diamonds were real. We'll soon have plenty, if all goes +well.” + +As Mr. Jenks left the shop, he started back, in some alarm. + +“What's the matter?” asked Tom. + +“Over there--I thought I saw a figure sneaking along under the +trees--that man--perhaps--” + +“That's Eradicate, our colored helper,” replied Tom, with a laugh. +“I posted him there to see that no strangers came into the orchard. +Everything all right, Rad?” he asked, raising his voice. + +“Yais, sah, Massa Tom. Nobody been around yeah this night.” + +“That's good. You can go to bed now,” and Eradicate, yawning loudly, +went to his shack. A little later Tom sought his own room, Mr. Jenks +having hurried off to town, where he was boarding. + +The next few days saw Tom busily engaged on the airship, making some +changes and a few repairs that were needed. His father, Eradicate and +Mr. Jackson helped him. As for Mr. Parker, the scientist, he went about +the place, being much interested in the various machines which Tom or +Mr. Swift had patented. + +At other times the scientist would stroll about the extensive grounds, +making what he said were “observations.” One afternoon Tom saw him, +apparently much excited, kneeling down back of a shed, with his ear to +the ground. + +“What is the matter?” asked the lad, thinking perhaps Mr. Parker might +be ill. + +“Have you ever had any earthquakes here, Tom Swift?” asked the +scientist, quietly. + +“Earthquakes? No. We had enough of them on the island.” + +“And you are going to have one here, in about two minutes!” cried Mr. +Parker. “I predict that this place will be shaken by a tremendous shock +very soon. We had all better get away from the vicinity of buildings.” + +“What makes you think there will be an earthquake?” asked Tom. + +“Because I can hear the rumbling beneath the ground at this very minute. +It is increasing in volume, showing that the tremors are working this +way. There will soon be a great subterranean upheaval! Listen for +yourself.” + +Tom cast himself down on the grass. Placing his ear close to the ground +he did hear a series of dull thuds. He arose, not a little alarmed. +There had never been any earthquakes in Shopton, yet he had great +respect for Mr. Parker's scientific attainments. + +Just then Eradicate Sampson came along. He saw Tom and Mr. Parker lying +flat on the ground, and surprise showed on his honest, black face. + +“Fo' de land sakes!” cried Eradicate. “What am de mattah now, Massa +Tom?” + +“Earthquake coming,” answered Tom, briefly. “Better get away from the +buildings, Rad. They might fall!” Tom's face showed the alarm he felt. +What would happen to all of his valuable machines--to the Red Cloud? + +“Earthquake?” murmured Eradicate, and he, too, cast himself down to +listen. A moment later he arose with a laugh. + +“What's the matter?” cried Tom. + +“Why, dat ain't no earthquake!” declared the colored man. + +“No. Then perhaps you know what it is,” said Mr. Parker, somewhat +sharply. + +“Course I knows what it am,” answered Eradicate, with dignity. “Dat +noise am my mule Boomerang, kickin' in his stable, on account oh me not +feedin' him yet. Dat's what it am. I'se gwine right now t' gib him his +oats, and den yo' see dat de noise stop. Boomerang allers kick dat way +when he's hungry. I show yo'!” + +And, sure enough, when Eradicate had gone to the mule's stable, +which was near where Mr. Parker had heard the mysterious sounds, they +immediately ceased. + +“Dat mule was all de earthquake dere was around here,” said the colored +man as he came out. + +Mr. Parker walked away, saying nothing, and Tom did not make any +comments--just then. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII--OFF FOR THE WEST + + +It was a great relief to Tom, to find that there was no danger from an +earth tremor. Now that he had made up his mind to go in search of +the diamond makers, he wanted nothing to interfere with it. Lest the +feelings of Mr. Parker might be hurt by the mistake he had made, the +young inventor cautioned Eradicate not to say anything more about the +matter. + +“'Deed an' I won't,” the colored man promised. “I'se only too glad dere +wa'n't no earthquake, dat's what I is.” + +As for Mr. Parker, he did not appear much put out by his error in +predicting. + +“I am sure that what I heard was a tremor, due to some distant +earthquake shock,” he said. “The mule's kicking was only a coincidence.” + +And Tom let him have his way about it. The week was drawing to a close, +and the Red Cloud was nearly in shape for the voyage. At almost the +last minute Tom found that he needed some electrical apparatus for the +airship, and as he had to go to Chester for it, he decided he would make +the trip in his monoplane, and, while in the city, would also get the +diamond pin he was having made for Mary Nestor. + +He started off early one morning, in the swift little craft Butterfly, +and soon had reached Chester. The diamond brooch was ready for him. + +“It is one of the most beautiful stones we have ever set,” the diamond +merchant told him. “Don't forget, if you find any more, Mr. Swift, to +let us have a chance to bid on them.” + +“I may,” Tom promised, rather indefinitely. Then, having purchased his +electrical supplies, he made a quick trip to Shopton, stopping on the +way to call on Miss Nestor. + +“Why Tom, I'm delighted to see you!” cried the girl, blushing prettily. +“Did you come for some apple turnovers?” and she laughed, as she +referred to a call Tom had once paid, when a new cook had been engaged, +and when the pastry formed a feature of the meal. + +“No turnovers this time,” said the young inventor. “I came to wish you +many happy returns of the day.” + +“Oh, you remembered my birthday! How nice of you!” + +“And here is something else,” added our hero, rather awkwardly, as he +handed her the diamond pin. + +“Oh, Tom! This for me! Oh, it's too lovely--it's far too much!” + +“It isn't half enough!” he declared, warmly. + +“Oh, what a large diamond!” Mary cried as she saw the sparkling stone. +“I never saw one so large and beautiful!” + +“It's just as easy to make them large as small,” explained Tom. + +“Make them?” she looked the surprise she felt. + +“Yes, I'm about to start for the place where diamonds are made.” + +“Oh, Tom! But isn't it dangerous? I mean won't you have to go to some +far country--like Africa--to get to where diamonds are made?” + +“Well, we are going on quite a trip, but not as far as that. And as +for the danger--well, we'll have to take what comes,” and he told her +something of the proposed quest. + +“Oh, it sounds--sounds scary!” Mary exclaimed, when she had heard of Mr. +Jenks' experience. “Do be careful, Tom!” + +“I will,” he promised, and, somehow he was glad that she had cautioned +him thus--and in such tones as she had used. For Mary Nestor was a girl +that any young chap would have been glad to have manifest an interest in +him. + +“Well, I guess I'll have to say good-by,” spoke Tom, at length. “We +expect to start in a couple of days, and I may not get another chance to +see you.” + +“Oh, I--I hope you come back safely,” faltered Mary, and then she held +out her hand, and Tom--well, it's none of our affair what Tom did +after that, except to say that he hurried out, fairly jumped into his +monoplane, and completed the trip home. + +As the Red Cloud has been fully described in the volume entitled “Tom +Swift and His Airship,” we will not go into details about it now. +Sufficient to say that it was a combination of a biplane and dirigible +balloon. It could be used either as one or the other, and the gas-bag +feature was of value when the wind was too great to allow the use of the +planes, or when the motive power, for some reason stopped. In that event +the airship could remain suspended far above the clouds if necessary. +There was provision for manufacturing the gas on board. + +The Red Cloud was fitted up to accommodate about ten persons, though it +was seldom that this number was carried. Two persons could successfully +operate the machinery. There were sleeping berths, and in the main cabin +a sitting-room, a dining-room, and a kitchen. There was also the motor +compartment, and a steering tower, from which the engines could be +controlled. + +It was in this craft that the seekers after the diamond makers proposed +undertaking the trip. Mr. Damon came on from his home in Waterfield +about two days before the date set to leave, and Mr. Jenks, had, three +days before this, taken up his abode at the Swift home. Mr. Parker, as +has been stated, was already there, and he had put in his time making +a number of scientific observations, though he had made no more +predictions. + +Nothing more had been seen of the mysterious man who had warned Tom, +and the young inventor and Mr. Jenks began to hope that they had thrown +their enemies off the track. + +“Though I don't imagine they'll give up altogether,” said Mr. Jenks. +“They're too desperate for that. We'll have trouble with them yet.” + +“Well, it can't be helped,” decided Tom. “We'll try and be ready for it, +when it comes,” and then, dismissing the matter from his mind, he busied +himself about the airship. + +The food and supplies had all been put aboard, and they expected to +start the next morning. In order to make sure that any stones which they +might succeed in getting from the diamond makers were real gems, a set +of testing apparatus was taken along. Mr. Parker had had some experience +in this line, and, in spite of the fact that he might make direful +predictions, Tom was rather glad, after all, that the scientist was +going to accompany them. + +“But what is worrying me,” said Mr. Damon, “is what we are going to do +after we get to Phantom Mountain. What are your plans, Mr. Jenks? Will +you go in, and demand your share of the diamond-making business?” + +“I have a right to it, as I invested a large sum in it, and I am +entitled to more than a half-share. But, of course, I can't say what +I'll do until I get there. We may have to act very secretly.” + +“I'm inclined to think we will,” said Tom. “My plan would be to gain +access to the cave, if possible, and watch them at work. We might be +able to discover the secret of making diamonds, and, after all, that's +what you want, isn't it, Mr. Jenks?” + +“Yes, I paid my money for the secret, and I ought to have it. If I can +get it quietly, so much the better. If not, I'll fight for my rights!” + and he looked very determined. + +“Bless my powder horn!” cried Mr. Damon. “That's the way to talk! And +so we're to go cruising about in the air, looking for a mountain shaped +like a man's head.” + +“That's it,” agreed Mr. Jenks, “and when we find it we will be near +Phantom Mountain, and the diamond makers.” + +The final details were completed that night. The last of the supplies +had been put aboard, the larder was well stocked, the diamond testing +apparatus was stored safely away, and all that remained was for the +adventurers to board the Red Cloud in the morning, and soar away. + +That night Tom was uneasy. Several times he got up, and looked toward +the shed where the airship was stored. He could not rid himself of +the idea that the men to whose interest it was that the diamond-making +secret remain undiscovered, might attempt to wreck the airship before +the start. Consequently both Eradicate Sampson and Engineer Jackson were +on guard. Tom looked from his window, to the shed where the Red Cloud +was housed. He saw nothing to cause him any uneasiness. + +“I guess I'm just nervous,” he mused. “But, all the same, I'll be glad +when we've started.” + +They were all up early the next morning, Mr. Damon beginning the day by +blessing the sunrise, and many other things that struck his fancy. +The airship was wheeled out of the shed, and Tom gave her a final +inspection. + +“It's all right,” he declared. “All aboard!” + +“Now, do be careful,” begged Mr. Swift. “Don't take too many chances, +Tom.” + +“I'll not.” + +The adventurers were in the forward part of the ship, and Tom had taken +his place at the wheels and levers in the pilot house. As he was about +to start the motor he looked toward the road, and saw a horse and +carriage. In the vehicle was a girlish figure, at the sight of which Tom +blushed and smiled. He waved his hand. + +“I came to wish you good luck!” cried Mary Nestor, for it was she in the +carriage. + +“Thanks!” cried Tom, leaning from the window of the pilot house. “It was +good of you to get up so early.” + +“Oh. I'm always up early,” she informed him. + +“Look out that the motor doesn't scare your horse,” Tom warned her. + +“Old Dobbin doesn't mind anything,” was her answer. “I'll see that he +doesn't run away with me, as long as you're not on earth to rescue me. +Good-by, Tom!” + +“Good-by!” he called, and then he pulled the lever that set in motion +the motor, and whirled the great propellers about. They whizzed around +with a roar, and the Red Cloud, shivering and trembling with the +vibration, rose in the air like some great bird. + +“We're off for the West and Phantom Mountain!” called Tom to his +companions. + +As the airship soared upward, Eradicate Sampson ran forward from where +he had been standing near his mule Boomerang. He waved his hands, and +shouted something. + +“Bless my hatband! What does he want?” asked Mr. Damon, watching him +curiously. + +“It sounds as if he were calling to us to come back,” spoke Mr. Parker. + +“It's too late now,” decided Tom. “Maybe he forgot to tell us good-by,” + but, he felt a vague wonder at Eradicate's odd motions; for the colored +man was pointing toward the stern of the airship, as if there was +something wrong there. But the Red Cloud soared on. + + + + +CHAPTER IX--A WARNING BY WIRELESS + + +Rapidly the airship ascended, and, when it was high over the town of +Shopton, Tom headed the craft due west. Looking down he tried to descry +Mary Nestor, in her carriage, but the trees were in the way, their +interlocking branches hiding the girl. Tom did see crowds of other +persons, though, thronging the streets of Shopton, for, though the young +inventor had made many flights, there was always a novelty about them, +that brought out the curious. + +“A good start, Tom Swift,” complimented Mr. Parker. “Is it always as +easy as this?” + +“Starting always is,” was the answer, “though, as the Irishman said, +coming down isn't sometimes quite so comfortable.” + +“Bless my gizzard! That's so,” cried the eccentric Mr. Damon. “Can we +vol-plane to earth in the Red Cloud, Tom?” + +“Yes, but not as easily as in the Butterfly. However I hope we will not +have to. Now, Mr. Damon, if you will just take charge of the steering +apparatus for a minute, I want to go aft.” + +“What for?” + +“I wish to see if everything is all right. I can't imagine why Eradicate +was making those queer motions.” + +Mr. Damon, who knew how to operate the Red Cloud, was soon guiding her +on the course, while Tom made his way to the rear compartments, through +the motor room, where the stores of supplies and food were kept. He made +a careful examination, looking from an after window, and even going out +on a small, open platform, but could discover nothing wrong. + +“I guess Rad was just capering about without any special object,” mused +Tom, but it was not long after this that they learned to their dismay, +that the colored man had had a method in his madness. + +On his way back through the motor room Tom looked to the machinery, +and adjusted some of the auxiliary oil feeders. The various pieces of +apparatus were working well, though the engine had not yet been speeded +up to its limit. Tom wanted it to “warm-up” first. + +“Everything all right?” asked Mr. Damon, as Tom rejoined them in the +pilot house, which was just forward of the living room in the main +cabin. + +“Yes, I can't imagine what made Rad act that way. But I'll set the +automatic steering gear now, Mr. Damon, and then you will be relieved.” + +Mr. Jenks was gazing off toward the west--to where he hoped to discover +the secret of Phantom Mountain. + +“How do you like it?” asked Tom. + +“It's great,” replied the diamond man. “I've never been in an airship +before, and it's different than what I expected; but it's great! It's +the only craft that will serve our purpose among the towering mountain +peaks, where the diamond makers are hidden. I hope we can find them.” + +In a little while the Red Cloud was skimming along at faster speed, +guided by the automatic rudders, so that no one was needed in the pilot +house, since there was no danger of collisions. Airships are not quite +numerous enough for that, yet, though they may soon become so. + +Tom and the others devoted several hours to arranging their staterooms +and bunks, and getting their clothing stowed away, and when this was +done Mr. Parker and Mr. Jenks sat gazing off into space. + +“It's hard to realize that we are really in an airship,” observed the +diamond man. “At first I thought I would be frightened, but I'm not a +bit. It doesn't seem as if anything could happen.” + +“Something is likely to happen soon,” said Mr. Parker, suddenly, as he +gazed at some weather instruments on the cabin wall. + +“Bless my soul! Don't say that!” cried Mr. Damon. “What is it?” + +“I think, from my observations, that we will soon have a hurricane,” + said the scientific man. “There is every indication of it;” and he +seemed quite delighted at the prospect of his prediction coming true. + +“A hurricane!” cried Mr. Damon. “I hope it isn't like the one that blew +us to Earthquake Island.” + +“Oh, I think there will be no danger,” spoke Tom. “If it comes on to +blow we will ascend or descend out of the path of the storm. This craft +is not like the ill-fated Whizzer. I can more easily handle the Red +Cloud; even in a bad storm.” + +“I'm glad to hear that,” remarked Mr. Jenks. “It would be too bad to be +wrecked before we got to Phantom Mountain.” + +“Well, I predict that we will have a bad storm,” insisted Mr. Parker, +and Tom could not help wishing that the scientist would keep his gloomy +forebodings to himself. + +However the storm had not developed up to noon, when Tom, with Mr. +Damon's help, served a fine meal in the dining-room. In the afternoon +the speed of the ship was increased, and by night they had covered +several hundred miles. Through the darkness the Red Cloud kept on, +making good time. Tom got up, occasionally, to look to the machinery, +but it was all automatically controlled, and an alarm bell would sound +in his stateroom when anything went wrong. + +“Bless my napkin!” exclaimed Mr. Damon the next morning, as they sat +down to a breakfast of fruit, ham and eggs and fragrant coffee, “this is +living as well as in a hotel, and yet we are--how far are we above the +earth, Tom?” he asked, turning to the young inventor. + +“About two miles now. I just sent her up, as I thought I detected that +storm Mr. Parker spoke of.” + +“I told you it would come,” declared the scientist, and there was a +small hurricane below them that morning, but only the lower edge of it +caught the Red Cloud, and when Tom sent her up still higher she found a +comparatively quiet zone, where she slid along at good speed. + +That afternoon Tom busied himself about some wires and a number of +complicated pieces of apparatus which were in one corner of the main +cabin. + +“What are you doing now?” asked Mr. Jenks, who had been talking with Mr. +Parker, and showing that scientist some of the manufactured diamonds. + +“Getting our wireless apparatus in shape,” answered the lad. “I should +have done it before, but I had so much to do that I couldn't get at it. +I'm going to send off some messages. Dad will want to know how we are +doing.” + +As he worked away, he also made up his mind to send another message, in +care of his father, for there was a receiving station in the Swift home. +And to whom this message was addressed Tom did not say, but we fancy +some of our readers can guess. + +Finally, after several hours of work, the wireless was in shape to send +and receive messages. Tom pulled over the lever, and a crackling sound +was heard, as the electricity leaped from the transmitters into space. +Then he clamped the receiver on his ear. + +“All ready,” he announced. “Has anybody any messages they wish sent?” + For, with the courtesy of a true host he was ready to serve his guests +before he forwarded his own wireless notes. + +“Just tell my wife that I'm enjoying myself,” requested Mr. Damon. +“Bless my footstool! But this is great! We're off the earth yet, +connected with it.” + +Mr. Jenks had no one to whom he wanted to send any word, but Mr. Parker +wish to wire to a fellow scientist the result of some observations made +in the upper air. + +Tom noted all the messages down, and then, when all was in readiness he +began to call his home station. He knew that either his father or Mr. +Jackson, the engineer, could receive the wireless. + +But, no sooner had the young inventor sent off the first few dots and +dashes representing “S. I.”--his home station call--than he started and +a look of surprise came over his face. + +“They're calling us!” he exclaimed. + +“Who is?” asked Mr. Jenks. + +“My house--my father. He--he's been trying to get us ever since we +started, but I didn't have the wireless in shape to receive messages. +Oh, I hope it's not too late!” + +“Too late! Bless my soul, too late for what?” gasped Mr. Damon, somewhat +alarmed by Tom's manner. + +The lad did not answer at once. He was intently listening to a series +of dots and dashes that clicked in the telephone receiver clamped to his +left ear. On his face there was a look of worriment. + +“Father has just sent me a message,” he said. “It's a warning flashed +through space! He's been trying to get it to me since yesterday!” + +“What is it?” asked Mr. Jenks, rising from his seat. + +“The mysterious man is aboard the airship--hidden away!” cried Tom. +“That's what Eradicate was trying to call to our attention as we started +off. Eradicate saw his face at a rear window, and tried to warn us! The +mysterious man is a stowaway on board!” + + + + +CHAPTER X--DROPPING THE STOWAWAY + + +Tom's excited announcement startled Mr. Damon and the others as much as +if the young inventor had informed them that the airship had exploded +and was about to dash with them to the earth. The men leaped to their +feet, and stared at the lad. + +“A stowaway on board!” cried Mr. Damon. “Bless my soul! How did he--” + +“Are you sure that message is straight?” asked Mr. Jenks. “Did Eradicate +see the man?” + +“He says he did,” answered Tom. “The man is hidden away on board +now--probably among the stores and supplies.” + +“Bless my tomato sauce!” exploded Mr. Damon. “I hope he doesn't eat them +all up!” + +“We must get him out at once!” declared Mr. Jenks. + +“I knew something would happen on this voyage,” came from Mr. Parker. “I +predicted it from the first!” + +Tom thought considerable, but he did not answer the scientist just +then. Another communication was coming to him by wireless. He listened +intently. + +“Father says,” the lad told his companions “that Eradicate only had +a glimpse of the man at the last moment. He was looking from the rear +storeroom window--he's the same man who called on me that time--Rad +remembers him very well.” + +“Bless my shoes! What's to be done?” inquired Mr. Damon, looking around +helplessly. + +“We must get him out, that's all,” decided Mr. Jenks; with vigor. “Get +him out and drop him overboard!” + +“Drop him overboard!” cried Mr. Parker, in horror. + +“Not exactly, but get rid of him,” proceeded the diamond seeker. “That +man is one of my enemies. He has been sent by the band of diamond makers +hidden among the mountains, to spy on me, and, if possible, prevent me +from seeking to discover their secret. He tried to work on Tom's Swift's +fears, and frighten him from using his airship on this quest. Then, when +he failed, the man must have sneaked into the shed, and hidden himself +in the ship. We must get rid of him, or he may wreck the Red Cloud!” + +“That's so!” cried Tom. “We must try to capture him. I think we had +better--” the lad paused, and again listened to the wireless message. +“Father says Eradicate saw the man have a gun, so we must be careful,” + the young inventor translated the dots and dashes. + +“Bless my powder horn!” exploded Mr. Damon. + +“We shall have to proceed cautiously then,” spoke Mr. Jenks. “If he is +like any others in the gang he is a desperate man.” + +“Better sneak up on him then, if we can,” proposed Mr. Parker. “There +are enough of us to cope with one man, even if he is armed. You have +weapons aboard, haven't you?” he inquired of Tom. + +“Yes,” was the hesitating answer, “but I don't want to use them if I +can help it. Not only because of the danger, and a dislike of shedding +blood, but because a stray bullet might pierce the gas bag and damage +the ship.” + +“That's so,” agreed Mr. Jenks. “Well, I guess if we go at it the right +way we can capture him without any shooting. But we must talk more +quietly--we ought to have whispered--he may have heard us.” + +“I don't think so,” replied Tom. “The storeroom is far enough off so +that he couldn't hear us. Besides, the motor makes such a racket that +he couldn't distinguish what we were talking about, even if he heard our +voices. So, unless he heard the wireless working, and suspects something +from that, he probably doesn't know that we are aware of his presence +aboard.” + +“But why do you think he has remained quiet all this while, Tom?” asked +Mr. Damon. + +“Probably he wants to wait until the ship is farther out west,” + suggested Mr. Jenks. “Then he will be nearer his friends, and can get +help, if he needs it.” + +“And do you really believe he would destroy the Red Cloud?” asked Mr. +Parker. + +“I think that all he is waiting for is a favorable chance,” declared +the diamond seeker. “He would destroy the craft, and us too, if he could +prevent us from discovering the secret of Phantom Mountain, I believe.” + +“Then we must get ahead of him,” decided Tom, quietly. “I have just +flashed to dad a message, telling him that we will heed his warning. Now +to capture the stowaway!” + +“And while we're about it, give him a good scare when we do get him,” + suggested Mr. Jenks. + +“How?” asked Tom. + +“Threaten to drop him overboard. Perhaps that will make him tell how +he happened to get in our ship, and what are the plans of the gang of +diamond makers. We may get valuable information that way.” + +“I don't believe you can scare such fellows much,” was Tom's opinion, +but it was agreed to try. + +“How are you going to capture him?” asked Mr. Parker. “If he has a gun +it won't be any too easy to go in the storeroom, and drag him out.” + +“We'll have to use a little strategy,” decided Tom, and then they +discussed several plans. The one finally adopted was that Tom and Mr. +Damon should enter the storeroom, casually, as if in search of food to +cook for supper. They would discuss various dishes, and Mr. Damon was to +express a preference for something in the food line, the box containing +which, was well back in the room. This would give the two a chance +to penetrate to the far end of the apartment, without arousing the +suspicions of the hidden man, who, doubtless, would be listening to the +conversation. + +“And as soon as we get sight of him, you and I will jump right at him, +Mr. Damon,” said Tom. “Jump before he has a chance to use his gun. Mr. +Jenks and Mr. Parker will be waiting outside the room, to catch him if +he gets away from us. I'll have some ropes ready, and we'll tie him up, +and--well, we'll decide later what to do with him.” + +“All right. I'm ready as soon as you are, Tom,” said the eccentric man. +“Come ahead.” + +They went softly to the storeroom, and listened at the door. There was +no sound heard save that made by the machinery. + +“I wonder if he's really here?” whispered Mr. Damon. + +“We'll soon find out,” answered Tom. “Let's go in.” + +They entered, and, in pursuance of their plan, Tom and his friend talked +of various foods. + +“I think I'd like some of that canned lobster, with French dressing on,” + spoke the eccentric man. + +“That's away in the back end of the room,” said Tom, in a loud voice. +“It's under a lot of boxes.” + +“Then I'll help you get it out! Bless my frying pan! but I am very fond +of lobster!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, in as natural tones as was possible +under the circumstances. + +He and Tom moved cautiously back among the boxes and barrels. They were +glancing about with eager eyes. Tom switched on an electric light, and, +the instant he did so, he was aware of a movement in a little space +formed by one box which was placed on top, of two others. The lad saw a +dark figure moving, as if to get farther out of sight. + +“I've got him!” cried Tom, making a dive for the shadow. + +A moment later the young inventor was bowled over, as a dark figure +leaped over his head. + +“Catch him, Mr. Damon!” he cried. + +“Bless my hatband! I--I--” Mr. Damon's voice ended in a grunt. He, too, +had been knocked down by the fleeing man. + +“Look out, Mr. Jenks!” cried Tom, to warn those on guard at the door of +the storeroom. + +There was the report of a gun, some excited shouts, and when Tom could +scramble to his feet, and rush out, he beheld Mr. Parker calmly sitting +on a struggling man, while Mr. Jenks held a gun, that was still smoking. + +“We caught him!” cried the scientist. + +“Anybody hurt?” asked Tom, anxiously. + +“No, I knocked up his gun as he fired,” explained Mr. Jenks. “Where are +the ropes, Tom?” + +The cords were produced and the man, who had now ceased to struggle, +was tightly bound. He uttered not a word, but he smiled grimly when Mr. +Damon remarked: + +“I guess I'll go back in the storeroom, Tom, and see how much food he +ate.” + +“Oh, I guess he didn't take much,” declared the lad. “He wasn't there +long enough.” + +“Well, Farley Munson, so it's you, is it?” asked Mr. Jenks, as he +surveyed the prisoner. + +“Do you know him?” asked Tom, in some surprise. + +“He was in with the diamond makers,” said Mr. Jenks. “He was one of +those who took me to the secret cave. But it will be the last time he +ever goes there. How high up are we, Tom?” + +“About two miles. Why?” + +“I guess that will be far enough to let him fall,” went on the diamond +seeker. “Come on, Mr. Damon, help me throw him overboard!” + +“You--you're not going to throw me over--with the airship two miles +high; are you?” gasped the man. + +“Will you tell us what we want to know, if we don't?” asked Mr. Jenks. + +“What do you want to know?” + +“How you got aboard, and what your object was in coming.” + +“That's easy enough. I had been hanging around the shed for several +days, watching a chance to get in. Finally I saw it, when that colored +man went to feed his mule, and I slipped in, and hid in the airship. The +stores were all in then, and I stowed myself away among the boxes. I had +food and water, so I didn't touch any of yours,” and he looked at Mr. +Damon, who seemed much relieved. + +“And what was your object?” demanded Mr. Jenks. + +“I wanted to prevent you from going to Phantom Mountain.” + +“How?” + +“By destroying the airship if need be. But I hoped to accomplish it by +other means. I would have stopped at nothing, though, to prevent you. +You must keep away from there!” + +“And if we refuse?” asked Tom. + +“Then you'll have to take what comes!” + +“But not from you!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. “We're going to get rid of +you.” + +The man's face showed the alarm he felt. + +“Oh, don't worry,” said Mr. Jenks, quickly, “we're not going to toss you +overboard. We're not as desperate as your crowd. But we're going to +get rid of you, and then go on before you can send any word to your +confederates. We'll put you off in the most lonesome spot we can find, +and I guess you'll be some time getting back to civilization. By that +time we'll have the secret of the diamonds.” + +“You never will!” declared the man, firmly. And he would say nothing +more, though by threats and promises Mr. Jenks tried to get from him +something about the men in with him, and where the cave of the diamonds +was located. + +Heavily bound with ropes the man was locked in a small closet, to be +kept there until a favorable spot was reached for letting him go. Mr. +Jenks' plan, of dropping him down in some place where he would have +difficulty in sending on word to his confederates was considered a good +one. + +Three days later, in crossing over a lonely region, near the Nebraska +National Forest, Farley Munson, which was one of the names the spy went +by, was dropped off the airship, when it was sent down to within a few +feet of the earth. + +“It will take you some time to get to a telegraph office,” said Mr. +Jenks, as a package of food, and a flask of water was tossed down to the +stowaway. He shook his fist at those in the airship, and shouted after +them: + +“You'll never discover the secret of Phantom Mountain!” + +“Yes, we will,” declared Tom, as he sent the Red Cloud high into the air +again. + + + +CHAPTER XI--A WEARY SEARCH + + +During the three days when the stowaway had been kept a prisoner, the +Red Cloud had made good time on her western trip. She was now about two +hundred and fifty miles from Leadville, Colorado, and Tom knew he could +accomplish that distance in a short time. It was necessary, therefore, +since they were so close to the place where the real search would begin, +to make some more definite plans. + +“We will need to replenish our supply of gasoline,” said Tom, shortly +after the stowaway had been dropped, and when the young inventor had +made a general inspection of the airship. + +“Is it all gone?” inquired Mr. Damon. + +“Not all, but we will soon be in the wildest part of the Rocky +Mountains, and gasoline is difficult to procure there. So I want to fill +all our reserve tanks. But I would rather do that before we get far into +Colorado.” + +“Why?” inquired Mr. Parker. + +“Because airships are not so common but what the appearance of one +attracts attention. Ours is sure to be talked about, and commented on. +In that case, in spite of our precaution in putting Munson off in this +lonely place, word of the Red Cloud being in the vicinity of Leadville +may reach the diamond makers, and put them on their guard. We want to +take them unawares if we can.” + +“That's so,” agreed Mr. Jenks. “We had better get our gasoline at the +first stopping place, then, and proceed with our search. Our first +object ought to be to look for the landmark--the head of stone. Then we +can begin to prospect about a bit.” + +“My idea, exactly,” declared Tom. “Well, then, I'll go down at the +first place we cross, where we can get gasoline, and then we'll be in a +position to hover in the air for a long time, without descending.” + +The airship kept on her way, traveling slowly the remainder of that day, +and at dusk, when there was less chance of big crowds seeing them, the +Red Cloud was sent down on the outskirts of a large village. Tom and Mr. +Damon went to a supply store, and arranged to have a sufficient quantity +of the gasoline taken out to the airship. It was delivered after dark, +and little talk was occasioned by the few who were aware of the presence +of the craft. Then, once more, they went aloft, and Tom sent several +wireless messages to Shopton, including one to Miss Nestor. + +“Please tell my wife that I am well, and that I have a good appetite,” + said Mr. Damon. + +Mr. Parker also sent a message to a scientific friend of his, stating +that he made some observations among the mountains, of the region in +which the airship then was, and that the indications were that a great +landslide would soon take place. + +“That won't worry us,” spoke Tom, “for we'll be far above it.” + +“I hope we will be near enough to enable me to observe it, and make +some scientific notes,” came from Mr. Parker. “I am positive that one +of these mountain peaks that we saw to-day will disappear in a landslide +within a few days. I have an instrument somewhat like the one that +records earthquakes, and it has been acting strangely of late.” + +Tom wondered what enjoyment Mr. Parker got out of life, when he was +always looking for some calamity to happen, but the scientist seemed +to take as much pleasure in his gloomy forebodings now, as he had on +Earthquake Island. + +They reached the vicinity of Leadville the next day, but took care to +keep high above the city, so that the airship could not be observed. +With powerful glasses they examined the mountainous country, looking for +the little settlement of Indian Ridge. + +“There it is!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks, just as dusk was settling down. “I +can make out the hotel I stopped at. Now we can really begin our search. +The next thing is to find the stone head, and then, I think, I will have +my bearings.” + +“We'll begin the hunt for that landmark in the morning,” said Tom. + +High in the air hovered the Red Cloud. At that distance above the earth +she must have looked like some great bird, and the adventurers thought +it unlikely that any one in the vicinity of Leadville would observe +them. + +The quest for the great mountain peak, that looked like a stone head, +was under way. Back and forth sailed the airship. Sometimes she was +enveloped in fog, and no sight could be had of the earth below. At +other times there were rain storms, which likewise prevented a view. Mr. +Parker was on the lookout for his predicted mountain landslide, but it +did not occur, and he was much disappointed. + +“It's queer I can't pick out that landmark,” said Mr. Jenks after two +days of weary searching, when their eyes were strained from long peering +through telescopes. “I'm sure it was around Indian Ridge, yet we've +covered almost all the ground in this neighborhood, and I haven't had a +glimpse of it.” + +“Perhaps it was destroyed in a landslide, or some cataclysm of nature,” + suggested Mr. Parker. “That is very possible.” + +“If that's the case we're going to have a hard time to locate the cave +of the diamond makers,” answered Mr. Jenks, “but I hope it isn't so.” + +They continued the search for another day, and then Tom, as they sat +in the comfortable cabin of the airship that night, hovering almost +motionless (for the motor had been shut down) made a proposition. + +“Why not descend in some secluded place,” he suggested, “and wander +around on foot, making inquiries of the miners. They may know where the +stone head is, or they may even know about Phantom Mountain.” + +“Good idea,” spoke Mr. Jenks. “We'll do it.” + +Accordingly, the next morning, the Red Cloud was lowered in a good but +lonely landing place, and securely moored. It was in a valley, well +screened from observation, and the craft was not likely to be seen, +but, to guard against any damage being done to it by passing hunters or +miners, Mr. Parker and Mr. Damon agreed to remain on guard in it, while +Tom and Mr. Jenks spent a day or two traveling around, making inquiries. + +The young inventor and his companion proceeded on foot to a small +settlement, where they hired horses on which to make their way about. +They were to be gone two days, and in that time they hoped to get on the +right trail. + + + + +CHAPTER XII--THE GREAT STONE HEAD + + +It was a wild and desolate country in which Tom Swift and Mr. Jenks +were traveling. Villages were far apart, and they were at best but +small settlements. In their journeys from place to place they met few +travelers. + +But of these few they made cautious inquiries as to the location +of Phantom Mountain, or the landmark known as the great stone head. +Prospectors, miners and hunters, whom they asked, shook their heads. + +“I've heard of Phantom Mountain,” said one grizzled miner, “but I +couldn't say where it is. Maybe it's only a fish story--the place may +not even exist.” + +“Oh, it does, for I've been there!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. + +“Then why don't you go back to it?” asked the miner. + +“Because I can't locate it again,” was the reply. + +“Humph! Mighty queer if you've seen a place once, and can't get to it +again,” and the man looked as if he thought there was something strange +about Tom and his companion. Mr. Jenks did not want to say that he had +been taken to the mountain blindfolded, for that would have caused too +much talk. + +“I think if we spent to-night in a place where the miners congregate, +listened to their talk, and put a few casual questions to them, more as +if we were only asking out of idle curiosity, we might learn something,” + suggested Tom. + +“Very well, we'll try that scheme.” + +Accordingly, after they had left the suspicious miner the two proceeded +to a small milling town, not far from Indian Ridge. There they engaged +rooms for the night at the only hotel, and, after supper they sat around +the combined dance hall and gambling place. + +There were wild, rough scenes, which were distasteful to Tom, and to Mr. +Jenks, but they felt that this was their only chance to get on the right +trail, and so they stayed. As strangers in a western mining settlement +they were made roughly welcome, and in response to their inquiries about +the country, they were told many tales, some of which were evidently +gotten up for the benefit of the “tenderfeet.” + +“Is there a place around here called Phantom Mountain?” asked Tom, at +length, as quietly as he could. + +“Never heard of it, stranger,” replied a miner who had done most of the +talking. “I never heard of it, and what Bill Slatterly don't know ain't +worth knowin'. I'm Bill Slatterly,” he added, lest there be some doubt +on that score. + +“Isn't there some sort of a landmark around here shaped like a great +stone head?” went on Tom, after some unimportant questions. “Seems to me +I've heard of that.” + +“Nary a one,” answered Mr. Slatterly. “No stone heads, and no Phantom +Mountains--nary a one. + +“Who says there ain't no Phantom Mountains?” demanded an elderly miner, +who had been dozing in one corner of the room, but who was awakened by +Slatterly's loud voice. “Who says so?” + +“I do,” answered the one who claimed to know everything. + +“Then you're wrong!” Tom's heart commenced beating faster than usual. + +“Do you mean to say you've seen Phantom Mountain, Jed Nugg?” demanded +Slatterly. + +“No, I ain't exactly seen it, an' I don't want to, but there is such +a place, about sixty mile from here. Folks says it's haunted, and them +sort of places I steer clear from.” + +“Can you tell me about it?” asked Mr. Jenks, eagerly. “I am interested +in such things.” + +“I can't tell you much about it,” was the reply, “and I wouldn't git too +interested, if I was you. It might not be healthy. All I know is that +one time my partner and I were in hard luck. We got grub-staked, and +went out prospectin'. We strayed into a wild part of the country about +sixty mile from here, and one night we camped on a mountain--a wild, +desolate place it was too.” + +The miner stopped, and began leisurely filling his pipe. + +“Well?” asked Tom, trying not to let his voice sound too eager. + +“Well, that was Phantom Mountain.” + +The miner seemed to have finished his story. + +“Is that all?” asked Mr. Jenks. “How did you know it was Phantom +Mountain?” + +“'Cause we seen the ghost--my partner and I--that's why!” exclaimed the +man, puffing on his pipe. “As I said, we was campin' there, and 'long +about midnight we seen somethin' tall and white, and all shimmerin', +with a sort of yellow fire, slidin' down the side of the mountain. It +made straight for our camp.” + +“Huh! Guess you run, didn't you, Jed?” asked Bill Slatterly. + +“Course we did. You'd a run too, if you seen a ghost comm' at you, an' +firin' a gun.” + +“Ghosts can't fire guns!” declared Bill. “I guess you dreamed it, Jed.” + +“Ghosts can't fire guns, eh? That's all you know about it. This one did, +and to prove I didn't dream it, there was a bullet hole in my hat next +mornin'. I could prove it, too, only I ain't got that hat any more. But +that was Phantom Mountain, strangers, an' my advice to you is to keep +away from it. I was on it but I didn't exactly see it, 'cause it was +dark at the time.” + +“Was it near a peak that looked like a stone head?” asked Tom. + +“It were, stranger, but I didn't take much notice of it. Me and my +partner got out of them diggin's next day, and I never went back. I +ain't never said much about this place, but it's called Phantom Mountain +all right, and I ain't the only one that's seen a ghost there. Other +grub-stakers has had the same experience.” + +“Why ain't I never heard about it?” demanded Bill, suspiciously. + +“'Cause as why you're allers so busy talkin' that you don't never listen +to nothin' I reckon,” was Jed's answer, amid laughter. + +“Can you tell us what trail to take to get there?” asked Tom, of the +miner. + +“Yes, it's called the old silver trail, and you strike it by goin' to a +place called Black Gulch, about forty mile from here. Then it's twenty +mile farther on. But take my advice and don't go.” + +“Can it be reached by way of Indian Ridge?” asked Mr. Jenks, wondering +how he had been taken to the cave of the diamond makers. He did not +remember Black Gulch. + +“Yes, you can git there by Indian Ridge way, but it's more dangerous. +You're likely to lose your way, for that's a trail that's seldom +traveled.” Mr. Jenks thought that, perhaps, was the reason the gang had +taken him that way. “It's easier to get to the stone head and Phantom +Mountain by Black Gulch, but it ain't healthy to go there, strangers, +take my advice on that,” concluded the miner, as he prepared to go to +sleep again. + +Tom could scarcely contain the exultation he felt. At last, it seemed, +they were on the trail. He motioned to Mr. Jenks, and they slipped +quietly from the place, just as another dance was beginning. + +“Now for Black Gulch!” cried Tom. “We must hurry back to the airship, +and tell the good news. + +“It's too late to-night,” decided Mr. Jenks, and so they waited until +morning, when they made an early start. + +They found Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker anxiously awaiting their return. Mr. +Damon blessed so many things that he was nearly out of breath, and Mr. +Parker related something of the observations he had made. + +“I think I have discovered traces of a dormant volcano,” he said. “I am +in hopes that it will have an eruption while we are here.” + +“I'm not,” spoke Tom, decidedly. “We'll start for Black Gulch as soon as +possible.” + +The airship once more rose in the air, and, following the directions +the miner had given him, Tom pointed his craft for the depression in the +mountains which had been given the name Black Gulch. It was reached in +a short time, and then, making a turn up a long valley the airship +proceeded at reduced speed. + +“We ought to see that stone head soon now,” spoke Tom, as he peered from +the windows of the pilot house. + +“It's queer we didn't notice it when we were up in the air,” remarked +Mr. Jenks. “We've been over this place before, I'm sure of it.” + +The next moment Mr. Damon uttered a cry. “Bless my watch-chain!” he +exclaimed. “Look at that!” + +He pointed off to the left. There, jutting out from the side of a steep +mountain peak was a mass of stone--black stone--which, as the airship +slowly approached, took the form and shape of a giant's head. + +“That's it! That's it!” cried Tom. “The great stone head!” + +“And now for Phantom Mountain and the diamonds!” shouted Mr. Jenks, as +Tom let the airship slowly settle to the bottom of the valley. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII--ON PHANTOM MOUNTAIN + + +Out from the Red Cloud piled Tom and the others. They made a rush for +the irregular mass of rock which bore so strong a resemblance to the +head of some gigantic man. + +“That's the one! That's the thing I saw when they were taking me along +here blindfolded!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. “I'm sure we're on the right +trail, now!” + +“But what gets me, though,” remarked Mr. Damon, “is why we couldn't see +that landmark when we were up in the air. We had a fine view, and ought +to have been able to pick it out with the telescopes.” + +The adventurers saw the reason a few seconds later. The image was +visible only from one place, and that was directly looking up the +valley. If one went too far to the right or left the head disappeared +from view behind jutting crags, and it was impossible to see it from +overhead, because the head was almost under a great spur of a mighty +mountain. + +“We might have hunted for it a week in the airship, and been directly +over it,” said Tom, “and yet we would never have seen it.” + +“Yes, but we never would have gotten here in such good shape if it +hadn't been for your wonderful craft,” declared Mr. Jenks. “It brought +us here safely and quickly, and enabled us to elude the men who tried to +keep us back. We're here in spite of them. If we had traveled by train +they might have interfered with us in a dozen ways.” + +“That's so,” agreed Mr. Damon. “Well, now we're here, what's to be +done? Which way do we start to reach the cave where the diamonds are +manufactured, Mr. Jenks?” + +“That I can't say. As you know, I only had a momentary glimpse of this +stone head as they were taking me along the trail. Then one of the men +noticed that the bandage had slipped and he pulled it into place. So I +really can't say which direction to take now, in order to discover the +secret.” + +“How long after you saw the head before you reached the cave?” asked +Tom. “In that way we may be able to tell how far away it is.” + +“Well, I should say it was about two or three hours after I saw the +head, before we got to the halting place, and I was carried into the +cave. That would make it several miles from here, for we went in a +wagon.” + +“Yes, and they might have driven in a round-about way, in order to +deceive you,” suggested Mr. Damon. “At best we have but a faint idea +where the diamond cave is, but we must search for it; eh, Tom?” + +“Certainly. We'll start right in. And as the airship will be of but +little service to us now, I suggest that we leave it in this valley. +It is very much secluded, and no one will harm it, I think. We can then +start off prospecting, for I have a large portable tent, and we can +carry enough food with us, with what game we can shoot, to enable us to +live. I have a regular camping outfit on board.” + +“Fine!” cried Mr. Parker, “and that will give me a chance to make some +observations among the mountains, and perhaps I can predict when a +landslide, or an eruption of some dormant volcano, may occur.” + +“Bless my stars!” cried Mr. Damon. “I don't wish you any bad luck, Mr. +Parker, but I sincerely hope nothing of the sort happens! We had enough +of that on Earthquake Island!” + +“One can not halt the forces of nature,” said the scientist, solemnly. +“There are many towering peaks around here which may contain old +volcanoes. And I notice the presence of iron ore all about. This must be +a wonderful place in a thunder and lightning storm.” + +“Why?” asked Tom, curiously. + +“Because lightning would be powerfully attracted here by the presence +of the metal. In fact there is evidence that many of the peaks have been +struck by lightning,” and the scientist showed curious, livid scars on +the stone faces of the peaks within sight. + +“Then this is a good place to stay away from in a storm,” observed Mr. +Damon. “However, we won't worry about that now. If this is the landmark +Mr. Jenks was searching for, then we must be in the vicinity of Phantom +Mountain.” + +“I think we are,” declared the diamond seeker. “Probably it is within +sight now, but there are so many peaks, and this is such a wild and +desolate part of the country that we may have trouble in locating it.” + +“We've got to make a beginning, anyhow,” decided Tom, “and the sooner +the better. Come, we'll make up our camping kits, and start out.” + +It was something to know that they were on the right trail, and it was a +relief to be able to busy oneself, and not be aimlessly searching for a +mysterious landmark. They all felt this, and soon the airship was taken +to a secluded part of the valley, where it was well hidden from sight in +a grove of trees. + +Tom and Mr. Damon then served a good meal, and preparations were made +to start on their search among the mountains--a search which they hoped +would lead them to Phantom Mountain, and the cave of the diamond makers. + +The tent which would afford them shelter was in sections, and could +be laced together. They carried food, compressed into small packages, +coffee, a few cooking utensils; and each one had a gun, Tom carrying a +combination rifle and shotgun, for game. + +“We can't live very high while we're on the trail,” said the young +inventor, “but it won't be much worse than it was on Earthquake Island. +Are we all ready?” + +“I guess so,” answered Mr. Damon. “How long are we going to be away?” + +“Until we find the diamond makers!” declared Tom, firmly. + +Shouldering their packs, the adventurers started off. Tom turned for a +last look at his airship, dimly seen amid the trees. Would he ever come +back to the Red Cloud? Would she be there when he did return? Would +their quest be successful? These questions the lad asked himself, as he +followed his companions along the rocky trail. + +“Perhaps we can find the road by which these men go in and out of the +cave,” suggested Mr. Damon, when they had gone on for several miles. + +“I fancy not,” replied Mr. Jenks. “They probably take great pains to +hide it. I think though, that our best plan will be to go here and +there, looking for the entrance to the cave. I believe I would remember +the place.” + +“But why can't you follow the directions given by the miner who told you +about Phantom Mountain?” asked Mr. Damon. + +“Because his talk was too indefinite,” answered Mr. Jenks. “He was so +frightened by seeing what he believed to be a ghost, that he didn't take +much notice of the location of the place. All he knows is that Phantom +Mountain is somewhere around here.” + +“And we've got to hunt until we find it; is that the idea?” asked Mr. +Parker. + +“Or until we see the phantom,” added Tom, in a low voice. + +“Bless my topknot!” exclaimed Mr. Damon. “You don't mean to say you +expect to see that ghost; do you Tom?” + +“Perhaps,” answered the young inventor, and he did not add something +else of which he was thinking. For Tom had a curious theory regarding +the phantom. + +They tramped about the remainder of that day. Toward evening Tom shot +some birds, which made a welcome addition to their supper. Then the tent +was put together, some spruce and hemlock boughs were cut to make a soft +bed, and on these, while the light of a campfire gleamed in on them, the +adventurers slept. + +Their experience the following day was similar to the first. They saw no +evidence of a large cave such as Mr. Jenks had described, nor were there +any traces of men having gone back and forth among the mountains, as +might have been expected of the diamond makers, for, as Mr. Jenks had +said, they made frequent journeys to the settlement for food, and other +supplies. + +“Well, I haven't begun to give up yet,” announced Tom, on the third day, +when their quest was still unsuccessful. “But I think we are making one +mistake.” + +“What is that?” inquired Mr. Jenks. + +“I think we should go up higher. In my opinion the cave is near the top +of some peak; isn't it, Mr. Jenks?” + +“I have that impression, though, as you know, I never saw the outside of +it. Still, it might not be a bad idea to ascend some of these peaks.” + +Following this suggestion, they laid their trail more toward the sky, +and that night found them encamped several thousand feet above the +sea-level. It was quite cool, and the campfire was a big one about which +they sat after supper, talking of many things. + +Tom did not sleep well that night. He tossed from side to side on the +bed of boughs, and once or twice got up to replenish the fire, which had +burned low. His companions were in deep slumber. + +“I wonder what time it is?” mused Tom, when he had been up the third +time to throw wood on the blaze. “Must be near morning.” He looked at +his watch, and was somewhat startled to see that it was only a little +after twelve. Somehow it seemed much later. + +As he was putting the timepiece back into his pocket the lad looked +around at the dark and gloomy mountains, amid which they were encamped. +As his gaze wandered toward the peak of the one on the side of which the +tent was pitched, he gave a start of surprise. + +For, coming down a place where, that afternoon, Tom had noticed a sort +of indefinite trail was a figure in white. A tall, waving figure, which +swayed this way and that--a figure which halted and then came on again. + +“I wonder--I wonder if that can be a wisp of fog?” mused the young +inventor. He rubbed his eyes, thinking it might be a swirling of the +night mist or a defect of vision. Then, as he saw more plainly, he +noticed the thing in white rushing toward him. + +“It's the phantom--the phantom!” cried Tom, aloud. “It's the thing the +miner saw! We're on Phantom Mountain now!” + + + + +CHAPTER XIV--WARNED BACK + + +Tom's cries awakened the sleepers in the tent. Mr. Damon was the first +to rush out. + +“Bless my nightcap, Tom!” he cried. “What is it? What has happened? Are +we attacked by a mountain lion?” + +For answer the young inventor pointed up the mountain, to where, in the +dim light from a crescent moon, there stood boldly revealed, the figure +in white. + +“Bless--bless my very existence!” cried the odd man. “What is it, Tom?” + +“The phantom,” was the quiet answer. “Watch it, and see what it does.” + +By this time Mr. Jenks and Mr. Parker had joined Tom and Mr. Damon. +The four diamond seekers stood gazing at the apparition. And, as they +looked, the thing in white, seemingly too tall for any human being, slid +slowly forward, with a gliding motion. Then it raised its long, white +arms, and waved them threateningly at the adventurers. + +“It's motioning us to go back,” said Mr. Parker in an awed whisper. “It +doesn't want us to go any farther.” + +“Very likely,” agreed Tom, coolly. “But we're not going to be frightened +by anything like that; are we?” + +“Not much!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. “I expected this. A ghost can't drive +me back from getting my rights from those scoundrels!” + +“Suppose it uses a revolver to back up its demand?” asked the scientist. + +“Wait until it does,” answered Mr. Jenks. But the figure in white +evidently had no such intentions. It came on a little distance +farther, still waving the long arms threateningly, and then it suddenly +disappeared, seeming to dissolve in the misty shadows of the night. + +“Bless my suspenders!” cried Mr. Damon. “That's a very strange +proceeding! Very strange! What do you make of it, Tom?” + +“It is evidently some man dressed up in a sheet,” declared Mr. Jenks. “I +expected as much.” + +“The work of those diamond makers; do you think?” continued Mr. Damon. + +“I believe so,” answered Tom, slowly, for he was trying to think it out. +“I believe they are the cause of the phantom, though I don't know that +it's a man dressed in a sheet.” + +“Why isn't it?” demanded Mr. Jenks. + +“Because it was too tall for a man, unless he's a giant.” + +“He may have been on stilts,” suggested Mr. Parker. + +“No man on stilts could walk along that way,” declared Tom, confidently. +“He glided along too easily. I am inclined to think it may be some sort +of a light.” + +“A light?” queried Mr. Damon. + +“Yes, the diamond makers may be hidden in some small cave near here, and +they may have some sort of a magic lantern or a similar arrangement, for +throwing a shadow picture. They could arrange it to move as they liked, +and could cause it to disappear at will. That, I think, is the ghost we +have just seen.” + +“But the diamond makers have only been in this mountain recently,” + objected Mr. Jenks, “and the phantom was here before them. In fact, that +was what gave the place its name.” + +“That may be,” admitted the lad. “There are many places that have the +name of being haunted, but no one ever sees the ghost. It is always some +one else, who has heard of some one who has seen it. That may have been +the case here. I grant that this place may have been called 'Phantom +Mountain' for a number of years, due to the superstitious tales of +miners. The diamond makers came along, found the conditions just right +for their work, and adopted the ghost, so to speak. As there wasn't any +real spirit they made one, and they use it to scare people away. I think +that's what we've just seen, though I may be wrong in my theory as to +what the phantom is.” + +“Well, it's gone now, at any rate,” said Mr. Jenks, “and I think we'd +better get back inside the tent. It's cold out here.” + +“Aren't some of us going to stand guard?” demanded Mr. Damon. + +“What for?” asked Mr. Jenks. + +“Why--er--bless my key-ring! Suppose that ghost takes a notion to come +down here, and use his gun, as he did on the miners?” + +“I don't believe that will happen,” remarked Tom. “The diamond makers, +if the white thing had anything to do with them, have given us a +warning, and I think they'll at least wait until morning to see how we +heed it.” + +“We aren't going to heed it!” burst out Mr. Jenks. “I'm going to go +right ahead and find that cave where they make diamonds!” + +“And we're with you!” exclaimed Tom. “We'll have a good fire going the +rest of the night, and that may keep intruders away. In the morning +we'll begin our search, and we'll go up the trail where we saw the white +figure.” + +A big pile of wood had been collected for the fire, and Tom now piled +some logs and branches on the blaze. It would last for some time now, +and the adventurers, still talking of the “ghost” went back into the +tent. It was over an hour before they all got to sleep again, and Mr. +Jenks and Mr. Damon took turns in getting up once or twice during the +remainder of the night to replenish the fire. + +Morning dawned without anything further having occurred to disturb them, +and, after a hearty breakfast, to which Tom added some fish he caught in +a nearby mountain stream, they set off up the trail on Phantom Mountain. + +They had left their tent standing, as they proposed making that spot +their headquarters until they located the cave they were seeking. What +their course would be after that would depend on the circumstances. + +If they had expected to have an easy task locating the cavern in which +Mr. Jenks had seen diamonds made, the adventurers were disappointed. All +that day they tramped up and down the mountain, looking for some secret +entrance, but none was disclosed. The higher they went up the great +peak, the fainter became the trail, until, at length it vanished +completely. + +But this was not to be wondered at, since it was on solid rock, in which +no footsteps would leave an impression. + +“They never brought you up here in a wagon, Mr. Jenks,” decided Tom, +when he saw how steep the place was. + +“I'm inclined to think so myself,” admitted the diamond man. “They must +have reached the cave from some other way. As a matter of fact, I walked +some distance after getting out of the vehicle, before we got to the +cavern. But, even at that, I don't believe we came this way.” + +“Yet the phantom was here,” persisted Tom, “and I'm convinced that the +cave is in this neighborhood. It's up to us to find it!” + +But they searched the remainder of that day in vain, and as night was +coming on, they made their way back to the camp. As Tom, who was in +the lead, approached the tent, he saw something black fastened to the +entrance. + +“Hello!” he cried. “Some one's been here. That wasn't on the tent when +we left this morning.” + +“What is it?” asked Mr. Damon. + +“A black piece of paper, written on with white ink,” replied the lad. He +was reading it, and, as he perused it a look of surprise came over his +face. + +“Listen to this!” called Tom. “It's evidently from the diamond makers.” + +Holding up the black paper, on which the white writing stood out in bold +relief Tom read aloud: + + +“Be warned in time! Go back before it is too late! You are near to +death! Go back!” + + +“Bless my shoelaces!” cried Mr. Damon. “This is getting serious.” + + + + +CHAPTER XV--THE LANDSLIDE + + +Gathered about the young inventor, the three men looked at the warning. +The writing was poor, and it was evident that an attempt had been made +to disguise it. But there was no misspelling of words, and there were no +rudely drawn daggers, or bloody hands or anything of that sort. In fact, +it was a very business-like sort of warning. + +“Rather odd,” commented Mr. Jenks. “Black paper and white ink.” + +“White ink is easy enough to make,” stated Mr. Parker. “I fancy they +wanted it as conspicuous as possible.” + +“Yes,” agreed Tom, “and this warning, together with the antics of the +thing in white last night, shows that they are aware of our presence +here, and perhaps know who we are. We will have to be on our guard.” + +“Do you think that fellow Munson, whom we left in the forest, could have +gotten here and warned them?” asked Mr. Damon. + +“It's possible,” admitted Tom, “but now let's see if the person who +pinned this warning on our tent took any of our things.” + +A hasty examination, however, showed that nothing had been disturbed, +and Tom and Mr. Damon were soon getting supper ready, everyone talking, +during the progress of the meal, about the events of the day, and the +rather weird culmination of it. + +“Well, we haven't had a great deal of success--so far,” admitted Tom, as +they sat about the fire, in the fast gathering dusk. “I think, perhaps, +we'd better try on the other side of the mountain to-morrow. We've +explored this side pretty thoroughly.” + +“Good idea,” commented Mr. Jenks. “We'll do it, and move our camp. I +only hope those fellows don't find our airship and destroy it. We'll +have a hard time getting back to civilization again, if we have to walk +all the way.” + +This contingency caused Tom some uneasiness. He did not like to think +that the unscrupulous men might damage the Red Cloud, that had been +built only after hard labor. But he knew he could accomplish nothing by +worrying, and he tried to dismiss the matter from his mind. + +They rather expected to see the thing in white again that night, but it +did not appear, and morning came without anything having disturbed their +heavy sleep, for they were tired from the day's tramp. + +It took them the greater part of the day to make a circuit of the base +of Phantom Mountain in order to get to a place where a sort of trail led +upward. + +“It's too late to do anything to-night,” decided Tom, as they set up the +tent. “We'll rest, and start the first thing in the morning.” + +“And the ghost isn't likely to find us here,” added Mr. Damon. “Where +are you going, Mr. Parker?” he asked, as he saw the scientist tramping a +little way up the side of the mountain. + +“I am going to make some observations,” was the answer, and no one paid +any more attention to him for some time. Supper was nearly ready when +Mr. Parker returned. His face wore a rather serious air, and Mr. Damon, +noting it, asked laughingly: + +“Well, did you discover any volcanoes, that may erupt during the night, +and scare us to death?” + +“No,” replied Mr. Parker, calmly, “but there is every indication that we +will soon have a terrific electrical storm. From a high peak I caught a +glimpse of one working this way across the mountains.” + +“Then we'd better fasten the tent well down,” called Tom. “We don't want +it to blow away.” + +“There will not be much danger from wind,” was Mr. Parker's opinion. + +“From what then?” asked Mr. Jenks. + +“From the discharges of lightning among these mountain peaks, which +contain so much iron ore. We will be in grave danger.” + +The fact that the scientist had not always made correct predictions was +not now considered by his hearers, and Tom and the two men gazed at Mr. +Parker in some alarm. + +“Is there anything we can do to avoid it?” asked Mr. Jenks. + +“The only thing to do would be to leave the mountain,” was the answer, +“and, as the iron ore extends for miles, we can not get out of the +danger zone before the storm will reach us. It will be here in less than +half an hour.” + +“Then we'd better have supper,” remarked Tom, practically, “and get +ready for it. Perhaps it may not be as bad as Mr. Parker fears.” + +“It will be bad enough,” declared the gloomy scientist, and he seemed to +find pleasure in his announcement. + +The meal was soon over, and Tom busied himself in looking to the guy +ropes of the tent, for he feared lest there might be wind with the +storm. That it was coming was evident, for now low mutterings of thunder +could be heard off toward the west. + +Black clouds rapidly obscured the heavens, and the sound of thunder +increased. Fitful flashes of lightning could be seen forking across the +sky in jagged chains of purple light. + +“It's going to be a heavy storm,” Tom admitted to himself. “I hope +lightning doesn't strike around here.” + +The storm came on rapidly, but there was a curious quietness in the air +that was more alarming than if a wind had blown. The campfire burned +steadily, and there was a certain oppressiveness in the atmosphere. + +It was now quite dark, save when the fitful lightning flashes came, +and they illuminated the scene brilliantly for a few seconds. Then, by +contrast, it was blacker than ever. + +Suddenly, as Tom was gazing up toward the peak of Phantom Mountain, he +saw something that caused him to cry out in alarm. He pointed upward, +and whispered hoarsely: + +“The ghost again! There's our friend in white!” + +The others looked, and saw the same weird figure that had menaced them +when they were encamped on the other side of the peak. + +“They must have followed us,” said Mr. Jenks, in a low voice. + +Slowly the figure advanced, It waved the long white arms, as if in +warning. At times it would be only dimly visible in the blackness, then, +suddenly it would stand out in bold relief as a great flash of fire +split the clouds. + +The thunder, meanwhile, had been growing louder and sharper, indicating +the nearer approach of the storm. Each lightning flash was followed in a +second or two, by a terrific clap. Still there was no wind nor rain, and +the campfire burned steadily. + +All at once there was a crash as if the very mountain had split asunder, +and the adventurers saw a great ball of purple-bluish fire shoot down, +as if from some cloud, and strike against the side of the crag, not a +hundred feet from where stood the ghostly figure in white. + +“That was a bad one,” cried Mr. Damon, shouting so as to be heard above +the echoes of the thunderclap. + +Almost as he spoke there came another explosion, even louder than the +one preceding. A great ball of fire, pear shaped, leaped for the same +spot in the mountain. + +“There's a mass of iron ore there!” yelled Mr. Parker. “The lightning is +attracted to it!” + +His voice was swallowed up in the terrific crash that followed, and, +as there came another flash of the celestial fire, the figure in +white could be seen hurrying back up the mountain trail. Evidently the +electrical storm, with lightning bolts discharging so close, was too +much for the “ghost.” + +In another instant it looked as if the whole place about where the +diamond seekers stood, was a mass of fire. Great forked tongues of +lightning leaped from the clouds, and seemed to lick the ground. There +was a rattle and bang of thunder, like the firing of a battery of guns. +Tom and the others felt themselves tingling all over, as if they had +hold of an electrical battery, and there was a strong smell of sulphur +in the air. + +“We are in the midst of the storm!” cried Mr. Parker. “We are standing +on a mass of iron ore! Any minute may be our last!” + +But fate had not intended the adventurers for death by lightning. Almost +as suddenly as it had begun, the discharge of the tongues of fire ceased +in the immediate vicinity of our friends. They stood still--awed--not +knowing what to do. + +Then, once more, came a terrific clap! A great mass of fire, like some +red-hot ingot from a foundry, was hurled through the air, straight at +the face of the mountain, and at the spot where the figure in white had +stood but a few minutes before. + +Instantly the earth trembled, as it had at Earthquake Island, but it was +not the same. It was over in a few seconds. Then, as the diamond seekers +looked, they saw in the glare of a score of lightning flashes that +followed the one great clap, the whole side of the mountain slip away, +and go crashing into the valley below. + +“A landslide!” cried Mr. Parker. “That is the landslide which I +predicted! The lightning bolt has split Phantom Mountain!” + + + + +CHAPTER XVI--THE VAST CAVERN + + +For a time the roiling, slipping, sliding and tumbling of the mass of +earth and stones, down the side of the mountain, effectually drowned +all other sounds. Even the thunder was stilled, and though Tom and his +companions called to one another in terror, their voices could not rise +above that terrific tumult. + +Finally, when they found that the direction of the slide was away from +their tent, and that they were not likely to be engulfed, they grew more +calm. + +Gradually the noise subsided. The great boulders had rolled to the +bottom of the valley, and now only a mass of earth and stones was +sliding down. Even this stopped in about five minutes, and, as though +satisfied with what it had done, the electrical storm passed. Not a drop +of rain had fallen. + +“Bless my shirt studs!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, who was the first to speak +after the din had quieted. “Bless my soul! But that was awful!” + +“It was just what I expected,” said Mr. Parker, calmly. “I knew, from +my observations, that we were in a region where landslides and terrific +electrical storms may be expected at any time. I fully looked for this.” + +“Well,” remarked Mr. Jenks, rather sarcastically, “I hope it came up to +your expectations, Mr. Parker.” + +“Oh, fully,” was the answer, “though I wish it could have happened +in daylight, so that I could better have observed certain phenomena +regarding the landslide. They are very interesting.” + +“At a distance,” admitted Tom, with a laugh of relief. “Well, I'm glad +it's over, though we'll have to wait until morning to see what damage +has been done. Lucky we weren't struck by lightning. I never saw such +bolts!” + +“Me, either!” declared Mr. Damon. “This mountain seems to attract them.” + +“It is like a magnet,” said Mr. Parker. “I think I shall be able to make +some fine observations here.” + +“If we live through it,” murmured Mr. Jenks. + +They watched the play of lightning about a distant bank of clouds, +but the storm was now far away, only a faint rumbling of thunder being +heard. + +“I'm wondering what happened to the phantom,” said Tom, after a pause. +“Seems to me he was right in that track of the storm.” + +“Do you think it was a 'he'?” asked Mr. Jenks. + +“I think we'll find that it's some sort of a man,” answered the young +inventor. “We may find out very soon, now. I've changed my theory about +the ghost being reflections of light.” + +“How's that?” Mr. Damon wanted to know. + +“Well, I think we are on the side of Phantom Mountain where the diamond +cave is,” went on the lad. “The fact that the phantom appeared here, +soon after we arrived, shows that the men kept close track of our +movements. It also shows, I think, that the phantom did not have to +travel far to be on the spot, whereas we had to make quite a trip to get +around the base of the mountain. I think the cave is up there,” and +Tom pointed toward the spot where the weird figure had been last seen, +before the storm drove it back. + +“There may be two phantoms,” suggested Mr. Jenks. “They may keep one on +this side of the mountain, and one on the other, to warn intruders away. + +“It's possible,” admitted Tom. “Well, we'll see how things look in the +morning, when we'll take up our march again, and go up the mountain. +We'll reach the top, if possible, which we couldn't do from the other +side, as it was too steep.” + +“I hope we shall be able to go forward in the morning,” came from Mr. +Jenks. + +“What do you mean?” asked the lad, struck by a peculiar significance in +the diamond man's tones. + +“Why, that landslide may have opened a great gully in the side of +Phantom Mountain, which will prevent us from passing. It was a terrific +lot of earth and stones that slid away,” answered Mr. Jenks. + +“It certainly was,” agreed Mr. Parker. “I would not be surprised if +the mountain was half destroyed, and it may be that the diamond cave no +longer exists.” + +“Not very cheerful, to say the least,” murmured Mr. Jenks to Tom, and, +as it was getting quite chilly, following the storm, they went inside +the tent. + +Tom could hardly wait for daylight, to get up and see what havoc the +landslide had wrought. As soon as the first faint flush of dawn showed +over the eastern peaks, he hurried from the tent. Mr. Damon heard him +arise, and followed. + +A curious scene met their eyes. All about were great rocks rent and torn +by the awful power of the lightning. The fronts of the stone cliffs +were scarred and burned by the electrical fire, and fantastic markings, +grotesque faces, and leering animals seemed to have been drawn by some +gigantic artist who used a bolt from heaven for his brush. + +But the eyes of Tom and Mr. Damon took all this in at a glance, and then +their gaze went forward to where the avalanche had torn away a great +part of the mountain. + +“Whew! I should say it was a landslide!” cried Tom. + +“Bless my wishbone, yes!” agreed Mr. Damon. + +Below them, in the valley, lay piled immense masses of earth and stones. +Boulders were heaped up on boulders, and rocks upon rocks, being tossed +about in heaps, strung about in long ridges, and swirled about in +curves, as though some cyclone had toyed with them after the lightning +flash had tossed them there. + +“But the mountain isn't half gone,” said Tom, as his eyes took in what +was left of the phantom berg. “I guess it will take a few more bolts +like that one, to put this hill out of business.” + +Though the landslide had been a great one, the larger part of the +mountain still stood. An immense slice had been taken from one side, but +the summit was untouched. + +“And there's where the diamond cave is!” cried Tom, pointing to it. + +“I think so myself,” agreed Mr. Jenks, who came from the tent at that +moment, and joined the lad and Mr. Damon. “I think we shall find the +cave somewhere up there. We must start for it, as soon as we have eaten, +and we may reach it by night.” + +The three stood gazing up toward the summit of the great mountain. +Suddenly, as the sun rose higher in the heavens, it sent a shaft of rosy +light on the face of the berg that had been scarred by the landslide. +Tom Swift uttered an exclamation, and pointed at something. + +“See!” he cried. “Look where the trail is--the trail down which the +phantom must have come. It is on the edge of a cliff now!” + +They looked, and saw that this was so. The increasing light had just +revealed it to them. When the lightning bolt had torn away a great +portion of the mountain it had cut sheer down for a great depth and +when the earth and stones fell away they left a narrow pathway, winding +around the mountain, but so near the edge of a great chasm, that there +was room but for one person at a time to walk on that footway. The +uncertain trail up Phantom Mountain had all but been destroyed. + +“The way up to the peak is by that path, now,” spoke Tom, in a low +voice. + +“Bless my soul!” cried Mr. Damon. “It's as much as a man's life is worth +to attempt it. If he got dizzy, he'd topple over, and fall a thousand +feet. Dare we risk it?” + +“It's the only way to get up,” went on Tom. “It's either that way, or +not at all. We've tried the other side without success. We must go up +this way--or turn back.” + +“Then we'll go up!” cried Mr. Jenks. “It may not be as dangerous as it +looks from here.” + +But it was even more dangerous than it appeared, when they went part way +up it after a hasty breakfast. The trail was a mere ledge of rock now, +and in some places, to get around a projecting edge of the mountain, +they had to stand with their backs to the dizzy depths at their feet, +and with both arms outstretched work their way around to where the trail +was wider. + +“Shall we risk it?” asked Tom, when they had tried the way, and found +it so dangerous. “We can't take anything with us--even our guns, for +we couldn't carry them, and if we reach the mouth of the cave, and find +those men there--” + +He paused significantly. The adventurers looked at one another. The +search for the diamond makers was becoming more and more dangerous. + +“I say let's go on!” decided Mr. Damon, suddenly. “We want to locate +that cave, first of all. Perhaps, when we do find it, we may see some +easier way of getting to it than this. And if those diamond makers do +attack us--well, I don't believe they'll shoot defenseless men, and they +may listen to reason, and give Mr. Jenks his rights--tell him how to +make diamonds in return for the money he gave them.” + +“I don't believe those scoundrels will listen to reason,” replied the +diamond man, “but I agree with Mr. Damon that we ought to go on. We may +find some other means of reaching the cave--if we can discover it, and +we'll take a chance with the men.” + +“Forward it is, then!” cried Tom. “I have a revolver, and I can supply +one of you gentlemen with another. They may come in useful in an +emergency. Let's go back to camp, take a little lunch in our pockets, +and try to scale the mountain.” + +They were soon on their way up the dizzy path once more, and, as they +advanced, they found it growing more and more dangerous. In some places +they found it almost impossible to get around certain corners, where +there was barely room for their feet. As Tom remarked grimly, a fat man +never could have done it. Fortunately they were all comparatively thin, +for their hard work, and not too abundant food, since they had left the +airship, had reduced their weight. + +Up and up they went, higher and higher, sometimes finding the path wide +enough for two to walk abreast, and again seeing it narrow almost to +a ribbon. They hardly dared look down into the chasm at their left--a +chasm filled, in part, with the rocks and boulders tossed into it by the +lightning bolt. + +Tom was in the lead, and had just made a dangerous turn around a +shoulder of rock--one of those places where he had to extend both arms, +and fairly hug the cliff before he could get around. + +But, when he had made it, and found himself on a broad pathway, cut +in the living rock, he gave a great shout--a shout that caused his +companions to hasten to his side. They found the young inventor pointing +to a clump of bushes and small trees. + +But it was not the shrubbery that Tom desired to call to their +attention. They saw that in an instant, for, dimly seen through the +leaves, was something black, and, as they looked more closely, they saw +that it was a great hole in the side of the mountain--a vast cavern, +opening like a tunnel. + +“The cave! The cave!” cried Tom. “The diamond makers' cave!” + +Hardly had he spoken than two men, each one carrying a gun, showed +themselves in the mouth of the cavern, and, instant later they both ran +toward the little party of adventurers. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII--THE PHANTOM CAPTURED + + +Surprise held Tom and his friends almost spellbound for the moment. +The young inventor's hand went toward the pocket where he carried his +revolver. Mr. Jenks, who had the only other weapon, sought to draw it, +but he was stopped by a gesture of one of the two men with guns. + +“Hold on, strangers!” the man cried. “I know what you're up to! Better +not try to draw anything--it might not be healthy. Now, then, who are +you, and what do you want?” + +The question came rather as a surprise, at least to Tom and Mr. Jenks. +They had taken it for granted that these men--if they were the diamond +makers--would know Mr. Jenks, and guess at his errand in coming back +to Phantom Mountain. But, it seemed, that they took them all for casual +strangers. + +No one answered for a moment. Tom caught the eye of Mr. Jenks, and there +was a look of hope in it. If ever there was a time for strategy, it was +now. Evidently Munson, the stowaway on the airship, had not yet been +able to send a warning to his confederates. And neither of the two men +recognized Mr. Jenks as the man who had been defrauded of his rights. +It might be possible to conceal the real object of the adventurers until +they had time to formulate a plan of action. + +“Well,” exclaimed the man with the gun, impatiently, “I ask you folks a +question. What do you want?” + +Fortunately, neither Mr. Damon nor Mr. Parker replied. The former +because he deferred to Tom and Mr. Jenks, and the scientist because he +was busy inspecting some curious rocks he picked up. As it turned out +this was the luckiest thing he could have done. It lent color to what +Mr. Jenks said a moment later. + +“What are you doing up here?” demanded the man again. “Don't you know +this is private property?” + +“We--we were just looking around,” answered Mr. Jenks, which was true +enough; as far as it went. + +“Prospecting,” added Tom. + +“After gold?” demanded the second man, suspiciously. + +“We'd be glad to find some,” retorted the lad. At that moment Mr. Parker +began breaking off bits of rock with a small geologist's hammer which he +carried. The men with the guns looked at him. + +“So you think you'll find gold up here?” asked the one who had first +spoken. + +“Is there any?” inquired Tom, trying to make his voice sound eager. + +“Nary a bit, strangers,” was the answer, and the two men laughed +heartily. “Now, we don't want to seem harsh,” went on the man who seemed +to be the spokesman, “but you'd better get away from here. This is +private ground, and dangerous too--how'd you ever get up the trail--we +heard it was destroyed.” + +“There is still a narrow path,” said Mr. Jenks. “We came up that--the +lightning and landslide haven't left much of it, though.” + +Mr. Parker looked quickly up from the rocks at which he was tapping with +his small hammer. “You have terrific lightning up here,” he said. “I am +much interested in it, from a scientific standpoint. I predict that some +day the entire mountain will be destroyed by a blast from the sky.” + +“I hope it won't be right away,” spoke one of the men. “Now I guess you +folks had better be leaving while there's a path left to go down by.” + +“Might I ask,” broke in Mr. Parker, as calmly as though he was lecturing +to a class of students, “might I ask if you have noticed any peculiar +effect of the lightning up here on the summit of the mountain? Does it +fuse and melt rocks, so to speak?” + +“What's that?” cried the spokesman, with a sudden flash of anger. The +two men looked at each other. + +“I wanted to know, merely for scientific reasons, whether the lightning +up here ever melted rocks?” repeated Mr. Jenks. + +“Well, whether it's for scientific reasons or for any other, I'm not +going to answer you!” snapped the man. “It's none of your affair what +the lightning does up here. Now you'd all better 'vamoose'--clear out!” + +“All right--we'll go,” said Tom, quickly, at the same time motioning to +Mr. Jenks to agree with him. The eyes of the young inventor were +roving about. He saw what looked like a second trail, leading down the +mountain, from the far side of the cave. He was convinced now that there +was another way to get to it. Possibly they might find it. At any rate +nothing more could be done now. They must go back, for the cavern was +too well guarded to attempt to enter it by force--at least just yet. + +“Yes, we'll go back,” assented Mr. Jenks. + +Mr. Parker was tapping away at the rocks. He looked toward the black +mouth of the big cave. On what corresponded to the roof of it, some +distance back from the entrance, he saw a slender metal rod sticking up +into the air. + +“May I ask if that's a lightning rod?” he inquired innocently. “If +it is, I should like to ask about its action in a mountain that is so +impregnated with iron ore. + +“You may ask until you get tired!” cried the spokesman, again showing +unreasoning anger, “but you'll get no answer from us. Now get away from +here before we do something desperate. You're on private ground and +you're not wanted. Clear out while you have the chance.” + +There was no help for it. Slowly our friends turned and began to go +down the dangerous trail. They were soon out of sight of the two men who +stood before the cave, with their guns ready, but neither Tom nor any of +his companions spoke for some time. + +When they had rounded one of the most dangerous turns the young inventor +sat down to rest, an example followed by the others. + +“Well,” asked Tom, “do you think those are some of the diamond makers, +Mr. Jenks?” + +“I certainly do, though I never saw those two men before. If I could +once get inside the cave, I could tell whether or not it was the one +where I was practically held a prisoner. But I'm sure it is. I know some +of the men used to go off every day with guns, and not come back until +night. I have no doubt they were on guard, just as these two are. And, +also, I think I heard them speak of a second entrance to the cavern. The +one we just saw may not be the main one, through which I was taken.” + +“I believe we are on the right track,” ventured Mr. Damon, “but we will +either have to go up there after dark, which will be risky, on account +of the narrow trail, or else we will have to find some other path.” + +“The last would be better,” spoke Tom. + +“That rod of metal sticking up on top of the cave interested me,” said +the scientist. “Did you hear anything of that when you were here before, +Mr. Jenks?” + +“No. Probably that is only a lightning rod, or it may be a staff for a +signal flag. But what surprises me is that those men didn't suspect +that we were seeking to discover their secret. They took us for ordinary +prospectors.” + +“So much the better,” remarked Tom. “We have a chance now of getting +inside that cave. But we will have to go back to camp, and make other +plans. And we must hurry, or it will be dark before we get there.” + +They hastened their steps, pausing only briefly to eat some of the lunch +they had brought along, and to drink from a spring that bubbled from the +side of the mountain. It was getting dusk when they got back to their +tent. They found nothing disturbed. + +“I wonder if we'll see that phantom again to-night?” ventured Tom, as +they were sitting about the campfire a little later. + +“Probably not,” remarked Mr. Jenks. “I don't believe the ghost will +venture down the dangerous trail after dark, and the gang may think +that the warning given us by the two men on guard at the cave will be +sufficient. But if we don't leave here by to-morrow I think we will have +another visit from the thing in white.” + +It was about an hour after this when Tom was collecting some wood in a +pile nearer the fire, so as to have it ready to throw on, in case there +was any alarm in the night, that he happened to look up toward the +summit of the mountain. A slight noise, as of loose stones rolling down, +attracted his attention, and, at first, he feared lest another landslide +was beginning, but a moment later he saw what caused it. + +There, advancing down the steep and dangerous trail was the figure +in white--the phantom. Instantly a daring plan came into Tom's head. +Dropping the wood softly, he moved back out of the glare of the fire. + +“Mr. Jenks!” he called in a whisper. + +The diamond man, who was behind the tent, came toward Tom. + +“What is it?” he asked. Then, as he saw the ghostly visitor, he added: +“Oh--the phantom again! What's it up to?” + +“The same thing,” replied Tom, “but it won't do it long, if my plan +succeeds.” + +“What plan is that, Tom?” + +“I'm going to try to capture that--that man--or whatever it is. Will you +help?” + +“Surely!” + +“Then let's work around behind it, while Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker come +up from in front. We'll solve this part of the mystery, anyhow, if it's +possible!” + +The two other men were soon told of the plan. Meanwhile the thing in +white had advanced slowly, until within a few hundred feet of the camp. +They could see now that it was no shaft of light, but some white body, +shaped like a tall, thin man, draped in a white garment. The long arms +waved to and fro. There was no semblance of a head. + +“You and Mr. Parker go right toward it, slowly, Mr. Damon,” advised +Tom. “Mr. Jenks and I will make a circle, and get in back. Then, if it's +anything alive we'll have it.” + +The “ghost” continued to advance. Tom and the diamond man stole off to +one side, their buckskin moccasins making no sound. Mr. Damon and the +scientist went boldly forward. + +This movement appeared to disconcert the spirit. It halted, waved the +arms with greater vigor than before, and seemed to indicate to the +adventurers that it was dangerous to advance. But Mr. Damon and Mr. +Parker kept on. They wanted to give Tom and Mr. Jenks time enough to +make the circuit. + +Suddenly the stillness of the night was broken by a low whistle. It was +Tom's signal that he and Mr. Jenks were ready. + +“Come on! Run!” cried Mr. Damon. + +The scientist and the eccentric man leaped forward. + +The “ghost” heard the whistle, and heard the spoken words. The thing in +white hesitated a moment, and then raised one arm. There was a flash of +fire, and a loud report. + +“He's firing in the air!” cried Tom. “Come on, we have him now!” + +Undaunted by the display of firearms, Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker kept on. +They could hear Tom and Mr. Jenks running up in back of the figure. +The latter also heard this, and suddenly turned. Caught between the two +forces of our friends, the “ghost” was at a loss what to do. + +The next instant Tom, who had distanced Mr. Jenks, made a flying tackle +for the figure in white, and caught it around the legs. Very substantial +legs they were, too, Tom felt--the legs of a man. + +“Wow!” yelled the “ghost,” as he went down in a heap, the revolver +falling from his hand. + +“Come on!” cried Tom. “I have him!” + +His friends rushed to his aid. There was a confused mass of dark bodies, +arms and legs mingled with something tall and thin, all in white. +Suddenly the moon came from behind a cloud and they could see what they +had captured--for captured the phantom was. + +It proved to be a rather small man, who wore upon his shoulders a +framework of wood, over which some white cloth was draped. It had fallen +off him when Tom made that tackle. + +“Well,” remarked the young inventor, as he sat on the struggling man's +chest. “I guess we've got you.” + +“I rather guess you have, stranger,” was the cool reply. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII--BILL RENSHAW WILL HELP + + +They were all panting from the exertion of the run up the mountain and +the contest with the phantom--a phantom no longer--though, truth to +tell, the struggle was not nearly so fierce as Tom had expected. He +thought the “ghost” would put up a stiff fight. + +“Got any ropes to tie him with?” asked Mr. Damon, who was helping Tom +hold the man down. + +“Ropes? You aren't going to tie me up are you, strangers?” asked the +captive. + +“That's what we are!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. “We've had trouble enough in +this matter, and if I've got one of the gang, perhaps I can get some of +the others, and have my rights. So tie him up, Tom, and we'll take him +to camp. + +“Oh, you needn't go to all that trouble, strangers,” went on the man, +calmly. “If one of you will get off my chest, and the other gentleman +ease up on my stomach a bit, I'll walk wherever you want me, and not +make any trouble. I haven't got a gun.” + +“Bless my gloves! But you're a cool one,” commented Mr. Damon, as he +complied with the man's request, and got up from his stomach. “But look +out for him, Tom. He had a gun, for he fired it in the air.” + +“He hasn't it now,” answered the young inventor. “I knocked it from his +hand when I leaped for him.” + +“That's what you did,” assented the man, as he got up, while Tom kept a +tight hold of him, as did Mr. Jenks. “What kind of a grizzly bear hug do +you call that, anyhow, that you gave me?” + +“That was a football tackle,” explained Tom. + +“I allers heard that was a dangerous game!” remarked the former phantom +simply. “Well, now you've got me, what are you going to do with me?” + +“Take you where we can have a good look at you,” replied Mr. Jenks, as +he kicked aside the wooden framework, and the sheet which had made the +“ghost” appear so tall. “So this is how you worked it; eh?” + +“Yep. That was the 'haunt' stranger. I made it myself, and it worked all +right until you folks come along. I rather suspicioned from the first, +when I played the trick over on 'tother side of the mountain, that you +wouldn't be so easy to fool as most prospectors are.” + +“Oh, so you're the only ghost then?” asked Tom. + +“I'm the only one.” + +By this time they had reached the camp. Tom threw some light logs on the +fire, which blazed up brightly. As the flames illuminated the face of +their captive, Mr. Jenks looked at him, and cried out: + +“Why it's Bill Renshaw!” + +“That's me,” admitted the man who had played the part of the phantom, +“and thunder-turtles! if it ain't Mr. Jenks who was once in the diamond +cave with us. Whatever happened to you? I never heard. The others said +you got tired and went away.” + +“They took me away--defrauded me of my rights!” declared Mr. Jenks, +bitterly. “But I'll get them back! To think of Bill Renshaw playing the +part of a ghost!” + +“They made me do it,” went on the man, somewhat dejectedly. “I wanted to +be at work in the cave, but they wouldn't let me.” + +“Is this man one of the diamond makers?” asked Tom, in great surprise. + +“He is--one of the helpers, though I don't believe he knows the secret +of making the gems,” explained Mr. Jenks. “He was one of the men in the +cave when I was there before, and he and I struck up quite a friendship; +didn't we, Renshaw?” + +“That's what, and there ain't no reason why we can't be friends now; +that is unless you hold a grudge against me for firing at you. But I +only shot in the air, to scare you away. Them's my instructions. I'm +supposed to be on guard, and scare away strangers. I'm tired of the +work, too, for I don't get my share, and those other fellows, in the +cave, get all the money from the diamonds.” + +Tom Swift uttered an exclamation. A sudden plan had come to him. Quickly +he whispered to Mr. Jenks: + +“Make a friend of this man if possible. He evidently is dissatisfied. +Offer him a sum to show us another way into the cave, and we may yet +discover the secret of the diamond makers.” + +“I will,” declared Mr. Jenks, quietly. Then, turning to Renshaw, he +added: + +“Bill, come over here. I want to have a talk with you. Perhaps it will +be to our mutual advantage.” + +He led the former phantom to one side, and for some time conversed +earnestly with him. Mr. Jenks told the story of how he had been deceived +by Folwell and the others who were at the head of the gang of diamond +makers. The rich man related how they had taken his money, and, after +promising to disclose the secret process to him, had broken faith, and +had drugged him, afterward taking him out of the cave. + +“I want only my rights, and that for which I paid,” concluded Mr. Jenks. +“Now, I gather that these men haven't treated you altogether fairly, +Bill.” + +“Indeed they haven't. I helped 'em to the best of my ability, and all +I get out of it is to stay out on this lonely side of the mountain, +and play ghost. They owe me money, too, and they won't pay me, either, +though they have lots, for they sold some diamonds lately.” + +“Then they are still making diamonds?” asked Mr. Jenks, eagerly. “Have +you seen them? Do you know the secret?” + +“No, I don't know it, for they won't let me in on it. I'm always sent +out of the cave just before they make the gems. But I know they've made +some lately, and have sold 'em. I want my share.” + +“Look here!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks, quickly, wishing to strike while the +iron was hot. “I'll make you a proposition. Show us how to get into that +cave, unknown to the diamond makers, and I'll pay you twice what they +agreed to. Is it a bargain?” + +Bill Renshaw considered a moment. Then he thrust out his hand, clasped +that of Mr. Jenks, and exclaimed: + +“It is. I'll take you into the cave by an entrance that's seldom used. +There are four ways to get in. The one where the two men drove you back +is the rear one. The front one is on the other side of the mountain, but +it's so well concealed that you'd never find it. But I can take you to +one where you can get in, and those fellows will never know it. And, +what's more, I'll help you if it comes to a fight!” + +“Good!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. “I think we'll discover the secret of the +diamond makers this time,” and he went to tell the others of the success +of his talk. Bill Renshaw had been converted from an enemy into a +friend, and the former phantom was now ready to lead Tom and the others +into the secret cave. + +“We'll start in the morning,” decided Mr. Jenks, who, after many +disappointments, at last saw success ahead of him. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX--IN THE SECRET CAVE + + +Tom Swift was up at break of day, and the others were not far behind +him. + +“Now for the secret cave!” cried the young inventor as he gazed up +the mountain, in the interior of which the mysterious band of men were +making the diamonds. + +“Have you made any plans, Bill?” asked Mr. Jenks of the former phantom, +who had cast his lot in with the adventurers. “What will be the best +course for us to follow?” + +“You just leave it to me, Mr. Jenks,” was the answer. “I'll get you into +the cave, and those fellows, who, I believe, are trying to do me out of +my rights, as they did you out of yours, will never know a thing about +it.” + +“Bless my finger-nails!” cried Mr. Damon. “That will be great! We can +get in the cave, and watch them make the diamonds at our leisure.” + +“They don't make them every day,” explained Renshaw. “It seems they +have to wait for certain occasions. Mostly they make the diamonds when +there's a big storm.” + +“A big storm,” asked the scientist with a sudden show of interest. +“Do you mean one of those electrical storms, such as we had the other +night?” + +“That's it, Mr. Parker, though why they wait until there's a storm is +more than I can tell.” + +“Perhaps they know that on such occasions no one will venture up the +mountain,” spoke Mr. Damon. + +“No, it isn't that,” declared the scientist. “I think I am on the +track of a great scientific discovery, and I will soon be able to make +observations that will confirm it.” + +“Well, I'm going to make an observation right now,” said Tom, with a +laugh. “I'm going to see what there is for breakfast.” + +“And that reminds me,” came from Mr. Jenks, “shall we move our camp, +Bill, and take the tent with us to the cave?” + +“I hardly think so,” was the answer. “I think the best plan would be to +conceal the tent somewhere around here, in case you might need it again. +You can also store what food you have left.” + +“But, bless my appetite, we don't want to starve in that diamond cave!” + objected Mr. Damon. + +“I'll see that you don't,” declared Bill Renshaw. “I'll take you in +there, unbeknownst to those fellows, and I'll provide you with plenty +of food and water. You see the cave is so big that there are some parts +they never visit.” + +“And we can stay in one of those parts, and eat?” asked Tom. + +“Sure,” answered Bill. + +“And watch the diamond makers at work?” asked Mr. Jenks. + +“That's it,” replied the former phantom. + +“Then the sooner we get started the better,” remarked Mr. Damon. Mr. +Parker said nothing. He appeared to be thinking deeply, and was tapping +at some rocks with his little hammer. + +The advice of Bill Renshaw was followed, and the tent, and what food +remained, was concealed in the bushes, with rocks piled over to keep +away prowling animals. Then they started for the secret cave. + +The man who played the part of a ghost picked up the framework and white +cloth that had formed his disguise. + +“I'll still have to use this,” he explained, “for I don't want those +fellows to know that I'm helping you. I'll continue to play the spirit +of the mountain, but there won't be much need of it. I don't think any +more people will come prospecting out here.” + +“Have you heard of the arrival of Farley Munson?” asked Tom, as he +related the facts about the stowaway. + +“He hadn't arrived up to a day or so ago,” answered Bill. “I guess he's +still traveling. Farley is one of the heads of the gang,” he added, “and +a dangerous man.” + +As Bill led the way toward the cave, taking a route that the adventurers +had never suspected led to it, he explained that the cavern was a large +one, capable of holding an army. + +“But there's only a small part of it used by the diamond makers,” he +added. “They work in a small recess, near the summit of the mountain. +The little cave, where I'm going to take you, opens off from it by a +long passage. And, except that you'll be pretty much in the dark, you'll +be quite comfortable. There are tables, chairs, and some bunks in the +place. I can get you some lights, and plenty of food.” + +“But, if you are seen taking away food, won't the others suspect +something?” asked Tom. + +“I do pretty much as I please,” said Bill. “I go and come when I like. +All I'm supposed to do is to watch my two sides of the mountain, play +the ghost, and give warning when any one is coming. Sometimes I leave +black and white messages, like the one I put on your tent. Those fellows +fix 'em up for me. I've told 'em about you, though I didn't know who you +were, and they think you have gone, for the two men on guard at the rear +entrance so reported. Sometimes I stay out on the mountain for a couple +of days at a time, when the weather's good, and don't go back to the +cave. Those times I take food with me, and so if they see me making off +with some supplies they'll think I'm going to camp out.” + +“It doesn't look as though we'd ever get into a cave near the top of the +mountain, going this way,” said Tom, as they marched along. “We're going +down, instead of up.” + +“That's the secret of this trail,” explained Bill. “We go down in a +sort of valley, and then go up a pretty stiff place, and then we're on +a direct trail to the entrance I told you about. It's a steep road to +climb, but I guess we can manage it.” + +And a hard climb the adventurers did find it. The road was almost as bad +as the one along the edge of the chasm, but they managed to negotiate +it, and finally found themselves on a fairly good trail. + +“We'll soon be there,” Bill assured them. “After you get in the little +cave, where I'm going to hide you, I'll have to leave you for a spell, +until I get my ghost rigging fixed up again. But I'll see that you have +plenty of food and drink.” + +A little later their guide came to a sudden halt, and peered around +anxiously. + +“What's the matter?” asked Tom. + +“I was just looking to see if any of the men were about,” he answered. +“But I guess not--it looks all right. The entrance is right here.” + +They were on a side of the mountain, near the summit. Below stretched a +magnificent scene. A great valley lay at their feet, and they could look +off to many distant peaks. The main trail to Leadville, and the one to +the settlement of Indian Ridge, was in sight. + +Suddenly Tom, who had been using a small but powerful telescope, uttered +an exclamation, and focussed the instrument on a speck that seemed +moving along on the trail below. + +“A man--coming up the mountain,” cried Tom. “And--it can't be--yet it +is--it's Farley Munson--the stowaway!” he cried. “He's coming here!” + +“Let me look!” begged Mr. Jenks, taking the glass from Tom. An instant +later the diamond man exclaimed: “Yes, it's Munson!” + +“Then in here with you--quick!” cried Renshaw. “He can't see us yet, and +we'll be out of sight in another minute.” + +The former spirit pulled aside some thick bushes, and pointed to a hole +which was disclosed. + +“The entrance to the secret cave,” he announced. “Slip in all of you.” + +Tom, after another glance at the man toiling his way up the mountain, +entered the cavern. He was followed by the others. Bill was the last to +enter, and he replaced the bushes over the entrance. + +“At last!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks, as he gazed up at the roof of the +dimly-lighted vault in which they found themselves. + +“Yes, we're in the diamond makers' secret cave,” added Tom. “Now to +catch them at work!” + +“Come on,” advised Bill, in a low tone, “We're not safe yet,” and he +produced a lantern from some hidden recess, lighted the wick, and led +the way. As the others followed they were aware of a subdued noise in +the great cavern. + + + + +CHAPTER XX--MAKING THE DIAMONDS + + +“What's that noise?” asked Tom, as their guide flashed the lantern to +show them the way. + +“That's the men getting ready to make diamonds, I guess,” was the +answer. “You see it takes quite a while to get the stuff ready. I don't +know what they use--they never tell me any of their secrets.” + +“Oh, I know the ingredients well enough,” said Mr. Jenks, “but I +don't know the secret of how they apply the terrific heat and pressure +necessary to fuse the materials into diamonds.” + +“Well, you'll soon know,” declared Bill Renshaw. “Of course it isn't +always successful. I've known 'em to try half a dozen times before they +got any diamonds big enough to satisfy 'em. They gave me some of the +small ones when I asked for my wages. + +“How did you come to get in with these men?” asked Tom, curious to +understand how a person seemingly as honest as Renshaw appeared to be +had cast his lot in with the men who had broken faith with Mr. Jenks. + +“Oh, I've lived around these parts all my life,” was the answer. “I knew +of this cave before these diamond fellers came to it. In fact, I +showed it to 'em. It was several years ago that a party of men who were +prospecting around here came to me and asked if I knew of a small cave +near the top of a high mountain, where lightning storms were frequent. +I told them about Phantom Mountain, as it was called then, and also of +this cave. If there's any place where they have worse lightning storms +than here, I'd like to know it. They scare me, sometimes, like the night +when that landslide happened, and I'm sort of used to 'em. + +“Well, I took these men to the cave, and they hired me as a sort of +lookout. Then they began their work, and at first I didn't know what +they were up to, but finally I caught on. Then Mr. Jenks came, and +disappeared mysteriously, though then I didn't know that they had played +a trick on him. I was outside most of the time, pretending I was the +ghost. So that's how I came to get in with 'em, and I wish I was out.” + +“You soon will be, I think,” declared Mr. Jenks. “But won't our talking +be heard by the men?” + +“No danger. There is a thick wall between this part of the cave, and the +part where they live and work. I'll soon have you well hid, and then you +wait until I come back.” + +“What about Munson?” asked Tom. “He is evidently on his way here to tell +his confederates about us.” + +“He won't know what has happened to us,” said Mr. Jenks, “and he won't +see anything of us. I guess we're safe enough.” + +Through the dark passage they followed Bill Renshaw until he came to a +halt in a place that suddenly widened and broadened into a good-sized +cave. + +“Here's your stopping place,” said the former ghost. “Now if you follow +that passage, off to the left,” and he pointed to it, “you'll come +to the larger part of the cave where the diamond makers are. But go +cautiously, and don't make any noise. I won't be responsible for what +happens.” + +“We'll take all the risk,” interrupted Tom. + +“All right. Now there's a couple of lanterns around here. I'll light +them, and leave you for a while until I can get some grub. I'll be back +as soon as I can.” + +He glided away, after lighting two lanterns, by the gleams of which +the adventurers could see that they were in a vaulted cavern that had +evidently been fitted up as a living apartment. The sides, roof and +floor were of stone. It was clean, and the air was fresh. There were +some chairs, a table, and several cots, with pieces of bagging for +bedding, though it was warm in the place. + +“I guess we can stay here until we discover the secret,” spoke Tom. + +“Bless my watch! We can if we have something to eat,” came from Mr. +Damon, with something like a sigh. “I'm hungry!” + +“And I want to make some observations,” said Mr. Parker. “From what I +have seen of this mountain, I would not be surprised if this cave was +to be suddenly destroyed by a landslide or a lightning bolt. I will make +some further investigations.” + +“Well, if it's going to cause you to make such gloomy prophecies as +that, I'd just as soon you wouldn't look any further,” spoke Tom, in +a low voice. But Mr. Parker, taking one of the lanterns, set about +examining the rock of which the cave consisted. + +In a short time Bill Renshaw returned with enough food to last for two +days. He said he was going out on the mountain once more to act the part +of a lookout, and would visit the adventurers again the next day. + +“In the meanwhile you can do just as you please,” he said. “Nobody is +likely to disturb you here, and you can sneak up and take a look at the +men in the other cave whenever you're ready. Only be careful--that's all +I've got to say. They're desperate men.” + +It was not very pleasant, eating in the gloomy cavern, but they made the +best of it. They cooked on a small oil-stove they found in the place, +and after some hot coffee they felt much better. + +“Well,” remarked Tom, after a while, “shall we take a chance, and go +look at the men at work?” + +“I think so,” answered Mr. Jenks. “The sooner we discover this mystery, +the better. Then we can go back home.” + +“And recover my airship,” added Tom, who was a bit uneasy regarding the +safety of the Red Cloud. + +“Then, bless my finger-rings! let's go and see if we can find the big +cave your friend the ghost told us of,” suggested Mr. Damon. + +Cautiously they made their way along the passage Bill had pointed out. +As they went forward the subdued noise became louder, and finally they +could feel the vibration of machinery. + +“This is the place,” whispered Mr. Jenks. “That sound we hear is one of +the mixing machines, for grinding the materials--carbon and the other +substances--which go to make up the diamonds. I remember hearing that +when I was in the cave before.” + +“Then we must be near the place,” observed Tom. + +“Yes, but I didn't have much chance to look around when I was here +before. They wouldn't let me. I never even knew of the small cave Bill +took us to.” + +“Well, if we're close to it, we'd better go cautiously, and not talk any +more than we're obliged to,” suggested Mr. Parker, and they agreed that +this was good advice. + +They walked on softly. Suddenly Tom, who was in the lead, saw a gleam of +light. + +“We're here,” he whispered. “I'll put out our lantern, now,” which he +did. Then, stealing forward he and the others beheld a curious sight. +The tunnel they were in ended at a small hole which opened into a large +cavern, and, fortunately, this opening was concealed from the view of +those in the main place. + +“The diamond makers!” whispered Tom, hoarsely, pointing to several men +grouped about a number of strange machines. + +“Yes--the very place where I was,” answered Mr. Jenks, “and there is the +apparatus--the steel box--from which the diamonds are taken--now to see +how they make them.” + +Fascinated, the adventurers looked into the cave. The men there were +unaware of the presence of our friends, and were busily engaged. Some +attended to the grinding machine, the roar and clatter of which made +it possible for Tom and the others to talk and move about without being +overheard. Into this machine certain ingredients were put, and they were +then pulverized, and taken out in powdery form. + +The power to run the mixing machine was a gasoline motor, which +chug-chugged away in one corner of the cave. + +As the powder was taken out, other men fashioned it into small balls, +which were put on pan, and into a sort of oven, that was heated by a +gasoline stove. + +“Is that how they make the diamonds?” asked Mr. Damon. + +“That is evidently the first step,” said Mr. Jenks. “Those balls of +powdered chemicals are partly baked, and then they are put into the +steel box. In some way terrific heat and pressure are applied, and the +diamonds are made. But how the heat and pressure are obtained is what we +have yet to learn.” + +He paused to watch the men at work. They were all busy, some attending +to the machines, and others coming and going in and out of the cave. In +one part a man was apparently getting ready a meal. + +Suddenly there rushed into the cave a man who seemed much excited. + +“Are you nearly ready with that stuff?” he cried. “There's a good storm +gathering on the mountain!” + +“Yes, we'll be ready in half an hour,” answered one of the men at the +mixing machine. + +“Good. It will be flashing lightning bolts then, and we can see what +luck we have. The last batch was a failure.” The man hurried out again. +Mr. Parker touched Tom and Mr. Jenks on their shoulders. + +“What is it?” asked Tom. + +“I know the secret of making the diamonds,” said the scientist. + +“What?” cried Mr. Jenks. + +“It is by the awful power of the lightning bolts!” whispered Mr. Parker. +“Everything is explained now--the reason why they make diamonds in this +lonely place, near the top of the mountain. They need a place where the +lightning is powerful. I can understand it now--I suspected it before. +They make diamonds by lightning!” + +“Are you sure?” cried Mr. Jenks. + +“Positive.” + +“I agree with you,” said Tom Swift. “I was just getting on that track +myself, when I saw the electric wires running to the steel box. That +explains the upright rod on the top of the mountain. The man says +a storm is coming--very well; we'll stay here and watch them make +diamonds!” + +As he spoke there came the mutter of thunder, and the mountain vibrated +slightly. The men in the cave redoubled their activity. Tom and his +friends felt that the secret process they had so long sought was about +to be demonstrated before their eyes. + + + +CHAPTER XXI--FLASHING GEMS + + +Eagerly the adventurers looked through the opening at the end of the +passage into the larger cave. The men opened the small oven in which the +balls of white chemicals and carbon mixed, had been baked, and a pile of +things, that looked like irregularly-shaped marbles, were placed in the +steel box. + +This box, which was about the size of a trunk, was of massive metal. It +was placed in a recess in the solid rock, and all about were layers of +asbestos and other substances that were nonconductors of heat. + +“That box becomes red hot,” exclaimed Mr. Jenks, in a whisper. “When +things are in readiness, that lever is pulled and the diamonds are +made. I pulled it once, but I did not then know the process involved. I +supposed that the lightning had nothing to do with making the diamonds.” + +“It has--a most important part,” said Mr. Parker. The hidden adventurers +could talk in perfect safety now, for the men in the large cave were too +excited to pay much attention to them. The muttering of the thunder +grew louder, and at times a particularly loud crash told that a bolt had +struck somewhere in the vicinity of the cave. + +“But, bless my watch-charm!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, “I didn't know +lightning made diamonds.” + +“It does not--always,” went on the scientist. “But great heat and +pressure are necessary to create the gems. In nature this was probably +obtained by prehistoric volcanic fires, and by the terrific pressure of +immense rocks. It is possible to make diamonds in the laboratory of the +chemist, but they are so minute as to be practically valueless. + +“However, these men seem to have hit upon a new plan. They utilize the +terrific heat of lightning, and the pressure which is instantaneously +obtained when the bolt strikes. I am anxious to see how it is done. +Look, I think they are getting ready to make the gems.” + +Indeed there seemed to be an air of expectancy among the diamond makers. +The mixing machine had now been stopped, and, as it was more quiet +in the cave, our friends, in their hiding-place, had to speak in mere +whispers. All the men were now gathered about the great steel box. + +This receptacle had been closed by a solid metal door, which was screwed +and clamped tight. Then one of the men examined a number of heavily +insulated electric wires that extended from the box off into the +darkness where Tom and his companions could not discern them. + +“That's Folwell--the man I befriended, and who got me into this game,” + whispered Mr. Jenks. “He was also one of the first to turn against me. I +think he's one of the leaders.” + +Folwell came back, after having gone into a dark part of the cave. He +went over to an electrical switch on one of the stone walls. + +“It's almost time,” Tom heard him say to his confederates. “The storm is +coming up rapidly.” + +“Will it be severe enough?” asked one of the helpers. “We had all our +work for nothing last time. The flashes weren't heavy enough.” + +“These will be,” asserted Folwell. “The indicator shows nearly a million +volts now, and it's increasing.” + +“A million volts!” exclaimed Tom. “I hope it doesn't strike anywhere +around here.” + +“Oh, it will probably be harmlessly conducted down on the heavy wires,” + said Mr. Parker. “We are in no danger, at present, though ultimately I +expect to see the whole mountain shattered by a lightning bolt.” + +“Cheerful prospect,” murmured Tom. + +There was a terrific crash outside. The rocky floor of the cave +trembled. + +“Here she comes!” cried Folwell. “Get back, everybody! I'm going to +throw over the switch now!” + +The men retreated well away from the steel box. Folwell threw over the +lever--the same one Mr. Jenks remembered pulling. Then the man ran +to the electric switch on the wall, and snapped that into place, +establishing a connection. + +There was a moment's pause, as Folwell ran to join the others in their +place of safety. Then from without there came a most nerve-racking and +terrifying crash. It seemed as if the very mountain would be rent into +fragments. + +Watching with eager eyes, the adventurers saw sparks flash from the +steel box. Instantly it became red hot, and then glowed white and +incandescent. It was almost at the melting point. + +Then came comparative quiet, as the echoes of the thunder died away amid +the mountain peaks. + +“I guess that did the trick!” cried Folwell. “It was a terrific crash +all right!” + +He and the others ran forward. The steel box was now a cherry red, +for it was cooling. Folwell threw back the lever, and another man +disconnected the switch. There was a period of waiting until the box was +cool enough to open. Then the heavy door was swung back. + +With a long iron rod Folwell drew something from the retort. It was the +tray which had held the white balls. But they were white no longer, for +they had been turned into diamonds. From their hiding-place Tom and the +others could see the flashing gems, for, in spite of the fact that the +diamonds were uncut, some of them sparkled most brilliantly, due to the +peculiar manner in which they were made. + +“We have the secret of the diamonds!” whispered Mr. Jenks. “There must +be a quart of the gems there!” + +The men gathered about Folwell, uttering exclamations of delight. The +diamonds were too hot to handle yet. + +“That's going some!” exclaimed the chief of the diamond makers. “We have +a small fortune here.” + +The was a sudden commotion at one end of the cave. A man rushed in. At +the sight of him Tom stared and uttered an exclamation. + +“Munson--the stowaway!” he whispered. + +“Hello!” cried Folwell, as he saw his confederate. “I thought you were +East, keeping Jenks away from here.” + +“He got the best of me!” cried Munson, “he and that Tom Swift! I stowed +away on their airship, but they found me out by a wireless message, +and marooned me in the woods. I've been trying to get here ever since! +Didn't you get my messages of warning?” + +“No--what warnings?” cried Folwell. + +“About Jenks, Tom Swift and the others. They're here--they must be on +Phantom Mountain now. In fact, I shouldn't be surprised if they were in +this cave. I traced them to their camp, but they're gone. They may be +among us now--in some of the secret recesses!” + +For an instant Folwell stared at the bearer of these tidings. Then he +cried out: + +“Scatter men, and find these fellows! We must get them before they +discover our secret!” + +“It's too late--we know it!” exulted Tom Swift. Then he whispered to +the others to hurry to the part of the cave where Bill Renshaw had first +hidden them. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII--PRISONERS + + +“Do you think there is any danger of them finding us?” asked Mr. Damon, +as he hurried along beside Tom. + +“I'm afraid so,” was the answer. “I've been worried ever since we saw +Munson heading this way. But we couldn't do any differently.” + +“Perhaps Bill Renshaw may be able to conceal us,” suggested Mr. Jenks. +“Very likely he knows that Munson is on hand. Perhaps we will be safe +for a while. I want to make a few more observations as to how they +manufacture the diamonds, and then, with what I already know, I'll have +the secret.” + +“And I'd like to make some scientific tests of the sides and bottom +rocks of the cave,” spoke Mr. Parker. “I think it will bear out my +theory that the mountain will soon be destroyed.” + +“Well, you were right about Earthquake Island, and you may be right +about this mountain,” said Tom, “but if it is going to be annihilated I +hope we get far enough away from it.” + +“We can keep our presence here a secret for a few more days, I think +that will be long enough,” proceeded Mr. Jenks. “Then we will leave.” + +“And, in the meanwhile, they'll be searching for us,” objected Mr. +Damon. “I wish that ghost-chap would come back and tell us what to do. +Bless my liver-pin, but we are going to be in considerable danger, I'm +afraid! Those men may capture us, and decide to make diamond dust from +us.” + +“Come on--hurry to the little cave,” urged Tom. “Then we'll get ready to +defend ourselves.” + +“The main cave is a large one,” said Mr. Jenks, “and there are many +hiding places in it. In fact, it is so large that it will take those +fellows several days to complete a circuit of it. By that time Bill +Renshaw may come back, and take us to some place in which they have +already searched for us. Then we'll be comparatively safe.” + +This thought was some consolation to them, as they made their way +through the dark passage, dimly illuminated by the lantern they had +rekindled, to the place where Bill had hidden them. They found things +as they had left them, and proceeded to get a meal, though Tom said it +would be best not to cook anything, or even to make coffee, for fear the +odors would enable the searchers to trail them. + +So they ate cold food, glad to get that. Silently they sat about the +dimly-lighted cavern, and discussed the situation. True they might even +now retreat, going out of the entrance Bill had showed them, and so +escape. But Mr. Jenks felt that his mission was not completed yet, and +they all agreed to stay with him. + +“For there are several points about making diamonds that are not +quite clear to me,” he said. “I need to know how that steel box is +constructed, how the electrical switches are arranged, what kind of +lightning rods they use, and how they regulate the pressure. The other +things, and how to mix the ingredients, I already know.” + +“Then we'll do our best to help you,” promised Tom. “But now I think we +had better see what sort of a defense we can put up. We have our guns +and revolvers, and with these chairs and tables we can build a sort of +barricade behind which we can take refuge if those fellows do discover +our hiding place.” + +This was conceded to be a good idea, and soon a rude sort of fort was +made, behind which the adventurers could take their stand and fight, if +necessary, though they hoped this would not come to pass. + +They remained quietly in the cave the remainder of that day, and, when +it was night, as they could tell by their timepieces--there was no +daylight--they divided the hours into watches, taking turns standing +guard. + +Morning, at least in point of time, came without any disturbance, and +they made a cold breakfast. They hoped that Bill Renshaw would come, but +he did not appear. + +After sitting in the dark cave until afternoon, Tom said: + +“I think we might as well go and take another observation of the big +cave. We can tell what the men are doing, then, for they don't seem to +have been near us. Maybe they have given up the search for us, and we +can see them at work, and Mr. Jenks can gain what further knowledge he +needs.” + +“That will be a good plan,” agreed the diamond man. “It's maddening to +sit here, doing nothing.” + +“And it will be comparatively safe to go from here to our former post of +observation,” added Tom, “for there doesn't seem to be any opening along +the tunnel, into the larger cave, except the place where we were.” + +Accordingly they started off. Cautiously they looked through the opening +into the apartment where they had seen the diamonds made. + +“There's not a soul here!” exclaimed Tom, in a whisper. The others +looked. The place was deserted--the machinery silent. Mr. Jenks peered +in for a moment, and then exclaimed: + +“I'm going in! Now's my chance to find out all that I wish to know! It +may never come again, and then we can soon leave Phantom Mountain!” + +It was a daring plan, but it seemed to be the best one to follow. They +were all tired of inactivity. Mr. Jenks managed to get through the +opening, and dropped into the big cave. The others followed. Mr. Jenks +hurried over to the steel box, and began an examination of it. Tom Swift +was looking at the electrical switch. He saw how it was constructed. Mr. +Damon and Mr. Parker were peering interestedly about. + +Suddenly the sound of voices was heard, and the echo of footsteps. Mr. +Jenks started. + +“They're coming back!” he whispered hoarsely. “Run!” + +They all turned and sped toward their hiding place. But they were too +late. An instant later Folwell, Munson and the other diamond makers +confronted them. Our friends made a bold rush, but were caught before +they could go ten feet. + +“We have them!” cried Munson. “They walked right into our hands!” + +It was true. Tom Swift and the others were the prisoners of the diamond +makers. + + + +CHAPTER XXIII--BROKEN BONDS + + +“Well,” remarked Tom Swift, in mournful tones, “this looks as if we were +up against it; doesn't it?” + +“Bless my umbrella, it certainly does,” agreed Mr. Damon. + +“And it's all my fault,” said Mr. Jenks. “I shouldn't have gone into the +big cave. I might have known those men would come back any time.” + +The above conversation took place as our friends lay securely bound in +a small cave, or recess, opening from the larger cavern, where, about +an hour before, they had been captured and made prisoners by the diamond +makers. Despite their struggles they had been overpowered and bound, +being carried to the cave, where they were laid in a row on some old +bags. + +“It certainly is a most unpleasant situation, to say the least,” + observed Mr. Parker. + +“And all my fault,” repeated Mr. Jenks. + +“Oh, no it isn't,” declared Tom Swift, quickly. “We were just as ready +to follow you into that cave as you were to go. No one could tell that +the men would return so soon. It's nobody's fault. It's just our bad +luck.” + +From where he lay, tied hand and foot, the young inventor could look +out into the cave where he and the others had been caught. The diamond +makers were busily engaged, apparently in getting ready to manufacture +another batch of the precious stones. They paid little attention to +their captives, save to warn them, when they had first been taken into +the little cave, that it was useless to try to escape. + +“They needn't have told us that,” observed Tom, as he and the others +were talking over their situation in low voices. “I don't believe any +one could loosen these ropes.” + +“They certainly are pretty tight,” agreed Mr. Damon. “I've been tugging +and straining at mine for the last half hour, and all I've succeeded in +doing is to make the cords cut into my flesh.” + +“Better give it up,” advised Mr. Jenks. + +“We'll just have to wait.” + +“For what?” the scientist wanted to know. + +“To see what they'll do with us. They can't keep us here forever. +They'll have to let us go some time.” Following their capture, Folwell +and Munson, the latter the stowaway of the airship, had been in earnest +conversation regarding our friends, but what conclusion they had reached +the adventurers could only guess. + +“And we didn't have time to examine the diamond-making machinery close +enough so that we could duplicate it if necessary,” complained Tom, a +little later. + +“No,” agreed Mr. Jenks. “There are certain things about it that are not +clear to me. Well, I don't believe I'll have another chance to inspect +it. They'll take good care of that, though they seem to be getting ready +to make more diamonds.” + +“Perhaps they're going to manufacture a big batch, and then leave this +place,” suggested Mr. Damon. “They will probably go to some other secret +cave, and leave us here.” + +“I hope they untie us before they leave, and give us something to eat,” + remarked the young inventor. + +For two hours longer the captives lay there, in most uncomfortable +positions. Then Folwell and Munson, leaving the group of diamond makers +who were grouped about the machinery, approached the captives. + +“Well,” remarked Munson, “we got ahead of you after all; didn't we. You +thought you had our secret, but it will be a long while before you ever +make diamonds.” + +“What are you going to do with us?” asked Tom. + +“Never mind. You came where you had no right to, and you must take the +consequences.” + +“We did have a right to come here!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. “I am entitled +to know how the diamonds are made. I paid for the information, and you +tricked me. If ever it's possible I'll have the whole gang arrested for +swindling.” + +“You'll never get the chance!” declared Folwell. “You were given some +diamonds for the money you invested, and that makes us square.” + +“No, it doesn't!” declared Mr. Jenks. “I invested the money to learn how +to make diamonds, and you know it! You tricked me, and I had a right +to try to discover your secret! I nearly have it, too, and I'll get it +completely before I'm done with you!” + +“No, you won't!” boasted Folwell. “But we didn't come here to tell you +that. We came to give you something to eat. We're not savages and +we'll treat you as well as we can in spite of the fact that you are +trespassers. We're going to give you some grub, but I warn you that any +attempt to escape will mean that some of you will get hurt.” + +He signalled to some of his confederates. These men unbound the +captives' arms, and stood over them while they ate some coarse food that +was brought into the small cave. They were given coffee to drink, and +then, when the simple meal was over, they were securely bound again, +and left to themselves, while the diamond makers went back to their +machinery. + +It was evident that they were going to attempt a big operation, for an +unusually large quantity of the white stuff was prepared. The prisoners +watched them idly. They could see some but not all of the operations. In +this way several hours passed. + +Gloom possessed the hearts of Tom and his friends. Not only had their +expedition been almost a failure so far, but the young inventor was +worried lest the gang might discover and wreck his airship. This would +prove a serious loss. Lying there in the semi-darkness the lad imagined +all sorts of unpleasant happenings. + +At times he dozed off, as did the others. They had become somewhat used +to the pain caused by the bonds, for their nerves were numb from the +strain and pressure. + +Once, as he was lightly sleeping, Tom was awakened by hearing loud +voices in the main cave. He looked out, rolling over slightly to get a +better view. He saw the man who, once before had run in to give news of +an approaching electrical storm. + +“Are you fellows all ready?” asked this same man again. + +“Yes. Is there another storm coming?” + +“Yes, and it's going to be a corker!” was the reply. “It's one of the +worst I've ever seen. It's sweeping right up the valley. It'll be here +in an hour.” + +“That's good. We need a big flash to make all the material we have +prepared into diamonds. It's the biggest batch we ever tried. I hope it +succeeds, for we're going to leave--” The rest was in so low a tone that +Tom could not catch it. + +The storm messenger departed. Folwell and Munson busied themselves about +the machinery. Tom dozed off again, dimly wondering what had become of +Bill Renshaw, and whether the former ghost knew of their plight. The +others were asleep, as the young inventor saw by the dim light of a +lantern in the cave. Then, he too, shut his eyes. + +Tom was suddenly awakened by feeling some one's hands moving about his +clothing. At first he thought it was one of the diamond-making gang, who +had sneaked in to rob him. “Here! What are you up to?” exclaimed Tom. + +“Quiet!” cautioned a voice. “Are you all here?” + +“All of us--yes. But who are you?” + +“Easy--keep quiet, Tom Swift! I'm Bill Renshaw! I've been searching all +over for you, since I got back to your cave and found it empty. Now I'm +going to free you. I got in here by a secret entrance. Wait, I'll cut +your ropes.” There was a slight sound, and an instant later Tom was +freed from his bonds. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV--IN GREAT PERIL + + +The young inventor could scarcely believe the good luck that had so +unexpectedly come to him and his companions. No sooner was Tom able to +move freely about than Bill Renshaw performed the same service for Mr. +Jenks and the others, cautioning them to be quiet as he awakened them, +and cut the ropes. + +“Bless my circulation!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, in a hoarse whisper. “How +did you ever get here. I'd given ourselves up for lost.” + +“Oh, I came in off the mountain, as there's a big storm due,” explained +the man. “There was no need of me playing the haunt in daytime, anyhow. +I went to the cave, found you and your things gone, and I surmised that +you might have walked into some trap.” + +“We did,” admitted Mr. Jenks, grimly. + +“Well, I hunted around until I found you,” went on Bill. “This mountain +is honeycombed with caves, all opening from the large one, I know them +better than these fellows do, so I could explore freely, and keep out of +their sight. They didn't know that there was a second entrance to this +place, but I did, and I made for it, when I couldn't find you in some of +the other caves where I looked. And, sure enough, here you were.” + +“Well, we can't thank you enough,” said Mr. Parker. “But you say there +is a big storm coming?” + +“One of the biggest that's been around these parts in some time,” + replied Bill. + +“Then perhaps the mountain will be destroyed,” went on the scientist, as +calmly as if he had remarked that it might rain. + +“I hope nothing like that happens until we get away,” spoke Mr. Damon, +fervently. + +“What had we better do?” inquired Tom. + +“Get away, unless you want to discover some more of their secrets,” + advised Bill. “Those fellows are planning something, but I can't find +out what it is. They are suspicious of me, I think. But they are up to +something, and I believe, it would be best for you to leave while you +have the chance. It may not be healthy to stay. That's why I did my best +to untie you.” + +“We appreciate what you have done,” declared Mr. Jenks, “but I want my +rights. I must learn a few more facts about how to make diamonds from +lightning flashes, and then I will have the same secret they cheated me +out of. I think if we wait a while we may be able to see the parts of +the process that are not quite clear to us. What do you say, Tom Swift?” + +“Well, I would like to learn the secret,” replied the lad, “and if Bill +thinks it's safe to stay here a while longer--” + +“Oh, I guess it will be safe enough,” was the reply. “Those fellows +won't bother about you now that they are about to make some more +diamonds. Besides, they think you're all tied up. Yes, you can stay here +and watch, I reckon. I've got a couple of guns, and--” + +“Then we'll stay,” decided Tom. “We can put up a better fight now.” + +Silently, in their prison, but which they could now leave whenever they +pleased, the adventurers watched the diamond makers once more. The same +process they had witnessed before was gone through with. The white balls +were put inside the steel box and sealed up. Then they waited for the +storm to reach its height. + +That this would not be long was evidenced by the mutterings of thunder +which every moment grew louder. The outburst of electrical fury was +likely to take place momentarily, and that it would be unusually severe +was shown by the precautions taken by the diamond makers. They attached +a number of extra wires, and brought out some insulated, hard rubber +platforms, on which they themselves stood. Tom and Mr. Jenks were much +interested in watching this detail of the work, and sought to learn how +each part of the process was done. + +“I almost think we can make diamonds, Tom, when we get back to +civilization,” whispered Mr. Jenks. + +“I hope we can,” answered Tom, “and we can't get back any too soon to +suit me. I want to be in my airship again.” + +“I don't blame you. But look, they are getting ready to adjust the +switch.” + +The adventurers ceased their whispered talk, and eagerly watched the +diamond makers. Folwell and Munson were hurrying to and fro in the big +cave, attending to the adjustments of the machinery. + +“On your insulated plates--all of you,” Folwell gave the order. “This +is going to be a terrific storm. The gage shows twice the power we have +ever used, and it's creeping up every minute! We'll have more diamonds +than ever had before!” + +“Yes, if the mountain isn't destroyed,” added Mr. Parker, in a low +voice. “I predict that it will be split from top to bottom!” + +“Comforting,” thought Tom, grimly. + +“I guess we're all ready,” said Folwell, in a low tone to Munson. “We'd +better get insulated ourselves. I'm going to throw the switch.” + +He did so. A moment later the man who had before given warning of the +storm came dashing in. He was very much excited. + +“It's awful!” he cried. “The lightning is striking all over! Big rocks +are being split like logs of wood!” + +“Well, it can't do any damage in here,” said Munson. “We are well +protected. Get on one of the plates,” and he motioned to one of the +hard-rubber platforms that was not occupied. The roar and rumble of the +storm outside had given place to short terrific crashes. In their small +cave the adventurers could feel the solid ground shake. + +A bluish light began dancing about the electrical wires. There was a +smell of sulphur in the air. Crash after crash resounded outside. A +flash of flame lit up the whole interior of the cave. It came from the +copper switch. + +“Something's wrong with the insulation!” cried Munson. + +“Don't go near it!” yelled Folwell. “If you value your life, stand +still!” + +Hardly had he spoken than inside the cavern there sounded a report like +that of a small cannon. A big ball of fire danced about the middle of +the cave and then leaped on top of the steel box. + +“This is a fearful storm,” cried Munson. + +The adventurers in the cave did not know what to say or do. They were in +deadly peril. + +Suddenly there came a crash louder than any that had preceded it. The +whole side of the cave where the switches were was a mass of bluish +flame. Then came a ripping, tearing sound, and a tangle of wires and +copper connections were thrown to the floor. At the same time the steel +box, containing the materials from which diamonds were made, turned +blue, and flames shot from it. + +“It's all up with us!” cried Munson. “Run for it, everybody! The wires +are down, and this place will be an electric furnace in another minute!” + +He leaped toward the exit from the cave. + +“What about those fellows?” asked Folwell, indicating the place where +Tom and the others had been tied. + +“They'll have to do the best they can! It's every man for himself, now!” + yelled Munson. There was a wild scramble from the cavern. + +“Come on!” cried Tom. “We must escape! It's our only chance!” + +He leaped into the big cave, followed by the others. Already long +tongues of electrical fire were shooting out from the walls and roof as +Tom Swift and his companions, evading them as best they could, sought +safety in flight. + + + +CHAPTER XXV--THE MOUNTAIN SHATTERED--CONCLUSION + + +“Can't we get some of the diamonds?” cried Mr. Damon, as he raced along +behind Tom. “Now's our chance. Those fellows have all gone!” The odd man +made a grab for something as he ran. + +“It's as much as our lives are worth,” declared the young inventor. “We +dare not stop! Come on!” + +“I'd like to investigate some of the machinery,” spoke Mr. Jenks, “but I +wouldn't stop, even for that.” + +“The storm is too dangerous,” called Bill Renshaw. “I can show you a +shorter way out than the one those fellows have taken. Follow me.” + +“No way can be too short,” said Mr. Parker, solemnly. “This mountain +will go to pieces shortly, I think!” + +Tom shuddered. He remembered how narrow had been their escape when +Earthquake Island sank into the sea. And that some terrific upheaval was +now imminent might be judged from the awful reports that sounded more +plainly as the adventurers raced toward the opening of the cave. It was +like the bombardment of some doomed city. + +Mr. Jenks and Tom cast one longing look behind at the complicated and +expensive machinery that had been installed in the cave by the diamond +makers. They had abandoned it, and in it lay the secret of making +precious gems. But there was no time to stop now, and investigate. + +“This way,” urged Bill Renshaw. “We'll soon be out.” + +“But won't it be dangerous to go outside?” asked Mr. Damon. “Shan't we +be struck by lightning? There is some protection in here.” + +“None at all,” said Mr. Parker, quickly. “This mountain is a natural +lightning rod. To stay here in this cave will be sure death when the +storm gets directly over it. And that will be very soon. We must get +on insulated ground. Is there any part of this mountain that does not +contain iron ore?” the scientist asked of the former spirit. + +“Yes; the way out by which we are going lands on a dirt hill.” + +“That's good; then we may be saved.” + +On they ran. They had no lanterns, but the blue light of the +electricity, as it leaped from point to point inside the cave, where +there were outcroppings of iron ore, made the place bright enough to +see. + +“Here we are!” cried Bill Renshaw at length. “Here's the way out!” + +Making a sudden turn in the winding passage he showed the adventurers +a small opening in the side of the crag. In an instant they had passed +through, and found themselves in daylight once more. The sudden glare +almost blinded them, for, though the sky was overcast by clouds, from +which jagged tongues of lightning played, the outside was much lighter +than the dark cave. + +“I should say it was a storm!” cried Tom Swift. “See, it is striking +every minute, and all around us!” + +In fact, lightning bolts were falling on every side of the adventurers. +Every time the balls of fire struck, they burst open great stones, +or seared a livid scar on the face of some cliff. As for Tom and the +others, they stood on a dry dirt hill, in which, fortunately, there was +no iron ore. To this fact they undoubtedly owed their lives, though +had there been rain, to moisten the ground and make the earth a good +conductor of electricity, they probably would have been badly shocked. +But the electrical outburst was not accompanied by rain. + +Tom looked up. He saw a compact mass of cloud moving toward the summit +of the mountain on the slope of which they stood. From this cloud there +played shafts of reddish-green fire. + +“Look!” called the young inventor to Mr. Parker. The instant the latter +saw the cloud, he cried: + +“We must get away from here by all means! That is the center of the +storm. As soon as it gets over the mountain, where that lightning rod +is, all the electrical fluid will be discharged in one bolt at the +mountain, and it will be destroyed! We must run, but keep on the dirt +places! Run for your lives!” + +They needed no second warning. Turning, they fled down the steep side of +the mountain, slipping and stumbling, but taking care not to step on any +iron ore. Behind them flashed the lightning bolts. + +Suddenly there was a most awful crash. It seemed as if the end of the +world had come, and the ear drums of Tom and his companion almost burst +with the fearful report. The concussion knocked them down, and they lay +stunned for a moment. + +Following the terrible report there was a low, rumbling sound. Hardly +knowing whether he was dead or alive, Tom opened his eyes and looked +about him. What he saw caused him to cry out in terror. + +The whole mountain seemed bathed in fire. Great blue, red and green +flashes played around it. Then the towering cliff seemed to melt and +crumble up, and the great peak, the top of it containing the diamond +makers' cave, from which they had fled but a few minutes before, the +entire summit was toppled over into the valley on the other side, and in +the direction opposite to that where the adventurers stood. + +Then came a profound silence, and the lightning ceased. The storm was +over, and only the rattle of stones and boulders, as they came to rest +in the valley below, reached the ears of our friends. + +“Phantom Mountain has been destroyed, just as I said it would be,” spoke +Mr. Parker, solemnly. Once more he had prophesied correctly. + +For a few minutes the adventurers hardly knew what to say. They arose +awkwardly from the ground where the shock had tossed them. Then Tom +remarked, as calmly as possible: + +“Well, it's all over. I guess we may as well get back to our airship.” + +“What became of Munson and the others?” asked Mr. Damon. + +Mr. Jenks pointed to the trail, far below. The figures of some men, +running madly, could be seen. + +“There they go,” he said; “I fancy we have seen the last of them.” And +they had, for some time at least. + +There was little use lingering any longer on Phantom Mountain--indeed +little of it was left on which to remain. Looking back toward the place +where the cave had been, Tom and the others started forward again. +The diamond-making machinery had all been destroyed. So, also, had the +finished diamonds stored in the cavern and the large supply which had +probably been made by the last terrific crash. No one would ever have +them now. Tom and Mr. Jenks felt a sense of disappointment, but they +were glad to have escaped with their lives. They sought their former +camp, but the tent and all their food was buried under tons of earth and +rocks. + +Three days later, after rather severe hardships, they were near the +place where they had left the Red Cloud. They had suffered cold and +hunger, for they had no food supplies, and, had it not been that Bill +Renshaw knew the haunts of some game, of which they managed to snare +some, they would have fared badly, for they had left their guns in the +cave. + +“Well, there are the trees behind which I hope my airship is hidden,” + announced Tom, as they came to the spot. “Good old Red Cloud! Maybe we +won't do some eating when we get aboard, eh?” + +“Bless my appetite! but we certainly will!” cried Mr. Damon. + +“There's somebody walking around the place,” spoke Mr. Jenks. + +“I hope it's no one who has damaged the ship,” came from Tom, +apprehensively. He broke into a run, and soon confronted an aged miner, +who seemed to have established a rude sort of camp near the airship. + +“Is anything the matter?” asked Tom, breathlessly. “Is my airship all +right?” + +“I guess she's all right, stranger,” was the reply. “I don't know much +about these contraptions, but I haven't touched her. I knowed she was an +airship, for I've seen pictures of 'em, and I've been waiting until the +owner came along.” + +“Why?” asked Tom, wonderingly. + +“Because I've got a proposition to make to you,” went on the miner, who +said his name was Abe Abercrombie. “I've been a miner for a good many +years, and I'm just back from Alaska, prospecting around here. I haven't +had any luck, but I know of a gold mine in Alaska that will make us all +rich. Only it needs an airship to get to it, and I've been figuring how +to hire one. Then I comes along, and I sees this big one, and I makes up +my mind to stay here until the owners come back. That's what I've done. +Now, if I prove that I'm telling the truth, will you go to Alaska--to +the valley of gold with me?” + +“I don't know,” answered Tom, to whom the proposition was rather sudden. +“We've just had some pretty startling adventures, and we're almost +starved. Wait until we get something to eat, and we'll talk. Come aboard +the Red Cloud,” and the lad led the way to his craft which was in as +good condition as when he left it to go to the diamond cave. Later he +listened to the miner's story. + +Tom Swift did go to the valley of gold in Alaska, and what happened to +him and his companions there will be told of in the next volume of this +series, to be called “Tom Swift in the Caves of Ice; or, the Wreck of +the Airship.” + +It did not take our friends long, after they had eaten a hearty meal, +to generate some fresh gas, and start the Red Cloud on her homeward way. +Tom wanted to take Bill Renshaw with him, but the old man said he would +rather remain among the mountains where he had been born. So, after +paying him well for his services, they said good-by to him. Abercrombie, +the miner, also remained behind, but promised to call and see Tom in a +few months. + +“Well, we didn't make any money out of this trip,” observed Mr. Jenks, +rather dubiously, as they were nearing Shopton, after an uneventful +trip. “I guess I owe you considerable, Tom Swift. I promised to get you +a lot of diamonds, but all I have are those I had from my first visit to +the cave.” + +“Oh, that's all right,” spoke Tom, easily. “The experience was worth all +the trip cost.” + +“Speaking of diamonds, look here!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, suddenly, and he +pulled out a double handful. + +“Where did you get them?” cried the others in astonishment. + +“I grabbed them up, as we ran from the cave,” said the eccentric man; +“but, bless my gaiters! I forgot all about them until you spoke. We'll +share them.” + +These diamonds, some of which were large, proved very valuable, though +the total sum was far below what Mr. Jenks hoped to make when he started +on the remarkable trip. Tom gave Mary Nestor a very fine stone, and it +was set in a ring, instead of a pin, this time. + +On their arrival in Shopton, where Mr. Swift, the housekeeper, Mr. +Jackson and Eradicate Sampson were much alarmed for Tom's safety, an +attempt was made to manufacture diamonds, using a powerful electric +current instead of lightning. But it was not a success, and so Mr. Jenks +concluded to give up his search for the secret which was lost on Phantom +Mountain. + +And now we will take leave of Tom Swift, to meet him again soon in other +adventures he is destined to have in the caves of ice and the valley of +gold. + + + + +THE END + + + + + THE TOM SWIFT SERIES + + By VICTOR APPLETON + + + TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE + Or Fun and Adventure on the Road + TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT + Or The Rivals of Lake Carlopa + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP + Or The Stirring Cruise of the Red Cloud + TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT + Or Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT + Or The Speediest Car on the Road + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE + Or The Castaways of Earthquake Island + TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS + Or The Secret of Phantom Mountain + TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE + Or The wreck of the Airship + TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER + Or The Quickest Flight on Record + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE + Or Daring Adventures In Elephant Land + TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD + Or Marvelous Adventures Underground + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER + Or seeking the Platinum Treasure + TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY + Or A Daring Escape by Airship + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA + Or The Perils of Moving Picture Taking + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT + Or On the Border for Uncle Sam + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON + Or The Longest Shots on Record + TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE + Or The Picture that Saved a Fortune + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP + Or The Naval Terror of the Seas + TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL + Or The Hidden City of the Andes + + + + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS SERIES + + By VICTOR APPLETON + + + In these stories we follow the adventures of three boys, who, + after purchasing at auction the contents of a moving picture + house, open a theatre of their own. Their many trials and + tribulations, leading up to the final success of their venture, + make very entertaining stories. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' FIRST VENTURE + + Or Opening a Photo Playhouse in Fairlands. + + The adventures of Frank, Randy and Pep in running a Motion + Picture show. They had trials and tribulations but finally + succeed. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS AT SEASIDE PARK + + Or The Rival Photo Theatres of the Boardwalk. + + Their success at Fairlands encourages the boys to open their + show at Seaside Park, where they have exciting adventures--also a + profitable season. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS ON BROADWAY + + Or The Mystery of the Missing Cash Box. + + Backed by a rich western friend the chums established a photo + playhouse in the great metropolis, where new adventures await + them. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' OUTDOOR EXHIBITION + + Or The Film that Solved a Mystery. + + This time the playhouse was in a big summer park. How a + film that was shown gave a clew to an important mystery + is interestingly related. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' NEW IDEA + + Or The First Educational Photo Playhouse. + + In this book the scene is shifted to Boston, and there is + intense rivalry in the establishment of photo playhouses of + educational value. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS AT THE FAIR + + Or The Greatest Film Ever Exhibited. + + The chums go to San Francisco, where they have some trials + but finally meet with great success. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' WAR SPECTACLE + + Or The Film that Won the Prize. + + Through being of service to the writer of a great scenario, the + chums are enabled to produce it and win a prize. + + + + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH SERIES + + By GRAHAM B. FORBES + + + Never was there a cleaner, brighter, more manly boy than Frank + Allen, the hero of this series of boys tales, and never was there + a better crowd of lads to associate with than the students of the + School. All boys will read these stories with deep interest. The + rivalry between the towns along the river was of the keenest, and + plots and counterplots to win the champions, at baseball, at + football, at boat racing, at track athletics, and at ice hockey, + were without number. Any lad reading one volume of this series + will surely want the others. + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH + Or The All Around Rivals of the School + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE DIAMOND + Or Winning Out by Pluck + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE RIVER + Or The Boat Race Plot that Failed + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE GRIDIRON + Or The Struggle for the Silver Cup + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE ICE + Or Out for the Hockey Championship + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH IN TRACK ATHLETICS + Or A Long Run that Won + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH IN WINTER SPORTS + Or Stirring Doings on Skates and Iceboats + + + 12mo. Illustrated. Handsomely bound in cloth, with cover design + and wrappers in colors. + + GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + + + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS SERIES + + By CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN + + + The outdoor chums are four wide-awake lads, Sons of wealthy men + of a small city located on a lake. The boys love outdoor life, + and are greatly interested in hunting, fishing, and picture + taking. They have motor cycles, motor boats, canoes, etc., and + during their vacations go everywhere and have all sorts of + thrilling adventures. The stories give full directions for + camping out, how to fish, how to hunt wild animals and prepare + the skins for stuffing, how to manage a canoe, how to swim, etc. + Full of the spirit of outdoor life. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS + Or The First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE LAKE + Or Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE FOREST + Or Laying the Ghost of Oak Ridge. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE GULF + Or Rescuing the Lost Balloonists. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME + Or Perilous Adventures in the Wilderness. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON A HOUSEBOAT + Or The Rivals of the Mississippi. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE BIG WOODS + Or The Rival Hunters at Lumber Run. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AT CABIN POINT + Or The Golden Cup Mystery. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Tom Swift Among The Diamond Makers, by +Victor Appleton + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1282 *** diff --git a/1282-h/1282-h.htm b/1282-h/1282-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5adf7e4 --- /dev/null +++ b/1282-h/1282-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6967 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Tom Swift Among the Diamond Makers, by Victor Appleton + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1282 ***</div> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS + </h1> + <h3> + or The Secret of Phantom Mountain + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Victor Appleton + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> + </td> + <td> + A SUSPICIOUS JEWELER + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> + </td> + <td> + A MIDNIGHT VISIT + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> + </td> + <td> + A STRANGE STORY + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> + </td> + <td> + ANDY FOGER GETS A FRIGHT + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> + </td> + <td> + A MYSTERIOUS MAN + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> + </td> + <td> + MR. DAMON IS ON HAND + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a> + </td> + <td> + MR. PARKER PREDICTS + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> + </td> + <td> + OFF FOR THE WEST + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a> + </td> + <td> + A WARNING BY WIRELESS + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. </a> + </td> + <td> + DROPPING THE STOWAWAY + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. </a> + </td> + <td> + A WEARY SEARCH + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE GREAT STONE HEAD + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. </a> + </td> + <td> + ON PHANTOM MOUNTAIN + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. </a> + </td> + <td> + WARNED BACK + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE LANDSLIDE + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE VAST CAVERN + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE PHANTOM CAPTURED + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII. </a> + </td> + <td> + BILL RENSHAW WILL HELP + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX. </a> + </td> + <td> + IN THE SECRET CAVE + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX. </a> + </td> + <td> + MAKING THE DIAMONDS + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI. </a> + </td> + <td> + FLASHING GEMS + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII. </a> + </td> + <td> + PRISONERS + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII. </a> + </td> + <td> + BROKEN BONDS + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV. </a> + </td> + <td> + IN GREAT PERIL + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE MOUNTAIN SHATTERED. CONCLUSION + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER I—A SUSPICIOUS JEWELER + </h2> + <p> + “Well, Tom Swift, I don't believe you will make any mistake if you buy + that diamond,” said the jeweler to a young man who was inspecting a tray + of pins, set with the sparkling stones. “It is of the first water, and + without a flaw.” + </p> + <p> + “It certainly seems so, Mr. Track. I don't know much about diamonds, and + I'm depending on you. But this one looks to be all right.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it for yourself, Tom?” + </p> + <p> + “Er—no—that is, not exactly,” and Tom Swift, the young + inventor of airships and submarines, blushed slightly. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, I see. It's for your housekeeper, Mrs. Baggert. Well, I think she + would like a pin of this sort. True, it's rather expensive, but—” + </p> + <p> + “No, it isn't for Mrs. Baggert, Mr. Track,” and Tom seemed a bit + embarrassed. + </p> + <p> + “No? Well, then, Tom—of course it's none of my affair, except to + sell you a good stone, But if this brooch is for a young lady, I can't + recommend anything nicer. Do you think you will take this; or do you + prefer to look at some others?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I think this will do, Mr. Track. I guess I'll take—” + </p> + <p> + Tom's words were interrupted by a sudden action on the part of the + jeweler. Mr. Track ran from behind the showcase and hastened toward the + front door. + </p> + <p> + “Did you see him, Tom?” he cried. “I wonder which way he went?” + </p> + <p> + “Who?” asked the lad, following the shopkeeper. + </p> + <p> + “That man. He's been walking up and down in front of my place for the last + ten minutes—ever since you've been in here, in fact, and I don't + like his looks.” + </p> + <p> + “What did he do?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing much, except to stare in here as if he was sizing my place up.” + </p> + <p> + “Sizing it up?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. Getting the lay of the land, so he or some confederate could commit + a robbery, maybe.” + </p> + <p> + “A robbery? Do you think that man was a thief?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know that he was, Tom, and yet a jeweler has to be always on the + watch, and that isn't a joke, either, Tom Swift. Swindlers and thieves are + always on the alert for a chance to rob a jewelry store, and they work + many games.” + </p> + <p> + “I didn't notice any particular man looking in here,” said Tom, who still + held the diamond brooch in his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Well I did,” went on the jeweler. “I happened to glance out of the window + when you were looking at the pins, and I saw his eyes staring in here in a + suspicious manner. He may have a confederate with him, and, when you're + gone, one may come in, and pretend to want to look at some diamonds. Then, + when I'm showing him some, the other man will enter, engage my attention, + and the first man will slip out with a diamond ring or pin. It's often + done.” + </p> + <p> + “You seem to have it all worked out, Mr. Track,” observed the lad, with a + smile. “How do you know but what I'm in with a gang of thieves, and that + I'm only pretending to want to buy a diamond pin?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I guess I haven't known you, Tom Swift, ever since you were big + enough to toddle, not to be sure about what you're up to. But I certainly + didn't like the looks of that man. However, let's forget about him. He + seems to have gone down the street, and, after all, perhaps I was + mistaken. Just wait until I show you a few more styles before you decide. + The young lady may like one of these,” and the jeweler went to another + showcase and took out some more trays of brooches. + </p> + <p> + “What makes you think she's a young lady, Mr. Track?” asked the lad. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it's easy guessing, Tom. We jewelers are good readers of character. I + can size up a young fellow coming in here to buy an engagement or a + wedding ring, as soon as he enters the door. I suppose you'll soon be in + the market for one of those, Tom, if all the reports I hear about you are + true—you and a certain Mary Nestor.” + </p> + <p> + “I—er—I think I don't care for any of these pins,” spoke Tom, + quickly, with a blush. “I like the first lot best. I think I'll take the + one I had in my hand when that man alarmed you. Ha! That's odd! What did I + do with it?” + </p> + <p> + Tom looked about on the showcase, and glanced down on the floor. He had + mislaid the brooch, but the jeweler, with a laugh, lifted it out of a tray + a moment later. + </p> + <p> + “I saw you lay it down,” he said. “We jewelers have to be on the watch. + Here it is. I'll just put it in a box, and—” + </p> + <p> + With an exclamation, Mr. Track gave a hasty glance toward his big show + window. Tom looked up, and saw a man's face peering in. At the sight of + it, he, too, uttered a cry of surprise. + </p> + <p> + The next instant the man outside knocked on the glass, apparently with a + piece of metal, making a sharp sound. As soon as he heard it, the jeweler + once more sprang from behind the showcase, and leaped for the door crying: + </p> + <p> + “There's the thief! He's trying to cut a hole through my show window and + reach in and get something! It's an old trick. I'll get the police! Tom, + you stay here on guard!” and before the lad could utter a protest, the + jeweler had opened the door, and was speeding down the street in the + gathering darkness. + </p> + <p> + Tom stared about him in some bewilderment. He was left alone in charge of + a very valuable stock of jewelry, the owner of which was racing after a + supposed thief, crying: + </p> + <p> + “Police! Help! Thieves! Stop him, somebody!” + </p> + <p> + “This is a queer go,” mused Tom. “I wonder who that man was? He looked + like somebody I know, and yet I can't seem to place his face. I wonder if + he was trying to rob the place? Maybe there's another one—a + confederate—around here.” + </p> + <p> + This thought rather alarmed Tom, so he went to the door, and looked up and + down the street. He could see no suspicious characters, but in the + direction in which the jeweler was running there was a little throng of + people, following Mr. Track after the man who had knocked on the window. + </p> + <p> + “I wish I was there, instead of here,” mused the lad. “Still I can't + leave, or a thief might come in. Perhaps that was the game, and one of the + gang is hanging around, hoping the store will be deserted, so he can enter + and take what he likes.” + </p> + <p> + Tom had read of such cases, and he at once resolved that he would not only + remain in the jewelry shop, but that he would lock the door, which he at + once proceeded to do. Then he breathed easier. + </p> + <p> + The town of Shopton, in the outskirts of which Tom lived with his father, + and where the scene above narrated took place, was none too well lighted + at night, and the lad had his doubts about the jeweler catching the + oddly-acting man, especially as the latter had a good start. + </p> + <p> + “But some one may head him off,” reasoned Tom. “Though if they do catch + him, I don't see what they can prove against him. Hello, here I am + carrying this diamond pin around. I might lose it. Guess I'll put it back + on the tray.” + </p> + <p> + He replaced in the proper receptacle one of the pins he had been examining + when the excitement occurred. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder if Mary will like that?” he said, softly. “I hope she does. + Perhaps it would be better if she could come here herself and pick out one—” + </p> + <p> + Tom's musing was suddenly interrupted by a sharp tattoo on the glass door + of the jewelry shop. With a start, he looked up, to see staring in on him + the face of the man who had been there before—the man of whom the + jeweler was even then in chase. + </p> + <p> + “Why—why——” stammered Tom. + </p> + <p> + The man knocked again. + </p> + <p> + “Tom—Tom Swift!” he called. “Don't you know me?” + </p> + <p> + “Know you—you?” repeated the lad. + </p> + <p> + “Yes—don't you remember Earthquake Island—how we were nearly + killed there—don't you remember Mr. Jenks?” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Jenks?” + </p> + <p> + Tom was so startled that he could only repeat words after the strange man, + who was talking to him from outside the glass door. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Mr. Jenks,” was the reply. “Mr. Barcoe Jenks, who makes diamonds. I + saw you in the store about to buy a diamond—I wanted to tell you not + to—I'll give you a better diamond than you can buy—I just + arrived in this place—I must have a private talk with you—Come + out—I'll share a wonderful secret with you.” + </p> + <p> + A flood of memory came to Tom. He did recall the very strange man who + walked around Earthquake Island—where Tom and some friends had been + marooned recently—walked about with a pocketful of what he said were + diamonds. Now Barcoe Jenks was here. + </p> + <p> + “I must see you privately, Tom Swift,” went on Mr. Jenks, as he once more + tapped on the glass. “Don't waste money buying diamonds, when you and I + can make better ones. Where can I have a talk with you? I—” Mr. + Jenks suddenly looked down the dimly-lighted street. “They're coming + back!” he cried. “I don't want to be seen. I'll call at your house later + to-night—be on the watch for me—until then—good-by!” + </p> + <p> + He waved his hand, and was gone in an instant. Tom stood staring at the + glass door. He hardly knew whether to believe it or not—perhaps it + was all a dream. + </p> + <p> + He pinched himself to make sure that he was awake. Very substantial flesh + met his thumb and finger, and he felt the pain. + </p> + <p> + “I'm awake all right,” he murmured. “But Barcoe Jenks here—and still + talking that nonsense about his manufactured diamonds. I think he must be + crazy. I wonder—” + </p> + <p> + Once more the lad's musing was interrupted. He heard a murmur of excited + voices outside the store, on the street. Then the door of the jewelry shop + was tried. Mr. Track's face was pressed against the glass. + </p> + <p> + “Open the door! Let me in, Tom!” he called. “I've caught the thief,” and + as the lad unlocked the portal he saw that the jeweler held by the arm a + ragged lad. “Ah; you scoundrel! I've caught you!” cried the diamond + merchant, shaking the small chap, while Tom looked on, more mystified than + ever. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II—A MIDNIGHT VISIT + </h2> + <p> + While Mr. Track, the jeweler, and several citizens, attracted by the chase + after the supposed thief, are crowded into the store, anxious to hear + explanations of the strange affair, I will take the opportunity to tell + you something of Tom Swift, the lad who is to figure in this story. + </p> + <p> + Many of you have already made his acquaintance, when he has been speeding + about in his airship or fast electric runabout, and to others we will + state that our hero first made his bow to the public in the book called + “Tom Swift and His Motor-Cycle,” the initial volume of this series. + </p> + <p> + In that story there was related how Tom made the acquaintance of an odd + individual, named Mr. Wakefield Damon, who was continually blessing + himself, some part of his anatomy, or his possessions. Mr. Damon was + riding a motor-cycle, and it started to climb a tree, to his pain and + fright. Afterward Tom purchased the machine, and had many adventures on + it, including a chase after a gang of men who had stolen a valuable patent + model belonging to Mr. Swift. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Swift and his son were both inventors. They lived together in a fine + house in the suburbs of Shopton, New York, and with them dwelt Mrs. + Baggert, the housekeeper (for Tom's mother was dead), and also Garret + Jackson, an expert engineer, who aided the young inventor and his father + in perfecting many machines. + </p> + <p> + There was also another semi-member of the household, to wit, Eradicate + Sampson, an eccentric colored man, who owned a mule called Boomerang. + Eradicate did odd jobs around the place, and the mule assisted his owner—that + is when the mule felt like it. + </p> + <p> + In the second volume of the series, entitled “Tom Swift and His + Motor-Boat,” there was related the incidents following a pursuit after a + gang of unprincipled men, who sought to get possession of some of Mr. + Swift's patents, and it was while in this boat that Tom, his father, and a + friend, Ned Newton, rescued from Lake Carlopa a Mr. John Sharp, who fell + from his burning balloon. Mr. Sharp was a skilled aeronaut, and after his + recovery he joined Tom in building a big airship, called the Red Cloud. + Tom's adventures in this craft are set down in detail in the third volume + of the series, called “Tom Swift and His Airship.” Not only did he and Mr. + Sharp and Mr. Damon make a great trip, but they captured some bank + robbers, and incidentally cleared themselves from the imputation of having + looted the vault of seventy-five thousand dollars, which charge was + fostered by a certain Mr. Foger, and his son Andy, who was Tom's enemy. + </p> + <p> + Not satisfied with having conquered the air, Tom and his father set to + work to gain a victory over the ocean. They built a boat that could + navigate under water, and, in the fourth book of the series, called “Tom + Swift and His Submarine Boat,” you will find an account of how they went + under the ocean to secure a sunken treasure, and the fight they had with + their enemies who sought to get it away from them. They went through many + perils, not the least of which was capture by a foreign warship. + </p> + <p> + In the fifth book, entitled “Tom Swift and His Electric Runabout,” there + was told the story of a wonderfully speedy electric automobile the young + inventor constructed, and how he made a great race in it, and saved from + ruin a bank, in which his father and Mr. Damon were interested. + </p> + <p> + Tom's ability as an inventor had, by this time, become well known. One + day, as related in a volume called “Tom Swift and His Wireless Message,” + he received a letter from a Mr. Hosmer Fenwick, of Philadelphia, asking + his aid in perfecting an airship which the resident of the Quaker City had + built, but which would not work. In his small monoplane, the Butterfly, + Tom and Mr. Damon went to Philadelphia, as Mr. Damon was acquainted with + Mr. Fenwick. + </p> + <p> + Tom carefully inspected the Whizzer which was the name of Mr. Fenwick's + airship, and, after some difficulties, succeeded in getting the electric + craft in shape to make a flight. + </p> + <p> + Tom, Mr. Damon and Mr. Fenwick started to make a trip to Cape May in the + Whizzer, but were caught in a terrific storm, and blown out to sea. The + wind became a hurricane, the airship was disabled, and wrecked in mid-air. + When it fell to earth it landed on one of the small West Indian islands, + but what was the terror of the three castaways to find that the island was + subject to earthquake shocks. + </p> + <p> + But the earth-tremors were not the only surprise in store for Tom and his + two friends, On the island they found five men and two ladies, who, by + strange chance, had been stranded there when the yacht Resolute, owned by + Mr. George Hosbrook, was wrecked in the same storm that disabled the + airship. Mr. Hosbrook, a millionaire, was taking a party of friends to the + West Indies. + </p> + <p> + When the castaways (among whom were Mr. and Mrs. Amos Nestor, parents of + Mary Nestor, a girl of whom Tom was very fond) found that there was danger + of the island being destroyed in an earthquake, they were in despair. + There seemed no way of being rescued, as the island was out of the line of + regular ship travel. + </p> + <p> + Tom, however, was resourceful. With the electrical apparatus from the + wrecked airship, he built a wireless plant, and sent messages for help, + broadcast over the ocean. + </p> + <p> + They were finally heard, and answered, by an operator on board the steamer + Camberanian, which came on under forced draught, and rescued Tom and his + friends. It was only just in time, for, no sooner had they gotten aboard + the steamer in lifeboats, than the whole island was destroyed by an + earthquake shock. + </p> + <p> + But Tom, the parents of Mary Nestor, Mr. Damon, Mr. Fenwick, and all the + others, got safely home. Among the survivors from the yacht Resolute was a + Mr. Barcoe Jenks, who now, most unexpectedly, had confronted Tom through + the glass window of the jewelry store. Mr. Jenks was a peculiar man. Tom + discovered this on Earthquake Island. Mr. Jenks carried with him some + stones which he said were diamonds. He asserted that he had made them, but + Tom did not know whether or not to believe this. + </p> + <p> + When it seemed that the castaways would not be saved Mr. Jenks offered Tom + a large sum in these same diamonds for some plan whereby he might escape + the earthquakes. Mr. Jenks said there was a certain secret in connection + with the manufactured diamonds that he had to solve—that he had been + defrauded of his rights—and that a certain Phantom Mountain figured + in it. But Tom, at that time, paid little attention to Mr. Jenks' talk. + The time was to come, however, when he would attach much importance to it. + </p> + <p> + When this story opens, Tom was more interested in Mr. Barcoe Jenks than in + any one else, and was wondering what he wanted to see him about. The young + inventor could not quite understand how Mr. Track, the jeweler, could come + back with a lad he suspected of being a thief, when the person who had + acted so suspiciously, and who had knocked on the glass, was the queer + man, Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Tom I caught him,” the jeweler went on. “I chased after him, and + nabbed him. It was hard work, too, for I'm not a good runner. Now, you + little rascal, tell me why you tried to rob my store?” and the diamond + merchant shook the lad roughly. + </p> + <p> + “I—I didn't try to rob your store,” was the timid answer. + </p> + <p> + “Well, perhaps you didn't, exactly, but your confederates did. Why did you + rap on the glass, and why were you staring in so intently?” + </p> + <p> + “I wasn't lookin' in.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if it wasn't you, it was some one just like you. But why did you + run when I raced down the street?” + </p> + <p> + “I—I don't know,” and the lad began to snivel. “I—I jest ran—that's + all—'cause I see everybody else runnin', an' I thought there was a + fire.” + </p> + <p> + “Ha! That's a likely story! You ran because you are guilty! I'm going to + hand you over to the police.” + </p> + <p> + “Did he get anything, Mr. Track?” asked one of the men who had joined the + jeweler in the chase. + </p> + <p> + “No, I can't say that he did. He didn't get a chance. Tom Swift was in + here at the time. But this fellow was only waiting for a chance to steal, + or else to aid his confederates.” + </p> + <p> + “But, if he didn't take anything, I don't see how you can have him + arrested,” went on the man. + </p> + <p> + “On suspicion; that's how!” asserted Mr. Track. “Will some one get me a + constable?” + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn't call a constable,” said Tom, quietly. + </p> + <p> + “Why not?” + </p> + <p> + “Because that isn't the person who looked in your window.” + </p> + <p> + “How do you know, Tom?” + </p> + <p> + “Because that person came back while you were out. I saw him.” + </p> + <p> + “You saw him? Did he try to steal any of my diamonds, Tom?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I guess he doesn't need any.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not?” There was wonder in the jeweler's tone. + </p> + <p> + “Why, he claims he can make all he wants.” + </p> + <p> + “Make diamonds?” + </p> + <p> + “So he says.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, he must be crazy!” and Mr. Track laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps he is,” admitted Tom, “I'm only telling you what he says. He's + the person who acted so suspiciously. He came back here, I'm telling you, + while you were running down the street, and spoke to me.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, then you know him?” The jeweler's voice was suspicious. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't at first,” admitted Tom. “But when he said he was Mr. Barcoe + Jenks, I remembered that I had met him when I was cast away on Earthquake + Island.” + </p> + <p> + “And he says he can make diamonds?” asked Mr. Track. + </p> + <p> + “What did he want of you?” and the jeweler looked at Tom, quizzically. + </p> + <p> + “He wanted to have a talk with me,” replied the lad, “and when he saw me + in your store, he tried to attract my attention by knocking on the glass.” + </p> + <p> + “That's a queer way to do,” declared Mr. Track. “What did he want?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know exactly,” answered Tom, not caring to go into details just + then. “But I'm sure, Mr. Track, that you've got the wrong person there. + That lad never looked in the window, nor knocked on the glass.” + </p> + <p> + “That's right—I didn't,” asserted the captive. + </p> + <p> + The jeweler looked doubtful. + </p> + <p> + “Why did you run?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “I told you, I thought there was a fire.” + </p> + <p> + “That's right, I don't believe he's the fellow you want,” put in another + man. “I was standing on the corner, near White's grocery store, and I + noticed this lad. That was before I heard you yelling, and saw you coming, + and then I joined in the chase. I guess the man you were after got away, + Track.” + </p> + <p> + “He did,” asserted Tom. “He came back here, a little while ago, and he ran + away just now, as he heard you coming.” + </p> + <p> + “Where did he go?” asked the jeweler, eagerly. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know,” answered Tom. “Only you've got the wrong lad here.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, perhaps I have,” admitted the diamond merchant. “You can go, + youngster, but next time, don't run if you're not guilty.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought there was a fire,” repeated the lad, as he hurriedly slipped + through the crowd in the store, and disappeared down the dark street. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I guess the excitement's all over, and, anyhow, you weren't robbed, + Track,” said a stout man, as he left the store. The others soon followed, + and Tom and the jeweler were once more alone in the shop. + </p> + <p> + “Can you tell me something about this man, Tom?” asked Mr. Track, eagerly. + “So he really makes diamonds. Who is he?” + </p> + <p> + “I'd rather not tell—just now,” replied the young inventor. “I don't + take much stock in him, myself. I think he's visionary. He may think he + has made diamonds, and he may have made some stones that look like them. + I'm very skeptical.” + </p> + <p> + “If you could bring me some, Tom, I could soon tell whether they were real + or not. Can you?” + </p> + <p> + The lad shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “I don't expect to see Mr. Jenks again,” he said. “He talked rather wildly + about waiting to meet me, but that man is odd—crazy, perhaps—and + I don't imagine I'll see him. He's harmless, but he's eccentric. Well, + there was quite some excitement for a time.” + </p> + <p> + “I should say there was. I thought it was a plan to rob me,” and the + jeweler began putting away the diamond pins. In fact, the excitement so + filled the minds of himself and Tom that neither of them thought any more + of the object of the lad's visit, and the young inventor departed without + purchasing the pin he had come after. + </p> + <p> + It was not until he was out on the street, walking toward his home, that + the matter came back to his mind. + </p> + <p> + “I declare!” he exclaimed. “I didn't get that pin for Mary, after all! + Well, never mind, I have a week until her birthday, and I can get it + to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + He walked rapidly toward home, for the weather looked threatening, and Tom + had no umbrella. He was musing on the happenings of the evening when he + reached his house. His father was out, as was Garret Jackson, the + engineer; and Mrs. Baggert, the housekeeper, was entertaining a lady in + the sitting-room, so, as Tom was rather tired, he went directly to his own + room, and, a little later got into bed. + </p> + <p> + It was shortly after midnight when he was awakened by hearing a rattling + on the window of his room. The reason he was able to fix the time so + accurately was because as soon as he awakened he pressed a little electric + button, and it illuminated the face of a small clock on his bureau. The + hands pointed to five minutes past twelve. + </p> + <p> + “Humph! That sounds like hail!” exclaimed Tom, as he arose, and looked out + of the casement. “I wonder if any of the skylights of the airship shed are + open? There might be some damage. Guess I'd better go out and take a + look.” + </p> + <p> + He had mentally reasoned this far before he had looked out, and when he + saw that the moon was brightly shining in a clear sky, he was a bit + surprised. + </p> + <p> + “Why—that wasn't hail,” he murmured. “It isn't even raining. I + wonder what it was?” + </p> + <p> + He was answered a moment later, for a shower of fine gravel from the walk + flew up and clattered against the glass. With a start, Tom looked down, + and saw a dark figure standing under an apple tree. + </p> + <p> + “Hello! Who's there?” called the lad, after he had raised the sash. + </p> + <p> + “It's I—Mr. Jenks,” was the surprising answer. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Jenks?” repeated Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Yes—Barcoe Jenks, of Earthquake Island.” + </p> + <p> + “You here? What do you want?” + </p> + <p> + “Can you come down?” + </p> + <p> + “What for?” + </p> + <p> + “Tom Swift, I've something very important to tell you,” was the answer in + a low voice, yet which carried to Tom's ears perfectly. “Do you want to + make a fortune for yourself—and for me?” + </p> + <p> + “How?” Tom was beginning to think more and more that Mr. Jenks was crazy. + </p> + <p> + “How? By helping me to discover the secret of Phantom Mountain, where the + diamonds are made! Will you?” + </p> + <p> + “Wait a minute—I'll come down,” answered Tom, and he began to grope + for his clothes in the dim light of the little electric lamp. + </p> + <p> + What was the secret of Phantom Mountain? What did Mr. Jenks really want? + Could he make diamonds? Tom asked himself these questions as he hastily + dressed to go down to his midnight visitor. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III—A STRANGE STORY + </h2> + <p> + “Well, Mr. Jenks,” began Tom, when he had descended to the garden, and + greeted the man who had acted so strangely on Earthquake Island, “this is + rather an odd time for a visit.” + </p> + <p> + “I realize that, Tom Swift,” was the answer, and the lad noticed that the + man spoke much more calmly than he had that evening at the jewelry shop. + “I realize that, but I have to be cautious in my movements.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” + </p> + <p> + “Because there are enemies on my track. If they thought I was seeking aid + to discover the secret of Phantom Mountain, my life might pay the + forfeit.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you in earnest, Mr. Jenks?” + </p> + <p> + “I certainly am, and, while I must apologize for awakening you at this + unseemly hour, and for the mysterious nature of my visit, if you will let + me tell my story, you will see the need of secrecy.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don't mind being awakened,” answered Tom, good-naturedly, “but I + will be frank with you, Mr. Jenks. I hardly can believe what you have + stated to me several times—that you know how diamonds can be made.” + </p> + <p> + “I can prove it to you,” was the quiet answer. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I know. For centuries men have tried to discover the secret of + transmuting base metals into gold, and how to make diamonds by chemical + means. But they have all been failures.” + </p> + <p> + “All except this process—the process used at Phantom Mountain,” + insisted the queer man. “Do you want to hear my story?” + </p> + <p> + “I have no objections.” + </p> + <p> + “Then let me warn you,” went on Mr. Jenks, “that if you do hear it, you + will be so fascinated by it that I am sure you will want to cast your lot + in with mine, and aid me to get my rights, and solve the mystery. And I + also want to warn you that if you do, there is a certain amount of danger + connected with it.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm used to danger,” answered Tom, quietly. “Let me hear your story. But + first explain how you came to come here, and why you acted so strangely at + the jewelry store.” + </p> + <p> + “Willingly. I tried to attract your attention at the store, because I saw + that you were going to buy a diamond, and I didn't want you to.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not?” + </p> + <p> + “Because I want to present you with a beautiful stone, that will answer + your purpose as well or better, than any one you could buy. That will + prove my story better than any amount of words or argument. But I could + not attract your attention without also attracting that of the jeweler. He + became suspicious, gave chase, and I thought it best to vanish. I hope no + one was made to suffer for what may have been my imprudence.” + </p> + <p> + “No, the lad whom Mr. Track caught was let go. But how did you happen to + come to Shopton?” + </p> + <p> + “To see you. I got your address from the owner of the yacht Resolute. I + knew that if there was one person who could aid me to recover my rights, + it would be you, Tom Swift. Will you help me? Will you come with me to + discover the secret of Phantom Mountain? If we go, it will have to be in + an airship, for in no other way, I think, can we come upon the place, as + it is closely guarded. Will you come? I will pay you well.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps I had better hear your story,” said the young inventor. “But + first let me suggest that we move farther away from the house. My father, + or Mr. Jackson, or the housekeeper, may hear us talking, and it may + disturb them. Come with me to my private shop,” and Tom led the way to a + small building where he did experimental work. He unlocked the door with a + key he carried, turned on the lights, which were run by a storage battery, + and motioned Mr. Jenks to a seat. + </p> + <p> + “Now I'll hear your story,” said Tom. + </p> + <p> + “I'll make it as short as possible,” went on the queer man. “To begin + with, it is now several years ago since a poorly dressed stranger applied + to me one night for money enough to get a meal and a bed to sleep in. I + was living in New York City at the time, and this was midnight, as I was + returning home from my club. + </p> + <p> + “I was touched by the man's appearance, and gave him some money. He asked + for my card, saying he would repay me some day. I gave it to him, little + thinking I would hear from the man again. But I did. He called at my + apartments about a week later, saying he had secured work as an expert + setter of diamonds, and wanted to repay me. I did not want to take his + money, but the fact that such a sorry looking specimen of manhood as he + had been when I aided him, was an expert handler of gems interested me. I + talked with the man, and he made a curious statement. + </p> + <p> + “This man, who gave his name as Enos Folwell, said he knew a place where + diamonds could be made, partly in a scientific manner, and partly by the + forces of nature. I laughed at him, but he told me so many details that I + began to believe him. He said he and some other friends of his, who were + diamond cutters, had a plant in the midst of the Rocky Mountains, where + they had succeeded in making several small, but very perfect diamonds. + They had come to the end of their rope, though, so to speak, because they + could not afford to buy the materials needed. Folwell said that he and his + companions had temporarily separated, had left the mountain where they + made diamonds, and agreed to meet there later when they had more money + with which to purchase materials. They had all agreed to go out into + civilization, and work for enough funds to enable them to go on with their + diamond making. + </p> + <p> + “I hardly knew whether to believe the man or not, but he offered proof. He + had several small, but very perfect diamonds with him, and he gave them to + me, to have tested in any way I desired. + </p> + <p> + “I promised to look into the matter, and, as I was quite wealthy, as, in + fact I am now, and if I found that the stones he gave me were real, I said + I might invest some money in the plant.” + </p> + <p> + “Were the diamonds good?” asked Tom, who was beginning to be interested. + </p> + <p> + “They were—stones of the first water, though small. An expert gem + merchant, to whom I took them, said he had never seen any diamonds like + them, and he wanted to know where I got them. Of course I did not tell + him. + </p> + <p> + “To make a long story short, I saw Folwell again, told him to communicate + with his companions, and to tell them that I would agree to supply the + cash needed, if I could share in the diamond making. To this they agreed, + and, after some weeks spent in preparation, a party of us set out for + Phantom Mountain.” + </p> + <p> + “Phantom Mountain?” interrupted Tom. “Where is it?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know, exactly—it's somewhere in the Rockies, but the exact + location is a mystery. That is why I need your help. You will soon + understand the reason. Well, as I said, myself, Folwell and the others, + who were not exactly prepossessing sort of men, started west. When we got + to a small town, called Indian Ridge, near Leadville, Colorado, the men + insisted that I must now proceed in secret, and consent to be blindfolded, + as they were not yet ready to reveal the secret of the place where they + made the diamonds. + </p> + <p> + “I did not want to agree to this, but they insisted, and I gave in, + foolishly perhaps. At any rate I was blindfolded one night, placed in a + wagon, and we drove off into the mountains. After traveling for some + distance I was led, still blindfolded, up a steep trail. + </p> + <p> + “When the bandage was taken off my eyes I saw that I was in a large cave. + The men were with me, and they apologized for the necessity that caused + them to blindfold me. They said they were ready to proceed with the making + of diamonds, but I must promise not to seek to discover the secret until + they gave me permission, nor was I to attempt to leave the cave. I had to + agree. + </p> + <p> + “Next they demanded that I give them a large sum, which I had promised + when they showed me, conclusively, that they could make diamonds. I + refused to do this until I had seen some of the precious stones, and they + agreed that this was fair, but said I would have to wait a few days. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I waited, and, all that while, I was virtually a prisoner in the + cave. All I could learn was that it was in the midst of a great range, + near the top, and that one of the peaks was called Phantom Mountain. Why, + I did not learn until later. + </p> + <p> + “At last one night, during a terrific thunder storm, the leader of the + diamond makers—Folwell—announced that I could now see the + stones made. The men had been preparing their chemicals for some days + previous. I was taken into a small chamber of the cave, and there saw + quite a complicated apparatus. Part of it was a great steel box, with a + lever on it. + </p> + <p> + “We will let you make some diamonds for yourself,” Folwell said to me, and + he directed me to pull the lever of the box, at a certain signal. The + signal came, just as a terrific crash of thunder shook the very mountain + inside of which we were. The box of steel got red-hot, and when it cooled + off it was opened, and was given a handful of white stones. + </p> + <p> + “Were they diamonds?” asked Tom, eagerly. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Jenks held out one hand. In the palm glittered a large stone—ostensibly + a diamond. In the rays of the moon it showed all the colors of the rainbow—a + beautiful gem. “That is one of the stones I made—or rather that I + supposed I had made,” went on Mr. Jenks. “It is one of several I have, but + they have not all been cut and polished as has this one. + </p> + <p> + “Naturally I was much impressed by what I saw, and, after I had made + certain tests which convinced me that the stones in the steel box were + diamonds, I paid over the money as I had promised. That was my undoing.” + </p> + <p> + “How?” + </p> + <p> + “As soon as the men got the cash, they had no further use for me. The next + I remember is eating a rude meal, while we discussed the future of making + diamonds. I knew nothing more until I found myself back in the small hotel + at Indian Ridge, whence I had gone some time previous, with the men, to + the cave in the mountain.” + </p> + <p> + “What happened?” asked Tom, much surprised by the unexpected outcome of + the affair. + </p> + <p> + “I had been tricked, that was all! As soon as the men had my money they + had no further use for me. They did not want me to learn the secret of + their diamond making, and they drugged me, carried me away from the cave, + and left me in the hotel.” + </p> + <p> + “Didn't you try to find the cave again?” + </p> + <p> + “I did, but without avail. I spent some time in the Rockies, but no one + could tell where Phantom Mountain was; in fact, few had heard of it, and I + was nearly lost searching for it. + </p> + <p> + “I came back East, determined to get even. I had given the men a very + large sum of money, and, in exchange, they had given me several diamonds. + Probably the stones are worth nearly as much as the money I invested, but + I was cheated, for I was promised an equal share in the profits. These + were denied me, and I was tricked. I determined to be revenged, or at + least to discover the secret of making diamonds. It is my right.” + </p> + <p> + “I agree with you,” spoke Tom. + </p> + <p> + “But, up to the time I met you on Earthquake Island, I could form no plan + for discovering Phantom Mountain, and learning the secret of the diamond + makers,” went on Mr. Jenks. “I carried the gems about with me, as you + doubtless saw when we were on the island. But I knew I needed an airship + in which to fly over the mountains, and pick out the location of the cave + where the diamonds are made.” + </p> + <p> + “But how can you locate it, if you were blindfolded when you were taken + there, Mr. Jenks?” + </p> + <p> + “I forgot to tell you that, on our journey into the mountains, and just + before I was carried into the cave, I managed to raise one corner of the + bandage. I caught a glimpse of a very peculiarly shaped cliff—it is + like a great head, standing out in bold relief against the moonlight, when + I saw it. That head of rock is near the cave. It may be the landmark by + which we can locate Phantom Mountain.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps,” admitted the young inventor. + </p> + <p> + “What I want to know is this,” went on Mr. Jenks. “Will you go with me on + this quest—go in your airship to discover the secret of the diamond + makers? If you will, I will share with you whatever diamonds we can + discover, or make; besides paying all expenses. Will you go, Tom Swift?” + </p> + <p> + The young inventor did not know what to answer. How far was Mr. Jenks to + be trusted? Were the stones he had real diamonds? Was his story, + fantastical as it sounded—true? Would it be safe for Tom to go? + </p> + <p> + The lad asked himself these questions. Mr. Jenks saw his hesitation. + </p> + <p> + “Here,” said the strange man, “I will prove what I say. Take this diamond. + I intended it for you, anyhow, for what you did for me on Earthquake + Island. Take it, and—and give it to the person for whom you were + about to purchase a diamond to-night. But, first of all, take it to a gem + expert, and get his opinion. That will prove the truth of what I say, Tom + Swift, and I feel sure that you will cast your lot in with mine, and help + me to discover the secret of Phantom Mountain, and aid me to get my rights + from the diamond makers!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV—ANDY FOGER GETS A FRIGHT + </h2> + <p> + Tom Swift considered a few minutes. On the face of it, the proposition + appealed to him. He had been home some time now after his adventures on + Earthquake Island, and he was beginning to long for more excitement. The + search for the mysterious mountain, and the cave of the diamond makers, + might offer a new field for him. But there came to him a certain distrust + of Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “I don't like to doubt your word,” began Tom, slowly, “but you know, Mr. + Jenks, that some of the greatest chemists have tried in vain to make + diamonds; or, at best, they have made only tiny ones. To think that any + man, or set of men, made real diamonds as large as the ones you have, + doesn't seem—well—” and Tom hesitated. + </p> + <p> + “You mean you can hardly believe me?” asked Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “I guess that's it,” assented Tom. + </p> + <p> + “I don't blame you a bit!” exclaimed the odd man. “In fact, I didn't + believe it when they told me they could make diamonds. But they proved it + to me. I'm ready now to prove it to you.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll tell you what I'll do. Here's this one stone, cut ready for setting. + Here's another, uncut,” and Mr. Jenks drew from his pocket what looked + like a piece of crystal. “Take them to any jeweler,” he resumed—“to + the one in whose place I saw you to-night. I'll abide by the verdict you + get, and I'll come here to-morrow night, and hear what you have to say.” + </p> + <p> + “Why do you come at night?” asked Tom, thinking there was something + suspicious in that. + </p> + <p> + “Because my life might be in danger if I was seen talking to you, and + showing you diamonds in the daytime—especially just now. + </p> + <p> + “Why at this particular time?” + </p> + <p> + “For the reason that the diamond makers are on my trail. As long as I + remained quiet, after their shabby treatment of me, and did not try to + discover their secret, they were all right. But, after I realized that I + had been cheated out of my rights, and when I began to make an + investigation, with a view to discovering their secret whereabouts, I + received mysterious and anonymous warnings to stop.” + </p> + <p> + “But I did not. I came East, and tried to get help to discover the cave of + the diamond makers, but I was unsuccessful. I needed an airship, as I said, + and no person who could operate one, would agree to go with me on the + quest. Again I received a warning to drop all search for the diamond + makers, but I persisted, and about a week ago I found I was being + shadowed.” + </p> + <p> + “Shadowed; by whom?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “By a man I never remember seeing, but who, I have no doubt, is one of the + diamond-making gang.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think he means you harm?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm sure of it. That is the reason I have to act so in secret, and come + to see you at night. I don't want those scoundrels to find out what I am + about to do. On my return from Earthquake Island, I again endeavored to + interest an airship man in my plan, but he evidently thought me insane. + Then I thought of you, as I had done before, but I was afraid you, too, + would laugh at my proposition. However, I decided to come here, and I did. + It seemed almost providential that my first view of you was in a jewelry + shop, looking at diamonds. I took it as a good omen. Now it remains with + you. May I call here to-morrow night, and get your answer?” + </p> + <p> + Tom Swift made up his mind quickly. After all it would be easy enough to + find out if the diamonds were real. If they were, he could then decide + whether or not to go with Mr. Jenks on the mysterious quest. So he + answered: + </p> + <p> + “I'll consider the matter, Mr. Jenks. I'll meet you here to-morrow night. + In the meanwhile, for my own satisfaction, I'll let an expert look at + these stones.” + </p> + <p> + “Get the greatest diamond expert in the world, and he'll pronounce them + perfect!” predicted the odd man. “Now I'll bid you goodnight, and be + going. I'll be here at this time to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + As Mr. Jenks turned aside there was a movement among the trees in the + orchard, and a shadowy figure was seen hurrying away. + </p> + <p> + “Who's that?” asked the diamond man, in a hoarse whisper. “Did you see + that, Tom Swift? Some one was here—listening to what I said! Perhaps + it was the man who has been shadowing me!” + </p> + <p> + “I think not. I guess it was Eradicate Sampson, a colored man who does + work for us,” said Tom. “Is that you, Rad?” he called. + </p> + <p> + “Yais, sah, Massa Tom, heah I is!” answered the voice of the negro, but it + came from an entirely different direction than that in which the shadowy + figure had been seen. + </p> + <p> + “Where are you, Rad?” called the young inventor. + </p> + <p> + “Right heah,” was the reply, and the colored man came from the direction + of the stable. “I were jest out seein' if mah mule Boomerang were all + right. Sometimes he's restless, an' don't sleep laik he oughter.” + </p> + <p> + “Then that wasn't you over in the orchard?” asked Tom, in some uneasiness. + </p> + <p> + “No, sah, I ain't been in de orchard. I were sleepin' in mah shack, till + jest a few minutes ago, when I got up, an' went in t' see Boomerang. I had + a dream dat some coon were tryin t' steal him, an' it sort ob 'sturbed me, + laik.” + </p> + <p> + “If it wasn't your man, it was some one else,” said Mr. Jenks, decidedly. + </p> + <p> + “We'll have a look!” exclaimed Tom. “Here, Rad, come over and scurry among + those trees. We just saw some one sneaking around.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll sure do dat!” cried the colored man. “Mebby it were somebody arter + Boomerang! I'll find 'em.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't believe it was any one after the mule,” murmured Mr. Jenks, “but + it certainly was some one—more likely some one after me.” + </p> + <p> + The three made a hasty search among the trees, but the intruder had + vanished, leaving no trace. They went out into the road, which the moon + threw into bold relief along its white stretch, but there was no figure + scurrying away. + </p> + <p> + “Whoever it was, is gone,” spoke Tom. “You can go back to bed, Rad,” for + the colored man, of late, had been sleeping in a shack on the Swift + premises. + </p> + <p> + “And I guess it's time for me to go, too,” added Mr. Jenks. “I'll be here + to-morrow night, Tom, and I hope your answer will be favorable.” + </p> + <p> + Tom did not sleep well the remainder of the night, for his fitful slumbers + were disturbed by dreams of enormous caves, filled with diamonds, with + dark, shadowy figures trying to put him into a red-hot steel box. Once he + awakened with a start, and put his hand under his pillow to feel if the + two stones Mr. Jenks had given him, were still there. They had not been + disturbed. + </p> + <p> + Tom made up his mind to find out if the stones were really diamonds, + before saying anything to his father about the chance of going to seek + Phantom Mountain. And the young inventor wished to get the opinion of some + other jeweler than Mr. Track—at least, at first. + </p> + <p> + “Though if this one proves to be a good gem, I'll have Mr. Track set it in + a brooch, and give it to Mary for her birthday,” decided the young + inventor. “Guess I'll take a run over to Chester in the Butterfly, and see + what one of the jewelers there has to say.” + </p> + <p> + In addition to his big airship, Red Cloud, Tom owned a small, swift + monoplane, which he called Butterfly. This had been damaged by Andy Foger + just before Tom left on the trip that ended at Earthquake Island, but the + monoplane had been repaired, and Andy had left town, not having returned + since. + </p> + <p> + Telling his father that he was going off on a little business trip, which + he often did in his aeroplane, Tom, with the aid of Mr. Jackson, the + engineer, wheeled the Butterfly out of its shed. + </p> + <p> + Adjusting the mechanism, and seeing that it was in good shape, Tom took + his place in one of the two seats, for the monoplane would carry two. Mr. + Jackson then spun the propellers, and, with a crackle and roar the motor + started. Over the ground ran the dainty, little aeroplane, until, having + momentum enough, Tom tilted the wing planes and the machine sailed up into + the air. + </p> + <p> + Rising about a thousand feet, and circling about several times to test the + wind currents, Tom headed his craft toward Chester, a city about fifty + miles from Shopton. In his pocket, snugly tucked away, were the two stones + Mr. Jenks had given him. + </p> + <p> + It was not long before Tom saw, looming up in the distance the church + spires and towering factory chimneys of Chester, for his machine was a + speedy one, and could make ninety miles an hour when driven. But now a + slower speed satisfied our hero. + </p> + <p> + “I'll just drop down outside of the city,” he reasoned, “for too much of a + crowd gathers when I land in the street. Besides I might frighten horses, + and then, too, it's hard to get a good start from the street. I'll leave + it in some barn until I want to go back.” + </p> + <p> + Tom sent his craft down, in order to pick out a safe place for a landing. + He was then over the suburbs of the city, and was following the line of a + straight country road. + </p> + <p> + “Looks like a good place there,” he murmured. “I'll shut off the motor, + and vol-plane down.” + </p> + <p> + Suiting the action to the word, Tom shut off his power. The little craft + dipped toward the ground, but the lad threw up the forward planes, and + caught a current of air that sent him skimming along horizontally. + </p> + <p> + As he got nearer to the ground, he saw the figure of a lad riding a + bicycle along the country highway. Something about the figure struck Tom + as being familiar, and he recognized the cyclist a moment later. + </p> + <p> + “It's Andy Foger!” said Tom, in a whisper. “I wondered where he had been + keeping himself since he damaged the Butterfly. Evidently he doesn't dare + venture back to Shopton. Well, here's where I give him a scare.” + </p> + <p> + Tom's monoplane was making no more noise, now, than a soaring bird. He was + gliding swiftly toward the earth, and, with the plan in his mind of + administering some sort of punishment to the bully, he aimed the machine + directly at him. + </p> + <p> + Nearer and nearer shot the monoplane, as quietly as a sheet of paper might + fall. Andy pedaled on, never looking up nor behind him, A moment later, as + Tom threw up his headplanes, to make his landing more easy, and just as he + swooped down at one side of the cyclist, our hero let out a most alarming + yell, right into Andy's ear. + </p> + <p> + “Now I've got you!” he shouted. “I'll teach you to slash my aeroplane! + Come with me!” + </p> + <p> + Andy gave one look at the white bird-like apparatus that had flown up + beside him so noiselessly, and, being too frightened to recognize Tom's + voice, must have thought that he had been overtaken by some supernatural + visitor. + </p> + <p> + Andy gave a yell like an Indian, about to do a stage scalping act, and + fairly dived over the handlebars of his bicycle, sprawling in a heap on + the dusty road. + </p> + <p> + “I guess that will hold you for a while,” observed Tom, grimly, as he put + on the ground-brake and brought his monoplane to a stop not far from the + fallen rider. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V—A MYSTERIOUS MAN + </h2> + <p> + For several minutes Andy Foger did not arise. He remained prostrate in the + dust, and Tom, observing him, thought perhaps the bully might have been + seriously injured. But, a little later, Andy cautiously raised his head, + and inquired in a frightened voice: + </p> + <p> + “Is it—is it gone?” + </p> + <p> + “Is what gone?” asked Tom, grimly. + </p> + <p> + At the sound of his voice, Andy looked up. “Was that you, Tom Swift?” he + demanded. “Did you knock me off my wheel?” + </p> + <p> + “My monoplane and I together did,” was the reply; “or, rather, we didn't. + It was the nervous reaction caused by your fright, and the knowledge that + you had done wrong, that made you jump over the handlebars. That's the + scientific explanation.” + </p> + <p> + “You—you did it!” stammered Andy, getting to his feet. He wasn't + hurt much, Tom thought. + </p> + <p> + “Have it your own way,” resumed our hero. “Did you think it was a + hob-goblin in a chariot of fire after you, Andy?” + </p> + <p> + “Huh! Never mind what I thought! I'll have you arrested for this!” + </p> + <p> + “Will you? Delighted, as the boys say. Hop in my airship and I'll take you + right into town. And when I get you there I'll make a charge of malicious + mischief against you, for breaking the propeller of the Butterfly and + slashing her wings. I've mended her up, however, so she goes better than + ever, and I can take you to the police station in jig time. Want to come, + Andy?” + </p> + <p> + This was too much for the bully. He knew that Tom would have a clear case + against him, and he did not dare answer. Instead he shuffled over to where + his wheel lay, picked it up, and rode slowly off. + </p> + <p> + “Good riddance,” murmured Tom. He looked about, and saw that he was near a + house, in the rear of which was a good-sized barn. “Guess I'll ask if I + can leave the Butterfly there,” he murmured, and, ringing the doorbell, he + was greeted by a man. + </p> + <p> + “I'll pay you if you'll let me store my machine in the barn a little + while, until I go into the city, and return,” spoke the lad. + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, you're welcome to leave it there without pay,” was the answer. + “I'm interested in airships, and, I'll consider it a favor if you'll let + me look yours over while it's here.” + </p> + <p> + Tom readily agreed, and a few minutes later he had caught a trolley going + into the city. He was soon in one of the largest jewelry stores of + Chester. + </p> + <p> + “I'd like to get an expert opinion as to whether or not those stones are + diamonds,” spoke Tom, to the polite clerk who came up to wait on him, and + our hero handed over the two gems which Mr. Jenks had given him. “I'm + willing to pay for the appraisement, of course,” the young inventor added, + as he saw the clerk looking rather doubtfully at him, for Tom had on a + rough suit, which he always donned when he flew in his monoplane. + </p> + <p> + “I'll turn them over to our Mr. Porter, a gem expert,” said the clerk. + “Please be seated.” + </p> + <p> + The young man disappeared into a private office with the stones, and Tom + waited. He wondered if he was going to have his trouble for his pains. + Presently two elderly gentlemen came from the little room, on the glass + door of which appeared the word “Diamonds.” + </p> + <p> + “Who brought these stones in?” asked one of the men, evidently the + proprietor, from the deference paid him by the clerk. The latter motioned + to Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Will you kindly step inside here?” requested the elderly man. When the + door was closed, Tom found himself in a room which was mostly taken up + with a bench for the display of precious stones, a few chairs, and some + lights arranged peculiarly; while various scales and instruments stood on + a table. + </p> + <p> + “You wished an opinion on—on these?” queried the proprietor of the + place. Tom noticed at once that the word “diamonds” was not used. + </p> + <p> + “I wanted to find out if they were of any value,” he said. “Are they + diamonds?” + </p> + <p> + “Would you mind stating where you got them?” asked the other of the two + men. + </p> + <p> + “Is that necessary?” inquired the lad. “I came by them in a legitimate + manner, if that's what you mean, and I can satisfy you on that point. I am + willing to pay for any information you may give me as to their value.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it isn't that,” the proprietor hastened to assure him. “But these are + diamonds of such a peculiar kind, so perfect and without a flaw, that I + wondered from what part of the world they came.” + </p> + <p> + “Then they are diamonds?” asked Tom, eagerly. + </p> + <p> + “The finest I have ever tested!” declared the other man, evidently Mr. + Porter, the gem expert. “They are a joy to look at, Mr. Roberts,” he went + on, turning to the proprietor. “If it is possible to get a supply of them + you would be justified in asking half as much again as we charge for + African or Indian diamonds. The Kimberly products are not to be compared + to these,” and he looked at the two stones in his hand—the one cut, + and sparkling brilliantly, the other in a rough state. + </p> + <p> + “Do you care to state where these diamonds came from?” asked Mr. Roberts, + looking critically at Tom. + </p> + <p> + “I had rather not,” answered the lad. “It is enough for me to know that + they are diamonds. How much is your charge?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing,” was the unexpected answer. “We are very glad to have had the + opportunity of seeing such stones. Is there any chance of getting any + more?” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps,” answered Tom, as he accepted the gems which the expert held out + to him. + </p> + <p> + “Then might we speak for a supply?” went on Mr. Roberts, eagerly. “We will + pay you the full market price.” + </p> + <p> + “What is the value of these stones?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Roberts looked at his gem expert. + </p> + <p> + “It is difficult to say,” was the answer of the man who had handed Tom the + gems. “They are so far superior to the usual run of diamonds, that I feel + justified in saying that the cut one would bring fifteen hundred dollars, + anywhere. In fact, I would offer that for it. The other is larger, though + what it would lose in cutting would be hard to say. I should say it was + worth two thousand dollars as it is now.” + </p> + <p> + “Thirty-five hundred dollars for these two stones!” exclaimed Tom. + </p> + <p> + “They are worth every cent of it,” declared Mr. Roberts. “Do you want to + sell?” + </p> + <p> + Tom shook his head. He could scarcely believe the good news. Mr. Jenks had + told the truth. Now the young inventor could go with him to seek the + diamond makers. + </p> + <p> + “Can you get any more of these?” went on Mr. Roberts. + </p> + <p> + “I think so—that is I don't know—I am going to try,” answered + the lad. + </p> + <p> + “Then if you succeed I wish you would sell us some,” fairly begged the + proprietor of the store. + </p> + <p> + “I will,” promised Tom, but he little knew what lay before him, or perhaps + he would not have made that promise. He thanked the diamond merchant for + his kindness, and arranged to have the cut stone set in a pin for Miss + Nestor. The uncut gem Tom took away with him. + </p> + <p> + Thinking of many things, and wondering how best to start in his airship + Red Cloud for the mysterious Phantom Mountain, Tom hurried back to where + he had left the monoplane, wheeled it out, and was soon soaring through + the air toward Shopton. + </p> + <p> + “I think I'll go with Mr. Jenks,” he decided, as he prepared for a landing + in the open space near his aeroplane shed. “It will be a risky trip, + perhaps, but I've taken risks before. When Mr. Jenks comes to-night I'll + tell him I'll help him to get his rights, and discover the secret of the + diamond makers.” + </p> + <p> + As Tom was wheeling the Butterfly into the shed, Eradicate came out to + help him. + </p> + <p> + “Dere's a gen'man here to see yo', Massa Tom,” said the colored man. + </p> + <p> + “Who is it?” + </p> + <p> + “I dunno. He keep askin' ef yo' de lad what done bust up Earthquake + Island, an' send lightnin' flashes up to de sky, an' all sech questions + laik dat.” + </p> + <p> + “It isn't Mr. Damon; is it, Rad? He hasn't been around in some time.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Massa Tom, it ain't him. I knows dat blessin' man good an' proper. I + jest wish he'd bless mah mule Boomerang some day, an' take some oh de + temper out ob him. No, sah, it ain't Massa Damon. De gen'man's in de + airship shed waitin' fo' you.” + </p> + <p> + “In the airship shed! No strangers are allowed in there, Rad.” + </p> + <p> + “I knows it, Massa Tom, but he done persisted his se'f inter it, an' he + wouldn't come out when I told him; an' your pa an' Mr. Jackson ain't + home.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll see about this,” exclaimed Tom, striding to the large shed, where + the Red Cloud was kept. As he entered it he saw a man looking over the + wonderful craft. + </p> + <p> + “Did you want to see me?” asked Tom, sharply, for he did not like + strangers prowling around. + </p> + <p> + “I did, and I apologize for entering here, but I am interested in + airships, and I thought you might want to hire a pilot. I am in need of + employment, and I have had considerable to do with balloons and + aeroplanes, but never with an airship like this, which combines the two + features. Do you wish to hire any one.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't!” replied Tom, sharply, for he did not like the looks of the + man. + </p> + <p> + “I was told that you did,” was the rather surprising answer. + </p> + <p> + “Who told you?” + </p> + <p> + The man looked all around the shed, before replying, as if fearful of + being overheard. Then, stepping close to Tom, he whispered: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Jenks told me!” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Jenks?” Tom could not conceal his astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “Yes. Mr. Barcoe Jenks. But I did not come here to merely ask you for + employment. I would like to hire out to you, but the real object of my + visit was to say this to you.” + </p> + <p> + The man approached still closer to Tom, and, in a lower voice, and one + that could scarcely be heard, he fairly hissed: + </p> + <p> + “Don't go with Barcoe Jenks to seek the diamond makers!” + </p> + <p> + Then, before Tom could put out a hand to detain him, had the lad so + wished, the man turned suddenly, and fairly ran from the shed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI—MR. DAMON IS ON HAND + </h2> + <p> + The young inventor stood almost spellbound for a few moments. Then + recovering himself he made a dash for the door through which the + mysterious man had disappeared. Tom saw him sprinting down the road, and + was half-minded to take after him, but a cooler thought warned him that he + had better not. + </p> + <p> + “He may be one of those men who are on Mr. Jenks' trail,” reasoned Tom, in + which case it might not be altogether safe to attempt to stop him, and + make him explain. Or he may be a lunatic, and in that case it wouldn't be + altogether healthy to interfere with him. + </p> + <p> + “I'll just let him go, and tell Mr. Jenks about him when he comes + to-night. But I must warn Rad never to let him in here again. He might + damage the airship.” + </p> + <p> + Calling to the colored man, Tom pointed to the stranger, who was almost + out of sight down the road, and said earnestly: + </p> + <p> + “Rad, do you see that fellow?” + </p> + <p> + “I sho do, Massa Tom, but I sorter has t' strain my eyes t' do it. He's + goin' laik my mule Boomerang does when he's comm' home t' dinnah.” + </p> + <p> + “That's right, Rad. Well, never let that man set foot inside our fence + again! If he comes, and I'm home, call me. If I'm away, call dad or Mr. + Jackson, and if you're here alone, drive him away, somehow.” + </p> + <p> + “I will, Massa Tom!” exclaimed the colored man, earnestly, “an' if I can't + do it alone, I'll get Boomerang t' help. Once let dat ar' mule git his + heels on a pusson, an' dat pusson ain't goin' t' come bodderin' around any + mo'—that is, not right away.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe you, Rad. Well, keep a lookout for him, and don't let him in,” + and with that Tom entered the house to think over matters. They were + beginning to assume an aspect he did not altogether like. Not that Tom was + afraid of danger, but he preferred to meet it in the open, and the + warning, or threat, of the mysterious man disquieted him. + </p> + <p> + When Mr. Swift came home, a little later, his son told him of the midnight + interview with Mr. Jenks, for, up to this time, the aged inventor was + unaware of it, and Tom also gave an account of the diamonds, speaking of + their value. + </p> + <p> + “And do you propose to go to Phantom Mountain, in search of the makers of + these gems, Tom?” asked Mr. Swift. + </p> + <p> + “I had about decided to do so, dad.” + </p> + <p> + “And you're going in the Red Cloud?' + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Who are going with you?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mr. Jenks will go, of course, and I've no doubt but that if I + mention the prospective trip to Mr. Damon, that he'll bless his skating + cap, or something like that, and come along.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose so, Tom, and I'd like to have you take him. But I think you'll + need some one else.” + </p> + <p> + “Because, from what you have told me, you are going out to a dangerous + part of the country, and you may have to deal with unscrupulous men. Three + of you are hardly enough to cope with them. You ought to have at least + another member of your party. If I was not busy on my invention of a new + wireless motor I would go along, but I can't leave. You might take Mr. + Jackson.” + </p> + <p> + “No, you need him here to help you, dad.” + </p> + <p> + “How about Eradicate?” + </p> + <p> + Tom smiled. + </p> + <p> + “Rad would get homesick for his mule Boomerang, and I'd have to bring him + back just when we'd found the diamonds,” replied the young inventor. “No, + we'll have to think of some one else. I'll ask Mr. Damon, and then I'll + consider matters further. I expect to see Mr. Jenks to-night, and he may + have some one in mind.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps that will be a good plan. Well, Tom, I trust you will take good + care of yourself, and not run into unnecessary danger. Is the Red Cloud in + good shape for the voyage?” + </p> + <p> + “It needs looking over. I'm going to get right at it.” + </p> + <p> + “It's a pretty indefinite sort of a quest you're going on, Tom, my son. + How do you expect to find Phantom Mountain?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it's going to be quite a task. In the first place we'll head for + Leadville, Colorado, and then we'll go to Indian Ridge and make some + inquiries. We may get on the track of the place that way. If we don't, why + I'll take the airship up as high as is necessary and sort of prospect + until we see that big cliff that's shaped like a head. That will give us + something to go by.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, do the best you can. If you can discover the secret of making + diamonds it will be a valuable one.” + </p> + <p> + “I guess it will, dad; and Mr. Jenks is entitled to know it, for he paid + his good money to that end. He has promised to go halves with me, as + payment for the use of the airship, and I must say the two diamonds he + gave me last night have proved very valuable.” + </p> + <p> + “Two diamonds, Tom? You only showed me one, an uncut gem;” and Mr. Swift + looked at his son. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, the other—er—the other is—I left it with a + jeweler,” and Tom blushed a trifle, as he thought of the present he + contemplated making to Mary Nestor. + </p> + <p> + That afternoon, as Tom was out in the shed of the Red Cloud looking over + the airship, to see what would be necessary to do to it in order to get it + in shape for a long trip, he heard voices outside. + </p> + <p> + “Yes—yes, I know the way in perfectly well,” he caught. “You needn't + bother to come, my good fellow. Just step this way, and I'll show you + something worth seeing.” + </p> + <p> + “I wonder if it's that mysterious man coming back?” thought Tom. He + dropped the tool he was using, and hurried to the door. As he approached + it he heard the voice continue. + </p> + <p> + “Why bless my shoe laces, Mr. Parker! You'll see a wonderful airship, I + promise you. Wonderful! Bless my hatband, but I hope Tom is here!” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Damon!” exclaimed our hero, as he recognized the tones of his + eccentric friend. “But who is with him?” + </p> + <p> + A moment later he caught sight of the gentleman who was always blessing + himself, or something. Behind him stood another man, whose features Tom + could not see plainly. + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Tom Swift!” called Mr. Damon. “Looking over the Red Cloud, eh? + Does that mean you're off on another trip?” + </p> + <p> + “I guess it does,” answered the lad. + </p> + <p> + “Where to this time? if I may ask.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm thinking of going off to the mountains to find a band of men engaged + in making diamonds,” replied Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Making diamonds! Bless my finger ring! Making diamonds! A trip to the + mountains! Bless my disposition! but do you know I'd like to go with you!” + </p> + <p> + “I was thinking of asking you, Mr. Damon.” + </p> + <p> + “Were you? Bless my heart, I'm glad you thought of me. You don't by any + possible chance want another person; do you?” + </p> + <p> + “We were thinking of having four in the party, Mr. Damon,” and Tom + wondered who was with his eccentric friend. + </p> + <p> + “Then bless my election ticket! This is the very chance for you, Mr. + Parker!” cried Mr. Damon. “Will you go with us? It will be just what you + need,” and Mr. Damon stepped aside, revealing to Tom the features of Mr. + Ralph Parker, the scientist who had correctly predicted the destruction of + Earthquake Island. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII—MR. PARKER PREDICTS + </h2> + <p> + Tom Swift was a most generous lad, but when he saw that Mr. Damon had with + him Mr. Parker, the gloomy scientist, who seemed to take delight in + predicting disasters, our hero's spirits were not exactly of the best. He + would have much preferred not to take Mr. Parker on the quest for the + diamond makers, but, since Mr. Damon had mentioned it, he did not see how + he could very well refuse. + </p> + <p> + “But perhaps he won't care to go,” thought Tom. + </p> + <p> + He was undeceived a moment later, however, for the scientist remarked: + </p> + <p> + I am very glad to meet you once more, Mr. Swift. I have scarcely thanked + you enough for what you did for us in erecting your wireless station on + Earthquake Island, which, as you recall, I predicted would sink into the + sea. It did, I am glad to say, not because I like to see islands + destroyed, but because science has been vindicated. Now I have just heard + you remark that you are about to set off to the mountains in search of + some men who are making diamonds. I need hardly state that this is utterly + useless, for no diamonds, commercially valuable, can be made by men. But + the trip may be valuable in that it will permit me to demonstrate some + scientific facts. + </p> + <p> + “Therefore, if you will permit me, I will be very glad to accompany you + and Mr. Damon. I shall be delighted, in short, and I can start as soon as + you are ready.” + </p> + <p> + “There's no hope for it!” thought Tom, dismally. “I suppose he'll wake up + every morning, and predict that before night the world will come to an + end, or he'll prophesy that the airship will blow up, and vanish, when + about seven miles above the clouds. Well, there's no way out of it, so + here goes.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Tom welcomed the scientist as cordially as he could, and invited + him to form one of the party that would set off in the airship to search + for Phantom Mountain. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my jewelry box!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, when this formality was over. + “Tell me more about it, Tom.” + </p> + <p> + Which our hero did, stating the need of maintaining secrecy on account of + the danger to Mr. Jenks. Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker both agreed to say + nothing about the matter, and then the scientist became much interested in + the Red Cloud, which he closely examined. He even complimented Tom on the + skill shown in making it, and, contrary to our hero's expectation, did not + predict that it would blow up the next time it was used. + </p> + <p> + “How did you happen to arrive just at this time, Mr. Damon?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “It was partly due to Mr. Parker,” was the answer. “I had not seen him + since we were rescued from the island, until a few days ago he called on + me at my home. I happened to mention that you lived near here, and + suggested that he might like to see some of your inventions. He agreed, + and we came over in my auto. And now, bless my liver-pin! I find you about + to start off on another trip.” + </p> + <p> + “And have you fully decided to go with me?” asked Tom. “There may be + danger, and I don't like the way that mysterious man behaved.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, bless my revolver!” cried Mr. Damon. “I'm used to danger by this + time. Of course I'm going, and so is Mr. Parker. Do you know,” and the + man, who was always blessing something, came closer to the lad, and + whispered: “Do you know, Tom, Mr. Parker is a very peculiar individual.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm sure of it,” answered the young inventor, looking at the gentleman in + question, who was then inside the airship cabin. + </p> + <p> + “But he's all right, even if he is predicting unpleasant things,” went on + Mr. Damon. “I think we'll get better acquainted with him after a bit.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope so,” agreed Tom, but he did not realize then how close his + companionship with Mr. Parker was to be, nor what dangers they were to + share later. + </p> + <p> + The friends talked at considerable length of the prospective trip, and + Tom, by this time, had ascertained what needed to be done to the airship + to get it in shape to travel. It would take about a week, and, in the + meanwhile, Mr. Damon would go home and get his affairs in order for the + voyage. Tom's father was introduced to Mr. Parker, and, the former, + finding that the scientist held some views in common with him, invited the + gloomy predictor to remain at the Swift home until the Red Cloud was ready + to sail. Tom could not repress a groan at this, but he decided he would + have to make the best of it. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Damon left for home that afternoon, promising to be on hand at the + time set to start for Phantom Mountain. + </p> + <p> + Tom was up waiting for Mr. Jenks at twelve o'clock that night. Shortly + after the hour he saw a dark figure steal into the orchard. At first he + feared lest it might be one of the spies who were, he was now convinced, + on the trail of the man who was seeking to discover the secret of the + diamond makers. But a whistle, which came to the lad's ear a moment later + (that being a signal Mr. Jenks had agreed to sound), told Tom that it was + none other than the visitor he expected. + </p> + <p> + “All right, Mr. Jenks, I'm here,” called Tom, cautiously. “Come over this + way,” and he went out from the shadow of the house, where he had been + waiting, and met the men. “We'll go into my private work-shop,” the youth + added, leading the way. + </p> + <p> + “Have you decided to go with me?” asked Mr. Jenks, in an anxious whisper. + “Did you find the diamonds to be real ones?” + </p> + <p> + “I did; and I'm going,” spoke Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Good! That relieves my mind. But we are still in danger. I was followed + by my shadower to-day, and only succeeded in shaking him off just before + coming here. I don't believe he knows what I am about to do.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes he does,” said Tom. + </p> + <p> + “He does? How?” + </p> + <p> + “Because he was here, and warned me against you!” + </p> + <p> + “You don't mean it! Well, they are getting desperate! We must be on our + guard. What sort of a man was he?” + </p> + <p> + Tom described the fellow, and Mr. Jenks stated that this tallied with the + appearance of the person who had been shadowing him. + </p> + <p> + “But we'll fool them yet!” cried Tom, who had now fully entered into the + spirit of the affair. “If they can follow us in the Red Cloud they're + welcome to. I think we'll get ahead of them.” + </p> + <p> + He then told of Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker, and Mr. Jenks agreed that it + would add to the strength of the party to take these two gentlemen along. + </p> + <p> + “Though I can't say I care so much for Mr. Parker,” he added. “But now as + to ways and means. When can we start?” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon he and Tom talked over details in the seclusion of the little + office, and arranged to leave Shopton in about a week. In the meanwhile + the airship would be overhauled, stocked with supplies and provisions, and + be made ready for a swift dash to the mountains. + </p> + <p> + “And now I must be going,” said Mr. Jenks. “I have a great deal to do + before I can start on this trip, and I hope I am not prevented by any of + those men who seem to be trailing me.” + </p> + <p> + “How could they prevent you?” Tom wanted to know. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, there are any number of ways,” was the answer. “But I'm glad you + found that my diamonds were real. We'll soon have plenty, if all goes + well.” + </p> + <p> + As Mr. Jenks left the shop, he started back, in some alarm. + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Over there—I thought I saw a figure sneaking along under the trees—that + man—perhaps—” + </p> + <p> + “That's Eradicate, our colored helper,” replied Tom, with a laugh. “I + posted him there to see that no strangers came into the orchard. + Everything all right, Rad?” he asked, raising his voice. + </p> + <p> + “Yais, sah, Massa Tom. Nobody been around yeah this night.” + </p> + <p> + “That's good. You can go to bed now,” and Eradicate, yawning loudly, went + to his shack. A little later Tom sought his own room, Mr. Jenks having + hurried off to town, where he was boarding. + </p> + <p> + The next few days saw Tom busily engaged on the airship, making some + changes and a few repairs that were needed. His father, Eradicate and Mr. + Jackson helped him. As for Mr. Parker, the scientist, he went about the + place, being much interested in the various machines which Tom or Mr. + Swift had patented. + </p> + <p> + At other times the scientist would stroll about the extensive grounds, + making what he said were “observations.” One afternoon Tom saw him, + apparently much excited, kneeling down back of a shed, with his ear to the + ground. + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter?” asked the lad, thinking perhaps Mr. Parker might be + ill. + </p> + <p> + “Have you ever had any earthquakes here, Tom Swift?” asked the scientist, + quietly. + </p> + <p> + “Earthquakes? No. We had enough of them on the island.” + </p> + <p> + “And you are going to have one here, in about two minutes!” cried Mr. + Parker. “I predict that this place will be shaken by a tremendous shock + very soon. We had all better get away from the vicinity of buildings.” + </p> + <p> + “What makes you think there will be an earthquake?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Because I can hear the rumbling beneath the ground at this very minute. + It is increasing in volume, showing that the tremors are working this way. + There will soon be a great subterranean upheaval! Listen for yourself.” + </p> + <p> + Tom cast himself down on the grass. Placing his ear close to the ground he + did hear a series of dull thuds. He arose, not a little alarmed. There had + never been any earthquakes in Shopton, yet he had great respect for Mr. + Parker's scientific attainments. + </p> + <p> + Just then Eradicate Sampson came along. He saw Tom and Mr. Parker lying + flat on the ground, and surprise showed on his honest, black face. + </p> + <p> + “Fo' de land sakes!” cried Eradicate. “What am de mattah now, Massa Tom?” + </p> + <p> + “Earthquake coming,” answered Tom, briefly. “Better get away from the + buildings, Rad. They might fall!” Tom's face showed the alarm he felt. + What would happen to all of his valuable machines—to the Red Cloud? + </p> + <p> + “Earthquake?” murmured Eradicate, and he, too, cast himself down to + listen. A moment later he arose with a laugh. + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter?” cried Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Why, dat ain't no earthquake!” declared the colored man. + </p> + <p> + “No. Then perhaps you know what it is,” said Mr. Parker, somewhat sharply. + </p> + <p> + “Course I knows what it am,” answered Eradicate, with dignity. “Dat noise + am my mule Boomerang, kickin' in his stable, on account oh me not feedin' + him yet. Dat's what it am. I'se gwine right now t' gib him his oats, and + den yo' see dat de noise stop. Boomerang allers kick dat way when he's + hungry. I show yo'!” + </p> + <p> + And, sure enough, when Eradicate had gone to the mule's stable, which was + near where Mr. Parker had heard the mysterious sounds, they immediately + ceased. + </p> + <p> + “Dat mule was all de earthquake dere was around here,” said the colored + man as he came out. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Parker walked away, saying nothing, and Tom did not make any comments—just + then. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII—OFF FOR THE WEST + </h2> + <p> + It was a great relief to Tom, to find that there was no danger from an + earth tremor. Now that he had made up his mind to go in search of the + diamond makers, he wanted nothing to interfere with it. Lest the feelings + of Mr. Parker might be hurt by the mistake he had made, the young inventor + cautioned Eradicate not to say anything more about the matter. + </p> + <p> + “'Deed an' I won't,” the colored man promised. “I'se only too glad dere + wa'n't no earthquake, dat's what I is.” + </p> + <p> + As for Mr. Parker, he did not appear much put out by his error in + predicting. + </p> + <p> + “I am sure that what I heard was a tremor, due to some distant earthquake + shock,” he said. “The mule's kicking was only a coincidence.” + </p> + <p> + And Tom let him have his way about it. The week was drawing to a close, + and the Red Cloud was nearly in shape for the voyage. At almost the last + minute Tom found that he needed some electrical apparatus for the airship, + and as he had to go to Chester for it, he decided he would make the trip + in his monoplane, and, while in the city, would also get the diamond pin + he was having made for Mary Nestor. + </p> + <p> + He started off early one morning, in the swift little craft Butterfly, and + soon had reached Chester. The diamond brooch was ready for him. + </p> + <p> + “It is one of the most beautiful stones we have ever set,” the diamond + merchant told him. “Don't forget, if you find any more, Mr. Swift, to let + us have a chance to bid on them.” + </p> + <p> + “I may,” Tom promised, rather indefinitely. Then, having purchased his + electrical supplies, he made a quick trip to Shopton, stopping on the way + to call on Miss Nestor. + </p> + <p> + “Why Tom, I'm delighted to see you!” cried the girl, blushing prettily. + “Did you come for some apple turnovers?” and she laughed, as she referred + to a call Tom had once paid, when a new cook had been engaged, and when + the pastry formed a feature of the meal. + </p> + <p> + “No turnovers this time,” said the young inventor. “I came to wish you + many happy returns of the day.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you remembered my birthday! How nice of you!” + </p> + <p> + “And here is something else,” added our hero, rather awkwardly, as he + handed her the diamond pin. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Tom! This for me! Oh, it's too lovely—it's far too much!” + </p> + <p> + “It isn't half enough!” he declared, warmly. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, what a large diamond!” Mary cried as she saw the sparkling stone. “I + never saw one so large and beautiful!” + </p> + <p> + “It's just as easy to make them large as small,” explained Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Make them?” she looked the surprise she felt. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I'm about to start for the place where diamonds are made.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Tom! But isn't it dangerous? I mean won't you have to go to some far + country—like Africa—to get to where diamonds are made?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we are going on quite a trip, but not as far as that. And as for + the danger—well, we'll have to take what comes,” and he told her + something of the proposed quest. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it sounds—sounds scary!” Mary exclaimed, when she had heard of + Mr. Jenks' experience. “Do be careful, Tom!” + </p> + <p> + “I will,” he promised, and, somehow he was glad that she had cautioned him + thus—and in such tones as she had used. For Mary Nestor was a girl + that any young chap would have been glad to have manifest an interest in + him. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I guess I'll have to say good-by,” spoke Tom, at length. “We expect + to start in a couple of days, and I may not get another chance to see + you.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I—I hope you come back safely,” faltered Mary, and then she + held out her hand, and Tom—well, it's none of our affair what Tom + did after that, except to say that he hurried out, fairly jumped into his + monoplane, and completed the trip home. + </p> + <p> + As the Red Cloud has been fully described in the volume entitled “Tom + Swift and His Airship,” we will not go into details about it now. + Sufficient to say that it was a combination of a biplane and dirigible + balloon. It could be used either as one or the other, and the gas-bag + feature was of value when the wind was too great to allow the use of the + planes, or when the motive power, for some reason stopped. In that event + the airship could remain suspended far above the clouds if necessary. + There was provision for manufacturing the gas on board. + </p> + <p> + The Red Cloud was fitted up to accommodate about ten persons, though it + was seldom that this number was carried. Two persons could successfully + operate the machinery. There were sleeping berths, and in the main cabin a + sitting-room, a dining-room, and a kitchen. There was also the motor + compartment, and a steering tower, from which the engines could be + controlled. + </p> + <p> + It was in this craft that the seekers after the diamond makers proposed + undertaking the trip. Mr. Damon came on from his home in Waterfield about + two days before the date set to leave, and Mr. Jenks, had, three days + before this, taken up his abode at the Swift home. Mr. Parker, as has been + stated, was already there, and he had put in his time making a number of + scientific observations, though he had made no more predictions. + </p> + <p> + Nothing more had been seen of the mysterious man who had warned Tom, and + the young inventor and Mr. Jenks began to hope that they had thrown their + enemies off the track. + </p> + <p> + “Though I don't imagine they'll give up altogether,” said Mr. Jenks. + “They're too desperate for that. We'll have trouble with them yet.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it can't be helped,” decided Tom. “We'll try and be ready for it, + when it comes,” and then, dismissing the matter from his mind, he busied + himself about the airship. + </p> + <p> + The food and supplies had all been put aboard, and they expected to start + the next morning. In order to make sure that any stones which they might + succeed in getting from the diamond makers were real gems, a set of + testing apparatus was taken along. Mr. Parker had had some experience in + this line, and, in spite of the fact that he might make direful + predictions, Tom was rather glad, after all, that the scientist was going + to accompany them. + </p> + <p> + “But what is worrying me,” said Mr. Damon, “is what we are going to do + after we get to Phantom Mountain. What are your plans, Mr. Jenks? Will you + go in, and demand your share of the diamond-making business?” + </p> + <p> + “I have a right to it, as I invested a large sum in it, and I am entitled + to more than a half-share. But, of course, I can't say what I'll do until + I get there. We may have to act very secretly.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm inclined to think we will,” said Tom. “My plan would be to gain + access to the cave, if possible, and watch them at work. We might be able + to discover the secret of making diamonds, and, after all, that's what you + want, isn't it, Mr. Jenks?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I paid my money for the secret, and I ought to have it. If I can get + it quietly, so much the better. If not, I'll fight for my rights!” and he + looked very determined. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my powder horn!” cried Mr. Damon. “That's the way to talk! And so + we're to go cruising about in the air, looking for a mountain shaped like + a man's head.” + </p> + <p> + “That's it,” agreed Mr. Jenks, “and when we find it we will be near + Phantom Mountain, and the diamond makers.” + </p> + <p> + The final details were completed that night. The last of the supplies had + been put aboard, the larder was well stocked, the diamond testing + apparatus was stored safely away, and all that remained was for the + adventurers to board the Red Cloud in the morning, and soar away. + </p> + <p> + That night Tom was uneasy. Several times he got up, and looked toward the + shed where the airship was stored. He could not rid himself of the idea + that the men to whose interest it was that the diamond-making secret + remain undiscovered, might attempt to wreck the airship before the start. + Consequently both Eradicate Sampson and Engineer Jackson were on guard. + Tom looked from his window, to the shed where the Red Cloud was housed. He + saw nothing to cause him any uneasiness. + </p> + <p> + “I guess I'm just nervous,” he mused. “But, all the same, I'll be glad + when we've started.” + </p> + <p> + They were all up early the next morning, Mr. Damon beginning the day by + blessing the sunrise, and many other things that struck his fancy. The + airship was wheeled out of the shed, and Tom gave her a final inspection. + </p> + <p> + “It's all right,” he declared. “All aboard!” + </p> + <p> + “Now, do be careful,” begged Mr. Swift. “Don't take too many chances, + Tom.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll not.” + </p> + <p> + The adventurers were in the forward part of the ship, and Tom had taken + his place at the wheels and levers in the pilot house. As he was about to + start the motor he looked toward the road, and saw a horse and carriage. + In the vehicle was a girlish figure, at the sight of which Tom blushed and + smiled. He waved his hand. + </p> + <p> + “I came to wish you good luck!” cried Mary Nestor, for it was she in the + carriage. + </p> + <p> + “Thanks!” cried Tom, leaning from the window of the pilot house. “It was + good of you to get up so early.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh. I'm always up early,” she informed him. + </p> + <p> + “Look out that the motor doesn't scare your horse,” Tom warned her. + </p> + <p> + “Old Dobbin doesn't mind anything,” was her answer. “I'll see that he + doesn't run away with me, as long as you're not on earth to rescue me. + Good-by, Tom!” + </p> + <p> + “Good-by!” he called, and then he pulled the lever that set in motion the + motor, and whirled the great propellers about. They whizzed around with a + roar, and the Red Cloud, shivering and trembling with the vibration, rose + in the air like some great bird. + </p> + <p> + “We're off for the West and Phantom Mountain!” called Tom to his + companions. + </p> + <p> + As the airship soared upward, Eradicate Sampson ran forward from where he + had been standing near his mule Boomerang. He waved his hands, and shouted + something. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my hatband! What does he want?” asked Mr. Damon, watching him + curiously. + </p> + <p> + “It sounds as if he were calling to us to come back,” spoke Mr. Parker. + </p> + <p> + “It's too late now,” decided Tom. “Maybe he forgot to tell us good-by,” + but, he felt a vague wonder at Eradicate's odd motions; for the colored + man was pointing toward the stern of the airship, as if there was + something wrong there. But the Red Cloud soared on. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX—A WARNING BY WIRELESS + </h2> + <p> + Rapidly the airship ascended, and, when it was high over the town of + Shopton, Tom headed the craft due west. Looking down he tried to descry + Mary Nestor, in her carriage, but the trees were in the way, their + interlocking branches hiding the girl. Tom did see crowds of other + persons, though, thronging the streets of Shopton, for, though the young + inventor had made many flights, there was always a novelty about them, + that brought out the curious. + </p> + <p> + “A good start, Tom Swift,” complimented Mr. Parker. “Is it always as easy + as this?” + </p> + <p> + “Starting always is,” was the answer, “though, as the Irishman said, + coming down isn't sometimes quite so comfortable.” + </p> + <p> + “Bless my gizzard! That's so,” cried the eccentric Mr. Damon. “Can we + vol-plane to earth in the Red Cloud, Tom?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but not as easily as in the Butterfly. However I hope we will not + have to. Now, Mr. Damon, if you will just take charge of the steering + apparatus for a minute, I want to go aft.” + </p> + <p> + “What for?” + </p> + <p> + “I wish to see if everything is all right. I can't imagine why Eradicate + was making those queer motions.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Damon, who knew how to operate the Red Cloud, was soon guiding her on + the course, while Tom made his way to the rear compartments, through the + motor room, where the stores of supplies and food were kept. He made a + careful examination, looking from an after window, and even going out on a + small, open platform, but could discover nothing wrong. + </p> + <p> + “I guess Rad was just capering about without any special object,” mused + Tom, but it was not long after this that they learned to their dismay, + that the colored man had had a method in his madness. + </p> + <p> + On his way back through the motor room Tom looked to the machinery, and + adjusted some of the auxiliary oil feeders. The various pieces of + apparatus were working well, though the engine had not yet been speeded up + to its limit. Tom wanted it to “warm-up” first. + </p> + <p> + “Everything all right?” asked Mr. Damon, as Tom rejoined them in the pilot + house, which was just forward of the living room in the main cabin. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I can't imagine what made Rad act that way. But I'll set the + automatic steering gear now, Mr. Damon, and then you will be relieved.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Jenks was gazing off toward the west—to where he hoped to + discover the secret of Phantom Mountain. + </p> + <p> + “How do you like it?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “It's great,” replied the diamond man. “I've never been in an airship + before, and it's different than what I expected; but it's great! It's the + only craft that will serve our purpose among the towering mountain peaks, + where the diamond makers are hidden. I hope we can find them.” + </p> + <p> + In a little while the Red Cloud was skimming along at faster speed, guided + by the automatic rudders, so that no one was needed in the pilot house, + since there was no danger of collisions. Airships are not quite numerous + enough for that, yet, though they may soon become so. + </p> + <p> + Tom and the others devoted several hours to arranging their staterooms and + bunks, and getting their clothing stowed away, and when this was done Mr. + Parker and Mr. Jenks sat gazing off into space. + </p> + <p> + “It's hard to realize that we are really in an airship,” observed the + diamond man. “At first I thought I would be frightened, but I'm not a bit. + It doesn't seem as if anything could happen.” + </p> + <p> + “Something is likely to happen soon,” said Mr. Parker, suddenly, as he + gazed at some weather instruments on the cabin wall. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my soul! Don't say that!” cried Mr. Damon. “What is it?” + </p> + <p> + “I think, from my observations, that we will soon have a hurricane,” said + the scientific man. “There is every indication of it;” and he seemed quite + delighted at the prospect of his prediction coming true. + </p> + <p> + “A hurricane!” cried Mr. Damon. “I hope it isn't like the one that blew us + to Earthquake Island.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I think there will be no danger,” spoke Tom. “If it comes on to blow + we will ascend or descend out of the path of the storm. This craft is not + like the ill-fated Whizzer. I can more easily handle the Red Cloud; even + in a bad storm.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad to hear that,” remarked Mr. Jenks. “It would be too bad to be + wrecked before we got to Phantom Mountain.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I predict that we will have a bad storm,” insisted Mr. Parker, and + Tom could not help wishing that the scientist would keep his gloomy + forebodings to himself. + </p> + <p> + However the storm had not developed up to noon, when Tom, with Mr. Damon's + help, served a fine meal in the dining-room. In the afternoon the speed of + the ship was increased, and by night they had covered several hundred + miles. Through the darkness the Red Cloud kept on, making good time. Tom + got up, occasionally, to look to the machinery, but it was all + automatically controlled, and an alarm bell would sound in his stateroom + when anything went wrong. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my napkin!” exclaimed Mr. Damon the next morning, as they sat down + to a breakfast of fruit, ham and eggs and fragrant coffee, “this is living + as well as in a hotel, and yet we are—how far are we above the + earth, Tom?” he asked, turning to the young inventor. + </p> + <p> + “About two miles now. I just sent her up, as I thought I detected that + storm Mr. Parker spoke of.” + </p> + <p> + “I told you it would come,” declared the scientist, and there was a small + hurricane below them that morning, but only the lower edge of it caught + the Red Cloud, and when Tom sent her up still higher she found a + comparatively quiet zone, where she slid along at good speed. + </p> + <p> + That afternoon Tom busied himself about some wires and a number of + complicated pieces of apparatus which were in one corner of the main + cabin. + </p> + <p> + “What are you doing now?” asked Mr. Jenks, who had been talking with Mr. + Parker, and showing that scientist some of the manufactured diamonds. + </p> + <p> + “Getting our wireless apparatus in shape,” answered the lad. “I should + have done it before, but I had so much to do that I couldn't get at it. + I'm going to send off some messages. Dad will want to know how we are + doing.” + </p> + <p> + As he worked away, he also made up his mind to send another message, in + care of his father, for there was a receiving station in the Swift home. + And to whom this message was addressed Tom did not say, but we fancy some + of our readers can guess. + </p> + <p> + Finally, after several hours of work, the wireless was in shape to send + and receive messages. Tom pulled over the lever, and a crackling sound was + heard, as the electricity leaped from the transmitters into space. Then he + clamped the receiver on his ear. + </p> + <p> + “All ready,” he announced. “Has anybody any messages they wish sent?” For, + with the courtesy of a true host he was ready to serve his guests before + he forwarded his own wireless notes. + </p> + <p> + “Just tell my wife that I'm enjoying myself,” requested Mr. Damon. “Bless + my footstool! But this is great! We're off the earth yet, connected with + it.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Jenks had no one to whom he wanted to send any word, but Mr. Parker + wish to wire to a fellow scientist the result of some observations made in + the upper air. + </p> + <p> + Tom noted all the messages down, and then, when all was in readiness he + began to call his home station. He knew that either his father or Mr. + Jackson, the engineer, could receive the wireless. + </p> + <p> + But, no sooner had the young inventor sent off the first few dots and + dashes representing “S. I.”—his home station call—than he + started and a look of surprise came over his face. + </p> + <p> + “They're calling us!” he exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + “Who is?” asked Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “My house—my father. He—he's been trying to get us ever since + we started, but I didn't have the wireless in shape to receive messages. + Oh, I hope it's not too late!” + </p> + <p> + “Too late! Bless my soul, too late for what?” gasped Mr. Damon, somewhat + alarmed by Tom's manner. + </p> + <p> + The lad did not answer at once. He was intently listening to a series of + dots and dashes that clicked in the telephone receiver clamped to his left + ear. On his face there was a look of worriment. + </p> + <p> + “Father has just sent me a message,” he said. “It's a warning flashed + through space! He's been trying to get it to me since yesterday!” + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” asked Mr. Jenks, rising from his seat. + </p> + <p> + “The mysterious man is aboard the airship—hidden away!” cried Tom. + “That's what Eradicate was trying to call to our attention as we started + off. Eradicate saw his face at a rear window, and tried to warn us! The + mysterious man is a stowaway on board!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X—DROPPING THE STOWAWAY + </h2> + <p> + Tom's excited announcement startled Mr. Damon and the others as much as if + the young inventor had informed them that the airship had exploded and was + about to dash with them to the earth. The men leaped to their feet, and + stared at the lad. + </p> + <p> + “A stowaway on board!” cried Mr. Damon. “Bless my soul! How did he—” + </p> + <p> + “Are you sure that message is straight?” asked Mr. Jenks. “Did Eradicate + see the man?” + </p> + <p> + “He says he did,” answered Tom. “The man is hidden away on board now—probably + among the stores and supplies.” + </p> + <p> + “Bless my tomato sauce!” exploded Mr. Damon. “I hope he doesn't eat them + all up!” + </p> + <p> + “We must get him out at once!” declared Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “I knew something would happen on this voyage,” came from Mr. Parker. “I + predicted it from the first!” + </p> + <p> + Tom thought considerable, but he did not answer the scientist just then. + Another communication was coming to him by wireless. He listened intently. + </p> + <p> + “Father says,” the lad told his companions “that Eradicate only had a + glimpse of the man at the last moment. He was looking from the rear + storeroom window—he's the same man who called on me that time—Rad + remembers him very well.” + </p> + <p> + “Bless my shoes! What's to be done?” inquired Mr. Damon, looking around + helplessly. + </p> + <p> + “We must get him out, that's all,” decided Mr. Jenks; with vigor. “Get him + out and drop him overboard!” + </p> + <p> + “Drop him overboard!” cried Mr. Parker, in horror. + </p> + <p> + “Not exactly, but get rid of him,” proceeded the diamond seeker. “That man + is one of my enemies. He has been sent by the band of diamond makers + hidden among the mountains, to spy on me, and, if possible, prevent me + from seeking to discover their secret. He tried to work on Tom's Swift's + fears, and frighten him from using his airship on this quest. Then, when + he failed, the man must have sneaked into the shed, and hidden himself in + the ship. We must get rid of him, or he may wreck the Red Cloud!” + </p> + <p> + “That's so!” cried Tom. “We must try to capture him. I think we had better—” + the lad paused, and again listened to the wireless message. “Father says + Eradicate saw the man have a gun, so we must be careful,” the young + inventor translated the dots and dashes. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my powder horn!” exploded Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “We shall have to proceed cautiously then,” spoke Mr. Jenks. “If he is + like any others in the gang he is a desperate man.” + </p> + <p> + “Better sneak up on him then, if we can,” proposed Mr. Parker. “There are + enough of us to cope with one man, even if he is armed. You have weapons + aboard, haven't you?” he inquired of Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” was the hesitating answer, “but I don't want to use them if I can + help it. Not only because of the danger, and a dislike of shedding blood, + but because a stray bullet might pierce the gas bag and damage the ship.” + </p> + <p> + “That's so,” agreed Mr. Jenks. “Well, I guess if we go at it the right way + we can capture him without any shooting. But we must talk more quietly—we + ought to have whispered—he may have heard us.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think so,” replied Tom. “The storeroom is far enough off so that + he couldn't hear us. Besides, the motor makes such a racket that he + couldn't distinguish what we were talking about, even if he heard our + voices. So, unless he heard the wireless working, and suspects something + from that, he probably doesn't know that we are aware of his presence + aboard.” + </p> + <p> + “But why do you think he has remained quiet all this while, Tom?” asked + Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “Probably he wants to wait until the ship is farther out west,” suggested + Mr. Jenks. “Then he will be nearer his friends, and can get help, if he + needs it.” + </p> + <p> + “And do you really believe he would destroy the Red Cloud?” asked Mr. + Parker. + </p> + <p> + “I think that all he is waiting for is a favorable chance,” declared the + diamond seeker. “He would destroy the craft, and us too, if he could + prevent us from discovering the secret of Phantom Mountain, I believe.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we must get ahead of him,” decided Tom, quietly. “I have just + flashed to dad a message, telling him that we will heed his warning. Now + to capture the stowaway!” + </p> + <p> + “And while we're about it, give him a good scare when we do get him,” + suggested Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “How?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Threaten to drop him overboard. Perhaps that will make him tell how he + happened to get in our ship, and what are the plans of the gang of diamond + makers. We may get valuable information that way.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't believe you can scare such fellows much,” was Tom's opinion, but + it was agreed to try. + </p> + <p> + “How are you going to capture him?” asked Mr. Parker. “If he has a gun it + won't be any too easy to go in the storeroom, and drag him out.” + </p> + <p> + “We'll have to use a little strategy,” decided Tom, and then they + discussed several plans. The one finally adopted was that Tom and Mr. + Damon should enter the storeroom, casually, as if in search of food to + cook for supper. They would discuss various dishes, and Mr. Damon was to + express a preference for something in the food line, the box containing + which, was well back in the room. This would give the two a chance to + penetrate to the far end of the apartment, without arousing the suspicions + of the hidden man, who, doubtless, would be listening to the conversation. + </p> + <p> + “And as soon as we get sight of him, you and I will jump right at him, Mr. + Damon,” said Tom. “Jump before he has a chance to use his gun. Mr. Jenks + and Mr. Parker will be waiting outside the room, to catch him if he gets + away from us. I'll have some ropes ready, and we'll tie him up, and—well, + we'll decide later what to do with him.” + </p> + <p> + “All right. I'm ready as soon as you are, Tom,” said the eccentric man. + “Come ahead.” + </p> + <p> + They went softly to the storeroom, and listened at the door. There was no + sound heard save that made by the machinery. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder if he's really here?” whispered Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “We'll soon find out,” answered Tom. “Let's go in.” + </p> + <p> + They entered, and, in pursuance of their plan, Tom and his friend talked + of various foods. + </p> + <p> + “I think I'd like some of that canned lobster, with French dressing on,” + spoke the eccentric man. + </p> + <p> + “That's away in the back end of the room,” said Tom, in a loud voice. + “It's under a lot of boxes.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I'll help you get it out! Bless my frying pan! but I am very fond of + lobster!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, in as natural tones as was possible under + the circumstances. + </p> + <p> + He and Tom moved cautiously back among the boxes and barrels. They were + glancing about with eager eyes. Tom switched on an electric light, and, + the instant he did so, he was aware of a movement in a little space formed + by one box which was placed on top, of two others. The lad saw a dark + figure moving, as if to get farther out of sight. + </p> + <p> + “I've got him!” cried Tom, making a dive for the shadow. + </p> + <p> + A moment later the young inventor was bowled over, as a dark figure leaped + over his head. + </p> + <p> + “Catch him, Mr. Damon!” he cried. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my hatband! I—I—” Mr. Damon's voice ended in a grunt. + He, too, had been knocked down by the fleeing man. + </p> + <p> + “Look out, Mr. Jenks!” cried Tom, to warn those on guard at the door of + the storeroom. + </p> + <p> + There was the report of a gun, some excited shouts, and when Tom could + scramble to his feet, and rush out, he beheld Mr. Parker calmly sitting on + a struggling man, while Mr. Jenks held a gun, that was still smoking. + </p> + <p> + “We caught him!” cried the scientist. + </p> + <p> + “Anybody hurt?” asked Tom, anxiously. + </p> + <p> + “No, I knocked up his gun as he fired,” explained Mr. Jenks. “Where are + the ropes, Tom?” + </p> + <p> + The cords were produced and the man, who had now ceased to struggle, was + tightly bound. He uttered not a word, but he smiled grimly when Mr. Damon + remarked: + </p> + <p> + “I guess I'll go back in the storeroom, Tom, and see how much food he + ate.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I guess he didn't take much,” declared the lad. “He wasn't there long + enough.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Farley Munson, so it's you, is it?” asked Mr. Jenks, as he surveyed + the prisoner. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know him?” asked Tom, in some surprise. + </p> + <p> + “He was in with the diamond makers,” said Mr. Jenks. “He was one of those + who took me to the secret cave. But it will be the last time he ever goes + there. How high up are we, Tom?” + </p> + <p> + “About two miles. Why?” + </p> + <p> + “I guess that will be far enough to let him fall,” went on the diamond + seeker. “Come on, Mr. Damon, help me throw him overboard!” + </p> + <p> + “You—you're not going to throw me over—with the airship two + miles high; are you?” gasped the man. + </p> + <p> + “Will you tell us what we want to know, if we don't?” asked Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “What do you want to know?” + </p> + <p> + “How you got aboard, and what your object was in coming.” + </p> + <p> + “That's easy enough. I had been hanging around the shed for several days, + watching a chance to get in. Finally I saw it, when that colored man went + to feed his mule, and I slipped in, and hid in the airship. The stores + were all in then, and I stowed myself away among the boxes. I had food and + water, so I didn't touch any of yours,” and he looked at Mr. Damon, who + seemed much relieved. + </p> + <p> + “And what was your object?” demanded Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “I wanted to prevent you from going to Phantom Mountain.” + </p> + <p> + “How?” + </p> + <p> + “By destroying the airship if need be. But I hoped to accomplish it by + other means. I would have stopped at nothing, though, to prevent you. You + must keep away from there!” + </p> + <p> + “And if we refuse?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Then you'll have to take what comes!” + </p> + <p> + “But not from you!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. “We're going to get rid of you.” + </p> + <p> + The man's face showed the alarm he felt. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, don't worry,” said Mr. Jenks, quickly, “we're not going to toss you + overboard. We're not as desperate as your crowd. But we're going to get + rid of you, and then go on before you can send any word to your + confederates. We'll put you off in the most lonesome spot we can find, and + I guess you'll be some time getting back to civilization. By that time + we'll have the secret of the diamonds.” + </p> + <p> + “You never will!” declared the man, firmly. And he would say nothing more, + though by threats and promises Mr. Jenks tried to get from him something + about the men in with him, and where the cave of the diamonds was located. + </p> + <p> + Heavily bound with ropes the man was locked in a small closet, to be kept + there until a favorable spot was reached for letting him go. Mr. Jenks' + plan, of dropping him down in some place where he would have difficulty in + sending on word to his confederates was considered a good one. + </p> + <p> + Three days later, in crossing over a lonely region, near the Nebraska + National Forest, Farley Munson, which was one of the names the spy went + by, was dropped off the airship, when it was sent down to within a few + feet of the earth. + </p> + <p> + “It will take you some time to get to a telegraph office,” said Mr. Jenks, + as a package of food, and a flask of water was tossed down to the + stowaway. He shook his fist at those in the airship, and shouted after + them: + </p> + <p> + “You'll never discover the secret of Phantom Mountain!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we will,” declared Tom, as he sent the Red Cloud high into the air + again. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI—A WEARY SEARCH + </h2> + <p> + During the three days when the stowaway had been kept a prisoner, the Red + Cloud had made good time on her western trip. She was now about two + hundred and fifty miles from Leadville, Colorado, and Tom knew he could + accomplish that distance in a short time. It was necessary, therefore, + since they were so close to the place where the real search would begin, + to make some more definite plans. + </p> + <p> + “We will need to replenish our supply of gasoline,” said Tom, shortly + after the stowaway had been dropped, and when the young inventor had made + a general inspection of the airship. + </p> + <p> + “Is it all gone?” inquired Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “Not all, but we will soon be in the wildest part of the Rocky Mountains, + and gasoline is difficult to procure there. So I want to fill all our + reserve tanks. But I would rather do that before we get far into + Colorado.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” inquired Mr. Parker. + </p> + <p> + “Because airships are not so common but what the appearance of one + attracts attention. Ours is sure to be talked about, and commented on. In + that case, in spite of our precaution in putting Munson off in this lonely + place, word of the Red Cloud being in the vicinity of Leadville may reach + the diamond makers, and put them on their guard. We want to take them + unawares if we can.” + </p> + <p> + “That's so,” agreed Mr. Jenks. “We had better get our gasoline at the + first stopping place, then, and proceed with our search. Our first object + ought to be to look for the landmark—the head of stone. Then we can + begin to prospect about a bit.” + </p> + <p> + “My idea, exactly,” declared Tom. “Well, then, I'll go down at the first + place we cross, where we can get gasoline, and then we'll be in a position + to hover in the air for a long time, without descending.” + </p> + <p> + The airship kept on her way, traveling slowly the remainder of that day, + and at dusk, when there was less chance of big crowds seeing them, the Red + Cloud was sent down on the outskirts of a large village. Tom and Mr. Damon + went to a supply store, and arranged to have a sufficient quantity of the + gasoline taken out to the airship. It was delivered after dark, and little + talk was occasioned by the few who were aware of the presence of the + craft. Then, once more, they went aloft, and Tom sent several wireless + messages to Shopton, including one to Miss Nestor. + </p> + <p> + “Please tell my wife that I am well, and that I have a good appetite,” + said Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Parker also sent a message to a scientific friend of his, stating that + he made some observations among the mountains, of the region in which the + airship then was, and that the indications were that a great landslide + would soon take place. + </p> + <p> + “That won't worry us,” spoke Tom, “for we'll be far above it.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope we will be near enough to enable me to observe it, and make some + scientific notes,” came from Mr. Parker. “I am positive that one of these + mountain peaks that we saw to-day will disappear in a landslide within a + few days. I have an instrument somewhat like the one that records + earthquakes, and it has been acting strangely of late.” + </p> + <p> + Tom wondered what enjoyment Mr. Parker got out of life, when he was always + looking for some calamity to happen, but the scientist seemed to take as + much pleasure in his gloomy forebodings now, as he had on Earthquake + Island. + </p> + <p> + They reached the vicinity of Leadville the next day, but took care to keep + high above the city, so that the airship could not be observed. With + powerful glasses they examined the mountainous country, looking for the + little settlement of Indian Ridge. + </p> + <p> + “There it is!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks, just as dusk was settling down. “I can + make out the hotel I stopped at. Now we can really begin our search. The + next thing is to find the stone head, and then, I think, I will have my + bearings.” + </p> + <p> + “We'll begin the hunt for that landmark in the morning,” said Tom. + </p> + <p> + High in the air hovered the Red Cloud. At that distance above the earth + she must have looked like some great bird, and the adventurers thought it + unlikely that any one in the vicinity of Leadville would observe them. + </p> + <p> + The quest for the great mountain peak, that looked like a stone head, was + under way. Back and forth sailed the airship. Sometimes she was enveloped + in fog, and no sight could be had of the earth below. At other times there + were rain storms, which likewise prevented a view. Mr. Parker was on the + lookout for his predicted mountain landslide, but it did not occur, and he + was much disappointed. + </p> + <p> + “It's queer I can't pick out that landmark,” said Mr. Jenks after two days + of weary searching, when their eyes were strained from long peering + through telescopes. “I'm sure it was around Indian Ridge, yet we've + covered almost all the ground in this neighborhood, and I haven't had a + glimpse of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps it was destroyed in a landslide, or some cataclysm of nature,” + suggested Mr. Parker. “That is very possible.” + </p> + <p> + “If that's the case we're going to have a hard time to locate the cave of + the diamond makers,” answered Mr. Jenks, “but I hope it isn't so.” + </p> + <p> + They continued the search for another day, and then Tom, as they sat in + the comfortable cabin of the airship that night, hovering almost + motionless (for the motor had been shut down) made a proposition. + </p> + <p> + “Why not descend in some secluded place,” he suggested, “and wander around + on foot, making inquiries of the miners. They may know where the stone + head is, or they may even know about Phantom Mountain.” + </p> + <p> + “Good idea,” spoke Mr. Jenks. “We'll do it.” + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, the next morning, the Red Cloud was lowered in a good but + lonely landing place, and securely moored. It was in a valley, well + screened from observation, and the craft was not likely to be seen, but, + to guard against any damage being done to it by passing hunters or miners, + Mr. Parker and Mr. Damon agreed to remain on guard in it, while Tom and + Mr. Jenks spent a day or two traveling around, making inquiries. + </p> + <p> + The young inventor and his companion proceeded on foot to a small + settlement, where they hired horses on which to make their way about. They + were to be gone two days, and in that time they hoped to get on the right + trail. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII—THE GREAT STONE HEAD + </h2> + <p> + It was a wild and desolate country in which Tom Swift and Mr. Jenks were + traveling. Villages were far apart, and they were at best but small + settlements. In their journeys from place to place they met few travelers. + </p> + <p> + But of these few they made cautious inquiries as to the location of + Phantom Mountain, or the landmark known as the great stone head. + Prospectors, miners and hunters, whom they asked, shook their heads. + </p> + <p> + “I've heard of Phantom Mountain,” said one grizzled miner, “but I couldn't + say where it is. Maybe it's only a fish story—the place may not even + exist.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it does, for I've been there!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “Then why don't you go back to it?” asked the miner. + </p> + <p> + “Because I can't locate it again,” was the reply. + </p> + <p> + “Humph! Mighty queer if you've seen a place once, and can't get to it + again,” and the man looked as if he thought there was something strange + about Tom and his companion. Mr. Jenks did not want to say that he had + been taken to the mountain blindfolded, for that would have caused too + much talk. + </p> + <p> + “I think if we spent to-night in a place where the miners congregate, + listened to their talk, and put a few casual questions to them, more as if + we were only asking out of idle curiosity, we might learn something,” + suggested Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Very well, we'll try that scheme.” + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, after they had left the suspicious miner the two proceeded to + a small milling town, not far from Indian Ridge. There they engaged rooms + for the night at the only hotel, and, after supper they sat around the + combined dance hall and gambling place. + </p> + <p> + There were wild, rough scenes, which were distasteful to Tom, and to Mr. + Jenks, but they felt that this was their only chance to get on the right + trail, and so they stayed. As strangers in a western mining settlement + they were made roughly welcome, and in response to their inquiries about + the country, they were told many tales, some of which were evidently + gotten up for the benefit of the “tenderfeet.” + </p> + <p> + “Is there a place around here called Phantom Mountain?” asked Tom, at + length, as quietly as he could. + </p> + <p> + “Never heard of it, stranger,” replied a miner who had done most of the + talking. “I never heard of it, and what Bill Slatterly don't know ain't + worth knowin'. I'm Bill Slatterly,” he added, lest there be some doubt on + that score. + </p> + <p> + “Isn't there some sort of a landmark around here shaped like a great stone + head?” went on Tom, after some unimportant questions. “Seems to me I've + heard of that.” + </p> + <p> + “Nary a one,” answered Mr. Slatterly. “No stone heads, and no Phantom + Mountains—nary a one. + </p> + <p> + “Who says there ain't no Phantom Mountains?” demanded an elderly miner, + who had been dozing in one corner of the room, but who was awakened by + Slatterly's loud voice. “Who says so?” + </p> + <p> + “I do,” answered the one who claimed to know everything. + </p> + <p> + “Then you're wrong!” Tom's heart commenced beating faster than usual. + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean to say you've seen Phantom Mountain, Jed Nugg?” demanded + Slatterly. + </p> + <p> + “No, I ain't exactly seen it, an' I don't want to, but there is such a + place, about sixty mile from here. Folks says it's haunted, and them sort + of places I steer clear from.” + </p> + <p> + “Can you tell me about it?” asked Mr. Jenks, eagerly. “I am interested in + such things.” + </p> + <p> + “I can't tell you much about it,” was the reply, “and I wouldn't git too + interested, if I was you. It might not be healthy. All I know is that one + time my partner and I were in hard luck. We got grub-staked, and went out + prospectin'. We strayed into a wild part of the country about sixty mile + from here, and one night we camped on a mountain—a wild, desolate + place it was too.” + </p> + <p> + The miner stopped, and began leisurely filling his pipe. + </p> + <p> + “Well?” asked Tom, trying not to let his voice sound too eager. + </p> + <p> + “Well, that was Phantom Mountain.” + </p> + <p> + The miner seemed to have finished his story. + </p> + <p> + “Is that all?” asked Mr. Jenks. “How did you know it was Phantom + Mountain?” + </p> + <p> + “'Cause we seen the ghost—my partner and I—that's why!” + exclaimed the man, puffing on his pipe. “As I said, we was campin' there, + and 'long about midnight we seen somethin' tall and white, and all + shimmerin', with a sort of yellow fire, slidin' down the side of the + mountain. It made straight for our camp.” + </p> + <p> + “Huh! Guess you run, didn't you, Jed?” asked Bill Slatterly. + </p> + <p> + “Course we did. You'd a run too, if you seen a ghost comm' at you, an' + firin' a gun.” + </p> + <p> + “Ghosts can't fire guns!” declared Bill. “I guess you dreamed it, Jed.” + </p> + <p> + “Ghosts can't fire guns, eh? That's all you know about it. This one did, + and to prove I didn't dream it, there was a bullet hole in my hat next + mornin'. I could prove it, too, only I ain't got that hat any more. But + that was Phantom Mountain, strangers, an' my advice to you is to keep away + from it. I was on it but I didn't exactly see it, 'cause it was dark at + the time.” + </p> + <p> + “Was it near a peak that looked like a stone head?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “It were, stranger, but I didn't take much notice of it. Me and my partner + got out of them diggin's next day, and I never went back. I ain't never + said much about this place, but it's called Phantom Mountain all right, + and I ain't the only one that's seen a ghost there. Other grub-stakers has + had the same experience.” + </p> + <p> + “Why ain't I never heard about it?” demanded Bill, suspiciously. + </p> + <p> + “'Cause as why you're allers so busy talkin' that you don't never listen + to nothin' I reckon,” was Jed's answer, amid laughter. + </p> + <p> + “Can you tell us what trail to take to get there?” asked Tom, of the + miner. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it's called the old silver trail, and you strike it by goin' to a + place called Black Gulch, about forty mile from here. Then it's twenty + mile farther on. But take my advice and don't go.” + </p> + <p> + “Can it be reached by way of Indian Ridge?” asked Mr. Jenks, wondering how + he had been taken to the cave of the diamond makers. He did not remember + Black Gulch. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you can git there by Indian Ridge way, but it's more dangerous. + You're likely to lose your way, for that's a trail that's seldom + traveled.” Mr. Jenks thought that, perhaps, was the reason the gang had + taken him that way. “It's easier to get to the stone head and Phantom + Mountain by Black Gulch, but it ain't healthy to go there, strangers, take + my advice on that,” concluded the miner, as he prepared to go to sleep + again. + </p> + <p> + Tom could scarcely contain the exultation he felt. At last, it seemed, + they were on the trail. He motioned to Mr. Jenks, and they slipped quietly + from the place, just as another dance was beginning. + </p> + <p> + “Now for Black Gulch!” cried Tom. “We must hurry back to the airship, and + tell the good news. + </p> + <p> + “It's too late to-night,” decided Mr. Jenks, and so they waited until + morning, when they made an early start. + </p> + <p> + They found Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker anxiously awaiting their return. Mr. + Damon blessed so many things that he was nearly out of breath, and Mr. + Parker related something of the observations he had made. + </p> + <p> + “I think I have discovered traces of a dormant volcano,” he said. “I am in + hopes that it will have an eruption while we are here.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm not,” spoke Tom, decidedly. “We'll start for Black Gulch as soon as + possible.” + </p> + <p> + The airship once more rose in the air, and, following the directions the + miner had given him, Tom pointed his craft for the depression in the + mountains which had been given the name Black Gulch. It was reached in a + short time, and then, making a turn up a long valley the airship proceeded + at reduced speed. + </p> + <p> + “We ought to see that stone head soon now,” spoke Tom, as he peered from + the windows of the pilot house. + </p> + <p> + “It's queer we didn't notice it when we were up in the air,” remarked Mr. + Jenks. “We've been over this place before, I'm sure of it.” + </p> + <p> + The next moment Mr. Damon uttered a cry. “Bless my watch-chain!” he + exclaimed. “Look at that!” + </p> + <p> + He pointed off to the left. There, jutting out from the side of a steep + mountain peak was a mass of stone—black stone—which, as the + airship slowly approached, took the form and shape of a giant's head. + </p> + <p> + “That's it! That's it!” cried Tom. “The great stone head!” + </p> + <p> + “And now for Phantom Mountain and the diamonds!” shouted Mr. Jenks, as Tom + let the airship slowly settle to the bottom of the valley. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII—ON PHANTOM MOUNTAIN + </h2> + <p> + Out from the Red Cloud piled Tom and the others. They made a rush for the + irregular mass of rock which bore so strong a resemblance to the head of + some gigantic man. + </p> + <p> + “That's the one! That's the thing I saw when they were taking me along + here blindfolded!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. “I'm sure we're on the right + trail, now!” + </p> + <p> + “But what gets me, though,” remarked Mr. Damon, “is why we couldn't see + that landmark when we were up in the air. We had a fine view, and ought to + have been able to pick it out with the telescopes.” + </p> + <p> + The adventurers saw the reason a few seconds later. The image was visible + only from one place, and that was directly looking up the valley. If one + went too far to the right or left the head disappeared from view behind + jutting crags, and it was impossible to see it from overhead, because the + head was almost under a great spur of a mighty mountain. + </p> + <p> + “We might have hunted for it a week in the airship, and been directly over + it,” said Tom, “and yet we would never have seen it.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but we never would have gotten here in such good shape if it hadn't + been for your wonderful craft,” declared Mr. Jenks. “It brought us here + safely and quickly, and enabled us to elude the men who tried to keep us + back. We're here in spite of them. If we had traveled by train they might + have interfered with us in a dozen ways.” + </p> + <p> + “That's so,” agreed Mr. Damon. “Well, now we're here, what's to be done? + Which way do we start to reach the cave where the diamonds are + manufactured, Mr. Jenks?” + </p> + <p> + “That I can't say. As you know, I only had a momentary glimpse of this + stone head as they were taking me along the trail. Then one of the men + noticed that the bandage had slipped and he pulled it into place. So I + really can't say which direction to take now, in order to discover the + secret.” + </p> + <p> + “How long after you saw the head before you reached the cave?” asked Tom. + “In that way we may be able to tell how far away it is.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I should say it was about two or three hours after I saw the head, + before we got to the halting place, and I was carried into the cave. That + would make it several miles from here, for we went in a wagon.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and they might have driven in a round-about way, in order to deceive + you,” suggested Mr. Damon. “At best we have but a faint idea where the + diamond cave is, but we must search for it; eh, Tom?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly. We'll start right in. And as the airship will be of but little + service to us now, I suggest that we leave it in this valley. It is very + much secluded, and no one will harm it, I think. We can then start off + prospecting, for I have a large portable tent, and we can carry enough + food with us, with what game we can shoot, to enable us to live. I have a + regular camping outfit on board.” + </p> + <p> + “Fine!” cried Mr. Parker, “and that will give me a chance to make some + observations among the mountains, and perhaps I can predict when a + landslide, or an eruption of some dormant volcano, may occur.” + </p> + <p> + “Bless my stars!” cried Mr. Damon. “I don't wish you any bad luck, Mr. + Parker, but I sincerely hope nothing of the sort happens! We had enough of + that on Earthquake Island!” + </p> + <p> + “One can not halt the forces of nature,” said the scientist, solemnly. + “There are many towering peaks around here which may contain old + volcanoes. And I notice the presence of iron ore all about. This must be a + wonderful place in a thunder and lightning storm.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” asked Tom, curiously. + </p> + <p> + “Because lightning would be powerfully attracted here by the presence of + the metal. In fact there is evidence that many of the peaks have been + struck by lightning,” and the scientist showed curious, livid scars on the + stone faces of the peaks within sight. + </p> + <p> + “Then this is a good place to stay away from in a storm,” observed Mr. + Damon. “However, we won't worry about that now. If this is the landmark + Mr. Jenks was searching for, then we must be in the vicinity of Phantom + Mountain.” + </p> + <p> + “I think we are,” declared the diamond seeker. “Probably it is within + sight now, but there are so many peaks, and this is such a wild and + desolate part of the country that we may have trouble in locating it.” + </p> + <p> + “We've got to make a beginning, anyhow,” decided Tom, “and the sooner the + better. Come, we'll make up our camping kits, and start out.” + </p> + <p> + It was something to know that they were on the right trail, and it was a + relief to be able to busy oneself, and not be aimlessly searching for a + mysterious landmark. They all felt this, and soon the airship was taken to + a secluded part of the valley, where it was well hidden from sight in a + grove of trees. + </p> + <p> + Tom and Mr. Damon then served a good meal, and preparations were made to + start on their search among the mountains—a search which they hoped + would lead them to Phantom Mountain, and the cave of the diamond makers. + </p> + <p> + The tent which would afford them shelter was in sections, and could be + laced together. They carried food, compressed into small packages, coffee, + a few cooking utensils; and each one had a gun, Tom carrying a combination + rifle and shotgun, for game. + </p> + <p> + “We can't live very high while we're on the trail,” said the young + inventor, “but it won't be much worse than it was on Earthquake Island. + Are we all ready?” + </p> + <p> + “I guess so,” answered Mr. Damon. “How long are we going to be away?” + </p> + <p> + “Until we find the diamond makers!” declared Tom, firmly. + </p> + <p> + Shouldering their packs, the adventurers started off. Tom turned for a + last look at his airship, dimly seen amid the trees. Would he ever come + back to the Red Cloud? Would she be there when he did return? Would their + quest be successful? These questions the lad asked himself, as he followed + his companions along the rocky trail. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps we can find the road by which these men go in and out of the + cave,” suggested Mr. Damon, when they had gone on for several miles. + </p> + <p> + “I fancy not,” replied Mr. Jenks. “They probably take great pains to hide + it. I think though, that our best plan will be to go here and there, + looking for the entrance to the cave. I believe I would remember the + place.” + </p> + <p> + “But why can't you follow the directions given by the miner who told you + about Phantom Mountain?” asked Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “Because his talk was too indefinite,” answered Mr. Jenks. “He was so + frightened by seeing what he believed to be a ghost, that he didn't take + much notice of the location of the place. All he knows is that Phantom + Mountain is somewhere around here.” + </p> + <p> + “And we've got to hunt until we find it; is that the idea?” asked Mr. + Parker. + </p> + <p> + “Or until we see the phantom,” added Tom, in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my topknot!” exclaimed Mr. Damon. “You don't mean to say you expect + to see that ghost; do you Tom?” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps,” answered the young inventor, and he did not add something else + of which he was thinking. For Tom had a curious theory regarding the + phantom. + </p> + <p> + They tramped about the remainder of that day. Toward evening Tom shot some + birds, which made a welcome addition to their supper. Then the tent was + put together, some spruce and hemlock boughs were cut to make a soft bed, + and on these, while the light of a campfire gleamed in on them, the + adventurers slept. + </p> + <p> + Their experience the following day was similar to the first. They saw no + evidence of a large cave such as Mr. Jenks had described, nor were there + any traces of men having gone back and forth among the mountains, as might + have been expected of the diamond makers, for, as Mr. Jenks had said, they + made frequent journeys to the settlement for food, and other supplies. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I haven't begun to give up yet,” announced Tom, on the third day, + when their quest was still unsuccessful. “But I think we are making one + mistake.” + </p> + <p> + “What is that?” inquired Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “I think we should go up higher. In my opinion the cave is near the top of + some peak; isn't it, Mr. Jenks?” + </p> + <p> + “I have that impression, though, as you know, I never saw the outside of + it. Still, it might not be a bad idea to ascend some of these peaks.” + </p> + <p> + Following this suggestion, they laid their trail more toward the sky, and + that night found them encamped several thousand feet above the sea-level. + It was quite cool, and the campfire was a big one about which they sat + after supper, talking of many things. + </p> + <p> + Tom did not sleep well that night. He tossed from side to side on the bed + of boughs, and once or twice got up to replenish the fire, which had + burned low. His companions were in deep slumber. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder what time it is?” mused Tom, when he had been up the third time + to throw wood on the blaze. “Must be near morning.” He looked at his + watch, and was somewhat startled to see that it was only a little after + twelve. Somehow it seemed much later. + </p> + <p> + As he was putting the timepiece back into his pocket the lad looked around + at the dark and gloomy mountains, amid which they were encamped. As his + gaze wandered toward the peak of the one on the side of which the tent was + pitched, he gave a start of surprise. + </p> + <p> + For, coming down a place where, that afternoon, Tom had noticed a sort of + indefinite trail was a figure in white. A tall, waving figure, which + swayed this way and that—a figure which halted and then came on + again. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder—I wonder if that can be a wisp of fog?” mused the young + inventor. He rubbed his eyes, thinking it might be a swirling of the night + mist or a defect of vision. Then, as he saw more plainly, he noticed the + thing in white rushing toward him. + </p> + <p> + “It's the phantom—the phantom!” cried Tom, aloud. “It's the thing + the miner saw! We're on Phantom Mountain now!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV—WARNED BACK + </h2> + <p> + Tom's cries awakened the sleepers in the tent. Mr. Damon was the first to + rush out. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my nightcap, Tom!” he cried. “What is it? What has happened? Are we + attacked by a mountain lion?” + </p> + <p> + For answer the young inventor pointed up the mountain, to where, in the + dim light from a crescent moon, there stood boldly revealed, the figure in + white. + </p> + <p> + “Bless—bless my very existence!” cried the odd man. “What is it, + Tom?” + </p> + <p> + “The phantom,” was the quiet answer. “Watch it, and see what it does.” + </p> + <p> + By this time Mr. Jenks and Mr. Parker had joined Tom and Mr. Damon. The + four diamond seekers stood gazing at the apparition. And, as they looked, + the thing in white, seemingly too tall for any human being, slid slowly + forward, with a gliding motion. Then it raised its long, white arms, and + waved them threateningly at the adventurers. + </p> + <p> + “It's motioning us to go back,” said Mr. Parker in an awed whisper. “It + doesn't want us to go any farther.” + </p> + <p> + “Very likely,” agreed Tom, coolly. “But we're not going to be frightened + by anything like that; are we?” + </p> + <p> + “Not much!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. “I expected this. A ghost can't drive me + back from getting my rights from those scoundrels!” + </p> + <p> + “Suppose it uses a revolver to back up its demand?” asked the scientist. + </p> + <p> + “Wait until it does,” answered Mr. Jenks. But the figure in white + evidently had no such intentions. It came on a little distance farther, + still waving the long arms threateningly, and then it suddenly + disappeared, seeming to dissolve in the misty shadows of the night. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my suspenders!” cried Mr. Damon. “That's a very strange proceeding! + Very strange! What do you make of it, Tom?” + </p> + <p> + “It is evidently some man dressed up in a sheet,” declared Mr. Jenks. “I + expected as much.” + </p> + <p> + “The work of those diamond makers; do you think?” continued Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “I believe so,” answered Tom, slowly, for he was trying to think it out. + “I believe they are the cause of the phantom, though I don't know that + it's a man dressed in a sheet.” + </p> + <p> + “Why isn't it?” demanded Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “Because it was too tall for a man, unless he's a giant.” + </p> + <p> + “He may have been on stilts,” suggested Mr. Parker. + </p> + <p> + “No man on stilts could walk along that way,” declared Tom, confidently. + “He glided along too easily. I am inclined to think it may be some sort of + a light.” + </p> + <p> + “A light?” queried Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, the diamond makers may be hidden in some small cave near here, and + they may have some sort of a magic lantern or a similar arrangement, for + throwing a shadow picture. They could arrange it to move as they liked, + and could cause it to disappear at will. That, I think, is the ghost we + have just seen.” + </p> + <p> + “But the diamond makers have only been in this mountain recently,” + objected Mr. Jenks, “and the phantom was here before them. In fact, that + was what gave the place its name.” + </p> + <p> + “That may be,” admitted the lad. “There are many places that have the name + of being haunted, but no one ever sees the ghost. It is always some one + else, who has heard of some one who has seen it. That may have been the + case here. I grant that this place may have been called 'Phantom Mountain' + for a number of years, due to the superstitious tales of miners. The + diamond makers came along, found the conditions just right for their work, + and adopted the ghost, so to speak. As there wasn't any real spirit they + made one, and they use it to scare people away. I think that's what we've + just seen, though I may be wrong in my theory as to what the phantom is.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it's gone now, at any rate,” said Mr. Jenks, “and I think we'd + better get back inside the tent. It's cold out here.” + </p> + <p> + “Aren't some of us going to stand guard?” demanded Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “What for?” asked Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “Why—er—bless my key-ring! Suppose that ghost takes a notion + to come down here, and use his gun, as he did on the miners?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't believe that will happen,” remarked Tom. “The diamond makers, if + the white thing had anything to do with them, have given us a warning, and + I think they'll at least wait until morning to see how we heed it.” + </p> + <p> + “We aren't going to heed it!” burst out Mr. Jenks. “I'm going to go right + ahead and find that cave where they make diamonds!” + </p> + <p> + “And we're with you!” exclaimed Tom. “We'll have a good fire going the + rest of the night, and that may keep intruders away. In the morning we'll + begin our search, and we'll go up the trail where we saw the white + figure.” + </p> + <p> + A big pile of wood had been collected for the fire, and Tom now piled some + logs and branches on the blaze. It would last for some time now, and the + adventurers, still talking of the “ghost” went back into the tent. It was + over an hour before they all got to sleep again, and Mr. Jenks and Mr. + Damon took turns in getting up once or twice during the remainder of the + night to replenish the fire. + </p> + <p> + Morning dawned without anything further having occurred to disturb them, + and, after a hearty breakfast, to which Tom added some fish he caught in a + nearby mountain stream, they set off up the trail on Phantom Mountain. + </p> + <p> + They had left their tent standing, as they proposed making that spot their + headquarters until they located the cave they were seeking. What their + course would be after that would depend on the circumstances. + </p> + <p> + If they had expected to have an easy task locating the cavern in which Mr. + Jenks had seen diamonds made, the adventurers were disappointed. All that + day they tramped up and down the mountain, looking for some secret + entrance, but none was disclosed. The higher they went up the great peak, + the fainter became the trail, until, at length it vanished completely. + </p> + <p> + But this was not to be wondered at, since it was on solid rock, in which + no footsteps would leave an impression. + </p> + <p> + “They never brought you up here in a wagon, Mr. Jenks,” decided Tom, when + he saw how steep the place was. + </p> + <p> + “I'm inclined to think so myself,” admitted the diamond man. “They must + have reached the cave from some other way. As a matter of fact, I walked + some distance after getting out of the vehicle, before we got to the + cavern. But, even at that, I don't believe we came this way.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet the phantom was here,” persisted Tom, “and I'm convinced that the + cave is in this neighborhood. It's up to us to find it!” + </p> + <p> + But they searched the remainder of that day in vain, and as night was + coming on, they made their way back to the camp. As Tom, who was in the + lead, approached the tent, he saw something black fastened to the + entrance. + </p> + <p> + “Hello!” he cried. “Some one's been here. That wasn't on the tent when we + left this morning.” + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” asked Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “A black piece of paper, written on with white ink,” replied the lad. He + was reading it, and, as he perused it a look of surprise came over his + face. + </p> + <p> + “Listen to this!” called Tom. “It's evidently from the diamond makers.” + </p> + <p> + Holding up the black paper, on which the white writing stood out in bold + relief Tom read aloud: + </p> + <p> + “Be warned in time! Go back before it is too late! You are near to death! + Go back!” + </p> + <p> + “Bless my shoelaces!” cried Mr. Damon. “This is getting serious.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV—THE LANDSLIDE + </h2> + <p> + Gathered about the young inventor, the three men looked at the warning. + The writing was poor, and it was evident that an attempt had been made to + disguise it. But there was no misspelling of words, and there were no + rudely drawn daggers, or bloody hands or anything of that sort. In fact, + it was a very business-like sort of warning. + </p> + <p> + “Rather odd,” commented Mr. Jenks. “Black paper and white ink.” + </p> + <p> + “White ink is easy enough to make,” stated Mr. Parker. “I fancy they + wanted it as conspicuous as possible.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” agreed Tom, “and this warning, together with the antics of the + thing in white last night, shows that they are aware of our presence here, + and perhaps know who we are. We will have to be on our guard.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think that fellow Munson, whom we left in the forest, could have + gotten here and warned them?” asked Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “It's possible,” admitted Tom, “but now let's see if the person who pinned + this warning on our tent took any of our things.” + </p> + <p> + A hasty examination, however, showed that nothing had been disturbed, and + Tom and Mr. Damon were soon getting supper ready, everyone talking, during + the progress of the meal, about the events of the day, and the rather + weird culmination of it. + </p> + <p> + “Well, we haven't had a great deal of success—so far,” admitted Tom, + as they sat about the fire, in the fast gathering dusk. “I think, perhaps, + we'd better try on the other side of the mountain to-morrow. We've + explored this side pretty thoroughly.” + </p> + <p> + “Good idea,” commented Mr. Jenks. “We'll do it, and move our camp. I only + hope those fellows don't find our airship and destroy it. We'll have a + hard time getting back to civilization again, if we have to walk all the + way.” + </p> + <p> + This contingency caused Tom some uneasiness. He did not like to think that + the unscrupulous men might damage the Red Cloud, that had been built only + after hard labor. But he knew he could accomplish nothing by worrying, and + he tried to dismiss the matter from his mind. + </p> + <p> + They rather expected to see the thing in white again that night, but it + did not appear, and morning came without anything having disturbed their + heavy sleep, for they were tired from the day's tramp. + </p> + <p> + It took them the greater part of the day to make a circuit of the base of + Phantom Mountain in order to get to a place where a sort of trail led + upward. + </p> + <p> + “It's too late to do anything to-night,” decided Tom, as they set up the + tent. “We'll rest, and start the first thing in the morning.” + </p> + <p> + “And the ghost isn't likely to find us here,” added Mr. Damon. “Where are + you going, Mr. Parker?” he asked, as he saw the scientist tramping a + little way up the side of the mountain. + </p> + <p> + “I am going to make some observations,” was the answer, and no one paid + any more attention to him for some time. Supper was nearly ready when Mr. + Parker returned. His face wore a rather serious air, and Mr. Damon, noting + it, asked laughingly: + </p> + <p> + “Well, did you discover any volcanoes, that may erupt during the night, + and scare us to death?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” replied Mr. Parker, calmly, “but there is every indication that we + will soon have a terrific electrical storm. From a high peak I caught a + glimpse of one working this way across the mountains.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we'd better fasten the tent well down,” called Tom. “We don't want + it to blow away.” + </p> + <p> + “There will not be much danger from wind,” was Mr. Parker's opinion. + </p> + <p> + “From what then?” asked Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “From the discharges of lightning among these mountain peaks, which + contain so much iron ore. We will be in grave danger.” + </p> + <p> + The fact that the scientist had not always made correct predictions was + not now considered by his hearers, and Tom and the two men gazed at Mr. + Parker in some alarm. + </p> + <p> + “Is there anything we can do to avoid it?” asked Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “The only thing to do would be to leave the mountain,” was the answer, + “and, as the iron ore extends for miles, we can not get out of the danger + zone before the storm will reach us. It will be here in less than half an + hour.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we'd better have supper,” remarked Tom, practically, “and get ready + for it. Perhaps it may not be as bad as Mr. Parker fears.” + </p> + <p> + “It will be bad enough,” declared the gloomy scientist, and he seemed to + find pleasure in his announcement. + </p> + <p> + The meal was soon over, and Tom busied himself in looking to the guy ropes + of the tent, for he feared lest there might be wind with the storm. That + it was coming was evident, for now low mutterings of thunder could be + heard off toward the west. + </p> + <p> + Black clouds rapidly obscured the heavens, and the sound of thunder + increased. Fitful flashes of lightning could be seen forking across the + sky in jagged chains of purple light. + </p> + <p> + “It's going to be a heavy storm,” Tom admitted to himself. “I hope + lightning doesn't strike around here.” + </p> + <p> + The storm came on rapidly, but there was a curious quietness in the air + that was more alarming than if a wind had blown. The campfire burned + steadily, and there was a certain oppressiveness in the atmosphere. + </p> + <p> + It was now quite dark, save when the fitful lightning flashes came, and + they illuminated the scene brilliantly for a few seconds. Then, by + contrast, it was blacker than ever. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly, as Tom was gazing up toward the peak of Phantom Mountain, he saw + something that caused him to cry out in alarm. He pointed upward, and + whispered hoarsely: + </p> + <p> + “The ghost again! There's our friend in white!” + </p> + <p> + The others looked, and saw the same weird figure that had menaced them + when they were encamped on the other side of the peak. + </p> + <p> + “They must have followed us,” said Mr. Jenks, in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + Slowly the figure advanced, It waved the long white arms, as if in + warning. At times it would be only dimly visible in the blackness, then, + suddenly it would stand out in bold relief as a great flash of fire split + the clouds. + </p> + <p> + The thunder, meanwhile, had been growing louder and sharper, indicating + the nearer approach of the storm. Each lightning flash was followed in a + second or two, by a terrific clap. Still there was no wind nor rain, and + the campfire burned steadily. + </p> + <p> + All at once there was a crash as if the very mountain had split asunder, + and the adventurers saw a great ball of purple-bluish fire shoot down, as + if from some cloud, and strike against the side of the crag, not a hundred + feet from where stood the ghostly figure in white. + </p> + <p> + “That was a bad one,” cried Mr. Damon, shouting so as to be heard above + the echoes of the thunderclap. + </p> + <p> + Almost as he spoke there came another explosion, even louder than the one + preceding. A great ball of fire, pear shaped, leaped for the same spot in + the mountain. + </p> + <p> + “There's a mass of iron ore there!” yelled Mr. Parker. “The lightning is + attracted to it!” + </p> + <p> + His voice was swallowed up in the terrific crash that followed, and, as + there came another flash of the celestial fire, the figure in white could + be seen hurrying back up the mountain trail. Evidently the electrical + storm, with lightning bolts discharging so close, was too much for the + “ghost.” + </p> + <p> + In another instant it looked as if the whole place about where the diamond + seekers stood, was a mass of fire. Great forked tongues of lightning + leaped from the clouds, and seemed to lick the ground. There was a rattle + and bang of thunder, like the firing of a battery of guns. Tom and the + others felt themselves tingling all over, as if they had hold of an + electrical battery, and there was a strong smell of sulphur in the air. + </p> + <p> + “We are in the midst of the storm!” cried Mr. Parker. “We are standing on + a mass of iron ore! Any minute may be our last!” + </p> + <p> + But fate had not intended the adventurers for death by lightning. Almost + as suddenly as it had begun, the discharge of the tongues of fire ceased + in the immediate vicinity of our friends. They stood still—awed—not + knowing what to do. + </p> + <p> + Then, once more, came a terrific clap! A great mass of fire, like some + red-hot ingot from a foundry, was hurled through the air, straight at the + face of the mountain, and at the spot where the figure in white had stood + but a few minutes before. + </p> + <p> + Instantly the earth trembled, as it had at Earthquake Island, but it was + not the same. It was over in a few seconds. Then, as the diamond seekers + looked, they saw in the glare of a score of lightning flashes that + followed the one great clap, the whole side of the mountain slip away, and + go crashing into the valley below. + </p> + <p> + “A landslide!” cried Mr. Parker. “That is the landslide which I predicted! + The lightning bolt has split Phantom Mountain!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI—THE VAST CAVERN + </h2> + <p> + For a time the roiling, slipping, sliding and tumbling of the mass of + earth and stones, down the side of the mountain, effectually drowned all + other sounds. Even the thunder was stilled, and though Tom and his + companions called to one another in terror, their voices could not rise + above that terrific tumult. + </p> + <p> + Finally, when they found that the direction of the slide was away from + their tent, and that they were not likely to be engulfed, they grew more + calm. + </p> + <p> + Gradually the noise subsided. The great boulders had rolled to the bottom + of the valley, and now only a mass of earth and stones was sliding down. + Even this stopped in about five minutes, and, as though satisfied with + what it had done, the electrical storm passed. Not a drop of rain had + fallen. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my shirt studs!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, who was the first to speak + after the din had quieted. “Bless my soul! But that was awful!” + </p> + <p> + “It was just what I expected,” said Mr. Parker, calmly. “I knew, from my + observations, that we were in a region where landslides and terrific + electrical storms may be expected at any time. I fully looked for this.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” remarked Mr. Jenks, rather sarcastically, “I hope it came up to + your expectations, Mr. Parker.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, fully,” was the answer, “though I wish it could have happened in + daylight, so that I could better have observed certain phenomena regarding + the landslide. They are very interesting.” + </p> + <p> + “At a distance,” admitted Tom, with a laugh of relief. “Well, I'm glad + it's over, though we'll have to wait until morning to see what damage has + been done. Lucky we weren't struck by lightning. I never saw such bolts!” + </p> + <p> + “Me, either!” declared Mr. Damon. “This mountain seems to attract them.” + </p> + <p> + “It is like a magnet,” said Mr. Parker. “I think I shall be able to make + some fine observations here.” + </p> + <p> + “If we live through it,” murmured Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + They watched the play of lightning about a distant bank of clouds, but the + storm was now far away, only a faint rumbling of thunder being heard. + </p> + <p> + “I'm wondering what happened to the phantom,” said Tom, after a pause. + “Seems to me he was right in that track of the storm.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think it was a 'he'?” asked Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “I think we'll find that it's some sort of a man,” answered the young + inventor. “We may find out very soon, now. I've changed my theory about + the ghost being reflections of light.” + </p> + <p> + “How's that?” Mr. Damon wanted to know. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I think we are on the side of Phantom Mountain where the diamond + cave is,” went on the lad. “The fact that the phantom appeared here, soon + after we arrived, shows that the men kept close track of our movements. It + also shows, I think, that the phantom did not have to travel far to be on + the spot, whereas we had to make quite a trip to get around the base of + the mountain. I think the cave is up there,” and Tom pointed toward the + spot where the weird figure had been last seen, before the storm drove it + back. + </p> + <p> + “There may be two phantoms,” suggested Mr. Jenks. “They may keep one on + this side of the mountain, and one on the other, to warn intruders away. + </p> + <p> + “It's possible,” admitted Tom. “Well, we'll see how things look in the + morning, when we'll take up our march again, and go up the mountain. We'll + reach the top, if possible, which we couldn't do from the other side, as + it was too steep.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope we shall be able to go forward in the morning,” came from Mr. + Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean?” asked the lad, struck by a peculiar significance in + the diamond man's tones. + </p> + <p> + “Why, that landslide may have opened a great gully in the side of Phantom + Mountain, which will prevent us from passing. It was a terrific lot of + earth and stones that slid away,” answered Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “It certainly was,” agreed Mr. Parker. “I would not be surprised if the + mountain was half destroyed, and it may be that the diamond cave no longer + exists.” + </p> + <p> + “Not very cheerful, to say the least,” murmured Mr. Jenks to Tom, and, as + it was getting quite chilly, following the storm, they went inside the + tent. + </p> + <p> + Tom could hardly wait for daylight, to get up and see what havoc the + landslide had wrought. As soon as the first faint flush of dawn showed + over the eastern peaks, he hurried from the tent. Mr. Damon heard him + arise, and followed. + </p> + <p> + A curious scene met their eyes. All about were great rocks rent and torn + by the awful power of the lightning. The fronts of the stone cliffs were + scarred and burned by the electrical fire, and fantastic markings, + grotesque faces, and leering animals seemed to have been drawn by some + gigantic artist who used a bolt from heaven for his brush. + </p> + <p> + But the eyes of Tom and Mr. Damon took all this in at a glance, and then + their gaze went forward to where the avalanche had torn away a great part + of the mountain. + </p> + <p> + “Whew! I should say it was a landslide!” cried Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my wishbone, yes!” agreed Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + Below them, in the valley, lay piled immense masses of earth and stones. + Boulders were heaped up on boulders, and rocks upon rocks, being tossed + about in heaps, strung about in long ridges, and swirled about in curves, + as though some cyclone had toyed with them after the lightning flash had + tossed them there. + </p> + <p> + “But the mountain isn't half gone,” said Tom, as his eyes took in what was + left of the phantom berg. “I guess it will take a few more bolts like that + one, to put this hill out of business.” + </p> + <p> + Though the landslide had been a great one, the larger part of the mountain + still stood. An immense slice had been taken from one side, but the summit + was untouched. + </p> + <p> + “And there's where the diamond cave is!” cried Tom, pointing to it. + </p> + <p> + “I think so myself,” agreed Mr. Jenks, who came from the tent at that + moment, and joined the lad and Mr. Damon. “I think we shall find the cave + somewhere up there. We must start for it, as soon as we have eaten, and we + may reach it by night.” + </p> + <p> + The three stood gazing up toward the summit of the great mountain. + Suddenly, as the sun rose higher in the heavens, it sent a shaft of rosy + light on the face of the berg that had been scarred by the landslide. Tom + Swift uttered an exclamation, and pointed at something. + </p> + <p> + “See!” he cried. “Look where the trail is—the trail down which the + phantom must have come. It is on the edge of a cliff now!” + </p> + <p> + They looked, and saw that this was so. The increasing light had just + revealed it to them. When the lightning bolt had torn away a great portion + of the mountain it had cut sheer down for a great depth and when the earth + and stones fell away they left a narrow pathway, winding around the + mountain, but so near the edge of a great chasm, that there was room but + for one person at a time to walk on that footway. The uncertain trail up + Phantom Mountain had all but been destroyed. + </p> + <p> + “The way up to the peak is by that path, now,” spoke Tom, in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my soul!” cried Mr. Damon. “It's as much as a man's life is worth + to attempt it. If he got dizzy, he'd topple over, and fall a thousand + feet. Dare we risk it?” + </p> + <p> + “It's the only way to get up,” went on Tom. “It's either that way, or not + at all. We've tried the other side without success. We must go up this way—or + turn back.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we'll go up!” cried Mr. Jenks. “It may not be as dangerous as it + looks from here.” + </p> + <p> + But it was even more dangerous than it appeared, when they went part way + up it after a hasty breakfast. The trail was a mere ledge of rock now, and + in some places, to get around a projecting edge of the mountain, they had + to stand with their backs to the dizzy depths at their feet, and with both + arms outstretched work their way around to where the trail was wider. + </p> + <p> + “Shall we risk it?” asked Tom, when they had tried the way, and found it + so dangerous. “We can't take anything with us—even our guns, for we + couldn't carry them, and if we reach the mouth of the cave, and find those + men there—” + </p> + <p> + He paused significantly. The adventurers looked at one another. The search + for the diamond makers was becoming more and more dangerous. + </p> + <p> + “I say let's go on!” decided Mr. Damon, suddenly. “We want to locate that + cave, first of all. Perhaps, when we do find it, we may see some easier + way of getting to it than this. And if those diamond makers do attack us—well, + I don't believe they'll shoot defenseless men, and they may listen to + reason, and give Mr. Jenks his rights—tell him how to make diamonds + in return for the money he gave them.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't believe those scoundrels will listen to reason,” replied the + diamond man, “but I agree with Mr. Damon that we ought to go on. We may + find some other means of reaching the cave—if we can discover it, + and we'll take a chance with the men.” + </p> + <p> + “Forward it is, then!” cried Tom. “I have a revolver, and I can supply one + of you gentlemen with another. They may come in useful in an emergency. + Let's go back to camp, take a little lunch in our pockets, and try to + scale the mountain.” + </p> + <p> + They were soon on their way up the dizzy path once more, and, as they + advanced, they found it growing more and more dangerous. In some places + they found it almost impossible to get around certain corners, where there + was barely room for their feet. As Tom remarked grimly, a fat man never + could have done it. Fortunately they were all comparatively thin, for + their hard work, and not too abundant food, since they had left the + airship, had reduced their weight. + </p> + <p> + Up and up they went, higher and higher, sometimes finding the path wide + enough for two to walk abreast, and again seeing it narrow almost to a + ribbon. They hardly dared look down into the chasm at their left—a + chasm filled, in part, with the rocks and boulders tossed into it by the + lightning bolt. + </p> + <p> + Tom was in the lead, and had just made a dangerous turn around a shoulder + of rock—one of those places where he had to extend both arms, and + fairly hug the cliff before he could get around. + </p> + <p> + But, when he had made it, and found himself on a broad pathway, cut in the + living rock, he gave a great shout—a shout that caused his + companions to hasten to his side. They found the young inventor pointing + to a clump of bushes and small trees. + </p> + <p> + But it was not the shrubbery that Tom desired to call to their attention. + They saw that in an instant, for, dimly seen through the leaves, was + something black, and, as they looked more closely, they saw that it was a + great hole in the side of the mountain—a vast cavern, opening like a + tunnel. + </p> + <p> + “The cave! The cave!” cried Tom. “The diamond makers' cave!” + </p> + <p> + Hardly had he spoken than two men, each one carrying a gun, showed + themselves in the mouth of the cavern, and, instant later they both ran + toward the little party of adventurers. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII—THE PHANTOM CAPTURED + </h2> + <p> + Surprise held Tom and his friends almost spellbound for the moment. The + young inventor's hand went toward the pocket where he carried his + revolver. Mr. Jenks, who had the only other weapon, sought to draw it, but + he was stopped by a gesture of one of the two men with guns. + </p> + <p> + “Hold on, strangers!” the man cried. “I know what you're up to! Better not + try to draw anything—it might not be healthy. Now, then, who are + you, and what do you want?” + </p> + <p> + The question came rather as a surprise, at least to Tom and Mr. Jenks. + They had taken it for granted that these men—if they were the + diamond makers—would know Mr. Jenks, and guess at his errand in + coming back to Phantom Mountain. But, it seemed, that they took them all + for casual strangers. + </p> + <p> + No one answered for a moment. Tom caught the eye of Mr. Jenks, and there + was a look of hope in it. If ever there was a time for strategy, it was + now. Evidently Munson, the stowaway on the airship, had not yet been able + to send a warning to his confederates. And neither of the two men + recognized Mr. Jenks as the man who had been defrauded of his rights. It + might be possible to conceal the real object of the adventurers until they + had time to formulate a plan of action. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” exclaimed the man with the gun, impatiently, “I ask you folks a + question. What do you want?” + </p> + <p> + Fortunately, neither Mr. Damon nor Mr. Parker replied. The former because + he deferred to Tom and Mr. Jenks, and the scientist because he was busy + inspecting some curious rocks he picked up. As it turned out this was the + luckiest thing he could have done. It lent color to what Mr. Jenks said a + moment later. + </p> + <p> + “What are you doing up here?” demanded the man again. “Don't you know this + is private property?” + </p> + <p> + “We—we were just looking around,” answered Mr. Jenks, which was true + enough; as far as it went. + </p> + <p> + “Prospecting,” added Tom. + </p> + <p> + “After gold?” demanded the second man, suspiciously. + </p> + <p> + “We'd be glad to find some,” retorted the lad. At that moment Mr. Parker + began breaking off bits of rock with a small geologist's hammer which he + carried. The men with the guns looked at him. + </p> + <p> + “So you think you'll find gold up here?” asked the one who had first + spoken. + </p> + <p> + “Is there any?” inquired Tom, trying to make his voice sound eager. + </p> + <p> + “Nary a bit, strangers,” was the answer, and the two men laughed heartily. + “Now, we don't want to seem harsh,” went on the man who seemed to be the + spokesman, “but you'd better get away from here. This is private ground, + and dangerous too—how'd you ever get up the trail—we heard it + was destroyed.” + </p> + <p> + “There is still a narrow path,” said Mr. Jenks. “We came up that—the + lightning and landslide haven't left much of it, though.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Parker looked quickly up from the rocks at which he was tapping with + his small hammer. “You have terrific lightning up here,” he said. “I am + much interested in it, from a scientific standpoint. I predict that some + day the entire mountain will be destroyed by a blast from the sky.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope it won't be right away,” spoke one of the men. “Now I guess you + folks had better be leaving while there's a path left to go down by.” + </p> + <p> + “Might I ask,” broke in Mr. Parker, as calmly as though he was lecturing + to a class of students, “might I ask if you have noticed any peculiar + effect of the lightning up here on the summit of the mountain? Does it + fuse and melt rocks, so to speak?” + </p> + <p> + “What's that?” cried the spokesman, with a sudden flash of anger. The two + men looked at each other. + </p> + <p> + “I wanted to know, merely for scientific reasons, whether the lightning up + here ever melted rocks?” repeated Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “Well, whether it's for scientific reasons or for any other, I'm not going + to answer you!” snapped the man. “It's none of your affair what the + lightning does up here. Now you'd all better 'vamoose'—clear out!” + </p> + <p> + “All right—we'll go,” said Tom, quickly, at the same time motioning + to Mr. Jenks to agree with him. The eyes of the young inventor were roving + about. He saw what looked like a second trail, leading down the mountain, + from the far side of the cave. He was convinced now that there was another + way to get to it. Possibly they might find it. At any rate nothing more + could be done now. They must go back, for the cavern was too well guarded + to attempt to enter it by force—at least just yet. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we'll go back,” assented Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Parker was tapping away at the rocks. He looked toward the black mouth + of the big cave. On what corresponded to the roof of it, some distance + back from the entrance, he saw a slender metal rod sticking up into the + air. + </p> + <p> + “May I ask if that's a lightning rod?” he inquired innocently. “If it is, + I should like to ask about its action in a mountain that is so impregnated + with iron ore. + </p> + <p> + “You may ask until you get tired!” cried the spokesman, again showing + unreasoning anger, “but you'll get no answer from us. Now get away from + here before we do something desperate. You're on private ground and you're + not wanted. Clear out while you have the chance.” + </p> + <p> + There was no help for it. Slowly our friends turned and began to go down + the dangerous trail. They were soon out of sight of the two men who stood + before the cave, with their guns ready, but neither Tom nor any of his + companions spoke for some time. + </p> + <p> + When they had rounded one of the most dangerous turns the young inventor + sat down to rest, an example followed by the others. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” asked Tom, “do you think those are some of the diamond makers, Mr. + Jenks?” + </p> + <p> + “I certainly do, though I never saw those two men before. If I could once + get inside the cave, I could tell whether or not it was the one where I + was practically held a prisoner. But I'm sure it is. I know some of the + men used to go off every day with guns, and not come back until night. I + have no doubt they were on guard, just as these two are. And, also, I + think I heard them speak of a second entrance to the cavern. The one we + just saw may not be the main one, through which I was taken.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe we are on the right track,” ventured Mr. Damon, “but we will + either have to go up there after dark, which will be risky, on account of + the narrow trail, or else we will have to find some other path.” + </p> + <p> + “The last would be better,” spoke Tom. + </p> + <p> + “That rod of metal sticking up on top of the cave interested me,” said the + scientist. “Did you hear anything of that when you were here before, Mr. + Jenks?” + </p> + <p> + “No. Probably that is only a lightning rod, or it may be a staff for a + signal flag. But what surprises me is that those men didn't suspect that + we were seeking to discover their secret. They took us for ordinary + prospectors.” + </p> + <p> + “So much the better,” remarked Tom. “We have a chance now of getting + inside that cave. But we will have to go back to camp, and make other + plans. And we must hurry, or it will be dark before we get there.” + </p> + <p> + They hastened their steps, pausing only briefly to eat some of the lunch + they had brought along, and to drink from a spring that bubbled from the + side of the mountain. It was getting dusk when they got back to their + tent. They found nothing disturbed. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder if we'll see that phantom again to-night?” ventured Tom, as they + were sitting about the campfire a little later. + </p> + <p> + “Probably not,” remarked Mr. Jenks. “I don't believe the ghost will + venture down the dangerous trail after dark, and the gang may think that + the warning given us by the two men on guard at the cave will be + sufficient. But if we don't leave here by to-morrow I think we will have + another visit from the thing in white.” + </p> + <p> + It was about an hour after this when Tom was collecting some wood in a + pile nearer the fire, so as to have it ready to throw on, in case there + was any alarm in the night, that he happened to look up toward the summit + of the mountain. A slight noise, as of loose stones rolling down, + attracted his attention, and, at first, he feared lest another landslide + was beginning, but a moment later he saw what caused it. + </p> + <p> + There, advancing down the steep and dangerous trail was the figure in + white—the phantom. Instantly a daring plan came into Tom's head. + Dropping the wood softly, he moved back out of the glare of the fire. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Jenks!” he called in a whisper. + </p> + <p> + The diamond man, who was behind the tent, came toward Tom. + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” he asked. Then, as he saw the ghostly visitor, he added: “Oh—the + phantom again! What's it up to?” + </p> + <p> + “The same thing,” replied Tom, “but it won't do it long, if my plan + succeeds.” + </p> + <p> + “What plan is that, Tom?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm going to try to capture that—that man—or whatever it is. + Will you help?” + </p> + <p> + “Surely!” + </p> + <p> + “Then let's work around behind it, while Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker come up + from in front. We'll solve this part of the mystery, anyhow, if it's + possible!” + </p> + <p> + The two other men were soon told of the plan. Meanwhile the thing in white + had advanced slowly, until within a few hundred feet of the camp. They + could see now that it was no shaft of light, but some white body, shaped + like a tall, thin man, draped in a white garment. The long arms waved to + and fro. There was no semblance of a head. + </p> + <p> + “You and Mr. Parker go right toward it, slowly, Mr. Damon,” advised Tom. + “Mr. Jenks and I will make a circle, and get in back. Then, if it's + anything alive we'll have it.” + </p> + <p> + The “ghost” continued to advance. Tom and the diamond man stole off to one + side, their buckskin moccasins making no sound. Mr. Damon and the + scientist went boldly forward. + </p> + <p> + This movement appeared to disconcert the spirit. It halted, waved the arms + with greater vigor than before, and seemed to indicate to the adventurers + that it was dangerous to advance. But Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker kept on. + They wanted to give Tom and Mr. Jenks time enough to make the circuit. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the stillness of the night was broken by a low whistle. It was + Tom's signal that he and Mr. Jenks were ready. + </p> + <p> + “Come on! Run!” cried Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + The scientist and the eccentric man leaped forward. + </p> + <p> + The “ghost” heard the whistle, and heard the spoken words. The thing in + white hesitated a moment, and then raised one arm. There was a flash of + fire, and a loud report. + </p> + <p> + “He's firing in the air!” cried Tom. “Come on, we have him now!” + </p> + <p> + Undaunted by the display of firearms, Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker kept on. + They could hear Tom and Mr. Jenks running up in back of the figure. The + latter also heard this, and suddenly turned. Caught between the two forces + of our friends, the “ghost” was at a loss what to do. + </p> + <p> + The next instant Tom, who had distanced Mr. Jenks, made a flying tackle + for the figure in white, and caught it around the legs. Very substantial + legs they were, too, Tom felt—the legs of a man. + </p> + <p> + “Wow!” yelled the “ghost,” as he went down in a heap, the revolver falling + from his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Come on!” cried Tom. “I have him!” + </p> + <p> + His friends rushed to his aid. There was a confused mass of dark bodies, + arms and legs mingled with something tall and thin, all in white. Suddenly + the moon came from behind a cloud and they could see what they had + captured—for captured the phantom was. + </p> + <p> + It proved to be a rather small man, who wore upon his shoulders a + framework of wood, over which some white cloth was draped. It had fallen + off him when Tom made that tackle. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” remarked the young inventor, as he sat on the struggling man's + chest. “I guess we've got you.” + </p> + <p> + “I rather guess you have, stranger,” was the cool reply. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII—BILL RENSHAW WILL HELP + </h2> + <p> + They were all panting from the exertion of the run up the mountain and the + contest with the phantom—a phantom no longer—though, truth to + tell, the struggle was not nearly so fierce as Tom had expected. He + thought the “ghost” would put up a stiff fight. + </p> + <p> + “Got any ropes to tie him with?” asked Mr. Damon, who was helping Tom hold + the man down. + </p> + <p> + “Ropes? You aren't going to tie me up are you, strangers?” asked the + captive. + </p> + <p> + “That's what we are!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. “We've had trouble enough in + this matter, and if I've got one of the gang, perhaps I can get some of + the others, and have my rights. So tie him up, Tom, and we'll take him to + camp. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you needn't go to all that trouble, strangers,” went on the man, + calmly. “If one of you will get off my chest, and the other gentleman ease + up on my stomach a bit, I'll walk wherever you want me, and not make any + trouble. I haven't got a gun.” + </p> + <p> + “Bless my gloves! But you're a cool one,” commented Mr. Damon, as he + complied with the man's request, and got up from his stomach. “But look + out for him, Tom. He had a gun, for he fired it in the air.” + </p> + <p> + “He hasn't it now,” answered the young inventor. “I knocked it from his + hand when I leaped for him.” + </p> + <p> + “That's what you did,” assented the man, as he got up, while Tom kept a + tight hold of him, as did Mr. Jenks. “What kind of a grizzly bear hug do + you call that, anyhow, that you gave me?” + </p> + <p> + “That was a football tackle,” explained Tom. + </p> + <p> + “I allers heard that was a dangerous game!” remarked the former phantom + simply. “Well, now you've got me, what are you going to do with me?” + </p> + <p> + “Take you where we can have a good look at you,” replied Mr. Jenks, as he + kicked aside the wooden framework, and the sheet which had made the + “ghost” appear so tall. “So this is how you worked it; eh?” + </p> + <p> + “Yep. That was the 'haunt' stranger. I made it myself, and it worked all + right until you folks come along. I rather suspicioned from the first, + when I played the trick over on 'tother side of the mountain, that you + wouldn't be so easy to fool as most prospectors are.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, so you're the only ghost then?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “I'm the only one.” + </p> + <p> + By this time they had reached the camp. Tom threw some light logs on the + fire, which blazed up brightly. As the flames illuminated the face of + their captive, Mr. Jenks looked at him, and cried out: + </p> + <p> + “Why it's Bill Renshaw!” + </p> + <p> + “That's me,” admitted the man who had played the part of the phantom, “and + thunder-turtles! if it ain't Mr. Jenks who was once in the diamond cave + with us. Whatever happened to you? I never heard. The others said you got + tired and went away.” + </p> + <p> + “They took me away—defrauded me of my rights!” declared Mr. Jenks, + bitterly. “But I'll get them back! To think of Bill Renshaw playing the + part of a ghost!” + </p> + <p> + “They made me do it,” went on the man, somewhat dejectedly. “I wanted to + be at work in the cave, but they wouldn't let me.” + </p> + <p> + “Is this man one of the diamond makers?” asked Tom, in great surprise. + </p> + <p> + “He is—one of the helpers, though I don't believe he knows the + secret of making the gems,” explained Mr. Jenks. “He was one of the men in + the cave when I was there before, and he and I struck up quite a + friendship; didn't we, Renshaw?” + </p> + <p> + “That's what, and there ain't no reason why we can't be friends now; that + is unless you hold a grudge against me for firing at you. But I only shot + in the air, to scare you away. Them's my instructions. I'm supposed to be + on guard, and scare away strangers. I'm tired of the work, too, for I + don't get my share, and those other fellows, in the cave, get all the + money from the diamonds.” + </p> + <p> + Tom Swift uttered an exclamation. A sudden plan had come to him. Quickly + he whispered to Mr. Jenks: + </p> + <p> + “Make a friend of this man if possible. He evidently is dissatisfied. + Offer him a sum to show us another way into the cave, and we may yet + discover the secret of the diamond makers.” + </p> + <p> + “I will,” declared Mr. Jenks, quietly. Then, turning to Renshaw, he added: + </p> + <p> + “Bill, come over here. I want to have a talk with you. Perhaps it will be + to our mutual advantage.” + </p> + <p> + He led the former phantom to one side, and for some time conversed + earnestly with him. Mr. Jenks told the story of how he had been deceived + by Folwell and the others who were at the head of the gang of diamond + makers. The rich man related how they had taken his money, and, after + promising to disclose the secret process to him, had broken faith, and had + drugged him, afterward taking him out of the cave. + </p> + <p> + “I want only my rights, and that for which I paid,” concluded Mr. Jenks. + “Now, I gather that these men haven't treated you altogether fairly, + Bill.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed they haven't. I helped 'em to the best of my ability, and all I + get out of it is to stay out on this lonely side of the mountain, and play + ghost. They owe me money, too, and they won't pay me, either, though they + have lots, for they sold some diamonds lately.” + </p> + <p> + “Then they are still making diamonds?” asked Mr. Jenks, eagerly. “Have you + seen them? Do you know the secret?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't know it, for they won't let me in on it. I'm always sent out + of the cave just before they make the gems. But I know they've made some + lately, and have sold 'em. I want my share.” + </p> + <p> + “Look here!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks, quickly, wishing to strike while the + iron was hot. “I'll make you a proposition. Show us how to get into that + cave, unknown to the diamond makers, and I'll pay you twice what they + agreed to. Is it a bargain?” + </p> + <p> + Bill Renshaw considered a moment. Then he thrust out his hand, clasped + that of Mr. Jenks, and exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “It is. I'll take you into the cave by an entrance that's seldom used. + There are four ways to get in. The one where the two men drove you back is + the rear one. The front one is on the other side of the mountain, but it's + so well concealed that you'd never find it. But I can take you to one + where you can get in, and those fellows will never know it. And, what's + more, I'll help you if it comes to a fight!” + </p> + <p> + “Good!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. “I think we'll discover the secret of the + diamond makers this time,” and he went to tell the others of the success + of his talk. Bill Renshaw had been converted from an enemy into a friend, + and the former phantom was now ready to lead Tom and the others into the + secret cave. + </p> + <p> + “We'll start in the morning,” decided Mr. Jenks, who, after many + disappointments, at last saw success ahead of him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX—IN THE SECRET CAVE + </h2> + <p> + Tom Swift was up at break of day, and the others were not far behind him. + </p> + <p> + “Now for the secret cave!” cried the young inventor as he gazed up the + mountain, in the interior of which the mysterious band of men were making + the diamonds. + </p> + <p> + “Have you made any plans, Bill?” asked Mr. Jenks of the former phantom, + who had cast his lot in with the adventurers. “What will be the best + course for us to follow?” + </p> + <p> + “You just leave it to me, Mr. Jenks,” was the answer. “I'll get you into + the cave, and those fellows, who, I believe, are trying to do me out of my + rights, as they did you out of yours, will never know a thing about it.” + </p> + <p> + “Bless my finger-nails!” cried Mr. Damon. “That will be great! We can get + in the cave, and watch them make the diamonds at our leisure.” + </p> + <p> + “They don't make them every day,” explained Renshaw. “It seems they have + to wait for certain occasions. Mostly they make the diamonds when there's + a big storm.” + </p> + <p> + “A big storm,” asked the scientist with a sudden show of interest. “Do you + mean one of those electrical storms, such as we had the other night?” + </p> + <p> + “That's it, Mr. Parker, though why they wait until there's a storm is more + than I can tell.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps they know that on such occasions no one will venture up the + mountain,” spoke Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “No, it isn't that,” declared the scientist. “I think I am on the track of + a great scientific discovery, and I will soon be able to make observations + that will confirm it.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'm going to make an observation right now,” said Tom, with a + laugh. “I'm going to see what there is for breakfast.” + </p> + <p> + “And that reminds me,” came from Mr. Jenks, “shall we move our camp, Bill, + and take the tent with us to the cave?” + </p> + <p> + “I hardly think so,” was the answer. “I think the best plan would be to + conceal the tent somewhere around here, in case you might need it again. + You can also store what food you have left.” + </p> + <p> + “But, bless my appetite, we don't want to starve in that diamond cave!” + objected Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “I'll see that you don't,” declared Bill Renshaw. “I'll take you in there, + unbeknownst to those fellows, and I'll provide you with plenty of food and + water. You see the cave is so big that there are some parts they never + visit.” + </p> + <p> + “And we can stay in one of those parts, and eat?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Sure,” answered Bill. + </p> + <p> + “And watch the diamond makers at work?” asked Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “That's it,” replied the former phantom. + </p> + <p> + “Then the sooner we get started the better,” remarked Mr. Damon. Mr. + Parker said nothing. He appeared to be thinking deeply, and was tapping at + some rocks with his little hammer. + </p> + <p> + The advice of Bill Renshaw was followed, and the tent, and what food + remained, was concealed in the bushes, with rocks piled over to keep away + prowling animals. Then they started for the secret cave. + </p> + <p> + The man who played the part of a ghost picked up the framework and white + cloth that had formed his disguise. + </p> + <p> + “I'll still have to use this,” he explained, “for I don't want those + fellows to know that I'm helping you. I'll continue to play the spirit of + the mountain, but there won't be much need of it. I don't think any more + people will come prospecting out here.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you heard of the arrival of Farley Munson?” asked Tom, as he related + the facts about the stowaway. + </p> + <p> + “He hadn't arrived up to a day or so ago,” answered Bill. “I guess he's + still traveling. Farley is one of the heads of the gang,” he added, “and a + dangerous man.” + </p> + <p> + As Bill led the way toward the cave, taking a route that the adventurers + had never suspected led to it, he explained that the cavern was a large + one, capable of holding an army. + </p> + <p> + “But there's only a small part of it used by the diamond makers,” he + added. “They work in a small recess, near the summit of the mountain. The + little cave, where I'm going to take you, opens off from it by a long + passage. And, except that you'll be pretty much in the dark, you'll be + quite comfortable. There are tables, chairs, and some bunks in the place. + I can get you some lights, and plenty of food.” + </p> + <p> + “But, if you are seen taking away food, won't the others suspect + something?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “I do pretty much as I please,” said Bill. “I go and come when I like. All + I'm supposed to do is to watch my two sides of the mountain, play the + ghost, and give warning when any one is coming. Sometimes I leave black + and white messages, like the one I put on your tent. Those fellows fix 'em + up for me. I've told 'em about you, though I didn't know who you were, and + they think you have gone, for the two men on guard at the rear entrance so + reported. Sometimes I stay out on the mountain for a couple of days at a + time, when the weather's good, and don't go back to the cave. Those times + I take food with me, and so if they see me making off with some supplies + they'll think I'm going to camp out.” + </p> + <p> + “It doesn't look as though we'd ever get into a cave near the top of the + mountain, going this way,” said Tom, as they marched along. “We're going + down, instead of up.” + </p> + <p> + “That's the secret of this trail,” explained Bill. “We go down in a sort + of valley, and then go up a pretty stiff place, and then we're on a direct + trail to the entrance I told you about. It's a steep road to climb, but I + guess we can manage it.” + </p> + <p> + And a hard climb the adventurers did find it. The road was almost as bad + as the one along the edge of the chasm, but they managed to negotiate it, + and finally found themselves on a fairly good trail. + </p> + <p> + “We'll soon be there,” Bill assured them. “After you get in the little + cave, where I'm going to hide you, I'll have to leave you for a spell, + until I get my ghost rigging fixed up again. But I'll see that you have + plenty of food and drink.” + </p> + <p> + A little later their guide came to a sudden halt, and peered around + anxiously. + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “I was just looking to see if any of the men were about,” he answered. + “But I guess not—it looks all right. The entrance is right here.” + </p> + <p> + They were on a side of the mountain, near the summit. Below stretched a + magnificent scene. A great valley lay at their feet, and they could look + off to many distant peaks. The main trail to Leadville, and the one to the + settlement of Indian Ridge, was in sight. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly Tom, who had been using a small but powerful telescope, uttered + an exclamation, and focussed the instrument on a speck that seemed moving + along on the trail below. + </p> + <p> + “A man—coming up the mountain,” cried Tom. “And—it can't be—yet + it is—it's Farley Munson—the stowaway!” he cried. “He's coming + here!” + </p> + <p> + “Let me look!” begged Mr. Jenks, taking the glass from Tom. An instant + later the diamond man exclaimed: “Yes, it's Munson!” + </p> + <p> + “Then in here with you—quick!” cried Renshaw. “He can't see us yet, + and we'll be out of sight in another minute.” + </p> + <p> + The former spirit pulled aside some thick bushes, and pointed to a hole + which was disclosed. + </p> + <p> + “The entrance to the secret cave,” he announced. “Slip in all of you.” + </p> + <p> + Tom, after another glance at the man toiling his way up the mountain, + entered the cavern. He was followed by the others. Bill was the last to + enter, and he replaced the bushes over the entrance. + </p> + <p> + “At last!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks, as he gazed up at the roof of the + dimly-lighted vault in which they found themselves. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we're in the diamond makers' secret cave,” added Tom. “Now to catch + them at work!” + </p> + <p> + “Come on,” advised Bill, in a low tone, “We're not safe yet,” and he + produced a lantern from some hidden recess, lighted the wick, and led the + way. As the others followed they were aware of a subdued noise in the + great cavern. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX—MAKING THE DIAMONDS + </h2> + <p> + “What's that noise?” asked Tom, as their guide flashed the lantern to show + them the way. + </p> + <p> + “That's the men getting ready to make diamonds, I guess,” was the answer. + “You see it takes quite a while to get the stuff ready. I don't know what + they use—they never tell me any of their secrets.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I know the ingredients well enough,” said Mr. Jenks, “but I don't + know the secret of how they apply the terrific heat and pressure necessary + to fuse the materials into diamonds.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you'll soon know,” declared Bill Renshaw. “Of course it isn't + always successful. I've known 'em to try half a dozen times before they + got any diamonds big enough to satisfy 'em. They gave me some of the small + ones when I asked for my wages. + </p> + <p> + “How did you come to get in with these men?” asked Tom, curious to + understand how a person seemingly as honest as Renshaw appeared to be had + cast his lot in with the men who had broken faith with Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I've lived around these parts all my life,” was the answer. “I knew + of this cave before these diamond fellers came to it. In fact, I showed it + to 'em. It was several years ago that a party of men who were prospecting + around here came to me and asked if I knew of a small cave near the top of + a high mountain, where lightning storms were frequent. I told them about + Phantom Mountain, as it was called then, and also of this cave. If there's + any place where they have worse lightning storms than here, I'd like to + know it. They scare me, sometimes, like the night when that landslide + happened, and I'm sort of used to 'em. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I took these men to the cave, and they hired me as a sort of + lookout. Then they began their work, and at first I didn't know what they + were up to, but finally I caught on. Then Mr. Jenks came, and disappeared + mysteriously, though then I didn't know that they had played a trick on + him. I was outside most of the time, pretending I was the ghost. So that's + how I came to get in with 'em, and I wish I was out.” + </p> + <p> + “You soon will be, I think,” declared Mr. Jenks. “But won't our talking be + heard by the men?” + </p> + <p> + “No danger. There is a thick wall between this part of the cave, and the + part where they live and work. I'll soon have you well hid, and then you + wait until I come back.” + </p> + <p> + “What about Munson?” asked Tom. “He is evidently on his way here to tell + his confederates about us.” + </p> + <p> + “He won't know what has happened to us,” said Mr. Jenks, “and he won't see + anything of us. I guess we're safe enough.” + </p> + <p> + Through the dark passage they followed Bill Renshaw until he came to a + halt in a place that suddenly widened and broadened into a good-sized + cave. + </p> + <p> + “Here's your stopping place,” said the former ghost. “Now if you follow + that passage, off to the left,” and he pointed to it, “you'll come to the + larger part of the cave where the diamond makers are. But go cautiously, + and don't make any noise. I won't be responsible for what happens.” + </p> + <p> + “We'll take all the risk,” interrupted Tom. + </p> + <p> + “All right. Now there's a couple of lanterns around here. I'll light them, + and leave you for a while until I can get some grub. I'll be back as soon + as I can.” + </p> + <p> + He glided away, after lighting two lanterns, by the gleams of which the + adventurers could see that they were in a vaulted cavern that had + evidently been fitted up as a living apartment. The sides, roof and floor + were of stone. It was clean, and the air was fresh. There were some + chairs, a table, and several cots, with pieces of bagging for bedding, + though it was warm in the place. + </p> + <p> + “I guess we can stay here until we discover the secret,” spoke Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my watch! We can if we have something to eat,” came from Mr. Damon, + with something like a sigh. “I'm hungry!” + </p> + <p> + “And I want to make some observations,” said Mr. Parker. “From what I have + seen of this mountain, I would not be surprised if this cave was to be + suddenly destroyed by a landslide or a lightning bolt. I will make some + further investigations.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if it's going to cause you to make such gloomy prophecies as that, + I'd just as soon you wouldn't look any further,” spoke Tom, in a low + voice. But Mr. Parker, taking one of the lanterns, set about examining the + rock of which the cave consisted. + </p> + <p> + In a short time Bill Renshaw returned with enough food to last for two + days. He said he was going out on the mountain once more to act the part + of a lookout, and would visit the adventurers again the next day. + </p> + <p> + “In the meanwhile you can do just as you please,” he said. “Nobody is + likely to disturb you here, and you can sneak up and take a look at the + men in the other cave whenever you're ready. Only be careful—that's + all I've got to say. They're desperate men.” + </p> + <p> + It was not very pleasant, eating in the gloomy cavern, but they made the + best of it. They cooked on a small oil-stove they found in the place, and + after some hot coffee they felt much better. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” remarked Tom, after a while, “shall we take a chance, and go look + at the men at work?” + </p> + <p> + “I think so,” answered Mr. Jenks. “The sooner we discover this mystery, + the better. Then we can go back home.” + </p> + <p> + “And recover my airship,” added Tom, who was a bit uneasy regarding the + safety of the Red Cloud. + </p> + <p> + “Then, bless my finger-rings! let's go and see if we can find the big cave + your friend the ghost told us of,” suggested Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + Cautiously they made their way along the passage Bill had pointed out. As + they went forward the subdued noise became louder, and finally they could + feel the vibration of machinery. + </p> + <p> + “This is the place,” whispered Mr. Jenks. “That sound we hear is one of + the mixing machines, for grinding the materials—carbon and the other + substances—which go to make up the diamonds. I remember hearing that + when I was in the cave before.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we must be near the place,” observed Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but I didn't have much chance to look around when I was here before. + They wouldn't let me. I never even knew of the small cave Bill took us + to.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if we're close to it, we'd better go cautiously, and not talk any + more than we're obliged to,” suggested Mr. Parker, and they agreed that + this was good advice. + </p> + <p> + They walked on softly. Suddenly Tom, who was in the lead, saw a gleam of + light. + </p> + <p> + “We're here,” he whispered. “I'll put out our lantern, now,” which he did. + Then, stealing forward he and the others beheld a curious sight. The + tunnel they were in ended at a small hole which opened into a large + cavern, and, fortunately, this opening was concealed from the view of + those in the main place. + </p> + <p> + “The diamond makers!” whispered Tom, hoarsely, pointing to several men + grouped about a number of strange machines. + </p> + <p> + “Yes—the very place where I was,” answered Mr. Jenks, “and there is + the apparatus—the steel box—from which the diamonds are taken—now + to see how they make them.” + </p> + <p> + Fascinated, the adventurers looked into the cave. The men there were + unaware of the presence of our friends, and were busily engaged. Some + attended to the grinding machine, the roar and clatter of which made it + possible for Tom and the others to talk and move about without being + overheard. Into this machine certain ingredients were put, and they were + then pulverized, and taken out in powdery form. + </p> + <p> + The power to run the mixing machine was a gasoline motor, which + chug-chugged away in one corner of the cave. + </p> + <p> + As the powder was taken out, other men fashioned it into small balls, + which were put on pan, and into a sort of oven, that was heated by a + gasoline stove. + </p> + <p> + “Is that how they make the diamonds?” asked Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “That is evidently the first step,” said Mr. Jenks. “Those balls of + powdered chemicals are partly baked, and then they are put into the steel + box. In some way terrific heat and pressure are applied, and the diamonds + are made. But how the heat and pressure are obtained is what we have yet + to learn.” + </p> + <p> + He paused to watch the men at work. They were all busy, some attending to + the machines, and others coming and going in and out of the cave. In one + part a man was apparently getting ready a meal. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly there rushed into the cave a man who seemed much excited. + </p> + <p> + “Are you nearly ready with that stuff?” he cried. “There's a good storm + gathering on the mountain!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we'll be ready in half an hour,” answered one of the men at the + mixing machine. + </p> + <p> + “Good. It will be flashing lightning bolts then, and we can see what luck + we have. The last batch was a failure.” The man hurried out again. Mr. + Parker touched Tom and Mr. Jenks on their shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “I know the secret of making the diamonds,” said the scientist. + </p> + <p> + “What?” cried Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “It is by the awful power of the lightning bolts!” whispered Mr. Parker. + “Everything is explained now—the reason why they make diamonds in + this lonely place, near the top of the mountain. They need a place where + the lightning is powerful. I can understand it now—I suspected it + before. They make diamonds by lightning!” + </p> + <p> + “Are you sure?” cried Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “Positive.” + </p> + <p> + “I agree with you,” said Tom Swift. “I was just getting on that track + myself, when I saw the electric wires running to the steel box. That + explains the upright rod on the top of the mountain. The man says a storm + is coming—very well; we'll stay here and watch them make diamonds!” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke there came the mutter of thunder, and the mountain vibrated + slightly. The men in the cave redoubled their activity. Tom and his + friends felt that the secret process they had so long sought was about to + be demonstrated before their eyes. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI—FLASHING GEMS + </h2> + <p> + Eagerly the adventurers looked through the opening at the end of the + passage into the larger cave. The men opened the small oven in which the + balls of white chemicals and carbon mixed, had been baked, and a pile of + things, that looked like irregularly-shaped marbles, were placed in the + steel box. + </p> + <p> + This box, which was about the size of a trunk, was of massive metal. It + was placed in a recess in the solid rock, and all about were layers of + asbestos and other substances that were nonconductors of heat. + </p> + <p> + “That box becomes red hot,” exclaimed Mr. Jenks, in a whisper. “When + things are in readiness, that lever is pulled and the diamonds are made. I + pulled it once, but I did not then know the process involved. I supposed + that the lightning had nothing to do with making the diamonds.” + </p> + <p> + “It has—a most important part,” said Mr. Parker. The hidden + adventurers could talk in perfect safety now, for the men in the large + cave were too excited to pay much attention to them. The muttering of the + thunder grew louder, and at times a particularly loud crash told that a + bolt had struck somewhere in the vicinity of the cave. + </p> + <p> + “But, bless my watch-charm!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, “I didn't know lightning + made diamonds.” + </p> + <p> + “It does not—always,” went on the scientist. “But great heat and + pressure are necessary to create the gems. In nature this was probably + obtained by prehistoric volcanic fires, and by the terrific pressure of + immense rocks. It is possible to make diamonds in the laboratory of the + chemist, but they are so minute as to be practically valueless. + </p> + <p> + “However, these men seem to have hit upon a new plan. They utilize the + terrific heat of lightning, and the pressure which is instantaneously + obtained when the bolt strikes. I am anxious to see how it is done. Look, + I think they are getting ready to make the gems.” + </p> + <p> + Indeed there seemed to be an air of expectancy among the diamond makers. + The mixing machine had now been stopped, and, as it was more quiet in the + cave, our friends, in their hiding-place, had to speak in mere whispers. + All the men were now gathered about the great steel box. + </p> + <p> + This receptacle had been closed by a solid metal door, which was screwed + and clamped tight. Then one of the men examined a number of heavily + insulated electric wires that extended from the box off into the darkness + where Tom and his companions could not discern them. + </p> + <p> + “That's Folwell—the man I befriended, and who got me into this + game,” whispered Mr. Jenks. “He was also one of the first to turn against + me. I think he's one of the leaders.” + </p> + <p> + Folwell came back, after having gone into a dark part of the cave. He went + over to an electrical switch on one of the stone walls. + </p> + <p> + “It's almost time,” Tom heard him say to his confederates. “The storm is + coming up rapidly.” + </p> + <p> + “Will it be severe enough?” asked one of the helpers. “We had all our work + for nothing last time. The flashes weren't heavy enough.” + </p> + <p> + “These will be,” asserted Folwell. “The indicator shows nearly a million + volts now, and it's increasing.” + </p> + <p> + “A million volts!” exclaimed Tom. “I hope it doesn't strike anywhere + around here.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it will probably be harmlessly conducted down on the heavy wires,” + said Mr. Parker. “We are in no danger, at present, though ultimately I + expect to see the whole mountain shattered by a lightning bolt.” + </p> + <p> + “Cheerful prospect,” murmured Tom. + </p> + <p> + There was a terrific crash outside. The rocky floor of the cave trembled. + </p> + <p> + “Here she comes!” cried Folwell. “Get back, everybody! I'm going to throw + over the switch now!” + </p> + <p> + The men retreated well away from the steel box. Folwell threw over the + lever—the same one Mr. Jenks remembered pulling. Then the man ran to + the electric switch on the wall, and snapped that into place, establishing + a connection. + </p> + <p> + There was a moment's pause, as Folwell ran to join the others in their + place of safety. Then from without there came a most nerve-racking and + terrifying crash. It seemed as if the very mountain would be rent into + fragments. + </p> + <p> + Watching with eager eyes, the adventurers saw sparks flash from the steel + box. Instantly it became red hot, and then glowed white and incandescent. + It was almost at the melting point. + </p> + <p> + Then came comparative quiet, as the echoes of the thunder died away amid + the mountain peaks. + </p> + <p> + “I guess that did the trick!” cried Folwell. “It was a terrific crash all + right!” + </p> + <p> + He and the others ran forward. The steel box was now a cherry red, for it + was cooling. Folwell threw back the lever, and another man disconnected + the switch. There was a period of waiting until the box was cool enough to + open. Then the heavy door was swung back. + </p> + <p> + With a long iron rod Folwell drew something from the retort. It was the + tray which had held the white balls. But they were white no longer, for + they had been turned into diamonds. From their hiding-place Tom and the + others could see the flashing gems, for, in spite of the fact that the + diamonds were uncut, some of them sparkled most brilliantly, due to the + peculiar manner in which they were made. + </p> + <p> + “We have the secret of the diamonds!” whispered Mr. Jenks. “There must be + a quart of the gems there!” + </p> + <p> + The men gathered about Folwell, uttering exclamations of delight. The + diamonds were too hot to handle yet. + </p> + <p> + “That's going some!” exclaimed the chief of the diamond makers. “We have a + small fortune here.” + </p> + <p> + The was a sudden commotion at one end of the cave. A man rushed in. At the + sight of him Tom stared and uttered an exclamation. + </p> + <p> + “Munson—the stowaway!” he whispered. + </p> + <p> + “Hello!” cried Folwell, as he saw his confederate. “I thought you were + East, keeping Jenks away from here.” + </p> + <p> + “He got the best of me!” cried Munson, “he and that Tom Swift! I stowed + away on their airship, but they found me out by a wireless message, and + marooned me in the woods. I've been trying to get here ever since! Didn't + you get my messages of warning?” + </p> + <p> + “No—what warnings?” cried Folwell. + </p> + <p> + “About Jenks, Tom Swift and the others. They're here—they must be on + Phantom Mountain now. In fact, I shouldn't be surprised if they were in + this cave. I traced them to their camp, but they're gone. They may be + among us now—in some of the secret recesses!” + </p> + <p> + For an instant Folwell stared at the bearer of these tidings. Then he + cried out: + </p> + <p> + “Scatter men, and find these fellows! We must get them before they + discover our secret!” + </p> + <p> + “It's too late—we know it!” exulted Tom Swift. Then he whispered to + the others to hurry to the part of the cave where Bill Renshaw had first + hidden them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII—PRISONERS + </h2> + <p> + “Do you think there is any danger of them finding us?” asked Mr. Damon, as + he hurried along beside Tom. + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid so,” was the answer. “I've been worried ever since we saw + Munson heading this way. But we couldn't do any differently.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps Bill Renshaw may be able to conceal us,” suggested Mr. Jenks. + “Very likely he knows that Munson is on hand. Perhaps we will be safe for + a while. I want to make a few more observations as to how they manufacture + the diamonds, and then, with what I already know, I'll have the secret.” + </p> + <p> + “And I'd like to make some scientific tests of the sides and bottom rocks + of the cave,” spoke Mr. Parker. “I think it will bear out my theory that + the mountain will soon be destroyed.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you were right about Earthquake Island, and you may be right about + this mountain,” said Tom, “but if it is going to be annihilated I hope we + get far enough away from it.” + </p> + <p> + “We can keep our presence here a secret for a few more days, I think that + will be long enough,” proceeded Mr. Jenks. “Then we will leave.” + </p> + <p> + “And, in the meanwhile, they'll be searching for us,” objected Mr. Damon. + “I wish that ghost-chap would come back and tell us what to do. Bless my + liver-pin, but we are going to be in considerable danger, I'm afraid! + Those men may capture us, and decide to make diamond dust from us.” + </p> + <p> + “Come on—hurry to the little cave,” urged Tom. “Then we'll get ready + to defend ourselves.” + </p> + <p> + “The main cave is a large one,” said Mr. Jenks, “and there are many hiding + places in it. In fact, it is so large that it will take those fellows + several days to complete a circuit of it. By that time Bill Renshaw may + come back, and take us to some place in which they have already searched + for us. Then we'll be comparatively safe.” + </p> + <p> + This thought was some consolation to them, as they made their way through + the dark passage, dimly illuminated by the lantern they had rekindled, to + the place where Bill had hidden them. They found things as they had left + them, and proceeded to get a meal, though Tom said it would be best not to + cook anything, or even to make coffee, for fear the odors would enable the + searchers to trail them. + </p> + <p> + So they ate cold food, glad to get that. Silently they sat about the + dimly-lighted cavern, and discussed the situation. True they might even + now retreat, going out of the entrance Bill had showed them, and so + escape. But Mr. Jenks felt that his mission was not completed yet, and + they all agreed to stay with him. + </p> + <p> + “For there are several points about making diamonds that are not quite + clear to me,” he said. “I need to know how that steel box is constructed, + how the electrical switches are arranged, what kind of lightning rods they + use, and how they regulate the pressure. The other things, and how to mix + the ingredients, I already know.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we'll do our best to help you,” promised Tom. “But now I think we + had better see what sort of a defense we can put up. We have our guns and + revolvers, and with these chairs and tables we can build a sort of + barricade behind which we can take refuge if those fellows do discover our + hiding place.” + </p> + <p> + This was conceded to be a good idea, and soon a rude sort of fort was + made, behind which the adventurers could take their stand and fight, if + necessary, though they hoped this would not come to pass. + </p> + <p> + They remained quietly in the cave the remainder of that day, and, when it + was night, as they could tell by their timepieces—there was no + daylight—they divided the hours into watches, taking turns standing + guard. + </p> + <p> + Morning, at least in point of time, came without any disturbance, and they + made a cold breakfast. They hoped that Bill Renshaw would come, but he did + not appear. + </p> + <p> + After sitting in the dark cave until afternoon, Tom said: + </p> + <p> + “I think we might as well go and take another observation of the big cave. + We can tell what the men are doing, then, for they don't seem to have been + near us. Maybe they have given up the search for us, and we can see them + at work, and Mr. Jenks can gain what further knowledge he needs.” + </p> + <p> + “That will be a good plan,” agreed the diamond man. “It's maddening to sit + here, doing nothing.” + </p> + <p> + “And it will be comparatively safe to go from here to our former post of + observation,” added Tom, “for there doesn't seem to be any opening along + the tunnel, into the larger cave, except the place where we were.” + </p> + <p> + Accordingly they started off. Cautiously they looked through the opening + into the apartment where they had seen the diamonds made. + </p> + <p> + “There's not a soul here!” exclaimed Tom, in a whisper. The others looked. + The place was deserted—the machinery silent. Mr. Jenks peered in for + a moment, and then exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “I'm going in! Now's my chance to find out all that I wish to know! It may + never come again, and then we can soon leave Phantom Mountain!” + </p> + <p> + It was a daring plan, but it seemed to be the best one to follow. They + were all tired of inactivity. Mr. Jenks managed to get through the + opening, and dropped into the big cave. The others followed. Mr. Jenks + hurried over to the steel box, and began an examination of it. Tom Swift + was looking at the electrical switch. He saw how it was constructed. Mr. + Damon and Mr. Parker were peering interestedly about. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the sound of voices was heard, and the echo of footsteps. Mr. + Jenks started. + </p> + <p> + “They're coming back!” he whispered hoarsely. “Run!” + </p> + <p> + They all turned and sped toward their hiding place. But they were too + late. An instant later Folwell, Munson and the other diamond makers + confronted them. Our friends made a bold rush, but were caught before they + could go ten feet. + </p> + <p> + “We have them!” cried Munson. “They walked right into our hands!” + </p> + <p> + It was true. Tom Swift and the others were the prisoners of the diamond + makers. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII—BROKEN BONDS + </h2> + <p> + “Well,” remarked Tom Swift, in mournful tones, “this looks as if we were + up against it; doesn't it?” + </p> + <p> + “Bless my umbrella, it certainly does,” agreed Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “And it's all my fault,” said Mr. Jenks. “I shouldn't have gone into the + big cave. I might have known those men would come back any time.” + </p> + <p> + The above conversation took place as our friends lay securely bound in a + small cave, or recess, opening from the larger cavern, where, about an + hour before, they had been captured and made prisoners by the diamond + makers. Despite their struggles they had been overpowered and bound, being + carried to the cave, where they were laid in a row on some old bags. + </p> + <p> + “It certainly is a most unpleasant situation, to say the least,” observed + Mr. Parker. + </p> + <p> + “And all my fault,” repeated Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no it isn't,” declared Tom Swift, quickly. “We were just as ready to + follow you into that cave as you were to go. No one could tell that the + men would return so soon. It's nobody's fault. It's just our bad luck.” + </p> + <p> + From where he lay, tied hand and foot, the young inventor could look out + into the cave where he and the others had been caught. The diamond makers + were busily engaged, apparently in getting ready to manufacture another + batch of the precious stones. They paid little attention to their + captives, save to warn them, when they had first been taken into the + little cave, that it was useless to try to escape. + </p> + <p> + “They needn't have told us that,” observed Tom, as he and the others were + talking over their situation in low voices. “I don't believe any one could + loosen these ropes.” + </p> + <p> + “They certainly are pretty tight,” agreed Mr. Damon. “I've been tugging + and straining at mine for the last half hour, and all I've succeeded in + doing is to make the cords cut into my flesh.” + </p> + <p> + “Better give it up,” advised Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “We'll just have to wait.” + </p> + <p> + “For what?” the scientist wanted to know. + </p> + <p> + “To see what they'll do with us. They can't keep us here forever. They'll + have to let us go some time.” Following their capture, Folwell and Munson, + the latter the stowaway of the airship, had been in earnest conversation + regarding our friends, but what conclusion they had reached the + adventurers could only guess. + </p> + <p> + “And we didn't have time to examine the diamond-making machinery close + enough so that we could duplicate it if necessary,” complained Tom, a + little later. + </p> + <p> + “No,” agreed Mr. Jenks. “There are certain things about it that are not + clear to me. Well, I don't believe I'll have another chance to inspect it. + They'll take good care of that, though they seem to be getting ready to + make more diamonds.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps they're going to manufacture a big batch, and then leave this + place,” suggested Mr. Damon. “They will probably go to some other secret + cave, and leave us here.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope they untie us before they leave, and give us something to eat,” + remarked the young inventor. + </p> + <p> + For two hours longer the captives lay there, in most uncomfortable + positions. Then Folwell and Munson, leaving the group of diamond makers + who were grouped about the machinery, approached the captives. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” remarked Munson, “we got ahead of you after all; didn't we. You + thought you had our secret, but it will be a long while before you ever + make diamonds.” + </p> + <p> + “What are you going to do with us?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Never mind. You came where you had no right to, and you must take the + consequences.” + </p> + <p> + “We did have a right to come here!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. “I am entitled to + know how the diamonds are made. I paid for the information, and you + tricked me. If ever it's possible I'll have the whole gang arrested for + swindling.” + </p> + <p> + “You'll never get the chance!” declared Folwell. “You were given some + diamonds for the money you invested, and that makes us square.” + </p> + <p> + “No, it doesn't!” declared Mr. Jenks. “I invested the money to learn how + to make diamonds, and you know it! You tricked me, and I had a right to + try to discover your secret! I nearly have it, too, and I'll get it + completely before I'm done with you!” + </p> + <p> + “No, you won't!” boasted Folwell. “But we didn't come here to tell you + that. We came to give you something to eat. We're not savages and we'll + treat you as well as we can in spite of the fact that you are trespassers. + We're going to give you some grub, but I warn you that any attempt to + escape will mean that some of you will get hurt.” + </p> + <p> + He signalled to some of his confederates. These men unbound the captives' + arms, and stood over them while they ate some coarse food that was brought + into the small cave. They were given coffee to drink, and then, when the + simple meal was over, they were securely bound again, and left to + themselves, while the diamond makers went back to their machinery. + </p> + <p> + It was evident that they were going to attempt a big operation, for an + unusually large quantity of the white stuff was prepared. The prisoners + watched them idly. They could see some but not all of the operations. In + this way several hours passed. + </p> + <p> + Gloom possessed the hearts of Tom and his friends. Not only had their + expedition been almost a failure so far, but the young inventor was + worried lest the gang might discover and wreck his airship. This would + prove a serious loss. Lying there in the semi-darkness the lad imagined + all sorts of unpleasant happenings. + </p> + <p> + At times he dozed off, as did the others. They had become somewhat used to + the pain caused by the bonds, for their nerves were numb from the strain + and pressure. + </p> + <p> + Once, as he was lightly sleeping, Tom was awakened by hearing loud voices + in the main cave. He looked out, rolling over slightly to get a better + view. He saw the man who, once before had run in to give news of an + approaching electrical storm. + </p> + <p> + “Are you fellows all ready?” asked this same man again. + </p> + <p> + “Yes. Is there another storm coming?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and it's going to be a corker!” was the reply. “It's one of the + worst I've ever seen. It's sweeping right up the valley. It'll be here in + an hour.” + </p> + <p> + “That's good. We need a big flash to make all the material we have + prepared into diamonds. It's the biggest batch we ever tried. I hope it + succeeds, for we're going to leave—” The rest was in so low a tone + that Tom could not catch it. + </p> + <p> + The storm messenger departed. Folwell and Munson busied themselves about + the machinery. Tom dozed off again, dimly wondering what had become of + Bill Renshaw, and whether the former ghost knew of their plight. The + others were asleep, as the young inventor saw by the dim light of a + lantern in the cave. Then, he too, shut his eyes. + </p> + <p> + Tom was suddenly awakened by feeling some one's hands moving about his + clothing. At first he thought it was one of the diamond-making gang, who + had sneaked in to rob him. “Here! What are you up to?” exclaimed Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Quiet!” cautioned a voice. “Are you all here?” + </p> + <p> + “All of us—yes. But who are you?” + </p> + <p> + “Easy—keep quiet, Tom Swift! I'm Bill Renshaw! I've been searching + all over for you, since I got back to your cave and found it empty. Now + I'm going to free you. I got in here by a secret entrance. Wait, I'll cut + your ropes.” There was a slight sound, and an instant later Tom was freed + from his bonds. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV—IN GREAT PERIL + </h2> + <p> + The young inventor could scarcely believe the good luck that had so + unexpectedly come to him and his companions. No sooner was Tom able to + move freely about than Bill Renshaw performed the same service for Mr. + Jenks and the others, cautioning them to be quiet as he awakened them, and + cut the ropes. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my circulation!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, in a hoarse whisper. “How did + you ever get here. I'd given ourselves up for lost.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I came in off the mountain, as there's a big storm due,” explained + the man. “There was no need of me playing the haunt in daytime, anyhow. I + went to the cave, found you and your things gone, and I surmised that you + might have walked into some trap.” + </p> + <p> + “We did,” admitted Mr. Jenks, grimly. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I hunted around until I found you,” went on Bill. “This mountain is + honeycombed with caves, all opening from the large one, I know them better + than these fellows do, so I could explore freely, and keep out of their + sight. They didn't know that there was a second entrance to this place, + but I did, and I made for it, when I couldn't find you in some of the + other caves where I looked. And, sure enough, here you were.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we can't thank you enough,” said Mr. Parker. “But you say there is + a big storm coming?” + </p> + <p> + “One of the biggest that's been around these parts in some time,” replied + Bill. + </p> + <p> + “Then perhaps the mountain will be destroyed,” went on the scientist, as + calmly as if he had remarked that it might rain. + </p> + <p> + “I hope nothing like that happens until we get away,” spoke Mr. Damon, + fervently. + </p> + <p> + “What had we better do?” inquired Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Get away, unless you want to discover some more of their secrets,” + advised Bill. “Those fellows are planning something, but I can't find out + what it is. They are suspicious of me, I think. But they are up to + something, and I believe, it would be best for you to leave while you have + the chance. It may not be healthy to stay. That's why I did my best to + untie you.” + </p> + <p> + “We appreciate what you have done,” declared Mr. Jenks, “but I want my + rights. I must learn a few more facts about how to make diamonds from + lightning flashes, and then I will have the same secret they cheated me + out of. I think if we wait a while we may be able to see the parts of the + process that are not quite clear to us. What do you say, Tom Swift?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I would like to learn the secret,” replied the lad, “and if Bill + thinks it's safe to stay here a while longer—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I guess it will be safe enough,” was the reply. “Those fellows won't + bother about you now that they are about to make some more diamonds. + Besides, they think you're all tied up. Yes, you can stay here and watch, + I reckon. I've got a couple of guns, and—” + </p> + <p> + “Then we'll stay,” decided Tom. “We can put up a better fight now.” + </p> + <p> + Silently, in their prison, but which they could now leave whenever they + pleased, the adventurers watched the diamond makers once more. The same + process they had witnessed before was gone through with. The white balls + were put inside the steel box and sealed up. Then they waited for the + storm to reach its height. + </p> + <p> + That this would not be long was evidenced by the mutterings of thunder + which every moment grew louder. The outburst of electrical fury was likely + to take place momentarily, and that it would be unusually severe was shown + by the precautions taken by the diamond makers. They attached a number of + extra wires, and brought out some insulated, hard rubber platforms, on + which they themselves stood. Tom and Mr. Jenks were much interested in + watching this detail of the work, and sought to learn how each part of the + process was done. + </p> + <p> + “I almost think we can make diamonds, Tom, when we get back to + civilization,” whispered Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “I hope we can,” answered Tom, “and we can't get back any too soon to suit + me. I want to be in my airship again.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't blame you. But look, they are getting ready to adjust the + switch.” + </p> + <p> + The adventurers ceased their whispered talk, and eagerly watched the + diamond makers. Folwell and Munson were hurrying to and fro in the big + cave, attending to the adjustments of the machinery. + </p> + <p> + “On your insulated plates—all of you,” Folwell gave the order. “This + is going to be a terrific storm. The gage shows twice the power we have + ever used, and it's creeping up every minute! We'll have more diamonds + than ever had before!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, if the mountain isn't destroyed,” added Mr. Parker, in a low voice. + “I predict that it will be split from top to bottom!” + </p> + <p> + “Comforting,” thought Tom, grimly. + </p> + <p> + “I guess we're all ready,” said Folwell, in a low tone to Munson. “We'd + better get insulated ourselves. I'm going to throw the switch.” + </p> + <p> + He did so. A moment later the man who had before given warning of the + storm came dashing in. He was very much excited. + </p> + <p> + “It's awful!” he cried. “The lightning is striking all over! Big rocks are + being split like logs of wood!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it can't do any damage in here,” said Munson. “We are well + protected. Get on one of the plates,” and he motioned to one of the + hard-rubber platforms that was not occupied. The roar and rumble of the + storm outside had given place to short terrific crashes. In their small + cave the adventurers could feel the solid ground shake. + </p> + <p> + A bluish light began dancing about the electrical wires. There was a smell + of sulphur in the air. Crash after crash resounded outside. A flash of + flame lit up the whole interior of the cave. It came from the copper + switch. + </p> + <p> + “Something's wrong with the insulation!” cried Munson. + </p> + <p> + “Don't go near it!” yelled Folwell. “If you value your life, stand still!” + </p> + <p> + Hardly had he spoken than inside the cavern there sounded a report like + that of a small cannon. A big ball of fire danced about the middle of the + cave and then leaped on top of the steel box. + </p> + <p> + “This is a fearful storm,” cried Munson. + </p> + <p> + The adventurers in the cave did not know what to say or do. They were in + deadly peril. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly there came a crash louder than any that had preceded it. The + whole side of the cave where the switches were was a mass of bluish flame. + Then came a ripping, tearing sound, and a tangle of wires and copper + connections were thrown to the floor. At the same time the steel box, + containing the materials from which diamonds were made, turned blue, and + flames shot from it. + </p> + <p> + “It's all up with us!” cried Munson. “Run for it, everybody! The wires are + down, and this place will be an electric furnace in another minute!” + </p> + <p> + He leaped toward the exit from the cave. + </p> + <p> + “What about those fellows?” asked Folwell, indicating the place where Tom + and the others had been tied. + </p> + <p> + “They'll have to do the best they can! It's every man for himself, now!” + yelled Munson. There was a wild scramble from the cavern. + </p> + <p> + “Come on!” cried Tom. “We must escape! It's our only chance!” + </p> + <p> + He leaped into the big cave, followed by the others. Already long tongues + of electrical fire were shooting out from the walls and roof as Tom Swift + and his companions, evading them as best they could, sought safety in + flight. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXV—THE MOUNTAIN SHATTERED—CONCLUSION + </h2> + <p> + “Can't we get some of the diamonds?” cried Mr. Damon, as he raced along + behind Tom. “Now's our chance. Those fellows have all gone!” The odd man + made a grab for something as he ran. + </p> + <p> + “It's as much as our lives are worth,” declared the young inventor. “We + dare not stop! Come on!” + </p> + <p> + “I'd like to investigate some of the machinery,” spoke Mr. Jenks, “but I + wouldn't stop, even for that.” + </p> + <p> + “The storm is too dangerous,” called Bill Renshaw. “I can show you a + shorter way out than the one those fellows have taken. Follow me.” + </p> + <p> + “No way can be too short,” said Mr. Parker, solemnly. “This mountain will + go to pieces shortly, I think!” + </p> + <p> + Tom shuddered. He remembered how narrow had been their escape when + Earthquake Island sank into the sea. And that some terrific upheaval was + now imminent might be judged from the awful reports that sounded more + plainly as the adventurers raced toward the opening of the cave. It was + like the bombardment of some doomed city. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Jenks and Tom cast one longing look behind at the complicated and + expensive machinery that had been installed in the cave by the diamond + makers. They had abandoned it, and in it lay the secret of making precious + gems. But there was no time to stop now, and investigate. + </p> + <p> + “This way,” urged Bill Renshaw. “We'll soon be out.” + </p> + <p> + “But won't it be dangerous to go outside?” asked Mr. Damon. “Shan't we be + struck by lightning? There is some protection in here.” + </p> + <p> + “None at all,” said Mr. Parker, quickly. “This mountain is a natural + lightning rod. To stay here in this cave will be sure death when the storm + gets directly over it. And that will be very soon. We must get on + insulated ground. Is there any part of this mountain that does not contain + iron ore?” the scientist asked of the former spirit. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; the way out by which we are going lands on a dirt hill.” + </p> + <p> + “That's good; then we may be saved.” + </p> + <p> + On they ran. They had no lanterns, but the blue light of the electricity, + as it leaped from point to point inside the cave, where there were + outcroppings of iron ore, made the place bright enough to see. + </p> + <p> + “Here we are!” cried Bill Renshaw at length. “Here's the way out!” + </p> + <p> + Making a sudden turn in the winding passage he showed the adventurers a + small opening in the side of the crag. In an instant they had passed + through, and found themselves in daylight once more. The sudden glare + almost blinded them, for, though the sky was overcast by clouds, from + which jagged tongues of lightning played, the outside was much lighter + than the dark cave. + </p> + <p> + “I should say it was a storm!” cried Tom Swift. “See, it is striking every + minute, and all around us!” + </p> + <p> + In fact, lightning bolts were falling on every side of the adventurers. + Every time the balls of fire struck, they burst open great stones, or + seared a livid scar on the face of some cliff. As for Tom and the others, + they stood on a dry dirt hill, in which, fortunately, there was no iron + ore. To this fact they undoubtedly owed their lives, though had there been + rain, to moisten the ground and make the earth a good conductor of + electricity, they probably would have been badly shocked. But the + electrical outburst was not accompanied by rain. + </p> + <p> + Tom looked up. He saw a compact mass of cloud moving toward the summit of + the mountain on the slope of which they stood. From this cloud there + played shafts of reddish-green fire. + </p> + <p> + “Look!” called the young inventor to Mr. Parker. The instant the latter + saw the cloud, he cried: + </p> + <p> + “We must get away from here by all means! That is the center of the storm. + As soon as it gets over the mountain, where that lightning rod is, all the + electrical fluid will be discharged in one bolt at the mountain, and it + will be destroyed! We must run, but keep on the dirt places! Run for your + lives!” + </p> + <p> + They needed no second warning. Turning, they fled down the steep side of + the mountain, slipping and stumbling, but taking care not to step on any + iron ore. Behind them flashed the lightning bolts. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly there was a most awful crash. It seemed as if the end of the + world had come, and the ear drums of Tom and his companion almost burst + with the fearful report. The concussion knocked them down, and they lay + stunned for a moment. + </p> + <p> + Following the terrible report there was a low, rumbling sound. Hardly + knowing whether he was dead or alive, Tom opened his eyes and looked about + him. What he saw caused him to cry out in terror. + </p> + <p> + The whole mountain seemed bathed in fire. Great blue, red and green + flashes played around it. Then the towering cliff seemed to melt and + crumble up, and the great peak, the top of it containing the diamond + makers' cave, from which they had fled but a few minutes before, the + entire summit was toppled over into the valley on the other side, and in + the direction opposite to that where the adventurers stood. + </p> + <p> + Then came a profound silence, and the lightning ceased. The storm was + over, and only the rattle of stones and boulders, as they came to rest in + the valley below, reached the ears of our friends. + </p> + <p> + “Phantom Mountain has been destroyed, just as I said it would be,” spoke + Mr. Parker, solemnly. Once more he had prophesied correctly. + </p> + <p> + For a few minutes the adventurers hardly knew what to say. They arose + awkwardly from the ground where the shock had tossed them. Then Tom + remarked, as calmly as possible: + </p> + <p> + “Well, it's all over. I guess we may as well get back to our airship.” + </p> + <p> + “What became of Munson and the others?” asked Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Jenks pointed to the trail, far below. The figures of some men, + running madly, could be seen. + </p> + <p> + “There they go,” he said; “I fancy we have seen the last of them.” And + they had, for some time at least. + </p> + <p> + There was little use lingering any longer on Phantom Mountain—indeed + little of it was left on which to remain. Looking back toward the place + where the cave had been, Tom and the others started forward again. The + diamond-making machinery had all been destroyed. So, also, had the + finished diamonds stored in the cavern and the large supply which had + probably been made by the last terrific crash. No one would ever have them + now. Tom and Mr. Jenks felt a sense of disappointment, but they were glad + to have escaped with their lives. They sought their former camp, but the + tent and all their food was buried under tons of earth and rocks. + </p> + <p> + Three days later, after rather severe hardships, they were near the place + where they had left the Red Cloud. They had suffered cold and hunger, for + they had no food supplies, and, had it not been that Bill Renshaw knew the + haunts of some game, of which they managed to snare some, they would have + fared badly, for they had left their guns in the cave. + </p> + <p> + “Well, there are the trees behind which I hope my airship is hidden,” + announced Tom, as they came to the spot. “Good old Red Cloud! Maybe we + won't do some eating when we get aboard, eh?” + </p> + <p> + “Bless my appetite! but we certainly will!” cried Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “There's somebody walking around the place,” spoke Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “I hope it's no one who has damaged the ship,” came from Tom, + apprehensively. He broke into a run, and soon confronted an aged miner, + who seemed to have established a rude sort of camp near the airship. + </p> + <p> + “Is anything the matter?” asked Tom, breathlessly. “Is my airship all + right?” + </p> + <p> + “I guess she's all right, stranger,” was the reply. “I don't know much + about these contraptions, but I haven't touched her. I knowed she was an + airship, for I've seen pictures of 'em, and I've been waiting until the + owner came along.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” asked Tom, wonderingly. + </p> + <p> + “Because I've got a proposition to make to you,” went on the miner, who + said his name was Abe Abercrombie. “I've been a miner for a good many + years, and I'm just back from Alaska, prospecting around here. I haven't + had any luck, but I know of a gold mine in Alaska that will make us all + rich. Only it needs an airship to get to it, and I've been figuring how to + hire one. Then I comes along, and I sees this big one, and I makes up my + mind to stay here until the owners come back. That's what I've done. Now, + if I prove that I'm telling the truth, will you go to Alaska—to the + valley of gold with me?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know,” answered Tom, to whom the proposition was rather sudden. + “We've just had some pretty startling adventures, and we're almost + starved. Wait until we get something to eat, and we'll talk. Come aboard + the Red Cloud,” and the lad led the way to his craft which was in as good + condition as when he left it to go to the diamond cave. Later he listened + to the miner's story. + </p> + <p> + Tom Swift did go to the valley of gold in Alaska, and what happened to him + and his companions there will be told of in the next volume of this + series, to be called “Tom Swift in the Caves of Ice; or, the Wreck of the + Airship.” + </p> + <p> + It did not take our friends long, after they had eaten a hearty meal, to + generate some fresh gas, and start the Red Cloud on her homeward way. Tom + wanted to take Bill Renshaw with him, but the old man said he would rather + remain among the mountains where he had been born. So, after paying him + well for his services, they said good-by to him. Abercrombie, the miner, + also remained behind, but promised to call and see Tom in a few months. + </p> + <p> + “Well, we didn't make any money out of this trip,” observed Mr. Jenks, + rather dubiously, as they were nearing Shopton, after an uneventful trip. + “I guess I owe you considerable, Tom Swift. I promised to get you a lot of + diamonds, but all I have are those I had from my first visit to the cave.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that's all right,” spoke Tom, easily. “The experience was worth all + the trip cost.” + </p> + <p> + “Speaking of diamonds, look here!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, suddenly, and he + pulled out a double handful. + </p> + <p> + “Where did you get them?” cried the others in astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “I grabbed them up, as we ran from the cave,” said the eccentric man; + “but, bless my gaiters! I forgot all about them until you spoke. We'll + share them.” + </p> + <p> + These diamonds, some of which were large, proved very valuable, though the + total sum was far below what Mr. Jenks hoped to make when he started on + the remarkable trip. Tom gave Mary Nestor a very fine stone, and it was + set in a ring, instead of a pin, this time. + </p> + <p> + On their arrival in Shopton, where Mr. Swift, the housekeeper, Mr. Jackson + and Eradicate Sampson were much alarmed for Tom's safety, an attempt was + made to manufacture diamonds, using a powerful electric current instead of + lightning. But it was not a success, and so Mr. Jenks concluded to give up + his search for the secret which was lost on Phantom Mountain. + </p> + <p> + And now we will take leave of Tom Swift, to meet him again soon in other + adventures he is destined to have in the caves of ice and the valley of + gold. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0026" id="link2H_4_0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE END + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + THE TOM SWIFT SERIES + + By VICTOR APPLETON +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE + Or Fun and Adventure on the Road + TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT + Or The Rivals of Lake Carlopa + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP + Or The Stirring Cruise of the Red Cloud + TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT + Or Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT + Or The Speediest Car on the Road + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE + Or The Castaways of Earthquake Island + TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS + Or The Secret of Phantom Mountain + TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE + Or The wreck of the Airship + TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER + Or The Quickest Flight on Record + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE + Or Daring Adventures In Elephant Land + TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD + Or Marvelous Adventures Underground + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER + Or seeking the Platinum Treasure + TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY + Or A Daring Escape by Airship + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA + Or The Perils of Moving Picture Taking + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT + Or On the Border for Uncle Sam + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON + Or The Longest Shots on Record + TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE + Or The Picture that Saved a Fortune + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP + Or The Naval Terror of the Seas + TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL + Or The Hidden City of the Andes +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS SERIES + + By VICTOR APPLETON +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + In these stories we follow the adventures of three boys, who, + after purchasing at auction the contents of a moving picture + house, open a theatre of their own. Their many trials and + tribulations, leading up to the final success of their venture, + make very entertaining stories. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' FIRST VENTURE + + Or Opening a Photo Playhouse in Fairlands. + + The adventures of Frank, Randy and Pep in running a Motion + Picture show. They had trials and tribulations but finally + succeed. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS AT SEASIDE PARK + + Or The Rival Photo Theatres of the Boardwalk. + + Their success at Fairlands encourages the boys to open their + show at Seaside Park, where they have exciting adventures—also a + profitable season. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS ON BROADWAY + + Or The Mystery of the Missing Cash Box. + + Backed by a rich western friend the chums established a photo + playhouse in the great metropolis, where new adventures await + them. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' OUTDOOR EXHIBITION + + Or The Film that Solved a Mystery. + + This time the playhouse was in a big summer park. How a + film that was shown gave a clew to an important mystery + is interestingly related. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' NEW IDEA + + Or The First Educational Photo Playhouse. + + In this book the scene is shifted to Boston, and there is + intense rivalry in the establishment of photo playhouses of + educational value. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS AT THE FAIR + + Or The Greatest Film Ever Exhibited. + + The chums go to San Francisco, where they have some trials + but finally meet with great success. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' WAR SPECTACLE + + Or The Film that Won the Prize. + + Through being of service to the writer of a great scenario, the + chums are enabled to produce it and win a prize. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH SERIES + + By GRAHAM B. FORBES +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Never was there a cleaner, brighter, more manly boy than Frank + Allen, the hero of this series of boys tales, and never was there + a better crowd of lads to associate with than the students of the + School. All boys will read these stories with deep interest. The + rivalry between the towns along the river was of the keenest, and + plots and counterplots to win the champions, at baseball, at + football, at boat racing, at track athletics, and at ice hockey, + were without number. Any lad reading one volume of this series + will surely want the others. + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH + Or The All Around Rivals of the School + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE DIAMOND + Or Winning Out by Pluck + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE RIVER + Or The Boat Race Plot that Failed + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE GRIDIRON + Or The Struggle for the Silver Cup + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE ICE + Or Out for the Hockey Championship + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH IN TRACK ATHLETICS + Or A Long Run that Won + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH IN WINTER SPORTS + Or Stirring Doings on Skates and Iceboats +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 12mo. Illustrated. Handsomely bound in cloth, with cover design + and wrappers in colors. + + GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS SERIES + + By CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The outdoor chums are four wide-awake lads, Sons of wealthy men + of a small city located on a lake. The boys love outdoor life, + and are greatly interested in hunting, fishing, and picture + taking. They have motor cycles, motor boats, canoes, etc., and + during their vacations go everywhere and have all sorts of + thrilling adventures. The stories give full directions for + camping out, how to fish, how to hunt wild animals and prepare + the skins for stuffing, how to manage a canoe, how to swim, etc. + Full of the spirit of outdoor life. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS + Or The First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE LAKE + Or Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE FOREST + Or Laying the Ghost of Oak Ridge. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE GULF + Or Rescuing the Lost Balloonists. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME + Or Perilous Adventures in the Wilderness. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON A HOUSEBOAT + Or The Rivals of the Mississippi. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE BIG WOODS + Or The Rival Hunters at Lumber Run. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AT CABIN POINT + Or The Golden Cup Mystery. +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1282 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d933bc4 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #1282 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1282) diff --git a/old/1282-0.txt b/old/1282-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d79fc05 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/1282-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5811 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Tom Swift Among The Diamond Makers, by Victor Appleton + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Tom Swift Among The Diamond Makers + or The Secret of Phantom Mountain + +Author: Victor Appleton + +Release Date: April, 1998 [Etext #1282] +Posting Date: November 6, 2009 +Last Updated: March 14, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS *** + + + + +Produced by Anthony Matonac + + + + + +TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS + +or The Secret of Phantom Mountain + +By Victor Appleton + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER + + I A SUSPICIOUS JEWELER + II A MIDNIGHT VISIT + III A STRANGE STORY + IV ANDY FOGER GETS A FRIGHT + V A MYSTERIOUS MAN + VI MR. DAMON IS ON HAND + VII MR. PARKER PREDICTS + VIII OFF FOR THE WEST + IX A WARNING BY WIRELESS + X DROPPING THE STOWAWAY + XI A WEARY SEARCH + XII THE GREAT STONE HEAD + XIII ON PHANTOM MOUNTAIN + XIV WARNED BACK + XV THE LANDSLIDE + XVI THE VAST CAVERN + XVII THE PHANTOM CAPTURED + XVIII BILL RENSHAW WILL HELP + XIX IN THE SECRET CAVE + XX MAKING THE DIAMONDS + XXI FLASHING GEMS + XXII PRISONERS + XXIII BROKEN BONDS + XXIV IN GREAT PERIL + XXV THE MOUNTAIN SHATTERED--CONCLUSION + + + + +CHAPTER I--A SUSPICIOUS JEWELER + + +“Well, Tom Swift, I don't believe you will make any mistake if you buy +that diamond,” said the jeweler to a young man who was inspecting a tray +of pins, set with the sparkling stones. “It is of the first water, and +without a flaw.” + +“It certainly seems so, Mr. Track. I don't know much about diamonds, and +I'm depending on you. But this one looks to be all right.” + +“Is it for yourself, Tom?” + +“Er--no--that is, not exactly,” and Tom Swift, the young inventor of +airships and submarines, blushed slightly. + +“Ah, I see. It's for your housekeeper, Mrs. Baggert. Well, I think she +would like a pin of this sort. True, it's rather expensive, but--” + +“No, it isn't for Mrs. Baggert, Mr. Track,” and Tom seemed a bit +embarrassed. + +“No? Well, then, Tom--of course it's none of my affair, except to +sell you a good stone, But if this brooch is for a young lady, I can't +recommend anything nicer. Do you think you will take this; or do you +prefer to look at some others?” + +“Oh, I think this will do, Mr. Track. I guess I'll take--” + +Tom's words were interrupted by a sudden action on the part of the +jeweler. Mr. Track ran from behind the showcase and hastened toward the +front door. + +“Did you see him, Tom?” he cried. “I wonder which way he went?” + +“Who?” asked the lad, following the shopkeeper. + +“That man. He's been walking up and down in front of my place for the +last ten minutes--ever since you've been in here, in fact, and I don't +like his looks.” + +“What did he do?” + +“Nothing much, except to stare in here as if he was sizing my place up.” + +“Sizing it up?” + +“Yes. Getting the lay of the land, so he or some confederate could +commit a robbery, maybe.” + +“A robbery? Do you think that man was a thief?” + +“I don't know that he was, Tom, and yet a jeweler has to be always +on the watch, and that isn't a joke, either, Tom Swift. Swindlers and +thieves are always on the alert for a chance to rob a jewelry store, and +they work many games.” + +“I didn't notice any particular man looking in here,” said Tom, who +still held the diamond brooch in his hand. + +“Well I did,” went on the jeweler. “I happened to glance out of the +window when you were looking at the pins, and I saw his eyes staring in +here in a suspicious manner. He may have a confederate with him, and, +when you're gone, one may come in, and pretend to want to look at some +diamonds. Then, when I'm showing him some, the other man will enter, +engage my attention, and the first man will slip out with a diamond ring +or pin. It's often done.” + +“You seem to have it all worked out, Mr. Track,” observed the lad, with +a smile. “How do you know but what I'm in with a gang of thieves, and +that I'm only pretending to want to buy a diamond pin?” + +“Oh, I guess I haven't known you, Tom Swift, ever since you were +big enough to toddle, not to be sure about what you're up to. But I +certainly didn't like the looks of that man. However, let's forget about +him. He seems to have gone down the street, and, after all, perhaps I +was mistaken. Just wait until I show you a few more styles before you +decide. The young lady may like one of these,” and the jeweler went to +another showcase and took out some more trays of brooches. + +“What makes you think she's a young lady, Mr. Track?” asked the lad. + +“Oh, it's easy guessing, Tom. We jewelers are good readers of character. +I can size up a young fellow coming in here to buy an engagement or a +wedding ring, as soon as he enters the door. I suppose you'll soon be +in the market for one of those, Tom, if all the reports I hear about you +are true--you and a certain Mary Nestor.” + +“I--er--I think I don't care for any of these pins,” spoke Tom, quickly, +with a blush. “I like the first lot best. I think I'll take the one I +had in my hand when that man alarmed you. Ha! That's odd! What did I do +with it?” + +Tom looked about on the showcase, and glanced down on the floor. He had +mislaid the brooch, but the jeweler, with a laugh, lifted it out of a +tray a moment later. + +“I saw you lay it down,” he said. “We jewelers have to be on the watch. +Here it is. I'll just put it in a box, and--” + +With an exclamation, Mr. Track gave a hasty glance toward his big show +window. Tom looked up, and saw a man's face peering in. At the sight of +it, he, too, uttered a cry of surprise. + +The next instant the man outside knocked on the glass, apparently with +a piece of metal, making a sharp sound. As soon as he heard it, the +jeweler once more sprang from behind the showcase, and leaped for the +door crying: + +“There's the thief! He's trying to cut a hole through my show window and +reach in and get something! It's an old trick. I'll get the police! Tom, +you stay here on guard!” and before the lad could utter a protest, the +jeweler had opened the door, and was speeding down the street in the +gathering darkness. + +Tom stared about him in some bewilderment. He was left alone in charge +of a very valuable stock of jewelry, the owner of which was racing after +a supposed thief, crying: + +“Police! Help! Thieves! Stop him, somebody!” + +“This is a queer go,” mused Tom. “I wonder who that man was? He looked +like somebody I know, and yet I can't seem to place his face. I +wonder if he was trying to rob the place? Maybe there's another one--a +confederate--around here.” + +This thought rather alarmed Tom, so he went to the door, and looked up +and down the street. He could see no suspicious characters, but in the +direction in which the jeweler was running there was a little throng of +people, following Mr. Track after the man who had knocked on the window. + +“I wish I was there, instead of here,” mused the lad. “Still I can't +leave, or a thief might come in. Perhaps that was the game, and one of +the gang is hanging around, hoping the store will be deserted, so he can +enter and take what he likes.” + +Tom had read of such cases, and he at once resolved that he would not +only remain in the jewelry shop, but that he would lock the door, which +he at once proceeded to do. Then he breathed easier. + +The town of Shopton, in the outskirts of which Tom lived with his +father, and where the scene above narrated took place, was none too well +lighted at night, and the lad had his doubts about the jeweler catching +the oddly-acting man, especially as the latter had a good start. + +“But some one may head him off,” reasoned Tom. “Though if they do catch +him, I don't see what they can prove against him. Hello, here I am +carrying this diamond pin around. I might lose it. Guess I'll put it +back on the tray.” + +He replaced in the proper receptacle one of the pins he had been +examining when the excitement occurred. + +“I wonder if Mary will like that?” he said, softly. “I hope she does. +Perhaps it would be better if she could come here herself and pick out +one--” + +Tom's musing was suddenly interrupted by a sharp tattoo on the glass +door of the jewelry shop. With a start, he looked up, to see staring in +on him the face of the man who had been there before--the man of whom +the jeweler was even then in chase. + +“Why--why----” stammered Tom. + +The man knocked again. + +“Tom--Tom Swift!” he called. “Don't you know me?” + +“Know you--you?” repeated the lad. + +“Yes--don't you remember Earthquake Island--how we were nearly killed +there--don't you remember Mr. Jenks?” + +“Mr. Jenks?” + +Tom was so startled that he could only repeat words after the strange +man, who was talking to him from outside the glass door. + +“Yes, Mr. Jenks,” was the reply. “Mr. Barcoe Jenks, who makes diamonds. +I saw you in the store about to buy a diamond--I wanted to tell you not +to--I'll give you a better diamond than you can buy--I just arrived in +this place--I must have a private talk with you--Come out--I'll share a +wonderful secret with you.” + +A flood of memory came to Tom. He did recall the very strange man who +walked around Earthquake Island--where Tom and some friends had been +marooned recently--walked about with a pocketful of what he said were +diamonds. Now Barcoe Jenks was here. + +“I must see you privately, Tom Swift,” went on Mr. Jenks, as he once +more tapped on the glass. “Don't waste money buying diamonds, when you +and I can make better ones. Where can I have a talk with you? I--” Mr. +Jenks suddenly looked down the dimly-lighted street. “They're coming +back!” he cried. “I don't want to be seen. I'll call at your house later +to-night--be on the watch for me--until then--good-by!” + +He waved his hand, and was gone in an instant. Tom stood staring at the +glass door. He hardly knew whether to believe it or not--perhaps it was +all a dream. + +He pinched himself to make sure that he was awake. Very substantial +flesh met his thumb and finger, and he felt the pain. + +“I'm awake all right,” he murmured. “But Barcoe Jenks here--and still +talking that nonsense about his manufactured diamonds. I think he must +be crazy. I wonder--” + +Once more the lad's musing was interrupted. He heard a murmur of excited +voices outside the store, on the street. Then the door of the jewelry +shop was tried. Mr. Track's face was pressed against the glass. + +“Open the door! Let me in, Tom!” he called. “I've caught the thief,” and +as the lad unlocked the portal he saw that the jeweler held by the arm +a ragged lad. “Ah; you scoundrel! I've caught you!” cried the diamond +merchant, shaking the small chap, while Tom looked on, more mystified +than ever. + + + + +CHAPTER II--A MIDNIGHT VISIT + + +While Mr. Track, the jeweler, and several citizens, attracted by the +chase after the supposed thief, are crowded into the store, anxious to +hear explanations of the strange affair, I will take the opportunity to +tell you something of Tom Swift, the lad who is to figure in this story. + +Many of you have already made his acquaintance, when he has been +speeding about in his airship or fast electric runabout, and to others +we will state that our hero first made his bow to the public in the +book called “Tom Swift and His Motor-Cycle,” the initial volume of this +series. + +In that story there was related how Tom made the acquaintance of an +odd individual, named Mr. Wakefield Damon, who was continually blessing +himself, some part of his anatomy, or his possessions. Mr. Damon was +riding a motor-cycle, and it started to climb a tree, to his pain and +fright. Afterward Tom purchased the machine, and had many adventures +on it, including a chase after a gang of men who had stolen a valuable +patent model belonging to Mr. Swift. + +Mr. Swift and his son were both inventors. They lived together in a +fine house in the suburbs of Shopton, New York, and with them dwelt Mrs. +Baggert, the housekeeper (for Tom's mother was dead), and also Garret +Jackson, an expert engineer, who aided the young inventor and his father +in perfecting many machines. + +There was also another semi-member of the household, to wit, Eradicate +Sampson, an eccentric colored man, who owned a mule called Boomerang. +Eradicate did odd jobs around the place, and the mule assisted his +owner--that is when the mule felt like it. + +In the second volume of the series, entitled “Tom Swift and His +Motor-Boat,” there was related the incidents following a pursuit after +a gang of unprincipled men, who sought to get possession of some of Mr. +Swift's patents, and it was while in this boat that Tom, his father, and +a friend, Ned Newton, rescued from Lake Carlopa a Mr. John Sharp, who +fell from his burning balloon. Mr. Sharp was a skilled aeronaut, and +after his recovery he joined Tom in building a big airship, called the +Red Cloud. Tom's adventures in this craft are set down in detail in the +third volume of the series, called “Tom Swift and His Airship.” Not only +did he and Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon make a great trip, but they captured +some bank robbers, and incidentally cleared themselves from the +imputation of having looted the vault of seventy-five thousand dollars, +which charge was fostered by a certain Mr. Foger, and his son Andy, who +was Tom's enemy. + +Not satisfied with having conquered the air, Tom and his father set +to work to gain a victory over the ocean. They built a boat that could +navigate under water, and, in the fourth book of the series, called “Tom +Swift and His Submarine Boat,” you will find an account of how they went +under the ocean to secure a sunken treasure, and the fight they had with +their enemies who sought to get it away from them. They went through +many perils, not the least of which was capture by a foreign warship. + +In the fifth book, entitled “Tom Swift and His Electric Runabout,” there +was told the story of a wonderfully speedy electric automobile the young +inventor constructed, and how he made a great race in it, and saved from +ruin a bank, in which his father and Mr. Damon were interested. + +Tom's ability as an inventor had, by this time, become well known. One +day, as related in a volume called “Tom Swift and His Wireless Message,” + he received a letter from a Mr. Hosmer Fenwick, of Philadelphia, asking +his aid in perfecting an airship which the resident of the Quaker +City had built, but which would not work. In his small monoplane, the +Butterfly, Tom and Mr. Damon went to Philadelphia, as Mr. Damon was +acquainted with Mr. Fenwick. + +Tom carefully inspected the Whizzer which was the name of Mr. Fenwick's +airship, and, after some difficulties, succeeded in getting the electric +craft in shape to make a flight. + +Tom, Mr. Damon and Mr. Fenwick started to make a trip to Cape May in the +Whizzer, but were caught in a terrific storm, and blown out to sea. +The wind became a hurricane, the airship was disabled, and wrecked in +mid-air. When it fell to earth it landed on one of the small West Indian +islands, but what was the terror of the three castaways to find that the +island was subject to earthquake shocks. + +But the earth-tremors were not the only surprise in store for Tom and +his two friends, On the island they found five men and two ladies, who, +by strange chance, had been stranded there when the yacht Resolute, +owned by Mr. George Hosbrook, was wrecked in the same storm that +disabled the airship. Mr. Hosbrook, a millionaire, was taking a party of +friends to the West Indies. + +When the castaways (among whom were Mr. and Mrs. Amos Nestor, parents +of Mary Nestor, a girl of whom Tom was very fond) found that there was +danger of the island being destroyed in an earthquake, they were in +despair. There seemed no way of being rescued, as the island was out of +the line of regular ship travel. + +Tom, however, was resourceful. With the electrical apparatus from the +wrecked airship, he built a wireless plant, and sent messages for help, +broadcast over the ocean. + +They were finally heard, and answered, by an operator on board the +steamer Camberanian, which came on under forced draught, and rescued +Tom and his friends. It was only just in time, for, no sooner had +they gotten aboard the steamer in lifeboats, than the whole island was +destroyed by an earthquake shock. + +But Tom, the parents of Mary Nestor, Mr. Damon, Mr. Fenwick, and all the +others, got safely home. Among the survivors from the yacht Resolute +was a Mr. Barcoe Jenks, who now, most unexpectedly, had confronted Tom +through the glass window of the jewelry store. Mr. Jenks was a peculiar +man. Tom discovered this on Earthquake Island. Mr. Jenks carried with +him some stones which he said were diamonds. He asserted that he had +made them, but Tom did not know whether or not to believe this. + +When it seemed that the castaways would not be saved Mr. Jenks offered +Tom a large sum in these same diamonds for some plan whereby he might +escape the earthquakes. Mr. Jenks said there was a certain secret in +connection with the manufactured diamonds that he had to solve--that he +had been defrauded of his rights--and that a certain Phantom Mountain +figured in it. But Tom, at that time, paid little attention to Mr. +Jenks' talk. The time was to come, however, when he would attach much +importance to it. + +When this story opens, Tom was more interested in Mr. Barcoe Jenks than +in any one else, and was wondering what he wanted to see him about. The +young inventor could not quite understand how Mr. Track, the jeweler, +could come back with a lad he suspected of being a thief, when the +person who had acted so suspiciously, and who had knocked on the glass, +was the queer man, Mr. Jenks. + +“Yes, Tom I caught him,” the jeweler went on. “I chased after him, and +nabbed him. It was hard work, too, for I'm not a good runner. Now, you +little rascal, tell me why you tried to rob my store?” and the diamond +merchant shook the lad roughly. + +“I--I didn't try to rob your store,” was the timid answer. + +“Well, perhaps you didn't, exactly, but your confederates did. Why did +you rap on the glass, and why were you staring in so intently?” + +“I wasn't lookin' in.” + +“Well, if it wasn't you, it was some one just like you. But why did you +run when I raced down the street?” + +“I--I don't know,” and the lad began to snivel. “I--I jest ran--that's +all--'cause I see everybody else runnin', an' I thought there was a +fire.” + +“Ha! That's a likely story! You ran because you are guilty! I'm going to +hand you over to the police.” + +“Did he get anything, Mr. Track?” asked one of the men who had joined +the jeweler in the chase. + +“No, I can't say that he did. He didn't get a chance. Tom Swift was +in here at the time. But this fellow was only waiting for a chance to +steal, or else to aid his confederates.” + +“But, if he didn't take anything, I don't see how you can have him +arrested,” went on the man. + +“On suspicion; that's how!” asserted Mr. Track. “Will some one get me a +constable?” + +“I wouldn't call a constable,” said Tom, quietly. + +“Why not?” + +“Because that isn't the person who looked in your window.” + +“How do you know, Tom?” + +“Because that person came back while you were out. I saw him.” + +“You saw him? Did he try to steal any of my diamonds, Tom?” + +“No, I guess he doesn't need any.” + +“Why not?” There was wonder in the jeweler's tone. + +“Why, he claims he can make all he wants.” + +“Make diamonds?” + +“So he says.” + +“Why, he must be crazy!” and Mr. Track laughed. + +“Perhaps he is,” admitted Tom, “I'm only telling you what he says. He's +the person who acted so suspiciously. He came back here, I'm telling +you, while you were running down the street, and spoke to me.” + +“Oh, then you know him?” The jeweler's voice was suspicious. + +“I didn't at first,” admitted Tom. “But when he said he was Mr. +Barcoe Jenks, I remembered that I had met him when I was cast away on +Earthquake Island.” + +“And he says he can make diamonds?” asked Mr. Track. + +“What did he want of you?” and the jeweler looked at Tom, quizzically. + +“He wanted to have a talk with me,” replied the lad, “and when he saw +me in your store, he tried to attract my attention by knocking on the +glass.” + +“That's a queer way to do,” declared Mr. Track. “What did he want?” + +“I don't know exactly,” answered Tom, not caring to go into details just +then. “But I'm sure, Mr. Track, that you've got the wrong person there. +That lad never looked in the window, nor knocked on the glass.” + +“That's right--I didn't,” asserted the captive. + +The jeweler looked doubtful. + +“Why did you run?” he asked. + +“I told you, I thought there was a fire.” + +“That's right, I don't believe he's the fellow you want,” put in another +man. “I was standing on the corner, near White's grocery store, and +I noticed this lad. That was before I heard you yelling, and saw you +coming, and then I joined in the chase. I guess the man you were after +got away, Track.” + +“He did,” asserted Tom. “He came back here, a little while ago, and he +ran away just now, as he heard you coming.” + +“Where did he go?” asked the jeweler, eagerly. + +“I don't know,” answered Tom. “Only you've got the wrong lad here.” + +“Well, perhaps I have,” admitted the diamond merchant. “You can go, +youngster, but next time, don't run if you're not guilty.” + +“I thought there was a fire,” repeated the lad, as he hurriedly slipped +through the crowd in the store, and disappeared down the dark street. + +“Well, I guess the excitement's all over, and, anyhow, you weren't +robbed, Track,” said a stout man, as he left the store. The others soon +followed, and Tom and the jeweler were once more alone in the shop. + +“Can you tell me something about this man, Tom?” asked Mr. Track, +eagerly. “So he really makes diamonds. Who is he?” + +“I'd rather not tell--just now,” replied the young inventor. “I don't +take much stock in him, myself. I think he's visionary. He may think he +has made diamonds, and he may have made some stones that look like them. +I'm very skeptical.” + +“If you could bring me some, Tom, I could soon tell whether they were +real or not. Can you?” + +The lad shook his head. + +“I don't expect to see Mr. Jenks again,” he said. “He talked +rather wildly about waiting to meet me, but that man is odd--crazy, +perhaps--and I don't imagine I'll see him. He's harmless, but he's +eccentric. Well, there was quite some excitement for a time.” + +“I should say there was. I thought it was a plan to rob me,” and the +jeweler began putting away the diamond pins. In fact, the excitement +so filled the minds of himself and Tom that neither of them thought any +more of the object of the lad's visit, and the young inventor departed +without purchasing the pin he had come after. + +It was not until he was out on the street, walking toward his home, that +the matter came back to his mind. + +“I declare!” he exclaimed. “I didn't get that pin for Mary, after all! +Well, never mind, I have a week until her birthday, and I can get it +to-morrow.” + +He walked rapidly toward home, for the weather looked threatening, and +Tom had no umbrella. He was musing on the happenings of the evening when +he reached his house. His father was out, as was Garret Jackson, the +engineer; and Mrs. Baggert, the housekeeper, was entertaining a lady in +the sitting-room, so, as Tom was rather tired, he went directly to his +own room, and, a little later got into bed. + +It was shortly after midnight when he was awakened by hearing a rattling +on the window of his room. The reason he was able to fix the time +so accurately was because as soon as he awakened he pressed a little +electric button, and it illuminated the face of a small clock on his +bureau. The hands pointed to five minutes past twelve. + +“Humph! That sounds like hail!” exclaimed Tom, as he arose, and looked +out of the casement. “I wonder if any of the skylights of the airship +shed are open? There might be some damage. Guess I'd better go out and +take a look.” + +He had mentally reasoned this far before he had looked out, and when +he saw that the moon was brightly shining in a clear sky, he was a bit +surprised. + +“Why--that wasn't hail,” he murmured. “It isn't even raining. I wonder +what it was?” + +He was answered a moment later, for a shower of fine gravel from the +walk flew up and clattered against the glass. With a start, Tom looked +down, and saw a dark figure standing under an apple tree. + +“Hello! Who's there?” called the lad, after he had raised the sash. + +“It's I--Mr. Jenks,” was the surprising answer. + +“Mr. Jenks?” repeated Tom. + +“Yes--Barcoe Jenks, of Earthquake Island.” + +“You here? What do you want?” + +“Can you come down?” + +“What for?” + +“Tom Swift, I've something very important to tell you,” was the answer +in a low voice, yet which carried to Tom's ears perfectly. “Do you want +to make a fortune for yourself--and for me?” + +“How?” Tom was beginning to think more and more that Mr. Jenks was +crazy. + +“How? By helping me to discover the secret of Phantom Mountain, where +the diamonds are made! Will you?” + +“Wait a minute--I'll come down,” answered Tom, and he began to grope for +his clothes in the dim light of the little electric lamp. + +What was the secret of Phantom Mountain? What did Mr. Jenks really want? +Could he make diamonds? Tom asked himself these questions as he hastily +dressed to go down to his midnight visitor. + + + + +CHAPTER III--A STRANGE STORY + + +“Well, Mr. Jenks,” began Tom, when he had descended to the garden, and +greeted the man who had acted so strangely on Earthquake Island, “this +is rather an odd time for a visit.” + +“I realize that, Tom Swift,” was the answer, and the lad noticed that +the man spoke much more calmly than he had that evening at the jewelry +shop. “I realize that, but I have to be cautious in my movements.” + +“Why?” + +“Because there are enemies on my track. If they thought I was seeking +aid to discover the secret of Phantom Mountain, my life might pay the +forfeit.” + +“Are you in earnest, Mr. Jenks?” + +“I certainly am, and, while I must apologize for awakening you at this +unseemly hour, and for the mysterious nature of my visit, if you will +let me tell my story, you will see the need of secrecy.” + +“Oh, I don't mind being awakened,” answered Tom, good-naturedly, “but +I will be frank with you, Mr. Jenks. I hardly can believe what you have +stated to me several times--that you know how diamonds can be made.” + +“I can prove it to you,” was the quiet answer. + +“Yes, I know. For centuries men have tried to discover the secret of +transmuting base metals into gold, and how to make diamonds by chemical +means. But they have all been failures.” + +“All except this process--the process used at Phantom Mountain,” + insisted the queer man. “Do you want to hear my story?” + +“I have no objections.” + +“Then let me warn you,” went on Mr. Jenks, “that if you do hear it, you +will be so fascinated by it that I am sure you will want to cast your +lot in with mine, and aid me to get my rights, and solve the mystery. +And I also want to warn you that if you do, there is a certain amount of +danger connected with it.” + +“I'm used to danger,” answered Tom, quietly. “Let me hear your story. +But first explain how you came to come here, and why you acted so +strangely at the jewelry store.” + +“Willingly. I tried to attract your attention at the store, because I +saw that you were going to buy a diamond, and I didn't want you to.” + +“Why not?” + +“Because I want to present you with a beautiful stone, that will answer +your purpose as well or better, than any one you could buy. That will +prove my story better than any amount of words or argument. But I could +not attract your attention without also attracting that of the jeweler. +He became suspicious, gave chase, and I thought it best to vanish. I +hope no one was made to suffer for what may have been my imprudence.” + +“No, the lad whom Mr. Track caught was let go. But how did you happen to +come to Shopton?” + +“To see you. I got your address from the owner of the yacht Resolute. I +knew that if there was one person who could aid me to recover my rights, +it would be you, Tom Swift. Will you help me? Will you come with me to +discover the secret of Phantom Mountain? If we go, it will have to be in +an airship, for in no other way, I think, can we come upon the place, as +it is closely guarded. Will you come? I will pay you well.” + +“Perhaps I had better hear your story,” said the young inventor. “But +first let me suggest that we move farther away from the house. My +father, or Mr. Jackson, or the housekeeper, may hear us talking, and it +may disturb them. Come with me to my private shop,” and Tom led the way +to a small building where he did experimental work. He unlocked the door +with a key he carried, turned on the lights, which were run by a storage +battery, and motioned Mr. Jenks to a seat. + +“Now I'll hear your story,” said Tom. + +“I'll make it as short as possible,” went on the queer man. “To begin +with, it is now several years ago since a poorly dressed stranger +applied to me one night for money enough to get a meal and a bed to +sleep in. I was living in New York City at the time, and this was +midnight, as I was returning home from my club. + +“I was touched by the man's appearance, and gave him some money. He +asked for my card, saying he would repay me some day. I gave it to him, +little thinking I would hear from the man again. But I did. He called +at my apartments about a week later, saying he had secured work as an +expert setter of diamonds, and wanted to repay me. I did not want to +take his money, but the fact that such a sorry looking specimen of +manhood as he had been when I aided him, was an expert handler of gems +interested me. I talked with the man, and he made a curious statement. + +“This man, who gave his name as Enos Folwell, said he knew a place where +diamonds could be made, partly in a scientific manner, and partly by the +forces of nature. I laughed at him, but he told me so many details that +I began to believe him. He said he and some other friends of his, who +were diamond cutters, had a plant in the midst of the Rocky Mountains, +where they had succeeded in making several small, but very perfect +diamonds. They had come to the end of their rope, though, so to speak, +because they could not afford to buy the materials needed. Folwell +said that he and his companions had temporarily separated, had left the +mountain where they made diamonds, and agreed to meet there later when +they had more money with which to purchase materials. They had all +agreed to go out into civilization, and work for enough funds to enable +them to go on with their diamond making. + +“I hardly knew whether to believe the man or not, but he offered proof. +He had several small, but very perfect diamonds with him, and he gave +them to me, to have tested in any way I desired. + +“I promised to look into the matter, and, as I was quite wealthy, as, +in fact I am now, and if I found that the stones he gave me were real, I +said I might invest some money in the plant.” + +“Were the diamonds good?” asked Tom, who was beginning to be interested. + +“They were--stones of the first water, though small. An expert gem +merchant, to whom I took them, said he had never seen any diamonds like +them, and he wanted to know where I got them. Of course I did not tell +him. + +“To make a long story short, I saw Folwell again, told him to +communicate with his companions, and to tell them that I would agree to +supply the cash needed, if I could share in the diamond making. To this +they agreed, and, after some weeks spent in preparation, a party of us +set out for Phantom Mountain.” + +“Phantom Mountain?” interrupted Tom. “Where is it?” + +“I don't know, exactly--it's somewhere in the Rockies, but the exact +location is a mystery. That is why I need your help. You will soon +understand the reason. Well, as I said, myself, Folwell and the others, +who were not exactly prepossessing sort of men, started west. When we +got to a small town, called Indian Ridge, near Leadville, Colorado, +the men insisted that I must now proceed in secret, and consent to be +blindfolded, as they were not yet ready to reveal the secret of the +place where they made the diamonds. + +“I did not want to agree to this, but they insisted, and I gave in, +foolishly perhaps. At any rate I was blindfolded one night, placed in +a wagon, and we drove off into the mountains. After traveling for some +distance I was led, still blindfolded, up a steep trail. + +“When the bandage was taken off my eyes I saw that I was in a large +cave. The men were with me, and they apologized for the necessity that +caused them to blindfold me. They said they were ready to proceed with +the making of diamonds, but I must promise not to seek to discover the +secret until they gave me permission, nor was I to attempt to leave the +cave. I had to agree. + +“Next they demanded that I give them a large sum, which I had promised +when they showed me, conclusively, that they could make diamonds. I +refused to do this until I had seen some of the precious stones, and +they agreed that this was fair, but said I would have to wait a few +days. + +“Well, I waited, and, all that while, I was virtually a prisoner in the +cave. All I could learn was that it was in the midst of a great range, +near the top, and that one of the peaks was called Phantom Mountain. +Why, I did not learn until later. + +“At last one night, during a terrific thunder storm, the leader of the +diamond makers--Folwell--announced that I could now see the stones made. +The men had been preparing their chemicals for some days previous. I +was taken into a small chamber of the cave, and there saw quite a +complicated apparatus. Part of it was a great steel box, with a lever on +it. + +“We will let you make some diamonds for yourself,” Folwell said to me, +and he directed me to pull the lever of the box, at a certain signal. +The signal came, just as a terrific crash of thunder shook the very +mountain inside of which we were. The box of steel got red-hot, and when +it cooled off it was opened, and was given a handful of white stones. + +“Were they diamonds?” asked Tom, eagerly. + +Mr. Jenks held out one hand. In the palm glittered a large +stone--ostensibly a diamond. In the rays of the moon it showed all the +colors of the rainbow--a beautiful gem. “That is one of the stones I +made--or rather that I supposed I had made,” went on Mr. Jenks. “It is +one of several I have, but they have not all been cut and polished as +has this one. + +“Naturally I was much impressed by what I saw, and, after I had made +certain tests which convinced me that the stones in the steel box were +diamonds, I paid over the money as I had promised. That was my undoing.” + +“How?” + +“As soon as the men got the cash, they had no further use for me. The +next I remember is eating a rude meal, while we discussed the future of +making diamonds. I knew nothing more until I found myself back in the +small hotel at Indian Ridge, whence I had gone some time previous, with +the men, to the cave in the mountain.” + +“What happened?” asked Tom, much surprised by the unexpected outcome of +the affair. + +“I had been tricked, that was all! As soon as the men had my +money they had no further use for me. They did not want me to learn the +secret of their diamond making, and they drugged me, carried me away +from the cave, and left me in the hotel.” + +“Didn't you try to find the cave again?” + +“I did, but without avail. I spent some time in the Rockies, but no one +could tell where Phantom Mountain was; in fact, few had heard of it, and +I was nearly lost searching for it. + +“I came back East, determined to get even. I had given the men a +very large sum of money, and, in exchange, they had given me several +diamonds. Probably the stones are worth nearly as much as the money I +invested, but I was cheated, for I was promised an equal share in the +profits. These were denied me, and I was tricked. I determined to be +revenged, or at least to discover the secret of making diamonds. It is +my right.” + +“I agree with you,” spoke Tom. + +“But, up to the time I met you on Earthquake Island, I could form no +plan for discovering Phantom Mountain, and learning the secret of the +diamond makers,” went on Mr. Jenks. “I carried the gems about with me, +as you doubtless saw when we were on the island. But I knew I needed an +airship in which to fly over the mountains, and pick out the location of +the cave where the diamonds are made.” + +“But how can you locate it, if you were blindfolded when you were taken +there, Mr. Jenks?” + +“I forgot to tell you that, on our journey into the mountains, and just +before I was carried into the cave, I managed to raise one corner of +the bandage. I caught a glimpse of a very peculiarly shaped cliff--it +is like a great head, standing out in bold relief against the moonlight, +when I saw it. That head of rock is near the cave. It may be the +landmark by which we can locate Phantom Mountain.” + +“Perhaps,” admitted the young inventor. + +“What I want to know is this,” went on Mr. Jenks. “Will you go with me +on this quest--go in your airship to discover the secret of the diamond +makers? If you will, I will share with you whatever diamonds we can +discover, or make; besides paying all expenses. Will you go, Tom Swift?” + +The young inventor did not know what to answer. How far was Mr. Jenks +to be trusted? Were the stones he had real diamonds? Was his story, +fantastical as it sounded--true? Would it be safe for Tom to go? + +The lad asked himself these questions. Mr. Jenks saw his hesitation. + +“Here,” said the strange man, “I will prove what I say. Take this +diamond. I intended it for you, anyhow, for what you did for me on +Earthquake Island. Take it, and--and give it to the person for whom you +were about to purchase a diamond to-night. But, first of all, take it to +a gem expert, and get his opinion. That will prove the truth of what +I say, Tom Swift, and I feel sure that you will cast your lot in with +mine, and help me to discover the secret of Phantom Mountain, and aid me +to get my rights from the diamond makers!” + + + + +CHAPTER IV--ANDY FOGER GETS A FRIGHT + + +Tom Swift considered a few minutes. On the face of it, the proposition +appealed to him. He had been home some time now after his adventures on +Earthquake Island, and he was beginning to long for more excitement. The +search for the mysterious mountain, and the cave of the diamond makers, +might offer a new field for him. But there came to him a certain +distrust of Mr. Jenks. + +“I don't like to doubt your word,” began Tom, slowly, “but you know, +Mr. Jenks, that some of the greatest chemists have tried in vain to make +diamonds; or, at best, they have made only tiny ones. To think that any +man, or set of men, made real diamonds as large as the ones you have, +doesn't seem--well--” and Tom hesitated. + +“You mean you can hardly believe me?” asked Mr. Jenks. + +“I guess that's it,” assented Tom. + +“I don't blame you a bit!” exclaimed the odd man. “In fact, I didn't +believe it when they told me they could make diamonds. But they proved +it to me. I'm ready now to prove it to you.” + +“I'll tell you what I'll do. Here's this one stone, cut ready for +setting. Here's another, uncut,” and Mr. Jenks drew from his pocket +what looked like a piece of crystal. “Take them to any jeweler,” he +resumed--“to the one in whose place I saw you to-night. I'll abide by +the verdict you get, and I'll come here to-morrow night, and hear what +you have to say.” + +“Why do you come at night?” asked Tom, thinking there was something +suspicious in that. + +“Because my life might be in danger if I was seen talking to you, and +showing you diamonds in the daytime--especially just now. + +“Why at this particular time?” + +“For the reason that the diamond makers are on my trail. As long as I +remained quiet, after their shabby treatment of me, and did not try to +discover their secret, they were all right. But, after I realized that +I had been cheated out of my rights, and when I began to make an +investigation, with a view to discovering their secret whereabouts, I +received mysterious and anonymous warnings to stop.” + +“But I did not. I came East, and tried to get help to discover the cave +of the diamond makers, but I was unsuccessful. I needed an airship, as +I said, and no person who could operate one, would agree to go with +me on the quest. Again I received a warning to drop all search for the +diamond makers, but I persisted, and about a week ago I found I was +being shadowed.” + +“Shadowed; by whom?” asked Tom. + +“By a man I never remember seeing, but who, I have no doubt, is one of +the diamond-making gang.” + +“Do you think he means you harm?” + +“I'm sure of it. That is the reason I have to act so in secret, and come +to see you at night. I don't want those scoundrels to find out what I am +about to do. On my return from Earthquake Island, I again endeavored to +interest an airship man in my plan, but he evidently thought me insane. +Then I thought of you, as I had done before, but I was afraid you, too, +would laugh at my proposition. However, I decided to come here, and I +did. It seemed almost providential that my first view of you was in +a jewelry shop, looking at diamonds. I took it as a good omen. Now it +remains with you. May I call here to-morrow night, and get your answer?” + +Tom Swift made up his mind quickly. After all it would be easy enough to +find out if the diamonds were real. If they were, he could then decide +whether or not to go with Mr. Jenks on the mysterious quest. So he +answered: + +“I'll consider the matter, Mr. Jenks. I'll meet you here to-morrow +night. In the meanwhile, for my own satisfaction, I'll let an expert +look at these stones.” + +“Get the greatest diamond expert in the world, and he'll pronounce them +perfect!” predicted the odd man. “Now I'll bid you goodnight, and be +going. I'll be here at this time to-morrow.” + +As Mr. Jenks turned aside there was a movement among the trees in the +orchard, and a shadowy figure was seen hurrying away. + +“Who's that?” asked the diamond man, in a hoarse whisper. “Did you see +that, Tom Swift? Some one was here--listening to what I said! Perhaps it +was the man who has been shadowing me!” + +“I think not. I guess it was Eradicate Sampson, a colored man who does +work for us,” said Tom. “Is that you, Rad?” he called. + +“Yais, sah, Massa Tom, heah I is!” answered the voice of the negro, +but it came from an entirely different direction than that in which the +shadowy figure had been seen. + +“Where are you, Rad?” called the young inventor. + +“Right heah,” was the reply, and the colored man came from the direction +of the stable. “I were jest out seein' if mah mule Boomerang were all +right. Sometimes he's restless, an' don't sleep laik he oughter.” + +“Then that wasn't you over in the orchard?” asked Tom, in some +uneasiness. + +“No, sah, I ain't been in de orchard. I were sleepin' in mah shack, till +jest a few minutes ago, when I got up, an' went in t' see Boomerang. +I had a dream dat some coon were tryin t' steal him, an' it sort ob +'sturbed me, laik.” + +“If it wasn't your man, it was some one else,” said Mr. Jenks, +decidedly. + +“We'll have a look!” exclaimed Tom. “Here, Rad, come over and scurry +among those trees. We just saw some one sneaking around.” + +“I'll sure do dat!” cried the colored man. “Mebby it were somebody arter +Boomerang! I'll find 'em.” + +“I don't believe it was any one after the mule,” murmured Mr. Jenks, +“but it certainly was some one--more likely some one after me.” + +The three made a hasty search among the trees, but the intruder had +vanished, leaving no trace. They went out into the road, which the moon +threw into bold relief along its white stretch, but there was no figure +scurrying away. + +“Whoever it was, is gone,” spoke Tom. “You can go back to bed, Rad,” + for the colored man, of late, had been sleeping in a shack on the Swift +premises. + +“And I guess it's time for me to go, too,” added Mr. Jenks. “I'll be +here to-morrow night, Tom, and I hope your answer will be favorable.” + +Tom did not sleep well the remainder of the night, for his fitful +slumbers were disturbed by dreams of enormous caves, filled with +diamonds, with dark, shadowy figures trying to put him into a red-hot +steel box. Once he awakened with a start, and put his hand under his +pillow to feel if the two stones Mr. Jenks had given him, were still +there. They had not been disturbed. + +Tom made up his mind to find out if the stones were really diamonds, +before saying anything to his father about the chance of going to seek +Phantom Mountain. And the young inventor wished to get the opinion of +some other jeweler than Mr. Track--at least, at first. + +“Though if this one proves to be a good gem, I'll have Mr. Track set it +in a brooch, and give it to Mary for her birthday,” decided the young +inventor. “Guess I'll take a run over to Chester in the Butterfly, and +see what one of the jewelers there has to say.” + +In addition to his big airship, Red Cloud, Tom owned a small, swift +monoplane, which he called Butterfly. This had been damaged by Andy +Foger just before Tom left on the trip that ended at Earthquake Island, +but the monoplane had been repaired, and Andy had left town, not having +returned since. + +Telling his father that he was going off on a little business trip, +which he often did in his aeroplane, Tom, with the aid of Mr. Jackson, +the engineer, wheeled the Butterfly out of its shed. + +Adjusting the mechanism, and seeing that it was in good shape, Tom took +his place in one of the two seats, for the monoplane would carry two. +Mr. Jackson then spun the propellers, and, with a crackle and roar the +motor started. Over the ground ran the dainty, little aeroplane, until, +having momentum enough, Tom tilted the wing planes and the machine +sailed up into the air. + +Rising about a thousand feet, and circling about several times to test +the wind currents, Tom headed his craft toward Chester, a city about +fifty miles from Shopton. In his pocket, snugly tucked away, were the +two stones Mr. Jenks had given him. + +It was not long before Tom saw, looming up in the distance the church +spires and towering factory chimneys of Chester, for his machine was a +speedy one, and could make ninety miles an hour when driven. But now a +slower speed satisfied our hero. + +“I'll just drop down outside of the city,” he reasoned, “for too much +of a crowd gathers when I land in the street. Besides I might frighten +horses, and then, too, it's hard to get a good start from the street. +I'll leave it in some barn until I want to go back.” + +Tom sent his craft down, in order to pick out a safe place for a +landing. He was then over the suburbs of the city, and was following the +line of a straight country road. + +“Looks like a good place there,” he murmured. “I'll shut off the motor, +and vol-plane down.” + +Suiting the action to the word, Tom shut off his power. The little craft +dipped toward the ground, but the lad threw up the forward planes, and +caught a current of air that sent him skimming along horizontally. + +As he got nearer to the ground, he saw the figure of a lad riding a +bicycle along the country highway. Something about the figure struck Tom +as being familiar, and he recognized the cyclist a moment later. + +“It's Andy Foger!” said Tom, in a whisper. “I wondered where he had been +keeping himself since he damaged the Butterfly. Evidently he doesn't +dare venture back to Shopton. Well, here's where I give him a scare.” + +Tom's monoplane was making no more noise, now, than a soaring bird. He +was gliding swiftly toward the earth, and, with the plan in his mind of +administering some sort of punishment to the bully, he aimed the machine +directly at him. + +Nearer and nearer shot the monoplane, as quietly as a sheet of paper +might fall. Andy pedaled on, never looking up nor behind him, A moment +later, as Tom threw up his headplanes, to make his landing more easy, +and just as he swooped down at one side of the cyclist, our hero let out +a most alarming yell, right into Andy's ear. + +“Now I've got you!” he shouted. “I'll teach you to slash my aeroplane! +Come with me!” + +Andy gave one look at the white bird-like apparatus that had flown up +beside him so noiselessly, and, being too frightened to recognize Tom's +voice, must have thought that he had been overtaken by some supernatural +visitor. + +Andy gave a yell like an Indian, about to do a stage scalping act, and +fairly dived over the handlebars of his bicycle, sprawling in a heap on +the dusty road. + +“I guess that will hold you for a while,” observed Tom, grimly, as he +put on the ground-brake and brought his monoplane to a stop not far from +the fallen rider. + + + + +CHAPTER V--A MYSTERIOUS MAN + + +For several minutes Andy Foger did not arise. He remained prostrate in +the dust, and Tom, observing him, thought perhaps the bully might have +been seriously injured. But, a little later, Andy cautiously raised his +head, and inquired in a frightened voice: + +“Is it--is it gone?” + +“Is what gone?” asked Tom, grimly. + +At the sound of his voice, Andy looked up. “Was that you, Tom Swift?” he +demanded. “Did you knock me off my wheel?” + +“My monoplane and I together did,” was the reply; “or, rather, we +didn't. It was the nervous reaction caused by your fright, and +the knowledge that you had done wrong, that made you jump over the +handlebars. That's the scientific explanation.” + +“You--you did it!” stammered Andy, getting to his feet. He wasn't hurt +much, Tom thought. + +“Have it your own way,” resumed our hero. “Did you think it was a +hob-goblin in a chariot of fire after you, Andy?” + +“Huh! Never mind what I thought! I'll have you arrested for this!” + +“Will you? Delighted, as the boys say. Hop in my airship and I'll take +you right into town. And when I get you there I'll make a charge of +malicious mischief against you, for breaking the propeller of the +Butterfly and slashing her wings. I've mended her up, however, so she +goes better than ever, and I can take you to the police station in jig +time. Want to come, Andy?” + +This was too much for the bully. He knew that Tom would have a clear +case against him, and he did not dare answer. Instead he shuffled over +to where his wheel lay, picked it up, and rode slowly off. + +“Good riddance,” murmured Tom. He looked about, and saw that he was near +a house, in the rear of which was a good-sized barn. “Guess I'll ask +if I can leave the Butterfly there,” he murmured, and, ringing the +doorbell, he was greeted by a man. + +“I'll pay you if you'll let me store my machine in the barn a little +while, until I go into the city, and return,” spoke the lad. + +“Indeed, you're welcome to leave it there without pay,” was the answer. +“I'm interested in airships, and, I'll consider it a favor if you'll let +me look yours over while it's here.” + +Tom readily agreed, and a few minutes later he had caught a trolley +going into the city. He was soon in one of the largest jewelry stores of +Chester. + +“I'd like to get an expert opinion as to whether or not those stones are +diamonds,” spoke Tom, to the polite clerk who came up to wait on him, +and our hero handed over the two gems which Mr. Jenks had given him. +“I'm willing to pay for the appraisement, of course,” the young inventor +added, as he saw the clerk looking rather doubtfully at him, for Tom had +on a rough suit, which he always donned when he flew in his monoplane. + +“I'll turn them over to our Mr. Porter, a gem expert,” said the clerk. +“Please be seated.” + +The young man disappeared into a private office with the stones, and Tom +waited. He wondered if he was going to have his trouble for his pains. +Presently two elderly gentlemen came from the little room, on the glass +door of which appeared the word “Diamonds.” + +“Who brought these stones in?” asked one of the men, evidently the +proprietor, from the deference paid him by the clerk. The latter +motioned to Tom. + +“Will you kindly step inside here?” requested the elderly man. When the +door was closed, Tom found himself in a room which was mostly taken up +with a bench for the display of precious stones, a few chairs, and some +lights arranged peculiarly; while various scales and instruments stood +on a table. + +“You wished an opinion on--on these?” queried the proprietor of the +place. Tom noticed at once that the word “diamonds” was not used. + +“I wanted to find out if they were of any value,” he said. “Are they +diamonds?” + +“Would you mind stating where you got them?” asked the other of the two +men. + +“Is that necessary?” inquired the lad. “I came by them in a legitimate +manner, if that's what you mean, and I can satisfy you on that point. +I am willing to pay for any information you may give me as to their +value.” + +“Oh, it isn't that,” the proprietor hastened to assure him. “But these +are diamonds of such a peculiar kind, so perfect and without a flaw, +that I wondered from what part of the world they came.” + +“Then they are diamonds?” asked Tom, eagerly. + +“The finest I have ever tested!” declared the other man, evidently Mr. +Porter, the gem expert. “They are a joy to look at, Mr. Roberts,” he +went on, turning to the proprietor. “If it is possible to get a supply +of them you would be justified in asking half as much again as we charge +for African or Indian diamonds. The Kimberly products are not to be +compared to these,” and he looked at the two stones in his hand--the one +cut, and sparkling brilliantly, the other in a rough state. + +“Do you care to state where these diamonds came from?” asked Mr. +Roberts, looking critically at Tom. + +“I had rather not,” answered the lad. “It is enough for me to know that +they are diamonds. How much is your charge?” + +“Nothing,” was the unexpected answer. “We are very glad to have had the +opportunity of seeing such stones. Is there any chance of getting any +more?” + +“Perhaps,” answered Tom, as he accepted the gems which the expert held +out to him. + +“Then might we speak for a supply?” went on Mr. Roberts, eagerly. “We +will pay you the full market price.” + +“What is the value of these stones?” asked Tom. + +Mr. Roberts looked at his gem expert. + +“It is difficult to say,” was the answer of the man who had handed Tom +the gems. “They are so far superior to the usual run of diamonds, that +I feel justified in saying that the cut one would bring fifteen hundred +dollars, anywhere. In fact, I would offer that for it. The other is +larger, though what it would lose in cutting would be hard to say. I +should say it was worth two thousand dollars as it is now.” + +“Thirty-five hundred dollars for these two stones!” exclaimed Tom. + +“They are worth every cent of it,” declared Mr. Roberts. “Do you want to +sell?” + +Tom shook his head. He could scarcely believe the good news. Mr. Jenks +had told the truth. Now the young inventor could go with him to seek the +diamond makers. + +“Can you get any more of these?” went on Mr. Roberts. + +“I think so--that is I don't know--I am going to try,” answered the lad. + +“Then if you succeed I wish you would sell us some,” fairly begged the +proprietor of the store. + +“I will,” promised Tom, but he little knew what lay before him, or +perhaps he would not have made that promise. He thanked the diamond +merchant for his kindness, and arranged to have the cut stone set in a +pin for Miss Nestor. The uncut gem Tom took away with him. + +Thinking of many things, and wondering how best to start in his airship +Red Cloud for the mysterious Phantom Mountain, Tom hurried back to where +he had left the monoplane, wheeled it out, and was soon soaring through +the air toward Shopton. + +“I think I'll go with Mr. Jenks,” he decided, as he prepared for a +landing in the open space near his aeroplane shed. “It will be a +risky trip, perhaps, but I've taken risks before. When Mr. Jenks comes +to-night I'll tell him I'll help him to get his rights, and discover the +secret of the diamond makers.” + +As Tom was wheeling the Butterfly into the shed, Eradicate came out to +help him. + +“Dere's a gen'man here to see yo', Massa Tom,” said the colored man. + +“Who is it?” + +“I dunno. He keep askin' ef yo' de lad what done bust up Earthquake +Island, an' send lightnin' flashes up to de sky, an' all sech questions +laik dat.” + +“It isn't Mr. Damon; is it, Rad? He hasn't been around in some time.” + +“No, Massa Tom, it ain't him. I knows dat blessin' man good an' proper. +I jest wish he'd bless mah mule Boomerang some day, an' take some oh +de temper out ob him. No, sah, it ain't Massa Damon. De gen'man's in de +airship shed waitin' fo' you.” + +“In the airship shed! No strangers are allowed in there, Rad.” + +“I knows it, Massa Tom, but he done persisted his se'f inter it, an' +he wouldn't come out when I told him; an' your pa an' Mr. Jackson ain't +home.” + +“I'll see about this,” exclaimed Tom, striding to the large shed, where +the Red Cloud was kept. As he entered it he saw a man looking over the +wonderful craft. + +“Did you want to see me?” asked Tom, sharply, for he did not like +strangers prowling around. + +“I did, and I apologize for entering here, but I am interested in +airships, and I thought you might want to hire a pilot. I am in need +of employment, and I have had considerable to do with balloons and +aeroplanes, but never with an airship like this, which combines the two +features. Do you wish to hire any one.” + +“No, I don't!” replied Tom, sharply, for he did not like the looks of +the man. + +“I was told that you did,” was the rather surprising answer. + +“Who told you?” + +The man looked all around the shed, before replying, as if fearful of +being overheard. Then, stepping close to Tom, he whispered: + +“Mr. Jenks told me!” + +“Mr. Jenks?” Tom could not conceal his astonishment. + +“Yes. Mr. Barcoe Jenks. But I did not come here to merely ask you for +employment. I would like to hire out to you, but the real object of my +visit was to say this to you.” + +The man approached still closer to Tom, and, in a lower voice, and one +that could scarcely be heard, he fairly hissed: + +“Don't go with Barcoe Jenks to seek the diamond makers!” + +Then, before Tom could put out a hand to detain him, had the lad so +wished, the man turned suddenly, and fairly ran from the shed. + + + + +CHAPTER VI--MR. DAMON IS ON HAND + + +The young inventor stood almost spellbound for a few moments. Then +recovering himself he made a dash for the door through which the +mysterious man had disappeared. Tom saw him sprinting down the road, and +was half-minded to take after him, but a cooler thought warned him that +he had better not. + +“He may be one of those men who are on Mr. Jenks' trail,” reasoned Tom, +in which case it might not be altogether safe to attempt to stop him, +and make him explain. Or he may be a lunatic, and in that case it +wouldn't be altogether healthy to interfere with him. + +“I'll just let him go, and tell Mr. Jenks about him when he comes +to-night. But I must warn Rad never to let him in here again. He might +damage the airship.” + +Calling to the colored man, Tom pointed to the stranger, who was almost +out of sight down the road, and said earnestly: + +“Rad, do you see that fellow?” + +“I sho do, Massa Tom, but I sorter has t' strain my eyes t' do it. He's +goin' laik my mule Boomerang does when he's comm' home t' dinnah.” + +“That's right, Rad. Well, never let that man set foot inside our fence +again! If he comes, and I'm home, call me. If I'm away, call dad or Mr. +Jackson, and if you're here alone, drive him away, somehow.” + +“I will, Massa Tom!” exclaimed the colored man, earnestly, “an' if I +can't do it alone, I'll get Boomerang t' help. Once let dat ar' mule +git his heels on a pusson, an' dat pusson ain't goin' t' come bodderin' +around any mo'--that is, not right away.” + +“I believe you, Rad. Well, keep a lookout for him, and don't let him +in,” and with that Tom entered the house to think over matters. They +were beginning to assume an aspect he did not altogether like. Not that +Tom was afraid of danger, but he preferred to meet it in the open, and +the warning, or threat, of the mysterious man disquieted him. + +When Mr. Swift came home, a little later, his son told him of the +midnight interview with Mr. Jenks, for, up to this time, the aged +inventor was unaware of it, and Tom also gave an account of the +diamonds, speaking of their value. + +“And do you propose to go to Phantom Mountain, in search of the makers +of these gems, Tom?” asked Mr. Swift. + +“I had about decided to do so, dad.” + +“And you're going in the Red Cloud?' + +“Yes.” + +“Who are going with you?” + +“Well, Mr. Jenks will go, of course, and I've no doubt but that if I +mention the prospective trip to Mr. Damon, that he'll bless his skating +cap, or something like that, and come along.” + +“I suppose so, Tom, and I'd like to have you take him. But I think +you'll need some one else.” + +“Because, from what you have told me, you are going out to a dangerous +part of the country, and you may have to deal with unscrupulous men. +Three of you are hardly enough to cope with them. You ought to have at +least another member of your party. If I was not busy on my invention of +a new wireless motor I would go along, but I can't leave. You might take +Mr. Jackson.” + +“No, you need him here to help you, dad.” + +“How about Eradicate?” + +Tom smiled. + +“Rad would get homesick for his mule Boomerang, and I'd have to bring +him back just when we'd found the diamonds,” replied the young inventor. +“No, we'll have to think of some one else. I'll ask Mr. Damon, and then +I'll consider matters further. I expect to see Mr. Jenks to-night, and +he may have some one in mind.” + +“Perhaps that will be a good plan. Well, Tom, I trust you will take good +care of yourself, and not run into unnecessary danger. Is the Red Cloud +in good shape for the voyage?” + +“It needs looking over. I'm going to get right at it.” + +“It's a pretty indefinite sort of a quest you're going on, Tom, my son. +How do you expect to find Phantom Mountain?” + +“Well, it's going to be quite a task. In the first place we'll head for +Leadville, Colorado, and then we'll go to Indian Ridge and make some +inquiries. We may get on the track of the place that way. If we don't, +why I'll take the airship up as high as is necessary and sort of +prospect until we see that big cliff that's shaped like a head. That +will give us something to go by.” + +“Well, do the best you can. If you can discover the secret of making +diamonds it will be a valuable one.” + +“I guess it will, dad; and Mr. Jenks is entitled to know it, for he paid +his good money to that end. He has promised to go halves with me, as +payment for the use of the airship, and I must say the two diamonds he +gave me last night have proved very valuable.” + +“Two diamonds, Tom? You only showed me one, an uncut gem;” and Mr. Swift +looked at his son. + +“Oh, the other--er--the other is--I left it with a jeweler,” and Tom +blushed a trifle, as he thought of the present he contemplated making to +Mary Nestor. + +That afternoon, as Tom was out in the shed of the Red Cloud looking over +the airship, to see what would be necessary to do to it in order to get +it in shape for a long trip, he heard voices outside. + +“Yes--yes, I know the way in perfectly well,” he caught. “You needn't +bother to come, my good fellow. Just step this way, and I'll show you +something worth seeing.” + +“I wonder if it's that mysterious man coming back?” thought Tom. He +dropped the tool he was using, and hurried to the door. As he approached +it he heard the voice continue. + +“Why bless my shoe laces, Mr. Parker! You'll see a wonderful airship, I +promise you. Wonderful! Bless my hatband, but I hope Tom is here!” + +“Mr. Damon!” exclaimed our hero, as he recognized the tones of his +eccentric friend. “But who is with him?” + +A moment later he caught sight of the gentleman who was always blessing +himself, or something. Behind him stood another man, whose features Tom +could not see plainly. + +“Hello, Tom Swift!” called Mr. Damon. “Looking over the Red Cloud, eh? +Does that mean you're off on another trip?” + +“I guess it does,” answered the lad. + +“Where to this time? if I may ask.” + +“I'm thinking of going off to the mountains to find a band of men +engaged in making diamonds,” replied Tom. + +“Making diamonds! Bless my finger ring! Making diamonds! A trip to the +mountains! Bless my disposition! but do you know I'd like to go with +you!” + +“I was thinking of asking you, Mr. Damon.” + +“Were you? Bless my heart, I'm glad you thought of me. You don't by any +possible chance want another person; do you?” + +“We were thinking of having four in the party, Mr. Damon,” and Tom +wondered who was with his eccentric friend. + +“Then bless my election ticket! This is the very chance for you, Mr. +Parker!” cried Mr. Damon. “Will you go with us? It will be just what you +need,” and Mr. Damon stepped aside, revealing to Tom the features of Mr. +Ralph Parker, the scientist who had correctly predicted the destruction +of Earthquake Island. + + + + +CHAPTER VII--MR. PARKER PREDICTS + + +Tom Swift was a most generous lad, but when he saw that Mr. Damon had +with him Mr. Parker, the gloomy scientist, who seemed to take delight in +predicting disasters, our hero's spirits were not exactly of the best. +He would have much preferred not to take Mr. Parker on the quest for the +diamond makers, but, since Mr. Damon had mentioned it, he did not see +how he could very well refuse. + +“But perhaps he won't care to go,” thought Tom. + +He was undeceived a moment later, however, for the scientist remarked: + +I am very glad to meet you once more, Mr. Swift. I have scarcely thanked +you enough for what you did for us in erecting your wireless station on +Earthquake Island, which, as you recall, I predicted would sink into +the sea. It did, I am glad to say, not because I like to see islands +destroyed, but because science has been vindicated. Now I have just +heard you remark that you are about to set off to the mountains in +search of some men who are making diamonds. I need hardly state that +this is utterly useless, for no diamonds, commercially valuable, can be +made by men. But the trip may be valuable in that it will permit me to +demonstrate some scientific facts. + +“Therefore, if you will permit me, I will be very glad to accompany you +and Mr. Damon. I shall be delighted, in short, and I can start as soon +as you are ready.” + +“There's no hope for it!” thought Tom, dismally. “I suppose he'll wake +up every morning, and predict that before night the world will come to +an end, or he'll prophesy that the airship will blow up, and vanish, +when about seven miles above the clouds. Well, there's no way out of it, +so here goes.” + +Thereupon Tom welcomed the scientist as cordially as he could, and +invited him to form one of the party that would set off in the airship +to search for Phantom Mountain. + +“Bless my jewelry box!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, when this formality was +over. “Tell me more about it, Tom.” + +Which our hero did, stating the need of maintaining secrecy on account +of the danger to Mr. Jenks. Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker both agreed to say +nothing about the matter, and then the scientist became much interested +in the Red Cloud, which he closely examined. He even complimented Tom on +the skill shown in making it, and, contrary to our hero's expectation, +did not predict that it would blow up the next time it was used. + +“How did you happen to arrive just at this time, Mr. Damon?” asked Tom. + +“It was partly due to Mr. Parker,” was the answer. “I had not seen him +since we were rescued from the island, until a few days ago he called +on me at my home. I happened to mention that you lived near here, and +suggested that he might like to see some of your inventions. He agreed, +and we came over in my auto. And now, bless my liver-pin! I find you +about to start off on another trip.” + +“And have you fully decided to go with me?” asked Tom. “There may be +danger, and I don't like the way that mysterious man behaved.” + +“Oh, bless my revolver!” cried Mr. Damon. “I'm used to danger by this +time. Of course I'm going, and so is Mr. Parker. Do you know,” and the +man, who was always blessing something, came closer to the lad, and +whispered: “Do you know, Tom, Mr. Parker is a very peculiar individual.” + +“I'm sure of it,” answered the young inventor, looking at the gentleman +in question, who was then inside the airship cabin. + +“But he's all right, even if he is predicting unpleasant things,” went +on Mr. Damon. “I think we'll get better acquainted with him after a +bit.” + +“I hope so,” agreed Tom, but he did not realize then how close his +companionship with Mr. Parker was to be, nor what dangers they were to +share later. + +The friends talked at considerable length of the prospective trip, and +Tom, by this time, had ascertained what needed to be done to the airship +to get it in shape to travel. It would take about a week, and, in the +meanwhile, Mr. Damon would go home and get his affairs in order for +the voyage. Tom's father was introduced to Mr. Parker, and, the former, +finding that the scientist held some views in common with him, invited +the gloomy predictor to remain at the Swift home until the Red Cloud was +ready to sail. Tom could not repress a groan at this, but he decided he +would have to make the best of it. + +Mr. Damon left for home that afternoon, promising to be on hand at the +time set to start for Phantom Mountain. + +Tom was up waiting for Mr. Jenks at twelve o'clock that night. Shortly +after the hour he saw a dark figure steal into the orchard. At first he +feared lest it might be one of the spies who were, he was now convinced, +on the trail of the man who was seeking to discover the secret of the +diamond makers. But a whistle, which came to the lad's ear a moment +later (that being a signal Mr. Jenks had agreed to sound), told Tom that +it was none other than the visitor he expected. + +“All right, Mr. Jenks, I'm here,” called Tom, cautiously. “Come over +this way,” and he went out from the shadow of the house, where he had +been waiting, and met the men. “We'll go into my private work-shop,” the +youth added, leading the way. + +“Have you decided to go with me?” asked Mr. Jenks, in an anxious +whisper. “Did you find the diamonds to be real ones?” + +“I did; and I'm going,” spoke Tom. + +“Good! That relieves my mind. But we are still in danger. I was followed +by my shadower to-day, and only succeeded in shaking him off just before +coming here. I don't believe he knows what I am about to do.” + +“Oh, yes he does,” said Tom. + +“He does? How?” + +“Because he was here, and warned me against you!” + +“You don't mean it! Well, they are getting desperate! We must be on our +guard. What sort of a man was he?” + +Tom described the fellow, and Mr. Jenks stated that this tallied with +the appearance of the person who had been shadowing him. + +“But we'll fool them yet!” cried Tom, who had now fully entered into the +spirit of the affair. “If they can follow us in the Red Cloud they're +welcome to. I think we'll get ahead of them.” + +He then told of Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker, and Mr. Jenks agreed that +it would add to the strength of the party to take these two gentlemen +along. + +“Though I can't say I care so much for Mr. Parker,” he added. “But now +as to ways and means. When can we start?” + +Thereupon he and Tom talked over details in the seclusion of the little +office, and arranged to leave Shopton in about a week. In the meanwhile +the airship would be overhauled, stocked with supplies and provisions, +and be made ready for a swift dash to the mountains. + +“And now I must be going,” said Mr. Jenks. “I have a great deal to do +before I can start on this trip, and I hope I am not prevented by any of +those men who seem to be trailing me.” + +“How could they prevent you?” Tom wanted to know. + +“Oh, there are any number of ways,” was the answer. “But I'm glad you +found that my diamonds were real. We'll soon have plenty, if all goes +well.” + +As Mr. Jenks left the shop, he started back, in some alarm. + +“What's the matter?” asked Tom. + +“Over there--I thought I saw a figure sneaking along under the +trees--that man--perhaps--” + +“That's Eradicate, our colored helper,” replied Tom, with a laugh. +“I posted him there to see that no strangers came into the orchard. +Everything all right, Rad?” he asked, raising his voice. + +“Yais, sah, Massa Tom. Nobody been around yeah this night.” + +“That's good. You can go to bed now,” and Eradicate, yawning loudly, +went to his shack. A little later Tom sought his own room, Mr. Jenks +having hurried off to town, where he was boarding. + +The next few days saw Tom busily engaged on the airship, making some +changes and a few repairs that were needed. His father, Eradicate and +Mr. Jackson helped him. As for Mr. Parker, the scientist, he went about +the place, being much interested in the various machines which Tom or +Mr. Swift had patented. + +At other times the scientist would stroll about the extensive grounds, +making what he said were “observations.” One afternoon Tom saw him, +apparently much excited, kneeling down back of a shed, with his ear to +the ground. + +“What is the matter?” asked the lad, thinking perhaps Mr. Parker might +be ill. + +“Have you ever had any earthquakes here, Tom Swift?” asked the +scientist, quietly. + +“Earthquakes? No. We had enough of them on the island.” + +“And you are going to have one here, in about two minutes!” cried Mr. +Parker. “I predict that this place will be shaken by a tremendous shock +very soon. We had all better get away from the vicinity of buildings.” + +“What makes you think there will be an earthquake?” asked Tom. + +“Because I can hear the rumbling beneath the ground at this very minute. +It is increasing in volume, showing that the tremors are working this +way. There will soon be a great subterranean upheaval! Listen for +yourself.” + +Tom cast himself down on the grass. Placing his ear close to the ground +he did hear a series of dull thuds. He arose, not a little alarmed. +There had never been any earthquakes in Shopton, yet he had great +respect for Mr. Parker's scientific attainments. + +Just then Eradicate Sampson came along. He saw Tom and Mr. Parker lying +flat on the ground, and surprise showed on his honest, black face. + +“Fo' de land sakes!” cried Eradicate. “What am de mattah now, Massa +Tom?” + +“Earthquake coming,” answered Tom, briefly. “Better get away from the +buildings, Rad. They might fall!” Tom's face showed the alarm he felt. +What would happen to all of his valuable machines--to the Red Cloud? + +“Earthquake?” murmured Eradicate, and he, too, cast himself down to +listen. A moment later he arose with a laugh. + +“What's the matter?” cried Tom. + +“Why, dat ain't no earthquake!” declared the colored man. + +“No. Then perhaps you know what it is,” said Mr. Parker, somewhat +sharply. + +“Course I knows what it am,” answered Eradicate, with dignity. “Dat +noise am my mule Boomerang, kickin' in his stable, on account oh me not +feedin' him yet. Dat's what it am. I'se gwine right now t' gib him his +oats, and den yo' see dat de noise stop. Boomerang allers kick dat way +when he's hungry. I show yo'!” + +And, sure enough, when Eradicate had gone to the mule's stable, +which was near where Mr. Parker had heard the mysterious sounds, they +immediately ceased. + +“Dat mule was all de earthquake dere was around here,” said the colored +man as he came out. + +Mr. Parker walked away, saying nothing, and Tom did not make any +comments--just then. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII--OFF FOR THE WEST + + +It was a great relief to Tom, to find that there was no danger from an +earth tremor. Now that he had made up his mind to go in search of +the diamond makers, he wanted nothing to interfere with it. Lest the +feelings of Mr. Parker might be hurt by the mistake he had made, the +young inventor cautioned Eradicate not to say anything more about the +matter. + +“'Deed an' I won't,” the colored man promised. “I'se only too glad dere +wa'n't no earthquake, dat's what I is.” + +As for Mr. Parker, he did not appear much put out by his error in +predicting. + +“I am sure that what I heard was a tremor, due to some distant +earthquake shock,” he said. “The mule's kicking was only a coincidence.” + +And Tom let him have his way about it. The week was drawing to a close, +and the Red Cloud was nearly in shape for the voyage. At almost the +last minute Tom found that he needed some electrical apparatus for the +airship, and as he had to go to Chester for it, he decided he would make +the trip in his monoplane, and, while in the city, would also get the +diamond pin he was having made for Mary Nestor. + +He started off early one morning, in the swift little craft Butterfly, +and soon had reached Chester. The diamond brooch was ready for him. + +“It is one of the most beautiful stones we have ever set,” the diamond +merchant told him. “Don't forget, if you find any more, Mr. Swift, to +let us have a chance to bid on them.” + +“I may,” Tom promised, rather indefinitely. Then, having purchased his +electrical supplies, he made a quick trip to Shopton, stopping on the +way to call on Miss Nestor. + +“Why Tom, I'm delighted to see you!” cried the girl, blushing prettily. +“Did you come for some apple turnovers?” and she laughed, as she +referred to a call Tom had once paid, when a new cook had been engaged, +and when the pastry formed a feature of the meal. + +“No turnovers this time,” said the young inventor. “I came to wish you +many happy returns of the day.” + +“Oh, you remembered my birthday! How nice of you!” + +“And here is something else,” added our hero, rather awkwardly, as he +handed her the diamond pin. + +“Oh, Tom! This for me! Oh, it's too lovely--it's far too much!” + +“It isn't half enough!” he declared, warmly. + +“Oh, what a large diamond!” Mary cried as she saw the sparkling stone. +“I never saw one so large and beautiful!” + +“It's just as easy to make them large as small,” explained Tom. + +“Make them?” she looked the surprise she felt. + +“Yes, I'm about to start for the place where diamonds are made.” + +“Oh, Tom! But isn't it dangerous? I mean won't you have to go to some +far country--like Africa--to get to where diamonds are made?” + +“Well, we are going on quite a trip, but not as far as that. And as +for the danger--well, we'll have to take what comes,” and he told her +something of the proposed quest. + +“Oh, it sounds--sounds scary!” Mary exclaimed, when she had heard of Mr. +Jenks' experience. “Do be careful, Tom!” + +“I will,” he promised, and, somehow he was glad that she had cautioned +him thus--and in such tones as she had used. For Mary Nestor was a girl +that any young chap would have been glad to have manifest an interest in +him. + +“Well, I guess I'll have to say good-by,” spoke Tom, at length. “We +expect to start in a couple of days, and I may not get another chance to +see you.” + +“Oh, I--I hope you come back safely,” faltered Mary, and then she held +out her hand, and Tom--well, it's none of our affair what Tom did +after that, except to say that he hurried out, fairly jumped into his +monoplane, and completed the trip home. + +As the Red Cloud has been fully described in the volume entitled “Tom +Swift and His Airship,” we will not go into details about it now. +Sufficient to say that it was a combination of a biplane and dirigible +balloon. It could be used either as one or the other, and the gas-bag +feature was of value when the wind was too great to allow the use of the +planes, or when the motive power, for some reason stopped. In that event +the airship could remain suspended far above the clouds if necessary. +There was provision for manufacturing the gas on board. + +The Red Cloud was fitted up to accommodate about ten persons, though it +was seldom that this number was carried. Two persons could successfully +operate the machinery. There were sleeping berths, and in the main cabin +a sitting-room, a dining-room, and a kitchen. There was also the motor +compartment, and a steering tower, from which the engines could be +controlled. + +It was in this craft that the seekers after the diamond makers proposed +undertaking the trip. Mr. Damon came on from his home in Waterfield +about two days before the date set to leave, and Mr. Jenks, had, three +days before this, taken up his abode at the Swift home. Mr. Parker, as +has been stated, was already there, and he had put in his time making +a number of scientific observations, though he had made no more +predictions. + +Nothing more had been seen of the mysterious man who had warned Tom, +and the young inventor and Mr. Jenks began to hope that they had thrown +their enemies off the track. + +“Though I don't imagine they'll give up altogether,” said Mr. Jenks. +“They're too desperate for that. We'll have trouble with them yet.” + +“Well, it can't be helped,” decided Tom. “We'll try and be ready for it, +when it comes,” and then, dismissing the matter from his mind, he busied +himself about the airship. + +The food and supplies had all been put aboard, and they expected to +start the next morning. In order to make sure that any stones which they +might succeed in getting from the diamond makers were real gems, a set +of testing apparatus was taken along. Mr. Parker had had some experience +in this line, and, in spite of the fact that he might make direful +predictions, Tom was rather glad, after all, that the scientist was +going to accompany them. + +“But what is worrying me,” said Mr. Damon, “is what we are going to do +after we get to Phantom Mountain. What are your plans, Mr. Jenks? Will +you go in, and demand your share of the diamond-making business?” + +“I have a right to it, as I invested a large sum in it, and I am +entitled to more than a half-share. But, of course, I can't say what +I'll do until I get there. We may have to act very secretly.” + +“I'm inclined to think we will,” said Tom. “My plan would be to gain +access to the cave, if possible, and watch them at work. We might be +able to discover the secret of making diamonds, and, after all, that's +what you want, isn't it, Mr. Jenks?” + +“Yes, I paid my money for the secret, and I ought to have it. If I can +get it quietly, so much the better. If not, I'll fight for my rights!” + and he looked very determined. + +“Bless my powder horn!” cried Mr. Damon. “That's the way to talk! And +so we're to go cruising about in the air, looking for a mountain shaped +like a man's head.” + +“That's it,” agreed Mr. Jenks, “and when we find it we will be near +Phantom Mountain, and the diamond makers.” + +The final details were completed that night. The last of the supplies +had been put aboard, the larder was well stocked, the diamond testing +apparatus was stored safely away, and all that remained was for the +adventurers to board the Red Cloud in the morning, and soar away. + +That night Tom was uneasy. Several times he got up, and looked toward +the shed where the airship was stored. He could not rid himself of +the idea that the men to whose interest it was that the diamond-making +secret remain undiscovered, might attempt to wreck the airship before +the start. Consequently both Eradicate Sampson and Engineer Jackson were +on guard. Tom looked from his window, to the shed where the Red Cloud +was housed. He saw nothing to cause him any uneasiness. + +“I guess I'm just nervous,” he mused. “But, all the same, I'll be glad +when we've started.” + +They were all up early the next morning, Mr. Damon beginning the day by +blessing the sunrise, and many other things that struck his fancy. +The airship was wheeled out of the shed, and Tom gave her a final +inspection. + +“It's all right,” he declared. “All aboard!” + +“Now, do be careful,” begged Mr. Swift. “Don't take too many chances, +Tom.” + +“I'll not.” + +The adventurers were in the forward part of the ship, and Tom had taken +his place at the wheels and levers in the pilot house. As he was about +to start the motor he looked toward the road, and saw a horse and +carriage. In the vehicle was a girlish figure, at the sight of which Tom +blushed and smiled. He waved his hand. + +“I came to wish you good luck!” cried Mary Nestor, for it was she in the +carriage. + +“Thanks!” cried Tom, leaning from the window of the pilot house. “It was +good of you to get up so early.” + +“Oh. I'm always up early,” she informed him. + +“Look out that the motor doesn't scare your horse,” Tom warned her. + +“Old Dobbin doesn't mind anything,” was her answer. “I'll see that he +doesn't run away with me, as long as you're not on earth to rescue me. +Good-by, Tom!” + +“Good-by!” he called, and then he pulled the lever that set in motion +the motor, and whirled the great propellers about. They whizzed around +with a roar, and the Red Cloud, shivering and trembling with the +vibration, rose in the air like some great bird. + +“We're off for the West and Phantom Mountain!” called Tom to his +companions. + +As the airship soared upward, Eradicate Sampson ran forward from where +he had been standing near his mule Boomerang. He waved his hands, and +shouted something. + +“Bless my hatband! What does he want?” asked Mr. Damon, watching him +curiously. + +“It sounds as if he were calling to us to come back,” spoke Mr. Parker. + +“It's too late now,” decided Tom. “Maybe he forgot to tell us good-by,” + but, he felt a vague wonder at Eradicate's odd motions; for the colored +man was pointing toward the stern of the airship, as if there was +something wrong there. But the Red Cloud soared on. + + + + +CHAPTER IX--A WARNING BY WIRELESS + + +Rapidly the airship ascended, and, when it was high over the town of +Shopton, Tom headed the craft due west. Looking down he tried to descry +Mary Nestor, in her carriage, but the trees were in the way, their +interlocking branches hiding the girl. Tom did see crowds of other +persons, though, thronging the streets of Shopton, for, though the young +inventor had made many flights, there was always a novelty about them, +that brought out the curious. + +“A good start, Tom Swift,” complimented Mr. Parker. “Is it always as +easy as this?” + +“Starting always is,” was the answer, “though, as the Irishman said, +coming down isn't sometimes quite so comfortable.” + +“Bless my gizzard! That's so,” cried the eccentric Mr. Damon. “Can we +vol-plane to earth in the Red Cloud, Tom?” + +“Yes, but not as easily as in the Butterfly. However I hope we will not +have to. Now, Mr. Damon, if you will just take charge of the steering +apparatus for a minute, I want to go aft.” + +“What for?” + +“I wish to see if everything is all right. I can't imagine why Eradicate +was making those queer motions.” + +Mr. Damon, who knew how to operate the Red Cloud, was soon guiding her +on the course, while Tom made his way to the rear compartments, through +the motor room, where the stores of supplies and food were kept. He made +a careful examination, looking from an after window, and even going out +on a small, open platform, but could discover nothing wrong. + +“I guess Rad was just capering about without any special object,” mused +Tom, but it was not long after this that they learned to their dismay, +that the colored man had had a method in his madness. + +On his way back through the motor room Tom looked to the machinery, +and adjusted some of the auxiliary oil feeders. The various pieces of +apparatus were working well, though the engine had not yet been speeded +up to its limit. Tom wanted it to “warm-up” first. + +“Everything all right?” asked Mr. Damon, as Tom rejoined them in the +pilot house, which was just forward of the living room in the main +cabin. + +“Yes, I can't imagine what made Rad act that way. But I'll set the +automatic steering gear now, Mr. Damon, and then you will be relieved.” + +Mr. Jenks was gazing off toward the west--to where he hoped to discover +the secret of Phantom Mountain. + +“How do you like it?” asked Tom. + +“It's great,” replied the diamond man. “I've never been in an airship +before, and it's different than what I expected; but it's great! It's +the only craft that will serve our purpose among the towering mountain +peaks, where the diamond makers are hidden. I hope we can find them.” + +In a little while the Red Cloud was skimming along at faster speed, +guided by the automatic rudders, so that no one was needed in the pilot +house, since there was no danger of collisions. Airships are not quite +numerous enough for that, yet, though they may soon become so. + +Tom and the others devoted several hours to arranging their staterooms +and bunks, and getting their clothing stowed away, and when this was +done Mr. Parker and Mr. Jenks sat gazing off into space. + +“It's hard to realize that we are really in an airship,” observed the +diamond man. “At first I thought I would be frightened, but I'm not a +bit. It doesn't seem as if anything could happen.” + +“Something is likely to happen soon,” said Mr. Parker, suddenly, as he +gazed at some weather instruments on the cabin wall. + +“Bless my soul! Don't say that!” cried Mr. Damon. “What is it?” + +“I think, from my observations, that we will soon have a hurricane,” + said the scientific man. “There is every indication of it;” and he +seemed quite delighted at the prospect of his prediction coming true. + +“A hurricane!” cried Mr. Damon. “I hope it isn't like the one that blew +us to Earthquake Island.” + +“Oh, I think there will be no danger,” spoke Tom. “If it comes on to +blow we will ascend or descend out of the path of the storm. This craft +is not like the ill-fated Whizzer. I can more easily handle the Red +Cloud; even in a bad storm.” + +“I'm glad to hear that,” remarked Mr. Jenks. “It would be too bad to be +wrecked before we got to Phantom Mountain.” + +“Well, I predict that we will have a bad storm,” insisted Mr. Parker, +and Tom could not help wishing that the scientist would keep his gloomy +forebodings to himself. + +However the storm had not developed up to noon, when Tom, with Mr. +Damon's help, served a fine meal in the dining-room. In the afternoon +the speed of the ship was increased, and by night they had covered +several hundred miles. Through the darkness the Red Cloud kept on, +making good time. Tom got up, occasionally, to look to the machinery, +but it was all automatically controlled, and an alarm bell would sound +in his stateroom when anything went wrong. + +“Bless my napkin!” exclaimed Mr. Damon the next morning, as they sat +down to a breakfast of fruit, ham and eggs and fragrant coffee, “this is +living as well as in a hotel, and yet we are--how far are we above the +earth, Tom?” he asked, turning to the young inventor. + +“About two miles now. I just sent her up, as I thought I detected that +storm Mr. Parker spoke of.” + +“I told you it would come,” declared the scientist, and there was a +small hurricane below them that morning, but only the lower edge of it +caught the Red Cloud, and when Tom sent her up still higher she found a +comparatively quiet zone, where she slid along at good speed. + +That afternoon Tom busied himself about some wires and a number of +complicated pieces of apparatus which were in one corner of the main +cabin. + +“What are you doing now?” asked Mr. Jenks, who had been talking with Mr. +Parker, and showing that scientist some of the manufactured diamonds. + +“Getting our wireless apparatus in shape,” answered the lad. “I should +have done it before, but I had so much to do that I couldn't get at it. +I'm going to send off some messages. Dad will want to know how we are +doing.” + +As he worked away, he also made up his mind to send another message, in +care of his father, for there was a receiving station in the Swift home. +And to whom this message was addressed Tom did not say, but we fancy +some of our readers can guess. + +Finally, after several hours of work, the wireless was in shape to send +and receive messages. Tom pulled over the lever, and a crackling sound +was heard, as the electricity leaped from the transmitters into space. +Then he clamped the receiver on his ear. + +“All ready,” he announced. “Has anybody any messages they wish sent?” + For, with the courtesy of a true host he was ready to serve his guests +before he forwarded his own wireless notes. + +“Just tell my wife that I'm enjoying myself,” requested Mr. Damon. +“Bless my footstool! But this is great! We're off the earth yet, +connected with it.” + +Mr. Jenks had no one to whom he wanted to send any word, but Mr. Parker +wish to wire to a fellow scientist the result of some observations made +in the upper air. + +Tom noted all the messages down, and then, when all was in readiness he +began to call his home station. He knew that either his father or Mr. +Jackson, the engineer, could receive the wireless. + +But, no sooner had the young inventor sent off the first few dots and +dashes representing “S. I.”--his home station call--than he started and +a look of surprise came over his face. + +“They're calling us!” he exclaimed. + +“Who is?” asked Mr. Jenks. + +“My house--my father. He--he's been trying to get us ever since we +started, but I didn't have the wireless in shape to receive messages. +Oh, I hope it's not too late!” + +“Too late! Bless my soul, too late for what?” gasped Mr. Damon, somewhat +alarmed by Tom's manner. + +The lad did not answer at once. He was intently listening to a series +of dots and dashes that clicked in the telephone receiver clamped to his +left ear. On his face there was a look of worriment. + +“Father has just sent me a message,” he said. “It's a warning flashed +through space! He's been trying to get it to me since yesterday!” + +“What is it?” asked Mr. Jenks, rising from his seat. + +“The mysterious man is aboard the airship--hidden away!” cried Tom. +“That's what Eradicate was trying to call to our attention as we started +off. Eradicate saw his face at a rear window, and tried to warn us! The +mysterious man is a stowaway on board!” + + + + +CHAPTER X--DROPPING THE STOWAWAY + + +Tom's excited announcement startled Mr. Damon and the others as much as +if the young inventor had informed them that the airship had exploded +and was about to dash with them to the earth. The men leaped to their +feet, and stared at the lad. + +“A stowaway on board!” cried Mr. Damon. “Bless my soul! How did he--” + +“Are you sure that message is straight?” asked Mr. Jenks. “Did Eradicate +see the man?” + +“He says he did,” answered Tom. “The man is hidden away on board +now--probably among the stores and supplies.” + +“Bless my tomato sauce!” exploded Mr. Damon. “I hope he doesn't eat them +all up!” + +“We must get him out at once!” declared Mr. Jenks. + +“I knew something would happen on this voyage,” came from Mr. Parker. “I +predicted it from the first!” + +Tom thought considerable, but he did not answer the scientist just +then. Another communication was coming to him by wireless. He listened +intently. + +“Father says,” the lad told his companions “that Eradicate only had +a glimpse of the man at the last moment. He was looking from the rear +storeroom window--he's the same man who called on me that time--Rad +remembers him very well.” + +“Bless my shoes! What's to be done?” inquired Mr. Damon, looking around +helplessly. + +“We must get him out, that's all,” decided Mr. Jenks; with vigor. “Get +him out and drop him overboard!” + +“Drop him overboard!” cried Mr. Parker, in horror. + +“Not exactly, but get rid of him,” proceeded the diamond seeker. “That +man is one of my enemies. He has been sent by the band of diamond makers +hidden among the mountains, to spy on me, and, if possible, prevent me +from seeking to discover their secret. He tried to work on Tom's Swift's +fears, and frighten him from using his airship on this quest. Then, when +he failed, the man must have sneaked into the shed, and hidden himself +in the ship. We must get rid of him, or he may wreck the Red Cloud!” + +“That's so!” cried Tom. “We must try to capture him. I think we had +better--” the lad paused, and again listened to the wireless message. +“Father says Eradicate saw the man have a gun, so we must be careful,” + the young inventor translated the dots and dashes. + +“Bless my powder horn!” exploded Mr. Damon. + +“We shall have to proceed cautiously then,” spoke Mr. Jenks. “If he is +like any others in the gang he is a desperate man.” + +“Better sneak up on him then, if we can,” proposed Mr. Parker. “There +are enough of us to cope with one man, even if he is armed. You have +weapons aboard, haven't you?” he inquired of Tom. + +“Yes,” was the hesitating answer, “but I don't want to use them if I +can help it. Not only because of the danger, and a dislike of shedding +blood, but because a stray bullet might pierce the gas bag and damage +the ship.” + +“That's so,” agreed Mr. Jenks. “Well, I guess if we go at it the right +way we can capture him without any shooting. But we must talk more +quietly--we ought to have whispered--he may have heard us.” + +“I don't think so,” replied Tom. “The storeroom is far enough off so +that he couldn't hear us. Besides, the motor makes such a racket that +he couldn't distinguish what we were talking about, even if he heard our +voices. So, unless he heard the wireless working, and suspects something +from that, he probably doesn't know that we are aware of his presence +aboard.” + +“But why do you think he has remained quiet all this while, Tom?” asked +Mr. Damon. + +“Probably he wants to wait until the ship is farther out west,” + suggested Mr. Jenks. “Then he will be nearer his friends, and can get +help, if he needs it.” + +“And do you really believe he would destroy the Red Cloud?” asked Mr. +Parker. + +“I think that all he is waiting for is a favorable chance,” declared +the diamond seeker. “He would destroy the craft, and us too, if he could +prevent us from discovering the secret of Phantom Mountain, I believe.” + +“Then we must get ahead of him,” decided Tom, quietly. “I have just +flashed to dad a message, telling him that we will heed his warning. Now +to capture the stowaway!” + +“And while we're about it, give him a good scare when we do get him,” + suggested Mr. Jenks. + +“How?” asked Tom. + +“Threaten to drop him overboard. Perhaps that will make him tell how +he happened to get in our ship, and what are the plans of the gang of +diamond makers. We may get valuable information that way.” + +“I don't believe you can scare such fellows much,” was Tom's opinion, +but it was agreed to try. + +“How are you going to capture him?” asked Mr. Parker. “If he has a gun +it won't be any too easy to go in the storeroom, and drag him out.” + +“We'll have to use a little strategy,” decided Tom, and then they +discussed several plans. The one finally adopted was that Tom and Mr. +Damon should enter the storeroom, casually, as if in search of food to +cook for supper. They would discuss various dishes, and Mr. Damon was to +express a preference for something in the food line, the box containing +which, was well back in the room. This would give the two a chance +to penetrate to the far end of the apartment, without arousing the +suspicions of the hidden man, who, doubtless, would be listening to the +conversation. + +“And as soon as we get sight of him, you and I will jump right at him, +Mr. Damon,” said Tom. “Jump before he has a chance to use his gun. Mr. +Jenks and Mr. Parker will be waiting outside the room, to catch him if +he gets away from us. I'll have some ropes ready, and we'll tie him up, +and--well, we'll decide later what to do with him.” + +“All right. I'm ready as soon as you are, Tom,” said the eccentric man. +“Come ahead.” + +They went softly to the storeroom, and listened at the door. There was +no sound heard save that made by the machinery. + +“I wonder if he's really here?” whispered Mr. Damon. + +“We'll soon find out,” answered Tom. “Let's go in.” + +They entered, and, in pursuance of their plan, Tom and his friend talked +of various foods. + +“I think I'd like some of that canned lobster, with French dressing on,” + spoke the eccentric man. + +“That's away in the back end of the room,” said Tom, in a loud voice. +“It's under a lot of boxes.” + +“Then I'll help you get it out! Bless my frying pan! but I am very fond +of lobster!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, in as natural tones as was possible +under the circumstances. + +He and Tom moved cautiously back among the boxes and barrels. They were +glancing about with eager eyes. Tom switched on an electric light, and, +the instant he did so, he was aware of a movement in a little space +formed by one box which was placed on top, of two others. The lad saw a +dark figure moving, as if to get farther out of sight. + +“I've got him!” cried Tom, making a dive for the shadow. + +A moment later the young inventor was bowled over, as a dark figure +leaped over his head. + +“Catch him, Mr. Damon!” he cried. + +“Bless my hatband! I--I--” Mr. Damon's voice ended in a grunt. He, too, +had been knocked down by the fleeing man. + +“Look out, Mr. Jenks!” cried Tom, to warn those on guard at the door of +the storeroom. + +There was the report of a gun, some excited shouts, and when Tom could +scramble to his feet, and rush out, he beheld Mr. Parker calmly sitting +on a struggling man, while Mr. Jenks held a gun, that was still smoking. + +“We caught him!” cried the scientist. + +“Anybody hurt?” asked Tom, anxiously. + +“No, I knocked up his gun as he fired,” explained Mr. Jenks. “Where are +the ropes, Tom?” + +The cords were produced and the man, who had now ceased to struggle, +was tightly bound. He uttered not a word, but he smiled grimly when Mr. +Damon remarked: + +“I guess I'll go back in the storeroom, Tom, and see how much food he +ate.” + +“Oh, I guess he didn't take much,” declared the lad. “He wasn't there +long enough.” + +“Well, Farley Munson, so it's you, is it?” asked Mr. Jenks, as he +surveyed the prisoner. + +“Do you know him?” asked Tom, in some surprise. + +“He was in with the diamond makers,” said Mr. Jenks. “He was one of +those who took me to the secret cave. But it will be the last time he +ever goes there. How high up are we, Tom?” + +“About two miles. Why?” + +“I guess that will be far enough to let him fall,” went on the diamond +seeker. “Come on, Mr. Damon, help me throw him overboard!” + +“You--you're not going to throw me over--with the airship two miles +high; are you?” gasped the man. + +“Will you tell us what we want to know, if we don't?” asked Mr. Jenks. + +“What do you want to know?” + +“How you got aboard, and what your object was in coming.” + +“That's easy enough. I had been hanging around the shed for several +days, watching a chance to get in. Finally I saw it, when that colored +man went to feed his mule, and I slipped in, and hid in the airship. The +stores were all in then, and I stowed myself away among the boxes. I had +food and water, so I didn't touch any of yours,” and he looked at Mr. +Damon, who seemed much relieved. + +“And what was your object?” demanded Mr. Jenks. + +“I wanted to prevent you from going to Phantom Mountain.” + +“How?” + +“By destroying the airship if need be. But I hoped to accomplish it by +other means. I would have stopped at nothing, though, to prevent you. +You must keep away from there!” + +“And if we refuse?” asked Tom. + +“Then you'll have to take what comes!” + +“But not from you!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. “We're going to get rid of +you.” + +The man's face showed the alarm he felt. + +“Oh, don't worry,” said Mr. Jenks, quickly, “we're not going to toss you +overboard. We're not as desperate as your crowd. But we're going to +get rid of you, and then go on before you can send any word to your +confederates. We'll put you off in the most lonesome spot we can find, +and I guess you'll be some time getting back to civilization. By that +time we'll have the secret of the diamonds.” + +“You never will!” declared the man, firmly. And he would say nothing +more, though by threats and promises Mr. Jenks tried to get from him +something about the men in with him, and where the cave of the diamonds +was located. + +Heavily bound with ropes the man was locked in a small closet, to be +kept there until a favorable spot was reached for letting him go. Mr. +Jenks' plan, of dropping him down in some place where he would have +difficulty in sending on word to his confederates was considered a good +one. + +Three days later, in crossing over a lonely region, near the Nebraska +National Forest, Farley Munson, which was one of the names the spy went +by, was dropped off the airship, when it was sent down to within a few +feet of the earth. + +“It will take you some time to get to a telegraph office,” said Mr. +Jenks, as a package of food, and a flask of water was tossed down to the +stowaway. He shook his fist at those in the airship, and shouted after +them: + +“You'll never discover the secret of Phantom Mountain!” + +“Yes, we will,” declared Tom, as he sent the Red Cloud high into the air +again. + + + +CHAPTER XI--A WEARY SEARCH + + +During the three days when the stowaway had been kept a prisoner, the +Red Cloud had made good time on her western trip. She was now about two +hundred and fifty miles from Leadville, Colorado, and Tom knew he could +accomplish that distance in a short time. It was necessary, therefore, +since they were so close to the place where the real search would begin, +to make some more definite plans. + +“We will need to replenish our supply of gasoline,” said Tom, shortly +after the stowaway had been dropped, and when the young inventor had +made a general inspection of the airship. + +“Is it all gone?” inquired Mr. Damon. + +“Not all, but we will soon be in the wildest part of the Rocky +Mountains, and gasoline is difficult to procure there. So I want to fill +all our reserve tanks. But I would rather do that before we get far into +Colorado.” + +“Why?” inquired Mr. Parker. + +“Because airships are not so common but what the appearance of one +attracts attention. Ours is sure to be talked about, and commented on. +In that case, in spite of our precaution in putting Munson off in this +lonely place, word of the Red Cloud being in the vicinity of Leadville +may reach the diamond makers, and put them on their guard. We want to +take them unawares if we can.” + +“That's so,” agreed Mr. Jenks. “We had better get our gasoline at the +first stopping place, then, and proceed with our search. Our first +object ought to be to look for the landmark--the head of stone. Then we +can begin to prospect about a bit.” + +“My idea, exactly,” declared Tom. “Well, then, I'll go down at the +first place we cross, where we can get gasoline, and then we'll be in a +position to hover in the air for a long time, without descending.” + +The airship kept on her way, traveling slowly the remainder of that day, +and at dusk, when there was less chance of big crowds seeing them, the +Red Cloud was sent down on the outskirts of a large village. Tom and Mr. +Damon went to a supply store, and arranged to have a sufficient quantity +of the gasoline taken out to the airship. It was delivered after dark, +and little talk was occasioned by the few who were aware of the presence +of the craft. Then, once more, they went aloft, and Tom sent several +wireless messages to Shopton, including one to Miss Nestor. + +“Please tell my wife that I am well, and that I have a good appetite,” + said Mr. Damon. + +Mr. Parker also sent a message to a scientific friend of his, stating +that he made some observations among the mountains, of the region in +which the airship then was, and that the indications were that a great +landslide would soon take place. + +“That won't worry us,” spoke Tom, “for we'll be far above it.” + +“I hope we will be near enough to enable me to observe it, and make +some scientific notes,” came from Mr. Parker. “I am positive that one +of these mountain peaks that we saw to-day will disappear in a landslide +within a few days. I have an instrument somewhat like the one that +records earthquakes, and it has been acting strangely of late.” + +Tom wondered what enjoyment Mr. Parker got out of life, when he was +always looking for some calamity to happen, but the scientist seemed +to take as much pleasure in his gloomy forebodings now, as he had on +Earthquake Island. + +They reached the vicinity of Leadville the next day, but took care to +keep high above the city, so that the airship could not be observed. +With powerful glasses they examined the mountainous country, looking for +the little settlement of Indian Ridge. + +“There it is!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks, just as dusk was settling down. “I +can make out the hotel I stopped at. Now we can really begin our search. +The next thing is to find the stone head, and then, I think, I will have +my bearings.” + +“We'll begin the hunt for that landmark in the morning,” said Tom. + +High in the air hovered the Red Cloud. At that distance above the earth +she must have looked like some great bird, and the adventurers thought +it unlikely that any one in the vicinity of Leadville would observe +them. + +The quest for the great mountain peak, that looked like a stone head, +was under way. Back and forth sailed the airship. Sometimes she was +enveloped in fog, and no sight could be had of the earth below. At +other times there were rain storms, which likewise prevented a view. Mr. +Parker was on the lookout for his predicted mountain landslide, but it +did not occur, and he was much disappointed. + +“It's queer I can't pick out that landmark,” said Mr. Jenks after two +days of weary searching, when their eyes were strained from long peering +through telescopes. “I'm sure it was around Indian Ridge, yet we've +covered almost all the ground in this neighborhood, and I haven't had a +glimpse of it.” + +“Perhaps it was destroyed in a landslide, or some cataclysm of nature,” + suggested Mr. Parker. “That is very possible.” + +“If that's the case we're going to have a hard time to locate the cave +of the diamond makers,” answered Mr. Jenks, “but I hope it isn't so.” + +They continued the search for another day, and then Tom, as they sat +in the comfortable cabin of the airship that night, hovering almost +motionless (for the motor had been shut down) made a proposition. + +“Why not descend in some secluded place,” he suggested, “and wander +around on foot, making inquiries of the miners. They may know where the +stone head is, or they may even know about Phantom Mountain.” + +“Good idea,” spoke Mr. Jenks. “We'll do it.” + +Accordingly, the next morning, the Red Cloud was lowered in a good but +lonely landing place, and securely moored. It was in a valley, well +screened from observation, and the craft was not likely to be seen, +but, to guard against any damage being done to it by passing hunters or +miners, Mr. Parker and Mr. Damon agreed to remain on guard in it, while +Tom and Mr. Jenks spent a day or two traveling around, making inquiries. + +The young inventor and his companion proceeded on foot to a small +settlement, where they hired horses on which to make their way about. +They were to be gone two days, and in that time they hoped to get on the +right trail. + + + + +CHAPTER XII--THE GREAT STONE HEAD + + +It was a wild and desolate country in which Tom Swift and Mr. Jenks +were traveling. Villages were far apart, and they were at best but +small settlements. In their journeys from place to place they met few +travelers. + +But of these few they made cautious inquiries as to the location +of Phantom Mountain, or the landmark known as the great stone head. +Prospectors, miners and hunters, whom they asked, shook their heads. + +“I've heard of Phantom Mountain,” said one grizzled miner, “but I +couldn't say where it is. Maybe it's only a fish story--the place may +not even exist.” + +“Oh, it does, for I've been there!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. + +“Then why don't you go back to it?” asked the miner. + +“Because I can't locate it again,” was the reply. + +“Humph! Mighty queer if you've seen a place once, and can't get to it +again,” and the man looked as if he thought there was something strange +about Tom and his companion. Mr. Jenks did not want to say that he had +been taken to the mountain blindfolded, for that would have caused too +much talk. + +“I think if we spent to-night in a place where the miners congregate, +listened to their talk, and put a few casual questions to them, more as +if we were only asking out of idle curiosity, we might learn something,” + suggested Tom. + +“Very well, we'll try that scheme.” + +Accordingly, after they had left the suspicious miner the two proceeded +to a small milling town, not far from Indian Ridge. There they engaged +rooms for the night at the only hotel, and, after supper they sat around +the combined dance hall and gambling place. + +There were wild, rough scenes, which were distasteful to Tom, and to Mr. +Jenks, but they felt that this was their only chance to get on the right +trail, and so they stayed. As strangers in a western mining settlement +they were made roughly welcome, and in response to their inquiries about +the country, they were told many tales, some of which were evidently +gotten up for the benefit of the “tenderfeet.” + +“Is there a place around here called Phantom Mountain?” asked Tom, at +length, as quietly as he could. + +“Never heard of it, stranger,” replied a miner who had done most of the +talking. “I never heard of it, and what Bill Slatterly don't know ain't +worth knowin'. I'm Bill Slatterly,” he added, lest there be some doubt +on that score. + +“Isn't there some sort of a landmark around here shaped like a great +stone head?” went on Tom, after some unimportant questions. “Seems to me +I've heard of that.” + +“Nary a one,” answered Mr. Slatterly. “No stone heads, and no Phantom +Mountains--nary a one. + +“Who says there ain't no Phantom Mountains?” demanded an elderly miner, +who had been dozing in one corner of the room, but who was awakened by +Slatterly's loud voice. “Who says so?” + +“I do,” answered the one who claimed to know everything. + +“Then you're wrong!” Tom's heart commenced beating faster than usual. + +“Do you mean to say you've seen Phantom Mountain, Jed Nugg?” demanded +Slatterly. + +“No, I ain't exactly seen it, an' I don't want to, but there is such +a place, about sixty mile from here. Folks says it's haunted, and them +sort of places I steer clear from.” + +“Can you tell me about it?” asked Mr. Jenks, eagerly. “I am interested +in such things.” + +“I can't tell you much about it,” was the reply, “and I wouldn't git too +interested, if I was you. It might not be healthy. All I know is that +one time my partner and I were in hard luck. We got grub-staked, and +went out prospectin'. We strayed into a wild part of the country about +sixty mile from here, and one night we camped on a mountain--a wild, +desolate place it was too.” + +The miner stopped, and began leisurely filling his pipe. + +“Well?” asked Tom, trying not to let his voice sound too eager. + +“Well, that was Phantom Mountain.” + +The miner seemed to have finished his story. + +“Is that all?” asked Mr. Jenks. “How did you know it was Phantom +Mountain?” + +“'Cause we seen the ghost--my partner and I--that's why!” exclaimed the +man, puffing on his pipe. “As I said, we was campin' there, and 'long +about midnight we seen somethin' tall and white, and all shimmerin', +with a sort of yellow fire, slidin' down the side of the mountain. It +made straight for our camp.” + +“Huh! Guess you run, didn't you, Jed?” asked Bill Slatterly. + +“Course we did. You'd a run too, if you seen a ghost comm' at you, an' +firin' a gun.” + +“Ghosts can't fire guns!” declared Bill. “I guess you dreamed it, Jed.” + +“Ghosts can't fire guns, eh? That's all you know about it. This one did, +and to prove I didn't dream it, there was a bullet hole in my hat next +mornin'. I could prove it, too, only I ain't got that hat any more. But +that was Phantom Mountain, strangers, an' my advice to you is to keep +away from it. I was on it but I didn't exactly see it, 'cause it was +dark at the time.” + +“Was it near a peak that looked like a stone head?” asked Tom. + +“It were, stranger, but I didn't take much notice of it. Me and my +partner got out of them diggin's next day, and I never went back. I +ain't never said much about this place, but it's called Phantom Mountain +all right, and I ain't the only one that's seen a ghost there. Other +grub-stakers has had the same experience.” + +“Why ain't I never heard about it?” demanded Bill, suspiciously. + +“'Cause as why you're allers so busy talkin' that you don't never listen +to nothin' I reckon,” was Jed's answer, amid laughter. + +“Can you tell us what trail to take to get there?” asked Tom, of the +miner. + +“Yes, it's called the old silver trail, and you strike it by goin' to a +place called Black Gulch, about forty mile from here. Then it's twenty +mile farther on. But take my advice and don't go.” + +“Can it be reached by way of Indian Ridge?” asked Mr. Jenks, wondering +how he had been taken to the cave of the diamond makers. He did not +remember Black Gulch. + +“Yes, you can git there by Indian Ridge way, but it's more dangerous. +You're likely to lose your way, for that's a trail that's seldom +traveled.” Mr. Jenks thought that, perhaps, was the reason the gang had +taken him that way. “It's easier to get to the stone head and Phantom +Mountain by Black Gulch, but it ain't healthy to go there, strangers, +take my advice on that,” concluded the miner, as he prepared to go to +sleep again. + +Tom could scarcely contain the exultation he felt. At last, it seemed, +they were on the trail. He motioned to Mr. Jenks, and they slipped +quietly from the place, just as another dance was beginning. + +“Now for Black Gulch!” cried Tom. “We must hurry back to the airship, +and tell the good news. + +“It's too late to-night,” decided Mr. Jenks, and so they waited until +morning, when they made an early start. + +They found Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker anxiously awaiting their return. Mr. +Damon blessed so many things that he was nearly out of breath, and Mr. +Parker related something of the observations he had made. + +“I think I have discovered traces of a dormant volcano,” he said. “I am +in hopes that it will have an eruption while we are here.” + +“I'm not,” spoke Tom, decidedly. “We'll start for Black Gulch as soon as +possible.” + +The airship once more rose in the air, and, following the directions +the miner had given him, Tom pointed his craft for the depression in the +mountains which had been given the name Black Gulch. It was reached in +a short time, and then, making a turn up a long valley the airship +proceeded at reduced speed. + +“We ought to see that stone head soon now,” spoke Tom, as he peered from +the windows of the pilot house. + +“It's queer we didn't notice it when we were up in the air,” remarked +Mr. Jenks. “We've been over this place before, I'm sure of it.” + +The next moment Mr. Damon uttered a cry. “Bless my watch-chain!” he +exclaimed. “Look at that!” + +He pointed off to the left. There, jutting out from the side of a steep +mountain peak was a mass of stone--black stone--which, as the airship +slowly approached, took the form and shape of a giant's head. + +“That's it! That's it!” cried Tom. “The great stone head!” + +“And now for Phantom Mountain and the diamonds!” shouted Mr. Jenks, as +Tom let the airship slowly settle to the bottom of the valley. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII--ON PHANTOM MOUNTAIN + + +Out from the Red Cloud piled Tom and the others. They made a rush for +the irregular mass of rock which bore so strong a resemblance to the +head of some gigantic man. + +“That's the one! That's the thing I saw when they were taking me along +here blindfolded!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. “I'm sure we're on the right +trail, now!” + +“But what gets me, though,” remarked Mr. Damon, “is why we couldn't see +that landmark when we were up in the air. We had a fine view, and ought +to have been able to pick it out with the telescopes.” + +The adventurers saw the reason a few seconds later. The image was +visible only from one place, and that was directly looking up the +valley. If one went too far to the right or left the head disappeared +from view behind jutting crags, and it was impossible to see it from +overhead, because the head was almost under a great spur of a mighty +mountain. + +“We might have hunted for it a week in the airship, and been directly +over it,” said Tom, “and yet we would never have seen it.” + +“Yes, but we never would have gotten here in such good shape if it +hadn't been for your wonderful craft,” declared Mr. Jenks. “It brought +us here safely and quickly, and enabled us to elude the men who tried to +keep us back. We're here in spite of them. If we had traveled by train +they might have interfered with us in a dozen ways.” + +“That's so,” agreed Mr. Damon. “Well, now we're here, what's to be +done? Which way do we start to reach the cave where the diamonds are +manufactured, Mr. Jenks?” + +“That I can't say. As you know, I only had a momentary glimpse of this +stone head as they were taking me along the trail. Then one of the men +noticed that the bandage had slipped and he pulled it into place. So I +really can't say which direction to take now, in order to discover the +secret.” + +“How long after you saw the head before you reached the cave?” asked +Tom. “In that way we may be able to tell how far away it is.” + +“Well, I should say it was about two or three hours after I saw the +head, before we got to the halting place, and I was carried into the +cave. That would make it several miles from here, for we went in a +wagon.” + +“Yes, and they might have driven in a round-about way, in order to +deceive you,” suggested Mr. Damon. “At best we have but a faint idea +where the diamond cave is, but we must search for it; eh, Tom?” + +“Certainly. We'll start right in. And as the airship will be of but +little service to us now, I suggest that we leave it in this valley. +It is very much secluded, and no one will harm it, I think. We can then +start off prospecting, for I have a large portable tent, and we can +carry enough food with us, with what game we can shoot, to enable us to +live. I have a regular camping outfit on board.” + +“Fine!” cried Mr. Parker, “and that will give me a chance to make some +observations among the mountains, and perhaps I can predict when a +landslide, or an eruption of some dormant volcano, may occur.” + +“Bless my stars!” cried Mr. Damon. “I don't wish you any bad luck, Mr. +Parker, but I sincerely hope nothing of the sort happens! We had enough +of that on Earthquake Island!” + +“One can not halt the forces of nature,” said the scientist, solemnly. +“There are many towering peaks around here which may contain old +volcanoes. And I notice the presence of iron ore all about. This must be +a wonderful place in a thunder and lightning storm.” + +“Why?” asked Tom, curiously. + +“Because lightning would be powerfully attracted here by the presence +of the metal. In fact there is evidence that many of the peaks have been +struck by lightning,” and the scientist showed curious, livid scars on +the stone faces of the peaks within sight. + +“Then this is a good place to stay away from in a storm,” observed Mr. +Damon. “However, we won't worry about that now. If this is the landmark +Mr. Jenks was searching for, then we must be in the vicinity of Phantom +Mountain.” + +“I think we are,” declared the diamond seeker. “Probably it is within +sight now, but there are so many peaks, and this is such a wild and +desolate part of the country that we may have trouble in locating it.” + +“We've got to make a beginning, anyhow,” decided Tom, “and the sooner +the better. Come, we'll make up our camping kits, and start out.” + +It was something to know that they were on the right trail, and it was a +relief to be able to busy oneself, and not be aimlessly searching for a +mysterious landmark. They all felt this, and soon the airship was taken +to a secluded part of the valley, where it was well hidden from sight in +a grove of trees. + +Tom and Mr. Damon then served a good meal, and preparations were made +to start on their search among the mountains--a search which they hoped +would lead them to Phantom Mountain, and the cave of the diamond makers. + +The tent which would afford them shelter was in sections, and could +be laced together. They carried food, compressed into small packages, +coffee, a few cooking utensils; and each one had a gun, Tom carrying a +combination rifle and shotgun, for game. + +“We can't live very high while we're on the trail,” said the young +inventor, “but it won't be much worse than it was on Earthquake Island. +Are we all ready?” + +“I guess so,” answered Mr. Damon. “How long are we going to be away?” + +“Until we find the diamond makers!” declared Tom, firmly. + +Shouldering their packs, the adventurers started off. Tom turned for a +last look at his airship, dimly seen amid the trees. Would he ever come +back to the Red Cloud? Would she be there when he did return? Would +their quest be successful? These questions the lad asked himself, as he +followed his companions along the rocky trail. + +“Perhaps we can find the road by which these men go in and out of the +cave,” suggested Mr. Damon, when they had gone on for several miles. + +“I fancy not,” replied Mr. Jenks. “They probably take great pains to +hide it. I think though, that our best plan will be to go here and +there, looking for the entrance to the cave. I believe I would remember +the place.” + +“But why can't you follow the directions given by the miner who told you +about Phantom Mountain?” asked Mr. Damon. + +“Because his talk was too indefinite,” answered Mr. Jenks. “He was so +frightened by seeing what he believed to be a ghost, that he didn't take +much notice of the location of the place. All he knows is that Phantom +Mountain is somewhere around here.” + +“And we've got to hunt until we find it; is that the idea?” asked Mr. +Parker. + +“Or until we see the phantom,” added Tom, in a low voice. + +“Bless my topknot!” exclaimed Mr. Damon. “You don't mean to say you +expect to see that ghost; do you Tom?” + +“Perhaps,” answered the young inventor, and he did not add something +else of which he was thinking. For Tom had a curious theory regarding +the phantom. + +They tramped about the remainder of that day. Toward evening Tom shot +some birds, which made a welcome addition to their supper. Then the tent +was put together, some spruce and hemlock boughs were cut to make a soft +bed, and on these, while the light of a campfire gleamed in on them, the +adventurers slept. + +Their experience the following day was similar to the first. They saw no +evidence of a large cave such as Mr. Jenks had described, nor were there +any traces of men having gone back and forth among the mountains, as +might have been expected of the diamond makers, for, as Mr. Jenks had +said, they made frequent journeys to the settlement for food, and other +supplies. + +“Well, I haven't begun to give up yet,” announced Tom, on the third day, +when their quest was still unsuccessful. “But I think we are making one +mistake.” + +“What is that?” inquired Mr. Jenks. + +“I think we should go up higher. In my opinion the cave is near the top +of some peak; isn't it, Mr. Jenks?” + +“I have that impression, though, as you know, I never saw the outside of +it. Still, it might not be a bad idea to ascend some of these peaks.” + +Following this suggestion, they laid their trail more toward the sky, +and that night found them encamped several thousand feet above the +sea-level. It was quite cool, and the campfire was a big one about which +they sat after supper, talking of many things. + +Tom did not sleep well that night. He tossed from side to side on the +bed of boughs, and once or twice got up to replenish the fire, which had +burned low. His companions were in deep slumber. + +“I wonder what time it is?” mused Tom, when he had been up the third +time to throw wood on the blaze. “Must be near morning.” He looked at +his watch, and was somewhat startled to see that it was only a little +after twelve. Somehow it seemed much later. + +As he was putting the timepiece back into his pocket the lad looked +around at the dark and gloomy mountains, amid which they were encamped. +As his gaze wandered toward the peak of the one on the side of which the +tent was pitched, he gave a start of surprise. + +For, coming down a place where, that afternoon, Tom had noticed a sort +of indefinite trail was a figure in white. A tall, waving figure, which +swayed this way and that--a figure which halted and then came on again. + +“I wonder--I wonder if that can be a wisp of fog?” mused the young +inventor. He rubbed his eyes, thinking it might be a swirling of the +night mist or a defect of vision. Then, as he saw more plainly, he +noticed the thing in white rushing toward him. + +“It's the phantom--the phantom!” cried Tom, aloud. “It's the thing the +miner saw! We're on Phantom Mountain now!” + + + + +CHAPTER XIV--WARNED BACK + + +Tom's cries awakened the sleepers in the tent. Mr. Damon was the first +to rush out. + +“Bless my nightcap, Tom!” he cried. “What is it? What has happened? Are +we attacked by a mountain lion?” + +For answer the young inventor pointed up the mountain, to where, in the +dim light from a crescent moon, there stood boldly revealed, the figure +in white. + +“Bless--bless my very existence!” cried the odd man. “What is it, Tom?” + +“The phantom,” was the quiet answer. “Watch it, and see what it does.” + +By this time Mr. Jenks and Mr. Parker had joined Tom and Mr. Damon. +The four diamond seekers stood gazing at the apparition. And, as they +looked, the thing in white, seemingly too tall for any human being, slid +slowly forward, with a gliding motion. Then it raised its long, white +arms, and waved them threateningly at the adventurers. + +“It's motioning us to go back,” said Mr. Parker in an awed whisper. “It +doesn't want us to go any farther.” + +“Very likely,” agreed Tom, coolly. “But we're not going to be frightened +by anything like that; are we?” + +“Not much!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. “I expected this. A ghost can't drive +me back from getting my rights from those scoundrels!” + +“Suppose it uses a revolver to back up its demand?” asked the scientist. + +“Wait until it does,” answered Mr. Jenks. But the figure in white +evidently had no such intentions. It came on a little distance +farther, still waving the long arms threateningly, and then it suddenly +disappeared, seeming to dissolve in the misty shadows of the night. + +“Bless my suspenders!” cried Mr. Damon. “That's a very strange +proceeding! Very strange! What do you make of it, Tom?” + +“It is evidently some man dressed up in a sheet,” declared Mr. Jenks. “I +expected as much.” + +“The work of those diamond makers; do you think?” continued Mr. Damon. + +“I believe so,” answered Tom, slowly, for he was trying to think it out. +“I believe they are the cause of the phantom, though I don't know that +it's a man dressed in a sheet.” + +“Why isn't it?” demanded Mr. Jenks. + +“Because it was too tall for a man, unless he's a giant.” + +“He may have been on stilts,” suggested Mr. Parker. + +“No man on stilts could walk along that way,” declared Tom, confidently. +“He glided along too easily. I am inclined to think it may be some sort +of a light.” + +“A light?” queried Mr. Damon. + +“Yes, the diamond makers may be hidden in some small cave near here, and +they may have some sort of a magic lantern or a similar arrangement, for +throwing a shadow picture. They could arrange it to move as they liked, +and could cause it to disappear at will. That, I think, is the ghost we +have just seen.” + +“But the diamond makers have only been in this mountain recently,” + objected Mr. Jenks, “and the phantom was here before them. In fact, that +was what gave the place its name.” + +“That may be,” admitted the lad. “There are many places that have the +name of being haunted, but no one ever sees the ghost. It is always some +one else, who has heard of some one who has seen it. That may have been +the case here. I grant that this place may have been called 'Phantom +Mountain' for a number of years, due to the superstitious tales of +miners. The diamond makers came along, found the conditions just right +for their work, and adopted the ghost, so to speak. As there wasn't any +real spirit they made one, and they use it to scare people away. I think +that's what we've just seen, though I may be wrong in my theory as to +what the phantom is.” + +“Well, it's gone now, at any rate,” said Mr. Jenks, “and I think we'd +better get back inside the tent. It's cold out here.” + +“Aren't some of us going to stand guard?” demanded Mr. Damon. + +“What for?” asked Mr. Jenks. + +“Why--er--bless my key-ring! Suppose that ghost takes a notion to come +down here, and use his gun, as he did on the miners?” + +“I don't believe that will happen,” remarked Tom. “The diamond makers, +if the white thing had anything to do with them, have given us a +warning, and I think they'll at least wait until morning to see how we +heed it.” + +“We aren't going to heed it!” burst out Mr. Jenks. “I'm going to go +right ahead and find that cave where they make diamonds!” + +“And we're with you!” exclaimed Tom. “We'll have a good fire going the +rest of the night, and that may keep intruders away. In the morning +we'll begin our search, and we'll go up the trail where we saw the white +figure.” + +A big pile of wood had been collected for the fire, and Tom now piled +some logs and branches on the blaze. It would last for some time now, +and the adventurers, still talking of the “ghost” went back into the +tent. It was over an hour before they all got to sleep again, and Mr. +Jenks and Mr. Damon took turns in getting up once or twice during the +remainder of the night to replenish the fire. + +Morning dawned without anything further having occurred to disturb them, +and, after a hearty breakfast, to which Tom added some fish he caught in +a nearby mountain stream, they set off up the trail on Phantom Mountain. + +They had left their tent standing, as they proposed making that spot +their headquarters until they located the cave they were seeking. What +their course would be after that would depend on the circumstances. + +If they had expected to have an easy task locating the cavern in which +Mr. Jenks had seen diamonds made, the adventurers were disappointed. All +that day they tramped up and down the mountain, looking for some secret +entrance, but none was disclosed. The higher they went up the great +peak, the fainter became the trail, until, at length it vanished +completely. + +But this was not to be wondered at, since it was on solid rock, in which +no footsteps would leave an impression. + +“They never brought you up here in a wagon, Mr. Jenks,” decided Tom, +when he saw how steep the place was. + +“I'm inclined to think so myself,” admitted the diamond man. “They must +have reached the cave from some other way. As a matter of fact, I walked +some distance after getting out of the vehicle, before we got to the +cavern. But, even at that, I don't believe we came this way.” + +“Yet the phantom was here,” persisted Tom, “and I'm convinced that the +cave is in this neighborhood. It's up to us to find it!” + +But they searched the remainder of that day in vain, and as night was +coming on, they made their way back to the camp. As Tom, who was in +the lead, approached the tent, he saw something black fastened to the +entrance. + +“Hello!” he cried. “Some one's been here. That wasn't on the tent when +we left this morning.” + +“What is it?” asked Mr. Damon. + +“A black piece of paper, written on with white ink,” replied the lad. He +was reading it, and, as he perused it a look of surprise came over his +face. + +“Listen to this!” called Tom. “It's evidently from the diamond makers.” + +Holding up the black paper, on which the white writing stood out in bold +relief Tom read aloud: + + +“Be warned in time! Go back before it is too late! You are near to +death! Go back!” + + +“Bless my shoelaces!” cried Mr. Damon. “This is getting serious.” + + + + +CHAPTER XV--THE LANDSLIDE + + +Gathered about the young inventor, the three men looked at the warning. +The writing was poor, and it was evident that an attempt had been made +to disguise it. But there was no misspelling of words, and there were no +rudely drawn daggers, or bloody hands or anything of that sort. In fact, +it was a very business-like sort of warning. + +“Rather odd,” commented Mr. Jenks. “Black paper and white ink.” + +“White ink is easy enough to make,” stated Mr. Parker. “I fancy they +wanted it as conspicuous as possible.” + +“Yes,” agreed Tom, “and this warning, together with the antics of the +thing in white last night, shows that they are aware of our presence +here, and perhaps know who we are. We will have to be on our guard.” + +“Do you think that fellow Munson, whom we left in the forest, could have +gotten here and warned them?” asked Mr. Damon. + +“It's possible,” admitted Tom, “but now let's see if the person who +pinned this warning on our tent took any of our things.” + +A hasty examination, however, showed that nothing had been disturbed, +and Tom and Mr. Damon were soon getting supper ready, everyone talking, +during the progress of the meal, about the events of the day, and the +rather weird culmination of it. + +“Well, we haven't had a great deal of success--so far,” admitted Tom, as +they sat about the fire, in the fast gathering dusk. “I think, perhaps, +we'd better try on the other side of the mountain to-morrow. We've +explored this side pretty thoroughly.” + +“Good idea,” commented Mr. Jenks. “We'll do it, and move our camp. I +only hope those fellows don't find our airship and destroy it. We'll +have a hard time getting back to civilization again, if we have to walk +all the way.” + +This contingency caused Tom some uneasiness. He did not like to think +that the unscrupulous men might damage the Red Cloud, that had been +built only after hard labor. But he knew he could accomplish nothing by +worrying, and he tried to dismiss the matter from his mind. + +They rather expected to see the thing in white again that night, but it +did not appear, and morning came without anything having disturbed their +heavy sleep, for they were tired from the day's tramp. + +It took them the greater part of the day to make a circuit of the base +of Phantom Mountain in order to get to a place where a sort of trail led +upward. + +“It's too late to do anything to-night,” decided Tom, as they set up the +tent. “We'll rest, and start the first thing in the morning.” + +“And the ghost isn't likely to find us here,” added Mr. Damon. “Where +are you going, Mr. Parker?” he asked, as he saw the scientist tramping a +little way up the side of the mountain. + +“I am going to make some observations,” was the answer, and no one paid +any more attention to him for some time. Supper was nearly ready when +Mr. Parker returned. His face wore a rather serious air, and Mr. Damon, +noting it, asked laughingly: + +“Well, did you discover any volcanoes, that may erupt during the night, +and scare us to death?” + +“No,” replied Mr. Parker, calmly, “but there is every indication that we +will soon have a terrific electrical storm. From a high peak I caught a +glimpse of one working this way across the mountains.” + +“Then we'd better fasten the tent well down,” called Tom. “We don't want +it to blow away.” + +“There will not be much danger from wind,” was Mr. Parker's opinion. + +“From what then?” asked Mr. Jenks. + +“From the discharges of lightning among these mountain peaks, which +contain so much iron ore. We will be in grave danger.” + +The fact that the scientist had not always made correct predictions was +not now considered by his hearers, and Tom and the two men gazed at Mr. +Parker in some alarm. + +“Is there anything we can do to avoid it?” asked Mr. Jenks. + +“The only thing to do would be to leave the mountain,” was the answer, +“and, as the iron ore extends for miles, we can not get out of the +danger zone before the storm will reach us. It will be here in less than +half an hour.” + +“Then we'd better have supper,” remarked Tom, practically, “and get +ready for it. Perhaps it may not be as bad as Mr. Parker fears.” + +“It will be bad enough,” declared the gloomy scientist, and he seemed to +find pleasure in his announcement. + +The meal was soon over, and Tom busied himself in looking to the guy +ropes of the tent, for he feared lest there might be wind with the +storm. That it was coming was evident, for now low mutterings of thunder +could be heard off toward the west. + +Black clouds rapidly obscured the heavens, and the sound of thunder +increased. Fitful flashes of lightning could be seen forking across the +sky in jagged chains of purple light. + +“It's going to be a heavy storm,” Tom admitted to himself. “I hope +lightning doesn't strike around here.” + +The storm came on rapidly, but there was a curious quietness in the air +that was more alarming than if a wind had blown. The campfire burned +steadily, and there was a certain oppressiveness in the atmosphere. + +It was now quite dark, save when the fitful lightning flashes came, +and they illuminated the scene brilliantly for a few seconds. Then, by +contrast, it was blacker than ever. + +Suddenly, as Tom was gazing up toward the peak of Phantom Mountain, he +saw something that caused him to cry out in alarm. He pointed upward, +and whispered hoarsely: + +“The ghost again! There's our friend in white!” + +The others looked, and saw the same weird figure that had menaced them +when they were encamped on the other side of the peak. + +“They must have followed us,” said Mr. Jenks, in a low voice. + +Slowly the figure advanced, It waved the long white arms, as if in +warning. At times it would be only dimly visible in the blackness, then, +suddenly it would stand out in bold relief as a great flash of fire +split the clouds. + +The thunder, meanwhile, had been growing louder and sharper, indicating +the nearer approach of the storm. Each lightning flash was followed in a +second or two, by a terrific clap. Still there was no wind nor rain, and +the campfire burned steadily. + +All at once there was a crash as if the very mountain had split asunder, +and the adventurers saw a great ball of purple-bluish fire shoot down, +as if from some cloud, and strike against the side of the crag, not a +hundred feet from where stood the ghostly figure in white. + +“That was a bad one,” cried Mr. Damon, shouting so as to be heard above +the echoes of the thunderclap. + +Almost as he spoke there came another explosion, even louder than the +one preceding. A great ball of fire, pear shaped, leaped for the same +spot in the mountain. + +“There's a mass of iron ore there!” yelled Mr. Parker. “The lightning is +attracted to it!” + +His voice was swallowed up in the terrific crash that followed, and, +as there came another flash of the celestial fire, the figure in +white could be seen hurrying back up the mountain trail. Evidently the +electrical storm, with lightning bolts discharging so close, was too +much for the “ghost.” + +In another instant it looked as if the whole place about where the +diamond seekers stood, was a mass of fire. Great forked tongues of +lightning leaped from the clouds, and seemed to lick the ground. There +was a rattle and bang of thunder, like the firing of a battery of guns. +Tom and the others felt themselves tingling all over, as if they had +hold of an electrical battery, and there was a strong smell of sulphur +in the air. + +“We are in the midst of the storm!” cried Mr. Parker. “We are standing +on a mass of iron ore! Any minute may be our last!” + +But fate had not intended the adventurers for death by lightning. Almost +as suddenly as it had begun, the discharge of the tongues of fire ceased +in the immediate vicinity of our friends. They stood still--awed--not +knowing what to do. + +Then, once more, came a terrific clap! A great mass of fire, like some +red-hot ingot from a foundry, was hurled through the air, straight at +the face of the mountain, and at the spot where the figure in white had +stood but a few minutes before. + +Instantly the earth trembled, as it had at Earthquake Island, but it was +not the same. It was over in a few seconds. Then, as the diamond seekers +looked, they saw in the glare of a score of lightning flashes that +followed the one great clap, the whole side of the mountain slip away, +and go crashing into the valley below. + +“A landslide!” cried Mr. Parker. “That is the landslide which I +predicted! The lightning bolt has split Phantom Mountain!” + + + + +CHAPTER XVI--THE VAST CAVERN + + +For a time the roiling, slipping, sliding and tumbling of the mass of +earth and stones, down the side of the mountain, effectually drowned +all other sounds. Even the thunder was stilled, and though Tom and his +companions called to one another in terror, their voices could not rise +above that terrific tumult. + +Finally, when they found that the direction of the slide was away from +their tent, and that they were not likely to be engulfed, they grew more +calm. + +Gradually the noise subsided. The great boulders had rolled to the +bottom of the valley, and now only a mass of earth and stones was +sliding down. Even this stopped in about five minutes, and, as though +satisfied with what it had done, the electrical storm passed. Not a drop +of rain had fallen. + +“Bless my shirt studs!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, who was the first to speak +after the din had quieted. “Bless my soul! But that was awful!” + +“It was just what I expected,” said Mr. Parker, calmly. “I knew, from +my observations, that we were in a region where landslides and terrific +electrical storms may be expected at any time. I fully looked for this.” + +“Well,” remarked Mr. Jenks, rather sarcastically, “I hope it came up to +your expectations, Mr. Parker.” + +“Oh, fully,” was the answer, “though I wish it could have happened +in daylight, so that I could better have observed certain phenomena +regarding the landslide. They are very interesting.” + +“At a distance,” admitted Tom, with a laugh of relief. “Well, I'm glad +it's over, though we'll have to wait until morning to see what damage +has been done. Lucky we weren't struck by lightning. I never saw such +bolts!” + +“Me, either!” declared Mr. Damon. “This mountain seems to attract them.” + +“It is like a magnet,” said Mr. Parker. “I think I shall be able to make +some fine observations here.” + +“If we live through it,” murmured Mr. Jenks. + +They watched the play of lightning about a distant bank of clouds, +but the storm was now far away, only a faint rumbling of thunder being +heard. + +“I'm wondering what happened to the phantom,” said Tom, after a pause. +“Seems to me he was right in that track of the storm.” + +“Do you think it was a 'he'?” asked Mr. Jenks. + +“I think we'll find that it's some sort of a man,” answered the young +inventor. “We may find out very soon, now. I've changed my theory about +the ghost being reflections of light.” + +“How's that?” Mr. Damon wanted to know. + +“Well, I think we are on the side of Phantom Mountain where the diamond +cave is,” went on the lad. “The fact that the phantom appeared here, +soon after we arrived, shows that the men kept close track of our +movements. It also shows, I think, that the phantom did not have to +travel far to be on the spot, whereas we had to make quite a trip to get +around the base of the mountain. I think the cave is up there,” and +Tom pointed toward the spot where the weird figure had been last seen, +before the storm drove it back. + +“There may be two phantoms,” suggested Mr. Jenks. “They may keep one on +this side of the mountain, and one on the other, to warn intruders away. + +“It's possible,” admitted Tom. “Well, we'll see how things look in the +morning, when we'll take up our march again, and go up the mountain. +We'll reach the top, if possible, which we couldn't do from the other +side, as it was too steep.” + +“I hope we shall be able to go forward in the morning,” came from Mr. +Jenks. + +“What do you mean?” asked the lad, struck by a peculiar significance in +the diamond man's tones. + +“Why, that landslide may have opened a great gully in the side of +Phantom Mountain, which will prevent us from passing. It was a terrific +lot of earth and stones that slid away,” answered Mr. Jenks. + +“It certainly was,” agreed Mr. Parker. “I would not be surprised if +the mountain was half destroyed, and it may be that the diamond cave no +longer exists.” + +“Not very cheerful, to say the least,” murmured Mr. Jenks to Tom, and, +as it was getting quite chilly, following the storm, they went inside +the tent. + +Tom could hardly wait for daylight, to get up and see what havoc the +landslide had wrought. As soon as the first faint flush of dawn showed +over the eastern peaks, he hurried from the tent. Mr. Damon heard him +arise, and followed. + +A curious scene met their eyes. All about were great rocks rent and torn +by the awful power of the lightning. The fronts of the stone cliffs +were scarred and burned by the electrical fire, and fantastic markings, +grotesque faces, and leering animals seemed to have been drawn by some +gigantic artist who used a bolt from heaven for his brush. + +But the eyes of Tom and Mr. Damon took all this in at a glance, and then +their gaze went forward to where the avalanche had torn away a great +part of the mountain. + +“Whew! I should say it was a landslide!” cried Tom. + +“Bless my wishbone, yes!” agreed Mr. Damon. + +Below them, in the valley, lay piled immense masses of earth and stones. +Boulders were heaped up on boulders, and rocks upon rocks, being tossed +about in heaps, strung about in long ridges, and swirled about in +curves, as though some cyclone had toyed with them after the lightning +flash had tossed them there. + +“But the mountain isn't half gone,” said Tom, as his eyes took in what +was left of the phantom berg. “I guess it will take a few more bolts +like that one, to put this hill out of business.” + +Though the landslide had been a great one, the larger part of the +mountain still stood. An immense slice had been taken from one side, but +the summit was untouched. + +“And there's where the diamond cave is!” cried Tom, pointing to it. + +“I think so myself,” agreed Mr. Jenks, who came from the tent at that +moment, and joined the lad and Mr. Damon. “I think we shall find the +cave somewhere up there. We must start for it, as soon as we have eaten, +and we may reach it by night.” + +The three stood gazing up toward the summit of the great mountain. +Suddenly, as the sun rose higher in the heavens, it sent a shaft of rosy +light on the face of the berg that had been scarred by the landslide. +Tom Swift uttered an exclamation, and pointed at something. + +“See!” he cried. “Look where the trail is--the trail down which the +phantom must have come. It is on the edge of a cliff now!” + +They looked, and saw that this was so. The increasing light had just +revealed it to them. When the lightning bolt had torn away a great +portion of the mountain it had cut sheer down for a great depth and +when the earth and stones fell away they left a narrow pathway, winding +around the mountain, but so near the edge of a great chasm, that there +was room but for one person at a time to walk on that footway. The +uncertain trail up Phantom Mountain had all but been destroyed. + +“The way up to the peak is by that path, now,” spoke Tom, in a low +voice. + +“Bless my soul!” cried Mr. Damon. “It's as much as a man's life is worth +to attempt it. If he got dizzy, he'd topple over, and fall a thousand +feet. Dare we risk it?” + +“It's the only way to get up,” went on Tom. “It's either that way, or +not at all. We've tried the other side without success. We must go up +this way--or turn back.” + +“Then we'll go up!” cried Mr. Jenks. “It may not be as dangerous as it +looks from here.” + +But it was even more dangerous than it appeared, when they went part way +up it after a hasty breakfast. The trail was a mere ledge of rock now, +and in some places, to get around a projecting edge of the mountain, +they had to stand with their backs to the dizzy depths at their feet, +and with both arms outstretched work their way around to where the trail +was wider. + +“Shall we risk it?” asked Tom, when they had tried the way, and found +it so dangerous. “We can't take anything with us--even our guns, for +we couldn't carry them, and if we reach the mouth of the cave, and find +those men there--” + +He paused significantly. The adventurers looked at one another. The +search for the diamond makers was becoming more and more dangerous. + +“I say let's go on!” decided Mr. Damon, suddenly. “We want to locate +that cave, first of all. Perhaps, when we do find it, we may see some +easier way of getting to it than this. And if those diamond makers do +attack us--well, I don't believe they'll shoot defenseless men, and they +may listen to reason, and give Mr. Jenks his rights--tell him how to +make diamonds in return for the money he gave them.” + +“I don't believe those scoundrels will listen to reason,” replied the +diamond man, “but I agree with Mr. Damon that we ought to go on. We may +find some other means of reaching the cave--if we can discover it, and +we'll take a chance with the men.” + +“Forward it is, then!” cried Tom. “I have a revolver, and I can supply +one of you gentlemen with another. They may come in useful in an +emergency. Let's go back to camp, take a little lunch in our pockets, +and try to scale the mountain.” + +They were soon on their way up the dizzy path once more, and, as they +advanced, they found it growing more and more dangerous. In some places +they found it almost impossible to get around certain corners, where +there was barely room for their feet. As Tom remarked grimly, a fat man +never could have done it. Fortunately they were all comparatively thin, +for their hard work, and not too abundant food, since they had left the +airship, had reduced their weight. + +Up and up they went, higher and higher, sometimes finding the path wide +enough for two to walk abreast, and again seeing it narrow almost to +a ribbon. They hardly dared look down into the chasm at their left--a +chasm filled, in part, with the rocks and boulders tossed into it by the +lightning bolt. + +Tom was in the lead, and had just made a dangerous turn around a +shoulder of rock--one of those places where he had to extend both arms, +and fairly hug the cliff before he could get around. + +But, when he had made it, and found himself on a broad pathway, cut +in the living rock, he gave a great shout--a shout that caused his +companions to hasten to his side. They found the young inventor pointing +to a clump of bushes and small trees. + +But it was not the shrubbery that Tom desired to call to their +attention. They saw that in an instant, for, dimly seen through the +leaves, was something black, and, as they looked more closely, they saw +that it was a great hole in the side of the mountain--a vast cavern, +opening like a tunnel. + +“The cave! The cave!” cried Tom. “The diamond makers' cave!” + +Hardly had he spoken than two men, each one carrying a gun, showed +themselves in the mouth of the cavern, and, instant later they both ran +toward the little party of adventurers. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII--THE PHANTOM CAPTURED + + +Surprise held Tom and his friends almost spellbound for the moment. +The young inventor's hand went toward the pocket where he carried his +revolver. Mr. Jenks, who had the only other weapon, sought to draw it, +but he was stopped by a gesture of one of the two men with guns. + +“Hold on, strangers!” the man cried. “I know what you're up to! Better +not try to draw anything--it might not be healthy. Now, then, who are +you, and what do you want?” + +The question came rather as a surprise, at least to Tom and Mr. Jenks. +They had taken it for granted that these men--if they were the diamond +makers--would know Mr. Jenks, and guess at his errand in coming back +to Phantom Mountain. But, it seemed, that they took them all for casual +strangers. + +No one answered for a moment. Tom caught the eye of Mr. Jenks, and there +was a look of hope in it. If ever there was a time for strategy, it was +now. Evidently Munson, the stowaway on the airship, had not yet been +able to send a warning to his confederates. And neither of the two men +recognized Mr. Jenks as the man who had been defrauded of his rights. +It might be possible to conceal the real object of the adventurers until +they had time to formulate a plan of action. + +“Well,” exclaimed the man with the gun, impatiently, “I ask you folks a +question. What do you want?” + +Fortunately, neither Mr. Damon nor Mr. Parker replied. The former +because he deferred to Tom and Mr. Jenks, and the scientist because he +was busy inspecting some curious rocks he picked up. As it turned out +this was the luckiest thing he could have done. It lent color to what +Mr. Jenks said a moment later. + +“What are you doing up here?” demanded the man again. “Don't you know +this is private property?” + +“We--we were just looking around,” answered Mr. Jenks, which was true +enough; as far as it went. + +“Prospecting,” added Tom. + +“After gold?” demanded the second man, suspiciously. + +“We'd be glad to find some,” retorted the lad. At that moment Mr. Parker +began breaking off bits of rock with a small geologist's hammer which he +carried. The men with the guns looked at him. + +“So you think you'll find gold up here?” asked the one who had first +spoken. + +“Is there any?” inquired Tom, trying to make his voice sound eager. + +“Nary a bit, strangers,” was the answer, and the two men laughed +heartily. “Now, we don't want to seem harsh,” went on the man who seemed +to be the spokesman, “but you'd better get away from here. This is +private ground, and dangerous too--how'd you ever get up the trail--we +heard it was destroyed.” + +“There is still a narrow path,” said Mr. Jenks. “We came up that--the +lightning and landslide haven't left much of it, though.” + +Mr. Parker looked quickly up from the rocks at which he was tapping with +his small hammer. “You have terrific lightning up here,” he said. “I am +much interested in it, from a scientific standpoint. I predict that some +day the entire mountain will be destroyed by a blast from the sky.” + +“I hope it won't be right away,” spoke one of the men. “Now I guess you +folks had better be leaving while there's a path left to go down by.” + +“Might I ask,” broke in Mr. Parker, as calmly as though he was lecturing +to a class of students, “might I ask if you have noticed any peculiar +effect of the lightning up here on the summit of the mountain? Does it +fuse and melt rocks, so to speak?” + +“What's that?” cried the spokesman, with a sudden flash of anger. The +two men looked at each other. + +“I wanted to know, merely for scientific reasons, whether the lightning +up here ever melted rocks?” repeated Mr. Jenks. + +“Well, whether it's for scientific reasons or for any other, I'm not +going to answer you!” snapped the man. “It's none of your affair what +the lightning does up here. Now you'd all better 'vamoose'--clear out!” + +“All right--we'll go,” said Tom, quickly, at the same time motioning to +Mr. Jenks to agree with him. The eyes of the young inventor were +roving about. He saw what looked like a second trail, leading down the +mountain, from the far side of the cave. He was convinced now that there +was another way to get to it. Possibly they might find it. At any rate +nothing more could be done now. They must go back, for the cavern was +too well guarded to attempt to enter it by force--at least just yet. + +“Yes, we'll go back,” assented Mr. Jenks. + +Mr. Parker was tapping away at the rocks. He looked toward the black +mouth of the big cave. On what corresponded to the roof of it, some +distance back from the entrance, he saw a slender metal rod sticking up +into the air. + +“May I ask if that's a lightning rod?” he inquired innocently. “If +it is, I should like to ask about its action in a mountain that is so +impregnated with iron ore. + +“You may ask until you get tired!” cried the spokesman, again showing +unreasoning anger, “but you'll get no answer from us. Now get away from +here before we do something desperate. You're on private ground and +you're not wanted. Clear out while you have the chance.” + +There was no help for it. Slowly our friends turned and began to go +down the dangerous trail. They were soon out of sight of the two men who +stood before the cave, with their guns ready, but neither Tom nor any of +his companions spoke for some time. + +When they had rounded one of the most dangerous turns the young inventor +sat down to rest, an example followed by the others. + +“Well,” asked Tom, “do you think those are some of the diamond makers, +Mr. Jenks?” + +“I certainly do, though I never saw those two men before. If I could +once get inside the cave, I could tell whether or not it was the one +where I was practically held a prisoner. But I'm sure it is. I know some +of the men used to go off every day with guns, and not come back until +night. I have no doubt they were on guard, just as these two are. And, +also, I think I heard them speak of a second entrance to the cavern. The +one we just saw may not be the main one, through which I was taken.” + +“I believe we are on the right track,” ventured Mr. Damon, “but we will +either have to go up there after dark, which will be risky, on account +of the narrow trail, or else we will have to find some other path.” + +“The last would be better,” spoke Tom. + +“That rod of metal sticking up on top of the cave interested me,” said +the scientist. “Did you hear anything of that when you were here before, +Mr. Jenks?” + +“No. Probably that is only a lightning rod, or it may be a staff for a +signal flag. But what surprises me is that those men didn't suspect +that we were seeking to discover their secret. They took us for ordinary +prospectors.” + +“So much the better,” remarked Tom. “We have a chance now of getting +inside that cave. But we will have to go back to camp, and make other +plans. And we must hurry, or it will be dark before we get there.” + +They hastened their steps, pausing only briefly to eat some of the lunch +they had brought along, and to drink from a spring that bubbled from the +side of the mountain. It was getting dusk when they got back to their +tent. They found nothing disturbed. + +“I wonder if we'll see that phantom again to-night?” ventured Tom, as +they were sitting about the campfire a little later. + +“Probably not,” remarked Mr. Jenks. “I don't believe the ghost will +venture down the dangerous trail after dark, and the gang may think +that the warning given us by the two men on guard at the cave will be +sufficient. But if we don't leave here by to-morrow I think we will have +another visit from the thing in white.” + +It was about an hour after this when Tom was collecting some wood in a +pile nearer the fire, so as to have it ready to throw on, in case there +was any alarm in the night, that he happened to look up toward the +summit of the mountain. A slight noise, as of loose stones rolling down, +attracted his attention, and, at first, he feared lest another landslide +was beginning, but a moment later he saw what caused it. + +There, advancing down the steep and dangerous trail was the figure +in white--the phantom. Instantly a daring plan came into Tom's head. +Dropping the wood softly, he moved back out of the glare of the fire. + +“Mr. Jenks!” he called in a whisper. + +The diamond man, who was behind the tent, came toward Tom. + +“What is it?” he asked. Then, as he saw the ghostly visitor, he added: +“Oh--the phantom again! What's it up to?” + +“The same thing,” replied Tom, “but it won't do it long, if my plan +succeeds.” + +“What plan is that, Tom?” + +“I'm going to try to capture that--that man--or whatever it is. Will you +help?” + +“Surely!” + +“Then let's work around behind it, while Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker come +up from in front. We'll solve this part of the mystery, anyhow, if it's +possible!” + +The two other men were soon told of the plan. Meanwhile the thing in +white had advanced slowly, until within a few hundred feet of the camp. +They could see now that it was no shaft of light, but some white body, +shaped like a tall, thin man, draped in a white garment. The long arms +waved to and fro. There was no semblance of a head. + +“You and Mr. Parker go right toward it, slowly, Mr. Damon,” advised +Tom. “Mr. Jenks and I will make a circle, and get in back. Then, if it's +anything alive we'll have it.” + +The “ghost” continued to advance. Tom and the diamond man stole off to +one side, their buckskin moccasins making no sound. Mr. Damon and the +scientist went boldly forward. + +This movement appeared to disconcert the spirit. It halted, waved the +arms with greater vigor than before, and seemed to indicate to the +adventurers that it was dangerous to advance. But Mr. Damon and Mr. +Parker kept on. They wanted to give Tom and Mr. Jenks time enough to +make the circuit. + +Suddenly the stillness of the night was broken by a low whistle. It was +Tom's signal that he and Mr. Jenks were ready. + +“Come on! Run!” cried Mr. Damon. + +The scientist and the eccentric man leaped forward. + +The “ghost” heard the whistle, and heard the spoken words. The thing in +white hesitated a moment, and then raised one arm. There was a flash of +fire, and a loud report. + +“He's firing in the air!” cried Tom. “Come on, we have him now!” + +Undaunted by the display of firearms, Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker kept on. +They could hear Tom and Mr. Jenks running up in back of the figure. +The latter also heard this, and suddenly turned. Caught between the two +forces of our friends, the “ghost” was at a loss what to do. + +The next instant Tom, who had distanced Mr. Jenks, made a flying tackle +for the figure in white, and caught it around the legs. Very substantial +legs they were, too, Tom felt--the legs of a man. + +“Wow!” yelled the “ghost,” as he went down in a heap, the revolver +falling from his hand. + +“Come on!” cried Tom. “I have him!” + +His friends rushed to his aid. There was a confused mass of dark bodies, +arms and legs mingled with something tall and thin, all in white. +Suddenly the moon came from behind a cloud and they could see what they +had captured--for captured the phantom was. + +It proved to be a rather small man, who wore upon his shoulders a +framework of wood, over which some white cloth was draped. It had fallen +off him when Tom made that tackle. + +“Well,” remarked the young inventor, as he sat on the struggling man's +chest. “I guess we've got you.” + +“I rather guess you have, stranger,” was the cool reply. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII--BILL RENSHAW WILL HELP + + +They were all panting from the exertion of the run up the mountain and +the contest with the phantom--a phantom no longer--though, truth to +tell, the struggle was not nearly so fierce as Tom had expected. He +thought the “ghost” would put up a stiff fight. + +“Got any ropes to tie him with?” asked Mr. Damon, who was helping Tom +hold the man down. + +“Ropes? You aren't going to tie me up are you, strangers?” asked the +captive. + +“That's what we are!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. “We've had trouble enough in +this matter, and if I've got one of the gang, perhaps I can get some of +the others, and have my rights. So tie him up, Tom, and we'll take him +to camp. + +“Oh, you needn't go to all that trouble, strangers,” went on the man, +calmly. “If one of you will get off my chest, and the other gentleman +ease up on my stomach a bit, I'll walk wherever you want me, and not +make any trouble. I haven't got a gun.” + +“Bless my gloves! But you're a cool one,” commented Mr. Damon, as he +complied with the man's request, and got up from his stomach. “But look +out for him, Tom. He had a gun, for he fired it in the air.” + +“He hasn't it now,” answered the young inventor. “I knocked it from his +hand when I leaped for him.” + +“That's what you did,” assented the man, as he got up, while Tom kept a +tight hold of him, as did Mr. Jenks. “What kind of a grizzly bear hug do +you call that, anyhow, that you gave me?” + +“That was a football tackle,” explained Tom. + +“I allers heard that was a dangerous game!” remarked the former phantom +simply. “Well, now you've got me, what are you going to do with me?” + +“Take you where we can have a good look at you,” replied Mr. Jenks, as +he kicked aside the wooden framework, and the sheet which had made the +“ghost” appear so tall. “So this is how you worked it; eh?” + +“Yep. That was the 'haunt' stranger. I made it myself, and it worked all +right until you folks come along. I rather suspicioned from the first, +when I played the trick over on 'tother side of the mountain, that you +wouldn't be so easy to fool as most prospectors are.” + +“Oh, so you're the only ghost then?” asked Tom. + +“I'm the only one.” + +By this time they had reached the camp. Tom threw some light logs on the +fire, which blazed up brightly. As the flames illuminated the face of +their captive, Mr. Jenks looked at him, and cried out: + +“Why it's Bill Renshaw!” + +“That's me,” admitted the man who had played the part of the phantom, +“and thunder-turtles! if it ain't Mr. Jenks who was once in the diamond +cave with us. Whatever happened to you? I never heard. The others said +you got tired and went away.” + +“They took me away--defrauded me of my rights!” declared Mr. Jenks, +bitterly. “But I'll get them back! To think of Bill Renshaw playing the +part of a ghost!” + +“They made me do it,” went on the man, somewhat dejectedly. “I wanted to +be at work in the cave, but they wouldn't let me.” + +“Is this man one of the diamond makers?” asked Tom, in great surprise. + +“He is--one of the helpers, though I don't believe he knows the secret +of making the gems,” explained Mr. Jenks. “He was one of the men in the +cave when I was there before, and he and I struck up quite a friendship; +didn't we, Renshaw?” + +“That's what, and there ain't no reason why we can't be friends now; +that is unless you hold a grudge against me for firing at you. But I +only shot in the air, to scare you away. Them's my instructions. I'm +supposed to be on guard, and scare away strangers. I'm tired of the +work, too, for I don't get my share, and those other fellows, in the +cave, get all the money from the diamonds.” + +Tom Swift uttered an exclamation. A sudden plan had come to him. Quickly +he whispered to Mr. Jenks: + +“Make a friend of this man if possible. He evidently is dissatisfied. +Offer him a sum to show us another way into the cave, and we may yet +discover the secret of the diamond makers.” + +“I will,” declared Mr. Jenks, quietly. Then, turning to Renshaw, he +added: + +“Bill, come over here. I want to have a talk with you. Perhaps it will +be to our mutual advantage.” + +He led the former phantom to one side, and for some time conversed +earnestly with him. Mr. Jenks told the story of how he had been deceived +by Folwell and the others who were at the head of the gang of diamond +makers. The rich man related how they had taken his money, and, after +promising to disclose the secret process to him, had broken faith, and +had drugged him, afterward taking him out of the cave. + +“I want only my rights, and that for which I paid,” concluded Mr. Jenks. +“Now, I gather that these men haven't treated you altogether fairly, +Bill.” + +“Indeed they haven't. I helped 'em to the best of my ability, and all +I get out of it is to stay out on this lonely side of the mountain, +and play ghost. They owe me money, too, and they won't pay me, either, +though they have lots, for they sold some diamonds lately.” + +“Then they are still making diamonds?” asked Mr. Jenks, eagerly. “Have +you seen them? Do you know the secret?” + +“No, I don't know it, for they won't let me in on it. I'm always sent +out of the cave just before they make the gems. But I know they've made +some lately, and have sold 'em. I want my share.” + +“Look here!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks, quickly, wishing to strike while the +iron was hot. “I'll make you a proposition. Show us how to get into that +cave, unknown to the diamond makers, and I'll pay you twice what they +agreed to. Is it a bargain?” + +Bill Renshaw considered a moment. Then he thrust out his hand, clasped +that of Mr. Jenks, and exclaimed: + +“It is. I'll take you into the cave by an entrance that's seldom used. +There are four ways to get in. The one where the two men drove you back +is the rear one. The front one is on the other side of the mountain, but +it's so well concealed that you'd never find it. But I can take you to +one where you can get in, and those fellows will never know it. And, +what's more, I'll help you if it comes to a fight!” + +“Good!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. “I think we'll discover the secret of the +diamond makers this time,” and he went to tell the others of the success +of his talk. Bill Renshaw had been converted from an enemy into a +friend, and the former phantom was now ready to lead Tom and the others +into the secret cave. + +“We'll start in the morning,” decided Mr. Jenks, who, after many +disappointments, at last saw success ahead of him. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX--IN THE SECRET CAVE + + +Tom Swift was up at break of day, and the others were not far behind +him. + +“Now for the secret cave!” cried the young inventor as he gazed up +the mountain, in the interior of which the mysterious band of men were +making the diamonds. + +“Have you made any plans, Bill?” asked Mr. Jenks of the former phantom, +who had cast his lot in with the adventurers. “What will be the best +course for us to follow?” + +“You just leave it to me, Mr. Jenks,” was the answer. “I'll get you into +the cave, and those fellows, who, I believe, are trying to do me out of +my rights, as they did you out of yours, will never know a thing about +it.” + +“Bless my finger-nails!” cried Mr. Damon. “That will be great! We can +get in the cave, and watch them make the diamonds at our leisure.” + +“They don't make them every day,” explained Renshaw. “It seems they +have to wait for certain occasions. Mostly they make the diamonds when +there's a big storm.” + +“A big storm,” asked the scientist with a sudden show of interest. +“Do you mean one of those electrical storms, such as we had the other +night?” + +“That's it, Mr. Parker, though why they wait until there's a storm is +more than I can tell.” + +“Perhaps they know that on such occasions no one will venture up the +mountain,” spoke Mr. Damon. + +“No, it isn't that,” declared the scientist. “I think I am on the +track of a great scientific discovery, and I will soon be able to make +observations that will confirm it.” + +“Well, I'm going to make an observation right now,” said Tom, with a +laugh. “I'm going to see what there is for breakfast.” + +“And that reminds me,” came from Mr. Jenks, “shall we move our camp, +Bill, and take the tent with us to the cave?” + +“I hardly think so,” was the answer. “I think the best plan would be to +conceal the tent somewhere around here, in case you might need it again. +You can also store what food you have left.” + +“But, bless my appetite, we don't want to starve in that diamond cave!” + objected Mr. Damon. + +“I'll see that you don't,” declared Bill Renshaw. “I'll take you in +there, unbeknownst to those fellows, and I'll provide you with plenty +of food and water. You see the cave is so big that there are some parts +they never visit.” + +“And we can stay in one of those parts, and eat?” asked Tom. + +“Sure,” answered Bill. + +“And watch the diamond makers at work?” asked Mr. Jenks. + +“That's it,” replied the former phantom. + +“Then the sooner we get started the better,” remarked Mr. Damon. Mr. +Parker said nothing. He appeared to be thinking deeply, and was tapping +at some rocks with his little hammer. + +The advice of Bill Renshaw was followed, and the tent, and what food +remained, was concealed in the bushes, with rocks piled over to keep +away prowling animals. Then they started for the secret cave. + +The man who played the part of a ghost picked up the framework and white +cloth that had formed his disguise. + +“I'll still have to use this,” he explained, “for I don't want those +fellows to know that I'm helping you. I'll continue to play the spirit +of the mountain, but there won't be much need of it. I don't think any +more people will come prospecting out here.” + +“Have you heard of the arrival of Farley Munson?” asked Tom, as he +related the facts about the stowaway. + +“He hadn't arrived up to a day or so ago,” answered Bill. “I guess he's +still traveling. Farley is one of the heads of the gang,” he added, “and +a dangerous man.” + +As Bill led the way toward the cave, taking a route that the adventurers +had never suspected led to it, he explained that the cavern was a large +one, capable of holding an army. + +“But there's only a small part of it used by the diamond makers,” he +added. “They work in a small recess, near the summit of the mountain. +The little cave, where I'm going to take you, opens off from it by a +long passage. And, except that you'll be pretty much in the dark, you'll +be quite comfortable. There are tables, chairs, and some bunks in the +place. I can get you some lights, and plenty of food.” + +“But, if you are seen taking away food, won't the others suspect +something?” asked Tom. + +“I do pretty much as I please,” said Bill. “I go and come when I like. +All I'm supposed to do is to watch my two sides of the mountain, play +the ghost, and give warning when any one is coming. Sometimes I leave +black and white messages, like the one I put on your tent. Those fellows +fix 'em up for me. I've told 'em about you, though I didn't know who you +were, and they think you have gone, for the two men on guard at the rear +entrance so reported. Sometimes I stay out on the mountain for a couple +of days at a time, when the weather's good, and don't go back to the +cave. Those times I take food with me, and so if they see me making off +with some supplies they'll think I'm going to camp out.” + +“It doesn't look as though we'd ever get into a cave near the top of the +mountain, going this way,” said Tom, as they marched along. “We're going +down, instead of up.” + +“That's the secret of this trail,” explained Bill. “We go down in a +sort of valley, and then go up a pretty stiff place, and then we're on +a direct trail to the entrance I told you about. It's a steep road to +climb, but I guess we can manage it.” + +And a hard climb the adventurers did find it. The road was almost as bad +as the one along the edge of the chasm, but they managed to negotiate +it, and finally found themselves on a fairly good trail. + +“We'll soon be there,” Bill assured them. “After you get in the little +cave, where I'm going to hide you, I'll have to leave you for a spell, +until I get my ghost rigging fixed up again. But I'll see that you have +plenty of food and drink.” + +A little later their guide came to a sudden halt, and peered around +anxiously. + +“What's the matter?” asked Tom. + +“I was just looking to see if any of the men were about,” he answered. +“But I guess not--it looks all right. The entrance is right here.” + +They were on a side of the mountain, near the summit. Below stretched a +magnificent scene. A great valley lay at their feet, and they could look +off to many distant peaks. The main trail to Leadville, and the one to +the settlement of Indian Ridge, was in sight. + +Suddenly Tom, who had been using a small but powerful telescope, uttered +an exclamation, and focussed the instrument on a speck that seemed +moving along on the trail below. + +“A man--coming up the mountain,” cried Tom. “And--it can't be--yet it +is--it's Farley Munson--the stowaway!” he cried. “He's coming here!” + +“Let me look!” begged Mr. Jenks, taking the glass from Tom. An instant +later the diamond man exclaimed: “Yes, it's Munson!” + +“Then in here with you--quick!” cried Renshaw. “He can't see us yet, and +we'll be out of sight in another minute.” + +The former spirit pulled aside some thick bushes, and pointed to a hole +which was disclosed. + +“The entrance to the secret cave,” he announced. “Slip in all of you.” + +Tom, after another glance at the man toiling his way up the mountain, +entered the cavern. He was followed by the others. Bill was the last to +enter, and he replaced the bushes over the entrance. + +“At last!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks, as he gazed up at the roof of the +dimly-lighted vault in which they found themselves. + +“Yes, we're in the diamond makers' secret cave,” added Tom. “Now to +catch them at work!” + +“Come on,” advised Bill, in a low tone, “We're not safe yet,” and he +produced a lantern from some hidden recess, lighted the wick, and led +the way. As the others followed they were aware of a subdued noise in +the great cavern. + + + + +CHAPTER XX--MAKING THE DIAMONDS + + +“What's that noise?” asked Tom, as their guide flashed the lantern to +show them the way. + +“That's the men getting ready to make diamonds, I guess,” was the +answer. “You see it takes quite a while to get the stuff ready. I don't +know what they use--they never tell me any of their secrets.” + +“Oh, I know the ingredients well enough,” said Mr. Jenks, “but I +don't know the secret of how they apply the terrific heat and pressure +necessary to fuse the materials into diamonds.” + +“Well, you'll soon know,” declared Bill Renshaw. “Of course it isn't +always successful. I've known 'em to try half a dozen times before they +got any diamonds big enough to satisfy 'em. They gave me some of the +small ones when I asked for my wages. + +“How did you come to get in with these men?” asked Tom, curious to +understand how a person seemingly as honest as Renshaw appeared to be +had cast his lot in with the men who had broken faith with Mr. Jenks. + +“Oh, I've lived around these parts all my life,” was the answer. “I knew +of this cave before these diamond fellers came to it. In fact, I +showed it to 'em. It was several years ago that a party of men who were +prospecting around here came to me and asked if I knew of a small cave +near the top of a high mountain, where lightning storms were frequent. +I told them about Phantom Mountain, as it was called then, and also of +this cave. If there's any place where they have worse lightning storms +than here, I'd like to know it. They scare me, sometimes, like the night +when that landslide happened, and I'm sort of used to 'em. + +“Well, I took these men to the cave, and they hired me as a sort of +lookout. Then they began their work, and at first I didn't know what +they were up to, but finally I caught on. Then Mr. Jenks came, and +disappeared mysteriously, though then I didn't know that they had played +a trick on him. I was outside most of the time, pretending I was the +ghost. So that's how I came to get in with 'em, and I wish I was out.” + +“You soon will be, I think,” declared Mr. Jenks. “But won't our talking +be heard by the men?” + +“No danger. There is a thick wall between this part of the cave, and the +part where they live and work. I'll soon have you well hid, and then you +wait until I come back.” + +“What about Munson?” asked Tom. “He is evidently on his way here to tell +his confederates about us.” + +“He won't know what has happened to us,” said Mr. Jenks, “and he won't +see anything of us. I guess we're safe enough.” + +Through the dark passage they followed Bill Renshaw until he came to a +halt in a place that suddenly widened and broadened into a good-sized +cave. + +“Here's your stopping place,” said the former ghost. “Now if you follow +that passage, off to the left,” and he pointed to it, “you'll come +to the larger part of the cave where the diamond makers are. But go +cautiously, and don't make any noise. I won't be responsible for what +happens.” + +“We'll take all the risk,” interrupted Tom. + +“All right. Now there's a couple of lanterns around here. I'll light +them, and leave you for a while until I can get some grub. I'll be back +as soon as I can.” + +He glided away, after lighting two lanterns, by the gleams of which +the adventurers could see that they were in a vaulted cavern that had +evidently been fitted up as a living apartment. The sides, roof and +floor were of stone. It was clean, and the air was fresh. There were +some chairs, a table, and several cots, with pieces of bagging for +bedding, though it was warm in the place. + +“I guess we can stay here until we discover the secret,” spoke Tom. + +“Bless my watch! We can if we have something to eat,” came from Mr. +Damon, with something like a sigh. “I'm hungry!” + +“And I want to make some observations,” said Mr. Parker. “From what I +have seen of this mountain, I would not be surprised if this cave was +to be suddenly destroyed by a landslide or a lightning bolt. I will make +some further investigations.” + +“Well, if it's going to cause you to make such gloomy prophecies as +that, I'd just as soon you wouldn't look any further,” spoke Tom, in +a low voice. But Mr. Parker, taking one of the lanterns, set about +examining the rock of which the cave consisted. + +In a short time Bill Renshaw returned with enough food to last for two +days. He said he was going out on the mountain once more to act the part +of a lookout, and would visit the adventurers again the next day. + +“In the meanwhile you can do just as you please,” he said. “Nobody is +likely to disturb you here, and you can sneak up and take a look at the +men in the other cave whenever you're ready. Only be careful--that's all +I've got to say. They're desperate men.” + +It was not very pleasant, eating in the gloomy cavern, but they made the +best of it. They cooked on a small oil-stove they found in the place, +and after some hot coffee they felt much better. + +“Well,” remarked Tom, after a while, “shall we take a chance, and go +look at the men at work?” + +“I think so,” answered Mr. Jenks. “The sooner we discover this mystery, +the better. Then we can go back home.” + +“And recover my airship,” added Tom, who was a bit uneasy regarding the +safety of the Red Cloud. + +“Then, bless my finger-rings! let's go and see if we can find the big +cave your friend the ghost told us of,” suggested Mr. Damon. + +Cautiously they made their way along the passage Bill had pointed out. +As they went forward the subdued noise became louder, and finally they +could feel the vibration of machinery. + +“This is the place,” whispered Mr. Jenks. “That sound we hear is one of +the mixing machines, for grinding the materials--carbon and the other +substances--which go to make up the diamonds. I remember hearing that +when I was in the cave before.” + +“Then we must be near the place,” observed Tom. + +“Yes, but I didn't have much chance to look around when I was here +before. They wouldn't let me. I never even knew of the small cave Bill +took us to.” + +“Well, if we're close to it, we'd better go cautiously, and not talk any +more than we're obliged to,” suggested Mr. Parker, and they agreed that +this was good advice. + +They walked on softly. Suddenly Tom, who was in the lead, saw a gleam of +light. + +“We're here,” he whispered. “I'll put out our lantern, now,” which he +did. Then, stealing forward he and the others beheld a curious sight. +The tunnel they were in ended at a small hole which opened into a large +cavern, and, fortunately, this opening was concealed from the view of +those in the main place. + +“The diamond makers!” whispered Tom, hoarsely, pointing to several men +grouped about a number of strange machines. + +“Yes--the very place where I was,” answered Mr. Jenks, “and there is the +apparatus--the steel box--from which the diamonds are taken--now to see +how they make them.” + +Fascinated, the adventurers looked into the cave. The men there were +unaware of the presence of our friends, and were busily engaged. Some +attended to the grinding machine, the roar and clatter of which made +it possible for Tom and the others to talk and move about without being +overheard. Into this machine certain ingredients were put, and they were +then pulverized, and taken out in powdery form. + +The power to run the mixing machine was a gasoline motor, which +chug-chugged away in one corner of the cave. + +As the powder was taken out, other men fashioned it into small balls, +which were put on pan, and into a sort of oven, that was heated by a +gasoline stove. + +“Is that how they make the diamonds?” asked Mr. Damon. + +“That is evidently the first step,” said Mr. Jenks. “Those balls of +powdered chemicals are partly baked, and then they are put into the +steel box. In some way terrific heat and pressure are applied, and the +diamonds are made. But how the heat and pressure are obtained is what we +have yet to learn.” + +He paused to watch the men at work. They were all busy, some attending +to the machines, and others coming and going in and out of the cave. In +one part a man was apparently getting ready a meal. + +Suddenly there rushed into the cave a man who seemed much excited. + +“Are you nearly ready with that stuff?” he cried. “There's a good storm +gathering on the mountain!” + +“Yes, we'll be ready in half an hour,” answered one of the men at the +mixing machine. + +“Good. It will be flashing lightning bolts then, and we can see what +luck we have. The last batch was a failure.” The man hurried out again. +Mr. Parker touched Tom and Mr. Jenks on their shoulders. + +“What is it?” asked Tom. + +“I know the secret of making the diamonds,” said the scientist. + +“What?” cried Mr. Jenks. + +“It is by the awful power of the lightning bolts!” whispered Mr. Parker. +“Everything is explained now--the reason why they make diamonds in this +lonely place, near the top of the mountain. They need a place where the +lightning is powerful. I can understand it now--I suspected it before. +They make diamonds by lightning!” + +“Are you sure?” cried Mr. Jenks. + +“Positive.” + +“I agree with you,” said Tom Swift. “I was just getting on that track +myself, when I saw the electric wires running to the steel box. That +explains the upright rod on the top of the mountain. The man says +a storm is coming--very well; we'll stay here and watch them make +diamonds!” + +As he spoke there came the mutter of thunder, and the mountain vibrated +slightly. The men in the cave redoubled their activity. Tom and his +friends felt that the secret process they had so long sought was about +to be demonstrated before their eyes. + + + +CHAPTER XXI--FLASHING GEMS + + +Eagerly the adventurers looked through the opening at the end of the +passage into the larger cave. The men opened the small oven in which the +balls of white chemicals and carbon mixed, had been baked, and a pile of +things, that looked like irregularly-shaped marbles, were placed in the +steel box. + +This box, which was about the size of a trunk, was of massive metal. It +was placed in a recess in the solid rock, and all about were layers of +asbestos and other substances that were nonconductors of heat. + +“That box becomes red hot,” exclaimed Mr. Jenks, in a whisper. “When +things are in readiness, that lever is pulled and the diamonds are +made. I pulled it once, but I did not then know the process involved. I +supposed that the lightning had nothing to do with making the diamonds.” + +“It has--a most important part,” said Mr. Parker. The hidden adventurers +could talk in perfect safety now, for the men in the large cave were too +excited to pay much attention to them. The muttering of the thunder +grew louder, and at times a particularly loud crash told that a bolt had +struck somewhere in the vicinity of the cave. + +“But, bless my watch-charm!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, “I didn't know +lightning made diamonds.” + +“It does not--always,” went on the scientist. “But great heat and +pressure are necessary to create the gems. In nature this was probably +obtained by prehistoric volcanic fires, and by the terrific pressure of +immense rocks. It is possible to make diamonds in the laboratory of the +chemist, but they are so minute as to be practically valueless. + +“However, these men seem to have hit upon a new plan. They utilize the +terrific heat of lightning, and the pressure which is instantaneously +obtained when the bolt strikes. I am anxious to see how it is done. +Look, I think they are getting ready to make the gems.” + +Indeed there seemed to be an air of expectancy among the diamond makers. +The mixing machine had now been stopped, and, as it was more quiet +in the cave, our friends, in their hiding-place, had to speak in mere +whispers. All the men were now gathered about the great steel box. + +This receptacle had been closed by a solid metal door, which was screwed +and clamped tight. Then one of the men examined a number of heavily +insulated electric wires that extended from the box off into the +darkness where Tom and his companions could not discern them. + +“That's Folwell--the man I befriended, and who got me into this game,” + whispered Mr. Jenks. “He was also one of the first to turn against me. I +think he's one of the leaders.” + +Folwell came back, after having gone into a dark part of the cave. He +went over to an electrical switch on one of the stone walls. + +“It's almost time,” Tom heard him say to his confederates. “The storm is +coming up rapidly.” + +“Will it be severe enough?” asked one of the helpers. “We had all our +work for nothing last time. The flashes weren't heavy enough.” + +“These will be,” asserted Folwell. “The indicator shows nearly a million +volts now, and it's increasing.” + +“A million volts!” exclaimed Tom. “I hope it doesn't strike anywhere +around here.” + +“Oh, it will probably be harmlessly conducted down on the heavy wires,” + said Mr. Parker. “We are in no danger, at present, though ultimately I +expect to see the whole mountain shattered by a lightning bolt.” + +“Cheerful prospect,” murmured Tom. + +There was a terrific crash outside. The rocky floor of the cave +trembled. + +“Here she comes!” cried Folwell. “Get back, everybody! I'm going to +throw over the switch now!” + +The men retreated well away from the steel box. Folwell threw over the +lever--the same one Mr. Jenks remembered pulling. Then the man ran +to the electric switch on the wall, and snapped that into place, +establishing a connection. + +There was a moment's pause, as Folwell ran to join the others in their +place of safety. Then from without there came a most nerve-racking and +terrifying crash. It seemed as if the very mountain would be rent into +fragments. + +Watching with eager eyes, the adventurers saw sparks flash from the +steel box. Instantly it became red hot, and then glowed white and +incandescent. It was almost at the melting point. + +Then came comparative quiet, as the echoes of the thunder died away amid +the mountain peaks. + +“I guess that did the trick!” cried Folwell. “It was a terrific crash +all right!” + +He and the others ran forward. The steel box was now a cherry red, +for it was cooling. Folwell threw back the lever, and another man +disconnected the switch. There was a period of waiting until the box was +cool enough to open. Then the heavy door was swung back. + +With a long iron rod Folwell drew something from the retort. It was the +tray which had held the white balls. But they were white no longer, for +they had been turned into diamonds. From their hiding-place Tom and the +others could see the flashing gems, for, in spite of the fact that the +diamonds were uncut, some of them sparkled most brilliantly, due to the +peculiar manner in which they were made. + +“We have the secret of the diamonds!” whispered Mr. Jenks. “There must +be a quart of the gems there!” + +The men gathered about Folwell, uttering exclamations of delight. The +diamonds were too hot to handle yet. + +“That's going some!” exclaimed the chief of the diamond makers. “We have +a small fortune here.” + +The was a sudden commotion at one end of the cave. A man rushed in. At +the sight of him Tom stared and uttered an exclamation. + +“Munson--the stowaway!” he whispered. + +“Hello!” cried Folwell, as he saw his confederate. “I thought you were +East, keeping Jenks away from here.” + +“He got the best of me!” cried Munson, “he and that Tom Swift! I stowed +away on their airship, but they found me out by a wireless message, +and marooned me in the woods. I've been trying to get here ever since! +Didn't you get my messages of warning?” + +“No--what warnings?” cried Folwell. + +“About Jenks, Tom Swift and the others. They're here--they must be on +Phantom Mountain now. In fact, I shouldn't be surprised if they were in +this cave. I traced them to their camp, but they're gone. They may be +among us now--in some of the secret recesses!” + +For an instant Folwell stared at the bearer of these tidings. Then he +cried out: + +“Scatter men, and find these fellows! We must get them before they +discover our secret!” + +“It's too late--we know it!” exulted Tom Swift. Then he whispered to +the others to hurry to the part of the cave where Bill Renshaw had first +hidden them. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII--PRISONERS + + +“Do you think there is any danger of them finding us?” asked Mr. Damon, +as he hurried along beside Tom. + +“I'm afraid so,” was the answer. “I've been worried ever since we saw +Munson heading this way. But we couldn't do any differently.” + +“Perhaps Bill Renshaw may be able to conceal us,” suggested Mr. Jenks. +“Very likely he knows that Munson is on hand. Perhaps we will be safe +for a while. I want to make a few more observations as to how they +manufacture the diamonds, and then, with what I already know, I'll have +the secret.” + +“And I'd like to make some scientific tests of the sides and bottom +rocks of the cave,” spoke Mr. Parker. “I think it will bear out my +theory that the mountain will soon be destroyed.” + +“Well, you were right about Earthquake Island, and you may be right +about this mountain,” said Tom, “but if it is going to be annihilated I +hope we get far enough away from it.” + +“We can keep our presence here a secret for a few more days, I think +that will be long enough,” proceeded Mr. Jenks. “Then we will leave.” + +“And, in the meanwhile, they'll be searching for us,” objected Mr. +Damon. “I wish that ghost-chap would come back and tell us what to do. +Bless my liver-pin, but we are going to be in considerable danger, I'm +afraid! Those men may capture us, and decide to make diamond dust from +us.” + +“Come on--hurry to the little cave,” urged Tom. “Then we'll get ready to +defend ourselves.” + +“The main cave is a large one,” said Mr. Jenks, “and there are many +hiding places in it. In fact, it is so large that it will take those +fellows several days to complete a circuit of it. By that time Bill +Renshaw may come back, and take us to some place in which they have +already searched for us. Then we'll be comparatively safe.” + +This thought was some consolation to them, as they made their way +through the dark passage, dimly illuminated by the lantern they had +rekindled, to the place where Bill had hidden them. They found things +as they had left them, and proceeded to get a meal, though Tom said it +would be best not to cook anything, or even to make coffee, for fear the +odors would enable the searchers to trail them. + +So they ate cold food, glad to get that. Silently they sat about the +dimly-lighted cavern, and discussed the situation. True they might even +now retreat, going out of the entrance Bill had showed them, and so +escape. But Mr. Jenks felt that his mission was not completed yet, and +they all agreed to stay with him. + +“For there are several points about making diamonds that are not +quite clear to me,” he said. “I need to know how that steel box is +constructed, how the electrical switches are arranged, what kind of +lightning rods they use, and how they regulate the pressure. The other +things, and how to mix the ingredients, I already know.” + +“Then we'll do our best to help you,” promised Tom. “But now I think we +had better see what sort of a defense we can put up. We have our guns +and revolvers, and with these chairs and tables we can build a sort of +barricade behind which we can take refuge if those fellows do discover +our hiding place.” + +This was conceded to be a good idea, and soon a rude sort of fort was +made, behind which the adventurers could take their stand and fight, if +necessary, though they hoped this would not come to pass. + +They remained quietly in the cave the remainder of that day, and, when +it was night, as they could tell by their timepieces--there was no +daylight--they divided the hours into watches, taking turns standing +guard. + +Morning, at least in point of time, came without any disturbance, and +they made a cold breakfast. They hoped that Bill Renshaw would come, but +he did not appear. + +After sitting in the dark cave until afternoon, Tom said: + +“I think we might as well go and take another observation of the big +cave. We can tell what the men are doing, then, for they don't seem to +have been near us. Maybe they have given up the search for us, and we +can see them at work, and Mr. Jenks can gain what further knowledge he +needs.” + +“That will be a good plan,” agreed the diamond man. “It's maddening to +sit here, doing nothing.” + +“And it will be comparatively safe to go from here to our former post of +observation,” added Tom, “for there doesn't seem to be any opening along +the tunnel, into the larger cave, except the place where we were.” + +Accordingly they started off. Cautiously they looked through the opening +into the apartment where they had seen the diamonds made. + +“There's not a soul here!” exclaimed Tom, in a whisper. The others +looked. The place was deserted--the machinery silent. Mr. Jenks peered +in for a moment, and then exclaimed: + +“I'm going in! Now's my chance to find out all that I wish to know! It +may never come again, and then we can soon leave Phantom Mountain!” + +It was a daring plan, but it seemed to be the best one to follow. They +were all tired of inactivity. Mr. Jenks managed to get through the +opening, and dropped into the big cave. The others followed. Mr. Jenks +hurried over to the steel box, and began an examination of it. Tom Swift +was looking at the electrical switch. He saw how it was constructed. Mr. +Damon and Mr. Parker were peering interestedly about. + +Suddenly the sound of voices was heard, and the echo of footsteps. Mr. +Jenks started. + +“They're coming back!” he whispered hoarsely. “Run!” + +They all turned and sped toward their hiding place. But they were too +late. An instant later Folwell, Munson and the other diamond makers +confronted them. Our friends made a bold rush, but were caught before +they could go ten feet. + +“We have them!” cried Munson. “They walked right into our hands!” + +It was true. Tom Swift and the others were the prisoners of the diamond +makers. + + + +CHAPTER XXIII--BROKEN BONDS + + +“Well,” remarked Tom Swift, in mournful tones, “this looks as if we were +up against it; doesn't it?” + +“Bless my umbrella, it certainly does,” agreed Mr. Damon. + +“And it's all my fault,” said Mr. Jenks. “I shouldn't have gone into the +big cave. I might have known those men would come back any time.” + +The above conversation took place as our friends lay securely bound in +a small cave, or recess, opening from the larger cavern, where, about +an hour before, they had been captured and made prisoners by the diamond +makers. Despite their struggles they had been overpowered and bound, +being carried to the cave, where they were laid in a row on some old +bags. + +“It certainly is a most unpleasant situation, to say the least,” + observed Mr. Parker. + +“And all my fault,” repeated Mr. Jenks. + +“Oh, no it isn't,” declared Tom Swift, quickly. “We were just as ready +to follow you into that cave as you were to go. No one could tell that +the men would return so soon. It's nobody's fault. It's just our bad +luck.” + +From where he lay, tied hand and foot, the young inventor could look +out into the cave where he and the others had been caught. The diamond +makers were busily engaged, apparently in getting ready to manufacture +another batch of the precious stones. They paid little attention to +their captives, save to warn them, when they had first been taken into +the little cave, that it was useless to try to escape. + +“They needn't have told us that,” observed Tom, as he and the others +were talking over their situation in low voices. “I don't believe any +one could loosen these ropes.” + +“They certainly are pretty tight,” agreed Mr. Damon. “I've been tugging +and straining at mine for the last half hour, and all I've succeeded in +doing is to make the cords cut into my flesh.” + +“Better give it up,” advised Mr. Jenks. + +“We'll just have to wait.” + +“For what?” the scientist wanted to know. + +“To see what they'll do with us. They can't keep us here forever. +They'll have to let us go some time.” Following their capture, Folwell +and Munson, the latter the stowaway of the airship, had been in earnest +conversation regarding our friends, but what conclusion they had reached +the adventurers could only guess. + +“And we didn't have time to examine the diamond-making machinery close +enough so that we could duplicate it if necessary,” complained Tom, a +little later. + +“No,” agreed Mr. Jenks. “There are certain things about it that are not +clear to me. Well, I don't believe I'll have another chance to inspect +it. They'll take good care of that, though they seem to be getting ready +to make more diamonds.” + +“Perhaps they're going to manufacture a big batch, and then leave this +place,” suggested Mr. Damon. “They will probably go to some other secret +cave, and leave us here.” + +“I hope they untie us before they leave, and give us something to eat,” + remarked the young inventor. + +For two hours longer the captives lay there, in most uncomfortable +positions. Then Folwell and Munson, leaving the group of diamond makers +who were grouped about the machinery, approached the captives. + +“Well,” remarked Munson, “we got ahead of you after all; didn't we. You +thought you had our secret, but it will be a long while before you ever +make diamonds.” + +“What are you going to do with us?” asked Tom. + +“Never mind. You came where you had no right to, and you must take the +consequences.” + +“We did have a right to come here!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. “I am entitled +to know how the diamonds are made. I paid for the information, and you +tricked me. If ever it's possible I'll have the whole gang arrested for +swindling.” + +“You'll never get the chance!” declared Folwell. “You were given some +diamonds for the money you invested, and that makes us square.” + +“No, it doesn't!” declared Mr. Jenks. “I invested the money to learn how +to make diamonds, and you know it! You tricked me, and I had a right +to try to discover your secret! I nearly have it, too, and I'll get it +completely before I'm done with you!” + +“No, you won't!” boasted Folwell. “But we didn't come here to tell you +that. We came to give you something to eat. We're not savages and +we'll treat you as well as we can in spite of the fact that you are +trespassers. We're going to give you some grub, but I warn you that any +attempt to escape will mean that some of you will get hurt.” + +He signalled to some of his confederates. These men unbound the +captives' arms, and stood over them while they ate some coarse food that +was brought into the small cave. They were given coffee to drink, and +then, when the simple meal was over, they were securely bound again, +and left to themselves, while the diamond makers went back to their +machinery. + +It was evident that they were going to attempt a big operation, for an +unusually large quantity of the white stuff was prepared. The prisoners +watched them idly. They could see some but not all of the operations. In +this way several hours passed. + +Gloom possessed the hearts of Tom and his friends. Not only had their +expedition been almost a failure so far, but the young inventor was +worried lest the gang might discover and wreck his airship. This would +prove a serious loss. Lying there in the semi-darkness the lad imagined +all sorts of unpleasant happenings. + +At times he dozed off, as did the others. They had become somewhat used +to the pain caused by the bonds, for their nerves were numb from the +strain and pressure. + +Once, as he was lightly sleeping, Tom was awakened by hearing loud +voices in the main cave. He looked out, rolling over slightly to get a +better view. He saw the man who, once before had run in to give news of +an approaching electrical storm. + +“Are you fellows all ready?” asked this same man again. + +“Yes. Is there another storm coming?” + +“Yes, and it's going to be a corker!” was the reply. “It's one of the +worst I've ever seen. It's sweeping right up the valley. It'll be here +in an hour.” + +“That's good. We need a big flash to make all the material we have +prepared into diamonds. It's the biggest batch we ever tried. I hope it +succeeds, for we're going to leave--” The rest was in so low a tone that +Tom could not catch it. + +The storm messenger departed. Folwell and Munson busied themselves about +the machinery. Tom dozed off again, dimly wondering what had become of +Bill Renshaw, and whether the former ghost knew of their plight. The +others were asleep, as the young inventor saw by the dim light of a +lantern in the cave. Then, he too, shut his eyes. + +Tom was suddenly awakened by feeling some one's hands moving about his +clothing. At first he thought it was one of the diamond-making gang, who +had sneaked in to rob him. “Here! What are you up to?” exclaimed Tom. + +“Quiet!” cautioned a voice. “Are you all here?” + +“All of us--yes. But who are you?” + +“Easy--keep quiet, Tom Swift! I'm Bill Renshaw! I've been searching all +over for you, since I got back to your cave and found it empty. Now I'm +going to free you. I got in here by a secret entrance. Wait, I'll cut +your ropes.” There was a slight sound, and an instant later Tom was +freed from his bonds. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV--IN GREAT PERIL + + +The young inventor could scarcely believe the good luck that had so +unexpectedly come to him and his companions. No sooner was Tom able to +move freely about than Bill Renshaw performed the same service for Mr. +Jenks and the others, cautioning them to be quiet as he awakened them, +and cut the ropes. + +“Bless my circulation!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, in a hoarse whisper. “How +did you ever get here. I'd given ourselves up for lost.” + +“Oh, I came in off the mountain, as there's a big storm due,” explained +the man. “There was no need of me playing the haunt in daytime, anyhow. +I went to the cave, found you and your things gone, and I surmised that +you might have walked into some trap.” + +“We did,” admitted Mr. Jenks, grimly. + +“Well, I hunted around until I found you,” went on Bill. “This mountain +is honeycombed with caves, all opening from the large one, I know them +better than these fellows do, so I could explore freely, and keep out of +their sight. They didn't know that there was a second entrance to this +place, but I did, and I made for it, when I couldn't find you in some of +the other caves where I looked. And, sure enough, here you were.” + +“Well, we can't thank you enough,” said Mr. Parker. “But you say there +is a big storm coming?” + +“One of the biggest that's been around these parts in some time,” + replied Bill. + +“Then perhaps the mountain will be destroyed,” went on the scientist, as +calmly as if he had remarked that it might rain. + +“I hope nothing like that happens until we get away,” spoke Mr. Damon, +fervently. + +“What had we better do?” inquired Tom. + +“Get away, unless you want to discover some more of their secrets,” + advised Bill. “Those fellows are planning something, but I can't find +out what it is. They are suspicious of me, I think. But they are up to +something, and I believe, it would be best for you to leave while you +have the chance. It may not be healthy to stay. That's why I did my best +to untie you.” + +“We appreciate what you have done,” declared Mr. Jenks, “but I want my +rights. I must learn a few more facts about how to make diamonds from +lightning flashes, and then I will have the same secret they cheated me +out of. I think if we wait a while we may be able to see the parts of +the process that are not quite clear to us. What do you say, Tom Swift?” + +“Well, I would like to learn the secret,” replied the lad, “and if Bill +thinks it's safe to stay here a while longer--” + +“Oh, I guess it will be safe enough,” was the reply. “Those fellows +won't bother about you now that they are about to make some more +diamonds. Besides, they think you're all tied up. Yes, you can stay here +and watch, I reckon. I've got a couple of guns, and--” + +“Then we'll stay,” decided Tom. “We can put up a better fight now.” + +Silently, in their prison, but which they could now leave whenever they +pleased, the adventurers watched the diamond makers once more. The same +process they had witnessed before was gone through with. The white balls +were put inside the steel box and sealed up. Then they waited for the +storm to reach its height. + +That this would not be long was evidenced by the mutterings of thunder +which every moment grew louder. The outburst of electrical fury was +likely to take place momentarily, and that it would be unusually severe +was shown by the precautions taken by the diamond makers. They attached +a number of extra wires, and brought out some insulated, hard rubber +platforms, on which they themselves stood. Tom and Mr. Jenks were much +interested in watching this detail of the work, and sought to learn how +each part of the process was done. + +“I almost think we can make diamonds, Tom, when we get back to +civilization,” whispered Mr. Jenks. + +“I hope we can,” answered Tom, “and we can't get back any too soon to +suit me. I want to be in my airship again.” + +“I don't blame you. But look, they are getting ready to adjust the +switch.” + +The adventurers ceased their whispered talk, and eagerly watched the +diamond makers. Folwell and Munson were hurrying to and fro in the big +cave, attending to the adjustments of the machinery. + +“On your insulated plates--all of you,” Folwell gave the order. “This +is going to be a terrific storm. The gage shows twice the power we have +ever used, and it's creeping up every minute! We'll have more diamonds +than ever had before!” + +“Yes, if the mountain isn't destroyed,” added Mr. Parker, in a low +voice. “I predict that it will be split from top to bottom!” + +“Comforting,” thought Tom, grimly. + +“I guess we're all ready,” said Folwell, in a low tone to Munson. “We'd +better get insulated ourselves. I'm going to throw the switch.” + +He did so. A moment later the man who had before given warning of the +storm came dashing in. He was very much excited. + +“It's awful!” he cried. “The lightning is striking all over! Big rocks +are being split like logs of wood!” + +“Well, it can't do any damage in here,” said Munson. “We are well +protected. Get on one of the plates,” and he motioned to one of the +hard-rubber platforms that was not occupied. The roar and rumble of the +storm outside had given place to short terrific crashes. In their small +cave the adventurers could feel the solid ground shake. + +A bluish light began dancing about the electrical wires. There was a +smell of sulphur in the air. Crash after crash resounded outside. A +flash of flame lit up the whole interior of the cave. It came from the +copper switch. + +“Something's wrong with the insulation!” cried Munson. + +“Don't go near it!” yelled Folwell. “If you value your life, stand +still!” + +Hardly had he spoken than inside the cavern there sounded a report like +that of a small cannon. A big ball of fire danced about the middle of +the cave and then leaped on top of the steel box. + +“This is a fearful storm,” cried Munson. + +The adventurers in the cave did not know what to say or do. They were in +deadly peril. + +Suddenly there came a crash louder than any that had preceded it. The +whole side of the cave where the switches were was a mass of bluish +flame. Then came a ripping, tearing sound, and a tangle of wires and +copper connections were thrown to the floor. At the same time the steel +box, containing the materials from which diamonds were made, turned +blue, and flames shot from it. + +“It's all up with us!” cried Munson. “Run for it, everybody! The wires +are down, and this place will be an electric furnace in another minute!” + +He leaped toward the exit from the cave. + +“What about those fellows?” asked Folwell, indicating the place where +Tom and the others had been tied. + +“They'll have to do the best they can! It's every man for himself, now!” + yelled Munson. There was a wild scramble from the cavern. + +“Come on!” cried Tom. “We must escape! It's our only chance!” + +He leaped into the big cave, followed by the others. Already long +tongues of electrical fire were shooting out from the walls and roof as +Tom Swift and his companions, evading them as best they could, sought +safety in flight. + + + +CHAPTER XXV--THE MOUNTAIN SHATTERED--CONCLUSION + + +“Can't we get some of the diamonds?” cried Mr. Damon, as he raced along +behind Tom. “Now's our chance. Those fellows have all gone!” The odd man +made a grab for something as he ran. + +“It's as much as our lives are worth,” declared the young inventor. “We +dare not stop! Come on!” + +“I'd like to investigate some of the machinery,” spoke Mr. Jenks, “but I +wouldn't stop, even for that.” + +“The storm is too dangerous,” called Bill Renshaw. “I can show you a +shorter way out than the one those fellows have taken. Follow me.” + +“No way can be too short,” said Mr. Parker, solemnly. “This mountain +will go to pieces shortly, I think!” + +Tom shuddered. He remembered how narrow had been their escape when +Earthquake Island sank into the sea. And that some terrific upheaval was +now imminent might be judged from the awful reports that sounded more +plainly as the adventurers raced toward the opening of the cave. It was +like the bombardment of some doomed city. + +Mr. Jenks and Tom cast one longing look behind at the complicated and +expensive machinery that had been installed in the cave by the diamond +makers. They had abandoned it, and in it lay the secret of making +precious gems. But there was no time to stop now, and investigate. + +“This way,” urged Bill Renshaw. “We'll soon be out.” + +“But won't it be dangerous to go outside?” asked Mr. Damon. “Shan't we +be struck by lightning? There is some protection in here.” + +“None at all,” said Mr. Parker, quickly. “This mountain is a natural +lightning rod. To stay here in this cave will be sure death when the +storm gets directly over it. And that will be very soon. We must get +on insulated ground. Is there any part of this mountain that does not +contain iron ore?” the scientist asked of the former spirit. + +“Yes; the way out by which we are going lands on a dirt hill.” + +“That's good; then we may be saved.” + +On they ran. They had no lanterns, but the blue light of the +electricity, as it leaped from point to point inside the cave, where +there were outcroppings of iron ore, made the place bright enough to +see. + +“Here we are!” cried Bill Renshaw at length. “Here's the way out!” + +Making a sudden turn in the winding passage he showed the adventurers +a small opening in the side of the crag. In an instant they had passed +through, and found themselves in daylight once more. The sudden glare +almost blinded them, for, though the sky was overcast by clouds, from +which jagged tongues of lightning played, the outside was much lighter +than the dark cave. + +“I should say it was a storm!” cried Tom Swift. “See, it is striking +every minute, and all around us!” + +In fact, lightning bolts were falling on every side of the adventurers. +Every time the balls of fire struck, they burst open great stones, +or seared a livid scar on the face of some cliff. As for Tom and the +others, they stood on a dry dirt hill, in which, fortunately, there was +no iron ore. To this fact they undoubtedly owed their lives, though +had there been rain, to moisten the ground and make the earth a good +conductor of electricity, they probably would have been badly shocked. +But the electrical outburst was not accompanied by rain. + +Tom looked up. He saw a compact mass of cloud moving toward the summit +of the mountain on the slope of which they stood. From this cloud there +played shafts of reddish-green fire. + +“Look!” called the young inventor to Mr. Parker. The instant the latter +saw the cloud, he cried: + +“We must get away from here by all means! That is the center of the +storm. As soon as it gets over the mountain, where that lightning rod +is, all the electrical fluid will be discharged in one bolt at the +mountain, and it will be destroyed! We must run, but keep on the dirt +places! Run for your lives!” + +They needed no second warning. Turning, they fled down the steep side of +the mountain, slipping and stumbling, but taking care not to step on any +iron ore. Behind them flashed the lightning bolts. + +Suddenly there was a most awful crash. It seemed as if the end of the +world had come, and the ear drums of Tom and his companion almost burst +with the fearful report. The concussion knocked them down, and they lay +stunned for a moment. + +Following the terrible report there was a low, rumbling sound. Hardly +knowing whether he was dead or alive, Tom opened his eyes and looked +about him. What he saw caused him to cry out in terror. + +The whole mountain seemed bathed in fire. Great blue, red and green +flashes played around it. Then the towering cliff seemed to melt and +crumble up, and the great peak, the top of it containing the diamond +makers' cave, from which they had fled but a few minutes before, the +entire summit was toppled over into the valley on the other side, and in +the direction opposite to that where the adventurers stood. + +Then came a profound silence, and the lightning ceased. The storm was +over, and only the rattle of stones and boulders, as they came to rest +in the valley below, reached the ears of our friends. + +“Phantom Mountain has been destroyed, just as I said it would be,” spoke +Mr. Parker, solemnly. Once more he had prophesied correctly. + +For a few minutes the adventurers hardly knew what to say. They arose +awkwardly from the ground where the shock had tossed them. Then Tom +remarked, as calmly as possible: + +“Well, it's all over. I guess we may as well get back to our airship.” + +“What became of Munson and the others?” asked Mr. Damon. + +Mr. Jenks pointed to the trail, far below. The figures of some men, +running madly, could be seen. + +“There they go,” he said; “I fancy we have seen the last of them.” And +they had, for some time at least. + +There was little use lingering any longer on Phantom Mountain--indeed +little of it was left on which to remain. Looking back toward the place +where the cave had been, Tom and the others started forward again. +The diamond-making machinery had all been destroyed. So, also, had the +finished diamonds stored in the cavern and the large supply which had +probably been made by the last terrific crash. No one would ever have +them now. Tom and Mr. Jenks felt a sense of disappointment, but they +were glad to have escaped with their lives. They sought their former +camp, but the tent and all their food was buried under tons of earth and +rocks. + +Three days later, after rather severe hardships, they were near the +place where they had left the Red Cloud. They had suffered cold and +hunger, for they had no food supplies, and, had it not been that Bill +Renshaw knew the haunts of some game, of which they managed to snare +some, they would have fared badly, for they had left their guns in the +cave. + +“Well, there are the trees behind which I hope my airship is hidden,” + announced Tom, as they came to the spot. “Good old Red Cloud! Maybe we +won't do some eating when we get aboard, eh?” + +“Bless my appetite! but we certainly will!” cried Mr. Damon. + +“There's somebody walking around the place,” spoke Mr. Jenks. + +“I hope it's no one who has damaged the ship,” came from Tom, +apprehensively. He broke into a run, and soon confronted an aged miner, +who seemed to have established a rude sort of camp near the airship. + +“Is anything the matter?” asked Tom, breathlessly. “Is my airship all +right?” + +“I guess she's all right, stranger,” was the reply. “I don't know much +about these contraptions, but I haven't touched her. I knowed she was an +airship, for I've seen pictures of 'em, and I've been waiting until the +owner came along.” + +“Why?” asked Tom, wonderingly. + +“Because I've got a proposition to make to you,” went on the miner, who +said his name was Abe Abercrombie. “I've been a miner for a good many +years, and I'm just back from Alaska, prospecting around here. I haven't +had any luck, but I know of a gold mine in Alaska that will make us all +rich. Only it needs an airship to get to it, and I've been figuring how +to hire one. Then I comes along, and I sees this big one, and I makes up +my mind to stay here until the owners come back. That's what I've done. +Now, if I prove that I'm telling the truth, will you go to Alaska--to +the valley of gold with me?” + +“I don't know,” answered Tom, to whom the proposition was rather sudden. +“We've just had some pretty startling adventures, and we're almost +starved. Wait until we get something to eat, and we'll talk. Come aboard +the Red Cloud,” and the lad led the way to his craft which was in as +good condition as when he left it to go to the diamond cave. Later he +listened to the miner's story. + +Tom Swift did go to the valley of gold in Alaska, and what happened to +him and his companions there will be told of in the next volume of this +series, to be called “Tom Swift in the Caves of Ice; or, the Wreck of +the Airship.” + +It did not take our friends long, after they had eaten a hearty meal, +to generate some fresh gas, and start the Red Cloud on her homeward way. +Tom wanted to take Bill Renshaw with him, but the old man said he would +rather remain among the mountains where he had been born. So, after +paying him well for his services, they said good-by to him. Abercrombie, +the miner, also remained behind, but promised to call and see Tom in a +few months. + +“Well, we didn't make any money out of this trip,” observed Mr. Jenks, +rather dubiously, as they were nearing Shopton, after an uneventful +trip. “I guess I owe you considerable, Tom Swift. I promised to get you +a lot of diamonds, but all I have are those I had from my first visit to +the cave.” + +“Oh, that's all right,” spoke Tom, easily. “The experience was worth all +the trip cost.” + +“Speaking of diamonds, look here!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, suddenly, and he +pulled out a double handful. + +“Where did you get them?” cried the others in astonishment. + +“I grabbed them up, as we ran from the cave,” said the eccentric man; +“but, bless my gaiters! I forgot all about them until you spoke. We'll +share them.” + +These diamonds, some of which were large, proved very valuable, though +the total sum was far below what Mr. Jenks hoped to make when he started +on the remarkable trip. Tom gave Mary Nestor a very fine stone, and it +was set in a ring, instead of a pin, this time. + +On their arrival in Shopton, where Mr. Swift, the housekeeper, Mr. +Jackson and Eradicate Sampson were much alarmed for Tom's safety, an +attempt was made to manufacture diamonds, using a powerful electric +current instead of lightning. But it was not a success, and so Mr. Jenks +concluded to give up his search for the secret which was lost on Phantom +Mountain. + +And now we will take leave of Tom Swift, to meet him again soon in other +adventures he is destined to have in the caves of ice and the valley of +gold. + + + + +THE END + + + + + THE TOM SWIFT SERIES + + By VICTOR APPLETON + + + TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE + Or Fun and Adventure on the Road + TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT + Or The Rivals of Lake Carlopa + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP + Or The Stirring Cruise of the Red Cloud + TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT + Or Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT + Or The Speediest Car on the Road + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE + Or The Castaways of Earthquake Island + TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS + Or The Secret of Phantom Mountain + TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE + Or The wreck of the Airship + TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER + Or The Quickest Flight on Record + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE + Or Daring Adventures In Elephant Land + TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD + Or Marvelous Adventures Underground + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER + Or seeking the Platinum Treasure + TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY + Or A Daring Escape by Airship + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA + Or The Perils of Moving Picture Taking + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT + Or On the Border for Uncle Sam + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON + Or The Longest Shots on Record + TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE + Or The Picture that Saved a Fortune + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP + Or The Naval Terror of the Seas + TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL + Or The Hidden City of the Andes + + + + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS SERIES + + By VICTOR APPLETON + + + In these stories we follow the adventures of three boys, who, + after purchasing at auction the contents of a moving picture + house, open a theatre of their own. Their many trials and + tribulations, leading up to the final success of their venture, + make very entertaining stories. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' FIRST VENTURE + + Or Opening a Photo Playhouse in Fairlands. + + The adventures of Frank, Randy and Pep in running a Motion + Picture show. They had trials and tribulations but finally + succeed. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS AT SEASIDE PARK + + Or The Rival Photo Theatres of the Boardwalk. + + Their success at Fairlands encourages the boys to open their + show at Seaside Park, where they have exciting adventures--also a + profitable season. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS ON BROADWAY + + Or The Mystery of the Missing Cash Box. + + Backed by a rich western friend the chums established a photo + playhouse in the great metropolis, where new adventures await + them. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' OUTDOOR EXHIBITION + + Or The Film that Solved a Mystery. + + This time the playhouse was in a big summer park. How a + film that was shown gave a clew to an important mystery + is interestingly related. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' NEW IDEA + + Or The First Educational Photo Playhouse. + + In this book the scene is shifted to Boston, and there is + intense rivalry in the establishment of photo playhouses of + educational value. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS AT THE FAIR + + Or The Greatest Film Ever Exhibited. + + The chums go to San Francisco, where they have some trials + but finally meet with great success. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' WAR SPECTACLE + + Or The Film that Won the Prize. + + Through being of service to the writer of a great scenario, the + chums are enabled to produce it and win a prize. + + + + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH SERIES + + By GRAHAM B. FORBES + + + Never was there a cleaner, brighter, more manly boy than Frank + Allen, the hero of this series of boys tales, and never was there + a better crowd of lads to associate with than the students of the + School. All boys will read these stories with deep interest. The + rivalry between the towns along the river was of the keenest, and + plots and counterplots to win the champions, at baseball, at + football, at boat racing, at track athletics, and at ice hockey, + were without number. Any lad reading one volume of this series + will surely want the others. + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH + Or The All Around Rivals of the School + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE DIAMOND + Or Winning Out by Pluck + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE RIVER + Or The Boat Race Plot that Failed + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE GRIDIRON + Or The Struggle for the Silver Cup + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE ICE + Or Out for the Hockey Championship + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH IN TRACK ATHLETICS + Or A Long Run that Won + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH IN WINTER SPORTS + Or Stirring Doings on Skates and Iceboats + + + 12mo. Illustrated. Handsomely bound in cloth, with cover design + and wrappers in colors. + + GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + + + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS SERIES + + By CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN + + + The outdoor chums are four wide-awake lads, Sons of wealthy men + of a small city located on a lake. The boys love outdoor life, + and are greatly interested in hunting, fishing, and picture + taking. They have motor cycles, motor boats, canoes, etc., and + during their vacations go everywhere and have all sorts of + thrilling adventures. The stories give full directions for + camping out, how to fish, how to hunt wild animals and prepare + the skins for stuffing, how to manage a canoe, how to swim, etc. + Full of the spirit of outdoor life. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS + Or The First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE LAKE + Or Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE FOREST + Or Laying the Ghost of Oak Ridge. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE GULF + Or Rescuing the Lost Balloonists. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME + Or Perilous Adventures in the Wilderness. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON A HOUSEBOAT + Or The Rivals of the Mississippi. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE BIG WOODS + Or The Rival Hunters at Lumber Run. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AT CABIN POINT + Or The Golden Cup Mystery. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Tom Swift Among The Diamond Makers, by +Victor Appleton + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS *** + +***** This file should be named 1282-0.txt or 1282-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/8/1282/ + +Produced by Anthony Matonac + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Tom Swift Among The Diamond Makers + or The Secret of Phantom Mountain + +Author: Victor Appleton + +Release Date: November 6, 2009 [EBook #1282] +Last Updated: March 14, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS *** + + + + +Produced by Anthony Matonac, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS + </h1> + <h3> + or The Secret of Phantom Mountain + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Victor Appleton + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> + </td> + <td> + A SUSPICIOUS JEWELER + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> + </td> + <td> + A MIDNIGHT VISIT + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> + </td> + <td> + A STRANGE STORY + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> + </td> + <td> + ANDY FOGER GETS A FRIGHT + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> + </td> + <td> + A MYSTERIOUS MAN + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> + </td> + <td> + MR. DAMON IS ON HAND + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a> + </td> + <td> + MR. PARKER PREDICTS + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> + </td> + <td> + OFF FOR THE WEST + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a> + </td> + <td> + A WARNING BY WIRELESS + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. </a> + </td> + <td> + DROPPING THE STOWAWAY + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. </a> + </td> + <td> + A WEARY SEARCH + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE GREAT STONE HEAD + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. </a> + </td> + <td> + ON PHANTOM MOUNTAIN + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. </a> + </td> + <td> + WARNED BACK + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE LANDSLIDE + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE VAST CAVERN + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE PHANTOM CAPTURED + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII. </a> + </td> + <td> + BILL RENSHAW WILL HELP + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX. </a> + </td> + <td> + IN THE SECRET CAVE + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX. </a> + </td> + <td> + MAKING THE DIAMONDS + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI. </a> + </td> + <td> + FLASHING GEMS + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII. </a> + </td> + <td> + PRISONERS + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII. </a> + </td> + <td> + BROKEN BONDS + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV. </a> + </td> + <td> + IN GREAT PERIL + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE MOUNTAIN SHATTERED. CONCLUSION + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER I—A SUSPICIOUS JEWELER + </h2> + <p> + “Well, Tom Swift, I don't believe you will make any mistake if you buy + that diamond,” said the jeweler to a young man who was inspecting a tray + of pins, set with the sparkling stones. “It is of the first water, and + without a flaw.” + </p> + <p> + “It certainly seems so, Mr. Track. I don't know much about diamonds, and + I'm depending on you. But this one looks to be all right.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it for yourself, Tom?” + </p> + <p> + “Er—no—that is, not exactly,” and Tom Swift, the young + inventor of airships and submarines, blushed slightly. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, I see. It's for your housekeeper, Mrs. Baggert. Well, I think she + would like a pin of this sort. True, it's rather expensive, but—” + </p> + <p> + “No, it isn't for Mrs. Baggert, Mr. Track,” and Tom seemed a bit + embarrassed. + </p> + <p> + “No? Well, then, Tom—of course it's none of my affair, except to + sell you a good stone, But if this brooch is for a young lady, I can't + recommend anything nicer. Do you think you will take this; or do you + prefer to look at some others?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I think this will do, Mr. Track. I guess I'll take—” + </p> + <p> + Tom's words were interrupted by a sudden action on the part of the + jeweler. Mr. Track ran from behind the showcase and hastened toward the + front door. + </p> + <p> + “Did you see him, Tom?” he cried. “I wonder which way he went?” + </p> + <p> + “Who?” asked the lad, following the shopkeeper. + </p> + <p> + “That man. He's been walking up and down in front of my place for the last + ten minutes—ever since you've been in here, in fact, and I don't + like his looks.” + </p> + <p> + “What did he do?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing much, except to stare in here as if he was sizing my place up.” + </p> + <p> + “Sizing it up?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. Getting the lay of the land, so he or some confederate could commit + a robbery, maybe.” + </p> + <p> + “A robbery? Do you think that man was a thief?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know that he was, Tom, and yet a jeweler has to be always on the + watch, and that isn't a joke, either, Tom Swift. Swindlers and thieves are + always on the alert for a chance to rob a jewelry store, and they work + many games.” + </p> + <p> + “I didn't notice any particular man looking in here,” said Tom, who still + held the diamond brooch in his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Well I did,” went on the jeweler. “I happened to glance out of the window + when you were looking at the pins, and I saw his eyes staring in here in a + suspicious manner. He may have a confederate with him, and, when you're + gone, one may come in, and pretend to want to look at some diamonds. Then, + when I'm showing him some, the other man will enter, engage my attention, + and the first man will slip out with a diamond ring or pin. It's often + done.” + </p> + <p> + “You seem to have it all worked out, Mr. Track,” observed the lad, with a + smile. “How do you know but what I'm in with a gang of thieves, and that + I'm only pretending to want to buy a diamond pin?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I guess I haven't known you, Tom Swift, ever since you were big + enough to toddle, not to be sure about what you're up to. But I certainly + didn't like the looks of that man. However, let's forget about him. He + seems to have gone down the street, and, after all, perhaps I was + mistaken. Just wait until I show you a few more styles before you decide. + The young lady may like one of these,” and the jeweler went to another + showcase and took out some more trays of brooches. + </p> + <p> + “What makes you think she's a young lady, Mr. Track?” asked the lad. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it's easy guessing, Tom. We jewelers are good readers of character. I + can size up a young fellow coming in here to buy an engagement or a + wedding ring, as soon as he enters the door. I suppose you'll soon be in + the market for one of those, Tom, if all the reports I hear about you are + true—you and a certain Mary Nestor.” + </p> + <p> + “I—er—I think I don't care for any of these pins,” spoke Tom, + quickly, with a blush. “I like the first lot best. I think I'll take the + one I had in my hand when that man alarmed you. Ha! That's odd! What did I + do with it?” + </p> + <p> + Tom looked about on the showcase, and glanced down on the floor. He had + mislaid the brooch, but the jeweler, with a laugh, lifted it out of a tray + a moment later. + </p> + <p> + “I saw you lay it down,” he said. “We jewelers have to be on the watch. + Here it is. I'll just put it in a box, and—” + </p> + <p> + With an exclamation, Mr. Track gave a hasty glance toward his big show + window. Tom looked up, and saw a man's face peering in. At the sight of + it, he, too, uttered a cry of surprise. + </p> + <p> + The next instant the man outside knocked on the glass, apparently with a + piece of metal, making a sharp sound. As soon as he heard it, the jeweler + once more sprang from behind the showcase, and leaped for the door crying: + </p> + <p> + “There's the thief! He's trying to cut a hole through my show window and + reach in and get something! It's an old trick. I'll get the police! Tom, + you stay here on guard!” and before the lad could utter a protest, the + jeweler had opened the door, and was speeding down the street in the + gathering darkness. + </p> + <p> + Tom stared about him in some bewilderment. He was left alone in charge of + a very valuable stock of jewelry, the owner of which was racing after a + supposed thief, crying: + </p> + <p> + “Police! Help! Thieves! Stop him, somebody!” + </p> + <p> + “This is a queer go,” mused Tom. “I wonder who that man was? He looked + like somebody I know, and yet I can't seem to place his face. I wonder if + he was trying to rob the place? Maybe there's another one—a + confederate—around here.” + </p> + <p> + This thought rather alarmed Tom, so he went to the door, and looked up and + down the street. He could see no suspicious characters, but in the + direction in which the jeweler was running there was a little throng of + people, following Mr. Track after the man who had knocked on the window. + </p> + <p> + “I wish I was there, instead of here,” mused the lad. “Still I can't + leave, or a thief might come in. Perhaps that was the game, and one of the + gang is hanging around, hoping the store will be deserted, so he can enter + and take what he likes.” + </p> + <p> + Tom had read of such cases, and he at once resolved that he would not only + remain in the jewelry shop, but that he would lock the door, which he at + once proceeded to do. Then he breathed easier. + </p> + <p> + The town of Shopton, in the outskirts of which Tom lived with his father, + and where the scene above narrated took place, was none too well lighted + at night, and the lad had his doubts about the jeweler catching the + oddly-acting man, especially as the latter had a good start. + </p> + <p> + “But some one may head him off,” reasoned Tom. “Though if they do catch + him, I don't see what they can prove against him. Hello, here I am + carrying this diamond pin around. I might lose it. Guess I'll put it back + on the tray.” + </p> + <p> + He replaced in the proper receptacle one of the pins he had been examining + when the excitement occurred. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder if Mary will like that?” he said, softly. “I hope she does. + Perhaps it would be better if she could come here herself and pick out one—” + </p> + <p> + Tom's musing was suddenly interrupted by a sharp tattoo on the glass door + of the jewelry shop. With a start, he looked up, to see staring in on him + the face of the man who had been there before—the man of whom the + jeweler was even then in chase. + </p> + <p> + “Why—why——” stammered Tom. + </p> + <p> + The man knocked again. + </p> + <p> + “Tom—Tom Swift!” he called. “Don't you know me?” + </p> + <p> + “Know you—you?” repeated the lad. + </p> + <p> + “Yes—don't you remember Earthquake Island—how we were nearly + killed there—don't you remember Mr. Jenks?” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Jenks?” + </p> + <p> + Tom was so startled that he could only repeat words after the strange man, + who was talking to him from outside the glass door. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Mr. Jenks,” was the reply. “Mr. Barcoe Jenks, who makes diamonds. I + saw you in the store about to buy a diamond—I wanted to tell you not + to—I'll give you a better diamond than you can buy—I just + arrived in this place—I must have a private talk with you—Come + out—I'll share a wonderful secret with you.” + </p> + <p> + A flood of memory came to Tom. He did recall the very strange man who + walked around Earthquake Island—where Tom and some friends had been + marooned recently—walked about with a pocketful of what he said were + diamonds. Now Barcoe Jenks was here. + </p> + <p> + “I must see you privately, Tom Swift,” went on Mr. Jenks, as he once more + tapped on the glass. “Don't waste money buying diamonds, when you and I + can make better ones. Where can I have a talk with you? I—” Mr. + Jenks suddenly looked down the dimly-lighted street. “They're coming + back!” he cried. “I don't want to be seen. I'll call at your house later + to-night—be on the watch for me—until then—good-by!” + </p> + <p> + He waved his hand, and was gone in an instant. Tom stood staring at the + glass door. He hardly knew whether to believe it or not—perhaps it + was all a dream. + </p> + <p> + He pinched himself to make sure that he was awake. Very substantial flesh + met his thumb and finger, and he felt the pain. + </p> + <p> + “I'm awake all right,” he murmured. “But Barcoe Jenks here—and still + talking that nonsense about his manufactured diamonds. I think he must be + crazy. I wonder—” + </p> + <p> + Once more the lad's musing was interrupted. He heard a murmur of excited + voices outside the store, on the street. Then the door of the jewelry shop + was tried. Mr. Track's face was pressed against the glass. + </p> + <p> + “Open the door! Let me in, Tom!” he called. “I've caught the thief,” and + as the lad unlocked the portal he saw that the jeweler held by the arm a + ragged lad. “Ah; you scoundrel! I've caught you!” cried the diamond + merchant, shaking the small chap, while Tom looked on, more mystified than + ever. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II—A MIDNIGHT VISIT + </h2> + <p> + While Mr. Track, the jeweler, and several citizens, attracted by the chase + after the supposed thief, are crowded into the store, anxious to hear + explanations of the strange affair, I will take the opportunity to tell + you something of Tom Swift, the lad who is to figure in this story. + </p> + <p> + Many of you have already made his acquaintance, when he has been speeding + about in his airship or fast electric runabout, and to others we will + state that our hero first made his bow to the public in the book called + “Tom Swift and His Motor-Cycle,” the initial volume of this series. + </p> + <p> + In that story there was related how Tom made the acquaintance of an odd + individual, named Mr. Wakefield Damon, who was continually blessing + himself, some part of his anatomy, or his possessions. Mr. Damon was + riding a motor-cycle, and it started to climb a tree, to his pain and + fright. Afterward Tom purchased the machine, and had many adventures on + it, including a chase after a gang of men who had stolen a valuable patent + model belonging to Mr. Swift. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Swift and his son were both inventors. They lived together in a fine + house in the suburbs of Shopton, New York, and with them dwelt Mrs. + Baggert, the housekeeper (for Tom's mother was dead), and also Garret + Jackson, an expert engineer, who aided the young inventor and his father + in perfecting many machines. + </p> + <p> + There was also another semi-member of the household, to wit, Eradicate + Sampson, an eccentric colored man, who owned a mule called Boomerang. + Eradicate did odd jobs around the place, and the mule assisted his owner—that + is when the mule felt like it. + </p> + <p> + In the second volume of the series, entitled “Tom Swift and His + Motor-Boat,” there was related the incidents following a pursuit after a + gang of unprincipled men, who sought to get possession of some of Mr. + Swift's patents, and it was while in this boat that Tom, his father, and a + friend, Ned Newton, rescued from Lake Carlopa a Mr. John Sharp, who fell + from his burning balloon. Mr. Sharp was a skilled aeronaut, and after his + recovery he joined Tom in building a big airship, called the Red Cloud. + Tom's adventures in this craft are set down in detail in the third volume + of the series, called “Tom Swift and His Airship.” Not only did he and Mr. + Sharp and Mr. Damon make a great trip, but they captured some bank + robbers, and incidentally cleared themselves from the imputation of having + looted the vault of seventy-five thousand dollars, which charge was + fostered by a certain Mr. Foger, and his son Andy, who was Tom's enemy. + </p> + <p> + Not satisfied with having conquered the air, Tom and his father set to + work to gain a victory over the ocean. They built a boat that could + navigate under water, and, in the fourth book of the series, called “Tom + Swift and His Submarine Boat,” you will find an account of how they went + under the ocean to secure a sunken treasure, and the fight they had with + their enemies who sought to get it away from them. They went through many + perils, not the least of which was capture by a foreign warship. + </p> + <p> + In the fifth book, entitled “Tom Swift and His Electric Runabout,” there + was told the story of a wonderfully speedy electric automobile the young + inventor constructed, and how he made a great race in it, and saved from + ruin a bank, in which his father and Mr. Damon were interested. + </p> + <p> + Tom's ability as an inventor had, by this time, become well known. One + day, as related in a volume called “Tom Swift and His Wireless Message,” + he received a letter from a Mr. Hosmer Fenwick, of Philadelphia, asking + his aid in perfecting an airship which the resident of the Quaker City had + built, but which would not work. In his small monoplane, the Butterfly, + Tom and Mr. Damon went to Philadelphia, as Mr. Damon was acquainted with + Mr. Fenwick. + </p> + <p> + Tom carefully inspected the Whizzer which was the name of Mr. Fenwick's + airship, and, after some difficulties, succeeded in getting the electric + craft in shape to make a flight. + </p> + <p> + Tom, Mr. Damon and Mr. Fenwick started to make a trip to Cape May in the + Whizzer, but were caught in a terrific storm, and blown out to sea. The + wind became a hurricane, the airship was disabled, and wrecked in mid-air. + When it fell to earth it landed on one of the small West Indian islands, + but what was the terror of the three castaways to find that the island was + subject to earthquake shocks. + </p> + <p> + But the earth-tremors were not the only surprise in store for Tom and his + two friends, On the island they found five men and two ladies, who, by + strange chance, had been stranded there when the yacht Resolute, owned by + Mr. George Hosbrook, was wrecked in the same storm that disabled the + airship. Mr. Hosbrook, a millionaire, was taking a party of friends to the + West Indies. + </p> + <p> + When the castaways (among whom were Mr. and Mrs. Amos Nestor, parents of + Mary Nestor, a girl of whom Tom was very fond) found that there was danger + of the island being destroyed in an earthquake, they were in despair. + There seemed no way of being rescued, as the island was out of the line of + regular ship travel. + </p> + <p> + Tom, however, was resourceful. With the electrical apparatus from the + wrecked airship, he built a wireless plant, and sent messages for help, + broadcast over the ocean. + </p> + <p> + They were finally heard, and answered, by an operator on board the steamer + Camberanian, which came on under forced draught, and rescued Tom and his + friends. It was only just in time, for, no sooner had they gotten aboard + the steamer in lifeboats, than the whole island was destroyed by an + earthquake shock. + </p> + <p> + But Tom, the parents of Mary Nestor, Mr. Damon, Mr. Fenwick, and all the + others, got safely home. Among the survivors from the yacht Resolute was a + Mr. Barcoe Jenks, who now, most unexpectedly, had confronted Tom through + the glass window of the jewelry store. Mr. Jenks was a peculiar man. Tom + discovered this on Earthquake Island. Mr. Jenks carried with him some + stones which he said were diamonds. He asserted that he had made them, but + Tom did not know whether or not to believe this. + </p> + <p> + When it seemed that the castaways would not be saved Mr. Jenks offered Tom + a large sum in these same diamonds for some plan whereby he might escape + the earthquakes. Mr. Jenks said there was a certain secret in connection + with the manufactured diamonds that he had to solve—that he had been + defrauded of his rights—and that a certain Phantom Mountain figured + in it. But Tom, at that time, paid little attention to Mr. Jenks' talk. + The time was to come, however, when he would attach much importance to it. + </p> + <p> + When this story opens, Tom was more interested in Mr. Barcoe Jenks than in + any one else, and was wondering what he wanted to see him about. The young + inventor could not quite understand how Mr. Track, the jeweler, could come + back with a lad he suspected of being a thief, when the person who had + acted so suspiciously, and who had knocked on the glass, was the queer + man, Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Tom I caught him,” the jeweler went on. “I chased after him, and + nabbed him. It was hard work, too, for I'm not a good runner. Now, you + little rascal, tell me why you tried to rob my store?” and the diamond + merchant shook the lad roughly. + </p> + <p> + “I—I didn't try to rob your store,” was the timid answer. + </p> + <p> + “Well, perhaps you didn't, exactly, but your confederates did. Why did you + rap on the glass, and why were you staring in so intently?” + </p> + <p> + “I wasn't lookin' in.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if it wasn't you, it was some one just like you. But why did you + run when I raced down the street?” + </p> + <p> + “I—I don't know,” and the lad began to snivel. “I—I jest ran—that's + all—'cause I see everybody else runnin', an' I thought there was a + fire.” + </p> + <p> + “Ha! That's a likely story! You ran because you are guilty! I'm going to + hand you over to the police.” + </p> + <p> + “Did he get anything, Mr. Track?” asked one of the men who had joined the + jeweler in the chase. + </p> + <p> + “No, I can't say that he did. He didn't get a chance. Tom Swift was in + here at the time. But this fellow was only waiting for a chance to steal, + or else to aid his confederates.” + </p> + <p> + “But, if he didn't take anything, I don't see how you can have him + arrested,” went on the man. + </p> + <p> + “On suspicion; that's how!” asserted Mr. Track. “Will some one get me a + constable?” + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn't call a constable,” said Tom, quietly. + </p> + <p> + “Why not?” + </p> + <p> + “Because that isn't the person who looked in your window.” + </p> + <p> + “How do you know, Tom?” + </p> + <p> + “Because that person came back while you were out. I saw him.” + </p> + <p> + “You saw him? Did he try to steal any of my diamonds, Tom?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I guess he doesn't need any.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not?” There was wonder in the jeweler's tone. + </p> + <p> + “Why, he claims he can make all he wants.” + </p> + <p> + “Make diamonds?” + </p> + <p> + “So he says.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, he must be crazy!” and Mr. Track laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps he is,” admitted Tom, “I'm only telling you what he says. He's + the person who acted so suspiciously. He came back here, I'm telling you, + while you were running down the street, and spoke to me.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, then you know him?” The jeweler's voice was suspicious. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't at first,” admitted Tom. “But when he said he was Mr. Barcoe + Jenks, I remembered that I had met him when I was cast away on Earthquake + Island.” + </p> + <p> + “And he says he can make diamonds?” asked Mr. Track. + </p> + <p> + “What did he want of you?” and the jeweler looked at Tom, quizzically. + </p> + <p> + “He wanted to have a talk with me,” replied the lad, “and when he saw me + in your store, he tried to attract my attention by knocking on the glass.” + </p> + <p> + “That's a queer way to do,” declared Mr. Track. “What did he want?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know exactly,” answered Tom, not caring to go into details just + then. “But I'm sure, Mr. Track, that you've got the wrong person there. + That lad never looked in the window, nor knocked on the glass.” + </p> + <p> + “That's right—I didn't,” asserted the captive. + </p> + <p> + The jeweler looked doubtful. + </p> + <p> + “Why did you run?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “I told you, I thought there was a fire.” + </p> + <p> + “That's right, I don't believe he's the fellow you want,” put in another + man. “I was standing on the corner, near White's grocery store, and I + noticed this lad. That was before I heard you yelling, and saw you coming, + and then I joined in the chase. I guess the man you were after got away, + Track.” + </p> + <p> + “He did,” asserted Tom. “He came back here, a little while ago, and he ran + away just now, as he heard you coming.” + </p> + <p> + “Where did he go?” asked the jeweler, eagerly. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know,” answered Tom. “Only you've got the wrong lad here.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, perhaps I have,” admitted the diamond merchant. “You can go, + youngster, but next time, don't run if you're not guilty.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought there was a fire,” repeated the lad, as he hurriedly slipped + through the crowd in the store, and disappeared down the dark street. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I guess the excitement's all over, and, anyhow, you weren't robbed, + Track,” said a stout man, as he left the store. The others soon followed, + and Tom and the jeweler were once more alone in the shop. + </p> + <p> + “Can you tell me something about this man, Tom?” asked Mr. Track, eagerly. + “So he really makes diamonds. Who is he?” + </p> + <p> + “I'd rather not tell—just now,” replied the young inventor. “I don't + take much stock in him, myself. I think he's visionary. He may think he + has made diamonds, and he may have made some stones that look like them. + I'm very skeptical.” + </p> + <p> + “If you could bring me some, Tom, I could soon tell whether they were real + or not. Can you?” + </p> + <p> + The lad shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “I don't expect to see Mr. Jenks again,” he said. “He talked rather wildly + about waiting to meet me, but that man is odd—crazy, perhaps—and + I don't imagine I'll see him. He's harmless, but he's eccentric. Well, + there was quite some excitement for a time.” + </p> + <p> + “I should say there was. I thought it was a plan to rob me,” and the + jeweler began putting away the diamond pins. In fact, the excitement so + filled the minds of himself and Tom that neither of them thought any more + of the object of the lad's visit, and the young inventor departed without + purchasing the pin he had come after. + </p> + <p> + It was not until he was out on the street, walking toward his home, that + the matter came back to his mind. + </p> + <p> + “I declare!” he exclaimed. “I didn't get that pin for Mary, after all! + Well, never mind, I have a week until her birthday, and I can get it + to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + He walked rapidly toward home, for the weather looked threatening, and Tom + had no umbrella. He was musing on the happenings of the evening when he + reached his house. His father was out, as was Garret Jackson, the + engineer; and Mrs. Baggert, the housekeeper, was entertaining a lady in + the sitting-room, so, as Tom was rather tired, he went directly to his own + room, and, a little later got into bed. + </p> + <p> + It was shortly after midnight when he was awakened by hearing a rattling + on the window of his room. The reason he was able to fix the time so + accurately was because as soon as he awakened he pressed a little electric + button, and it illuminated the face of a small clock on his bureau. The + hands pointed to five minutes past twelve. + </p> + <p> + “Humph! That sounds like hail!” exclaimed Tom, as he arose, and looked out + of the casement. “I wonder if any of the skylights of the airship shed are + open? There might be some damage. Guess I'd better go out and take a + look.” + </p> + <p> + He had mentally reasoned this far before he had looked out, and when he + saw that the moon was brightly shining in a clear sky, he was a bit + surprised. + </p> + <p> + “Why—that wasn't hail,” he murmured. “It isn't even raining. I + wonder what it was?” + </p> + <p> + He was answered a moment later, for a shower of fine gravel from the walk + flew up and clattered against the glass. With a start, Tom looked down, + and saw a dark figure standing under an apple tree. + </p> + <p> + “Hello! Who's there?” called the lad, after he had raised the sash. + </p> + <p> + “It's I—Mr. Jenks,” was the surprising answer. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Jenks?” repeated Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Yes—Barcoe Jenks, of Earthquake Island.” + </p> + <p> + “You here? What do you want?” + </p> + <p> + “Can you come down?” + </p> + <p> + “What for?” + </p> + <p> + “Tom Swift, I've something very important to tell you,” was the answer in + a low voice, yet which carried to Tom's ears perfectly. “Do you want to + make a fortune for yourself—and for me?” + </p> + <p> + “How?” Tom was beginning to think more and more that Mr. Jenks was crazy. + </p> + <p> + “How? By helping me to discover the secret of Phantom Mountain, where the + diamonds are made! Will you?” + </p> + <p> + “Wait a minute—I'll come down,” answered Tom, and he began to grope + for his clothes in the dim light of the little electric lamp. + </p> + <p> + What was the secret of Phantom Mountain? What did Mr. Jenks really want? + Could he make diamonds? Tom asked himself these questions as he hastily + dressed to go down to his midnight visitor. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III—A STRANGE STORY + </h2> + <p> + “Well, Mr. Jenks,” began Tom, when he had descended to the garden, and + greeted the man who had acted so strangely on Earthquake Island, “this is + rather an odd time for a visit.” + </p> + <p> + “I realize that, Tom Swift,” was the answer, and the lad noticed that the + man spoke much more calmly than he had that evening at the jewelry shop. + “I realize that, but I have to be cautious in my movements.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” + </p> + <p> + “Because there are enemies on my track. If they thought I was seeking aid + to discover the secret of Phantom Mountain, my life might pay the + forfeit.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you in earnest, Mr. Jenks?” + </p> + <p> + “I certainly am, and, while I must apologize for awakening you at this + unseemly hour, and for the mysterious nature of my visit, if you will let + me tell my story, you will see the need of secrecy.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don't mind being awakened,” answered Tom, good-naturedly, “but I + will be frank with you, Mr. Jenks. I hardly can believe what you have + stated to me several times—that you know how diamonds can be made.” + </p> + <p> + “I can prove it to you,” was the quiet answer. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I know. For centuries men have tried to discover the secret of + transmuting base metals into gold, and how to make diamonds by chemical + means. But they have all been failures.” + </p> + <p> + “All except this process—the process used at Phantom Mountain,” + insisted the queer man. “Do you want to hear my story?” + </p> + <p> + “I have no objections.” + </p> + <p> + “Then let me warn you,” went on Mr. Jenks, “that if you do hear it, you + will be so fascinated by it that I am sure you will want to cast your lot + in with mine, and aid me to get my rights, and solve the mystery. And I + also want to warn you that if you do, there is a certain amount of danger + connected with it.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm used to danger,” answered Tom, quietly. “Let me hear your story. But + first explain how you came to come here, and why you acted so strangely at + the jewelry store.” + </p> + <p> + “Willingly. I tried to attract your attention at the store, because I saw + that you were going to buy a diamond, and I didn't want you to.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not?” + </p> + <p> + “Because I want to present you with a beautiful stone, that will answer + your purpose as well or better, than any one you could buy. That will + prove my story better than any amount of words or argument. But I could + not attract your attention without also attracting that of the jeweler. He + became suspicious, gave chase, and I thought it best to vanish. I hope no + one was made to suffer for what may have been my imprudence.” + </p> + <p> + “No, the lad whom Mr. Track caught was let go. But how did you happen to + come to Shopton?” + </p> + <p> + “To see you. I got your address from the owner of the yacht Resolute. I + knew that if there was one person who could aid me to recover my rights, + it would be you, Tom Swift. Will you help me? Will you come with me to + discover the secret of Phantom Mountain? If we go, it will have to be in + an airship, for in no other way, I think, can we come upon the place, as + it is closely guarded. Will you come? I will pay you well.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps I had better hear your story,” said the young inventor. “But + first let me suggest that we move farther away from the house. My father, + or Mr. Jackson, or the housekeeper, may hear us talking, and it may + disturb them. Come with me to my private shop,” and Tom led the way to a + small building where he did experimental work. He unlocked the door with a + key he carried, turned on the lights, which were run by a storage battery, + and motioned Mr. Jenks to a seat. + </p> + <p> + “Now I'll hear your story,” said Tom. + </p> + <p> + “I'll make it as short as possible,” went on the queer man. “To begin + with, it is now several years ago since a poorly dressed stranger applied + to me one night for money enough to get a meal and a bed to sleep in. I + was living in New York City at the time, and this was midnight, as I was + returning home from my club. + </p> + <p> + “I was touched by the man's appearance, and gave him some money. He asked + for my card, saying he would repay me some day. I gave it to him, little + thinking I would hear from the man again. But I did. He called at my + apartments about a week later, saying he had secured work as an expert + setter of diamonds, and wanted to repay me. I did not want to take his + money, but the fact that such a sorry looking specimen of manhood as he + had been when I aided him, was an expert handler of gems interested me. I + talked with the man, and he made a curious statement. + </p> + <p> + “This man, who gave his name as Enos Folwell, said he knew a place where + diamonds could be made, partly in a scientific manner, and partly by the + forces of nature. I laughed at him, but he told me so many details that I + began to believe him. He said he and some other friends of his, who were + diamond cutters, had a plant in the midst of the Rocky Mountains, where + they had succeeded in making several small, but very perfect diamonds. + They had come to the end of their rope, though, so to speak, because they + could not afford to buy the materials needed. Folwell said that he and his + companions had temporarily separated, had left the mountain where they + made diamonds, and agreed to meet there later when they had more money + with which to purchase materials. They had all agreed to go out into + civilization, and work for enough funds to enable them to go on with their + diamond making. + </p> + <p> + “I hardly knew whether to believe the man or not, but he offered proof. He + had several small, but very perfect diamonds with him, and he gave them to + me, to have tested in any way I desired. + </p> + <p> + “I promised to look into the matter, and, as I was quite wealthy, as, in + fact I am now, and if I found that the stones he gave me were real, I said + I might invest some money in the plant.” + </p> + <p> + “Were the diamonds good?” asked Tom, who was beginning to be interested. + </p> + <p> + “They were—stones of the first water, though small. An expert gem + merchant, to whom I took them, said he had never seen any diamonds like + them, and he wanted to know where I got them. Of course I did not tell + him. + </p> + <p> + “To make a long story short, I saw Folwell again, told him to communicate + with his companions, and to tell them that I would agree to supply the + cash needed, if I could share in the diamond making. To this they agreed, + and, after some weeks spent in preparation, a party of us set out for + Phantom Mountain.” + </p> + <p> + “Phantom Mountain?” interrupted Tom. “Where is it?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know, exactly—it's somewhere in the Rockies, but the exact + location is a mystery. That is why I need your help. You will soon + understand the reason. Well, as I said, myself, Folwell and the others, + who were not exactly prepossessing sort of men, started west. When we got + to a small town, called Indian Ridge, near Leadville, Colorado, the men + insisted that I must now proceed in secret, and consent to be blindfolded, + as they were not yet ready to reveal the secret of the place where they + made the diamonds. + </p> + <p> + “I did not want to agree to this, but they insisted, and I gave in, + foolishly perhaps. At any rate I was blindfolded one night, placed in a + wagon, and we drove off into the mountains. After traveling for some + distance I was led, still blindfolded, up a steep trail. + </p> + <p> + “When the bandage was taken off my eyes I saw that I was in a large cave. + The men were with me, and they apologized for the necessity that caused + them to blindfold me. They said they were ready to proceed with the making + of diamonds, but I must promise not to seek to discover the secret until + they gave me permission, nor was I to attempt to leave the cave. I had to + agree. + </p> + <p> + “Next they demanded that I give them a large sum, which I had promised + when they showed me, conclusively, that they could make diamonds. I + refused to do this until I had seen some of the precious stones, and they + agreed that this was fair, but said I would have to wait a few days. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I waited, and, all that while, I was virtually a prisoner in the + cave. All I could learn was that it was in the midst of a great range, + near the top, and that one of the peaks was called Phantom Mountain. Why, + I did not learn until later. + </p> + <p> + “At last one night, during a terrific thunder storm, the leader of the + diamond makers—Folwell—announced that I could now see the + stones made. The men had been preparing their chemicals for some days + previous. I was taken into a small chamber of the cave, and there saw + quite a complicated apparatus. Part of it was a great steel box, with a + lever on it. + </p> + <p> + “We will let you make some diamonds for yourself,” Folwell said to me, and + he directed me to pull the lever of the box, at a certain signal. The + signal came, just as a terrific crash of thunder shook the very mountain + inside of which we were. The box of steel got red-hot, and when it cooled + off it was opened, and was given a handful of white stones. + </p> + <p> + “Were they diamonds?” asked Tom, eagerly. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Jenks held out one hand. In the palm glittered a large stone—ostensibly + a diamond. In the rays of the moon it showed all the colors of the rainbow—a + beautiful gem. “That is one of the stones I made—or rather that I + supposed I had made,” went on Mr. Jenks. “It is one of several I have, but + they have not all been cut and polished as has this one. + </p> + <p> + “Naturally I was much impressed by what I saw, and, after I had made + certain tests which convinced me that the stones in the steel box were + diamonds, I paid over the money as I had promised. That was my undoing.” + </p> + <p> + “How?” + </p> + <p> + “As soon as the men got the cash, they had no further use for me. The next + I remember is eating a rude meal, while we discussed the future of making + diamonds. I knew nothing more until I found myself back in the small hotel + at Indian Ridge, whence I had gone some time previous, with the men, to + the cave in the mountain.” + </p> + <p> + “What happened?” asked Tom, much surprised by the unexpected outcome of + the affair. + </p> + <p> + “I had been tricked, that was all! As soon as the men had my money they + had no further use for me. They did not want me to learn the secret of + their diamond making, and they drugged me, carried me away from the cave, + and left me in the hotel.” + </p> + <p> + “Didn't you try to find the cave again?” + </p> + <p> + “I did, but without avail. I spent some time in the Rockies, but no one + could tell where Phantom Mountain was; in fact, few had heard of it, and I + was nearly lost searching for it. + </p> + <p> + “I came back East, determined to get even. I had given the men a very + large sum of money, and, in exchange, they had given me several diamonds. + Probably the stones are worth nearly as much as the money I invested, but + I was cheated, for I was promised an equal share in the profits. These + were denied me, and I was tricked. I determined to be revenged, or at + least to discover the secret of making diamonds. It is my right.” + </p> + <p> + “I agree with you,” spoke Tom. + </p> + <p> + “But, up to the time I met you on Earthquake Island, I could form no plan + for discovering Phantom Mountain, and learning the secret of the diamond + makers,” went on Mr. Jenks. “I carried the gems about with me, as you + doubtless saw when we were on the island. But I knew I needed an airship + in which to fly over the mountains, and pick out the location of the cave + where the diamonds are made.” + </p> + <p> + “But how can you locate it, if you were blindfolded when you were taken + there, Mr. Jenks?” + </p> + <p> + “I forgot to tell you that, on our journey into the mountains, and just + before I was carried into the cave, I managed to raise one corner of the + bandage. I caught a glimpse of a very peculiarly shaped cliff—it is + like a great head, standing out in bold relief against the moonlight, when + I saw it. That head of rock is near the cave. It may be the landmark by + which we can locate Phantom Mountain.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps,” admitted the young inventor. + </p> + <p> + “What I want to know is this,” went on Mr. Jenks. “Will you go with me on + this quest—go in your airship to discover the secret of the diamond + makers? If you will, I will share with you whatever diamonds we can + discover, or make; besides paying all expenses. Will you go, Tom Swift?” + </p> + <p> + The young inventor did not know what to answer. How far was Mr. Jenks to + be trusted? Were the stones he had real diamonds? Was his story, + fantastical as it sounded—true? Would it be safe for Tom to go? + </p> + <p> + The lad asked himself these questions. Mr. Jenks saw his hesitation. + </p> + <p> + “Here,” said the strange man, “I will prove what I say. Take this diamond. + I intended it for you, anyhow, for what you did for me on Earthquake + Island. Take it, and—and give it to the person for whom you were + about to purchase a diamond to-night. But, first of all, take it to a gem + expert, and get his opinion. That will prove the truth of what I say, Tom + Swift, and I feel sure that you will cast your lot in with mine, and help + me to discover the secret of Phantom Mountain, and aid me to get my rights + from the diamond makers!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV—ANDY FOGER GETS A FRIGHT + </h2> + <p> + Tom Swift considered a few minutes. On the face of it, the proposition + appealed to him. He had been home some time now after his adventures on + Earthquake Island, and he was beginning to long for more excitement. The + search for the mysterious mountain, and the cave of the diamond makers, + might offer a new field for him. But there came to him a certain distrust + of Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “I don't like to doubt your word,” began Tom, slowly, “but you know, Mr. + Jenks, that some of the greatest chemists have tried in vain to make + diamonds; or, at best, they have made only tiny ones. To think that any + man, or set of men, made real diamonds as large as the ones you have, + doesn't seem—well—” and Tom hesitated. + </p> + <p> + “You mean you can hardly believe me?” asked Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “I guess that's it,” assented Tom. + </p> + <p> + “I don't blame you a bit!” exclaimed the odd man. “In fact, I didn't + believe it when they told me they could make diamonds. But they proved it + to me. I'm ready now to prove it to you.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll tell you what I'll do. Here's this one stone, cut ready for setting. + Here's another, uncut,” and Mr. Jenks drew from his pocket what looked + like a piece of crystal. “Take them to any jeweler,” he resumed—“to + the one in whose place I saw you to-night. I'll abide by the verdict you + get, and I'll come here to-morrow night, and hear what you have to say.” + </p> + <p> + “Why do you come at night?” asked Tom, thinking there was something + suspicious in that. + </p> + <p> + “Because my life might be in danger if I was seen talking to you, and + showing you diamonds in the daytime—especially just now. + </p> + <p> + “Why at this particular time?” + </p> + <p> + “For the reason that the diamond makers are on my trail. As long as I + remained quiet, after their shabby treatment of me, and did not try to + discover their secret, they were all right. But, after I realized that I + had been cheated out of my rights, and when I began to make an + investigation, with a view to discovering their secret whereabouts, I + received mysterious and anonymous warnings to stop.” + </p> + <p> + “But I did not. I came East, and tried to get help to discover the cave of + the diamond makers, but I was unsuccessful. I needed an airship, as I said, + and no person who could operate one, would agree to go with me on the + quest. Again I received a warning to drop all search for the diamond + makers, but I persisted, and about a week ago I found I was being + shadowed.” + </p> + <p> + “Shadowed; by whom?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “By a man I never remember seeing, but who, I have no doubt, is one of the + diamond-making gang.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think he means you harm?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm sure of it. That is the reason I have to act so in secret, and come + to see you at night. I don't want those scoundrels to find out what I am + about to do. On my return from Earthquake Island, I again endeavored to + interest an airship man in my plan, but he evidently thought me insane. + Then I thought of you, as I had done before, but I was afraid you, too, + would laugh at my proposition. However, I decided to come here, and I did. + It seemed almost providential that my first view of you was in a jewelry + shop, looking at diamonds. I took it as a good omen. Now it remains with + you. May I call here to-morrow night, and get your answer?” + </p> + <p> + Tom Swift made up his mind quickly. After all it would be easy enough to + find out if the diamonds were real. If they were, he could then decide + whether or not to go with Mr. Jenks on the mysterious quest. So he + answered: + </p> + <p> + “I'll consider the matter, Mr. Jenks. I'll meet you here to-morrow night. + In the meanwhile, for my own satisfaction, I'll let an expert look at + these stones.” + </p> + <p> + “Get the greatest diamond expert in the world, and he'll pronounce them + perfect!” predicted the odd man. “Now I'll bid you goodnight, and be + going. I'll be here at this time to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + As Mr. Jenks turned aside there was a movement among the trees in the + orchard, and a shadowy figure was seen hurrying away. + </p> + <p> + “Who's that?” asked the diamond man, in a hoarse whisper. “Did you see + that, Tom Swift? Some one was here—listening to what I said! Perhaps + it was the man who has been shadowing me!” + </p> + <p> + “I think not. I guess it was Eradicate Sampson, a colored man who does + work for us,” said Tom. “Is that you, Rad?” he called. + </p> + <p> + “Yais, sah, Massa Tom, heah I is!” answered the voice of the negro, but it + came from an entirely different direction than that in which the shadowy + figure had been seen. + </p> + <p> + “Where are you, Rad?” called the young inventor. + </p> + <p> + “Right heah,” was the reply, and the colored man came from the direction + of the stable. “I were jest out seein' if mah mule Boomerang were all + right. Sometimes he's restless, an' don't sleep laik he oughter.” + </p> + <p> + “Then that wasn't you over in the orchard?” asked Tom, in some uneasiness. + </p> + <p> + “No, sah, I ain't been in de orchard. I were sleepin' in mah shack, till + jest a few minutes ago, when I got up, an' went in t' see Boomerang. I had + a dream dat some coon were tryin t' steal him, an' it sort ob 'sturbed me, + laik.” + </p> + <p> + “If it wasn't your man, it was some one else,” said Mr. Jenks, decidedly. + </p> + <p> + “We'll have a look!” exclaimed Tom. “Here, Rad, come over and scurry among + those trees. We just saw some one sneaking around.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll sure do dat!” cried the colored man. “Mebby it were somebody arter + Boomerang! I'll find 'em.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't believe it was any one after the mule,” murmured Mr. Jenks, “but + it certainly was some one—more likely some one after me.” + </p> + <p> + The three made a hasty search among the trees, but the intruder had + vanished, leaving no trace. They went out into the road, which the moon + threw into bold relief along its white stretch, but there was no figure + scurrying away. + </p> + <p> + “Whoever it was, is gone,” spoke Tom. “You can go back to bed, Rad,” for + the colored man, of late, had been sleeping in a shack on the Swift + premises. + </p> + <p> + “And I guess it's time for me to go, too,” added Mr. Jenks. “I'll be here + to-morrow night, Tom, and I hope your answer will be favorable.” + </p> + <p> + Tom did not sleep well the remainder of the night, for his fitful slumbers + were disturbed by dreams of enormous caves, filled with diamonds, with + dark, shadowy figures trying to put him into a red-hot steel box. Once he + awakened with a start, and put his hand under his pillow to feel if the + two stones Mr. Jenks had given him, were still there. They had not been + disturbed. + </p> + <p> + Tom made up his mind to find out if the stones were really diamonds, + before saying anything to his father about the chance of going to seek + Phantom Mountain. And the young inventor wished to get the opinion of some + other jeweler than Mr. Track—at least, at first. + </p> + <p> + “Though if this one proves to be a good gem, I'll have Mr. Track set it in + a brooch, and give it to Mary for her birthday,” decided the young + inventor. “Guess I'll take a run over to Chester in the Butterfly, and see + what one of the jewelers there has to say.” + </p> + <p> + In addition to his big airship, Red Cloud, Tom owned a small, swift + monoplane, which he called Butterfly. This had been damaged by Andy Foger + just before Tom left on the trip that ended at Earthquake Island, but the + monoplane had been repaired, and Andy had left town, not having returned + since. + </p> + <p> + Telling his father that he was going off on a little business trip, which + he often did in his aeroplane, Tom, with the aid of Mr. Jackson, the + engineer, wheeled the Butterfly out of its shed. + </p> + <p> + Adjusting the mechanism, and seeing that it was in good shape, Tom took + his place in one of the two seats, for the monoplane would carry two. Mr. + Jackson then spun the propellers, and, with a crackle and roar the motor + started. Over the ground ran the dainty, little aeroplane, until, having + momentum enough, Tom tilted the wing planes and the machine sailed up into + the air. + </p> + <p> + Rising about a thousand feet, and circling about several times to test the + wind currents, Tom headed his craft toward Chester, a city about fifty + miles from Shopton. In his pocket, snugly tucked away, were the two stones + Mr. Jenks had given him. + </p> + <p> + It was not long before Tom saw, looming up in the distance the church + spires and towering factory chimneys of Chester, for his machine was a + speedy one, and could make ninety miles an hour when driven. But now a + slower speed satisfied our hero. + </p> + <p> + “I'll just drop down outside of the city,” he reasoned, “for too much of a + crowd gathers when I land in the street. Besides I might frighten horses, + and then, too, it's hard to get a good start from the street. I'll leave + it in some barn until I want to go back.” + </p> + <p> + Tom sent his craft down, in order to pick out a safe place for a landing. + He was then over the suburbs of the city, and was following the line of a + straight country road. + </p> + <p> + “Looks like a good place there,” he murmured. “I'll shut off the motor, + and vol-plane down.” + </p> + <p> + Suiting the action to the word, Tom shut off his power. The little craft + dipped toward the ground, but the lad threw up the forward planes, and + caught a current of air that sent him skimming along horizontally. + </p> + <p> + As he got nearer to the ground, he saw the figure of a lad riding a + bicycle along the country highway. Something about the figure struck Tom + as being familiar, and he recognized the cyclist a moment later. + </p> + <p> + “It's Andy Foger!” said Tom, in a whisper. “I wondered where he had been + keeping himself since he damaged the Butterfly. Evidently he doesn't dare + venture back to Shopton. Well, here's where I give him a scare.” + </p> + <p> + Tom's monoplane was making no more noise, now, than a soaring bird. He was + gliding swiftly toward the earth, and, with the plan in his mind of + administering some sort of punishment to the bully, he aimed the machine + directly at him. + </p> + <p> + Nearer and nearer shot the monoplane, as quietly as a sheet of paper might + fall. Andy pedaled on, never looking up nor behind him, A moment later, as + Tom threw up his headplanes, to make his landing more easy, and just as he + swooped down at one side of the cyclist, our hero let out a most alarming + yell, right into Andy's ear. + </p> + <p> + “Now I've got you!” he shouted. “I'll teach you to slash my aeroplane! + Come with me!” + </p> + <p> + Andy gave one look at the white bird-like apparatus that had flown up + beside him so noiselessly, and, being too frightened to recognize Tom's + voice, must have thought that he had been overtaken by some supernatural + visitor. + </p> + <p> + Andy gave a yell like an Indian, about to do a stage scalping act, and + fairly dived over the handlebars of his bicycle, sprawling in a heap on + the dusty road. + </p> + <p> + “I guess that will hold you for a while,” observed Tom, grimly, as he put + on the ground-brake and brought his monoplane to a stop not far from the + fallen rider. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V—A MYSTERIOUS MAN + </h2> + <p> + For several minutes Andy Foger did not arise. He remained prostrate in the + dust, and Tom, observing him, thought perhaps the bully might have been + seriously injured. But, a little later, Andy cautiously raised his head, + and inquired in a frightened voice: + </p> + <p> + “Is it—is it gone?” + </p> + <p> + “Is what gone?” asked Tom, grimly. + </p> + <p> + At the sound of his voice, Andy looked up. “Was that you, Tom Swift?” he + demanded. “Did you knock me off my wheel?” + </p> + <p> + “My monoplane and I together did,” was the reply; “or, rather, we didn't. + It was the nervous reaction caused by your fright, and the knowledge that + you had done wrong, that made you jump over the handlebars. That's the + scientific explanation.” + </p> + <p> + “You—you did it!” stammered Andy, getting to his feet. He wasn't + hurt much, Tom thought. + </p> + <p> + “Have it your own way,” resumed our hero. “Did you think it was a + hob-goblin in a chariot of fire after you, Andy?” + </p> + <p> + “Huh! Never mind what I thought! I'll have you arrested for this!” + </p> + <p> + “Will you? Delighted, as the boys say. Hop in my airship and I'll take you + right into town. And when I get you there I'll make a charge of malicious + mischief against you, for breaking the propeller of the Butterfly and + slashing her wings. I've mended her up, however, so she goes better than + ever, and I can take you to the police station in jig time. Want to come, + Andy?” + </p> + <p> + This was too much for the bully. He knew that Tom would have a clear case + against him, and he did not dare answer. Instead he shuffled over to where + his wheel lay, picked it up, and rode slowly off. + </p> + <p> + “Good riddance,” murmured Tom. He looked about, and saw that he was near a + house, in the rear of which was a good-sized barn. “Guess I'll ask if I + can leave the Butterfly there,” he murmured, and, ringing the doorbell, he + was greeted by a man. + </p> + <p> + “I'll pay you if you'll let me store my machine in the barn a little + while, until I go into the city, and return,” spoke the lad. + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, you're welcome to leave it there without pay,” was the answer. + “I'm interested in airships, and, I'll consider it a favor if you'll let + me look yours over while it's here.” + </p> + <p> + Tom readily agreed, and a few minutes later he had caught a trolley going + into the city. He was soon in one of the largest jewelry stores of + Chester. + </p> + <p> + “I'd like to get an expert opinion as to whether or not those stones are + diamonds,” spoke Tom, to the polite clerk who came up to wait on him, and + our hero handed over the two gems which Mr. Jenks had given him. “I'm + willing to pay for the appraisement, of course,” the young inventor added, + as he saw the clerk looking rather doubtfully at him, for Tom had on a + rough suit, which he always donned when he flew in his monoplane. + </p> + <p> + “I'll turn them over to our Mr. Porter, a gem expert,” said the clerk. + “Please be seated.” + </p> + <p> + The young man disappeared into a private office with the stones, and Tom + waited. He wondered if he was going to have his trouble for his pains. + Presently two elderly gentlemen came from the little room, on the glass + door of which appeared the word “Diamonds.” + </p> + <p> + “Who brought these stones in?” asked one of the men, evidently the + proprietor, from the deference paid him by the clerk. The latter motioned + to Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Will you kindly step inside here?” requested the elderly man. When the + door was closed, Tom found himself in a room which was mostly taken up + with a bench for the display of precious stones, a few chairs, and some + lights arranged peculiarly; while various scales and instruments stood on + a table. + </p> + <p> + “You wished an opinion on—on these?” queried the proprietor of the + place. Tom noticed at once that the word “diamonds” was not used. + </p> + <p> + “I wanted to find out if they were of any value,” he said. “Are they + diamonds?” + </p> + <p> + “Would you mind stating where you got them?” asked the other of the two + men. + </p> + <p> + “Is that necessary?” inquired the lad. “I came by them in a legitimate + manner, if that's what you mean, and I can satisfy you on that point. I am + willing to pay for any information you may give me as to their value.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it isn't that,” the proprietor hastened to assure him. “But these are + diamonds of such a peculiar kind, so perfect and without a flaw, that I + wondered from what part of the world they came.” + </p> + <p> + “Then they are diamonds?” asked Tom, eagerly. + </p> + <p> + “The finest I have ever tested!” declared the other man, evidently Mr. + Porter, the gem expert. “They are a joy to look at, Mr. Roberts,” he went + on, turning to the proprietor. “If it is possible to get a supply of them + you would be justified in asking half as much again as we charge for + African or Indian diamonds. The Kimberly products are not to be compared + to these,” and he looked at the two stones in his hand—the one cut, + and sparkling brilliantly, the other in a rough state. + </p> + <p> + “Do you care to state where these diamonds came from?” asked Mr. Roberts, + looking critically at Tom. + </p> + <p> + “I had rather not,” answered the lad. “It is enough for me to know that + they are diamonds. How much is your charge?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing,” was the unexpected answer. “We are very glad to have had the + opportunity of seeing such stones. Is there any chance of getting any + more?” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps,” answered Tom, as he accepted the gems which the expert held out + to him. + </p> + <p> + “Then might we speak for a supply?” went on Mr. Roberts, eagerly. “We will + pay you the full market price.” + </p> + <p> + “What is the value of these stones?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Roberts looked at his gem expert. + </p> + <p> + “It is difficult to say,” was the answer of the man who had handed Tom the + gems. “They are so far superior to the usual run of diamonds, that I feel + justified in saying that the cut one would bring fifteen hundred dollars, + anywhere. In fact, I would offer that for it. The other is larger, though + what it would lose in cutting would be hard to say. I should say it was + worth two thousand dollars as it is now.” + </p> + <p> + “Thirty-five hundred dollars for these two stones!” exclaimed Tom. + </p> + <p> + “They are worth every cent of it,” declared Mr. Roberts. “Do you want to + sell?” + </p> + <p> + Tom shook his head. He could scarcely believe the good news. Mr. Jenks had + told the truth. Now the young inventor could go with him to seek the + diamond makers. + </p> + <p> + “Can you get any more of these?” went on Mr. Roberts. + </p> + <p> + “I think so—that is I don't know—I am going to try,” answered + the lad. + </p> + <p> + “Then if you succeed I wish you would sell us some,” fairly begged the + proprietor of the store. + </p> + <p> + “I will,” promised Tom, but he little knew what lay before him, or perhaps + he would not have made that promise. He thanked the diamond merchant for + his kindness, and arranged to have the cut stone set in a pin for Miss + Nestor. The uncut gem Tom took away with him. + </p> + <p> + Thinking of many things, and wondering how best to start in his airship + Red Cloud for the mysterious Phantom Mountain, Tom hurried back to where + he had left the monoplane, wheeled it out, and was soon soaring through + the air toward Shopton. + </p> + <p> + “I think I'll go with Mr. Jenks,” he decided, as he prepared for a landing + in the open space near his aeroplane shed. “It will be a risky trip, + perhaps, but I've taken risks before. When Mr. Jenks comes to-night I'll + tell him I'll help him to get his rights, and discover the secret of the + diamond makers.” + </p> + <p> + As Tom was wheeling the Butterfly into the shed, Eradicate came out to + help him. + </p> + <p> + “Dere's a gen'man here to see yo', Massa Tom,” said the colored man. + </p> + <p> + “Who is it?” + </p> + <p> + “I dunno. He keep askin' ef yo' de lad what done bust up Earthquake + Island, an' send lightnin' flashes up to de sky, an' all sech questions + laik dat.” + </p> + <p> + “It isn't Mr. Damon; is it, Rad? He hasn't been around in some time.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Massa Tom, it ain't him. I knows dat blessin' man good an' proper. I + jest wish he'd bless mah mule Boomerang some day, an' take some oh de + temper out ob him. No, sah, it ain't Massa Damon. De gen'man's in de + airship shed waitin' fo' you.” + </p> + <p> + “In the airship shed! No strangers are allowed in there, Rad.” + </p> + <p> + “I knows it, Massa Tom, but he done persisted his se'f inter it, an' he + wouldn't come out when I told him; an' your pa an' Mr. Jackson ain't + home.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll see about this,” exclaimed Tom, striding to the large shed, where + the Red Cloud was kept. As he entered it he saw a man looking over the + wonderful craft. + </p> + <p> + “Did you want to see me?” asked Tom, sharply, for he did not like + strangers prowling around. + </p> + <p> + “I did, and I apologize for entering here, but I am interested in + airships, and I thought you might want to hire a pilot. I am in need of + employment, and I have had considerable to do with balloons and + aeroplanes, but never with an airship like this, which combines the two + features. Do you wish to hire any one.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't!” replied Tom, sharply, for he did not like the looks of the + man. + </p> + <p> + “I was told that you did,” was the rather surprising answer. + </p> + <p> + “Who told you?” + </p> + <p> + The man looked all around the shed, before replying, as if fearful of + being overheard. Then, stepping close to Tom, he whispered: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Jenks told me!” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Jenks?” Tom could not conceal his astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “Yes. Mr. Barcoe Jenks. But I did not come here to merely ask you for + employment. I would like to hire out to you, but the real object of my + visit was to say this to you.” + </p> + <p> + The man approached still closer to Tom, and, in a lower voice, and one + that could scarcely be heard, he fairly hissed: + </p> + <p> + “Don't go with Barcoe Jenks to seek the diamond makers!” + </p> + <p> + Then, before Tom could put out a hand to detain him, had the lad so + wished, the man turned suddenly, and fairly ran from the shed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI—MR. DAMON IS ON HAND + </h2> + <p> + The young inventor stood almost spellbound for a few moments. Then + recovering himself he made a dash for the door through which the + mysterious man had disappeared. Tom saw him sprinting down the road, and + was half-minded to take after him, but a cooler thought warned him that he + had better not. + </p> + <p> + “He may be one of those men who are on Mr. Jenks' trail,” reasoned Tom, in + which case it might not be altogether safe to attempt to stop him, and + make him explain. Or he may be a lunatic, and in that case it wouldn't be + altogether healthy to interfere with him. + </p> + <p> + “I'll just let him go, and tell Mr. Jenks about him when he comes + to-night. But I must warn Rad never to let him in here again. He might + damage the airship.” + </p> + <p> + Calling to the colored man, Tom pointed to the stranger, who was almost + out of sight down the road, and said earnestly: + </p> + <p> + “Rad, do you see that fellow?” + </p> + <p> + “I sho do, Massa Tom, but I sorter has t' strain my eyes t' do it. He's + goin' laik my mule Boomerang does when he's comm' home t' dinnah.” + </p> + <p> + “That's right, Rad. Well, never let that man set foot inside our fence + again! If he comes, and I'm home, call me. If I'm away, call dad or Mr. + Jackson, and if you're here alone, drive him away, somehow.” + </p> + <p> + “I will, Massa Tom!” exclaimed the colored man, earnestly, “an' if I can't + do it alone, I'll get Boomerang t' help. Once let dat ar' mule git his + heels on a pusson, an' dat pusson ain't goin' t' come bodderin' around any + mo'—that is, not right away.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe you, Rad. Well, keep a lookout for him, and don't let him in,” + and with that Tom entered the house to think over matters. They were + beginning to assume an aspect he did not altogether like. Not that Tom was + afraid of danger, but he preferred to meet it in the open, and the + warning, or threat, of the mysterious man disquieted him. + </p> + <p> + When Mr. Swift came home, a little later, his son told him of the midnight + interview with Mr. Jenks, for, up to this time, the aged inventor was + unaware of it, and Tom also gave an account of the diamonds, speaking of + their value. + </p> + <p> + “And do you propose to go to Phantom Mountain, in search of the makers of + these gems, Tom?” asked Mr. Swift. + </p> + <p> + “I had about decided to do so, dad.” + </p> + <p> + “And you're going in the Red Cloud?' + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Who are going with you?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mr. Jenks will go, of course, and I've no doubt but that if I + mention the prospective trip to Mr. Damon, that he'll bless his skating + cap, or something like that, and come along.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose so, Tom, and I'd like to have you take him. But I think you'll + need some one else.” + </p> + <p> + “Because, from what you have told me, you are going out to a dangerous + part of the country, and you may have to deal with unscrupulous men. Three + of you are hardly enough to cope with them. You ought to have at least + another member of your party. If I was not busy on my invention of a new + wireless motor I would go along, but I can't leave. You might take Mr. + Jackson.” + </p> + <p> + “No, you need him here to help you, dad.” + </p> + <p> + “How about Eradicate?” + </p> + <p> + Tom smiled. + </p> + <p> + “Rad would get homesick for his mule Boomerang, and I'd have to bring him + back just when we'd found the diamonds,” replied the young inventor. “No, + we'll have to think of some one else. I'll ask Mr. Damon, and then I'll + consider matters further. I expect to see Mr. Jenks to-night, and he may + have some one in mind.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps that will be a good plan. Well, Tom, I trust you will take good + care of yourself, and not run into unnecessary danger. Is the Red Cloud in + good shape for the voyage?” + </p> + <p> + “It needs looking over. I'm going to get right at it.” + </p> + <p> + “It's a pretty indefinite sort of a quest you're going on, Tom, my son. + How do you expect to find Phantom Mountain?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it's going to be quite a task. In the first place we'll head for + Leadville, Colorado, and then we'll go to Indian Ridge and make some + inquiries. We may get on the track of the place that way. If we don't, why + I'll take the airship up as high as is necessary and sort of prospect + until we see that big cliff that's shaped like a head. That will give us + something to go by.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, do the best you can. If you can discover the secret of making + diamonds it will be a valuable one.” + </p> + <p> + “I guess it will, dad; and Mr. Jenks is entitled to know it, for he paid + his good money to that end. He has promised to go halves with me, as + payment for the use of the airship, and I must say the two diamonds he + gave me last night have proved very valuable.” + </p> + <p> + “Two diamonds, Tom? You only showed me one, an uncut gem;” and Mr. Swift + looked at his son. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, the other—er—the other is—I left it with a + jeweler,” and Tom blushed a trifle, as he thought of the present he + contemplated making to Mary Nestor. + </p> + <p> + That afternoon, as Tom was out in the shed of the Red Cloud looking over + the airship, to see what would be necessary to do to it in order to get it + in shape for a long trip, he heard voices outside. + </p> + <p> + “Yes—yes, I know the way in perfectly well,” he caught. “You needn't + bother to come, my good fellow. Just step this way, and I'll show you + something worth seeing.” + </p> + <p> + “I wonder if it's that mysterious man coming back?” thought Tom. He + dropped the tool he was using, and hurried to the door. As he approached + it he heard the voice continue. + </p> + <p> + “Why bless my shoe laces, Mr. Parker! You'll see a wonderful airship, I + promise you. Wonderful! Bless my hatband, but I hope Tom is here!” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Damon!” exclaimed our hero, as he recognized the tones of his + eccentric friend. “But who is with him?” + </p> + <p> + A moment later he caught sight of the gentleman who was always blessing + himself, or something. Behind him stood another man, whose features Tom + could not see plainly. + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Tom Swift!” called Mr. Damon. “Looking over the Red Cloud, eh? + Does that mean you're off on another trip?” + </p> + <p> + “I guess it does,” answered the lad. + </p> + <p> + “Where to this time? if I may ask.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm thinking of going off to the mountains to find a band of men engaged + in making diamonds,” replied Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Making diamonds! Bless my finger ring! Making diamonds! A trip to the + mountains! Bless my disposition! but do you know I'd like to go with you!” + </p> + <p> + “I was thinking of asking you, Mr. Damon.” + </p> + <p> + “Were you? Bless my heart, I'm glad you thought of me. You don't by any + possible chance want another person; do you?” + </p> + <p> + “We were thinking of having four in the party, Mr. Damon,” and Tom + wondered who was with his eccentric friend. + </p> + <p> + “Then bless my election ticket! This is the very chance for you, Mr. + Parker!” cried Mr. Damon. “Will you go with us? It will be just what you + need,” and Mr. Damon stepped aside, revealing to Tom the features of Mr. + Ralph Parker, the scientist who had correctly predicted the destruction of + Earthquake Island. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII—MR. PARKER PREDICTS + </h2> + <p> + Tom Swift was a most generous lad, but when he saw that Mr. Damon had with + him Mr. Parker, the gloomy scientist, who seemed to take delight in + predicting disasters, our hero's spirits were not exactly of the best. He + would have much preferred not to take Mr. Parker on the quest for the + diamond makers, but, since Mr. Damon had mentioned it, he did not see how + he could very well refuse. + </p> + <p> + “But perhaps he won't care to go,” thought Tom. + </p> + <p> + He was undeceived a moment later, however, for the scientist remarked: + </p> + <p> + I am very glad to meet you once more, Mr. Swift. I have scarcely thanked + you enough for what you did for us in erecting your wireless station on + Earthquake Island, which, as you recall, I predicted would sink into the + sea. It did, I am glad to say, not because I like to see islands + destroyed, but because science has been vindicated. Now I have just heard + you remark that you are about to set off to the mountains in search of + some men who are making diamonds. I need hardly state that this is utterly + useless, for no diamonds, commercially valuable, can be made by men. But + the trip may be valuable in that it will permit me to demonstrate some + scientific facts. + </p> + <p> + “Therefore, if you will permit me, I will be very glad to accompany you + and Mr. Damon. I shall be delighted, in short, and I can start as soon as + you are ready.” + </p> + <p> + “There's no hope for it!” thought Tom, dismally. “I suppose he'll wake up + every morning, and predict that before night the world will come to an + end, or he'll prophesy that the airship will blow up, and vanish, when + about seven miles above the clouds. Well, there's no way out of it, so + here goes.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Tom welcomed the scientist as cordially as he could, and invited + him to form one of the party that would set off in the airship to search + for Phantom Mountain. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my jewelry box!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, when this formality was over. + “Tell me more about it, Tom.” + </p> + <p> + Which our hero did, stating the need of maintaining secrecy on account of + the danger to Mr. Jenks. Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker both agreed to say + nothing about the matter, and then the scientist became much interested in + the Red Cloud, which he closely examined. He even complimented Tom on the + skill shown in making it, and, contrary to our hero's expectation, did not + predict that it would blow up the next time it was used. + </p> + <p> + “How did you happen to arrive just at this time, Mr. Damon?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “It was partly due to Mr. Parker,” was the answer. “I had not seen him + since we were rescued from the island, until a few days ago he called on + me at my home. I happened to mention that you lived near here, and + suggested that he might like to see some of your inventions. He agreed, + and we came over in my auto. And now, bless my liver-pin! I find you about + to start off on another trip.” + </p> + <p> + “And have you fully decided to go with me?” asked Tom. “There may be + danger, and I don't like the way that mysterious man behaved.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, bless my revolver!” cried Mr. Damon. “I'm used to danger by this + time. Of course I'm going, and so is Mr. Parker. Do you know,” and the + man, who was always blessing something, came closer to the lad, and + whispered: “Do you know, Tom, Mr. Parker is a very peculiar individual.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm sure of it,” answered the young inventor, looking at the gentleman in + question, who was then inside the airship cabin. + </p> + <p> + “But he's all right, even if he is predicting unpleasant things,” went on + Mr. Damon. “I think we'll get better acquainted with him after a bit.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope so,” agreed Tom, but he did not realize then how close his + companionship with Mr. Parker was to be, nor what dangers they were to + share later. + </p> + <p> + The friends talked at considerable length of the prospective trip, and + Tom, by this time, had ascertained what needed to be done to the airship + to get it in shape to travel. It would take about a week, and, in the + meanwhile, Mr. Damon would go home and get his affairs in order for the + voyage. Tom's father was introduced to Mr. Parker, and, the former, + finding that the scientist held some views in common with him, invited the + gloomy predictor to remain at the Swift home until the Red Cloud was ready + to sail. Tom could not repress a groan at this, but he decided he would + have to make the best of it. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Damon left for home that afternoon, promising to be on hand at the + time set to start for Phantom Mountain. + </p> + <p> + Tom was up waiting for Mr. Jenks at twelve o'clock that night. Shortly + after the hour he saw a dark figure steal into the orchard. At first he + feared lest it might be one of the spies who were, he was now convinced, + on the trail of the man who was seeking to discover the secret of the + diamond makers. But a whistle, which came to the lad's ear a moment later + (that being a signal Mr. Jenks had agreed to sound), told Tom that it was + none other than the visitor he expected. + </p> + <p> + “All right, Mr. Jenks, I'm here,” called Tom, cautiously. “Come over this + way,” and he went out from the shadow of the house, where he had been + waiting, and met the men. “We'll go into my private work-shop,” the youth + added, leading the way. + </p> + <p> + “Have you decided to go with me?” asked Mr. Jenks, in an anxious whisper. + “Did you find the diamonds to be real ones?” + </p> + <p> + “I did; and I'm going,” spoke Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Good! That relieves my mind. But we are still in danger. I was followed + by my shadower to-day, and only succeeded in shaking him off just before + coming here. I don't believe he knows what I am about to do.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes he does,” said Tom. + </p> + <p> + “He does? How?” + </p> + <p> + “Because he was here, and warned me against you!” + </p> + <p> + “You don't mean it! Well, they are getting desperate! We must be on our + guard. What sort of a man was he?” + </p> + <p> + Tom described the fellow, and Mr. Jenks stated that this tallied with the + appearance of the person who had been shadowing him. + </p> + <p> + “But we'll fool them yet!” cried Tom, who had now fully entered into the + spirit of the affair. “If they can follow us in the Red Cloud they're + welcome to. I think we'll get ahead of them.” + </p> + <p> + He then told of Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker, and Mr. Jenks agreed that it + would add to the strength of the party to take these two gentlemen along. + </p> + <p> + “Though I can't say I care so much for Mr. Parker,” he added. “But now as + to ways and means. When can we start?” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon he and Tom talked over details in the seclusion of the little + office, and arranged to leave Shopton in about a week. In the meanwhile + the airship would be overhauled, stocked with supplies and provisions, and + be made ready for a swift dash to the mountains. + </p> + <p> + “And now I must be going,” said Mr. Jenks. “I have a great deal to do + before I can start on this trip, and I hope I am not prevented by any of + those men who seem to be trailing me.” + </p> + <p> + “How could they prevent you?” Tom wanted to know. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, there are any number of ways,” was the answer. “But I'm glad you + found that my diamonds were real. We'll soon have plenty, if all goes + well.” + </p> + <p> + As Mr. Jenks left the shop, he started back, in some alarm. + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Over there—I thought I saw a figure sneaking along under the trees—that + man—perhaps—” + </p> + <p> + “That's Eradicate, our colored helper,” replied Tom, with a laugh. “I + posted him there to see that no strangers came into the orchard. + Everything all right, Rad?” he asked, raising his voice. + </p> + <p> + “Yais, sah, Massa Tom. Nobody been around yeah this night.” + </p> + <p> + “That's good. You can go to bed now,” and Eradicate, yawning loudly, went + to his shack. A little later Tom sought his own room, Mr. Jenks having + hurried off to town, where he was boarding. + </p> + <p> + The next few days saw Tom busily engaged on the airship, making some + changes and a few repairs that were needed. His father, Eradicate and Mr. + Jackson helped him. As for Mr. Parker, the scientist, he went about the + place, being much interested in the various machines which Tom or Mr. + Swift had patented. + </p> + <p> + At other times the scientist would stroll about the extensive grounds, + making what he said were “observations.” One afternoon Tom saw him, + apparently much excited, kneeling down back of a shed, with his ear to the + ground. + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter?” asked the lad, thinking perhaps Mr. Parker might be + ill. + </p> + <p> + “Have you ever had any earthquakes here, Tom Swift?” asked the scientist, + quietly. + </p> + <p> + “Earthquakes? No. We had enough of them on the island.” + </p> + <p> + “And you are going to have one here, in about two minutes!” cried Mr. + Parker. “I predict that this place will be shaken by a tremendous shock + very soon. We had all better get away from the vicinity of buildings.” + </p> + <p> + “What makes you think there will be an earthquake?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Because I can hear the rumbling beneath the ground at this very minute. + It is increasing in volume, showing that the tremors are working this way. + There will soon be a great subterranean upheaval! Listen for yourself.” + </p> + <p> + Tom cast himself down on the grass. Placing his ear close to the ground he + did hear a series of dull thuds. He arose, not a little alarmed. There had + never been any earthquakes in Shopton, yet he had great respect for Mr. + Parker's scientific attainments. + </p> + <p> + Just then Eradicate Sampson came along. He saw Tom and Mr. Parker lying + flat on the ground, and surprise showed on his honest, black face. + </p> + <p> + “Fo' de land sakes!” cried Eradicate. “What am de mattah now, Massa Tom?” + </p> + <p> + “Earthquake coming,” answered Tom, briefly. “Better get away from the + buildings, Rad. They might fall!” Tom's face showed the alarm he felt. + What would happen to all of his valuable machines—to the Red Cloud? + </p> + <p> + “Earthquake?” murmured Eradicate, and he, too, cast himself down to + listen. A moment later he arose with a laugh. + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter?” cried Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Why, dat ain't no earthquake!” declared the colored man. + </p> + <p> + “No. Then perhaps you know what it is,” said Mr. Parker, somewhat sharply. + </p> + <p> + “Course I knows what it am,” answered Eradicate, with dignity. “Dat noise + am my mule Boomerang, kickin' in his stable, on account oh me not feedin' + him yet. Dat's what it am. I'se gwine right now t' gib him his oats, and + den yo' see dat de noise stop. Boomerang allers kick dat way when he's + hungry. I show yo'!” + </p> + <p> + And, sure enough, when Eradicate had gone to the mule's stable, which was + near where Mr. Parker had heard the mysterious sounds, they immediately + ceased. + </p> + <p> + “Dat mule was all de earthquake dere was around here,” said the colored + man as he came out. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Parker walked away, saying nothing, and Tom did not make any comments—just + then. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII—OFF FOR THE WEST + </h2> + <p> + It was a great relief to Tom, to find that there was no danger from an + earth tremor. Now that he had made up his mind to go in search of the + diamond makers, he wanted nothing to interfere with it. Lest the feelings + of Mr. Parker might be hurt by the mistake he had made, the young inventor + cautioned Eradicate not to say anything more about the matter. + </p> + <p> + “'Deed an' I won't,” the colored man promised. “I'se only too glad dere + wa'n't no earthquake, dat's what I is.” + </p> + <p> + As for Mr. Parker, he did not appear much put out by his error in + predicting. + </p> + <p> + “I am sure that what I heard was a tremor, due to some distant earthquake + shock,” he said. “The mule's kicking was only a coincidence.” + </p> + <p> + And Tom let him have his way about it. The week was drawing to a close, + and the Red Cloud was nearly in shape for the voyage. At almost the last + minute Tom found that he needed some electrical apparatus for the airship, + and as he had to go to Chester for it, he decided he would make the trip + in his monoplane, and, while in the city, would also get the diamond pin + he was having made for Mary Nestor. + </p> + <p> + He started off early one morning, in the swift little craft Butterfly, and + soon had reached Chester. The diamond brooch was ready for him. + </p> + <p> + “It is one of the most beautiful stones we have ever set,” the diamond + merchant told him. “Don't forget, if you find any more, Mr. Swift, to let + us have a chance to bid on them.” + </p> + <p> + “I may,” Tom promised, rather indefinitely. Then, having purchased his + electrical supplies, he made a quick trip to Shopton, stopping on the way + to call on Miss Nestor. + </p> + <p> + “Why Tom, I'm delighted to see you!” cried the girl, blushing prettily. + “Did you come for some apple turnovers?” and she laughed, as she referred + to a call Tom had once paid, when a new cook had been engaged, and when + the pastry formed a feature of the meal. + </p> + <p> + “No turnovers this time,” said the young inventor. “I came to wish you + many happy returns of the day.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you remembered my birthday! How nice of you!” + </p> + <p> + “And here is something else,” added our hero, rather awkwardly, as he + handed her the diamond pin. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Tom! This for me! Oh, it's too lovely—it's far too much!” + </p> + <p> + “It isn't half enough!” he declared, warmly. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, what a large diamond!” Mary cried as she saw the sparkling stone. “I + never saw one so large and beautiful!” + </p> + <p> + “It's just as easy to make them large as small,” explained Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Make them?” she looked the surprise she felt. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I'm about to start for the place where diamonds are made.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Tom! But isn't it dangerous? I mean won't you have to go to some far + country—like Africa—to get to where diamonds are made?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we are going on quite a trip, but not as far as that. And as for + the danger—well, we'll have to take what comes,” and he told her + something of the proposed quest. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it sounds—sounds scary!” Mary exclaimed, when she had heard of + Mr. Jenks' experience. “Do be careful, Tom!” + </p> + <p> + “I will,” he promised, and, somehow he was glad that she had cautioned him + thus—and in such tones as she had used. For Mary Nestor was a girl + that any young chap would have been glad to have manifest an interest in + him. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I guess I'll have to say good-by,” spoke Tom, at length. “We expect + to start in a couple of days, and I may not get another chance to see + you.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I—I hope you come back safely,” faltered Mary, and then she + held out her hand, and Tom—well, it's none of our affair what Tom + did after that, except to say that he hurried out, fairly jumped into his + monoplane, and completed the trip home. + </p> + <p> + As the Red Cloud has been fully described in the volume entitled “Tom + Swift and His Airship,” we will not go into details about it now. + Sufficient to say that it was a combination of a biplane and dirigible + balloon. It could be used either as one or the other, and the gas-bag + feature was of value when the wind was too great to allow the use of the + planes, or when the motive power, for some reason stopped. In that event + the airship could remain suspended far above the clouds if necessary. + There was provision for manufacturing the gas on board. + </p> + <p> + The Red Cloud was fitted up to accommodate about ten persons, though it + was seldom that this number was carried. Two persons could successfully + operate the machinery. There were sleeping berths, and in the main cabin a + sitting-room, a dining-room, and a kitchen. There was also the motor + compartment, and a steering tower, from which the engines could be + controlled. + </p> + <p> + It was in this craft that the seekers after the diamond makers proposed + undertaking the trip. Mr. Damon came on from his home in Waterfield about + two days before the date set to leave, and Mr. Jenks, had, three days + before this, taken up his abode at the Swift home. Mr. Parker, as has been + stated, was already there, and he had put in his time making a number of + scientific observations, though he had made no more predictions. + </p> + <p> + Nothing more had been seen of the mysterious man who had warned Tom, and + the young inventor and Mr. Jenks began to hope that they had thrown their + enemies off the track. + </p> + <p> + “Though I don't imagine they'll give up altogether,” said Mr. Jenks. + “They're too desperate for that. We'll have trouble with them yet.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it can't be helped,” decided Tom. “We'll try and be ready for it, + when it comes,” and then, dismissing the matter from his mind, he busied + himself about the airship. + </p> + <p> + The food and supplies had all been put aboard, and they expected to start + the next morning. In order to make sure that any stones which they might + succeed in getting from the diamond makers were real gems, a set of + testing apparatus was taken along. Mr. Parker had had some experience in + this line, and, in spite of the fact that he might make direful + predictions, Tom was rather glad, after all, that the scientist was going + to accompany them. + </p> + <p> + “But what is worrying me,” said Mr. Damon, “is what we are going to do + after we get to Phantom Mountain. What are your plans, Mr. Jenks? Will you + go in, and demand your share of the diamond-making business?” + </p> + <p> + “I have a right to it, as I invested a large sum in it, and I am entitled + to more than a half-share. But, of course, I can't say what I'll do until + I get there. We may have to act very secretly.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm inclined to think we will,” said Tom. “My plan would be to gain + access to the cave, if possible, and watch them at work. We might be able + to discover the secret of making diamonds, and, after all, that's what you + want, isn't it, Mr. Jenks?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I paid my money for the secret, and I ought to have it. If I can get + it quietly, so much the better. If not, I'll fight for my rights!” and he + looked very determined. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my powder horn!” cried Mr. Damon. “That's the way to talk! And so + we're to go cruising about in the air, looking for a mountain shaped like + a man's head.” + </p> + <p> + “That's it,” agreed Mr. Jenks, “and when we find it we will be near + Phantom Mountain, and the diamond makers.” + </p> + <p> + The final details were completed that night. The last of the supplies had + been put aboard, the larder was well stocked, the diamond testing + apparatus was stored safely away, and all that remained was for the + adventurers to board the Red Cloud in the morning, and soar away. + </p> + <p> + That night Tom was uneasy. Several times he got up, and looked toward the + shed where the airship was stored. He could not rid himself of the idea + that the men to whose interest it was that the diamond-making secret + remain undiscovered, might attempt to wreck the airship before the start. + Consequently both Eradicate Sampson and Engineer Jackson were on guard. + Tom looked from his window, to the shed where the Red Cloud was housed. He + saw nothing to cause him any uneasiness. + </p> + <p> + “I guess I'm just nervous,” he mused. “But, all the same, I'll be glad + when we've started.” + </p> + <p> + They were all up early the next morning, Mr. Damon beginning the day by + blessing the sunrise, and many other things that struck his fancy. The + airship was wheeled out of the shed, and Tom gave her a final inspection. + </p> + <p> + “It's all right,” he declared. “All aboard!” + </p> + <p> + “Now, do be careful,” begged Mr. Swift. “Don't take too many chances, + Tom.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll not.” + </p> + <p> + The adventurers were in the forward part of the ship, and Tom had taken + his place at the wheels and levers in the pilot house. As he was about to + start the motor he looked toward the road, and saw a horse and carriage. + In the vehicle was a girlish figure, at the sight of which Tom blushed and + smiled. He waved his hand. + </p> + <p> + “I came to wish you good luck!” cried Mary Nestor, for it was she in the + carriage. + </p> + <p> + “Thanks!” cried Tom, leaning from the window of the pilot house. “It was + good of you to get up so early.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh. I'm always up early,” she informed him. + </p> + <p> + “Look out that the motor doesn't scare your horse,” Tom warned her. + </p> + <p> + “Old Dobbin doesn't mind anything,” was her answer. “I'll see that he + doesn't run away with me, as long as you're not on earth to rescue me. + Good-by, Tom!” + </p> + <p> + “Good-by!” he called, and then he pulled the lever that set in motion the + motor, and whirled the great propellers about. They whizzed around with a + roar, and the Red Cloud, shivering and trembling with the vibration, rose + in the air like some great bird. + </p> + <p> + “We're off for the West and Phantom Mountain!” called Tom to his + companions. + </p> + <p> + As the airship soared upward, Eradicate Sampson ran forward from where he + had been standing near his mule Boomerang. He waved his hands, and shouted + something. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my hatband! What does he want?” asked Mr. Damon, watching him + curiously. + </p> + <p> + “It sounds as if he were calling to us to come back,” spoke Mr. Parker. + </p> + <p> + “It's too late now,” decided Tom. “Maybe he forgot to tell us good-by,” + but, he felt a vague wonder at Eradicate's odd motions; for the colored + man was pointing toward the stern of the airship, as if there was + something wrong there. But the Red Cloud soared on. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX—A WARNING BY WIRELESS + </h2> + <p> + Rapidly the airship ascended, and, when it was high over the town of + Shopton, Tom headed the craft due west. Looking down he tried to descry + Mary Nestor, in her carriage, but the trees were in the way, their + interlocking branches hiding the girl. Tom did see crowds of other + persons, though, thronging the streets of Shopton, for, though the young + inventor had made many flights, there was always a novelty about them, + that brought out the curious. + </p> + <p> + “A good start, Tom Swift,” complimented Mr. Parker. “Is it always as easy + as this?” + </p> + <p> + “Starting always is,” was the answer, “though, as the Irishman said, + coming down isn't sometimes quite so comfortable.” + </p> + <p> + “Bless my gizzard! That's so,” cried the eccentric Mr. Damon. “Can we + vol-plane to earth in the Red Cloud, Tom?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but not as easily as in the Butterfly. However I hope we will not + have to. Now, Mr. Damon, if you will just take charge of the steering + apparatus for a minute, I want to go aft.” + </p> + <p> + “What for?” + </p> + <p> + “I wish to see if everything is all right. I can't imagine why Eradicate + was making those queer motions.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Damon, who knew how to operate the Red Cloud, was soon guiding her on + the course, while Tom made his way to the rear compartments, through the + motor room, where the stores of supplies and food were kept. He made a + careful examination, looking from an after window, and even going out on a + small, open platform, but could discover nothing wrong. + </p> + <p> + “I guess Rad was just capering about without any special object,” mused + Tom, but it was not long after this that they learned to their dismay, + that the colored man had had a method in his madness. + </p> + <p> + On his way back through the motor room Tom looked to the machinery, and + adjusted some of the auxiliary oil feeders. The various pieces of + apparatus were working well, though the engine had not yet been speeded up + to its limit. Tom wanted it to “warm-up” first. + </p> + <p> + “Everything all right?” asked Mr. Damon, as Tom rejoined them in the pilot + house, which was just forward of the living room in the main cabin. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I can't imagine what made Rad act that way. But I'll set the + automatic steering gear now, Mr. Damon, and then you will be relieved.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Jenks was gazing off toward the west—to where he hoped to + discover the secret of Phantom Mountain. + </p> + <p> + “How do you like it?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “It's great,” replied the diamond man. “I've never been in an airship + before, and it's different than what I expected; but it's great! It's the + only craft that will serve our purpose among the towering mountain peaks, + where the diamond makers are hidden. I hope we can find them.” + </p> + <p> + In a little while the Red Cloud was skimming along at faster speed, guided + by the automatic rudders, so that no one was needed in the pilot house, + since there was no danger of collisions. Airships are not quite numerous + enough for that, yet, though they may soon become so. + </p> + <p> + Tom and the others devoted several hours to arranging their staterooms and + bunks, and getting their clothing stowed away, and when this was done Mr. + Parker and Mr. Jenks sat gazing off into space. + </p> + <p> + “It's hard to realize that we are really in an airship,” observed the + diamond man. “At first I thought I would be frightened, but I'm not a bit. + It doesn't seem as if anything could happen.” + </p> + <p> + “Something is likely to happen soon,” said Mr. Parker, suddenly, as he + gazed at some weather instruments on the cabin wall. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my soul! Don't say that!” cried Mr. Damon. “What is it?” + </p> + <p> + “I think, from my observations, that we will soon have a hurricane,” said + the scientific man. “There is every indication of it;” and he seemed quite + delighted at the prospect of his prediction coming true. + </p> + <p> + “A hurricane!” cried Mr. Damon. “I hope it isn't like the one that blew us + to Earthquake Island.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I think there will be no danger,” spoke Tom. “If it comes on to blow + we will ascend or descend out of the path of the storm. This craft is not + like the ill-fated Whizzer. I can more easily handle the Red Cloud; even + in a bad storm.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad to hear that,” remarked Mr. Jenks. “It would be too bad to be + wrecked before we got to Phantom Mountain.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I predict that we will have a bad storm,” insisted Mr. Parker, and + Tom could not help wishing that the scientist would keep his gloomy + forebodings to himself. + </p> + <p> + However the storm had not developed up to noon, when Tom, with Mr. Damon's + help, served a fine meal in the dining-room. In the afternoon the speed of + the ship was increased, and by night they had covered several hundred + miles. Through the darkness the Red Cloud kept on, making good time. Tom + got up, occasionally, to look to the machinery, but it was all + automatically controlled, and an alarm bell would sound in his stateroom + when anything went wrong. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my napkin!” exclaimed Mr. Damon the next morning, as they sat down + to a breakfast of fruit, ham and eggs and fragrant coffee, “this is living + as well as in a hotel, and yet we are—how far are we above the + earth, Tom?” he asked, turning to the young inventor. + </p> + <p> + “About two miles now. I just sent her up, as I thought I detected that + storm Mr. Parker spoke of.” + </p> + <p> + “I told you it would come,” declared the scientist, and there was a small + hurricane below them that morning, but only the lower edge of it caught + the Red Cloud, and when Tom sent her up still higher she found a + comparatively quiet zone, where she slid along at good speed. + </p> + <p> + That afternoon Tom busied himself about some wires and a number of + complicated pieces of apparatus which were in one corner of the main + cabin. + </p> + <p> + “What are you doing now?” asked Mr. Jenks, who had been talking with Mr. + Parker, and showing that scientist some of the manufactured diamonds. + </p> + <p> + “Getting our wireless apparatus in shape,” answered the lad. “I should + have done it before, but I had so much to do that I couldn't get at it. + I'm going to send off some messages. Dad will want to know how we are + doing.” + </p> + <p> + As he worked away, he also made up his mind to send another message, in + care of his father, for there was a receiving station in the Swift home. + And to whom this message was addressed Tom did not say, but we fancy some + of our readers can guess. + </p> + <p> + Finally, after several hours of work, the wireless was in shape to send + and receive messages. Tom pulled over the lever, and a crackling sound was + heard, as the electricity leaped from the transmitters into space. Then he + clamped the receiver on his ear. + </p> + <p> + “All ready,” he announced. “Has anybody any messages they wish sent?” For, + with the courtesy of a true host he was ready to serve his guests before + he forwarded his own wireless notes. + </p> + <p> + “Just tell my wife that I'm enjoying myself,” requested Mr. Damon. “Bless + my footstool! But this is great! We're off the earth yet, connected with + it.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Jenks had no one to whom he wanted to send any word, but Mr. Parker + wish to wire to a fellow scientist the result of some observations made in + the upper air. + </p> + <p> + Tom noted all the messages down, and then, when all was in readiness he + began to call his home station. He knew that either his father or Mr. + Jackson, the engineer, could receive the wireless. + </p> + <p> + But, no sooner had the young inventor sent off the first few dots and + dashes representing “S. I.”—his home station call—than he + started and a look of surprise came over his face. + </p> + <p> + “They're calling us!” he exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + “Who is?” asked Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “My house—my father. He—he's been trying to get us ever since + we started, but I didn't have the wireless in shape to receive messages. + Oh, I hope it's not too late!” + </p> + <p> + “Too late! Bless my soul, too late for what?” gasped Mr. Damon, somewhat + alarmed by Tom's manner. + </p> + <p> + The lad did not answer at once. He was intently listening to a series of + dots and dashes that clicked in the telephone receiver clamped to his left + ear. On his face there was a look of worriment. + </p> + <p> + “Father has just sent me a message,” he said. “It's a warning flashed + through space! He's been trying to get it to me since yesterday!” + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” asked Mr. Jenks, rising from his seat. + </p> + <p> + “The mysterious man is aboard the airship—hidden away!” cried Tom. + “That's what Eradicate was trying to call to our attention as we started + off. Eradicate saw his face at a rear window, and tried to warn us! The + mysterious man is a stowaway on board!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X—DROPPING THE STOWAWAY + </h2> + <p> + Tom's excited announcement startled Mr. Damon and the others as much as if + the young inventor had informed them that the airship had exploded and was + about to dash with them to the earth. The men leaped to their feet, and + stared at the lad. + </p> + <p> + “A stowaway on board!” cried Mr. Damon. “Bless my soul! How did he—” + </p> + <p> + “Are you sure that message is straight?” asked Mr. Jenks. “Did Eradicate + see the man?” + </p> + <p> + “He says he did,” answered Tom. “The man is hidden away on board now—probably + among the stores and supplies.” + </p> + <p> + “Bless my tomato sauce!” exploded Mr. Damon. “I hope he doesn't eat them + all up!” + </p> + <p> + “We must get him out at once!” declared Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “I knew something would happen on this voyage,” came from Mr. Parker. “I + predicted it from the first!” + </p> + <p> + Tom thought considerable, but he did not answer the scientist just then. + Another communication was coming to him by wireless. He listened intently. + </p> + <p> + “Father says,” the lad told his companions “that Eradicate only had a + glimpse of the man at the last moment. He was looking from the rear + storeroom window—he's the same man who called on me that time—Rad + remembers him very well.” + </p> + <p> + “Bless my shoes! What's to be done?” inquired Mr. Damon, looking around + helplessly. + </p> + <p> + “We must get him out, that's all,” decided Mr. Jenks; with vigor. “Get him + out and drop him overboard!” + </p> + <p> + “Drop him overboard!” cried Mr. Parker, in horror. + </p> + <p> + “Not exactly, but get rid of him,” proceeded the diamond seeker. “That man + is one of my enemies. He has been sent by the band of diamond makers + hidden among the mountains, to spy on me, and, if possible, prevent me + from seeking to discover their secret. He tried to work on Tom's Swift's + fears, and frighten him from using his airship on this quest. Then, when + he failed, the man must have sneaked into the shed, and hidden himself in + the ship. We must get rid of him, or he may wreck the Red Cloud!” + </p> + <p> + “That's so!” cried Tom. “We must try to capture him. I think we had better—” + the lad paused, and again listened to the wireless message. “Father says + Eradicate saw the man have a gun, so we must be careful,” the young + inventor translated the dots and dashes. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my powder horn!” exploded Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “We shall have to proceed cautiously then,” spoke Mr. Jenks. “If he is + like any others in the gang he is a desperate man.” + </p> + <p> + “Better sneak up on him then, if we can,” proposed Mr. Parker. “There are + enough of us to cope with one man, even if he is armed. You have weapons + aboard, haven't you?” he inquired of Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” was the hesitating answer, “but I don't want to use them if I can + help it. Not only because of the danger, and a dislike of shedding blood, + but because a stray bullet might pierce the gas bag and damage the ship.” + </p> + <p> + “That's so,” agreed Mr. Jenks. “Well, I guess if we go at it the right way + we can capture him without any shooting. But we must talk more quietly—we + ought to have whispered—he may have heard us.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think so,” replied Tom. “The storeroom is far enough off so that + he couldn't hear us. Besides, the motor makes such a racket that he + couldn't distinguish what we were talking about, even if he heard our + voices. So, unless he heard the wireless working, and suspects something + from that, he probably doesn't know that we are aware of his presence + aboard.” + </p> + <p> + “But why do you think he has remained quiet all this while, Tom?” asked + Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “Probably he wants to wait until the ship is farther out west,” suggested + Mr. Jenks. “Then he will be nearer his friends, and can get help, if he + needs it.” + </p> + <p> + “And do you really believe he would destroy the Red Cloud?” asked Mr. + Parker. + </p> + <p> + “I think that all he is waiting for is a favorable chance,” declared the + diamond seeker. “He would destroy the craft, and us too, if he could + prevent us from discovering the secret of Phantom Mountain, I believe.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we must get ahead of him,” decided Tom, quietly. “I have just + flashed to dad a message, telling him that we will heed his warning. Now + to capture the stowaway!” + </p> + <p> + “And while we're about it, give him a good scare when we do get him,” + suggested Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “How?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Threaten to drop him overboard. Perhaps that will make him tell how he + happened to get in our ship, and what are the plans of the gang of diamond + makers. We may get valuable information that way.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't believe you can scare such fellows much,” was Tom's opinion, but + it was agreed to try. + </p> + <p> + “How are you going to capture him?” asked Mr. Parker. “If he has a gun it + won't be any too easy to go in the storeroom, and drag him out.” + </p> + <p> + “We'll have to use a little strategy,” decided Tom, and then they + discussed several plans. The one finally adopted was that Tom and Mr. + Damon should enter the storeroom, casually, as if in search of food to + cook for supper. They would discuss various dishes, and Mr. Damon was to + express a preference for something in the food line, the box containing + which, was well back in the room. This would give the two a chance to + penetrate to the far end of the apartment, without arousing the suspicions + of the hidden man, who, doubtless, would be listening to the conversation. + </p> + <p> + “And as soon as we get sight of him, you and I will jump right at him, Mr. + Damon,” said Tom. “Jump before he has a chance to use his gun. Mr. Jenks + and Mr. Parker will be waiting outside the room, to catch him if he gets + away from us. I'll have some ropes ready, and we'll tie him up, and—well, + we'll decide later what to do with him.” + </p> + <p> + “All right. I'm ready as soon as you are, Tom,” said the eccentric man. + “Come ahead.” + </p> + <p> + They went softly to the storeroom, and listened at the door. There was no + sound heard save that made by the machinery. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder if he's really here?” whispered Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “We'll soon find out,” answered Tom. “Let's go in.” + </p> + <p> + They entered, and, in pursuance of their plan, Tom and his friend talked + of various foods. + </p> + <p> + “I think I'd like some of that canned lobster, with French dressing on,” + spoke the eccentric man. + </p> + <p> + “That's away in the back end of the room,” said Tom, in a loud voice. + “It's under a lot of boxes.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I'll help you get it out! Bless my frying pan! but I am very fond of + lobster!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, in as natural tones as was possible under + the circumstances. + </p> + <p> + He and Tom moved cautiously back among the boxes and barrels. They were + glancing about with eager eyes. Tom switched on an electric light, and, + the instant he did so, he was aware of a movement in a little space formed + by one box which was placed on top, of two others. The lad saw a dark + figure moving, as if to get farther out of sight. + </p> + <p> + “I've got him!” cried Tom, making a dive for the shadow. + </p> + <p> + A moment later the young inventor was bowled over, as a dark figure leaped + over his head. + </p> + <p> + “Catch him, Mr. Damon!” he cried. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my hatband! I—I—” Mr. Damon's voice ended in a grunt. + He, too, had been knocked down by the fleeing man. + </p> + <p> + “Look out, Mr. Jenks!” cried Tom, to warn those on guard at the door of + the storeroom. + </p> + <p> + There was the report of a gun, some excited shouts, and when Tom could + scramble to his feet, and rush out, he beheld Mr. Parker calmly sitting on + a struggling man, while Mr. Jenks held a gun, that was still smoking. + </p> + <p> + “We caught him!” cried the scientist. + </p> + <p> + “Anybody hurt?” asked Tom, anxiously. + </p> + <p> + “No, I knocked up his gun as he fired,” explained Mr. Jenks. “Where are + the ropes, Tom?” + </p> + <p> + The cords were produced and the man, who had now ceased to struggle, was + tightly bound. He uttered not a word, but he smiled grimly when Mr. Damon + remarked: + </p> + <p> + “I guess I'll go back in the storeroom, Tom, and see how much food he + ate.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I guess he didn't take much,” declared the lad. “He wasn't there long + enough.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Farley Munson, so it's you, is it?” asked Mr. Jenks, as he surveyed + the prisoner. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know him?” asked Tom, in some surprise. + </p> + <p> + “He was in with the diamond makers,” said Mr. Jenks. “He was one of those + who took me to the secret cave. But it will be the last time he ever goes + there. How high up are we, Tom?” + </p> + <p> + “About two miles. Why?” + </p> + <p> + “I guess that will be far enough to let him fall,” went on the diamond + seeker. “Come on, Mr. Damon, help me throw him overboard!” + </p> + <p> + “You—you're not going to throw me over—with the airship two + miles high; are you?” gasped the man. + </p> + <p> + “Will you tell us what we want to know, if we don't?” asked Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “What do you want to know?” + </p> + <p> + “How you got aboard, and what your object was in coming.” + </p> + <p> + “That's easy enough. I had been hanging around the shed for several days, + watching a chance to get in. Finally I saw it, when that colored man went + to feed his mule, and I slipped in, and hid in the airship. The stores + were all in then, and I stowed myself away among the boxes. I had food and + water, so I didn't touch any of yours,” and he looked at Mr. Damon, who + seemed much relieved. + </p> + <p> + “And what was your object?” demanded Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “I wanted to prevent you from going to Phantom Mountain.” + </p> + <p> + “How?” + </p> + <p> + “By destroying the airship if need be. But I hoped to accomplish it by + other means. I would have stopped at nothing, though, to prevent you. You + must keep away from there!” + </p> + <p> + “And if we refuse?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Then you'll have to take what comes!” + </p> + <p> + “But not from you!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. “We're going to get rid of you.” + </p> + <p> + The man's face showed the alarm he felt. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, don't worry,” said Mr. Jenks, quickly, “we're not going to toss you + overboard. We're not as desperate as your crowd. But we're going to get + rid of you, and then go on before you can send any word to your + confederates. We'll put you off in the most lonesome spot we can find, and + I guess you'll be some time getting back to civilization. By that time + we'll have the secret of the diamonds.” + </p> + <p> + “You never will!” declared the man, firmly. And he would say nothing more, + though by threats and promises Mr. Jenks tried to get from him something + about the men in with him, and where the cave of the diamonds was located. + </p> + <p> + Heavily bound with ropes the man was locked in a small closet, to be kept + there until a favorable spot was reached for letting him go. Mr. Jenks' + plan, of dropping him down in some place where he would have difficulty in + sending on word to his confederates was considered a good one. + </p> + <p> + Three days later, in crossing over a lonely region, near the Nebraska + National Forest, Farley Munson, which was one of the names the spy went + by, was dropped off the airship, when it was sent down to within a few + feet of the earth. + </p> + <p> + “It will take you some time to get to a telegraph office,” said Mr. Jenks, + as a package of food, and a flask of water was tossed down to the + stowaway. He shook his fist at those in the airship, and shouted after + them: + </p> + <p> + “You'll never discover the secret of Phantom Mountain!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we will,” declared Tom, as he sent the Red Cloud high into the air + again. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI—A WEARY SEARCH + </h2> + <p> + During the three days when the stowaway had been kept a prisoner, the Red + Cloud had made good time on her western trip. She was now about two + hundred and fifty miles from Leadville, Colorado, and Tom knew he could + accomplish that distance in a short time. It was necessary, therefore, + since they were so close to the place where the real search would begin, + to make some more definite plans. + </p> + <p> + “We will need to replenish our supply of gasoline,” said Tom, shortly + after the stowaway had been dropped, and when the young inventor had made + a general inspection of the airship. + </p> + <p> + “Is it all gone?” inquired Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “Not all, but we will soon be in the wildest part of the Rocky Mountains, + and gasoline is difficult to procure there. So I want to fill all our + reserve tanks. But I would rather do that before we get far into + Colorado.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” inquired Mr. Parker. + </p> + <p> + “Because airships are not so common but what the appearance of one + attracts attention. Ours is sure to be talked about, and commented on. In + that case, in spite of our precaution in putting Munson off in this lonely + place, word of the Red Cloud being in the vicinity of Leadville may reach + the diamond makers, and put them on their guard. We want to take them + unawares if we can.” + </p> + <p> + “That's so,” agreed Mr. Jenks. “We had better get our gasoline at the + first stopping place, then, and proceed with our search. Our first object + ought to be to look for the landmark—the head of stone. Then we can + begin to prospect about a bit.” + </p> + <p> + “My idea, exactly,” declared Tom. “Well, then, I'll go down at the first + place we cross, where we can get gasoline, and then we'll be in a position + to hover in the air for a long time, without descending.” + </p> + <p> + The airship kept on her way, traveling slowly the remainder of that day, + and at dusk, when there was less chance of big crowds seeing them, the Red + Cloud was sent down on the outskirts of a large village. Tom and Mr. Damon + went to a supply store, and arranged to have a sufficient quantity of the + gasoline taken out to the airship. It was delivered after dark, and little + talk was occasioned by the few who were aware of the presence of the + craft. Then, once more, they went aloft, and Tom sent several wireless + messages to Shopton, including one to Miss Nestor. + </p> + <p> + “Please tell my wife that I am well, and that I have a good appetite,” + said Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Parker also sent a message to a scientific friend of his, stating that + he made some observations among the mountains, of the region in which the + airship then was, and that the indications were that a great landslide + would soon take place. + </p> + <p> + “That won't worry us,” spoke Tom, “for we'll be far above it.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope we will be near enough to enable me to observe it, and make some + scientific notes,” came from Mr. Parker. “I am positive that one of these + mountain peaks that we saw to-day will disappear in a landslide within a + few days. I have an instrument somewhat like the one that records + earthquakes, and it has been acting strangely of late.” + </p> + <p> + Tom wondered what enjoyment Mr. Parker got out of life, when he was always + looking for some calamity to happen, but the scientist seemed to take as + much pleasure in his gloomy forebodings now, as he had on Earthquake + Island. + </p> + <p> + They reached the vicinity of Leadville the next day, but took care to keep + high above the city, so that the airship could not be observed. With + powerful glasses they examined the mountainous country, looking for the + little settlement of Indian Ridge. + </p> + <p> + “There it is!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks, just as dusk was settling down. “I can + make out the hotel I stopped at. Now we can really begin our search. The + next thing is to find the stone head, and then, I think, I will have my + bearings.” + </p> + <p> + “We'll begin the hunt for that landmark in the morning,” said Tom. + </p> + <p> + High in the air hovered the Red Cloud. At that distance above the earth + she must have looked like some great bird, and the adventurers thought it + unlikely that any one in the vicinity of Leadville would observe them. + </p> + <p> + The quest for the great mountain peak, that looked like a stone head, was + under way. Back and forth sailed the airship. Sometimes she was enveloped + in fog, and no sight could be had of the earth below. At other times there + were rain storms, which likewise prevented a view. Mr. Parker was on the + lookout for his predicted mountain landslide, but it did not occur, and he + was much disappointed. + </p> + <p> + “It's queer I can't pick out that landmark,” said Mr. Jenks after two days + of weary searching, when their eyes were strained from long peering + through telescopes. “I'm sure it was around Indian Ridge, yet we've + covered almost all the ground in this neighborhood, and I haven't had a + glimpse of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps it was destroyed in a landslide, or some cataclysm of nature,” + suggested Mr. Parker. “That is very possible.” + </p> + <p> + “If that's the case we're going to have a hard time to locate the cave of + the diamond makers,” answered Mr. Jenks, “but I hope it isn't so.” + </p> + <p> + They continued the search for another day, and then Tom, as they sat in + the comfortable cabin of the airship that night, hovering almost + motionless (for the motor had been shut down) made a proposition. + </p> + <p> + “Why not descend in some secluded place,” he suggested, “and wander around + on foot, making inquiries of the miners. They may know where the stone + head is, or they may even know about Phantom Mountain.” + </p> + <p> + “Good idea,” spoke Mr. Jenks. “We'll do it.” + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, the next morning, the Red Cloud was lowered in a good but + lonely landing place, and securely moored. It was in a valley, well + screened from observation, and the craft was not likely to be seen, but, + to guard against any damage being done to it by passing hunters or miners, + Mr. Parker and Mr. Damon agreed to remain on guard in it, while Tom and + Mr. Jenks spent a day or two traveling around, making inquiries. + </p> + <p> + The young inventor and his companion proceeded on foot to a small + settlement, where they hired horses on which to make their way about. They + were to be gone two days, and in that time they hoped to get on the right + trail. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII—THE GREAT STONE HEAD + </h2> + <p> + It was a wild and desolate country in which Tom Swift and Mr. Jenks were + traveling. Villages were far apart, and they were at best but small + settlements. In their journeys from place to place they met few travelers. + </p> + <p> + But of these few they made cautious inquiries as to the location of + Phantom Mountain, or the landmark known as the great stone head. + Prospectors, miners and hunters, whom they asked, shook their heads. + </p> + <p> + “I've heard of Phantom Mountain,” said one grizzled miner, “but I couldn't + say where it is. Maybe it's only a fish story—the place may not even + exist.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it does, for I've been there!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “Then why don't you go back to it?” asked the miner. + </p> + <p> + “Because I can't locate it again,” was the reply. + </p> + <p> + “Humph! Mighty queer if you've seen a place once, and can't get to it + again,” and the man looked as if he thought there was something strange + about Tom and his companion. Mr. Jenks did not want to say that he had + been taken to the mountain blindfolded, for that would have caused too + much talk. + </p> + <p> + “I think if we spent to-night in a place where the miners congregate, + listened to their talk, and put a few casual questions to them, more as if + we were only asking out of idle curiosity, we might learn something,” + suggested Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Very well, we'll try that scheme.” + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, after they had left the suspicious miner the two proceeded to + a small milling town, not far from Indian Ridge. There they engaged rooms + for the night at the only hotel, and, after supper they sat around the + combined dance hall and gambling place. + </p> + <p> + There were wild, rough scenes, which were distasteful to Tom, and to Mr. + Jenks, but they felt that this was their only chance to get on the right + trail, and so they stayed. As strangers in a western mining settlement + they were made roughly welcome, and in response to their inquiries about + the country, they were told many tales, some of which were evidently + gotten up for the benefit of the “tenderfeet.” + </p> + <p> + “Is there a place around here called Phantom Mountain?” asked Tom, at + length, as quietly as he could. + </p> + <p> + “Never heard of it, stranger,” replied a miner who had done most of the + talking. “I never heard of it, and what Bill Slatterly don't know ain't + worth knowin'. I'm Bill Slatterly,” he added, lest there be some doubt on + that score. + </p> + <p> + “Isn't there some sort of a landmark around here shaped like a great stone + head?” went on Tom, after some unimportant questions. “Seems to me I've + heard of that.” + </p> + <p> + “Nary a one,” answered Mr. Slatterly. “No stone heads, and no Phantom + Mountains—nary a one. + </p> + <p> + “Who says there ain't no Phantom Mountains?” demanded an elderly miner, + who had been dozing in one corner of the room, but who was awakened by + Slatterly's loud voice. “Who says so?” + </p> + <p> + “I do,” answered the one who claimed to know everything. + </p> + <p> + “Then you're wrong!” Tom's heart commenced beating faster than usual. + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean to say you've seen Phantom Mountain, Jed Nugg?” demanded + Slatterly. + </p> + <p> + “No, I ain't exactly seen it, an' I don't want to, but there is such a + place, about sixty mile from here. Folks says it's haunted, and them sort + of places I steer clear from.” + </p> + <p> + “Can you tell me about it?” asked Mr. Jenks, eagerly. “I am interested in + such things.” + </p> + <p> + “I can't tell you much about it,” was the reply, “and I wouldn't git too + interested, if I was you. It might not be healthy. All I know is that one + time my partner and I were in hard luck. We got grub-staked, and went out + prospectin'. We strayed into a wild part of the country about sixty mile + from here, and one night we camped on a mountain—a wild, desolate + place it was too.” + </p> + <p> + The miner stopped, and began leisurely filling his pipe. + </p> + <p> + “Well?” asked Tom, trying not to let his voice sound too eager. + </p> + <p> + “Well, that was Phantom Mountain.” + </p> + <p> + The miner seemed to have finished his story. + </p> + <p> + “Is that all?” asked Mr. Jenks. “How did you know it was Phantom + Mountain?” + </p> + <p> + “'Cause we seen the ghost—my partner and I—that's why!” + exclaimed the man, puffing on his pipe. “As I said, we was campin' there, + and 'long about midnight we seen somethin' tall and white, and all + shimmerin', with a sort of yellow fire, slidin' down the side of the + mountain. It made straight for our camp.” + </p> + <p> + “Huh! Guess you run, didn't you, Jed?” asked Bill Slatterly. + </p> + <p> + “Course we did. You'd a run too, if you seen a ghost comm' at you, an' + firin' a gun.” + </p> + <p> + “Ghosts can't fire guns!” declared Bill. “I guess you dreamed it, Jed.” + </p> + <p> + “Ghosts can't fire guns, eh? That's all you know about it. This one did, + and to prove I didn't dream it, there was a bullet hole in my hat next + mornin'. I could prove it, too, only I ain't got that hat any more. But + that was Phantom Mountain, strangers, an' my advice to you is to keep away + from it. I was on it but I didn't exactly see it, 'cause it was dark at + the time.” + </p> + <p> + “Was it near a peak that looked like a stone head?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “It were, stranger, but I didn't take much notice of it. Me and my partner + got out of them diggin's next day, and I never went back. I ain't never + said much about this place, but it's called Phantom Mountain all right, + and I ain't the only one that's seen a ghost there. Other grub-stakers has + had the same experience.” + </p> + <p> + “Why ain't I never heard about it?” demanded Bill, suspiciously. + </p> + <p> + “'Cause as why you're allers so busy talkin' that you don't never listen + to nothin' I reckon,” was Jed's answer, amid laughter. + </p> + <p> + “Can you tell us what trail to take to get there?” asked Tom, of the + miner. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it's called the old silver trail, and you strike it by goin' to a + place called Black Gulch, about forty mile from here. Then it's twenty + mile farther on. But take my advice and don't go.” + </p> + <p> + “Can it be reached by way of Indian Ridge?” asked Mr. Jenks, wondering how + he had been taken to the cave of the diamond makers. He did not remember + Black Gulch. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you can git there by Indian Ridge way, but it's more dangerous. + You're likely to lose your way, for that's a trail that's seldom + traveled.” Mr. Jenks thought that, perhaps, was the reason the gang had + taken him that way. “It's easier to get to the stone head and Phantom + Mountain by Black Gulch, but it ain't healthy to go there, strangers, take + my advice on that,” concluded the miner, as he prepared to go to sleep + again. + </p> + <p> + Tom could scarcely contain the exultation he felt. At last, it seemed, + they were on the trail. He motioned to Mr. Jenks, and they slipped quietly + from the place, just as another dance was beginning. + </p> + <p> + “Now for Black Gulch!” cried Tom. “We must hurry back to the airship, and + tell the good news. + </p> + <p> + “It's too late to-night,” decided Mr. Jenks, and so they waited until + morning, when they made an early start. + </p> + <p> + They found Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker anxiously awaiting their return. Mr. + Damon blessed so many things that he was nearly out of breath, and Mr. + Parker related something of the observations he had made. + </p> + <p> + “I think I have discovered traces of a dormant volcano,” he said. “I am in + hopes that it will have an eruption while we are here.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm not,” spoke Tom, decidedly. “We'll start for Black Gulch as soon as + possible.” + </p> + <p> + The airship once more rose in the air, and, following the directions the + miner had given him, Tom pointed his craft for the depression in the + mountains which had been given the name Black Gulch. It was reached in a + short time, and then, making a turn up a long valley the airship proceeded + at reduced speed. + </p> + <p> + “We ought to see that stone head soon now,” spoke Tom, as he peered from + the windows of the pilot house. + </p> + <p> + “It's queer we didn't notice it when we were up in the air,” remarked Mr. + Jenks. “We've been over this place before, I'm sure of it.” + </p> + <p> + The next moment Mr. Damon uttered a cry. “Bless my watch-chain!” he + exclaimed. “Look at that!” + </p> + <p> + He pointed off to the left. There, jutting out from the side of a steep + mountain peak was a mass of stone—black stone—which, as the + airship slowly approached, took the form and shape of a giant's head. + </p> + <p> + “That's it! That's it!” cried Tom. “The great stone head!” + </p> + <p> + “And now for Phantom Mountain and the diamonds!” shouted Mr. Jenks, as Tom + let the airship slowly settle to the bottom of the valley. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII—ON PHANTOM MOUNTAIN + </h2> + <p> + Out from the Red Cloud piled Tom and the others. They made a rush for the + irregular mass of rock which bore so strong a resemblance to the head of + some gigantic man. + </p> + <p> + “That's the one! That's the thing I saw when they were taking me along + here blindfolded!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. “I'm sure we're on the right + trail, now!” + </p> + <p> + “But what gets me, though,” remarked Mr. Damon, “is why we couldn't see + that landmark when we were up in the air. We had a fine view, and ought to + have been able to pick it out with the telescopes.” + </p> + <p> + The adventurers saw the reason a few seconds later. The image was visible + only from one place, and that was directly looking up the valley. If one + went too far to the right or left the head disappeared from view behind + jutting crags, and it was impossible to see it from overhead, because the + head was almost under a great spur of a mighty mountain. + </p> + <p> + “We might have hunted for it a week in the airship, and been directly over + it,” said Tom, “and yet we would never have seen it.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but we never would have gotten here in such good shape if it hadn't + been for your wonderful craft,” declared Mr. Jenks. “It brought us here + safely and quickly, and enabled us to elude the men who tried to keep us + back. We're here in spite of them. If we had traveled by train they might + have interfered with us in a dozen ways.” + </p> + <p> + “That's so,” agreed Mr. Damon. “Well, now we're here, what's to be done? + Which way do we start to reach the cave where the diamonds are + manufactured, Mr. Jenks?” + </p> + <p> + “That I can't say. As you know, I only had a momentary glimpse of this + stone head as they were taking me along the trail. Then one of the men + noticed that the bandage had slipped and he pulled it into place. So I + really can't say which direction to take now, in order to discover the + secret.” + </p> + <p> + “How long after you saw the head before you reached the cave?” asked Tom. + “In that way we may be able to tell how far away it is.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I should say it was about two or three hours after I saw the head, + before we got to the halting place, and I was carried into the cave. That + would make it several miles from here, for we went in a wagon.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and they might have driven in a round-about way, in order to deceive + you,” suggested Mr. Damon. “At best we have but a faint idea where the + diamond cave is, but we must search for it; eh, Tom?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly. We'll start right in. And as the airship will be of but little + service to us now, I suggest that we leave it in this valley. It is very + much secluded, and no one will harm it, I think. We can then start off + prospecting, for I have a large portable tent, and we can carry enough + food with us, with what game we can shoot, to enable us to live. I have a + regular camping outfit on board.” + </p> + <p> + “Fine!” cried Mr. Parker, “and that will give me a chance to make some + observations among the mountains, and perhaps I can predict when a + landslide, or an eruption of some dormant volcano, may occur.” + </p> + <p> + “Bless my stars!” cried Mr. Damon. “I don't wish you any bad luck, Mr. + Parker, but I sincerely hope nothing of the sort happens! We had enough of + that on Earthquake Island!” + </p> + <p> + “One can not halt the forces of nature,” said the scientist, solemnly. + “There are many towering peaks around here which may contain old + volcanoes. And I notice the presence of iron ore all about. This must be a + wonderful place in a thunder and lightning storm.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” asked Tom, curiously. + </p> + <p> + “Because lightning would be powerfully attracted here by the presence of + the metal. In fact there is evidence that many of the peaks have been + struck by lightning,” and the scientist showed curious, livid scars on the + stone faces of the peaks within sight. + </p> + <p> + “Then this is a good place to stay away from in a storm,” observed Mr. + Damon. “However, we won't worry about that now. If this is the landmark + Mr. Jenks was searching for, then we must be in the vicinity of Phantom + Mountain.” + </p> + <p> + “I think we are,” declared the diamond seeker. “Probably it is within + sight now, but there are so many peaks, and this is such a wild and + desolate part of the country that we may have trouble in locating it.” + </p> + <p> + “We've got to make a beginning, anyhow,” decided Tom, “and the sooner the + better. Come, we'll make up our camping kits, and start out.” + </p> + <p> + It was something to know that they were on the right trail, and it was a + relief to be able to busy oneself, and not be aimlessly searching for a + mysterious landmark. They all felt this, and soon the airship was taken to + a secluded part of the valley, where it was well hidden from sight in a + grove of trees. + </p> + <p> + Tom and Mr. Damon then served a good meal, and preparations were made to + start on their search among the mountains—a search which they hoped + would lead them to Phantom Mountain, and the cave of the diamond makers. + </p> + <p> + The tent which would afford them shelter was in sections, and could be + laced together. They carried food, compressed into small packages, coffee, + a few cooking utensils; and each one had a gun, Tom carrying a combination + rifle and shotgun, for game. + </p> + <p> + “We can't live very high while we're on the trail,” said the young + inventor, “but it won't be much worse than it was on Earthquake Island. + Are we all ready?” + </p> + <p> + “I guess so,” answered Mr. Damon. “How long are we going to be away?” + </p> + <p> + “Until we find the diamond makers!” declared Tom, firmly. + </p> + <p> + Shouldering their packs, the adventurers started off. Tom turned for a + last look at his airship, dimly seen amid the trees. Would he ever come + back to the Red Cloud? Would she be there when he did return? Would their + quest be successful? These questions the lad asked himself, as he followed + his companions along the rocky trail. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps we can find the road by which these men go in and out of the + cave,” suggested Mr. Damon, when they had gone on for several miles. + </p> + <p> + “I fancy not,” replied Mr. Jenks. “They probably take great pains to hide + it. I think though, that our best plan will be to go here and there, + looking for the entrance to the cave. I believe I would remember the + place.” + </p> + <p> + “But why can't you follow the directions given by the miner who told you + about Phantom Mountain?” asked Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “Because his talk was too indefinite,” answered Mr. Jenks. “He was so + frightened by seeing what he believed to be a ghost, that he didn't take + much notice of the location of the place. All he knows is that Phantom + Mountain is somewhere around here.” + </p> + <p> + “And we've got to hunt until we find it; is that the idea?” asked Mr. + Parker. + </p> + <p> + “Or until we see the phantom,” added Tom, in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my topknot!” exclaimed Mr. Damon. “You don't mean to say you expect + to see that ghost; do you Tom?” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps,” answered the young inventor, and he did not add something else + of which he was thinking. For Tom had a curious theory regarding the + phantom. + </p> + <p> + They tramped about the remainder of that day. Toward evening Tom shot some + birds, which made a welcome addition to their supper. Then the tent was + put together, some spruce and hemlock boughs were cut to make a soft bed, + and on these, while the light of a campfire gleamed in on them, the + adventurers slept. + </p> + <p> + Their experience the following day was similar to the first. They saw no + evidence of a large cave such as Mr. Jenks had described, nor were there + any traces of men having gone back and forth among the mountains, as might + have been expected of the diamond makers, for, as Mr. Jenks had said, they + made frequent journeys to the settlement for food, and other supplies. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I haven't begun to give up yet,” announced Tom, on the third day, + when their quest was still unsuccessful. “But I think we are making one + mistake.” + </p> + <p> + “What is that?” inquired Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “I think we should go up higher. In my opinion the cave is near the top of + some peak; isn't it, Mr. Jenks?” + </p> + <p> + “I have that impression, though, as you know, I never saw the outside of + it. Still, it might not be a bad idea to ascend some of these peaks.” + </p> + <p> + Following this suggestion, they laid their trail more toward the sky, and + that night found them encamped several thousand feet above the sea-level. + It was quite cool, and the campfire was a big one about which they sat + after supper, talking of many things. + </p> + <p> + Tom did not sleep well that night. He tossed from side to side on the bed + of boughs, and once or twice got up to replenish the fire, which had + burned low. His companions were in deep slumber. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder what time it is?” mused Tom, when he had been up the third time + to throw wood on the blaze. “Must be near morning.” He looked at his + watch, and was somewhat startled to see that it was only a little after + twelve. Somehow it seemed much later. + </p> + <p> + As he was putting the timepiece back into his pocket the lad looked around + at the dark and gloomy mountains, amid which they were encamped. As his + gaze wandered toward the peak of the one on the side of which the tent was + pitched, he gave a start of surprise. + </p> + <p> + For, coming down a place where, that afternoon, Tom had noticed a sort of + indefinite trail was a figure in white. A tall, waving figure, which + swayed this way and that—a figure which halted and then came on + again. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder—I wonder if that can be a wisp of fog?” mused the young + inventor. He rubbed his eyes, thinking it might be a swirling of the night + mist or a defect of vision. Then, as he saw more plainly, he noticed the + thing in white rushing toward him. + </p> + <p> + “It's the phantom—the phantom!” cried Tom, aloud. “It's the thing + the miner saw! We're on Phantom Mountain now!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV—WARNED BACK + </h2> + <p> + Tom's cries awakened the sleepers in the tent. Mr. Damon was the first to + rush out. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my nightcap, Tom!” he cried. “What is it? What has happened? Are we + attacked by a mountain lion?” + </p> + <p> + For answer the young inventor pointed up the mountain, to where, in the + dim light from a crescent moon, there stood boldly revealed, the figure in + white. + </p> + <p> + “Bless—bless my very existence!” cried the odd man. “What is it, + Tom?” + </p> + <p> + “The phantom,” was the quiet answer. “Watch it, and see what it does.” + </p> + <p> + By this time Mr. Jenks and Mr. Parker had joined Tom and Mr. Damon. The + four diamond seekers stood gazing at the apparition. And, as they looked, + the thing in white, seemingly too tall for any human being, slid slowly + forward, with a gliding motion. Then it raised its long, white arms, and + waved them threateningly at the adventurers. + </p> + <p> + “It's motioning us to go back,” said Mr. Parker in an awed whisper. “It + doesn't want us to go any farther.” + </p> + <p> + “Very likely,” agreed Tom, coolly. “But we're not going to be frightened + by anything like that; are we?” + </p> + <p> + “Not much!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. “I expected this. A ghost can't drive me + back from getting my rights from those scoundrels!” + </p> + <p> + “Suppose it uses a revolver to back up its demand?” asked the scientist. + </p> + <p> + “Wait until it does,” answered Mr. Jenks. But the figure in white + evidently had no such intentions. It came on a little distance farther, + still waving the long arms threateningly, and then it suddenly + disappeared, seeming to dissolve in the misty shadows of the night. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my suspenders!” cried Mr. Damon. “That's a very strange proceeding! + Very strange! What do you make of it, Tom?” + </p> + <p> + “It is evidently some man dressed up in a sheet,” declared Mr. Jenks. “I + expected as much.” + </p> + <p> + “The work of those diamond makers; do you think?” continued Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “I believe so,” answered Tom, slowly, for he was trying to think it out. + “I believe they are the cause of the phantom, though I don't know that + it's a man dressed in a sheet.” + </p> + <p> + “Why isn't it?” demanded Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “Because it was too tall for a man, unless he's a giant.” + </p> + <p> + “He may have been on stilts,” suggested Mr. Parker. + </p> + <p> + “No man on stilts could walk along that way,” declared Tom, confidently. + “He glided along too easily. I am inclined to think it may be some sort of + a light.” + </p> + <p> + “A light?” queried Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, the diamond makers may be hidden in some small cave near here, and + they may have some sort of a magic lantern or a similar arrangement, for + throwing a shadow picture. They could arrange it to move as they liked, + and could cause it to disappear at will. That, I think, is the ghost we + have just seen.” + </p> + <p> + “But the diamond makers have only been in this mountain recently,” + objected Mr. Jenks, “and the phantom was here before them. In fact, that + was what gave the place its name.” + </p> + <p> + “That may be,” admitted the lad. “There are many places that have the name + of being haunted, but no one ever sees the ghost. It is always some one + else, who has heard of some one who has seen it. That may have been the + case here. I grant that this place may have been called 'Phantom Mountain' + for a number of years, due to the superstitious tales of miners. The + diamond makers came along, found the conditions just right for their work, + and adopted the ghost, so to speak. As there wasn't any real spirit they + made one, and they use it to scare people away. I think that's what we've + just seen, though I may be wrong in my theory as to what the phantom is.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it's gone now, at any rate,” said Mr. Jenks, “and I think we'd + better get back inside the tent. It's cold out here.” + </p> + <p> + “Aren't some of us going to stand guard?” demanded Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “What for?” asked Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “Why—er—bless my key-ring! Suppose that ghost takes a notion + to come down here, and use his gun, as he did on the miners?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't believe that will happen,” remarked Tom. “The diamond makers, if + the white thing had anything to do with them, have given us a warning, and + I think they'll at least wait until morning to see how we heed it.” + </p> + <p> + “We aren't going to heed it!” burst out Mr. Jenks. “I'm going to go right + ahead and find that cave where they make diamonds!” + </p> + <p> + “And we're with you!” exclaimed Tom. “We'll have a good fire going the + rest of the night, and that may keep intruders away. In the morning we'll + begin our search, and we'll go up the trail where we saw the white + figure.” + </p> + <p> + A big pile of wood had been collected for the fire, and Tom now piled some + logs and branches on the blaze. It would last for some time now, and the + adventurers, still talking of the “ghost” went back into the tent. It was + over an hour before they all got to sleep again, and Mr. Jenks and Mr. + Damon took turns in getting up once or twice during the remainder of the + night to replenish the fire. + </p> + <p> + Morning dawned without anything further having occurred to disturb them, + and, after a hearty breakfast, to which Tom added some fish he caught in a + nearby mountain stream, they set off up the trail on Phantom Mountain. + </p> + <p> + They had left their tent standing, as they proposed making that spot their + headquarters until they located the cave they were seeking. What their + course would be after that would depend on the circumstances. + </p> + <p> + If they had expected to have an easy task locating the cavern in which Mr. + Jenks had seen diamonds made, the adventurers were disappointed. All that + day they tramped up and down the mountain, looking for some secret + entrance, but none was disclosed. The higher they went up the great peak, + the fainter became the trail, until, at length it vanished completely. + </p> + <p> + But this was not to be wondered at, since it was on solid rock, in which + no footsteps would leave an impression. + </p> + <p> + “They never brought you up here in a wagon, Mr. Jenks,” decided Tom, when + he saw how steep the place was. + </p> + <p> + “I'm inclined to think so myself,” admitted the diamond man. “They must + have reached the cave from some other way. As a matter of fact, I walked + some distance after getting out of the vehicle, before we got to the + cavern. But, even at that, I don't believe we came this way.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet the phantom was here,” persisted Tom, “and I'm convinced that the + cave is in this neighborhood. It's up to us to find it!” + </p> + <p> + But they searched the remainder of that day in vain, and as night was + coming on, they made their way back to the camp. As Tom, who was in the + lead, approached the tent, he saw something black fastened to the + entrance. + </p> + <p> + “Hello!” he cried. “Some one's been here. That wasn't on the tent when we + left this morning.” + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” asked Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “A black piece of paper, written on with white ink,” replied the lad. He + was reading it, and, as he perused it a look of surprise came over his + face. + </p> + <p> + “Listen to this!” called Tom. “It's evidently from the diamond makers.” + </p> + <p> + Holding up the black paper, on which the white writing stood out in bold + relief Tom read aloud: + </p> + <p> + “Be warned in time! Go back before it is too late! You are near to death! + Go back!” + </p> + <p> + “Bless my shoelaces!” cried Mr. Damon. “This is getting serious.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV—THE LANDSLIDE + </h2> + <p> + Gathered about the young inventor, the three men looked at the warning. + The writing was poor, and it was evident that an attempt had been made to + disguise it. But there was no misspelling of words, and there were no + rudely drawn daggers, or bloody hands or anything of that sort. In fact, + it was a very business-like sort of warning. + </p> + <p> + “Rather odd,” commented Mr. Jenks. “Black paper and white ink.” + </p> + <p> + “White ink is easy enough to make,” stated Mr. Parker. “I fancy they + wanted it as conspicuous as possible.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” agreed Tom, “and this warning, together with the antics of the + thing in white last night, shows that they are aware of our presence here, + and perhaps know who we are. We will have to be on our guard.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think that fellow Munson, whom we left in the forest, could have + gotten here and warned them?” asked Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “It's possible,” admitted Tom, “but now let's see if the person who pinned + this warning on our tent took any of our things.” + </p> + <p> + A hasty examination, however, showed that nothing had been disturbed, and + Tom and Mr. Damon were soon getting supper ready, everyone talking, during + the progress of the meal, about the events of the day, and the rather + weird culmination of it. + </p> + <p> + “Well, we haven't had a great deal of success—so far,” admitted Tom, + as they sat about the fire, in the fast gathering dusk. “I think, perhaps, + we'd better try on the other side of the mountain to-morrow. We've + explored this side pretty thoroughly.” + </p> + <p> + “Good idea,” commented Mr. Jenks. “We'll do it, and move our camp. I only + hope those fellows don't find our airship and destroy it. We'll have a + hard time getting back to civilization again, if we have to walk all the + way.” + </p> + <p> + This contingency caused Tom some uneasiness. He did not like to think that + the unscrupulous men might damage the Red Cloud, that had been built only + after hard labor. But he knew he could accomplish nothing by worrying, and + he tried to dismiss the matter from his mind. + </p> + <p> + They rather expected to see the thing in white again that night, but it + did not appear, and morning came without anything having disturbed their + heavy sleep, for they were tired from the day's tramp. + </p> + <p> + It took them the greater part of the day to make a circuit of the base of + Phantom Mountain in order to get to a place where a sort of trail led + upward. + </p> + <p> + “It's too late to do anything to-night,” decided Tom, as they set up the + tent. “We'll rest, and start the first thing in the morning.” + </p> + <p> + “And the ghost isn't likely to find us here,” added Mr. Damon. “Where are + you going, Mr. Parker?” he asked, as he saw the scientist tramping a + little way up the side of the mountain. + </p> + <p> + “I am going to make some observations,” was the answer, and no one paid + any more attention to him for some time. Supper was nearly ready when Mr. + Parker returned. His face wore a rather serious air, and Mr. Damon, noting + it, asked laughingly: + </p> + <p> + “Well, did you discover any volcanoes, that may erupt during the night, + and scare us to death?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” replied Mr. Parker, calmly, “but there is every indication that we + will soon have a terrific electrical storm. From a high peak I caught a + glimpse of one working this way across the mountains.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we'd better fasten the tent well down,” called Tom. “We don't want + it to blow away.” + </p> + <p> + “There will not be much danger from wind,” was Mr. Parker's opinion. + </p> + <p> + “From what then?” asked Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “From the discharges of lightning among these mountain peaks, which + contain so much iron ore. We will be in grave danger.” + </p> + <p> + The fact that the scientist had not always made correct predictions was + not now considered by his hearers, and Tom and the two men gazed at Mr. + Parker in some alarm. + </p> + <p> + “Is there anything we can do to avoid it?” asked Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “The only thing to do would be to leave the mountain,” was the answer, + “and, as the iron ore extends for miles, we can not get out of the danger + zone before the storm will reach us. It will be here in less than half an + hour.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we'd better have supper,” remarked Tom, practically, “and get ready + for it. Perhaps it may not be as bad as Mr. Parker fears.” + </p> + <p> + “It will be bad enough,” declared the gloomy scientist, and he seemed to + find pleasure in his announcement. + </p> + <p> + The meal was soon over, and Tom busied himself in looking to the guy ropes + of the tent, for he feared lest there might be wind with the storm. That + it was coming was evident, for now low mutterings of thunder could be + heard off toward the west. + </p> + <p> + Black clouds rapidly obscured the heavens, and the sound of thunder + increased. Fitful flashes of lightning could be seen forking across the + sky in jagged chains of purple light. + </p> + <p> + “It's going to be a heavy storm,” Tom admitted to himself. “I hope + lightning doesn't strike around here.” + </p> + <p> + The storm came on rapidly, but there was a curious quietness in the air + that was more alarming than if a wind had blown. The campfire burned + steadily, and there was a certain oppressiveness in the atmosphere. + </p> + <p> + It was now quite dark, save when the fitful lightning flashes came, and + they illuminated the scene brilliantly for a few seconds. Then, by + contrast, it was blacker than ever. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly, as Tom was gazing up toward the peak of Phantom Mountain, he saw + something that caused him to cry out in alarm. He pointed upward, and + whispered hoarsely: + </p> + <p> + “The ghost again! There's our friend in white!” + </p> + <p> + The others looked, and saw the same weird figure that had menaced them + when they were encamped on the other side of the peak. + </p> + <p> + “They must have followed us,” said Mr. Jenks, in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + Slowly the figure advanced, It waved the long white arms, as if in + warning. At times it would be only dimly visible in the blackness, then, + suddenly it would stand out in bold relief as a great flash of fire split + the clouds. + </p> + <p> + The thunder, meanwhile, had been growing louder and sharper, indicating + the nearer approach of the storm. Each lightning flash was followed in a + second or two, by a terrific clap. Still there was no wind nor rain, and + the campfire burned steadily. + </p> + <p> + All at once there was a crash as if the very mountain had split asunder, + and the adventurers saw a great ball of purple-bluish fire shoot down, as + if from some cloud, and strike against the side of the crag, not a hundred + feet from where stood the ghostly figure in white. + </p> + <p> + “That was a bad one,” cried Mr. Damon, shouting so as to be heard above + the echoes of the thunderclap. + </p> + <p> + Almost as he spoke there came another explosion, even louder than the one + preceding. A great ball of fire, pear shaped, leaped for the same spot in + the mountain. + </p> + <p> + “There's a mass of iron ore there!” yelled Mr. Parker. “The lightning is + attracted to it!” + </p> + <p> + His voice was swallowed up in the terrific crash that followed, and, as + there came another flash of the celestial fire, the figure in white could + be seen hurrying back up the mountain trail. Evidently the electrical + storm, with lightning bolts discharging so close, was too much for the + “ghost.” + </p> + <p> + In another instant it looked as if the whole place about where the diamond + seekers stood, was a mass of fire. Great forked tongues of lightning + leaped from the clouds, and seemed to lick the ground. There was a rattle + and bang of thunder, like the firing of a battery of guns. Tom and the + others felt themselves tingling all over, as if they had hold of an + electrical battery, and there was a strong smell of sulphur in the air. + </p> + <p> + “We are in the midst of the storm!” cried Mr. Parker. “We are standing on + a mass of iron ore! Any minute may be our last!” + </p> + <p> + But fate had not intended the adventurers for death by lightning. Almost + as suddenly as it had begun, the discharge of the tongues of fire ceased + in the immediate vicinity of our friends. They stood still—awed—not + knowing what to do. + </p> + <p> + Then, once more, came a terrific clap! A great mass of fire, like some + red-hot ingot from a foundry, was hurled through the air, straight at the + face of the mountain, and at the spot where the figure in white had stood + but a few minutes before. + </p> + <p> + Instantly the earth trembled, as it had at Earthquake Island, but it was + not the same. It was over in a few seconds. Then, as the diamond seekers + looked, they saw in the glare of a score of lightning flashes that + followed the one great clap, the whole side of the mountain slip away, and + go crashing into the valley below. + </p> + <p> + “A landslide!” cried Mr. Parker. “That is the landslide which I predicted! + The lightning bolt has split Phantom Mountain!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI—THE VAST CAVERN + </h2> + <p> + For a time the roiling, slipping, sliding and tumbling of the mass of + earth and stones, down the side of the mountain, effectually drowned all + other sounds. Even the thunder was stilled, and though Tom and his + companions called to one another in terror, their voices could not rise + above that terrific tumult. + </p> + <p> + Finally, when they found that the direction of the slide was away from + their tent, and that they were not likely to be engulfed, they grew more + calm. + </p> + <p> + Gradually the noise subsided. The great boulders had rolled to the bottom + of the valley, and now only a mass of earth and stones was sliding down. + Even this stopped in about five minutes, and, as though satisfied with + what it had done, the electrical storm passed. Not a drop of rain had + fallen. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my shirt studs!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, who was the first to speak + after the din had quieted. “Bless my soul! But that was awful!” + </p> + <p> + “It was just what I expected,” said Mr. Parker, calmly. “I knew, from my + observations, that we were in a region where landslides and terrific + electrical storms may be expected at any time. I fully looked for this.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” remarked Mr. Jenks, rather sarcastically, “I hope it came up to + your expectations, Mr. Parker.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, fully,” was the answer, “though I wish it could have happened in + daylight, so that I could better have observed certain phenomena regarding + the landslide. They are very interesting.” + </p> + <p> + “At a distance,” admitted Tom, with a laugh of relief. “Well, I'm glad + it's over, though we'll have to wait until morning to see what damage has + been done. Lucky we weren't struck by lightning. I never saw such bolts!” + </p> + <p> + “Me, either!” declared Mr. Damon. “This mountain seems to attract them.” + </p> + <p> + “It is like a magnet,” said Mr. Parker. “I think I shall be able to make + some fine observations here.” + </p> + <p> + “If we live through it,” murmured Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + They watched the play of lightning about a distant bank of clouds, but the + storm was now far away, only a faint rumbling of thunder being heard. + </p> + <p> + “I'm wondering what happened to the phantom,” said Tom, after a pause. + “Seems to me he was right in that track of the storm.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think it was a 'he'?” asked Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “I think we'll find that it's some sort of a man,” answered the young + inventor. “We may find out very soon, now. I've changed my theory about + the ghost being reflections of light.” + </p> + <p> + “How's that?” Mr. Damon wanted to know. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I think we are on the side of Phantom Mountain where the diamond + cave is,” went on the lad. “The fact that the phantom appeared here, soon + after we arrived, shows that the men kept close track of our movements. It + also shows, I think, that the phantom did not have to travel far to be on + the spot, whereas we had to make quite a trip to get around the base of + the mountain. I think the cave is up there,” and Tom pointed toward the + spot where the weird figure had been last seen, before the storm drove it + back. + </p> + <p> + “There may be two phantoms,” suggested Mr. Jenks. “They may keep one on + this side of the mountain, and one on the other, to warn intruders away. + </p> + <p> + “It's possible,” admitted Tom. “Well, we'll see how things look in the + morning, when we'll take up our march again, and go up the mountain. We'll + reach the top, if possible, which we couldn't do from the other side, as + it was too steep.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope we shall be able to go forward in the morning,” came from Mr. + Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean?” asked the lad, struck by a peculiar significance in + the diamond man's tones. + </p> + <p> + “Why, that landslide may have opened a great gully in the side of Phantom + Mountain, which will prevent us from passing. It was a terrific lot of + earth and stones that slid away,” answered Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “It certainly was,” agreed Mr. Parker. “I would not be surprised if the + mountain was half destroyed, and it may be that the diamond cave no longer + exists.” + </p> + <p> + “Not very cheerful, to say the least,” murmured Mr. Jenks to Tom, and, as + it was getting quite chilly, following the storm, they went inside the + tent. + </p> + <p> + Tom could hardly wait for daylight, to get up and see what havoc the + landslide had wrought. As soon as the first faint flush of dawn showed + over the eastern peaks, he hurried from the tent. Mr. Damon heard him + arise, and followed. + </p> + <p> + A curious scene met their eyes. All about were great rocks rent and torn + by the awful power of the lightning. The fronts of the stone cliffs were + scarred and burned by the electrical fire, and fantastic markings, + grotesque faces, and leering animals seemed to have been drawn by some + gigantic artist who used a bolt from heaven for his brush. + </p> + <p> + But the eyes of Tom and Mr. Damon took all this in at a glance, and then + their gaze went forward to where the avalanche had torn away a great part + of the mountain. + </p> + <p> + “Whew! I should say it was a landslide!” cried Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my wishbone, yes!” agreed Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + Below them, in the valley, lay piled immense masses of earth and stones. + Boulders were heaped up on boulders, and rocks upon rocks, being tossed + about in heaps, strung about in long ridges, and swirled about in curves, + as though some cyclone had toyed with them after the lightning flash had + tossed them there. + </p> + <p> + “But the mountain isn't half gone,” said Tom, as his eyes took in what was + left of the phantom berg. “I guess it will take a few more bolts like that + one, to put this hill out of business.” + </p> + <p> + Though the landslide had been a great one, the larger part of the mountain + still stood. An immense slice had been taken from one side, but the summit + was untouched. + </p> + <p> + “And there's where the diamond cave is!” cried Tom, pointing to it. + </p> + <p> + “I think so myself,” agreed Mr. Jenks, who came from the tent at that + moment, and joined the lad and Mr. Damon. “I think we shall find the cave + somewhere up there. We must start for it, as soon as we have eaten, and we + may reach it by night.” + </p> + <p> + The three stood gazing up toward the summit of the great mountain. + Suddenly, as the sun rose higher in the heavens, it sent a shaft of rosy + light on the face of the berg that had been scarred by the landslide. Tom + Swift uttered an exclamation, and pointed at something. + </p> + <p> + “See!” he cried. “Look where the trail is—the trail down which the + phantom must have come. It is on the edge of a cliff now!” + </p> + <p> + They looked, and saw that this was so. The increasing light had just + revealed it to them. When the lightning bolt had torn away a great portion + of the mountain it had cut sheer down for a great depth and when the earth + and stones fell away they left a narrow pathway, winding around the + mountain, but so near the edge of a great chasm, that there was room but + for one person at a time to walk on that footway. The uncertain trail up + Phantom Mountain had all but been destroyed. + </p> + <p> + “The way up to the peak is by that path, now,” spoke Tom, in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my soul!” cried Mr. Damon. “It's as much as a man's life is worth + to attempt it. If he got dizzy, he'd topple over, and fall a thousand + feet. Dare we risk it?” + </p> + <p> + “It's the only way to get up,” went on Tom. “It's either that way, or not + at all. We've tried the other side without success. We must go up this way—or + turn back.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we'll go up!” cried Mr. Jenks. “It may not be as dangerous as it + looks from here.” + </p> + <p> + But it was even more dangerous than it appeared, when they went part way + up it after a hasty breakfast. The trail was a mere ledge of rock now, and + in some places, to get around a projecting edge of the mountain, they had + to stand with their backs to the dizzy depths at their feet, and with both + arms outstretched work their way around to where the trail was wider. + </p> + <p> + “Shall we risk it?” asked Tom, when they had tried the way, and found it + so dangerous. “We can't take anything with us—even our guns, for we + couldn't carry them, and if we reach the mouth of the cave, and find those + men there—” + </p> + <p> + He paused significantly. The adventurers looked at one another. The search + for the diamond makers was becoming more and more dangerous. + </p> + <p> + “I say let's go on!” decided Mr. Damon, suddenly. “We want to locate that + cave, first of all. Perhaps, when we do find it, we may see some easier + way of getting to it than this. And if those diamond makers do attack us—well, + I don't believe they'll shoot defenseless men, and they may listen to + reason, and give Mr. Jenks his rights—tell him how to make diamonds + in return for the money he gave them.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't believe those scoundrels will listen to reason,” replied the + diamond man, “but I agree with Mr. Damon that we ought to go on. We may + find some other means of reaching the cave—if we can discover it, + and we'll take a chance with the men.” + </p> + <p> + “Forward it is, then!” cried Tom. “I have a revolver, and I can supply one + of you gentlemen with another. They may come in useful in an emergency. + Let's go back to camp, take a little lunch in our pockets, and try to + scale the mountain.” + </p> + <p> + They were soon on their way up the dizzy path once more, and, as they + advanced, they found it growing more and more dangerous. In some places + they found it almost impossible to get around certain corners, where there + was barely room for their feet. As Tom remarked grimly, a fat man never + could have done it. Fortunately they were all comparatively thin, for + their hard work, and not too abundant food, since they had left the + airship, had reduced their weight. + </p> + <p> + Up and up they went, higher and higher, sometimes finding the path wide + enough for two to walk abreast, and again seeing it narrow almost to a + ribbon. They hardly dared look down into the chasm at their left—a + chasm filled, in part, with the rocks and boulders tossed into it by the + lightning bolt. + </p> + <p> + Tom was in the lead, and had just made a dangerous turn around a shoulder + of rock—one of those places where he had to extend both arms, and + fairly hug the cliff before he could get around. + </p> + <p> + But, when he had made it, and found himself on a broad pathway, cut in the + living rock, he gave a great shout—a shout that caused his + companions to hasten to his side. They found the young inventor pointing + to a clump of bushes and small trees. + </p> + <p> + But it was not the shrubbery that Tom desired to call to their attention. + They saw that in an instant, for, dimly seen through the leaves, was + something black, and, as they looked more closely, they saw that it was a + great hole in the side of the mountain—a vast cavern, opening like a + tunnel. + </p> + <p> + “The cave! The cave!” cried Tom. “The diamond makers' cave!” + </p> + <p> + Hardly had he spoken than two men, each one carrying a gun, showed + themselves in the mouth of the cavern, and, instant later they both ran + toward the little party of adventurers. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII—THE PHANTOM CAPTURED + </h2> + <p> + Surprise held Tom and his friends almost spellbound for the moment. The + young inventor's hand went toward the pocket where he carried his + revolver. Mr. Jenks, who had the only other weapon, sought to draw it, but + he was stopped by a gesture of one of the two men with guns. + </p> + <p> + “Hold on, strangers!” the man cried. “I know what you're up to! Better not + try to draw anything—it might not be healthy. Now, then, who are + you, and what do you want?” + </p> + <p> + The question came rather as a surprise, at least to Tom and Mr. Jenks. + They had taken it for granted that these men—if they were the + diamond makers—would know Mr. Jenks, and guess at his errand in + coming back to Phantom Mountain. But, it seemed, that they took them all + for casual strangers. + </p> + <p> + No one answered for a moment. Tom caught the eye of Mr. Jenks, and there + was a look of hope in it. If ever there was a time for strategy, it was + now. Evidently Munson, the stowaway on the airship, had not yet been able + to send a warning to his confederates. And neither of the two men + recognized Mr. Jenks as the man who had been defrauded of his rights. It + might be possible to conceal the real object of the adventurers until they + had time to formulate a plan of action. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” exclaimed the man with the gun, impatiently, “I ask you folks a + question. What do you want?” + </p> + <p> + Fortunately, neither Mr. Damon nor Mr. Parker replied. The former because + he deferred to Tom and Mr. Jenks, and the scientist because he was busy + inspecting some curious rocks he picked up. As it turned out this was the + luckiest thing he could have done. It lent color to what Mr. Jenks said a + moment later. + </p> + <p> + “What are you doing up here?” demanded the man again. “Don't you know this + is private property?” + </p> + <p> + “We—we were just looking around,” answered Mr. Jenks, which was true + enough; as far as it went. + </p> + <p> + “Prospecting,” added Tom. + </p> + <p> + “After gold?” demanded the second man, suspiciously. + </p> + <p> + “We'd be glad to find some,” retorted the lad. At that moment Mr. Parker + began breaking off bits of rock with a small geologist's hammer which he + carried. The men with the guns looked at him. + </p> + <p> + “So you think you'll find gold up here?” asked the one who had first + spoken. + </p> + <p> + “Is there any?” inquired Tom, trying to make his voice sound eager. + </p> + <p> + “Nary a bit, strangers,” was the answer, and the two men laughed heartily. + “Now, we don't want to seem harsh,” went on the man who seemed to be the + spokesman, “but you'd better get away from here. This is private ground, + and dangerous too—how'd you ever get up the trail—we heard it + was destroyed.” + </p> + <p> + “There is still a narrow path,” said Mr. Jenks. “We came up that—the + lightning and landslide haven't left much of it, though.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Parker looked quickly up from the rocks at which he was tapping with + his small hammer. “You have terrific lightning up here,” he said. “I am + much interested in it, from a scientific standpoint. I predict that some + day the entire mountain will be destroyed by a blast from the sky.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope it won't be right away,” spoke one of the men. “Now I guess you + folks had better be leaving while there's a path left to go down by.” + </p> + <p> + “Might I ask,” broke in Mr. Parker, as calmly as though he was lecturing + to a class of students, “might I ask if you have noticed any peculiar + effect of the lightning up here on the summit of the mountain? Does it + fuse and melt rocks, so to speak?” + </p> + <p> + “What's that?” cried the spokesman, with a sudden flash of anger. The two + men looked at each other. + </p> + <p> + “I wanted to know, merely for scientific reasons, whether the lightning up + here ever melted rocks?” repeated Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “Well, whether it's for scientific reasons or for any other, I'm not going + to answer you!” snapped the man. “It's none of your affair what the + lightning does up here. Now you'd all better 'vamoose'—clear out!” + </p> + <p> + “All right—we'll go,” said Tom, quickly, at the same time motioning + to Mr. Jenks to agree with him. The eyes of the young inventor were roving + about. He saw what looked like a second trail, leading down the mountain, + from the far side of the cave. He was convinced now that there was another + way to get to it. Possibly they might find it. At any rate nothing more + could be done now. They must go back, for the cavern was too well guarded + to attempt to enter it by force—at least just yet. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we'll go back,” assented Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Parker was tapping away at the rocks. He looked toward the black mouth + of the big cave. On what corresponded to the roof of it, some distance + back from the entrance, he saw a slender metal rod sticking up into the + air. + </p> + <p> + “May I ask if that's a lightning rod?” he inquired innocently. “If it is, + I should like to ask about its action in a mountain that is so impregnated + with iron ore. + </p> + <p> + “You may ask until you get tired!” cried the spokesman, again showing + unreasoning anger, “but you'll get no answer from us. Now get away from + here before we do something desperate. You're on private ground and you're + not wanted. Clear out while you have the chance.” + </p> + <p> + There was no help for it. Slowly our friends turned and began to go down + the dangerous trail. They were soon out of sight of the two men who stood + before the cave, with their guns ready, but neither Tom nor any of his + companions spoke for some time. + </p> + <p> + When they had rounded one of the most dangerous turns the young inventor + sat down to rest, an example followed by the others. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” asked Tom, “do you think those are some of the diamond makers, Mr. + Jenks?” + </p> + <p> + “I certainly do, though I never saw those two men before. If I could once + get inside the cave, I could tell whether or not it was the one where I + was practically held a prisoner. But I'm sure it is. I know some of the + men used to go off every day with guns, and not come back until night. I + have no doubt they were on guard, just as these two are. And, also, I + think I heard them speak of a second entrance to the cavern. The one we + just saw may not be the main one, through which I was taken.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe we are on the right track,” ventured Mr. Damon, “but we will + either have to go up there after dark, which will be risky, on account of + the narrow trail, or else we will have to find some other path.” + </p> + <p> + “The last would be better,” spoke Tom. + </p> + <p> + “That rod of metal sticking up on top of the cave interested me,” said the + scientist. “Did you hear anything of that when you were here before, Mr. + Jenks?” + </p> + <p> + “No. Probably that is only a lightning rod, or it may be a staff for a + signal flag. But what surprises me is that those men didn't suspect that + we were seeking to discover their secret. They took us for ordinary + prospectors.” + </p> + <p> + “So much the better,” remarked Tom. “We have a chance now of getting + inside that cave. But we will have to go back to camp, and make other + plans. And we must hurry, or it will be dark before we get there.” + </p> + <p> + They hastened their steps, pausing only briefly to eat some of the lunch + they had brought along, and to drink from a spring that bubbled from the + side of the mountain. It was getting dusk when they got back to their + tent. They found nothing disturbed. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder if we'll see that phantom again to-night?” ventured Tom, as they + were sitting about the campfire a little later. + </p> + <p> + “Probably not,” remarked Mr. Jenks. “I don't believe the ghost will + venture down the dangerous trail after dark, and the gang may think that + the warning given us by the two men on guard at the cave will be + sufficient. But if we don't leave here by to-morrow I think we will have + another visit from the thing in white.” + </p> + <p> + It was about an hour after this when Tom was collecting some wood in a + pile nearer the fire, so as to have it ready to throw on, in case there + was any alarm in the night, that he happened to look up toward the summit + of the mountain. A slight noise, as of loose stones rolling down, + attracted his attention, and, at first, he feared lest another landslide + was beginning, but a moment later he saw what caused it. + </p> + <p> + There, advancing down the steep and dangerous trail was the figure in + white—the phantom. Instantly a daring plan came into Tom's head. + Dropping the wood softly, he moved back out of the glare of the fire. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Jenks!” he called in a whisper. + </p> + <p> + The diamond man, who was behind the tent, came toward Tom. + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” he asked. Then, as he saw the ghostly visitor, he added: “Oh—the + phantom again! What's it up to?” + </p> + <p> + “The same thing,” replied Tom, “but it won't do it long, if my plan + succeeds.” + </p> + <p> + “What plan is that, Tom?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm going to try to capture that—that man—or whatever it is. + Will you help?” + </p> + <p> + “Surely!” + </p> + <p> + “Then let's work around behind it, while Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker come up + from in front. We'll solve this part of the mystery, anyhow, if it's + possible!” + </p> + <p> + The two other men were soon told of the plan. Meanwhile the thing in white + had advanced slowly, until within a few hundred feet of the camp. They + could see now that it was no shaft of light, but some white body, shaped + like a tall, thin man, draped in a white garment. The long arms waved to + and fro. There was no semblance of a head. + </p> + <p> + “You and Mr. Parker go right toward it, slowly, Mr. Damon,” advised Tom. + “Mr. Jenks and I will make a circle, and get in back. Then, if it's + anything alive we'll have it.” + </p> + <p> + The “ghost” continued to advance. Tom and the diamond man stole off to one + side, their buckskin moccasins making no sound. Mr. Damon and the + scientist went boldly forward. + </p> + <p> + This movement appeared to disconcert the spirit. It halted, waved the arms + with greater vigor than before, and seemed to indicate to the adventurers + that it was dangerous to advance. But Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker kept on. + They wanted to give Tom and Mr. Jenks time enough to make the circuit. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the stillness of the night was broken by a low whistle. It was + Tom's signal that he and Mr. Jenks were ready. + </p> + <p> + “Come on! Run!” cried Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + The scientist and the eccentric man leaped forward. + </p> + <p> + The “ghost” heard the whistle, and heard the spoken words. The thing in + white hesitated a moment, and then raised one arm. There was a flash of + fire, and a loud report. + </p> + <p> + “He's firing in the air!” cried Tom. “Come on, we have him now!” + </p> + <p> + Undaunted by the display of firearms, Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker kept on. + They could hear Tom and Mr. Jenks running up in back of the figure. The + latter also heard this, and suddenly turned. Caught between the two forces + of our friends, the “ghost” was at a loss what to do. + </p> + <p> + The next instant Tom, who had distanced Mr. Jenks, made a flying tackle + for the figure in white, and caught it around the legs. Very substantial + legs they were, too, Tom felt—the legs of a man. + </p> + <p> + “Wow!” yelled the “ghost,” as he went down in a heap, the revolver falling + from his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Come on!” cried Tom. “I have him!” + </p> + <p> + His friends rushed to his aid. There was a confused mass of dark bodies, + arms and legs mingled with something tall and thin, all in white. Suddenly + the moon came from behind a cloud and they could see what they had + captured—for captured the phantom was. + </p> + <p> + It proved to be a rather small man, who wore upon his shoulders a + framework of wood, over which some white cloth was draped. It had fallen + off him when Tom made that tackle. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” remarked the young inventor, as he sat on the struggling man's + chest. “I guess we've got you.” + </p> + <p> + “I rather guess you have, stranger,” was the cool reply. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII—BILL RENSHAW WILL HELP + </h2> + <p> + They were all panting from the exertion of the run up the mountain and the + contest with the phantom—a phantom no longer—though, truth to + tell, the struggle was not nearly so fierce as Tom had expected. He + thought the “ghost” would put up a stiff fight. + </p> + <p> + “Got any ropes to tie him with?” asked Mr. Damon, who was helping Tom hold + the man down. + </p> + <p> + “Ropes? You aren't going to tie me up are you, strangers?” asked the + captive. + </p> + <p> + “That's what we are!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. “We've had trouble enough in + this matter, and if I've got one of the gang, perhaps I can get some of + the others, and have my rights. So tie him up, Tom, and we'll take him to + camp. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you needn't go to all that trouble, strangers,” went on the man, + calmly. “If one of you will get off my chest, and the other gentleman ease + up on my stomach a bit, I'll walk wherever you want me, and not make any + trouble. I haven't got a gun.” + </p> + <p> + “Bless my gloves! But you're a cool one,” commented Mr. Damon, as he + complied with the man's request, and got up from his stomach. “But look + out for him, Tom. He had a gun, for he fired it in the air.” + </p> + <p> + “He hasn't it now,” answered the young inventor. “I knocked it from his + hand when I leaped for him.” + </p> + <p> + “That's what you did,” assented the man, as he got up, while Tom kept a + tight hold of him, as did Mr. Jenks. “What kind of a grizzly bear hug do + you call that, anyhow, that you gave me?” + </p> + <p> + “That was a football tackle,” explained Tom. + </p> + <p> + “I allers heard that was a dangerous game!” remarked the former phantom + simply. “Well, now you've got me, what are you going to do with me?” + </p> + <p> + “Take you where we can have a good look at you,” replied Mr. Jenks, as he + kicked aside the wooden framework, and the sheet which had made the + “ghost” appear so tall. “So this is how you worked it; eh?” + </p> + <p> + “Yep. That was the 'haunt' stranger. I made it myself, and it worked all + right until you folks come along. I rather suspicioned from the first, + when I played the trick over on 'tother side of the mountain, that you + wouldn't be so easy to fool as most prospectors are.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, so you're the only ghost then?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “I'm the only one.” + </p> + <p> + By this time they had reached the camp. Tom threw some light logs on the + fire, which blazed up brightly. As the flames illuminated the face of + their captive, Mr. Jenks looked at him, and cried out: + </p> + <p> + “Why it's Bill Renshaw!” + </p> + <p> + “That's me,” admitted the man who had played the part of the phantom, “and + thunder-turtles! if it ain't Mr. Jenks who was once in the diamond cave + with us. Whatever happened to you? I never heard. The others said you got + tired and went away.” + </p> + <p> + “They took me away—defrauded me of my rights!” declared Mr. Jenks, + bitterly. “But I'll get them back! To think of Bill Renshaw playing the + part of a ghost!” + </p> + <p> + “They made me do it,” went on the man, somewhat dejectedly. “I wanted to + be at work in the cave, but they wouldn't let me.” + </p> + <p> + “Is this man one of the diamond makers?” asked Tom, in great surprise. + </p> + <p> + “He is—one of the helpers, though I don't believe he knows the + secret of making the gems,” explained Mr. Jenks. “He was one of the men in + the cave when I was there before, and he and I struck up quite a + friendship; didn't we, Renshaw?” + </p> + <p> + “That's what, and there ain't no reason why we can't be friends now; that + is unless you hold a grudge against me for firing at you. But I only shot + in the air, to scare you away. Them's my instructions. I'm supposed to be + on guard, and scare away strangers. I'm tired of the work, too, for I + don't get my share, and those other fellows, in the cave, get all the + money from the diamonds.” + </p> + <p> + Tom Swift uttered an exclamation. A sudden plan had come to him. Quickly + he whispered to Mr. Jenks: + </p> + <p> + “Make a friend of this man if possible. He evidently is dissatisfied. + Offer him a sum to show us another way into the cave, and we may yet + discover the secret of the diamond makers.” + </p> + <p> + “I will,” declared Mr. Jenks, quietly. Then, turning to Renshaw, he added: + </p> + <p> + “Bill, come over here. I want to have a talk with you. Perhaps it will be + to our mutual advantage.” + </p> + <p> + He led the former phantom to one side, and for some time conversed + earnestly with him. Mr. Jenks told the story of how he had been deceived + by Folwell and the others who were at the head of the gang of diamond + makers. The rich man related how they had taken his money, and, after + promising to disclose the secret process to him, had broken faith, and had + drugged him, afterward taking him out of the cave. + </p> + <p> + “I want only my rights, and that for which I paid,” concluded Mr. Jenks. + “Now, I gather that these men haven't treated you altogether fairly, + Bill.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed they haven't. I helped 'em to the best of my ability, and all I + get out of it is to stay out on this lonely side of the mountain, and play + ghost. They owe me money, too, and they won't pay me, either, though they + have lots, for they sold some diamonds lately.” + </p> + <p> + “Then they are still making diamonds?” asked Mr. Jenks, eagerly. “Have you + seen them? Do you know the secret?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't know it, for they won't let me in on it. I'm always sent out + of the cave just before they make the gems. But I know they've made some + lately, and have sold 'em. I want my share.” + </p> + <p> + “Look here!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks, quickly, wishing to strike while the + iron was hot. “I'll make you a proposition. Show us how to get into that + cave, unknown to the diamond makers, and I'll pay you twice what they + agreed to. Is it a bargain?” + </p> + <p> + Bill Renshaw considered a moment. Then he thrust out his hand, clasped + that of Mr. Jenks, and exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “It is. I'll take you into the cave by an entrance that's seldom used. + There are four ways to get in. The one where the two men drove you back is + the rear one. The front one is on the other side of the mountain, but it's + so well concealed that you'd never find it. But I can take you to one + where you can get in, and those fellows will never know it. And, what's + more, I'll help you if it comes to a fight!” + </p> + <p> + “Good!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. “I think we'll discover the secret of the + diamond makers this time,” and he went to tell the others of the success + of his talk. Bill Renshaw had been converted from an enemy into a friend, + and the former phantom was now ready to lead Tom and the others into the + secret cave. + </p> + <p> + “We'll start in the morning,” decided Mr. Jenks, who, after many + disappointments, at last saw success ahead of him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX—IN THE SECRET CAVE + </h2> + <p> + Tom Swift was up at break of day, and the others were not far behind him. + </p> + <p> + “Now for the secret cave!” cried the young inventor as he gazed up the + mountain, in the interior of which the mysterious band of men were making + the diamonds. + </p> + <p> + “Have you made any plans, Bill?” asked Mr. Jenks of the former phantom, + who had cast his lot in with the adventurers. “What will be the best + course for us to follow?” + </p> + <p> + “You just leave it to me, Mr. Jenks,” was the answer. “I'll get you into + the cave, and those fellows, who, I believe, are trying to do me out of my + rights, as they did you out of yours, will never know a thing about it.” + </p> + <p> + “Bless my finger-nails!” cried Mr. Damon. “That will be great! We can get + in the cave, and watch them make the diamonds at our leisure.” + </p> + <p> + “They don't make them every day,” explained Renshaw. “It seems they have + to wait for certain occasions. Mostly they make the diamonds when there's + a big storm.” + </p> + <p> + “A big storm,” asked the scientist with a sudden show of interest. “Do you + mean one of those electrical storms, such as we had the other night?” + </p> + <p> + “That's it, Mr. Parker, though why they wait until there's a storm is more + than I can tell.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps they know that on such occasions no one will venture up the + mountain,” spoke Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “No, it isn't that,” declared the scientist. “I think I am on the track of + a great scientific discovery, and I will soon be able to make observations + that will confirm it.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'm going to make an observation right now,” said Tom, with a + laugh. “I'm going to see what there is for breakfast.” + </p> + <p> + “And that reminds me,” came from Mr. Jenks, “shall we move our camp, Bill, + and take the tent with us to the cave?” + </p> + <p> + “I hardly think so,” was the answer. “I think the best plan would be to + conceal the tent somewhere around here, in case you might need it again. + You can also store what food you have left.” + </p> + <p> + “But, bless my appetite, we don't want to starve in that diamond cave!” + objected Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “I'll see that you don't,” declared Bill Renshaw. “I'll take you in there, + unbeknownst to those fellows, and I'll provide you with plenty of food and + water. You see the cave is so big that there are some parts they never + visit.” + </p> + <p> + “And we can stay in one of those parts, and eat?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Sure,” answered Bill. + </p> + <p> + “And watch the diamond makers at work?” asked Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “That's it,” replied the former phantom. + </p> + <p> + “Then the sooner we get started the better,” remarked Mr. Damon. Mr. + Parker said nothing. He appeared to be thinking deeply, and was tapping at + some rocks with his little hammer. + </p> + <p> + The advice of Bill Renshaw was followed, and the tent, and what food + remained, was concealed in the bushes, with rocks piled over to keep away + prowling animals. Then they started for the secret cave. + </p> + <p> + The man who played the part of a ghost picked up the framework and white + cloth that had formed his disguise. + </p> + <p> + “I'll still have to use this,” he explained, “for I don't want those + fellows to know that I'm helping you. I'll continue to play the spirit of + the mountain, but there won't be much need of it. I don't think any more + people will come prospecting out here.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you heard of the arrival of Farley Munson?” asked Tom, as he related + the facts about the stowaway. + </p> + <p> + “He hadn't arrived up to a day or so ago,” answered Bill. “I guess he's + still traveling. Farley is one of the heads of the gang,” he added, “and a + dangerous man.” + </p> + <p> + As Bill led the way toward the cave, taking a route that the adventurers + had never suspected led to it, he explained that the cavern was a large + one, capable of holding an army. + </p> + <p> + “But there's only a small part of it used by the diamond makers,” he + added. “They work in a small recess, near the summit of the mountain. The + little cave, where I'm going to take you, opens off from it by a long + passage. And, except that you'll be pretty much in the dark, you'll be + quite comfortable. There are tables, chairs, and some bunks in the place. + I can get you some lights, and plenty of food.” + </p> + <p> + “But, if you are seen taking away food, won't the others suspect + something?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “I do pretty much as I please,” said Bill. “I go and come when I like. All + I'm supposed to do is to watch my two sides of the mountain, play the + ghost, and give warning when any one is coming. Sometimes I leave black + and white messages, like the one I put on your tent. Those fellows fix 'em + up for me. I've told 'em about you, though I didn't know who you were, and + they think you have gone, for the two men on guard at the rear entrance so + reported. Sometimes I stay out on the mountain for a couple of days at a + time, when the weather's good, and don't go back to the cave. Those times + I take food with me, and so if they see me making off with some supplies + they'll think I'm going to camp out.” + </p> + <p> + “It doesn't look as though we'd ever get into a cave near the top of the + mountain, going this way,” said Tom, as they marched along. “We're going + down, instead of up.” + </p> + <p> + “That's the secret of this trail,” explained Bill. “We go down in a sort + of valley, and then go up a pretty stiff place, and then we're on a direct + trail to the entrance I told you about. It's a steep road to climb, but I + guess we can manage it.” + </p> + <p> + And a hard climb the adventurers did find it. The road was almost as bad + as the one along the edge of the chasm, but they managed to negotiate it, + and finally found themselves on a fairly good trail. + </p> + <p> + “We'll soon be there,” Bill assured them. “After you get in the little + cave, where I'm going to hide you, I'll have to leave you for a spell, + until I get my ghost rigging fixed up again. But I'll see that you have + plenty of food and drink.” + </p> + <p> + A little later their guide came to a sudden halt, and peered around + anxiously. + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “I was just looking to see if any of the men were about,” he answered. + “But I guess not—it looks all right. The entrance is right here.” + </p> + <p> + They were on a side of the mountain, near the summit. Below stretched a + magnificent scene. A great valley lay at their feet, and they could look + off to many distant peaks. The main trail to Leadville, and the one to the + settlement of Indian Ridge, was in sight. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly Tom, who had been using a small but powerful telescope, uttered + an exclamation, and focussed the instrument on a speck that seemed moving + along on the trail below. + </p> + <p> + “A man—coming up the mountain,” cried Tom. “And—it can't be—yet + it is—it's Farley Munson—the stowaway!” he cried. “He's coming + here!” + </p> + <p> + “Let me look!” begged Mr. Jenks, taking the glass from Tom. An instant + later the diamond man exclaimed: “Yes, it's Munson!” + </p> + <p> + “Then in here with you—quick!” cried Renshaw. “He can't see us yet, + and we'll be out of sight in another minute.” + </p> + <p> + The former spirit pulled aside some thick bushes, and pointed to a hole + which was disclosed. + </p> + <p> + “The entrance to the secret cave,” he announced. “Slip in all of you.” + </p> + <p> + Tom, after another glance at the man toiling his way up the mountain, + entered the cavern. He was followed by the others. Bill was the last to + enter, and he replaced the bushes over the entrance. + </p> + <p> + “At last!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks, as he gazed up at the roof of the + dimly-lighted vault in which they found themselves. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we're in the diamond makers' secret cave,” added Tom. “Now to catch + them at work!” + </p> + <p> + “Come on,” advised Bill, in a low tone, “We're not safe yet,” and he + produced a lantern from some hidden recess, lighted the wick, and led the + way. As the others followed they were aware of a subdued noise in the + great cavern. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX—MAKING THE DIAMONDS + </h2> + <p> + “What's that noise?” asked Tom, as their guide flashed the lantern to show + them the way. + </p> + <p> + “That's the men getting ready to make diamonds, I guess,” was the answer. + “You see it takes quite a while to get the stuff ready. I don't know what + they use—they never tell me any of their secrets.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I know the ingredients well enough,” said Mr. Jenks, “but I don't + know the secret of how they apply the terrific heat and pressure necessary + to fuse the materials into diamonds.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you'll soon know,” declared Bill Renshaw. “Of course it isn't + always successful. I've known 'em to try half a dozen times before they + got any diamonds big enough to satisfy 'em. They gave me some of the small + ones when I asked for my wages. + </p> + <p> + “How did you come to get in with these men?” asked Tom, curious to + understand how a person seemingly as honest as Renshaw appeared to be had + cast his lot in with the men who had broken faith with Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I've lived around these parts all my life,” was the answer. “I knew + of this cave before these diamond fellers came to it. In fact, I showed it + to 'em. It was several years ago that a party of men who were prospecting + around here came to me and asked if I knew of a small cave near the top of + a high mountain, where lightning storms were frequent. I told them about + Phantom Mountain, as it was called then, and also of this cave. If there's + any place where they have worse lightning storms than here, I'd like to + know it. They scare me, sometimes, like the night when that landslide + happened, and I'm sort of used to 'em. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I took these men to the cave, and they hired me as a sort of + lookout. Then they began their work, and at first I didn't know what they + were up to, but finally I caught on. Then Mr. Jenks came, and disappeared + mysteriously, though then I didn't know that they had played a trick on + him. I was outside most of the time, pretending I was the ghost. So that's + how I came to get in with 'em, and I wish I was out.” + </p> + <p> + “You soon will be, I think,” declared Mr. Jenks. “But won't our talking be + heard by the men?” + </p> + <p> + “No danger. There is a thick wall between this part of the cave, and the + part where they live and work. I'll soon have you well hid, and then you + wait until I come back.” + </p> + <p> + “What about Munson?” asked Tom. “He is evidently on his way here to tell + his confederates about us.” + </p> + <p> + “He won't know what has happened to us,” said Mr. Jenks, “and he won't see + anything of us. I guess we're safe enough.” + </p> + <p> + Through the dark passage they followed Bill Renshaw until he came to a + halt in a place that suddenly widened and broadened into a good-sized + cave. + </p> + <p> + “Here's your stopping place,” said the former ghost. “Now if you follow + that passage, off to the left,” and he pointed to it, “you'll come to the + larger part of the cave where the diamond makers are. But go cautiously, + and don't make any noise. I won't be responsible for what happens.” + </p> + <p> + “We'll take all the risk,” interrupted Tom. + </p> + <p> + “All right. Now there's a couple of lanterns around here. I'll light them, + and leave you for a while until I can get some grub. I'll be back as soon + as I can.” + </p> + <p> + He glided away, after lighting two lanterns, by the gleams of which the + adventurers could see that they were in a vaulted cavern that had + evidently been fitted up as a living apartment. The sides, roof and floor + were of stone. It was clean, and the air was fresh. There were some + chairs, a table, and several cots, with pieces of bagging for bedding, + though it was warm in the place. + </p> + <p> + “I guess we can stay here until we discover the secret,” spoke Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my watch! We can if we have something to eat,” came from Mr. Damon, + with something like a sigh. “I'm hungry!” + </p> + <p> + “And I want to make some observations,” said Mr. Parker. “From what I have + seen of this mountain, I would not be surprised if this cave was to be + suddenly destroyed by a landslide or a lightning bolt. I will make some + further investigations.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if it's going to cause you to make such gloomy prophecies as that, + I'd just as soon you wouldn't look any further,” spoke Tom, in a low + voice. But Mr. Parker, taking one of the lanterns, set about examining the + rock of which the cave consisted. + </p> + <p> + In a short time Bill Renshaw returned with enough food to last for two + days. He said he was going out on the mountain once more to act the part + of a lookout, and would visit the adventurers again the next day. + </p> + <p> + “In the meanwhile you can do just as you please,” he said. “Nobody is + likely to disturb you here, and you can sneak up and take a look at the + men in the other cave whenever you're ready. Only be careful—that's + all I've got to say. They're desperate men.” + </p> + <p> + It was not very pleasant, eating in the gloomy cavern, but they made the + best of it. They cooked on a small oil-stove they found in the place, and + after some hot coffee they felt much better. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” remarked Tom, after a while, “shall we take a chance, and go look + at the men at work?” + </p> + <p> + “I think so,” answered Mr. Jenks. “The sooner we discover this mystery, + the better. Then we can go back home.” + </p> + <p> + “And recover my airship,” added Tom, who was a bit uneasy regarding the + safety of the Red Cloud. + </p> + <p> + “Then, bless my finger-rings! let's go and see if we can find the big cave + your friend the ghost told us of,” suggested Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + Cautiously they made their way along the passage Bill had pointed out. As + they went forward the subdued noise became louder, and finally they could + feel the vibration of machinery. + </p> + <p> + “This is the place,” whispered Mr. Jenks. “That sound we hear is one of + the mixing machines, for grinding the materials—carbon and the other + substances—which go to make up the diamonds. I remember hearing that + when I was in the cave before.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we must be near the place,” observed Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but I didn't have much chance to look around when I was here before. + They wouldn't let me. I never even knew of the small cave Bill took us + to.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if we're close to it, we'd better go cautiously, and not talk any + more than we're obliged to,” suggested Mr. Parker, and they agreed that + this was good advice. + </p> + <p> + They walked on softly. Suddenly Tom, who was in the lead, saw a gleam of + light. + </p> + <p> + “We're here,” he whispered. “I'll put out our lantern, now,” which he did. + Then, stealing forward he and the others beheld a curious sight. The + tunnel they were in ended at a small hole which opened into a large + cavern, and, fortunately, this opening was concealed from the view of + those in the main place. + </p> + <p> + “The diamond makers!” whispered Tom, hoarsely, pointing to several men + grouped about a number of strange machines. + </p> + <p> + “Yes—the very place where I was,” answered Mr. Jenks, “and there is + the apparatus—the steel box—from which the diamonds are taken—now + to see how they make them.” + </p> + <p> + Fascinated, the adventurers looked into the cave. The men there were + unaware of the presence of our friends, and were busily engaged. Some + attended to the grinding machine, the roar and clatter of which made it + possible for Tom and the others to talk and move about without being + overheard. Into this machine certain ingredients were put, and they were + then pulverized, and taken out in powdery form. + </p> + <p> + The power to run the mixing machine was a gasoline motor, which + chug-chugged away in one corner of the cave. + </p> + <p> + As the powder was taken out, other men fashioned it into small balls, + which were put on pan, and into a sort of oven, that was heated by a + gasoline stove. + </p> + <p> + “Is that how they make the diamonds?” asked Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “That is evidently the first step,” said Mr. Jenks. “Those balls of + powdered chemicals are partly baked, and then they are put into the steel + box. In some way terrific heat and pressure are applied, and the diamonds + are made. But how the heat and pressure are obtained is what we have yet + to learn.” + </p> + <p> + He paused to watch the men at work. They were all busy, some attending to + the machines, and others coming and going in and out of the cave. In one + part a man was apparently getting ready a meal. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly there rushed into the cave a man who seemed much excited. + </p> + <p> + “Are you nearly ready with that stuff?” he cried. “There's a good storm + gathering on the mountain!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we'll be ready in half an hour,” answered one of the men at the + mixing machine. + </p> + <p> + “Good. It will be flashing lightning bolts then, and we can see what luck + we have. The last batch was a failure.” The man hurried out again. Mr. + Parker touched Tom and Mr. Jenks on their shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “I know the secret of making the diamonds,” said the scientist. + </p> + <p> + “What?” cried Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “It is by the awful power of the lightning bolts!” whispered Mr. Parker. + “Everything is explained now—the reason why they make diamonds in + this lonely place, near the top of the mountain. They need a place where + the lightning is powerful. I can understand it now—I suspected it + before. They make diamonds by lightning!” + </p> + <p> + “Are you sure?” cried Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “Positive.” + </p> + <p> + “I agree with you,” said Tom Swift. “I was just getting on that track + myself, when I saw the electric wires running to the steel box. That + explains the upright rod on the top of the mountain. The man says a storm + is coming—very well; we'll stay here and watch them make diamonds!” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke there came the mutter of thunder, and the mountain vibrated + slightly. The men in the cave redoubled their activity. Tom and his + friends felt that the secret process they had so long sought was about to + be demonstrated before their eyes. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI—FLASHING GEMS + </h2> + <p> + Eagerly the adventurers looked through the opening at the end of the + passage into the larger cave. The men opened the small oven in which the + balls of white chemicals and carbon mixed, had been baked, and a pile of + things, that looked like irregularly-shaped marbles, were placed in the + steel box. + </p> + <p> + This box, which was about the size of a trunk, was of massive metal. It + was placed in a recess in the solid rock, and all about were layers of + asbestos and other substances that were nonconductors of heat. + </p> + <p> + “That box becomes red hot,” exclaimed Mr. Jenks, in a whisper. “When + things are in readiness, that lever is pulled and the diamonds are made. I + pulled it once, but I did not then know the process involved. I supposed + that the lightning had nothing to do with making the diamonds.” + </p> + <p> + “It has—a most important part,” said Mr. Parker. The hidden + adventurers could talk in perfect safety now, for the men in the large + cave were too excited to pay much attention to them. The muttering of the + thunder grew louder, and at times a particularly loud crash told that a + bolt had struck somewhere in the vicinity of the cave. + </p> + <p> + “But, bless my watch-charm!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, “I didn't know lightning + made diamonds.” + </p> + <p> + “It does not—always,” went on the scientist. “But great heat and + pressure are necessary to create the gems. In nature this was probably + obtained by prehistoric volcanic fires, and by the terrific pressure of + immense rocks. It is possible to make diamonds in the laboratory of the + chemist, but they are so minute as to be practically valueless. + </p> + <p> + “However, these men seem to have hit upon a new plan. They utilize the + terrific heat of lightning, and the pressure which is instantaneously + obtained when the bolt strikes. I am anxious to see how it is done. Look, + I think they are getting ready to make the gems.” + </p> + <p> + Indeed there seemed to be an air of expectancy among the diamond makers. + The mixing machine had now been stopped, and, as it was more quiet in the + cave, our friends, in their hiding-place, had to speak in mere whispers. + All the men were now gathered about the great steel box. + </p> + <p> + This receptacle had been closed by a solid metal door, which was screwed + and clamped tight. Then one of the men examined a number of heavily + insulated electric wires that extended from the box off into the darkness + where Tom and his companions could not discern them. + </p> + <p> + “That's Folwell—the man I befriended, and who got me into this + game,” whispered Mr. Jenks. “He was also one of the first to turn against + me. I think he's one of the leaders.” + </p> + <p> + Folwell came back, after having gone into a dark part of the cave. He went + over to an electrical switch on one of the stone walls. + </p> + <p> + “It's almost time,” Tom heard him say to his confederates. “The storm is + coming up rapidly.” + </p> + <p> + “Will it be severe enough?” asked one of the helpers. “We had all our work + for nothing last time. The flashes weren't heavy enough.” + </p> + <p> + “These will be,” asserted Folwell. “The indicator shows nearly a million + volts now, and it's increasing.” + </p> + <p> + “A million volts!” exclaimed Tom. “I hope it doesn't strike anywhere + around here.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it will probably be harmlessly conducted down on the heavy wires,” + said Mr. Parker. “We are in no danger, at present, though ultimately I + expect to see the whole mountain shattered by a lightning bolt.” + </p> + <p> + “Cheerful prospect,” murmured Tom. + </p> + <p> + There was a terrific crash outside. The rocky floor of the cave trembled. + </p> + <p> + “Here she comes!” cried Folwell. “Get back, everybody! I'm going to throw + over the switch now!” + </p> + <p> + The men retreated well away from the steel box. Folwell threw over the + lever—the same one Mr. Jenks remembered pulling. Then the man ran to + the electric switch on the wall, and snapped that into place, establishing + a connection. + </p> + <p> + There was a moment's pause, as Folwell ran to join the others in their + place of safety. Then from without there came a most nerve-racking and + terrifying crash. It seemed as if the very mountain would be rent into + fragments. + </p> + <p> + Watching with eager eyes, the adventurers saw sparks flash from the steel + box. Instantly it became red hot, and then glowed white and incandescent. + It was almost at the melting point. + </p> + <p> + Then came comparative quiet, as the echoes of the thunder died away amid + the mountain peaks. + </p> + <p> + “I guess that did the trick!” cried Folwell. “It was a terrific crash all + right!” + </p> + <p> + He and the others ran forward. The steel box was now a cherry red, for it + was cooling. Folwell threw back the lever, and another man disconnected + the switch. There was a period of waiting until the box was cool enough to + open. Then the heavy door was swung back. + </p> + <p> + With a long iron rod Folwell drew something from the retort. It was the + tray which had held the white balls. But they were white no longer, for + they had been turned into diamonds. From their hiding-place Tom and the + others could see the flashing gems, for, in spite of the fact that the + diamonds were uncut, some of them sparkled most brilliantly, due to the + peculiar manner in which they were made. + </p> + <p> + “We have the secret of the diamonds!” whispered Mr. Jenks. “There must be + a quart of the gems there!” + </p> + <p> + The men gathered about Folwell, uttering exclamations of delight. The + diamonds were too hot to handle yet. + </p> + <p> + “That's going some!” exclaimed the chief of the diamond makers. “We have a + small fortune here.” + </p> + <p> + The was a sudden commotion at one end of the cave. A man rushed in. At the + sight of him Tom stared and uttered an exclamation. + </p> + <p> + “Munson—the stowaway!” he whispered. + </p> + <p> + “Hello!” cried Folwell, as he saw his confederate. “I thought you were + East, keeping Jenks away from here.” + </p> + <p> + “He got the best of me!” cried Munson, “he and that Tom Swift! I stowed + away on their airship, but they found me out by a wireless message, and + marooned me in the woods. I've been trying to get here ever since! Didn't + you get my messages of warning?” + </p> + <p> + “No—what warnings?” cried Folwell. + </p> + <p> + “About Jenks, Tom Swift and the others. They're here—they must be on + Phantom Mountain now. In fact, I shouldn't be surprised if they were in + this cave. I traced them to their camp, but they're gone. They may be + among us now—in some of the secret recesses!” + </p> + <p> + For an instant Folwell stared at the bearer of these tidings. Then he + cried out: + </p> + <p> + “Scatter men, and find these fellows! We must get them before they + discover our secret!” + </p> + <p> + “It's too late—we know it!” exulted Tom Swift. Then he whispered to + the others to hurry to the part of the cave where Bill Renshaw had first + hidden them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII—PRISONERS + </h2> + <p> + “Do you think there is any danger of them finding us?” asked Mr. Damon, as + he hurried along beside Tom. + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid so,” was the answer. “I've been worried ever since we saw + Munson heading this way. But we couldn't do any differently.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps Bill Renshaw may be able to conceal us,” suggested Mr. Jenks. + “Very likely he knows that Munson is on hand. Perhaps we will be safe for + a while. I want to make a few more observations as to how they manufacture + the diamonds, and then, with what I already know, I'll have the secret.” + </p> + <p> + “And I'd like to make some scientific tests of the sides and bottom rocks + of the cave,” spoke Mr. Parker. “I think it will bear out my theory that + the mountain will soon be destroyed.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you were right about Earthquake Island, and you may be right about + this mountain,” said Tom, “but if it is going to be annihilated I hope we + get far enough away from it.” + </p> + <p> + “We can keep our presence here a secret for a few more days, I think that + will be long enough,” proceeded Mr. Jenks. “Then we will leave.” + </p> + <p> + “And, in the meanwhile, they'll be searching for us,” objected Mr. Damon. + “I wish that ghost-chap would come back and tell us what to do. Bless my + liver-pin, but we are going to be in considerable danger, I'm afraid! + Those men may capture us, and decide to make diamond dust from us.” + </p> + <p> + “Come on—hurry to the little cave,” urged Tom. “Then we'll get ready + to defend ourselves.” + </p> + <p> + “The main cave is a large one,” said Mr. Jenks, “and there are many hiding + places in it. In fact, it is so large that it will take those fellows + several days to complete a circuit of it. By that time Bill Renshaw may + come back, and take us to some place in which they have already searched + for us. Then we'll be comparatively safe.” + </p> + <p> + This thought was some consolation to them, as they made their way through + the dark passage, dimly illuminated by the lantern they had rekindled, to + the place where Bill had hidden them. They found things as they had left + them, and proceeded to get a meal, though Tom said it would be best not to + cook anything, or even to make coffee, for fear the odors would enable the + searchers to trail them. + </p> + <p> + So they ate cold food, glad to get that. Silently they sat about the + dimly-lighted cavern, and discussed the situation. True they might even + now retreat, going out of the entrance Bill had showed them, and so + escape. But Mr. Jenks felt that his mission was not completed yet, and + they all agreed to stay with him. + </p> + <p> + “For there are several points about making diamonds that are not quite + clear to me,” he said. “I need to know how that steel box is constructed, + how the electrical switches are arranged, what kind of lightning rods they + use, and how they regulate the pressure. The other things, and how to mix + the ingredients, I already know.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we'll do our best to help you,” promised Tom. “But now I think we + had better see what sort of a defense we can put up. We have our guns and + revolvers, and with these chairs and tables we can build a sort of + barricade behind which we can take refuge if those fellows do discover our + hiding place.” + </p> + <p> + This was conceded to be a good idea, and soon a rude sort of fort was + made, behind which the adventurers could take their stand and fight, if + necessary, though they hoped this would not come to pass. + </p> + <p> + They remained quietly in the cave the remainder of that day, and, when it + was night, as they could tell by their timepieces—there was no + daylight—they divided the hours into watches, taking turns standing + guard. + </p> + <p> + Morning, at least in point of time, came without any disturbance, and they + made a cold breakfast. They hoped that Bill Renshaw would come, but he did + not appear. + </p> + <p> + After sitting in the dark cave until afternoon, Tom said: + </p> + <p> + “I think we might as well go and take another observation of the big cave. + We can tell what the men are doing, then, for they don't seem to have been + near us. Maybe they have given up the search for us, and we can see them + at work, and Mr. Jenks can gain what further knowledge he needs.” + </p> + <p> + “That will be a good plan,” agreed the diamond man. “It's maddening to sit + here, doing nothing.” + </p> + <p> + “And it will be comparatively safe to go from here to our former post of + observation,” added Tom, “for there doesn't seem to be any opening along + the tunnel, into the larger cave, except the place where we were.” + </p> + <p> + Accordingly they started off. Cautiously they looked through the opening + into the apartment where they had seen the diamonds made. + </p> + <p> + “There's not a soul here!” exclaimed Tom, in a whisper. The others looked. + The place was deserted—the machinery silent. Mr. Jenks peered in for + a moment, and then exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “I'm going in! Now's my chance to find out all that I wish to know! It may + never come again, and then we can soon leave Phantom Mountain!” + </p> + <p> + It was a daring plan, but it seemed to be the best one to follow. They + were all tired of inactivity. Mr. Jenks managed to get through the + opening, and dropped into the big cave. The others followed. Mr. Jenks + hurried over to the steel box, and began an examination of it. Tom Swift + was looking at the electrical switch. He saw how it was constructed. Mr. + Damon and Mr. Parker were peering interestedly about. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the sound of voices was heard, and the echo of footsteps. Mr. + Jenks started. + </p> + <p> + “They're coming back!” he whispered hoarsely. “Run!” + </p> + <p> + They all turned and sped toward their hiding place. But they were too + late. An instant later Folwell, Munson and the other diamond makers + confronted them. Our friends made a bold rush, but were caught before they + could go ten feet. + </p> + <p> + “We have them!” cried Munson. “They walked right into our hands!” + </p> + <p> + It was true. Tom Swift and the others were the prisoners of the diamond + makers. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII—BROKEN BONDS + </h2> + <p> + “Well,” remarked Tom Swift, in mournful tones, “this looks as if we were + up against it; doesn't it?” + </p> + <p> + “Bless my umbrella, it certainly does,” agreed Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “And it's all my fault,” said Mr. Jenks. “I shouldn't have gone into the + big cave. I might have known those men would come back any time.” + </p> + <p> + The above conversation took place as our friends lay securely bound in a + small cave, or recess, opening from the larger cavern, where, about an + hour before, they had been captured and made prisoners by the diamond + makers. Despite their struggles they had been overpowered and bound, being + carried to the cave, where they were laid in a row on some old bags. + </p> + <p> + “It certainly is a most unpleasant situation, to say the least,” observed + Mr. Parker. + </p> + <p> + “And all my fault,” repeated Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no it isn't,” declared Tom Swift, quickly. “We were just as ready to + follow you into that cave as you were to go. No one could tell that the + men would return so soon. It's nobody's fault. It's just our bad luck.” + </p> + <p> + From where he lay, tied hand and foot, the young inventor could look out + into the cave where he and the others had been caught. The diamond makers + were busily engaged, apparently in getting ready to manufacture another + batch of the precious stones. They paid little attention to their + captives, save to warn them, when they had first been taken into the + little cave, that it was useless to try to escape. + </p> + <p> + “They needn't have told us that,” observed Tom, as he and the others were + talking over their situation in low voices. “I don't believe any one could + loosen these ropes.” + </p> + <p> + “They certainly are pretty tight,” agreed Mr. Damon. “I've been tugging + and straining at mine for the last half hour, and all I've succeeded in + doing is to make the cords cut into my flesh.” + </p> + <p> + “Better give it up,” advised Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “We'll just have to wait.” + </p> + <p> + “For what?” the scientist wanted to know. + </p> + <p> + “To see what they'll do with us. They can't keep us here forever. They'll + have to let us go some time.” Following their capture, Folwell and Munson, + the latter the stowaway of the airship, had been in earnest conversation + regarding our friends, but what conclusion they had reached the + adventurers could only guess. + </p> + <p> + “And we didn't have time to examine the diamond-making machinery close + enough so that we could duplicate it if necessary,” complained Tom, a + little later. + </p> + <p> + “No,” agreed Mr. Jenks. “There are certain things about it that are not + clear to me. Well, I don't believe I'll have another chance to inspect it. + They'll take good care of that, though they seem to be getting ready to + make more diamonds.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps they're going to manufacture a big batch, and then leave this + place,” suggested Mr. Damon. “They will probably go to some other secret + cave, and leave us here.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope they untie us before they leave, and give us something to eat,” + remarked the young inventor. + </p> + <p> + For two hours longer the captives lay there, in most uncomfortable + positions. Then Folwell and Munson, leaving the group of diamond makers + who were grouped about the machinery, approached the captives. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” remarked Munson, “we got ahead of you after all; didn't we. You + thought you had our secret, but it will be a long while before you ever + make diamonds.” + </p> + <p> + “What are you going to do with us?” asked Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Never mind. You came where you had no right to, and you must take the + consequences.” + </p> + <p> + “We did have a right to come here!” exclaimed Mr. Jenks. “I am entitled to + know how the diamonds are made. I paid for the information, and you + tricked me. If ever it's possible I'll have the whole gang arrested for + swindling.” + </p> + <p> + “You'll never get the chance!” declared Folwell. “You were given some + diamonds for the money you invested, and that makes us square.” + </p> + <p> + “No, it doesn't!” declared Mr. Jenks. “I invested the money to learn how + to make diamonds, and you know it! You tricked me, and I had a right to + try to discover your secret! I nearly have it, too, and I'll get it + completely before I'm done with you!” + </p> + <p> + “No, you won't!” boasted Folwell. “But we didn't come here to tell you + that. We came to give you something to eat. We're not savages and we'll + treat you as well as we can in spite of the fact that you are trespassers. + We're going to give you some grub, but I warn you that any attempt to + escape will mean that some of you will get hurt.” + </p> + <p> + He signalled to some of his confederates. These men unbound the captives' + arms, and stood over them while they ate some coarse food that was brought + into the small cave. They were given coffee to drink, and then, when the + simple meal was over, they were securely bound again, and left to + themselves, while the diamond makers went back to their machinery. + </p> + <p> + It was evident that they were going to attempt a big operation, for an + unusually large quantity of the white stuff was prepared. The prisoners + watched them idly. They could see some but not all of the operations. In + this way several hours passed. + </p> + <p> + Gloom possessed the hearts of Tom and his friends. Not only had their + expedition been almost a failure so far, but the young inventor was + worried lest the gang might discover and wreck his airship. This would + prove a serious loss. Lying there in the semi-darkness the lad imagined + all sorts of unpleasant happenings. + </p> + <p> + At times he dozed off, as did the others. They had become somewhat used to + the pain caused by the bonds, for their nerves were numb from the strain + and pressure. + </p> + <p> + Once, as he was lightly sleeping, Tom was awakened by hearing loud voices + in the main cave. He looked out, rolling over slightly to get a better + view. He saw the man who, once before had run in to give news of an + approaching electrical storm. + </p> + <p> + “Are you fellows all ready?” asked this same man again. + </p> + <p> + “Yes. Is there another storm coming?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and it's going to be a corker!” was the reply. “It's one of the + worst I've ever seen. It's sweeping right up the valley. It'll be here in + an hour.” + </p> + <p> + “That's good. We need a big flash to make all the material we have + prepared into diamonds. It's the biggest batch we ever tried. I hope it + succeeds, for we're going to leave—” The rest was in so low a tone + that Tom could not catch it. + </p> + <p> + The storm messenger departed. Folwell and Munson busied themselves about + the machinery. Tom dozed off again, dimly wondering what had become of + Bill Renshaw, and whether the former ghost knew of their plight. The + others were asleep, as the young inventor saw by the dim light of a + lantern in the cave. Then, he too, shut his eyes. + </p> + <p> + Tom was suddenly awakened by feeling some one's hands moving about his + clothing. At first he thought it was one of the diamond-making gang, who + had sneaked in to rob him. “Here! What are you up to?” exclaimed Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Quiet!” cautioned a voice. “Are you all here?” + </p> + <p> + “All of us—yes. But who are you?” + </p> + <p> + “Easy—keep quiet, Tom Swift! I'm Bill Renshaw! I've been searching + all over for you, since I got back to your cave and found it empty. Now + I'm going to free you. I got in here by a secret entrance. Wait, I'll cut + your ropes.” There was a slight sound, and an instant later Tom was freed + from his bonds. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV—IN GREAT PERIL + </h2> + <p> + The young inventor could scarcely believe the good luck that had so + unexpectedly come to him and his companions. No sooner was Tom able to + move freely about than Bill Renshaw performed the same service for Mr. + Jenks and the others, cautioning them to be quiet as he awakened them, and + cut the ropes. + </p> + <p> + “Bless my circulation!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, in a hoarse whisper. “How did + you ever get here. I'd given ourselves up for lost.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I came in off the mountain, as there's a big storm due,” explained + the man. “There was no need of me playing the haunt in daytime, anyhow. I + went to the cave, found you and your things gone, and I surmised that you + might have walked into some trap.” + </p> + <p> + “We did,” admitted Mr. Jenks, grimly. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I hunted around until I found you,” went on Bill. “This mountain is + honeycombed with caves, all opening from the large one, I know them better + than these fellows do, so I could explore freely, and keep out of their + sight. They didn't know that there was a second entrance to this place, + but I did, and I made for it, when I couldn't find you in some of the + other caves where I looked. And, sure enough, here you were.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we can't thank you enough,” said Mr. Parker. “But you say there is + a big storm coming?” + </p> + <p> + “One of the biggest that's been around these parts in some time,” replied + Bill. + </p> + <p> + “Then perhaps the mountain will be destroyed,” went on the scientist, as + calmly as if he had remarked that it might rain. + </p> + <p> + “I hope nothing like that happens until we get away,” spoke Mr. Damon, + fervently. + </p> + <p> + “What had we better do?” inquired Tom. + </p> + <p> + “Get away, unless you want to discover some more of their secrets,” + advised Bill. “Those fellows are planning something, but I can't find out + what it is. They are suspicious of me, I think. But they are up to + something, and I believe, it would be best for you to leave while you have + the chance. It may not be healthy to stay. That's why I did my best to + untie you.” + </p> + <p> + “We appreciate what you have done,” declared Mr. Jenks, “but I want my + rights. I must learn a few more facts about how to make diamonds from + lightning flashes, and then I will have the same secret they cheated me + out of. I think if we wait a while we may be able to see the parts of the + process that are not quite clear to us. What do you say, Tom Swift?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I would like to learn the secret,” replied the lad, “and if Bill + thinks it's safe to stay here a while longer—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I guess it will be safe enough,” was the reply. “Those fellows won't + bother about you now that they are about to make some more diamonds. + Besides, they think you're all tied up. Yes, you can stay here and watch, + I reckon. I've got a couple of guns, and—” + </p> + <p> + “Then we'll stay,” decided Tom. “We can put up a better fight now.” + </p> + <p> + Silently, in their prison, but which they could now leave whenever they + pleased, the adventurers watched the diamond makers once more. The same + process they had witnessed before was gone through with. The white balls + were put inside the steel box and sealed up. Then they waited for the + storm to reach its height. + </p> + <p> + That this would not be long was evidenced by the mutterings of thunder + which every moment grew louder. The outburst of electrical fury was likely + to take place momentarily, and that it would be unusually severe was shown + by the precautions taken by the diamond makers. They attached a number of + extra wires, and brought out some insulated, hard rubber platforms, on + which they themselves stood. Tom and Mr. Jenks were much interested in + watching this detail of the work, and sought to learn how each part of the + process was done. + </p> + <p> + “I almost think we can make diamonds, Tom, when we get back to + civilization,” whispered Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “I hope we can,” answered Tom, “and we can't get back any too soon to suit + me. I want to be in my airship again.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't blame you. But look, they are getting ready to adjust the + switch.” + </p> + <p> + The adventurers ceased their whispered talk, and eagerly watched the + diamond makers. Folwell and Munson were hurrying to and fro in the big + cave, attending to the adjustments of the machinery. + </p> + <p> + “On your insulated plates—all of you,” Folwell gave the order. “This + is going to be a terrific storm. The gage shows twice the power we have + ever used, and it's creeping up every minute! We'll have more diamonds + than ever had before!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, if the mountain isn't destroyed,” added Mr. Parker, in a low voice. + “I predict that it will be split from top to bottom!” + </p> + <p> + “Comforting,” thought Tom, grimly. + </p> + <p> + “I guess we're all ready,” said Folwell, in a low tone to Munson. “We'd + better get insulated ourselves. I'm going to throw the switch.” + </p> + <p> + He did so. A moment later the man who had before given warning of the + storm came dashing in. He was very much excited. + </p> + <p> + “It's awful!” he cried. “The lightning is striking all over! Big rocks are + being split like logs of wood!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it can't do any damage in here,” said Munson. “We are well + protected. Get on one of the plates,” and he motioned to one of the + hard-rubber platforms that was not occupied. The roar and rumble of the + storm outside had given place to short terrific crashes. In their small + cave the adventurers could feel the solid ground shake. + </p> + <p> + A bluish light began dancing about the electrical wires. There was a smell + of sulphur in the air. Crash after crash resounded outside. A flash of + flame lit up the whole interior of the cave. It came from the copper + switch. + </p> + <p> + “Something's wrong with the insulation!” cried Munson. + </p> + <p> + “Don't go near it!” yelled Folwell. “If you value your life, stand still!” + </p> + <p> + Hardly had he spoken than inside the cavern there sounded a report like + that of a small cannon. A big ball of fire danced about the middle of the + cave and then leaped on top of the steel box. + </p> + <p> + “This is a fearful storm,” cried Munson. + </p> + <p> + The adventurers in the cave did not know what to say or do. They were in + deadly peril. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly there came a crash louder than any that had preceded it. The + whole side of the cave where the switches were was a mass of bluish flame. + Then came a ripping, tearing sound, and a tangle of wires and copper + connections were thrown to the floor. At the same time the steel box, + containing the materials from which diamonds were made, turned blue, and + flames shot from it. + </p> + <p> + “It's all up with us!” cried Munson. “Run for it, everybody! The wires are + down, and this place will be an electric furnace in another minute!” + </p> + <p> + He leaped toward the exit from the cave. + </p> + <p> + “What about those fellows?” asked Folwell, indicating the place where Tom + and the others had been tied. + </p> + <p> + “They'll have to do the best they can! It's every man for himself, now!” + yelled Munson. There was a wild scramble from the cavern. + </p> + <p> + “Come on!” cried Tom. “We must escape! It's our only chance!” + </p> + <p> + He leaped into the big cave, followed by the others. Already long tongues + of electrical fire were shooting out from the walls and roof as Tom Swift + and his companions, evading them as best they could, sought safety in + flight. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXV—THE MOUNTAIN SHATTERED—CONCLUSION + </h2> + <p> + “Can't we get some of the diamonds?” cried Mr. Damon, as he raced along + behind Tom. “Now's our chance. Those fellows have all gone!” The odd man + made a grab for something as he ran. + </p> + <p> + “It's as much as our lives are worth,” declared the young inventor. “We + dare not stop! Come on!” + </p> + <p> + “I'd like to investigate some of the machinery,” spoke Mr. Jenks, “but I + wouldn't stop, even for that.” + </p> + <p> + “The storm is too dangerous,” called Bill Renshaw. “I can show you a + shorter way out than the one those fellows have taken. Follow me.” + </p> + <p> + “No way can be too short,” said Mr. Parker, solemnly. “This mountain will + go to pieces shortly, I think!” + </p> + <p> + Tom shuddered. He remembered how narrow had been their escape when + Earthquake Island sank into the sea. And that some terrific upheaval was + now imminent might be judged from the awful reports that sounded more + plainly as the adventurers raced toward the opening of the cave. It was + like the bombardment of some doomed city. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Jenks and Tom cast one longing look behind at the complicated and + expensive machinery that had been installed in the cave by the diamond + makers. They had abandoned it, and in it lay the secret of making precious + gems. But there was no time to stop now, and investigate. + </p> + <p> + “This way,” urged Bill Renshaw. “We'll soon be out.” + </p> + <p> + “But won't it be dangerous to go outside?” asked Mr. Damon. “Shan't we be + struck by lightning? There is some protection in here.” + </p> + <p> + “None at all,” said Mr. Parker, quickly. “This mountain is a natural + lightning rod. To stay here in this cave will be sure death when the storm + gets directly over it. And that will be very soon. We must get on + insulated ground. Is there any part of this mountain that does not contain + iron ore?” the scientist asked of the former spirit. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; the way out by which we are going lands on a dirt hill.” + </p> + <p> + “That's good; then we may be saved.” + </p> + <p> + On they ran. They had no lanterns, but the blue light of the electricity, + as it leaped from point to point inside the cave, where there were + outcroppings of iron ore, made the place bright enough to see. + </p> + <p> + “Here we are!” cried Bill Renshaw at length. “Here's the way out!” + </p> + <p> + Making a sudden turn in the winding passage he showed the adventurers a + small opening in the side of the crag. In an instant they had passed + through, and found themselves in daylight once more. The sudden glare + almost blinded them, for, though the sky was overcast by clouds, from + which jagged tongues of lightning played, the outside was much lighter + than the dark cave. + </p> + <p> + “I should say it was a storm!” cried Tom Swift. “See, it is striking every + minute, and all around us!” + </p> + <p> + In fact, lightning bolts were falling on every side of the adventurers. + Every time the balls of fire struck, they burst open great stones, or + seared a livid scar on the face of some cliff. As for Tom and the others, + they stood on a dry dirt hill, in which, fortunately, there was no iron + ore. To this fact they undoubtedly owed their lives, though had there been + rain, to moisten the ground and make the earth a good conductor of + electricity, they probably would have been badly shocked. But the + electrical outburst was not accompanied by rain. + </p> + <p> + Tom looked up. He saw a compact mass of cloud moving toward the summit of + the mountain on the slope of which they stood. From this cloud there + played shafts of reddish-green fire. + </p> + <p> + “Look!” called the young inventor to Mr. Parker. The instant the latter + saw the cloud, he cried: + </p> + <p> + “We must get away from here by all means! That is the center of the storm. + As soon as it gets over the mountain, where that lightning rod is, all the + electrical fluid will be discharged in one bolt at the mountain, and it + will be destroyed! We must run, but keep on the dirt places! Run for your + lives!” + </p> + <p> + They needed no second warning. Turning, they fled down the steep side of + the mountain, slipping and stumbling, but taking care not to step on any + iron ore. Behind them flashed the lightning bolts. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly there was a most awful crash. It seemed as if the end of the + world had come, and the ear drums of Tom and his companion almost burst + with the fearful report. The concussion knocked them down, and they lay + stunned for a moment. + </p> + <p> + Following the terrible report there was a low, rumbling sound. Hardly + knowing whether he was dead or alive, Tom opened his eyes and looked about + him. What he saw caused him to cry out in terror. + </p> + <p> + The whole mountain seemed bathed in fire. Great blue, red and green + flashes played around it. Then the towering cliff seemed to melt and + crumble up, and the great peak, the top of it containing the diamond + makers' cave, from which they had fled but a few minutes before, the + entire summit was toppled over into the valley on the other side, and in + the direction opposite to that where the adventurers stood. + </p> + <p> + Then came a profound silence, and the lightning ceased. The storm was + over, and only the rattle of stones and boulders, as they came to rest in + the valley below, reached the ears of our friends. + </p> + <p> + “Phantom Mountain has been destroyed, just as I said it would be,” spoke + Mr. Parker, solemnly. Once more he had prophesied correctly. + </p> + <p> + For a few minutes the adventurers hardly knew what to say. They arose + awkwardly from the ground where the shock had tossed them. Then Tom + remarked, as calmly as possible: + </p> + <p> + “Well, it's all over. I guess we may as well get back to our airship.” + </p> + <p> + “What became of Munson and the others?” asked Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Jenks pointed to the trail, far below. The figures of some men, + running madly, could be seen. + </p> + <p> + “There they go,” he said; “I fancy we have seen the last of them.” And + they had, for some time at least. + </p> + <p> + There was little use lingering any longer on Phantom Mountain—indeed + little of it was left on which to remain. Looking back toward the place + where the cave had been, Tom and the others started forward again. The + diamond-making machinery had all been destroyed. So, also, had the + finished diamonds stored in the cavern and the large supply which had + probably been made by the last terrific crash. No one would ever have them + now. Tom and Mr. Jenks felt a sense of disappointment, but they were glad + to have escaped with their lives. They sought their former camp, but the + tent and all their food was buried under tons of earth and rocks. + </p> + <p> + Three days later, after rather severe hardships, they were near the place + where they had left the Red Cloud. They had suffered cold and hunger, for + they had no food supplies, and, had it not been that Bill Renshaw knew the + haunts of some game, of which they managed to snare some, they would have + fared badly, for they had left their guns in the cave. + </p> + <p> + “Well, there are the trees behind which I hope my airship is hidden,” + announced Tom, as they came to the spot. “Good old Red Cloud! Maybe we + won't do some eating when we get aboard, eh?” + </p> + <p> + “Bless my appetite! but we certainly will!” cried Mr. Damon. + </p> + <p> + “There's somebody walking around the place,” spoke Mr. Jenks. + </p> + <p> + “I hope it's no one who has damaged the ship,” came from Tom, + apprehensively. He broke into a run, and soon confronted an aged miner, + who seemed to have established a rude sort of camp near the airship. + </p> + <p> + “Is anything the matter?” asked Tom, breathlessly. “Is my airship all + right?” + </p> + <p> + “I guess she's all right, stranger,” was the reply. “I don't know much + about these contraptions, but I haven't touched her. I knowed she was an + airship, for I've seen pictures of 'em, and I've been waiting until the + owner came along.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” asked Tom, wonderingly. + </p> + <p> + “Because I've got a proposition to make to you,” went on the miner, who + said his name was Abe Abercrombie. “I've been a miner for a good many + years, and I'm just back from Alaska, prospecting around here. I haven't + had any luck, but I know of a gold mine in Alaska that will make us all + rich. Only it needs an airship to get to it, and I've been figuring how to + hire one. Then I comes along, and I sees this big one, and I makes up my + mind to stay here until the owners come back. That's what I've done. Now, + if I prove that I'm telling the truth, will you go to Alaska—to the + valley of gold with me?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know,” answered Tom, to whom the proposition was rather sudden. + “We've just had some pretty startling adventures, and we're almost + starved. Wait until we get something to eat, and we'll talk. Come aboard + the Red Cloud,” and the lad led the way to his craft which was in as good + condition as when he left it to go to the diamond cave. Later he listened + to the miner's story. + </p> + <p> + Tom Swift did go to the valley of gold in Alaska, and what happened to him + and his companions there will be told of in the next volume of this + series, to be called “Tom Swift in the Caves of Ice; or, the Wreck of the + Airship.” + </p> + <p> + It did not take our friends long, after they had eaten a hearty meal, to + generate some fresh gas, and start the Red Cloud on her homeward way. Tom + wanted to take Bill Renshaw with him, but the old man said he would rather + remain among the mountains where he had been born. So, after paying him + well for his services, they said good-by to him. Abercrombie, the miner, + also remained behind, but promised to call and see Tom in a few months. + </p> + <p> + “Well, we didn't make any money out of this trip,” observed Mr. Jenks, + rather dubiously, as they were nearing Shopton, after an uneventful trip. + “I guess I owe you considerable, Tom Swift. I promised to get you a lot of + diamonds, but all I have are those I had from my first visit to the cave.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that's all right,” spoke Tom, easily. “The experience was worth all + the trip cost.” + </p> + <p> + “Speaking of diamonds, look here!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, suddenly, and he + pulled out a double handful. + </p> + <p> + “Where did you get them?” cried the others in astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “I grabbed them up, as we ran from the cave,” said the eccentric man; + “but, bless my gaiters! I forgot all about them until you spoke. We'll + share them.” + </p> + <p> + These diamonds, some of which were large, proved very valuable, though the + total sum was far below what Mr. Jenks hoped to make when he started on + the remarkable trip. Tom gave Mary Nestor a very fine stone, and it was + set in a ring, instead of a pin, this time. + </p> + <p> + On their arrival in Shopton, where Mr. Swift, the housekeeper, Mr. Jackson + and Eradicate Sampson were much alarmed for Tom's safety, an attempt was + made to manufacture diamonds, using a powerful electric current instead of + lightning. But it was not a success, and so Mr. Jenks concluded to give up + his search for the secret which was lost on Phantom Mountain. + </p> + <p> + And now we will take leave of Tom Swift, to meet him again soon in other + adventures he is destined to have in the caves of ice and the valley of + gold. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0026" id="link2H_4_0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE END + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + THE TOM SWIFT SERIES + + By VICTOR APPLETON +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE + Or Fun and Adventure on the Road + TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT + Or The Rivals of Lake Carlopa + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP + Or The Stirring Cruise of the Red Cloud + TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT + Or Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT + Or The Speediest Car on the Road + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE + Or The Castaways of Earthquake Island + TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS + Or The Secret of Phantom Mountain + TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE + Or The wreck of the Airship + TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER + Or The Quickest Flight on Record + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE + Or Daring Adventures In Elephant Land + TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD + Or Marvelous Adventures Underground + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER + Or seeking the Platinum Treasure + TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY + Or A Daring Escape by Airship + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA + Or The Perils of Moving Picture Taking + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT + Or On the Border for Uncle Sam + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON + Or The Longest Shots on Record + TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE + Or The Picture that Saved a Fortune + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP + Or The Naval Terror of the Seas + TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL + Or The Hidden City of the Andes +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS SERIES + + By VICTOR APPLETON +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + In these stories we follow the adventures of three boys, who, + after purchasing at auction the contents of a moving picture + house, open a theatre of their own. Their many trials and + tribulations, leading up to the final success of their venture, + make very entertaining stories. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' FIRST VENTURE + + Or Opening a Photo Playhouse in Fairlands. + + The adventures of Frank, Randy and Pep in running a Motion + Picture show. They had trials and tribulations but finally + succeed. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS AT SEASIDE PARK + + Or The Rival Photo Theatres of the Boardwalk. + + Their success at Fairlands encourages the boys to open their + show at Seaside Park, where they have exciting adventures—also a + profitable season. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS ON BROADWAY + + Or The Mystery of the Missing Cash Box. + + Backed by a rich western friend the chums established a photo + playhouse in the great metropolis, where new adventures await + them. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' OUTDOOR EXHIBITION + + Or The Film that Solved a Mystery. + + This time the playhouse was in a big summer park. How a + film that was shown gave a clew to an important mystery + is interestingly related. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' NEW IDEA + + Or The First Educational Photo Playhouse. + + In this book the scene is shifted to Boston, and there is + intense rivalry in the establishment of photo playhouses of + educational value. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS AT THE FAIR + + Or The Greatest Film Ever Exhibited. + + The chums go to San Francisco, where they have some trials + but finally meet with great success. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' WAR SPECTACLE + + Or The Film that Won the Prize. + + Through being of service to the writer of a great scenario, the + chums are enabled to produce it and win a prize. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH SERIES + + By GRAHAM B. FORBES +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Never was there a cleaner, brighter, more manly boy than Frank + Allen, the hero of this series of boys tales, and never was there + a better crowd of lads to associate with than the students of the + School. All boys will read these stories with deep interest. The + rivalry between the towns along the river was of the keenest, and + plots and counterplots to win the champions, at baseball, at + football, at boat racing, at track athletics, and at ice hockey, + were without number. Any lad reading one volume of this series + will surely want the others. + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH + Or The All Around Rivals of the School + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE DIAMOND + Or Winning Out by Pluck + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE RIVER + Or The Boat Race Plot that Failed + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE GRIDIRON + Or The Struggle for the Silver Cup + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE ICE + Or Out for the Hockey Championship + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH IN TRACK ATHLETICS + Or A Long Run that Won + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH IN WINTER SPORTS + Or Stirring Doings on Skates and Iceboats +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 12mo. Illustrated. Handsomely bound in cloth, with cover design + and wrappers in colors. + + GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS SERIES + + By CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The outdoor chums are four wide-awake lads, Sons of wealthy men + of a small city located on a lake. The boys love outdoor life, + and are greatly interested in hunting, fishing, and picture + taking. They have motor cycles, motor boats, canoes, etc., and + during their vacations go everywhere and have all sorts of + thrilling adventures. The stories give full directions for + camping out, how to fish, how to hunt wild animals and prepare + the skins for stuffing, how to manage a canoe, how to swim, etc. + Full of the spirit of outdoor life. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS + Or The First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE LAKE + Or Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE FOREST + Or Laying the Ghost of Oak Ridge. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE GULF + Or Rescuing the Lost Balloonists. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME + Or Perilous Adventures in the Wilderness. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON A HOUSEBOAT + Or The Rivals of the Mississippi. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE BIG WOODS + Or The Rival Hunters at Lumber Run. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AT CABIN POINT + Or The Golden Cup Mystery. +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Tom Swift Among The Diamond Makers, by +Victor Appleton + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS *** + +***** This file should be named 1282-h.htm or 1282-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/8/1282/ + +Produced by Anthony Matonac, and David Widger + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Tom Swift Among The Diamond Makers + or The Secret of Phantom Mountain + +Author: Victor Appleton + +Release Date: April, 1998 [Etext #1282] +Posting Date: November 6, 2009 +Last Updated: September 19, 2011 +Last updated: April 12, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS *** + + + + +Produced by Anthony Matonac + + + + + +TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS + +or The Secret of Phantom Mountain + +By Victor Appleton + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER + + I A SUSPICIOUS JEWELER + II A MIDNIGHT VISIT + III A STRANGE STORY + IV ANDY FOGER GETS A FRIGHT + V A MYSTERIOUS MAN + VI MR. DAMON IS ON HAND + VII MR. PARKER PREDICTS + VIII OFF FOR THE WEST + IX A WARNING BY WIRELESS + X DROPPING THE STOWAWAY + XI A WEARY SEARCH + XII THE GREAT STONE HEAD + XIII ON PHANTOM MOUNTAIN + XIV WARNED BACK + XV THE LANDSLIDE + XVI THE VAST CAVERN + XVII THE PHANTOM CAPTURED + XVIII BILL RENSHAW WILL HELP + XIX IN THE SECRET CAVE + XX MAKING THE DIAMONDS + XXI FLASHING GEMS + XXII PRISONERS + XXIII BROKEN BONDS + XXIV IN GREAT PERIL + XXV THE MOUNTAIN SHATTERED--CONCLUSION + + + + +CHAPTER I--A SUSPICIOUS JEWELER + + +"Well, Tom Swift, I don't believe you will make any mistake if you buy +that diamond," said the jeweler to a young man who was inspecting a tray +of pins, set with the sparkling stones. "It is of the first water, and +without a flaw." + +"It certainly seems so, Mr. Track. I don't know much about diamonds, and +I'm depending on you. But this one looks to be all right." + +"Is it for yourself, Tom?" + +"Er--no--that is, not exactly," and Tom Swift, the young inventor of +airships and submarines, blushed slightly. + +"Ah, I see. It's for your housekeeper, Mrs. Baggert. Well, I think she +would like a pin of this sort. True, it's rather expensive, but--" + +"No, it isn't for Mrs. Baggert, Mr. Track," and Tom seemed a bit +embarrassed. + +"No? Well, then, Tom--of course it's none of my affair, except to +sell you a good stone, But if this brooch is for a young lady, I can't +recommend anything nicer. Do you think you will take this; or do you +prefer to look at some others?" + +"Oh, I think this will do, Mr. Track. I guess I'll take--" + +Tom's words were interrupted by a sudden action on the part of the +jeweler. Mr. Track ran from behind the showcase and hastened toward the +front door. + +"Did you see him, Tom?" he cried. "I wonder which way he went?" + +"Who?" asked the lad, following the shopkeeper. + +"That man. He's been walking up and down in front of my place for the +last ten minutes--ever since you've been in here, in fact, and I don't +like his looks." + +"What did he do?" + +"Nothing much, except to stare in here as if he was sizing my place up." + +"Sizing it up?" + +"Yes. Getting the lay of the land, so he or some confederate could +commit a robbery, maybe." + +"A robbery? Do you think that man was a thief?" + +"I don't know that he was, Tom, and yet a jeweler has to be always +on the watch, and that isn't a joke, either, Tom Swift. Swindlers and +thieves are always on the alert for a chance to rob a jewelry store, and +they work many games." + +"I didn't notice any particular man looking in here," said Tom, who +still held the diamond brooch in his hand. + +"Well I did," went on the jeweler. "I happened to glance out of the +window when you were looking at the pins, and I saw his eyes staring in +here in a suspicious manner. He may have a confederate with him, and, +when you're gone, one may come in, and pretend to want to look at some +diamonds. Then, when I'm showing him some, the other man will enter, +engage my attention, and the first man will slip out with a diamond ring +or pin. It's often done." + +"You seem to have it all worked out, Mr. Track," observed the lad, with +a smile. "How do you know but what I'm in with a gang of thieves, and +that I'm only pretending to want to buy a diamond pin?" + +"Oh, I guess I haven't known you, Tom Swift, ever since you were +big enough to toddle, not to be sure about what you're up to. But I +certainly didn't like the looks of that man. However, let's forget about +him. He seems to have gone down the street, and, after all, perhaps I +was mistaken. Just wait until I show you a few more styles before you +decide. The young lady may like one of these," and the jeweler went to +another showcase and took out some more trays of brooches. + +"What makes you think she's a young lady, Mr. Track?" asked the lad. + +"Oh, it's easy guessing, Tom. We jewelers are good readers of character. +I can size up a young fellow coming in here to buy an engagement or a +wedding ring, as soon as he enters the door. I suppose you'll soon be +in the market for one of those, Tom, if all the reports I hear about you +are true--you and a certain Mary Nestor." + +"I--er--I think I don't care for any of these pins," spoke Tom, quickly, +with a blush. "I like the first lot best. I think I'll take the one I +had in my hand when that man alarmed you. Ha! That's odd! What did I do +with it?" + +Tom looked about on the showcase, and glanced down on the floor. He had +mislaid the brooch, but the jeweler, with a laugh, lifted it out of a +tray a moment later. + +"I saw you lay it down," he said. "We jewelers have to be on the watch. +Here it is. I'll just put it in a box, and--" + +With an exclamation, Mr. Track gave a hasty glance toward his big show +window. Tom looked up, and saw a man's face peering in. At the sight of +it, he, too, uttered a cry of surprise. + +The next instant the man outside knocked on the glass, apparently with +a piece of metal, making a sharp sound. As soon as he heard it, the +jeweler once more sprang from behind the showcase, and leaped for the +door crying: + +"There's the thief! He's trying to cut a hole through my show window and +reach in and get something! It's an old trick. I'll get the police! Tom, +you stay here on guard!" and before the lad could utter a protest, the +jeweler had opened the door, and was speeding down the street in the +gathering darkness. + +Tom stared about him in some bewilderment. He was left alone in charge +of a very valuable stock of jewelry, the owner of which was racing after +a supposed thief, crying: + +"Police! Help! Thieves! Stop him, somebody!" + +"This is a queer go," mused Tom. "I wonder who that man was? He looked +like somebody I know, and yet I can't seem to place his face. I +wonder if he was trying to rob the place? Maybe there's another one--a +confederate--around here." + +This thought rather alarmed Tom, so he went to the door, and looked up +and down the street. He could see no suspicious characters, but in the +direction in which the jeweler was running there was a little throng of +people, following Mr. Track after the man who had knocked on the window. + +"I wish I was there, instead of here," mused the lad. "Still I can't +leave, or a thief might come in. Perhaps that was the game, and one of +the gang is hanging around, hoping the store will be deserted, so he can +enter and take what he likes." + +Tom had read of such cases, and he at once resolved that he would not +only remain in the jewelry shop, but that he would lock the door, which +he at once proceeded to do. Then he breathed easier. + +The town of Shopton, in the outskirts of which Tom lived with his +father, and where the scene above narrated took place, was none too well +lighted at night, and the lad had his doubts about the jeweler catching +the oddly-acting man, especially as the latter had a good start. + +"But some one may head him off," reasoned Tom. "Though if they do catch +him, I don't see what they can prove against him. Hello, here I am +carrying this diamond pin around. I might lose it. Guess I'll put it +back on the tray." + +He replaced in the proper receptacle one of the pins he had been +examining when the excitement occurred. + +"I wonder if Mary will like that?" he said, softly. "I hope she does. +Perhaps it would be better if she could come here herself and pick out +one--" + +Tom's musing was suddenly interrupted by a sharp tattoo on the glass +door of the jewelry shop. With a start, he looked up, to see staring in +on him the face of the man who had been there before--the man of whom +the jeweler was even then in chase. + +"Why--why----" stammered Tom. + +The man knocked again. + +"Tom--Tom Swift!" he called. "Don't you know me?" + +"Know you--you?" repeated the lad. + +"Yes--don't you remember Earthquake Island--how we were nearly killed +there--don't you remember Mr. Jenks?" + +"Mr. Jenks?" + +Tom was so startled that he could only repeat words after the strange +man, who was talking to him from outside the glass door. + +"Yes, Mr. Jenks," was the reply. "Mr. Barcoe Jenks, who makes diamonds. +I saw you in the store about to buy a diamond--I wanted to tell you not +to--I'll give you a better diamond than you can buy--I just arrived in +this place--I must have a private talk with you--Come out--I'll share a +wonderful secret with you." + +A flood of memory came to Tom. He did recall the very strange man who +walked around Earthquake Island--where Tom and some friends had been +marooned recently--walked about with a pocketful of what he said were +diamonds. Now Barcoe Jenks was here. + +"I must see you privately, Tom Swift," went on Mr. Jenks, as he once +more tapped on the glass. "Don't waste money buying diamonds, when you +and I can make better ones. Where can I have a talk with you? I--" Mr. +Jenks suddenly looked down the dimly-lighted street. "They're coming +back!" he cried. "I don't want to be seen. I'll call at your house later +to-night--be on the watch for me--until then--good-by!" + +He waved his hand, and was gone in an instant. Tom stood staring at the +glass door. He hardly knew whether to believe it or not--perhaps it was +all a dream. + +He pinched himself to make sure that he was awake. Very substantial +flesh met his thumb and finger, and he felt the pain. + +"I'm awake all right," he murmured. "But Barcoe Jenks here--and still +talking that nonsense about his manufactured diamonds. I think he must +be crazy. I wonder--" + +Once more the lad's musing was interrupted. He heard a murmur of excited +voices outside the store, on the street. Then the door of the jewelry +shop was tried. Mr. Track's face was pressed against the glass. + +"Open the door! Let me in, Tom!" he called. "I've caught the thief," and +as the lad unlocked the portal he saw that the jeweler held by the arm +a ragged lad. "Ah; you scoundrel! I've caught you!" cried the diamond +merchant, shaking the small chap, while Tom looked on, more mystified +than ever. + + + + +CHAPTER II--A MIDNIGHT VISIT + + +While Mr. Track, the jeweler, and several citizens, attracted by the +chase after the supposed thief, are crowded into the store, anxious to +hear explanations of the strange affair, I will take the opportunity to +tell you something of Tom Swift, the lad who is to figure in this story. + +Many of you have already made his acquaintance, when he has been +speeding about in his airship or fast electric runabout, and to others +we will state that our hero first made his bow to the public in the +book called "Tom Swift and His Motor-Cycle," the initial volume of this +series. + +In that story there was related how Tom made the acquaintance of an +odd individual, named Mr. Wakefield Damon, who was continually blessing +himself, some part of his anatomy, or his possessions. Mr. Damon was +riding a motor-cycle, and it started to climb a tree, to his pain and +fright. Afterward Tom purchased the machine, and had many adventures +on it, including a chase after a gang of men who had stolen a valuable +patent model belonging to Mr. Swift. + +Mr. Swift and his son were both inventors. They lived together in a +fine house in the suburbs of Shopton, New York, and with them dwelt Mrs. +Baggert, the housekeeper (for Tom's mother was dead), and also Garret +Jackson, an expert engineer, who aided the young inventor and his father +in perfecting many machines. + +There was also another semi-member of the household, to wit, Eradicate +Sampson, an eccentric colored man, who owned a mule called Boomerang. +Eradicate did odd jobs around the place, and the mule assisted his +owner--that is when the mule felt like it. + +In the second volume of the series, entitled "Tom Swift and His +Motor-Boat," there was related the incidents following a pursuit after +a gang of unprincipled men, who sought to get possession of some of Mr. +Swift's patents, and it was while in this boat that Tom, his father, and +a friend, Ned Newton, rescued from Lake Carlopa a Mr. John Sharp, who +fell from his burning balloon. Mr. Sharp was a skilled aeronaut, and +after his recovery he joined Tom in building a big airship, called the +Red Cloud. Tom's adventures in this craft are set down in detail in the +third volume of the series, called "Tom Swift and His Airship." Not only +did he and Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon make a great trip, but they captured +some bank robbers, and incidentally cleared themselves from the +imputation of having looted the vault of seventy-five thousand dollars, +which charge was fostered by a certain Mr. Foger, and his son Andy, who +was Tom's enemy. + +Not satisfied with having conquered the air, Tom and his father set +to work to gain a victory over the ocean. They built a boat that could +navigate under water, and, in the fourth book of the series, called "Tom +Swift and His Submarine Boat," you will find an account of how they went +under the ocean to secure a sunken treasure, and the fight they had with +their enemies who sought to get it away from them. They went through +many perils, not the least of which was capture by a foreign warship. + +In the fifth book, entitled "Tom Swift and His Electric Runabout," there +was told the story of a wonderfully speedy electric automobile the young +inventor constructed, and how he made a great race in it, and saved from +ruin a bank, in which his father and Mr. Damon were interested. + +Tom's ability as an inventor had, by this time, become well known. One +day, as related in a volume called "Tom Swift and His Wireless Message," +he received a letter from a Mr. Hosmer Fenwick, of Philadelphia, asking +his aid in perfecting an airship which the resident of the Quaker +City had built, but which would not work. In his small monoplane, the +Butterfly, Tom and Mr. Damon went to Philadelphia, as Mr. Damon was +acquainted with Mr. Fenwick. + +Tom carefully inspected the Whizzer which was the name of Mr. Fenwick's +airship, and, after some difficulties, succeeded in getting the electric +craft in shape to make a flight. + +Tom, Mr. Damon and Mr. Fenwick started to make a trip to Cape May in the +Whizzer, but were caught in a terrific storm, and blown out to sea. +The wind became a hurricane, the airship was disabled, and wrecked in +mid-air. When it fell to earth it landed on one of the small West Indian +islands, but what was the terror of the three castaways to find that the +island was subject to earthquake shocks. + +But the earth-tremors were not the only surprise in store for Tom and +his two friends, On the island they found five men and two ladies, who, +by strange chance, had been stranded there when the yacht Resolute, +owned by Mr. George Hosbrook, was wrecked in the same storm that +disabled the airship. Mr. Hosbrook, a millionaire, was taking a party of +friends to the West Indies. + +When the castaways (among whom were Mr. and Mrs. Amos Nestor, parents +of Mary Nestor, a girl of whom Tom was very fond) found that there was +danger of the island being destroyed in an earthquake, they were in +despair. There seemed no way of being rescued, as the island was out of +the line of regular ship travel. + +Tom, however, was resourceful. With the electrical apparatus from the +wrecked airship, he built a wireless plant, and sent messages for help, +broadcast over the ocean. + +They were finally heard, and answered, by an operator on board the +steamer Camberanian, which came on under forced draught, and rescued +Tom and his friends. It was only just in time, for, no sooner had +they gotten aboard the steamer in lifeboats, than the whole island was +destroyed by an earthquake shock. + +But Tom, the parents of Mary Nestor, Mr. Damon, Mr. Fenwick, and all the +others, got safely home. Among the survivors from the yacht Resolute +was a Mr. Barcoe Jenks, who now, most unexpectedly, had confronted Tom +through the glass window of the jewelry store. Mr. Jenks was a peculiar +man. Tom discovered this on Earthquake Island. Mr. Jenks carried with +him some stones which he said were diamonds. He asserted that he had +made them, but Tom did not know whether or not to believe this. + +When it seemed that the castaways would not be saved Mr. Jenks offered +Tom a large sum in these same diamonds for some plan whereby he might +escape the earthquakes. Mr. Jenks said there was a certain secret in +connection with the manufactured diamonds that he had to solve--that he +had been defrauded of his rights--and that a certain Phantom Mountain +figured in it. But Tom, at that time, paid little attention to Mr. +Jenks' talk. The time was to come, however, when he would attach much +importance to it. + +When this story opens, Tom was more interested in Mr. Barcoe Jenks than +in any one else, and was wondering what he wanted to see him about. The +young inventor could not quite understand how Mr. Track, the jeweler, +could come back with a lad he suspected of being a thief, when the +person who had acted so suspiciously, and who had knocked on the glass, +was the queer man, Mr. Jenks. + +"Yes, Tom I caught him," the jeweler went on. "I chased after him, and +nabbed him. It was hard work, too, for I'm not a good runner. Now, you +little rascal, tell me why you tried to rob my store?" and the diamond +merchant shook the lad roughly. + +"I--I didn't try to rob your store," was the timid answer. + +"Well, perhaps you didn't, exactly, but your confederates did. Why did +you rap on the glass, and why were you staring in so intently?" + +"I wasn't lookin' in." + +"Well, if it wasn't you, it was some one just like you. But why did you +run when I raced down the street?" + +"I--I don't know," and the lad began to snivel. "I--I jest ran--that's +all--'cause I see everybody else runnin', an' I thought there was a +fire." + +"Ha! That's a likely story! You ran because you are guilty! I'm going to +hand you over to the police." + +"Did he get anything, Mr. Track?" asked one of the men who had joined +the jeweler in the chase. + +"No, I can't say that he did. He didn't get a chance. Tom Swift was +in here at the time. But this fellow was only waiting for a chance to +steal, or else to aid his confederates." + +"But, if he didn't take anything, I don't see how you can have him +arrested," went on the man. + +"On suspicion; that's how!" asserted Mr. Track. "Will some one get me a +constable?" + +"I wouldn't call a constable," said Tom, quietly. + +"Why not?" + +"Because that isn't the person who looked in your window." + +"How do you know, Tom?" + +"Because that person came back while you were out. I saw him." + +"You saw him? Did he try to steal any of my diamonds, Tom?" + +"No, I guess he doesn't need any." + +"Why not?" There was wonder in the jeweler's tone. + +"Why, he claims he can make all he wants." + +"Make diamonds?" + +"So he says." + +"Why, he must be crazy!" and Mr. Track laughed. + +"Perhaps he is," admitted Tom, "I'm only telling you what he says. He's +the person who acted so suspiciously. He came back here, I'm telling +you, while you were running down the street, and spoke to me." + +"Oh, then you know him?" The jeweler's voice was suspicious. + +"I didn't at first," admitted Tom. "But when he said he was Mr. +Barcoe Jenks, I remembered that I had met him when I was cast away on +Earthquake Island." + +"And he says he can make diamonds?" asked Mr. Track. + +"What did he want of you?" and the jeweler looked at Tom, quizzically. + +"He wanted to have a talk with me," replied the lad, "and when he saw +me in your store, he tried to attract my attention by knocking on the +glass." + +"That's a queer way to do," declared Mr. Track. "What did he want?" + +"I don't know exactly," answered Tom, not caring to go into details just +then. "But I'm sure, Mr. Track, that you've got the wrong person there. +That lad never looked in the window, nor knocked on the glass." + +"That's right--I didn't," asserted the captive. + +The jeweler looked doubtful. + +"Why did you run?" he asked. + +"I told you, I thought there was a fire." + +"That's right, I don't believe he's the fellow you want," put in another +man. "I was standing on the corner, near White's grocery store, and +I noticed this lad. That was before I heard you yelling, and saw you +coming, and then I joined in the chase. I guess the man you were after +got away, Track." + +"He did," asserted Tom. "He came back here, a little while ago, and he +ran away just now, as he heard you coming." + +"Where did he go?" asked the jeweler, eagerly. + +"I don't know," answered Tom. "Only you've got the wrong lad here." + +"Well, perhaps I have," admitted the diamond merchant. "You can go, +youngster, but next time, don't run if you're not guilty." + +"I thought there was a fire," repeated the lad, as he hurriedly slipped +through the crowd in the store, and disappeared down the dark street. + +"Well, I guess the excitement's all over, and, anyhow, you weren't +robbed, Track," said a stout man, as he left the store. The others soon +followed, and Tom and the jeweler were once more alone in the shop. + +"Can you tell me something about this man, Tom?" asked Mr. Track, +eagerly. "So he really makes diamonds. Who is he?" + +"I'd rather not tell--just now," replied the young inventor. "I don't +take much stock in him, myself. I think he's visionary. He may think he +has made diamonds, and he may have made some stones that look like them. +I'm very skeptical." + +"If you could bring me some, Tom, I could soon tell whether they were +real or not. Can you?" + +The lad shook his head. + +"I don't expect to see Mr. Jenks again," he said. "He talked +rather wildly about waiting to meet me, but that man is odd--crazy, +perhaps--and I don't imagine I'll see him. He's harmless, but he's +eccentric. Well, there was quite some excitement for a time." + +"I should say there was. I thought it was a plan to rob me," and the +jeweler began putting away the diamond pins. In fact, the excitement +so filled the minds of himself and Tom that neither of them thought any +more of the object of the lad's visit, and the young inventor departed +without purchasing the pin he had come after. + +It was not until he was out on the street, walking toward his home, that +the matter came back to his mind. + +"I declare!" he exclaimed. "I didn't get that pin for Mary, after all! +Well, never mind, I have a week until her birthday, and I can get it +to-morrow." + +He walked rapidly toward home, for the weather looked threatening, and +Tom had no umbrella. He was musing on the happenings of the evening when +he reached his house. His father was out, as was Garret Jackson, the +engineer; and Mrs. Baggert, the housekeeper, was entertaining a lady in +the sitting-room, so, as Tom was rather tired, he went directly to his +own room, and, a little later got into bed. + +It was shortly after midnight when he was awakened by hearing a rattling +on the window of his room. The reason he was able to fix the time +so accurately was because as soon as he awakened he pressed a little +electric button, and it illuminated the face of a small clock on his +bureau. The hands pointed to five minutes past twelve. + +"Humph! That sounds like hail!" exclaimed Tom, as he arose, and looked +out of the casement. "I wonder if any of the skylights of the airship +shed are open? There might be some damage. Guess I'd better go out and +take a look." + +He had mentally reasoned this far before he had looked out, and when +he saw that the moon was brightly shining in a clear sky, he was a bit +surprised. + +"Why--that wasn't hail," he murmured. "It isn't even raining. I wonder +what it was?" + +He was answered a moment later, for a shower of fine gravel from the +walk flew up and clattered against the glass. With a start, Tom looked +down, and saw a dark figure standing under an apple tree. + +"Hello! Who's there?" called the lad, after he had raised the sash. + +"It's I--Mr. Jenks," was the surprising answer. + +"Mr. Jenks?" repeated Tom. + +"Yes--Barcoe Jenks, of Earthquake Island." + +"You here? What do you want?" + +"Can you come down?" + +"What for?" + +"Tom Swift, I've something very important to tell you," was the answer +in a low voice, yet which carried to Tom's ears perfectly. "Do you want +to make a fortune for yourself--and for me?" + +"How?" Tom was beginning to think more and more that Mr. Jenks was +crazy. + +"How? By helping me to discover the secret of Phantom Mountain, where +the diamonds are made! Will you?" + +"Wait a minute--I'll come down," answered Tom, and he began to grope for +his clothes in the dim light of the little electric lamp. + +What was the secret of Phantom Mountain? What did Mr. Jenks really want? +Could he make diamonds? Tom asked himself these questions as he hastily +dressed to go down to his midnight visitor. + + + + +CHAPTER III--A STRANGE STORY + + +"Well, Mr. Jenks," began Tom, when he had descended to the garden, and +greeted the man who had acted so strangely on Earthquake Island, "this +is rather an odd time for a visit." + +"I realize that, Tom Swift," was the answer, and the lad noticed that +the man spoke much more calmly than he had that evening at the jewelry +shop. "I realize that, but I have to be cautious in my movements." + +"Why?" + +"Because there are enemies on my track. If they thought I was seeking +aid to discover the secret of Phantom Mountain, my life might pay the +forfeit." + +"Are you in earnest, Mr. Jenks?" + +"I certainly am, and, while I must apologize for awakening you at this +unseemly hour, and for the mysterious nature of my visit, if you will +let me tell my story, you will see the need of secrecy." + +"Oh, I don't mind being awakened," answered Tom, good-naturedly, "but +I will be frank with you, Mr. Jenks. I hardly can believe what you have +stated to me several times--that you know how diamonds can be made." + +"I can prove it to you," was the quiet answer. + +"Yes, I know. For centuries men have tried to discover the secret of +transmuting base metals into gold, and how to make diamonds by chemical +means. But they have all been failures." + +"All except this process--the process used at Phantom Mountain," +insisted the queer man. "Do you want to hear my story?" + +"I have no objections." + +"Then let me warn you," went on Mr. Jenks, "that if you do hear it, you +will be so fascinated by it that I am sure you will want to cast your +lot in with mine, and aid me to get my rights, and solve the mystery. +And I also want to warn you that if you do, there is a certain amount of +danger connected with it." + +"I'm used to danger," answered Tom, quietly. "Let me hear your story. +But first explain how you came to come here, and why you acted so +strangely at the jewelry store." + +"Willingly. I tried to attract your attention at the store, because I +saw that you were going to buy a diamond, and I didn't want you to." + +"Why not?" + +"Because I want to present you with a beautiful stone, that will answer +your purpose as well or better, than any one you could buy. That will +prove my story better than any amount of words or argument. But I could +not attract your attention without also attracting that of the jeweler. +He became suspicious, gave chase, and I thought it best to vanish. I +hope no one was made to suffer for what may have been my imprudence." + +"No, the lad whom Mr. Track caught was let go. But how did you happen to +come to Shopton?" + +"To see you. I got your address from the owner of the yacht Resolute. I +knew that if there was one person who could aid me to recover my rights, +it would be you, Tom Swift. Will you help me? Will you come with me to +discover the secret of Phantom Mountain? If we go, it will have to be in +an airship, for in no other way, I think, can we come upon the place, as +it is closely guarded. Will you come? I will pay you well." + +"Perhaps I had better hear your story," said the young inventor. "But +first let me suggest that we move farther away from the house. My +father, or Mr. Jackson, or the housekeeper, may hear us talking, and it +may disturb them. Come with me to my private shop," and Tom led the way +to a small building where he did experimental work. He unlocked the door +with a key he carried, turned on the lights, which were run by a storage +battery, and motioned Mr. Jenks to a seat. + +"Now I'll hear your story," said Tom. + +"I'll make it as short as possible," went on the queer man. "To begin +with, it is now several years ago since a poorly dressed stranger +applied to me one night for money enough to get a meal and a bed to +sleep in. I was living in New York City at the time, and this was +midnight, as I was returning home from my club. + +"I was touched by the man's appearance, and gave him some money. He +asked for my card, saying he would repay me some day. I gave it to him, +little thinking I would hear from the man again. But I did. He called +at my apartments about a week later, saying he had secured work as an +expert setter of diamonds, and wanted to repay me. I did not want to +take his money, but the fact that such a sorry looking specimen of +manhood as he had been when I aided him, was an expert handler of gems +interested me. I talked with the man, and he made a curious statement. + +"This man, who gave his name as Enos Folwell, said he knew a place where +diamonds could be made, partly in a scientific manner, and partly by the +forces of nature. I laughed at him, but he told me so many details that +I began to believe him. He said he and some other friends of his, who +were diamond cutters, had a plant in the midst of the Rocky Mountains, +where they had succeeded in making several small, but very perfect +diamonds. They had come to the end of their rope, though, so to speak, +because they could not afford to buy the materials needed. Folwell +said that he and his companions had temporarily separated, had left the +mountain where they made diamonds, and agreed to meet there later when +they had more money with which to purchase materials. They had all +agreed to go out into civilization, and work for enough funds to enable +them to go on with their diamond making. + +"I hardly knew whether to believe the man or not, but he offered proof. +He had several small, but very perfect diamonds with him, and he gave +them to me, to have tested in any way I desired. + +"I promised to look into the matter, and, as I was quite wealthy, as, +in fact I am now, and if I found that the stones he gave me were real, I +said I might invest some money in the plant." + +"Were the diamonds good?" asked Tom, who was beginning to be interested. + +"They were--stones of the first water, though small. An expert gem +merchant, to whom I took them, said he had never seen any diamonds like +them, and he wanted to know where I got them. Of course I did not tell +him. + +"To make a long story short, I saw Folwell again, told him to +communicate with his companions, and to tell them that I would agree to +supply the cash needed, if I could share in the diamond making. To this +they agreed, and, after some weeks spent in preparation, a party of us +set out for Phantom Mountain." + +"Phantom Mountain?" interrupted Tom. "Where is it?" + +"I don't know, exactly--it's somewhere in the Rockies, but the exact +location is a mystery. That is why I need your help. You will soon +understand the reason. Well, as I said, myself, Folwell and the others, +who were not exactly prepossessing sort of men, started west. When we +got to a small town, called Indian Ridge, near Leadville, Colorado, +the men insisted that I must now proceed in secret, and consent to be +blindfolded, as they were not yet ready to reveal the secret of the +place where they made the diamonds. + +"I did not want to agree to this, but they insisted, and I gave in, +foolishly perhaps. At any rate I was blindfolded one night, placed in +a wagon, and we drove off into the mountains. After traveling for some +distance I was led, still blindfolded, up a steep trail. + +"When the bandage was taken off my eyes I saw that I was in a large +cave. The men were with me, and they apologized for the necessity that +caused them to blindfold me. They said they were ready to proceed with +the making of diamonds, but I must promise not to seek to discover the +secret until they gave me permission, nor was I to attempt to leave the +cave. I had to agree. + +"Next they demanded that I give them a large sum, which I had promised +when they showed me, conclusively, that they could make diamonds. I +refused to do this until I had seen some of the precious stones, and +they agreed that this was fair, but said I would have to wait a few +days. + +"Well, I waited, and, all that while, I was virtually a prisoner in the +cave. All I could learn was that it was in the midst of a great range, +near the top, and that one of the peaks was called Phantom Mountain. +Why, I did not learn until later. + +"At last one night, during a terrific thunder storm, the leader of the +diamond makers--Folwell--announced that I could now see the stones made. +The men had been preparing their chemicals for some days previous. I +was taken into a small chamber of the cave, and there saw quite a +complicated apparatus. Part of it was a great steel box, with a lever on +it. + +"We will let you make some diamonds for yourself," Folwell said to me, +and he directed me to pull the lever of the box, at a certain signal. +The signal came, just as a terrific crash of thunder shook the very +mountain inside of which we were. The box of steel got red-hot, and when +it cooled off it was opened, and was given a handful of white stones. + +"Were they diamonds?" asked Tom, eagerly. + +Mr. Jenks held out one hand. In the palm glittered a large +stone--ostensibly a diamond. In the rays of the moon it showed all the +colors of the rainbow--a beautiful gem. "That is one of the stones I +made--or rather that I supposed I had made," went on Mr. Jenks. "It is +one of several I have, but they have not all been cut and polished as +has this one. + +"Naturally I was much impressed by what I saw, and, after I had made +certain tests which convinced me that the stones in the steel box were +diamonds, I paid over the money as I had promised. That was my undoing." + +"How?" + +"As soon as the men got the cash, they had no further use for me. The +next I remember is eating a rude meal, while we discussed the future of +making diamonds. I knew nothing more until I found myself back in the +small hotel at Indian Ridge, whence I had gone some time previous, with +the men, to the cave in the mountain." + +"What happened?" asked Tom, much surprised by the unexpected outcome of +the affair. + +"I had been tricked, that was all! As soon as the men had my +money they had no further use for me. They did not want me to learn the +secret of their diamond making, and they drugged me, carried me away +from the cave, and left me in the hotel." + +"Didn't you try to find the cave again?" + +"I did, but without avail. I spent some time in the Rockies, but no one +could tell where Phantom Mountain was; in fact, few had heard of it, and +I was nearly lost searching for it. + +"I came back East, determined to get even. I had given the men a +very large sum of money, and, in exchange, they had given me several +diamonds. Probably the stones are worth nearly as much as the money I +invested, but I was cheated, for I was promised an equal share in the +profits. These were denied me, and I was tricked. I determined to be +revenged, or at least to discover the secret of making diamonds. It is +my right." + +"I agree with you," spoke Tom. + +"But, up to the time I met you on Earthquake Island, I could form no +plan for discovering Phantom Mountain, and learning the secret of the +diamond makers," went on Mr. Jenks. "I carried the gems about with me, +as you doubtless saw when we were on the island. But I knew I needed an +airship in which to fly over the mountains, and pick out the location of +the cave where the diamonds are made." + +"But how can you locate it, if you were blindfolded when you were taken +there, Mr. Jenks?" + +"I forgot to tell you that, on our journey into the mountains, and just +before I was carried into the cave, I managed to raise one corner of +the bandage. I caught a glimpse of a very peculiarly shaped cliff--it +is like a great head, standing out in bold relief against the moonlight, +when I saw it. That head of rock is near the cave. It may be the +landmark by which we can locate Phantom Mountain." + +"Perhaps," admitted the young inventor. + +"What I want to know is this," went on Mr. Jenks. "Will you go with me +on this quest--go in your airship to discover the secret of the diamond +makers? If you will, I will share with you whatever diamonds we can +discover, or make; besides paying all expenses. Will you go, Tom Swift?" + +The young inventor did not know what to answer. How far was Mr. Jenks +to be trusted? Were the stones he had real diamonds? Was his story, +fantastical as it sounded--true? Would it be safe for Tom to go? + +The lad asked himself these questions. Mr. Jenks saw his hesitation. + +"Here," said the strange man, "I will prove what I say. Take this +diamond. I intended it for you, anyhow, for what you did for me on +Earthquake Island. Take it, and--and give it to the person for whom you +were about to purchase a diamond to-night. But, first of all, take it to +a gem expert, and get his opinion. That will prove the truth of what +I say, Tom Swift, and I feel sure that you will cast your lot in with +mine, and help me to discover the secret of Phantom Mountain, and aid me +to get my rights from the diamond makers!" + + + + +CHAPTER IV--ANDY FOGER GETS A FRIGHT + + +Tom Swift considered a few minutes. On the face of it, the proposition +appealed to him. He had been home some time now after his adventures on +Earthquake Island, and he was beginning to long for more excitement. The +search for the mysterious mountain, and the cave of the diamond makers, +might offer a new field for him. But there came to him a certain +distrust of Mr. Jenks. + +"I don't like to doubt your word," began Tom, slowly, "but you know, +Mr. Jenks, that some of the greatest chemists have tried in vain to make +diamonds; or, at best, they have made only tiny ones. To think that any +man, or set of men, made real diamonds as large as the ones you have, +doesn't seem--well--" and Tom hesitated. + +"You mean you can hardly believe me?" asked Mr. Jenks. + +"I guess that's it," assented Tom. + +"I don't blame you a bit!" exclaimed the odd man. "In fact, I didn't +believe it when they told me they could make diamonds. But they proved +it to me. I'm ready now to prove it to you." + +"I'll tell you what I'll do. Here's this one stone, cut ready for +setting. Here's another, uncut," and Mr. Jenks drew from his pocket +what looked like a piece of crystal. "Take them to any jeweler," he +resumed--"to the one in whose place I saw you to-night. I'll abide by +the verdict you get, and I'll come here to-morrow night, and hear what +you have to say." + +"Why do you come at night?" asked Tom, thinking there was something +suspicious in that. + +"Because my life might be in danger if I was seen talking to you, and +showing you diamonds in the daytime--especially just now. + +"Why at this particular time?" + +"For the reason that the diamond makers are on my trail. As long as I +remained quiet, after their shabby treatment of me, and did not try to +discover their secret, they were all right. But, after I realized that +I had been cheated out of my rights, and when I began to make an +investigation, with a view to discovering their secret whereabouts, I +received mysterious and anonymous warnings to stop." + +"But I did not. I came East, and tried to get help to discover the cave +of the diamond makers, but I was unsuccessful. I needed an airship, as +I said, and no person who could operate one, would agree to go with +me on the quest. Again I received a warning to drop all search for the +diamond makers, but I persisted, and about a week ago I found I was +being shadowed." + +"Shadowed; by whom?" asked Tom. + +"By a man I never remember seeing, but who, I have no doubt, is one of +the diamond-making gang." + +"Do you think he means you harm?" + +"I'm sure of it. That is the reason I have to act so in secret, and come +to see you at night. I don't want those scoundrels to find out what I am +about to do. On my return from Earthquake Island, I again endeavored to +interest an airship man in my plan, but he evidently thought me insane. +Then I thought of you, as I had done before, but I was afraid you, too, +would laugh at my proposition. However, I decided to come here, and I +did. It seemed almost providential that my first view of you was in +a jewelry shop, looking at diamonds. I took it as a good omen. Now it +remains with you. May I call here to-morrow night, and get your answer?" + +Tom Swift made up his mind quickly. After all it would be easy enough to +find out if the diamonds were real. If they were, he could then decide +whether or not to go with Mr. Jenks on the mysterious quest. So he +answered: + +"I'll consider the matter, Mr. Jenks. I'll meet you here to-morrow +night. In the meanwhile, for my own satisfaction, I'll let an expert +look at these stones." + +"Get the greatest diamond expert in the world, and he'll pronounce them +perfect!" predicted the odd man. "Now I'll bid you goodnight, and be +going. I'll be here at this time to-morrow." + +As Mr. Jenks turned aside there was a movement among the trees in the +orchard, and a shadowy figure was seen hurrying away. + +"Who's that?" asked the diamond man, in a hoarse whisper. "Did you see +that, Tom Swift? Some one was here--listening to what I said! Perhaps it +was the man who has been shadowing me!" + +"I think not. I guess it was Eradicate Sampson, a colored man who does +work for us," said Tom. "Is that you, Rad?" he called. + +"Yais, sah, Massa Tom, heah I is!" answered the voice of the negro, +but it came from an entirely different direction than that in which the +shadowy figure had been seen. + +"Where are you, Rad?" called the young inventor. + +"Right heah," was the reply, and the colored man came from the direction +of the stable. "I were jest out seein' if mah mule Boomerang were all +right. Sometimes he's restless, an' don't sleep laik he oughter." + +"Then that wasn't you over in the orchard?" asked Tom, in some +uneasiness. + +"No, sah, I ain't been in de orchard. I were sleepin' in mah shack, till +jest a few minutes ago, when I got up, an' went in t' see Boomerang. +I had a dream dat some coon were tryin t' steal him, an' it sort ob +'sturbed me, laik." + +"If it wasn't your man, it was some one else," said Mr. Jenks, +decidedly. + +"We'll have a look!" exclaimed Tom. "Here, Rad, come over and scurry +among those trees. We just saw some one sneaking around." + +"I'll sure do dat!" cried the colored man. "Mebby it were somebody arter +Boomerang! I'll find 'em." + +"I don't believe it was any one after the mule," murmured Mr. Jenks, +"but it certainly was some one--more likely some one after me." + +The three made a hasty search among the trees, but the intruder had +vanished, leaving no trace. They went out into the road, which the moon +threw into bold relief along its white stretch, but there was no figure +scurrying away. + +"Whoever it was, is gone," spoke Tom. "You can go back to bed, Rad," +for the colored man, of late, had been sleeping in a shack on the Swift +premises. + +"And I guess it's time for me to go, too," added Mr. Jenks. "I'll be +here to-morrow night, Tom, and I hope your answer will be favorable." + +Tom did not sleep well the remainder of the night, for his fitful +slumbers were disturbed by dreams of enormous caves, filled with +diamonds, with dark, shadowy figures trying to put him into a red-hot +steel box. Once he awakened with a start, and put his hand under his +pillow to feel if the two stones Mr. Jenks had given him, were still +there. They had not been disturbed. + +Tom made up his mind to find out if the stones were really diamonds, +before saying anything to his father about the chance of going to seek +Phantom Mountain. And the young inventor wished to get the opinion of +some other jeweler than Mr. Track--at least, at first. + +"Though if this one proves to be a good gem, I'll have Mr. Track set it +in a brooch, and give it to Mary for her birthday," decided the young +inventor. "Guess I'll take a run over to Chester in the Butterfly, and +see what one of the jewelers there has to say." + +In addition to his big airship, Red Cloud, Tom owned a small, swift +monoplane, which he called Butterfly. This had been damaged by Andy +Foger just before Tom left on the trip that ended at Earthquake Island, +but the monoplane had been repaired, and Andy had left town, not having +returned since. + +Telling his father that he was going off on a little business trip, +which he often did in his aeroplane, Tom, with the aid of Mr. Jackson, +the engineer, wheeled the Butterfly out of its shed. + +Adjusting the mechanism, and seeing that it was in good shape, Tom took +his place in one of the two seats, for the monoplane would carry two. +Mr. Jackson then spun the propellers, and, with a crackle and roar the +motor started. Over the ground ran the dainty, little aeroplane, until, +having momentum enough, Tom tilted the wing planes and the machine +sailed up into the air. + +Rising about a thousand feet, and circling about several times to test +the wind currents, Tom headed his craft toward Chester, a city about +fifty miles from Shopton. In his pocket, snugly tucked away, were the +two stones Mr. Jenks had given him. + +It was not long before Tom saw, looming up in the distance the church +spires and towering factory chimneys of Chester, for his machine was a +speedy one, and could make ninety miles an hour when driven. But now a +slower speed satisfied our hero. + +"I'll just drop down outside of the city," he reasoned, "for too much +of a crowd gathers when I land in the street. Besides I might frighten +horses, and then, too, it's hard to get a good start from the street. +I'll leave it in some barn until I want to go back." + +Tom sent his craft down, in order to pick out a safe place for a +landing. He was then over the suburbs of the city, and was following the +line of a straight country road. + +"Looks like a good place there," he murmured. "I'll shut off the motor, +and vol-plane down." + +Suiting the action to the word, Tom shut off his power. The little craft +dipped toward the ground, but the lad threw up the forward planes, and +caught a current of air that sent him skimming along horizontally. + +As he got nearer to the ground, he saw the figure of a lad riding a +bicycle along the country highway. Something about the figure struck Tom +as being familiar, and he recognized the cyclist a moment later. + +"It's Andy Foger!" said Tom, in a whisper. "I wondered where he had been +keeping himself since he damaged the Butterfly. Evidently he doesn't +dare venture back to Shopton. Well, here's where I give him a scare." + +Tom's monoplane was making no more noise, now, than a soaring bird. He +was gliding swiftly toward the earth, and, with the plan in his mind of +administering some sort of punishment to the bully, he aimed the machine +directly at him. + +Nearer and nearer shot the monoplane, as quietly as a sheet of paper +might fall. Andy pedaled on, never looking up nor behind him, A moment +later, as Tom threw up his headplanes, to make his landing more easy, +and just as he swooped down at one side of the cyclist, our hero let out +a most alarming yell, right into Andy's ear. + +"Now I've got you!" he shouted. "I'll teach you to slash my aeroplane! +Come with me!" + +Andy gave one look at the white bird-like apparatus that had flown up +beside him so noiselessly, and, being too frightened to recognize Tom's +voice, must have thought that he had been overtaken by some supernatural +visitor. + +Andy gave a yell like an Indian, about to do a stage scalping act, and +fairly dived over the handlebars of his bicycle, sprawling in a heap on +the dusty road. + +"I guess that will hold you for a while," observed Tom, grimly, as he +put on the ground-brake and brought his monoplane to a stop not far from +the fallen rider. + + + + +CHAPTER V--A MYSTERIOUS MAN + + +For several minutes Andy Foger did not arise. He remained prostrate in +the dust, and Tom, observing him, thought perhaps the bully might have +been seriously injured. But, a little later, Andy cautiously raised his +head, and inquired in a frightened voice: + +"Is it--is it gone?" + +"Is what gone?" asked Tom, grimly. + +At the sound of his voice, Andy looked up. "Was that you, Tom Swift?" he +demanded. "Did you knock me off my wheel?" + +"My monoplane and I together did," was the reply; "or, rather, we +didn't. It was the nervous reaction caused by your fright, and +the knowledge that you had done wrong, that made you jump over the +handlebars. That's the scientific explanation." + +"You--you did it!" stammered Andy, getting to his feet. He wasn't hurt +much, Tom thought. + +"Have it your own way," resumed our hero. "Did you think it was a +hob-goblin in a chariot of fire after you, Andy?" + +"Huh! Never mind what I thought! I'll have you arrested for this!" + +"Will you? Delighted, as the boys say. Hop in my airship and I'll take +you right into town. And when I get you there I'll make a charge of +malicious mischief against you, for breaking the propeller of the +Butterfly and slashing her wings. I've mended her up, however, so she +goes better than ever, and I can take you to the police station in jig +time. Want to come, Andy?" + +This was too much for the bully. He knew that Tom would have a clear +case against him, and he did not dare answer. Instead he shuffled over +to where his wheel lay, picked it up, and rode slowly off. + +"Good riddance," murmured Tom. He looked about, and saw that he was near +a house, in the rear of which was a good-sized barn. "Guess I'll ask +if I can leave the Butterfly there," he murmured, and, ringing the +doorbell, he was greeted by a man. + +"I'll pay you if you'll let me store my machine in the barn a little +while, until I go into the city, and return," spoke the lad. + +"Indeed, you're welcome to leave it there without pay," was the answer. +"I'm interested in airships, and, I'll consider it a favor if you'll let +me look yours over while it's here." + +Tom readily agreed, and a few minutes later he had caught a trolley +going into the city. He was soon in one of the largest jewelry stores of +Chester. + +"I'd like to get an expert opinion as to whether or not those stones are +diamonds," spoke Tom, to the polite clerk who came up to wait on him, +and our hero handed over the two gems which Mr. Jenks had given him. +"I'm willing to pay for the appraisement, of course," the young inventor +added, as he saw the clerk looking rather doubtfully at him, for Tom had +on a rough suit, which he always donned when he flew in his monoplane. + +"I'll turn them over to our Mr. Porter, a gem expert," said the clerk. +"Please be seated." + +The young man disappeared into a private office with the stones, and Tom +waited. He wondered if he was going to have his trouble for his pains. +Presently two elderly gentlemen came from the little room, on the glass +door of which appeared the word "Diamonds." + +"Who brought these stones in?" asked one of the men, evidently the +proprietor, from the deference paid him by the clerk. The latter +motioned to Tom. + +"Will you kindly step inside here?" requested the elderly man. When the +door was closed, Tom found himself in a room which was mostly taken up +with a bench for the display of precious stones, a few chairs, and some +lights arranged peculiarly; while various scales and instruments stood +on a table. + +"You wished an opinion on--on these?" queried the proprietor of the +place. Tom noticed at once that the word "diamonds" was not used. + +"I wanted to find out if they were of any value," he said. "Are they +diamonds?" + +"Would you mind stating where you got them?" asked the other of the two +men. + +"Is that necessary?" inquired the lad. "I came by them in a legitimate +manner, if that's what you mean, and I can satisfy you on that point. +I am willing to pay for any information you may give me as to their +value." + +"Oh, it isn't that," the proprietor hastened to assure him. "But these +are diamonds of such a peculiar kind, so perfect and without a flaw, +that I wondered from what part of the world they came." + +"Then they are diamonds?" asked Tom, eagerly. + +"The finest I have ever tested!" declared the other man, evidently Mr. +Porter, the gem expert. "They are a joy to look at, Mr. Roberts," he +went on, turning to the proprietor. "If it is possible to get a supply +of them you would be justified in asking half as much again as we charge +for African or Indian diamonds. The Kimberly products are not to be +compared to these," and he looked at the two stones in his hand--the one +cut, and sparkling brilliantly, the other in a rough state. + +"Do you care to state where these diamonds came from?" asked Mr. +Roberts, looking critically at Tom. + +"I had rather not," answered the lad. "It is enough for me to know that +they are diamonds. How much is your charge?" + +"Nothing," was the unexpected answer. "We are very glad to have had the +opportunity of seeing such stones. Is there any chance of getting any +more?" + +"Perhaps," answered Tom, as he accepted the gems which the expert held +out to him. + +"Then might we speak for a supply?" went on Mr. Roberts, eagerly. "We +will pay you the full market price." + +"What is the value of these stones?" asked Tom. + +Mr. Roberts looked at his gem expert. + +"It is difficult to say," was the answer of the man who had handed Tom +the gems. "They are so far superior to the usual run of diamonds, that +I feel justified in saying that the cut one would bring fifteen hundred +dollars, anywhere. In fact, I would offer that for it. The other is +larger, though what it would lose in cutting would be hard to say. I +should say it was worth two thousand dollars as it is now." + +"Thirty-five hundred dollars for these two stones!" exclaimed Tom. + +"They are worth every cent of it," declared Mr. Roberts. "Do you want to +sell?" + +Tom shook his head. He could scarcely believe the good news. Mr. Jenks +had told the truth. Now the young inventor could go with him to seek the +diamond makers. + +"Can you get any more of these?" went on Mr. Roberts. + +"I think so--that is I don't know--I am going to try," answered the lad. + +"Then if you succeed I wish you would sell us some," fairly begged the +proprietor of the store. + +"I will," promised Tom, but he little knew what lay before him, or +perhaps he would not have made that promise. He thanked the diamond +merchant for his kindness, and arranged to have the cut stone set in a +pin for Miss Nestor. The uncut gem Tom took away with him. + +Thinking of many things, and wondering how best to start in his airship +Red Cloud for the mysterious Phantom Mountain, Tom hurried back to where +he had left the monoplane, wheeled it out, and was soon soaring through +the air toward Shopton. + +"I think I'll go with Mr. Jenks," he decided, as he prepared for a +landing in the open space near his aeroplane shed. "It will be a +risky trip, perhaps, but I've taken risks before. When Mr. Jenks comes +to-night I'll tell him I'll help him to get his rights, and discover the +secret of the diamond makers." + +As Tom was wheeling the Butterfly into the shed, Eradicate came out to +help him. + +"Dere's a gen'man here to see yo', Massa Tom," said the colored man. + +"Who is it?" + +"I dunno. He keep askin' ef yo' de lad what done bust up Earthquake +Island, an' send lightnin' flashes up to de sky, an' all sech questions +laik dat." + +"It isn't Mr. Damon; is it, Rad? He hasn't been around in some time." + +"No, Massa Tom, it ain't him. I knows dat blessin' man good an' proper. +I jest wish he'd bless mah mule Boomerang some day, an' take some oh +de temper out ob him. No, sah, it ain't Massa Damon. De gen'man's in de +airship shed waitin' fo' you." + +"In the airship shed! No strangers are allowed in there, Rad." + +"I knows it, Massa Tom, but he done persisted his se'f inter it, an' +he wouldn't come out when I told him; an' your pa an' Mr. Jackson ain't +home." + +"I'll see about this," exclaimed Tom, striding to the large shed, where +the Red Cloud was kept. As he entered it he saw a man looking over the +wonderful craft. + +"Did you want to see me?" asked Tom, sharply, for he did not like +strangers prowling around. + +"I did, and I apologize for entering here, but I am interested in +airships, and I thought you might want to hire a pilot. I am in need +of employment, and I have had considerable to do with balloons and +aeroplanes, but never with an airship like this, which combines the two +features. Do you wish to hire any one." + +"No, I don't!" replied Tom, sharply, for he did not like the looks of +the man. + +"I was told that you did," was the rather surprising answer. + +"Who told you?" + +The man looked all around the shed, before replying, as if fearful of +being overheard. Then, stepping close to Tom, he whispered: + +"Mr. Jenks told me!" + +"Mr. Jenks?" Tom could not conceal his astonishment. + +"Yes. Mr. Barcoe Jenks. But I did not come here to merely ask you for +employment. I would like to hire out to you, but the real object of my +visit was to say this to you." + +The man approached still closer to Tom, and, in a lower voice, and one +that could scarcely be heard, he fairly hissed: + +"Don't go with Barcoe Jenks to seek the diamond makers!" + +Then, before Tom could put out a hand to detain him, had the lad so +wished, the man turned suddenly, and fairly ran from the shed. + + + + +CHAPTER VI--MR. DAMON IS ON HAND + + +The young inventor stood almost spellbound for a few moments. Then +recovering himself he made a dash for the door through which the +mysterious man had disappeared. Tom saw him sprinting down the road, and +was half-minded to take after him, but a cooler thought warned him that +he had better not. + +"He may be one of those men who are on Mr. Jenks' trail," reasoned Tom, +in which case it might not be altogether safe to attempt to stop him, +and make him explain. Or he may be a lunatic, and in that case it +wouldn't be altogether healthy to interfere with him. + +"I'll just let him go, and tell Mr. Jenks about him when he comes +to-night. But I must warn Rad never to let him in here again. He might +damage the airship." + +Calling to the colored man, Tom pointed to the stranger, who was almost +out of sight down the road, and said earnestly: + +"Rad, do you see that fellow?" + +"I sho do, Massa Tom, but I sorter has t' strain my eyes t' do it. He's +goin' laik my mule Boomerang does when he's comm' home t' dinnah." + +"That's right, Rad. Well, never let that man set foot inside our fence +again! If he comes, and I'm home, call me. If I'm away, call dad or Mr. +Jackson, and if you're here alone, drive him away, somehow." + +"I will, Massa Tom!" exclaimed the colored man, earnestly, "an' if I +can't do it alone, I'll get Boomerang t' help. Once let dat ar' mule +git his heels on a pusson, an' dat pusson ain't goin' t' come bodderin' +around any mo'--that is, not right away." + +"I believe you, Rad. Well, keep a lookout for him, and don't let him +in," and with that Tom entered the house to think over matters. They +were beginning to assume an aspect he did not altogether like. Not that +Tom was afraid of danger, but he preferred to meet it in the open, and +the warning, or threat, of the mysterious man disquieted him. + +When Mr. Swift came home, a little later, his son told him of the +midnight interview with Mr. Jenks, for, up to this time, the aged +inventor was unaware of it, and Tom also gave an account of the +diamonds, speaking of their value. + +"And do you propose to go to Phantom Mountain, in search of the makers +of these gems, Tom?" asked Mr. Swift. + +"I had about decided to do so, dad." + +"And you're going in the Red Cloud?' + +"Yes." + +"Who are going with you?" + +"Well, Mr. Jenks will go, of course, and I've no doubt but that if I +mention the prospective trip to Mr. Damon, that he'll bless his skating +cap, or something like that, and come along." + +"I suppose so, Tom, and I'd like to have you take him. But I think +you'll need some one else." + +"Because, from what you have told me, you are going out to a dangerous +part of the country, and you may have to deal with unscrupulous men. +Three of you are hardly enough to cope with them. You ought to have at +least another member of your party. If I was not busy on my invention of +a new wireless motor I would go along, but I can't leave. You might take +Mr. Jackson." + +"No, you need him here to help you, dad." + +"How about Eradicate?" + +Tom smiled. + +"Rad would get homesick for his mule Boomerang, and I'd have to bring +him back just when we'd found the diamonds," replied the young inventor. +"No, we'll have to think of some one else. I'll ask Mr. Damon, and then +I'll consider matters further. I expect to see Mr. Jenks to-night, and +he may have some one in mind." + +"Perhaps that will be a good plan. Well, Tom, I trust you will take good +care of yourself, and not run into unnecessary danger. Is the Red Cloud +in good shape for the voyage?" + +"It needs looking over. I'm going to get right at it." + +"It's a pretty indefinite sort of a quest you're going on, Tom, my son. +How do you expect to find Phantom Mountain?" + +"Well, it's going to be quite a task. In the first place we'll head for +Leadville, Colorado, and then we'll go to Indian Ridge and make some +inquiries. We may get on the track of the place that way. If we don't, +why I'll take the airship up as high as is necessary and sort of +prospect until we see that big cliff that's shaped like a head. That +will give us something to go by." + +"Well, do the best you can. If you can discover the secret of making +diamonds it will be a valuable one." + +"I guess it will, dad; and Mr. Jenks is entitled to know it, for he paid +his good money to that end. He has promised to go halves with me, as +payment for the use of the airship, and I must say the two diamonds he +gave me last night have proved very valuable." + +"Two diamonds, Tom? You only showed me one, an uncut gem;" and Mr. Swift +looked at his son. + +"Oh, the other--er--the other is--I left it with a jeweler," and Tom +blushed a trifle, as he thought of the present he contemplated making to +Mary Nestor. + +That afternoon, as Tom was out in the shed of the Red Cloud looking over +the airship, to see what would be necessary to do to it in order to get +it in shape for a long trip, he heard voices outside. + +"Yes--yes, I know the way in perfectly well," he caught. "You needn't +bother to come, my good fellow. Just step this way, and I'll show you +something worth seeing." + +"I wonder if it's that mysterious man coming back?" thought Tom. He +dropped the tool he was using, and hurried to the door. As he approached +it he heard the voice continue. + +"Why bless my shoe laces, Mr. Parker! You'll see a wonderful airship, I +promise you. Wonderful! Bless my hatband, but I hope Tom is here!" + +"Mr. Damon!" exclaimed our hero, as he recognized the tones of his +eccentric friend. "But who is with him?" + +A moment later he caught sight of the gentleman who was always blessing +himself, or something. Behind him stood another man, whose features Tom +could not see plainly. + +"Hello, Tom Swift!" called Mr. Damon. "Looking over the Red Cloud, eh? +Does that mean you're off on another trip?" + +"I guess it does," answered the lad. + +"Where to this time? if I may ask." + +"I'm thinking of going off to the mountains to find a band of men +engaged in making diamonds," replied Tom. + +"Making diamonds! Bless my finger ring! Making diamonds! A trip to the +mountains! Bless my disposition! but do you know I'd like to go with +you!" + +"I was thinking of asking you, Mr. Damon." + +"Were you? Bless my heart, I'm glad you thought of me. You don't by any +possible chance want another person; do you?" + +"We were thinking of having four in the party, Mr. Damon," and Tom +wondered who was with his eccentric friend. + +"Then bless my election ticket! This is the very chance for you, Mr. +Parker!" cried Mr. Damon. "Will you go with us? It will be just what you +need," and Mr. Damon stepped aside, revealing to Tom the features of Mr. +Ralph Parker, the scientist who had correctly predicted the destruction +of Earthquake Island. + + + + +CHAPTER VII--MR. PARKER PREDICTS + + +Tom Swift was a most generous lad, but when he saw that Mr. Damon had +with him Mr. Parker, the gloomy scientist, who seemed to take delight in +predicting disasters, our hero's spirits were not exactly of the best. +He would have much preferred not to take Mr. Parker on the quest for the +diamond makers, but, since Mr. Damon had mentioned it, he did not see +how he could very well refuse. + +"But perhaps he won't care to go," thought Tom. + +He was undeceived a moment later, however, for the scientist remarked: + +I am very glad to meet you once more, Mr. Swift. I have scarcely thanked +you enough for what you did for us in erecting your wireless station on +Earthquake Island, which, as you recall, I predicted would sink into +the sea. It did, I am glad to say, not because I like to see islands +destroyed, but because science has been vindicated. Now I have just +heard you remark that you are about to set off to the mountains in +search of some men who are making diamonds. I need hardly state that +this is utterly useless, for no diamonds, commercially valuable, can be +made by men. But the trip may be valuable in that it will permit me to +demonstrate some scientific facts. + +"Therefore, if you will permit me, I will be very glad to accompany you +and Mr. Damon. I shall be delighted, in short, and I can start as soon +as you are ready." + +"There's no hope for it!" thought Tom, dismally. "I suppose he'll wake +up every morning, and predict that before night the world will come to +an end, or he'll prophesy that the airship will blow up, and vanish, +when about seven miles above the clouds. Well, there's no way out of it, +so here goes." + +Thereupon Tom welcomed the scientist as cordially as he could, and +invited him to form one of the party that would set off in the airship +to search for Phantom Mountain. + +"Bless my jewelry box!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, when this formality was +over. "Tell me more about it, Tom." + +Which our hero did, stating the need of maintaining secrecy on account +of the danger to Mr. Jenks. Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker both agreed to say +nothing about the matter, and then the scientist became much interested +in the Red Cloud, which he closely examined. He even complimented Tom on +the skill shown in making it, and, contrary to our hero's expectation, +did not predict that it would blow up the next time it was used. + +"How did you happen to arrive just at this time, Mr. Damon?" asked Tom. + +"It was partly due to Mr. Parker," was the answer. "I had not seen him +since we were rescued from the island, until a few days ago he called +on me at my home. I happened to mention that you lived near here, and +suggested that he might like to see some of your inventions. He agreed, +and we came over in my auto. And now, bless my liver-pin! I find you +about to start off on another trip." + +"And have you fully decided to go with me?" asked Tom. "There may be +danger, and I don't like the way that mysterious man behaved." + +"Oh, bless my revolver!" cried Mr. Damon. "I'm used to danger by this +time. Of course I'm going, and so is Mr. Parker. Do you know," and the +man, who was always blessing something, came closer to the lad, and +whispered: "Do you know, Tom, Mr. Parker is a very peculiar individual." + +"I'm sure of it," answered the young inventor, looking at the gentleman +in question, who was then inside the airship cabin. + +"But he's all right, even if he is predicting unpleasant things," went +on Mr. Damon. "I think we'll get better acquainted with him after a +bit." + +"I hope so," agreed Tom, but he did not realize then how close his +companionship with Mr. Parker was to be, nor what dangers they were to +share later. + +The friends talked at considerable length of the prospective trip, and +Tom, by this time, had ascertained what needed to be done to the airship +to get it in shape to travel. It would take about a week, and, in the +meanwhile, Mr. Damon would go home and get his affairs in order for +the voyage. Tom's father was introduced to Mr. Parker, and, the former, +finding that the scientist held some views in common with him, invited +the gloomy predictor to remain at the Swift home until the Red Cloud was +ready to sail. Tom could not repress a groan at this, but he decided he +would have to make the best of it. + +Mr. Damon left for home that afternoon, promising to be on hand at the +time set to start for Phantom Mountain. + +Tom was up waiting for Mr. Jenks at twelve o'clock that night. Shortly +after the hour he saw a dark figure steal into the orchard. At first he +feared lest it might be one of the spies who were, he was now convinced, +on the trail of the man who was seeking to discover the secret of the +diamond makers. But a whistle, which came to the lad's ear a moment +later (that being a signal Mr. Jenks had agreed to sound), told Tom that +it was none other than the visitor he expected. + +"All right, Mr. Jenks, I'm here," called Tom, cautiously. "Come over +this way," and he went out from the shadow of the house, where he had +been waiting, and met the men. "We'll go into my private work-shop," the +youth added, leading the way. + +"Have you decided to go with me?" asked Mr. Jenks, in an anxious +whisper. "Did you find the diamonds to be real ones?" + +"I did; and I'm going," spoke Tom. + +"Good! That relieves my mind. But we are still in danger. I was followed +by my shadower to-day, and only succeeded in shaking him off just before +coming here. I don't believe he knows what I am about to do." + +"Oh, yes he does," said Tom. + +"He does? How?" + +"Because he was here, and warned me against you!" + +"You don't mean it! Well, they are getting desperate! We must be on our +guard. What sort of a man was he?" + +Tom described the fellow, and Mr. Jenks stated that this tallied with +the appearance of the person who had been shadowing him. + +"But we'll fool them yet!" cried Tom, who had now fully entered into the +spirit of the affair. "If they can follow us in the Red Cloud they're +welcome to. I think we'll get ahead of them." + +He then told of Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker, and Mr. Jenks agreed that +it would add to the strength of the party to take these two gentlemen +along. + +"Though I can't say I care so much for Mr. Parker," he added. "But now +as to ways and means. When can we start?" + +Thereupon he and Tom talked over details in the seclusion of the little +office, and arranged to leave Shopton in about a week. In the meanwhile +the airship would be overhauled, stocked with supplies and provisions, +and be made ready for a swift dash to the mountains. + +"And now I must be going," said Mr. Jenks. "I have a great deal to do +before I can start on this trip, and I hope I am not prevented by any of +those men who seem to be trailing me." + +"How could they prevent you?" Tom wanted to know. + +"Oh, there are any number of ways," was the answer. "But I'm glad you +found that my diamonds were real. We'll soon have plenty, if all goes +well." + +As Mr. Jenks left the shop, he started back, in some alarm. + +"What's the matter?" asked Tom. + +"Over there--I thought I saw a figure sneaking along under the +trees--that man--perhaps--" + +"That's Eradicate, our colored helper," replied Tom, with a laugh. +"I posted him there to see that no strangers came into the orchard. +Everything all right, Rad?" he asked, raising his voice. + +"Yais, sah, Massa Tom. Nobody been around yeah this night." + +"That's good. You can go to bed now," and Eradicate, yawning loudly, +went to his shack. A little later Tom sought his own room, Mr. Jenks +having hurried off to town, where he was boarding. + +The next few days saw Tom busily engaged on the airship, making some +changes and a few repairs that were needed. His father, Eradicate and +Mr. Jackson helped him. As for Mr. Parker, the scientist, he went about +the place, being much interested in the various machines which Tom or +Mr. Swift had patented. + +At other times the scientist would stroll about the extensive grounds, +making what he said were "observations." One afternoon Tom saw him, +apparently much excited, kneeling down back of a shed, with his ear to +the ground. + +"What is the matter?" asked the lad, thinking perhaps Mr. Parker might +be ill. + +"Have you ever had any earthquakes here, Tom Swift?" asked the +scientist, quietly. + +"Earthquakes? No. We had enough of them on the island." + +"And you are going to have one here, in about two minutes!" cried Mr. +Parker. "I predict that this place will be shaken by a tremendous shock +very soon. We had all better get away from the vicinity of buildings." + +"What makes you think there will be an earthquake?" asked Tom. + +"Because I can hear the rumbling beneath the ground at this very minute. +It is increasing in volume, showing that the tremors are working this +way. There will soon be a great subterranean upheaval! Listen for +yourself." + +Tom cast himself down on the grass. Placing his ear close to the ground +he did hear a series of dull thuds. He arose, not a little alarmed. +There had never been any earthquakes in Shopton, yet he had great +respect for Mr. Parker's scientific attainments. + +Just then Eradicate Sampson came along. He saw Tom and Mr. Parker lying +flat on the ground, and surprise showed on his honest, black face. + +"Fo' de land sakes!" cried Eradicate. "What am de mattah now, Massa +Tom?" + +"Earthquake coming," answered Tom, briefly. "Better get away from the +buildings, Rad. They might fall!" Tom's face showed the alarm he felt. +What would happen to all of his valuable machines--to the Red Cloud? + +"Earthquake?" murmured Eradicate, and he, too, cast himself down to +listen. A moment later he arose with a laugh. + +"What's the matter?" cried Tom. + +"Why, dat ain't no earthquake!" declared the colored man. + +"No. Then perhaps you know what it is," said Mr. Parker, somewhat +sharply. + +"Course I knows what it am," answered Eradicate, with dignity. "Dat +noise am my mule Boomerang, kickin' in his stable, on account oh me not +feedin' him yet. Dat's what it am. I'se gwine right now t' gib him his +oats, and den yo' see dat de noise stop. Boomerang allers kick dat way +when he's hungry. I show yo'!" + +And, sure enough, when Eradicate had gone to the mule's stable, +which was near where Mr. Parker had heard the mysterious sounds, they +immediately ceased. + +"Dat mule was all de earthquake dere was around here," said the colored +man as he came out. + +Mr. Parker walked away, saying nothing, and Tom did not make any +comments--just then. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII--OFF FOR THE WEST + + +It was a great relief to Tom, to find that there was no danger from an +earth tremor. Now that he had made up his mind to go in search of +the diamond makers, he wanted nothing to interfere with it. Lest the +feelings of Mr. Parker might be hurt by the mistake he had made, the +young inventor cautioned Eradicate not to say anything more about the +matter. + +"'Deed an' I won't," the colored man promised. "I'se only too glad dere +wa'n't no earthquake, dat's what I is." + +As for Mr. Parker, he did not appear much put out by his error in +predicting. + +"I am sure that what I heard was a tremor, due to some distant +earthquake shock," he said. "The mule's kicking was only a coincidence." + +And Tom let him have his way about it. The week was drawing to a close, +and the Red Cloud was nearly in shape for the voyage. At almost the +last minute Tom found that he needed some electrical apparatus for the +airship, and as he had to go to Chester for it, he decided he would make +the trip in his monoplane, and, while in the city, would also get the +diamond pin he was having made for Mary Nestor. + +He started off early one morning, in the swift little craft Butterfly, +and soon had reached Chester. The diamond brooch was ready for him. + +"It is one of the most beautiful stones we have ever set," the diamond +merchant told him. "Don't forget, if you find any more, Mr. Swift, to +let us have a chance to bid on them." + +"I may," Tom promised, rather indefinitely. Then, having purchased his +electrical supplies, he made a quick trip to Shopton, stopping on the +way to call on Miss Nestor. + +"Why Tom, I'm delighted to see you!" cried the girl, blushing prettily. +"Did you come for some apple turnovers?" and she laughed, as she +referred to a call Tom had once paid, when a new cook had been engaged, +and when the pastry formed a feature of the meal. + +"No turnovers this time," said the young inventor. "I came to wish you +many happy returns of the day." + +"Oh, you remembered my birthday! How nice of you!" + +"And here is something else," added our hero, rather awkwardly, as he +handed her the diamond pin. + +"Oh, Tom! This for me! Oh, it's too lovely--it's far too much!" + +"It isn't half enough!" he declared, warmly. + +"Oh, what a large diamond!" Mary cried as she saw the sparkling stone. +"I never saw one so large and beautiful!" + +"It's just as easy to make them large as small," explained Tom. + +"Make them?" she looked the surprise she felt. + +"Yes, I'm about to start for the place where diamonds are made." + +"Oh, Tom! But isn't it dangerous? I mean won't you have to go to some +far country--like Africa--to get to where diamonds are made?" + +"Well, we are going on quite a trip, but not as far as that. And as +for the danger--well, we'll have to take what comes," and he told her +something of the proposed quest. + +"Oh, it sounds--sounds scary!" Mary exclaimed, when she had heard of Mr. +Jenks' experience. "Do be careful, Tom!" + +"I will," he promised, and, somehow he was glad that she had cautioned +him thus--and in such tones as she had used. For Mary Nestor was a girl +that any young chap would have been glad to have manifest an interest in +him. + +"Well, I guess I'll have to say good-by," spoke Tom, at length. "We +expect to start in a couple of days, and I may not get another chance to +see you." + +"Oh, I--I hope you come back safely," faltered Mary, and then she held +out her hand, and Tom--well, it's none of our affair what Tom did +after that, except to say that he hurried out, fairly jumped into his +monoplane, and completed the trip home. + +As the Red Cloud has been fully described in the volume entitled "Tom +Swift and His Airship," we will not go into details about it now. +Sufficient to say that it was a combination of a biplane and dirigible +balloon. It could be used either as one or the other, and the gas-bag +feature was of value when the wind was too great to allow the use of the +planes, or when the motive power, for some reason stopped. In that event +the airship could remain suspended far above the clouds if necessary. +There was provision for manufacturing the gas on board. + +The Red Cloud was fitted up to accommodate about ten persons, though it +was seldom that this number was carried. Two persons could successfully +operate the machinery. There were sleeping berths, and in the main cabin +a sitting-room, a dining-room, and a kitchen. There was also the motor +compartment, and a steering tower, from which the engines could be +controlled. + +It was in this craft that the seekers after the diamond makers proposed +undertaking the trip. Mr. Damon came on from his home in Waterfield +about two days before the date set to leave, and Mr. Jenks, had, three +days before this, taken up his abode at the Swift home. Mr. Parker, as +has been stated, was already there, and he had put in his time making +a number of scientific observations, though he had made no more +predictions. + +Nothing more had been seen of the mysterious man who had warned Tom, +and the young inventor and Mr. Jenks began to hope that they had thrown +their enemies off the track. + +"Though I don't imagine they'll give up altogether," said Mr. Jenks. +"They're too desperate for that. We'll have trouble with them yet." + +"Well, it can't be helped," decided Tom. "We'll try and be ready for it, +when it comes," and then, dismissing the matter from his mind, he busied +himself about the airship. + +The food and supplies had all been put aboard, and they expected to +start the next morning. In order to make sure that any stones which they +might succeed in getting from the diamond makers were real gems, a set +of testing apparatus was taken along. Mr. Parker had had some experience +in this line, and, in spite of the fact that he might make direful +predictions, Tom was rather glad, after all, that the scientist was +going to accompany them. + +"But what is worrying me," said Mr. Damon, "is what we are going to do +after we get to Phantom Mountain. What are your plans, Mr. Jenks? Will +you go in, and demand your share of the diamond-making business?" + +"I have a right to it, as I invested a large sum in it, and I am +entitled to more than a half-share. But, of course, I can't say what +I'll do until I get there. We may have to act very secretly." + +"I'm inclined to think we will," said Tom. "My plan would be to gain +access to the cave, if possible, and watch them at work. We might be +able to discover the secret of making diamonds, and, after all, that's +what you want, isn't it, Mr. Jenks?" + +"Yes, I paid my money for the secret, and I ought to have it. If I can +get it quietly, so much the better. If not, I'll fight for my rights!" +and he looked very determined. + +"Bless my powder horn!" cried Mr. Damon. "That's the way to talk! And +so we're to go cruising about in the air, looking for a mountain shaped +like a man's head." + +"That's it," agreed Mr. Jenks, "and when we find it we will be near +Phantom Mountain, and the diamond makers." + +The final details were completed that night. The last of the supplies +had been put aboard, the larder was well stocked, the diamond testing +apparatus was stored safely away, and all that remained was for the +adventurers to board the Red Cloud in the morning, and soar away. + +That night Tom was uneasy. Several times he got up, and looked toward +the shed where the airship was stored. He could not rid himself of +the idea that the men to whose interest it was that the diamond-making +secret remain undiscovered, might attempt to wreck the airship before +the start. Consequently both Eradicate Sampson and Engineer Jackson were +on guard. Tom looked from his window, to the shed where the Red Cloud +was housed. He saw nothing to cause him any uneasiness. + +"I guess I'm just nervous," he mused. "But, all the same, I'll be glad +when we've started." + +They were all up early the next morning, Mr. Damon beginning the day by +blessing the sunrise, and many other things that struck his fancy. +The airship was wheeled out of the shed, and Tom gave her a final +inspection. + +"It's all right," he declared. "All aboard!" + +"Now, do be careful," begged Mr. Swift. "Don't take too many chances, +Tom." + +"I'll not." + +The adventurers were in the forward part of the ship, and Tom had taken +his place at the wheels and levers in the pilot house. As he was about +to start the motor he looked toward the road, and saw a horse and +carriage. In the vehicle was a girlish figure, at the sight of which Tom +blushed and smiled. He waved his hand. + +"I came to wish you good luck!" cried Mary Nestor, for it was she in the +carriage. + +"Thanks!" cried Tom, leaning from the window of the pilot house. "It was +good of you to get up so early." + +"Oh. I'm always up early," she informed him. + +"Look out that the motor doesn't scare your horse," Tom warned her. + +"Old Dobbin doesn't mind anything," was her answer. "I'll see that he +doesn't run away with me, as long as you're not on earth to rescue me. +Good-by, Tom!" + +"Good-by!" he called, and then he pulled the lever that set in motion +the motor, and whirled the great propellers about. They whizzed around +with a roar, and the Red Cloud, shivering and trembling with the +vibration, rose in the air like some great bird. + +"We're off for the West and Phantom Mountain!" called Tom to his +companions. + +As the airship soared upward, Eradicate Sampson ran forward from where +he had been standing near his mule Boomerang. He waved his hands, and +shouted something. + +"Bless my hatband! What does he want?" asked Mr. Damon, watching him +curiously. + +"It sounds as if he were calling to us to come back," spoke Mr. Parker. + +"It's too late now," decided Tom. "Maybe he forgot to tell us good-by," +but, he felt a vague wonder at Eradicate's odd motions; for the colored +man was pointing toward the stern of the airship, as if there was +something wrong there. But the Red Cloud soared on. + + + + +CHAPTER IX--A WARNING BY WIRELESS + + +Rapidly the airship ascended, and, when it was high over the town of +Shopton, Tom headed the craft due west. Looking down he tried to descry +Mary Nestor, in her carriage, but the trees were in the way, their +interlocking branches hiding the girl. Tom did see crowds of other +persons, though, thronging the streets of Shopton, for, though the young +inventor had made many flights, there was always a novelty about them, +that brought out the curious. + +"A good start, Tom Swift," complimented Mr. Parker. "Is it always as +easy as this?" + +"Starting always is," was the answer, "though, as the Irishman said, +coming down isn't sometimes quite so comfortable." + +"Bless my gizzard! That's so," cried the eccentric Mr. Damon. "Can we +vol-plane to earth in the Red Cloud, Tom?" + +"Yes, but not as easily as in the Butterfly. However I hope we will not +have to. Now, Mr. Damon, if you will just take charge of the steering +apparatus for a minute, I want to go aft." + +"What for?" + +"I wish to see if everything is all right. I can't imagine why Eradicate +was making those queer motions." + +Mr. Damon, who knew how to operate the Red Cloud, was soon guiding her +on the course, while Tom made his way to the rear compartments, through +the motor room, where the stores of supplies and food were kept. He made +a careful examination, looking from an after window, and even going out +on a small, open platform, but could discover nothing wrong. + +"I guess Rad was just capering about without any special object," mused +Tom, but it was not long after this that they learned to their dismay, +that the colored man had had a method in his madness. + +On his way back through the motor room Tom looked to the machinery, +and adjusted some of the auxiliary oil feeders. The various pieces of +apparatus were working well, though the engine had not yet been speeded +up to its limit. Tom wanted it to "warm-up" first. + +"Everything all right?" asked Mr. Damon, as Tom rejoined them in the +pilot house, which was just forward of the living room in the main +cabin. + +"Yes, I can't imagine what made Rad act that way. But I'll set the +automatic steering gear now, Mr. Damon, and then you will be relieved." + +Mr. Jenks was gazing off toward the west--to where he hoped to discover +the secret of Phantom Mountain. + +"How do you like it?" asked Tom. + +"It's great," replied the diamond man. "I've never been in an airship +before, and it's different than what I expected; but it's great! It's +the only craft that will serve our purpose among the towering mountain +peaks, where the diamond makers are hidden. I hope we can find them." + +In a little while the Red Cloud was skimming along at faster speed, +guided by the automatic rudders, so that no one was needed in the pilot +house, since there was no danger of collisions. Airships are not quite +numerous enough for that, yet, though they may soon become so. + +Tom and the others devoted several hours to arranging their staterooms +and bunks, and getting their clothing stowed away, and when this was +done Mr. Parker and Mr. Jenks sat gazing off into space. + +"It's hard to realize that we are really in an airship," observed the +diamond man. "At first I thought I would be frightened, but I'm not a +bit. It doesn't seem as if anything could happen." + +"Something is likely to happen soon," said Mr. Parker, suddenly, as he +gazed at some weather instruments on the cabin wall. + +"Bless my soul! Don't say that!" cried Mr. Damon. "What is it?" + +"I think, from my observations, that we will soon have a hurricane," +said the scientific man. "There is every indication of it;" and he +seemed quite delighted at the prospect of his prediction coming true. + +"A hurricane!" cried Mr. Damon. "I hope it isn't like the one that blew +us to Earthquake Island." + +"Oh, I think there will be no danger," spoke Tom. "If it comes on to +blow we will ascend or descend out of the path of the storm. This craft +is not like the ill-fated Whizzer. I can more easily handle the Red +Cloud; even in a bad storm." + +"I'm glad to hear that," remarked Mr. Jenks. "It would be too bad to be +wrecked before we got to Phantom Mountain." + +"Well, I predict that we will have a bad storm," insisted Mr. Parker, +and Tom could not help wishing that the scientist would keep his gloomy +forebodings to himself. + +However the storm had not developed up to noon, when Tom, with Mr. +Damon's help, served a fine meal in the dining-room. In the afternoon +the speed of the ship was increased, and by night they had covered +several hundred miles. Through the darkness the Red Cloud kept on, +making good time. Tom got up, occasionally, to look to the machinery, +but it was all automatically controlled, and an alarm bell would sound +in his stateroom when anything went wrong. + +"Bless my napkin!" exclaimed Mr. Damon the next morning, as they sat +down to a breakfast of fruit, ham and eggs and fragrant coffee, "this is +living as well as in a hotel, and yet we are--how far are we above the +earth, Tom?" he asked, turning to the young inventor. + +"About two miles now. I just sent her up, as I thought I detected that +storm Mr. Parker spoke of." + +"I told you it would come," declared the scientist, and there was a +small hurricane below them that morning, but only the lower edge of it +caught the Red Cloud, and when Tom sent her up still higher she found a +comparatively quiet zone, where she slid along at good speed. + +That afternoon Tom busied himself about some wires and a number of +complicated pieces of apparatus which were in one corner of the main +cabin. + +"What are you doing now?" asked Mr. Jenks, who had been talking with Mr. +Parker, and showing that scientist some of the manufactured diamonds. + +"Getting our wireless apparatus in shape," answered the lad. "I should +have done it before, but I had so much to do that I couldn't get at it. +I'm going to send off some messages. Dad will want to know how we are +doing." + +As he worked away, he also made up his mind to send another message, in +care of his father, for there was a receiving station in the Swift home. +And to whom this message was addressed Tom did not say, but we fancy +some of our readers can guess. + +Finally, after several hours of work, the wireless was in shape to send +and receive messages. Tom pulled over the lever, and a crackling sound +was heard, as the electricity leaped from the transmitters into space. +Then he clamped the receiver on his ear. + +"All ready," he announced. "Has anybody any messages they wish sent?" +For, with the courtesy of a true host he was ready to serve his guests +before he forwarded his own wireless notes. + +"Just tell my wife that I'm enjoying myself," requested Mr. Damon. +"Bless my footstool! But this is great! We're off the earth yet, +connected with it." + +Mr. Jenks had no one to whom he wanted to send any word, but Mr. Parker +wish to wire to a fellow scientist the result of some observations made +in the upper air. + +Tom noted all the messages down, and then, when all was in readiness he +began to call his home station. He knew that either his father or Mr. +Jackson, the engineer, could receive the wireless. + +But, no sooner had the young inventor sent off the first few dots and +dashes representing "S. I."--his home station call--than he started and +a look of surprise came over his face. + +"They're calling us!" he exclaimed. + +"Who is?" asked Mr. Jenks. + +"My house--my father. He--he's been trying to get us ever since we +started, but I didn't have the wireless in shape to receive messages. +Oh, I hope it's not too late!" + +"Too late! Bless my soul, too late for what?" gasped Mr. Damon, somewhat +alarmed by Tom's manner. + +The lad did not answer at once. He was intently listening to a series +of dots and dashes that clicked in the telephone receiver clamped to his +left ear. On his face there was a look of worriment. + +"Father has just sent me a message," he said. "It's a warning flashed +through space! He's been trying to get it to me since yesterday!" + +"What is it?" asked Mr. Jenks, rising from his seat. + +"The mysterious man is aboard the airship--hidden away!" cried Tom. +"That's what Eradicate was trying to call to our attention as we started +off. Eradicate saw his face at a rear window, and tried to warn us! The +mysterious man is a stowaway on board!" + + + + +CHAPTER X--DROPPING THE STOWAWAY + + +Tom's excited announcement startled Mr. Damon and the others as much as +if the young inventor had informed them that the airship had exploded +and was about to dash with them to the earth. The men leaped to their +feet, and stared at the lad. + +"A stowaway on board!" cried Mr. Damon. "Bless my soul! How did he--" + +"Are you sure that message is straight?" asked Mr. Jenks. "Did Eradicate +see the man?" + +"He says he did," answered Tom. "The man is hidden away on board +now--probably among the stores and supplies." + +"Bless my tomato sauce!" exploded Mr. Damon. "I hope he doesn't eat them +all up!" + +"We must get him out at once!" declared Mr. Jenks. + +"I knew something would happen on this voyage," came from Mr. Parker. "I +predicted it from the first!" + +Tom thought considerable, but he did not answer the scientist just +then. Another communication was coming to him by wireless. He listened +intently. + +"Father says," the lad told his companions "that Eradicate only had +a glimpse of the man at the last moment. He was looking from the rear +storeroom window--he's the same man who called on me that time--Rad +remembers him very well." + +"Bless my shoes! What's to be done?" inquired Mr. Damon, looking around +helplessly. + +"We must get him out, that's all," decided Mr. Jenks; with vigor. "Get +him out and drop him overboard!" + +"Drop him overboard!" cried Mr. Parker, in horror. + +"Not exactly, but get rid of him," proceeded the diamond seeker. "That +man is one of my enemies. He has been sent by the band of diamond makers +hidden among the mountains, to spy on me, and, if possible, prevent me +from seeking to discover their secret. He tried to work on Tom's Swift's +fears, and frighten him from using his airship on this quest. Then, when +he failed, the man must have sneaked into the shed, and hidden himself +in the ship. We must get rid of him, or he may wreck the Red Cloud!" + +"That's so!" cried Tom. "We must try to capture him. I think we had +better--" the lad paused, and again listened to the wireless message. +"Father says Eradicate saw the man have a gun, so we must be careful," +the young inventor translated the dots and dashes. + +"Bless my powder horn!" exploded Mr. Damon. + +"We shall have to proceed cautiously then," spoke Mr. Jenks. "If he is +like any others in the gang he is a desperate man." + +"Better sneak up on him then, if we can," proposed Mr. Parker. "There +are enough of us to cope with one man, even if he is armed. You have +weapons aboard, haven't you?" he inquired of Tom. + +"Yes," was the hesitating answer, "but I don't want to use them if I +can help it. Not only because of the danger, and a dislike of shedding +blood, but because a stray bullet might pierce the gas bag and damage +the ship." + +"That's so," agreed Mr. Jenks. "Well, I guess if we go at it the right +way we can capture him without any shooting. But we must talk more +quietly--we ought to have whispered--he may have heard us." + +"I don't think so," replied Tom. "The storeroom is far enough off so +that he couldn't hear us. Besides, the motor makes such a racket that +he couldn't distinguish what we were talking about, even if he heard our +voices. So, unless he heard the wireless working, and suspects something +from that, he probably doesn't know that we are aware of his presence +aboard." + +"But why do you think he has remained quiet all this while, Tom?" asked +Mr. Damon. + +"Probably he wants to wait until the ship is farther out west," +suggested Mr. Jenks. "Then he will be nearer his friends, and can get +help, if he needs it." + +"And do you really believe he would destroy the Red Cloud?" asked Mr. +Parker. + +"I think that all he is waiting for is a favorable chance," declared +the diamond seeker. "He would destroy the craft, and us too, if he could +prevent us from discovering the secret of Phantom Mountain, I believe." + +"Then we must get ahead of him," decided Tom, quietly. "I have just +flashed to dad a message, telling him that we will heed his warning. Now +to capture the stowaway!" + +"And while we're about it, give him a good scare when we do get him," +suggested Mr. Jenks. + +"How?" asked Tom. + +"Threaten to drop him overboard. Perhaps that will make him tell how +he happened to get in our ship, and what are the plans of the gang of +diamond makers. We may get valuable information that way." + +"I don't believe you can scare such fellows much," was Tom's opinion, +but it was agreed to try. + +"How are you going to capture him?" asked Mr. Parker. "If he has a gun +it won't be any too easy to go in the storeroom, and drag him out." + +"We'll have to use a little strategy," decided Tom, and then they +discussed several plans. The one finally adopted was that Tom and Mr. +Damon should enter the storeroom, casually, as if in search of food to +cook for supper. They would discuss various dishes, and Mr. Damon was to +express a preference for something in the food line, the box containing +which, was well back in the room. This would give the two a chance +to penetrate to the far end of the apartment, without arousing the +suspicions of the hidden man, who, doubtless, would be listening to the +conversation. + +"And as soon as we get sight of him, you and I will jump right at him, +Mr. Damon," said Tom. "Jump before he has a chance to use his gun. Mr. +Jenks and Mr. Parker will be waiting outside the room, to catch him if +he gets away from us. I'll have some ropes ready, and we'll tie him up, +and--well, we'll decide later what to do with him." + +"All right. I'm ready as soon as you are, Tom," said the eccentric man. +"Come ahead." + +They went softly to the storeroom, and listened at the door. There was +no sound heard save that made by the machinery. + +"I wonder if he's really here?" whispered Mr. Damon. + +"We'll soon find out," answered Tom. "Let's go in." + +They entered, and, in pursuance of their plan, Tom and his friend talked +of various foods. + +"I think I'd like some of that canned lobster, with French dressing on," +spoke the eccentric man. + +"That's away in the back end of the room," said Tom, in a loud voice. +"It's under a lot of boxes." + +"Then I'll help you get it out! Bless my frying pan! but I am very fond +of lobster!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, in as natural tones as was possible +under the circumstances. + +He and Tom moved cautiously back among the boxes and barrels. They were +glancing about with eager eyes. Tom switched on an electric light, and, +the instant he did so, he was aware of a movement in a little space +formed by one box which was placed on top, of two others. The lad saw a +dark figure moving, as if to get farther out of sight. + +"I've got him!" cried Tom, making a dive for the shadow. + +A moment later the young inventor was bowled over, as a dark figure +leaped over his head. + +"Catch him, Mr. Damon!" he cried. + +"Bless my hatband! I--I--" Mr. Damon's voice ended in a grunt. He, too, +had been knocked down by the fleeing man. + +"Look out, Mr. Jenks!" cried Tom, to warn those on guard at the door of +the storeroom. + +There was the report of a gun, some excited shouts, and when Tom could +scramble to his feet, and rush out, he beheld Mr. Parker calmly sitting +on a struggling man, while Mr. Jenks held a gun, that was still smoking. + +"We caught him!" cried the scientist. + +"Anybody hurt?" asked Tom, anxiously. + +"No, I knocked up his gun as he fired," explained Mr. Jenks. "Where are +the ropes, Tom?" + +The cords were produced and the man, who had now ceased to struggle, +was tightly bound. He uttered not a word, but he smiled grimly when Mr. +Damon remarked: + +"I guess I'll go back in the storeroom, Tom, and see how much food he +ate." + +"Oh, I guess he didn't take much," declared the lad. "He wasn't there +long enough." + +"Well, Farley Munson, so it's you, is it?" asked Mr. Jenks, as he +surveyed the prisoner. + +"Do you know him?" asked Tom, in some surprise. + +"He was in with the diamond makers," said Mr. Jenks. "He was one of +those who took me to the secret cave. But it will be the last time he +ever goes there. How high up are we, Tom?" + +"About two miles. Why?" + +"I guess that will be far enough to let him fall," went on the diamond +seeker. "Come on, Mr. Damon, help me throw him overboard!" + +"You--you're not going to throw me over--with the airship two miles +high; are you?" gasped the man. + +"Will you tell us what we want to know, if we don't?" asked Mr. Jenks. + +"What do you want to know?" + +"How you got aboard, and what your object was in coming." + +"That's easy enough. I had been hanging around the shed for several +days, watching a chance to get in. Finally I saw it, when that colored +man went to feed his mule, and I slipped in, and hid in the airship. The +stores were all in then, and I stowed myself away among the boxes. I had +food and water, so I didn't touch any of yours," and he looked at Mr. +Damon, who seemed much relieved. + +"And what was your object?" demanded Mr. Jenks. + +"I wanted to prevent you from going to Phantom Mountain." + +"How?" + +"By destroying the airship if need be. But I hoped to accomplish it by +other means. I would have stopped at nothing, though, to prevent you. +You must keep away from there!" + +"And if we refuse?" asked Tom. + +"Then you'll have to take what comes!" + +"But not from you!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks. "We're going to get rid of +you." + +The man's face showed the alarm he felt. + +"Oh, don't worry," said Mr. Jenks, quickly, "we're not going to toss you +overboard. We're not as desperate as your crowd. But we're going to +get rid of you, and then go on before you can send any word to your +confederates. We'll put you off in the most lonesome spot we can find, +and I guess you'll be some time getting back to civilization. By that +time we'll have the secret of the diamonds." + +"You never will!" declared the man, firmly. And he would say nothing +more, though by threats and promises Mr. Jenks tried to get from him +something about the men in with him, and where the cave of the diamonds +was located. + +Heavily bound with ropes the man was locked in a small closet, to be +kept there until a favorable spot was reached for letting him go. Mr. +Jenks' plan, of dropping him down in some place where he would have +difficulty in sending on word to his confederates was considered a good +one. + +Three days later, in crossing over a lonely region, near the Nebraska +National Forest, Farley Munson, which was one of the names the spy went +by, was dropped off the airship, when it was sent down to within a few +feet of the earth. + +"It will take you some time to get to a telegraph office," said Mr. +Jenks, as a package of food, and a flask of water was tossed down to the +stowaway. He shook his fist at those in the airship, and shouted after +them: + +"You'll never discover the secret of Phantom Mountain!" + +"Yes, we will," declared Tom, as he sent the Red Cloud high into the air +again. + + + +CHAPTER XI--A WEARY SEARCH + + +During the three days when the stowaway had been kept a prisoner, the +Red Cloud had made good time on her western trip. She was now about two +hundred and fifty miles from Leadville, Colorado, and Tom knew he could +accomplish that distance in a short time. It was necessary, therefore, +since they were so close to the place where the real search would begin, +to make some more definite plans. + +"We will need to replenish our supply of gasoline," said Tom, shortly +after the stowaway had been dropped, and when the young inventor had +made a general inspection of the airship. + +"Is it all gone?" inquired Mr. Damon. + +"Not all, but we will soon be in the wildest part of the Rocky +Mountains, and gasoline is difficult to procure there. So I want to fill +all our reserve tanks. But I would rather do that before we get far into +Colorado." + +"Why?" inquired Mr. Parker. + +"Because airships are not so common but what the appearance of one +attracts attention. Ours is sure to be talked about, and commented on. +In that case, in spite of our precaution in putting Munson off in this +lonely place, word of the Red Cloud being in the vicinity of Leadville +may reach the diamond makers, and put them on their guard. We want to +take them unawares if we can." + +"That's so," agreed Mr. Jenks. "We had better get our gasoline at the +first stopping place, then, and proceed with our search. Our first +object ought to be to look for the landmark--the head of stone. Then we +can begin to prospect about a bit." + +"My idea, exactly," declared Tom. "Well, then, I'll go down at the +first place we cross, where we can get gasoline, and then we'll be in a +position to hover in the air for a long time, without descending." + +The airship kept on her way, traveling slowly the remainder of that day, +and at dusk, when there was less chance of big crowds seeing them, the +Red Cloud was sent down on the outskirts of a large village. Tom and Mr. +Damon went to a supply store, and arranged to have a sufficient quantity +of the gasoline taken out to the airship. It was delivered after dark, +and little talk was occasioned by the few who were aware of the presence +of the craft. Then, once more, they went aloft, and Tom sent several +wireless messages to Shopton, including one to Miss Nestor. + +"Please tell my wife that I am well, and that I have a good appetite," +said Mr. Damon. + +Mr. Parker also sent a message to a scientific friend of his, stating +that he made some observations among the mountains, of the region in +which the airship then was, and that the indications were that a great +landslide would soon take place. + +"That won't worry us," spoke Tom, "for we'll be far above it." + +"I hope we will be near enough to enable me to observe it, and make +some scientific notes," came from Mr. Parker. "I am positive that one +of these mountain peaks that we saw to-day will disappear in a landslide +within a few days. I have an instrument somewhat like the one that +records earthquakes, and it has been acting strangely of late." + +Tom wondered what enjoyment Mr. Parker got out of life, when he was +always looking for some calamity to happen, but the scientist seemed +to take as much pleasure in his gloomy forebodings now, as he had on +Earthquake Island. + +They reached the vicinity of Leadville the next day, but took care to +keep high above the city, so that the airship could not be observed. +With powerful glasses they examined the mountainous country, looking for +the little settlement of Indian Ridge. + +"There it is!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks, just as dusk was settling down. "I +can make out the hotel I stopped at. Now we can really begin our search. +The next thing is to find the stone head, and then, I think, I will have +my bearings." + +"We'll begin the hunt for that landmark in the morning," said Tom. + +High in the air hovered the Red Cloud. At that distance above the earth +she must have looked like some great bird, and the adventurers thought +it unlikely that any one in the vicinity of Leadville would observe +them. + +The quest for the great mountain peak, that looked like a stone head, +was under way. Back and forth sailed the airship. Sometimes she was +enveloped in fog, and no sight could be had of the earth below. At +other times there were rain storms, which likewise prevented a view. Mr. +Parker was on the lookout for his predicted mountain landslide, but it +did not occur, and he was much disappointed. + +"It's queer I can't pick out that landmark," said Mr. Jenks after two +days of weary searching, when their eyes were strained from long peering +through telescopes. "I'm sure it was around Indian Ridge, yet we've +covered almost all the ground in this neighborhood, and I haven't had a +glimpse of it." + +"Perhaps it was destroyed in a landslide, or some cataclysm of nature," +suggested Mr. Parker. "That is very possible." + +"If that's the case we're going to have a hard time to locate the cave +of the diamond makers," answered Mr. Jenks, "but I hope it isn't so." + +They continued the search for another day, and then Tom, as they sat +in the comfortable cabin of the airship that night, hovering almost +motionless (for the motor had been shut down) made a proposition. + +"Why not descend in some secluded place," he suggested, "and wander +around on foot, making inquiries of the miners. They may know where the +stone head is, or they may even know about Phantom Mountain." + +"Good idea," spoke Mr. Jenks. "We'll do it." + +Accordingly, the next morning, the Red Cloud was lowered in a good but +lonely landing place, and securely moored. It was in a valley, well +screened from observation, and the craft was not likely to be seen, +but, to guard against any damage being done to it by passing hunters or +miners, Mr. Parker and Mr. Damon agreed to remain on guard in it, while +Tom and Mr. Jenks spent a day or two traveling around, making inquiries. + +The young inventor and his companion proceeded on foot to a small +settlement, where they hired horses on which to make their way about. +They were to be gone two days, and in that time they hoped to get on the +right trail. + + + + +CHAPTER XII--THE GREAT STONE HEAD + + +It was a wild and desolate country in which Tom Swift and Mr. Jenks +were traveling. Villages were far apart, and they were at best but +small settlements. In their journeys from place to place they met few +travelers. + +But of these few they made cautious inquiries as to the location +of Phantom Mountain, or the landmark known as the great stone head. +Prospectors, miners and hunters, whom they asked, shook their heads. + +"I've heard of Phantom Mountain," said one grizzled miner, "but I +couldn't say where it is. Maybe it's only a fish story--the place may +not even exist." + +"Oh, it does, for I've been there!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks. + +"Then why don't you go back to it?" asked the miner. + +"Because I can't locate it again," was the reply. + +"Humph! Mighty queer if you've seen a place once, and can't get to it +again," and the man looked as if he thought there was something strange +about Tom and his companion. Mr. Jenks did not want to say that he had +been taken to the mountain blindfolded, for that would have caused too +much talk. + +"I think if we spent to-night in a place where the miners congregate, +listened to their talk, and put a few casual questions to them, more as +if we were only asking out of idle curiosity, we might learn something," +suggested Tom. + +"Very well, we'll try that scheme." + +Accordingly, after they had left the suspicious miner the two proceeded +to a small milling town, not far from Indian Ridge. There they engaged +rooms for the night at the only hotel, and, after supper they sat around +the combined dance hall and gambling place. + +There were wild, rough scenes, which were distasteful to Tom, and to Mr. +Jenks, but they felt that this was their only chance to get on the right +trail, and so they stayed. As strangers in a western mining settlement +they were made roughly welcome, and in response to their inquiries about +the country, they were told many tales, some of which were evidently +gotten up for the benefit of the "tenderfeet." + +"Is there a place around here called Phantom Mountain?" asked Tom, at +length, as quietly as he could. + +"Never heard of it, stranger," replied a miner who had done most of the +talking. "I never heard of it, and what Bill Slatterly don't know ain't +worth knowin'. I'm Bill Slatterly," he added, lest there be some doubt +on that score. + +"Isn't there some sort of a landmark around here shaped like a great +stone head?" went on Tom, after some unimportant questions. "Seems to me +I've heard of that." + +"Nary a one," answered Mr. Slatterly. "No stone heads, and no Phantom +Mountains--nary a one. + +"Who says there ain't no Phantom Mountains?" demanded an elderly miner, +who had been dozing in one corner of the room, but who was awakened by +Slatterly's loud voice. "Who says so?" + +"I do," answered the one who claimed to know everything. + +"Then you're wrong!" Tom's heart commenced beating faster than usual. + +"Do you mean to say you've seen Phantom Mountain, Jed Nugg?" demanded +Slatterly. + +"No, I ain't exactly seen it, an' I don't want to, but there is such +a place, about sixty mile from here. Folks says it's haunted, and them +sort of places I steer clear from." + +"Can you tell me about it?" asked Mr. Jenks, eagerly. "I am interested +in such things." + +"I can't tell you much about it," was the reply, "and I wouldn't git too +interested, if I was you. It might not be healthy. All I know is that +one time my partner and I were in hard luck. We got grub-staked, and +went out prospectin'. We strayed into a wild part of the country about +sixty mile from here, and one night we camped on a mountain--a wild, +desolate place it was too." + +The miner stopped, and began leisurely filling his pipe. + +"Well?" asked Tom, trying not to let his voice sound too eager. + +"Well, that was Phantom Mountain." + +The miner seemed to have finished his story. + +"Is that all?" asked Mr. Jenks. "How did you know it was Phantom +Mountain?" + +"'Cause we seen the ghost--my partner and I--that's why!" exclaimed the +man, puffing on his pipe. "As I said, we was campin' there, and 'long +about midnight we seen somethin' tall and white, and all shimmerin', +with a sort of yellow fire, slidin' down the side of the mountain. It +made straight for our camp." + +"Huh! Guess you run, didn't you, Jed?" asked Bill Slatterly. + +"Course we did. You'd a run too, if you seen a ghost comm' at you, an' +firin' a gun." + +"Ghosts can't fire guns!" declared Bill. "I guess you dreamed it, Jed." + +"Ghosts can't fire guns, eh? That's all you know about it. This one did, +and to prove I didn't dream it, there was a bullet hole in my hat next +mornin'. I could prove it, too, only I ain't got that hat any more. But +that was Phantom Mountain, strangers, an' my advice to you is to keep +away from it. I was on it but I didn't exactly see it, 'cause it was +dark at the time." + +"Was it near a peak that looked like a stone head?" asked Tom. + +"It were, stranger, but I didn't take much notice of it. Me and my +partner got out of them diggin's next day, and I never went back. I +ain't never said much about this place, but it's called Phantom Mountain +all right, and I ain't the only one that's seen a ghost there. Other +grub-stakers has had the same experience." + +"Why ain't I never heard about it?" demanded Bill, suspiciously. + +"'Cause as why you're allers so busy talkin' that you don't never listen +to nothin' I reckon," was Jed's answer, amid laughter. + +"Can you tell us what trail to take to get there?" asked Tom, of the +miner. + +"Yes, it's called the old silver trail, and you strike it by goin' to a +place called Black Gulch, about forty mile from here. Then it's twenty +mile farther on. But take my advice and don't go." + +"Can it be reached by way of Indian Ridge?" asked Mr. Jenks, wondering +how he had been taken to the cave of the diamond makers. He did not +remember Black Gulch. + +"Yes, you can git there by Indian Ridge way, but it's more dangerous. +You're likely to lose your way, for that's a trail that's seldom +traveled." Mr. Jenks thought that, perhaps, was the reason the gang had +taken him that way. "It's easier to get to the stone head and Phantom +Mountain by Black Gulch, but it ain't healthy to go there, strangers, +take my advice on that," concluded the miner, as he prepared to go to +sleep again. + +Tom could scarcely contain the exultation he felt. At last, it seemed, +they were on the trail. He motioned to Mr. Jenks, and they slipped +quietly from the place, just as another dance was beginning. + +"Now for Black Gulch!" cried Tom. "We must hurry back to the airship, +and tell the good news. + +"It's too late to-night," decided Mr. Jenks, and so they waited until +morning, when they made an early start. + +They found Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker anxiously awaiting their return. Mr. +Damon blessed so many things that he was nearly out of breath, and Mr. +Parker related something of the observations he had made. + +"I think I have discovered traces of a dormant volcano," he said. "I am +in hopes that it will have an eruption while we are here." + +"I'm not," spoke Tom, decidedly. "We'll start for Black Gulch as soon as +possible." + +The airship once more rose in the air, and, following the directions +the miner had given him, Tom pointed his craft for the depression in the +mountains which had been given the name Black Gulch. It was reached in +a short time, and then, making a turn up a long valley the airship +proceeded at reduced speed. + +"We ought to see that stone head soon now," spoke Tom, as he peered from +the windows of the pilot house. + +"It's queer we didn't notice it when we were up in the air," remarked +Mr. Jenks. "We've been over this place before, I'm sure of it." + +The next moment Mr. Damon uttered a cry. "Bless my watch-chain!" he +exclaimed. "Look at that!" + +He pointed off to the left. There, jutting out from the side of a steep +mountain peak was a mass of stone--black stone--which, as the airship +slowly approached, took the form and shape of a giant's head. + +"That's it! That's it!" cried Tom. "The great stone head!" + +"And now for Phantom Mountain and the diamonds!" shouted Mr. Jenks, as +Tom let the airship slowly settle to the bottom of the valley. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII--ON PHANTOM MOUNTAIN + + +Out from the Red Cloud piled Tom and the others. They made a rush for +the irregular mass of rock which bore so strong a resemblance to the +head of some gigantic man. + +"That's the one! That's the thing I saw when they were taking me along +here blindfolded!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks. "I'm sure we're on the right +trail, now!" + +"But what gets me, though," remarked Mr. Damon, "is why we couldn't see +that landmark when we were up in the air. We had a fine view, and ought +to have been able to pick it out with the telescopes." + +The adventurers saw the reason a few seconds later. The image was +visible only from one place, and that was directly looking up the +valley. If one went too far to the right or left the head disappeared +from view behind jutting crags, and it was impossible to see it from +overhead, because the head was almost under a great spur of a mighty +mountain. + +"We might have hunted for it a week in the airship, and been directly +over it," said Tom, "and yet we would never have seen it." + +"Yes, but we never would have gotten here in such good shape if it +hadn't been for your wonderful craft," declared Mr. Jenks. "It brought +us here safely and quickly, and enabled us to elude the men who tried to +keep us back. We're here in spite of them. If we had traveled by train +they might have interfered with us in a dozen ways." + +"That's so," agreed Mr. Damon. "Well, now we're here, what's to be +done? Which way do we start to reach the cave where the diamonds are +manufactured, Mr. Jenks?" + +"That I can't say. As you know, I only had a momentary glimpse of this +stone head as they were taking me along the trail. Then one of the men +noticed that the bandage had slipped and he pulled it into place. So I +really can't say which direction to take now, in order to discover the +secret." + +"How long after you saw the head before you reached the cave?" asked +Tom. "In that way we may be able to tell how far away it is." + +"Well, I should say it was about two or three hours after I saw the +head, before we got to the halting place, and I was carried into the +cave. That would make it several miles from here, for we went in a +wagon." + +"Yes, and they might have driven in a round-about way, in order to +deceive you," suggested Mr. Damon. "At best we have but a faint idea +where the diamond cave is, but we must search for it; eh, Tom?" + +"Certainly. We'll start right in. And as the airship will be of but +little service to us now, I suggest that we leave it in this valley. +It is very much secluded, and no one will harm it, I think. We can then +start off prospecting, for I have a large portable tent, and we can +carry enough food with us, with what game we can shoot, to enable us to +live. I have a regular camping outfit on board." + +"Fine!" cried Mr. Parker, "and that will give me a chance to make some +observations among the mountains, and perhaps I can predict when a +landslide, or an eruption of some dormant volcano, may occur." + +"Bless my stars!" cried Mr. Damon. "I don't wish you any bad luck, Mr. +Parker, but I sincerely hope nothing of the sort happens! We had enough +of that on Earthquake Island!" + +"One can not halt the forces of nature," said the scientist, solemnly. +"There are many towering peaks around here which may contain old +volcanoes. And I notice the presence of iron ore all about. This must be +a wonderful place in a thunder and lightning storm." + +"Why?" asked Tom, curiously. + +"Because lightning would be powerfully attracted here by the presence +of the metal. In fact there is evidence that many of the peaks have been +struck by lightning," and the scientist showed curious, livid scars on +the stone faces of the peaks within sight. + +"Then this is a good place to stay away from in a storm," observed Mr. +Damon. "However, we won't worry about that now. If this is the landmark +Mr. Jenks was searching for, then we must be in the vicinity of Phantom +Mountain." + +"I think we are," declared the diamond seeker. "Probably it is within +sight now, but there are so many peaks, and this is such a wild and +desolate part of the country that we may have trouble in locating it." + +"We've got to make a beginning, anyhow," decided Tom, "and the sooner +the better. Come, we'll make up our camping kits, and start out." + +It was something to know that they were on the right trail, and it was a +relief to be able to busy oneself, and not be aimlessly searching for a +mysterious landmark. They all felt this, and soon the airship was taken +to a secluded part of the valley, where it was well hidden from sight in +a grove of trees. + +Tom and Mr. Damon then served a good meal, and preparations were made +to start on their search among the mountains--a search which they hoped +would lead them to Phantom Mountain, and the cave of the diamond makers. + +The tent which would afford them shelter was in sections, and could +be laced together. They carried food, compressed into small packages, +coffee, a few cooking utensils; and each one had a gun, Tom carrying a +combination rifle and shotgun, for game. + +"We can't live very high while we're on the trail," said the young +inventor, "but it won't be much worse than it was on Earthquake Island. +Are we all ready?" + +"I guess so," answered Mr. Damon. "How long are we going to be away?" + +"Until we find the diamond makers!" declared Tom, firmly. + +Shouldering their packs, the adventurers started off. Tom turned for a +last look at his airship, dimly seen amid the trees. Would he ever come +back to the Red Cloud? Would she be there when he did return? Would +their quest be successful? These questions the lad asked himself, as he +followed his companions along the rocky trail. + +"Perhaps we can find the road by which these men go in and out of the +cave," suggested Mr. Damon, when they had gone on for several miles. + +"I fancy not," replied Mr. Jenks. "They probably take great pains to +hide it. I think though, that our best plan will be to go here and +there, looking for the entrance to the cave. I believe I would remember +the place." + +"But why can't you follow the directions given by the miner who told you +about Phantom Mountain?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"Because his talk was too indefinite," answered Mr. Jenks. "He was so +frightened by seeing what he believed to be a ghost, that he didn't take +much notice of the location of the place. All he knows is that Phantom +Mountain is somewhere around here." + +"And we've got to hunt until we find it; is that the idea?" asked Mr. +Parker. + +"Or until we see the phantom," added Tom, in a low voice. + +"Bless my topknot!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "You don't mean to say you +expect to see that ghost; do you Tom?" + +"Perhaps," answered the young inventor, and he did not add something +else of which he was thinking. For Tom had a curious theory regarding +the phantom. + +They tramped about the remainder of that day. Toward evening Tom shot +some birds, which made a welcome addition to their supper. Then the tent +was put together, some spruce and hemlock boughs were cut to make a soft +bed, and on these, while the light of a campfire gleamed in on them, the +adventurers slept. + +Their experience the following day was similar to the first. They saw no +evidence of a large cave such as Mr. Jenks had described, nor were there +any traces of men having gone back and forth among the mountains, as +might have been expected of the diamond makers, for, as Mr. Jenks had +said, they made frequent journeys to the settlement for food, and other +supplies. + +"Well, I haven't begun to give up yet," announced Tom, on the third day, +when their quest was still unsuccessful. "But I think we are making one +mistake." + +"What is that?" inquired Mr. Jenks. + +"I think we should go up higher. In my opinion the cave is near the top +of some peak; isn't it, Mr. Jenks?" + +"I have that impression, though, as you know, I never saw the outside of +it. Still, it might not be a bad idea to ascend some of these peaks." + +Following this suggestion, they laid their trail more toward the sky, +and that night found them encamped several thousand feet above the +sea-level. It was quite cool, and the campfire was a big one about which +they sat after supper, talking of many things. + +Tom did not sleep well that night. He tossed from side to side on the +bed of boughs, and once or twice got up to replenish the fire, which had +burned low. His companions were in deep slumber. + +"I wonder what time it is?" mused Tom, when he had been up the third +time to throw wood on the blaze. "Must be near morning." He looked at +his watch, and was somewhat startled to see that it was only a little +after twelve. Somehow it seemed much later. + +As he was putting the timepiece back into his pocket the lad looked +around at the dark and gloomy mountains, amid which they were encamped. +As his gaze wandered toward the peak of the one on the side of which the +tent was pitched, he gave a start of surprise. + +For, coming down a place where, that afternoon, Tom had noticed a sort +of indefinite trail was a figure in white. A tall, waving figure, which +swayed this way and that--a figure which halted and then came on again. + +"I wonder--I wonder if that can be a wisp of fog?" mused the young +inventor. He rubbed his eyes, thinking it might be a swirling of the +night mist or a defect of vision. Then, as he saw more plainly, he +noticed the thing in white rushing toward him. + +"It's the phantom--the phantom!" cried Tom, aloud. "It's the thing the +miner saw! We're on Phantom Mountain now!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIV--WARNED BACK + + +Tom's cries awakened the sleepers in the tent. Mr. Damon was the first +to rush out. + +"Bless my nightcap, Tom!" he cried. "What is it? What has happened? Are +we attacked by a mountain lion?" + +For answer the young inventor pointed up the mountain, to where, in the +dim light from a crescent moon, there stood boldly revealed, the figure +in white. + +"Bless--bless my very existence!" cried the odd man. "What is it, Tom?" + +"The phantom," was the quiet answer. "Watch it, and see what it does." + +By this time Mr. Jenks and Mr. Parker had joined Tom and Mr. Damon. +The four diamond seekers stood gazing at the apparition. And, as they +looked, the thing in white, seemingly too tall for any human being, slid +slowly forward, with a gliding motion. Then it raised its long, white +arms, and waved them threateningly at the adventurers. + +"It's motioning us to go back," said Mr. Parker in an awed whisper. "It +doesn't want us to go any farther." + +"Very likely," agreed Tom, coolly. "But we're not going to be frightened +by anything like that; are we?" + +"Not much!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks. "I expected this. A ghost can't drive +me back from getting my rights from those scoundrels!" + +"Suppose it uses a revolver to back up its demand?" asked the scientist. + +"Wait until it does," answered Mr. Jenks. But the figure in white +evidently had no such intentions. It came on a little distance +farther, still waving the long arms threateningly, and then it suddenly +disappeared, seeming to dissolve in the misty shadows of the night. + +"Bless my suspenders!" cried Mr. Damon. "That's a very strange +proceeding! Very strange! What do you make of it, Tom?" + +"It is evidently some man dressed up in a sheet," declared Mr. Jenks. "I +expected as much." + +"The work of those diamond makers; do you think?" continued Mr. Damon. + +"I believe so," answered Tom, slowly, for he was trying to think it out. +"I believe they are the cause of the phantom, though I don't know that +it's a man dressed in a sheet." + +"Why isn't it?" demanded Mr. Jenks. + +"Because it was too tall for a man, unless he's a giant." + +"He may have been on stilts," suggested Mr. Parker. + +"No man on stilts could walk along that way," declared Tom, confidently. +"He glided along too easily. I am inclined to think it may be some sort +of a light." + +"A light?" queried Mr. Damon. + +"Yes, the diamond makers may be hidden in some small cave near here, and +they may have some sort of a magic lantern or a similar arrangement, for +throwing a shadow picture. They could arrange it to move as they liked, +and could cause it to disappear at will. That, I think, is the ghost we +have just seen." + +"But the diamond makers have only been in this mountain recently," +objected Mr. Jenks, "and the phantom was here before them. In fact, that +was what gave the place its name." + +"That may be," admitted the lad. "There are many places that have the +name of being haunted, but no one ever sees the ghost. It is always some +one else, who has heard of some one who has seen it. That may have been +the case here. I grant that this place may have been called 'Phantom +Mountain' for a number of years, due to the superstitious tales of +miners. The diamond makers came along, found the conditions just right +for their work, and adopted the ghost, so to speak. As there wasn't any +real spirit they made one, and they use it to scare people away. I think +that's what we've just seen, though I may be wrong in my theory as to +what the phantom is." + +"Well, it's gone now, at any rate," said Mr. Jenks, "and I think we'd +better get back inside the tent. It's cold out here." + +"Aren't some of us going to stand guard?" demanded Mr. Damon. + +"What for?" asked Mr. Jenks. + +"Why--er--bless my key-ring! Suppose that ghost takes a notion to come +down here, and use his gun, as he did on the miners?" + +"I don't believe that will happen," remarked Tom. "The diamond makers, +if the white thing had anything to do with them, have given us a +warning, and I think they'll at least wait until morning to see how we +heed it." + +"We aren't going to heed it!" burst out Mr. Jenks. "I'm going to go +right ahead and find that cave where they make diamonds!" + +"And we're with you!" exclaimed Tom. "We'll have a good fire going the +rest of the night, and that may keep intruders away. In the morning +we'll begin our search, and we'll go up the trail where we saw the white +figure." + +A big pile of wood had been collected for the fire, and Tom now piled +some logs and branches on the blaze. It would last for some time now, +and the adventurers, still talking of the "ghost" went back into the +tent. It was over an hour before they all got to sleep again, and Mr. +Jenks and Mr. Damon took turns in getting up once or twice during the +remainder of the night to replenish the fire. + +Morning dawned without anything further having occurred to disturb them, +and, after a hearty breakfast, to which Tom added some fish he caught in +a nearby mountain stream, they set off up the trail on Phantom Mountain. + +They had left their tent standing, as they proposed making that spot +their headquarters until they located the cave they were seeking. What +their course would be after that would depend on the circumstances. + +If they had expected to have an easy task locating the cavern in which +Mr. Jenks had seen diamonds made, the adventurers were disappointed. All +that day they tramped up and down the mountain, looking for some secret +entrance, but none was disclosed. The higher they went up the great +peak, the fainter became the trail, until, at length it vanished +completely. + +But this was not to be wondered at, since it was on solid rock, in which +no footsteps would leave an impression. + +"They never brought you up here in a wagon, Mr. Jenks," decided Tom, +when he saw how steep the place was. + +"I'm inclined to think so myself," admitted the diamond man. "They must +have reached the cave from some other way. As a matter of fact, I walked +some distance after getting out of the vehicle, before we got to the +cavern. But, even at that, I don't believe we came this way." + +"Yet the phantom was here," persisted Tom, "and I'm convinced that the +cave is in this neighborhood. It's up to us to find it!" + +But they searched the remainder of that day in vain, and as night was +coming on, they made their way back to the camp. As Tom, who was in +the lead, approached the tent, he saw something black fastened to the +entrance. + +"Hello!" he cried. "Some one's been here. That wasn't on the tent when +we left this morning." + +"What is it?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"A black piece of paper, written on with white ink," replied the lad. He +was reading it, and, as he perused it a look of surprise came over his +face. + +"Listen to this!" called Tom. "It's evidently from the diamond makers." + +Holding up the black paper, on which the white writing stood out in bold +relief Tom read aloud: + + +"Be warned in time! Go back before it is too late! You are near to +death! Go back!" + + +"Bless my shoelaces!" cried Mr. Damon. "This is getting serious." + + + + +CHAPTER XV--THE LANDSLIDE + + +Gathered about the young inventor, the three men looked at the warning. +The writing was poor, and it was evident that an attempt had been made +to disguise it. But there was no misspelling of words, and there were no +rudely drawn daggers, or bloody hands or anything of that sort. In fact, +it was a very business-like sort of warning. + +"Rather odd," commented Mr. Jenks. "Black paper and white ink." + +"White ink is easy enough to make," stated Mr. Parker. "I fancy they +wanted it as conspicuous as possible." + +"Yes," agreed Tom, "and this warning, together with the antics of the +thing in white last night, shows that they are aware of our presence +here, and perhaps know who we are. We will have to be on our guard." + +"Do you think that fellow Munson, whom we left in the forest, could have +gotten here and warned them?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"It's possible," admitted Tom, "but now let's see if the person who +pinned this warning on our tent took any of our things." + +A hasty examination, however, showed that nothing had been disturbed, +and Tom and Mr. Damon were soon getting supper ready, everyone talking, +during the progress of the meal, about the events of the day, and the +rather weird culmination of it. + +"Well, we haven't had a great deal of success--so far," admitted Tom, as +they sat about the fire, in the fast gathering dusk. "I think, perhaps, +we'd better try on the other side of the mountain to-morrow. We've +explored this side pretty thoroughly." + +"Good idea," commented Mr. Jenks. "We'll do it, and move our camp. I +only hope those fellows don't find our airship and destroy it. We'll +have a hard time getting back to civilization again, if we have to walk +all the way." + +This contingency caused Tom some uneasiness. He did not like to think +that the unscrupulous men might damage the Red Cloud, that had been +built only after hard labor. But he knew he could accomplish nothing by +worrying, and he tried to dismiss the matter from his mind. + +They rather expected to see the thing in white again that night, but it +did not appear, and morning came without anything having disturbed their +heavy sleep, for they were tired from the day's tramp. + +It took them the greater part of the day to make a circuit of the base +of Phantom Mountain in order to get to a place where a sort of trail led +upward. + +"It's too late to do anything to-night," decided Tom, as they set up the +tent. "We'll rest, and start the first thing in the morning." + +"And the ghost isn't likely to find us here," added Mr. Damon. "Where +are you going, Mr. Parker?" he asked, as he saw the scientist tramping a +little way up the side of the mountain. + +"I am going to make some observations," was the answer, and no one paid +any more attention to him for some time. Supper was nearly ready when +Mr. Parker returned. His face wore a rather serious air, and Mr. Damon, +noting it, asked laughingly: + +"Well, did you discover any volcanoes, that may erupt during the night, +and scare us to death?" + +"No," replied Mr. Parker, calmly, "but there is every indication that we +will soon have a terrific electrical storm. From a high peak I caught a +glimpse of one working this way across the mountains." + +"Then we'd better fasten the tent well down," called Tom. "We don't want +it to blow away." + +"There will not be much danger from wind," was Mr. Parker's opinion. + +"From what then?" asked Mr. Jenks. + +"From the discharges of lightning among these mountain peaks, which +contain so much iron ore. We will be in grave danger." + +The fact that the scientist had not always made correct predictions was +not now considered by his hearers, and Tom and the two men gazed at Mr. +Parker in some alarm. + +"Is there anything we can do to avoid it?" asked Mr. Jenks. + +"The only thing to do would be to leave the mountain," was the answer, +"and, as the iron ore extends for miles, we can not get out of the +danger zone before the storm will reach us. It will be here in less than +half an hour." + +"Then we'd better have supper," remarked Tom, practically, "and get +ready for it. Perhaps it may not be as bad as Mr. Parker fears." + +"It will be bad enough," declared the gloomy scientist, and he seemed to +find pleasure in his announcement. + +The meal was soon over, and Tom busied himself in looking to the guy +ropes of the tent, for he feared lest there might be wind with the +storm. That it was coming was evident, for now low mutterings of thunder +could be heard off toward the west. + +Black clouds rapidly obscured the heavens, and the sound of thunder +increased. Fitful flashes of lightning could be seen forking across the +sky in jagged chains of purple light. + +"It's going to be a heavy storm," Tom admitted to himself. "I hope +lightning doesn't strike around here." + +The storm came on rapidly, but there was a curious quietness in the air +that was more alarming than if a wind had blown. The campfire burned +steadily, and there was a certain oppressiveness in the atmosphere. + +It was now quite dark, save when the fitful lightning flashes came, +and they illuminated the scene brilliantly for a few seconds. Then, by +contrast, it was blacker than ever. + +Suddenly, as Tom was gazing up toward the peak of Phantom Mountain, he +saw something that caused him to cry out in alarm. He pointed upward, +and whispered hoarsely: + +"The ghost again! There's our friend in white!" + +The others looked, and saw the same weird figure that had menaced them +when they were encamped on the other side of the peak. + +"They must have followed us," said Mr. Jenks, in a low voice. + +Slowly the figure advanced, It waved the long white arms, as if in +warning. At times it would be only dimly visible in the blackness, then, +suddenly it would stand out in bold relief as a great flash of fire +split the clouds. + +The thunder, meanwhile, had been growing louder and sharper, indicating +the nearer approach of the storm. Each lightning flash was followed in a +second or two, by a terrific clap. Still there was no wind nor rain, and +the campfire burned steadily. + +All at once there was a crash as if the very mountain had split asunder, +and the adventurers saw a great ball of purple-bluish fire shoot down, +as if from some cloud, and strike against the side of the crag, not a +hundred feet from where stood the ghostly figure in white. + +"That was a bad one," cried Mr. Damon, shouting so as to be heard above +the echoes of the thunderclap. + +Almost as he spoke there came another explosion, even louder than the +one preceding. A great ball of fire, pear shaped, leaped for the same +spot in the mountain. + +"There's a mass of iron ore there!" yelled Mr. Parker. "The lightning is +attracted to it!" + +His voice was swallowed up in the terrific crash that followed, and, +as there came another flash of the celestial fire, the figure in +white could be seen hurrying back up the mountain trail. Evidently the +electrical storm, with lightning bolts discharging so close, was too +much for the "ghost." + +In another instant it looked as if the whole place about where the +diamond seekers stood, was a mass of fire. Great forked tongues of +lightning leaped from the clouds, and seemed to lick the ground. There +was a rattle and bang of thunder, like the firing of a battery of guns. +Tom and the others felt themselves tingling all over, as if they had +hold of an electrical battery, and there was a strong smell of sulphur +in the air. + +"We are in the midst of the storm!" cried Mr. Parker. "We are standing +on a mass of iron ore! Any minute may be our last!" + +But fate had not intended the adventurers for death by lightning. Almost +as suddenly as it had begun, the discharge of the tongues of fire ceased +in the immediate vicinity of our friends. They stood still--awed--not +knowing what to do. + +Then, once more, came a terrific clap! A great mass of fire, like some +red-hot ingot from a foundry, was hurled through the air, straight at +the face of the mountain, and at the spot where the figure in white had +stood but a few minutes before. + +Instantly the earth trembled, as it had at Earthquake Island, but it was +not the same. It was over in a few seconds. Then, as the diamond seekers +looked, they saw in the glare of a score of lightning flashes that +followed the one great clap, the whole side of the mountain slip away, +and go crashing into the valley below. + +"A landslide!" cried Mr. Parker. "That is the landslide which I +predicted! The lightning bolt has split Phantom Mountain!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI--THE VAST CAVERN + + +For a time the roiling, slipping, sliding and tumbling of the mass of +earth and stones, down the side of the mountain, effectually drowned +all other sounds. Even the thunder was stilled, and though Tom and his +companions called to one another in terror, their voices could not rise +above that terrific tumult. + +Finally, when they found that the direction of the slide was away from +their tent, and that they were not likely to be engulfed, they grew more +calm. + +Gradually the noise subsided. The great boulders had rolled to the +bottom of the valley, and now only a mass of earth and stones was +sliding down. Even this stopped in about five minutes, and, as though +satisfied with what it had done, the electrical storm passed. Not a drop +of rain had fallen. + +"Bless my shirt studs!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, who was the first to speak +after the din had quieted. "Bless my soul! But that was awful!" + +"It was just what I expected," said Mr. Parker, calmly. "I knew, from +my observations, that we were in a region where landslides and terrific +electrical storms may be expected at any time. I fully looked for this." + +"Well," remarked Mr. Jenks, rather sarcastically, "I hope it came up to +your expectations, Mr. Parker." + +"Oh, fully," was the answer, "though I wish it could have happened +in daylight, so that I could better have observed certain phenomena +regarding the landslide. They are very interesting." + +"At a distance," admitted Tom, with a laugh of relief. "Well, I'm glad +it's over, though we'll have to wait until morning to see what damage +has been done. Lucky we weren't struck by lightning. I never saw such +bolts!" + +"Me, either!" declared Mr. Damon. "This mountain seems to attract them." + +"It is like a magnet," said Mr. Parker. "I think I shall be able to make +some fine observations here." + +"If we live through it," murmured Mr. Jenks. + +They watched the play of lightning about a distant bank of clouds, +but the storm was now far away, only a faint rumbling of thunder being +heard. + +"I'm wondering what happened to the phantom," said Tom, after a pause. +"Seems to me he was right in that track of the storm." + +"Do you think it was a 'he'?" asked Mr. Jenks. + +"I think we'll find that it's some sort of a man," answered the young +inventor. "We may find out very soon, now. I've changed my theory about +the ghost being reflections of light." + +"How's that?" Mr. Damon wanted to know. + +"Well, I think we are on the side of Phantom Mountain where the diamond +cave is," went on the lad. "The fact that the phantom appeared here, +soon after we arrived, shows that the men kept close track of our +movements. It also shows, I think, that the phantom did not have to +travel far to be on the spot, whereas we had to make quite a trip to get +around the base of the mountain. I think the cave is up there," and +Tom pointed toward the spot where the weird figure had been last seen, +before the storm drove it back. + +"There may be two phantoms," suggested Mr. Jenks. "They may keep one on +this side of the mountain, and one on the other, to warn intruders away. + +"It's possible," admitted Tom. "Well, we'll see how things look in the +morning, when we'll take up our march again, and go up the mountain. +We'll reach the top, if possible, which we couldn't do from the other +side, as it was too steep." + +"I hope we shall be able to go forward in the morning," came from Mr. +Jenks. + +"What do you mean?" asked the lad, struck by a peculiar significance in +the diamond man's tones. + +"Why, that landslide may have opened a great gully in the side of +Phantom Mountain, which will prevent us from passing. It was a terrific +lot of earth and stones that slid away," answered Mr. Jenks. + +"It certainly was," agreed Mr. Parker. "I would not be surprised if +the mountain was half destroyed, and it may be that the diamond cave no +longer exists." + +"Not very cheerful, to say the least," murmured Mr. Jenks to Tom, and, +as it was getting quite chilly, following the storm, they went inside +the tent. + +Tom could hardly wait for daylight, to get up and see what havoc the +landslide had wrought. As soon as the first faint flush of dawn showed +over the eastern peaks, he hurried from the tent. Mr. Damon heard him +arise, and followed. + +A curious scene met their eyes. All about were great rocks rent and torn +by the awful power of the lightning. The fronts of the stone cliffs +were scarred and burned by the electrical fire, and fantastic markings, +grotesque faces, and leering animals seemed to have been drawn by some +gigantic artist who used a bolt from heaven for his brush. + +But the eyes of Tom and Mr. Damon took all this in at a glance, and then +their gaze went forward to where the avalanche had torn away a great +part of the mountain. + +"Whew! I should say it was a landslide!" cried Tom. + +"Bless my wishbone, yes!" agreed Mr. Damon. + +Below them, in the valley, lay piled immense masses of earth and stones. +Boulders were heaped up on boulders, and rocks upon rocks, being tossed +about in heaps, strung about in long ridges, and swirled about in +curves, as though some cyclone had toyed with them after the lightning +flash had tossed them there. + +"But the mountain isn't half gone," said Tom, as his eyes took in what +was left of the phantom berg. "I guess it will take a few more bolts +like that one, to put this hill out of business." + +Though the landslide had been a great one, the larger part of the +mountain still stood. An immense slice had been taken from one side, but +the summit was untouched. + +"And there's where the diamond cave is!" cried Tom, pointing to it. + +"I think so myself," agreed Mr. Jenks, who came from the tent at that +moment, and joined the lad and Mr. Damon. "I think we shall find the +cave somewhere up there. We must start for it, as soon as we have eaten, +and we may reach it by night." + +The three stood gazing up toward the summit of the great mountain. +Suddenly, as the sun rose higher in the heavens, it sent a shaft of rosy +light on the face of the berg that had been scarred by the landslide. +Tom Swift uttered an exclamation, and pointed at something. + +"See!" he cried. "Look where the trail is--the trail down which the +phantom must have come. It is on the edge of a cliff now!" + +They looked, and saw that this was so. The increasing light had just +revealed it to them. When the lightning bolt had torn away a great +portion of the mountain it had cut sheer down for a great depth and +when the earth and stones fell away they left a narrow pathway, winding +around the mountain, but so near the edge of a great chasm, that there +was room but for one person at a time to walk on that footway. The +uncertain trail up Phantom Mountain had all but been destroyed. + +"The way up to the peak is by that path, now," spoke Tom, in a low +voice. + +"Bless my soul!" cried Mr. Damon. "It's as much as a man's life is worth +to attempt it. If he got dizzy, he'd topple over, and fall a thousand +feet. Dare we risk it?" + +"It's the only way to get up," went on Tom. "It's either that way, or +not at all. We've tried the other side without success. We must go up +this way--or turn back." + +"Then we'll go up!" cried Mr. Jenks. "It may not be as dangerous as it +looks from here." + +But it was even more dangerous than it appeared, when they went part way +up it after a hasty breakfast. The trail was a mere ledge of rock now, +and in some places, to get around a projecting edge of the mountain, +they had to stand with their backs to the dizzy depths at their feet, +and with both arms outstretched work their way around to where the trail +was wider. + +"Shall we risk it?" asked Tom, when they had tried the way, and found +it so dangerous. "We can't take anything with us--even our guns, for +we couldn't carry them, and if we reach the mouth of the cave, and find +those men there--" + +He paused significantly. The adventurers looked at one another. The +search for the diamond makers was becoming more and more dangerous. + +"I say let's go on!" decided Mr. Damon, suddenly. "We want to locate +that cave, first of all. Perhaps, when we do find it, we may see some +easier way of getting to it than this. And if those diamond makers do +attack us--well, I don't believe they'll shoot defenseless men, and they +may listen to reason, and give Mr. Jenks his rights--tell him how to +make diamonds in return for the money he gave them." + +"I don't believe those scoundrels will listen to reason," replied the +diamond man, "but I agree with Mr. Damon that we ought to go on. We may +find some other means of reaching the cave--if we can discover it, and +we'll take a chance with the men." + +"Forward it is, then!" cried Tom. "I have a revolver, and I can supply +one of you gentlemen with another. They may come in useful in an +emergency. Let's go back to camp, take a little lunch in our pockets, +and try to scale the mountain." + +They were soon on their way up the dizzy path once more, and, as they +advanced, they found it growing more and more dangerous. In some places +they found it almost impossible to get around certain corners, where +there was barely room for their feet. As Tom remarked grimly, a fat man +never could have done it. Fortunately they were all comparatively thin, +for their hard work, and not too abundant food, since they had left the +airship, had reduced their weight. + +Up and up they went, higher and higher, sometimes finding the path wide +enough for two to walk abreast, and again seeing it narrow almost to +a ribbon. They hardly dared look down into the chasm at their left--a +chasm filled, in part, with the rocks and boulders tossed into it by the +lightning bolt. + +Tom was in the lead, and had just made a dangerous turn around a +shoulder of rock--one of those places where he had to extend both arms, +and fairly hug the cliff before he could get around. + +But, when he had made it, and found himself on a broad pathway, cut +in the living rock, he gave a great shout--a shout that caused his +companions to hasten to his side. They found the young inventor pointing +to a clump of bushes and small trees. + +But it was not the shrubbery that Tom desired to call to their +attention. They saw that in an instant, for, dimly seen through the +leaves, was something black, and, as they looked more closely, they saw +that it was a great hole in the side of the mountain--a vast cavern, +opening like a tunnel. + +"The cave! The cave!" cried Tom. "The diamond makers' cave!" + +Hardly had he spoken than two men, each one carrying a gun, showed +themselves in the mouth of the cavern, and, instant later they both ran +toward the little party of adventurers. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII--THE PHANTOM CAPTURED + + +Surprise held Tom and his friends almost spellbound for the moment. +The young inventor's hand went toward the pocket where he carried his +revolver. Mr. Jenks, who had the only other weapon, sought to draw it, +but he was stopped by a gesture of one of the two men with guns. + +"Hold on, strangers!" the man cried. "I know what you're up to! Better +not try to draw anything--it might not be healthy. Now, then, who are +you, and what do you want?" + +The question came rather as a surprise, at least to Tom and Mr. Jenks. +They had taken it for granted that these men--if they were the diamond +makers--would know Mr. Jenks, and guess at his errand in coming back +to Phantom Mountain. But, it seemed, that they took them all for casual +strangers. + +No one answered for a moment. Tom caught the eye of Mr. Jenks, and there +was a look of hope in it. If ever there was a time for strategy, it was +now. Evidently Munson, the stowaway on the airship, had not yet been +able to send a warning to his confederates. And neither of the two men +recognized Mr. Jenks as the man who had been defrauded of his rights. +It might be possible to conceal the real object of the adventurers until +they had time to formulate a plan of action. + +"Well," exclaimed the man with the gun, impatiently, "I ask you folks a +question. What do you want?" + +Fortunately, neither Mr. Damon nor Mr. Parker replied. The former +because he deferred to Tom and Mr. Jenks, and the scientist because he +was busy inspecting some curious rocks he picked up. As it turned out +this was the luckiest thing he could have done. It lent color to what +Mr. Jenks said a moment later. + +"What are you doing up here?" demanded the man again. "Don't you know +this is private property?" + +"We--we were just looking around," answered Mr. Jenks, which was true +enough; as far as it went. + +"Prospecting," added Tom. + +"After gold?" demanded the second man, suspiciously. + +"We'd be glad to find some," retorted the lad. At that moment Mr. Parker +began breaking off bits of rock with a small geologist's hammer which he +carried. The men with the guns looked at him. + +"So you think you'll find gold up here?" asked the one who had first +spoken. + +"Is there any?" inquired Tom, trying to make his voice sound eager. + +"Nary a bit, strangers," was the answer, and the two men laughed +heartily. "Now, we don't want to seem harsh," went on the man who seemed +to be the spokesman, "but you'd better get away from here. This is +private ground, and dangerous too--how'd you ever get up the trail--we +heard it was destroyed." + +"There is still a narrow path," said Mr. Jenks. "We came up that--the +lightning and landslide haven't left much of it, though." + +Mr. Parker looked quickly up from the rocks at which he was tapping with +his small hammer. "You have terrific lightning up here," he said. "I am +much interested in it, from a scientific standpoint. I predict that some +day the entire mountain will be destroyed by a blast from the sky." + +"I hope it won't be right away," spoke one of the men. "Now I guess you +folks had better be leaving while there's a path left to go down by." + +"Might I ask," broke in Mr. Parker, as calmly as though he was lecturing +to a class of students, "might I ask if you have noticed any peculiar +effect of the lightning up here on the summit of the mountain? Does it +fuse and melt rocks, so to speak?" + +"What's that?" cried the spokesman, with a sudden flash of anger. The +two men looked at each other. + +"I wanted to know, merely for scientific reasons, whether the lightning +up here ever melted rocks?" repeated Mr. Jenks. + +"Well, whether it's for scientific reasons or for any other, I'm not +going to answer you!" snapped the man. "It's none of your affair what +the lightning does up here. Now you'd all better 'vamoose'--clear out!" + +"All right--we'll go," said Tom, quickly, at the same time motioning to +Mr. Jenks to agree with him. The eyes of the young inventor were +roving about. He saw what looked like a second trail, leading down the +mountain, from the far side of the cave. He was convinced now that there +was another way to get to it. Possibly they might find it. At any rate +nothing more could be done now. They must go back, for the cavern was +too well guarded to attempt to enter it by force--at least just yet. + +"Yes, we'll go back," assented Mr. Jenks. + +Mr. Parker was tapping away at the rocks. He looked toward the black +mouth of the big cave. On what corresponded to the roof of it, some +distance back from the entrance, he saw a slender metal rod sticking up +into the air. + +"May I ask if that's a lightning rod?" he inquired innocently. "If +it is, I should like to ask about its action in a mountain that is so +impregnated with iron ore. + +"You may ask until you get tired!" cried the spokesman, again showing +unreasoning anger, "but you'll get no answer from us. Now get away from +here before we do something desperate. You're on private ground and +you're not wanted. Clear out while you have the chance." + +There was no help for it. Slowly our friends turned and began to go +down the dangerous trail. They were soon out of sight of the two men who +stood before the cave, with their guns ready, but neither Tom nor any of +his companions spoke for some time. + +When they had rounded one of the most dangerous turns the young inventor +sat down to rest, an example followed by the others. + +"Well," asked Tom, "do you think those are some of the diamond makers, +Mr. Jenks?" + +"I certainly do, though I never saw those two men before. If I could +once get inside the cave, I could tell whether or not it was the one +where I was practically held a prisoner. But I'm sure it is. I know some +of the men used to go off every day with guns, and not come back until +night. I have no doubt they were on guard, just as these two are. And, +also, I think I heard them speak of a second entrance to the cavern. The +one we just saw may not be the main one, through which I was taken." + +"I believe we are on the right track," ventured Mr. Damon, "but we will +either have to go up there after dark, which will be risky, on account +of the narrow trail, or else we will have to find some other path." + +"The last would be better," spoke Tom. + +"That rod of metal sticking up on top of the cave interested me," said +the scientist. "Did you hear anything of that when you were here before, +Mr. Jenks?" + +"No. Probably that is only a lightning rod, or it may be a staff for a +signal flag. But what surprises me is that those men didn't suspect +that we were seeking to discover their secret. They took us for ordinary +prospectors." + +"So much the better," remarked Tom. "We have a chance now of getting +inside that cave. But we will have to go back to camp, and make other +plans. And we must hurry, or it will be dark before we get there." + +They hastened their steps, pausing only briefly to eat some of the lunch +they had brought along, and to drink from a spring that bubbled from the +side of the mountain. It was getting dusk when they got back to their +tent. They found nothing disturbed. + +"I wonder if we'll see that phantom again to-night?" ventured Tom, as +they were sitting about the campfire a little later. + +"Probably not," remarked Mr. Jenks. "I don't believe the ghost will +venture down the dangerous trail after dark, and the gang may think +that the warning given us by the two men on guard at the cave will be +sufficient. But if we don't leave here by to-morrow I think we will have +another visit from the thing in white." + +It was about an hour after this when Tom was collecting some wood in a +pile nearer the fire, so as to have it ready to throw on, in case there +was any alarm in the night, that he happened to look up toward the +summit of the mountain. A slight noise, as of loose stones rolling down, +attracted his attention, and, at first, he feared lest another landslide +was beginning, but a moment later he saw what caused it. + +There, advancing down the steep and dangerous trail was the figure +in white--the phantom. Instantly a daring plan came into Tom's head. +Dropping the wood softly, he moved back out of the glare of the fire. + +"Mr. Jenks!" he called in a whisper. + +The diamond man, who was behind the tent, came toward Tom. + +"What is it?" he asked. Then, as he saw the ghostly visitor, he added: +"Oh--the phantom again! What's it up to?" + +"The same thing," replied Tom, "but it won't do it long, if my plan +succeeds." + +"What plan is that, Tom?" + +"I'm going to try to capture that--that man--or whatever it is. Will you +help?" + +"Surely!" + +"Then let's work around behind it, while Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker come +up from in front. We'll solve this part of the mystery, anyhow, if it's +possible!" + +The two other men were soon told of the plan. Meanwhile the thing in +white had advanced slowly, until within a few hundred feet of the camp. +They could see now that it was no shaft of light, but some white body, +shaped like a tall, thin man, draped in a white garment. The long arms +waved to and fro. There was no semblance of a head. + +"You and Mr. Parker go right toward it, slowly, Mr. Damon," advised +Tom. "Mr. Jenks and I will make a circle, and get in back. Then, if it's +anything alive we'll have it." + +The "ghost" continued to advance. Tom and the diamond man stole off to +one side, their buckskin moccasins making no sound. Mr. Damon and the +scientist went boldly forward. + +This movement appeared to disconcert the spirit. It halted, waved the +arms with greater vigor than before, and seemed to indicate to the +adventurers that it was dangerous to advance. But Mr. Damon and Mr. +Parker kept on. They wanted to give Tom and Mr. Jenks time enough to +make the circuit. + +Suddenly the stillness of the night was broken by a low whistle. It was +Tom's signal that he and Mr. Jenks were ready. + +"Come on! Run!" cried Mr. Damon. + +The scientist and the eccentric man leaped forward. + +The "ghost" heard the whistle, and heard the spoken words. The thing in +white hesitated a moment, and then raised one arm. There was a flash of +fire, and a loud report. + +"He's firing in the air!" cried Tom. "Come on, we have him now!" + +Undaunted by the display of firearms, Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker kept on. +They could hear Tom and Mr. Jenks running up in back of the figure. +The latter also heard this, and suddenly turned. Caught between the two +forces of our friends, the "ghost" was at a loss what to do. + +The next instant Tom, who had distanced Mr. Jenks, made a flying tackle +for the figure in white, and caught it around the legs. Very substantial +legs they were, too, Tom felt--the legs of a man. + +"Wow!" yelled the "ghost," as he went down in a heap, the revolver +falling from his hand. + +"Come on!" cried Tom. "I have him!" + +His friends rushed to his aid. There was a confused mass of dark bodies, +arms and legs mingled with something tall and thin, all in white. +Suddenly the moon came from behind a cloud and they could see what they +had captured--for captured the phantom was. + +It proved to be a rather small man, who wore upon his shoulders a +framework of wood, over which some white cloth was draped. It had fallen +off him when Tom made that tackle. + +"Well," remarked the young inventor, as he sat on the struggling man's +chest. "I guess we've got you." + +"I rather guess you have, stranger," was the cool reply. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII--BILL RENSHAW WILL HELP + + +They were all panting from the exertion of the run up the mountain and +the contest with the phantom--a phantom no longer--though, truth to +tell, the struggle was not nearly so fierce as Tom had expected. He +thought the "ghost" would put up a stiff fight. + +"Got any ropes to tie him with?" asked Mr. Damon, who was helping Tom +hold the man down. + +"Ropes? You aren't going to tie me up are you, strangers?" asked the +captive. + +"That's what we are!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks. "We've had trouble enough in +this matter, and if I've got one of the gang, perhaps I can get some of +the others, and have my rights. So tie him up, Tom, and we'll take him +to camp. + +"Oh, you needn't go to all that trouble, strangers," went on the man, +calmly. "If one of you will get off my chest, and the other gentleman +ease up on my stomach a bit, I'll walk wherever you want me, and not +make any trouble. I haven't got a gun." + +"Bless my gloves! But you're a cool one," commented Mr. Damon, as he +complied with the man's request, and got up from his stomach. "But look +out for him, Tom. He had a gun, for he fired it in the air." + +"He hasn't it now," answered the young inventor. "I knocked it from his +hand when I leaped for him." + +"That's what you did," assented the man, as he got up, while Tom kept a +tight hold of him, as did Mr. Jenks. "What kind of a grizzly bear hug do +you call that, anyhow, that you gave me?" + +"That was a football tackle," explained Tom. + +"I allers heard that was a dangerous game!" remarked the former phantom +simply. "Well, now you've got me, what are you going to do with me?" + +"Take you where we can have a good look at you," replied Mr. Jenks, as +he kicked aside the wooden framework, and the sheet which had made the +"ghost" appear so tall. "So this is how you worked it; eh?" + +"Yep. That was the 'haunt' stranger. I made it myself, and it worked all +right until you folks come along. I rather suspicioned from the first, +when I played the trick over on 'tother side of the mountain, that you +wouldn't be so easy to fool as most prospectors are." + +"Oh, so you're the only ghost then?" asked Tom. + +"I'm the only one." + +By this time they had reached the camp. Tom threw some light logs on the +fire, which blazed up brightly. As the flames illuminated the face of +their captive, Mr. Jenks looked at him, and cried out: + +"Why it's Bill Renshaw!" + +"That's me," admitted the man who had played the part of the phantom, +"and thunder-turtles! if it ain't Mr. Jenks who was once in the diamond +cave with us. Whatever happened to you? I never heard. The others said +you got tired and went away." + +"They took me away--defrauded me of my rights!" declared Mr. Jenks, +bitterly. "But I'll get them back! To think of Bill Renshaw playing the +part of a ghost!" + +"They made me do it," went on the man, somewhat dejectedly. "I wanted to +be at work in the cave, but they wouldn't let me." + +"Is this man one of the diamond makers?" asked Tom, in great surprise. + +"He is--one of the helpers, though I don't believe he knows the secret +of making the gems," explained Mr. Jenks. "He was one of the men in the +cave when I was there before, and he and I struck up quite a friendship; +didn't we, Renshaw?" + +"That's what, and there ain't no reason why we can't be friends now; +that is unless you hold a grudge against me for firing at you. But I +only shot in the air, to scare you away. Them's my instructions. I'm +supposed to be on guard, and scare away strangers. I'm tired of the +work, too, for I don't get my share, and those other fellows, in the +cave, get all the money from the diamonds." + +Tom Swift uttered an exclamation. A sudden plan had come to him. Quickly +he whispered to Mr. Jenks: + +"Make a friend of this man if possible. He evidently is dissatisfied. +Offer him a sum to show us another way into the cave, and we may yet +discover the secret of the diamond makers." + +"I will," declared Mr. Jenks, quietly. Then, turning to Renshaw, he +added: + +"Bill, come over here. I want to have a talk with you. Perhaps it will +be to our mutual advantage." + +He led the former phantom to one side, and for some time conversed +earnestly with him. Mr. Jenks told the story of how he had been deceived +by Folwell and the others who were at the head of the gang of diamond +makers. The rich man related how they had taken his money, and, after +promising to disclose the secret process to him, had broken faith, and +had drugged him, afterward taking him out of the cave. + +"I want only my rights, and that for which I paid," concluded Mr. Jenks. +"Now, I gather that these men haven't treated you altogether fairly, +Bill." + +"Indeed they haven't. I helped 'em to the best of my ability, and all +I get out of it is to stay out on this lonely side of the mountain, +and play ghost. They owe me money, too, and they won't pay me, either, +though they have lots, for they sold some diamonds lately." + +"Then they are still making diamonds?" asked Mr. Jenks, eagerly. "Have +you seen them? Do you know the secret?" + +"No, I don't know it, for they won't let me in on it. I'm always sent +out of the cave just before they make the gems. But I know they've made +some lately, and have sold 'em. I want my share." + +"Look here!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks, quickly, wishing to strike while the +iron was hot. "I'll make you a proposition. Show us how to get into that +cave, unknown to the diamond makers, and I'll pay you twice what they +agreed to. Is it a bargain?" + +Bill Renshaw considered a moment. Then he thrust out his hand, clasped +that of Mr. Jenks, and exclaimed: + +"It is. I'll take you into the cave by an entrance that's seldom used. +There are four ways to get in. The one where the two men drove you back +is the rear one. The front one is on the other side of the mountain, but +it's so well concealed that you'd never find it. But I can take you to +one where you can get in, and those fellows will never know it. And, +what's more, I'll help you if it comes to a fight!" + +"Good!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks. "I think we'll discover the secret of the +diamond makers this time," and he went to tell the others of the success +of his talk. Bill Renshaw had been converted from an enemy into a +friend, and the former phantom was now ready to lead Tom and the others +into the secret cave. + +"We'll start in the morning," decided Mr. Jenks, who, after many +disappointments, at last saw success ahead of him. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX--IN THE SECRET CAVE + + +Tom Swift was up at break of day, and the others were not far behind +him. + +"Now for the secret cave!" cried the young inventor as he gazed up +the mountain, in the interior of which the mysterious band of men were +making the diamonds. + +"Have you made any plans, Bill?" asked Mr. Jenks of the former phantom, +who had cast his lot in with the adventurers. "What will be the best +course for us to follow?" + +"You just leave it to me, Mr. Jenks," was the answer. "I'll get you into +the cave, and those fellows, who, I believe, are trying to do me out of +my rights, as they did you out of yours, will never know a thing about +it." + +"Bless my finger-nails!" cried Mr. Damon. "That will be great! We can +get in the cave, and watch them make the diamonds at our leisure." + +"They don't make them every day," explained Renshaw. "It seems they +have to wait for certain occasions. Mostly they make the diamonds when +there's a big storm." + +"A big storm," asked the scientist with a sudden show of interest. +"Do you mean one of those electrical storms, such as we had the other +night?" + +"That's it, Mr. Parker, though why they wait until there's a storm is +more than I can tell." + +"Perhaps they know that on such occasions no one will venture up the +mountain," spoke Mr. Damon. + +"No, it isn't that," declared the scientist. "I think I am on the +track of a great scientific discovery, and I will soon be able to make +observations that will confirm it." + +"Well, I'm going to make an observation right now," said Tom, with a +laugh. "I'm going to see what there is for breakfast." + +"And that reminds me," came from Mr. Jenks, "shall we move our camp, +Bill, and take the tent with us to the cave?" + +"I hardly think so," was the answer. "I think the best plan would be to +conceal the tent somewhere around here, in case you might need it again. +You can also store what food you have left." + +"But, bless my appetite, we don't want to starve in that diamond cave!" +objected Mr. Damon. + +"I'll see that you don't," declared Bill Renshaw. "I'll take you in +there, unbeknownst to those fellows, and I'll provide you with plenty +of food and water. You see the cave is so big that there are some parts +they never visit." + +"And we can stay in one of those parts, and eat?" asked Tom. + +"Sure," answered Bill. + +"And watch the diamond makers at work?" asked Mr. Jenks. + +"That's it," replied the former phantom. + +"Then the sooner we get started the better," remarked Mr. Damon. Mr. +Parker said nothing. He appeared to be thinking deeply, and was tapping +at some rocks with his little hammer. + +The advice of Bill Renshaw was followed, and the tent, and what food +remained, was concealed in the bushes, with rocks piled over to keep +away prowling animals. Then they started for the secret cave. + +The man who played the part of a ghost picked up the framework and white +cloth that had formed his disguise. + +"I'll still have to use this," he explained, "for I don't want those +fellows to know that I'm helping you. I'll continue to play the spirit +of the mountain, but there won't be much need of it. I don't think any +more people will come prospecting out here." + +"Have you heard of the arrival of Farley Munson?" asked Tom, as he +related the facts about the stowaway. + +"He hadn't arrived up to a day or so ago," answered Bill. "I guess he's +still traveling. Farley is one of the heads of the gang," he added, "and +a dangerous man." + +As Bill led the way toward the cave, taking a route that the adventurers +had never suspected led to it, he explained that the cavern was a large +one, capable of holding an army. + +"But there's only a small part of it used by the diamond makers," he +added. "They work in a small recess, near the summit of the mountain. +The little cave, where I'm going to take you, opens off from it by a +long passage. And, except that you'll be pretty much in the dark, you'll +be quite comfortable. There are tables, chairs, and some bunks in the +place. I can get you some lights, and plenty of food." + +"But, if you are seen taking away food, won't the others suspect +something?" asked Tom. + +"I do pretty much as I please," said Bill. "I go and come when I like. +All I'm supposed to do is to watch my two sides of the mountain, play +the ghost, and give warning when any one is coming. Sometimes I leave +black and white messages, like the one I put on your tent. Those fellows +fix 'em up for me. I've told 'em about you, though I didn't know who you +were, and they think you have gone, for the two men on guard at the rear +entrance so reported. Sometimes I stay out on the mountain for a couple +of days at a time, when the weather's good, and don't go back to the +cave. Those times I take food with me, and so if they see me making off +with some supplies they'll think I'm going to camp out." + +"It doesn't look as though we'd ever get into a cave near the top of the +mountain, going this way," said Tom, as they marched along. "We're going +down, instead of up." + +"That's the secret of this trail," explained Bill. "We go down in a +sort of valley, and then go up a pretty stiff place, and then we're on +a direct trail to the entrance I told you about. It's a steep road to +climb, but I guess we can manage it." + +And a hard climb the adventurers did find it. The road was almost as bad +as the one along the edge of the chasm, but they managed to negotiate +it, and finally found themselves on a fairly good trail. + +"We'll soon be there," Bill assured them. "After you get in the little +cave, where I'm going to hide you, I'll have to leave you for a spell, +until I get my ghost rigging fixed up again. But I'll see that you have +plenty of food and drink." + +A little later their guide came to a sudden halt, and peered around +anxiously. + +"What's the matter?" asked Tom. + +"I was just looking to see if any of the men were about," he answered. +"But I guess not--it looks all right. The entrance is right here." + +They were on a side of the mountain, near the summit. Below stretched a +magnificent scene. A great valley lay at their feet, and they could look +off to many distant peaks. The main trail to Leadville, and the one to +the settlement of Indian Ridge, was in sight. + +Suddenly Tom, who had been using a small but powerful telescope, uttered +an exclamation, and focussed the instrument on a speck that seemed +moving along on the trail below. + +"A man--coming up the mountain," cried Tom. "And--it can't be--yet it +is--it's Farley Munson--the stowaway!" he cried. "He's coming here!" + +"Let me look!" begged Mr. Jenks, taking the glass from Tom. An instant +later the diamond man exclaimed: "Yes, it's Munson!" + +"Then in here with you--quick!" cried Renshaw. "He can't see us yet, and +we'll be out of sight in another minute." + +The former spirit pulled aside some thick bushes, and pointed to a hole +which was disclosed. + +"The entrance to the secret cave," he announced. "Slip in all of you." + +Tom, after another glance at the man toiling his way up the mountain, +entered the cavern. He was followed by the others. Bill was the last to +enter, and he replaced the bushes over the entrance. + +"At last!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks, as he gazed up at the roof of the +dimly-lighted vault in which they found themselves. + +"Yes, we're in the diamond makers' secret cave," added Tom. "Now to +catch them at work!" + +"Come on," advised Bill, in a low tone, "We're not safe yet," and he +produced a lantern from some hidden recess, lighted the wick, and led +the way. As the others followed they were aware of a subdued noise in +the great cavern. + + + + +CHAPTER XX--MAKING THE DIAMONDS + + +"What's that noise?" asked Tom, as their guide flashed the lantern to +show them the way. + +"That's the men getting ready to make diamonds, I guess," was the +answer. "You see it takes quite a while to get the stuff ready. I don't +know what they use--they never tell me any of their secrets." + +"Oh, I know the ingredients well enough," said Mr. Jenks, "but I +don't know the secret of how they apply the terrific heat and pressure +necessary to fuse the materials into diamonds." + +"Well, you'll soon know," declared Bill Renshaw. "Of course it isn't +always successful. I've known 'em to try half a dozen times before they +got any diamonds big enough to satisfy 'em. They gave me some of the +small ones when I asked for my wages. + +"How did you come to get in with these men?" asked Tom, curious to +understand how a person seemingly as honest as Renshaw appeared to be +had cast his lot in with the men who had broken faith with Mr. Jenks. + +"Oh, I've lived around these parts all my life," was the answer. "I knew +of this cave before these diamond fellers came to it. In fact, I +showed it to 'em. It was several years ago that a party of men who were +prospecting around here came to me and asked if I knew of a small cave +near the top of a high mountain, where lightning storms were frequent. +I told them about Phantom Mountain, as it was called then, and also of +this cave. If there's any place where they have worse lightning storms +than here, I'd like to know it. They scare me, sometimes, like the night +when that landslide happened, and I'm sort of used to 'em. + +"Well, I took these men to the cave, and they hired me as a sort of +lookout. Then they began their work, and at first I didn't know what +they were up to, but finally I caught on. Then Mr. Jenks came, and +disappeared mysteriously, though then I didn't know that they had played +a trick on him. I was outside most of the time, pretending I was the +ghost. So that's how I came to get in with 'em, and I wish I was out." + +"You soon will be, I think," declared Mr. Jenks. "But won't our talking +be heard by the men?" + +"No danger. There is a thick wall between this part of the cave, and the +part where they live and work. I'll soon have you well hid, and then you +wait until I come back." + +"What about Munson?" asked Tom. "He is evidently on his way here to tell +his confederates about us." + +"He won't know what has happened to us," said Mr. Jenks, "and he won't +see anything of us. I guess we're safe enough." + +Through the dark passage they followed Bill Renshaw until he came to a +halt in a place that suddenly widened and broadened into a good-sized +cave. + +"Here's your stopping place," said the former ghost. "Now if you follow +that passage, off to the left," and he pointed to it, "you'll come +to the larger part of the cave where the diamond makers are. But go +cautiously, and don't make any noise. I won't be responsible for what +happens." + +"We'll take all the risk," interrupted Tom. + +"All right. Now there's a couple of lanterns around here. I'll light +them, and leave you for a while until I can get some grub. I'll be back +as soon as I can." + +He glided away, after lighting two lanterns, by the gleams of which +the adventurers could see that they were in a vaulted cavern that had +evidently been fitted up as a living apartment. The sides, roof and +floor were of stone. It was clean, and the air was fresh. There were +some chairs, a table, and several cots, with pieces of bagging for +bedding, though it was warm in the place. + +"I guess we can stay here until we discover the secret," spoke Tom. + +"Bless my watch! We can if we have something to eat," came from Mr. +Damon, with something like a sigh. "I'm hungry!" + +"And I want to make some observations," said Mr. Parker. "From what I +have seen of this mountain, I would not be surprised if this cave was +to be suddenly destroyed by a landslide or a lightning bolt. I will make +some further investigations." + +"Well, if it's going to cause you to make such gloomy prophecies as +that, I'd just as soon you wouldn't look any further," spoke Tom, in +a low voice. But Mr. Parker, taking one of the lanterns, set about +examining the rock of which the cave consisted. + +In a short time Bill Renshaw returned with enough food to last for two +days. He said he was going out on the mountain once more to act the part +of a lookout, and would visit the adventurers again the next day. + +"In the meanwhile you can do just as you please," he said. "Nobody is +likely to disturb you here, and you can sneak up and take a look at the +men in the other cave whenever you're ready. Only be careful--that's all +I've got to say. They're desperate men." + +It was not very pleasant, eating in the gloomy cavern, but they made the +best of it. They cooked on a small oil-stove they found in the place, +and after some hot coffee they felt much better. + +"Well," remarked Tom, after a while, "shall we take a chance, and go +look at the men at work?" + +"I think so," answered Mr. Jenks. "The sooner we discover this mystery, +the better. Then we can go back home." + +"And recover my airship," added Tom, who was a bit uneasy regarding the +safety of the Red Cloud. + +"Then, bless my finger-rings! let's go and see if we can find the big +cave your friend the ghost told us of," suggested Mr. Damon. + +Cautiously they made their way along the passage Bill had pointed out. +As they went forward the subdued noise became louder, and finally they +could feel the vibration of machinery. + +"This is the place," whispered Mr. Jenks. "That sound we hear is one of +the mixing machines, for grinding the materials--carbon and the other +substances--which go to make up the diamonds. I remember hearing that +when I was in the cave before." + +"Then we must be near the place," observed Tom. + +"Yes, but I didn't have much chance to look around when I was here +before. They wouldn't let me. I never even knew of the small cave Bill +took us to." + +"Well, if we're close to it, we'd better go cautiously, and not talk any +more than we're obliged to," suggested Mr. Parker, and they agreed that +this was good advice. + +They walked on softly. Suddenly Tom, who was in the lead, saw a gleam of +light. + +"We're here," he whispered. "I'll put out our lantern, now," which he +did. Then, stealing forward he and the others beheld a curious sight. +The tunnel they were in ended at a small hole which opened into a large +cavern, and, fortunately, this opening was concealed from the view of +those in the main place. + +"The diamond makers!" whispered Tom, hoarsely, pointing to several men +grouped about a number of strange machines. + +"Yes--the very place where I was," answered Mr. Jenks, "and there is the +apparatus--the steel box--from which the diamonds are taken--now to see +how they make them." + +Fascinated, the adventurers looked into the cave. The men there were +unaware of the presence of our friends, and were busily engaged. Some +attended to the grinding machine, the roar and clatter of which made +it possible for Tom and the others to talk and move about without being +overheard. Into this machine certain ingredients were put, and they were +then pulverized, and taken out in powdery form. + +The power to run the mixing machine was a gasoline motor, which +chug-chugged away in one corner of the cave. + +As the powder was taken out, other men fashioned it into small balls, +which were put on pan, and into a sort of oven, that was heated by a +gasoline stove. + +"Is that how they make the diamonds?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"That is evidently the first step," said Mr. Jenks. "Those balls of +powdered chemicals are partly baked, and then they are put into the +steel box. In some way terrific heat and pressure are applied, and the +diamonds are made. But how the heat and pressure are obtained is what we +have yet to learn." + +He paused to watch the men at work. They were all busy, some attending +to the machines, and others coming and going in and out of the cave. In +one part a man was apparently getting ready a meal. + +Suddenly there rushed into the cave a man who seemed much excited. + +"Are you nearly ready with that stuff?" he cried. "There's a good storm +gathering on the mountain!" + +"Yes, we'll be ready in half an hour," answered one of the men at the +mixing machine. + +"Good. It will be flashing lightning bolts then, and we can see what +luck we have. The last batch was a failure." The man hurried out again. +Mr. Parker touched Tom and Mr. Jenks on their shoulders. + +"What is it?" asked Tom. + +"I know the secret of making the diamonds," said the scientist. + +"What?" cried Mr. Jenks. + +"It is by the awful power of the lightning bolts!" whispered Mr. Parker. +"Everything is explained now--the reason why they make diamonds in this +lonely place, near the top of the mountain. They need a place where the +lightning is powerful. I can understand it now--I suspected it before. +They make diamonds by lightning!" + +"Are you sure?" cried Mr. Jenks. + +"Positive." + +"I agree with you," said Tom Swift. "I was just getting on that track +myself, when I saw the electric wires running to the steel box. That +explains the upright rod on the top of the mountain. The man says +a storm is coming--very well; we'll stay here and watch them make +diamonds!" + +As he spoke there came the mutter of thunder, and the mountain vibrated +slightly. The men in the cave redoubled their activity. Tom and his +friends felt that the secret process they had so long sought was about +to be demonstrated before their eyes. + + + +CHAPTER XXI--FLASHING GEMS + + +Eagerly the adventurers looked through the opening at the end of the +passage into the larger cave. The men opened the small oven in which the +balls of white chemicals and carbon mixed, had been baked, and a pile of +things, that looked like irregularly-shaped marbles, were placed in the +steel box. + +This box, which was about the size of a trunk, was of massive metal. It +was placed in a recess in the solid rock, and all about were layers of +asbestos and other substances that were nonconductors of heat. + +"That box becomes red hot," exclaimed Mr. Jenks, in a whisper. "When +things are in readiness, that lever is pulled and the diamonds are +made. I pulled it once, but I did not then know the process involved. I +supposed that the lightning had nothing to do with making the diamonds." + +"It has--a most important part," said Mr. Parker. The hidden adventurers +could talk in perfect safety now, for the men in the large cave were too +excited to pay much attention to them. The muttering of the thunder +grew louder, and at times a particularly loud crash told that a bolt had +struck somewhere in the vicinity of the cave. + +"But, bless my watch-charm!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, "I didn't know +lightning made diamonds." + +"It does not--always," went on the scientist. "But great heat and +pressure are necessary to create the gems. In nature this was probably +obtained by prehistoric volcanic fires, and by the terrific pressure of +immense rocks. It is possible to make diamonds in the laboratory of the +chemist, but they are so minute as to be practically valueless. + +"However, these men seem to have hit upon a new plan. They utilize the +terrific heat of lightning, and the pressure which is instantaneously +obtained when the bolt strikes. I am anxious to see how it is done. +Look, I think they are getting ready to make the gems." + +Indeed there seemed to be an air of expectancy among the diamond makers. +The mixing machine had now been stopped, and, as it was more quiet +in the cave, our friends, in their hiding-place, had to speak in mere +whispers. All the men were now gathered about the great steel box. + +This receptacle had been closed by a solid metal door, which was screwed +and clamped tight. Then one of the men examined a number of heavily +insulated electric wires that extended from the box off into the +darkness where Tom and his companions could not discern them. + +"That's Folwell--the man I befriended, and who got me into this game," +whispered Mr. Jenks. "He was also one of the first to turn against me. I +think he's one of the leaders." + +Folwell came back, after having gone into a dark part of the cave. He +went over to an electrical switch on one of the stone walls. + +"It's almost time," Tom heard him say to his confederates. "The storm is +coming up rapidly." + +"Will it be severe enough?" asked one of the helpers. "We had all our +work for nothing last time. The flashes weren't heavy enough." + +"These will be," asserted Folwell. "The indicator shows nearly a million +volts now, and it's increasing." + +"A million volts!" exclaimed Tom. "I hope it doesn't strike anywhere +around here." + +"Oh, it will probably be harmlessly conducted down on the heavy wires," +said Mr. Parker. "We are in no danger, at present, though ultimately I +expect to see the whole mountain shattered by a lightning bolt." + +"Cheerful prospect," murmured Tom. + +There was a terrific crash outside. The rocky floor of the cave +trembled. + +"Here she comes!" cried Folwell. "Get back, everybody! I'm going to +throw over the switch now!" + +The men retreated well away from the steel box. Folwell threw over the +lever--the same one Mr. Jenks remembered pulling. Then the man ran +to the electric switch on the wall, and snapped that into place, +establishing a connection. + +There was a moment's pause, as Folwell ran to join the others in their +place of safety. Then from without there came a most nerve-racking and +terrifying crash. It seemed as if the very mountain would be rent into +fragments. + +Watching with eager eyes, the adventurers saw sparks flash from the +steel box. Instantly it became red hot, and then glowed white and +incandescent. It was almost at the melting point. + +Then came comparative quiet, as the echoes of the thunder died away amid +the mountain peaks. + +"I guess that did the trick!" cried Folwell. "It was a terrific crash +all right!" + +He and the others ran forward. The steel box was now a cherry red, +for it was cooling. Folwell threw back the lever, and another man +disconnected the switch. There was a period of waiting until the box was +cool enough to open. Then the heavy door was swung back. + +With a long iron rod Folwell drew something from the retort. It was the +tray which had held the white balls. But they were white no longer, for +they had been turned into diamonds. From their hiding-place Tom and the +others could see the flashing gems, for, in spite of the fact that the +diamonds were uncut, some of them sparkled most brilliantly, due to the +peculiar manner in which they were made. + +"We have the secret of the diamonds!" whispered Mr. Jenks. "There must +be a quart of the gems there!" + +The men gathered about Folwell, uttering exclamations of delight. The +diamonds were too hot to handle yet. + +"That's going some!" exclaimed the chief of the diamond makers. "We have +a small fortune here." + +The was a sudden commotion at one end of the cave. A man rushed in. At +the sight of him Tom stared and uttered an exclamation. + +"Munson--the stowaway!" he whispered. + +"Hello!" cried Folwell, as he saw his confederate. "I thought you were +East, keeping Jenks away from here." + +"He got the best of me!" cried Munson, "he and that Tom Swift! I stowed +away on their airship, but they found me out by a wireless message, +and marooned me in the woods. I've been trying to get here ever since! +Didn't you get my messages of warning?" + +"No--what warnings?" cried Folwell. + +"About Jenks, Tom Swift and the others. They're here--they must be on +Phantom Mountain now. In fact, I shouldn't be surprised if they were in +this cave. I traced them to their camp, but they're gone. They may be +among us now--in some of the secret recesses!" + +For an instant Folwell stared at the bearer of these tidings. Then he +cried out: + +"Scatter men, and find these fellows! We must get them before they +discover our secret!" + +"It's too late--we know it!" exulted Tom Swift. Then he whispered to +the others to hurry to the part of the cave where Bill Renshaw had first +hidden them. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII--PRISONERS + + +"Do you think there is any danger of them finding us?" asked Mr. Damon, +as he hurried along beside Tom. + +"I'm afraid so," was the answer. "I've been worried ever since we saw +Munson heading this way. But we couldn't do any differently." + +"Perhaps Bill Renshaw may be able to conceal us," suggested Mr. Jenks. +"Very likely he knows that Munson is on hand. Perhaps we will be safe +for a while. I want to make a few more observations as to how they +manufacture the diamonds, and then, with what I already know, I'll have +the secret." + +"And I'd like to make some scientific tests of the sides and bottom +rocks of the cave," spoke Mr. Parker. "I think it will bear out my +theory that the mountain will soon be destroyed." + +"Well, you were right about Earthquake Island, and you may be right +about this mountain," said Tom, "but if it is going to be annihilated I +hope we get far enough away from it." + +"We can keep our presence here a secret for a few more days, I think +that will be long enough," proceeded Mr. Jenks. "Then we will leave." + +"And, in the meanwhile, they'll be searching for us," objected Mr. +Damon. "I wish that ghost-chap would come back and tell us what to do. +Bless my liver-pin, but we are going to be in considerable danger, I'm +afraid! Those men may capture us, and decide to make diamond dust from +us." + +"Come on--hurry to the little cave," urged Tom. "Then we'll get ready to +defend ourselves." + +"The main cave is a large one," said Mr. Jenks, "and there are many +hiding places in it. In fact, it is so large that it will take those +fellows several days to complete a circuit of it. By that time Bill +Renshaw may come back, and take us to some place in which they have +already searched for us. Then we'll be comparatively safe." + +This thought was some consolation to them, as they made their way +through the dark passage, dimly illuminated by the lantern they had +rekindled, to the place where Bill had hidden them. They found things +as they had left them, and proceeded to get a meal, though Tom said it +would be best not to cook anything, or even to make coffee, for fear the +odors would enable the searchers to trail them. + +So they ate cold food, glad to get that. Silently they sat about the +dimly-lighted cavern, and discussed the situation. True they might even +now retreat, going out of the entrance Bill had showed them, and so +escape. But Mr. Jenks felt that his mission was not completed yet, and +they all agreed to stay with him. + +"For there are several points about making diamonds that are not +quite clear to me," he said. "I need to know how that steel box is +constructed, how the electrical switches are arranged, what kind of +lightning rods they use, and how they regulate the pressure. The other +things, and how to mix the ingredients, I already know." + +"Then we'll do our best to help you," promised Tom. "But now I think we +had better see what sort of a defense we can put up. We have our guns +and revolvers, and with these chairs and tables we can build a sort of +barricade behind which we can take refuge if those fellows do discover +our hiding place." + +This was conceded to be a good idea, and soon a rude sort of fort was +made, behind which the adventurers could take their stand and fight, if +necessary, though they hoped this would not come to pass. + +They remained quietly in the cave the remainder of that day, and, when +it was night, as they could tell by their timepieces--there was no +daylight--they divided the hours into watches, taking turns standing +guard. + +Morning, at least in point of time, came without any disturbance, and +they made a cold breakfast. They hoped that Bill Renshaw would come, but +he did not appear. + +After sitting in the dark cave until afternoon, Tom said: + +"I think we might as well go and take another observation of the big +cave. We can tell what the men are doing, then, for they don't seem to +have been near us. Maybe they have given up the search for us, and we +can see them at work, and Mr. Jenks can gain what further knowledge he +needs." + +"That will be a good plan," agreed the diamond man. "It's maddening to +sit here, doing nothing." + +"And it will be comparatively safe to go from here to our former post of +observation," added Tom, "for there doesn't seem to be any opening along +the tunnel, into the larger cave, except the place where we were." + +Accordingly they started off. Cautiously they looked through the opening +into the apartment where they had seen the diamonds made. + +"There's not a soul here!" exclaimed Tom, in a whisper. The others +looked. The place was deserted--the machinery silent. Mr. Jenks peered +in for a moment, and then exclaimed: + +"I'm going in! Now's my chance to find out all that I wish to know! It +may never come again, and then we can soon leave Phantom Mountain!" + +It was a daring plan, but it seemed to be the best one to follow. They +were all tired of inactivity. Mr. Jenks managed to get through the +opening, and dropped into the big cave. The others followed. Mr. Jenks +hurried over to the steel box, and began an examination of it. Tom Swift +was looking at the electrical switch. He saw how it was constructed. Mr. +Damon and Mr. Parker were peering interestedly about. + +Suddenly the sound of voices was heard, and the echo of footsteps. Mr. +Jenks started. + +"They're coming back!" he whispered hoarsely. "Run!" + +They all turned and sped toward their hiding place. But they were too +late. An instant later Folwell, Munson and the other diamond makers +confronted them. Our friends made a bold rush, but were caught before +they could go ten feet. + +"We have them!" cried Munson. "They walked right into our hands!" + +It was true. Tom Swift and the others were the prisoners of the diamond +makers. + + + +CHAPTER XXIII--BROKEN BONDS + + +"Well," remarked Tom Swift, in mournful tones, "this looks as if we were +up against it; doesn't it?" + +"Bless my umbrella, it certainly does," agreed Mr. Damon. + +"And it's all my fault," said Mr. Jenks. "I shouldn't have gone into the +big cave. I might have known those men would come back any time." + +The above conversation took place as our friends lay securely bound in +a small cave, or recess, opening from the larger cavern, where, about +an hour before, they had been captured and made prisoners by the diamond +makers. Despite their struggles they had been overpowered and bound, +being carried to the cave, where they were laid in a row on some old +bags. + +"It certainly is a most unpleasant situation, to say the least," +observed Mr. Parker. + +"And all my fault," repeated Mr. Jenks. + +"Oh, no it isn't," declared Tom Swift, quickly. "We were just as ready +to follow you into that cave as you were to go. No one could tell that +the men would return so soon. It's nobody's fault. It's just our bad +luck." + +From where he lay, tied hand and foot, the young inventor could look +out into the cave where he and the others had been caught. The diamond +makers were busily engaged, apparently in getting ready to manufacture +another batch of the precious stones. They paid little attention to +their captives, save to warn them, when they had first been taken into +the little cave, that it was useless to try to escape. + +"They needn't have told us that," observed Tom, as he and the others +were talking over their situation in low voices. "I don't believe any +one could loosen these ropes." + +"They certainly are pretty tight," agreed Mr. Damon. "I've been tugging +and straining at mine for the last half hour, and all I've succeeded in +doing is to make the cords cut into my flesh." + +"Better give it up," advised Mr. Jenks. + +"We'll just have to wait." + +"For what?" the scientist wanted to know. + +"To see what they'll do with us. They can't keep us here forever. +They'll have to let us go some time." Following their capture, Folwell +and Munson, the latter the stowaway of the airship, had been in earnest +conversation regarding our friends, but what conclusion they had reached +the adventurers could only guess. + +"And we didn't have time to examine the diamond-making machinery close +enough so that we could duplicate it if necessary," complained Tom, a +little later. + +"No," agreed Mr. Jenks. "There are certain things about it that are not +clear to me. Well, I don't believe I'll have another chance to inspect +it. They'll take good care of that, though they seem to be getting ready +to make more diamonds." + +"Perhaps they're going to manufacture a big batch, and then leave this +place," suggested Mr. Damon. "They will probably go to some other secret +cave, and leave us here." + +"I hope they untie us before they leave, and give us something to eat," +remarked the young inventor. + +For two hours longer the captives lay there, in most uncomfortable +positions. Then Folwell and Munson, leaving the group of diamond makers +who were grouped about the machinery, approached the captives. + +"Well," remarked Munson, "we got ahead of you after all; didn't we. You +thought you had our secret, but it will be a long while before you ever +make diamonds." + +"What are you going to do with us?" asked Tom. + +"Never mind. You came where you had no right to, and you must take the +consequences." + +"We did have a right to come here!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks. "I am entitled +to know how the diamonds are made. I paid for the information, and you +tricked me. If ever it's possible I'll have the whole gang arrested for +swindling." + +"You'll never get the chance!" declared Folwell. "You were given some +diamonds for the money you invested, and that makes us square." + +"No, it doesn't!" declared Mr. Jenks. "I invested the money to learn how +to make diamonds, and you know it! You tricked me, and I had a right +to try to discover your secret! I nearly have it, too, and I'll get it +completely before I'm done with you!" + +"No, you won't!" boasted Folwell. "But we didn't come here to tell you +that. We came to give you something to eat. We're not savages and +we'll treat you as well as we can in spite of the fact that you are +trespassers. We're going to give you some grub, but I warn you that any +attempt to escape will mean that some of you will get hurt." + +He signalled to some of his confederates. These men unbound the +captives' arms, and stood over them while they ate some coarse food that +was brought into the small cave. They were given coffee to drink, and +then, when the simple meal was over, they were securely bound again, +and left to themselves, while the diamond makers went back to their +machinery. + +It was evident that they were going to attempt a big operation, for an +unusually large quantity of the white stuff was prepared. The prisoners +watched them idly. They could see some but not all of the operations. In +this way several hours passed. + +Gloom possessed the hearts of Tom and his friends. Not only had their +expedition been almost a failure so far, but the young inventor was +worried lest the gang might discover and wreck his airship. This would +prove a serious loss. Lying there in the semi-darkness the lad imagined +all sorts of unpleasant happenings. + +At times he dozed off, as did the others. They had become somewhat used +to the pain caused by the bonds, for their nerves were numb from the +strain and pressure. + +Once, as he was lightly sleeping, Tom was awakened by hearing loud +voices in the main cave. He looked out, rolling over slightly to get a +better view. He saw the man who, once before had run in to give news of +an approaching electrical storm. + +"Are you fellows all ready?" asked this same man again. + +"Yes. Is there another storm coming?" + +"Yes, and it's going to be a corker!" was the reply. "It's one of the +worst I've ever seen. It's sweeping right up the valley. It'll be here +in an hour." + +"That's good. We need a big flash to make all the material we have +prepared into diamonds. It's the biggest batch we ever tried. I hope it +succeeds, for we're going to leave--" The rest was in so low a tone that +Tom could not catch it. + +The storm messenger departed. Folwell and Munson busied themselves about +the machinery. Tom dozed off again, dimly wondering what had become of +Bill Renshaw, and whether the former ghost knew of their plight. The +others were asleep, as the young inventor saw by the dim light of a +lantern in the cave. Then, he too, shut his eyes. + +Tom was suddenly awakened by feeling some one's hands moving about his +clothing. At first he thought it was one of the diamond-making gang, who +had sneaked in to rob him. "Here! What are you up to?" exclaimed Tom. + +"Quiet!" cautioned a voice. "Are you all here?" + +"All of us--yes. But who are you?" + +"Easy--keep quiet, Tom Swift! I'm Bill Renshaw! I've been searching all +over for you, since I got back to your cave and found it empty. Now I'm +going to free you. I got in here by a secret entrance. Wait, I'll cut +your ropes." There was a slight sound, and an instant later Tom was +freed from his bonds. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV--IN GREAT PERIL + + +The young inventor could scarcely believe the good luck that had so +unexpectedly come to him and his companions. No sooner was Tom able to +move freely about than Bill Renshaw performed the same service for Mr. +Jenks and the others, cautioning them to be quiet as he awakened them, +and cut the ropes. + +"Bless my circulation!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, in a hoarse whisper. "How +did you ever get here. I'd given ourselves up for lost." + +"Oh, I came in off the mountain, as there's a big storm due," explained +the man. "There was no need of me playing the haunt in daytime, anyhow. +I went to the cave, found you and your things gone, and I surmised that +you might have walked into some trap." + +"We did," admitted Mr. Jenks, grimly. + +"Well, I hunted around until I found you," went on Bill. "This mountain +is honeycombed with caves, all opening from the large one, I know them +better than these fellows do, so I could explore freely, and keep out of +their sight. They didn't know that there was a second entrance to this +place, but I did, and I made for it, when I couldn't find you in some of +the other caves where I looked. And, sure enough, here you were." + +"Well, we can't thank you enough," said Mr. Parker. "But you say there +is a big storm coming?" + +"One of the biggest that's been around these parts in some time," +replied Bill. + +"Then perhaps the mountain will be destroyed," went on the scientist, as +calmly as if he had remarked that it might rain. + +"I hope nothing like that happens until we get away," spoke Mr. Damon, +fervently. + +"What had we better do?" inquired Tom. + +"Get away, unless you want to discover some more of their secrets," +advised Bill. "Those fellows are planning something, but I can't find +out what it is. They are suspicious of me, I think. But they are up to +something, and I believe, it would be best for you to leave while you +have the chance. It may not be healthy to stay. That's why I did my best +to untie you." + +"We appreciate what you have done," declared Mr. Jenks, "but I want my +rights. I must learn a few more facts about how to make diamonds from +lightning flashes, and then I will have the same secret they cheated me +out of. I think if we wait a while we may be able to see the parts of +the process that are not quite clear to us. What do you say, Tom Swift?" + +"Well, I would like to learn the secret," replied the lad, "and if Bill +thinks it's safe to stay here a while longer--" + +"Oh, I guess it will be safe enough," was the reply. "Those fellows +won't bother about you now that they are about to make some more +diamonds. Besides, they think you're all tied up. Yes, you can stay here +and watch, I reckon. I've got a couple of guns, and--" + +"Then we'll stay," decided Tom. "We can put up a better fight now." + +Silently, in their prison, but which they could now leave whenever they +pleased, the adventurers watched the diamond makers once more. The same +process they had witnessed before was gone through with. The white balls +were put inside the steel box and sealed up. Then they waited for the +storm to reach its height. + +That this would not be long was evidenced by the mutterings of thunder +which every moment grew louder. The outburst of electrical fury was +likely to take place momentarily, and that it would be unusually severe +was shown by the precautions taken by the diamond makers. They attached +a number of extra wires, and brought out some insulated, hard rubber +platforms, on which they themselves stood. Tom and Mr. Jenks were much +interested in watching this detail of the work, and sought to learn how +each part of the process was done. + +"I almost think we can make diamonds, Tom, when we get back to +civilization," whispered Mr. Jenks. + +"I hope we can," answered Tom, "and we can't get back any too soon to +suit me. I want to be in my airship again." + +"I don't blame you. But look, they are getting ready to adjust the +switch." + +The adventurers ceased their whispered talk, and eagerly watched the +diamond makers. Folwell and Munson were hurrying to and fro in the big +cave, attending to the adjustments of the machinery. + +"On your insulated plates--all of you," Folwell gave the order. "This +is going to be a terrific storm. The gage shows twice the power we have +ever used, and it's creeping up every minute! We'll have more diamonds +than ever had before!" + +"Yes, if the mountain isn't destroyed," added Mr. Parker, in a low +voice. "I predict that it will be split from top to bottom!" + +"Comforting," thought Tom, grimly. + +"I guess we're all ready," said Folwell, in a low tone to Munson. "We'd +better get insulated ourselves. I'm going to throw the switch." + +He did so. A moment later the man who had before given warning of the +storm came dashing in. He was very much excited. + +"It's awful!" he cried. "The lightning is striking all over! Big rocks +are being split like logs of wood!" + +"Well, it can't do any damage in here," said Munson. "We are well +protected. Get on one of the plates," and he motioned to one of the +hard-rubber platforms that was not occupied. The roar and rumble of the +storm outside had given place to short terrific crashes. In their small +cave the adventurers could feel the solid ground shake. + +A bluish light began dancing about the electrical wires. There was a +smell of sulphur in the air. Crash after crash resounded outside. A +flash of flame lit up the whole interior of the cave. It came from the +copper switch. + +"Something's wrong with the insulation!" cried Munson. + +"Don't go near it!" yelled Folwell. "If you value your life, stand +still!" + +Hardly had he spoken than inside the cavern there sounded a report like +that of a small cannon. A big ball of fire danced about the middle of +the cave and then leaped on top of the steel box. + +"This is a fearful storm," cried Munson. + +The adventurers in the cave did not know what to say or do. They were in +deadly peril. + +Suddenly there came a crash louder than any that had preceded it. The +whole side of the cave where the switches were was a mass of bluish +flame. Then came a ripping, tearing sound, and a tangle of wires and +copper connections were thrown to the floor. At the same time the steel +box, containing the materials from which diamonds were made, turned +blue, and flames shot from it. + +"It's all up with us!" cried Munson. "Run for it, everybody! The wires +are down, and this place will be an electric furnace in another minute!" + +He leaped toward the exit from the cave. + +"What about those fellows?" asked Folwell, indicating the place where +Tom and the others had been tied. + +"They'll have to do the best they can! It's every man for himself, now!" +yelled Munson. There was a wild scramble from the cavern. + +"Come on!" cried Tom. "We must escape! It's our only chance!" + +He leaped into the big cave, followed by the others. Already long +tongues of electrical fire were shooting out from the walls and roof as +Tom Swift and his companions, evading them as best they could, sought +safety in flight. + + + +CHAPTER XXV--THE MOUNTAIN SHATTERED--CONCLUSION + + +"Can't we get some of the diamonds?" cried Mr. Damon, as he raced along +behind Tom. "Now's our chance. Those fellows have all gone!" The odd man +made a grab for something as he ran. + +"It's as much as our lives are worth," declared the young inventor. "We +dare not stop! Come on!" + +"I'd like to investigate some of the machinery," spoke Mr. Jenks, "but I +wouldn't stop, even for that." + +"The storm is too dangerous," called Bill Renshaw. "I can show you a +shorter way out than the one those fellows have taken. Follow me." + +"No way can be too short," said Mr. Parker, solemnly. "This mountain +will go to pieces shortly, I think!" + +Tom shuddered. He remembered how narrow had been their escape when +Earthquake Island sank into the sea. And that some terrific upheaval was +now imminent might be judged from the awful reports that sounded more +plainly as the adventurers raced toward the opening of the cave. It was +like the bombardment of some doomed city. + +Mr. Jenks and Tom cast one longing look behind at the complicated and +expensive machinery that had been installed in the cave by the diamond +makers. They had abandoned it, and in it lay the secret of making +precious gems. But there was no time to stop now, and investigate. + +"This way," urged Bill Renshaw. "We'll soon be out." + +"But won't it be dangerous to go outside?" asked Mr. Damon. "Shan't we +be struck by lightning? There is some protection in here." + +"None at all," said Mr. Parker, quickly. "This mountain is a natural +lightning rod. To stay here in this cave will be sure death when the +storm gets directly over it. And that will be very soon. We must get +on insulated ground. Is there any part of this mountain that does not +contain iron ore?" the scientist asked of the former spirit. + +"Yes; the way out by which we are going lands on a dirt hill." + +"That's good; then we may be saved." + +On they ran. They had no lanterns, but the blue light of the +electricity, as it leaped from point to point inside the cave, where +there were outcroppings of iron ore, made the place bright enough to +see. + +"Here we are!" cried Bill Renshaw at length. "Here's the way out!" + +Making a sudden turn in the winding passage he showed the adventurers +a small opening in the side of the crag. In an instant they had passed +through, and found themselves in daylight once more. The sudden glare +almost blinded them, for, though the sky was overcast by clouds, from +which jagged tongues of lightning played, the outside was much lighter +than the dark cave. + +"I should say it was a storm!" cried Tom Swift. "See, it is striking +every minute, and all around us!" + +In fact, lightning bolts were falling on every side of the adventurers. +Every time the balls of fire struck, they burst open great stones, +or seared a livid scar on the face of some cliff. As for Tom and the +others, they stood on a dry dirt hill, in which, fortunately, there was +no iron ore. To this fact they undoubtedly owed their lives, though +had there been rain, to moisten the ground and make the earth a good +conductor of electricity, they probably would have been badly shocked. +But the electrical outburst was not accompanied by rain. + +Tom looked up. He saw a compact mass of cloud moving toward the summit +of the mountain on the slope of which they stood. From this cloud there +played shafts of reddish-green fire. + +"Look!" called the young inventor to Mr. Parker. The instant the latter +saw the cloud, he cried: + +"We must get away from here by all means! That is the center of the +storm. As soon as it gets over the mountain, where that lightning rod +is, all the electrical fluid will be discharged in one bolt at the +mountain, and it will be destroyed! We must run, but keep on the dirt +places! Run for your lives!" + +They needed no second warning. Turning, they fled down the steep side of +the mountain, slipping and stumbling, but taking care not to step on any +iron ore. Behind them flashed the lightning bolts. + +Suddenly there was a most awful crash. It seemed as if the end of the +world had come, and the ear drums of Tom and his companion almost burst +with the fearful report. The concussion knocked them down, and they lay +stunned for a moment. + +Following the terrible report there was a low, rumbling sound. Hardly +knowing whether he was dead or alive, Tom opened his eyes and looked +about him. What he saw caused him to cry out in terror. + +The whole mountain seemed bathed in fire. Great blue, red and green +flashes played around it. Then the towering cliff seemed to melt and +crumble up, and the great peak, the top of it containing the diamond +makers' cave, from which they had fled but a few minutes before, the +entire summit was toppled over into the valley on the other side, and in +the direction opposite to that where the adventurers stood. + +Then came a profound silence, and the lightning ceased. The storm was +over, and only the rattle of stones and boulders, as they came to rest +in the valley below, reached the ears of our friends. + +"Phantom Mountain has been destroyed, just as I said it would be," spoke +Mr. Parker, solemnly. Once more he had prophesied correctly. + +For a few minutes the adventurers hardly knew what to say. They arose +awkwardly from the ground where the shock had tossed them. Then Tom +remarked, as calmly as possible: + +"Well, it's all over. I guess we may as well get back to our airship." + +"What became of Munson and the others?" asked Mr. Damon. + +Mr. Jenks pointed to the trail, far below. The figures of some men, +running madly, could be seen. + +"There they go," he said; "I fancy we have seen the last of them." And +they had, for some time at least. + +There was little use lingering any longer on Phantom Mountain--indeed +little of it was left on which to remain. Looking back toward the place +where the cave had been, Tom and the others started forward again. +The diamond-making machinery had all been destroyed. So, also, had the +finished diamonds stored in the cavern and the large supply which had +probably been made by the last terrific crash. No one would ever have +them now. Tom and Mr. Jenks felt a sense of disappointment, but they +were glad to have escaped with their lives. They sought their former +camp, but the tent and all their food was buried under tons of earth and +rocks. + +Three days later, after rather severe hardships, they were near the +place where they had left the Red Cloud. They had suffered cold and +hunger, for they had no food supplies, and, had it not been that Bill +Renshaw knew the haunts of some game, of which they managed to snare +some, they would have fared badly, for they had left their guns in the +cave. + +"Well, there are the trees behind which I hope my airship is hidden," +announced Tom, as they came to the spot. "Good old Red Cloud! Maybe we +won't do some eating when we get aboard, eh?" + +"Bless my appetite! but we certainly will!" cried Mr. Damon. + +"There's somebody walking around the place," spoke Mr. Jenks. + +"I hope it's no one who has damaged the ship," came from Tom, +apprehensively. He broke into a run, and soon confronted an aged miner, +who seemed to have established a rude sort of camp near the airship. + +"Is anything the matter?" asked Tom, breathlessly. "Is my airship all +right?" + +"I guess she's all right, stranger," was the reply. "I don't know much +about these contraptions, but I haven't touched her. I knowed she was an +airship, for I've seen pictures of 'em, and I've been waiting until the +owner came along." + +"Why?" asked Tom, wonderingly. + +"Because I've got a proposition to make to you," went on the miner, who +said his name was Abe Abercrombie. "I've been a miner for a good many +years, and I'm just back from Alaska, prospecting around here. I haven't +had any luck, but I know of a gold mine in Alaska that will make us all +rich. Only it needs an airship to get to it, and I've been figuring how +to hire one. Then I comes along, and I sees this big one, and I makes up +my mind to stay here until the owners come back. That's what I've done. +Now, if I prove that I'm telling the truth, will you go to Alaska--to +the valley of gold with me?" + +"I don't know," answered Tom, to whom the proposition was rather sudden. +"We've just had some pretty startling adventures, and we're almost +starved. Wait until we get something to eat, and we'll talk. Come aboard +the Red Cloud," and the lad led the way to his craft which was in as +good condition as when he left it to go to the diamond cave. Later he +listened to the miner's story. + +Tom Swift did go to the valley of gold in Alaska, and what happened to +him and his companions there will be told of in the next volume of this +series, to be called "Tom Swift in the Caves of Ice; or, the Wreck of +the Airship." + +It did not take our friends long, after they had eaten a hearty meal, +to generate some fresh gas, and start the Red Cloud on her homeward way. +Tom wanted to take Bill Renshaw with him, but the old man said he would +rather remain among the mountains where he had been born. So, after +paying him well for his services, they said good-by to him. Abercrombie, +the miner, also remained behind, but promised to call and see Tom in a +few months. + +"Well, we didn't make any money out of this trip," observed Mr. Jenks, +rather dubiously, as they were nearing Shopton, after an uneventful +trip. "I guess I owe you considerable, Tom Swift. I promised to get you +a lot of diamonds, but all I have are those I had from my first visit to +the cave." + +"Oh, that's all right," spoke Tom, easily. "The experience was worth all +the trip cost." + +"Speaking of diamonds, look here!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, suddenly, and he +pulled out a double handful. + +"Where did you get them?" cried the others in astonishment. + +"I grabbed them up, as we ran from the cave," said the eccentric man; +"but, bless my gaiters! I forgot all about them until you spoke. We'll +share them." + +These diamonds, some of which were large, proved very valuable, though +the total sum was far below what Mr. Jenks hoped to make when he started +on the remarkable trip. Tom gave Mary Nestor a very fine stone, and it +was set in a ring, instead of a pin, this time. + +On their arrival in Shopton, where Mr. Swift, the housekeeper, Mr. +Jackson and Eradicate Sampson were much alarmed for Tom's safety, an +attempt was made to manufacture diamonds, using a powerful electric +current instead of lightning. But it was not a success, and so Mr. Jenks +concluded to give up his search for the secret which was lost on Phantom +Mountain. + +And now we will take leave of Tom Swift, to meet him again soon in other +adventures he is destined to have in the caves of ice and the valley of +gold. + + + + +THE END + + + + + THE TOM SWIFT SERIES + + By VICTOR APPLETON + + + TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE + Or Fun and Adventure on the Road + TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT + Or The Rivals of Lake Carlopa + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP + Or The Stirring Cruise of the Red Cloud + TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT + Or Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT + Or The Speediest Car on the Road + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE + Or The Castaways of Earthquake Island + TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS + Or The Secret of Phantom Mountain + TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE + Or The wreck of the Airship + TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER + Or The Quickest Flight on Record + TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE + Or Daring Adventures In Elephant Land + TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD + Or Marvelous Adventures Underground + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER + Or seeking the Platinum Treasure + TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY + Or A Daring Escape by Airship + TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA + Or The Perils of Moving Picture Taking + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT + Or On the Border for Uncle Sam + TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON + Or The Longest Shots on Record + TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE + Or The Picture that Saved a Fortune + TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP + Or The Naval Terror of the Seas + TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL + Or The Hidden City of the Andes + + + + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS SERIES + + By VICTOR APPLETON + + + In these stories we follow the adventures of three boys, who, + after purchasing at auction the contents of a moving picture + house, open a theatre of their own. Their many trials and + tribulations, leading up to the final success of their venture, + make very entertaining stories. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' FIRST VENTURE + + Or Opening a Photo Playhouse in Fairlands. + + The adventures of Frank, Randy and Pep in running a Motion + Picture show. They had trials and tribulations but finally + succeed. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS AT SEASIDE PARK + + Or The Rival Photo Theatres of the Boardwalk. + + Their success at Fairlands encourages the boys to open their + show at Seaside Park, where they have exciting adventures--also a + profitable season. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS ON BROADWAY + + Or The Mystery of the Missing Cash Box. + + Backed by a rich western friend the chums established a photo + playhouse in the great metropolis, where new adventures await + them. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' OUTDOOR EXHIBITION + + Or The Film that Solved a Mystery. + + This time the playhouse was in a big summer park. How a + film that was shown gave a clew to an important mystery + is interestingly related. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' NEW IDEA + + Or The First Educational Photo Playhouse. + + In this book the scene is shifted to Boston, and there is + intense rivalry in the establishment of photo playhouses of + educational value. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS AT THE FAIR + + Or The Greatest Film Ever Exhibited. + + The chums go to San Francisco, where they have some trials + but finally meet with great success. + + THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' WAR SPECTACLE + + Or The Film that Won the Prize. + + Through being of service to the writer of a great scenario, the + chums are enabled to produce it and win a prize. + + + + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH SERIES + + By GRAHAM B. FORBES + + + Never was there a cleaner, brighter, more manly boy than Frank + Allen, the hero of this series of boys tales, and never was there + a better crowd of lads to associate with than the students of the + School. All boys will read these stories with deep interest. The + rivalry between the towns along the river was of the keenest, and + plots and counterplots to win the champions, at baseball, at + football, at boat racing, at track athletics, and at ice hockey, + were without number. Any lad reading one volume of this series + will surely want the others. + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH + Or The All Around Rivals of the School + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE DIAMOND + Or Winning Out by Pluck + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE RIVER + Or The Boat Race Plot that Failed + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE GRIDIRON + Or The Struggle for the Silver Cup + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE ICE + Or Out for the Hockey Championship + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH IN TRACK ATHLETICS + Or A Long Run that Won + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH IN WINTER SPORTS + Or Stirring Doings on Skates and Iceboats + + + 12mo. Illustrated. Handsomely bound in cloth, with cover design + and wrappers in colors. + + GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + + + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS SERIES + + By CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN + + + The outdoor chums are four wide-awake lads, Sons of wealthy men + of a small city located on a lake. The boys love outdoor life, + and are greatly interested in hunting, fishing, and picture + taking. They have motor cycles, motor boats, canoes, etc., and + during their vacations go everywhere and have all sorts of + thrilling adventures. The stories give full directions for + camping out, how to fish, how to hunt wild animals and prepare + the skins for stuffing, how to manage a canoe, how to swim, etc. + Full of the spirit of outdoor life. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS + Or The First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE LAKE + Or Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE FOREST + Or Laying the Ghost of Oak Ridge. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE GULF + Or Rescuing the Lost Balloonists. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME + Or Perilous Adventures in the Wilderness. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON A HOUSEBOAT + Or The Rivals of the Mississippi. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE BIG WOODS + Or The Rival Hunters at Lumber Run. + + THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AT CABIN POINT + Or The Golden Cup Mystery. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Tom Swift Among The Diamond Makers, by +Victor Appleton + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS *** + +***** This file should be named 1282.txt or 1282.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/8/1282/ + +Produced by Anthony Matonac + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* + + + + +This Etext was prepared for Project Gutenberg by Anthony Matonac. + + + + +TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS +or +The Secret of Phantom Mountain + +By +VICTOR APPLETON + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER + +I A SUSPICIOUS JEWELER +II A MIDNIGHT VISIT +III A STRANGE STORY +IV ANDY FOGER GETS A FRIGHT +V A MYSTERIOUS MAN +VI MR. DAMON IS ON HAND +VII MR. PARKER PREDICTS +VIII OFF FOR THE WEST +IX A WARNING BY WIRELESS +X DROPPING THE STOWAWAY +XI A WEARY SEARCH +XII THE GREAT STONE HEAD +XIII ON PHANTOM MOUNTAIN +XIV WARNED BACK +XV THE LANDSLIDE +XVI THE VAST CAVERN +XVII THE PHANTOM CAPTURED +XVIII BILL RENSHAW WILL HELP +XIX IN THE SECRET CAVE +XX MAKING THE DIAMONDS +XXI FLASHING GEMS +XXII PRISONERS +XXIII BROKEN BONDS +XXIV IN GREAT PERIL +XXV THE MOUNTAIN SHATTERED--CONCLUSION + + + + +CHAPTER I--A SUSPICIOUS JEWELER + + +"Well, Tom Swift, I don't believe you will make any mistake if +you buy that diamond," said the jeweler to a young man who was +inspecting a tray of pins, set with the sparkling stones. "It is +of the first water, and without a flaw." + +"It certainly seems so, Mr. Track. I don't know much about +diamonds, and I'm depending on you. But this one looks to be all +right." + +"Is it for yourself, Tom?" + +"Er--no--that is, not exactly," and Tom Swift, the young +inventor of airships and submarines, blushed slightly. + +"Ah, I see. It's for your housekeeper, Mrs. Baggert. Well, I +think she would like a pin of this sort. True, it's rather +expensive, but--" + +"No, it isn't for Mrs. Baggert, Mr. Track," and Tom seemed a +bit embarrassed. + +"No? Well, then, Tom--of course it's none of my affair, except +to sell you a good stone, But if this brooch is for a young lady, +I can't recommend anything nicer. Do you think you will take +this; or do you prefer to look at some others?" + +"Oh, I think this will do, Mr. Track. I guess I'll take--" + +Tom's Words were interrupted by a sudden action on the part of +the jeweler. Mr. Track ran from behind the showcase and hastened +toward the front door. + +"Did you see him, Tom?" he cried. "I wonder which way he went?" + +"Who?" asked the lad, following the shopkeeper. + +"That man. He's been walking up and down in front of my place +for the last ten minutes--ever since you've been in here, in +fact, and I don't like his looks." + +"What did he do?" + +"Nothing much, except to stare in here as if he was sizing my +place up." + +"Sizing it up?" + +"Yes. Getting the lay of the land, so he or some confederate +could commit a robbery, maybe." + +"A robbery? Do you think that man was a thief?" + +"I don't know that he was, Tom, and yet a jeweler has to be +always on the watch, and that isn't a joke, either, Tom Swift. +Swindlers and thieves are always on the alert for a chance to rob +a jewelry store, and they work many games." + +"I didn't notice any particular man looking in here," said Tom, +who still held the diamond brooch in his hand. + +"Well I did," went on the jeweler. "I happened to glance out of +the window when you were looking at the pins, and I saw his eyes +staring in here in a suspicious manner. He may have a confederate +with him, and, when you're gone, one may come in, and pretend to +want to look at some diamonds. Then, when I'm showing him some, +the other man will enter, engage my attention, and the first man +will slip out with a diamond ring or pin. It's often done." + +"You seem to have it all worked out, Mr. Track," observed the +lad, with a smile. "How do you know but what I'm in with a gang +of thieves, and that I'm only pretending to want to buy a diamond +pin?" + +"Oh, I guess I haven't known you, Tom Swift, ever since you +were big enough to toddle, not to be sure about what you're up +to. But I certainly didn't like the looks of that man. However, +let's forget about him. He seems to have gone down the street, +and, after all, perhaps I was mistaken. Just wait until I show +you a few more styles before you decide. The young lady may like +one of these," and the jeweler went to another showcase and took +out some more trays of brooches. + +"What makes you think she's a young lady, Mr. Track?" asked the +lad. + +"Oh, it's easy guessing, Tom. We jewelers are good readers of +character. I can size up a young fellow coming in here to buy an +engagement or a wedding ring, as soon as he enters the door. I +suppose you'll soon be in the market for one of those, Tom, if +all the reports I hear about you are true--you and a certain Mary +Nestor." + +"I--er--I think I don't care for any of these pins," spoke Tom, +quickly, with a blush. "I like the first lot best. I think I'll +take the one I had in my hand when that man alarmed you. Ha! +That's odd! What did I do with it?" + +Tom looked about on the showcase, and glanced down on the +floor. He had mislaid the brooch, but the jeweler, with a laugh, +lifted it out of a tray a moment later. + +"I saw you lay it down," he said. "We jewelers have to be on +the watch. Here it is. I'll just put it in a box, and--" + +With an exclamation, Mr. Track gave a hasty glance toward his +big show window. Tom looked up, and saw a man's face peering in. +At the sight of it, he, too, uttered a cry of surprise. + +The next instant the man outside knocked on the glass, +apparently with a piece of metal, making a sharp sound. As soon +as he heard it, the jeweler once more sprang from behind the +showcase, and leaped for the door crying: + +"There's the thief! He's trying to cut a hole through my show +window and reach in and get something! It's an old trick. I'll +get the police! Tom, you stay here on guard!" and before the lad +could utter a protest, the jeweler had opened the door, and was +speeding down the street in the gathering darkness. + +Tom stared about him in some bewilderment. He was left alone in +charge of a very valuable stock of jewelry, the owner of which +was racing after a supposed thief, crying: + +"Police! Help! Thieves! Stop him, somebody!" + +"This is a queer go," mused Tom. "I wonder who that man was? He +looked like somebody I know, and yet I can't seem to place his +face. I wonder if he was trying to rob the placer Maybe there's +another one--a confederate--around here." + +This thought rather alarmed Tom, so he went to the door, and +looked up and down the street. He could see no suspicious +characters, but in the direction in which the jeweler was running +there was a little throng of people, following Mr. Track after +the man who had knocked on the window. + +"I wish I was there, instead of here," mused the lad. "Still I +can't leave, or a thief might come in. Perhaps that was the game, +and one of the gang is hanging around, hoping the store will be +deserted, so he can enter and take what he likes." + +Tom had read of such cases, and he at once resolved that he +would not only remain in the jewelry shop, but that he would lock +the door, which he at once proceeded to do. Then he breathed +easier. + +The town of Shopton, in the outskirts of which Tom lived with +his father, and where the scene above narrated took place, was +none too well lighted at night, and the lad had his doubts about +the jeweler catching the oddly-acting man, especially as the +latter had a good start. + +"But some one may head him off," reasoned Tom. "Though if they +do catch him, I don't see what they can prove against him. Hello, +here I am carrying this diamond pin around. I might lose it. +Guess I'll put it back on the tray." + +He replaced in the proper receptacle one of the pins he bad +been examining when the excitement occurred. + +"I wonder if Mary will like that?" he said, softly. "I hope she +does. Perhaps it would be better if she could come here herself +and pick out one--" + +Tom's musing was suddenly interrupted by a sharp tattoo on the +glass door of the jewelry shop. With a start, he looked up, to +see staring in on him the face of the man who had been there +before--the man of whom the jeweler was even then in chase. + +"Why--why----" stammered Tom. + +The man knocked again. + +"Tom--Tom Swift!" he called. "Don't you know me?" + +"Know you--you?" repeated the lad. + +"Yes--don't you remember Earthquake Island--how we were nearly +killed there--don't you remember Mr. Jenks?" + +"Mr. Jenks?" + +Tom was so startled that he could only repeat words after the +strange man, who was talking to him from outside the glass door. + +"Yes, Mr. Jenks," was the reply. "Mr. Barcoe Jenks, who makes +diamonds. I saw you in the store about to buy a diamond--I wanted +to tell you not to--I'll give you a better diamond than you can +buy--I just arrived in this place--I must have a private talk +with you--Come out--I'll share a wonderful secret with you." + +A flood of memory came to Tom. He did recall the very strange +man who walked around Earthquake Island--where Tom and some +friends had been marooned recently--walked about with a pocketful +of what he said were diamonds. Now Barcoe Jenks was here. + +"I must see you privately, Tom Swift," went on Mr. Jenks, as he +once more tapped on the glass. "Don't waste money buying +diamonds, when you and I can make better ones. Where can I have a +talk with you? I--" Mr. Jenks suddenly looked down the dimly-lighted +street. "They're coming back!" he cried. "I don't want to +be seen. I'll call at your house later to-night--be on the watch +for me--until then--good-by!" + +He waved his hand, and was gone in an instant. Tom stood +staring at the glass door. He hardly knew whether to believe it +or not--perhaps it was all a dream. + +He pinched himself to make sure that he was awake. Very +substantial flesh met his thumb and finger, and he felt the pain. + +"I'm awake all right," he murmured. "But Barcoe Jenks here--and +still talking that nonsense about his manufactured diamonds. I +think he must be crazy. I wonder--" + +Once more the lad's musing was interrupted. He heard a murmur +of excited voices outside the store, on the street. Then the door +of the jewelry shop was tried. Mr. Track's face was pressed +against the glass. + +"Open the door! Let me in, Tom!" he called. "I've caught the +thief," and as the lad unlocked the portal he saw that the +jeweler held by the arm a ragged lad. "Ah; you scoundrel! I've +caught you!" cried the diamond merchant, shaking the small chap, +while Tom looked on, more mystified than ever. + + + + +CHAPTER II--A MIDNIGHT VISIT + + +While Mr. Track, the jeweler, and several citizens, attracted +by the chase after the supposed thief, are crowded into the +store, anxious to hear explanations of the strange affair, I will +take the opportunity to tell you something of Tom Swift, the lad +who is to figure in this story. + +Many of you have already made his acquaintance, when he has +been speeding about in his airship or fast electric runabout, and +to others we will state that our hero first made his bow to the +public in the book called "Tom Swift and His Motor-Cycle," the +initial volume of this series. + +In that story there was related how Tom made the acquaintance +of an odd individual, named Mr. Wakefield Damon, who was +continually blessing himself, some part of his anatomy, or his +possessions. Mr. Damon was riding a motor-cycle, and it started +to climb a tree, to his pain and fright. Afterward Tom purchased +the machine, and had many adventures on it, including a chase +after a gang of men who had stolen a valuable patent model +belonging to Mr. Swift. + +Mr. Swift, and his son were both inventors. They lived together +in a fine house in the suburbs of Shopton, New York, and with +them dwelt Mrs. Baggert, the housekeeper (for Tom's mother was +dead), and also Garret Jackson, an expert engineer, who aided the +young inventor and his father in perfecting many machines. + +There was also another semi-member of the household, to wit, +Eradicate Sampson, an eccentric colored man, who owned a mule +called Boomerang. Eradicate did odd jobs around the place, and +the mule assisted his owner--that is when the mule felt like it. + +In the second volume of the series, entitled "Tom Swift and His +Motor-Boat," there was related the incidents following a pursuit +after a gang of unprincipled men, who sought to get Possession of +some of Mr. Swift's patents, and it was while in this boat that +Tom, his father, and a friend, Ned Newton, rescued from Lake +Carlopa a Mr. John Sharp, who fell from his burning balloon. Mr. +Sharp was a skilled aeronaut, and after his recovery he joined +Tom in building a big airship, called the Red Cloud. Tom's +adventures in this craft are set down in detail in the third +volume of the series, called "Tom Swift and His Airship." Not +only did he and Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon make a great trip, but +they captured some bank robbers, and incidentally cleared +themselves from the imputation of having looted the vault of +seventy-five thousand dollars, which charge was fostered by a +certain Mr. Foger, and his son Andy, who was Tom's enemy. + +Not satisfied with having conquered the air, Tom and his father +set to work to gain a victory over the ocean. They built a boat +that could navigate under water, and, in the fourth book of the +series, called "Tom Swift and His Submarine Boat," you will find +an account of how they went under the ocean to secure a sunken +treasure, and the fight they had with their enemies who sought to +get it away from them. They went through many perils, not the +least of which was capture by a foreign warship. + +In the fifth book, entitled "Tom Swift and His Electric +Runabout," there was told the story of a wonderfully speedy +electric automobile the young inventor constructed, and how he +made a great race in it, and saved from ruin a bank, in which his +father and Mr. Damon were interested. + +Tom's ability as an inventor had, by this time, become well +known. One day, as related in a volume called "Tom Swift and His +Wireless Message," he received a letter from a Mr. Hosmer +Fenwick, of Philadelphia, asking his aid in perfecting an airship +which the resident of the Quaker City had built, but which would +not work. In his small monoplane, the Butterfly, Tom and Mr. +Damon went to Philadelphia, as Mr. Damon was acquainted with Mr. +Fenwick. + +Tom carefully inspected the Whizzer which was the name of Mr. +Fenwick's airship, and, after some difficulties, succeeded in +getting the electric craft in shape to make a flight. + +Tom, Mr. Damon and Mr. Fenwick started to make a trip to Cape +May in the Whizzer, but were caught in a terrific storm, and +blown out to sea. The wind became a hurricane, the airship was +disabled, and wrecked in mid-air. When it fell to earth it landed +on one of the small West Indian islands, but what was the terror +of the three castaways to find that the island was subject to +earthquake shocks. + +But the earth-tremors were not the only surprise in store for +Tom and his two friends, On the island they found five men and +two ladies, who, by strange chance, had been stranded there when +the yacht Resolute, owned by Mr. George Hosbrook, was wrecked in +the same storm that disabled the airship. Mr. Hosbrook, a +millionaire, was taking a party of friends to the West Indies. + +When the castaways (among whom were Mr. and Mrs. Amos Nestor, +parents of Mary Nestor, a girl of whom Tom was very fond) found +that there was danger of the island being destroyed in an +earthquake, they were in despair. There seemed no way of being +rescued, as the island was out of the line of regular ship +travel. + +Tom, however, was resourceful. With the electrical apparatus +from the wrecked airship, he built a wireless plant, and sent +messages for help, broadcast over the ocean. + +They were finally heard, and answered, by an operator on board +the steamer Camberanian, which came on under forced draught, and +rescued Tom and his friends. It was only just in time, for, no +sooner had they gotten aboard the steamer in lifeboats, than the +whole island was destroyed by an earthquake shock. + +But Tom, the parents of Mary Nestor, Mr. Damon, Mr. Fenwick, +and all the others, got safely home. Among the survivors from the +yacht Resolute was a Mr. Barcoe Jenks, who now, most unexpectedly, +had confronted Tom through the glass window of the jewelry +store. Mr. Jenks was a peculiar man. Tom discovered this on Earthquake +Island. Mr. Jenks carried with him some stones which he said were +diamonds. He asserted that he had made them, but Tom did not know +whether or not to believe this. + +When it seemed that the castaways would not be saved Mr. Jenks +offered Tom a large sum in these same diamonds for some plan +whereby he might escape the earthquakes. Mr. Jenks said there was +a certain secret in connection with the manufactured diamonds +that he had to solve--that he had been defrauded of his rights--and +that a certain Phantom Mountain figured in it. But Tom, at that time, +paid little attention to Mr. Jenks' talk. The time was to come, +however, when he would attach much importance to it. + +When this story opens, Tom was more interested in Mr. Barcoe +Jenks than in any one else, and was wondering what he wanted to +see him about. The young inventor could not quite understand how +Mr. Track, the jeweler, could come back with a lad he suspected +of being a thief, when the person who had acted so suspiciously, +and who had knocked on the glass, was the queer man, Mr. Jenks. + +"Yes, Tom I caught him," the jeweler went on. "I chased after +him, and nabbed him. It was hard work, too, for I'm not a good +runner. Now, you little rascal, tell me why you tried to rob my +store?" and the diamond merchant shook the lad roughly. + +"I--I didn't try to rob your store," was the timid answer. + +"Well, perhaps you didn't, exactly, but your confederates did. +Why did you rap on the glass, and why were you staring in so +intently?" + +"I wasn't lookin' in." + +"Well, if it wasn't you, it was some one just like you. But why +did you run when I raced down the street?" + +"I--I don't know," and the lad began to snivel. "I--I jest ran--that's +all--'cause I see everybody else runnin', an' I thought +there was a fire." + +"Ha! That's a likely story! You ran because you are guilty! I'm +going to hand you over to the police." + +"Did he get anything, Mr. Track?" asked one of the men who had +joined the jeweler in the chase. + +"No, I can't say that he did. He didn't get a chance. Tom Swift +was in here at the time. But this fellow was only waiting for a +chance to steal, or else to aid his confederates." + +"But, if he didn't take anything, I don't see how you can have +him arrested," went on the man. + +"On suspicion; that's how!" asserted Mr. Track. "Will some one +get me a constable?" + +"I wouldn't call a constable," said Tom, quietly. + +"Why not?" + +"Because that isn't the person who looked in your window." + +"How do you know, Tom?" + +"Because that person came back while you were out. I saw him." + +"You saw him? Did he try to steal any of my diamonds, Tom?" + +"No, I guess he doesn't need any." + +"Why not?" There was wonder in the jeweler's tone. + +"Why, he claims he can make all he wants." + +"Make diamonds?" + +"So he says." + +"Why, he must be crazy!" and Mr. Track laughed. + +"Perhaps he is," admitted Tom, "I'm only telling you what he +says. He's the person who acted so suspiciously. He came back +here, I'm telling you, while you were running down the street, +and spoke to me." + +"Oh, then you know him?" The jeweler's voice was suspicious. + +"I didn't at first," admitted Tom. "But when he said he was Mr. +Barcoe Jenks, I remembered that I had met him when I was cast +away on Earthquake Island." + +"And he says he can make diamonds?" asked Mr. Track. + +"What did he want of you?" and the jeweler looked at Tom, +quizzically. + +"He wanted to have a talk with me," replied the lad, "and when +he saw me in your store, he tried to attract my attention by +knocking on the glass." + +"That's a queer way to do," declared Mr. Track. "What did he +want?" + +"I don't know exactly," answered Tom, not caring to go into +details just then. "But I'm sure, Mr. Track, that you've got the +wrong person there. That lad never looked in the window, nor +knocked on the glass." + +"That's right--I didn't," asserted the captive. + +The jeweler looked doubtful. + +"Why did you run?" he asked. + +"I told you, I thought there was a fire." + +"That's right, I don't believe he's the fellow you want," put +in another man. "I was standing on the corner, near White's +grocery store, and I noticed this lad. That was before I heard +you yelling, and saw you coming, and then I joined in the chase. +I guess the man you were after got away, Track." + +"He did," asserted Tom. "He came back here, a little while ago, +and he ran away just now, as he heard you coming." + +"Where did he go?" asked the jeweler, eagerly. + +"I don't know," answered Tom. "Only you've got the wrong lad +here." + +"Well, perhaps I have," admitted the diamond merchant. "You can +go, youngster, but next time, don't run if you're not guilty." + +"I thought there was a fire," repeated the lad, as he hurriedly +slipped through the crowd in the store, and disappeared down the +dark street. + +"Well, I guess the excitement's all over, and, anyhow, you +weren't robbed, Track," said a stout man, as he left the store. +The others soon followed, and Tom and the jeweler were once more +alone in the shop. + +"Can you tell me something about this man, Tom?" asked Mr. +Track, eagerly. "So he really makes diamonds. Who is he?" + +"I'd rather not tell--just now," replied the young inventor. "I +don't take much stock in him, myself. I think he's visionary. He +may think he has made diamonds, and he may have made some stones +that look like them. I'm very skeptical." + +"If you could bring me some, Tom, I could soon tell whether +they were real or not. Can you?" + +The lad shook his head. + +"I don't expect to see Mr. Jenks again," he said. "He talked +rather wildly about waiting to meet me, but that man is odd--crazy, +perhaps--and I don't imagine I'll see him. He's harmless,but he's +eccentric. Well, there was quite some excitement for a time." + +"I should say there was. I thought it was a plan to rob me," +and the jeweler began putting away the diamond pins. In fact, the +excitement so filled the minds of himself and Tom that neither of +them thought any more of the object of the lad's visit, and the +young inventor departed without purchasing the pin he had come after. + +It was not until he was out on the street, walking toward his +home, that the matter came back to his mind. + +"I declare!" he exclaimed. "I didn't get that pin for Mary, +after all! Well, never mind, I have a week until her birthday, +and I can get it to-morrow." + +He walked rapidly toward home, for the weather looked +threatening, and Tom had no umbrella. He was musing on the +happenings of the evening when he reached his house. His father +was out, as was Garret Jackson, the engineer; and Mrs. Baggert, +the housekeeper, was entertaining a lady in the sitting-room, so, +as Tom was rather tired, he went directly to his own room, and, a +little later got into bed. + +It was shortly after midnight when he was awakened by hearing a +rattling on the window of his room. The reason he was able to fix +the time so accurately was because as soon as he awakened he +pressed a little electric button, and it illuminated the face of +a small clock on his bureau. The hands pointed to five minutes +past twelve. + +"Humph! That sounds like hail!" exclaimed Tom, as he arose, and +looked out of the casement. "I wonder if any of the skylights of +the airship shed are open? There might be some damage. Guess I'd +better go out and take a look." + +He had mentally reasoned this far before he had looked out, and +when he saw that the moon was brightly shining in a clear sky, he +was a bit surprised. + +"Why--that wasn't hail," he murmured. "It isn't even raining. I +wonder what it was?" + +He was answered a moment later, for a shower of fine gravel +from the walk flew up and clattered against the glass. With a +start, Tom looked down, and saw a dark figure standing under an +apple tree. + +"Hello! Who's there?" called the lad, after he had raised the +sash. + +"It's I--Mr. Jenks," was the surprising answer. + +"Mr. Jenks?" repeated Tom. + +"Yes--Barcoe Jenks, of Earthquake Island." + +"You here? What do you want?" + +"Can you come down?" + +"What for?" + +"Tom Swift, I've something very important to tell you," was the +answer in a low voice, yet which carried to Tom's ears perfectly. +"Do you want to make a fortune for yourself--and for me?" + +"How?" Tom was beginning to think more and more that Mr. Jenks +was crazy. + +"How? By helping me to discover the secret of Phantom Mountain, +where the diamonds are made! Will you?" + +"Wait a minute--I'll come down," answered Tom, and he began to +grope for his clothes in the dim light of the little electric +lamp. + +What was the secret of Phantom Mountain? What did Mr. Jenks +really want? Could he make diamonds? Tom asked himself these +questions as he hastily dressed to go down to his midnight +visitor. + + + + +CHAPTER III--A STRANGE STORY + + +"Well, Mr. Jenks," began Tom, when he had descended to the +garden, and greeted the man who had acted so strangely on +Earthquake Island, "this is rather an odd time for a visit." + +"I realize that, Tom Swift," was the answer, and the lad +noticed that the man spoke much more calmly than he had that +evening at the jewelry shop. "I realize that, but I have to be +cautious in my movements." + +"Why?" + +"Because there are enemies on my track. If they thought I was +seeking aid to discover the secret of Phantom Mountain, my life +might pay the forfeit." + +"Are you in earnest, Mr. Jenks?" + +"I certainly am, and, while I must apologize for awakening you +at this unseemly hour, and for the mysterious nature of my visit, +if you will let me tell my story, you will see the need of +secrecy." + +"Oh, I don't mind being awakened," answered Tom, good-naturedly, +"but I will be frank with you, Mr. Jenks. I hardly can believe what +you have stated to me several times--that you know how diamonds +can be made." + +"I can prove it to you," was the quiet answer. + +"Yes, I know. For centuries men have tried to discover the +secret of transmuting base metals into gold, and how to make +diamonds by chemical means. But they have all been failures." + +"All except this process--the process used at Phantom +Mountain," insisted the queer man. "Do you want to hear my +story?" + +"I have no objections." + +"Then let me warn you," went on Mr. Jenks, "that if you do hear +it, you will be so fascinated by it that I am sure you will want +to cast your lot in with mine, and aid me to get my rights, and +solve the mystery. And I also want to warn you that if you do, +there is a certain amount of danger connected with it." + +"I'm used to danger," answered Tom, quietly. "Let me hear your +story. But first explain how you came to come here, and why you +acted so strangely at the jewelry store." + +"Willingly. I tried to attract your attention at the store, +because I saw that you were going to buy a diamond, and I didn't +want you to." + +"Why not?" + +"Because I want to present you with a beautiful stone, that +will answer your purpose as well or better, than any one you +could buy. That will prove my story better than any amount of +words or argument. But I could not attract your attention without +also attracting that of the jeweler. He became suspicious, gave +chase, and I thought it best to vanish. I hope no one was made to +suffer for what may have been my imprudence." + +"No, the lad whom Mr. Track caught was let go. But how did you +happen to come to Shopton?" + +"To see you. I got your address from the owner of the yacht +Resolute. I knew that if there was one person who could aid me to +recover my rights, it would be you, Tom Swift. Will you help me? +Will you come with me to discover the secret of Phantom Mountain? +If we go, it will have to be in an airship, for in no other way, +I think, can we come upon the place, as it is closely guarded. +Will you come? I will pay you well." + +"Perhaps I had better hear your story," said the young +inventor. "But first let me suggest that we move farther away +from the house. My father, or Mr. Jackson, or the housekeeper, +may hear us talking, and it may disturb them. Come with me to my +private shop," and Tom led the way to a small building where he +did experimental work. He unlocked the door with a key he +carried, turned on the lights, which were run by a storage +battery, and motioned Mr. Jenks to a seat. + +"Now I'll hear your story," said Tom. + +"I'll make it as short as possible," went on the queer man. "To +begin with, it is now several years ago since a poorly dressed +stranger applied to me one night for money enough to get a meal +and a bed to sleep in. I was living in New York City at the time, +and this was midnight, as I was returning home from my club. + +"I was touched by the man's appearance, and gave him some +money. He asked for my card, saying he would repay me some day. I +gave it to him, little thinking I would hear from the man again. +But I did. He called at my apartments about a week later, saying +he had secured work as an expert setter of diamonds, and wanted +to repay me. I did not want to take his money, but the fact that +such a sorry looking specimen of manhood as he had been when I +aided him, was an expert handler of gems interested me. I talked +with the man, and he made a curious statement. + +"This man, who gave his name as Enos Folwell, said he knew a place +where diamonds could be made, partly in a scientific manner, and +partly by the forces of nature. I laughed at him, but he told me so +many details that I began to believe him. He said he and some other +friends of his, who were diamond cutters, had a plant in the midst of +the Rocky Mountains, where they had succeeded in making several small, +but very perfect diamonds. They had come to the end of their rope, +though, so to speak, because they could not afford to buy the materials +needed. Folwell said that he and his companions had temporarily +separated, had left the mountain where they made diamonds, and agreed +to meet there later when they had more money with which to purchase +materials. They had all agreed to go out into civilization, and work +for enough funds to enable them to go on with their diamond making. + +"I hardly knew whether to believe the man or not, but he +offered proof. He had several small, but very perfect diamonds +with him, and he gave them to me, to have tested in any way I +desired. + +"I promised to look into the matter, and, as I was quite +wealthy, as, in fact I am now, and if I found that the stones he +gave me were real, I said I might invest some money in the +plant." + +"Were the diamonds good?" asked Tom, who was beginning to be +interested. + +"They were--stones of the first water, though small. An expert +gem merchant, to whom I took them, said he had never seen any +diamonds like them, and he wanted to know where I got them. Of +course I did not tell him. + +"To make a long story short, I saw Folwell again, told him to +communicate with his companions, and to tell them that I would +agree to supply the cash needed, if I could share in the diamond +making. To this they agreed, and, after some weeks spent in +preparation, a party of us set out for Phantom Mountain." + +"Phantom Mountain?" interrupted Tom. "Where is it?" + +"I don't know, exactly--it's somewhere in the Rockies, but the +exact location is a mystery. That is why I need your help. You +will soon understand the reason. Well, as I said, myself, Folwell +and the others, who were not exactly prepossessing sort of men, +started west. When we got to a small town, called Indian Ridge, +near Leadville, Colorado, the men insisted that I must now +proceed in secret, and consent to be blindfolded, as they were +not yet ready to reveal the secret of the place where they made +the diamonds. + +"I did not want to agree to this, but they insisted, and I gave +in, foolishly perhaps. At any rate I was blindfolded one night, +placed in a wagon, and we drove off into the mountains. After +traveling for some distance I was led, still blindfolded, up a +steep trail. + +"When the bandage was taken off my eyes I saw that I was in a +large cave. The men were with me, and they apologized for the +necessity that caused them to blindfold me. They said they were +ready to proceed with the making of diamonds, but I must promise +not to seek to discover the secret until they gave me permission, +nor was I to attempt to leave the cave. I had to agree. + +"Next they demanded that I give them a large sum, which I had +promised when they showed me, conclusively, that they could make +diamonds. I refused to do this until I had seen some of the +precious stones, and they agreed that this was fair, but said I +would have to wait a few days. + +"Well, I waited, and, all that while, I was virtually a +prisoner in the cave. All I could learn was that it was in the +midst of a great range, near the top, and that one of the peaks +was called Phantom Mountain. Why, I did not learn until later. + +"At last one night, during a terrific thunder storm, the +leader of the diamond makers--Folwell--announced that I could now +see the stones made. The men had been preparing their chemicals +for some days previous. I was taken into a small chamber of the +cave, and there saw quite a complicated apparatus. Part of it was +a great steel box, with a lever on it. + +"We will let you make some diamonds for yourself," Folwell said +to me, and he directed me to pull the lever of the box, at a +certain signal. The signal came, just as a terrific crash of +thunder shook the very mountain inside of which we were. The box +of steel got red-hot, and when it cooled off it was opened, and +was given a handful of white stones." + +"Were they diamonds?" asked Tom, eagerly. + +Mr. Jenks held out one hand. In the palm glittered a large +stone--ostensibly a diamond. In the rays of the moon it showed +all the colors of the rainbow--a beautiful gem. "That is one of +the stones I made--or rather that I supposed I had made," went on +Mr. Jenks. "It is one of several I have, but they have not all +been cut and polished as has this one. + +"Naturally I was much impressed by what I saw, and, after I had +made certain tests which convinced me that the stones in the +steel box were diamonds, I paid over the money as I had promised. +That was my undoing." + +"How?" + +"As soon as the men got the cash, they had no further use for +me. The next I remember is eating a rude meal, while we discussed +the future of making diamonds. I knew nothing more until I found +myself back in the small hotel at Indian Ridge, whence I had gone +some time previous, with the men, to the cave in the mountain." + +"What happened?" asked Tom, much surprised by the unexpected +outcome of the affair. "I had been tricked, that was all! As soon +as the men had my money they had no further use for me. They did +not want me to learn the secret of their diamond making, and they +drugged me, carried me away from the cave, and left me in the +hotel." + +"Didn't you try to find the cave again?" + +"I did, but without avail. I spent some time in the Rockies, +but no one could tell where Phantom Mountain was; in fact, few +had heard of it, and I was nearly lost searching for it. + +"I came back East, determined to get even. I had given the men +a very large sum of money, and, in exchange, they had given me +several diamonds. Probably the stones are worth nearly as much as +the money I invested, but I was cheated, for I was promised an +equal share in the profits. These were denied me, and I was +tricked. I determined to be revenged, or at least to discover the +secret of making diamonds. It is my right." + +"I agree with you," spoke Tom. + +"But, up to the time I met you on Earthquake Island, I could +form no plan for discovering Phantom Mountain, and learning the +secret of the diamond makers," went on Mr. Jenks. "I carried the +gems about with me, as you doubtless saw when we were on the +island. But I knew I needed an airship in which to fly over the +mountains, and pick out the location of the cave where the +diamonds are made." + +"But how can you locate it, if you were blindfolded when you +were taken there, Mr. Jenks?" + +"I forgot to tell you that, on our journey into the mountains, +and just before I was carried into the cave, I managed to raise +one corner of the bandage. I caught a glimpse of a very +peculiarly shaped cliff--it is like a great head, standing out in +bold relief against the moonlight, when I saw it. That head of +rock is near the cave. It may be the landmark by which we can +locate Phantom Mountain." + +"Perhaps," admitted the young inventor. + +"What I want to know is this," went on Mr. Jenks. "Will you go +with me on this quest--go in your airship to discover the secret +of the diamond makers? If you will, I will share with you +whatever diamonds we can discover, or make; besides paying all +expenses. Will you go, Tom Swift?" + +The young inventor did not know what to answer. How far was Mr. +Jenks to be trusted? Were the stones he had real diamonds? Was +his story, fantastical as it sounded--true? Would it be safe for +Tom to go? + +The lad asked himself these questions. Mr. Jenks saw his +hesitation. + +"Here," said the strange man, "I will prove what I say. Take +this diamond. I intended it for you, anyhow, for what you did for +me on Earthquake Island. Take it, and--and give it to the person +for whom you were about to purchase a diamond to-night. But, +first of all, take it to a gem expert, and get his opinion. That +will prove the truth of what I say, Tom Swift, and I feel sure +that you will cast your lot in with mine, and help me to discover +the secret of Phantom Mountain, and aid me to get my rights from +the diamond makers!" + + + + +CHAPTER IV--ANDY FOGER GETS A FRIGHT + + +Tom Swift considered a few minutes. On the face of it, the +proposition appealed to him. He had been home some time now after +his adventures on Earthquake Island, and he was beginning to long +for more excitement. The search for the mysterious mountain, and +the cave of the diamond makers, might offer a new field for him. +But there came to him a certain distrust of Mr. Jenks. + +"I don't like to doubt your word," began Tom, slowly, "but you +know, Mr. Jenks, that some of the greatest chemists have tried in +vain to make diamonds; or, at best, they have made only tiny +ones. To think that any man, or set of men, made real diamonds as +large as the ones you have, doesn't seem--well--" and Tom +hesitated. + +"You mean you can hardly believe me?" asked Mr. Jenks. + +"I guess that's it," assented Tom. + +"I don't blame you a bit!" exclaimed the odd man. "In fact, I +didn't believe it when they told me they could make diamonds. But +they proved it to me. I'm ready now to prove it to you." + +"I'll tell you what I'll do. Here's this one stone, cut ready +for setting. Here's another, uncut," and Mr. Jenks drew from his +pocket what looked like a piece of crystal. "Take them to any +jeweler," he resumed--"to the one in whose place I saw you to-night. +I'll abide by the verdict you get, and I'll come here to-morrow +night, and hear what you have to say." + +"Why do you come at night?" asked Tom, thinking there was +something suspicious in that. + +"Because my life might be in danger if I was seen talking to +you, and showing you diamonds in the daytime--especially just +now. + +"Why at this particular time?" + +"For the reason that the diamond makers are on my trail. As +long as I remained quiet, after their shabby treatment of me, and +did not try to discover their secret, they were all right. But, +after I realized that I had been cheated out of my rights, and +when I began to make an investigation, with a view to discovering +their secret whereabouts, I received mysterious and anonymous +warnings to stop." + +"But I did not. I came East, and tried to get help to discover +the cave of the diamond makers, but I was unsuccessful. I needed +an airship, as I--said, and no person who could operate one, +would agree to go with me on the quest. Again I received a +warning to drop all search for the diamond makers, but I +persisted, and about a week ago I found I was being shadowed." + +"Shadowed; by whom?" asked Tom. + +"By a man I never remember seeing, but who, I have no doubt, is +one of the diamond-making gang." + +"Do you think he means you harm?" + +"I'm sure of it. That is the reason I have to act so in secret, +and come to see you at night. I don't want those scoundrels to +find out what I am about to do. On my return from Earthquake +Island, I again endeavored to interest an airship man in my plan, +but he evidently thought me insane. Then I thought of you, as I +had done before, but I was afraid you, too, would laugh at my +proposition. However, I decided to come here, and I did. It +seemed almost providential that my first view of you was in a +jewelry shop, looking at diamonds. I took it as a good omen. Now +it remains with you. May I call here to-morrow night, and get +your answer?" + +Tom Swift made up his mind quickly. After all it would be easy +enough to find out if the diamonds were real. If they were, he +could then decide whether or not to go with Mr. Jenks on the +mysterious quest. So he answered: + +"I'll consider the matter, Mr. Jenks. I'll meet you here to-morrow +night. In the meanwhile, for my own satisfaction, I'll let +an expert look at these stones." + +"Get the greatest diamond expert in the world, and he'll +pronounce them perfect!" predicted the odd man. "Now I'll bid you +goodnight, and be going. I'll be here at this time to-morrow." + +As Mr. Jenks turned aside there was a movement among the trees +in the orchard, and a shadowy figure was seen hurrying away. + +"Who's that?" asked the diamond man, in a hoarse whisper. "Did +you see that, Tom Swift? Some one was here--listening to what I +said! Perhaps it was the man who has been shadowing me!" + +"I think not. I guess it was Eradicate Sampson, a colored man +who does work for us," said Tom. "Is that you, Rad?" he called. + +"Yais, sah, Massa Tom, heah I is!" answered the voice of the +negro, but it came from an entirely different direction than that +in which the shadowy figure had been seen. + +"Where are you, Rad?" called the young inventor. + +"Right heah," was the reply, and the colored man came from the +direction of the stable. "I were jest out seein' if mah mule +Boomerang were all right. Sometimes he's restless, an' don't +sleep laik he oughter." + +"Then that wasn't you over in the orchard?" asked Tom, in some +uneasiness. + +"No, sah, I ain't been in de orchard. I were sleepin' in mah +shack, till jest a few minutes ago, when I got up, an' went in t' +see Boomerang. I had a dream dat some coon were tryin t' steal +him, an' it sort ob 'sturbed me, laik." + +"If it wasn't your man, it was some one else," said Mr. Jenks, +decidedly. + +"We'll have a look!" exclaimed Tom. "Here, Rad, come over and +scurry among those trees. We just saw some one sneaking around." + +"I'll sure do dat!" cried the colored man. "Mebby it were +somebody arter Boomerang! I'll find 'em." + +"I don't believe it was any one after the mule," murmured Mr. +Jenks, "but it certainly was some one--more likely some one after +me." + +The three made a hasty search among the trees, but the intruder +had vanished, leaving no trace. They went out into the road, +which the moon threw into bold relief along its white stretch, +but there was no figure scurrying away. + +"Whoever it was, is gone," spoke Tom. "You can go back to bed, +Rad," for the colored man, of late, had been sleeping in a shack +on the Swift premises. + +"And I guess it's time for me to go, too," added Mr. Jenks. +"I'll be here to-morrow night, Tom, and I hope your answer will +be favorable." + +Tom did not sleep well the remainder of the night, for his +fitful slumbers were disturbed by dreams of enormous caves, +filled with diamonds, with dark, shadowy figures trying to put +him into a red-hot steel box. Once he awakened with a start, and +put his hand under his pillow to feel if the two stones Mr. Jenks +had given him, were still there. They had not been disturbed. + +Tom made up his mind to find out if the stones were really +diamonds, before saying anything to his father about the chance +of going to seek Phantom Mountain. And the young inventor wished +to get the opinion of some other jeweler than Mr. Track--at +least, at first. + +"Though if this one proves to be a good gem, I'll have Mr. +Track set it in a brooch, and give it to Mary for her birthday," +decided the young inventor. "Guess I'll take a run over to +Chester in the Butterfly, and see what one of the jewelers there +has to say." + +In addition to his big airship, Red Cloud, Tom owned a small, +swift monoplane, which he called Butterfly. This had been damaged +by Andy Foger just before Tom left on the trip that ended at +Earthquake Island, but the monoplane had been repaired, and Andy +had left town, not having returned since. + +Telling his father that he was going off on a little business +trip, which he often did in his aeroplane, Tom, with the aid of +Mr. Jackson, the engineer, wheeled the Butterfly out of its shed. + +Adjusting the mechanism, and seeing that it was in good shape, +Tom took his place in one of the two seats, for the monoplane +would carry two. Mr. Jackson then spun the propellers, and, with +a crackle and roar the motor started. Over the ground ran the +dainty, little aeroplane, until, having momentum enough, Tom +tilted the wing planes and the machine sailed up into the air. + +Rising about a thousand feet, and circling about several times +to test the wind currents, Tom headed his craft toward Chester, +a city about fifty miles from Shopton. In his pocket, snugly +tucked away, were the two stones Mr. Jenks had given him. + +It was not long before Tom saw, looming up in the distance the +church spires and towering factory chimneys of Chester, for his +machine was a speedy one, and could make ninety miles an hour +when driven. But now a slower speed satisfied our hero. + +"I'll just drop down outside of the city," he reasoned, "for +too much of a crowd gathers when I land in the street. Besides I +might frighten horses, and then, too, it's hard to get a good +start from the street. I'll leave it in some barn until I want to +go back." + +Tom sent his craft down, in order to pick out a safe place for +a landing. He was then over the suburbs of the city, and was +following the line of a straight country road. + +"Looks like a good place there," he murmured. "I'll shut off +the motor, and vol-plane down." + +Suiting the action to the word, Tom shut off his power. The +little craft dipped toward the ground, but the lad threw up the +forward planes, and caught a current of air that sent him +skimming along horizontally. + +As he got nearer to the ground, he saw the figure of a lad +riding a bicycle along the country highway. Something about the +figure struck Tom as being familiar, and he recognized the +cyclist a moment later. + +"It's Andy Foger!" said Tom, in a whisper. "I wondered where he +had been keeping himself since he damaged the Butterfly. +Evidently he doesn't dare venture back to Shopton. Well, here's +where I give him a scare." + +Tom's monoplane was making no more noise, now, than a soaring +bird. He was gliding swiftly toward the earth, and, with the plan +in his mind of administering some sort of punishment to the +bully, he aimed the machine directly at him. + +Nearer and nearer shot the monoplane, as quietly as a sheet of +paper might fall. Andy pedaled on, never looking up nor behind +him, A moment later, as Tom threw up his headplanes, to make his +landing more easy, and just as he swooped down at one side of the +cyclist, our hero let out a most alarming yell, right into Andy's +ear. + +"Now I've got you!" he shouted. "I'll teach you to slash my +aeroplane! Come with me!" + +Andy gave one look at the white bird-like apparatus that had +flown up beside him so noiselessly, and, being too frightened to +recognize Tom's voice, must have thought that he had been +overtaken by some supernatural visitor. + +Andy gave a yell like an Indian, about to do a stage scalping +act, and fairly dived over the handlebars of his bicycle, +sprawling in a heap on the dusty road. + +"I guess that will hold you for a while," observed Tom, grimly, +as he put on the ground-brake and brought his monoplane to a stop +not far from the fallen rider. + + + + +CHAPTER V--A MYSTERIOUS MAN + + +For several minutes Andy Foger did not arise. He remained +prostrate in the dust, and Tom, observing him, thought perhaps +the bully might have been seriously injured. But, a little later, +Andy cautiously raised his head, and inquired in a frightened +voice: + +"Is it--is it gone?" + +"Is what gone?" asked Tom, grimly. + +At the sound of his voice, Andy looked up. "Was that you, Tom +Swift?" he demanded. "Did you knock me off my wheel?" + +"My monoplane and I together did," was the reply; "or, rather, +we didn't. It was the nervous reaction caused by your fright, and +the knowledge that you had done wrong, that made you jump over +the handlebars. That's the scientific explanation." + +"You--you did it!" stammered Andy, getting to his feet. He +wasn't hurt much, Tom thought. + +"Have it your own way," resumed our hero. "Did you think it was +a hob-goblin in a chariot of fire after you, Andy?" + +"Huh! Never mind what I thought! I'll have you arrested for +this!" + +"Will you? Delighted, as the boys say. Hop in my airship and +I'll take you right into town. And when I get you there I'll make +a charge of malicious mischief against you, for breaking the +propeller of the Butterfly and slashing her wings. I've mended +her up, however, so she goes better than ever, and I can take you +to the police station in jig time. Want to come, Andy?" + +This was too much for the bully. He knew that Tom would have a +clear case against him, and he did not dare answer. Instead he +shuffled over to where his wheel lay, picked it up, and rode +slowly off. + +"Good riddance," murmured Tom. He looked about, and saw that he +was near a house, in the rear of which was a good-sized barn. +"Guess I'll ask if I can leave the Butterfly there," he murmured, +and, ringing the doorbell, he was greeted by a man. + +"I'll pay you if you'll let me store my machine in the barn a +little while, until I go into the city, and return," spoke the +lad. + +"Indeed, you're welcome to leave it there without pay," was the +answer. "I'm interested in airships, and, I'll consider it a +favor if you'll let me look yours over while it's here." + +Tom readily agreed, and a few minutes later he had caught a +trolley going into the city. He was soon in one of the largest +jewelry stores of Chester. + +"I'd like to get an expert opinion as to whether or not those +stones are diamonds," spoke Tom, to the polite clerk who came up +to wait on him, and our hero handed over the two gems which Mr. +Jenks had given him. "I'm willing to pay for the appraisement, of +course," the young inventor added, as he saw the clerk looking +rather doubtfully at him, for Tom had on a rough suit, which he +always donned when he flew in his monoplane. + +"I'll turn them over to our Mr. Porter, a gem expert," said the +clerk. "Please be seated." + +The young man disappeared into a private office with the +stones, and Tom waited. He wondered if he was going to have his +trouble for his pains. Presently two elderly gentlemen came from +the little room, on the glass door of which appeared the word +"Diamonds." + +"Who brought these stones in?" asked one of the men, evidently +the proprietor, from the deference paid him by the clerk. The +latter motioned to Tom. + +"Will you kindly step inside here?" requested the elderly man. +When the door was closed, Tom found himself in a room which was +mostly taken up with a bench for the display of precious stones, +a few chairs, and some lights arranged peculiarly; while various +scales and instruments stood on a table. + +"You wished an opinion on--on these?" queried the proprietor of +the place. Tom noticed at once that the word "diamonds" was not +used. + +"I wanted to find out if they were of any value," he said. "Are +they diamonds?" + +"Would you mind stating where you got them?" asked the other of +the two men. + +"Is that necessary?" inquired the lad. "I came by them in a +legitimate manner, if that's what you mean, and I can satisfy you +on that point. I am willing to pay for any information you may +give me as to their value." + +"Oh, it isn't that," the proprietor hastened to assure him. +"But these are diamonds of such a peculiar kind, so perfect and +without a flaw, that I wondered from what part of the world they +came." + +"Then they are diamonds?" asked Tom, eagerly. + +"The finest I have ever tested!" declared the other man, +evidently Mr. Porter, the gem expert. "They are a joy to look at, +Mr. Roberts," he went on, turning to the proprietor. "If it is +possible to get a supply of them you would be justified in asking +half as much again as we charge for African or Indian diamonds. +The Kimberly products are not to be compared to these," and he +looked at the two stones in his hand--the one cut, and sparkling +brilliantly, the other in a rough state. + +"Do you care to state where these diamonds came from?" asked +Mr. Roberts, looking critically at Tom. + +"I had rather not," answered the lad. "It is enough for me to +know that they are diamonds. How much is your charge?" + +"Nothing," was the unexpected answer. "We are very glad to have +had the opportunity of seeing such stones. Is there any chance of +getting any more?" + +"Perhaps," answered Tom, as he accepted the gems which the +expert held out to him. + +"Then might we speak for a supply?" went on Mr. Roberts, +eagerly. "We will pay you the full market price." + +"What is the value of these stones?" asked Tom. + +Mr. Roberts looked at his gem expert. + +"It is difficult to say," was the answer of the man who had +handed Tom the gems. "They are so far superior to the usual run +of diamonds, that I feel justified in saying that the cut one +would bring fifteen hundred dollars, anywhere. In fact, I would +offer that for it. The other is larger, though what it would lose +in cutting would be hard to say. I should say it was worth two +thousand dollars as it is now." + +"Thirty-five hundred dollars for these two stones!" exclaimed +Tom. + +"They are worth every cent of it," declared Mr. Roberts. "Do +you want to sell?" + +Tom shook his head. He could scarcely believe the good news. +Mr. Jenks had told the truth. Now the young inventor could go +with him to seek the diamond makers. + +"Can you get any more of these?" went on Mr. Roberts. + +"I think so--that is I don't know--I am going to try," answered +the lad. + +"Then if you succeed I wish you would sell us some," fairly +begged the proprietor of the store. + +"I will," promised Tom, but he little knew what lay before him, +or perhaps he would not have made that promise. He thanked the +diamond merchant for his kindness, and arranged to have the cut +stone set in a pin for Miss Nestor. The uncut gem Tom took away +with him. + +Thinking of many things, and wondering how best to start in his +airship Red Cloud for the mysterious Phantom Mountain, Tom +hurried back to where he had left the monoplane, wheeled it out, +and was soon soaring through the air toward Shopton. + +"I think I'll go with Mr. Jenks," he decided, as he prepared +for a landing in the open space near his aeroplane shed. "It will +be a risky trip, perhaps, but I've taken risks before. When Mr. +Jenks comes to-night I'll tell him I'll help him to get his +rights, and discover the secret of the diamond makers." + +As Tom was wheeling the Butterfly into the shed, Eradicate came +out to help him. + +"Dere's a gen'man here to see yo', Massa Tom," said the colored +man. + +"Who is it?" + +"I dunno. He keep askin' ef yo' de lad what done bust up +Earthquake Island, an' send lightnin' flashes up to de sky, an' +all sech questions laik dat." + +"It isn't Mr. Damon; is it, Rad? He hasn't been around in some +time." + +"No, Massa Tom, it ain't him. I knows dat blessin' man good an' +proper. I jest wish he'd bless mah mule Boomerang some day, an' +take some oh de temper out ob him. No, sah, it ain't Massa Damon. +De gen'man's in de airship shed waitin' fo' you." + +"In the airship shed! No strangers are allowed in there, Rad." + +"I knows it, Massa Tom, but he done persisted his se'f inter +it, an' he wouldn't come out when I told him; an' your pa an' Mr. +Jackson ain't home." + +"I'll see about this," exclaimed Tom, striding to the large +shed, where the Red Cloud was kept. As he entered it he saw a man +looking over the wonderful craft. + +"Did you want to see me?" asked Tom, sharply, for he did not +like strangers prowling around. + +"I did, and I apologize for entering here, but I am interested +in airships, and I thought you might want to hire a pilot. I am +in need of employment, and I have had considerable to do with +balloons and aeroplanes, but never with an airship like this, +which combines the two features. Do you wish to hire any one." + +"No, I don't!" replied Tom, sharply, for he did not like the +looks of the man. + +"I was told that you did," was the rather surprising answer. + +"Who told you?" + +The man looked all around the shed, before replying, as if +fearful of being overheard. Then, stepping close to Tom, he +whispered: + +"Mr. Jenks told me!" + +"Mr. Jenks?" Tom could not conceal his astonishment. + +"Yes. Mr. Barcoe Jenks. But I did not come here to merely ask +you for employment. I would like to hire out to you, but the real +object of my visit was to say this to you." + +The man approached still closer to Tom, and, in a lower voice, +and one that could scarcely be heard, he fairly hissed: + +"Don't go with Barcoe Jenks to seek the diamond makers!" + +Then, before Tom could put out a hand to detain him, had the +lad so wished, the man turned suddenly, and fairly ran from the +shed. + + + + +CHAPTER VI-MR. DAMON IS ON HAND + + +The young inventor stood almost spellbound for a few moments. +Then recovering himself he made a dash for the door through which +the mysterious man had disappeared. Tom saw him sprinting down +the road, and was half-minded to take after him, but a cooler +thought warned him that he had better not. + +"He may be one of those men who are on Mr. Jenks' trail," +reasoned Tom, in which case it might not be altogether safe to +attempt to stop him, and make him explain. Or he may be a +lunatic, and in that case it wouldn't be altogether healthy to +interfere with him. + +"I'll just let him go, and tell Mr. Jenks about him when he +comes to-night. But I must warn Rad never to let him in here +again. He might damage the airship." + +Calling to the colored man, Tom pointed to the stranger, who +was almost out of sight down the road, and said earnestly: + +"Rad, do you see that fellow?" + +"I sho do, Massa Tom, but I sorter has t' strain my eyes t' do +it. He's goin' laik my mule Boomerang does when he's comm' home +t' dinnah." + +"That's right, Rad. Well, never let that man set foot inside +our fence again! If he comes, and I'm home, call me. If I'm away, +call dad or Mr. Jackson, and if you're here alone, drive him +away, somehow." + +"I will, Massa Tom!" exclaimed the colored man, earnestly, "an' +if I can't do it alone, I'll get Boomerang t' help. Once let dat +ar' mule git his heels on a pusson, an' dat pusson ain't goin' t' +come bodderin' around any mo'--that is, not right away." + +"I believe you, Rad. Well, keep a lookout for him, and don't +let him in," and with that Tom entered the house to think over +matters. They were beginning to assume an aspect he did not +altogether like. Not that Tom was afraid of danger, but he +preferred to meet it in the open, and the warning, or threat, of +the mysterious man disquieted him. + +When Mr. Swift came home, a little later, his son told him of +the midnight interview with Mr. Jenks, for, up to this time, the +aged inventor was unaware of it, and Tom also gave an account of +the diamonds, speaking of their value. + +"And do you propose to go to Phantom Mountain, in search of the +makers of these gems, Tom?" asked Mr. Swift. + +"I had about decided to do so, dad." + +"And you're going in the Red Cloud?' + +"Yes." + +"Who are going with you?" + +"Well, Mr. Jenks will go, of course, and I've no doubt but that +if I mention the prospective trip to Mr. Damon, that he'll bless +his skating cap, or something like that, and come along." + +"I suppose so, Tom, and I'd like to have you take him. But I +think you'll need some one else." + +"Because, from what you have told me, you are going out to a +dangerous part of the country, and you may have to deal with +unscrupulous men. Three of you are hardly enough to cope with +them. You ought to have at least another member of your party. If +I was not busy on my invention of a new wireless motor I would go +along, but I can't leave. You might take Mr. Jackson." + +"No, you need him here to help you, dad." + +"How about Eradicate?" + +Tom smiled. + +"Rad would get homesick for his mule Boomerang, and I'd have to +bring him back just when we'd found the diamonds," replied the +young inventor. "No, we'll have to think of some one else. I'll +ask Mr. Damon, and then I'll consider matters further. I expect +to see Mr. Jenks to-night, and he may have some one in mind." + +"Perhaps that will be a good plan. Well, Tom, I trust you will +take good care of yourself, and not run into unnecessary danger. +Is the Red Cloud in good shape for the voyage?" + +"It needs looking over. I'm going to get right at it." + +"It's a pretty indefinite sort of a quest you're going on, Tom, +my son. How do you expect to find Phantom Mountain?" + +"Well, it's going to be quite a task. In the first place we'll +head for Leadville, Colorado, and then we'll go to Indian Ridge +and make some inquiries. We may get on the track of the place +that way. If we don't, why I'll take the airship up as high as is +necessary and sort of prospect until we see that big cliff that's +shaped like a head. That will give us something to go by." + +"Well, do the best you can. If you can discover the secret of +making diamonds it will be a valuable one." + +"I guess it will, dad; and Mr. Jenks is entitled to know it, +for he paid his good money to that end. He has promised to go +halves with me, as payment for the use of the airship, and I must +say the two diamonds he gave me last night have proved very +valuable." + +"Two diamonds, Tom? You only showed me one, an uncut gem"; and +Mr. Swift looked at his son. + +"Oh, the other--er--the other is--I left it with a jeweler," +and Tom blushed a trifle, as he thought of the present he +contemplated making to Mary Nestor. + +That afternoon, as Tom was out in the shed of the Red Cloud +looking over the airship, to see what would be necessary to do to +it in order to get it in shape for a long trip, he heard voices +outside. + +"Yes--yes, I know the way in perfectly well," he caught. "You +needn't bother to come, my good fellow. Just step this way, and +I'll show you something worth seeing." + +"I wonder if it's that mysterious man coming back?" thought +Tom. He dropped the tool he was using, and hurried to the door. +As he approached it he heard the voice continue. + +"Why bless my shoe laces, Mr. Parker! You'll see a wonderful +airship, I promise you. Wonderful! Bless my hatband, but I hope +Tom is here!" + +"Mr. Damon!" exclaimed our hero, as he recognized the tones of +his eccentric friend. "But who is with him?" + +A moment later he caught sight of the gentleman who was always +blessing himself, or something. Behind him stood another man, +whose features Tom could not see plainly. + +"Hello, Tom Swift!" called Mr. Damon. "Looking over the Red +Cloud, eh? Does that mean you're off on another trip?" + +"I guess it does," answered the lad. + +"Where to this time? if I may ask." + +"I'm thinking of going off to the mountains to find a band of +men engaged in making diamonds," replied Tom. + +"Making diamonds! Bless my finger ring! Making diamonds! A trip +to the mountains! Bless my disposition! but do you know I'd like +to go with you!" + +"I was thinking of asking you, Mr. Damon." + +"Were you? Bless my heart, I'm glad you thought of me. You +don't by any possible chance want another person; do you?" + +"We were thinking of having four in the party, Mr. Damon," and +Tom wondered who was with his eccentric friend. + +"Then bless my election ticket! This is the very chance for +you, Mr. Parker!" cried Mr. Damon. "Will you go with us? It will +be just what you need," and Mr. Damon stepped aside, revealing to +Tom the features of Mr. Ralph Parker, the scientist who had +correctly predicted the destruction of Earthquake Island. + + + + +CHAPTER VII--MR. PARKER PREDICTS + + +Tom Swift was a most generous lad, but when he saw that Mr. +Damon had with him Mr. Parker, the gloomy scientist, who seemed +to take delight in predicting disasters, our hero's spirits were +not exactly of the best. He would have much preferred not to take +Mr. Parker on the quest for the diamond makers, but, since Mr. +Damon had mentioned it, he did not see how he could very well +refuse. + +"But perhaps he won't care to go," thought Tom. + +He was undeceived a moment later, however, for the scientist +remarked: + +I am very glad to meet you once more, Mr. Swift. I have +scarcely thanked you enough for what you did for us in erecting +your wireless station on Earthquake Island, which, as you recall, +I predicted would sink into the sea. It did, I am glad to say, +not because I like to see islands destroyed, but because science +has been vindicated. Now I have just heard you remark that you +are about to set off to the mountains in search of some men who +are making diamonds. I need hardly state that this is utterly +useless, for no diamonds, commercially valuable, can be made by +men. But the trip may be valuable in that it will permit me to +demonstrate some scientific facts. + +"Therefore, if you will permit me, I will be very glad to +accompany you and Mr. Damon. I shall be delighted, in short, and +I can start as soon as you are ready." + +"There's no hope for it!" thought Tom, dismally. "I suppose +he'll wake up every morning, and predict that before night the +world will come to an end, or he'll prophesy that the airship +will blow up, and vanish, when about seven miles above the +clouds. Well, there's no way out of it, so here goes." + +Thereupon Tom welcomed the scientist as cordially as he could, +and invited him to form one of the party that would set off in +the airship to search for Phantom Mountain. + +"Bless my jewelry box!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, when this +formality was over. "Tell me more about it, Tom." + +Which our hero did, stating the need of maintaining secrecy on +account of the danger to Mr. Jenks. Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker both +agreed to say nothing about the matter, and then the scientist +became much interested in the Red Cloud, which he closely +examined. He even complimented Tom on the skill shown in making +it, and, contrary to our hero's expectation, did not predict that +it would blow up the next time it was used. + +"How did you happen to arrive just at this time, Mr. Damon?" +asked Tom. + +"It was partly due to Mr. Parker," was the answer. "I had not +seen him since we were rescued from the island, until a few days +ago he called on me at my home. I happened to mention that you +lived near here, and suggested that he might like to see some of +your inventions. He agreed, and we came over in my auto. And now, +bless my liver-pin! I find you about to start off on another +trip." + +"And have you fully decided to go with me?" asked Tom. "There +may be danger, and I don't like the way that mysterious man +behaved." + +"Oh, bless my revolver!" cried Mr. Damon. "I'm used to danger +by this time. Of course I'm going, and so is Mr. Parker. Do you +know," and the man, who was always blessing something, came +closer to the lad, and whispered: "Do you know, Tom, Mr. Parker +is a very peculiar individual." + +"I'm sure of it," answered the young inventor, looking at the +gentleman in question, who was then inside the airship cabin. + +"But he's all right, even if he is predicting unpleasant +things," went on Mr. Damon. "I think we'll get better acquainted +with him after a bit." + +"I hope so," agreed Tom, but he did not realize then how close +his companionship with Mr. Parker was to be, nor what dangers +they were to share later. + +The friends talked at considerable length of the prospective +trip, and Tom, by this time, had ascertained what needed to be +done to the airship to get it in shape to travel. It would take +about a week, and, in the meanwhile, Mr. Damon would go home and +get his affairs in order for the voyage. Tom's father was +introduced to Mr. Parker, and, the former, finding that the +scientist held some views in common with him, invited the gloomy +predictor to remain at the Swift home until the Red Cloud was +ready to sail. Tom could not repress a groan at this, but he +decided he would have to make the best of it. + +Mr. Damon left for home that afternoon, promising to be on hand +at the time set to start for Phantom Mountain. + +Tom was up waiting for Mr. Jenks at twelve o'clock that night. +Shortly after the hour he saw a dark figure steal into the +orchard. At first he feared lest it might be one of the spies who +were, he was now convinced, on the trail of the man who was +seeking to discover the secret of the diamond makers. But a +whistle, which came to the lad's ear a moment later (that being a +signal Mr. Jenks had agreed to sound), told Tom that it was none +other than the visitor he expected. + +"All right, Mr. Jenks, I'm here," called Tom, cautiously. "Come +over this way," and he went out from the shadow of the house, +where he had been waiting, and met the men. "We'll go into my +private work-shop," the youth added, leading the way. + +"Have you decided to go with me?" asked Mr. Jenks, in an +anxious whisper. "Did you find the diamonds to be real ones?" + +"I did; and I'm going," spoke Tom. + +"Good! That relieves my mind. But we are still in danger. I was +followed by my shadower to-day, and only succeeded in shaking him +off just before coming here. I don't believe he knows what I am +about to do." + +"Oh, yes he does," said Tom. + +"He does? How?" + +"Because he was here, and warned me against you!" + +"You don't mean it! Well, they are getting desperate! We must +be on our guard. What sort of a man was he?" + +Tom described the fellow, and Mr. Jenks stated that this +tallied with the appearance of the person who had been shadowing +him. + +"But we'll fool them yet!" cried Tom, who had now fully entered +into the spirit of the affair. "If they can follow us in the Red +Cloud they're welcome to. I think we'll get ahead of them." + +He then told of Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker, and Mr. Jenks agreed +that it would add to the strength of the party to take these two +gentlemen along. + +"Though I can't say I care so much for Mr. Parker," he added. +"But now as to ways and means. When can we start?" + +Thereupon he and Tom talked over details in the seclusion of +the little office, and arranged to leave Shopton in about a week. +In the meanwhile the airship would be overhauled, stocked with +supplies and provisions, and be made ready for a swift dash to +the mountains. + +"And now I must be going," said Mr. Jenks. "I have a great deal +to do before I can start on this trip, and I hope I am not +prevented by any of those men who seem to be trailing me." + +"How could they prevent you?" Tom wanted to know. + +"Oh, there are any number of ways," was the answer. "But I'm +glad you found that my diamonds were real. We'll soon have +plenty, if all goes well." + +As Mr. Jenks left the shop, he started back, in some alarm. + +"What's the matter?" asked Tom. + +"Over there--I thought I saw a figure sneaking along under the +trees--that man--perhaps--" + +"That's Eradicate, our colored helper," replied Tom, with a +laugh. "I posted him there to see that no strangers came into the +orchard. Everything all right, Rad?" he asked, raising his voice. + +"Yais, sah, Massa Tom. Nobody been around yeah this night." + +"That's good. You can go to bed now," and Eradicate, yawning +loudly, went to his shack. A little later Tom sought his own +room, Mr. Jenks having hurried off to town, where he was +boarding. + +The next few days saw Tom busily engaged on the airship, making +some changes and a few repairs that were needed. His father, +Eradicate and Mr. Jackson helped him. As for Mr. Parker, the +scientist, he went about the place, being much interested in the +various machines which Tom or Mr. Swift had patented. + +At other times the scientist would stroll about the extensive +grounds, making what he said were "observations." One afternoon +Tom saw him, apparently much excited, kneeling down back of a +shed, with his ear to the ground. + +"What is the matter?" asked the lad, thinking perhaps Mr. +Parker might be ill. + +"Have you ever had any earthquakes here, Tom Swift?" asked the +scientist, quietly. + +"Earthquakes? No. We had enough of them on the island." + +"And you are going to have one here, in about two minutes!" +cried Mr. Parker. "I predict that this place will be shaken by a +tremendous shock very soon. We had all better get away from the +vicinity of buildings." + +"What makes you think there will be an earthquake?" asked Tom. + +"Because I can hear the rumbling beneath the ground at this +very minute. It is increasing in volume, showing that the tremors +are working this way. There will soon be a great subterranean +upheaval! Listen for yourself." + +Tom cast himself down on the grass. Placing his ear close to +the ground he did hear a series of dull thuds. He arose, not a +little alarmed. There had never been any earthquakes in Shopton, +yet he had great respect for Mr. Parker's scientific attainments. + +Just then Eradicate Sampson came along. He saw Tom and Mr. +Parker lying flat on the ground, and surprise showed on his +honest, black face. + +"Fo' de land sakes!" cried Eradicate. "What am de mattah now, +Massa Tom?" + +"Earthquake coming," answered Tom, briefly. "Better get away +from the buildings, Rad. They might fall!" Tom's face showed the +alarm he felt. What would happen to all of his valuable +machines--to the Red Cloud? + +"Earthquake?" murmured Eradicate, and he, too, cast himself +down to listen. A moment later he arose with a laugh. + +"What's the matter?" cried Tom. + +"Why, dat ain't no earthquake!" declared the colored man. + +"No. Then perhaps you know what it is," said Mr. Parker, +somewhat sharply. + +"Course I knows what it am," answered Eradicate, with dignity. +"Dat noise am my mule Boomerang, kickin' in his stable, on +account oh me not feedin' him yet. Dat's what it am. I'se gwine +right now t' gib him his oats, and den yo' see dat de noise stop. +Boomerang allers kick dat way when he's hungry. I show yo'!" + +And, sure enough, when Eradicate had gone to the mule's stable, +which was near where Mr. Parker had heard the mysterious sounds, +they immediately ceased. + +"Dat mule was all de earthquake dere was around here," said the +colored man as he came out. + +Mr. Parker walked away, saying nothing, and Tom did not make +any comments--just then. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII--OFF FOR THE WEST + + +It was a great relief to Tom, to find that there was no danger +from an earth tremor. Now that he had made up his mind to go in +search of the diamond makers, he wanted nothing to interfere with +it. Lest the feelings of Mr. Parker might be hurt by the mistake +he had made, the young inventor cautioned Eradicate not to say +anything more about the matter. + +"'Deed an' I won't," the colored man promised. "I'se only too +glad dere wa'n't no earthquake, dat's what I is." + +As for Mr. Parker, he did not appear much put out by his error +in predicting. + +"I am sure that what I heard was a tremor, due to some distant +earthquake shock," he said. "The mule's kicking was only a +coincidence." + +And Tom let him have his way about it. The week was drawing to +a close, and the Red Cloud was nearly in shape for the voyage. At +almost the last minute Tom found that he needed some electrical +apparatus for the airship, and as he had to go to Chester for it, +he decided he would make the trip in his monoplane, and, while in +the city, would also get the diamond pin he was having made for +Mary Nestor. + +He started off early one morning, in the swift little craft +Butterfly, and soon had reached Chester. The diamond brooch was +ready for him. + +"It is one of the most beautiful stones we have ever set," the +diamond merchant told him. "Don't forget, if you find any more, +Mr. Swift, to let us have a chance to bid on them." + +"I may," Tom promised, rather indefinitely. Then, having +purchased his electrical supplies, he made a quick trip to +Shopton, stopping on the way to call on Miss Nestor. + +"Why Tom, I'm delighted to see you!" cried the girl, blushing +prettily. "Did you come for some apple turnovers?" and she +laughed, as she referred to a call Tom had once paid, when a new +cook had been engaged, and when the pastry formed a feature of +the meal. + +"No turnovers this time," said the young inventor. "I came to +wish you many happy returns of the day." + +"Oh, you remembered my birthday! How nice of you!" + +"And here is something else," added our hero, rather awkwardly, +as he handed her the diamond pin. + +"Oh, Tom! This for me! Oh, it's too lovely--it's far too much!" + +"It isn't half enough!" he declared, warmly. "Oh, what a large +diamond!" Mary cried as she saw the sparkling stone. "I never saw +one so large and beautiful!" + +"It's just as easy to make them large as small," explained Tom. + +"Make them?" she looked the surprise she felt. + +"Yes, I'm about to start for the place where diamonds are +made." + +"Oh, Tom! But isn't it dangerous? I mean won't you have to go +to some far country--like Africa--to get to where diamonds are +made?" + +"Well, we are going on quite a trip, but not as far as that. +And as for the danger--well, we'll have to take what comes," and +he told her something of the proposed quest. + +"Oh, it sounds--sounds scary!" Mary exclaimed, when she had +heard of Mr. Jenks' experience. Do be careful, Tom!" + +"I will," he promised, and, somehow he was glad that she had +cautioned him thus--and in such tones as she had used. For Mary +Nestor was a girl that any young chap would have been glad to +have manifest an interest in him. + +"Well, I guess I'll have to say good-by," spoke Tom, at length. +"We expect to start in a couple of days, and I may not get +another chance to see you." + +"Oh, I--I hope you come back safely," faltered Mary, and then +she held out her hand, and Tom--well, it's none of our affair +what Tom did after that, except to say that he hurried out, +fairly jumped into his monoplane, and completed the trip home. + +As the Red Cloud has been fully described in the volume +entitled "Tom Swift and His Airship," we will not go into details +about it now. Sufficient to say that it was a combination of a +biplane and dirigible balloon. It could be used either as one or +the other, and the gas-bag feature was of value when the wind was +too great to allow the use of the planes, or when the motive +power, for some reason stopped. In that event the airship could +remain suspended far above the clouds if necessary. There was +provision for manufacturing the gas on board. + +The Red Cloud was fitted up to accommodate about ten persons, +though it was seldom that this number was carried. Two persons +could successfully operate the machinery. There were sleeping +berths, and in the main cabin a sitting-room, a dining-room, and +a kitchen. There was also the motor compartment, and a steering +tower, from which the engines could be controlled. + +It was in this craft that the seekers after the diamond makers +proposed undertaking the trip. Mr. Damon came on from his home in +Waterfield about two days before the date set to leave, and Mr. +Jenks, had, three days before this, taken up his abode at the +Swift home. Mr. Parker, as has been stated, was already there, +and he had put in his time making a number of scientific +observations, though he had made no more predictions. + +Nothing more had been seen of the mysterious man who had warned +Tom, and the young inventor and Mr. Jenks began to hope that they +had thrown their enemies off the track. + +"Though I don't imagine they'll give up altogether," said Mr. +Jenks. "They're too desperate for that. We'll have trouble with +them yet." + +"Well, it can't be helped," decided Tom. "We'll try and be +ready for it, when it comes," and then, dismissing the matter +from his mind, he busied himself about the airship. + +The food and supplies had all been put aboard, and they +expected to start the next morning. In order to make sure that +any stones which they might succeed in getting from the diamond +makers were real gems, a set of testing apparatus was taken +along. Mr. Parker had had some experience in this line, and, in +spite of the fact that he might make direful predictions, Tom was +rather glad, after all, that the scientist was going to accompany +them. + +"But what is worrying me," said Mr. Damon, "is what we are +going to do after we get to Phantom Mountain. What are your +plans, Mr. Jenks? Will you go in, and demand your share of the +diamond-making business?" + +"I have a right to it, as I invested a large sum in it, and I +am entitled to more than a half-share. But, of course, I can't +say what I'll do until I get there. We may have to act very +secretly." + +"I'm inclined to think we will," said Tom. "My plan would be to +gain access to the cave, if possible, and watch them at work. We +might be able to discover the secret of making diamonds, and, +after all, that's what you want, isn't it, Mr. Jenks?" + +"Yes, I paid my money for the secret, and I ought to have it. +If I can get it quietly, so much the better. If not, I'll fight +for my rights!" and he looked very determined. + +"Bless my powder horn!" cried Mr. Damon. "That's the way to +talk! And so we're to go cruising about in the air, looking for a +mountain shaped like a man's head." + +"That's it," a greed Mr. Jenks, "and when we find it we will be +near Phantom Mountain, and the diamond makers." + +The final details were completed that night. The last of the +supplies had been put aboard, the larder was well stocked, the +diamond testing apparatus was stored safely away, and all that +remained was for the adventurers to board the Red Cloud in the +morning, and soar away. + +That night Tom was uneasy. Several times he got up, and looked +toward the shed where the airship was stored. He could not rid +himself of the idea that the men to whose interest it was that +the diamond-making secret remain undiscovered, might attempt to +wreck the airship before the start. Consequently both Eradicate +Sampson and Engineer Jackson were on guard. Tom looked from his +window, to the shed where the Red Cloud was housed. He saw +nothing to cause him any uneasiness. + +"I guess I'm just nervous," he mused. "But, all the same, I'll +be glad when we've started." + +They were all up early the next morning, Mr. Damon beginning +the day by blessing the sunrise, and many other things that +struck his fancy. The airship was wheeled out of the shed, and +Tom gave her a final inspection. + +"It's all right," he declared. "All aboard!" + +"Now, do be careful," begged Mr. Swift. "Don't take too many +chances, Tom." + +"I'll not." + +The adventurers were in the forward part of the ship, and Tom +had taken his place at the wheels and levers in the pilot house. +As he was about to start the motor he looked toward the road, and +saw a horse and carriage. In the vehicle was a girlish figure, at +the sight of which Tom blushed and smiled. He waved his hand. + +"I came to wish you good luck!" cried Mary Nestor, for it was +she in the carriage. + +"Thanks!" cried Tom, leaning from the window of the pilot +house. "It was good of you to get up so early." + +"Oh. I'm always up early," she informed him. + +"Look out that the motor doesn't scare your horse," Tom warned +her. + +"Old Dobbin doesn't mind anything," was her answer. "I'll see +that he doesn't run away with me, as long as you're not on earth +to rescue me. Good-by, Tom!" + +"Good-by!" he called, and then he pulled the lever that set in +motion the motor, and whirled the great propellers about. They +whizzed around with a roar, and the Red Cloud, shivering and +trembling with the vibration, rose in the air like some great +bird. + +"We're off for the West and Phantom Mountain!" called Tom to +his companions. + +As the airship soared upward, Eradicate Sampson ran forward +from where he had been standing near his mule Boomerang. He waved +his hands, and shouted something. + +"Bless my hatband! What does he want?" asked Mr. Damon, +watching him curiously. + +"It sounds as if he were calling to us to come back," spoke Mr. +Parker. + +"It's too late now," decided Tom. "Maybe he forgot to tell us +good-by," but, he felt a vague wonder at Eradicate's odd motions; +for the colored man was pointing toward the stern of the airship, +as if there was something wrong there. But the Red Cloud soared +on. + + + + +CHAPTER IX--A WARNING BY WIRELESS + + +Rapidly the airship ascended, and, when it was high over the +town of Shopton, Tom headed the craft due west. Looking down he +tried to descry Mary Nestor, in her carriage, but the trees were +in the way, their interlocking branches hiding the girl. Tom did +see crowds of other persons, though, thronging the streets of +Shopton, for, though the young inventor had made many flights, +there was always a novelty about them, that brought out the +curious. + +"A good start, Tom Swift," complimented Mr. Parker. "Is it +always as easy as this?" + +"Starting always is," was the answer, "though, as the Irishman +said, coming down isn't sometimes quite so comfortable." + +"Bless my gizzard! That's so," cried the eccentric Mr. Damon. +"Can we vol-plane to earth in the Red Cloud, Tom?" + +"Yes, but not as easily as in the Butterfly. However I hope we +will not have to. Now, Mr. Damon, if you will just take charge of +the steering apparatus for a minute, I want to go aft." + +"What for?" + +"I wish to see if everything is all right. I can't imagine why +Eradicate was making those queer motions." + +Mr. Damon, who knew how to operate the Red Cloud, was soon +guiding her on the course, while Tom made his way to the rear +compartments, through the motor room, where the stores of +supplies and food were kept. He made a careful examination, +looking from an after window, and even going out on a small, open +platform, but could discover nothing wrong. + +"I guess Rad was just capering about without any special +object," mused Tom, but it was not long after this that they +learned to their dismay, that the colored man had had a method in +his madness. + +On his way back through the motor room Tom looked to the +machinery, and adjusted some of the auxiliary oil feeders. The +various pieces of apparatus were working well, though the engine +had not yet been speeded up to its limit. Tom wanted it to "warm-up" +first. + +"Everything all right?" asked Mr. Damon, as Tom rejoined them +in the pilot house, which was just forward of the living room in +the main cabin. + +"Yes, I can't imagine what made Rad act that way. But I'll set +the automatic steering gear now, Mr. Damon, and then you will be +relieved." + +Mr. Jenks was gazing off toward the west--to where he hoped to +discover the secret of Phantom Mountain. + +"How do you like it?" asked Tom. + +"It's great," replied the diamond man. "I've never been in an +airship before, and it's different than what I expected; but it's +great! It's the only craft that will serve our purpose among the +towering mountain peaks, where the diamond makers are hidden. I +hope we can find them." + +In a little while the Red Cloud was skimming along at faster +speed, guided by the automatic rudders, so that no one was needed +in the pilot house, since there was no danger of collisions. +Airships are not quite numerous enough for that, yet, though they +may soon become so. + +Tom and the others devoted several hours to arranging their +staterooms and bunks, and getting their clothing stowed away, and +when this was done Mr. Parker and Mr. Jenks sat gazing off into +space. + +"It's hard to realize that we are really in an airship," +observed the diamond man. "At first I thought I would be +frightened, but I'm not a bit. It doesn't seem as if anything +could happen." + +"Something is likely to happen soon," said Mr. Parker, +suddenly, as he gazed at some weather instruments on the cabin +wall. + +"Bless my soul! Don't say that!" cried Mr. Damon. "What is it?" + +"I think, from my observations, that we will soon have a +hurricane," said the scientific man. "There is every indication +of it"'; and he seemed quite delighted at the prospect of his +prediction coming true. + +"A hurricane!" cried Mr. Damon. "I hope it isn't like the one +that blew us to Earthquake Island." + +"Oh, I think there will be no danger," spoke Tom. "If it comes +on to blow we will ascend or descend out of the path of the +storm. This craft is not like the ill-fated Whizzer. I can more +easily handle the Red Cloud; even in a bad storm." + +"I'm glad to hear that," remarked Mr. Jenks. "It would be too +bad to be wrecked before we got to Phantom Mountain." + +"Well, I predict that we will have a bad storm," insisted Mr. +Parker, and Tom could not help wishing that the scientist would +keep his gloomy forebodings to himself. + +However the storm had not developed up to noon, when Tom, with +Mr. Damon's help, served a fine meal in the dining-room. In the +afternoon the speed of the ship was increased, and by night they +had covered several hundred miles. Through the darkness the Red +Cloud kept on, making good time. Tom got up, occasionally, to +look to the machinery, but it was all automatically controlled, +and an alarm bell would sound in his stateroom when anything went +wrong. + +"Bless my napkin!" exclaimed Mr. Damon the next morning, as +they sat down to a breakfast of fruit, ham and eggs and fragrant +coffee, "this is living as well as in a hotel, and yet we are--how +far are we above the earth, Tom?" he asked, turning to the +young inventor. + +"About two miles now. I just sent her up, as I thought I +detected that storm Mr. Parker spoke of." + +"I told you it would come," declared the scientist, and there +was a small hurricane below them that morning, but only the lower +edge of it caught the Red Cloud, and when Tom sent her up still +higher she found a comparatively quiet zone, where she slid along +at good speed. + +That afternoon Tom busied himself about some wires and a number +of complicated pieces of apparatus which were in one corner of +the main cabin. + +"What are you doing now?" asked Mr. Jenks, who had been talking +with Mr. Parker, and showing that scientist some of the +manufactured diamonds. + +"Getting our wireless apparatus in shape," answered the lad. "I +should have done it before, but I had so much to do that I +couldn't get at it. I'm going to send off some messages. Dad will +want to know how we are doing." + +As he worked away, he also made up his mind to send another +message, in care of his father, for there was a receiving station +in the Swift home. And to whom this message was addressed Tom did +not say, but we fancy some of our readers can guess. + +Finally, after several hours of work, the wireless was in shape +to send and receive messages. Tom pulled over the lever, and a +crackling sound was heard, as the electricity leaped from the +transmitters into space. Then he clamped the receiver on his ear. + +"All ready," he announced. "Has anybody any messages they wish +sent?" For, with the courtesy of a true host he was ready to +serve his guests before he forwarded his own wireless notes. + +"Just tell my wife that I'm enjoying myself," requested Mr. +Damon. "Bless my footstool! But this is great! We're off the +earth yet, connected with it." + +Mr. Jenks had no one to whom he wanted to send any word, but +Mr. Parker wish to wire to a fellow scientist the result of some +observations made in the upper air. + +Tom noted all the messages down, and then, when all was in +readiness he began to call his home station. He knew that either +his father or Mr. Jackson, the engineer, could receive the +wireless. + +But, no sooner had the young inventor sent off the first few +dots and dashes representing "S. I."--his home station call--than +he started and a look of surprise came over his face. + +"They're calling us!" he exclaimed. + +"Who is?" asked Mr. Jenks. + +"My house--my father. He--he's been trying to get us ever since +we started, but I didn't have the wireless in shape to receive +messages. Oh, I hope it's not too late!" + +"Too late! Bless my soul, too late for what?" gasped Mr. Damon, +somewhat alarmed by Tom's manner. + +The lad did not answer at once. He was intently listening to a +series of dots and dashes that clicked in the telephone receiver +clamped to his left ear. On his face there was a look of +worriment. + +"Father has just sent me a message," he said. "It's a warning +flashed through space! He's been trying to get it to me since +yesterday!" + +"What is it?" asked Mr. Jenks, rising from his seat. + +"The mysterious man is aboard the airship--hidden away!" cried +Tom. "That's what Eradicate was trying to call to our attention +as we started off. Eradicate saw his face at a rear window, and +tried to warn us! The mysterious man is a stowaway on board!" + + + + +CHAPTER X--DROPPING THE STOWAWAY + + +Tom's excited announcement startled Mr. Damon and the others as +much as if the young inventor had informed them that the airship +had exploded and was about to dash with them to the earth. The +men leaped to their feet, and stared at the lad. + +"A stowaway on board!" cried Mr. Damon. +"Bless my soul! How did he--" + +"Are you sure that message is straight?" asked Mr. Jenks. "Did +Eradicate see the man?" + +"He says he did," answered Tom. "The man is hidden away on +board now--probably among the stores and supplies." + +"Bless my tomato sauce!" exploded Mr. Damon. "I hope he doesn't +eat them all up!" + +"We must get him out at once!" declared Mr. Jenks. + +"I knew something would happen on this voyage," came from Mr. +Parker. "I predicted it from the first!" + +Tom thought considerable, but he did not answer the scientist +just then. Another communication was coming to him by wireless. +He listened intently. + +"Father says," the lad told his companions "that Eradicate only +had a glimpse of the man at the last moment. He was looking from +the rear storeroom window--he's the same man who called on me +that time--Rad remembers him very well." + +"Bless my shoes! What's to be done?" inquired Mr. Damon, +looking around helplessly. + +"We must get him out, that's all," decided Mr. Jenks; with +vigor. "Get him out and drop him overboard!" + +"Drop him overboard!" cried Mr. Parker, in horror. + +"Not exactly, but get rid of him," proceeded the diamond +seeker. "That man is one of my enemies. He has been sent by the +band of diamond makers hidden among the mountains, to spy on me, +and, if possible, prevent me from seeking to discover their +secret. He tried to work on Tom's Swift's fears, and frighten him +from using his airship on this quest. Then, when he failed, the +man must have sneaked into the shed, and hidden himself in the +ship. We must get rid of him, or he may wreck the Red Cloud!" + +"That's so!" cried Tom. "We must try to capture him. I think we +had better--" the lad paused, and again listened to the wireless +message. "Father says Eradicate saw the man have a gun, so we +must be careful," the young inventor translated the dots and +dashes. + +"Bless my powder horn!" exploded Mr. Damon. + +"We shall have to proceed cautiously then," spoke Mr. Jenks. +"If he is like any others in the gang he is a desperate man." + +"Better sneak up on him then, if we can," proposed Mr. Parker. +"There are enough of us to cope with one man, even if he is +armed. You have weapons aboard, haven't you?" he inquired of Tom. + +"Yes," was the hesitating answer, "but I don't want to use them +if I can help it. Not only because of the danger, and a dislike +of shedding blood, but because a stray bullet might pierce the +gas bag and damage the ship." + +"That's so," agreed Mr. Jenks. "Well, I guess if we go at it +the right way we can capture him without any shooting. But we +must talk more quietly--we ought to have whispered--he may have +heard us." + +"I don't think so," replied Tom. "The storeroom is far enough +off so that he couldn't hear us. Besides, the motor makes such a +racket that he couldn't distinguish what we were talking about, +even if he heard our voices. So, unless he heard the wireless +working, and suspects something from that, he probably doesn't +know that we are aware of his presence aboard." + +"But why do you think he has remained quiet all this while, +Tom?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"Probably he wants to wait until the ship is farther out west," +suggested Mr. Jenks. "Then he will be nearer his friends, and can +get help, if he needs it." + +"And do you really believe he would destroy the Red Cloud?" +asked Mr. Parker. + +"I think that all he is waiting for is a favorable chance," +declared the diamond seeker. "He would destroy the craft, and us +too, if he could prevent us from discovering the secret of +Phantom Mountain, I believe." + +"Then we must get ahead of him," decided Tom, quietly. "I have +just flashed to dad a message, telling him that we will heed his +warning. Now to capture the stowaway!" + +"And while we're about it, give him a good scare when we do get +him," suggested Mr. Jenks. + +"How?" asked Tom. + +"Threaten to drop him overboard. Perhaps that will make him +tell how he happened to get in our ship, and what are the plans +of the gang of diamond makers. We may get valuable information +that way." + +"I don't believe you can scare such fellows much," was Tom's +opinion, but it was agreed to try. + +"How are you going to capture him?" asked Mr. Parker. "If he +has a gun it won't be any too easy to go in the storeroom, and +drag him out." + +"We'll have to use a little strategy," decided Tom, and then they +discussed several plans. The one finally adopted was that Tom and Mr. +Damon should enter the storeroom, casually, as if in search of food to +cook for supper. They would discuss various dishes, and Mr. Damon was +to express a preference for something in the food line, the box +containing which, was well hack in the room. This would give the two a +chance to penetrate to the far end of the apartment, without arousing +the suspicions of the hidden man, who, doubtless, would be listening +to the conversation. + +"And as soon as we get sight of him, you and I will jump right +at him, Mr. Damon," said Tom. "Jump before he has a chance to use +his gun. Mr. Jenks and Mr. Parker will be waiting outside the +room, to catch him if he gets away from us. I'll have some ropes +ready, and we'll tie him up, and--well, we'll decide later what +to do with him." + +"All right. I'm ready as soon as you are, Tom," said the +eccentric man. "Come ahead." + +They went softly to the storeroom, and listened at the door. +There was no sound heard save that made by the machinery. + +"I wonder if he's really here?" whispered Mr. Damon. + +"We'll soon find out," answered Tom. "Let's go in." + +They entered, and, in pursuance of their plan, Tom and his +friend talked of various foods. + +"I think I'd like some of that canned lobster, with French +dressing on," spoke the eccentric man. + +"That's away in the back end of the room," said Tom, in a loud +voice. "It's under a lot of boxes." + +"Then I'll help you get it out! Bless my frying pan! but I am +very fond of lobster!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, in as natural tones +as was possible under the circumstances. + +He and Tom moved cautiously back among the boxes and barrels. +They were glancing about with eager eyes. Tom switched on an +electric light, and, the instant he did so, he was aware of a +movement in a little space formed by one box which was placed on +top, of two others. The lad saw a dark figure moving, as if to +get farther out of sight. + +"I've got him!" cried Tom, making a dive for the shadow. + +A moment later the young inventor was bowled over, as a dark +figure leaped over his head. + +"Catch him, Mr. Damon!" he cried. + +"Bless my hatband! I--I--" Mr. Damon's voice ended in a grunt. +He, too, had been knocked down by the fleeing man. + +"Look out, Mr. Jenks!" cried Tom, to warn those on guard at the +door of the storeroom. + +There was the report of a gun, some excited shouts, and when +Tom could scramble to his feet, and rush out, he beheld Mr. +Parker calmly sitting on a struggling man, while Mr. Jenks held a +gun, that was still smoking. + +"We caught him!" cried the scientist. + +"Anybody hurt?" asked Tom, anxiously. + +"No, I knocked up his gun as he fired," explained Mr. Jenks. +"Where are the ropes, Tom?" + +The cords were produced and the man, who had now ceased to +struggle, was tightly bound. He uttered not a word, but he smiled +grimly when Mr. Damon remarked: + +"I guess I'll go back in the storeroom, Tom, and see how much +food he ate." + +"Oh, I guess he didn't take much," declared the lad. "He wasn't +there long enough." + +"Well, Farley Munson, so it's you, is it?" asked Mr. Jenks, as +he surveyed the prisoner. + +"Do you know him?" asked Tom, in some surprise. + +"He was in with the diamond makers," said Mr. Jenks. "He was +one of those who took me to the secret cave. But it will be the +last time he ever goes there. How high up are we, Tom?" + +"About two miles. Why?" + +"I guess that will be far enough to let him fall," went on the +diamond seeker. "Come on, Mr. Damon, help me throw him overboard!" + +"You--you're not going to throw me over--with the airship two +miles high; are you?" gasped the man. + +"Will you tell us what we want to know, if we don't?" asked Mr. +Jenks. + +"What do you want to know?" + +"How you got aboard, and what your object was in coming." + +"That's easy enough. I had been hanging around the shed for +several days, watching a chance to get in. Finally I saw it, when +that colored man went to feed his mule, and I slipped in, and +hid in the airship. The stores were all in then, and I stowed +myself away among the boxes. I had food and water, so I didn't +touch any of yours," and he looked at Mr. Damon, who seemed much +relieved. + +"And what was your object?" demanded Mr. Jenks. + +"I wanted to prevent you from going to Phantom Mountain." + +"How?" + +"By destroying the airship if need be. But I hoped to +accomplish it by other means. I would have stopped at nothing, +though, to prevent you. You must keep away from there!" + +"And if we refuse?" asked Tom. + +"Then you'll have to take what comes!" + +"But not from you!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks. "We're going to get +rid of you." + +The man's face showed the alarm he felt. + +"Oh, don't worry," said Mr. Jenks, quickly, "we're not going to +toss you overboard. We're not as desperate as your crowd. But +we're going to get rid of you, and then go on before you can send +any word to your confederates. We'll put you off in the most +lonesome spot we can find, and I guess you'll be some time +getting back to civilization. By that time we'll have the secret +of the diamonds." + +"You never will!" declared the man, firmly. And he would say +nothing more, though by threats and promises Mr. Jenks tried to +get from him something about the men in with him, and where the +cave of the diamonds was located. + +Heavily bound with ropes the man was locked in a small closet, +to be kept there until a favorable spot was reached for letting +him go. Mr. Jenks' plan, of dropping him down in some place where +he would have difficulty in sending on word to his confederates +was considered a good one. + +Three days later, in crossing over a lonely region, near the +Nebraska National Forest, Farley Munson, which was one of the +names the spy went by, was dropped off the airship, when it was +sent down to within a few feet of the earth. + +"It will take you some time to get to a telegraph office," said +Mr. Jenks, as a package of food, and a flask of water was tossed +down to the stowaway. He shook his fist at those in the airship, +and shouted after them: + +"You'll never discover the secret of Phantom Mountain!" + +"Yes, we will," declared Tom, as he sent the Red Cloud high +into the air again. + + + +CHAPTER XI--A WEARY SEARCH + + +During the three days when the stowaway had been kept a +prisoner, the Red Cloud had made good time on her western trip. +She was now about two hundred and fifty miles from Leadville, +Colorado, and Tom knew he could accomplish that distance in a +short time. It was necessary, therefore, since they were so close +to the place where the real search would begin, to make some more +definite plans. + +"We will need to replenish our supply of gasoline," said Tom, +shortly after the stowaway had been dropped, and when the young +inventor had made a general inspection of the airship. + +"Is it all gone?" inquired Mr. Damon. + +"Not all, but we will soon be in the wildest part of the Rocky +Mountains, and gasoline is difficult to procure there. So I want +to fill all our reserve tanks. But I would rather do that before +we get far into Colorado." + +"Why?" inquired Mr. Parker. + +"Because airships are not so common but what the appearance of +one attracts attention. Ours is sure to be talked about, and +commented on. In that case, in spite of our precaution in putting +Munson off in this lonely place, word of the Red Cloud being in +the vicinity of Leadville may reach the diamond makers, and put +them on their guard. We want to take them unawares if we can." + +"That's so," agreed Mr. Jenks. "We had better get our gasoline +at the first stopping place, then, and proceed with our search. +Our first object ought to be to look for the landmark--the head +of stone. Then we can begin to prospect about a bit." + +"My idea, exactly," declared Tom. "Well, then, I'll go down at +the first place we cross, where we can get gasoline, and then +we'll be in a position to hover in the air for a long time, +without descending." + +The airship kept on her way, traveling slowly the remainder of +that day, and at dusk, when there was less chance of big crowds +seeing them, the Red Cloud was sent down on the outskirts of a +large village. Tom and Mr. Damon went to a supply store, and +arranged to have a sufficient quantity of the gasoline taken out +to the airship. It was delivered after dark, and little talk was +occasioned by the few who were aware of the presence of the +craft. Then, once more, they went aloft, and Tom sent several +wireless messages to Shopton, including one to Miss Nestor. + +"Please tell my wife that I am well, and that I have a good +appetite," said Mr. Damon. + +Mr. Parker also sent a message to a scientific friend of his, stating +that he made some observations among the mountains, of the region in +which the airship then was, and that the indications were that a great +landslide would soon take place. + +"That won't worry us," spoke Tom, "for we'll be far above it." + +"I hope we will be near enough to enable me to observe it, and +make some scientific notes," came from Mr. Parker. "I am positive +that one of these mountain peaks that we saw to-day will +disappear in a landslide within a few days. I have an instrument +somewhat like the one that records earthquakes, and it has been +acting strangely of late." + +Tom wondered what enjoyment Mr. Parker got out of life, when he +was always looking for some calamity to happen, but the scientist +seemed to take as much pleasure in his gloomy forebodings now, as +he had on Earthquake Island. + +They reached the vicinity of Leadville the next day, but took +care to keep high above the city, so that the airship could not +be observed. With powerful glasses they examined the mountainous +country, looking for the little settlement of Indian Ridge. + +"There it is!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks, just as dusk was settling +down. I can make out the hotel I stopped at. Now we can really +begin our search. The next thing is to find the stone head, and +then, I think, I will have my bearings." + +"We'll begin the hunt for that landmark in the morning," said +Tom. + +High in the air hovered the Red Cloud. At that distance above +the earth she must have looked like some great bird, and the +adventurers thought it unlikely that any one in the vicinity of +Leadville would observe them. + +The quest for the great mountain peak, that looked like a stone +head, was under way. Back and forth sailed the airship. Sometimes +she was enveloped in fog, and no sight could be had of the earth +below. At other times there were rain storms, which likewise +prevented a view. Mr. Parker was on the lookout for his predicted +mountain landslide, but it did not occur, and he was much +disappointed. + +"It's queer I can't pick out that landmark," said Mr. Jenks +after two days of weary searching, when their eyes were strained +from long peering through telescopes. "I'm sure it was around +Indian Ridge, yet we've covered almost all the ground in this +neighborhood, and I haven't had a glimpse of it." + +"Perhaps it was destroyed in a landslide, or some cataclysm of +nature," suggested Mr. Parker. "That is very possible." + +"If that's the case we're going to have a hard time to locate +the cave of the diamond makers," answered Mr. Jenks, "but I hope +it isn't so." + +They continued the search for another day, and then Tom, as +they sat in the comfortable cabin of the airship that night, +hovering almost motionless (for the motor had been shut down) +made a proposition. + +"Why not descend in some secluded place," he suggested, "and +wander around on foot, making inquiries of the miners. They may +know where the stone head is, or they may even know about Phantom +Mountain." + +"Good idea," spoke Mr. Jenks. "We'll do it." + +Accordingly, the next morning, the Red Cloud was lowered in a +good but lonely landing place, and securely moored. It was in a +valley, well screened from observation, and the craft was not +likely to be seen, but, to guard against any damage being done to +it by passing hunters or miners, Mr. Parker and Mr. Damon agreed +to remain on guard in it, while Tom and Mr. Jenks spent a day or +two traveling around, making inquiries. + +The young inventor and his companion proceeded on foot to a +small settlement, where they hired horses on which to make their +way about. They were to be gone two days, and in that time they +hoped to get on the right trail. + + + + +CHAPTER XII--THE GREAT STONE HEAD + + +It was a wild and desolate country in which Tom Swift and Mr. +Jenks were traveling. Villages were far apart, and they were at +best but small settlements. In their journeys from place to place +they met few travelers. + +But of these few they made cautious inquiries as to the +location of Phantom Mountain, or the landmark known as the great +stone head. Prospectors, miners and hunters, whom they asked, +shook their heads. + +"I've heard of Phantom Mountain," said one grizzled miner, "but +I couldn't say where it is. Maybe it's only a fish story--the +place may not even exist." + +"Oh, it does, for I've been there!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks. + +"Then why don't you go back to it?" asked the miner. + +"Because I can't locate it again," was the reply. + +"Humph! Mighty queer if you've seen a place once, and can't get +to it again," and the man looked as if he thought there was +something strange about Tom and his companion. Mr. Jenks did not +want to say that he had been taken to the mountain blindfolded, +for that would have caused too much talk. + +"I think if we spent to-night in a place where the miners +congregate, listened to their talk, and put a few casual +questions to them, more as if we were only asking out of idle +curiosity, we might learn something," suggested Tom. + +"Very well, we'll try that scheme." + +Accordingly, after they had left the suspicious miner the two +proceeded to a small milling town, not far from Indian Ridge. +There they engaged rooms for the night at the only hotel, and, +after supper they sat around the combined dance hall and gambling +place. + +There were wild, rough scenes, which were distasteful to Tom, +and to Mr. Jenks, but they felt that this was their only chance +to get on the right trail, and so they stayed. As strangers in a +western mining settlement they were made roughly welcome, and in +response to their inquiries about the country, they were told +many tales, some of which were evidently gotten up for the +benefit of the "tenderfeet." + +"Is there a place around here called Phantom Mountain?" asked +Tom, at length, as quietly as he could. + +"Never heard of it, stranger," replied a miner who had done +most of the talking. "I never heard of it, and what Bill +Slatterly don't know ain't worth knowin'. I'm Bill Slatterly," he +added, lest there be some doubt on that score. + +"Isn't there some sort of a landmark around here shaped like a +great stone head?" went on Tom, after some unimportant questions. +"Seems to me I've heard of that." + +"Nary a one," answered Mr. Slatterly. "No stone heads, and no +Phantom Mountains--nary a one. + +"Who says there ain't no Phantom Mountains?" demanded an +elderly miner, who had been dozing in one corner of the room, but +who was awakened by Slatterly's loud voice. "Who says so?" + +"I do," answered the one who claimed to know everything. + +"Then you're wrong!" Tom's heart commenced beating faster than +usual. + +"Do you mean to say you've seen Phantom Mountain, Jed Nugg?" +demanded Slatterly. + +"No, I ain't exactly seen it, an' I don't want to, but there is +such a place, about sixty mile from here. Folks says it's +haunted, and them sort of places I steer clear from." + +"Can you tell me about it?" asked Mr. Jenks, eagerly. "I am +interested in such things." + +"I can't tell you much about it," was the reply, "and I +wouldn't git too interested, if I was you. It might not be +healthy. All I know is that one time my partner and I were in +hard luck. We got grub-staked, and went out prospectin'. We +strayed into a wild part of the country about sixty mile from +here, and one night we camped on a mountain--a wild, desolate +place it was too." + +The miner stopped, and began leisurely filling his pipe. + +"Well?" asked Tom, trying not to let his voice sound too eager. + +"Well, that was Phantom Mountain." + +The miner seemed to have finished his story. + +"Is that all?" asked Mr. Jenks. "How did you know it was +Phantom Mountain?" + +"'Cause we seen the ghost--my partner and I--that's why!" +exclaimed the man, puffing on his pipe. "As I said, we was +campin' there, and 'long about midnight we seen somethin' tall +and white, and all shimmerin', with a sort of yellow fire, +slidin' down the side of the mountain It made straight for our +camp." + +"Huh! Guess you run, didn't you, Jed?" asked Bill Slatterly. + +"Course we did. You'd a run too, if you seen a ghost comm' at +you, an' firm' a gun." + +"Ghosts can't fire guns!" declared Bill. "I guess you dreamed +it, Jed." + +"Ghosts can't fire guns, eh? That's all you know about it. This +one did, and to prove I didn't dream it, there was a bullet hole +in my hat next mornin'. I could prove it, too, only I ain't got +that hat any more. But that was Phantom Mountain, strangers, an' +my advice to you is to keep away from it. I was on it but I +didn't exactly see it, 'cause it was dark at the time." + +"Was it near a peak that looked like a stone +head?" asked Tom. + +"It were, stranger, but I didn't take much notice of it. Me and +my partner got out of them diggin's next day, and I never went +back. I ain't never said much about this place, but it's called +Phantom Mountain all right, and I ain't the only one that's seen +a ghost there. Other grub-stakers has had the same experience." + +"Why ain't I never heard about it?" demanded Bill, +suspiciously. + +"'Cause as why you're allers so busy talkin' that you don't +never listen to nothin' I reckon," was Jed's answer, amid +laughter. + +"Can you tell us what trail to take to get there?" asked Tom, +of the miner. + +"Yes, it's called the old silver trail, and you strike it by +goin' to a place called Black Gulch, about forty mile from here. +Then it's twenty mile farther on. But take my advice and don't +go." + +"Can it be reached by way of Indian Ridge?" asked Mr. Jenks, +wondering how he had been taken to the cave of the diamond +makers. He did not remember Black Gulch. + +"Yes, you can git there by Indian Ridge way, but it's more +dangerous. You're likely to lose your way, for that's a trail +that's seldom traveled." Mr. Jenks thought that, perhaps, was the +reason the gang had taken him that way. "It's easier to get to +the stone head and Phantom Mountain by Black Gulch, but it ain't +healthy to go there, strangers, take my advice on that," +concluded the miner, as he prepared to go to sleep again. + +Tom could scarcely contain the exultation he felt. At last, it +seemed, they were on the trail. He motioned to Mr. Jenks, and +they slipped quietly from the place, just as another dance was +beginning. + +"Now for Black Gulch!" cried Tom. "We must hurry back to the +airship, and tell the good news. + +"It's too late to-night," decided Mr. Jenks, and so they waited +until morning, when they made an early start. + +They found Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker anxiously awaiting their +return. Mr. Damon blessed so many things that he was nearly out +of breath, and Mr. Parker related something of the observations +he had made. + +"I think I have discovered traces of a dormant volcano," he +said. "I am in hopes that it will have an eruption while we are +here." + +"I'm not," spoke Tom, decidedly. "We'll start for Black Gulch +as soon as possible." + +The airship once more rose in the air, and, following the +directions the miner had given him, Tom pointed his craft for the +depression in the mountains which had been given the name Black +Gulch. It was reached in a short time, and then, making a turn up +a long valley the airship proceeded at reduced speed. + +"We ought to see that stone head soon now," spoke Tom, as he +peered from the windows of the pilot house. + +"It's queer we didn't notice it when we were up in the air," +remarked Mr. Jenks. "We've been over this place before, I'm sure +of it." + +The next moment Mr. Damon uttered a cry. "Bless my watch-chain!" +he exclaimed. "Look at that!" + +He pointed off to the left. There, jutting out from the side of +a steep mountain peak was a mass of stone--black stone--which, as +the airship slowly approached, took the form and shape of a +giant's head. + +"That's it! That's it!" cried Tom. "The great stone head!" + +"And now for Phantom Mountain and the diamonds!" shouted Mr. +Jenks, as Tom let the airship slowly settle to the bottom of the +valley. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII--ON PHANTOM MOUNTAIN + + +Out from the Red Cloud piled Tom and the others. They made a +rush for the irregular mass of rock which bore so strong a +resemblance to the head of some gigantic man. + +"That's the one! That's the thing I saw when they were taking +me along here blindfolded!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks. "I'm sure we're +on the right trail, now!" + +"But what gets me, though," remarked Mr. Damon, "is why we +couldn't see that landmark when we were up in the air. We had a +fine view, and ought to have been able to pick it out with the +telescopes." + +The adventurers saw the reason a few seconds later. The image +was visible only from one place, and that was directly looking up +the valley. If one went too far to the right or left the head +disappeared from view behind jutting crags, and it was impossible +to see it from overhead, because the head was almost under a +great spur of a mighty mountain. + +"We might have hunted for it a week in the airship, and been +directly over it," said Tom, "and yet we would never have seen +it." + +"Yes, but we never would have gotten here in such good shape if +it hadn't been for your wonderful craft," declared Mr. Jenks. "It +brought us here safely and quickly, and enabled us to elude the +men who tried to keep us back. We're here in spite of them. If we +had traveled by train they might have interfered with us in a +dozen ways." + +"That's so," agreed Mr. Damon. "Well, now we're here, what's to +be done? Which way do we start to reach the cave where the +diamonds are manufactured, Mr. Jenks?" + +"That I can't say. As you know, I only had a momentary glimpse +of this stone head as they wore taking me along the trail. Then +one the men noticed that the bandage had slipped and he pulled it +into place. So I really can't say which direction to take now, in +order to discover the secret." + +"How long after you saw the head before you reached the cave?" +asked Tom. "In that way we may be able to tell how far away it +is." + +"Well, I should say it was about two or three hours after I saw +the head, before we got to the halting place, and I was carried +into the cave. That would make it several miles from here, for we +went in a wagon." + +"Yes, and they might have driven in a round-about way, in order +to deceive you," suggested Mr. Damon. "At best we have but a +faint idea where the diamond cave is, but we must search for it; +eh, Tom?" + +"Certainly. We'll start right in. And as the airship will be of +but little service to us now, I suggest that we leave it in this +valley. It is very much secluded, and no one will harm it, I +think. We can then start off prospecting, for I have a large +portable tent, and we can carry enough food with us, with what +game we can shoot, to enable us to live. I have a regular camping +outfit on board." + +"Fine!" cried Mr. Parker, "and that will give me a chance to +make some observations among the mountains, and perhaps I can +predict when a landslide, or an eruption of some dormant volcano, +may occur." + +"Bless my stars!" cried Mr. Damon. "I don't wish you any bad +luck, Mr. Parker, but I sincerely hope nothing of the sort +happens! We had enough of that on Earthquake Island!" + +"One can not halt the forces of nature," said the scientist, +solemnly. "There are many towering peaks around here which may +contain old volcanoes. And I notice the presence of iron ore all +about. This must be a wonderful place in a thunder and lightning +storm." + +"Why?" asked Tom, curiously. + +"Because lightning would be powerfully attracted here by the +presence of the metal. In fact there is evidence that many of the +peaks have been struck by lightning," and the scientist showed +curious, livid scars on the stone faces of the peaks within +sight. + +"Then this is a good place to stay away from in a storm," +observed Mr. Damon. "However, we won't worry about that now. If +this is the landmark Mr. Jenks was searching for, then we must be +in the vicinity of Phantom Mountain." + +"I think we are," declared the diamond seeker. "Probably it is +within sight now, but there are so many peaks, and this is such a +wild and desolate part of the country that we may have trouble in +locating it." + +"We've got to make a beginning, anyhow," decided Tom, "and the +sooner the better. Come, we'll make up our camping kits, and +start out." + +It was something to know that they were on the right trail, and +it was a relief to be able to busy oneself, and not be aimlessly +searching for a mysterious landmark. They all felt this, and soon +the airship was taken to a secluded part of the valley, where it +was well hidden from sight in a grove of trees. + +Tom and Mr. Damon then served a good meal, and preparations +were made to start on their search among the mountains--a search +which they hoped would lead them to Phantom Mountain, and the +cave of the diamond makers. + +The tent which would afford them shelter was in sections, and +could be laced together. They carried food, compressed into small +packages, coffee, a few cooking utensils; and each one had a gun, +Tom carrying a combination rifle and shotgun, for game. + +"We can't live very high while we're on the trail," said the +young inventor, "but it won't be much worse than it was on +Earthquake Island. Are we all ready?" + +"I guess so," answered Mr. Damon. "How long are we going to be +away?" + +"Until we find the diamond makers!" declared Tom, firmly. + +Shouldering their packs, the adventurers started off. Tom +turned for a last look at his airship, dimly seen amid the trees. +Would he ever come back to the Red Cloud? Would she be there when +he did return? Would their quest be successful? These questions +the lad asked himself, as he followed his companions along the +rocky trail. + +"Perhaps we can find the road by which these men go in and out +of the cave," suggested Mr. Damon, when they had gone on for +several miles. + +"I fancy not," replied Mr. Jenks. "They probably take great +pains to hide it. I think though, that our best plan will be to +go here and there, looking for the entrance to the cave. I +believe I would remember the place." + +"But why can't you follow the directions given by the miner who +told you about Phantom Mountain?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"Because his talk was too indefinite," answered Mr. Jenks. "He +was so frightened by seeing what he believed to be a ghost, that +he didn't take much notice of the location of the place. All he +knows is that Phantom Mountain is somewhere around here." + +"And we've got to hunt until we find it; is that the idea?" +asked Mr. Parker. + +"Or until we see the phantom" added Tom, in a low voice. + +"Bless my topknot!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "You don't mean to say +you expect to see that ghost; do you Tom?" + +"Perhaps," answered the young inventor, and he did not add +something else of which he was thinking. For Tom had a curious +theory regarding the phantom. + +They tramped about the remainder of that day. Toward evening +Tom shot some birds, which made a welcome addition to their +supper. Then the tent was put together, some spruce and hemlock +boughs were cut to make a soft bed, and on these, while the light +of a campfire gleamed in on them, the adventurers slept. + +Their experience the following day was similar to the first. +They saw no evidence of a large cave such as Mr. Jenks had +described, nor were there any traces of men having gone back and +forth among the mountains, as might have been expected of the +diamond makers, for, as Mr. Jenks had said, they made frequent +journeys to the settlement for food, and other supplies. + +"Well, I haven't begun to give up yet," announced Tom, on the +third day, when their quest was still unsuccessful. "But I think +we are making one mistake." + +"What is that?" inquired Mr. Jenks. + +"I think we should go up higher. In my opinion the cave is near +the top of some peak; isn't it, Mr. Jenks?" + +"I have that impression, though, as you know, I never saw the +outside of it. Still, it might not be a bad idea to ascend some +of these peaks." + +Following this suggestion, they laid their trail more toward +the sky, and that night found them encamped several thousand feet +above the sea-level. It was quite cool, and the campfire was a +big one about which they sat after supper, talking of many +things. + +Tom did not sleep well that night. He tossed from side to side +on the bed of boughs, and once or twice got up to replenish the +fire, which had burned low. His companions were in deep slumber. + +"I wonder what time it is?" mused Tom, when he had been up the +third time to throw wood on the blaze. "Must be near morning." He +looked at his watch, and was somewhat startled to see that it was +only a little after twelve. Somehow it seemed much later. + +As he was putting the timepiece back into his pocket the lad +looked around at the dark and gloomy mountains, amid which they +were encamped. As his gaze wandered toward the peak of the one on +the side of which the tent was pitched, he gave a start of +surprise. + +For, coming down a place where, that afternoon, Tom had noticed +a sort of indefinite trail was a figure in white. A tall, waving +figure, which swayed this way and that--a figure which halted and +then came on again. + +"I wonder--I wonder if that can be a wisp of fog?" mused the +young inventor. He rubbed his eyes, thinking it might be a +swirling of the night mist or a defect of vision. Then, as he saw +more plainly, he noticed the thing in white rushing toward him. + +"It's the phantom--the phantom!" cried Tom, aloud. "It's the +thing the miner saw! We're on Phantom Mountain now!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIV--WARNED BACK + + +Tom's cries awakened the sleepers in the tent. Mr. Damon was +the first to rush out. + +"Bless my nightcap, Tom!" he cried. "What is it? What has +happened? Are we attacked by a mountain lion?" + +For answer the young inventor pointed up the mountain, to +where, in the dim light from a crescent moon, there stood boldly +revealed, the figure in white. + +"Bless--bless my very existence!" cried the odd man. "What is +it, Tom?" + +"The phantom," was the quiet answer. "Watch it, and see what it +does." + +By this time Mr. Jenks and Mr. Parker had joined Tom and Mr. +Damon. The four diamond seekers stood gazing at the apparition. +And, as they looked, the thing in white, seemingly too tall for +any human being, slid slowly forward, with a gliding motion. Then +it raised its long, white arms, and waved them threateningly at +the adventurers. + +"It's motioning us to go back," said Mr. Parker in an awed +whisper. "It doesn't want us to go any farther." + +"Very likely," agreed Tom, coolly. "But we're not going to be +frightened by anything like that; are we?" + +"Not much!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks. "I expected this. A ghost +can't drive me back from getting my rights from those scoundrels!" + +"Suppose it uses a revolver to back up its demand?" asked the +scientist. + +"Wait until it does," answered Mr. Jenks. But the figure in +white evidently had no such intentions. It came on a little +distance farther, still waving the long arms threateningly, and +then it suddenly disappeared, seeming to dissolve in the misty +shadows of the night. + +"Bless my suspenders!" cried Mr. Damon. "That's a very +strange proceeding! Very strange! What do you make of it, Tom?" + +"It is evidently some man dressed up in a sheet," declared Mr. +Jenks. "I expected as much." + +"The work of those diamond makers; do you think?" continued Mr. +Damon. + +"I believe so," answered Tom, slowly, for he was trying to +think it out. "I believe they are the cause of the phantom, +though I don't know that it's a man dressed in a sheet." + +"Why isn't it?" demanded Mr. Jenks. + +"Because it was too tall for a man, unless he's a giant." + +"He may have been on stilts," suggested Mr. Parker. + +"No man on stilts could walk along that way," declared Tom, +confidently. "He glided along too easily. I am inclined to think +it may be some sort of a light." + +"A light?" queried Mr. Damon. + +"Yes, the diamond makers may be hidden in some small cave near +here, and they may have some sort of a magic lantern or a similar +arrangement, for throwing a shadow picture. They could arrange it +to move as they liked, and could cause it to disappear at will. +That, I think, is the ghost we have just seen." + +"But the diamond makers have only been in this mountain +recently," objected Mr. Jenks, "and the phantom was here before +them. In fact, that was what gave the place its name." + +"That may be," admitted the lad. "There are many places that +have the name of being haunted, but no one ever sees the ghost. +It is always some one else, who has heard of some one who has +seen it. That may have been the case here. I grant that this +place may have been called 'Phantom Mountain' for a number of +years, due to the superstitious tales of miners. The diamond +makers came along, found the conditions just right for their +work, and adopted the ghost, so to speak. As there wasn't any +real spirit they made one, and they use it to scare people away. +I think that's what we've just seen, though I may be wrong in my +theory as to what the phantom is." + +"Well, it's gone now, at any rate," said Mr. Jenks, "and I +think we'd better get back inside the tent. It's cold out here." + +"Aren't some of us going to stand guard?" demanded Mr. Damon. + +"What for?" asked Mr. Jenks. + +"Why--er--bless my key-ring! Suppose that ghost takes a notion +to come down here, and use his gun, as he did on the miners?" + +"I don't believe that will happen," remarked Tom. "The diamond +makers, if the white thing had anything to do with them, have +given us a warning, and I think they'll at least wait until +morning to see how we heed it." + +"We aren't going to heed it!" burst out Mr. Jenks. "I'm going +to go right ahead and find that cave where they make diamonds!" + +"And we're with you!" exclaimed Tom. "We'll have a good fire +going the rest of the night, and that may keep intruders away. In +the morning we'll begin our search, and we'll go up the trail +where we saw the white figure." + +A big pile of wood had been collected for the fire, and Tom now +piled some logs and branches on the blaze. It would last for some +time now, and the adventurers, still talking of the "ghost" went +back into the tent. It was over an hour before they all got to +sleep again, and Mr. Jenks and Mr. Damon took turns in getting up +once or twice during the remainder of the night to replenish the +fire. + +Morning dawned without anything further having occurred to +disturb them, and, after a hearty breakfast, to which Tom added +some fish he caught in a nearby mountain stream, they set off up +the trail on Phantom Mountain. + +They had left their tent standing, as they proposed making that +spot their headquarters until they located the cave they were +seeking. What their course would be after that would depend on +the circumstances. + +If they had expected to have an easy task locating the cavern +in which Mr. Jenks had seen diamonds made, the adventurers were +disappointed. All that day they tramped up and down the mountain, +looking for some secret entrance, but none was disclosed. The +higher they went up the great peak, the fainter became the trail, +until, at length it vanished completely. + +But this was not to be wondered at, since it was on solid rock, +in which no footsteps would leave an impression. + +"They never brought you up here in a wagon, Mr. Jenks," decided +Tom, when he saw how steep the place was. + +"I'm inclined to think so myself," admitted the diamond man. +"They must have reached the cave from some other way. As a matter +of fact, I walked some distance after getting out of the vehicle, +before we got to the cavern. But, even at that, I don't believe +we came this way." + +"Yet the phantom was here," persisted Tom, "and I'm convinced +that the cave is in this neighborhood. It's up to us to find it!" + +But they searched the remainder of that day in vain, and as +night was coming on, they made their way back to the camp. As +Tom, who was in the lead, approached the tent, he saw something +black fastened to the entrance. + +"Hello!" he cried. "Some one's been here. That wasn't on the +tent when he left this morning." + +"What is it?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"A black piece of paper, written on with white ink," replied +the lad. He was reading it, and, as he perused it a look of +surprise came over his face. + +"Listen to this!" called Tom. "It's evidently from the diamond +makers." + +Holding up the black paper, on which the white writing stood +out in bold relief Tom read aloud: + + +"Be warned in time! Go back before it is too late! You are near +to death! Go back!" + + +"Bless my shoelaces!" cried Mr. Damon. "This is getting +serious." + + + + +CHAPTER XV--THE LANDSLIDE + + +Gathered about the young inventor, the three men looked at the +warning. The writing was poor, and it was evident that an attempt +had been made to disguise it. But there was no misspelling of +words, and there were no rudely drawn daggers, or bloody hands or +anything of that sort. In fact, it was a very business-like sort +of warning. + +"Rather odd," commented Mr. Jenks. "Black paper and white ink." + +"White ink is easy enough to make," stated Mr. Parker. "I fancy +they wanted it as conspicuous as possible." + +"Yes," agreed Tom, "and this warning, together with the antics +of the thing in white last night, shows that they are aware of +our presence here, and perhaps know who we are. We will have to +be on our guard." + +"Do you think that fellow Munson, whom we left in the forest, +could have gotten here and warned them?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"It's possible," admitted Tom, "but now let's see if the person +who pinned this warning on our tent took any of our things." + +A hasty examination, however, showed that nothing had been +disturbed, and Tom and Mr. Damon were soon getting supper ready, +everyone talking, during the progress of the meal, about the +events of the day, and the rather weird culmination of it. + +"Well, we haven't had a great deal of success--so far," +admitted Tom, as they sat about the fire, in the fast gathering +dusk. "I think, perhaps, we'd better try on the other side of the +mountain to-morrow. We've explored this side pretty thoroughly." + +"Good idea," commented Mr. Jenks. "We'll do it, and move our +camp. I only hope those fellows don't find our airship and +destroy it. We'll have a hard time getting back to civilization +again, if we have to walk all the way." + +This contingency caused Tom some uneasiness. He did not like to +think that the unscrupulous men might damage the Red Cloud, that +had been built only after hard labor. But he knew he could +accomplish nothing by worrying, and he tried to dismiss the +matter from his mind. + +They rather expected to see the thing in white again that +night, but it did not appear, and morning came without anything +having disturbed their heavy sleep, for they were tired from the +day's tramp. + +It took them the greater part of the day to make a circuit of +the base of Phantom Mountain in order to get to a place where a +sort of trail led upward. + +"It's too late to do anything to-night," decided Tom, as they +set up the tent. "We'll rest, and start the first thing in the +morning." + +"And the ghost isn't likely to find us here," added Mr. Damon. +"Where are you going, Mr. Parker?" he asked, as he saw the +scientist tramping a little way up the side of the mountain. + +"I am going to make some observations," was the answer, and no +one paid any more attention to him for some time. Supper was +nearly ready when Mr. Parker returned. His face wore a rather +serious air, and Mr. Damon, noting it, asked laughingly: + +"Well, did you discover any volcanoes, that may erupt during +the night, and scare us to death?" + +"No," replied Mr. Parker, calmly, "but there is every +indication that we will soon have a terrific electrical storm. +From a high peak I caught a glimpse of one working this way +across the mountains." + +"Then we'd better fasten the tent well down," called Tom. "We +don't want it to blow away." + +"There will not be much danger from wind," was Mr. Parker's +opinion. + +"From what then?" asked Mr. Jenks. + +"From the discharges of lightning among these mountain peaks, +which contain so much iron ore. We will be in grave danger." + +The fact that the scientist had not always made correct +predictions was not now considered by his hearers, and Tom and +the two men gazed at Mr. Parker in some alarm. + +"Is there anything we can do to avoid it?" asked Mr. Jenks. + +"The only thing to do would be to leave the mountain," was the +answer, "and, as the iron ore extends for miles, we can not get +out of the danger zone before the storm will reach us. It will be +here in less than half an hour." + +"Then we'd better have supper," remarked Tom, practically, "and +get ready for it. Perhaps it may not be as bad as Mr. Parker +fears." + +"It will be bad enough," declared the gloomy scientist, and he +seemed to find pleasure in his announcement. + +The meal was soon over, and Tom busied himself in looking to +the guy ropes of the tent, for he feared lest there might be wind +with the storm. That it was coming was evident, for now low +mutterings of thunder could be heard off toward the west. + +Black clouds rapidly obscured the heavens, and the sound of +thunder increased. Fitful flashes of lightning could be seen +forking across the sky in jagged chains of purple light. + +"It's going to be a heavy storm," Tom admitted to himself. "I +hope lightning doesn't strike around here." + +The storm came on rapidly, but there was a curious quietness in +the air that was more alarming than if a wind had blown. The +campfire burned steadily, and there was a certain oppressiveness +in the atmosphere. + +It was now quite dark, save when the fitful lightning flashes +came, and they illuminated the scene brilliantly for a few +seconds. Then, by contrast, it was blacker than ever. + +Suddenly, as Tom was gazing up toward the peak of Phantom +Mountain, he saw something that caused him to cry out in alarm. +He pointed upward, and whispered hoarsely: + +"The ghost again! There's our friend in white!" + +The others looked, and saw the same weird figure that had +menaced them when they were encamped on the other side of the +peak. + +"They must have followed us," said Mr. Jenks, in a low voice. + +Slowly the figure advanced, It waved the long white arms, as if +in warning. At times it would be only dimly visible in the +blackness, then, suddenly it would stand out in bold relief as a +great flash of fire split the clouds. + +The thunder, meanwhile, had been growing louder and sharper, +indicating the nearer approach of the storm. Each lightning flash +was followed in a second or two, by a terrific clap. Still there +was no wind nor rain, and the campfire burned steadily. + +All at once there was a crash as if the very mountain had split +asunder, and the adventurers saw a great ball of purple-bluish +fire shoot down, as if from some cloud, and strike against the +side of the crag, not a hundred feet from where stood the ghostly +figure in white. + +"That was a bad one," cried Mr. Damon, shouting so as to be +heard above the echoes of the thunderclap. + +Almost as he spoke there came another explosion, even louder +than the one preceding. A great ball of fire, pear shaped, leaped +for the same spot in the mountain. + +"There's a mass of iron ore there!" yelled Mr. Parker. "The +lightning is attracted to it!" + +His voice was swallowed up in the terrific crash that followed, +and, as there came another flash of the celestial fire, the +figure in white could be seen hurrying back up the mountain +trail. Evidently the electrical storm, with lightning bolts +discharging so close, was too much for the "ghost." + +In another instant it looked as if the whole place about where +the diamond seekers stood, was a mass of fire. Great forked +tongues of lightning leaped from the clouds, and seemed to lick +the ground. There was a rattle and bang of thunder, like the +firing of a battery of guns. Tom and the others felt themselves +tingling all over, as if they had hold of an electrical battery, +and there was a strong smell of sulphur in the air. + +"We are in the midst of the storm!" cried Mr. Parker. "We are +standing on a mass of iron ore! Any minute may be our last!" + +But fate had not intended the adventurers for death by +lightning. Almost as suddenly as it had begun, the discharge of +the tongues of fire ceased in the immediate vicinity of our +friends. They stood still--awed--not knowing what to do. + +Then, once more, came a terrific clap! A great mass of fire, +like some red-hot ingot from a foundry, was hurled through the +air, straight at the face of the mountain, and at the spot where +the figure in white had stood but a few minutes before. + +Instantly the earth trembled, as it had at Earthquake Island, +but it was not the same. It was over in a few seconds. Then, as +the diamond seekers looked, they saw in the glare of a score of +lightning flashes that followed the one great clap, the whole +side of the mountain slip away, and go crashing into the valley +below. + +"A landslide!" cried Mr. Parker. "That is the landslide which I +predicted! The lightning bolt has split Phantom Mountain!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI--THE VAST CAVERN + + +For a time the roiling, slipping, sliding and tumbling of the +mass of earth and stones, down the side of the mountain, +effectually drowned all other sounds. Even the thunder was +stilled, and though Tom and his companions called to one another +in terror, their voices could not rise above that terrific +tumult. + +Finally, when they found that the direction of the slide was +away from their tent, and that they were not likely to be +engulfed, they grew more calm. + +Gradually the noise subsided. The great boulders had rolled to +the bottom of the valley, and now only a mass of earth and stones +was sliding down. Even this stopped in about five minutes, and, +as though satisfied with what it had done, the electrical storm +passed. Not a drop of rain had fallen. + +"Bless my shirt studs!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, who was the first +to speak after the din had quieted. "Bless my soul! But that was +awful!" + +"It was just what I expected," said Mr. Parker, calmly. "I +knew, from my observations, that we were in a region where +landslides and terrific electrical storms may be expected at any +time. I fully looked for this." + +"Well," remarked Mr. Jenks, rather sarcastically, "I hope it +came up to your expectations, Mr. Parker." + +"Oh, fully," was the answer, "though I wish it could have +happened in daylight, so that I could better have observed +certain phenomena regarding the landslide. They are very +interesting." + +"At a distance," admitted Tom, with a laugh of relief. "Well, +I'm glad it's over, though we'll have to wait until morning to +see what damage has been done. Lucky we weren't struck by +lightning. I never saw such bolts!" + +"Me, either!" declared Mr. Damon. "This mountain seems to +attract them." + +"It is like a magnet," said Mr. Parker. "I think I shall be +able to make some fine observations here." + +"If we live through it," murmured Mr. Jenks. + +They watched the play of lightning about a distant bank of +clouds, but the storm was now far away, only a faint rumbling of +thunder being heard. + +"I'm wondering what happened to the phantom," said Tom, after a +pause. "Seems to me he was right in that track of the storm." + +"Do you think it was a 'he'?" asked Mr. Jenks. + +"I think we'll find that it's some sort of a man," answered the +young inventor. "We may find out very soon, now. I've changed my +theory about the ghost being reflections of light." + +"How's that?" Mr. Damon wanted to know. + +"Well, I think we are on the side of Phantom Mountain where the +diamond cave is," went on the lad. "The fact that the phantom +appeared here, soon after we arrived, shows that the men kept +close track of our movements. It also shows, I think, that the +phantom did not have to travel far to be on the spot, whereas we +had to make quite a trip to get around the base of the mountain. +I think the cave is up there," and Tom pointed toward the spot +where the weird figure had been last seen, before the storm drove +it back. + +"There may be two phantoms," suggested Mr. Jenks. "They may +keep one on this side of the mountain, and one on the other, to +warn intruders away. + +"It's possible," admitted Tom. "Well, we'll see how things look +in the morning, when we'll take up our march again, and go up the +mountain. We'll reach the top, if possible, which we couldn't do +from the other side, as it was too steep." + +"I hope we shall be able to go forward in the morning," came +from Mr. Jenks. + +"What do you mean?" asked the lad, struck by a peculiar +significance in the diamond man's tones. + +"Why, that landslide may have opened a great gully in the side +of Phantom Mountain, which will prevent us from passing. It was a +terrific lot of earth and stones that slid away," answered Mr. +Jenks. + +"It certainly was," agreed Mr. Parker. "I would not be +surprised if the mountain was half destroyed, and it may be that +the diamond cave no longer exists." + +"Not very cheerful, to say the least," murmured Mr. Jenks to +Tom, and, as it was getting quite chilly, following the storm, +they went inside the tent. + +Tom could hardly wait for daylight, to get up and see what +havoc the landslide had wrought. As soon as the first faint flush +of dawn showed over the eastern peaks, he hurried from the tent. +Mr. Damon heard him arise, and followed. + +A curious scene met their eyes. All about were great rocks rent +and torn by the awful power of the lightning. The fronts of the +stone cliffs were scarred and burned by the electrical fire, and +fantastic markings, grotesque faces, and leering animals seemed +to have been drawn by some gigantic artist who used a bolt from +heaven for his brush. + +But the eyes of Tom and Mr. Damon took all this in at a glance, +and then their gaze went forward to where the avalanche had torn +away a great part of the mountain. + +"Whew! I should say it was a landslide!" cried Tom. + +"Bless my wishbone, yes!" agreed Mr. Damon. + +Below them, in the valley, lay piled immense masses of earth +and stones. Boulders were heaped up on boulders, and rocks upon +rocks, being tossed about in heaps, strung about in long ridges, +and swirled about in curves, as though some cyclone had toyed +with them after the lightning flash had tossed them there. + +"But the mountain isn't half gone," said Tom, as his eyes took +in what was left of the phantom berg. "I guess it will take a few +more bolts like that one, to put this hill out of business." + +Though the landslide had been a great one, the larger part of +the mountain still stood. An immense slice had been taken from +one side, but the summit was untouched. + +"And there's where the diamond cave is!" cried Tom, pointing to +it. + +"I think so myself," agreed Mr. Jenks, who came from the tent +at that moment, and joined the lad and Mr. Damon. "I think we +shall find the cave somewhere up there. We must start for it, as +soon as we have eaten, and we may reach it by night." + +The three stood gazing up toward the summit of the great +mountain. Suddenly, as the sun rose higher in the heavens, it +sent a shaft of rosy light on the face of the berg that had been +scarred by the landslide. Tom Swift uttered an exclamation, and +pointed at something. + +"See!" he cried. "Look where the trail is--the trail down which +the phantom must have come. It is on the edge of a cliff now!" + +They looked, and saw that this was so. The increasing light had +just revealed it to them. When the lightning bolt had torn away a +great portion of the mountain it had cut sheer down for a great +depth and when the earth and stones fell away they left a narrow +pathway, winding around the mountain, but so near the edge of a +great chasm, that there was room but for one person at a time to +walk on that footway. The uncertain trail up Phantom Mountain had +all but been destroyed. + +"The way up to the peak is by that path, now," spoke Tom, in a +low voice. + +"Bless my soul!" cried Mr. Damon. "It's as much as a man's life +is worth to attempt it. If he got dizzy, he'd topple over, and +fall a thousand feet. Dare we risk it?" + +"It's the only way to get up," went on Tom. "It's either that +way, or not at all. We've tried the other side without success. +We must go up this way--or turn back." + +"Then we'll go up!" cried Mr. Jenks. "It may not be as +dangerous as it looks from here." + +But it was even more dangerous than it appeared, when they went +part way up it after a hasty breakfast. The trail was a mere +ledge of rock now, and in some places, to get around a projecting +edge of the mountain, they had to stand with their backs to the +dizzy depths at their feet, and with both arms outstretched work +their way around to where the trail was wider. + +"Shall we risk it?" asked Tom, when they had tried the way, and +found it so dangerous. "We can't take anything with us--even our +guns, for we couldn't carry them, and if we reach the month of +the cave, and find those men there--" + +He paused significantly. The adventurers looked at one another. +The search for the diamond makers was becoming more and more +dangerous. + +"I say let's go on!" decided Mr. Damon, suddenly. "We want to +locate that cave, first of all. Perhaps, when we do find it, we +may see some easier way of getting to it than this. And if those +diamond makers do attack us--well, I don't believe they'll shoot +defenseless men, and they may listen to reason, and give Mr. +Jenks his rights--tell him how to make diamonds in return for the +money he gave them." + +"I don't believe those scoundrels will listen to reason," +replied the diamond man, "but I agree with Mr. Damon that we +ought to go on. We may find some other means of reaching the +cave--if we can discover it, and we'll take a chance with the +men." + +"Forward it is, then!" cried Tom. "I have a revolver, and I can +supply one of you gentlemen with another. They may come in useful +in an emergency. Let's go back to camp, take a little lunch in +our pockets, and try to scale the mountain." + +They were soon on their way up the dizzy path once more, and, +as they advanced, they found it growing more and more dangerous. +In some places they found it almost impossible to get around +certain corners, where there was barely room for their feet. As +Tom remarked grimly, a fat man never could have done it. +Fortunately they were all comparatively thin, for their hard +work, and not too abundant food, since they had left the airship, +had reduced their weight. + +Up and up they went, higher and higher, sometimes finding the +path wide enough for two to walk abreast, and again seeing it +narrow almost to a ribbon. They hardly dared look down into the +chasm at their left--a chasm filled, in part, with the rocks and +boulders tossed into it by the lightning bolt. + +Tom was in the lead, and had just made a dangerous turn around +a shoulder of rock--one of those places where he had to extend +both arms, and fairly hug the cliff before he could get around. + +But, when he had made it, and found himself on a broad pathway, +cut in the living rock, he gave a great shout--a shout that +caused his companions to hasten to his side. They found the young +inventor pointing to a clump of bushes and small trees. + +But it was not the shrubbery that Tom desired to call to their +attention. They saw that in an instant, for, dimly seen through +the leaves, was something black, and, as they looked more +closely, they saw that it was a great hole in the side of the +mountain--a vast cavern, opening like a tunnel. + +"The cave! The cave!" cried Tom. "The diamond makers' cave!" + +Hardly had he spoken than two men, each one carrying a gun, +showed themselves in the mouth of the cavern, and, instant later +they both ran toward the little party of adventurers. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII--THE PHANTOM CAPTURED + + +Surprise held Tom and his friends almost spellbound for the +moment. The young inventor's hand went toward the pocket where he +carried his revolver. Mr. Jenks, who had the only other weapon, +sought to draw it, but he was stopped by a gesture of one of the +two men with guns. + +"Hold on, strangers!" the man cried. "I know what you're up to! +Better not try to draw anything--it might not be healthy. Now, +then, who are you, and what do you want?" + +The question came rather as a surprise, at least to Tom and Mr. +Jenks. They had taken it for granted that these men--if they were +the diamond makers--would know Mr. Jenks, and guess at his errand +in coming back to Phantom Mountain. But, it seemed, that they +took them all for casual strangers. + +No one answered for a moment. Tom caught the eye of Mr. Jenks, +and there was a look of hope in it. If ever there was a time for +strategy, it was now. Evidently Munson, the stowaway on the +airship, had not yet been able to send a warning to his +confederates. And neither of the two men recognized Mr. Jenks as +the man who had been defrauded of his rights. It might be +possible to conceal the real object of the adventurers until they +had time to formulate a plan of action. + +"Well," exclaimed the man with the gun, impatiently, "I ask you +folks a question. What do you want?" + +Fortunately, neither Mr. Damon nor Mr. Parker replied. The +former because he deferred to Tom and Mr. Jenks, and the +scientist because he was busy inspecting some curious rocks he +picked up. As it turned out this was the luckiest thing he could +have done. It lent color to what Mr. Jenks said a moment later. + +"What are you doing up here?" demanded the man again. "Don't +you know this is private property?" + +"We--we were just looking around," answered Mr. Jenks, which +was true enough; as far as it went. + +"Prospecting," added Tom. + +"After gold?" demanded the second man, suspiciously. + +"We'd be glad to find some," retorted the lad. At that moment +Mr. Parker began breaking off bits of rock with a small +geologist's hammer which he carried. The men with the guns looked +at him. + +"So you think you'll find gold up here?" asked the one who had +first spoken. + +"Is there any?" inquired Tom, trying to make his voice sound +eager. + +"Nary a bit, strangers," was the answer, and the two men +laughed heartily. "Now, we don't want to seem harsh," went on the +man who seemed to be the spokesman, "but you'd better get away +from here. This is private ground, and dangerous too--how'd you +ever get up the trail--we heard it was destroyed." + +"There is still a narrow path," said Mr. Jenks. "We came up +that--the lightning and landslide haven't left much of it, +though." + +Mr. Parker looked quickly up from the rocks at which he was +tapping with his small hammer. "You have terrific lightning up +here," he said. "I am much interested in it, from a scientific +standpoint. I predict that some day the entire mountain will be +destroyed by a blast from the sky." + +"I hope it won't be right away," spoke one of the men. "Now I +guess you folks had better be leaving while there's a path left +to go down by." + +"Might I ask," broke in Mr. Parker, as calmly as though he was +lecturing to a class of students, "might I ask if you have +noticed any peculiar effect of the lightning up here on the +summit of the mountain? Does it fuse and melt rocks, so to +speak?" + +"What's that?" cried the spokesman, with a sudden flash of +anger. The two men looked at each other. + +"I wanted to know, merely for scientific reasons, whether the +lightning up here ever melted rocks?" repeated Mr. Jenks. + +"Well, whether it's for scientific reasons or for any other, +I'm not going to answer you!" snapped the man. "It's none of your +affair what the lightning does up here. Now you'd all better +'vamoose'--clear out!" + +"All right--we'll go," said Tom, quickly, at the same time +motioning to Mr. Jenks to agree with him. The eyes of the young +inventor were roving about. He saw what looked like a second +trail, leading down the mountain, from the far side of the cave. +He was convinced now that there was another way to get to it. +Possibly they might find it. At any rate nothing more could be +done now. They must go back, for the cavern was too well guarded +to attempt to enter it by force--at least just yet. + +"Yes, we'll go back," assented Mr. Jenks. + +Mr. Parker was tapping away at the rocks. He looked toward the +black mouth of the big cave. On what corresponded to the roof of +it, some distance back from the entrance, he saw a slender metal +rod sticking up into the air. + +"May I ask if that's a lightning rod?" he inquired innocently. +"If it is, I should like to ask about its action in a mountain +that is so impregnated with iron ore. + +"You may ask until you get tired!" cried the spokesman, again +showing unreasoning anger, "but you'll get no answer from us. Now +get away from here before we do something desperate. You're on +private ground and you're not wanted. Clear out while you have +the chance." + +There was no help for it. Slowly our friends turned and began +to go down the dangerous trail. They were soon out of sight of +the two men who stood before the cave, with their guns ready, but +neither Tom nor any of his companions spoke for some time. + +When they had rounded one of the most dangerous turns the young +inventor sat down to rest, an example followed by the others. + +"Well," asked Tom, "do you think those are some of the diamond +makers, Mr. Jenks?" + +"I certainly do, though I never saw those two men before. If I +could once get inside the cave, I could tell whether or not it +was the one where I was practically held a prisoner. But I'm sure +it is. I know some of the men used to go off every day with guns, +and not come back until night. I have no doubt they were on +guard, just as these two are. And, also, I think I heard them +speak of a second entrance to the cavern. The one we just saw may +not be the main one, through which I was taken." + +"I believe we are on the right track," ventured Mr. Damon, "but +we will either have to go up there after dark, which will be +risky, on account of the narrow trail, or else we will have to +find some other path." + +"The last would be better," spoke Tom. + +"That rod of metal sticking up on top of the cave interested +me," said the scientist. "Did you hear anything of that when you +were here before, Mr. Jenks?" + +"No. Probably that is only a lightning rod, or it may be a +staff for a signal flag. But what surprises me is that those men +didn't suspect that we were seeking to discover their secret. +They took us for ordinary prospectors." + +"So much the better," remarked Tom. "We have a chance now of +getting inside that cave. But we will have to go back to camp, +and make other plans. And we must hurry, or it will be dark +before we get there." + +They hastened their steps, pausing only briefly to eat some of +the lunch they had brought along, and to drink from a spring that +bubbled from the side of the mountain. It was getting dusk when +they got back to their tent. They found nothing disturbed. + +"I wonder if we'll see that phantom again to-night?" ventured +Tom, as they were sitting about the campfire a little later. + +"Probably not," remarked Mr. Jenks. "I don't believe the ghost +will venture down the dangerous trail after dark, and the gang +may think that the warning given us by the two men on guard at +the cave will be sufficient. But if we don't leave here by +to-morrow I think we will have another visit from the thing in +white." + +It was about an hour after this when Tom was collecting some +wood in a pile nearer the fire, so as to have it ready to throw +on, in case there was any alarm in the night, that he happened to +look up toward the summit of the mountain. A slight noise, as of +loose stones rolling down, attracted his attention, and, at +first, he feared lest another landslide was beginning, but a +moment later he saw what caused it. + +There, advancing down the steep and dangerous trail was the +figure in white--the phantom. Instantly a daring plan came into +Tom's head. Dropping the wood softly, he moved back out of the +glare of the fire. + +"Mr. Jenks!" he called in a whisper. + +The diamond man, who was behind the tent, came toward Tom. + +"What is it?" he asked. Then, as he saw the ghostly visitor, he +added: "Oh--the phantom again! What's it up to?" + +"The same thing," replied Tom, "but it won't do it long, if my +plan succeeds." + +"What plan is that, Tom?" + +"I'm going to try to capture that--that man--or whatever it is. +Will you help?" + +"Surely!" + +"Then let's work around behind it, while Mr. Damon and Mr. +Parker come up from in front. We'll solve this part of the +mystery, anyhow, if it's possible!" + +The two other men were soon told of the plan. Meanwhile the +thing in white had advanced slowly, until within a few hundred +feet of the camp. They could see now that it was no shaft of +light, but some white body, shaped like a tall, thin man, draped +in a white garment. The long arms waved to and fro. There was no +semblance of a head. + +"You and Mr. Parker go right toward it, slowly, Mr. Damon," +advised Tom. "Mr. Jenks and I will make a circle, and get in +back. Then, if it's anything alive we'll have it." + +The "ghost" continued to advance. Tom and the diamond man stole +off to one side, their buckskin moccasins making no sound. Mr. +Damon and the scientist went boldly forward. + +This movement appeared to disconcert the spirit. It halted, +waved the arms with greater vigor than before, and seemed to +indicate to the adventurers that it was dangerous to advance. But +Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker kept on. They wanted to give Tom and Mr. +Jenks time enough to make the circuit. + +Suddenly the stillness of the night was broken by a low +whistle. It was Tom's signal that he and Mr. Jenks were ready. + +"Come on! Run!" cried Mr. Damon. + +The scientist and the eccentric man leaped forward. + +The "ghost" heard the whistle, and heard the spoken words. The +thing in white hesitated a moment, and then raised one arm. There +was a flash of lire, and a loud report. + +"He's firing in the air!" cried Tom. "Come on, we have him +now!" + +Undaunted by the display of firearms, Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker +kept on. They could hear Tom and Mr. Jenks running up in back of +the figure. The latter also heard this, and suddenly turned. +Caught between the two forces of our friends, the "ghost" was at +a loss what to do. + +The next instant Tom, who had distanced Mr. Jenks, made a +flying tackle for the figure in white, and caught it around the +legs. Very substantial legs they were, too, Tom felt--the legs of +a man. + +"Wow!" yelled the "ghost," as he went down in a heap, the +revolver falling from his hand. + +"Come on!" cried Tom. "I have him!" + +His friends rushed to his aid. There was a confused mass of +dark bodies, arms and legs mingled with something tall and thin, +all in white. Suddenly the moon came from behind a cloud and they +could see what they had captured--for captured the phantom was. + +It proved to be a rather small man, who wore upon his shoulders +a framework of wood, over which some white cloth was draped. It +had fallen off him when Tom made that tackle. + +"Well," remarked the young inventor, as he sat on the +struggling man's chest. "I guess we've got you." + +"I rather guess you have, stranger," was the cool reply. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII--BILL RENSHAW WILL HELP + + +They were all panting from the exertion of the run up the +mountain and the contest with the phantom--a phantom no longer--though, +truth to tell, the struggle was not nearly so fierce as +Tom had expected. He thought the "ghost" would put up a stiff +fight. + +"Got any ropes to tie him with?" asked Mr. Damon, who was +helping Tom hold the man down. + +"Ropes? You aren't going to tie me up are you, strangers?" +asked the captive. + +"That's what we are!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks. "We've had trouble +enough in this matter, and if I've got one of the gang, perhaps I +can get some of the others, and have my rights. So tie him up, +Tom, and we'll take him to camp. + +"Oh, you needn't go to all that trouble, strangers," went on +the man, calmly. "If one of you will get off my chest, and the +other gentleman ease up on my stomach a bit, I'll walk wherever +you want me, and not make any trouble. I haven't got a gun." + +"Bless my gloves! But you're a cool one," commented Mr. Damon, +as he complied with the man's request, and got up from his +stomach. "But look out for him, Tom. He had a gun, for he fired +it in the air." + +"He hasn't it now," answered the young inventor. "I knocked it +from his hand when I leaped for him." + +"That's what you did," assented the man, as he got up, while +Tom kept a tight hold of him, as did Mr. Jenks. "What kind of a +grizzly bear hug do you call that, anyhow, that you gave me?" + +"That was a football tackle," explained Tom. + +"I allers heard that was a dangerous game!" remarked the former +phantom simply. "Well, now you've got me, what are you going to +do with me?" + +"Take you where we can have a good look at you," replied Mr. +Jenks, as he kicked aside the wooden framework, and the sheet +which had made the "ghost" appear so tall. "So this is how you +worked it; eh?" + +"Yep. That was the 'haunt' stranger. I made it myself, and it +worked all right until you folks come along. I rather suspicioned +from the first, when I played the trick over on 'tother side of +the mountain, that you wouldn't be so easy to fool as most +prospectors are." + +"Oh, so you're the only ghost then?" asked Tom. + +"I'm the only one." + +By this time they had reached the camp. Tom threw some light +logs on the fire, which blazed up brightly. As the flames +illuminated the face of their captive, Mr. Jenks looked at him, +and cried out: + +"Why it's Bill Renshaw!" + +"That's me," admitted the man who had played the part of the +phantom, "and thunder-turtles! if it ain't Mr. Jenks who was once +in the diamond cave with us. Whatever happened to you? I never +heard. The others said you got tired and went away." + +"They took me away--defrauded me of my rights!" declared Mr. +Jenks, bitterly. "But I'll get them back! To think of Bill +Renshaw playing the part of a ghost!" + +"They made me do it," went on the man, somewhat dejectedly. "I +wanted to be at work in the cave, but they wouldn't let me." + +"Is this man one of the diamond makers?" asked Tom, in great +surprise. + +"He is--one of the helpers, though I don't believe he knows the +secret of making the gems," explained Mr. Jenks. "He was one of +the men in the cave when I was there before, and he and I struck +up quite a friendship; didn't we, Renshaw?" + +"That's what, and there ain't no reason why we can't be friends +now; that is unless you hold a grudge against me for firing at +you. But I only shot in the air, to scare you away. Them's my +instructions. I'm supposed to be on guard, and scare away +strangers. I'm tired of the work, too, for I don't get my share, +and those other fellows, in the cave, get all the money from the +diamonds." + +Tom Swift uttered an exclamation. A sudden plan had come to +him. Quickly he whispered to Mr. Jenks: + +"Make a friend of this man if possible. He evidently is +dissatisfied. Offer him a sum to show us another way into the +cave, and we may yet discover the secret of the diamond makers." + +"I will," declared Mr. Jenks, quietly. Then, turning to +Renshaw, he added: + +"Bill, come over here. I want to have a talk with you. Perhaps +it will be to our mutual advantage." + +He led the former phantom to one side, and for some time +conversed earnestly with him. Mr. Jenks told the story of how he +had been deceived by Folwell and the others who were at the head +of the gang of diamond makers. The rich man related how they had +taken his money, and, after promising to disclose the secret +process to him, had broken faith, and had drugged him, afterward +taking him out of the cave. + +"I want only my rights, and that for which I paid," concluded +Mr. Jenks. "Now, I gather that these men haven't treated you +altogether fairly, Bill." + +"Indeed they haven't. I helped 'em to the best of my ability, +and all I get out of it is to stay out on this lonely side of the +mountain, and play ghost. They owe me money, too, and they won't +pay me, either, though they have lots, for they sold some +diamonds lately." + +"Then they are still making diamonds?" asked Mr. Jenks, +eagerly. "Have you seen them? Do you know the secret?" + +"No, I don't know it, for they won't let me in on it. I'm +always sent out of the cave just before they make the gems. But I +know they've made some lately, and have sold 'em. I want my +share." + +"Look here!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks, quickly, wishing to strike +while the iron was hot. "I'll make you a proposition. Show us how +to get into that cave, unknown to the diamond makers, and I'll +pay you twice what they agreed to. Is it a bargain?" + +Bill Renshaw considered a moment. Then he thrust out his hand, +clasped that of Mr. Jenks, and exclaimed: + +"It is. I'll take you into the cave by an entrance that's +seldom used. There are four ways to get in. The one where the two +men drove you back is the rear one. The front one is on the other +side of the mountain, but it's so well concealed that you'd never +find it. But I can take you to one where you can get in, and +those fellows will never know it. And, what's more, I'll help you +if it comes to a fight!" + +"Good!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks. "I think we'll discover the secret +of the diamond makers this time," and he went to tell the others +of the success of his talk. Bill Renshaw had been converted from +an enemy into a friend, and the former phantom was now ready to +lead Tom and the others into the secret cave. + +"We'll start in the morning," decided Mr. Jenks, who, after +many disappointments, at last saw success ahead of him. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX--IN THE SECRET CAVE + + +Tom Swift was up at break of day, and the others were not far +behind him. + +"Now for the secret cave!" cried the young inventor as he gazed +up the mountain, in the interior of which the mysterious band of +men were making the diamonds. + +"Have you made any plans, Bill?" asked Mr. Jenks of the former +phantom, who had cast his lot in with the adventurers. "What will +be the best course for us to follow?" + +"You just leave it to me, Mr. Jenks," was the answer. "I'll get +you into the cave, and those fellows, who, I believe, are trying +to do me out of my rights, as they did you out of yours, will +never know a thing about it." + +"Bless my finger-nails!" cried Mr. Damon. "That will be great!" +We can get in the cave, and watch them make the diamonds at our +leisure." + +"They don't make them every day," explained Renshaw. "It seems +they have to wait for certain occasions. Mostly they make the +diamonds when there's a big storm." + +"A big storm" asked the scientist with a sudden show of +interest. "Do you mean one of those electrical storms, such as we +had the other night?" + +"That's it, Mr. Parker, though why they wait until there's a +storm is more than I can tell." + +"Perhaps they know that on such occasions no one will venture +up the mountain," spoke Mr. Damon. + +"No, it isn't that," declared the scientist. "I think I am on +the track of a great scientific discovery, and I will soon be +able to make observations that will confirm it." + +"Well, I'm going to make an observation right now," said Tom, +with a laugh. "I'm going to see what there is for breakfast." + +"And that reminds me," came from Mr. Jenks, "shall we move our +camp, Bill, and take the tent with us to the cave?" + +"I hardly think so," was the answer. "I think the best plan +would be to conceal the tent somewhere around here, in case you +might need it again. You can also store what food you have left." + +"But, bless my appetite, we don't want to starve in that +diamond cave!" objected Mr. Damon. + +"I'll see that you don't," declared Bill Renshaw. "I'll take +you in there, unbeknownst to those fellows, and I'll provide you +with plenty of food and water. You see the cave is so big that +there are some parts they never visit." + +"And we can stay in one of those parts, and eat?" asked Tom. + +"Sure," answered Bill. + +"And watch the diamond makers at work?" asked Mr. Jenks. + +"That's it," replied the former phantom. + +"Then the sooner we get started the better," remarked Mr. +Damon. Mr. Parker said nothing. He appeared to be thinking +deeply, and was tapping at some rocks with his little hammer. + +The advice of Bill Renshaw was followed, and the tent, and what +food remained, was concealed in the bushes, with rocks piled over +to keep away prowling animals. Then they started for the secret +cave. + +The man who played the part of a ghost picked up the framework +and white cloth that had formed his disguise. + +"I'll still have to use this," he explained, "for I don't want +those fellows to know that I'm helping you. I'll continue to play +the spirit of the mountain, but there won't be much need of it. I +don't think any more people will come prospecting out here." + +"Have you heard of the arrival of Farley Munson?" asked Tom, as +he related the facts about the stowaway. + +"He hadn't arrived up to a day or so ago," answered Bill. "I +guess he's still traveling. Farley is one of the heads of the +gang," he added, "and a dangerous man." + +As Bill led the way toward the cave, taking a route that the +adventurers had never suspected led to it, he explained that the +cavern was a large one, capable of holding an army. + +"But there's only a small part of it used by the diamond +makers," he added. "They work in a small recess, near the summit +of the mountain. The little cave, where I'm going to take you, +opens off from it by a long passage. And, except that you'll be +pretty much in the dark, you'll be quite comfortable. There are +tables, chairs, and some bunks in the place. I can get you some +lights, and plenty of food." + +"But, if you are seen taking away food, won't the others +suspect something?" asked Tom. + +"I do pretty much as I please," said Bill. "I go and come when +I like. All I'm supposed to do is to watch my two sides of the +mountain, play the ghost, and give warning when any one is +coming. Sometimes I leave black and white messages, like the one +I put on your tent. Those fellows fix 'em up for me. I've told +'em about you, though I didn't know who you were, and they think +you have gone, for the two men on guard at the rear entrance so +reported. Sometimes I stay out on the mountain for a couple of +days at a time, when the weather's good, and don't go back to the +cave. Those times I take food with me, and so if they see me +making off with some supplies they'll think I'm going to camp +out." + +"It doesn't look as though we'd ever get into a cave near the +top of the mountain, going this way," said Tom, as they marched +along. "We're going down, instead of up." + +"That's the secret of this trail," explained Bill. "We go down +in a sort of valley, and then go up a pretty stiff place, and +then we're on a direct trail to the entrance I told you about. +It's a steep road to climb, but I guess we can manage it." + +And a hard climb the adventurers did find it. The road was +almost as bad as the one along the edge of the chasm, but they +managed to negotiate it, and finally found themselves on a fairly +good trail. + +"We'll soon be there," Bill assured them. "After you get in the +little cave, where I'm going to hide you, I'll have to leave you +for a spell, until I get my ghost rigging fixed up again. But +I'll see that you have plenty of food and drink." + +A little later their guide came to a sudden halt, and peered +around anxiously. + +"What's the matter?" asked Tom. + +"I was just looking to see if any of the men were about," he +answered. "But I guess not--it looks all right. The entrance is +right here." + +They were on a side of the mountain, near the summit. Below +stretched a magnificent scene. A great valley lay at their feet, +and they could look off to many distant peaks. The main trail to +Leadville, and the one to the settlement of Indian Ridge, was in +sight. + +Suddenly Tom, who had been using a small but powerful +telescope, uttered an exclamation, and focussed the instrument on +a speck that seemed moving along on the trail below. + +"A man--coming up the mountain," cried Tom. "And--it can't be--yet +it is--it's Farley Munson--the stowaway!" he cried. "He's coming here!" + +"Let me look!" begged Mr. Jenks, taking the glass from Tom. An +instant later the diamond man exclaimed: "Yes, it's Munson!" + +"Then in here with you--quick!" cried Renshaw. "He can't see us +yet, and we'll be out of sight in another minute." + +The former spirit pulled aside some thick bushes, and pointed +to a hole which was disclosed. + +"The entrance to the secret cave," he announced. "Slip in all +of you." + +Tom, after another glance at the man toiling his way up the +mountain, entered the cavern. He was followed by the others. Bill +was the last to enter, and he replaced the bushes over the +entrance. + +"At last!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks, as he gazed up at the roof of +the dimly-lighted vault in which they found themselves. + +"Yes, we're in the diamond makers' secret cave," added Tom. +"Now to catch them at work!" + +"Come on," advised Bill, in a low tone, "We're not safe yet," +and he produced a lantern from some hidden recess, lighted the +wick, and led the way. As the others followed they were aware of +a subdued noise in the great cavern. + + + + +CHAPTER XX--MAKING THE DIAMONDS + + +"What's that noise?" asked Tom, as their guide flashed the +lantern to show them the way. + +"That's the men getting ready to make diamonds, I guess," was +the answer. "You see it takes quite a while to get the stuff +ready. I don't know what they use--they never tell me any of +their secrets." + +"Oh, I know the ingredients well enough," said Mr. Jenks, "but +I don't know the secret of how they apply the terrific heat and +pressure necessary to fuse the materials into diamonds." + +"Well, you'll soon know," declared Bill Renshaw. "Of course it +isn't always successful. I've known 'em to try half a dozen times +before they got any diamonds big enough to satisfy 'em. They gave +me some of the small ones when I asked for my wages. + +"How did you come to get in with these men?" asked Tom, curious +to understand how a person seemingly as honest as Renshaw +appeared to be had cast his lot in with the men who had broken +faith with Mr. Jenks. + +"Oh, I've lived around these parts all my life," was the +answer. "I knew of this cave before these diamond fellers came to +it. In fact, I showed it to 'em. It was several years ago that a +party of men who were prospecting around here came to me and +asked if I knew of a small cave near the top of a high mountain, +where lightning storms were frequent. I told them about Phantom +Mountain, as it was called then, and also of this cave. If +there's any place where they have worse lightning storms than +here, I'd like to know it. They scare me, sometimes, like the +night when that landslide happened, and I'm sort of used to 'em. + +"Well, I took these men to the cave, and they hired me as a +sort of lookout. Then they began their work, and at first I +didn't know what they were up to, but finally I caught on. Then +Mr. Jenks came, and disappeared mysteriously, though then I +didn't know that they had played a trick on him. I was outside +most of the time, pretending I was the ghost. So that's how I +came to get in with 'em, and I wish I was out." + +"You soon will be, I think," declared Mr. Jenks. "But won't our +talking be heard by the men?" + +"No danger. There is a thick wall between this part of the +cave, and the part where they live and work. I'll soon have you +well hid, and then you wait until I come back." + +"What about Munson?" asked Tom. "He is evidently on his way +here to tell his confederates about us." + +"He won't know what has happened to us," said Mr. Jenks, "and +he won't see anything of us. I guess we're safe enough." + +Through the dark passage they followed Bill Renshaw until he +came to a halt in a place that suddenly widened and broadened +into a good-sized cave. + +"Here's your stopping place," said the former ghost. "Now if +you follow that passage, off to the left," and he pointed to it, +"you'll come to the larger part of the cave where the diamond +makers are. But go cautiously, and don't make any noise. I won't +be responsible for what happens." + +"We'll take all the risk," interrupted Tom. + +"All right. Now there's a couple of lanterns around here. I'll +light them, and leave you for a while until I can get some grub. +I'll be back as soon as I can." + +He glided away, after lighting two lanterns, by the gleams of +which the adventurers could see that they were in a vaulted +cavern that had evidently been fitted up as a living apartment. +The sides, roof and floor were of stone. It was clean, and the +air was fresh. There were some chairs, a table, and several cots, +with pieces of bagging for bedding, though it was warm in the +place. + +"I guess we can stay here until we discover the secret," spoke +Tom. + +"Bless my watch! We can if we have something to eat," came from +Mr. Damon, with something like a sigh. "I'm hungry!" + +"And I want to make some observations," said Mr. Parker. "From +what I have seen of this mountain, I would not be surprised if +this cave was to be suddenly destroyed by a landslide or a +lightning bolt. I will make some further investigations." + +"Well, if it's going to cause you to make such gloomy +prophecies as that, I'd just as soon you wouldn't look any +further," spoke Tom, in a low voice. But Mr. Parker, taking one +of the lanterns, set about examining the rock of which the cave +consisted. + +In a short time Bill Renshaw returned with enough food to last +for two days. He said he was going out on the mountain once more +to act the part of a lookout, and would visit the adventurers +again the next day. + +"In the meanwhile you can do just as you please," he said. +"Nobody is likely to disturb you here, and you can sneak up and +take a look at the men in the other cave whenever you're ready. +Only be careful--that's all I've got to say. They're desperate +men." + +It was not very pleasant, eating in the gloomy cavern, but they +made the best of it. They cooked on a small oil-stove they found +in the place, and after some hot coffee they felt much better. + +"Well," remarked Tom, after a while, "shall we take a chance, +and go look at the men at work?" + +"I think so," answered Mr. Jenks. "The sooner we discover this +mystery, the better. Then we can go back home." + +"And recover my airship," added Tom, who was a bit uneasy +regarding the safety of the Red Cloud. + +"Then, bless my finger-rings! let's go and see if we can find +the big cave your friend the ghost told us of," suggested Mr. +Damon. + +Cautiously they made their way along the passage Bill had +pointed out. As they went forward the subdued noise became +louder, and finally they could feel the vibration of machinery. + +"This is the place," whispered Mr. Jenks. "That sound we hear +is one of the mixing machines, for grinding the materials--carbon +and the other substances--which go to make up the diamonds. I +remember hearing that when I was in the cave before." + +"Then we must be near the place," observed Tom. + +"Yes, but I didn't have much chance to look around when I was +here before. They wouldn't let me. I never even knew of the small +cave Bill took us to." + +"Well, if we're close to it, we'd better go cautiously, and not +talk any more than we're obliged to," suggested Mr. Parker, and +they agreed that this was good advice. + +They walked on softly. Suddenly Tom, who was in the lead, saw a +gleam of light. + +"We're here," he whispered. "I'll put out our lantern, now," +which he did. Then, stealing forward he and the others beheld a +curious sight. The tunnel they were in ended at a small hole +which opened into a large cavern, and, fortunately, this opening +was concealed from the view of those in the main place. + +"The diamond makers!" whispered Tom, hoarsely, pointing to +several men grouped about a number of strange machines. + +"Yes--the very place where I was," answered Mr. Jenks, "and +there is the apparatus--the steel box--from which the diamonds +are taken--now to see how they make them." + +Fascinated, the adventurers looked into the cave. The men there +were unaware of the presence of our friends, and were busily +engaged. Some attended to the grinding machine, the roar and +clatter of which made it possible for Tom and the others to talk +and move about without being overheard. Into this machine certain +ingredients were put, and they were then pulverized, and taken +out in powdery form. + +The power to run the mixing machine was a gasoline motor, which +chug-chugged away in one corner of the cave. + +As the powder was taken out, other men fashioned it into small +balls, which were put on pan, and into a sort of oven, that was +heated by a gasoline stove. + +"Is that how they make the diamonds?" asked Mr. Damon. + +"That is evidently the first step," said Mr. Jenks. "Those +balls of powdered chemicals are partly baked, and then they are +put into the steel box. In some way terrific heat and pressure +are applied, and the diamonds are made. But how the heat and +pressure are obtained is what we have yet to learn." + +He paused to watch the men at work. They were all busy, some +attending to the machines, and others coming and going in and out +of the cave. In one part a man was apparently getting ready a +meal. + +Suddenly there rushed into the cave a man who seemed much +excited. + +"Are you nearly ready with that stuff?" he cried. "There's a +good storm gathering on the mountain!" + +"Yes, we'll be ready in half an hour," answered one of the men +at the mixing machine. + +"Good. It will be flashing lightning bolts then, and we can see +what luck we have. The last batch was a failure." The man hurried +out again. Mr. Parker touched Tom and Mr. Jenks on their +shoulders. + +"What is it?" asked Tom. + +"I know the secret of making the diamonds," said the scientist. + +"What?" cried Mr. Jenks. + +"It is by the awful power of the lightning bolts!" whispered +Mr. Parker. "Everything is explained now--the reason why they +make diamonds in this lonely place, near the top of the mountain. +They need a place where the lightning is powerful. I can +understand it now--I suspected it before. They make diamonds by +lightning!" + +"Are you sure?" cried Mr. Jenks. + +"Positive." + +"I agree with you," said Tom Swift. "I was just getting on that +track myself, when I saw the electric wires running to the steel +box. That explains the upright rod on the top of the mountain. +The man says a storm is coming--very well; we'll stay here and +watch them make diamonds!" + +As he spoke there came the mutter of thunder, and the mountain +vibrated slightly. The men in the cave redoubled their activity. +Tom and his friends felt that the secret process they had so long +sought was about to be demonstrated before their eyes. + + + +CHAPTER XXI--FLASHING GEMS + + +Eagerly the adventurers looked through the opening at the end +of the passage into the larger cave. The men opened the small +oven in which the balls of white chemicals and carbon mixed, had +been baked, and a pile of things, that looked like irregularly-shaped +marbles, were placed in the steel box. + +This box, which was about the size of a trunk, was of massive +metal. It was placed in a recess in the solid rock, and all about +were layers of asbestos and other substances that were nonconductors +of heat. + +"That box becomes red hot," exclaimed Mr. Jenks, in a whisper. +"When things are in readiness, that lever is pulled and the +diamonds are made. I pulled it once, but I did not then know the +process involved. I supposed that the lightning had nothing to do +with making the diamonds." + +"It has--a most important part," said Mr. Parker. The hidden +adventurers could talk in perfect safety now, for the men in the +large cave were too excited to pay much attention to them. The +muttering of the thunder grew louder, and at times a particularly +loud crash told that a bolt had struck somewhere in the vicinity +of the cave. + +"But, bless my watch-charm!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, "I didn't +know lightning made diamonds." + +"It does not--always," went on the scientist. "But great heat +and pressure are necessary to create the gems. In nature this was +probably obtained by prehistoric volcanic fires, and by the +terrific pressure of immense rocks. It is possible to make +diamonds in the laboratory of the chemist, but they are so minute +as to be practically valueless. + +"However, these men seem to have hit upon a new plan. They +utilize the terrific heat of lightning, and the pressure which is +instantaneously obtained when the bolt strikes. I am anxious to +see how it is done. Look, I think they are getting ready to make +the gems." + +Indeed there seemed to be an air of expectancy among the +diamond makers. The mixing machine had now been stopped, and, as +it was more quiet in the cave, our friends, in their hiding-place, +had to speak in mere whispers. All the men were now gathered +about the great steel box. + +This receptacle had been closed by a solid metal door, which +was screwed and clamped tight. Then one of the men examined a +number of heavily insulated electric wires that extended from the +box off into the darkness where Tom and his companions could not +discern them. + +"That's Folwell--the man I befriended, and who got me into this +game," whispered Mr. Jenks. "He was also one of the first to turn +against me. I think he's one of the leaders." + +Folwell came back, after having gone into a dark part of the +cave. He went over to an electrical switch on one of the stone +walls. + +"It's almost time," Tom heard him say to his confederates. "The +storm is coming up rapidly." + +"Will it be severe enough?" asked one of the helpers. "We had +all our work for nothing last time. The flashes weren't heavy +enough." + +"These will be," asserted Folwell. "The indicator shows nearly +a million volts now, and it's increasing." + +"A million volts!" exclaimed Tom. "I hope it doesn't strike +anywhere around here." + +"Oh, it will probably be harmlessly conducted down on the heavy +wires," said Mr. Parker. "We are in no danger, at present, though +ultimately I expect to see the whole mountain shattered by a +lightning bolt." + +"Cheerful prospect," murmured Tom. + +There was a terrific crash outside. The rocky floor of the cave +trembled. + +"Here she comes!" cried Folwell. "Get back, everybody! I'm +going to throw over the switch now!" + +The men retreated well away from the steel box. Folwell threw +over the lever--the same one Mr. Jenks remembered pulling. Then +the man ran to the electric switch on the wall, and snapped that +into place, establishing a connection. + +There was a moment's pause, as Folwell ran to join the others +in their place of safety. Then from without there came a most +nerve-racking and terrifying crash. It seemed as if the very +mountain would be rent into fragments. + +Watching with eager eyes, the adventurers saw sparks flash from +the steel box. Instantly it became red hot, and then glowed white +and incandescent. It was almost at the melting point. + +Then came comparative quiet, as the echoes of the thunder died +away amid the mountain peaks. + +"I guess that did the trick!" cried Folwell. "It was a terrific +crash all right!" + +He and the others ran forward. The steel box was now a cherry +red, for it was cooling. Folwell threw back the lever, and +another man disconnected the switch. There was a period of +waiting until the box was cool enough to open. Then the heavy +door was swung back. + +With a long iron rod Folwell drew something from the retort. It +was the tray which had held the white balls. But they were white +no longer, for they had been turned into diamonds. From their +hiding-place Tom and the others could see the flashing gems, for, +in spite of the fact that the diamonds were uncut, some of them +sparkled most brilliantly, due to the peculiar manner in which +they were made. + +"We have the secret of the diamonds!" whispered Mr. Jenks. +"There must be a quart of the gems there!" + +The men gathered about Folwell, uttering exclamations of +delight. The diamonds were too hot to handle yet. + +"That's going some!" exclaimed the chief of the diamond makers. +"We have a small fortune here." + +The was a sudden commotion at one end of the cave. A man rushed +in. At the sight of him Tom stared and uttered an exclamation. + +"Munson--the stowaway!" he whispered. + +"Hello!" cried Folwell, as he saw his confederate. "I thought +you were East, keeping Jenks away from here." + +"He got the best of me!" cried Munson, "he and that Tom Swift! +I stowed away on their airship, but they found me out by a +wireless message, and marooned me in the woods. I've been trying +to get here ever since! Didn't you get my messages of warning?" + +"No--what warnings ?" cried Folwell. + +"About Jenks, Tom Swift and the others. They're here--they must +be on Phantom Mountain now. In fact, I shouldn't be surprised if +they were in this cave. I traced them to their camp, but they're +gone. They may be among us now--in some of the secret recesses!" + +For an instant Folwell stared at the bearer of these tidings. +Then he cried out: + +"Scatter men, and find these fellows! We must get them before +they discover our secret!" + +"It's too late--we know it!" exulted Tom Swift. Then he +whispered to the others to hurry to the part of the cave where +Bill Renshaw had first hidden them. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII--PRISONERS + + +"Do you think there is any danger of them finding us?" asked +Mr. Damon, as he hurried along beside Tom. + +"I'm afraid so," was the answer. "I've been worried ever since +we saw Munson heading this way. But we couldn't do any differently." + +"Perhaps Bill Renshaw may be able to conceal us," suggested Mr. +Jenks. "Very likely he knows that Munson is on hand. Perhaps we +will be safe for a while. I want to make a few more observations +as to how they manufacture the diamonds, and then, with what I +already know, I'll have the secret." + +"And I'd like to make some scientific tests of the sides and +bottom rocks of the cave," spoke Mr. Parker. "I think it will +bear out my theory that the mountain will soon be destroyed." + +"Well, you were right about Earthquake Island, and you may be +right about this mountain," said Tom, "but if it is going to be +annihilated I hope we get far enough away from it." + +"We can keep our presence here a secret for a few more days, I +think that will be long enough," proceeded Mr. Jenks. "Then we +will leave." + +"And, in the meanwhile, they'll be searching for us," objected +Mr. Damon. "I wish that ghost-chap would come back and tell us +what to do. Bless my liver-pin, but we are going to be in +considerable danger, I'm afraid! Those men may capture us, and +decide to make diamond dust from us." + +"Come on--hurry to the little cave," urged Tom. "Then we'll get +ready to defend ourselves." + +"The main cave is a large one," said Mr. Jenks, "and there are +many hiding places in it. In fact, it is so large that it will +take those fellows several days to complete a circuit of it. By +that time Bill Renshaw may come back, and take us to some place +in which they have already searched for us. Then we'll be +comparatively safe." + +This thought was some consolation to them, as they made their +way through the dark passage, dimly illuminated by the lantern +they had rekindled, to the place where Bill had hidden them. They +found things as they had left them, and proceeded to get a meal, +though Tom said it would be best not to cook anything, or even to +make coffee, for fear the odors would enable the searchers to +trail them. + +So they ate cold food, glad to get that. Silently they sat +about the dimly-lighted cavern, and discussed the situation. True +they might even now retreat, going out of the entrance Bill had +showed them, and so escape. But Mr. Jenks felt that his mission +was not completed yet, and they all agreed to stay with him. + +"For there are several points about making diamonds that are +not quite clear to me," he said. "I need to know how that steel +box is constructed, how the electrical switches are arranged, +what kind of lightning rods they use, and how they regulate the +pressure. The other things, and how to mix the ingredients, I +already know." + +"Then we'll do our best to help you," promised Tom. "But now I +think we had better see what sort of a defense we can put up. We +have our guns and revolvers, and with these chairs and tables we +can build a sort of barricade behind which we can take refuge if +those fellows do discover our hiding place." + +This was conceded to be a good idea, and soon a rude sort of +fort was made, behind which the adventurers could take their +stand and fight, if necessary, though they hoped this would not +come to pass. + +They remained quietly in the cave the remainder of that day, +and, when it was night, as they could tell by their timepieces--there +was no daylight--they divided the hours into watches, taking turns +standing guard. + +Morning, at least in point of time, came without any +disturbance, and they made a cold breakfast. They hoped that Bill +Renshaw would come, but he did not appear. + +After sitting in the dark cave until afternoon, Tom said: + +"I think we might as well go and take another observation of +the big cave. We can tell what the men are doing, then, for they +don't seem to have been near us. Maybe they have given up the +search for us, and we can see them at work, and Mr. Jenks can +gain what further knowledge he needs." + +"That will be a good plan," agreed the diamond man. "It's +maddening to sit here, doing nothing." + +"And it will be comparatively safe to go from here to our +former post of observation," added Tom, "for there doesn't seem +to be any opening along the tunnel, into the larger cave, except +the place where we were." + +Accordingly they started off. Cautiously they looked through +the opening into the apartment where they had seen the diamonds +made. + +"There's not a soul here!" exclaimed Tom, in a whisper. The +others looked. The place was deserted--the machinery silent. Mr. +Jenks peered in for a moment, and then exclaimed: + +"I'm going in! Now's my chance to find out all that I wish to +know! It may never come again, and then we can soon leave Phantom +Mountain!" + +It was a daring plan, but it seemed to be the best one to +follow. They were all tired of inactivity. Mr. Jenks managed to +get through the opening, and dropped into the big cave. The +others followed. Mr. Jenks hurried over to the steel box, and +began an examination of it. Tom Swift was looking at the +electrical switch. He saw how it was constructed. Mr. Damon and +Mr. Parker were peering interestedly about. + +Suddenly the sound of voices was heard, and the echo of +footsteps. Mr. Jenks started. + +"They're coming back!" he whispered hoarsely. "Run!" + +They all turned and sped toward their hiding place. But they +were too late. An instant later Folwell, Munson and the other +diamond makers confronted them. Our friends made a bold rush, but +were caught before they could go ten feet. + +"We have them!" cried Munson. "They walked right into our +hands!" + +It was true. Tom Swift and the others were the prisoners of the +diamond makers. + + + +CHAPTER XXIII--BROKEN BONDS + + +"Well," remarked Tom Swift, in mournful tones, "this looks as +if we were up against it; doesn't it?" + +"Bless my umbrella, it certainly does," agreed Mr. Damon. + +"And it's all my fault," said Mr. Jenks. "I shouldn't have gone +into the big cave. I might have known those men would come back +any time." + +The above conversation took place as our friends lay securely +bound in a small cave, or recess, opening from the larger cavern, +where, about an hour before, they had been captured and made +prisoners by the diamond makers. Despite their struggles they had +been overpowered and bound, being carried to the cave, where they +were laid in a row on some old bags. + +"It certainly is a most unpleasant situation, to say the +least," observed Mr. Parker. + +"And all my fault," repeated Mr. Jenks. + +"Oh, no it isn't," declared Tom Swift, quickly. "We were just +as ready to follow you into that cave as you were to go. No one +could tell that the men would return so soon. It's nobody's +fault. It's just our bad luck." + +From where he lay, tied hand and foot, the young inventor could +look out into the cave where he and the others had been caught. +The diamond makers were busily engaged, apparently in getting +ready to manufacture another batch of the precious stones. They +paid little attention to their captives, save to warn them, when +they had first been taken into the little cave, that it was +useless to try to escape. + +"They needn't have told us that," observed Tom, as he and the +others were talking over their situation in low voices. "I don't +believe any one could loosen these ropes." + +"They certainly are pretty tight," agreed Mr. Damon. "I've been +tugging and straining at mine for the last half hour, and all +I've succeeded in doing is to make the cords cut into my flesh." + +"Better give it up," advised Mr. Jenks. + +"We'll just have to wait." + +"For what?" the scientist wanted to know. + +"To see what they'll do with us. They can't keep us here +forever. They'll have to let us go some time." Following their +capture, Folwell and Munson, the latter the stowaway of the +airship, had been in earnest conversation regarding our friends, +but what conclusion they had reached the adventurers could only +guess. + +"And we didn't have time to examine the diamond-making +machinery close enough so that we could duplicate it if +necessary," complained Tom, a little later. + +"No," agreed Mr. Jenks. "There are certain things about it that +are not clear to me. Well, I don't believe I'll have another +chance to inspect it. They'll take good care of that, though they +seem to be getting ready to make more diamonds." + +"Perhaps they're going to manufacture a big batch, and then +leave this place," suggested Mr. Damon. "They will probably go to +some other secret cave, and leave us here." + +"I hope they untie us before they leave, and give us something +to eat," remarked the young inventor. + +For two hours longer the captives lay there, in most +uncomfortable positions. Then Folwell and Munson, leaving the +group of diamond makers who were grouped about the machinery, +approached the captives. + +"Well," remarked Munson, "we got ahead of you after all; didn't +we. You thought you had our secret, but it will be a long while +before you ever make diamonds." + +"What are you going to do with us?" asked Tom. + +"Never mind. You came where you had no right to, and you must +take the consequences." + +"We did have a right to come here!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks. "I am +entitled to know how the diamonds are made. I paid for the +information, and you tricked me. If ever it's possible I'll have +the whole gang arrested for swindling." + +"You'll never get the chance!" declared Folwell. "You were +given some diamonds for the money you invested, and that makes us +square." + +"No, it doesn't!" declared Mr. Jenks. "I invested the money to +learn how to make diamonds, and you know it! You tricked me, and +I had a right to try to discover your secret! I nearly have it, +too, and I'll get it completely before I'm done with you!" + +"No, you won't!" boasted Folwell. "But we didn't come here to +tell you that. We came to give you something to eat. We're not +savages and we'll treat you as well as we can in spite of the +fact that you are trespassers. We're going to give you some grub, +but I warn you that any attempt to escape will mean that some of +you will get hurt." + +He signalled to some of his confederates. These men unbound the +captives' arms, and stood over them while they ate some coarse +food that was brought into the small cave. They were given coffee +to drink, and then, when the simple meal was over, they were +securely bound again, and left to themselves, while the diamond +makers went back to their machinery. + +It was evident that they were going to attempt a big operation, +for an unusually large quantity of the white stuff was prepared. +The prisoners watched them idly. They could see some but not all +of the operations. In this way several hours passed. + +Gloom possessed the hearts of Tom and his friends. Not only had +their expedition been almost a failure so far, but the young +inventor was worried lest the gang might discover and wreck his +airship. This would prove a serious loss. Lying there in the +semi-darkness the lad imagined all sorts of unpleasant happenings. + +At times he dozed off, as did the others. They had become +somewhat used to the pain caused by the bonds, for their nerves +were numb from the strain and pressure. + +Once, as he was lightly sleeping, Tom was awakened by hearing +loud voices in the main cave. He looked out, rolling over +slightly to get a better view. He saw the man who, once before +had run in to give news of an approaching electrical storm. + +"Are you fellows all ready?" asked this same man again. + +"Yes. Is there another storm coming?" + +"Yes, and it's going to be a corker!" was the reply. "It's one +of the worst I've ever seen. It's sweeping right up the valley. +It'll be here in an hour." + +"That's good. We need a big flash to make all the material we +have prepared into diamonds. It's the biggest batch we ever +tried. I hope it succeeds, for we're going to leave--" The rest +was in so low a tone that Tom could not catch it. + +The storm messenger departed. Folwell and Munson busied +themselves about the machinery. Tom dozed off again, dimly +wondering what had become of Bill Renshaw, and whether the former +ghost knew of their plight. The others were asleep, as the young +inventor saw by the dim light of a lantern in the cave. Then, he +too, shut his eyes. + +Tom was suddenly awakened by feeling some one's hands moving +about his clothing. At first he thought it was one of the +diamond-making gang, who had sneaked in to rob him. "Here! What +are you up to?" exclaimed Tom. + +"Quiet!" cautioned a voice. "Are you all here?" + +"All of us--yes. But who are you?" + +"Easy--keep quiet, Tom Swift! I'm Bill Renshaw! I've been +searching all over for you, since I got back to your cave and +found it empty. Now I'm going to free you. I got in here by a +secret entrance. Wait, I'll cut your ropes." There was a slight +sound, and an instant later Tom was freed from his bonds. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV--IN GREAT PERIL + + +The young inventor could scarcely believe the good luck that +had so unexpectedly come to him and his companions. No sooner was +Tom able to move freely about than Bill Renshaw performed the +same service for Mr. Jenks and the others, cautioning them to be +quiet as he awakened them, and cut the ropes. + +"Bless my circulation!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, in a hoarse +whisper. "How did you ever get here. I'd given ourselves up for +lost." + +"Oh, I came in off the mountain, as there's a big storm due," +explained the man. "There was no need of me playing the haunt in +daytime, anyhow. I went to the cave, found you and your things +gone, and I surmised that you might have walked into some trap." + +"We did," admitted Mr. Jenks, grimly. + +"Well, I hunted around until I found you," went on Bill. "This +mountain is honeycombed with caves, all opening from the large +one, I know them better than these fellows do, so I could explore +freely, and keep out of their sight. They didn't know that there +was a second entrance to this place, but I did, and I made for +it, when I couldn't find you in some of the other caves where I +looked. And, sure enough, here you were." + +"Well, we can't thank you enough," said Mr. Parker. "But you +say there is a big storm coming?" + +"One of the biggest that's been around these parts in some +time," replied Bill. + +"Then perhaps the mountain will be destroyed," went on the +scientist, as calmly as if he had remarked that it might rain. + +"I hope nothing like that happens until we get away," spoke Mr. +Damon, fervently. + +"What had we better do?" inquired Tom. + +"Get away, unless you want to discover some more of their +secrets," advised Bill. "Those fellows are planning something, +but I can't find out what it is. They are suspicious of me, I +think. But they are up to something, and I believe, it would be +best for you to leave while you have the chance. It may not be +healthy to stay. That's why I did my best to untie you." + +"We appreciate what you have done," declared Mr. Jenks, "but I +want my rights. I must learn a few more facts about how to make +diamonds from lightning flashes, and then I will have the same +secret they cheated me out of. I think if we wait a while we may +be able to see the parts of the process that are not quite clear +to us. What do you say, Tom Swift?" + +"Well, I would like to learn the secret," replied the lad, "and +if Bill thinks it's safe to stay here a while longer--" + +"Oh, I guess it will be safe enough," was the reply. "Those +fellows won't bother about you now that they are about to make +some more diamonds. Besides, they think you're all tied up. Yes, +you can stay here and watch, I reckon. I've got a couple of guns, +and--" + +"Then we'll stay," decided Tom. "We can put up a better fight +now." + +Silently, in their prison, but which they could now leave +whenever they pleased, the adventurers watched the diamond makers +once more. The same process they had witnessed before was gone +through with. The white balls were put inside the steel box and +sealed up. Then they waited for the storm to reach its height. + +That this would not be long was evidenced by the mutterings of +thunder which every moment grew louder. The outburst of +electrical fury was likely to take place momentarily, and that it +would be unusually severe was shown by the precautions taken by +the diamond makers. They attached a number of extra wires, and +brought out some insulated, hard rubber platforms, on which they +themselves stood. Tom and Mr. Jenks were much interested in +watching this detail of the work, and sought to learn how each +part of the process was done. + +"I almost think we can make diamonds, Tom, when we get back to +civilization," whispered Mr. Jenks. + +"I hope we can," answered Tom, "and we can't get back any too +soon to suit me. I want to be in my airship again." + +"I don't blame you. But look, they are getting ready to adjust +the switch." + +The adventurers ceased their whispered talk, and eagerly +watched the diamond makers. Folwell and Munson were hurrying to +and fro in the big cave, attending to the adjustments of the +machinery. + +"On your insulated plates--all of you," Folwell gave the order. +"This is going to be a terrific storm. The gage shows twice the +power we have ever used, and it's creeping up every minute! We'll +have more diamonds than ever had before!" + +"Yes, if the mountain isn't destroyed," added Mr. Parker, in a +low voice. "I predict that it will be split from top to bottom!" + +"Comforting," thought Tom, grimly. + +"I guess we're all ready," said Folwell, in a low tone to +Munson. "We'd better get insulated ourselves. I'm going to throw +the switch." + +He did so. A moment later the man who had before given warning +of the storm came dashing in. He was very much excited. + +"It's awful!" he cried. "The lightning is striking all over! +Big rocks are being split like logs of wood!" + +"Well, it can't do any damage in here," said Munson. "We are +well protected. Get on one of the plates," and he motioned to one +of the hard-rubber platforms that was not occupied. The roar and +rumble of the storm outside had given place to short terrific +crashes. In their small cave the adventurers could feel the solid +ground shake. + +A bluish light began dancing about the electrical wires. There +was a smell of sulphur in the air. Crash after crash resounded +outside. A flash of flame lit up the whole interior of the cave. +It came from the copper switch. + +"Something's wrong with the insulation!" cried Munson. + +"Don't go near it!" yelled Folwell. "If you value your life, +stand still!" + +Hardly had he spoken than inside the cavern there sounded a +report like that of a small cannon. A big ball of fire danced +about the middle of the cave and then leaped on top of the steel +box. + +"This is a fearful storm," cried Munson. + +The adventurers in the cave did not know what to say or do. +They were in deadly peril. + +Suddenly there came a crash louder than any that had preceded +it. The whole side of the cave where the switches were was a mass +of bluish flame. Then came a ripping, tearing sound, and a tangle +of wires and copper connections were thrown to the floor. At the +same time the steel box, containing the materials from which +diamonds were made, turned blue, and flames shot from it. + +"It's all up with us!" cried Munson. "Run for it, everybody! +The wires are down, and this place will be an electric furnace in +another minute!" + +He leaped toward the exit from the cave. + +"What about those fellows?" asked Folwell, indicating the place +where Tom and the others had been tied. + +"They'll have to do the best they can! It's every man for +himself, now!" yelled Munson. There was a wild scramble from the +cavern. + +"Come on!" cried Tom. "We must escape! It's our only chance!" + +He leaped into the big cave, followed by the others. Already +long tongues of electrical fire were shooting out from the walls +and roof as Tom Swift and his companions, evading them as best +they could, sought safety in flight. + + + +CHAPTER XXV--THE MOUNTAIN SHATTERED--CONCLUSION + + +"Can't we get some of the diamonds?" cried Mr. Damon, as he +raced along behind Tom. "Now's our chance. Those fellows have all +gone!" The odd man made a grab for something as he ran. + +"It's as much as our lives are worth," declared the young +inventor. "We dare not stop! Come on!" + +"I'd like to investigate some of the machinery," spoke Mr. +Jenks, "but I wouldn't stop, even for that." + +"The storm is too dangerous," called Bill Renshaw. "I can show +you a shorter way out than the one those fellows have taken. +Follow me." + +"No way can be too short," said Mr. Parker, solemnly. "This +mountain will go to pieces shortly, I think!" + +Tom shuddered. He remembered how narrow had been their escape +when Earthquake Island sank into the sea. And that some terrific +upheaval was now imminent might be judged from the awful reports +that sounded more plainly as the adventurers raced toward the +opening of the cave. It was like the bombardment of some doomed +city. + +Mr. Jenks and Tom cast one longing look behind at the +complicated and expensive machinery that had been installed in +the cave by the diamond makers. They had abandoned it, and in it +lay the secret of making precious gems. But there was no time to +stop now, and investigate. + +"This way," urged Bill Renshaw. "We'll soon be out." + +"But won't it be dangerous to go outside?" asked Mr. Damon. +"Shan't we be struck by lightning? There is some protection in +here." + +"None at all," said Mr. Parker, quickly. "This mountain is a +natural lightning rod. To stay here in this cave will be sure +death when the storm gets directly over it. And that will be very +soon. We must get on insulated ground. Is there any part of this +mountain that does not contain iron ore?" the scientist asked of +the former spirit. + +"Yes; the way out by which we are going lands on a dirt hill." + +"That's good; then we may be saved." + +On they ran. They had no lanterns, but the blue light of the +electricity, as it leaped from point to point inside the cave, +where there were outcroppings of iron ore, made the place bright +enough to see. + +"Here we are!" cried Bill Renshaw at length. "Here's the way +out!" + +Making a sudden turn in the winding passage he showed the +adventurers a small opening in the side of the crag. In an +instant they had passed through, and found themselves in daylight +once more. The sudden glare almost blinded them, for, though the +sky was overcast by clouds, from which jagged tongues of +lightning played, the outside was much lighter than the dark +cave. + +"I should say it was a storm!" cried Tom Swift. "See, it is +striking every minute, and all around us!" + +In fact, lightning bolts were falling on every side of the +adventurers. Every time the balls of fire struck, they burst open +great stones, or seared a livid scar on the face of some cliff. +As for Tom and the others, they stood on a dry dirt hill, in +which, fortunately, there was no iron ore. To this fact they +undoubtedly owed their lives, though had there been rain, to +moisten the ground and make the earth a good conductor of +electricity, they probably would have been badly shocked. But the +electrical outburst was not accompanied by rain. + +Tom looked up. He saw a compact mass of cloud moving toward the +summit of the mountain on the slope of which they stood. From +this cloud there played shafts of reddish-green fire. + +"Look!" called the young inventor to Mr. Parker. The instant +the latter saw the cloud, he cried: + +"We must get away from here by all means! That is the center of +the storm. As soon as it gets over the mountain, where that +lightning rod is, all the electrical fluid will be discharged in +one bolt at the mountain, and it will be destroyed! We must run, +but keep on the dirt places! Run for your lives!" + +They needed no second warning. Turning, they fled down the +steep side of the mountain, slipping and stumbling, but taking +care not to step on any iron ore. Behind them flashed the +lightning bolts. + +Suddenly there was a most awful crash. It seemed as if the end +of the world had come, and the ear drums of Tom and his +companion almost burst with the fearful report. The concussion +knocked them down, and they lay stunned for a moment. + +Following the terrible report there was a low, rumbling sound. +Hardly knowing whether he was dead or alive, Tom opened his eyes +and looked about him. What he saw caused him to cry out in +terror. + +The whole mountain seemed bathed in fire. Great blue, red and +green flashes played around it. Then the towering cliff seemed to +melt and crumble up, and the great peak, the top of it containing +the diamond makers' cave, from which they had fled but a few +minutes before, the entire summit was toppled over into the +valley on the other side, and in the direction opposite to that +where the adventurers stood. + +Then came a profound silence, and the lightning ceased. The +storm was over, and only the rattle of stones and boulders, as +they came to rest in the valley below, reached the ears of our +friends. + +"Phantom Mountain has been destroyed, just as I said it would +be," spoke Mr. Parker, solemnly. Once more he had prophesied +correctly. + +For a few minutes the adventurers hardly knew what to say. They +arose awkwardly from the ground where the shock had tossed them. +Then Tom remarked, as calmly as possible: + +"Well, it's all over. I guess we may as well get back to our +airship." + +"What became of Munson and the others?" asked Mr. Damon. + +Mr. Jenks pointed to the trail, far below. The figures of some +men, running madly, could be seen. + +"There they go," he said; "I fancy we have seen the last of +them." And they had, for some time at least. + +There was little use lingering any longer on Phantom Mountain--indeed +little of it was left on which to remain. Looking back +toward the place where the cave had been, Tom and the others +started forward again. The diamond-making machinery had all been +destroyed. So, also, had the finished diamonds stored in the +cavern and the large supply which had probably been made by the +last terrific crash. No one would ever have them now. Tom and Mr. +Jenks felt a sense of disappointment, but they were glad to have +escaped with their lives. They sought their former camp, but the +tent and all their food was buried under tons of earth and rocks. + +Three days later, after rather severe hardships, they were near +the place where they had left the Red Cloud. They had suffered +cold and hunger, for they had no food supplies, and, had it not +been that Bill Renshaw knew the haunts of some game, of which +they managed to snare some, they would have fared badly, for they +had left their guns in the cave. + +"Well, there are the trees behind which I hope my airship is +hidden," announced Tom, as they came to the spot. "Good old Red +Cloud! Maybe we won't do some eating when we get aboard, eh?" + +"Bless my appetite! but we certainly will!" cried Mr. Damon. + +"There's somebody walking around the place," spoke Mr. Jenks. + +"I hope it's no one who has damaged the ship," came from Tom, +apprehensively. He broke into a run, and soon confronted an aged +miner, who seemed to have established a rude sort of camp near +the airship. + +"Is anything the matter?" asked Tom, breathlessly. "Is my +airship all right?" + +"I guess she's all right, stranger," was the reply. "I don't +know much about these contraptions, but I haven't touched her. I +knowed she was an airship, for I've seen pictures of 'em, and +I've been waiting until the owner came along." + +"Why?" asked Tom, wonderingly. + +"Because I've got a proposition to make to you," went on the +miner, who said his name was Abe Abercrombie. "I've been a miner +for a good many years, and I'm just back from Alaska, prospecting +around here. I haven't had any luck, but I know of a gold mine +in Alaska that will make us all rich. Only it needs an airship to +get to it, and I've been figuring how to hire one. Then I comes +along, and I sees this big one, and I makes up my mind to stay +here until the owners come back. That's what I've done. Now, if I +prove that I'm telling the truth, will you go to Alaska--to the +valley of gold with me?" + +"I don't know," answered Tom, to whom the proposition was +rather sudden. "We've just had some pretty startling adventures, +and we're almost starved. Wait until we get something to eat, and +we'll talk. Come aboard the Red Cloud," and the lad led the way +to his craft which was in as good condition as when he left it to +go to the diamond cave. Later he listened to the miner's story. + +Tom Swift did go to the valley of gold in Alaska, and what +happened to him and his companions there will be told of in the +next volume of this series, to be called "Tom Swift in the Caves +of Ice; or, the Wreck of the Airship." + +It did not take our friends long, after they had eaten a hearty +meal, to generate some fresh gas, and start the Red Cloud oh her +homeward way. Tom wanted to take Bill Renshaw with him, but the +old man said he would rather remain among the mountains where he +had been born. So, after paying him well for his services, they +said good-by to him. Abercrombie, the miner, also remained +behind, but promised to call and see Tom in a few months. + +"Well, we didn't make any money out of this trip," observed Mr. +Jenks, rather dubiously, as they were nearing Shopton, after an +uneventful trip. "I guess I owe you considerable, Tom Swift. I +promised to get you a lot of diamonds, but all I have are those I +had from my first visit to the cave." + +"Oh, that's all right," spoke Tom, easily. "The experience was +worth all the trip cost." + +"Speaking of diamonds, look here!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, +suddenly, and he pulled out a double handful. + +"Where did you get them?" cried the others in astonishment. + +"I grabbed them up, as we ran from the cave," said the +eccentric man; "but, bless my gaiters! I forgot all about them +until you spoke. We'll share them." + +These diamonds, some of which were large, proved very valuable, +though the total sum was far below what Mr. Jenks hoped to make +when he started on the remarkable trip. Tom gave Mary Nestor a +very fine stone, and it was set in a ring, instead of a pin, this +time. + +On their arrival in Shopton, where Mr. Swift, the housekeeper, +Mr. Jackson and Eradicate Sampson were much alarmed for Tom's +safety, an attempt was made to manufacture diamonds, using a +powerful electric current instead of lightning. But it was not a +success, and so Mr. Jenks concluded to give up his search for the +secret which was lost on Phantom Mountain. + +And now we will take leave of Tom Swift, to meet him again soon +in other adventures he is destined to have in the caves of ice +and the valley of gold. + + + + +THE END + + + + +THE TOM SWIFT SERIES + +By VICTOR APPLETON + + +TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE +Or Fun and Adventure on the Road +TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT +Or The Rivals of Lake Carlopa +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP +Or The Stirring Cruise of the Red Cloud +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT +Or Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT +Or The Speediest Car on the Road +TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE +Or The Castaways of Earthquake Island +TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS +Or The Secret of Phantom Mountain +TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE +Or The wreck of the Airship +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER +Or The Quickest Flight on Record +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE +Or Daring Adventures In Elephant Land +TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD +Or Marvelous Adventures Underground +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER +Or seeking the Platinum Treasure +TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY +Or A Daring Escape by Airship +TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA +Or The Perils of Moving Picture Taking +TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT +Or On the Border for Uncle Sam +TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON +Or The Longest Shots on Record +TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE +Or The Picture that Saved a Fortune +TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP +Or The Naval Terror of the Seas +TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL +Or The Hidden City of the Andes + + + + +THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS SERIES + +By VICTOR APPLETON + + +In these stories we follow the adventures of three boys, who, +after purchasing at auction the contents of a moving picture +house, open a theatre of their own. Their many trials and +tribulations, leading up to the final success of their venture, +make very entertaining stories. + +THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' FIRST VENTURE + +Or Opening a Photo Playhouse in Fairlands. + +The adventures of Frank, Randy and Pep in running a Motion +Picture show. They had trials and tribulations but finally +succeed. + +THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS AT SEASIDE PARK + +Or The Rival Photo Theatres of the Boardwalk. + +Their success at Fairlands encourages the boys to open their +show at Seaside Park, where they have exciting adventures--also a +profitable season. + +THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS ON BROADWAY + +Or The Mystery of the Missing Cash Box. + +Backed by a rich western friend the chums established a photo +playhouse in the great metropolis, where new adventures await +them. + +THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' OUTDOOR EXHIBITION + +Or The Film that Solved a Mystery. + +This time the playhouse was in a big summer park. How a +film that was shown gave a clew to an important mystery +is interestingly related. + +THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' NEW IDEA + +Or The First Educational Photo Playhouse. + +In this book the scene is shifted to Boston, and there is +intense rivalry in the establishment of photo playhouses of +educational value. + +THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS AT THE FAIR + +Or The Greatest Film Ever Exhibited. + +The chums go to San Francisco, where they have some trials +but finally meet with great success. + +THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' WAR SPECTACLE + +Or The Film that Won the Prize. + +Through being of service to the writer of a great scenario, the +chums are enabled to produce it and win a prize. + + + + +THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH SERIES + +By GRAHAM B. FORBES + + +Never was there a cleaner, brighter, more manly boy than Frank +Allen, the hero of this series of boys tales, and never was there +a better crowd of lads to associate with than the students of the +School. All boys will read these stories with deep interest. The +rivalry between the towns along the river was of the keenest, and +plots and counterplots to win the champions, at baseball, at +football, at boat racing, at track athletics, and at ice hockey, +were without number. Any lad reading one volume of this series +will surely want the others. + +THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH +Or The All Around Rivals of the School + +THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE DIAMOND +Or Winning Out by Pluck + +THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE RIVER +Or The Boat Race Plot that Failed + +THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE GRIDIRON +Or The Struggle for the Silver Cup + +THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE ICE +Or Out for the Hockey Championship + +THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH IN TRACK ATHLETICS +Or A Long Run that Won + +THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH IN WINTER SPORTS +Or Stirring Doings on Skates and Iceboats + + +12mo. Illustrated. Handsomely bound in cloth, with cover design +and wrappers in colors. + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + + + +THE OUTDOOR CHUMS SERIES + +By CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN + + +The outdoor chums are four wide-awake lads, Sons of wealthy men +of a small city located on a lake. The boys love outdoor life, +and are greatly interested in hunting, fishing, and picture +taking. They have motor cycles, motor boats, canoes, etc., and +during their vacations go everywhere and have all sorts of +thrilling adventures. The stories give full directions for +camping out, how to fish, how to hunt wild animals and prepare +the skins for stuffing, how to manage a canoe, how to swim, etc. +Full of the spirit of outdoor life. + +THE OUTDOOR CHUMS +Or The First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club. + +THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE LAKE +Or Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island. + +THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE FOREST +Or Laying the Ghost of Oak Ridge. + +THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE GULF +Or Rescuing the Lost Balloonists. + +THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME +Or Perilous Adventures in the Wilderness. + +THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON A HOUSEBOAT +Or The Rivals of the Mississippi. + +THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE BIG WOODS +Or The Rival Hunters at Lumber Run. + +THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AT CABIN POINT +Or The Golden Cup Mystery. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Etext of Tom Swift Among the Diamond Makers diff --git a/old/old/07tom10.zip b/old/old/07tom10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..31ede9d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/old/07tom10.zip diff --git a/old/old/07tom10h.htm b/old/old/07tom10h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cf409ec --- /dev/null +++ b/old/old/07tom10h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6068 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Tom Swift Among The Diamond Makers, by Victor Appleton. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + } + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> + +<body> +<pre> +Project Gutenberg's Etext of Tom Swift Among the Diamond Makers +#7 in the Victor Appleton's Tom Swift Series + +We name the Tom Swift files as they are numbered in the books-- +i.e. This is #7 in the series so the file name is 07tomxxx.xxx +where the x's are place holders for editon # and file type such +as 07tom10.txt and 07tom10.zip, when we do a .htm, 07tom10h.htm + + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world, be sure to check +the copyright laws for your country before posting these files!! + +Please take a look at the important information in this header. +We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an +electronic path open for the next readers. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* + + +This Etext was prepared for Project Gutenberg by Anthony Matonac. +</pre> +<hr /> +<h1>TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS</h1> +<h4>or</h4> +<h2>The Secret of Phantom Mountain</h2> + +<h3>By</h3> +<h2>VICTOR APPLETON</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3>CONTENTS</h3> + + +<h4> + <a href="#CHAPTER_I_A_SUSPICIOUS_JEWELER"><b>CHAPTER I—A SUSPICIOUS JEWELER</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_II_A_MIDNIGHT_VISIT"><b>CHAPTER II—A MIDNIGHT VISIT</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_III_A_STRANGE_STORY"><b>CHAPTER III—A STRANGE STORY</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_IV_ANDY_FOGER_GETS_A_FRIGHT"><b>CHAPTER IV—ANDY FOGER GETS A FRIGHT</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_V_A_MYSTERIOUS_MAN"><b>CHAPTER V—A MYSTERIOUS MAN</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_VI_MR_DAMON_IS_ON_HAND"><b>CHAPTER VI-MR. DAMON IS ON HAND</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_VII_MR_PARKER_PREDICTS"><b>CHAPTER VII—MR. PARKER PREDICTS</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_VIII_OFF_FOR_THE_WEST"><b>CHAPTER VIII—OFF FOR THE WEST</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_IX_A_WARNING_BY_WIRELESS"><b>CHAPTER IX—A WARNING BY WIRELESS</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_X_DROPPING_THE_STOWAWAY"><b>CHAPTER X—DROPPING THE STOWAWAY</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XII_THE_GREAT_STONE_HEAD"><b>CHAPTER XII—THE GREAT STONE HEAD</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XIII_ON_PHANTOM_MOUNTAIN"><b>CHAPTER XIII—ON PHANTOM MOUNTAIN</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XIV_WARNED_BACK"><b>CHAPTER XIV—WARNED BACK</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XV_THE_LANDSLIDE"><b>CHAPTER XV—THE LANDSLIDE</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XVI_THE_VAST_CAVERN"><b>CHAPTER XVI—THE VAST CAVERN</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XVII_THE_PHANTOM_CAPTURED"><b>CHAPTER XVII—THE PHANTOM CAPTURED</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII_BILL_RENSHAW_WILL_HELP"><b>CHAPTER XVIII—BILL RENSHAW WILL HELP</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XIX_IN_THE_SECRET_CAVE"><b>CHAPTER XIX—IN THE SECRET CAVE</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XX_MAKING_THE_DIAMONDS"><b>CHAPTER XX—MAKING THE DIAMONDS</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XXII_PRISONERS"><b>CHAPTER XXII—PRISONERS</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV_IN_GREAT_PERIL"><b>CHAPTER XXIV—IN GREAT PERIL</b></a><br /> + </h4> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I_A_SUSPICIOUS_JEWELER" id="CHAPTER_I_A_SUSPICIOUS_JEWELER" />CHAPTER I—A SUSPICIOUS JEWELER</h2> + + +<p>"Well, Tom Swift, I don't believe you will make any mistake if +you buy that diamond," said the jeweler to a young man who was +inspecting a tray of pins, set with the sparkling stones. "It is +of the first water, and without a flaw."</p> + +<p>"It certainly seems so, Mr. Track. I don't know much about +diamonds, and I'm depending on you. But this one looks to be all +right."</p> + +<p>"Is it for yourself, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"Er—no—that is, not exactly," and Tom Swift, the young +inventor of airships and submarines, blushed slightly.</p> + +<p>"Ah, I see. It's for your housekeeper, Mrs. Baggert. Well, I +think she would like a pin of this sort. True, it's rather +expensive, but—"</p> + +<p>"No, it isn't for Mrs. Baggert, Mr. Track," and Tom seemed a +bit embarrassed.</p> + +<p>"No? Well, then, Tom—of course it's none of my affair, except +to sell you a good stone, But if this brooch is for a young lady, +I can't recommend anything nicer. Do you think you will take +this; or do you prefer to look at some others?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I think this will do, Mr. Track. I guess I'll take—"</p> + +<p>Tom's Words were interrupted by a sudden action on the part of +the jeweler. Mr. Track ran from behind the showcase and hastened +toward the front door.</p> + +<p>"Did you see him, Tom?" he cried. "I wonder which way he went?"</p> + +<p>"Who?" asked the lad, following the shopkeeper.</p> + +<p>"That man. He's been walking up and down in front of my place +for the last ten minutes—ever since you've been in here, in +fact, and I don't like his looks."</p> + +<p>"What did he do?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing much, except to stare in here as if he was sizing my +place up."</p> + +<p>"Sizing it up?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Getting the lay of the land, so he or some confederate +could commit a robbery, maybe."</p> + +<p>"A robbery? Do you think that man was a thief?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know that he was, Tom, and yet a jeweler has to be +always on the watch, and that isn't a joke, either, Tom Swift. +Swindlers and thieves are always on the alert for a chance to rob +a jewelry store, and they work many games."</p> + +<p>"I didn't notice any particular man looking in here," said Tom, +who still held the diamond brooch in his hand.</p> + +<p>"Well I did," went on the jeweler. "I happened to glance out of +the window when you were looking at the pins, and I saw his eyes +staring in here in a suspicious manner. He may have a confederate +with him, and, when you're gone, one may come in, and pretend to +want to look at some diamonds. Then, when I'm showing him some, +the other man will enter, engage my attention, and the first man +will slip out with a diamond ring or pin. It's often done."</p> + +<p>"You seem to have it all worked out, Mr. Track," observed the +lad, with a smile. "How do you know but what I'm in with a gang +of thieves, and that I'm only pretending to want to buy a diamond +pin?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess I haven't known you, Tom Swift, ever since you +were big enough to toddle, not to be sure about what you're up +to. But I certainly didn't like the looks of that man. However, +let's forget about him. He seems to have gone down the street, +and, after all, perhaps I was mistaken. Just wait until I show +you a few more styles before you decide. The young lady may like +one of these," and the jeweler went to another showcase and took +out some more trays of brooches.</p> + +<p>"What makes you think she's a young lady, Mr. Track?" asked the +lad.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's easy guessing, Tom. We jewelers are good readers of +character. I can size up a young fellow coming in here to buy an +engagement or a wedding ring, as soon as he enters the door. I +suppose you'll soon be in the market for one of those, Tom, if +all the reports I hear about you are true—you and a certain Mary +Nestor."</p> + +<p>"I—er—I think I don't care for any of these pins," spoke Tom, +quickly, with a blush. "I like the first lot best. I think I'll +take the one I had in my hand when that man alarmed you. Ha! +That's odd! What did I do with it?"</p> + +<p>Tom looked about on the showcase, and glanced down on the +floor. He had mislaid the brooch, but the jeweler, with a laugh, +lifted it out of a tray a moment later.</p> + +<p>"I saw you lay it down," he said. "We jewelers have to be on +the watch. Here it is. I'll just put it in a box, and—"</p> + +<p>With an exclamation, Mr. Track gave a hasty glance toward his +big show window. Tom looked up, and saw a man's face peering in. +At the sight of it, he, too, uttered a cry of surprise.</p> + +<p>The next instant the man outside knocked on the glass, +apparently with a piece of metal, making a sharp sound. As soon +as he heard it, the jeweler once more sprang from behind the +showcase, and leaped for the door crying:</p> + +<p>"There's the thief! He's trying to cut a hole through my show +window and reach in and get something! It's an old trick. I'll +get the police! Tom, you stay here on guard!" and before the lad +could utter a protest, the jeweler had opened the door, and was +speeding down the street in the gathering darkness.</p> + +<p>Tom stared about him in some bewilderment. He was left alone in +charge of a very valuable stock of jewelry, the owner of which +was racing after a supposed thief, crying:</p> + +<p>"Police! Help! Thieves! Stop him, somebody!"</p> + +<p>"This is a queer go," mused Tom. "I wonder who that man was? He +looked like somebody I know, and yet I can't seem to place his +face. I wonder if he was trying to rob the placer Maybe there's +another one—a confederate—around here."</p> + +<p>This thought rather alarmed Tom, so he went to the door, and +looked up and down the street. He could see no suspicious +characters, but in the direction in which the jeweler was running +there was a little throng of people, following Mr. Track after +the man who had knocked on the window.</p> + +<p>"I wish I was there, instead of here," mused the lad. "Still I +can't leave, or a thief might come in. Perhaps that was the game, +and one of the gang is hanging around, hoping the store will be +deserted, so he can enter and take what he likes."</p> + +<p>Tom had read of such cases, and he at once resolved that he +would not only remain in the jewelry shop, but that he would lock +the door, which he at once proceeded to do. Then he breathed +easier.</p> + +<p>The town of Shopton, in the outskirts of which Tom lived with +his father, and where the scene above narrated took place, was +none too well lighted at night, and the lad had his doubts about +the jeweler catching the oddly-acting man, especially as the +latter had a good start.</p> + +<p>"But some one may head him off," reasoned Tom. "Though if they +do catch him, I don't see what they can prove against him. Hello, +here I am carrying this diamond pin around. I might lose it. +Guess I'll put it back on the tray."</p> + +<p>He replaced in the proper receptacle one of the pins he bad +been examining when the excitement occurred.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if Mary will like that?" he said, softly. "I hope she +does. Perhaps it would be better if she could come here herself +and pick out one—"</p> + +<p>Tom's musing was suddenly interrupted by a sharp tattoo on the +glass door of the jewelry shop. With a start, he looked up, to +see staring in on him the face of the man who had been there +before—the man of whom the jeweler was even then in chase.</p> + +<p>"Why—why——" stammered Tom.</p> + +<p>The man knocked again.</p> + +<p>"Tom—Tom Swift!" he called. "Don't you know me?"</p> + +<p>"Know you—you?" repeated the lad.</p> + +<p>"Yes—don't you remember Earthquake Island—how we were nearly +killed there—don't you remember Mr. Jenks?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Jenks?"</p> + +<p>Tom was so startled that he could only repeat words after the +strange man, who was talking to him from outside the glass door.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Mr. Jenks," was the reply. "Mr. Barcoe Jenks, who makes +diamonds. I saw you in the store about to buy a diamond—I wanted +to tell you not to—I'll give you a better diamond than you can +buy—I just arrived in this place—I must have a private talk +with you—Come out—I'll share a wonderful secret with you."</p> + +<p>A flood of memory came to Tom. He did recall the very strange +man who walked around Earthquake Island—where Tom and some +friends had been marooned recently—walked about with a pocketful +of what he said were diamonds. Now Barcoe Jenks was here.</p> + +<p>"I must see you privately, Tom Swift," went on Mr. Jenks, as he +once more tapped on the glass. "Don't waste money buying +diamonds, when you and I can make better ones. Where can I have a +talk with you? I—" Mr. Jenks suddenly looked down the dimly-lighted +street. "They're coming back!" he cried. "I don't want to +be seen. I'll call at your house later to-night—be on the watch +for me—until then—good-by!"</p> + +<p>He waved his hand, and was gone in an instant. Tom stood +staring at the glass door. He hardly knew whether to believe it +or not—perhaps it was all a dream.</p> + +<p>He pinched himself to make sure that he was awake. Very +substantial flesh met his thumb and finger, and he felt the pain.</p> + +<p>"I'm awake all right," he murmured. "But Barcoe Jenks here—and +still talking that nonsense about his manufactured diamonds. I +think he must be crazy. I wonder—"</p> + +<p>Once more the lad's musing was interrupted. He heard a murmur +of excited voices outside the store, on the street. Then the door +of the jewelry shop was tried. Mr. Track's face was pressed +against the glass.</p> + +<p>"Open the door! Let me in, Tom!" he called. "I've caught the +thief," and as the lad unlocked the portal he saw that the +jeweler held by the arm a ragged lad. "Ah; you scoundrel! I've +caught you!" cried the diamond merchant, shaking the small chap, +while Tom looked on, more mystified than ever.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II_A_MIDNIGHT_VISIT" id="CHAPTER_II_A_MIDNIGHT_VISIT" />CHAPTER II—A MIDNIGHT VISIT</h2> + + +<p>While Mr. Track, the jeweler, and several citizens, attracted +by the chase after the supposed thief, are crowded into the +store, anxious to hear explanations of the strange affair, I will +take the opportunity to tell you something of Tom Swift, the lad +who is to figure in this story.</p> + +<p>Many of you have already made his acquaintance, when he has +been speeding about in his airship or fast electric runabout, and +to others we will state that our hero first made his bow to the +public in the book called "Tom Swift and His Motor-Cycle," the +initial volume of this series.</p> + +<p>In that story there was related how Tom made the acquaintance +of an odd individual, named Mr. Wakefield Damon, who was +continually blessing himself, some part of his anatomy, or his +possessions. Mr. Damon was riding a motor-cycle, and it started +to climb a tree, to his pain and fright. Afterward Tom purchased +the machine, and had many adventures on it, including a chase +after a gang of men who had stolen a valuable patent model +belonging to Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift, and his son were both inventors. They lived together +in a fine house in the suburbs of Shopton, New York, and with +them dwelt Mrs. Baggert, the housekeeper (for Tom's mother was +dead), and also Garret Jackson, an expert engineer, who aided the +young inventor and his father in perfecting many machines.</p> + +<p>There was also another semi-member of the household, to wit, +Eradicate Sampson, an eccentric colored man, who owned a mule +called Boomerang. Eradicate did odd jobs around the place, and +the mule assisted his owner—that is when the mule felt like it.</p> + +<p>In the second volume of the series, entitled "Tom Swift and His +Motor-Boat," there was related the incidents following a pursuit +after a gang of unprincipled men, who sought to get Possession of +some of Mr. Swift's patents, and it was while in this boat that +Tom, his father, and a friend, Ned Newton, rescued from Lake +Carlopa a Mr. John Sharp, who fell from his burning balloon. Mr. +Sharp was a skilled aeronaut, and after his recovery he joined +Tom in building a big airship, called the Red Cloud. Tom's +adventures in this craft are set down in detail in the third +volume of the series, called "Tom Swift and His Airship." Not +only did he and Mr. Sharp and Mr. Damon make a great trip, but +they captured some bank robbers, and incidentally cleared +themselves from the imputation of having looted the vault of +seventy-five thousand dollars, which charge was fostered by a +certain Mr. Foger, and his son Andy, who was Tom's enemy.</p> + +<p>Not satisfied with having conquered the air, Tom and his father +set to work to gain a victory over the ocean. They built a boat +that could navigate under water, and, in the fourth book of the +series, called "Tom Swift and His Submarine Boat," you will find +an account of how they went under the ocean to secure a sunken +treasure, and the fight they had with their enemies who sought to +get it away from them. They went through many perils, not the +least of which was capture by a foreign warship.</p> + +<p>In the fifth book, entitled "Tom Swift and His Electric +Runabout," there was told the story of a wonderfully speedy +electric automobile the young inventor constructed, and how he +made a great race in it, and saved from ruin a bank, in which his +father and Mr. Damon were interested.</p> + +<p>Tom's ability as an inventor had, by this time, become well +known. One day, as related in a volume called "Tom Swift and His +Wireless Message," he received a letter from a Mr. Hosmer +Fenwick, of Philadelphia, asking his aid in perfecting an airship +which the resident of the Quaker City had built, but which would +not work. In his small monoplane, the Butterfly, Tom and Mr. +Damon went to Philadelphia, as Mr. Damon was acquainted with Mr. +Fenwick.</p> + +<p>Tom carefully inspected the Whizzer which was the name of Mr. +Fenwick's airship, and, after some difficulties, succeeded in +getting the electric craft in shape to make a flight.</p> + +<p>Tom, Mr. Damon and Mr. Fenwick started to make a trip to Cape +May in the Whizzer, but were caught in a terrific storm, and +blown out to sea. The wind became a hurricane, the airship was +disabled, and wrecked in mid-air. When it fell to earth it landed +on one of the small West Indian islands, but what was the terror +of the three castaways to find that the island was subject to +earthquake shocks.</p> + +<p>But the earth-tremors were not the only surprise in store for +Tom and his two friends, On the island they found five men and +two ladies, who, by strange chance, had been stranded there when +the yacht Resolute, owned by Mr. George Hosbrook, was wrecked in +the same storm that disabled the airship. Mr. Hosbrook, a +millionaire, was taking a party of friends to the West Indies.</p> + +<p>When the castaways (among whom were Mr. and Mrs. Amos Nestor, +parents of Mary Nestor, a girl of whom Tom was very fond) found +that there was danger of the island being destroyed in an +earthquake, they were in despair. There seemed no way of being +rescued, as the island was out of the line of regular ship +travel.</p> + +<p>Tom, however, was resourceful. With the electrical apparatus +from the wrecked airship, he built a wireless plant, and sent +messages for help, broadcast over the ocean.</p> + +<p>They were finally heard, and answered, by an operator on board +the steamer Camberanian, which came on under forced draught, and +rescued Tom and his friends. It was only just in time, for, no +sooner had they gotten aboard the steamer in lifeboats, than the +whole island was destroyed by an earthquake shock.</p> + +<p>But Tom, the parents of Mary Nestor, Mr. Damon, Mr. Fenwick, +and all the others, got safely home. Among the survivors from the +yacht Resolute was a Mr. Barcoe Jenks, who now, most unexpectedly, +had confronted Tom through the glass window of the jewelry +store. Mr. Jenks was a peculiar man. Tom discovered this on Earthquake +Island. Mr. Jenks carried with him some stones which he said were +diamonds. He asserted that he had made them, but Tom did not know +whether or not to believe this.</p> + +<p>When it seemed that the castaways would not be saved Mr. Jenks +offered Tom a large sum in these same diamonds for some plan +whereby he might escape the earthquakes. Mr. Jenks said there was +a certain secret in connection with the manufactured diamonds +that he had to solve—that he had been defrauded of his rights—and +that a certain Phantom Mountain figured in it. But Tom, at that time, +paid little attention to Mr. Jenks' talk. The time was to come, +however, when he would attach much importance to it.</p> + +<p>When this story opens, Tom was more interested in Mr. Barcoe +Jenks than in any one else, and was wondering what he wanted to +see him about. The young inventor could not quite understand how +Mr. Track, the jeweler, could come back with a lad he suspected +of being a thief, when the person who had acted so suspiciously, +and who had knocked on the glass, was the queer man, Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Tom I caught him," the jeweler went on. "I chased after +him, and nabbed him. It was hard work, too, for I'm not a good +runner. Now, you little rascal, tell me why you tried to rob my +store?" and the diamond merchant shook the lad roughly.</p> + +<p>"I—I didn't try to rob your store," was the timid answer.</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps you didn't, exactly, but your confederates did. +Why did you rap on the glass, and why were you staring in so +intently?"</p> + +<p>"I wasn't lookin' in."</p> + +<p>"Well, if it wasn't you, it was some one just like you. But why +did you run when I raced down the street?"</p> + +<p>"I—I don't know," and the lad began to snivel. "I—I jest ran—that's +all—'cause I see everybody else runnin', an' I thought +there was a fire."</p> + +<p>"Ha! That's a likely story! You ran because you are guilty! I'm +going to hand you over to the police."</p> + +<p>"Did he get anything, Mr. Track?" asked one of the men who had +joined the jeweler in the chase.</p> + +<p>"No, I can't say that he did. He didn't get a chance. Tom Swift +was in here at the time. But this fellow was only waiting for a +chance to steal, or else to aid his confederates."</p> + +<p>"But, if he didn't take anything, I don't see how you can have +him arrested," went on the man.</p> + +<p>"On suspicion; that's how!" asserted Mr. Track. "Will some one +get me a constable?"</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't call a constable," said Tom, quietly.</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Because that isn't the person who looked in your window."</p> + +<p>"How do you know, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"Because that person came back while you were out. I saw him."</p> + +<p>"You saw him? Did he try to steal any of my diamonds, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"No, I guess he doesn't need any."</p> + +<p>"Why not?" There was wonder in the jeweler's tone.</p> + +<p>"Why, he claims he can make all he wants."</p> + +<p>"Make diamonds?"</p> + +<p>"So he says."</p> + +<p>"Why, he must be crazy!" and Mr. Track laughed.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he is," admitted Tom, "I'm only telling you what he +says. He's the person who acted so suspiciously. He came back +here, I'm telling you, while you were running down the street, +and spoke to me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, then you know him?" The jeweler's voice was suspicious.</p> + +<p>"I didn't at first," admitted Tom. "But when he said he was Mr. +Barcoe Jenks, I remembered that I had met him when I was cast +away on Earthquake Island."</p> + +<p>"And he says he can make diamonds?" asked Mr. Track.</p> + +<p>"What did he want of you?" and the jeweler looked at Tom, +quizzically.</p> + +<p>"He wanted to have a talk with me," replied the lad, "and when +he saw me in your store, he tried to attract my attention by +knocking on the glass."</p> + +<p>"That's a queer way to do," declared Mr. Track. "What did he +want?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know exactly," answered Tom, not caring to go into +details just then. "But I'm sure, Mr. Track, that you've got the +wrong person there. That lad never looked in the window, nor +knocked on the glass."</p> + +<p>"That's right—I didn't," asserted the captive.</p> + +<p>The jeweler looked doubtful.</p> + +<p>"Why did you run?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I told you, I thought there was a fire."</p> + +<p>"That's right, I don't believe he's the fellow you want," put +in another man. "I was standing on the corner, near White's +grocery store, and I noticed this lad. That was before I heard +you yelling, and saw you coming, and then I joined in the chase. +I guess the man you were after got away, Track."</p> + +<p>"He did," asserted Tom. "He came back here, a little while ago, +and he ran away just now, as he heard you coming."</p> + +<p>"Where did he go?" asked the jeweler, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," answered Tom. "Only you've got the wrong lad +here."</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps I have," admitted the diamond merchant. "You can +go, youngster, but next time, don't run if you're not guilty."</p> + +<p>"I thought there was a fire," repeated the lad, as he hurriedly +slipped through the crowd in the store, and disappeared down the +dark street.</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess the excitement's all over, and, anyhow, you +weren't robbed, Track," said a stout man, as he left the store. +The others soon followed, and Tom and the jeweler were once more +alone in the shop.</p> + +<p>"Can you tell me something about this man, Tom?" asked Mr. +Track, eagerly. "So he really makes diamonds. Who is he?"</p> + +<p>"I'd rather not tell—just now," replied the young inventor. "I +don't take much stock in him, myself. I think he's visionary. He +may think he has made diamonds, and he may have made some stones +that look like them. I'm very skeptical."</p> + +<p>"If you could bring me some, Tom, I could soon tell whether +they were real or not. Can you?"</p> + +<p>The lad shook his head.</p> + +<p>"I don't expect to see Mr. Jenks again," he said. "He talked +rather wildly about waiting to meet me, but that man is odd—crazy, +perhaps—and I don't imagine I'll see him. He's harmless,but he's +eccentric. Well, there was quite some excitement for a time."</p> + +<p>"I should say there was. I thought it was a plan to rob me," +and the jeweler began putting away the diamond pins. In fact, the +excitement so filled the minds of himself and Tom that neither of +them thought any more of the object of the lad's visit, and the +young inventor departed without purchasing the pin he had come after.</p> + +<p>It was not until he was out on the street, walking toward his +home, that the matter came back to his mind.</p> + +<p>"I declare!" he exclaimed. "I didn't get that pin for Mary, +after all! Well, never mind, I have a week until her birthday, +and I can get it to-morrow."</p> + +<p>He walked rapidly toward home, for the weather looked +threatening, and Tom had no umbrella. He was musing on the +happenings of the evening when he reached his house. His father +was out, as was Garret Jackson, the engineer; and Mrs. Baggert, +the housekeeper, was entertaining a lady in the sitting-room, so, +as Tom was rather tired, he went directly to his own room, and, a +little later got into bed.</p> + +<p>It was shortly after midnight when he was awakened by hearing a +rattling on the window of his room. The reason he was able to fix +the time so accurately was because as soon as he awakened he +pressed a little electric button, and it illuminated the face of +a small clock on his bureau. The hands pointed to five minutes +past twelve.</p> + +<p>"Humph! That sounds like hail!" exclaimed Tom, as he arose, and +looked out of the casement. "I wonder if any of the skylights of +the airship shed are open? There might be some damage. Guess I'd +better go out and take a look."</p> + +<p>He had mentally reasoned this far before he had looked out, and +when he saw that the moon was brightly shining in a clear sky, he +was a bit surprised.</p> + +<p>"Why—that wasn't hail," he murmured. "It isn't even raining. I +wonder what it was?"</p> + +<p>He was answered a moment later, for a shower of fine gravel +from the walk flew up and clattered against the glass. With a +start, Tom looked down, and saw a dark figure standing under an +apple tree.</p> + +<p>"Hello! Who's there?" called the lad, after he had raised the +sash.</p> + +<p>"It's I—Mr. Jenks," was the surprising answer.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Jenks?" repeated Tom.</p> + +<p>"Yes—Barcoe Jenks, of Earthquake Island."</p> + +<p>"You here? What do you want?"</p> + +<p>"Can you come down?"</p> + +<p>"What for?"</p> + +<p>"Tom Swift, I've something very important to tell you," was the +answer in a low voice, yet which carried to Tom's ears perfectly. +"Do you want to make a fortune for yourself—and for me?"</p> + +<p>"How?" Tom was beginning to think more and more that Mr. Jenks +was crazy.</p> + +<p>"How? By helping me to discover the secret of Phantom Mountain, +where the diamonds are made! Will you?"</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute—I'll come down," answered Tom, and he began to +grope for his clothes in the dim light of the little electric +lamp.</p> + +<p>What was the secret of Phantom Mountain? What did Mr. Jenks +really want? Could he make diamonds? Tom asked himself these +questions as he hastily dressed to go down to his midnight +visitor.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III_A_STRANGE_STORY" id="CHAPTER_III_A_STRANGE_STORY" />CHAPTER III—A STRANGE STORY</h2> + + +<p>"Well, Mr. Jenks," began Tom, when he had descended to the +garden, and greeted the man who had acted so strangely on +Earthquake Island, "this is rather an odd time for a visit."</p> + +<p>"I realize that, Tom Swift," was the answer, and the lad +noticed that the man spoke much more calmly than he had that +evening at the jewelry shop. "I realize that, but I have to be +cautious in my movements."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"Because there are enemies on my track. If they thought I was +seeking aid to discover the secret of Phantom Mountain, my life +might pay the forfeit."</p> + +<p>"Are you in earnest, Mr. Jenks?"</p> + +<p>"I certainly am, and, while I must apologize for awakening you +at this unseemly hour, and for the mysterious nature of my visit, +if you will let me tell my story, you will see the need of +secrecy."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't mind being awakened," answered Tom, good-naturedly, +"but I will be frank with you, Mr. Jenks. I hardly can believe what +you have stated to me several times—that you know how diamonds +can be made."</p> + +<p>"I can prove it to you," was the quiet answer.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know. For centuries men have tried to discover the +secret of transmuting base metals into gold, and how to make +diamonds by chemical means. But they have all been failures."</p> + +<p>"All except this process—the process used at Phantom +Mountain," insisted the queer man. "Do you want to hear my +story?"</p> + +<p>"I have no objections."</p> + +<p>"Then let me warn you," went on Mr. Jenks, "that if you do hear +it, you will be so fascinated by it that I am sure you will want +to cast your lot in with mine, and aid me to get my rights, and +solve the mystery. And I also want to warn you that if you do, +there is a certain amount of danger connected with it."</p> + +<p>"I'm used to danger," answered Tom, quietly. "Let me hear your +story. But first explain how you came to come here, and why you +acted so strangely at the jewelry store."</p> + +<p>"Willingly. I tried to attract your attention at the store, +because I saw that you were going to buy a diamond, and I didn't +want you to."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Because I want to present you with a beautiful stone, that +will answer your purpose as well or better, than any one you +could buy. That will prove my story better than any amount of +words or argument. But I could not attract your attention without +also attracting that of the jeweler. He became suspicious, gave +chase, and I thought it best to vanish. I hope no one was made to +suffer for what may have been my imprudence."</p> + +<p>"No, the lad whom Mr. Track caught was let go. But how did you +happen to come to Shopton?"</p> + +<p>"To see you. I got your address from the owner of the yacht +Resolute. I knew that if there was one person who could aid me to +recover my rights, it would be you, Tom Swift. Will you help me? +Will you come with me to discover the secret of Phantom Mountain? +If we go, it will have to be in an airship, for in no other way, +I think, can we come upon the place, as it is closely guarded. +Will you come? I will pay you well."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I had better hear your story," said the young +inventor. "But first let me suggest that we move farther away +from the house. My father, or Mr. Jackson, or the housekeeper, +may hear us talking, and it may disturb them. Come with me to my +private shop," and Tom led the way to a small building where he +did experimental work. He unlocked the door with a key he +carried, turned on the lights, which were run by a storage +battery, and motioned Mr. Jenks to a seat.</p> + +<p>"Now I'll hear your story," said Tom.</p> + +<p>"I'll make it as short as possible," went on the queer man. "To +begin with, it is now several years ago since a poorly dressed +stranger applied to me one night for money enough to get a meal +and a bed to sleep in. I was living in New York City at the time, +and this was midnight, as I was returning home from my club.</p> + +<p>"I was touched by the man's appearance, and gave him some +money. He asked for my card, saying he would repay me some day. I +gave it to him, little thinking I would hear from the man again. +But I did. He called at my apartments about a week later, saying +he had secured work as an expert setter of diamonds, and wanted +to repay me. I did not want to take his money, but the fact that +such a sorry looking specimen of manhood as he had been when I +aided him, was an expert handler of gems interested me. I talked +with the man, and he made a curious statement.</p> + +<p>"This man, who gave his name as Enos Folwell, said he knew a place +where diamonds could be made, partly in a scientific manner, and +partly by the forces of nature. I laughed at him, but he told me so +many details that I began to believe him. He said he and some other +friends of his, who were diamond cutters, had a plant in the midst of +the Rocky Mountains, where they had succeeded in making several small, +but very perfect diamonds. They had come to the end of their rope, +though, so to speak, because they could not afford to buy the materials +needed. Folwell said that he and his companions had temporarily +separated, had left the mountain where they made diamonds, and agreed +to meet there later when they had more money with which to purchase +materials. They had all agreed to go out into civilization, and work +for enough funds to enable them to go on with their diamond making.</p> + +<p>"I hardly knew whether to believe the man or not, but he +offered proof. He had several small, but very perfect diamonds +with him, and he gave them to me, to have tested in any way I +desired.</p> + +<p>"I promised to look into the matter, and, as I was quite +wealthy, as, in fact I am now, and if I found that the stones he +gave me were real, I said I might invest some money in the +plant."</p> + +<p>"Were the diamonds good?" asked Tom, who was beginning to be +interested.</p> + +<p>"They were—stones of the first water, though small. An expert +gem merchant, to whom I took them, said he had never seen any +diamonds like them, and he wanted to know where I got them. Of +course I did not tell him.</p> + +<p>"To make a long story short, I saw Folwell again, told him to +communicate with his companions, and to tell them that I would +agree to supply the cash needed, if I could share in the diamond +making. To this they agreed, and, after some weeks spent in +preparation, a party of us set out for Phantom Mountain."</p> + +<p>"Phantom Mountain?" interrupted Tom. "Where is it?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, exactly—it's somewhere in the Rockies, but the +exact location is a mystery. That is why I need your help. You +will soon understand the reason. Well, as I said, myself, Folwell +and the others, who were not exactly prepossessing sort of men, +started west. When we got to a small town, called Indian Ridge, +near Leadville, Colorado, the men insisted that I must now +proceed in secret, and consent to be blindfolded, as they were +not yet ready to reveal the secret of the place where they made +the diamonds.</p> + +<p>"I did not want to agree to this, but they insisted, and I gave +in, foolishly perhaps. At any rate I was blindfolded one night, +placed in a wagon, and we drove off into the mountains. After +traveling for some distance I was led, still blindfolded, up a +steep trail.</p> + +<p>"When the bandage was taken off my eyes I saw that I was in a +large cave. The men were with me, and they apologized for the +necessity that caused them to blindfold me. They said they were +ready to proceed with the making of diamonds, but I must promise +not to seek to discover the secret until they gave me permission, +nor was I to attempt to leave the cave. I had to agree.</p> + +<p>"Next they demanded that I give them a large sum, which I had +promised when they showed me, conclusively, that they could make +diamonds. I refused to do this until I had seen some of the +precious stones, and they agreed that this was fair, but said I +would have to wait a few days.</p> + +<p>"Well, I waited, and, all that while, I was virtually a +prisoner in the cave. All I could learn was that it was in the +midst of a great range, near the top, and that one of the peaks +was called Phantom Mountain. Why, I did not learn until later.</p> + +<p>"At last one night, during a terrific thunder storm, the +leader of the diamond makers—Folwell—announced that I could now +see the stones made. The men had been preparing their chemicals +for some days previous. I was taken into a small chamber of the +cave, and there saw quite a complicated apparatus. Part of it was +a great steel box, with a lever on it.</p> + +<p>"We will let you make some diamonds for yourself," Folwell said +to me, and he directed me to pull the lever of the box, at a +certain signal. The signal came, just as a terrific crash of +thunder shook the very mountain inside of which we were. The box +of steel got red-hot, and when it cooled off it was opened, and +was given a handful of white stones."</p> + +<p>"Were they diamonds?" asked Tom, eagerly.</p> + +<p>Mr. Jenks held out one hand. In the palm glittered a large +stone—ostensibly a diamond. In the rays of the moon it showed +all the colors of the rainbow—a beautiful gem. "That is one of +the stones I made—or rather that I supposed I had made," went on +Mr. Jenks. "It is one of several I have, but they have not all +been cut and polished as has this one.</p> + +<p>"Naturally I was much impressed by what I saw, and, after I had +made certain tests which convinced me that the stones in the +steel box were diamonds, I paid over the money as I had promised. +That was my undoing."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"As soon as the men got the cash, they had no further use for +me. The next I remember is eating a rude meal, while we discussed +the future of making diamonds. I knew nothing more until I found +myself back in the small hotel at Indian Ridge, whence I had gone +some time previous, with the men, to the cave in the mountain."</p> + +<p>"What happened?" asked Tom, much surprised by the unexpected +outcome of the affair. "I had been tricked, that was all! As soon +as the men had my money they had no further use for me. They did +not want me to learn the secret of their diamond making, and they +drugged me, carried me away from the cave, and left me in the +hotel."</p> + +<p>"Didn't you try to find the cave again?"</p> + +<p>"I did, but without avail. I spent some time in the Rockies, +but no one could tell where Phantom Mountain was; in fact, few +had heard of it, and I was nearly lost searching for it.</p> + +<p>"I came back East, determined to get even. I had given the men +a very large sum of money, and, in exchange, they had given me +several diamonds. Probably the stones are worth nearly as much as +the money I invested, but I was cheated, for I was promised an +equal share in the profits. These were denied me, and I was +tricked. I determined to be revenged, or at least to discover the +secret of making diamonds. It is my right."</p> + +<p>"I agree with you," spoke Tom.</p> + +<p>"But, up to the time I met you on Earthquake Island, I could +form no plan for discovering Phantom Mountain, and learning the +secret of the diamond makers," went on Mr. Jenks. "I carried the +gems about with me, as you doubtless saw when we were on the +island. But I knew I needed an airship in which to fly over the +mountains, and pick out the location of the cave where the +diamonds are made."</p> + +<p>"But how can you locate it, if you were blindfolded when you +were taken there, Mr. Jenks?"</p> + +<p>"I forgot to tell you that, on our journey into the mountains, +and just before I was carried into the cave, I managed to raise +one corner of the bandage. I caught a glimpse of a very +peculiarly shaped cliff—it is like a great head, standing out in +bold relief against the moonlight, when I saw it. That head of +rock is near the cave. It may be the landmark by which we can +locate Phantom Mountain."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps," admitted the young inventor.</p> + +<p>"What I want to know is this," went on Mr. Jenks. "Will you go +with me on this quest—go in your airship to discover the secret +of the diamond makers? If you will, I will share with you +whatever diamonds we can discover, or make; besides paying all +expenses. Will you go, Tom Swift?"</p> + +<p>The young inventor did not know what to answer. How far was Mr. +Jenks to be trusted? Were the stones he had real diamonds? Was +his story, fantastical as it sounded—true? Would it be safe for +Tom to go?</p> + +<p>The lad asked himself these questions. Mr. Jenks saw his +hesitation.</p> + +<p>"Here," said the strange man, "I will prove what I say. Take +this diamond. I intended it for you, anyhow, for what you did for +me on Earthquake Island. Take it, and—and give it to the person +for whom you were about to purchase a diamond to-night. But, +first of all, take it to a gem expert, and get his opinion. That +will prove the truth of what I say, Tom Swift, and I feel sure +that you will cast your lot in with mine, and help me to discover +the secret of Phantom Mountain, and aid me to get my rights from +the diamond makers!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV_ANDY_FOGER_GETS_A_FRIGHT" id="CHAPTER_IV_ANDY_FOGER_GETS_A_FRIGHT" />CHAPTER IV—ANDY FOGER GETS A FRIGHT</h2> + + +<p>Tom Swift considered a few minutes. On the face of it, the +proposition appealed to him. He had been home some time now after +his adventures on Earthquake Island, and he was beginning to long +for more excitement. The search for the mysterious mountain, and +the cave of the diamond makers, might offer a new field for him. +But there came to him a certain distrust of Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>"I don't like to doubt your word," began Tom, slowly, "but you +know, Mr. Jenks, that some of the greatest chemists have tried in +vain to make diamonds; or, at best, they have made only tiny +ones. To think that any man, or set of men, made real diamonds as +large as the ones you have, doesn't seem—well—" and Tom +hesitated.</p> + +<p>"You mean you can hardly believe me?" asked Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>"I guess that's it," assented Tom.</p> + +<p>"I don't blame you a bit!" exclaimed the odd man. "In fact, I +didn't believe it when they told me they could make diamonds. But +they proved it to me. I'm ready now to prove it to you."</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what I'll do. Here's this one stone, cut ready +for setting. Here's another, uncut," and Mr. Jenks drew from his +pocket what looked like a piece of crystal. "Take them to any +jeweler," he resumed—"to the one in whose place I saw you to-night. +I'll abide by the verdict you get, and I'll come here to-morrow +night, and hear what you have to say."</p> + +<p>"Why do you come at night?" asked Tom, thinking there was +something suspicious in that.</p> + +<p>"Because my life might be in danger if I was seen talking to +you, and showing you diamonds in the daytime—especially just +now.</p> + +<p>"Why at this particular time?"</p> + +<p>"For the reason that the diamond makers are on my trail. As +long as I remained quiet, after their shabby treatment of me, and +did not try to discover their secret, they were all right. But, +after I realized that I had been cheated out of my rights, and +when I began to make an investigation, with a view to discovering +their secret whereabouts, I received mysterious and anonymous +warnings to stop."</p> + +<p>"But I did not. I came East, and tried to get help to discover +the cave of the diamond makers, but I was unsuccessful. I needed +an airship, as I—said, and no person who could operate one, +would agree to go with me on the quest. Again I received a +warning to drop all search for the diamond makers, but I +persisted, and about a week ago I found I was being shadowed."</p> + +<p>"Shadowed; by whom?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"By a man I never remember seeing, but who, I have no doubt, is +one of the diamond-making gang."</p> + +<p>"Do you think he means you harm?"</p> + +<p>"I'm sure of it. That is the reason I have to act so in secret, +and come to see you at night. I don't want those scoundrels to +find out what I am about to do. On my return from Earthquake +Island, I again endeavored to interest an airship man in my plan, +but he evidently thought me insane. Then I thought of you, as I +had done before, but I was afraid you, too, would laugh at my +proposition. However, I decided to come here, and I did. It +seemed almost providential that my first view of you was in a +jewelry shop, looking at diamonds. I took it as a good omen. Now +it remains with you. May I call here to-morrow night, and get +your answer?"</p> + +<p>Tom Swift made up his mind quickly. After all it would be easy +enough to find out if the diamonds were real. If they were, he +could then decide whether or not to go with Mr. Jenks on the +mysterious quest. So he answered:</p> + +<p>"I'll consider the matter, Mr. Jenks. I'll meet you here to-morrow +night. In the meanwhile, for my own satisfaction, I'll let +an expert look at these stones."</p> + +<p>"Get the greatest diamond expert in the world, and he'll +pronounce them perfect!" predicted the odd man. "Now I'll bid you +goodnight, and be going. I'll be here at this time to-morrow."</p> + +<p>As Mr. Jenks turned aside there was a movement among the trees +in the orchard, and a shadowy figure was seen hurrying away.</p> + +<p>"Who's that?" asked the diamond man, in a hoarse whisper. "Did +you see that, Tom Swift? Some one was here—listening to what I +said! Perhaps it was the man who has been shadowing me!"</p> + +<p>"I think not. I guess it was Eradicate Sampson, a colored man +who does work for us," said Tom. "Is that you, Rad?" he called.</p> + +<p>"Yais, sah, Massa Tom, heah I is!" answered the voice of the +negro, but it came from an entirely different direction than that +in which the shadowy figure had been seen.</p> + +<p>"Where are you, Rad?" called the young inventor.</p> + +<p>"Right heah," was the reply, and the colored man came from the +direction of the stable. "I were jest out seein' if mah mule +Boomerang were all right. Sometimes he's restless, an' don't +sleep laik he oughter."</p> + +<p>"Then that wasn't you over in the orchard?" asked Tom, in some +uneasiness.</p> + +<p>"No, sah, I ain't been in de orchard. I were sleepin' in mah +shack, till jest a few minutes ago, when I got up, an' went in t' +see Boomerang. I had a dream dat some coon were tryin t' steal +him, an' it sort ob 'sturbed me, laik."</p> + +<p>"If it wasn't your man, it was some one else," said Mr. Jenks, +decidedly.</p> + +<p>"We'll have a look!" exclaimed Tom. "Here, Rad, come over and +scurry among those trees. We just saw some one sneaking around."</p> + +<p>"I'll sure do dat!" cried the colored man. "Mebby it were +somebody arter Boomerang! I'll find 'em."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe it was any one after the mule," murmured Mr. +Jenks, "but it certainly was some one—more likely some one after +me."</p> + +<p>The three made a hasty search among the trees, but the intruder +had vanished, leaving no trace. They went out into the road, +which the moon threw into bold relief along its white stretch, +but there was no figure scurrying away.</p> + +<p>"Whoever it was, is gone," spoke Tom. "You can go back to bed, +Rad," for the colored man, of late, had been sleeping in a shack +on the Swift premises.</p> + +<p>"And I guess it's time for me to go, too," added Mr. Jenks. +"I'll be here to-morrow night, Tom, and I hope your answer will +be favorable."</p> + +<p>Tom did not sleep well the remainder of the night, for his +fitful slumbers were disturbed by dreams of enormous caves, +filled with diamonds, with dark, shadowy figures trying to put +him into a red-hot steel box. Once he awakened with a start, and +put his hand under his pillow to feel if the two stones Mr. Jenks +had given him, were still there. They had not been disturbed.</p> + +<p>Tom made up his mind to find out if the stones were really +diamonds, before saying anything to his father about the chance +of going to seek Phantom Mountain. And the young inventor wished +to get the opinion of some other jeweler than Mr. Track—at +least, at first.</p> + +<p>"Though if this one proves to be a good gem, I'll have Mr. +Track set it in a brooch, and give it to Mary for her birthday," +decided the young inventor. "Guess I'll take a run over to +Chester in the Butterfly, and see what one of the jewelers there +has to say."</p> + +<p>In addition to his big airship, Red Cloud, Tom owned a small, +swift monoplane, which he called Butterfly. This had been damaged +by Andy Foger just before Tom left on the trip that ended at +Earthquake Island, but the monoplane had been repaired, and Andy +had left town, not having returned since.</p> + +<p>Telling his father that he was going off on a little business +trip, which he often did in his aeroplane, Tom, with the aid of +Mr. Jackson, the engineer, wheeled the Butterfly out of its shed.</p> + +<p>Adjusting the mechanism, and seeing that it was in good shape, +Tom took his place in one of the two seats, for the monoplane +would carry two. Mr. Jackson then spun the propellers, and, with +a crackle and roar the motor started. Over the ground ran the +dainty, little aeroplane, until, having momentum enough, Tom +tilted the wing planes and the machine sailed up into the air.</p> + +<p>Rising about a thousand feet, and circling about several times +to test the wind currents, Tom headed his craft toward Chester, +a city about fifty miles from Shopton. In his pocket, snugly +tucked away, were the two stones Mr. Jenks had given him.</p> + +<p>It was not long before Tom saw, looming up in the distance the +church spires and towering factory chimneys of Chester, for his +machine was a speedy one, and could make ninety miles an hour +when driven. But now a slower speed satisfied our hero.</p> + +<p>"I'll just drop down outside of the city," he reasoned, "for +too much of a crowd gathers when I land in the street. Besides I +might frighten horses, and then, too, it's hard to get a good +start from the street. I'll leave it in some barn until I want to +go back."</p> + +<p>Tom sent his craft down, in order to pick out a safe place for +a landing. He was then over the suburbs of the city, and was +following the line of a straight country road.</p> + +<p>"Looks like a good place there," he murmured. "I'll shut off +the motor, and vol-plane down."</p> + +<p>Suiting the action to the word, Tom shut off his power. The +little craft dipped toward the ground, but the lad threw up the +forward planes, and caught a current of air that sent him +skimming along horizontally.</p> + +<p>As he got nearer to the ground, he saw the figure of a lad +riding a bicycle along the country highway. Something about the +figure struck Tom as being familiar, and he recognized the +cyclist a moment later.</p> + +<p>"It's Andy Foger!" said Tom, in a whisper. "I wondered where he +had been keeping himself since he damaged the Butterfly. +Evidently he doesn't dare venture back to Shopton. Well, here's +where I give him a scare."</p> + +<p>Tom's monoplane was making no more noise, now, than a soaring +bird. He was gliding swiftly toward the earth, and, with the plan +in his mind of administering some sort of punishment to the +bully, he aimed the machine directly at him.</p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer shot the monoplane, as quietly as a sheet of +paper might fall. Andy pedaled on, never looking up nor behind +him, A moment later, as Tom threw up his headplanes, to make his +landing more easy, and just as he swooped down at one side of the +cyclist, our hero let out a most alarming yell, right into Andy's +ear.</p> + +<p>"Now I've got you!" he shouted. "I'll teach you to slash my +aeroplane! Come with me!"</p> + +<p>Andy gave one look at the white bird-like apparatus that had +flown up beside him so noiselessly, and, being too frightened to +recognize Tom's voice, must have thought that he had been +overtaken by some supernatural visitor.</p> + +<p>Andy gave a yell like an Indian, about to do a stage scalping +act, and fairly dived over the handlebars of his bicycle, +sprawling in a heap on the dusty road.</p> + +<p>"I guess that will hold you for a while," observed Tom, grimly, +as he put on the ground-brake and brought his monoplane to a stop +not far from the fallen rider.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V_A_MYSTERIOUS_MAN" id="CHAPTER_V_A_MYSTERIOUS_MAN" />CHAPTER V—A MYSTERIOUS MAN</h2> + + +<p>For several minutes Andy Foger did not arise. He remained +prostrate in the dust, and Tom, observing him, thought perhaps +the bully might have been seriously injured. But, a little later, +Andy cautiously raised his head, and inquired in a frightened +voice:</p> + +<p>"Is it—is it gone?"</p> + +<p>"Is what gone?" asked Tom, grimly.</p> + +<p>At the sound of his voice, Andy looked up. "Was that you, Tom +Swift?" he demanded. "Did you knock me off my wheel?"</p> + +<p>"My monoplane and I together did," was the reply; "or, rather, +we didn't. It was the nervous reaction caused by your fright, and +the knowledge that you had done wrong, that made you jump over +the handlebars. That's the scientific explanation."</p> + +<p>"You—you did it!" stammered Andy, getting to his feet. He +wasn't hurt much, Tom thought.</p> + +<p>"Have it your own way," resumed our hero. "Did you think it was +a hob-goblin in a chariot of fire after you, Andy?"</p> + +<p>"Huh! Never mind what I thought! I'll have you arrested for +this!"</p> + +<p>"Will you? Delighted, as the boys say. Hop in my airship and +I'll take you right into town. And when I get you there I'll make +a charge of malicious mischief against you, for breaking the +propeller of the Butterfly and slashing her wings. I've mended +her up, however, so she goes better than ever, and I can take you +to the police station in jig time. Want to come, Andy?"</p> + +<p>This was too much for the bully. He knew that Tom would have a +clear case against him, and he did not dare answer. Instead he +shuffled over to where his wheel lay, picked it up, and rode +slowly off.</p> + +<p>"Good riddance," murmured Tom. He looked about, and saw that he +was near a house, in the rear of which was a good-sized barn. +"Guess I'll ask if I can leave the Butterfly there," he murmured, +and, ringing the doorbell, he was greeted by a man.</p> + +<p>"I'll pay you if you'll let me store my machine in the barn a +little while, until I go into the city, and return," spoke the +lad.</p> + +<p>"Indeed, you're welcome to leave it there without pay," was the +answer. "I'm interested in airships, and, I'll consider it a +favor if you'll let me look yours over while it's here."</p> + +<p>Tom readily agreed, and a few minutes later he had caught a +trolley going into the city. He was soon in one of the largest +jewelry stores of Chester.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to get an expert opinion as to whether or not those +stones are diamonds," spoke Tom, to the polite clerk who came up +to wait on him, and our hero handed over the two gems which Mr. +Jenks had given him. "I'm willing to pay for the appraisement, of +course," the young inventor added, as he saw the clerk looking +rather doubtfully at him, for Tom had on a rough suit, which he +always donned when he flew in his monoplane.</p> + +<p>"I'll turn them over to our Mr. Porter, a gem expert," said the +clerk. "Please be seated."</p> + +<p>The young man disappeared into a private office with the +stones, and Tom waited. He wondered if he was going to have his +trouble for his pains. Presently two elderly gentlemen came from +the little room, on the glass door of which appeared the word +"Diamonds."</p> + +<p>"Who brought these stones in?" asked one of the men, evidently +the proprietor, from the deference paid him by the clerk. The +latter motioned to Tom.</p> + +<p>"Will you kindly step inside here?" requested the elderly man. +When the door was closed, Tom found himself in a room which was +mostly taken up with a bench for the display of precious stones, +a few chairs, and some lights arranged peculiarly; while various +scales and instruments stood on a table.</p> + +<p>"You wished an opinion on—on these?" queried the proprietor of +the place. Tom noticed at once that the word "diamonds" was not +used.</p> + +<p>"I wanted to find out if they were of any value," he said. "Are +they diamonds?"</p> + +<p>"Would you mind stating where you got them?" asked the other of +the two men.</p> + +<p>"Is that necessary?" inquired the lad. "I came by them in a +legitimate manner, if that's what you mean, and I can satisfy you +on that point. I am willing to pay for any information you may +give me as to their value."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it isn't that," the proprietor hastened to assure him. +"But these are diamonds of such a peculiar kind, so perfect and +without a flaw, that I wondered from what part of the world they +came."</p> + +<p>"Then they are diamonds?" asked Tom, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"The finest I have ever tested!" declared the other man, +evidently Mr. Porter, the gem expert. "They are a joy to look at, +Mr. Roberts," he went on, turning to the proprietor. "If it is +possible to get a supply of them you would be justified in asking +half as much again as we charge for African or Indian diamonds. +The Kimberly products are not to be compared to these," and he +looked at the two stones in his hand—the one cut, and sparkling +brilliantly, the other in a rough state.</p> + +<p>"Do you care to state where these diamonds came from?" asked +Mr. Roberts, looking critically at Tom.</p> + +<p>"I had rather not," answered the lad. "It is enough for me to +know that they are diamonds. How much is your charge?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing," was the unexpected answer. "We are very glad to have +had the opportunity of seeing such stones. Is there any chance of +getting any more?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps," answered Tom, as he accepted the gems which the +expert held out to him.</p> + +<p>"Then might we speak for a supply?" went on Mr. Roberts, +eagerly. "We will pay you the full market price."</p> + +<p>"What is the value of these stones?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>Mr. Roberts looked at his gem expert.</p> + +<p>"It is difficult to say," was the answer of the man who had +handed Tom the gems. "They are so far superior to the usual run +of diamonds, that I feel justified in saying that the cut one +would bring fifteen hundred dollars, anywhere. In fact, I would +offer that for it. The other is larger, though what it would lose +in cutting would be hard to say. I should say it was worth two +thousand dollars as it is now."</p> + +<p>"Thirty-five hundred dollars for these two stones!" exclaimed +Tom.</p> + +<p>"They are worth every cent of it," declared Mr. Roberts. "Do +you want to sell?"</p> + +<p>Tom shook his head. He could scarcely believe the good news. +Mr. Jenks had told the truth. Now the young inventor could go +with him to seek the diamond makers.</p> + +<p>"Can you get any more of these?" went on Mr. Roberts.</p> + +<p>"I think so—that is I don't know—I am going to try," answered +the lad.</p> + +<p>"Then if you succeed I wish you would sell us some," fairly +begged the proprietor of the store.</p> + +<p>"I will," promised Tom, but he little knew what lay before him, +or perhaps he would not have made that promise. He thanked the +diamond merchant for his kindness, and arranged to have the cut +stone set in a pin for Miss Nestor. The uncut gem Tom took away +with him.</p> + +<p>Thinking of many things, and wondering how best to start in his +airship Red Cloud for the mysterious Phantom Mountain, Tom +hurried back to where he had left the monoplane, wheeled it out, +and was soon soaring through the air toward Shopton.</p> + +<p>"I think I'll go with Mr. Jenks," he decided, as he prepared +for a landing in the open space near his aeroplane shed. "It will +be a risky trip, perhaps, but I've taken risks before. When Mr. +Jenks comes to-night I'll tell him I'll help him to get his +rights, and discover the secret of the diamond makers."</p> + +<p>As Tom was wheeling the Butterfly into the shed, Eradicate came +out to help him.</p> + +<p>"Dere's a gen'man here to see yo', Massa Tom," said the colored +man.</p> + +<p>"Who is it?"</p> + +<p>"I dunno. He keep askin' ef yo' de lad what done bust up +Earthquake Island, an' send lightnin' flashes up to de sky, an' +all sech questions laik dat."</p> + +<p>"It isn't Mr. Damon; is it, Rad? He hasn't been around in some +time."</p> + +<p>"No, Massa Tom, it ain't him. I knows dat blessin' man good an' +proper. I jest wish he'd bless mah mule Boomerang some day, an' +take some oh de temper out ob him. No, sah, it ain't Massa Damon. +De gen'man's in de airship shed waitin' fo' you."</p> + +<p>"In the airship shed! No strangers are allowed in there, Rad."</p> + +<p>"I knows it, Massa Tom, but he done persisted his se'f inter +it, an' he wouldn't come out when I told him; an' your pa an' Mr. +Jackson ain't home."</p> + +<p>"I'll see about this," exclaimed Tom, striding to the large +shed, where the Red Cloud was kept. As he entered it he saw a man +looking over the wonderful craft.</p> + +<p>"Did you want to see me?" asked Tom, sharply, for he did not +like strangers prowling around.</p> + +<p>"I did, and I apologize for entering here, but I am interested +in airships, and I thought you might want to hire a pilot. I am +in need of employment, and I have had considerable to do with +balloons and aeroplanes, but never with an airship like this, +which combines the two features. Do you wish to hire any one."</p> + +<p>"No, I don't!" replied Tom, sharply, for he did not like the +looks of the man.</p> + +<p>"I was told that you did," was the rather surprising answer.</p> + +<p>"Who told you?"</p> + +<p>The man looked all around the shed, before replying, as if +fearful of being overheard. Then, stepping close to Tom, he +whispered:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Jenks told me!"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Jenks?" Tom could not conceal his astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Mr. Barcoe Jenks. But I did not come here to merely ask +you for employment. I would like to hire out to you, but the real +object of my visit was to say this to you."</p> + +<p>The man approached still closer to Tom, and, in a lower voice, +and one that could scarcely be heard, he fairly hissed:</p> + +<p>"Don't go with Barcoe Jenks to seek the diamond makers!"</p> + +<p>Then, before Tom could put out a hand to detain him, had the +lad so wished, the man turned suddenly, and fairly ran from the +shed.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI_MR_DAMON_IS_ON_HAND" id="CHAPTER_VI_MR_DAMON_IS_ON_HAND" />CHAPTER VI-MR. DAMON IS ON HAND</h2> + + +<p>The young inventor stood almost spellbound for a few moments. +Then recovering himself he made a dash for the door through which +the mysterious man had disappeared. Tom saw him sprinting down +the road, and was half-minded to take after him, but a cooler +thought warned him that he had better not.</p> + +<p>"He may be one of those men who are on Mr. Jenks' trail," +reasoned Tom, in which case it might not be altogether safe to +attempt to stop him, and make him explain. Or he may be a +lunatic, and in that case it wouldn't be altogether healthy to +interfere with him.</p> + +<p>"I'll just let him go, and tell Mr. Jenks about him when he +comes to-night. But I must warn Rad never to let him in here +again. He might damage the airship."</p> + +<p>Calling to the colored man, Tom pointed to the stranger, who +was almost out of sight down the road, and said earnestly:</p> + +<p>"Rad, do you see that fellow?"</p> + +<p>"I sho do, Massa Tom, but I sorter has t' strain my eyes t' do +it. He's goin' laik my mule Boomerang does when he's comm' home +t' dinnah."</p> + +<p>"That's right, Rad. Well, never let that man set foot inside +our fence again! If he comes, and I'm home, call me. If I'm away, +call dad or Mr. Jackson, and if you're here alone, drive him +away, somehow."</p> + +<p>"I will, Massa Tom!" exclaimed the colored man, earnestly, "an' +if I can't do it alone, I'll get Boomerang t' help. Once let dat +ar' mule git his heels on a pusson, an' dat pusson ain't goin' t' +come bodderin' around any mo'—that is, not right away."</p> + +<p>"I believe you, Rad. Well, keep a lookout for him, and don't +let him in," and with that Tom entered the house to think over +matters. They were beginning to assume an aspect he did not +altogether like. Not that Tom was afraid of danger, but he +preferred to meet it in the open, and the warning, or threat, of +the mysterious man disquieted him.</p> + +<p>When Mr. Swift came home, a little later, his son told him of +the midnight interview with Mr. Jenks, for, up to this time, the +aged inventor was unaware of it, and Tom also gave an account of +the diamonds, speaking of their value.</p> + +<p>"And do you propose to go to Phantom Mountain, in search of the +makers of these gems, Tom?" asked Mr. Swift.</p> + +<p>"I had about decided to do so, dad."</p> + +<p>"And you're going in the Red Cloud?'</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Who are going with you?"</p> + +<p>"Well, Mr. Jenks will go, of course, and I've no doubt but that +if I mention the prospective trip to Mr. Damon, that he'll bless +his skating cap, or something like that, and come along."</p> + +<p>"I suppose so, Tom, and I'd like to have you take him. But I +think you'll need some one else."</p> + +<p>"Because, from what you have told me, you are going out to a +dangerous part of the country, and you may have to deal with +unscrupulous men. Three of you are hardly enough to cope with +them. You ought to have at least another member of your party. If +I was not busy on my invention of a new wireless motor I would go +along, but I can't leave. You might take Mr. Jackson."</p> + +<p>"No, you need him here to help you, dad."</p> + +<p>"How about Eradicate?"</p> + +<p>Tom smiled.</p> + +<p>"Rad would get homesick for his mule Boomerang, and I'd have to +bring him back just when we'd found the diamonds," replied the +young inventor. "No, we'll have to think of some one else. I'll +ask Mr. Damon, and then I'll consider matters further. I expect +to see Mr. Jenks to-night, and he may have some one in mind."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps that will be a good plan. Well, Tom, I trust you will +take good care of yourself, and not run into unnecessary danger. +Is the Red Cloud in good shape for the voyage?"</p> + +<p>"It needs looking over. I'm going to get right at it."</p> + +<p>"It's a pretty indefinite sort of a quest you're going on, Tom, +my son. How do you expect to find Phantom Mountain?"</p> + +<p>"Well, it's going to be quite a task. In the first place we'll +head for Leadville, Colorado, and then we'll go to Indian Ridge +and make some inquiries. We may get on the track of the place +that way. If we don't, why I'll take the airship up as high as is +necessary and sort of prospect until we see that big cliff that's +shaped like a head. That will give us something to go by."</p> + +<p>"Well, do the best you can. If you can discover the secret of +making diamonds it will be a valuable one."</p> + +<p>"I guess it will, dad; and Mr. Jenks is entitled to know it, +for he paid his good money to that end. He has promised to go +halves with me, as payment for the use of the airship, and I must +say the two diamonds he gave me last night have proved very +valuable."</p> + +<p>"Two diamonds, Tom? You only showed me one, an uncut gem"; and +Mr. Swift looked at his son.</p> + +<p>"Oh, the other—er—the other is—I left it with a jeweler," +and Tom blushed a trifle, as he thought of the present he +contemplated making to Mary Nestor.</p> + +<p>That afternoon, as Tom was out in the shed of the Red Cloud +looking over the airship, to see what would be necessary to do to +it in order to get it in shape for a long trip, he heard voices +outside.</p> + +<p>"Yes—yes, I know the way in perfectly well," he caught. "You +needn't bother to come, my good fellow. Just step this way, and +I'll show you something worth seeing."</p> + +<p>"I wonder if it's that mysterious man coming back?" thought +Tom. He dropped the tool he was using, and hurried to the door. +As he approached it he heard the voice continue.</p> + +<p>"Why bless my shoe laces, Mr. Parker! You'll see a wonderful +airship, I promise you. Wonderful! Bless my hatband, but I hope +Tom is here!"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Damon!" exclaimed our hero, as he recognized the tones of +his eccentric friend. "But who is with him?"</p> + +<p>A moment later he caught sight of the gentleman who was always +blessing himself, or something. Behind him stood another man, +whose features Tom could not see plainly.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Tom Swift!" called Mr. Damon. "Looking over the Red +Cloud, eh? Does that mean you're off on another trip?"</p> + +<p>"I guess it does," answered the lad.</p> + +<p>"Where to this time? if I may ask."</p> + +<p>"I'm thinking of going off to the mountains to find a band of +men engaged in making diamonds," replied Tom.</p> + +<p>"Making diamonds! Bless my finger ring! Making diamonds! A trip +to the mountains! Bless my disposition! but do you know I'd like +to go with you!"</p> + +<p>"I was thinking of asking you, Mr. Damon."</p> + +<p>"Were you? Bless my heart, I'm glad you thought of me. You +don't by any possible chance want another person; do you?"</p> + +<p>"We were thinking of having four in the party, Mr. Damon," and +Tom wondered who was with his eccentric friend.</p> + +<p>"Then bless my election ticket! This is the very chance for +you, Mr. Parker!" cried Mr. Damon. "Will you go with us? It will +be just what you need," and Mr. Damon stepped aside, revealing to +Tom the features of Mr. Ralph Parker, the scientist who had +correctly predicted the destruction of Earthquake Island.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII_MR_PARKER_PREDICTS" id="CHAPTER_VII_MR_PARKER_PREDICTS" />CHAPTER VII—MR. PARKER PREDICTS</h2> + + +<p>Tom Swift was a most generous lad, but when he saw that Mr. +Damon had with him Mr. Parker, the gloomy scientist, who seemed +to take delight in predicting disasters, our hero's spirits were +not exactly of the best. He would have much preferred not to take +Mr. Parker on the quest for the diamond makers, but, since Mr. +Damon had mentioned it, he did not see how he could very well +refuse.</p> + +<p>"But perhaps he won't care to go," thought Tom.</p> + +<p>He was undeceived a moment later, however, for the scientist +remarked:</p> + +<p>I am very glad to meet you once more, Mr. Swift. I have +scarcely thanked you enough for what you did for us in erecting +your wireless station on Earthquake Island, which, as you recall, +I predicted would sink into the sea. It did, I am glad to say, +not because I like to see islands destroyed, but because science +has been vindicated. Now I have just heard you remark that you +are about to set off to the mountains in search of some men who +are making diamonds. I need hardly state that this is utterly +useless, for no diamonds, commercially valuable, can be made by +men. But the trip may be valuable in that it will permit me to +demonstrate some scientific facts.</p> + +<p>"Therefore, if you will permit me, I will be very glad to +accompany you and Mr. Damon. I shall be delighted, in short, and +I can start as soon as you are ready."</p> + +<p>"There's no hope for it!" thought Tom, dismally. "I suppose +he'll wake up every morning, and predict that before night the +world will come to an end, or he'll prophesy that the airship +will blow up, and vanish, when about seven miles above the +clouds. Well, there's no way out of it, so here goes."</p> + +<p>Thereupon Tom welcomed the scientist as cordially as he could, +and invited him to form one of the party that would set off in +the airship to search for Phantom Mountain.</p> + +<p>"Bless my jewelry box!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, when this +formality was over. "Tell me more about it, Tom."</p> + +<p>Which our hero did, stating the need of maintaining secrecy on +account of the danger to Mr. Jenks. Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker both +agreed to say nothing about the matter, and then the scientist +became much interested in the Red Cloud, which he closely +examined. He even complimented Tom on the skill shown in making +it, and, contrary to our hero's expectation, did not predict that +it would blow up the next time it was used.</p> + +<p>"How did you happen to arrive just at this time, Mr. Damon?" +asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"It was partly due to Mr. Parker," was the answer. "I had not +seen him since we were rescued from the island, until a few days +ago he called on me at my home. I happened to mention that you +lived near here, and suggested that he might like to see some of +your inventions. He agreed, and we came over in my auto. And now, +bless my liver-pin! I find you about to start off on another +trip."</p> + +<p>"And have you fully decided to go with me?" asked Tom. "There +may be danger, and I don't like the way that mysterious man +behaved."</p> + +<p>"Oh, bless my revolver!" cried Mr. Damon. "I'm used to danger +by this time. Of course I'm going, and so is Mr. Parker. Do you +know," and the man, who was always blessing something, came +closer to the lad, and whispered: "Do you know, Tom, Mr. Parker +is a very peculiar individual."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure of it," answered the young inventor, looking at the +gentleman in question, who was then inside the airship cabin.</p> + +<p>"But he's all right, even if he is predicting unpleasant +things," went on Mr. Damon. "I think we'll get better acquainted +with him after a bit."</p> + +<p>"I hope so," agreed Tom, but he did not realize then how close +his companionship with Mr. Parker was to be, nor what dangers +they were to share later.</p> + +<p>The friends talked at considerable length of the prospective +trip, and Tom, by this time, had ascertained what needed to be +done to the airship to get it in shape to travel. It would take +about a week, and, in the meanwhile, Mr. Damon would go home and +get his affairs in order for the voyage. Tom's father was +introduced to Mr. Parker, and, the former, finding that the +scientist held some views in common with him, invited the gloomy +predictor to remain at the Swift home until the Red Cloud was +ready to sail. Tom could not repress a groan at this, but he +decided he would have to make the best of it.</p> + +<p>Mr. Damon left for home that afternoon, promising to be on hand +at the time set to start for Phantom Mountain.</p> + +<p>Tom was up waiting for Mr. Jenks at twelve o'clock that night. +Shortly after the hour he saw a dark figure steal into the +orchard. At first he feared lest it might be one of the spies who +were, he was now convinced, on the trail of the man who was +seeking to discover the secret of the diamond makers. But a +whistle, which came to the lad's ear a moment later (that being a +signal Mr. Jenks had agreed to sound), told Tom that it was none +other than the visitor he expected.</p> + +<p>"All right, Mr. Jenks, I'm here," called Tom, cautiously. "Come +over this way," and he went out from the shadow of the house, +where he had been waiting, and met the men. "We'll go into my +private work-shop," the youth added, leading the way.</p> + +<p>"Have you decided to go with me?" asked Mr. Jenks, in an +anxious whisper. "Did you find the diamonds to be real ones?"</p> + +<p>"I did; and I'm going," spoke Tom.</p> + +<p>"Good! That relieves my mind. But we are still in danger. I was +followed by my shadower to-day, and only succeeded in shaking him +off just before coming here. I don't believe he knows what I am +about to do."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes he does," said Tom.</p> + +<p>"He does? How?"</p> + +<p>"Because he was here, and warned me against you!"</p> + +<p>"You don't mean it! Well, they are getting desperate! We must +be on our guard. What sort of a man was he?"</p> + +<p>Tom described the fellow, and Mr. Jenks stated that this +tallied with the appearance of the person who had been shadowing +him.</p> + +<p>"But we'll fool them yet!" cried Tom, who had now fully entered +into the spirit of the affair. "If they can follow us in the Red +Cloud they're welcome to. I think we'll get ahead of them."</p> + +<p>He then told of Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker, and Mr. Jenks agreed +that it would add to the strength of the party to take these two +gentlemen along.</p> + +<p>"Though I can't say I care so much for Mr. Parker," he added. +"But now as to ways and means. When can we start?"</p> + +<p>Thereupon he and Tom talked over details in the seclusion of +the little office, and arranged to leave Shopton in about a week. +In the meanwhile the airship would be overhauled, stocked with +supplies and provisions, and be made ready for a swift dash to +the mountains.</p> + +<p>"And now I must be going," said Mr. Jenks. "I have a great deal +to do before I can start on this trip, and I hope I am not +prevented by any of those men who seem to be trailing me."</p> + +<p>"How could they prevent you?" Tom wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Oh, there are any number of ways," was the answer. "But I'm +glad you found that my diamonds were real. We'll soon have +plenty, if all goes well."</p> + +<p>As Mr. Jenks left the shop, he started back, in some alarm.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"Over there—I thought I saw a figure sneaking along under the +trees—that man—perhaps—"</p> + +<p>"That's Eradicate, our colored helper," replied Tom, with a +laugh. "I posted him there to see that no strangers came into the +orchard. Everything all right, Rad?" he asked, raising his voice.</p> + +<p>"Yais, sah, Massa Tom. Nobody been around yeah this night."</p> + +<p>"That's good. You can go to bed now," and Eradicate, yawning +loudly, went to his shack. A little later Tom sought his own +room, Mr. Jenks having hurried off to town, where he was +boarding.</p> + +<p>The next few days saw Tom busily engaged on the airship, making +some changes and a few repairs that were needed. His father, +Eradicate and Mr. Jackson helped him. As for Mr. Parker, the +scientist, he went about the place, being much interested in the +various machines which Tom or Mr. Swift had patented.</p> + +<p>At other times the scientist would stroll about the extensive +grounds, making what he said were "observations." One afternoon +Tom saw him, apparently much excited, kneeling down back of a +shed, with his ear to the ground.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter?" asked the lad, thinking perhaps Mr. +Parker might be ill.</p> + +<p>"Have you ever had any earthquakes here, Tom Swift?" asked the +scientist, quietly.</p> + +<p>"Earthquakes? No. We had enough of them on the island."</p> + +<p>"And you are going to have one here, in about two minutes!" +cried Mr. Parker. "I predict that this place will be shaken by a +tremendous shock very soon. We had all better get away from the +vicinity of buildings."</p> + +<p>"What makes you think there will be an earthquake?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"Because I can hear the rumbling beneath the ground at this +very minute. It is increasing in volume, showing that the tremors +are working this way. There will soon be a great subterranean +upheaval! Listen for yourself."</p> + +<p>Tom cast himself down on the grass. Placing his ear close to +the ground he did hear a series of dull thuds. He arose, not a +little alarmed. There had never been any earthquakes in Shopton, +yet he had great respect for Mr. Parker's scientific attainments.</p> + +<p>Just then Eradicate Sampson came along. He saw Tom and Mr. +Parker lying flat on the ground, and surprise showed on his +honest, black face.</p> + +<p>"Fo' de land sakes!" cried Eradicate. "What am de mattah now, +Massa Tom?"</p> + +<p>"Earthquake coming," answered Tom, briefly. "Better get away +from the buildings, Rad. They might fall!" Tom's face showed the +alarm he felt. What would happen to all of his valuable +machines—to the Red Cloud?</p> + +<p>"Earthquake?" murmured Eradicate, and he, too, cast himself +down to listen. A moment later he arose with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" cried Tom.</p> + +<p>"Why, dat ain't no earthquake!" declared the colored man.</p> + +<p>"No. Then perhaps you know what it is," said Mr. Parker, +somewhat sharply.</p> + +<p>"Course I knows what it am," answered Eradicate, with dignity. +"Dat noise am my mule Boomerang, kickin' in his stable, on +account oh me not feedin' him yet. Dat's what it am. I'se gwine +right now t' gib him his oats, and den yo' see dat de noise stop. +Boomerang allers kick dat way when he's hungry. I show yo'!"</p> + +<p>And, sure enough, when Eradicate had gone to the mule's stable, +which was near where Mr. Parker had heard the mysterious sounds, +they immediately ceased.</p> + +<p>"Dat mule was all de earthquake dere was around here," said the +colored man as he came out.</p> + +<p>Mr. Parker walked away, saying nothing, and Tom did not make +any comments—just then.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII_OFF_FOR_THE_WEST" id="CHAPTER_VIII_OFF_FOR_THE_WEST" />CHAPTER VIII—OFF FOR THE WEST</h2> + + +<p>It was a great relief to Tom, to find that there was no danger +from an earth tremor. Now that he had made up his mind to go in +search of the diamond makers, he wanted nothing to interfere with +it. Lest the feelings of Mr. Parker might be hurt by the mistake +he had made, the young inventor cautioned Eradicate not to say +anything more about the matter.</p> + +<p>"'Deed an' I won't," the colored man promised. "I'se only too +glad dere wa'n't no earthquake, dat's what I is."</p> + +<p>As for Mr. Parker, he did not appear much put out by his error +in predicting.</p> + +<p>"I am sure that what I heard was a tremor, due to some distant +earthquake shock," he said. "The mule's kicking was only a +coincidence."</p> + +<p>And Tom let him have his way about it. The week was drawing to +a close, and the Red Cloud was nearly in shape for the voyage. At +almost the last minute Tom found that he needed some electrical +apparatus for the airship, and as he had to go to Chester for it, +he decided he would make the trip in his monoplane, and, while in +the city, would also get the diamond pin he was having made for +Mary Nestor.</p> + +<p>He started off early one morning, in the swift little craft +Butterfly, and soon had reached Chester. The diamond brooch was +ready for him.</p> + +<p>"It is one of the most beautiful stones we have ever set," the +diamond merchant told him. "Don't forget, if you find any more, +Mr. Swift, to let us have a chance to bid on them."</p> + +<p>"I may," Tom promised, rather indefinitely. Then, having +purchased his electrical supplies, he made a quick trip to +Shopton, stopping on the way to call on Miss Nestor.</p> + +<p>"Why Tom, I'm delighted to see you!" cried the girl, blushing +prettily. "Did you come for some apple turnovers?" and she +laughed, as she referred to a call Tom had once paid, when a new +cook had been engaged, and when the pastry formed a feature of +the meal.</p> + +<p>"No turnovers this time," said the young inventor. "I came to +wish you many happy returns of the day."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you remembered my birthday! How nice of you!"</p> + +<p>"And here is something else," added our hero, rather awkwardly, +as he handed her the diamond pin.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Tom! This for me! Oh, it's too lovely—it's far too much!"</p> + +<p>"It isn't half enough!" he declared, warmly. "Oh, what a large +diamond!" Mary cried as she saw the sparkling stone. "I never saw +one so large and beautiful!"</p> + +<p>"It's just as easy to make them large as small," explained Tom.</p> + +<p>"Make them?" she looked the surprise she felt.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm about to start for the place where diamonds are +made."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Tom! But isn't it dangerous? I mean won't you have to go +to some far country—like Africa—to get to where diamonds are +made?"</p> + +<p>"Well, we are going on quite a trip, but not as far as that. +And as for the danger—well, we'll have to take what comes," and +he told her something of the proposed quest.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it sounds—sounds scary!" Mary exclaimed, when she had +heard of Mr. Jenks' experience. Do be careful, Tom!"</p> + +<p>"I will," he promised, and, somehow he was glad that she had +cautioned him thus—and in such tones as she had used. For Mary +Nestor was a girl that any young chap would have been glad to +have manifest an interest in him.</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess I'll have to say good-by," spoke Tom, at length. +"We expect to start in a couple of days, and I may not get +another chance to see you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I—I hope you come back safely," faltered Mary, and then +she held out her hand, and Tom—well, it's none of our affair +what Tom did after that, except to say that he hurried out, +fairly jumped into his monoplane, and completed the trip home.</p> + +<p>As the Red Cloud has been fully described in the volume +entitled "Tom Swift and His Airship," we will not go into details +about it now. Sufficient to say that it was a combination of a +biplane and dirigible balloon. It could be used either as one or +the other, and the gas-bag feature was of value when the wind was +too great to allow the use of the planes, or when the motive +power, for some reason stopped. In that event the airship could +remain suspended far above the clouds if necessary. There was +provision for manufacturing the gas on board.</p> + +<p>The Red Cloud was fitted up to accommodate about ten persons, +though it was seldom that this number was carried. Two persons +could successfully operate the machinery. There were sleeping +berths, and in the main cabin a sitting-room, a dining-room, and +a kitchen. There was also the motor compartment, and a steering +tower, from which the engines could be controlled.</p> + +<p>It was in this craft that the seekers after the diamond makers +proposed undertaking the trip. Mr. Damon came on from his home in +Waterfield about two days before the date set to leave, and Mr. +Jenks, had, three days before this, taken up his abode at the +Swift home. Mr. Parker, as has been stated, was already there, +and he had put in his time making a number of scientific +observations, though he had made no more predictions.</p> + +<p>Nothing more had been seen of the mysterious man who had warned +Tom, and the young inventor and Mr. Jenks began to hope that they +had thrown their enemies off the track.</p> + +<p>"Though I don't imagine they'll give up altogether," said Mr. +Jenks. "They're too desperate for that. We'll have trouble with +them yet."</p> + +<p>"Well, it can't be helped," decided Tom. "We'll try and be +ready for it, when it comes," and then, dismissing the matter +from his mind, he busied himself about the airship.</p> + +<p>The food and supplies had all been put aboard, and they +expected to start the next morning. In order to make sure that +any stones which they might succeed in getting from the diamond +makers were real gems, a set of testing apparatus was taken +along. Mr. Parker had had some experience in this line, and, in +spite of the fact that he might make direful predictions, Tom was +rather glad, after all, that the scientist was going to accompany +them.</p> + +<p>"But what is worrying me," said Mr. Damon, "is what we are +going to do after we get to Phantom Mountain. What are your +plans, Mr. Jenks? Will you go in, and demand your share of the +diamond-making business?"</p> + +<p>"I have a right to it, as I invested a large sum in it, and I +am entitled to more than a half-share. But, of course, I can't +say what I'll do until I get there. We may have to act very +secretly."</p> + +<p>"I'm inclined to think we will," said Tom. "My plan would be to +gain access to the cave, if possible, and watch them at work. We +might be able to discover the secret of making diamonds, and, +after all, that's what you want, isn't it, Mr. Jenks?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I paid my money for the secret, and I ought to have it. +If I can get it quietly, so much the better. If not, I'll fight +for my rights!" and he looked very determined.</p> + +<p>"Bless my powder horn!" cried Mr. Damon. "That's the way to +talk! And so we're to go cruising about in the air, looking for a +mountain shaped like a man's head."</p> + +<p>"That's it," a greed Mr. Jenks, "and when we find it we will be +near Phantom Mountain, and the diamond makers."</p> + +<p>The final details were completed that night. The last of the +supplies had been put aboard, the larder was well stocked, the +diamond testing apparatus was stored safely away, and all that +remained was for the adventurers to board the Red Cloud in the +morning, and soar away.</p> + +<p>That night Tom was uneasy. Several times he got up, and looked +toward the shed where the airship was stored. He could not rid +himself of the idea that the men to whose interest it was that +the diamond-making secret remain undiscovered, might attempt to +wreck the airship before the start. Consequently both Eradicate +Sampson and Engineer Jackson were on guard. Tom looked from his +window, to the shed where the Red Cloud was housed. He saw +nothing to cause him any uneasiness.</p> + +<p>"I guess I'm just nervous," he mused. "But, all the same, I'll +be glad when we've started."</p> + +<p>They were all up early the next morning, Mr. Damon beginning +the day by blessing the sunrise, and many other things that +struck his fancy. The airship was wheeled out of the shed, and +Tom gave her a final inspection.</p> + +<p>"It's all right," he declared. "All aboard!"</p> + +<p>"Now, do be careful," begged Mr. Swift. "Don't take too many +chances, Tom."</p> + +<p>"I'll not."</p> + +<p>The adventurers were in the forward part of the ship, and Tom +had taken his place at the wheels and levers in the pilot house. +As he was about to start the motor he looked toward the road, and +saw a horse and carriage. In the vehicle was a girlish figure, at +the sight of which Tom blushed and smiled. He waved his hand.</p> + +<p>"I came to wish you good luck!" cried Mary Nestor, for it was +she in the carriage.</p> + +<p>"Thanks!" cried Tom, leaning from the window of the pilot +house. "It was good of you to get up so early."</p> + +<p>"Oh. I'm always up early," she informed him.</p> + +<p>"Look out that the motor doesn't scare your horse," Tom warned +her.</p> + +<p>"Old Dobbin doesn't mind anything," was her answer. "I'll see +that he doesn't run away with me, as long as you're not on earth +to rescue me. Good-by, Tom!"</p> + +<p>"Good-by!" he called, and then he pulled the lever that set in +motion the motor, and whirled the great propellers about. They +whizzed around with a roar, and the Red Cloud, shivering and +trembling with the vibration, rose in the air like some great +bird.</p> + +<p>"We're off for the West and Phantom Mountain!" called Tom to +his companions.</p> + +<p>As the airship soared upward, Eradicate Sampson ran forward +from where he had been standing near his mule Boomerang. He waved +his hands, and shouted something.</p> + +<p>"Bless my hatband! What does he want?" asked Mr. Damon, +watching him curiously.</p> + +<p>"It sounds as if he were calling to us to come back," spoke Mr. +Parker.</p> + +<p>"It's too late now," decided Tom. "Maybe he forgot to tell us +good-by," but, he felt a vague wonder at Eradicate's odd motions; +for the colored man was pointing toward the stern of the airship, +as if there was something wrong there. But the Red Cloud soared +on.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX_A_WARNING_BY_WIRELESS" id="CHAPTER_IX_A_WARNING_BY_WIRELESS" />CHAPTER IX—A WARNING BY WIRELESS</h2> + + +<p>Rapidly the airship ascended, and, when it was high over the +town of Shopton, Tom headed the craft due west. Looking down he +tried to descry Mary Nestor, in her carriage, but the trees were +in the way, their interlocking branches hiding the girl. Tom did +see crowds of other persons, though, thronging the streets of +Shopton, for, though the young inventor had made many flights, +there was always a novelty about them, that brought out the +curious.</p> + +<p>"A good start, Tom Swift," complimented Mr. Parker. "Is it +always as easy as this?"</p> + +<p>"Starting always is," was the answer, "though, as the Irishman +said, coming down isn't sometimes quite so comfortable."</p> + +<p>"Bless my gizzard! That's so," cried the eccentric Mr. Damon. +"Can we vol-plane to earth in the Red Cloud, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but not as easily as in the Butterfly. However I hope we +will not have to. Now, Mr. Damon, if you will just take charge of +the steering apparatus for a minute, I want to go aft."</p> + +<p>"What for?"</p> + +<p>"I wish to see if everything is all right. I can't imagine why +Eradicate was making those queer motions."</p> + +<p>Mr. Damon, who knew how to operate the Red Cloud, was soon +guiding her on the course, while Tom made his way to the rear +compartments, through the motor room, where the stores of +supplies and food were kept. He made a careful examination, +looking from an after window, and even going out on a small, open +platform, but could discover nothing wrong.</p> + +<p>"I guess Rad was just capering about without any special +object," mused Tom, but it was not long after this that they +learned to their dismay, that the colored man had had a method in +his madness.</p> + +<p>On his way back through the motor room Tom looked to the +machinery, and adjusted some of the auxiliary oil feeders. The +various pieces of apparatus were working well, though the engine +had not yet been speeded up to its limit. Tom wanted it to "warm-up" +first.</p> + +<p>"Everything all right?" asked Mr. Damon, as Tom rejoined them +in the pilot house, which was just forward of the living room in +the main cabin.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I can't imagine what made Rad act that way. But I'll set +the automatic steering gear now, Mr. Damon, and then you will be +relieved."</p> + +<p>Mr. Jenks was gazing off toward the west—to where he hoped to +discover the secret of Phantom Mountain.</p> + +<p>"How do you like it?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"It's great," replied the diamond man. "I've never been in an +airship before, and it's different than what I expected; but it's +great! It's the only craft that will serve our purpose among the +towering mountain peaks, where the diamond makers are hidden. I +hope we can find them."</p> + +<p>In a little while the Red Cloud was skimming along at faster +speed, guided by the automatic rudders, so that no one was needed +in the pilot house, since there was no danger of collisions. +Airships are not quite numerous enough for that, yet, though they +may soon become so.</p> + +<p>Tom and the others devoted several hours to arranging their +staterooms and bunks, and getting their clothing stowed away, and +when this was done Mr. Parker and Mr. Jenks sat gazing off into +space.</p> + +<p>"It's hard to realize that we are really in an airship," +observed the diamond man. "At first I thought I would be +frightened, but I'm not a bit. It doesn't seem as if anything +could happen."</p> + +<p>"Something is likely to happen soon," said Mr. Parker, +suddenly, as he gazed at some weather instruments on the cabin +wall.</p> + +<p>"Bless my soul! Don't say that!" cried Mr. Damon. "What is it?"</p> + +<p>"I think, from my observations, that we will soon have a +hurricane," said the scientific man. "There is every indication +of it"'; and he seemed quite delighted at the prospect of his +prediction coming true.</p> + +<p>"A hurricane!" cried Mr. Damon. "I hope it isn't like the one +that blew us to Earthquake Island."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I think there will be no danger," spoke Tom. "If it comes +on to blow we will ascend or descend out of the path of the +storm. This craft is not like the ill-fated Whizzer. I can more +easily handle the Red Cloud; even in a bad storm."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to hear that," remarked Mr. Jenks. "It would be too +bad to be wrecked before we got to Phantom Mountain."</p> + +<p>"Well, I predict that we will have a bad storm," insisted Mr. +Parker, and Tom could not help wishing that the scientist would +keep his gloomy forebodings to himself.</p> + +<p>However the storm had not developed up to noon, when Tom, with +Mr. Damon's help, served a fine meal in the dining-room. In the +afternoon the speed of the ship was increased, and by night they +had covered several hundred miles. Through the darkness the Red +Cloud kept on, making good time. Tom got up, occasionally, to +look to the machinery, but it was all automatically controlled, +and an alarm bell would sound in his stateroom when anything went +wrong.</p> + +<p>"Bless my napkin!" exclaimed Mr. Damon the next morning, as +they sat down to a breakfast of fruit, ham and eggs and fragrant +coffee, "this is living as well as in a hotel, and yet we are—how +far are we above the earth, Tom?" he asked, turning to the +young inventor.</p> + +<p>"About two miles now. I just sent her up, as I thought I +detected that storm Mr. Parker spoke of."</p> + +<p>"I told you it would come," declared the scientist, and there +was a small hurricane below them that morning, but only the lower +edge of it caught the Red Cloud, and when Tom sent her up still +higher she found a comparatively quiet zone, where she slid along +at good speed.</p> + +<p>That afternoon Tom busied himself about some wires and a number +of complicated pieces of apparatus which were in one corner of +the main cabin.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing now?" asked Mr. Jenks, who had been talking +with Mr. Parker, and showing that scientist some of the +manufactured diamonds.</p> + +<p>"Getting our wireless apparatus in shape," answered the lad. "I +should have done it before, but I had so much to do that I +couldn't get at it. I'm going to send off some messages. Dad will +want to know how we are doing."</p> + +<p>As he worked away, he also made up his mind to send another +message, in care of his father, for there was a receiving station +in the Swift home. And to whom this message was addressed Tom did +not say, but we fancy some of our readers can guess.</p> + +<p>Finally, after several hours of work, the wireless was in shape +to send and receive messages. Tom pulled over the lever, and a +crackling sound was heard, as the electricity leaped from the +transmitters into space. Then he clamped the receiver on his ear.</p> + +<p>"All ready," he announced. "Has anybody any messages they wish +sent?" For, with the courtesy of a true host he was ready to +serve his guests before he forwarded his own wireless notes.</p> + +<p>"Just tell my wife that I'm enjoying myself," requested Mr. +Damon. "Bless my footstool! But this is great! We're off the +earth yet, connected with it."</p> + +<p>Mr. Jenks had no one to whom he wanted to send any word, but +Mr. Parker wish to wire to a fellow scientist the result of some +observations made in the upper air.</p> + +<p>Tom noted all the messages down, and then, when all was in +readiness he began to call his home station. He knew that either +his father or Mr. Jackson, the engineer, could receive the +wireless.</p> + +<p>But, no sooner had the young inventor sent off the first few +dots and dashes representing "S. I."—his home station call—than +he started and a look of surprise came over his face.</p> + +<p>"They're calling us!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Who is?" asked Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>"My house—my father. He—he's been trying to get us ever since +we started, but I didn't have the wireless in shape to receive +messages. Oh, I hope it's not too late!"</p> + +<p>"Too late! Bless my soul, too late for what?" gasped Mr. Damon, +somewhat alarmed by Tom's manner.</p> + +<p>The lad did not answer at once. He was intently listening to a +series of dots and dashes that clicked in the telephone receiver +clamped to his left ear. On his face there was a look of +worriment.</p> + +<p>"Father has just sent me a message," he said. "It's a warning +flashed through space! He's been trying to get it to me since +yesterday!"</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Mr. Jenks, rising from his seat.</p> + +<p>"The mysterious man is aboard the airship—hidden away!" cried +Tom. "That's what Eradicate was trying to call to our attention +as we started off. Eradicate saw his face at a rear window, and +tried to warn us! The mysterious man is a stowaway on board!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X_DROPPING_THE_STOWAWAY" id="CHAPTER_X_DROPPING_THE_STOWAWAY" />CHAPTER X—DROPPING THE STOWAWAY</h2> + + +<p>Tom's excited announcement startled Mr. Damon and the others as +much as if the young inventor had informed them that the airship +had exploded and was about to dash with them to the earth. The +men leaped to their feet, and stared at the lad.</p> + +<p>"A stowaway on board!" cried Mr. Damon. +"Bless my soul! How did he—"</p> + +<p>"Are you sure that message is straight?" asked Mr. Jenks. "Did +Eradicate see the man?"</p> + +<p>"He says he did," answered Tom. "The man is hidden away on +board now—probably among the stores and supplies."</p> + +<p>"Bless my tomato sauce!" exploded Mr. Damon. "I hope he doesn't +eat them all up!"</p> + +<p>"We must get him out at once!" declared Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>"I knew something would happen on this voyage," came from Mr. +Parker. "I predicted it from the first!"</p> + +<p>Tom thought considerable, but he did not answer the scientist +just then. Another communication was coming to him by wireless. +He listened intently.</p> + +<p>"Father says," the lad told his companions "that Eradicate only +had a glimpse of the man at the last moment. He was looking from +the rear storeroom window—he's the same man who called on me +that time—Rad remembers him very well."</p> + +<p>"Bless my shoes! What's to be done?" inquired Mr. Damon, +looking around helplessly.</p> + +<p>"We must get him out, that's all," decided Mr. Jenks; with +vigor. "Get him out and drop him overboard!"</p> + +<p>"Drop him overboard!" cried Mr. Parker, in horror.</p> + +<p>"Not exactly, but get rid of him," proceeded the diamond +seeker. "That man is one of my enemies. He has been sent by the +band of diamond makers hidden among the mountains, to spy on me, +and, if possible, prevent me from seeking to discover their +secret. He tried to work on Tom's Swift's fears, and frighten him +from using his airship on this quest. Then, when he failed, the +man must have sneaked into the shed, and hidden himself in the +ship. We must get rid of him, or he may wreck the Red Cloud!"</p> + +<p>"That's so!" cried Tom. "We must try to capture him. I think we +had better—" the lad paused, and again listened to the wireless +message. "Father says Eradicate saw the man have a gun, so we +must be careful," the young inventor translated the dots and +dashes.</p> + +<p>"Bless my powder horn!" exploded Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"We shall have to proceed cautiously then," spoke Mr. Jenks. +"If he is like any others in the gang he is a desperate man."</p> + +<p>"Better sneak up on him then, if we can," proposed Mr. Parker. +"There are enough of us to cope with one man, even if he is +armed. You have weapons aboard, haven't you?" he inquired of Tom.</p> + +<p>"Yes," was the hesitating answer, "but I don't want to use them +if I can help it. Not only because of the danger, and a dislike +of shedding blood, but because a stray bullet might pierce the +gas bag and damage the ship."</p> + +<p>"That's so," agreed Mr. Jenks. "Well, I guess if we go at it +the right way we can capture him without any shooting. But we +must talk more quietly—we ought to have whispered—he may have +heard us."</p> + +<p>"I don't think so," replied Tom. "The storeroom is far enough +off so that he couldn't hear us. Besides, the motor makes such a +racket that he couldn't distinguish what we were talking about, +even if he heard our voices. So, unless he heard the wireless +working, and suspects something from that, he probably doesn't +know that we are aware of his presence aboard."</p> + +<p>"But why do you think he has remained quiet all this while, +Tom?" asked Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Probably he wants to wait until the ship is farther out west," +suggested Mr. Jenks. "Then he will be nearer his friends, and can +get help, if he needs it."</p> + +<p>"And do you really believe he would destroy the Red Cloud?" +asked Mr. Parker.</p> + +<p>"I think that all he is waiting for is a favorable chance," +declared the diamond seeker. "He would destroy the craft, and us +too, if he could prevent us from discovering the secret of +Phantom Mountain, I believe."</p> + +<p>"Then we must get ahead of him," decided Tom, quietly. "I have +just flashed to dad a message, telling him that we will heed his +warning. Now to capture the stowaway!"</p> + +<p>"And while we're about it, give him a good scare when we do get +him," suggested Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>"How?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"Threaten to drop him overboard. Perhaps that will make him +tell how he happened to get in our ship, and what are the plans +of the gang of diamond makers. We may get valuable information +that way."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe you can scare such fellows much," was Tom's +opinion, but it was agreed to try.</p> + +<p>"How are you going to capture him?" asked Mr. Parker. "If he +has a gun it won't be any too easy to go in the storeroom, and +drag him out."</p> + +<p>"We'll have to use a little strategy," decided Tom, and then they +discussed several plans. The one finally adopted was that Tom and Mr. +Damon should enter the storeroom, casually, as if in search of food to +cook for supper. They would discuss various dishes, and Mr. Damon was +to express a preference for something in the food line, the box +containing which, was well hack in the room. This would give the two a +chance to penetrate to the far end of the apartment, without arousing +the suspicions of the hidden man, who, doubtless, would be listening +to the conversation.</p> + +<p>"And as soon as we get sight of him, you and I will jump right +at him, Mr. Damon," said Tom. "Jump before he has a chance to use +his gun. Mr. Jenks and Mr. Parker will be waiting outside the +room, to catch him if he gets away from us. I'll have some ropes +ready, and we'll tie him up, and—well, we'll decide later what +to do with him."</p> + +<p>"All right. I'm ready as soon as you are, Tom," said the +eccentric man. "Come ahead."</p> + +<p>They went softly to the storeroom, and listened at the door. +There was no sound heard save that made by the machinery.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if he's really here?" whispered Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"We'll soon find out," answered Tom. "Let's go in."</p> + +<p>They entered, and, in pursuance of their plan, Tom and his +friend talked of various foods.</p> + +<p>"I think I'd like some of that canned lobster, with French +dressing on," spoke the eccentric man.</p> + +<p>"That's away in the back end of the room," said Tom, in a loud +voice. "It's under a lot of boxes."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll help you get it out! Bless my frying pan! but I am +very fond of lobster!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, in as natural tones +as was possible under the circumstances.</p> + +<p>He and Tom moved cautiously back among the boxes and barrels. +They were glancing about with eager eyes. Tom switched on an +electric light, and, the instant he did so, he was aware of a +movement in a little space formed by one box which was placed on +top, of two others. The lad saw a dark figure moving, as if to +get farther out of sight.</p> + +<p>"I've got him!" cried Tom, making a dive for the shadow.</p> + +<p>A moment later the young inventor was bowled over, as a dark +figure leaped over his head.</p> + +<p>"Catch him, Mr. Damon!" he cried.</p> + +<p>"Bless my hatband! I—I—" Mr. Damon's voice ended in a grunt. +He, too, had been knocked down by the fleeing man.</p> + +<p>"Look out, Mr. Jenks!" cried Tom, to warn those on guard at the +door of the storeroom.</p> + +<p>There was the report of a gun, some excited shouts, and when +Tom could scramble to his feet, and rush out, he beheld Mr. +Parker calmly sitting on a struggling man, while Mr. Jenks held a +gun, that was still smoking.</p> + +<p>"We caught him!" cried the scientist.</p> + +<p>"Anybody hurt?" asked Tom, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"No, I knocked up his gun as he fired," explained Mr. Jenks. +"Where are the ropes, Tom?"</p> + +<p>The cords were produced and the man, who had now ceased to +struggle, was tightly bound. He uttered not a word, but he smiled +grimly when Mr. Damon remarked:</p> + +<p>"I guess I'll go back in the storeroom, Tom, and see how much +food he ate."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess he didn't take much," declared the lad. "He wasn't +there long enough."</p> + +<p>"Well, Farley Munson, so it's you, is it?" asked Mr. Jenks, as +he surveyed the prisoner.</p> + +<p>"Do you know him?" asked Tom, in some surprise.</p> + +<p>"He was in with the diamond makers," said Mr. Jenks. "He was +one of those who took me to the secret cave. But it will be the +last time he ever goes there. How high up are we, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"About two miles. Why?"</p> + +<p>"I guess that will be far enough to let him fall," went on the +diamond seeker. "Come on, Mr. Damon, help me throw him overboard!"</p> + +<p>"You—you're not going to throw me over—with the airship two +miles high; are you?" gasped the man.</p> + +<p>"Will you tell us what we want to know, if we don't?" asked Mr. +Jenks.</p> + +<p>"What do you want to know?"</p> + +<p>"How you got aboard, and what your object was in coming."</p> + +<p>"That's easy enough. I had been hanging around the shed for +several days, watching a chance to get in. Finally I saw it, when +that colored man went to feed his mule, and I slipped in, and +hid in the airship. The stores were all in then, and I stowed +myself away among the boxes. I had food and water, so I didn't +touch any of yours," and he looked at Mr. Damon, who seemed much +relieved.</p> + +<p>"And what was your object?" demanded Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>"I wanted to prevent you from going to Phantom Mountain."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"By destroying the airship if need be. But I hoped to +accomplish it by other means. I would have stopped at nothing, +though, to prevent you. You must keep away from there!"</p> + +<p>"And if we refuse?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"Then you'll have to take what comes!"</p> + +<p>"But not from you!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks. "We're going to get +rid of you."</p> + +<p>The man's face showed the alarm he felt.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't worry," said Mr. Jenks, quickly, "we're not going to +toss you overboard. We're not as desperate as your crowd. But +we're going to get rid of you, and then go on before you can send +any word to your confederates. We'll put you off in the most +lonesome spot we can find, and I guess you'll be some time +getting back to civilization. By that time we'll have the secret +of the diamonds."</p> + +<p>"You never will!" declared the man, firmly. And he would say +nothing more, though by threats and promises Mr. Jenks tried to +get from him something about the men in with him, and where the +cave of the diamonds was located.</p> + +<p>Heavily bound with ropes the man was locked in a small closet, +to be kept there until a favorable spot was reached for letting +him go. Mr. Jenks' plan, of dropping him down in some place where +he would have difficulty in sending on word to his confederates +was considered a good one.</p> + +<p>Three days later, in crossing over a lonely region, near the +Nebraska National Forest, Farley Munson, which was one of the +names the spy went by, was dropped off the airship, when it was +sent down to within a few feet of the earth.</p> + +<p>"It will take you some time to get to a telegraph office," said +Mr. Jenks, as a package of food, and a flask of water was tossed +down to the stowaway. He shook his fist at those in the airship, +and shouted after them:</p> + +<p>"You'll never discover the secret of Phantom Mountain!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, we will," declared Tom, as he sent the Red Cloud high +into the air again.</p> + + + +<p>CHAPTER XI—A WEARY SEARCH</p> + + +<p>During the three days when the stowaway had been kept a +prisoner, the Red Cloud had made good time on her western trip. +She was now about two hundred and fifty miles from Leadville, +Colorado, and Tom knew he could accomplish that distance in a +short time. It was necessary, therefore, since they were so close +to the place where the real search would begin, to make some more +definite plans.</p> + +<p>"We will need to replenish our supply of gasoline," said Tom, +shortly after the stowaway had been dropped, and when the young +inventor had made a general inspection of the airship.</p> + +<p>"Is it all gone?" inquired Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Not all, but we will soon be in the wildest part of the Rocky +Mountains, and gasoline is difficult to procure there. So I want +to fill all our reserve tanks. But I would rather do that before +we get far into Colorado."</p> + +<p>"Why?" inquired Mr. Parker.</p> + +<p>"Because airships are not so common but what the appearance of +one attracts attention. Ours is sure to be talked about, and +commented on. In that case, in spite of our precaution in putting +Munson off in this lonely place, word of the Red Cloud being in +the vicinity of Leadville may reach the diamond makers, and put +them on their guard. We want to take them unawares if we can."</p> + +<p>"That's so," agreed Mr. Jenks. "We had better get our gasoline +at the first stopping place, then, and proceed with our search. +Our first object ought to be to look for the landmark—the head +of stone. Then we can begin to prospect about a bit."</p> + +<p>"My idea, exactly," declared Tom. "Well, then, I'll go down at +the first place we cross, where we can get gasoline, and then +we'll be in a position to hover in the air for a long time, +without descending."</p> + +<p>The airship kept on her way, traveling slowly the remainder of +that day, and at dusk, when there was less chance of big crowds +seeing them, the Red Cloud was sent down on the outskirts of a +large village. Tom and Mr. Damon went to a supply store, and +arranged to have a sufficient quantity of the gasoline taken out +to the airship. It was delivered after dark, and little talk was +occasioned by the few who were aware of the presence of the +craft. Then, once more, they went aloft, and Tom sent several +wireless messages to Shopton, including one to Miss Nestor.</p> + +<p>"Please tell my wife that I am well, and that I have a good +appetite," said Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>Mr. Parker also sent a message to a scientific friend of his, stating +that he made some observations among the mountains, of the region in +which the airship then was, and that the indications were that a great +landslide would soon take place.</p> + +<p>"That won't worry us," spoke Tom, "for we'll be far above it."</p> + +<p>"I hope we will be near enough to enable me to observe it, and +make some scientific notes," came from Mr. Parker. "I am positive +that one of these mountain peaks that we saw to-day will +disappear in a landslide within a few days. I have an instrument +somewhat like the one that records earthquakes, and it has been +acting strangely of late."</p> + +<p>Tom wondered what enjoyment Mr. Parker got out of life, when he +was always looking for some calamity to happen, but the scientist +seemed to take as much pleasure in his gloomy forebodings now, as +he had on Earthquake Island.</p> + +<p>They reached the vicinity of Leadville the next day, but took +care to keep high above the city, so that the airship could not +be observed. With powerful glasses they examined the mountainous +country, looking for the little settlement of Indian Ridge.</p> + +<p>"There it is!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks, just as dusk was settling +down. I can make out the hotel I stopped at. Now we can really +begin our search. The next thing is to find the stone head, and +then, I think, I will have my bearings."</p> + +<p>"We'll begin the hunt for that landmark in the morning," said +Tom.</p> + +<p>High in the air hovered the Red Cloud. At that distance above +the earth she must have looked like some great bird, and the +adventurers thought it unlikely that any one in the vicinity of +Leadville would observe them.</p> + +<p>The quest for the great mountain peak, that looked like a stone +head, was under way. Back and forth sailed the airship. Sometimes +she was enveloped in fog, and no sight could be had of the earth +below. At other times there were rain storms, which likewise +prevented a view. Mr. Parker was on the lookout for his predicted +mountain landslide, but it did not occur, and he was much +disappointed.</p> + +<p>"It's queer I can't pick out that landmark," said Mr. Jenks +after two days of weary searching, when their eyes were strained +from long peering through telescopes. "I'm sure it was around +Indian Ridge, yet we've covered almost all the ground in this +neighborhood, and I haven't had a glimpse of it."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it was destroyed in a landslide, or some cataclysm of +nature," suggested Mr. Parker. "That is very possible."</p> + +<p>"If that's the case we're going to have a hard time to locate +the cave of the diamond makers," answered Mr. Jenks, "but I hope +it isn't so."</p> + +<p>They continued the search for another day, and then Tom, as +they sat in the comfortable cabin of the airship that night, +hovering almost motionless (for the motor had been shut down) +made a proposition.</p> + +<p>"Why not descend in some secluded place," he suggested, "and +wander around on foot, making inquiries of the miners. They may +know where the stone head is, or they may even know about Phantom +Mountain."</p> + +<p>"Good idea," spoke Mr. Jenks. "We'll do it."</p> + +<p>Accordingly, the next morning, the Red Cloud was lowered in a +good but lonely landing place, and securely moored. It was in a +valley, well screened from observation, and the craft was not +likely to be seen, but, to guard against any damage being done to +it by passing hunters or miners, Mr. Parker and Mr. Damon agreed +to remain on guard in it, while Tom and Mr. Jenks spent a day or +two traveling around, making inquiries.</p> + +<p>The young inventor and his companion proceeded on foot to a +small settlement, where they hired horses on which to make their +way about. They were to be gone two days, and in that time they +hoped to get on the right trail.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII_THE_GREAT_STONE_HEAD" id="CHAPTER_XII_THE_GREAT_STONE_HEAD" />CHAPTER XII—THE GREAT STONE HEAD</h2> + + +<p>It was a wild and desolate country in which Tom Swift and Mr. +Jenks were traveling. Villages were far apart, and they were at +best but small settlements. In their journeys from place to place +they met few travelers.</p> + +<p>But of these few they made cautious inquiries as to the +location of Phantom Mountain, or the landmark known as the great +stone head. Prospectors, miners and hunters, whom they asked, +shook their heads.</p> + +<p>"I've heard of Phantom Mountain," said one grizzled miner, "but +I couldn't say where it is. Maybe it's only a fish story—the +place may not even exist."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it does, for I've been there!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>"Then why don't you go back to it?" asked the miner.</p> + +<p>"Because I can't locate it again," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Humph! Mighty queer if you've seen a place once, and can't get +to it again," and the man looked as if he thought there was +something strange about Tom and his companion. Mr. Jenks did not +want to say that he had been taken to the mountain blindfolded, +for that would have caused too much talk.</p> + +<p>"I think if we spent to-night in a place where the miners +congregate, listened to their talk, and put a few casual +questions to them, more as if we were only asking out of idle +curiosity, we might learn something," suggested Tom.</p> + +<p>"Very well, we'll try that scheme."</p> + +<p>Accordingly, after they had left the suspicious miner the two +proceeded to a small milling town, not far from Indian Ridge. +There they engaged rooms for the night at the only hotel, and, +after supper they sat around the combined dance hall and gambling +place.</p> + +<p>There were wild, rough scenes, which were distasteful to Tom, +and to Mr. Jenks, but they felt that this was their only chance +to get on the right trail, and so they stayed. As strangers in a +western mining settlement they were made roughly welcome, and in +response to their inquiries about the country, they were told +many tales, some of which were evidently gotten up for the +benefit of the "tenderfeet."</p> + +<p>"Is there a place around here called Phantom Mountain?" asked +Tom, at length, as quietly as he could.</p> + +<p>"Never heard of it, stranger," replied a miner who had done +most of the talking. "I never heard of it, and what Bill +Slatterly don't know ain't worth knowin'. I'm Bill Slatterly," he +added, lest there be some doubt on that score.</p> + +<p>"Isn't there some sort of a landmark around here shaped like a +great stone head?" went on Tom, after some unimportant questions. +"Seems to me I've heard of that."</p> + +<p>"Nary a one," answered Mr. Slatterly. "No stone heads, and no +Phantom Mountains—nary a one.</p> + +<p>"Who says there ain't no Phantom Mountains?" demanded an +elderly miner, who had been dozing in one corner of the room, but +who was awakened by Slatterly's loud voice. "Who says so?"</p> + +<p>"I do," answered the one who claimed to know everything.</p> + +<p>"Then you're wrong!" Tom's heart commenced beating faster than +usual.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to say you've seen Phantom Mountain, Jed Nugg?" +demanded Slatterly.</p> + +<p>"No, I ain't exactly seen it, an' I don't want to, but there is +such a place, about sixty mile from here. Folks says it's +haunted, and them sort of places I steer clear from."</p> + +<p>"Can you tell me about it?" asked Mr. Jenks, eagerly. "I am +interested in such things."</p> + +<p>"I can't tell you much about it," was the reply, "and I +wouldn't git too interested, if I was you. It might not be +healthy. All I know is that one time my partner and I were in +hard luck. We got grub-staked, and went out prospectin'. We +strayed into a wild part of the country about sixty mile from +here, and one night we camped on a mountain—a wild, desolate +place it was too."</p> + +<p>The miner stopped, and began leisurely filling his pipe.</p> + +<p>"Well?" asked Tom, trying not to let his voice sound too eager.</p> + +<p>"Well, that was Phantom Mountain."</p> + +<p>The miner seemed to have finished his story.</p> + +<p>"Is that all?" asked Mr. Jenks. "How did you know it was +Phantom Mountain?"</p> + +<p>"'Cause we seen the ghost—my partner and I—that's why!" +exclaimed the man, puffing on his pipe. "As I said, we was +campin' there, and 'long about midnight we seen somethin' tall +and white, and all shimmerin', with a sort of yellow fire, +slidin' down the side of the mountain It made straight for our +camp."</p> + +<p>"Huh! Guess you run, didn't you, Jed?" asked Bill Slatterly.</p> + +<p>"Course we did. You'd a run too, if you seen a ghost comm' at +you, an' firm' a gun."</p> + +<p>"Ghosts can't fire guns!" declared Bill. "I guess you dreamed +it, Jed."</p> + +<p>"Ghosts can't fire guns, eh? That's all you know about it. This +one did, and to prove I didn't dream it, there was a bullet hole +in my hat next mornin'. I could prove it, too, only I ain't got +that hat any more. But that was Phantom Mountain, strangers, an' +my advice to you is to keep away from it. I was on it but I +didn't exactly see it, 'cause it was dark at the time."</p> + +<p>"Was it near a peak that looked like a stone +head?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"It were, stranger, but I didn't take much notice of it. Me and +my partner got out of them diggin's next day, and I never went +back. I ain't never said much about this place, but it's called +Phantom Mountain all right, and I ain't the only one that's seen +a ghost there. Other grub-stakers has had the same experience."</p> + +<p>"Why ain't I never heard about it?" demanded Bill, +suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"'Cause as why you're allers so busy talkin' that you don't +never listen to nothin' I reckon," was Jed's answer, amid +laughter.</p> + +<p>"Can you tell us what trail to take to get there?" asked Tom, +of the miner.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's called the old silver trail, and you strike it by +goin' to a place called Black Gulch, about forty mile from here. +Then it's twenty mile farther on. But take my advice and don't +go."</p> + +<p>"Can it be reached by way of Indian Ridge?" asked Mr. Jenks, +wondering how he had been taken to the cave of the diamond +makers. He did not remember Black Gulch.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you can git there by Indian Ridge way, but it's more +dangerous. You're likely to lose your way, for that's a trail +that's seldom traveled." Mr. Jenks thought that, perhaps, was the +reason the gang had taken him that way. "It's easier to get to +the stone head and Phantom Mountain by Black Gulch, but it ain't +healthy to go there, strangers, take my advice on that," +concluded the miner, as he prepared to go to sleep again.</p> + +<p>Tom could scarcely contain the exultation he felt. At last, it +seemed, they were on the trail. He motioned to Mr. Jenks, and +they slipped quietly from the place, just as another dance was +beginning.</p> + +<p>"Now for Black Gulch!" cried Tom. "We must hurry back to the +airship, and tell the good news.</p> + +<p>"It's too late to-night," decided Mr. Jenks, and so they waited +until morning, when they made an early start.</p> + +<p>They found Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker anxiously awaiting their +return. Mr. Damon blessed so many things that he was nearly out +of breath, and Mr. Parker related something of the observations +he had made.</p> + +<p>"I think I have discovered traces of a dormant volcano," he +said. "I am in hopes that it will have an eruption while we are +here."</p> + +<p>"I'm not," spoke Tom, decidedly. "We'll start for Black Gulch +as soon as possible."</p> + +<p>The airship once more rose in the air, and, following the +directions the miner had given him, Tom pointed his craft for the +depression in the mountains which had been given the name Black +Gulch. It was reached in a short time, and then, making a turn up +a long valley the airship proceeded at reduced speed.</p> + +<p>"We ought to see that stone head soon now," spoke Tom, as he +peered from the windows of the pilot house.</p> + +<p>"It's queer we didn't notice it when we were up in the air," +remarked Mr. Jenks. "We've been over this place before, I'm sure +of it."</p> + +<p>The next moment Mr. Damon uttered a cry. "Bless my watch-chain!" +he exclaimed. "Look at that!"</p> + +<p>He pointed off to the left. There, jutting out from the side of +a steep mountain peak was a mass of stone—black stone—which, as +the airship slowly approached, took the form and shape of a +giant's head.</p> + +<p>"That's it! That's it!" cried Tom. "The great stone head!"</p> + +<p>"And now for Phantom Mountain and the diamonds!" shouted Mr. +Jenks, as Tom let the airship slowly settle to the bottom of the +valley.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII_ON_PHANTOM_MOUNTAIN" id="CHAPTER_XIII_ON_PHANTOM_MOUNTAIN" />CHAPTER XIII—ON PHANTOM MOUNTAIN</h2> + + +<p>Out from the Red Cloud piled Tom and the others. They made a +rush for the irregular mass of rock which bore so strong a +resemblance to the head of some gigantic man.</p> + +<p>"That's the one! That's the thing I saw when they were taking +me along here blindfolded!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks. "I'm sure we're +on the right trail, now!"</p> + +<p>"But what gets me, though," remarked Mr. Damon, "is why we +couldn't see that landmark when we were up in the air. We had a +fine view, and ought to have been able to pick it out with the +telescopes."</p> + +<p>The adventurers saw the reason a few seconds later. The image +was visible only from one place, and that was directly looking up +the valley. If one went too far to the right or left the head +disappeared from view behind jutting crags, and it was impossible +to see it from overhead, because the head was almost under a +great spur of a mighty mountain.</p> + +<p>"We might have hunted for it a week in the airship, and been +directly over it," said Tom, "and yet we would never have seen +it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but we never would have gotten here in such good shape if +it hadn't been for your wonderful craft," declared Mr. Jenks. "It +brought us here safely and quickly, and enabled us to elude the +men who tried to keep us back. We're here in spite of them. If we +had traveled by train they might have interfered with us in a +dozen ways."</p> + +<p>"That's so," agreed Mr. Damon. "Well, now we're here, what's to +be done? Which way do we start to reach the cave where the +diamonds are manufactured, Mr. Jenks?"</p> + +<p>"That I can't say. As you know, I only had a momentary glimpse +of this stone head as they wore taking me along the trail. Then +one the men noticed that the bandage had slipped and he pulled it +into place. So I really can't say which direction to take now, in +order to discover the secret."</p> + +<p>"How long after you saw the head before you reached the cave?" +asked Tom. "In that way we may be able to tell how far away it +is."</p> + +<p>"Well, I should say it was about two or three hours after I saw +the head, before we got to the halting place, and I was carried +into the cave. That would make it several miles from here, for we +went in a wagon."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and they might have driven in a round-about way, in order +to deceive you," suggested Mr. Damon. "At best we have but a +faint idea where the diamond cave is, but we must search for it; +eh, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly. We'll start right in. And as the airship will be of +but little service to us now, I suggest that we leave it in this +valley. It is very much secluded, and no one will harm it, I +think. We can then start off prospecting, for I have a large +portable tent, and we can carry enough food with us, with what +game we can shoot, to enable us to live. I have a regular camping +outfit on board."</p> + +<p>"Fine!" cried Mr. Parker, "and that will give me a chance to +make some observations among the mountains, and perhaps I can +predict when a landslide, or an eruption of some dormant volcano, +may occur."</p> + +<p>"Bless my stars!" cried Mr. Damon. "I don't wish you any bad +luck, Mr. Parker, but I sincerely hope nothing of the sort +happens! We had enough of that on Earthquake Island!"</p> + +<p>"One can not halt the forces of nature," said the scientist, +solemnly. "There are many towering peaks around here which may +contain old volcanoes. And I notice the presence of iron ore all +about. This must be a wonderful place in a thunder and lightning +storm."</p> + +<p>"Why?" asked Tom, curiously.</p> + +<p>"Because lightning would be powerfully attracted here by the +presence of the metal. In fact there is evidence that many of the +peaks have been struck by lightning," and the scientist showed +curious, livid scars on the stone faces of the peaks within +sight.</p> + +<p>"Then this is a good place to stay away from in a storm," +observed Mr. Damon. "However, we won't worry about that now. If +this is the landmark Mr. Jenks was searching for, then we must be +in the vicinity of Phantom Mountain."</p> + +<p>"I think we are," declared the diamond seeker. "Probably it is +within sight now, but there are so many peaks, and this is such a +wild and desolate part of the country that we may have trouble in +locating it."</p> + +<p>"We've got to make a beginning, anyhow," decided Tom, "and the +sooner the better. Come, we'll make up our camping kits, and +start out."</p> + +<p>It was something to know that they were on the right trail, and +it was a relief to be able to busy oneself, and not be aimlessly +searching for a mysterious landmark. They all felt this, and soon +the airship was taken to a secluded part of the valley, where it +was well hidden from sight in a grove of trees.</p> + +<p>Tom and Mr. Damon then served a good meal, and preparations +were made to start on their search among the mountains—a search +which they hoped would lead them to Phantom Mountain, and the +cave of the diamond makers.</p> + +<p>The tent which would afford them shelter was in sections, and +could be laced together. They carried food, compressed into small +packages, coffee, a few cooking utensils; and each one had a gun, +Tom carrying a combination rifle and shotgun, for game.</p> + +<p>"We can't live very high while we're on the trail," said the +young inventor, "but it won't be much worse than it was on +Earthquake Island. Are we all ready?"</p> + +<p>"I guess so," answered Mr. Damon. "How long are we going to be +away?"</p> + +<p>"Until we find the diamond makers!" declared Tom, firmly.</p> + +<p>Shouldering their packs, the adventurers started off. Tom +turned for a last look at his airship, dimly seen amid the trees. +Would he ever come back to the Red Cloud? Would she be there when +he did return? Would their quest be successful? These questions +the lad asked himself, as he followed his companions along the +rocky trail.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we can find the road by which these men go in and out +of the cave," suggested Mr. Damon, when they had gone on for +several miles.</p> + +<p>"I fancy not," replied Mr. Jenks. "They probably take great +pains to hide it. I think though, that our best plan will be to +go here and there, looking for the entrance to the cave. I +believe I would remember the place."</p> + +<p>"But why can't you follow the directions given by the miner who +told you about Phantom Mountain?" asked Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Because his talk was too indefinite," answered Mr. Jenks. "He +was so frightened by seeing what he believed to be a ghost, that +he didn't take much notice of the location of the place. All he +knows is that Phantom Mountain is somewhere around here."</p> + +<p>"And we've got to hunt until we find it; is that the idea?" +asked Mr. Parker.</p> + +<p>"Or until we see the phantom" added Tom, in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"Bless my topknot!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "You don't mean to say +you expect to see that ghost; do you Tom?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps," answered the young inventor, and he did not add +something else of which he was thinking. For Tom had a curious +theory regarding the phantom.</p> + +<p>They tramped about the remainder of that day. Toward evening +Tom shot some birds, which made a welcome addition to their +supper. Then the tent was put together, some spruce and hemlock +boughs were cut to make a soft bed, and on these, while the light +of a campfire gleamed in on them, the adventurers slept.</p> + +<p>Their experience the following day was similar to the first. +They saw no evidence of a large cave such as Mr. Jenks had +described, nor were there any traces of men having gone back and +forth among the mountains, as might have been expected of the +diamond makers, for, as Mr. Jenks had said, they made frequent +journeys to the settlement for food, and other supplies.</p> + +<p>"Well, I haven't begun to give up yet," announced Tom, on the +third day, when their quest was still unsuccessful. "But I think +we are making one mistake."</p> + +<p>"What is that?" inquired Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>"I think we should go up higher. In my opinion the cave is near +the top of some peak; isn't it, Mr. Jenks?"</p> + +<p>"I have that impression, though, as you know, I never saw the +outside of it. Still, it might not be a bad idea to ascend some +of these peaks."</p> + +<p>Following this suggestion, they laid their trail more toward +the sky, and that night found them encamped several thousand feet +above the sea-level. It was quite cool, and the campfire was a +big one about which they sat after supper, talking of many +things.</p> + +<p>Tom did not sleep well that night. He tossed from side to side +on the bed of boughs, and once or twice got up to replenish the +fire, which had burned low. His companions were in deep slumber.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what time it is?" mused Tom, when he had been up the +third time to throw wood on the blaze. "Must be near morning." He +looked at his watch, and was somewhat startled to see that it was +only a little after twelve. Somehow it seemed much later.</p> + +<p>As he was putting the timepiece back into his pocket the lad +looked around at the dark and gloomy mountains, amid which they +were encamped. As his gaze wandered toward the peak of the one on +the side of which the tent was pitched, he gave a start of +surprise.</p> + +<p>For, coming down a place where, that afternoon, Tom had noticed +a sort of indefinite trail was a figure in white. A tall, waving +figure, which swayed this way and that—a figure which halted and +then came on again.</p> + +<p>"I wonder—I wonder if that can be a wisp of fog?" mused the +young inventor. He rubbed his eyes, thinking it might be a +swirling of the night mist or a defect of vision. Then, as he saw +more plainly, he noticed the thing in white rushing toward him.</p> + +<p>"It's the phantom—the phantom!" cried Tom, aloud. "It's the +thing the miner saw! We're on Phantom Mountain now!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV_WARNED_BACK" id="CHAPTER_XIV_WARNED_BACK" />CHAPTER XIV—WARNED BACK</h2> + + +<p>Tom's cries awakened the sleepers in the tent. Mr. Damon was +the first to rush out.</p> + +<p>"Bless my nightcap, Tom!" he cried. "What is it? What has +happened? Are we attacked by a mountain lion?"</p> + +<p>For answer the young inventor pointed up the mountain, to +where, in the dim light from a crescent moon, there stood boldly +revealed, the figure in white.</p> + +<p>"Bless—bless my very existence!" cried the odd man. "What is +it, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"The phantom," was the quiet answer. "Watch it, and see what it +does."</p> + +<p>By this time Mr. Jenks and Mr. Parker had joined Tom and Mr. +Damon. The four diamond seekers stood gazing at the apparition. +And, as they looked, the thing in white, seemingly too tall for +any human being, slid slowly forward, with a gliding motion. Then +it raised its long, white arms, and waved them threateningly at +the adventurers.</p> + +<p>"It's motioning us to go back," said Mr. Parker in an awed +whisper. "It doesn't want us to go any farther."</p> + +<p>"Very likely," agreed Tom, coolly. "But we're not going to be +frightened by anything like that; are we?"</p> + +<p>"Not much!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks. "I expected this. A ghost +can't drive me back from getting my rights from those scoundrels!"</p> + +<p>"Suppose it uses a revolver to back up its demand?" asked the +scientist.</p> + +<p>"Wait until it does," answered Mr. Jenks. But the figure in +white evidently had no such intentions. It came on a little +distance farther, still waving the long arms threateningly, and +then it suddenly disappeared, seeming to dissolve in the misty +shadows of the night.</p> + +<p>"Bless my suspenders!" cried Mr. Damon. "That's a very +strange proceeding! Very strange! What do you make of it, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"It is evidently some man dressed up in a sheet," declared Mr. +Jenks. "I expected as much."</p> + +<p>"The work of those diamond makers; do you think?" continued Mr. +Damon.</p> + +<p>"I believe so," answered Tom, slowly, for he was trying to +think it out. "I believe they are the cause of the phantom, +though I don't know that it's a man dressed in a sheet."</p> + +<p>"Why isn't it?" demanded Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>"Because it was too tall for a man, unless he's a giant."</p> + +<p>"He may have been on stilts," suggested Mr. Parker.</p> + +<p>"No man on stilts could walk along that way," declared Tom, +confidently. "He glided along too easily. I am inclined to think +it may be some sort of a light."</p> + +<p>"A light?" queried Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"Yes, the diamond makers may be hidden in some small cave near +here, and they may have some sort of a magic lantern or a similar +arrangement, for throwing a shadow picture. They could arrange it +to move as they liked, and could cause it to disappear at will. +That, I think, is the ghost we have just seen."</p> + +<p>"But the diamond makers have only been in this mountain +recently," objected Mr. Jenks, "and the phantom was here before +them. In fact, that was what gave the place its name."</p> + +<p>"That may be," admitted the lad. "There are many places that +have the name of being haunted, but no one ever sees the ghost. +It is always some one else, who has heard of some one who has +seen it. That may have been the case here. I grant that this +place may have been called 'Phantom Mountain' for a number of +years, due to the superstitious tales of miners. The diamond +makers came along, found the conditions just right for their +work, and adopted the ghost, so to speak. As there wasn't any +real spirit they made one, and they use it to scare people away. +I think that's what we've just seen, though I may be wrong in my +theory as to what the phantom is."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's gone now, at any rate," said Mr. Jenks, "and I +think we'd better get back inside the tent. It's cold out here."</p> + +<p>"Aren't some of us going to stand guard?" demanded Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"What for?" asked Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>"Why—er—bless my key-ring! Suppose that ghost takes a notion +to come down here, and use his gun, as he did on the miners?"</p> + +<p>"I don't believe that will happen," remarked Tom. "The diamond +makers, if the white thing had anything to do with them, have +given us a warning, and I think they'll at least wait until +morning to see how we heed it."</p> + +<p>"We aren't going to heed it!" burst out Mr. Jenks. "I'm going +to go right ahead and find that cave where they make diamonds!"</p> + +<p>"And we're with you!" exclaimed Tom. "We'll have a good fire +going the rest of the night, and that may keep intruders away. In +the morning we'll begin our search, and we'll go up the trail +where we saw the white figure."</p> + +<p>A big pile of wood had been collected for the fire, and Tom now +piled some logs and branches on the blaze. It would last for some +time now, and the adventurers, still talking of the "ghost" went +back into the tent. It was over an hour before they all got to +sleep again, and Mr. Jenks and Mr. Damon took turns in getting up +once or twice during the remainder of the night to replenish the +fire.</p> + +<p>Morning dawned without anything further having occurred to +disturb them, and, after a hearty breakfast, to which Tom added +some fish he caught in a nearby mountain stream, they set off up +the trail on Phantom Mountain.</p> + +<p>They had left their tent standing, as they proposed making that +spot their headquarters until they located the cave they were +seeking. What their course would be after that would depend on +the circumstances.</p> + +<p>If they had expected to have an easy task locating the cavern +in which Mr. Jenks had seen diamonds made, the adventurers were +disappointed. All that day they tramped up and down the mountain, +looking for some secret entrance, but none was disclosed. The +higher they went up the great peak, the fainter became the trail, +until, at length it vanished completely.</p> + +<p>But this was not to be wondered at, since it was on solid rock, +in which no footsteps would leave an impression.</p> + +<p>"They never brought you up here in a wagon, Mr. Jenks," decided +Tom, when he saw how steep the place was.</p> + +<p>"I'm inclined to think so myself," admitted the diamond man. +"They must have reached the cave from some other way. As a matter +of fact, I walked some distance after getting out of the vehicle, +before we got to the cavern. But, even at that, I don't believe +we came this way."</p> + +<p>"Yet the phantom was here," persisted Tom, "and I'm convinced +that the cave is in this neighborhood. It's up to us to find it!"</p> + +<p>But they searched the remainder of that day in vain, and as +night was coming on, they made their way back to the camp. As +Tom, who was in the lead, approached the tent, he saw something +black fastened to the entrance.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" he cried. "Some one's been here. That wasn't on the +tent when he left this morning."</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"A black piece of paper, written on with white ink," replied +the lad. He was reading it, and, as he perused it a look of +surprise came over his face.</p> + +<p>"Listen to this!" called Tom. "It's evidently from the diamond +makers."</p> + +<p>Holding up the black paper, on which the white writing stood +out in bold relief Tom read aloud:</p> + + +<p>"Be warned in time! Go back before it is too late! You are near +to death! Go back!"</p> + + +<p>"Bless my shoelaces!" cried Mr. Damon. "This is getting +serious."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV_THE_LANDSLIDE" id="CHAPTER_XV_THE_LANDSLIDE" />CHAPTER XV—THE LANDSLIDE</h2> + + +<p>Gathered about the young inventor, the three men looked at the +warning. The writing was poor, and it was evident that an attempt +had been made to disguise it. But there was no misspelling of +words, and there were no rudely drawn daggers, or bloody hands or +anything of that sort. In fact, it was a very business-like sort +of warning.</p> + +<p>"Rather odd," commented Mr. Jenks. "Black paper and white ink."</p> + +<p>"White ink is easy enough to make," stated Mr. Parker. "I fancy +they wanted it as conspicuous as possible."</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Tom, "and this warning, together with the antics +of the thing in white last night, shows that they are aware of +our presence here, and perhaps know who we are. We will have to +be on our guard."</p> + +<p>"Do you think that fellow Munson, whom we left in the forest, +could have gotten here and warned them?" asked Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"It's possible," admitted Tom, "but now let's see if the person +who pinned this warning on our tent took any of our things."</p> + +<p>A hasty examination, however, showed that nothing had been +disturbed, and Tom and Mr. Damon were soon getting supper ready, +everyone talking, during the progress of the meal, about the +events of the day, and the rather weird culmination of it.</p> + +<p>"Well, we haven't had a great deal of success—so far," +admitted Tom, as they sat about the fire, in the fast gathering +dusk. "I think, perhaps, we'd better try on the other side of the +mountain to-morrow. We've explored this side pretty thoroughly."</p> + +<p>"Good idea," commented Mr. Jenks. "We'll do it, and move our +camp. I only hope those fellows don't find our airship and +destroy it. We'll have a hard time getting back to civilization +again, if we have to walk all the way."</p> + +<p>This contingency caused Tom some uneasiness. He did not like to +think that the unscrupulous men might damage the Red Cloud, that +had been built only after hard labor. But he knew he could +accomplish nothing by worrying, and he tried to dismiss the +matter from his mind.</p> + +<p>They rather expected to see the thing in white again that +night, but it did not appear, and morning came without anything +having disturbed their heavy sleep, for they were tired from the +day's tramp.</p> + +<p>It took them the greater part of the day to make a circuit of +the base of Phantom Mountain in order to get to a place where a +sort of trail led upward.</p> + +<p>"It's too late to do anything to-night," decided Tom, as they +set up the tent. "We'll rest, and start the first thing in the +morning."</p> + +<p>"And the ghost isn't likely to find us here," added Mr. Damon. +"Where are you going, Mr. Parker?" he asked, as he saw the +scientist tramping a little way up the side of the mountain.</p> + +<p>"I am going to make some observations," was the answer, and no +one paid any more attention to him for some time. Supper was +nearly ready when Mr. Parker returned. His face wore a rather +serious air, and Mr. Damon, noting it, asked laughingly:</p> + +<p>"Well, did you discover any volcanoes, that may erupt during +the night, and scare us to death?"</p> + +<p>"No," replied Mr. Parker, calmly, "but there is every +indication that we will soon have a terrific electrical storm. +From a high peak I caught a glimpse of one working this way +across the mountains."</p> + +<p>"Then we'd better fasten the tent well down," called Tom. "We +don't want it to blow away."</p> + +<p>"There will not be much danger from wind," was Mr. Parker's +opinion.</p> + +<p>"From what then?" asked Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>"From the discharges of lightning among these mountain peaks, +which contain so much iron ore. We will be in grave danger."</p> + +<p>The fact that the scientist had not always made correct +predictions was not now considered by his hearers, and Tom and +the two men gazed at Mr. Parker in some alarm.</p> + +<p>"Is there anything we can do to avoid it?" asked Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>"The only thing to do would be to leave the mountain," was the +answer, "and, as the iron ore extends for miles, we can not get +out of the danger zone before the storm will reach us. It will be +here in less than half an hour."</p> + +<p>"Then we'd better have supper," remarked Tom, practically, "and +get ready for it. Perhaps it may not be as bad as Mr. Parker +fears."</p> + +<p>"It will be bad enough," declared the gloomy scientist, and he +seemed to find pleasure in his announcement.</p> + +<p>The meal was soon over, and Tom busied himself in looking to +the guy ropes of the tent, for he feared lest there might be wind +with the storm. That it was coming was evident, for now low +mutterings of thunder could be heard off toward the west.</p> + +<p>Black clouds rapidly obscured the heavens, and the sound of +thunder increased. Fitful flashes of lightning could be seen +forking across the sky in jagged chains of purple light.</p> + +<p>"It's going to be a heavy storm," Tom admitted to himself. "I +hope lightning doesn't strike around here."</p> + +<p>The storm came on rapidly, but there was a curious quietness in +the air that was more alarming than if a wind had blown. The +campfire burned steadily, and there was a certain oppressiveness +in the atmosphere.</p> + +<p>It was now quite dark, save when the fitful lightning flashes +came, and they illuminated the scene brilliantly for a few +seconds. Then, by contrast, it was blacker than ever.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, as Tom was gazing up toward the peak of Phantom +Mountain, he saw something that caused him to cry out in alarm. +He pointed upward, and whispered hoarsely:</p> + +<p>"The ghost again! There's our friend in white!"</p> + +<p>The others looked, and saw the same weird figure that had +menaced them when they were encamped on the other side of the +peak.</p> + +<p>"They must have followed us," said Mr. Jenks, in a low voice.</p> + +<p>Slowly the figure advanced, It waved the long white arms, as if +in warning. At times it would be only dimly visible in the +blackness, then, suddenly it would stand out in bold relief as a +great flash of fire split the clouds.</p> + +<p>The thunder, meanwhile, had been growing louder and sharper, +indicating the nearer approach of the storm. Each lightning flash +was followed in a second or two, by a terrific clap. Still there +was no wind nor rain, and the campfire burned steadily.</p> + +<p>All at once there was a crash as if the very mountain had split +asunder, and the adventurers saw a great ball of purple-bluish +fire shoot down, as if from some cloud, and strike against the +side of the crag, not a hundred feet from where stood the ghostly +figure in white.</p> + +<p>"That was a bad one," cried Mr. Damon, shouting so as to be +heard above the echoes of the thunderclap.</p> + +<p>Almost as he spoke there came another explosion, even louder +than the one preceding. A great ball of fire, pear shaped, leaped +for the same spot in the mountain.</p> + +<p>"There's a mass of iron ore there!" yelled Mr. Parker. "The +lightning is attracted to it!"</p> + +<p>His voice was swallowed up in the terrific crash that followed, +and, as there came another flash of the celestial fire, the +figure in white could be seen hurrying back up the mountain +trail. Evidently the electrical storm, with lightning bolts +discharging so close, was too much for the "ghost."</p> + +<p>In another instant it looked as if the whole place about where +the diamond seekers stood, was a mass of fire. Great forked +tongues of lightning leaped from the clouds, and seemed to lick +the ground. There was a rattle and bang of thunder, like the +firing of a battery of guns. Tom and the others felt themselves +tingling all over, as if they had hold of an electrical battery, +and there was a strong smell of sulphur in the air.</p> + +<p>"We are in the midst of the storm!" cried Mr. Parker. "We are +standing on a mass of iron ore! Any minute may be our last!"</p> + +<p>But fate had not intended the adventurers for death by +lightning. Almost as suddenly as it had begun, the discharge of +the tongues of fire ceased in the immediate vicinity of our +friends. They stood still—awed—not knowing what to do.</p> + +<p>Then, once more, came a terrific clap! A great mass of fire, +like some red-hot ingot from a foundry, was hurled through the +air, straight at the face of the mountain, and at the spot where +the figure in white had stood but a few minutes before.</p> + +<p>Instantly the earth trembled, as it had at Earthquake Island, +but it was not the same. It was over in a few seconds. Then, as +the diamond seekers looked, they saw in the glare of a score of +lightning flashes that followed the one great clap, the whole +side of the mountain slip away, and go crashing into the valley +below.</p> + +<p>"A landslide!" cried Mr. Parker. "That is the landslide which I +predicted! The lightning bolt has split Phantom Mountain!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI_THE_VAST_CAVERN" id="CHAPTER_XVI_THE_VAST_CAVERN" />CHAPTER XVI—THE VAST CAVERN</h2> + + +<p>For a time the roiling, slipping, sliding and tumbling of the +mass of earth and stones, down the side of the mountain, +effectually drowned all other sounds. Even the thunder was +stilled, and though Tom and his companions called to one another +in terror, their voices could not rise above that terrific +tumult.</p> + +<p>Finally, when they found that the direction of the slide was +away from their tent, and that they were not likely to be +engulfed, they grew more calm.</p> + +<p>Gradually the noise subsided. The great boulders had rolled to +the bottom of the valley, and now only a mass of earth and stones +was sliding down. Even this stopped in about five minutes, and, +as though satisfied with what it had done, the electrical storm +passed. Not a drop of rain had fallen.</p> + +<p>"Bless my shirt studs!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, who was the first +to speak after the din had quieted. "Bless my soul! But that was +awful!"</p> + +<p>"It was just what I expected," said Mr. Parker, calmly. "I +knew, from my observations, that we were in a region where +landslides and terrific electrical storms may be expected at any +time. I fully looked for this."</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Mr. Jenks, rather sarcastically, "I hope it +came up to your expectations, Mr. Parker."</p> + +<p>"Oh, fully," was the answer, "though I wish it could have +happened in daylight, so that I could better have observed +certain phenomena regarding the landslide. They are very +interesting."</p> + +<p>"At a distance," admitted Tom, with a laugh of relief. "Well, +I'm glad it's over, though we'll have to wait until morning to +see what damage has been done. Lucky we weren't struck by +lightning. I never saw such bolts!"</p> + +<p>"Me, either!" declared Mr. Damon. "This mountain seems to +attract them."</p> + +<p>"It is like a magnet," said Mr. Parker. "I think I shall be +able to make some fine observations here."</p> + +<p>"If we live through it," murmured Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>They watched the play of lightning about a distant bank of +clouds, but the storm was now far away, only a faint rumbling of +thunder being heard.</p> + +<p>"I'm wondering what happened to the phantom," said Tom, after a +pause. "Seems to me he was right in that track of the storm."</p> + +<p>"Do you think it was a 'he'?" asked Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>"I think we'll find that it's some sort of a man," answered the +young inventor. "We may find out very soon, now. I've changed my +theory about the ghost being reflections of light."</p> + +<p>"How's that?" Mr. Damon wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Well, I think we are on the side of Phantom Mountain where the +diamond cave is," went on the lad. "The fact that the phantom +appeared here, soon after we arrived, shows that the men kept +close track of our movements. It also shows, I think, that the +phantom did not have to travel far to be on the spot, whereas we +had to make quite a trip to get around the base of the mountain. +I think the cave is up there," and Tom pointed toward the spot +where the weird figure had been last seen, before the storm drove +it back.</p> + +<p>"There may be two phantoms," suggested Mr. Jenks. "They may +keep one on this side of the mountain, and one on the other, to +warn intruders away.</p> + +<p>"It's possible," admitted Tom. "Well, we'll see how things look +in the morning, when we'll take up our march again, and go up the +mountain. We'll reach the top, if possible, which we couldn't do +from the other side, as it was too steep."</p> + +<p>"I hope we shall be able to go forward in the morning," came +from Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" asked the lad, struck by a peculiar +significance in the diamond man's tones.</p> + +<p>"Why, that landslide may have opened a great gully in the side +of Phantom Mountain, which will prevent us from passing. It was a +terrific lot of earth and stones that slid away," answered Mr. +Jenks.</p> + +<p>"It certainly was," agreed Mr. Parker. "I would not be +surprised if the mountain was half destroyed, and it may be that +the diamond cave no longer exists."</p> + +<p>"Not very cheerful, to say the least," murmured Mr. Jenks to +Tom, and, as it was getting quite chilly, following the storm, +they went inside the tent.</p> + +<p>Tom could hardly wait for daylight, to get up and see what +havoc the landslide had wrought. As soon as the first faint flush +of dawn showed over the eastern peaks, he hurried from the tent. +Mr. Damon heard him arise, and followed.</p> + +<p>A curious scene met their eyes. All about were great rocks rent +and torn by the awful power of the lightning. The fronts of the +stone cliffs were scarred and burned by the electrical fire, and +fantastic markings, grotesque faces, and leering animals seemed +to have been drawn by some gigantic artist who used a bolt from +heaven for his brush.</p> + +<p>But the eyes of Tom and Mr. Damon took all this in at a glance, +and then their gaze went forward to where the avalanche had torn +away a great part of the mountain.</p> + +<p>"Whew! I should say it was a landslide!" cried Tom.</p> + +<p>"Bless my wishbone, yes!" agreed Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>Below them, in the valley, lay piled immense masses of earth +and stones. Boulders were heaped up on boulders, and rocks upon +rocks, being tossed about in heaps, strung about in long ridges, +and swirled about in curves, as though some cyclone had toyed +with them after the lightning flash had tossed them there.</p> + +<p>"But the mountain isn't half gone," said Tom, as his eyes took +in what was left of the phantom berg. "I guess it will take a few +more bolts like that one, to put this hill out of business."</p> + +<p>Though the landslide had been a great one, the larger part of +the mountain still stood. An immense slice had been taken from +one side, but the summit was untouched.</p> + +<p>"And there's where the diamond cave is!" cried Tom, pointing to +it.</p> + +<p>"I think so myself," agreed Mr. Jenks, who came from the tent +at that moment, and joined the lad and Mr. Damon. "I think we +shall find the cave somewhere up there. We must start for it, as +soon as we have eaten, and we may reach it by night."</p> + +<p>The three stood gazing up toward the summit of the great +mountain. Suddenly, as the sun rose higher in the heavens, it +sent a shaft of rosy light on the face of the berg that had been +scarred by the landslide. Tom Swift uttered an exclamation, and +pointed at something.</p> + +<p>"See!" he cried. "Look where the trail is—the trail down which +the phantom must have come. It is on the edge of a cliff now!"</p> + +<p>They looked, and saw that this was so. The increasing light had +just revealed it to them. When the lightning bolt had torn away a +great portion of the mountain it had cut sheer down for a great +depth and when the earth and stones fell away they left a narrow +pathway, winding around the mountain, but so near the edge of a +great chasm, that there was room but for one person at a time to +walk on that footway. The uncertain trail up Phantom Mountain had +all but been destroyed.</p> + +<p>"The way up to the peak is by that path, now," spoke Tom, in a +low voice.</p> + +<p>"Bless my soul!" cried Mr. Damon. "It's as much as a man's life +is worth to attempt it. If he got dizzy, he'd topple over, and +fall a thousand feet. Dare we risk it?"</p> + +<p>"It's the only way to get up," went on Tom. "It's either that +way, or not at all. We've tried the other side without success. +We must go up this way—or turn back."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll go up!" cried Mr. Jenks. "It may not be as +dangerous as it looks from here."</p> + +<p>But it was even more dangerous than it appeared, when they went +part way up it after a hasty breakfast. The trail was a mere +ledge of rock now, and in some places, to get around a projecting +edge of the mountain, they had to stand with their backs to the +dizzy depths at their feet, and with both arms outstretched work +their way around to where the trail was wider.</p> + +<p>"Shall we risk it?" asked Tom, when they had tried the way, and +found it so dangerous. "We can't take anything with us—even our +guns, for we couldn't carry them, and if we reach the month of +the cave, and find those men there—"</p> + +<p>He paused significantly. The adventurers looked at one another. +The search for the diamond makers was becoming more and more +dangerous.</p> + +<p>"I say let's go on!" decided Mr. Damon, suddenly. "We want to +locate that cave, first of all. Perhaps, when we do find it, we +may see some easier way of getting to it than this. And if those +diamond makers do attack us—well, I don't believe they'll shoot +defenseless men, and they may listen to reason, and give Mr. +Jenks his rights—tell him how to make diamonds in return for the +money he gave them."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe those scoundrels will listen to reason," +replied the diamond man, "but I agree with Mr. Damon that we +ought to go on. We may find some other means of reaching the +cave—if we can discover it, and we'll take a chance with the +men."</p> + +<p>"Forward it is, then!" cried Tom. "I have a revolver, and I can +supply one of you gentlemen with another. They may come in useful +in an emergency. Let's go back to camp, take a little lunch in +our pockets, and try to scale the mountain."</p> + +<p>They were soon on their way up the dizzy path once more, and, +as they advanced, they found it growing more and more dangerous. +In some places they found it almost impossible to get around +certain corners, where there was barely room for their feet. As +Tom remarked grimly, a fat man never could have done it. +Fortunately they were all comparatively thin, for their hard +work, and not too abundant food, since they had left the airship, +had reduced their weight.</p> + +<p>Up and up they went, higher and higher, sometimes finding the +path wide enough for two to walk abreast, and again seeing it +narrow almost to a ribbon. They hardly dared look down into the +chasm at their left—a chasm filled, in part, with the rocks and +boulders tossed into it by the lightning bolt.</p> + +<p>Tom was in the lead, and had just made a dangerous turn around +a shoulder of rock—one of those places where he had to extend +both arms, and fairly hug the cliff before he could get around.</p> + +<p>But, when he had made it, and found himself on a broad pathway, +cut in the living rock, he gave a great shout—a shout that +caused his companions to hasten to his side. They found the young +inventor pointing to a clump of bushes and small trees.</p> + +<p>But it was not the shrubbery that Tom desired to call to their +attention. They saw that in an instant, for, dimly seen through +the leaves, was something black, and, as they looked more +closely, they saw that it was a great hole in the side of the +mountain—a vast cavern, opening like a tunnel.</p> + +<p>"The cave! The cave!" cried Tom. "The diamond makers' cave!"</p> + +<p>Hardly had he spoken than two men, each one carrying a gun, +showed themselves in the mouth of the cavern, and, instant later +they both ran toward the little party of adventurers.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII_THE_PHANTOM_CAPTURED" id="CHAPTER_XVII_THE_PHANTOM_CAPTURED" />CHAPTER XVII—THE PHANTOM CAPTURED</h2> + + +<p>Surprise held Tom and his friends almost spellbound for the +moment. The young inventor's hand went toward the pocket where he +carried his revolver. Mr. Jenks, who had the only other weapon, +sought to draw it, but he was stopped by a gesture of one of the +two men with guns.</p> + +<p>"Hold on, strangers!" the man cried. "I know what you're up to! +Better not try to draw anything—it might not be healthy. Now, +then, who are you, and what do you want?"</p> + +<p>The question came rather as a surprise, at least to Tom and Mr. +Jenks. They had taken it for granted that these men—if they were +the diamond makers—would know Mr. Jenks, and guess at his errand +in coming back to Phantom Mountain. But, it seemed, that they +took them all for casual strangers.</p> + +<p>No one answered for a moment. Tom caught the eye of Mr. Jenks, +and there was a look of hope in it. If ever there was a time for +strategy, it was now. Evidently Munson, the stowaway on the +airship, had not yet been able to send a warning to his +confederates. And neither of the two men recognized Mr. Jenks as +the man who had been defrauded of his rights. It might be +possible to conceal the real object of the adventurers until they +had time to formulate a plan of action.</p> + +<p>"Well," exclaimed the man with the gun, impatiently, "I ask you +folks a question. What do you want?"</p> + +<p>Fortunately, neither Mr. Damon nor Mr. Parker replied. The +former because he deferred to Tom and Mr. Jenks, and the +scientist because he was busy inspecting some curious rocks he +picked up. As it turned out this was the luckiest thing he could +have done. It lent color to what Mr. Jenks said a moment later.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing up here?" demanded the man again. "Don't +you know this is private property?"</p> + +<p>"We—we were just looking around," answered Mr. Jenks, which +was true enough; as far as it went.</p> + +<p>"Prospecting," added Tom.</p> + +<p>"After gold?" demanded the second man, suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"We'd be glad to find some," retorted the lad. At that moment +Mr. Parker began breaking off bits of rock with a small +geologist's hammer which he carried. The men with the guns looked +at him.</p> + +<p>"So you think you'll find gold up here?" asked the one who had +first spoken.</p> + +<p>"Is there any?" inquired Tom, trying to make his voice sound +eager.</p> + +<p>"Nary a bit, strangers," was the answer, and the two men +laughed heartily. "Now, we don't want to seem harsh," went on the +man who seemed to be the spokesman, "but you'd better get away +from here. This is private ground, and dangerous too—how'd you +ever get up the trail—we heard it was destroyed."</p> + +<p>"There is still a narrow path," said Mr. Jenks. "We came up +that—the lightning and landslide haven't left much of it, +though."</p> + +<p>Mr. Parker looked quickly up from the rocks at which he was +tapping with his small hammer. "You have terrific lightning up +here," he said. "I am much interested in it, from a scientific +standpoint. I predict that some day the entire mountain will be +destroyed by a blast from the sky."</p> + +<p>"I hope it won't be right away," spoke one of the men. "Now I +guess you folks had better be leaving while there's a path left +to go down by."</p> + +<p>"Might I ask," broke in Mr. Parker, as calmly as though he was +lecturing to a class of students, "might I ask if you have +noticed any peculiar effect of the lightning up here on the +summit of the mountain? Does it fuse and melt rocks, so to +speak?"</p> + +<p>"What's that?" cried the spokesman, with a sudden flash of +anger. The two men looked at each other.</p> + +<p>"I wanted to know, merely for scientific reasons, whether the +lightning up here ever melted rocks?" repeated Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>"Well, whether it's for scientific reasons or for any other, +I'm not going to answer you!" snapped the man. "It's none of your +affair what the lightning does up here. Now you'd all better +'vamoose'—clear out!"</p> + +<p>"All right—we'll go," said Tom, quickly, at the same time +motioning to Mr. Jenks to agree with him. The eyes of the young +inventor were roving about. He saw what looked like a second +trail, leading down the mountain, from the far side of the cave. +He was convinced now that there was another way to get to it. +Possibly they might find it. At any rate nothing more could be +done now. They must go back, for the cavern was too well guarded +to attempt to enter it by force—at least just yet.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we'll go back," assented Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>Mr. Parker was tapping away at the rocks. He looked toward the +black mouth of the big cave. On what corresponded to the roof of +it, some distance back from the entrance, he saw a slender metal +rod sticking up into the air.</p> + +<p>"May I ask if that's a lightning rod?" he inquired innocently. +"If it is, I should like to ask about its action in a mountain +that is so impregnated with iron ore.</p> + +<p>"You may ask until you get tired!" cried the spokesman, again +showing unreasoning anger, "but you'll get no answer from us. Now +get away from here before we do something desperate. You're on +private ground and you're not wanted. Clear out while you have +the chance."</p> + +<p>There was no help for it. Slowly our friends turned and began +to go down the dangerous trail. They were soon out of sight of +the two men who stood before the cave, with their guns ready, but +neither Tom nor any of his companions spoke for some time.</p> + +<p>When they had rounded one of the most dangerous turns the young +inventor sat down to rest, an example followed by the others.</p> + +<p>"Well," asked Tom, "do you think those are some of the diamond +makers, Mr. Jenks?"</p> + +<p>"I certainly do, though I never saw those two men before. If I +could once get inside the cave, I could tell whether or not it +was the one where I was practically held a prisoner. But I'm sure +it is. I know some of the men used to go off every day with guns, +and not come back until night. I have no doubt they were on +guard, just as these two are. And, also, I think I heard them +speak of a second entrance to the cavern. The one we just saw may +not be the main one, through which I was taken."</p> + +<p>"I believe we are on the right track," ventured Mr. Damon, "but +we will either have to go up there after dark, which will be +risky, on account of the narrow trail, or else we will have to +find some other path."</p> + +<p>"The last would be better," spoke Tom.</p> + +<p>"That rod of metal sticking up on top of the cave interested +me," said the scientist. "Did you hear anything of that when you +were here before, Mr. Jenks?"</p> + +<p>"No. Probably that is only a lightning rod, or it may be a +staff for a signal flag. But what surprises me is that those men +didn't suspect that we were seeking to discover their secret. +They took us for ordinary prospectors."</p> + +<p>"So much the better," remarked Tom. "We have a chance now of +getting inside that cave. But we will have to go back to camp, +and make other plans. And we must hurry, or it will be dark +before we get there."</p> + +<p>They hastened their steps, pausing only briefly to eat some of +the lunch they had brought along, and to drink from a spring that +bubbled from the side of the mountain. It was getting dusk when +they got back to their tent. They found nothing disturbed.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if we'll see that phantom again to-night?" ventured +Tom, as they were sitting about the campfire a little later.</p> + +<p>"Probably not," remarked Mr. Jenks. "I don't believe the ghost +will venture down the dangerous trail after dark, and the gang +may think that the warning given us by the two men on guard at +the cave will be sufficient. But if we don't leave here by +to-morrow I think we will have another visit from the thing in +white."</p> + +<p>It was about an hour after this when Tom was collecting some +wood in a pile nearer the fire, so as to have it ready to throw +on, in case there was any alarm in the night, that he happened to +look up toward the summit of the mountain. A slight noise, as of +loose stones rolling down, attracted his attention, and, at +first, he feared lest another landslide was beginning, but a +moment later he saw what caused it.</p> + +<p>There, advancing down the steep and dangerous trail was the +figure in white—the phantom. Instantly a daring plan came into +Tom's head. Dropping the wood softly, he moved back out of the +glare of the fire.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Jenks!" he called in a whisper.</p> + +<p>The diamond man, who was behind the tent, came toward Tom.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" he asked. Then, as he saw the ghostly visitor, he +added: "Oh—the phantom again! What's it up to?"</p> + +<p>"The same thing," replied Tom, "but it won't do it long, if my +plan succeeds."</p> + +<p>"What plan is that, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"I'm going to try to capture that—that man—or whatever it is. +Will you help?"</p> + +<p>"Surely!"</p> + +<p>"Then let's work around behind it, while Mr. Damon and Mr. +Parker come up from in front. We'll solve this part of the +mystery, anyhow, if it's possible!"</p> + +<p>The two other men were soon told of the plan. Meanwhile the +thing in white had advanced slowly, until within a few hundred +feet of the camp. They could see now that it was no shaft of +light, but some white body, shaped like a tall, thin man, draped +in a white garment. The long arms waved to and fro. There was no +semblance of a head.</p> + +<p>"You and Mr. Parker go right toward it, slowly, Mr. Damon," +advised Tom. "Mr. Jenks and I will make a circle, and get in +back. Then, if it's anything alive we'll have it."</p> + +<p>The "ghost" continued to advance. Tom and the diamond man stole +off to one side, their buckskin moccasins making no sound. Mr. +Damon and the scientist went boldly forward.</p> + +<p>This movement appeared to disconcert the spirit. It halted, +waved the arms with greater vigor than before, and seemed to +indicate to the adventurers that it was dangerous to advance. But +Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker kept on. They wanted to give Tom and Mr. +Jenks time enough to make the circuit.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the stillness of the night was broken by a low +whistle. It was Tom's signal that he and Mr. Jenks were ready.</p> + +<p>"Come on! Run!" cried Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>The scientist and the eccentric man leaped forward.</p> + +<p>The "ghost" heard the whistle, and heard the spoken words. The +thing in white hesitated a moment, and then raised one arm. There +was a flash of lire, and a loud report.</p> + +<p>"He's firing in the air!" cried Tom. "Come on, we have him +now!"</p> + +<p>Undaunted by the display of firearms, Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker +kept on. They could hear Tom and Mr. Jenks running up in back of +the figure. The latter also heard this, and suddenly turned. +Caught between the two forces of our friends, the "ghost" was at +a loss what to do.</p> + +<p>The next instant Tom, who had distanced Mr. Jenks, made a +flying tackle for the figure in white, and caught it around the +legs. Very substantial legs they were, too, Tom felt—the legs of +a man.</p> + +<p>"Wow!" yelled the "ghost," as he went down in a heap, the +revolver falling from his hand.</p> + +<p>"Come on!" cried Tom. "I have him!"</p> + +<p>His friends rushed to his aid. There was a confused mass of +dark bodies, arms and legs mingled with something tall and thin, +all in white. Suddenly the moon came from behind a cloud and they +could see what they had captured—for captured the phantom was.</p> + +<p>It proved to be a rather small man, who wore upon his shoulders +a framework of wood, over which some white cloth was draped. It +had fallen off him when Tom made that tackle.</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked the young inventor, as he sat on the +struggling man's chest. "I guess we've got you."</p> + +<p>"I rather guess you have, stranger," was the cool reply.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII_BILL_RENSHAW_WILL_HELP" id="CHAPTER_XVIII_BILL_RENSHAW_WILL_HELP" />CHAPTER XVIII—BILL RENSHAW WILL HELP</h2> + + +<p>They were all panting from the exertion of the run up the +mountain and the contest with the phantom—a phantom no longer—though, +truth to tell, the struggle was not nearly so fierce as +Tom had expected. He thought the "ghost" would put up a stiff +fight.</p> + +<p>"Got any ropes to tie him with?" asked Mr. Damon, who was +helping Tom hold the man down.</p> + +<p>"Ropes? You aren't going to tie me up are you, strangers?" +asked the captive.</p> + +<p>"That's what we are!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks. "We've had trouble +enough in this matter, and if I've got one of the gang, perhaps I +can get some of the others, and have my rights. So tie him up, +Tom, and we'll take him to camp.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you needn't go to all that trouble, strangers," went on +the man, calmly. "If one of you will get off my chest, and the +other gentleman ease up on my stomach a bit, I'll walk wherever +you want me, and not make any trouble. I haven't got a gun."</p> + +<p>"Bless my gloves! But you're a cool one," commented Mr. Damon, +as he complied with the man's request, and got up from his +stomach. "But look out for him, Tom. He had a gun, for he fired +it in the air."</p> + +<p>"He hasn't it now," answered the young inventor. "I knocked it +from his hand when I leaped for him."</p> + +<p>"That's what you did," assented the man, as he got up, while +Tom kept a tight hold of him, as did Mr. Jenks. "What kind of a +grizzly bear hug do you call that, anyhow, that you gave me?"</p> + +<p>"That was a football tackle," explained Tom.</p> + +<p>"I allers heard that was a dangerous game!" remarked the former +phantom simply. "Well, now you've got me, what are you going to +do with me?"</p> + +<p>"Take you where we can have a good look at you," replied Mr. +Jenks, as he kicked aside the wooden framework, and the sheet +which had made the "ghost" appear so tall. "So this is how you +worked it; eh?"</p> + +<p>"Yep. That was the 'haunt' stranger. I made it myself, and it +worked all right until you folks come along. I rather suspicioned +from the first, when I played the trick over on 'tother side of +the mountain, that you wouldn't be so easy to fool as most +prospectors are."</p> + +<p>"Oh, so you're the only ghost then?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"I'm the only one."</p> + +<p>By this time they had reached the camp. Tom threw some light +logs on the fire, which blazed up brightly. As the flames +illuminated the face of their captive, Mr. Jenks looked at him, +and cried out:</p> + +<p>"Why it's Bill Renshaw!"</p> + +<p>"That's me," admitted the man who had played the part of the +phantom, "and thunder-turtles! if it ain't Mr. Jenks who was once +in the diamond cave with us. Whatever happened to you? I never +heard. The others said you got tired and went away."</p> + +<p>"They took me away—defrauded me of my rights!" declared Mr. +Jenks, bitterly. "But I'll get them back! To think of Bill +Renshaw playing the part of a ghost!"</p> + +<p>"They made me do it," went on the man, somewhat dejectedly. "I +wanted to be at work in the cave, but they wouldn't let me."</p> + +<p>"Is this man one of the diamond makers?" asked Tom, in great +surprise.</p> + +<p>"He is—one of the helpers, though I don't believe he knows the +secret of making the gems," explained Mr. Jenks. "He was one of +the men in the cave when I was there before, and he and I struck +up quite a friendship; didn't we, Renshaw?"</p> + +<p>"That's what, and there ain't no reason why we can't be friends +now; that is unless you hold a grudge against me for firing at +you. But I only shot in the air, to scare you away. Them's my +instructions. I'm supposed to be on guard, and scare away +strangers. I'm tired of the work, too, for I don't get my share, +and those other fellows, in the cave, get all the money from the +diamonds."</p> + +<p>Tom Swift uttered an exclamation. A sudden plan had come to +him. Quickly he whispered to Mr. Jenks:</p> + +<p>"Make a friend of this man if possible. He evidently is +dissatisfied. Offer him a sum to show us another way into the +cave, and we may yet discover the secret of the diamond makers."</p> + +<p>"I will," declared Mr. Jenks, quietly. Then, turning to +Renshaw, he added:</p> + +<p>"Bill, come over here. I want to have a talk with you. Perhaps +it will be to our mutual advantage."</p> + +<p>He led the former phantom to one side, and for some time +conversed earnestly with him. Mr. Jenks told the story of how he +had been deceived by Folwell and the others who were at the head +of the gang of diamond makers. The rich man related how they had +taken his money, and, after promising to disclose the secret +process to him, had broken faith, and had drugged him, afterward +taking him out of the cave.</p> + +<p>"I want only my rights, and that for which I paid," concluded +Mr. Jenks. "Now, I gather that these men haven't treated you +altogether fairly, Bill."</p> + +<p>"Indeed they haven't. I helped 'em to the best of my ability, +and all I get out of it is to stay out on this lonely side of the +mountain, and play ghost. They owe me money, too, and they won't +pay me, either, though they have lots, for they sold some +diamonds lately."</p> + +<p>"Then they are still making diamonds?" asked Mr. Jenks, +eagerly. "Have you seen them? Do you know the secret?"</p> + +<p>"No, I don't know it, for they won't let me in on it. I'm +always sent out of the cave just before they make the gems. But I +know they've made some lately, and have sold 'em. I want my +share."</p> + +<p>"Look here!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks, quickly, wishing to strike +while the iron was hot. "I'll make you a proposition. Show us how +to get into that cave, unknown to the diamond makers, and I'll +pay you twice what they agreed to. Is it a bargain?"</p> + +<p>Bill Renshaw considered a moment. Then he thrust out his hand, +clasped that of Mr. Jenks, and exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"It is. I'll take you into the cave by an entrance that's +seldom used. There are four ways to get in. The one where the two +men drove you back is the rear one. The front one is on the other +side of the mountain, but it's so well concealed that you'd never +find it. But I can take you to one where you can get in, and +those fellows will never know it. And, what's more, I'll help you +if it comes to a fight!"</p> + +<p>"Good!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks. "I think we'll discover the secret +of the diamond makers this time," and he went to tell the others +of the success of his talk. Bill Renshaw had been converted from +an enemy into a friend, and the former phantom was now ready to +lead Tom and the others into the secret cave.</p> + +<p>"We'll start in the morning," decided Mr. Jenks, who, after +many disappointments, at last saw success ahead of him.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX_IN_THE_SECRET_CAVE" id="CHAPTER_XIX_IN_THE_SECRET_CAVE" />CHAPTER XIX—IN THE SECRET CAVE</h2> + + +<p>Tom Swift was up at break of day, and the others were not far +behind him.</p> + +<p>"Now for the secret cave!" cried the young inventor as he gazed +up the mountain, in the interior of which the mysterious band of +men were making the diamonds.</p> + +<p>"Have you made any plans, Bill?" asked Mr. Jenks of the former +phantom, who had cast his lot in with the adventurers. "What will +be the best course for us to follow?"</p> + +<p>"You just leave it to me, Mr. Jenks," was the answer. "I'll get +you into the cave, and those fellows, who, I believe, are trying +to do me out of my rights, as they did you out of yours, will +never know a thing about it."</p> + +<p>"Bless my finger-nails!" cried Mr. Damon. "That will be great!" +We can get in the cave, and watch them make the diamonds at our +leisure."</p> + +<p>"They don't make them every day," explained Renshaw. "It seems +they have to wait for certain occasions. Mostly they make the +diamonds when there's a big storm."</p> + +<p>"A big storm" asked the scientist with a sudden show of +interest. "Do you mean one of those electrical storms, such as we +had the other night?"</p> + +<p>"That's it, Mr. Parker, though why they wait until there's a +storm is more than I can tell."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they know that on such occasions no one will venture +up the mountain," spoke Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"No, it isn't that," declared the scientist. "I think I am on +the track of a great scientific discovery, and I will soon be +able to make observations that will confirm it."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm going to make an observation right now," said Tom, +with a laugh. "I'm going to see what there is for breakfast."</p> + +<p>"And that reminds me," came from Mr. Jenks, "shall we move our +camp, Bill, and take the tent with us to the cave?"</p> + +<p>"I hardly think so," was the answer. "I think the best plan +would be to conceal the tent somewhere around here, in case you +might need it again. You can also store what food you have left."</p> + +<p>"But, bless my appetite, we don't want to starve in that +diamond cave!" objected Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"I'll see that you don't," declared Bill Renshaw. "I'll take +you in there, unbeknownst to those fellows, and I'll provide you +with plenty of food and water. You see the cave is so big that +there are some parts they never visit."</p> + +<p>"And we can stay in one of those parts, and eat?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"Sure," answered Bill.</p> + +<p>"And watch the diamond makers at work?" asked Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>"That's it," replied the former phantom.</p> + +<p>"Then the sooner we get started the better," remarked Mr. +Damon. Mr. Parker said nothing. He appeared to be thinking +deeply, and was tapping at some rocks with his little hammer.</p> + +<p>The advice of Bill Renshaw was followed, and the tent, and what +food remained, was concealed in the bushes, with rocks piled over +to keep away prowling animals. Then they started for the secret +cave.</p> + +<p>The man who played the part of a ghost picked up the framework +and white cloth that had formed his disguise.</p> + +<p>"I'll still have to use this," he explained, "for I don't want +those fellows to know that I'm helping you. I'll continue to play +the spirit of the mountain, but there won't be much need of it. I +don't think any more people will come prospecting out here."</p> + +<p>"Have you heard of the arrival of Farley Munson?" asked Tom, as +he related the facts about the stowaway.</p> + +<p>"He hadn't arrived up to a day or so ago," answered Bill. "I +guess he's still traveling. Farley is one of the heads of the +gang," he added, "and a dangerous man."</p> + +<p>As Bill led the way toward the cave, taking a route that the +adventurers had never suspected led to it, he explained that the +cavern was a large one, capable of holding an army.</p> + +<p>"But there's only a small part of it used by the diamond +makers," he added. "They work in a small recess, near the summit +of the mountain. The little cave, where I'm going to take you, +opens off from it by a long passage. And, except that you'll be +pretty much in the dark, you'll be quite comfortable. There are +tables, chairs, and some bunks in the place. I can get you some +lights, and plenty of food."</p> + +<p>"But, if you are seen taking away food, won't the others +suspect something?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"I do pretty much as I please," said Bill. "I go and come when +I like. All I'm supposed to do is to watch my two sides of the +mountain, play the ghost, and give warning when any one is +coming. Sometimes I leave black and white messages, like the one +I put on your tent. Those fellows fix 'em up for me. I've told +'em about you, though I didn't know who you were, and they think +you have gone, for the two men on guard at the rear entrance so +reported. Sometimes I stay out on the mountain for a couple of +days at a time, when the weather's good, and don't go back to the +cave. Those times I take food with me, and so if they see me +making off with some supplies they'll think I'm going to camp +out."</p> + +<p>"It doesn't look as though we'd ever get into a cave near the +top of the mountain, going this way," said Tom, as they marched +along. "We're going down, instead of up."</p> + +<p>"That's the secret of this trail," explained Bill. "We go down +in a sort of valley, and then go up a pretty stiff place, and +then we're on a direct trail to the entrance I told you about. +It's a steep road to climb, but I guess we can manage it."</p> + +<p>And a hard climb the adventurers did find it. The road was +almost as bad as the one along the edge of the chasm, but they +managed to negotiate it, and finally found themselves on a fairly +good trail.</p> + +<p>"We'll soon be there," Bill assured them. "After you get in the +little cave, where I'm going to hide you, I'll have to leave you +for a spell, until I get my ghost rigging fixed up again. But +I'll see that you have plenty of food and drink."</p> + +<p>A little later their guide came to a sudden halt, and peered +around anxiously.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"I was just looking to see if any of the men were about," he +answered. "But I guess not—it looks all right. The entrance is +right here."</p> + +<p>They were on a side of the mountain, near the summit. Below +stretched a magnificent scene. A great valley lay at their feet, +and they could look off to many distant peaks. The main trail to +Leadville, and the one to the settlement of Indian Ridge, was in +sight.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Tom, who had been using a small but powerful +telescope, uttered an exclamation, and focussed the instrument on +a speck that seemed moving along on the trail below.</p> + +<p>"A man—coming up the mountain," cried Tom. "And—it can't be—yet +it is—it's Farley Munson—the stowaway!" he cried. "He's coming here!"</p> + +<p>"Let me look!" begged Mr. Jenks, taking the glass from Tom. An +instant later the diamond man exclaimed: "Yes, it's Munson!"</p> + +<p>"Then in here with you—quick!" cried Renshaw. "He can't see us +yet, and we'll be out of sight in another minute."</p> + +<p>The former spirit pulled aside some thick bushes, and pointed +to a hole which was disclosed.</p> + +<p>"The entrance to the secret cave," he announced. "Slip in all +of you."</p> + +<p>Tom, after another glance at the man toiling his way up the +mountain, entered the cavern. He was followed by the others. Bill +was the last to enter, and he replaced the bushes over the +entrance.</p> + +<p>"At last!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks, as he gazed up at the roof of +the dimly-lighted vault in which they found themselves.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we're in the diamond makers' secret cave," added Tom. +"Now to catch them at work!"</p> + +<p>"Come on," advised Bill, in a low tone, "We're not safe yet," +and he produced a lantern from some hidden recess, lighted the +wick, and led the way. As the others followed they were aware of +a subdued noise in the great cavern.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX_MAKING_THE_DIAMONDS" id="CHAPTER_XX_MAKING_THE_DIAMONDS" />CHAPTER XX—MAKING THE DIAMONDS</h2> + + +<p>"What's that noise?" asked Tom, as their guide flashed the +lantern to show them the way.</p> + +<p>"That's the men getting ready to make diamonds, I guess," was +the answer. "You see it takes quite a while to get the stuff +ready. I don't know what they use—they never tell me any of +their secrets."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know the ingredients well enough," said Mr. Jenks, "but +I don't know the secret of how they apply the terrific heat and +pressure necessary to fuse the materials into diamonds."</p> + +<p>"Well, you'll soon know," declared Bill Renshaw. "Of course it +isn't always successful. I've known 'em to try half a dozen times +before they got any diamonds big enough to satisfy 'em. They gave +me some of the small ones when I asked for my wages.</p> + +<p>"How did you come to get in with these men?" asked Tom, curious +to understand how a person seemingly as honest as Renshaw +appeared to be had cast his lot in with the men who had broken +faith with Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I've lived around these parts all my life," was the +answer. "I knew of this cave before these diamond fellers came to +it. In fact, I showed it to 'em. It was several years ago that a +party of men who were prospecting around here came to me and +asked if I knew of a small cave near the top of a high mountain, +where lightning storms were frequent. I told them about Phantom +Mountain, as it was called then, and also of this cave. If +there's any place where they have worse lightning storms than +here, I'd like to know it. They scare me, sometimes, like the +night when that landslide happened, and I'm sort of used to 'em.</p> + +<p>"Well, I took these men to the cave, and they hired me as a +sort of lookout. Then they began their work, and at first I +didn't know what they were up to, but finally I caught on. Then +Mr. Jenks came, and disappeared mysteriously, though then I +didn't know that they had played a trick on him. I was outside +most of the time, pretending I was the ghost. So that's how I +came to get in with 'em, and I wish I was out."</p> + +<p>"You soon will be, I think," declared Mr. Jenks. "But won't our +talking be heard by the men?"</p> + +<p>"No danger. There is a thick wall between this part of the +cave, and the part where they live and work. I'll soon have you +well hid, and then you wait until I come back."</p> + +<p>"What about Munson?" asked Tom. "He is evidently on his way +here to tell his confederates about us."</p> + +<p>"He won't know what has happened to us," said Mr. Jenks, "and +he won't see anything of us. I guess we're safe enough."</p> + +<p>Through the dark passage they followed Bill Renshaw until he +came to a halt in a place that suddenly widened and broadened +into a good-sized cave.</p> + +<p>"Here's your stopping place," said the former ghost. "Now if +you follow that passage, off to the left," and he pointed to it, +"you'll come to the larger part of the cave where the diamond +makers are. But go cautiously, and don't make any noise. I won't +be responsible for what happens."</p> + +<p>"We'll take all the risk," interrupted Tom.</p> + +<p>"All right. Now there's a couple of lanterns around here. I'll +light them, and leave you for a while until I can get some grub. +I'll be back as soon as I can."</p> + +<p>He glided away, after lighting two lanterns, by the gleams of +which the adventurers could see that they were in a vaulted +cavern that had evidently been fitted up as a living apartment. +The sides, roof and floor were of stone. It was clean, and the +air was fresh. There were some chairs, a table, and several cots, +with pieces of bagging for bedding, though it was warm in the +place.</p> + +<p>"I guess we can stay here until we discover the secret," spoke +Tom.</p> + +<p>"Bless my watch! We can if we have something to eat," came from +Mr. Damon, with something like a sigh. "I'm hungry!"</p> + +<p>"And I want to make some observations," said Mr. Parker. "From +what I have seen of this mountain, I would not be surprised if +this cave was to be suddenly destroyed by a landslide or a +lightning bolt. I will make some further investigations."</p> + +<p>"Well, if it's going to cause you to make such gloomy +prophecies as that, I'd just as soon you wouldn't look any +further," spoke Tom, in a low voice. But Mr. Parker, taking one +of the lanterns, set about examining the rock of which the cave +consisted.</p> + +<p>In a short time Bill Renshaw returned with enough food to last +for two days. He said he was going out on the mountain once more +to act the part of a lookout, and would visit the adventurers +again the next day.</p> + +<p>"In the meanwhile you can do just as you please," he said. +"Nobody is likely to disturb you here, and you can sneak up and +take a look at the men in the other cave whenever you're ready. +Only be careful—that's all I've got to say. They're desperate +men."</p> + +<p>It was not very pleasant, eating in the gloomy cavern, but they +made the best of it. They cooked on a small oil-stove they found +in the place, and after some hot coffee they felt much better.</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Tom, after a while, "shall we take a chance, +and go look at the men at work?"</p> + +<p>"I think so," answered Mr. Jenks. "The sooner we discover this +mystery, the better. Then we can go back home."</p> + +<p>"And recover my airship," added Tom, who was a bit uneasy +regarding the safety of the Red Cloud.</p> + +<p>"Then, bless my finger-rings! let's go and see if we can find +the big cave your friend the ghost told us of," suggested Mr. +Damon.</p> + +<p>Cautiously they made their way along the passage Bill had +pointed out. As they went forward the subdued noise became +louder, and finally they could feel the vibration of machinery.</p> + +<p>"This is the place," whispered Mr. Jenks. "That sound we hear +is one of the mixing machines, for grinding the materials—carbon +and the other substances—which go to make up the diamonds. I +remember hearing that when I was in the cave before."</p> + +<p>"Then we must be near the place," observed Tom.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I didn't have much chance to look around when I was +here before. They wouldn't let me. I never even knew of the small +cave Bill took us to."</p> + +<p>"Well, if we're close to it, we'd better go cautiously, and not +talk any more than we're obliged to," suggested Mr. Parker, and +they agreed that this was good advice.</p> + +<p>They walked on softly. Suddenly Tom, who was in the lead, saw a +gleam of light.</p> + +<p>"We're here," he whispered. "I'll put out our lantern, now," +which he did. Then, stealing forward he and the others beheld a +curious sight. The tunnel they were in ended at a small hole +which opened into a large cavern, and, fortunately, this opening +was concealed from the view of those in the main place.</p> + +<p>"The diamond makers!" whispered Tom, hoarsely, pointing to +several men grouped about a number of strange machines.</p> + +<p>"Yes—the very place where I was," answered Mr. Jenks, "and +there is the apparatus—the steel box—from which the diamonds +are taken—now to see how they make them."</p> + +<p>Fascinated, the adventurers looked into the cave. The men there +were unaware of the presence of our friends, and were busily +engaged. Some attended to the grinding machine, the roar and +clatter of which made it possible for Tom and the others to talk +and move about without being overheard. Into this machine certain +ingredients were put, and they were then pulverized, and taken +out in powdery form.</p> + +<p>The power to run the mixing machine was a gasoline motor, which +chug-chugged away in one corner of the cave.</p> + +<p>As the powder was taken out, other men fashioned it into small +balls, which were put on pan, and into a sort of oven, that was +heated by a gasoline stove.</p> + +<p>"Is that how they make the diamonds?" asked Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"That is evidently the first step," said Mr. Jenks. "Those +balls of powdered chemicals are partly baked, and then they are +put into the steel box. In some way terrific heat and pressure +are applied, and the diamonds are made. But how the heat and +pressure are obtained is what we have yet to learn."</p> + +<p>He paused to watch the men at work. They were all busy, some +attending to the machines, and others coming and going in and out +of the cave. In one part a man was apparently getting ready a +meal.</p> + +<p>Suddenly there rushed into the cave a man who seemed much +excited.</p> + +<p>"Are you nearly ready with that stuff?" he cried. "There's a +good storm gathering on the mountain!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, we'll be ready in half an hour," answered one of the men +at the mixing machine.</p> + +<p>"Good. It will be flashing lightning bolts then, and we can see +what luck we have. The last batch was a failure." The man hurried +out again. Mr. Parker touched Tom and Mr. Jenks on their +shoulders.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"I know the secret of making the diamonds," said the scientist.</p> + +<p>"What?" cried Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>"It is by the awful power of the lightning bolts!" whispered +Mr. Parker. "Everything is explained now—the reason why they +make diamonds in this lonely place, near the top of the mountain. +They need a place where the lightning is powerful. I can +understand it now—I suspected it before. They make diamonds by +lightning!"</p> + +<p>"Are you sure?" cried Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>"Positive."</p> + +<p>"I agree with you," said Tom Swift. "I was just getting on that +track myself, when I saw the electric wires running to the steel +box. That explains the upright rod on the top of the mountain. +The man says a storm is coming—very well; we'll stay here and +watch them make diamonds!"</p> + +<p>As he spoke there came the mutter of thunder, and the mountain +vibrated slightly. The men in the cave redoubled their activity. +Tom and his friends felt that the secret process they had so long +sought was about to be demonstrated before their eyes.</p> + + + +<p>CHAPTER XXI—FLASHING GEMS</p> + + +<p>Eagerly the adventurers looked through the opening at the end +of the passage into the larger cave. The men opened the small +oven in which the balls of white chemicals and carbon mixed, had +been baked, and a pile of things, that looked like irregularly-shaped +marbles, were placed in the steel box.</p> + +<p>This box, which was about the size of a trunk, was of massive +metal. It was placed in a recess in the solid rock, and all about +were layers of asbestos and other substances that were nonconductors +of heat.</p> + +<p>"That box becomes red hot," exclaimed Mr. Jenks, in a whisper. +"When things are in readiness, that lever is pulled and the +diamonds are made. I pulled it once, but I did not then know the +process involved. I supposed that the lightning had nothing to do +with making the diamonds."</p> + +<p>"It has—a most important part," said Mr. Parker. The hidden +adventurers could talk in perfect safety now, for the men in the +large cave were too excited to pay much attention to them. The +muttering of the thunder grew louder, and at times a particularly +loud crash told that a bolt had struck somewhere in the vicinity +of the cave.</p> + +<p>"But, bless my watch-charm!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, "I didn't +know lightning made diamonds."</p> + +<p>"It does not—always," went on the scientist. "But great heat +and pressure are necessary to create the gems. In nature this was +probably obtained by prehistoric volcanic fires, and by the +terrific pressure of immense rocks. It is possible to make +diamonds in the laboratory of the chemist, but they are so minute +as to be practically valueless.</p> + +<p>"However, these men seem to have hit upon a new plan. They +utilize the terrific heat of lightning, and the pressure which is +instantaneously obtained when the bolt strikes. I am anxious to +see how it is done. Look, I think they are getting ready to make +the gems."</p> + +<p>Indeed there seemed to be an air of expectancy among the +diamond makers. The mixing machine had now been stopped, and, as +it was more quiet in the cave, our friends, in their hiding-place, +had to speak in mere whispers. All the men were now gathered +about the great steel box.</p> + +<p>This receptacle had been closed by a solid metal door, which +was screwed and clamped tight. Then one of the men examined a +number of heavily insulated electric wires that extended from the +box off into the darkness where Tom and his companions could not +discern them.</p> + +<p>"That's Folwell—the man I befriended, and who got me into this +game," whispered Mr. Jenks. "He was also one of the first to turn +against me. I think he's one of the leaders."</p> + +<p>Folwell came back, after having gone into a dark part of the +cave. He went over to an electrical switch on one of the stone +walls.</p> + +<p>"It's almost time," Tom heard him say to his confederates. "The +storm is coming up rapidly."</p> + +<p>"Will it be severe enough?" asked one of the helpers. "We had +all our work for nothing last time. The flashes weren't heavy +enough."</p> + +<p>"These will be," asserted Folwell. "The indicator shows nearly +a million volts now, and it's increasing."</p> + +<p>"A million volts!" exclaimed Tom. "I hope it doesn't strike +anywhere around here."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it will probably be harmlessly conducted down on the heavy +wires," said Mr. Parker. "We are in no danger, at present, though +ultimately I expect to see the whole mountain shattered by a +lightning bolt."</p> + +<p>"Cheerful prospect," murmured Tom.</p> + +<p>There was a terrific crash outside. The rocky floor of the cave +trembled.</p> + +<p>"Here she comes!" cried Folwell. "Get back, everybody! I'm +going to throw over the switch now!"</p> + +<p>The men retreated well away from the steel box. Folwell threw +over the lever—the same one Mr. Jenks remembered pulling. Then +the man ran to the electric switch on the wall, and snapped that +into place, establishing a connection.</p> + +<p>There was a moment's pause, as Folwell ran to join the others +in their place of safety. Then from without there came a most +nerve-racking and terrifying crash. It seemed as if the very +mountain would be rent into fragments.</p> + +<p>Watching with eager eyes, the adventurers saw sparks flash from +the steel box. Instantly it became red hot, and then glowed white +and incandescent. It was almost at the melting point.</p> + +<p>Then came comparative quiet, as the echoes of the thunder died +away amid the mountain peaks.</p> + +<p>"I guess that did the trick!" cried Folwell. "It was a terrific +crash all right!"</p> + +<p>He and the others ran forward. The steel box was now a cherry +red, for it was cooling. Folwell threw back the lever, and +another man disconnected the switch. There was a period of +waiting until the box was cool enough to open. Then the heavy +door was swung back.</p> + +<p>With a long iron rod Folwell drew something from the retort. It +was the tray which had held the white balls. But they were white +no longer, for they had been turned into diamonds. From their +hiding-place Tom and the others could see the flashing gems, for, +in spite of the fact that the diamonds were uncut, some of them +sparkled most brilliantly, due to the peculiar manner in which +they were made.</p> + +<p>"We have the secret of the diamonds!" whispered Mr. Jenks. +"There must be a quart of the gems there!"</p> + +<p>The men gathered about Folwell, uttering exclamations of +delight. The diamonds were too hot to handle yet.</p> + +<p>"That's going some!" exclaimed the chief of the diamond makers. +"We have a small fortune here."</p> + +<p>The was a sudden commotion at one end of the cave. A man rushed +in. At the sight of him Tom stared and uttered an exclamation.</p> + +<p>"Munson—the stowaway!" he whispered.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" cried Folwell, as he saw his confederate. "I thought +you were East, keeping Jenks away from here."</p> + +<p>"He got the best of me!" cried Munson, "he and that Tom Swift! +I stowed away on their airship, but they found me out by a +wireless message, and marooned me in the woods. I've been trying +to get here ever since! Didn't you get my messages of warning?"</p> + +<p>"No—what warnings ?" cried Folwell.</p> + +<p>"About Jenks, Tom Swift and the others. They're here—they must +be on Phantom Mountain now. In fact, I shouldn't be surprised if +they were in this cave. I traced them to their camp, but they're +gone. They may be among us now—in some of the secret recesses!"</p> + +<p>For an instant Folwell stared at the bearer of these tidings. +Then he cried out:</p> + +<p>"Scatter men, and find these fellows! We must get them before +they discover our secret!"</p> + +<p>"It's too late—we know it!" exulted Tom Swift. Then he +whispered to the others to hurry to the part of the cave where +Bill Renshaw had first hidden them.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII_PRISONERS" id="CHAPTER_XXII_PRISONERS" />CHAPTER XXII—PRISONERS</h2> + + +<p>"Do you think there is any danger of them finding us?" asked +Mr. Damon, as he hurried along beside Tom.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid so," was the answer. "I've been worried ever since +we saw Munson heading this way. But we couldn't do any differently."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps Bill Renshaw may be able to conceal us," suggested Mr. +Jenks. "Very likely he knows that Munson is on hand. Perhaps we +will be safe for a while. I want to make a few more observations +as to how they manufacture the diamonds, and then, with what I +already know, I'll have the secret."</p> + +<p>"And I'd like to make some scientific tests of the sides and +bottom rocks of the cave," spoke Mr. Parker. "I think it will +bear out my theory that the mountain will soon be destroyed."</p> + +<p>"Well, you were right about Earthquake Island, and you may be +right about this mountain," said Tom, "but if it is going to be +annihilated I hope we get far enough away from it."</p> + +<p>"We can keep our presence here a secret for a few more days, I +think that will be long enough," proceeded Mr. Jenks. "Then we +will leave."</p> + +<p>"And, in the meanwhile, they'll be searching for us," objected +Mr. Damon. "I wish that ghost-chap would come back and tell us +what to do. Bless my liver-pin, but we are going to be in +considerable danger, I'm afraid! Those men may capture us, and +decide to make diamond dust from us."</p> + +<p>"Come on—hurry to the little cave," urged Tom. "Then we'll get +ready to defend ourselves."</p> + +<p>"The main cave is a large one," said Mr. Jenks, "and there are +many hiding places in it. In fact, it is so large that it will +take those fellows several days to complete a circuit of it. By +that time Bill Renshaw may come back, and take us to some place +in which they have already searched for us. Then we'll be +comparatively safe."</p> + +<p>This thought was some consolation to them, as they made their +way through the dark passage, dimly illuminated by the lantern +they had rekindled, to the place where Bill had hidden them. They +found things as they had left them, and proceeded to get a meal, +though Tom said it would be best not to cook anything, or even to +make coffee, for fear the odors would enable the searchers to +trail them.</p> + +<p>So they ate cold food, glad to get that. Silently they sat +about the dimly-lighted cavern, and discussed the situation. True +they might even now retreat, going out of the entrance Bill had +showed them, and so escape. But Mr. Jenks felt that his mission +was not completed yet, and they all agreed to stay with him.</p> + +<p>"For there are several points about making diamonds that are +not quite clear to me," he said. "I need to know how that steel +box is constructed, how the electrical switches are arranged, +what kind of lightning rods they use, and how they regulate the +pressure. The other things, and how to mix the ingredients, I +already know."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll do our best to help you," promised Tom. "But now I +think we had better see what sort of a defense we can put up. We +have our guns and revolvers, and with these chairs and tables we +can build a sort of barricade behind which we can take refuge if +those fellows do discover our hiding place."</p> + +<p>This was conceded to be a good idea, and soon a rude sort of +fort was made, behind which the adventurers could take their +stand and fight, if necessary, though they hoped this would not +come to pass.</p> + +<p>They remained quietly in the cave the remainder of that day, +and, when it was night, as they could tell by their timepieces—there +was no daylight—they divided the hours into watches, taking turns +standing guard.</p> + +<p>Morning, at least in point of time, came without any +disturbance, and they made a cold breakfast. They hoped that Bill +Renshaw would come, but he did not appear.</p> + +<p>After sitting in the dark cave until afternoon, Tom said:</p> + +<p>"I think we might as well go and take another observation of +the big cave. We can tell what the men are doing, then, for they +don't seem to have been near us. Maybe they have given up the +search for us, and we can see them at work, and Mr. Jenks can +gain what further knowledge he needs."</p> + +<p>"That will be a good plan," agreed the diamond man. "It's +maddening to sit here, doing nothing."</p> + +<p>"And it will be comparatively safe to go from here to our +former post of observation," added Tom, "for there doesn't seem +to be any opening along the tunnel, into the larger cave, except +the place where we were."</p> + +<p>Accordingly they started off. Cautiously they looked through +the opening into the apartment where they had seen the diamonds +made.</p> + +<p>"There's not a soul here!" exclaimed Tom, in a whisper. The +others looked. The place was deserted—the machinery silent. Mr. +Jenks peered in for a moment, and then exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"I'm going in! Now's my chance to find out all that I wish to +know! It may never come again, and then we can soon leave Phantom +Mountain!"</p> + +<p>It was a daring plan, but it seemed to be the best one to +follow. They were all tired of inactivity. Mr. Jenks managed to +get through the opening, and dropped into the big cave. The +others followed. Mr. Jenks hurried over to the steel box, and +began an examination of it. Tom Swift was looking at the +electrical switch. He saw how it was constructed. Mr. Damon and +Mr. Parker were peering interestedly about.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the sound of voices was heard, and the echo of +footsteps. Mr. Jenks started.</p> + +<p>"They're coming back!" he whispered hoarsely. "Run!"</p> + +<p>They all turned and sped toward their hiding place. But they +were too late. An instant later Folwell, Munson and the other +diamond makers confronted them. Our friends made a bold rush, but +were caught before they could go ten feet.</p> + +<p>"We have them!" cried Munson. "They walked right into our +hands!"</p> + +<p>It was true. Tom Swift and the others were the prisoners of the +diamond makers.</p> + + + +<p>CHAPTER XXIII—BROKEN BONDS</p> + + +<p>"Well," remarked Tom Swift, in mournful tones, "this looks as +if we were up against it; doesn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Bless my umbrella, it certainly does," agreed Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"And it's all my fault," said Mr. Jenks. "I shouldn't have gone +into the big cave. I might have known those men would come back +any time."</p> + +<p>The above conversation took place as our friends lay securely +bound in a small cave, or recess, opening from the larger cavern, +where, about an hour before, they had been captured and made +prisoners by the diamond makers. Despite their struggles they had +been overpowered and bound, being carried to the cave, where they +were laid in a row on some old bags.</p> + +<p>"It certainly is a most unpleasant situation, to say the +least," observed Mr. Parker.</p> + +<p>"And all my fault," repeated Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no it isn't," declared Tom Swift, quickly. "We were just +as ready to follow you into that cave as you were to go. No one +could tell that the men would return so soon. It's nobody's +fault. It's just our bad luck."</p> + +<p>From where he lay, tied hand and foot, the young inventor could +look out into the cave where he and the others had been caught. +The diamond makers were busily engaged, apparently in getting +ready to manufacture another batch of the precious stones. They +paid little attention to their captives, save to warn them, when +they had first been taken into the little cave, that it was +useless to try to escape.</p> + +<p>"They needn't have told us that," observed Tom, as he and the +others were talking over their situation in low voices. "I don't +believe any one could loosen these ropes."</p> + +<p>"They certainly are pretty tight," agreed Mr. Damon. "I've been +tugging and straining at mine for the last half hour, and all +I've succeeded in doing is to make the cords cut into my flesh."</p> + +<p>"Better give it up," advised Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>"We'll just have to wait."</p> + +<p>"For what?" the scientist wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"To see what they'll do with us. They can't keep us here +forever. They'll have to let us go some time." Following their +capture, Folwell and Munson, the latter the stowaway of the +airship, had been in earnest conversation regarding our friends, +but what conclusion they had reached the adventurers could only +guess.</p> + +<p>"And we didn't have time to examine the diamond-making +machinery close enough so that we could duplicate it if +necessary," complained Tom, a little later.</p> + +<p>"No," agreed Mr. Jenks. "There are certain things about it that +are not clear to me. Well, I don't believe I'll have another +chance to inspect it. They'll take good care of that, though they +seem to be getting ready to make more diamonds."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they're going to manufacture a big batch, and then +leave this place," suggested Mr. Damon. "They will probably go to +some other secret cave, and leave us here."</p> + +<p>"I hope they untie us before they leave, and give us something +to eat," remarked the young inventor.</p> + +<p>For two hours longer the captives lay there, in most +uncomfortable positions. Then Folwell and Munson, leaving the +group of diamond makers who were grouped about the machinery, +approached the captives.</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Munson, "we got ahead of you after all; didn't +we. You thought you had our secret, but it will be a long while +before you ever make diamonds."</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do with us?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"Never mind. You came where you had no right to, and you must +take the consequences."</p> + +<p>"We did have a right to come here!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks. "I am +entitled to know how the diamonds are made. I paid for the +information, and you tricked me. If ever it's possible I'll have +the whole gang arrested for swindling."</p> + +<p>"You'll never get the chance!" declared Folwell. "You were +given some diamonds for the money you invested, and that makes us +square."</p> + +<p>"No, it doesn't!" declared Mr. Jenks. "I invested the money to +learn how to make diamonds, and you know it! You tricked me, and +I had a right to try to discover your secret! I nearly have it, +too, and I'll get it completely before I'm done with you!"</p> + +<p>"No, you won't!" boasted Folwell. "But we didn't come here to +tell you that. We came to give you something to eat. We're not +savages and we'll treat you as well as we can in spite of the +fact that you are trespassers. We're going to give you some grub, +but I warn you that any attempt to escape will mean that some of +you will get hurt."</p> + +<p>He signalled to some of his confederates. These men unbound the +captives' arms, and stood over them while they ate some coarse +food that was brought into the small cave. They were given coffee +to drink, and then, when the simple meal was over, they were +securely bound again, and left to themselves, while the diamond +makers went back to their machinery.</p> + +<p>It was evident that they were going to attempt a big operation, +for an unusually large quantity of the white stuff was prepared. +The prisoners watched them idly. They could see some but not all +of the operations. In this way several hours passed.</p> + +<p>Gloom possessed the hearts of Tom and his friends. Not only had +their expedition been almost a failure so far, but the young +inventor was worried lest the gang might discover and wreck his +airship. This would prove a serious loss. Lying there in the +semi-darkness the lad imagined all sorts of unpleasant happenings.</p> + +<p>At times he dozed off, as did the others. They had become +somewhat used to the pain caused by the bonds, for their nerves +were numb from the strain and pressure.</p> + +<p>Once, as he was lightly sleeping, Tom was awakened by hearing +loud voices in the main cave. He looked out, rolling over +slightly to get a better view. He saw the man who, once before +had run in to give news of an approaching electrical storm.</p> + +<p>"Are you fellows all ready?" asked this same man again.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Is there another storm coming?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and it's going to be a corker!" was the reply. "It's one +of the worst I've ever seen. It's sweeping right up the valley. +It'll be here in an hour."</p> + +<p>"That's good. We need a big flash to make all the material we +have prepared into diamonds. It's the biggest batch we ever +tried. I hope it succeeds, for we're going to leave—" The rest +was in so low a tone that Tom could not catch it.</p> + +<p>The storm messenger departed. Folwell and Munson busied +themselves about the machinery. Tom dozed off again, dimly +wondering what had become of Bill Renshaw, and whether the former +ghost knew of their plight. The others were asleep, as the young +inventor saw by the dim light of a lantern in the cave. Then, he +too, shut his eyes.</p> + +<p>Tom was suddenly awakened by feeling some one's hands moving +about his clothing. At first he thought it was one of the +diamond-making gang, who had sneaked in to rob him. "Here! What +are you up to?" exclaimed Tom.</p> + +<p>"Quiet!" cautioned a voice. "Are you all here?"</p> + +<p>"All of us—yes. But who are you?"</p> + +<p>"Easy—keep quiet, Tom Swift! I'm Bill Renshaw! I've been +searching all over for you, since I got back to your cave and +found it empty. Now I'm going to free you. I got in here by a +secret entrance. Wait, I'll cut your ropes." There was a slight +sound, and an instant later Tom was freed from his bonds.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV_IN_GREAT_PERIL" id="CHAPTER_XXIV_IN_GREAT_PERIL" />CHAPTER XXIV—IN GREAT PERIL</h2> + + +<p>The young inventor could scarcely believe the good luck that +had so unexpectedly come to him and his companions. No sooner was +Tom able to move freely about than Bill Renshaw performed the +same service for Mr. Jenks and the others, cautioning them to be +quiet as he awakened them, and cut the ropes.</p> + +<p>"Bless my circulation!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, in a hoarse +whisper. "How did you ever get here. I'd given ourselves up for +lost."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I came in off the mountain, as there's a big storm due," +explained the man. "There was no need of me playing the haunt in +daytime, anyhow. I went to the cave, found you and your things +gone, and I surmised that you might have walked into some trap."</p> + +<p>"We did," admitted Mr. Jenks, grimly.</p> + +<p>"Well, I hunted around until I found you," went on Bill. "This +mountain is honeycombed with caves, all opening from the large +one, I know them better than these fellows do, so I could explore +freely, and keep out of their sight. They didn't know that there +was a second entrance to this place, but I did, and I made for +it, when I couldn't find you in some of the other caves where I +looked. And, sure enough, here you were."</p> + +<p>"Well, we can't thank you enough," said Mr. Parker. "But you +say there is a big storm coming?"</p> + +<p>"One of the biggest that's been around these parts in some +time," replied Bill.</p> + +<p>"Then perhaps the mountain will be destroyed," went on the +scientist, as calmly as if he had remarked that it might rain.</p> + +<p>"I hope nothing like that happens until we get away," spoke Mr. +Damon, fervently.</p> + +<p>"What had we better do?" inquired Tom.</p> + +<p>"Get away, unless you want to discover some more of their +secrets," advised Bill. "Those fellows are planning something, +but I can't find out what it is. They are suspicious of me, I +think. But they are up to something, and I believe, it would be +best for you to leave while you have the chance. It may not be +healthy to stay. That's why I did my best to untie you."</p> + +<p>"We appreciate what you have done," declared Mr. Jenks, "but I +want my rights. I must learn a few more facts about how to make +diamonds from lightning flashes, and then I will have the same +secret they cheated me out of. I think if we wait a while we may +be able to see the parts of the process that are not quite clear +to us. What do you say, Tom Swift?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I would like to learn the secret," replied the lad, "and +if Bill thinks it's safe to stay here a while longer—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess it will be safe enough," was the reply. "Those +fellows won't bother about you now that they are about to make +some more diamonds. Besides, they think you're all tied up. Yes, +you can stay here and watch, I reckon. I've got a couple of guns, +and—"</p> + +<p>"Then we'll stay," decided Tom. "We can put up a better fight +now."</p> + +<p>Silently, in their prison, but which they could now leave +whenever they pleased, the adventurers watched the diamond makers +once more. The same process they had witnessed before was gone +through with. The white balls were put inside the steel box and +sealed up. Then they waited for the storm to reach its height.</p> + +<p>That this would not be long was evidenced by the mutterings of +thunder which every moment grew louder. The outburst of +electrical fury was likely to take place momentarily, and that it +would be unusually severe was shown by the precautions taken by +the diamond makers. They attached a number of extra wires, and +brought out some insulated, hard rubber platforms, on which they +themselves stood. Tom and Mr. Jenks were much interested in +watching this detail of the work, and sought to learn how each +part of the process was done.</p> + +<p>"I almost think we can make diamonds, Tom, when we get back to +civilization," whispered Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>"I hope we can," answered Tom, "and we can't get back any too +soon to suit me. I want to be in my airship again."</p> + +<p>"I don't blame you. But look, they are getting ready to adjust +the switch."</p> + +<p>The adventurers ceased their whispered talk, and eagerly +watched the diamond makers. Folwell and Munson were hurrying to +and fro in the big cave, attending to the adjustments of the +machinery.</p> + +<p>"On your insulated plates—all of you," Folwell gave the order. +"This is going to be a terrific storm. The gage shows twice the +power we have ever used, and it's creeping up every minute! We'll +have more diamonds than ever had before!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, if the mountain isn't destroyed," added Mr. Parker, in a +low voice. "I predict that it will be split from top to bottom!"</p> + +<p>"Comforting," thought Tom, grimly.</p> + +<p>"I guess we're all ready," said Folwell, in a low tone to +Munson. "We'd better get insulated ourselves. I'm going to throw +the switch."</p> + +<p>He did so. A moment later the man who had before given warning +of the storm came dashing in. He was very much excited.</p> + +<p>"It's awful!" he cried. "The lightning is striking all over! +Big rocks are being split like logs of wood!"</p> + +<p>"Well, it can't do any damage in here," said Munson. "We are +well protected. Get on one of the plates," and he motioned to one +of the hard-rubber platforms that was not occupied. The roar and +rumble of the storm outside had given place to short terrific +crashes. In their small cave the adventurers could feel the solid +ground shake.</p> + +<p>A bluish light began dancing about the electrical wires. There +was a smell of sulphur in the air. Crash after crash resounded +outside. A flash of flame lit up the whole interior of the cave. +It came from the copper switch.</p> + +<p>"Something's wrong with the insulation!" cried Munson.</p> + +<p>"Don't go near it!" yelled Folwell. "If you value your life, +stand still!"</p> + +<p>Hardly had he spoken than inside the cavern there sounded a +report like that of a small cannon. A big ball of fire danced +about the middle of the cave and then leaped on top of the steel +box.</p> + +<p>"This is a fearful storm," cried Munson.</p> + +<p>The adventurers in the cave did not know what to say or do. +They were in deadly peril.</p> + +<p>Suddenly there came a crash louder than any that had preceded +it. The whole side of the cave where the switches were was a mass +of bluish flame. Then came a ripping, tearing sound, and a tangle +of wires and copper connections were thrown to the floor. At the +same time the steel box, containing the materials from which +diamonds were made, turned blue, and flames shot from it.</p> + +<p>"It's all up with us!" cried Munson. "Run for it, everybody! +The wires are down, and this place will be an electric furnace in +another minute!"</p> + +<p>He leaped toward the exit from the cave.</p> + +<p>"What about those fellows?" asked Folwell, indicating the place +where Tom and the others had been tied.</p> + +<p>"They'll have to do the best they can! It's every man for +himself, now!" yelled Munson. There was a wild scramble from the +cavern.</p> + +<p>"Come on!" cried Tom. "We must escape! It's our only chance!"</p> + +<p>He leaped into the big cave, followed by the others. Already +long tongues of electrical fire were shooting out from the walls +and roof as Tom Swift and his companions, evading them as best +they could, sought safety in flight.</p> + + + +<p>CHAPTER XXV—THE MOUNTAIN SHATTERED—CONCLUSION</p> + + +<p>"Can't we get some of the diamonds?" cried Mr. Damon, as he +raced along behind Tom. "Now's our chance. Those fellows have all +gone!" The odd man made a grab for something as he ran.</p> + +<p>"It's as much as our lives are worth," declared the young +inventor. "We dare not stop! Come on!"</p> + +<p>"I'd like to investigate some of the machinery," spoke Mr. +Jenks, "but I wouldn't stop, even for that."</p> + +<p>"The storm is too dangerous," called Bill Renshaw. "I can show +you a shorter way out than the one those fellows have taken. +Follow me."</p> + +<p>"No way can be too short," said Mr. Parker, solemnly. "This +mountain will go to pieces shortly, I think!"</p> + +<p>Tom shuddered. He remembered how narrow had been their escape +when Earthquake Island sank into the sea. And that some terrific +upheaval was now imminent might be judged from the awful reports +that sounded more plainly as the adventurers raced toward the +opening of the cave. It was like the bombardment of some doomed +city.</p> + +<p>Mr. Jenks and Tom cast one longing look behind at the +complicated and expensive machinery that had been installed in +the cave by the diamond makers. They had abandoned it, and in it +lay the secret of making precious gems. But there was no time to +stop now, and investigate.</p> + +<p>"This way," urged Bill Renshaw. "We'll soon be out."</p> + +<p>"But won't it be dangerous to go outside?" asked Mr. Damon. +"Shan't we be struck by lightning? There is some protection in +here."</p> + +<p>"None at all," said Mr. Parker, quickly. "This mountain is a +natural lightning rod. To stay here in this cave will be sure +death when the storm gets directly over it. And that will be very +soon. We must get on insulated ground. Is there any part of this +mountain that does not contain iron ore?" the scientist asked of +the former spirit.</p> + +<p>"Yes; the way out by which we are going lands on a dirt hill."</p> + +<p>"That's good; then we may be saved."</p> + +<p>On they ran. They had no lanterns, but the blue light of the +electricity, as it leaped from point to point inside the cave, +where there were outcroppings of iron ore, made the place bright +enough to see.</p> + +<p>"Here we are!" cried Bill Renshaw at length. "Here's the way +out!"</p> + +<p>Making a sudden turn in the winding passage he showed the +adventurers a small opening in the side of the crag. In an +instant they had passed through, and found themselves in daylight +once more. The sudden glare almost blinded them, for, though the +sky was overcast by clouds, from which jagged tongues of +lightning played, the outside was much lighter than the dark +cave.</p> + +<p>"I should say it was a storm!" cried Tom Swift. "See, it is +striking every minute, and all around us!"</p> + +<p>In fact, lightning bolts were falling on every side of the +adventurers. Every time the balls of fire struck, they burst open +great stones, or seared a livid scar on the face of some cliff. +As for Tom and the others, they stood on a dry dirt hill, in +which, fortunately, there was no iron ore. To this fact they +undoubtedly owed their lives, though had there been rain, to +moisten the ground and make the earth a good conductor of +electricity, they probably would have been badly shocked. But the +electrical outburst was not accompanied by rain.</p> + +<p>Tom looked up. He saw a compact mass of cloud moving toward the +summit of the mountain on the slope of which they stood. From +this cloud there played shafts of reddish-green fire.</p> + +<p>"Look!" called the young inventor to Mr. Parker. The instant +the latter saw the cloud, he cried:</p> + +<p>"We must get away from here by all means! That is the center of +the storm. As soon as it gets over the mountain, where that +lightning rod is, all the electrical fluid will be discharged in +one bolt at the mountain, and it will be destroyed! We must run, +but keep on the dirt places! Run for your lives!"</p> + +<p>They needed no second warning. Turning, they fled down the +steep side of the mountain, slipping and stumbling, but taking +care not to step on any iron ore. Behind them flashed the +lightning bolts.</p> + +<p>Suddenly there was a most awful crash. It seemed as if the end +of the world had come, and the ear drums of Tom and his +companion almost burst with the fearful report. The concussion +knocked them down, and they lay stunned for a moment.</p> + +<p>Following the terrible report there was a low, rumbling sound. +Hardly knowing whether he was dead or alive, Tom opened his eyes +and looked about him. What he saw caused him to cry out in +terror.</p> + +<p>The whole mountain seemed bathed in fire. Great blue, red and +green flashes played around it. Then the towering cliff seemed to +melt and crumble up, and the great peak, the top of it containing +the diamond makers' cave, from which they had fled but a few +minutes before, the entire summit was toppled over into the +valley on the other side, and in the direction opposite to that +where the adventurers stood.</p> + +<p>Then came a profound silence, and the lightning ceased. The +storm was over, and only the rattle of stones and boulders, as +they came to rest in the valley below, reached the ears of our +friends.</p> + +<p>"Phantom Mountain has been destroyed, just as I said it would +be," spoke Mr. Parker, solemnly. Once more he had prophesied +correctly.</p> + +<p>For a few minutes the adventurers hardly knew what to say. They +arose awkwardly from the ground where the shock had tossed them. +Then Tom remarked, as calmly as possible:</p> + +<p>"Well, it's all over. I guess we may as well get back to our +airship."</p> + +<p>"What became of Munson and the others?" asked Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>Mr. Jenks pointed to the trail, far below. The figures of some +men, running madly, could be seen.</p> + +<p>"There they go," he said; "I fancy we have seen the last of +them." And they had, for some time at least.</p> + +<p>There was little use lingering any longer on Phantom Mountain—indeed +little of it was left on which to remain. Looking back +toward the place where the cave had been, Tom and the others +started forward again. The diamond-making machinery had all been +destroyed. So, also, had the finished diamonds stored in the +cavern and the large supply which had probably been made by the +last terrific crash. No one would ever have them now. Tom and Mr. +Jenks felt a sense of disappointment, but they were glad to have +escaped with their lives. They sought their former camp, but the +tent and all their food was buried under tons of earth and rocks.</p> + +<p>Three days later, after rather severe hardships, they were near +the place where they had left the Red Cloud. They had suffered +cold and hunger, for they had no food supplies, and, had it not +been that Bill Renshaw knew the haunts of some game, of which +they managed to snare some, they would have fared badly, for they +had left their guns in the cave.</p> + +<p>"Well, there are the trees behind which I hope my airship is +hidden," announced Tom, as they came to the spot. "Good old Red +Cloud! Maybe we won't do some eating when we get aboard, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Bless my appetite! but we certainly will!" cried Mr. Damon.</p> + +<p>"There's somebody walking around the place," spoke Mr. Jenks.</p> + +<p>"I hope it's no one who has damaged the ship," came from Tom, +apprehensively. He broke into a run, and soon confronted an aged +miner, who seemed to have established a rude sort of camp near +the airship.</p> + +<p>"Is anything the matter?" asked Tom, breathlessly. "Is my +airship all right?"</p> + +<p>"I guess she's all right, stranger," was the reply. "I don't +know much about these contraptions, but I haven't touched her. I +knowed she was an airship, for I've seen pictures of 'em, and +I've been waiting until the owner came along."</p> + +<p>"Why?" asked Tom, wonderingly.</p> + +<p>"Because I've got a proposition to make to you," went on the +miner, who said his name was Abe Abercrombie. "I've been a miner +for a good many years, and I'm just back from Alaska, prospecting +around here. I haven't had any luck, but I know of a gold mine +in Alaska that will make us all rich. Only it needs an airship to +get to it, and I've been figuring how to hire one. Then I comes +along, and I sees this big one, and I makes up my mind to stay +here until the owners come back. That's what I've done. Now, if I +prove that I'm telling the truth, will you go to Alaska—to the +valley of gold with me?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," answered Tom, to whom the proposition was +rather sudden. "We've just had some pretty startling adventures, +and we're almost starved. Wait until we get something to eat, and +we'll talk. Come aboard the Red Cloud," and the lad led the way +to his craft which was in as good condition as when he left it to +go to the diamond cave. Later he listened to the miner's story.</p> + +<p>Tom Swift did go to the valley of gold in Alaska, and what +happened to him and his companions there will be told of in the +next volume of this series, to be called "Tom Swift in the Caves +of Ice; or, the Wreck of the Airship."</p> + +<p>It did not take our friends long, after they had eaten a hearty +meal, to generate some fresh gas, and start the Red Cloud oh her +homeward way. Tom wanted to take Bill Renshaw with him, but the +old man said he would rather remain among the mountains where he +had been born. So, after paying him well for his services, they +said good-by to him. Abercrombie, the miner, also remained +behind, but promised to call and see Tom in a few months.</p> + +<p>"Well, we didn't make any money out of this trip," observed Mr. +Jenks, rather dubiously, as they were nearing Shopton, after an +uneventful trip. "I guess I owe you considerable, Tom Swift. I +promised to get you a lot of diamonds, but all I have are those I +had from my first visit to the cave."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's all right," spoke Tom, easily. "The experience was +worth all the trip cost."</p> + +<p>"Speaking of diamonds, look here!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, +suddenly, and he pulled out a double handful.</p> + +<p>"Where did you get them?" cried the others in astonishment.</p> + +<p>"I grabbed them up, as we ran from the cave," said the +eccentric man; "but, bless my gaiters! I forgot all about them +until you spoke. We'll share them."</p> + +<p>These diamonds, some of which were large, proved very valuable, +though the total sum was far below what Mr. Jenks hoped to make +when he started on the remarkable trip. Tom gave Mary Nestor a +very fine stone, and it was set in a ring, instead of a pin, this +time.</p> + +<p>On their arrival in Shopton, where Mr. Swift, the housekeeper, +Mr. Jackson and Eradicate Sampson were much alarmed for Tom's +safety, an attempt was made to manufacture diamonds, using a +powerful electric current instead of lightning. But it was not a +success, and so Mr. Jenks concluded to give up his search for the +secret which was lost on Phantom Mountain.</p> + +<p>And now we will take leave of Tom Swift, to meet him again soon +in other adventures he is destined to have in the caves of ice +and the valley of gold.</p> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3>THE END</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<p>THE TOM SWIFT SERIES</p> + +<p>By VICTOR APPLETON</p> + + + +<ul> +<li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE<br /> +Or Fun and Adventure on the Road</li> +<li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT<br /> +Or The Rivals of Lake Carlopa</li> +<li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP<br /> +Or The Stirring Cruise of the Red Cloud</li> +<li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT<br /> +Or Under the Ocean for Sunken Treasure</li> +<li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT<br /> +Or The Speediest Car on the Road</li> +<li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE<br /> +Or The Castaways of Earthquake Island</li> +<li>TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS<br /> +Or The Secret of Phantom Mountain</li> +<li>TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE<br /> +Or The wreck of the Airship</li> +<li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER<br /> +Or The Quickest Flight on Record</li> +<li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE<br /> +Or Daring Adventures In Elephant Land</li> +<li>TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD<br /> +Or Marvelous Adventures Underground</li> +<li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER<br /> +Or seeking the Platinum Treasure</li> +<li>TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY<br /> +Or A Daring Escape by Airship</li> +<li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA<br /> +Or The Perils of Moving Picture Taking</li> +<li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT<br /> +Or On the Border for Uncle Sam</li> +<li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON<br /> +Or The Longest Shots on Record</li> +<li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE<br /> +Or The Picture that Saved a Fortune</li> +<li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP<br /> +Or The Naval Terror of the Seas</li> +<li>TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL<br /> +Or The Hidden City of the Andes</li> +</ul> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p>THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS SERIES</p> + +<p>By VICTOR APPLETON</p> + + +<p>In these stories we follow the adventures of three boys, who, +after purchasing at auction the contents of a moving picture +house, open a theatre of their own. Their many trials and +tribulations, leading up to the final success of their venture, +make very entertaining stories.</p> + +<ul> +<li>THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' FIRST VENTURE<br /> +Or Opening a Photo Playhouse in Fairlands.<br /> + <ul><li>The adventures of Frank, Randy and Pep in running a Motion +Picture show. They had trials and tribulations but finally +succeed.</li></ul></li> + +<li>THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS AT SEASIDE PARK<br /> +Or The Rival Photo Theatres of the Boardwalk.<br /> +<ul><li>Their success at Fairlands encourages the boys to open their +show at Seaside Park, where they have exciting adventures—also a +profitable season.</li></ul></li> + +<li>THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS ON BROADWAY<br /> +Or The Mystery of the Missing Cash Box.<br /> +<ul><li>Backed by a rich western friend the chums established a photo +playhouse in the great metropolis, where new adventures await +them.</li></ul></li> + +<li>THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' OUTDOOR EXHIBITION<br /> +Or The Film that Solved a Mystery.<br /> +<ul><li>This time the playhouse was in a big summer park. How a +film that was shown gave a clew to an important mystery +is interestingly related.</li></ul></li> + +<li>THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' NEW IDEA<br /> +Or The First Educational Photo Playhouse.<br /> +<ul><li>In this book the scene is shifted to Boston, and there is +intense rivalry in the establishment of photo playhouses of +educational value.</li></ul></li> + +<li>THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS AT THE FAIR<br /> +Or The Greatest Film Ever Exhibited.<br /> +<ul><li>The chums go to San Francisco, where they have some trials +but finally meet with great success.</li></ul></li> + +<li>THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS' WAR SPECTACLE<br /> +Or The Film that Won the Prize.<br /> +<ul><li>Through being of service to the writer of a great scenario, the +chums are enabled to produce it and win a prize.</li></ul></li> +</ul> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH SERIES</p> + +<p>By GRAHAM B. FORBES</p> + +<p>Never was there a cleaner, brighter, more manly boy than Frank +Allen, the hero of this series of boys tales, and never was there +a better crowd of lads to associate with than the students of the +School. All boys will read these stories with deep interest. The +rivalry between the towns along the river was of the keenest, and +plots and counterplots to win the champions, at baseball, at +football, at boat racing, at track athletics, and at ice hockey, +were without number. Any lad reading one volume of this series +will surely want the others.</p> + +<ul> +<li>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH<br /> +Or The All Around Rivals of the School</li> + +<li>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE DIAMOND<br /> +Or Winning Out by Pluck</li> + +<li>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE RIVER<br /> +Or The Boat Race Plot that Failed</li> + +<li>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE GRIDIRON<br /> +Or The Struggle for the Silver Cup</li> + +<li>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE ICE<br /> +Or Out for the Hockey Championship</li> + +<li>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH IN TRACK ATHLETICS<br /> +Or A Long Run that Won</li> + +<li>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH IN WINTER SPORTS<br /> +Or Stirring Doings on Skates and Iceboats</li> +</ul> + +<p>12mo. Illustrated. Handsomely bound in cloth, with cover design +and wrappers in colors.</p> + +<p>GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS SERIES</p> + +<p>By CAPTAIN QUINCY ALLEN</p> + +<p>The outdoor chums are four wide-awake lads, Sons of wealthy men +of a small city located on a lake. The boys love outdoor life, +and are greatly interested in hunting, fishing, and picture +taking. They have motor cycles, motor boats, canoes, etc., and +during their vacations go everywhere and have all sorts of +thrilling adventures. The stories give full directions for +camping out, how to fish, how to hunt wild animals and prepare +the skins for stuffing, how to manage a canoe, how to swim, etc. +Full of the spirit of outdoor life.</p> + +<ul> +<li>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS<br /> +Or The First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club.</li> + +<li>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE LAKE<br /> +Or Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island.</li> + +<li>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE FOREST<br /> +Or Laying the Ghost of Oak Ridge.</li> + +<li>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON THE GULF<br /> +Or Rescuing the Lost Balloonists.</li> + +<li>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AFTER BIG GAME<br /> +Or Perilous Adventures in the Wilderness.</li> + +<li>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS ON A HOUSEBOAT<br /> +Or The Rivals of the Mississippi.</li> + +<li>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS IN THE BIG WOODS<br /> +Or The Rival Hunters at Lumber Run.</li> + +<li>THE OUTDOOR CHUMS AT CABIN POINT<br /> +Or The Golden Cup Mystery.</li> +</ul> + + + +<pre> +End of Project Gutenberg's Etext of Tom Swift Among the Diamond Makers +</pre> + + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/old/old/07tom10h.zip b/old/old/07tom10h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a4a8f9b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/old/07tom10h.zip diff --git a/old/old/07tom10l.lit b/old/old/07tom10l.lit Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f27ceb3 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/old/07tom10l.lit diff --git a/old/old/07tom10l.zip b/old/old/07tom10l.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bd8e847 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/old/07tom10l.zip diff --git a/old/old/07tom10p.prc b/old/old/07tom10p.prc Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8a348be --- /dev/null +++ b/old/old/07tom10p.prc diff --git a/old/old/07tom10p.zip b/old/old/07tom10p.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d8c3458 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/old/07tom10p.zip |