“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?”