“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.