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.”