“You mean see him as in a looking-glass, Tom?”

“Somewhat, yes.  Though I shall probably use a metal plate instead of glass.  It will be just as if you were talking over a telephone in an open field, where you could see the other party and he could see you.”

“But how are you going to do it, Tom?”

“Well, I haven’t quite decided.  I shall probably have to use the metal called selenium, which is very sensitive to light, and which makes a good or a poor electrical conductor according as more or less light falls on it.  After all, a photograph is only lights and shadows, fixed on sensitive paper or films.”

“Well, Tom, maybe you can do it, and maybe you can’t.  I admit you’ve used some good arguments,” said Mr. Swift.  “But then, it all comes down to this:  What good will it be if you can succeed in sending a picture over a telephone wire?”

“What good, Dad?  Why, lots of good.  Just think how important it will be in business, if you can make sure that you are talking to the party you think you are.  As it is now, unless you know the person’s voice, you can’t tell that the man on the other end of the wire is the person he says he is.  And even a voice can be imitated.”

“But if you know the person yourself, he can’t be imitated.  If you see him, as well as hear his voice, you are sure of what you are doing.  Why, think of the big business deals that could be made over the telephone if the two parties could not only hear but see each other.  It would be a dead sure thing then.  And Mr. Brown wouldn’t have to take Mr. Smith’s word that it was he who was talking.  He could even get witnesses to look at the wire-image if he wanted to, and so clinch the thing.  It will prevent a lot of frauds.”

“Well, Tom, maybe you’re right.  Go ahead.  I’ll say no more against your plans.  I wish you all success, and if I can help you, call on me.”

“Thanks, Dad.  I knew you’d feel that way when you understood.  Now I’m going—­”

But what Tom Swift was going to do he did not say just then, for above the heads of father and son sounded a rattling, crashing noise, and the whole house seemed to shake Then the voice of Eradicate was heard yelling: 

“Good land!  Good land ob massy!  Come out yeah, Massa Tom!  Come right out yeah!  Dere’s a man on de roof an’ he am all tangled up suthin’ scandalous!  Come right out yeah befo’ he falls and translocates his neck!  Come on!”

CHAPTER II

BAD NEWS

With startled glances at each other, Tom and his father rushed from the library to the side of the house, whence came the cries of Eradicate.

“What is it, Rad! what is it?” questioned Tom.

“Is someone hurt?” Mr. Swift wanted to know.

“He mighty soon will be!” exclaimed the colored man.  “Look where he am holdin’ on!  Lucky fo’ him he grabbed dat chimbley!”