“Well, what’s up now?” asked Mr. Damon of Ned, as the young inventor departed.  “What set him off that way?”

“The mention of Beecher’s name, evidently.  Though I never heard him mention such a person before.”

“Nor did I ever hear Professor Beecher speak of Tom,” said the bald-headed scientist.  “Well, we’ll just have to wait until——­”

At that moment Tom came back into the room.

“Gentlemen,” he said, “I have reconsidered my refusal to go to the Copan valley after the idol of gold.  I’m going with you!”

“Good!” cried Professor Bumper.

“Fine!” ejaculated Mr. Damon.  “Bless my time-table!  I thought you’d come around, Tom Swift.”

“But what about your stabilizer?” asked Ned.

“I was just talking to my father about it,’ the young inventor replied.  “He will be able to put the finishing touches on it.  So I’ll leave it with him.  As soon as I can get ready I’ll go, since you say haste is necessary, Professor Bumper.”

“It is, if we are to get ahead of Beecher.”

“Then we’ll get ahead of him!” cried Tom.  “I’m with you now from the start to the finish.  I’ll show him what I can do!” he added, while Ned and the others wondered at the sudden change in their friend’s manner.

CHAPTER V

THE LITTLE GREEN GOD

“Tom how soon can we go?” asked Professor Bumper, as he began arranging his papers, maps and documents ready to place them back in the valise.

“Within a week, if you want to start that soon.”

“The sooner the better.  A week will suit me.  I don’t know just what Beecher’s plans are, but, he may try to get on the ground first.  Though, without boasting, I may say that he has not had as much experience as I have had, thanks to you, Tom, when you helped me find the lost city of Pelone.”

“Well, I hope we’ll be as successful this time,” murmured Tom.  “I don’t want to see Beecher beat you.”

“I didn’t know you knew him, Tom,” said the professor.

“Oh, yes, I have met him. once,” and there was something in Tom’s manner, though he tried to speak indifferently, that made Ned believe there was more behind his chum’s sudden change of determination than had yet appeared.

“He never mentioned you,” went on Professor Bumper; “yet the last time I saw him I said I was coming to see you, though I did not tell him why.”

“No, he wouldn’t be likely to speak of me,” said Tom significantly.

“Well, if that’s all settled, I guess I’ll go back home and pack up,” said Mr. Damon, making a move to depart.

“There’s no special rush,” Tom said.  “We won’t leave for a week.  I can’t get ready in much less time than that.”

“Bless my socks!  I know that,” ejaculated Mr. Damon.  “But if I get my things packed I can go to a hotel to stay while my wife is away.  She might take a notion to come home unexpectedly, and, though she is a dear, good soul, she doesn’t altogether approve of my going off on these wild trips with you, Tom Swift.  But if I get all packed, and clear out, she can’t find me and she can’t hold me back.  She is visiting her mother now.  I can send her a wire from Kurzon after I get there.”