“Well, maybe you’re right, Tom; and yet that idol of gold—­gold—­weighing how many pounds did you say?”

“Oh, you’re thinking of its money value, Ned, old man!”

“Yes, I’d like to see what a big chunk of gold like that would bring.  It must be quite a nugget.  But I’m not likely to get a glimpse of it if you don’t go with the professor.”

“I don’t see how I can go, Ned.  But come over and meet the delightful gentleman when he arrives.  I expect him day after to-morrow.”

“I’ll be here,” promised Ned; and then he went downtown to attend to some matters con-nected with his new duties, which were much less irksome than those he had had when he had been in the bank.

“Well, Tom, have you heard any more about your friend?” asked Ned, two days later, as he came to the Swift home with some papers needing the signature of the young inventor and his father.

“You mean——?”

“Professor Bumper.”

“No, I haven’t heard from him since he telephoned.  But I guess he’ll be here all right.  He’s very punctual.  Did you see anything of my giant Koku as you came in?”

“Yes, he and Eradicate were having an argument about who should move a heavy casting from one of the shops.  Rad wanted to do it all alone, but Koku said he was like a baby now.”

“Poor Rad is getting old,” said Tom with a sigh.  “But he has been very faithful.  He and Koku never seem to get along well together.”

Koku was an immense man, a veritable giant, one of two whom Tom had brought back with him after an exciting trip to a strange land.  The giant’s strength was very useful to the young inventor.

“Now Tom, about this business of leasing to the English Government the right to manufac-ture that new explosive of yours,” began Ned, plunging into the business at hand.  “I think if you stick out a little you can get a better royalty price.”

“But I don’t want to gouge ’em, Ned.  I’m satisfied with a fair profit.  The trouble with you is you think too much of money.  Now——­”

At that moment a voice was heard in the hall of the house saying: 

“Now, my dear lady, don’t trouble yourself.  I can find my way in to Tom Swift perfectly well by myself, and while I appreciate your courtesy I do not want to trouble you.”

“No, don’t come, Mrs. Baggert,” added another voice.  “Bless my hat band, I think I know my way about the house by this time!”

“Mr. Damon!” ejaculated Ned.

“And Professor Bumper is with him,” added Tom.  “Come in!” he cried, opening the hall door, to confront a bald-headed man who stood peering at our hero with bright snapping eyes, like those of some big bird spying out the land from afar.  “Come in, Professor Bumper; and you too, Mr. Damon!”

CHAPTER III

BLESSINGS AND ENTHUSIASM

Greetings and inquiries as to health having been passed, not without numerous blessings on the part of Mr. Damon, the little party gathered in the library of the home of Tom Swift sat down and looked at one another.