“Well, I guess this will hold Beecher for a while,” said Tom, the night of the arrival of Mary’s letter, and after he had written one in answer, which was dispatched by a runner to the nearest place whence mail could be forwarded.

“Yes, luck seems to favor you,” replied Ned.  “You’ve had a hand in the discovery of the idol of gold, and——­”

“Yes.  And I discovered something else I wasn’t quite sure of,” interrupted Tom, as he felt to make sure he had a certain letter safe in his pocket.

It was several weeks later that the explorations of Kurzon came to an end—­a temporary end, for the rainy season set in, when the tropics are unsuitable for white men.  Tom, Professor Bumper, Ned and Mr. Damon set sail for the United States, the valuable idol of gold safe on board.

And there, with their vessel plowing the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, we will take leave of Tom Swift and his friends.