“Bless my jewelry box!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, when this formality was over. “Tell me more about it, Tom.”
Which our hero did, stating the need of maintaining secrecy on account of the danger to Mr. Jenks. Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker both agreed to say nothing about the matter, and then the scientist became much interested in the Red Cloud, which he closely examined. He even complimented Tom on the skill shown in making it, and, contrary to our hero's expectation, did not predict that it would blow up the next time it was used.
“How did you happen to arrive just at this time, Mr. Damon?” asked Tom.
“It was partly due to Mr. Parker,” was the answer. “I had not seen him since we were rescued from the island, until a few days ago he called on me at my home. I happened to mention that you lived near here, and suggested that he might like to see some of your inventions. He agreed, and we came over in my auto. And now, bless my liver-pin! I find you about to start off on another trip.”
“And have you fully decided to go with me?” asked Tom. “There may be danger, and I don't like the way that mysterious man behaved.”
“Oh, bless my revolver!” cried Mr. Damon. “I'm used to danger by this time. Of course I'm going, and so is Mr. Parker. Do you know,” and the man, who was always blessing something, came closer to the lad, and whispered: “Do you know, Tom, Mr. Parker is a very peculiar individual.”
“I'm sure of it,” answered the young inventor, looking at the gentleman in question, who was then inside the airship cabin.
“But he's all right, even if he is predicting unpleasant things,” went on Mr. Damon. “I think we'll get better acquainted with him after a bit.”
“I hope so,” agreed Tom, but he did not realize then how close his companionship with Mr. Parker was to be, nor what dangers they were to share later.
The friends talked at considerable length of the prospective trip, and Tom, by this time, had ascertained what needed to be done to the airship to get it in shape to travel. It would take about a week, and, in the meanwhile, Mr. Damon would go home and get his affairs in order for the voyage. Tom's father was introduced to Mr. Parker, and, the former, finding that the scientist held some views in common with him, invited the gloomy predictor to remain at the Swift home until the Red Cloud was ready to sail. Tom could not repress a groan at this, but he decided he would have to make the best of it.