Tom thought considerable, but he did not answer the scientist just then. Another communication was coming to him by wireless. He listened intently.
“Father says,” the lad told his companions “that Eradicate only had a glimpse of the man at the last moment. He was looking from the rear storeroom window—he's the same man who called on me that time—Rad remembers him very well.”
“Bless my shoes! What's to be done?” inquired Mr. Damon, looking around helplessly.
“We must get him out, that's all,” decided Mr. Jenks; with vigor. “Get him out and drop him overboard!”
“Drop him overboard!” cried Mr. Parker, in horror.
“Not exactly, but get rid of him,” proceeded the diamond seeker. “That man is one of my enemies. He has been sent by the band of diamond makers hidden among the mountains, to spy on me, and, if possible, prevent me from seeking to discover their secret. He tried to work on Tom's Swift's fears, and frighten him from using his airship on this quest. Then, when he failed, the man must have sneaked into the shed, and hidden himself in the ship. We must get rid of him, or he may wreck the Red Cloud!”
“That's so!” cried Tom. “We must try to capture him. I think we had better—” the lad paused, and again listened to the wireless message. “Father says Eradicate saw the man have a gun, so we must be careful,” the young inventor translated the dots and dashes.
“Bless my powder horn!” exploded Mr. Damon.
“We shall have to proceed cautiously then,” spoke Mr. Jenks. “If he is like any others in the gang he is a desperate man.”
“Better sneak up on him then, if we can,” proposed Mr. Parker. “There are enough of us to cope with one man, even if he is armed. You have weapons aboard, haven't you?” he inquired of Tom.