"Rimac-Rimac," murmured the professor, looking sharply at the contractor. "Digging a tunnel there? Why are you doing that?" and he seemed to resent the idea.
"Why, the Peruvian government engaged me to do it to connect the two railroad lines," was the answer. "Do you know anything about the place?"
"Not so much as I hope to later on," was the unexpected answer. "As it happens I am going to Rimac, and I may visit your tunnel."
"I wish you would," returned Mr. Titus.
Later on, in their stateroom, the contractor remarked to the young inventor:
"Sort of queer; isn't it?"
"What?" asked Tom. "His not remembering us?"
"No, though that was odd. But I suppose he is forgetful, or pretends to be. I mean it's queer he is going to Rimac."
"What do you mean?" asked Tom.
"Well, I don't know exactly what I mean," went on the tunnel contractor, "but our tunnel happens to start at Rimac, which is a small town at the base of the mountains."