"My word, man! Don't do that!" cried Mr. Cunningham, for one of his feet was close to the leg of the table and he evidently feared the weight would come down on his toes when Koku let go.
"Don't worry," said Tom, with a smile. "Koku won't drop it."
Fascinated by this remarkable exhibition of strength, by which the giant raised several hundred pounds on one finger, the Englishman started to move from his proximity to Koku. But there was no need of alarm, though the timely entrance of Tom Swift's gigantic henchman had evidently stopped a tirade that was on the lips of the visitor.
"That will do, Koku," said Tom, in a low voice. "I will see Mr. Jackson shortly and look at the new engine."
"Yes, Master," murmured the giant, whose whisper, however, was a hoarse bellow in contrast with others.
Koku took himself out and Cunningham, staring at the closed door as though he could not believe what he had seen, continued to stuff his rejected contracts into his case.
"I'm sorry about this," said the Englishman in more subdued tones than he had used before the advent of Koku. "I'm not only sorry, but I'm disappointed and I think I haven't been fairly treated." His anger was rising again, that was evident.
"How do you mean—not fairly treated?" asked Tom sharply.
"Why, dash it all, when I first broached this matter to you I was as much as given to understand that your firm would go ahead and make the apparatus for me."
"You were given to understand nothing of the sort," replied Tom quietly.