"In rather an odd way," went on Mary. "He really owns the lands, or at least half of them, but he cannot prove his title because the papers he needs were taken from him, and, he thinks, by a man he trusted. He's been trying to get the documents back, and every day we've been expecting to hear that he has them, but mother says there has been no result."
"No," said Mrs. Nestor. "My brother thought sure he had a trace of the man he believes has the papers, or who had them, but he lost track of him. If we could only find him—"
At that moment a maid came into the room to announce that Tom Swift was wanted at the telephone.
CHAPTER VII
THE TRIAL TRIP
"This is my busy day!" announced the young inventor as he went into the Nestor sitting room, where the telephone was installed.
"Perhaps it is some one else who wants you to come to their rescue," suggested Mary.
But it was not, as Tom related a little later when he had finished his talk over the wire.
"Just a business matter," he announced to Mary and her mother, when he rejoined them. "A gentleman with whom I expect to make a submarine trip is at the house, and wants to consult with me about details. He is getting anxious to start. Mr. Damon is there, too."