to the executive end and leave the details to others," and again
came that laugh which Tom did not like.

"You came here to make me an offer?" asked the young inventor,
wondering to which of his many machines the visitors had
reference.

"Yes," went on Mr. Gale, "we came here to make you a big offer.
In short, Mr. Swift, we want you to work for our company, and we
are willing to pay you ten thousand dollars a year for the
benefit of your advice and your inventive abilities. Ten thousand
dollars a year! Do you accept?"



CHAPTER IV
MR. DAMON'S WHIZZER


Characteristic it was of Tom Swift that he did not seem at all
surprised at what most young men would call a liberal offer.
Certainly not many youths of Tom's age would be sought out by a
big manufacturing concern, and offered ten thousand dollars a
year "right off the reel," as Ned Newton expressed it later. But
Tom only smiled and shook his head in negation.

"What!" cried Mr. Gale, "you mean you won't accept our offer?"

"I can't," answered Tom.