gold after all. That would be too bad for Mr. Damon!"



CHAPTER VI

MARY'S ODD STORY



"HELLO! Hello! Yes, this is Tom Swift. What's that? You've had
an accident? Great Scott, Mary! I hope you aren't hurt."

Ned overheard these words as he stood outside the temporary
office, from inside which Tom Swift was telephoning.

"There's been an accident!" thought the financial manager. "I
wonder if I can help?"

He was about to hurry in to offer his services when he heard
Tom laugh, and then he knew it was all right. He heard his chum
say:

"I'll be right over and get you. Just where are you?"

Then followed a period of listening on the part of Tom, to be
broken by the words:

"All right, I'll be right with you. Lucky I have my Air Scout
with me. You aren't afraid to ride in that, are you? No, that's