"Don't let my rival get ahead of me."

"I wouldn't like to see that," Tom said slowly.
"Who is he--any one I know?"

"I don't believe so, Tom. He's connected
with a large, new college that has plenty of
money to spend on explorations and research
work. Beecher is his name--Fenimore Beecher."

"Beecher!" exclaimed Tom, and there was
such a change in his manner that his friends
could not help noticing it. He jumped to his
feet, his eyes snapping, and he looked eagerly
and anxiously at Professor Bumper.

"Did you say his name was Fenimore Beecher?"
Tom asked in a tense voice.

"That's what it is--Professor Fenimore Beecher.
He is really a learned young man, and
thoroughly in earnest, though I do not like his
manner. But he is trying to get ahead of me,
which may account for my feeling."

Tom Swift did not answer. Instead he hurried
from the room with a murmured apology.

"I'll be back in about five minutes," he said,
as he went out.