to look for an idol of gold."

"They did? But where is Beecher?"

"He hasn't joined them yet. Their plans
have been changed. Instead of leaving on the
same steamer we are to take in the morning
they are to come on a later one. The professors
here are waiting for Beecher to come."

"Why isn't he here now?"

"Well, I heard one of the other scientists say
that he had gone to a place called Fayetteville,
and will come on from there."

"Fayetteville!" ejaculated Tom.
"Yes. That isn't far from Shopton."

"I know," assented Tom. "I wonder--I wonder
why he is going there?"

"I can tell you that, too."

"You can? You're a regular detective."

"No, I just happened to overhear it. Beecher
is going to call on Mary Nestor in Fayetteville,
so his friends here said he told them, and his call
has to do with an important matter--to him!"