Tom Swift in the City of Gold | Page 6

But if Andy Foger was mean to Tom, there was another Shopton lad
who was just the reverse. This was Ned Newton, who was Tom's
particular chum, Ned had gone with our hero on many trips, including
the one to Africa after elephants. Mr. Damon also accompanied Tom
many times, and occasionally Eradicate went along on the shorter
voyages. But Eradicate was getting old, like Mr. Swift, who, of late
years, had not traveled much with his son.
When I add that Tom still continued to invent things, that he was
always looking for new adventures, that he still cared very much for
Mary Nestor, and thought his father the best in the world, and liked Mr.
Damon and Ned Newton above all his other acquaintances, except
perhaps Mrs. Baggert, the housekeeper, I think perhaps I have said
enough about him; and now I will get back to the story.
I might add, however, that Andy Foger, who had been away from
Shopton for some time, had now returned to the village, and had lately
been seen by Tom, riding around in a powerful auto. The sight of Andy
did not make the young inventor feel any happier.
"Well, Tom, I think that will do," remarked Mr. Damon when, after
about an hour's work, they had jointly written a letter to the African
missionary.
"We've asked him enough questions, anyhow," agreed the lad. "If he
answers all of them we'll know more about the city of gold, and where
it is, than we do now."
"Exactly," spoke the odd man. "Now to mail the letter, and wait for an
answer. It will take several weeks, for they don't have good mail
service to that part of Africa. I hope Mr. Illingway sends us a better
map."

"So do I," assented Tom. "But even with the one we have I'd take a
chance and look for the underground city."
"I'll mail the letter," went on Mr. Damon, who was as eager over the
prospective adventure as was Tom. "I'm going back home to Waterfield
I think. My wife says I stay here too much."
"Don't be in a hurry," urged Tom. "Can't you stay to supper? I'll take
you home to-night in the sky racer. I want to talk more about the city of
gold, and plan what we ought to take with us to Mexico."
"All right," agreed Mr. Damon. "I'll stay, but I suppose I shouldn't. But
let's mail the letter."
It was after supper, when, the letter having been posted, that Tom, his
father and Mr. Damon were discussing the city of gold.
"Will you go, even if Mr. Illingway can't send a better map?" asked Mr.
Damon.
"Sure" exclaimed Tom. "I want to get one of the golden images if I
have to hunt all over the Aztec country for it."
"Who's talking of golden images?" demanded a new voice, and Tom
looked up quickly, to see Ned Newton, his chum, entering the room.
Ned had come in unannounced, as he frequently did.
"Hello, old stock!" cried Tom affectionately. "Sir, there's great news.
It's you and me for the city of gold now!"
"Get out! What are you talking about?"
Then Tom had to go into details, and explain to Ned all about the great
quantity of gold that might be found in the underground city.
"You'll come along, won't you, Ned?" finished the young inventor. "We
can't get along without you. Mr. Damon is going, and Eradicate too, I
guess. We'll have a great time."

"Well, maybe I can fix it so I can go," agreed Ned, slowly, "I'd like it,
above all things. Where did you say that golden city was?"
"Somewhere about the central part of Mexico, near the city of--"
"Hark!" suddenly exclaimed Ned, holding up a hand to caution Tom to
silence.
"What is it?" asked the young inventor in a whisper.
"Some one is coming along the hall," replied Ned in a low voice.
They all listened intently. There was no doubt but that some one was
approaching along the corridor leading to the library where the
conference was being held.
"Oh, it's only Mrs. Baggert," remarked Tom a moment later, relief
showing in his voice. "I know her step."
There was a tap on the door, and the housekeeper pushed it open, for it
had been left ajar. She thrust her head in and remarked:
"I guess you've forgotten, Mr. Swift, that Andy Foger is waiting for you
in the next room. He has a letter for you."
"Andy Foger!" gasped Tom. "Here."
"That's so, I forgot all about him!" exclaimed Mr. Swift jumping up. "It
slipped my mind. I let him in a while ago, before we came in the library,
and he's probably been sitting in the parlor ever since.