Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders | Page 3

dates," again interrupted Ned. "Get down to brass
tacks. I'm willing to take your word for it that there's a Copan valley in
Honduras. But what has your friend Professor Bumper to do with it?"
"This. He has come across some old manuscripts, or ancient document
records, referring to this valley, and they state, according to this article
he has written for the magazine, that somewhere in the valley is a
wonderful city, traces of which have been found twenty to forty feet
below the surface, on which great trees are growing, showing that the
city was covered hundreds, if not thousands, of years ago."
"But where does the idol of gold come in?"
"I'm coming to that," said Tom. "Though, if Professor Bumper has his
way, the idol will be coming out instead of coming in."
"You mean he wants to get it and take it away from the Copan valley,
Tom?"
"That's it, Ned. It has great value not only from the amount of pure gold
that is in it, but as an antique. I fancy the professor is more interested in
that aspect of it. But he's written a wonderful story, telling how he

happened to come across the ancient manuscripts in the tomb of some
old Indian whose mummy he unearthed on a trip to Central America.
"Then he tells of the trouble he had in discovering how to solve the key
to the translation code; but when he did, he found a great story
unfolded to him.
"This story has to do with the hidden city, and tells of the ancient
civilization of those who lived in the Copan valley thousands of years
ago. The people held this idol of gold to be their greatest treasure, and
they put to death many of other tribes who sought to steal it."
"Whew!" whistled Ned. "That IS some yarn. But what is Professor
Bumper going to do about it?"
"I don't know. The article seems to be written with an idea of
interesting scientists and research societies, so that they will raise
money to conduct a searching expedition.
"Perhaps by this time the party may be organized--this magazine is
several months old. I have been so busy on my stabilizer patent that I
haven't kept up with current literature. Take it home and read it! Ned.
That is if you're through telling me about my affairs," for Ned, who had
formerly worked in the Shopton bank, had recently been made general
financial man- ager of the interests of Tom and his father. The two
were inventors and proverbially poor business men, though they had
amassed a fortune.
"Your financial affairs are all right, Tom," said Ned. "I have just been
going over the books, and I'll submit a detailed report later."
The telephone bell rang and Tom picked up the instrument from the
desk. As he answered in the usual way and then listened a moment, a
strange look came over his face.
"Well, this certainly is wonderful!" he exclaimed, in much the same
manner as when he had finished reading the article about the idol. "It
certainly is a strange coincidence," he added, speaking in an aside to

Ned while he himself still listened to what was being told to him over
the telephone wire.
CHAPTER II
PROFESSOR BUMPER ARRIVES
"What's the matter, Tom? What is it?" asked Ned Newton, attracted by
the strange manner of his chum at the telephone. "Has anything
happened?"
But the young inventor was too busy listening to the unseen speaker to
answer his chum, even if he heard what Ned remarked, which is
doubtful.
"Well, I might as well wait until he is through," mused Ned, as he
started to leave the room. Then as Tom motioned to him to remain, he
murmured: "He may have something to say to me later. But I wonder
who is talking to him."
There was no way of finding out, however, until Tom had a chance to
talk to Ned, and at present the young scientist was eagerly listening to
what came over the wire. Occasionally Ned could hear him say:
"You don't tell me! That is surprising! Yes --yes! Of course if it's true it
means a big thing, I can understand that. What's that? No, I couldn't
make a promise like that. I'm sorry, but----"
Then the person at the other end of the wire must have plunged into
something very interesting and absorbing, for Tom did not again
interrupt by interjected remarks.
Tom. Swift, as has been said, was an inventor, as was his father. Mr.
Swift was now rather old and feeble, taking only a nominal part in the
activities of the firm made up of himself and his son. But his inventions
were still used, many of them being vital