How far was Mr.
Jenks to be trusted? Were the stones he had real diamonds? Was
his story, fantastical as it sounded--true? Would it be safe for
Tom to go?
The lad asked himself these questions. Mr. Jenks saw his
hesitation.
"Here," said the strange man, "I will prove what I say. Take
this diamond. I intended it for you, anyhow, for what you did for
me on Earthquake Island. Take it, and--and give it to the person
for whom you were about to purchase a diamond to-night. But,
first of all, take it to a gem expert, and get his opinion. That
will prove the truth of what I say, Tom Swift, and I feel sure
that you will cast your lot in with mine, and help me to discover
the secret of Phantom Mountain, and aid me to get my rights from
the diamond makers!"
CHAPTER IV--ANDY FOGER GETS A FRIGHT
Tom Swift considered a few minutes. On the face of it, the
proposition appealed to him. He had been home some time now after
his adventures on Earthquake Island, and he was beginning to long
for more excitement. The search for the mysterious mountain, and
the cave of the diamond makers, might offer a new field for him.
But there came to him a certain distrust of Mr. Jenks.
"I don't like to doubt your word," began Tom, slowly, "but you
know, Mr. Jenks, that some of the greatest chemists have tried in
vain to make diamonds; or, at best, they have made only tiny
ones.
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