Once let dat
ar' mule git his heels on a pusson, an' dat pusson ain't goin' t'
come bodderin' around any mo'--that is, not right away."
"I believe you, Rad. Well, keep a lookout for him, and don't
let him in," and with that Tom entered the house to think over
matters. They were beginning to assume an aspect he did not
altogether like. Not that Tom was afraid of danger, but he
preferred to meet it in the open, and the warning, or threat, of
the mysterious man disquieted him.
When Mr. Swift came home, a little later, his son told him of
the midnight interview with Mr. Jenks, for, up to this time, the
aged inventor was unaware of it, and Tom also gave an account of
the diamonds, speaking of their value.
"And do you propose to go to Phantom Mountain, in search of the
makers of these gems, Tom?" asked Mr. Swift.
"I had about decided to do so, dad."
"And you're going in the Red Cloud?'
"Yes."
"Who are going with you?"
"Well, Mr. Jenks will go, of course, and I've no doubt but that
if I mention the prospective trip to Mr. Damon, that he'll bless
his skating cap, or something like that, and come along."
"I suppose so, Tom, and I'd like to have you take him. But I
think you'll need some one else."
"Because, from what you have told me, you are going out to a
dangerous part of the country, and you may have to deal with
unscrupulous men.
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