who was in the hall, opened the door and in his
imperfect English asked:

"Master Tom knock for him bigs man?"

"No," answered Tom with a smile, "I didn't knock or call you, Koku.
Some books fell, that is all."

"Massa Tom done called fo' me, dat's what he done!" broke in the
petulant voice of Eradicate.

"No, Rad, I don't need anything," Tom said. "Though you might make a
pitcher of lemonade. It's rather warm."

"Right away, Massa Tom! Right away!" cried the old colored man, eager
to be of service.

"Me help, too!" rumbled Koku, in his deep voice. "Me punch de lemons!"
and away he hurried after Eradicate, fearful lest the old servant do
all the honors.

"Same old Rad and Koku," observed Mr. Damon with a smile. "But now,
Tom, while they're making the lemonade, let's get down to business.
You're going with us, of course!"

"Where?" asked Tom, more from habit than because he did not know.

"Where? Why to Honduras, of course! After the idol of gold! Why, bless
my fountain pen, it's the most wonderful story I ever heard of! You've
read Professor Bumper's article, of course. He told me you had. I
read it on the train coming over. He also told me about it, and----
Well, I'm going with him, Tom Swift.

"And think of all the adventures that may befall us! We'll get lost in
buried cities, ride down raging torrents on a raft, fall over a cliff
maybe and be rescued. Why, it makes me feel quite young again!" and
Mr. Damon arose, to pace excitedly up and down the room.

Up to this time Professor Bumper had said very little. He had sat
still in his chair listening to Mr. Damon. But now that the latter had
ceased, at least for a time, Tom and Ned looked toward the scientist.

"I understand, Tom," he said, "that you read my article in the
magazine, about the possibility of locating some of the lost and buried
cities of Honduras?"

"Yes, Ned and I each read it. It was quite wonderful."

"And yet there are more wonders to tell," went on the professor. "I
did not give all the details in that article. I will tell you some of
them. I have brought copies of the documents with me," and he opened a
small valise and took out several bundles tied with pink tape.

"As Mr. Damon said," he went on while arranging his papers, "he met me
on the train, and he was so taken by the story of the idol of gold that
he agreed to accompany me to Central America."

"On one condition!" put in the eccentric man.

"What's th