only of the priests in the temple of Quitzel escaped and set down
part of the tale," said the professor. "It is his narrative, or one
based on it, that I have given you."

"And now, what I want to do, is to go and make a search for this buried
city. I have fairly good directions as to how it may be reached. We
will have little difficulty in getting to Honduras, as there are fruit
steamers frequently sailing. Of course going into the interior--to the
Copan valley--is going to be harder. But an expedition from a large
college was recently there and succeeded, after much labor, in
excavating part of a buried city. Whether or not it was Kurzon I am
unable to say.

"But if there was one ancient city there must be more. So I want to
make an attempt. And I counted on you, Tom. You have had considerable
experience in strange quarters of the earth, and you're just the one to
help me. I don't need money, for I have interested a certain
millionaire, and my own college will put up part of the funds."

"Oh, it isn't a question of money," said Tom. "It's time."

"That's just what it is with me!" exclaimed Professor Bumper. "I
haven't any time to lose. My rivals may, even now, be on their way to
Honduras!"

"Your rivals!" cried Tom. "You didn't say anything about them!"

"No, I believe I didn't. There were so many other things to talk about.
But there is a rival archaeologist who would ask nothing better than to
get ahead of me in this matter. He is younger than I am, and youth is
a big asset nowadays."

"Pooh! You're not old!" cried Mr. Damon. "You're no older than I am,
and I'm still young. I'm a lot younger than some of these boys who are
afraid to tackle a trip through a tropical wilderness," and he
playfully nudged Tom in the ribs.

"I'm not a bit afraid!" retorted the young inventor.

"No, I know you're not," laughed Mr. Damon. "But I've got to say
something, Tom, to stir you up. Ned, how about you? Would you go?"

"I can't, unless Tom does. You see I'm his financial man now."

"There you are, Tom Swift!" cried Mr. Damon. "You see you are holding
back a number of persons just because you don't want to go."

"I certainly wouldn't like to go without Tom," said the professor
slowly. "I really need his help. You know, Tom, we would never have
found the city of Pelone if it had not been for you and your marvelous
powder. The conditions in the Copan valley are likely to be still more
difficult to