in going to Honduras, and
starting the search for the lost city and the idol of gold. This kind
of trouble Tom and his friends had experienced before, on other trips
where rivals had sought to frustrate their ends.

But, in his heart, though he said nothing to Ned about it, Tom was
worried. Much as he disliked to admit it to himself, he feared the
visit of Professor Beecher to Mary Nestor in Fayetteville had but one
meaning.

"I wonder if he's going to propose to her," thought Tom. "He has the
field all to himself now, and her father likes him. That's in his
favor. I guess Mr. Nestor has never quite forgiven me for that mistake
about the dynamite box, and that wasn't my fault. Then, too, the
Beecher and Nestor families have been friends for years. Yes, he
surely has the inside edge on me, and if he gets her to throw me
over---- Well, I won't give up without a fight!" and Tom mentally
girded himself for a battle of wits.

"He's relying on the prestige he'll get out of this idol of gold if his
party finds it," thought on the young inventor. "But I'll help find it
first. I'm glad to have a little start of him, anyhow, even if it
isn't more than two days. Though if our vessel is held back much by
storms he may get on the ground first. However, that can't be helped.
I'll do the best I can."

These thoughts shot through Tom's mind even as Ned was asking his
questions and making comments. Then the young inventor, shaking his
shoulders as though to rid them of some weight, remarked:

"Well, come on out and see the sights. It will be long before we look
on Broadway again."

When the chums returned from their sightseeing excursion, they found
that Professor Bumper had arrived.

"Where's Professor Bumper?" asked Ned, the next day.

"In his room, going over books, papers and maps to make sure he has
everything."

"And Mr. Damon?"

Tom did not have to answer that last question. Into the apartment came
bursting the excited individual himself.

"Bless my overshoes!" he cried, "I've been looking everywhere for you!
Come on, there's no time to lose!"

"What's the matter now?" asked Ned. "Is the hotel on fire?"

"Has anything happened to Professor Bumper?" Tom demanded, a wild idea
forming in his head that perhaps some one of the Beecher party had
tried to kidnap the discoverer of the lost city of Pelone.

"Oh, everything is all right," answered Mr. Damon. "But it's nearly
time for the show to start, an