ied himself in helping our hero, Ned and
Abe Abercrombie in getting ready for the trip to Alaska, the gloomy
scientist went about making "observations" as he called them, with a
view to predicting what might happen in the near future.

He was particularly anxious to get up north, among the caves of ice,
and, several times he repeated his statement that he believed the
mass of ice in Alaska was working down toward the south. But no one
paid much attention to him, though Tom recalled, not without a
little shudder, that Mr. Parker had correctly predicted the
destruction of Earthquake Island, and also the landslide on Phantom
Mountain.

The airship was finally sent off, being forwarded to Seattle in
sections, where it could easily be put together. The matter of Andy
Foger having a duplicate map of the valley of gold was discussed,
but it was agreed that nothing could be done about it. So Tom and
the others devoted all their energies to getting in shape for their
prospective journey.

Mr. Swift was invited to go, but declined on the ground that he had
several inventions to perfect, nor could Mr. Jackson go, as he was
needed to help his employer. So Tom, Ned, Mr. Damon, Mr. Parker and
Abe Abercrombie made up the party. Tom arranged to send wireless
messages to his father from the airship once they were started off
toward the valley of gold, and over the frozen north.

One evening, when Tom had been to pay a last visit to Mary Nestor,
as he was coming past the Foger premises he saw a number of large
vans, loaded with big packing cases coming out of the banker's yard.

"Hum! I wonder if they're moving?" mused our hero. "If they are
they're taking a queer time for it." He paused a moment to look at
the procession of vans. As he did so he heard the voice of Andy
Foger.

"Now, I want you men to be careful of everything!" the bully called
out arrogantly. "If you break anything I'll sue you for damages!"

"Oh, that cub makes me sick!" exclaimed one of the drivers as he
came opposite Tom.

"What are you moving--eggs, that you have to be so careful?" asked
the young inventor, in a low voice.

"Eggs? No! But it might just as well be," was the growling answer.
"He's shipping an airship, all taken to pieces, and he has nervous
prostration for fear it will be broken. I don't believe the old
thing's any good, anyhow."

"An airship--Andy Foger sending away his airship?" gasped Tom.
"Where to?"

"Some place in Alaska," was th