"Why not?"

"Because I want to present you with a beautiful stone, that
will answer your purpose as well or better, than any one you
could buy. That will prove my story better than any amount of
words or argument. But I could not attract your attention without
also attracting that of the jeweler. He became suspicious, gave
chase, and I thought it best to vanish. I hope no one was made to
suffer for what may have been my imprudence."

"No, the lad whom Mr. Track caught was let go. But how did you
happen to come to Shopton?"

"To see you. I got your address from the owner of the yacht
Resolute. I knew that if there was one person who could aid me to
recover my rights, it would be you, Tom Swift. Will you help me?
Will you come with me to discover the secret of Phantom Mountain?
If we go, it will have to be in an airship, for in no other way,
I think, can we come upon the place, as it is closely guarded.
Will you come? I will pay you well."

"Perhaps I had better hear your story," said the young
inventor. "But first let me suggest that we move farther away
from the house. My father, or Mr. Jackson, or the housekeeper,
may hear us talking, and it may disturb them. Come with me to my
private shop," and Tom led the way to a small building where he
did experimental work. He unlocked the door with a key he
carried, turned on the lights, which were run by a storage
battery, and motioned Mr. Jenks to a seat.