boats, airships, and submarines. In addition he traveled on many
expeditions with Mr. Damon, Ned, and others. He went among the
diamond makers and it was when he escaped from captivity that he
managed to bring away Koku, the giant, with him. Since then Koku
and Eradicate Sampson, the faithful colored man, had periodic
quarrels as to who should serve the young inventor.

Besides inventing and using many machines of motive power, Tom
Swift engaged in other industries. He helped dig a big tunnel, he
constructed a photo-telephone, a great searchlight and a monster
cannon. Occasionally he had searched for treasure, once under
the sea, with considerable success.

Of late his and his father's industries had become so important
that a number of new buildings had been constructed and the plant
greatly enlarged. Ned Newton, who had once worked in a Shopton
bank, became financial manager for Tom and his father, and plenty
of work he found with which to occupy himself.

Just prior to the opening of this story Tom had perfected a
noiseless aeroplane--or one so nearly silent as to justify the
name. The details of it will be found in the book called "Tom
Swift and His Air Scout." In this mechanism of the air Tom had
had some wonderful experiences, and they had not been at home
more than a few weeks when New Newton broached the subject of
undersea wealth.

The talk of Tom and his financial manager was interrupted by
the arrival of Mr. Damon and the stranger he had introduced as
Mr. Hardley.