"Have you a half hour to give me while it explain matters?"
asked Mr. Hardley. "I may go farther and say I need considerable
time to go into all the details. May I speak now?"

To tell the truth Tom Swift had many important matters to
consider, and, in addition, Ned Newton was prepared to go over
some financial ends of the business with Tom. But the young
inventor felt that, in justice to his friend Mr. Damon, who had
brought Mr. Hardley, he could do no less than give the stranger a
hearing. But only the introduction by Mr. Damon brought this
about.

"I shall be glad to hear what you have to say, Mr. Hardley,"
said Tom, as courteously as he could. "I will not go so far as to
say that my time is unlimited, but I will listen to you now if
you care to go into details."

"That's good!" exclaimed the visitor. "I'm sure that when you
have listened you will agree with me."

"He's a little bit too sure!" mused Ned.

"Bless my pocketbook, Tom, but there are millions in it!"
exclaimed Mr. Damon. "Literally millions, Tom!"

Mr. Hardley settled himself comfortably in his chair and looked
from Tom to Ned.

"May I speak freely here?" he asked, with obvious intent.