"You may," the young inventor answered. "Mr. Newton is my
financial manager, and I do nothing of importance without
consulting him. You may regard him as a member of the firm, in
fact, as he does own some stock. My father is practically
retired, and I do not trouble him with unimportant details. So
Mr. Newton and I are prepared to listen to you."

"Very well, Mr. Swift, I'm going to ask you a question. Have
you all the money you want?"

Tom laughed.

"I suppose any man would answer that question in the negative,"
he replied. "Frankly, I could use more money, though I am not
poor."

"So I have heard. Well, would a million dollars clear profit
appeal to you?"

"It certainly would," was the answer.

"Then I am prepared to offer you that sum," went on Mr.
Hardley. "But there are certain conditions, and I may say that
this vast wealth is not easy to come at. However, with your
inventive genius, I am sure you will be able to solve the mystery
of the sea. Now then as to details. There lies, on the floor of
the ocean--"

"Hark!" exclaimed Tom, raising a hand to enjoin silence. "I