think I hear some one coming." At that moment there was a knock
at the door.



CHAPTER III

THINKING IT OVER



"FATHER, is that you?" asked Tom. "Father hasn't been feeling
well, of late," he said to the assembled company, "and I told him
to go to lie down. But he's hard to manage, and he won't rest
more than ten minutes at a time. My father, I might explain, Mr.
Hardley," Tom went on, "is actively associated with me in
business."

"So I have understood," said the man who had been introduced by
Mr. Damon.

"Dis Koku!" came the guttural voice of the giant from the other
side of the door. "Koku want more work. Hall, him all clean.
Maybe I help dat no-good Rad now."

"No you don't, Koku!" exclaimed the young inventor, with a
laugh. "You keep away from Rad. You'll get to disputing again and
interrupt me, and I have business on hand. Here, wait a minute.
I'll find something for you to do," he went on, opening the door
to disclose the immense man standing outside, a broom in his hand