H. & P. A. might as well be scrapped and the whole territory out
there handed over to Montagne Lewis and his H. & W. That is the
sum total of the matter, gentlemen. If the Swift Construction
Company cannot help us, my railroad is going to be junk in about
three years from this beautiful evening."

His emphasis could not fail to impress both the elder and the
younger Swift. They looked at each other, and the interest
displayed upon the father's countenance was reflected upon the
features of the son.

If there was anything Tom Swift liked it was a good fight. The
clash of diverse interests was the breath of life to the young
fellow. And for some years now, always connected in some way
with the development of his inventive genius, he had been
entangled in battles both of wits and physical powers. Here was
the suggestion of something that would entail a struggle of both
brain and brawn.

"Sounds good," muttered Tom, gazing at the railroad magnate
with considerable admiration.

"Let us hear all about it," Mr. Swift said to Bartholomew.
"Whether we can help you or not, we're interested."

"All right," replied the visitor again. "Whether I was followed
East, and here to Shopton, or not doesn't much matter. I will put
my proposition up to you, and then I'll ask, if you don't want to
go into it, that you keep the business absolutely secret. I have
got to put something over on Montagne Lewis and his crowd, or