were met by an old miner, Abe Abercrombie, who spoke of a valley of
gold in Alaska, which was the story Tom related to Ned Newton, as
the two chums sat in the den of the airship shed.

"Then you don't know all the details about the gold valley, Tom?"
remarked Ned, as the young inventor showed his chum the letter that
had just arrived.

"No, not all of them. At the time this miner met us I was anxious to
get back East, for we had been away so long I knew dad would be
worried. But I listened to part of Abe's story, and half promised to
go in partnership in this quest for gold. He was to furnish
information about the hidden valley, and I was to supply the
airship. I expect Abe to come along at any time, now, and then I'll
hear more particulars."

"Will you go all the way in the airship?"

"Well, I hadn't thought of that. I could ship it to the nearest
place by rail, I suppose, and go on from there. That's a detail to
be considered later. I'll talk it over with Abe."

"Who are going?"

"I don't know that even. I suppose Mr. Damon would feel slighted if
I left him out. And perhaps Mr. Parker, that gloomy scientist, who
is always predicting terrible accidents, will be glad to go along.
Then Abe may have some friend he wants to take."

"By Jinks! But you certainly do have swell times, Tom Swift!"