ride. And now I must be getting back. But if you contemplate
a trip anywhere, don't forget to let me know."

"I don't count on going anywhere soon," Tom answered. "I
have something on hand that will occupy all my time, though
I don't just like it. However, I'm going to do my best," and
he waved good-bye to Mr. Damon, who went off blessing
various parts of his anatomy or clothing, an odd habit he
had.

As Tom turned to go into the house, the unsettled look
still on his face, some one hailed him.

"I say, Tom. Hello! Wait a minute! I've got something to
show you!"

"Oh, hello, Ned Newton!" Called back the young inventor.
"Well, if it's Liberty Bonds, you don't need to show me any,
for dad and I will buy all we can without seeing them."

"I know that, Tom, and it was a dandy subscription you
gave me. I didn't come about that, though I may be around
the next time Uncle Sam wants the people to dig down in
their socks. This is something different," and Ned Newton, a
young banker of Shopton and a lifelong friend of Tom's, drew
a paper from his pocket as he advanced across the lawn.

"There, Tom Swift!" he cried, flipping out an illustrated
page, evidently from some illustrated newspaper. "There's
the very latest from the other side. A London banker friend