Part 3 (1/2)
”Why not?” the young inventor wanted to know.
”Because of the terrific winds that almost continually sweep over that part of Siberia. They never seem to cease, and there are treacherous air currents and 'pockets' that engulfed more than one luckless aviator. Oh, you may be sure the Russian government spared no means of finding the lost platinum mine, but they could not locate it, or even get near the place where they supposed it to be.
”Then, perhaps thinking that my brother and I were concealing something, they separated us. Where they sent him I do not know, but I was doomed to the sulphur mines. I was heartbroken, and I scarcely cared whether I lived or died. But an opportunity of escape came, and I took it. I wanted to save my brother, but I did not know where he was, and I thought if I could make my way to some civilized country, or to free America, I might later be able to save my brother.
”I went to England, taking some of my precious platinum with me, and stayed there for two years. I learned your language, but my efforts to organize an expedition to search for the lost mine, and for my brother, failed. Then I came here, and--well, I am still trying.”
”My! That is certainly interesting!” exclaimed Ned, who had been all attention during the telling of the story.
”And you certainly had a hard time,” declared Tom. ”I am much obliged for this platinum. Have you set a price on it? It is worth much more than the ordinary kind.”
”The price is nothing to you,” replied the Russian, with a smile. ”I am only too glad to help you fix your aeroplane. Will it take long? I should like to watch you.”
”Come along,” invited Tom. ”I can soon have it going again, and I'll give you a ride, if you like.”
”No, thank you, I'm hardly up to that yet, though I may be some day.
The machine I made never flew well and I had several bad falls.”
Tom and Ned worked rapidly on the magneto, and soon had replaced the defective bits of platinum.
”If the Russians had such a machine as this maybe they could have gotten to that mine,” suggested Ned, who was very proud of Tom's craft.
”It would be useless in the terrific winds, I fear,” answered Ivan Petrofsky. ”But now I care little for the mine. It is my brother whom I want to save. He must be in some of the Siberian mines, and if I had such a craft as this I might be able to rescue him.”
Tom Swift dropped the file he was using. A bright light sparkled in his eyes. He seemed strangely excited.
”Mr. Petrofsky!” he cried, ”would you let me have a try at finding your brother, and would you come with me?”
”Would I?” asked the Russian eagerly. ”I would be your debtor for life, and I would always pray for you, if you could help me to save my brother Peter.”
”Then we'll have a try at it!” cried Tom. ”I've got a different airs.h.i.+p than this--one in which I can travel three thousand miles without coming down. I haven't had any excitement since I got back from the city of gold. I'm going to Russia to help you rescue your brother from exile, and I'm also going to have a try for that lost platinum treasure!”
”Thank heaven, there is some hope for poor Peter at last,” murmured Mr.
Petrofsky earnestly.
”You never can get to the platinum mine,” said Ned. ”The winds will tear your airs.h.i.+p to pieces.”
”Not the kind I'm going to make,” declared Tom. ”It's going to be an air glider, that will fairly live on high winds. Ho! for Siberia and the platinum mines. Will you come?”
”I don't know what you mean by an air glider, Tom Swift, but I'll go to help rescue my brother,” was the quick answer, and then, with the light of a daring resolve s.h.i.+ning in his eyes, the young inventor proceeded to get his aeroplane in shape for the trip back to Shopton.
CHAPTER III
THE HAND OF THE CZAR
”Then you won't take a ride with me to-day?” asked the young inventor, of the Russian, as he completed the repairs to the magneto. ”I'd like to have you meet my father, and a friend of his, Mr. Damon. Most likely he'll go to Siberia with us, if his wife will let him. I'd like to talk some plans over with you.”
”I shall certainly call on you,” answered Ivan Petrofsky, ”but,” he added with a smile, ”I think I should prefer to take my first ride in your larger airs.h.i.+p--the one that doesn't come down so often.”