Part 28 (1/2)
The officer said nothing, but he looked at Toht was a peculiar manner
A few days before the date set for the test one of the sentinels, who had been detailed to keep curiosity-seekers away froiant cannon, approached To to see you, Mr Swift”
”Who is it?” asked To to the gun
”He says his name is Peterson--Alec Peterson Do you want to see hi inventor ”Do you hear that, Ned?” he called ”Our fortune-hunting friend is here”
”Maybe he's found that lost opal ested Ned
”I hope he has, for dad's sake,” went on Tom ”hello, Mr Peterson!” he called, as he noticed the old prospector co ”Have you had any luck?”
”I heard you were down here,” said thethe question directly, ”and as I had to run over froht I'd stop and see you How are you?” and he shook hands
”Fine!” answered Tom ”Have you found the lost mine yet?”
Alec Peterson paused a moment Then he said slowly:
”No, To the mine yet But I--I expect to any day now!” he added, hastily
CHAPTER XXIV
THE LONGEST SHOT
”Well, Mr Peterson,” remarked Tom, after a pause, ”I'm sure I hope you will succeed in your quest You must have oing to give up Can't you coo back North?”
”I'll try Just where is your island?”
”Off in that direction,” responded the fortune-hunter, pointing to the northeast ”It's a little farther froht it was at first--about thirty miles But I have a little second-hand steam launch that my pardners and I use I'll co you back any tiun has been tested,” said Toet back to the island I have some new information that I aood-bye, and good luck to you,” called Tom, as the fortune-hunter started away
”Do you think he'll ever find the opals, Tom?” asked Ned
His chum shook his head
”I don't believe so,” he answered ”Alec has always been that way--always visionary--always just about to be successful; but never quite getting there”
”Then your father's ten thousand dollars will be lost?”