"Appleton, Victor - Tom Swift Sr 020 - Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders" - читать интересную книгу автора (Appleton Victor)

``And my promise to go was dependent on Tom's agreement to accompany
us,'' said Mr. Damon

``Come on!'' urged the professor, much as one boy might urge another
to take part in a ball game. ``Don't let my rival get ahead of me.''

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``I wouldn't like to see that,'' Tom said slowly. ``Who is he -- any
one I know?''

``I don't believe so, Tom. He's connected with a large, new college
that has plenty of money to spend on explorations and research work.
Beecher is his name -- Fenimore Beecher.''

``Beecher!'' exclaimed Tom, and there was such a change in his manner
that his friends could not help noticing it. He jumped to his feet, his
eyes snapping, and he looked eagerly and anxiously at Professor Bumper.

``Did you say his name was Fenimore Beecher?'' Tom asked in a tense
voice.

``That's what it is -- Professor Fenimore Beecher. He is really a
learned young man, and thoroughly in earnest, though I do not like his
manner. But he is trying to get ahead of me, which may account for my
feeling.''

Tom Swift did not answer. Instead he hurried from the room with a
murmured apology.

``I'll be back in about five minutes,'' he said, as he went out.

``Well, what's up now?'' asked Mr. Damon of Ned, as the young inventor
departed. ``What set him off that way?''

``The mention of Beecher's name, evidently. Though I never heard him
mention such a person before.''

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``Nor did I ever hear Professor Beecher speak of Tom,'' said the
bald-headed scientist. ``Well, we'll just have to wait until -- -- ''

At that moment Tom came back into the room.

``Gentlemen,'' he said, ``I have reconsidered my refusal to go to the
Copan valley after the idol of gold. I'm going with you!''