“Too late! Bless my soul, too late for what?” gasped Mr. Damon, somewhat alarmed by Tom's manner.
The lad did not answer at once. He was intently listening to a series of dots and dashes that clicked in the telephone receiver clamped to his left ear. On his face there was a look of worriment.
“Father has just sent me a message,” he said. “It's a warning flashed through space! He's been trying to get it to me since yesterday!”
“What is it?” asked Mr. Jenks, rising from his seat.
“The mysterious man is aboard the airship--hidden away!” cried Tom. “That's what Eradicate was trying to call to our attention as we started off. Eradicate saw his face at a rear window, and tried to warn us! The mysterious man is a stowaway on board!”
Tom's excited announcement startled Mr. Damon and the others as much as if the young inventor had informed them that the airship had exploded and was about to dash with them to the earth. The men leaped to their feet, and stared at the lad.
“A stowaway on board!” cried Mr. Damon. “Bless my soul! How did he--”
“Are you sure that message is straight?” asked Mr. Jenks. “Did Eradicate see the man?”
“He says he did,” answered Tom. “The man is hidden away on board now--probably among the stores and supplies.”
“Bless my tomato sauce!” exploded Mr. Damon. “I hope he doesn't eat them all up!”
“We must get him out at once!” declared Mr. Jenks.
“I knew something would happen on this voyage,” came from Mr. Parker. “I predicted it from the first!”
Tom thought considerable, but he did not answer the scientist just then. Another communication was coming to him by wireless. He listened intently.
“Father says,” the lad told his companions “that Eradicate only had a glimpse of the man at the last moment. He was looking from the rear storeroom window--he's the same man who called on me that time--Rad remembers him very well.”
“Bless my shoes! What's to be done?” inquired Mr. Damon, looking around helplessly.
“We must get him out, that's all,” decided Mr. Jenks; with vigor. “Get him out and drop him overboard!”
“Drop him overboard!” cried Mr. Parker, in horror.
“Not exactly, but get rid of him,” proceeded the diamond seeker. “That man is one of my enemies. He has been sent by the band of diamond makers hidden among the mountains, to spy on me, and, if possible, prevent me from seeking to discover their secret. He tried to work on Tom's Swift's fears, and frighten him from using his airship on this quest. Then, when he failed, the man must have sneaked into the shed, and hidden himself in the ship. We must get rid of him, or he may wreck the Red Cloud!”