"He was getting ready to take part in some South American revolution," went on Mr. Damon. "He used most of his money that he got from the wreck to help finance their cause." "I must tell Mr. Sharp," went on the lad. "He'll be interested." "Anything new since I've been away?" asked the odd man. "Bless my shoe laces, but I'm glad to get back!" Tom told of the prospect of a new bank being started, and of Sam's midnight visit, as well as the encounter with Mr. Foger and Andy. "I went over to see what Mr. Foger wanted of you," went on the young inventor, "but you weren't home. Did he call?" "The servant said he had been there, not once, but several times," remarked Mr. Damon. "That reminds me. He left a note for me, and I haven't read it yet. I'll do so now." He tore open the letter, and hastily perused the contents. "Ha!" he exclaimed. "So that's what he wanted to see me about!" "What?" inquired Tom, with the privilege of an old friend. "Mr. Foger says he's going to start a new bank, and he wants me to withdraw my deposit from the old one, and put it in his institution. Says he'll pay me bigger interest. And he adds that some of the old employees have gone with him." "I hope you're not going to change," spoke Tom, thinking of his chum, Ned. "Indeed I'm not. The old bank is good enough for me. By the way, doesn't a friend of yours work there?" "Yes, Ned Newton. I'm wondering how he'll be affected?" "Don't you worry!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "Bless my check book! I'll speak to Pendergast about your friend. Maybe there'll be a chance to advance him further. I've got some mortgages falling due pretty soon, and I'll deposit the money from them in the old bank. Then we'll see what we can do about Ned." "They'll make you a bank director, if you keep on putting in money," remarked our hero, with a smile. "Not much they won't!" was the quick answer. "Bless my stocks and bonds! I've got trouble enough without becoming a bank director. My doctor says my liver is out of order again, and I've got to eat a lemon every morning before breakfast." "Eat a lemon?" "Well, drink the juice! It's the same thing. But how is the electric runabout coming on?" "Pretty good." "Have you entered it in the races yet?" "No, but I've written for information. I have until September to finish it. The races take place then." "Let's see; they're on Long Island; aren't they? How do you calculate to do; run from here to there?" "No, Dad still has the cottage he rented when we built the submarine and I think I'll make that my headquarters during the race. It's easy to run from there over to the Long Island track. They're building a new one, especially for the occasion. "Well, I hope you win the prize. I must go to town now, as I have to attend to some business. I don't s'pose you want to come in my auto. I'm pretty sure something will break before I get there, and I'd like to have you along to fix it."