“She may not be an unqualified success right at the start,” rejoined the young inventor, with confidence. “But I mean to make her fly and sail and make a proper landing on the earth and water before I am through.” The morning of the day on which the test flight of the new plane was to occur, Tom Swift was awakened at eight o’clock, a late hour for him, by the ringing of his private radio-telephone. He rolled over in bed and grabbed the instrument, removed the receiver and sleepily shouted: “Hullo!” “Tom Swift?” came the voice over the wire—a voice that was quite unfamiliar to the inventor. “Speaking,” replied Tom, yawning. “Excuse me. Who is it?” “That does not matter—just now,” said the voice clearly. “I want you to do me a favor.” “What is that?” “I understand you mean to try out your new seaplane to-day?” “That is a private matter,” returned Tom, awakened now to full caution. “Agreed. But I would like the chance of going with you on the try-out.” “What’s that?” demanded Tom, in amazement “You want to join my mechanics and myself on what may be a dangerous voyage?” “Exactly. I am interested in your invention. I may be more interested when I see personally how it works. And if that is so——” “Well, sir?” shot in Tom, not at all pleased. “If the plane acts as you seem to think it will, I may be able to finance your building several of the machines and under circumstances that will make it well worth your while to sign a contract.” Tom got a grip on himself almost at once. He replied in a most casual way: “I am not at all sure that you could interest me in any such proposition, even if I knew who you were and was assured of your good intent. In the first place, this is an entirely private venture, and I have no thought of selling the plane, or any like it. It may be some time before I consider the machine perfect. In any case, I do not know you——” “Tell me that I am to be one of your sailing party and I will present my credentials,” interrupted the strange voice quickly. Naturally Tom Swift had thought, as soon as he was fully awakened, of the dapper man whose presence at the launching of the _Winged Arrow_ had puzzled both Ned Newton and himself. Although the man had the appearance of a foreigner, this voice betrayed not the least accent. The English used seemed meticulously correct, which is, however, a mark sometimes of the speech of well educated foreigners. “I can make no arrangements over the telephone,” Tom said bluntly. “Especially with people of whose identity I know nothing. In addition, in the present case, and regarding your request, I must refuse absolutely. Nobody goes with me on the test trip save chosen workmen and Mr. Newton. I must distinctly say No!” concluded Tom. “If ready cash would be an object?” began the voice again, but Tom said once more: “No, sir!” and closed the receiver.