Of recent years the latter had not been active, but had put the affairs in the hands of his capable son Tom, ably assisted by Ned Newton. The older man now spent most of his time writing scientific books and articles. [Illustration: The Boys Reached the Swift Residence] The boys washed as quickly as possible so as not to delay dinner, for both possessed healthy appetites. Joining Mr. Swift in the library, they found him and Mr. Damon deep in a game of chess. "Check!" cried Tom's father triumphantly, moving his king. "Got you again, Damon!" "Bless my pawns and castles!" exclaimed the eccentric gentleman. "You've won three straight games!" [Illustration: Mr. Swift, Tom's Father] "Hello, Dad!" said Tom suddenly. "I see you're up to your old tricks!" In spite of his bantering tone the young inventor was pleased that his father was relaxing in a friendly game. "Your father shouldn't be in the amateur class any more, Tom!" Mr. Damon grumbled playfully. "Bless my trophy cup, but I'm afraid to play with him!" "Better luck next time," consoled Mr. Swift, a twinkle in his eye. Mr. Damon left, refusing an invitation to dinner and saying that he had to take his car to a garage for a minor repair job before starting for his home in Waterford, a near-by town. [Illustration: "Hello, Dad," Said Tom] "How goes it with you, son?" asked Mr. Swift when Tom returned from seeing his guest to the door. "Your new space eye, as you call it--is it working out?" "I think so, Dad, but wait until I get the big model built!" [Illustration: Tom Saw Mr. Damon to the Door] "Genmens, dinnah am serbed!" An old negro thrust his white-fringed head through the library door. "An' it sho' am good!" Eradicate Sampson, so-called for his work in younger days of eradicating dirt from the homes of Shopton, had been attached to the Swift household for many years and now regarded himself as one of the family. As they sat at table the conversation of the three turned naturally to Tom's latest invention. Mr. Swift had not heard yet all Tom's ideas of the proposed telescope and was full of eager questions. [Illustration: Eradicate Sampson] "Just how long do you think it will take to make your big disk, son?" asked Mr. Swift. "That is, if you find any more of the new material." "The meteorite is already on board a north-bound freight steamer," answered Tom, "and ought to get here within the next ten days. It'll require at least three weeks to extract all the X and cast it into shape. Taking everything into consideration, I should say it will be at least six weeks before we can test the device. The matter depends entirely on finding a lot of X in the planet stone. But I'm sure I shall." [Illustration: "The Meteorite Is Northbound!"]