Victor Appleton

Tom Swift, who had been slowly looking through the pages of a magazine, in the contents of which he seemed to be deeply interested, turned the final folio, ruffled the sheets back again to look at a certain map and drawing, and then, slapping the book down on a table before him, with a noise not unlike that of a shot, exclaimed: "Well, that is certainly one wonderful story " "What's it about, Tom?" asked his chum, Ned Newton. "Something about inside baseball, or a new submarine that can be converted into an airship on short notice?" "Neither one, you-you unscientific heathen," answered Tom, with a laugh at Ned. "Though that isn't saying such a machine couldn't be invented." "I believe you-that is if you got on its trail," returned Ned, and there was warm admiration in his voice. "As for inside baseball, or outside, for that matter, I hardly believe I'd be able to tell third base from the second base, it's so long since I went to a game," proceeded Tom. "I've been too busy on that new airship stabilizer dad gave me an idea for.

In book 24 of this new series, Tom Swift runs afoul of several flying vehicles including a recent Venus Probe sent to study seismic activity on the super hot second planet. What he does not realize is he will be drawn into a rescue mission when the designers fail to take into consideration many things that go toward keeping a tall structure upright. Before he can even plan a rescue Tom and Bud Barclay must wrestle a small jet down to the ground when someone tries to knock them from the sky. Then, he and another pilot take a test flight that ends in Tom being a crash victim in an unfriendly country where he is rescued by a resistance organization but not before the government there declares to the world that the is dead Finally, when the mission to Venus looks as if it can be handled by a robot, it soon becomes clear that it will take a human touch. And, we all know that means Tom Swift

"IMPOSSIBLE, Ned It can't be as much as that " "Well, you can prove the additions yourself, Tom, on one of the adding machines. I've been over 'em twice, and get the same result each time. There are the figures. They say figures don't lie, though it doesn't follow that the opposite is true, for those who do not stick closely to the truth do, sometimes, figure. But there you have it; your financial statement for the year," and Ned Newton, business manager for Tom Swift, the talented young inventor, shoved a mass of papers across the table to his friend and chum, as well as employer. "It doesn't seem possible, Ned, that we have made as much as that this past year. And this, as I understand it, doesn't include what was taken from the wreck of the Pandora?" Tom Swift looked questioningly at Ned Newton, who shook his head in answer. "You really didn't get anything to speak of out of your undersea search, Tom," replied the young financial manager, "so I didn't include it.

"Well, Tom Swift, I don't believe you will make any mistake if you buy that diamond," said the jeweler to a young man who was inspecting a tray of pins, set with the sparkling stones. "It is of the first water, and without a flaw." "It certainly seems so, Mr. Track. I don't know much about diamonds, and I'm depending on you. But this one looks to be all right." "Is it for yourself, Tom?" "Er-no-that is, not exactly," and Tom Swift, the young inventor of airships and submarines, blushed slightly. "Ah, I see. It's for your housekeeper, Mrs. Baggert.

"What's the matter, Tom? You look rather blue " "Blue Say, Ned, I'd turn red, green, yellow, or any other color of the rainbow, if I thought it would help matters any." "Whew " Ned Newton, the chum and companion of Tom Swift, gave vent to a whistle of surprise, as he gazed at the young fellow sitting opposite him, near a bench covered with strange-looking tools and machinery, while blueprints and drawings were scattered about. Ranged on the sides of the room were models of many queer craft, most of them flying machines of one sort or another, while through the open door that led into a large shed could be seen the outlines of a speedy monoplane. "As bad as that, eh, Tom?" went on Ned. "I thought something was up when I first came in, but, if you'll excuse a second mention of the color scheme, I should say it was blue-decidedly blue. You look as though you had lost your last friend, and I want to assure you that if you do feel that way, it's dead wrong.

"Tom, this is certainly wonderful reading Over a hundred million dollars' worth of silver at the bottom of the ocean More than two hundred million dollars in gold To say nothing of fifty millions in copper, ten millions in-" "Say, hold on there, Ned Hold on Where do you get that stuff; as the boys say? Has something gone wrong with one of the adding machines, or is it just on account of the heat? What's the big idea, anyhow? How many millions did you say?" and Tom Swift, the talented young inventor, looked at Ned Newton, his financial manager, with a quizzical smile. "It's all right, Tom It's all right " declared Ned, and it needed but a glance to show that he was more serious than was his companion. "I'm not suffering from the heat, though the thermometer is getting close to ninety-five in the shade. And if you want to know where I get 'that stuff' read this " He tossed over to his chum, employer, and friend-for Tom Swift assumed all three relations toward Ned Newton-part of a Sunday newspaper.

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1910 edition. Excerpt: ...go to the stern," and, going over to the gas generator, Mr. Sharp started it so as to force more vapor into the red aluminum container. This had the effect of rendering the airship more bouyant, and it tugged and strained harder than ever at the ropes. "Good-by, Tom," called Mr. Swift, reaching up to shake hands with his son. "Drop me a line when you get a chance. "Oh, Tom, do be careful," implored Mrs. Baggert, her kind face showing her anxiety. "May I kiss you good-by?" "Of course," answered the young inventor, though the motherly housekeeper had not done this since he was a little chap. She had to stand on a soap box, which Eradicate brought in order to reach Tom's face, and, when she had kissed him she said: "Oh, I'm so worried I just know you'll be killed, risking your lives in that terrible airship " "Ha Not a very cheerful view to take, madam," observed Mr. Damon. "Don't hold that view, I beg of you. Bless my eyelashes, but you'll see us coming home, covered with glory and star dust." "I'm sure I hope so," answered Mrs. Baggert, laughing a little in spite of herself. The last ropes were cast off. Good-bys were shouted as the airship shot into the air, and Mr. Sharp started the motor, to warm it up before the propellers were thrown into gear. The twenty cylinders began exploding with a terrific racket. as the muffler was open, and Tom, looking down, saw Boomerang awaken with a jump. The mule was so frightened that he started off on a dead run, swinging the rickety, old wagon along behind him. Eradicate Sampson, who had been feeling his muscle since he discovered what he thought was his marvelous strength, saw what was happening. "Whoa, dar, Boomerang " he shouted. Then, as the tailboard of the wagon swung past him, he reached out and...

Tom Swift Among the Diamond Makers The Secret of Phantom Mountain by Victor Appleton While young Tom Swift is in a jewelry store shopping for a ring for Mary, he meets a man who claims to be willing to teach Tom how to make diamonds. Later, the man (who happens to be one of the party that Tom rescued in the book Tom Swift and his Wireless Message) tells Tom his story - how he was approached by a group of men who knew how to make diamonds, how he actually watched them make diamonds, and how he gave them some money, and how they dumped him (but not before giving him a fortune in diamonds). The man urges Tom to go with him on a hunt for these diamond makers. We are delighted to publish this classic book as part of our extensive Classic Library collection. Many of the books in our collection have been out of print for decades, and therefore have not been accessible to the general public. The aim of our publishing program is to facilitate rapid access to this vast reservoir of literature, and our view is that this is a significant literary work, which deserves to be brought back into print after many decades. The contents of the vast majority of titles in the Classic Library have been scanned from the original works. To ensure a high quality product, each title has been meticulously hand curated by our staff. Our philosophy has been guided by a desire to provide the reader with a book that is as close as possible to ownership of the original work. We hope that you will enjoy this wonderful classic work, and that for you it becomes an enriching experience.