Titus later that day.
"Do you know him well?" asked Mr. Titus.
"Very well indeed. Our drug concern sells him many
chemicals for his experiments."
"Well, if you know him I guess he can't be what I thought
he was," the contractor went on. "I'm glad to know it. Why
is he going to the Andes?"
"Oh, for many years he has been interested in collecting
Peruvian antiquities. He has a certain theory in regard to
something or other about their ancient civilization, but
just what it is I have, at this moment, forgotten. Only I
know you can thoroughly trust Professor Bumper, for a finer
man never lived, though he is a bit absent-minded at times.
But you will like him very much."
Thus the last lingering doubt of Professor Bumper was
removed. Mr. Damon told something of how the scientist had
been honored by degrees from many colleges and was regarded
as an authority on Peruvian matters.
But who had placed the bomb on deck remained a mystery.
In due time Callao, the seaport of Lima, was reached and
our friends disembarked. Tom saw to the unloading of the
explosive, which was to be sent direct to the tunnel at
Rimac. Mr. Titus, Tom and Mr. Damon would remain in Lima a
day or so.
Professor Bumper disembarked with our friends, and stopped
at the same hotel. Tom kept a lookout for Senor Pinto, but
did not see him, and concluded that the Spaniard was ill,
and would be carried ashore on a stretcher, perhaps.
Pages:
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95