was carrying some secret that was too much for him.
"Well, nothing exactly new," answered Tom. "At best I am merely going to try an experiment."
"An experiment, eh?" resumed Mr. Jenks. "And might I ask if it has anything to do with rescuing us from this island?"
"I hope it will have," answered Tom, gravely.
"Good!" exclaimed Mr. Jenks. "Well, now I have a proposition to make to you. I suppose you are not very wealthy, Mr. Swift?" He gazed at Tom, quizzically.
"I am not poor," was the young inventor's proud answer, "but I would be glad to make more money—legitimately."
"I thought so. Most every one would. Look here!"
He approached closer to Tom, and, pulling his hand from his pocket, held it extended. In the palm were a number of irregularly-shaped objects—stones or crystals the lad took them to be, yet they did not look like ordinary stones or crystals.
"Do you know what those are?" asked Mr, Jenks.
"I might guess," replied Tom.
"I'll save you the trouble. They are diamonds!
