It may well be supposed that all these preparations ran into money. Many a groan did Ned give when he studied the mounting cost sheets. Tom, however, was deaf to all his chum's protestations.

[Ill.u.s.tration: A Special Truck Was Built]

"I had hoped your new bendable gla.s.s would more than repay the cost of your telescope," grumbled Ned. "That's gone, and it looks to me as though everything else'll go too. The Swift Construction Company will soon be bankrupt, Tom Swift, if you don't slow down!"

"What do you mean, my flexible gla.s.s is gone? Why, I've had an application on file in the Patent Office for several months."

"Well, for Pete's sake, why didn't you tell me? Here I've been worrying my head off for nothing!"

[Ill.u.s.tration: "You'll Be Bankrupt!" Warned Ned]

"Sorry, old man. But you know I've had a lot on my mind. However, we must get back the papers, for the thief can make things pretty uncomfortable if he chooses to."

As Tom had found out, X would be useful only in an absolutely pure state. To refine it to the proper degree was a painfully slow process, taking in this case a full six weeks. While his chemists labored away under the young inventor's supervision, everything else had been made ready. At last the new element was prepared. The tons of yellow powder were dumped into the heated furnace.

[Ill.u.s.tration: His Chemists Worked Away]

Three days later the stuff had cooled sufficiently for an inspection to be made. A traveling crane slowly hoisted the ma.s.sive iron lid of the electric furnace. Tom climbed a ladder and peered down.

"It's perfect!" he shouted a moment later. Mr. Damon and Barton Swift were standing anxiously with Ned and the workmen to hear the verdict.

At the young inventor's words the group gave a cheer.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Tom Peered Down at the Disk]

"Bless my stars and planets!" cried Mr. Damon, capering about like a boy. "I can hardly wait till you have your big gla.s.s set up!"

"It won't be long now," promised Tom, much pleased himself.

While the giant disk was being given a final electrical treatment, the youthful inventor was called to the police station. The fugitive crook, Hammer, had finally been nabbed, still with the formula for the bendable gla.s.s in his possession. Tom was glad to get this back, even though patent proceedings were under way, for anyone holding the papers could have inst.i.tuted a costly legal contest.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Hammer Had Been Nabbed]

At last the time arrived when the great disk was wrapped in hundreds of bales of cotton, suspended on racks and loaded onto the great truck. Tom insisted upon riding with his precious creation. The rest of his party, including his father, Ned Newton, Mr. Damon, Professor Standish, Koku and Rad, traveled by train to the foot of the mountain.

[Ill.u.s.tration: The Disk Was Loaded on the Truck]

"Ma.s.sa Tom gonna look about six scrillion miles froo s.p.a.ce," confided Eradicate Sampson to Koku. The old Negro leaned heavily upon the ma.s.sive arm of his huge companion. "He see wonderful things!"

"He sure make big medicine!" declared the giant, for once agreeing with his old rival. He had only the vaguest idea about what his master was attempting.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Koku and Rad Went Along]

When the entire group a.s.sembled on top the mountain there was a sudden hush. The sun had set in a fiery glow that presaged a clear night, and now darkness overtook the expectant onlookers.

At last Tom stepped to the giant telescope and adjusted it upon the planet Mars. He electrified the immense disk, which glowed, then could not be seen at all.

Looking through the eyepiece, the young inventor stood as though transfixed. One minute! Two!

[Ill.u.s.tration: Tom Stepped to the Telescope]

"Tom! How does it work?" asked Ned finally, unable to restrain himself any longer.

"Look for yourself!" cried Tom, turning from the instrument. His face wore an expression of awe.

Ned quickly took his place.

"Marvelous!" he exclaimed.

Before his eyes were revealed a great city, nearly seventy-five million miles distant!

Peculiar people surged along the avenues, weird aircraft thronged the upper atmosphere, and gigantic buildings and palaces dotted the place.

All on far-distant Mars!

[Ill.u.s.tration: He Saw a Gigantic City]

As each one in Tom's party saw the wonderful sight, he in turn congratulated the youthful inventor in his own way. Ned grasped his chum's hand but could say nothing. Mr. Damon blessed the distant stars.

Koku and Rad fell upon their knees. Into the eyes of Barton Swift came tears as he said:

"Tom, my son, you have performed the greatest miracle of the Age!"

[Ill.u.s.tration: "You Have Performed a Miracle!"]

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