"I suppose any man would answer that question in the negative,"
he replied. "Frankly, I could use more money, though I am not
poor."
"So I have heard. Well, would a million dollars clear profit
appeal to you?"
"It certainly would," was the answer.
"Then I am prepared to offer you that sum," went on Mr.
Hardley. "But there are certain conditions, and I may say that
this vast wealth is not easy to come at. However, with your
inventive genius, I am sure you will be able to solve the mystery
of the sea. Now then as to details. There lies, on the floor of
the ocean--"
"Hark!" exclaimed Tom, raising a hand to enjoin silence. "I
think I hear some one coming." At that moment there was a knock
at the door.
CHAPTER III
THINKING IT OVER
"FATHER, is that you?" asked Tom. "Father hasn't been feeling
well, of late," he said to the assembled company, "and I told him
to go to lie down. But he's hard to manage, and he won't rest
more than ten minutes at a time. My father, I might explain, Mr.
Hardley," Tom went on, "is actively associated with me in
business.
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