ghost, that he didn't take
much notice of the location of the place. All he knows is that Phantom
Mountain is somewhere around here."

"And we've got to hunt until we find it; is that the idea?" asked Mr.
Parker.

"Or until we see the phantom," added Tom, in a low voice.

"Bless my topknot!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "You don't mean to say you
expect to see that ghost; do you Tom?"

"Perhaps," answered the young inventor, and he did not add something
else of which he was thinking. For Tom had a curious theory regarding
the phantom.

They tramped about the remainder of that day. Toward evening Tom shot
some birds, which made a welcome addition to their supper. Then the tent
was put together, some spruce and hemlock boughs were cut to make a soft
bed, and on these, while the light of a campfire gleamed in on them, the
adventurers slept.

Their experience the following day was similar to the first. They saw no
evidence of a large cave such as Mr. Jenks had described, nor were there
any traces of men having gone back and forth among the mountains, as
might have been expected of the diamond makers, for, as Mr. Jenks had
said, they made frequent journeys to the settlement for food, and other
supplies.

"Well, I haven't begun to give up yet," announced Tom, on the third day,
when their quest was still unsuccessful. "But I think we are making one
mistake."

"What is that?" inquired Mr. Jenks.

"I think we should go up higher. In my opinion the cave is near the top
of some peak; isn't it, Mr. Jenks?"

"I have that impression, though, as you know, I never saw the outside of
it. Still, it might not be a bad idea to ascend some of these peaks."

Following this suggestion, they laid their trail more toward the sky,
and that night found them encamped several thousand feet above the
sea-level. It was quite cool, and the campfire was a big one about which
they sat after supper, talking of many things.

Tom did not sleep well that night. He tossed from side to side on the
bed of boughs, and once or twice got up to replenish the fire, which had
burned low. His companions were in deep slumber.

"I wonder what time it is?" mused Tom, when he had been up the third
time to throw wood on the blaze. "Must be near morning." He looked at
his watch, and was somewhat startled to see that it was only a little
after twelve. Somehow it seemed much later.

As he was putting the timepiece back into his pocket the lad looked
around at the