The adventurers safely reached the New Jersey coast, and the submarine was docked.Mr.Swift at once communicated with the proper authorities concerning the recovery of the gold.He offered to divide withthe actual owners, after he and his friends had been paid for their services, but as the revolutionary party to whom the bullion was intended had gone out of existence, there was no one to officially claim the treasure, so it all went to Tom and his friends, who made an equitable distribution of it.The young inventor did not forget to buy Mrs.Baggert a fine diamond ring, as he had promised.
As for Berg and his employers, they were, it was learned later, greatly chagrined at finding the wreck valueless.They tried to make trouble for Tom and his father, but were not successful.
A few days after arriving at the seacoast cottage, Tom, his father and Mr.Damon went to Shopton in the airship.Captain Weston, Garret Jackson and Mn Sharp remained behind in charge of the submarine.It was decided that the Swifts would keep the craft and not sell it to the Government, as Tom said they might want to go after more treasure some day.
"I must first deposit this gold," said Mr.Swift as the airship landed in front of the shed at his home."It won't do to keep it in the house over night, even if the Happy Harry gang is in jail."Tom helped him take it to the bank.As they were making perhaps the largest single deposit ever put in the institution, Ned Newton came out.
"Well, Tom," he cried to his chum, "it seems that you are never going to stop doing things.You've conquered the air, the earth and the water.""What have you been doing while I've been under water, Ned?" asked the young inventor.
"Oh, the same old thing.Running errands and doing all sorts of work in the bank."Tom had a sudden idea.He whispered to his father and Mr.Swift nodded.A little later he was closeted with Mr.Prendergast, the bank president.It was not long before Ned and Tom were called in.
"I have some good news for you, Ned," said Mr.Prendergast, while Tom smiled."Mr.Swift er--ahem--one of our largest depositors, has spoken to me about you, Ned.I find that you have been very faithful.You are hereby appointed assistant cashier, and of course you will get a much larger salary."Ned could hardly believe it, but he knew then what Tom had whispered to Mr.Swift.The wishes of a depositor who brings much gold bullion to a bank can hardly be ignored.
"Come on out and have some soda," invited Tom, and when Ned looked inquiringly at the president, the latter nodded an assent.
As the two lads were crossing the street to a drug store, something whizzed past them, nearly running them down.
"What sort of an auto was that?" cried Tom.
"That? Oh, that was Andy Foger's new car," answered Ned."He's been breaking the speed laws every day lately, but no one seems to bother him.It's because his father is rich, I suppose.Andy says he has the fastest car ever built.""He has, eh?" remarked Tom, while a curious look came into his eyes."Well, maybe I can build one that will beat his."And whether the young inventor did or not you can learn by reading the fifth volume of this series, to be called "Tom Swift and His Electric Runabout; Or, The Speediest Car on the Road.""Well, Tom, I certainly appreciate what you did for me in getting me a better position," remarked Ned as they left the drug store."I was beginning to think I'd never get promoted.Say, have you anything to do this evening? If you haven't, I wish you'd come over to my house.I've got a lot of pictures I took while you were away.""Sorry, but I can't," replied Tom.
"Why, are you going to build another airship or submarine?""No, but I'm going to see-- Oh, what do you want to know for, anyhow?" demanded the young inventor with a blush."Can't a fellow go see a girl without being cross-questioned?""Oh, of course," replied Ned with a laugh."Give Miss Nestor my regards," and at this Tom blushed still more.But, as he said, that was his own affair.
