as the Academy closed the next day the scouts hurried to
headquarters, for they had a great deal to do before they could carry out
the test that evening. Two or three attended to the work of removing one
of the searchlights from "Old Nanc" and putting it into place on top of
the moth catcher, while the rest of the boys strung a temporary line of
wire from the headquarters' switchboard to a point about two hundred
yards up the road. They intended to conduct the test there and throw the
searchlight into the trees on Chipman Hill across the valley.

It was dinner time when the wires were in place and the scouts, after a
last look about, all went home to get something to eat and to wait the
coming of darkness.

They began to return to headquarters about half past seven. Bruce,
Nipper Knapp, and Ray Martin were the first to arrive and, to their
surprise, they found at least two dozen people waiting outside of
headquarters.

"Well, what does this meant" inquired Bruce of Nipper.

"Well, I guess they read Rogan's story in the Journal. He said we were
going to have a test to-night, you know."

"Then we're going to have a gallery of spectators! Oh, well, we don't
mind, do we, boys?"

"You bet we don't--if the thing will only work," said Nipper.

Soon, other scouts arrived and presently an automobile rolled up to the
door and four of the town's councilmen climbed out. The party was
composed of Mr. Bassett, Mr. Bates, Mr. Adams and Mr. Franklin, all
members of the Mayor's committee of judges. The lads were disappointed
not to see Mr. Ford among them, but they felt confident that he would
appear in time for the official test.

The Councilmen looked over the moth trap with critical eyes and asked
innumerable questions. Then finally Mr. Bassett, chairman of the
committee, spoke.

"Well, Scouts, it surely looks like a good plan, but will it catch 'em,
that's what we want to know?"

"We are not certain of that ourselves, sir, but we'll take it out and
test it. Then we'll surely know," said Nipper. In a few moments the
moth catcher had been loaded into "Old Nanc" and the scouts, judges and
about one hundred townfolk who had gathered to see the demonstration,
started up Otter Creek road. By the time the boys had loaded the moth
catcher into "Old Nanc" the entire troop was there.

Twilight had gone and the stars were coming out when "Old Nanc" arrived
at the appointed location. Every one was extremely curious and