seem a bit strange to go to all that
trouble to get exempted from the draft, to which I am eligible, but,
believe me, there's a reason. I can't say anything now, but I'll tell
you as soon as I can--tell everybody, in fact. Just now it isn't in
shape to talk about."

"Oh, that's all right, Tom," and Ned tried to make his voice sound
natural. "I was just wondering, that's all. I wanted to go to the front
the worst way, but they wouldn't let me. I was sort of hoping you
could, and come back to tell me about it."

"I may yet, Ned."

"You may? Why, I thought--"

"Oh, I'm only exempted for a time. I've got certain things to do, and I
couldn't do 'em if I enlisted or was drafted. So I've been excused for
a time. Now I've got a pile of work to do. What are you up to Ned? Same
old story?"

"Liberty Bonds--yes. Your father just took some more."

"And so will I, Ned. I can do that, anyhow, even if I don't enlist. Put
me down for another two thousand dollars' worth."

"Say, Tom, that's fine! That will make my share bigger than I counted
on. Shopton will beat the record."

"That's good. We ought to pull strong and hearty for our home town.
How's everything else?"

"Oh, so-so. I see Koku and Eradicate trying to outdo one another in
guarding that part of your plant," and Ned nodded toward the big new
building.

"Yes, I had to let Rad play detective. Not that he can do
anything--he's too old. But it keeps him and Koku from quarreling all
the while. I've got to be pretty careful about that shop. It's got a
secret in it that--Well, the less said about it the better."

"You're getting my curiosity aroused, Tom," remarked Ned.

"It'll have to go unsatisfied for a while. Wait a bit and I'll give you
a ride. I've got to go over to Sackett on business, and if you're going
that way I'll take you."

"What in?"

"The Hawk."

"That's me!" cried Ned. "I haven't been in an aircraft for some time."

"Tell Miles to run her out," requested Tom. "I've got to go in and say
hello to dad a minute, and then I'll be with you."

"Seems like something was in the wind, Tom--big doings?" hinted Ned.

"Yes, maybe there is. It all depends on how she turns out."

"You might be speaking of the Hawk or--Mary Nestor!" said Ned, with a
sidelong look at his chum.

"As it happens, it's neither one," said Tom, and then he hastened away,
to return shortly and guide his fleet little airship, the Hawk, on her
aerial journey.

From then on, at