e elephant on the hands of
the conspirators and kidnappers.

And it was after all this was cleared up, and Mr. Nestor restored to
his family and friends, that one day, Tom Swift received another visit
from Mr. Terrill, the government agent.

"Well, Mr. Swift," was the genial greeting, "I have come to tell you
that the favorable report made by my friends and myself as to the
performance of your noiseless motor, has been accepted by the War
Department, and I have come to ask what your terms are. For how much
will you sell your patent to the United States?"

Tom Swift arose.

"The United States hasn't money enough to buy my patent of a noiseless
motor," he said.

"Wha--what!" faltered Mr. Terrill. "Why, I understood--you don't
mean--they told me you were rather patriotic, and--"

"I hope I am patriotic!" interrupted Tom with a smile. "And when I say
that the United States hasn't money enough to buy my latest invention I
mean just that."

"My Air Scout is not for sale!"

"You mean," faltered the government agent. "You say--"

"I mean," went on Tom, "that Silent Sam is for Uncle Sam without one
cent of cost! My father and I take great pleasure in presenting such
machines as are already manufactured, those in process of making, and
the entire patents, and all other rights, to the government for the
winning of the war!"

"Oh!" said Mr. Terrill in rather a strange voice. "Oh!"

And that was all he could say for a little while.

But Tom Swift reckoned without a knowledge of a peculiar law which
prohibits the United States from accepting gifts totally without
compensation, and so, in due season, the young inventor received a
check for the sum of one dollar in full payment for his silent motor,
and the patent rights thereto. And Tom has that check framed, and
hanging over his desk.

And so the silent motor became an accomplished fact and a great
success. Those of you who have read of its work against the Boches, and
how it helped Uncle Sam to gain the mastery of the sky, need not be
reminded of this. By it many surprise attacks were made, and much
valuable information was obtained that otherwise could not have been
brought in.

One day, after the rogues had been sent to prison for long terms, and
Tom had turned over to his government his silent aircraft--except one
which he was induced to keep for his own personal use--the young
inventor went to call on Mary Nestor. The object of his call, as I
believe he state