Huns had the advantage. Then the Allies, recognizing
how vital it was, began to forge ahead, and now Uncle Sam with his
troops under General Pershing is leading everything, or will lead
shortly. We have been a bit slow with our aircraft production, but now
we are booming along. Uncle Sam will soon have the mastery of the sky."

"I hope so," sighed Mr. Damon. "We must beat the Germans!"

Briefly, Tom spoke of what Pershing's men were doing with their
aeroplanes in France, and mention was made of what the French and
British had done prior to the entrance of the United States into the
World War.

"While we were yet neutral, Americans had made gallant names for
themselves flying for France, and with my silent motor they ought to do
better," declared Tom.

"Is silence its chief recommendation?" asked Mr. Damon.

"Yes," replied Tom. "Or rather, it will be when I have it perfected.
Aeroplane motors now are about as compact and speedy as they can be
made. It is only the terrific noise that is a handicap. It is a
handicap to the pilots and observers in the craft, as they cannot
communicate except through a special speaking tube, and this is not
always satisfactory or sure. Then, too, the noise of an airship
proclaims its approach to the enemy, sometimes long before it can be
seen.

"With a silent motor all this would be done away with. With my new
craft, in case I can perfect it, the enemy's lines can be approached as
silently as the Indians used to approach the log cabins of the white
settlers. That will be its great advantage--not that conversation can
be more easily carried on, for that is, after all, an unimportant
detail. But to approach the enemy's lines in the silence of the night
would be a distinct gain."

"I believe it would, Tom!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "And I should think,
too, that Uncle Sam would be glad to get such a motor," he added.

"Well, he'll have one to take if he wants it, if I can make my plans a
success," declared Tom. "That is, unless those other fellows get ahead
of me."

"What other fellows?" asked Mr. Damon.

"Gale, Ware and their crowd," was the answer. "I fancy they are
provoked because I wouldn't agree to work for them, and now, that Gale
overheard--as he must have--what I propose working on, they may try
that game themselves."

"You mean try to turn out a silent motor?"

"Yes. It would be a big feather in their cap for their company, so far,
hasn't been very successful on governm