cial agency report, you know, nothing unusual, and it isn't the
first time it's been done since your business got so large. But that's
how I happened to know these fellows contemplated dickering with you."

"Do you know Gale or Ware?" Tom asked.

"Not personally. But in a business way, Tom, I'd warn you to look out
for them, as they're sharp dealers. They put one over on the government
all right, and there may be some unpleasant publicity to it later. But
they're putting up a big bluff, and pretending they can turn out a lot
of flying machines for use in Europe. Why don't you get busy on that
end of the game, Tom?"

"I know you've more than done your bit, with Liberty Bonds,
subscriptions to the Y. M. C. A. and other war work, besides your war
tank and other inventions. But you're such a shark on flying machines I
should think you'd offer your factory to the government for the
production of aeroplanes."

"I would in a minute, Ned, and you know it; but the fact of the matter
is my shops aren't equipped for the production of anything in large
numbers. We do mostly an experimenting business here, making only one
or two of a certain machine. I have told the government officials they
can have anything I've got, and you know they wouldn't let me enlist
when I was working on the war tank."

"Yes, I remember that," said Ned. "You're no slacker! I wanted to
shoulder a rifle, too, but they keep me at this Liberty Loan work.
Well, Uncle Sam ought to know."

"That's what I say," agreed Tom, "and that's why I haven't gone to the
front myself. And now, as it happens, I've got something else in mind
that may help Uncle Sam."

"What is it?"

"A silent flying machine for scout work on the battle front," Tom told
his friend, and then he gave a few details, such as those he had been
telling Mr. Damon.

"Then I don't wonder you turned down the offer of the Universal
people," remarked Ned, at the conclusion of the recital. "This will be
a heap more help to the government, Tom, than working for those people,
even at twenty-five thousand dollars a year. And if you get short, and
can't meet your newest Liberty Bond payments, why, I guess the bank
will stretch your credit a little."

"Thanks!" laughed Tom, "but I'll try not to ask them."

The friends talked together a little longer, and then Ned had to take
his departure to solicit more subscriptions, while Mr. Damon went with
him, the eccentric man saying he would go home to Wate