"Mostly. But come, take a look at my latest pet," and Tom arose
to lead the way to another shed, a large one in the distance,
toward which he waved his hand to indicate to his chum that there
was housed the wonderful invention.

The two chums crossed the yard, threading their way through the
various buildings, until they stood in front of the structure to
which Tom had called attention.

"It's in here," he said. "I don't mind admitting that I'm quite
proud of it, Ned; that is, proud as far as I've gone. But the gun
business sure has me worried. I'm going to talk it off on you.
Hello!" cried Tom suddenly, as he put a key in the complicated
lock on the door, "someone has been in here. I wonder who it is?"

Ned was a little startled at the look on Tom's face and the
sound of alarm in his chum's voice.



CHAPTER II
A FIRE ALARM


Tom Swift quickly opened the door of the big shed. It was built
to house a dirigible balloon, or airship of some sort. Ned could
easily tell that from his knowledge of Tom's previous inventions.

"Something wrong?" asked the young bank clerk.