But just at present other matters than the warship were in
Tom's mind. The red shed was on fire.

That mere statement might not mean anything special to the
ordinary person, but to Tom, his father, and those who knew about
his shops, it meant much.

"The red shed!" Tom cried. "We mustn't let that get the best of
us! Everybody at work! Father, not you, though. You mustn't
excite yourself!"

Even in the midst of the alarm Tom thought of his father, for
the aged man had a weak heart, and had on one occasion nearly
expired, being saved just in time by the arrival of a doctor,
whom Tom brought to the scene after a wonderful race through the
air.

"But, Tom, I can help," objected the aged inventor.

"Now, you just take care of yourself, Father!" Tom cried.
"There are enough of us to look after this fire, I think."

"But, Tom, it--it's the red shed!" gasped Mr. Swift.

"I realize that, Dad. But it can't have much of a start yet. Is
the alarm ringing, Koku?"

"Yes, Master," replied the giant, in correct but stilted
English. "I have set the indicator to signal the alarm in every