that the plot is far-reaching."

"Are the French in it?" asked Ned impulsively.

"The French! Why do you ask that?"

"Tell him about Eradicate, and the man who wanted to buy the
mule, Tom," suggested Ned.

Thereupon the young inventor mentioned the story told by
Eradicate. He also brought out the fire-bomb, and explained his
theory as to how it had operated to set the red shed ablaze.

"I think you are right," said Lieutenant Marbury. "And, as
regards the French, I might say they are not the only nation
banded to obtain our secrets--yours and the government's!"

"But I thought the French and the English were friendly toward
us!" Ned exclaimed.

"So they are, in a certain measure," the officer went on. "And
Russia is, too. But, in all foreign countries there are two
parties, the war party, as it might be called, and the peace
element.

"But I might add that it is neither France, England, nor Russia
that we must fear. It is a certain other great nation, which at
present I will not name."

"And you think spies set this fire?"