government accepted your giant cannon and your great searchlight,
you have come into greater prominence than ever before. And those
two things are a wonderful success."

"Yes," admitted Tom, modestly enough, "the big electric light
seems to have been of some benefit on the European battle front,
and though they haven't been able to make and transport as many
of my giant cannons as I'd like to see over there, it is
progressing, I understand."

And this is true. For the details of these two inventions of
Tom Swift's I refer my readers to the books bearing those titles.
Sufficient to state here that the government was using these two
inventions, and there had been no necessity for commandeering
them either, since Tom had freely offered them at the declaration
of war with Germany.

"Well, since I can't help you with my 'Whizzer,'" said Mr.
Damon, with a smile, "let me do what I can toward your silent
motor, Tom. What are you going to call it?"

"Oh, I don't know--hadn't thought of a name. I guess 'Air
Scout' would be as good as any. That's what it will be--a machine
for silently scouting in the air. And now to get down to brass
tacks, as the poet says, I believe I will--"

"Gentleman to see you, Mr. Swift," interrupted Jackson.

"Bless my penwiper!" cried Mr. Damon. "More visitors! I hope it
isn't Gale or Ware come back to see what they can spy on!"