"A week from today, and I'm going to need all that time to get
ready. Now let's get busy, and we'll arrange to go to Sandy Hook.
I've had trouble enough to get this permit--I guess I'll put it
where it won't get lost," and he locked it in a secret drawer of
his desk.

Then the lads stored the powder in a safe place, and soon were
busy about several matters in the shop.



CHAPTER V

OFF TO SANDY HOOK


"What's the idea of this government test of the big gun, Tom?"
asked Ned. "I got so excited about that near-explosion the other
day, that I didn't think to ask you all the particulars."

"Why, the idea is to see if the gun will work, and do all that
the inventor claims for it," was the answer. "They always put a
new gun through more severe tests than anything it will be called
on to stand in actual warfare. They want to see just how much
margin of safety there is."

"Oh I see. And is this one of the guns that are to be used in
fortifying the Panama Canal?"