"You can't? Why not?" and he looked sharply at the sentry.

"Very sorry, sir," spoke the man on guard, "but General Wailer
has left orders, Captain Badger, that no outsiders can enter the
proving grounds when his new gun is being tested unless he
countersigns the permits. And he's engaged just now. I'm sorry,
but--"

"Oh, that's all right, Flynn," said Captain Badger. "It isn't
your fault, of course. I suppose there is no rule against my
going in there?" and he smiled.

"Certainly not, sir. Any officer may go in," and the guard
stepped to one side.

"Let me have that pass, Tom, and wait here for me," said the
Captain. "I'll see what I can do for you," and the young officer,
whose acquaintance Tom had made at the tests when the government
was purchasing some aeroplanes for the army, hurried off.

He came back presently, and by his face the lads knew he had
been successful.

"It's all right," he said with a smile. "General Waller
countersigned the pass without even looking at it. He's so
excited over the coming test of his gun that he hardly knows what
he is doing. Come on in, boys. I'll go with you."

"Then they haven't tested his gun yet?" Asked Tom, eagerly,
anxious to know whether he had missed anything.