further strengthen that portion.

"I'm going to make a gun bigger than that," said Tom to Ned. He
spoke rather louder than he intended, and, as it was at a moment
when there was a period of silence, the words carried to General
Waller, who was at that moment near Tom.

"What's that?" inquired the rather fiery-tempered officer, as
he looked sharply at our hero.

"I said I was going to make a larger gun than that," repeated
Tom, modestly.

"Sir! Do you know what you are saying? How did you come in
here, anyhow? I thought no civilians were to be admitted today!
Explain how you got here!"

Tom felt an angry flush mounting to his cheeks.

"I came in here on a pass countersigned by you," he replied.

"A pass countersigned by me? Let me it."

Tom passed it over.

"Humph, it doesn't seem to be forged," went on the pompous
officer. "Who are you, anyhow?"

"Tom Swift."