There were murmurs throughout the throng about the big gun, as
the officer approached Tom Swift and shook hands with him.

"What have you in mind now, Tom, that you come to Sandy Hook?"
the much-medaled officer asked.

"Nothing much, Admiral," answered our hero.

"Oh, yes, you have!" returned Admiral Woodburn, head of the
naval forces of Uncle Sam. "You've got some idea in your head, or
you wouldn't come to see this test of my friend's gun. Well, if
you can invent anything as good for coast defense, or even
interior defense, as your submarines, it will be in keeping with
what you have done in the past. I congratulate you, General
Waller, on having Tom Swift here to give you the benefit of some
of his ideas."

"I--I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Swift before,"
said the gun inventor, stiffly. "I did not recognize his name
when I countersigned his pass."

It was plain that the greeting of Tom by Admiral Woodburn had
had a marked effect in changing sentiment toward our hero.
Captain Badger smiled as he noticed with what different eyes the
gun inventor now regarded the lad.

"Well, if Tom Swift gives you any points about your gun, you
want to adopt them," went on the Admiral. "I thought I knew
something about submarines, but Tom taught me some things, too;