didn't you, Tom?"

"Oh, it was just a simple matter, Admiral," said Tom, modestly.
"Just that little point about the intake valves and the ballast
tanks."

"But they changed the whole matter. Yes, General, you take
Tom's advice--if he gives you any."

"I don't know that I will need any--as yet," replied General
Waller. "I am confident my gun will be a success as it is at
present constructed. Later, however, if I should decide to make
any changes, I will gladly avail myself of Mr. Swift's counsel,"
and he bowed stiffly to Tom. "We will now proceed with the test,"
he went on. "Kindly send a wireless to the patrol ships that we
are about to fire, and ask them to note carefully where the
projectile falls."

"Very good, sir," spoke the officer in immediate charge of the
matter, as he saluted. Soon from the aerials snapped the vicious
sparks that told of the wireless telegraph being worked.

I might explain that near the spot where the projectile was
expected to fall into the sea--about fifteen miles from Sandy
Hook--several war vessels were stationed to warn shipping to give
the place a wide berth. This was easy, since the big gun had been
aimed at a spot outside of the steamship lanes. Aiming the rifle
in a certain direction, and giving it a definite angle of
inclination, made it practically certain just where the shot
would fall. This is called "getting the range," and while, of