will bear looking out for, that's what I think!"

And having settled this matter, at least to his own
satisfaction, Mr. Nestor resumed his smoking and reading.

A little later the bell rang. There was a murmur of voices
in the hall, and Mr. Nestor, half listening, heard a voice
he knew.

"There's Tom Swift now!" he exclaimed. "I'm going to find
out why he doesn't enlist!"




Chapter V

"Is He a Slacker?"


Mr. Nestor, whatever else he was, proved to be a prudent
father. He did not immediately go into the front room,
whither Mary and Tom hastened, their voices mingling in talk
and laughter.

Mr. Nestor, after leaving the young folks alone for a
while, with a loud "Ahem!" and a rattling of his paper as he
laid it aside, started for the parlor.

"Good-evening, Mr. Nestor!" said Tom, rising to shake