Part 6 (2/2)

To, to be thus thwarted, and by awhat to do, the sound of a tre pile of earth and concrete that forround

”What's that?” cried Ned, as the earth shook

”Just trying souns,” explained the sentry, as not a bad-natured chap He had to do his duty ”You'd better overnment isn't responsible, you know”

”I wish there was so in there,” murmured Tom

”You can see General Waller after the test, and he will probably countersign the permit,” explained the sentry

”And on't see the test of the gun I'm most interested in,” objected Tom ”If I could only--”

He stopped as he noticed the sentry salute so up from the rear Tom and Ned turned to behold a pleasant-faced officer, who, at the sight of the young inventor, exclaimed:

”Well, well! If it isn't ot here on er,” replied the lad, and then with a rueful face he added: ”But it doesn't seerounds”

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

”Very sorry, sir,” spoke the uard, ”but General Waller has left orders, Captain Badger, that no outsiders can enter the proving grounds when his new gun is being tested unless he countersigns the pered just now I'ht, Flynn,” said Captain Badger ”It isn't your fault, of course I suppose there is no rule againstin there?” and he so 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 To 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 sned the pass without even looking at it He's so excited over the co Coo with you”

”Then they haven't tested his gun yet?” Asked To

”No, they're going to do so in about half an hour You'll have ti the sentinel the counter-signed pass, Captain Badger led the two youths into the proving grounds

Tom and Ned saw so much to interest them that they did not knohich to look first In so suns, which shot off a round with a noise like a string of firecrackers on the Chinese New Year's On other barbettes larger guns were being tested, the noise being al

”Stand on your tiptoes, and open yourcannon about to be fired,” advised Captain Badger, as he walked alongside the boys

”What good does that do?” inquired Ned