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Page 69
Tom Swift worked hard on his new Air Scout. He determined there
would be nothing lacking when it came to the government test, and
not only did he make sure that no enemy could tamper with his
machine, but he took pains to see that no inherent defect would
mar the test.
Jackson and the other men helped to the best of their ability,
and Mr. Swift suggested some improvements which were incorporated
in the new machine.
One of the puzzles the Secret Service men had to solve was that
of the connection, if any, between the men who had to do with the
missing Mr. Nestor and those who had damaged Tom's airship by
filing the muffler case so it was weakened and burst. That there
was some connection Tom was certain, but he could not work it
out, nor, so far, had the government men.
At last the day came when the big government test was to be
made. Tom had completed his Air Scout and had refined it to a
point where even his critical judgment was satisfied. All that
remained now was to give Mr. Terrill a chance to see how silently
the big craft could fly, and to this end a flight was arranged.
Tom had put the silencer on a larger machine than the one he
and Jackson had used. It held three easily, and, on a pinch, four
could be carried. Tom's plan was to take Mr. Damon and Mr.
Terrill, fly with them for some time in the air, and demonstrate
how quiet his new craft was. Then, by contrast, a machine without
the muffler and the new motor with its improved propellers would
be flown, making as much noise as the usual craft did.
"I only wish," said Tom, as the time arrived for the official
government test, "that Mary could be here to see it. She was the
one who really started me on this idea, so to speak, as it was
because I couldn't talk to her that I decided to get up a silent
motor."
But Mary Nestor was too grief-stricken over her missing father
to come to the test, which was to take place late one afternoon,
starting from the aerodrome of the Swift plant.
"First," said Tom, to Mr. Terrill, "I'll show you how the
machine works on the ground. I'll run the motor while the plane
is held down by means of ropes and blocks. Then we'll go up in
it."
"That suits me," said the agent. "If it does all you say it
will do, and as much as I believe it will do, Uncle Sam will be
your debtor, Mr. Swift."
"Well, we'll see," said Tom with a smile.
Preparations were made with the greatest care, and Tom went
over every detail of the machine twice to make certain that, in
spite of the precautions, no spy had done any hidden damage, that
might be manifested at an inopportune moment. But everything
seemed all right, and, finally, the motor was started, while Mr.
Terrill, and some of his colleagues from the Army Aviation
department looked on.
"Contact!" cried Tom, as Jackson indicated that the compression
had been made.
The mechanic nodded, gave the big propeller blades a quarter
turn and jumped back. In an instant the motor was operating, and
the craft would have leaped forward and cleaved the air but for
the holding ropes and blocks. Tom speeded the machinery up to
almost the last notch, but those in the aerodrome hardly heard a
sound. It was as though some great, silent dynamo were working.
"Fine!"
"Wonderful!"
"Wouldn't have believed it possible!"
These were some of the comments of the government inspectors.
"And now for the final test--that in the air," said Mr.
Terrill.
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