"I'm no more anxious
than anyone else to run my head into danger, and I certainly
don't want any of my shops or inventions destroyed. The fire in
the red shed was as close as I want anything to come."
"That's right!" agreed Ned. "And, if there's anything I can do,
Tom, don't hesitate to call on me."
"All right, old man. I won't forget. And now, perhaps, you
would like to see the Mars," he said to the lieutenant.
"I certainly would," was the ready answer. "But hadn't you
better see those men who are waiting to find out about positions
here?"
"There's no hurry about them," Tom said. "We have applicants
every day, and it's earlier than the hour when I usually see
them. They can wait. Now I want your opinion on my new craft.
But, you must remember that it is not yet completed, and only
recently did I begin to solve the problem of mounting the guns.
So be a little easy with your criticisms."
Followed by Ned and Lieutenant Marbury, Tom led the way into
the big airship shed. There, Swaying about at its moorings, was
the immense aerial warship. To Ned's eyes it looked complete
enough, but, when Tom pointed out the various parts, and
explained to the government officer how it was going to work, Ned
understood that considerable yet remained to be done on it.
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