"I used to be," murmured Mr. Damon; "but I gave it up."
"After his machine climbed a tree," Tom explained, with a smile, remembering how he had originally met Mr. Damon, and bought the damaged machine from him, as told in the first volume of this series.
"So, when I got your letter," continued the General, "I naturally jumped on my machine and came over. Now I find that it is all a hoax."
"I am very sorry, I assure you," said Tom. "We did have a sort of test to-day; but it was a failure, owing to the fact that someone tampered with my powder. From what you tell me, I am inclined to the belief that the same person may have sent you that letter. Let me look at it again," he requested.
Carefully he scanned it.
"I should say that was written in a sort of German hand; would you not also?" he asked of Mr. Damon.
"I would, Tom."
"A German!" exclaimed General Waller.
At the mention of the word "German" Koku, the giant, who had entered the room, to be stared at in amazement by the officer, exclaimed:
"That he, Master! That he!"
"What do you mean?" inquired Tom.
