The message was signed with a name Tom did not recognize.
"Any bad news?" asked Mr. Swift.
"No—oh, no," replied Tom, as he crumpled up the paper and thrust it into his pocket. "No bad news, Dad."
"Well, I'm glad to hear that," went on Mr. Swift. "I don't like telegrams."
When Tom showed the message to Lieutenant Marbury, that official, after one glance at the signature, said:
"Pierson, eh? Well, when he sends out a warning it generally means something."
"Who's Pierson?" asked Tom.
"Head of the Secret Service department that has charge of this airship matter. There must be something in the wind, Tom."
Extra precautions were taken about the shops. Strangers were not permitted to enter, and all future work on the Mars was kept secret. Nevertheless, Tom was worried. He did not want his work to be spoiled just when it was about to be a success. For that it was a success, Lieutenant Marbury assured him. The government man said he would have no hesitation in recommending the purchase of Tom's aerial warship.
"There's just one other test I want to see made," he said.