"We are convinced in Washington," went on Lieutenant Marbury, when he, Tom and Ned were seated in the private office, "that foreign spies are at work against you and against our government."
"Why against me?" asked Tom, in wonder.
"Because of the inventions you have perfected and turned over to Uncle Sam—notably the giant cannon, which rivals anything foreign European powers have, and the great searchlight, which proved so effective against the border smugglers. The success of those two alone, to say nothing of your submarine, has not only made foreign nations jealous, but they fear you—and us," the officer went on.
"Well, if they only take it out in fear—"
"But they won't!" interrupted the officer—"They are seeking to destroy those inventions. More than once, of late, we have nipped a plot just in time."
"Have they really tried to damage the big gun?" asked Tom, referring to one he had built and set up at Panama.
"They have. And now this fire proves that they are taking other measures—they are working directly against you."
"Why, I wonder?"
"Either to prevent you from making further inventions, or to stop you from completing your latest—the aerial warship."
"But I didn't know the foreign governments knew about that," Tom exclaimed. "It was a secret."