"You're right, Ned. And he's got his servant with him, I guess," and
Tom nodded toward a stolid German who was carrying the other's suitcase.

"I wonder what he's doing aboard here?" went on our hero's chum.

"We'll soon know," spoke Tom. "He's seen us and is nodding. We might as
well go meet him."

"Ah, my good friend, Tom Swift!" exclaimed General von Brunderger,
genially, as he grasped the hands of Tom and Ned. "I am glad to see you
both again." He seemed to mean it, though he had not been especially
cordial to them at the first gun test. "Take my grip below," he said
in German to the man, "and, Rudolph, find Lieutenant Blake and inform
him that I am on board. I have been invited to go to Panama by
Lieutenant Blake," he added to Tom. "I have never seen the big ditch
that you wonderful Americans have so nearly finished."

"It is going to be a big thing," spoke Tom. "I am proud that my gun is
going to help protect it."

"Ah, so you were successful, then?" and his voice expressed surprise.
"I had not heard. And the big gun; is he here?" Though speaking very
good English, von Brunderger occasionally lapsed into the idioms of his
Fatherland.

"Yes, it's on board," said Tom. "Are you going to Panama for any
special purpose?"

Ned declared afterward that the German started as Tom asked this
question, but if he did the young inventor scarcely noticed it. In an
instant, however, von Brunderger was composed again.

"I go but to see the big ditch before the water is let in," he replied.
"And since your gun is to have a test I shall be glad to witness that.
You see, I am commissioned by my Kaiser to learn all that you Americans
will allow me to in reference to your ways of doing things--in the
army, the navy and in the pursuit of peace. After all, preparation for
war is the best means of securing peace. Your officers have been more
than kind and I have taken advantage of the offer to go to Panama.
Lieutenant Blake said the ship would stop here, and, as I had business
in Cuba, I came and waited. I am delighted to see you both again."

He went below, leaving Tom and Ned staring at one another.

"Well, what do you think of it?" asked Ned.

"I don't see anything to be worried about," declared Tom. "It's true
that a German once tried to make trouble for me, but this von
Brunderger is all right, as far as I can learn. He has the highest
references, and is an accredited representative of the Kaiser. You are
too suspi