. Andy, or some of his friends, may be about
the shed, and as soon as they hear one of your blessings they'll know
who's coming."

"Oh, I'll be careful," promised Mr. Damon.

"Andy will find out, sooner or later, that we are in town," went on
Tom, "but we may be able to learn to-night what we want to know, and
then we can tell how to act."

A little later, as if they were merely strolling about, Mr. Damon and
Tom headed for Mr. Bentley's place, which was on the outskirts of the
town. There was a full moon, and the night was just right for the kind
of observation Tom wanted to make. There were few persons abroad, and
the young inventor thought he would have no one spying on him.

They located the big house of Andy's uncle without trouble. Going down
a side street, they had a glimpse of a shed, built of new boards,
standing in the middle of a large lot. About the structure was a new,
high wooden fence, but as Tom and his friend passed along it they saw
that a gate in it was open.

"I'm going in!" whispered Tom.

"Will it be safe?" asked Mr. Damon.

"I don't care whether it will be or not. I've got to know what Andy is
doing. Come on! We'll take a chance!"

Cautiously they entered the enclosure. The big shed was dark, and stood
out conspicuously in the moonlight.

"There doesn't seem to be any one here," whispered Tom. "I wonder if we
could get a look in the window?"

"It's worth trying, anyhow," agreed Mr. Damon. "I'm with you, Tom."

They drew nearer to the shed. Suddenly Tom stepped on a stick, which
broke with a sharp report.

"Bless my spectacles!" cried Mr. Damon, half aloud.

There was silence for a moment, and then a voice cried out:

"Who's there? Hold on! Don't come any farther! It's dangerous!"

Tom and Mr. Damon stood still, and from behind the shed stepped Andy
Foger and a man.

"Oh! it's you, is it, Tom Swift?" exclaimed the red-haired bully. "I
thought you'd come sneaking around. Come on, Jake! We'll make them wish
they'd stayed home!" And Andy made a rush for Tom.

Chapter Fourteen

The Great Test

"Bless my gizzard!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, who hardly knew what to do.
"We'd better be getting out of here, Tom!"

"Not much!" exclaimed the young inventor. "I never ran from Andy Foger
yet, and I'm not going to begin now."

He assumed an attitude of defense, and stood calmly awaiting the
onslaught of the bully; but Andy knew better than to come to a personal
argument with Tom, a