"Well, it's this way," said Bennett, "they arrange an electric wire in front of the muzzle of the gun, so that as the bullet comes out it is bound to break it. Then, the object at which the gun is aimed is also connected up by electricity. Observe, gentlemen, what happens when the gun is discharged. The bullet, as it saunters from the gun, cuts the electric wire, and by so doing registers the exact fraction of a second that this happens. When it hits the target, a similar process takes place, and then of course it is a simple matter to subtract the time the bullet left the gun from the time it hit the target, and thus, gentlemen, we arrive at the result, namely, the time it took the bullet to go across the intervening distance. I trust, gentlemen (and others), that I have made myself perfectly clear." "Aw," spoke up one of the fellows, popularly known as "Curley," "who couldn't think of a simple thing like that. The only reason that I didn't think of it right off was that it was too easy for me even to consider." "Oh, sure, we all understand that perfectly," replied Bennett, "but, seriously, fellows, if you would care to try the experiment, I am sure that my father would help us all he could. It wouldn't be any trick at all for him to rig up something on the same principle that would give us an accurate idea of how fast Bert, for instance, could propel a baseball through the surrounding atmosphere. Say the word, and I'll write to him about it to-night. We ought to hear from him by the day after to-morrow, at the latest." Bert saw that Bennett was in earnest, and so said: "It certainly would be very interesting, old man. I've often wondered just what speed I was capable of, and I don't see why your plan shouldn't be feasible. What do you think, Dick?" "I think it would be well worth the try, at all events," replied Dick, "and say, fellows, while we were about it, Bennett's father might be willing to show us over the factory and give us an idea of how the guns are made. Do you think he would, old top?" addressing Bennett. "Surest thing you know," responded the latter, heartily. "I know he would be glad to have you come, even if you are a bunch of bums," smilingly. "All right, we'll consider that settled, then," said Bert. "You write to him right away, and we'll try our little experiment as soon as possible. Believe me, I'm anxious to try it. I sure would like to know." Thus the matter was settled, and after a little more talk and speculation on the same subject, the boys dispersed to their rooms to prepare recitations for the morrow. A day or so later, when some of them had forgotten about the proposed test, Bennett came up to the group assembled in Bert's and Dick's room, and said: "See here, fellows! What did I tell you? I just received this letter from dad, and he says to go as far as we like. He says that he spoke of the matter to the foreman of the testing department, and he thinks our plan is feasible."