It had been a busy forenoon. Now it was time for luncheon, and the three chums returned to the house to eat. In the afternoon they visited the wall, remaining there until four o'clock. On their return to the house Tom and Harry were greeted by Mr. Prenter, who had been waiting for them. "I heard the news of last night's doings, and to-day's, and came right down," explained the treasurer of the Melliston Company. "Reade, I'm glad to be able to say that you appear to have brought us to the end of the explosion troubles." "Or else we're just starting with that trouble," Reade smiled wistfully. "Mr. Prenter, I must say that there appears to be no end to the surprises with which our enemies are capable of supplying us." Tom then nodded to Dick to come forward and presented him to the treasurer. "An army officer?" asked Mr. Prenter eagerly. "Then I'm doubly glad to meet you, Mr. Prescott. You've seen the breakwater work? As an army officer and an engineer what do you think of it?" "It's great!" said Dick, though he added laughingly: "Reade and Hazelton are such dear old friends of mine that any testimony in their favor is likely to be charged to friendship." "I'll believe what an army officer says, even in praise of his best friends," smiled Mr. Prenter. Foreman Johnson, who had been over in town, now came along. He halted some distance away, beckoning to Reade. "Mr. Reade," murmured the foreman, in an undertone, "over in Blixton I just heard some news that I thought would interest you. Evarts is out on bail." "He furnished a five thousand surety?" queried Tom. "Yes, sir, and who do you suppose went on his bond?" "I can't imagine who the idiot is." "The man who signed Evarts's bond," continued Foreman Johnson solemnly, "was Mr. Bascomb, president of this company!" "Whew!" muttered Tom aghast. "And that's all I've got to say on this subject." "I thought you'd like to know the news," remarked Johnson, "and so I came to tell you." "Please accept my thanks," Tom answered. Then, as the foreman passed along, Reade went back to his friends. "You seem staggered about something," remarked Mr. Prenter, eyeing him keenly. "Possibly I am," admitted Tom. "Evarts is out on bail." "Now, what fool or rogue could have signed that fellow's bail bond?" demanded Mr. Prenter in exasperation. "Careful, sir!" warned Tom smilingly. "I've just been informed that the bail bond was signed by Mr. Bascomb, president of the Melliston Company." "Well, of all the crazy notions!" gasped Mr. Prenter. "But there! I won't say more. Bascomb is a queer fellow in some things, but he's a good fellow in lots of things, and a square, honest man in all things. If he signed Evarts's bond, there was a reason, and not a dishonest one." "But Evarts won't behave," predicted Harry dismally. "After all our trouble we shall still have to remain on guard night and day." "It'll be an airship next," laughed Dick Prescott.