So, during the day before the night of the meeting, several parties of seemingly innocent fishermen might have been seen landing on the island at a point farthest removed from the dock used by Tom. These parties were posted in the woods on four sides of the frame house and there they waited for Tom’s signal. Ned was in charge of one party and Mr. Damon of another. Garret Jackson and his assistant took command of the two remaining squads. “And bless my fountain pen!” exclaimed Mr. Damon as they were talking matters over on their way home in Tom’s boat, “I thought you were never going to flash the signals, Tom.” “It took a little time to get things where I wanted them,” the young inventor said. “But it worked out all right. They certainly were astonished.” “Do you think they’ll play square with you, Tom?” asked Ned. “They’ll have to, for their own safety. I’ve got them where they can’t help themselves. After the final demonstration, a week from to-night, we get the three millions.” “I suppose there is no doubt, Tom, as to the success of the thing?” ventured Ned. “Not the slightest!” Tom’s voice was full of confidence. Grumblings and growlings were heard issuing from the throat of Koku. Tom asked what the trouble was. “He’s complaining because there was no fight!” chuckled Mr. Damon. “He says Ned promised him that he could get hold of some of your enemies, Tom, but it all fizzled out.” “Me want smash um!” growled the giant, clenching his big fists. “Too bad!” chuckled Tom. “But I couldn’t pull off the fight, Koku. Better luck next time.” Tom made his motorboat fast to his own private dock and went home to tell his father the good news—that all matters were satisfactorily settled. He knew the aged inventor would be worried. “I’m glad you’re back, Tom,” Mr. Swift said when he saw his son. “Now you can take it easy. You’ve been working too hard.” “The hard work isn’t over yet,” the young inventor answered. “I still have to give a perfect final test.” To this end he and Ned and the workmen bent all their energies during the next six days. Mr. Swift aided where he could and Mr. Damon was again called on to do his funny song and dance. Now that the invention was about to be made public and Tom had no fear about his patents being stolen from him, the affair could be openly talked about. “Are you going to ask us to the dress rehearsal?” inquired Mary, when Tom was spending an evening with her. “Better than that—I want you to be in it,” he said. “In it?” “Yes, you and Helen. I want to see how ladies’ garments will be shown on the screen. Ned and Mr. Damon balk at becoming female impersonators. Will you help?” “Delighted! Oh, Tom, I do hope it will be a success!”