We'll see if they can possibly hear the
machine, though I don't see how they can."
And they did not. Tom piloted the machine over Shopton, sailing
directly over the center of the town, where there was a big crowd
walking about. Though the airship sailed only a few hundred feet
above their heads, not a person was aware of it, since the
craft's lights were put out for this test.
"That settles it," said Mr. Terrill. "You have succeeded, Tom
Swift!"
But Tom was not yet satisfied. He wanted a longer test. Hardly
knowing why he did it he sent the craft in the direction of Mary
Nestor's home. As he sailed across her lawn he saw, in the
moonlight, that she and her mother were walking in the garden.
They did not look up as the aircraft passed over their heads, and
were totally unaware of its presence, unless they caught a
glimpse of it as it flitted silently along, like some great bird
of the night.
"It is perfectly wonderful!" declared Mr. Terrill, and he spoke
in ordinary tones, that carried perfectly to the ears of Tom and
Mr. Damon.
"Wonderful!" cried the eccentric man.
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