He found Mr. Swift, secured his
subscription to more bonds, and was about to leave when he
heard a call down the road and saw Tom coming in his small
racing car, which had been taken to the depot by one of the
workmen.
"Hello, old man!" cried Ned affectionately, as his chum
alighted with a jump. "Where have you been?"
"Down to Washington. Had a bit of a chat with the
President and gave him some of my views."
"About the war, I suppose?" laughed Ned.
"Yes."
"Did you get your commission?"
"Commission?" And there was a wondering look on Tom's
face.
"Yes. Mary Nestor said she thought maybe you were going to
Washington to take an examination for the engineering corps
or something like that. Did you get made an officer?"
"No," answered Tom slowly. "I went to Washington to get
exempted."
"Exempted?" Cried Ned, and his voice sounded strained.
Chapter VI
Seeing Things
For a moment Tom Swift looked at his chum. Then something
of what was passing in the mind of the young bond salesman
must have been reflected to Tom, for he said,
"Look here, old man; I know it may seem a bit strange to
go to all that trouble to get exempted from the draft, to
which I am eligible, but, believe me, there's a reason.
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