Prescott gazed with great interest at the signs of activity.

On a closer inspection he was even more interested.

He was capable of understanding very fully what was being done here, for every graduate of the United States Military Academy is supposed to be a capable engineer.
"You've a difficult task on hand, but your basic principle is sound, and you're doing the work finely and economically," Dick declared with emphasis.
Harry came in from the outer end of the wall and joined them.

He listened with pride to the praises that the army officer showered on the engineers.
"I wish Mr.Bascomb, the president of the company, could hear you," said Harry.

"He isn't altogether sure that we know what we're about in anything that we're doing." "Then I've a very good mental picture of Bascomb," declared Dick, bluntly.
"Bascomb is something of a chump.