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.