heating boiler to supply heat and hot water to the train the
monster was to draw, the motors and the many other mechanical
contrivances--was hidden from the spectators.

In fact, since completing the electrical equipment of the
Hercules 0001, as Tom had named the locomotive, the young
inventor had allowed nobody inside the cab, any more than he
allowed visitors inside his private workshop. Even Mr. Swift did
not know all the results of Tom's experimental work. In a general
way the older inventor knew the trend of his son's attempts, but
the details and the results of Tom's experiments, the latter told
to nobody.

But as the huge locomotive rolled into the yard and followed
the more or less circular track inside the yard fence, it was
plain to all of the onlookers that the motive-power was there all
right! Just what speed could be coaxed from the feed-cable
overhead was another question.

Nor did Tom Swift try for much speed on this first test of the
Hercules 0001. He went around the two-mile track several times
before bringing his machine to a stop near the crowd of
onlookers. He came to the open door of the cab.

"One thing is sure, Tom!" shouted Ned. "It do move!"

"Bless my slippery skates!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, "it slides
right along, Tom. You've done it, my boy--you've done it!"

"It looks good from where I stand, my son,~ said Mr. Barton