Put Some Spaces In String In .Net?

i have string like

Dim Test as String = "abc " & " def"

what above code does is gives is "abc def" as output, what i want is "abc--------def" (where hash sign is spaces i need) i have tried

Dim Test as String = "abc----" & "----def"

for some reason (dot)net only takes it as one single space. check above(1) example ,i gave two spaces but it got converted to one space.

Dim Test as String = "abc" & Char(9) & "def"

doesn't work (found char(9) solution on internet)

Dim Test as String = "abc" & space(8) & "def"

doesn't work I have tried another 10 different option but none seems to be working for me.