Part 32 (1/2)
”We can do nothing now. He had begun to catch on even before tonight, and this explosion finishes everything. Don't even stop to pack your clothes.
We'll get our car and clear out.”
”Webb?”
”He'll have to look out for himself. We're traveling alone and traveling fast.”
Those in hiding suddenly stepped forth from the trees, blocking the path.
Major Bryan moved directly in front of the professor, flas.h.i.+ng a light into his face.
”Good evening, Claude Arkwright,” he said distinctly.
The professor was startled, but recovered poise quickly. ”You are mistaken,” he said in a cold voice. ”My name is Bettenridge.”
”No doubt that is what you call yourself now. You are wanted by the Federal government for impersonating an officer.”
”Ridiculous!”
”May I see your draft card?” the major requested curtly.
”Sorry, I haven't it with me. It is in my room.”
”Then we will go there.”
Nettled, Professor Bettenridge could think of no further excuse. Glancing significantly at his wife, he said: ”My dear, will you go to the house and get the card for our inquisitors?”
”We will all go,” corrected the major. ”Your wife may be wanted as your accomplice in this latest secret ray machine fleece. We prefer that she does not escape.”
”You are very trusting,” sneered the professor.
By this time, Mr. Johnson had reached the hillside. Puffing from having hurried so fast, he gazed in bewilderment at the little group.
”What does this mean?” he inquired. ”What caused the mine to explode?”
”It was set off by being dropped in the lake,” explained the major.
”You mean the explosion was not touched off by Professor Bettenridge's invention?”
”The machine had nothing whatsoever to do with it,” Penny explained.
”Professor Bettenridge and his accomplice, Webb Nelson, have been doctoring the mines with a powder and an outer s.h.i.+eld which dissolves in water. They hoped to sell the worthless machine to you before you discovered the truth.”
The information stunned Mr. Johnson, but recovering, he turned furiously upon Professor Bettenridge.
”You cheap trickster!” he shouted. ”I'll have you arrested for this!”
”Have you given the man any money?” Mr. Parker inquired.
”A thousand dollars for an option on the machine. The rest was to have been paid tonight.”
”You're lucky to get off so easily,” Mr. Parker said. ”It's possible too, that we can get part of your deposit back.”