Part 21 (1/2)

”Yes, he certainly is a wonderful reat deal about him I have no doubt but what he will cure your father But about the fire? How did it start?”

”I don't know, but now that I have a few hours to spare before the doctor can get here, I' to make an examination”

”Bless my penwiper, but I'll help you”

Toert, for probably the tenth ti Mr Sas still in a senized Tom, when the youth stood at his bedside

”Don't worry about me, son,” said the brave old inventor, as he took Toet ready for the race I want you to win!”

Tears cah to allow hi event? He feared not

By daylight it was seen that quite a hole had been burned in the aeroplane shed Toh the place

”And you say the fire broke out right after you had seen theover the house?” asked the eccentric man

”Well, not exactly after,” answered Tom, ”but within an hour or so Why do you ask?”

But Mr Da on the floor of the shed, amid a pile of blackened and charred pieces of wood, attracted his attention He stooped over and picked it up

”Is this yours?” he asked Tom

”No What is it?”

The object looked like a small iron ball, with a tube about half an inch in diahtly from it Tom took it

”Why, it looks like an infernal machine or a dynamite bomb,” he said

”I wonder where it came from? Guess I'd better drop it in a pail of water Maybe Eradicate found it and brought it here I never saw it before Mr Jackson, please hand me that pail of water We'll soak this bomb”

”There is no need,” said Mr Damon, quietly ”It is harmless now It has done its work It was that which set fire to your shed, and which caused the stifling fumes”

”That?” cried Tom

”Yes This ball is hollow, and was filled with a chemical It was dropped on the roof, and, after a certain tih, the che down inside spread the choking odors that nearly prevented you fro out your aeroplane”

”Are you sure of this?” asked the young inventor

”Positive I read about these bo a besieged city in case of war”

”But how did this one get on my shed roof?” asked Tom