Part 22 (1/2)
”By Jove!” muttered Tom ”There's been some trick played here!” and he set off on a run toward the bomb-proof
”What's the itation of his chu has been put in it to ood It wouldn't send that shell a thousand yards, and it's got to go five ood My plan won't work”
”Doped the powder?” gasped Ned ”Who could have done it?”
”I don't know There must have been some spy at work Quick, run and ask the foreh of the good powder left to break down the barrier!”
Ned ay like a shot, while the others, not knohat to e conduct of the two lads, looked on in wonder Tom raced toward the cave where the poas stored, Koku following him
”Bless my shoe laces!” cried Mr Daazed to where he pointed In several places the concrete spillway had cruiving way The areater now
The creek was steadily rising Down the valley the horse was but a speck in the distance
”What can I do? What can I do?” murmured Tom ”If all the powder there is left has been doped, I can't save the town! What can I do? What can I do?”
Ned had reached the foreun
”Have any of your men left recently?” yelled Ned
”Any of my men left? What do you mean?
”Schlichter went yesterday,” said the tiet his one!” exclaiood anyhow I think he was a sort of Anarchist; always against the government, the way he talked So he has left; eh? But what's thewith the powder Tom can't shoot the cannon and turn aside the water to save the town So at this time, and in such hurry, makes it look suspicious”
”It sure does! And, now I recall it, I saw hiazine I called hiiven orders that only his own party was to go near it So the powder is doped; eh?”
”Yes! It's all off now”
He turned to see Toood powder left?” asked Ned
”Not a pound Did you hear anything?”
”Yes, one ot to fail after all! We can't save the town!”
”Yes, we can, Ned If that dam will only hold for half an hour more”