I knowed dey hadn't no right dere, an' I
hollered at 'em. But dey didn't stop, an' de nextest t'ing I
knowed dere was a big bang. I run in, an' I seed Mistah Roumann
all blowed to pieces."
"Hardly as bad as that," said the German with a smile.
"Well, almost," insisted Washington.
They reached the machine shop. The smoke had all cleared away,
but the fumes from the bomb were still noticeable.
"I wonder what their object could have been?" said Jack.
"I believe they are urged on by some of my enemies," was the
German's reply. "But let us see what damage has been done. I
hope it is not much."
Pieces of broken machinery, twisted wheels, bent levers,
shattered cogs and smashed plates were all about one corner of
the shop. But the great projectile was still in place. It had
not even been jarred.
Mr. Roumann went to an opening in the side that led to the
engine-room. No sooner had he entered than he uttered a cry.
"The Etherium motor is damaged!" he exclaimed, and with fear in
their hearts the others followed him inside the Annihilator.
CHAPTER XIII
AN ALARMING THREAT
The main machines in the engine-room were the two motors, one
designed to send the projectile through the atmosphere, the other
intended to propel it through the space filled with what is
called ether.
Pages:
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102