"
"Well, I suppose that's so," agreed Ned. "But what is this
factory?"
"It's an old one where they started to make beet sugar,
but it didn't pan out," the farmer said. "The place is in
ruins, and I did hear, not long ago, that somebody run a
threshin' machine through it, an' busted it up worse than
before."
"Great horned toads!" cried Ned. "That must be the very
factory Tom ran his tank through. And to think he should be
a prisoner there!"
"Held by whom, do you suppose?" asked Mr. Damon.
"By that Blakeson gang, I imagine," Ned answered. "There's
no time to lose. We must go to his rescue!"
"Of course!" agreed Mr. Damon. "We're much obliged to you
for bringing this note," he went on to the farmer. "And here
is something to repay you for your trouble," and he took out
his wallet.
"Shucks! I didn't do this for pay!" objected the farmer.
"It's a pity I wouldn't help anybody what's in trouble! If
I'd a-knowed what it meant, me and Bub here would have gone
to the factory ourselves, maybe, and done the work quicker.
But I didn't know--what with war times and such-like--but
that it would be better to deliver the note.
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