"And to think of his being there all this while!"
exclaimed Mr. Damon, as he and Ned leaped from their
machine.
"If he only is there!" murmured the young bank clerk.
"What do you mean? Didn't the note he threw out say he was
there?"
"Yes, but something may have happened in the meanwhile.
Those plotters, if they'd do a thing like this, are capable
of anything. They may have kidnapped Tom again."
"Anyway, we'll soon find out," murmured Ned, as they
advanced toward the ruin, Mr. Damon and the farmer each
armed with an axe helve, while Ned carried the blacksmith's
sledge.
They went into the end of the factory that was less ruined
than the central part, where the tank had crashed through,
and made their way into what had been the office--the place
where they had found the burned scraps of paper.
"Hark!" exclaimed Ned, as they climbed up
the broken steps. "I heard a noise."
"It's him yellin'--like he did afore he threw out the
note," said the boy. Then, as they listened, they heard a
distant voice calling:
"Hello! Hello, there! If that is any friend of mine, let
me out, or send word to Mr.
Pages:
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194