"What are you doing? Signaling for help from those inside
the tank?" asked Ned, for the big machine was fitted to
receive and send messages of this sort.
"I'm trying something more desperate than that," Tom
answered.
Again the wireless crackled, Tom working it with one hand
while, with the other, he guided the aircraft. Ned looked
downward with wondering eyes.
The tank was still plunging her way toward the steep bank
of the river. If she tumbled down this, there would be
little left of the expensive and complicated machinery
inside.
"The rascals did their work well," mused Ned. "They've
probably gotten all the secrets they want and now they're
going to spoil all Tom's hard work. It's a shame! If only--"
Ned ceased his musing. Something was taking place down
below that he could not explain. The tank seemed to be
slackening her progress. More and more slowly she approached
the edge of the cliff.
"Tom! Tom!" yelled Ned. "You must have waked some of them
up inside and they've thrown the motors out of gear! Hurrah!
She's stopping!"
"I believe she is!" yelled Tom.
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