All the men were now gathered
about the great steel box.
This receptacle had been closed by a solid metal door, which
was screwed and clamped tight. Then one of the men examined a
number of heavily insulated electric wires that extended from the
box off into the darkness where Tom and his companions could not
discern them.
"That's Folwell--the man I befriended, and who got me into this
game," whispered Mr. Jenks. "He was also one of the first to turn
against me. I think he's one of the leaders."
Folwell came back, after having gone into a dark part of the
cave. He went over to an electrical switch on one of the stone
walls.
"It's almost time," Tom heard him say to his confederates. "The
storm is coming up rapidly."
"Will it be severe enough?" asked one of the helpers. "We had
all our work for nothing last time. The flashes weren't heavy
enough."
"These will be," asserted Folwell. "The indicator shows nearly
a million volts now, and it's increasing."
"A million volts!" exclaimed Tom. "I hope it doesn't strike
anywhere around here."
"Oh, it will probably be harmlessly conducted down on the heavy
wires," said Mr. Parker. "We are in no danger, at present, though
ultimately I expect to see the whole mountain shattered by a
lightning bolt."
"Cheerful prospect," murmured Tom.
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