“I understand it perfectly, Major Dustan,” was the smiling reply. “I’m sure you’ll find it all a mistake when I explain, or rather, when Professor Snodgrass explains. That is why I sent for him. Will you come this way, if you please, Professor? And bring the black box––”
At that instant the little scientist, who appeared to have recovered his composure on the appearance of his friend, the colonel, pointed to the black box which, all this while, had remained on the ground in front of the group of headquarters buildings. 211
“Look out!” shouted Professor Snodgrass. “The box has been opened by mistake. They’re coming out! Run, everybody!”
Turning, he caught hold of Bob, who was nearest him, and began pulling him along.
The flight of the professor was contagious. Every one near turned and fled, and Jerry, looking over his shoulder, saw what seemed to be a black cloud of smoke coming from the black box.
The heart of the tall, young soldier seemed to fail him. After all, had a mistake been made? Was it possible that a spy was using the innocent and sometimes absent-minded professor for some base and terrible end? Could there have been a substitution made, and one of the harmless boxes of the scientist exchanged for a deadly bomb which he had, unwittingly, introduced at headquarters, so that, exploding, it might kill a number of valuable officers?
These thoughts flashed through Jerry’s mind as he ran along beside Ned. The black cloud from the box was becoming more dense.
“Maybe it’s only a smoke bomb,” thought Jerry. “Or perhaps the powder, or whatever is in it, has become wet, because of so much rain, and is only burning instead of exploding. I hope so.”
Then came a yell from some one. It was followed by several other cries of physical distress. 212
“Maybe it’s a new kind of poison gas the Germans have taken this means to set off,” mused Jerry as he leaped along. “But I don’t smell anything. Could it be possible that spies have played this trick on the professor?”