The flame lost its intense brightness and began to sink. Jasper pulled out his watch.
“All now left is liquid iron, but since we want tough steel we must back some carbon and a quantity of manganese.”
The converter tilted down and stopped. Its lowered mouth pointed obliquely across the platform to the long crowded shed. But for the white glow shimmering about the vessel, platform and pit were gloomy. A bell rang and the ladle swung across the gap. A fresh load poured from its brim and vanished in the converter. The empty ladle swung back, and that was all.
Jasper frowned. The blow was not finished, and delay might spoil the steel. All did not go as smoothly as he demanded at the forge. Yet Marsden was works manager and Jasper must not meddle, unless he were forced.
“You’re losing heat,” said the inspector. “The fellow’s very slow. By George! he’s turning on the blast——”
To turn on the blast and turn up the converter was the proper course, but the big vessel swung down for a few degrees and its mouth commanded the forge. White reflections played about the fireclay and Jasper and the inspector knew the fluid metal seethed to the brim. If the full blast were turned on, the load would sweep the forge like an exploding shell.
Jasper jumped for the blower’s platform. The inspector was not the company’s servant, but he knew the risk the party ran and he pushed the others behind an iron pillar. Jasper vanished in the dark, and the converter began to swing. It went up smoothly, and when the flame leaped out its muzzle pointed for the gap in the roof.
A shout pierced the throbbing roar, and a dark object reeled across the platform. A man’s bent, black figure cut the dazzling background. He stretched out his arm, as if to seize the rail, but by the converter the rail was cut, and the man plunged into the pit. The inspector jumped for the steps and workmen ran across the floor.
Ledward, returning with Marsden, saw Jasper fall, and when they reached the casting-pit he lay by an ingot mold. Overhead the converter throbbed and sparks came down in glittering showers. Jasper’s eyes were shut, and but for the blood about his mouth his face was colorless.
“Is he dead?” Ledward asked hoarsely.