But suddenly approaching footsteps and voices were heard.
“Whisht!” cried Barney. “That’s Misther Frank. Be off wid yez.”
And they scurried away just in time. Frank, with his visitors, came up and opened the big doors. There upon a small platform stood the new invention.
The Electric Scorcher was built for speed, and with an idea to economy of space and lightness. It weighed hardly a thousand pounds, but on its pneumatic tired wheels ran apparently as light as an ordinary bicycle.
The symmetry of its build and the grace of its contour were remarkable. In these was seen the master hand of the builders and the mechanics.
The body of the Scorcher was made of bullet-proof plates of steel. It rested upon light but strong running gear. There were four plate-glass windows upon each side and one in the rear.
Above the desk rose a structure of steel netting—a sort of cage in which the voyagers could remain with unimpeded view in all directions. In this cage there were loopholes for firing upon a foe, if such a thing as defense should become necessary.
Over this cage was a small deck, and upon it was mounted a long, light steel cylinder. This was Frank Reade, Jr.’s most wonderful invention—the pneumatic dynamite electric gun.
This was a very deadly weapon, capable of throwing a dynamite shell two miles with frightful effect.
Just forward of this cage was the pilot-house, with heavy, plate-glass windows. The rear of the Scorcher was graced with a steel hood—much like the top of a chaise. In this there were kept the dynamos and electric engines.