Passing a short distance away, the man did not see Salt or Penny. They watched until they saw the red glow of his lantern vanish over a hillock.
“That’s the foot-path to the shack where the mines are stored,” Penny commented. “I wonder what’s inside the satchel?”
“Shall we try to find out?”
“Let’s talk to Professor Bettenridge first,” Penny proposed, going down the lane.
The door of the cabin stood slightly ajar. Inside the lighted room were the professor, his wife, Mr. Johnson, and several other persons Penny had never seen before. However, she took them to be town residents who had heard of the test and were eager to see it.
“Well, professor,” they heard Mr. Johnson say jovially. “We’re all here, so why not go ahead? Show us what the machine will do.”
“All in good time, all in good time,” the professor rejoined. “You must give my assistant an opportunity to drop the mine into the lake. He will signal us by lantern when he is ready.”
Penny tapped on the door. The professor whirled around, decidedly startled. Then, observing Salt and Penny, he abruptly came over to speak to them.
“Well?” he asked in a tone which was not friendly.
“We came to see the demonstration,” Penny said brightly.