Without answering, he turned his back, and began to talk to Mr. Johnson about technical details of the machine.
“I am convinced it is a wonderful invention,” the latter declared. “But before I invest $200,000, I must be absolutely certain that it will do everything you claim.”
“You shall not be disappointed,” reassured the professor. “Only be patient for a few minutes, and you will witness a demonstration that will convince you beyond a shadow of a doubt.”
Ignored by the professor and his wife, Penny and Salt did not enter the cabin. Instead, they walked a short distance away to discuss their next move.
“The demonstration won’t start for a few minutes,” the photographer said. “Suppose we ankle down to the lake and find out what Webb is doing.”
Proceeding down the path which led around the lake shore, they soon sighted the man’s glowing lantern. He had set it down on the ground while he trundled out one of the heavy mines from the shack. As they watched from a distance, he loaded it into a boat, picked up the lantern, and slowly rowed out into the lake.
“Apparently he’s going to drop it overboard for the test,” Salt said. “While he’s out there, let’s take a look in the shack.”
He tried the door. It was locked.
“I don’t know how it’s done, but I’m sure those mines are doctored in some way,” Penny declared. “Louise and I saw Webb working on one when we were here yesterday, but what he did I couldn’t guess.”
“We’ll learn nothing here,” Salt said. “Let’s go back to the cabin and see how the professor pulls off the demonstration. Apparently he has Mr. Johnson two-thirds convinced already.”