“Bombs,” Jerry explained briefly. “One of these little pencils contains enough explosive to blow us all to Kingdom Come!”
CHAPTER
22
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The cardboard box contained in addition to the pencil bombs a shiny knife and several grooved, pear-shaped objects.
“What are those?” Louise asked curiously. “They look like hand grenades.”
“That’s what they are,” said Jerry, lifting one from the box. “It’s a mighty useful weapon for close fighting. A strong man can throw a grenade twenty-five to thirty-five yards and it does damage over a large area.”
Penny gingerly inspected one of the grenades.
“It won’t bite you,” Jerry laughed. “Nor will it explode in your hand. When you’re ready to throw a grenade you hold it with the lever under your fingers. Just before you toss it, pull the pin.”
“Isn’t it apt to explode while you’re holding it?” Penny asked dubiously.
“Not while the lever is held. When the grenade leaves the hand, the lever flies off. Then the fuse ignites and in about seven seconds you have your explosion.”
“Nice little gadgets,” Penny said. She replaced the grenade in its box and ran a finger over the sharp edge of the steel-bladed knife.