“That's Folwell—the man I befriended, and who got me into this game,” whispered Mr. Jenks. “He was also one of the first to turn against me. I think he's one of the leaders.”
Folwell came back, after having gone into a dark part of the cave. He went over to an electrical switch on one of the stone walls.
“It's almost time,” Tom heard him say to his confederates. “The storm is coming up rapidly.”
“Will it be severe enough?” asked one of the helpers. “We had all our work for nothing last time. The flashes weren't heavy enough.”
“These will be,” asserted Folwell. “The indicator shows nearly a million volts now, and it's increasing.”
“A million volts!” exclaimed Tom. “I hope it doesn't strike anywhere around here.”
“Oh, it will probably be harmlessly conducted down on the heavy wires,” said Mr. Parker. “We are in no danger, at present, though ultimately I expect to see the whole mountain shattered by a lightning bolt.”
“Cheerful prospect,” murmured Tom.
There was a terrific crash outside. The rocky floor of the cave trembled.
“Here she comes!” cried Folwell. “Get back, everybody! I'm going to throw over the switch now!”