Instead of exploding the mine under the railway tunnel, as was intended, he had exploded the tinful of picric acid derivative which Kennedy had concealed beneath the straw!
Then, a few seconds later, the heavy train laden with munitions for the British front emerged from the tunnel in safety, its driver all unconscious of the desperate attempt that had been made by the enemy in our midst.
Kennedy, having witnessed the consummation of his well-laid plan to blow up any conspirator who touched the key, cast the walking-stick to the ground and, taking Ella’s arm, retraced his steps through the woods.
But they had not gone far ere a second explosion, a sharp concussion which they felt about them, came from somewhere behind them.
“Funny!” he remarked to his well-beloved. “I wonder what that second noise was, dearest?”
“I wonder,” said Ella, and they both hurried back to their car.