would have lit it. I mean I
want to see if just drawing the canister over the remains of the
furnace-fire would have started the fuse. That's it, now just touch the
end quickly with the match."

There was only a little spark on the wood, and no flame, as I touched
the side of the fuse.

The effect was instantaneous. The soft black-looking cord burst into
scintillations, tiny sparks flew off on all sides, and a dull fire began
to burn slowly along the fuse.

"Capitally made," said Uncle Jack. "That would have given the
scoundrels plenty of warning that the work was well done, and they would
have been able to get to a distance before the explosion took place."

"And now we shall see whether the powder is good," said Uncle Dick.

"But how slowly it burns!" said Uncle Bob.

"But how surely," I had it on my lips to say.

I did not speak though, for I was intently watching the progress of the
sparks as they ran along the fuse slowly and steadily; and as I gazed I
seemed to see what would have gone on in the great dark building if I
had not been awakened by the scraping sound of the canister being hauled
over bench and floor.

I shuddered as I watched intently, for the fuse seemed as if it would
never burn through, and even when, after what in my excitement seemed a
long space of time, it did reach the iron pipe, though a few sparks came
from inside, the powder did not explode.

"Uncle Bob's right!" I cried with an intense feeling of relief; "that
was not powder, and they only tried to frighten us."

_Puff_!

There was a sharp flash from each end of the iron tube, and one little
ball of white smoke came into the office, while another darted out into
the sunny morning air.

"Wrong, Cob," said Uncle Jack. "Splendidly-made fuse and
tremendously-strong powder. We have had a very narrow escape. Now,
lads, what's to be done?"

"What do you say, Jack?" said Uncle Dick.

"Do our duty--be always on the watch--fight it out."

"That's settled," said Uncle Dick. "Now let's get to work again. Cob,
you can come and see us cast some steel ingots if you like."

"Cast!" I said.

"Yes, cast. You know what that is?"

"Yes, of course."

"But you never saw it liquid so that it could be poured out like water."

"No," I said, as I followed him, wondering whether I had not better tell
him that I had overheard a strange remark about poisoning a dog, and ask
if he thought there was any risk about Piter, who seemed