early. The pieces of apparatus were finished and, after paying for them
Mark put the parts in the valise.

"Quite a fire in town," observed the machinist.

"Yes," answered Mark, not wishing to get into a long conversation.

"Heard the hotel was blowed up by anarchists and that the police are
after 'em," proceeded the man.

"I believe I did hear something like that," admitted Mark. "I guess
we'll be going."

He signalled to Jack, and the two hurried out of the shop. As they did
so, the trampish-looking man glided from behind a tree where he had been
hiding and took after them.

"Say," exclaimed Jack, "I forgot we haven't had any breakfast yet."

"That's so," said Mark, rubbing his stomach and making a wry face.

Near by was a bakery, and there the lads got some coffee and rolls which
tasted fine. When they finished their simple meal a trolley came past
and they ran to catch it. So did the man who had been following them,
but this person bore no resemblance to the spruce little detective who
had wanted to arrest the boys.

"A couple of hours now and we'll be back at the cabin," spoke Mark. "My,
but I must say we have had strenuous times since we started away!"

There were few passengers on the trolley so early in the morning and not
many stops to make, so the motorman turned on the power full and made
the vehicle speed along.

Mile after mile was covered and finally the car reached the top of a
long hill. At the foot of this the line came to an end, and the boys had
a two mile tramp before them to reach the lonely spot where the
_Porpoise_ was docked.

Down the hill the car started. The motorman shut off the electricity and
let the vehicle run by its weight.

Faster and faster it ran, the dust flying in a cloud about it.

"Better put the brakes on a bit," called the conductor. "It's gettin'
kinder speedy, Hank!"

The motorman twisted the handle. There was a grinding noise as the shoes
took hold on the wheels. Then a chain snapped and the car seemed to leap
ahead.

"The brake's busted! I can't stop the car!" yelled the motorman.

Vainly he twisted at the handle. Then, seeing he could not stop the
trolley car he made a desperate jump off the vehicle and landed in a
heap on the side of the road, rolling over and over.

"Reverse the current!" cried one of the passengers, to the conductor.
"That ought to stop her!"

The conductor made his way to the front platform and turned the
reversing lever. Then he