the three had gone. He watched the workmen, and as quitting time

came and he saw them leaving for their homes he moved more

restlessly, transferring the package which he held from one hand to

another many times, yet always gingerly.

At last all had left. The man started from behind the box car, only

to jump back as the watchman appeared around the end of one of the

buildings. He watched the guardian of the property make his rounds;

he saw him enter his office, and then he crept forward toward the

building, holding his queer package in his right hand.

In the office the watchman came upon the three friends. At sight of

him they looked at one another in surprise.

"Why, what time is it?" exclaimed Custer, and as he looked at his

watch he rose with a laugh. "Late to dinner again," he cried. "Come

on, we'll go out this other way." And with a cheery good night to

the watchman Barney and his friends hastened from the building.

Upon the opposite side the stranger approached the doorway to the

mill. The rain was falling in blinding sheets. Ominously the thunder

roared. Vivid flashes of lightning shot the heavens. The watchman,

coming suddenly from the doorway, his hat brim pulled low over his

eyes, passed within a couple of paces of the stranger without seeing

him.

Five minutes later there was a blinding glare accompanied by a

deafening roar. It was as though nature had marshaled all her forces

in one mighty, devastating effort. At the same instant the walls of

the great mill burst asunder, a nebulous mass of burning gas shot

heavenward, and then the flames settled down to complete the

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