The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 118: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

310 THE BUNKEL MYSTERY. ‘“The dam has broken away !’’ exclaimed Andy, who was the first to speak after the tremendous flash and crash. ‘Fire and flash do not come out of water unless it has some help,’’ replied the machinist, as he led the way intothe main road. ‘‘’The dam has been blown up.’’ ‘What could blow it up?’’ asked Andy, who followed his father, who deemed it wise to place himself and his son at a greater distance from the scene of the catastrophe. “It did not blow itself up, and either powder or dynamite has been at the bottom of it. This is the work of some enemy of Mr. Barkpool, and it is just what might be expected at any time while this senseless quarrel lasts,’’ said Mr. Lamb, as he heard excited voices behind him. ‘‘ How could any one put powder or dynamite where it would blow up the dam?’’ inquired Andy, who wanted to know how the thing had been done. ‘‘Very easily, my son. On the other side of the river, the formation of the shore will allow a person to pass under the sheet of the water that pours over the dam,’’ the machinist explained. ‘‘’The fall is high on this side, and one can walk under it half way across the stream.’’ ‘I never heard there was any such place there,’’ added Andy. ‘‘ Mr. Barkpool sent me to examine the dam about a year ago, and I dis- covered the opening. I reported it, but he told me not to mention it, for people would certainly wish to visit the place, and he thought it was danger- ous. He was sure Phin would be into it if he knew of it. "The powder was no doubt placed under the falling sheet of water, and discharged with a slow match, or something of that sort.’’ ‘Then others must have known of this thing.’’ ‘“Some one else must have discovered it.’’ Mr. Lamb and Andy walked at a rapid pace, while the roaring of the ~ river compelled them to speak in a loud tone in order to be heard above it. They reached the cottage without seeing any person, for those who had been startled by the explosion all ran to the dam. ‘Those who heard the collapse of the lower dam doubtless hastened in that direction. Mrs. Lamb had heard the crash and the roaring of the waters in the river, and had gone out of the house into the darkness to ascertain what had happened, and was at the front gate when her husband and son arrived. Mr. Lamb explained the matter to her, and they went into the house. At first she thought it was an earthquake, and then a peal of thunder; but the roaring she could not account for. As soon as they were in the house, she took a letter from the mantel, and handed it to Andy. ‘“What’s this, mother?’’ he asked, for he was not much in the habit of receiving letters. ‘I don’t know what it is; I haven’t opened it. You had not been gone five minutes before a man came to the door, and asked for you. When I told him you were not at home, he left that letter,’’ replied Mrs. Lamb. ‘I wonder whom it’s from,’’ added Andy, looking at the address. ‘You can tell by opening it,’’ said his mother, with a smile. asta ““Ah, here is the address of Percival Singerlay on the envelope !’’. ex- ) ecomicbooks.com