human
Can I do anything for you?
gpt
No--thank you, was the halting reply.
human
I guess nothing can be done. Field and Melling have me where they want me now--down and out.
gpt
Do you mean Amos Field and Jason Melling of the fireworks firm?
human
Yes, the--the scoundrels! exclaimed Mr. Baxter, and from his voice Tom judged that he was growing stronger.
gpt
They pretended to be my friends, giving me a shop in which to work and experiment, and when the time came they took my secret formulae. I believe that is what they started the fire for--to conceal their crime!
human
You don't mean that! cried Tom.
gpt
Deliberately to start a fire in a factory where there was powder and other explosives! That would be a terrible crime!
human
Field and Melling are capable of just such crimes as that! said Josephus Baxter, bitterly.
gpt
If they took my formulae they wouldn't stop at arson.
human
Were your formulae for the manufacture of fireworks?
gpt
Not altogether, was the reply.
human
I had several formulae for valuable chemical combinations. They could be used in fireworks, and that is why I could use the laboratory here. But the main use of my discoveries is in the dye industry. I would have been a millionaire soon, with the rise of the American dye industry following the shutting out of the Germans after the war. But now, with my secret formulae gone, I am no better than a beggar!
gpt
Perhaps it will not be as bad as you think, said Tom, recognizing the fact that Mr. Baxter was in a nervous and excited state.
human
Matters may look brighter in the morning.
gpt
I don't see how they can, was the grim answer.
human
However, I appreciate all that you have done for me. But I fear my case is hopeless.
gpt
I'll see you again in the morning,
human
How is he?
gpt
In rather a bad way--mentally, at least, and Tom told of the lost formulae.
human
Do you know, Ned, he went on,
gpt
I have an idea!
human
You generally do have--lots of 'em!
gpt
But this is a new one, went on Tom.
human
You saw what trouble they had this evening to get a stream of water to the top stories of that factory, didn't you?
gpt
Yes, the pressure here isn't what it ought to be, Ned agreed.
human
And some of our engines are old-timers.
gpt
Why is it necessary always to fight a fire with water? Tom continued.
human
There are plenty of chemicals that will put out a fire much quicker than water.
gpt
Of course, Ned answered.
human
There are plenty of chemical fire extinguishers on the market, too, Tom. If your idea is to invent a new hand grenade, stay off it! A lot of money has been lost that way.
gpt
I wasn't thinking of a hand grenade, said Tom, as he drew some sheets of paper across the table to him.
human
My idea is on a bigger scale. There's no reason, Ned, why a big fire in a tall building, like a sky-scraper, shouldn't be fought from above, as well as from below. Now if I had the right sort of chemicals I could--
gpt
I'll get them! I'll get the scoundrels!
human
That can't be Koku and Rad in one of their periodic squabbles, can it?
gpt
No. It's probably Mr. Baxter, Tom answered.
human
The doctor said he might get violent once or twice, until the effects of his shock wore off. There is some quieting medicine I can give him. I'll run up.
gpt
Guess I'd better go along, remarked Ned.
human
Sounds as if you'd need help.
gpt
I'll get 'em! I'll get the scoundrels who stole my secret formulae that I worked over so many years! Come back now! Don't put the match near the powder!