."

"I don't see how they can," was the grim answer. "However, I appreciate
all that you have done for me. But I fear my case is hopeless."

"I'll see you again in the morning," Tom said, trying to infuse some
cheerfulness into his voice.

He found Ned waiting for him when he came downstairs.

"How is he?" asked the young business manager.

"In rather a bad way--mentally, at least," and Tom told of the lost
formulae. "Do you know, Ned," he went on, "I have an idea!"

"You generally do have--lots of 'em!" Ned rejoined.

"But this is a new one," went on Tom. "You saw what trouble they had
this evening to get a stream of water to the top stories of that
factory, didn't you?"

"Yes, the pressure here isn't what it ought to be," Ned agreed. "And
some of our engines are old-timers."

"Why is it necessary always to fight a fire with water?" Tom continued.
"There are plenty of chemicals that will put out a fire much quicker
than water."

"Of course," Ned answered. "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."

"I wasn't thinking of a hand grenade," said Tom, as he drew some sheets
of paper across the table to him. "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--"

Tom paused in a listening attitude. There was the rush of feet and a
voice cried:

"I'll get them! I'll get the scoundrels!"

CHAPTER IV

AN EXPERIMENT

"That can't be Koku and Rad in one of their periodic squabbles, can
it?" asked Ned.

"No. It's probably Mr. Baxter," Tom answered. "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."

"Guess I'd better go along," remarked Ned. "Sounds as if you'd need
help."

And it did appear so, for again the frenzied shouts sounded:

"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!"

Tom and Ned hurried to the room where the unfortunate chemist had been
put to bed, to find him out in the hall, wrapped in a bedquilt, and
with Mrs. Baggert vainly trying to quiet him. Mr. Baxter stared at Tom
and Ned wi