We must work
fast."

"You mean that Russian is responsible for all this?"

"Yes, child. But maybe we can defeat him yet. Don't lose courage. Now
I must go and prepare what's left of the drug. We're overdue for it
now."

Meanwhile Jack was busy running leads from the generator room,
connecting banks of tubes, stringing an aerial on the terrace.

"Twelve hours! Twelve hours!" he muttered. "Just time to make it if
the doctor's calculations are correct. June, hand me those pliers, but
be careful of the wires. I haven't time to insulate them. When we
start the dynamo they'll be carrying twelve thousand volts."

"But won't Solinski and his men come back and kill us?" For the first
time the full weight of despair descended upon her brave spirit.

"Probably. Does your father have a revolver?"

"I--I think so."

"Find out." Jack connected a loading coil with deft fingers. "Then go
down to a sporting goods store and get some ammunition. If there are
any shotguns in the place bring two back with plenty of buckshot
shells. I don't think we're being watched yet, but if you're attacked,
run for it."

Noting she looked hurt at his abruptness, he kissed her quickly.

"Sorry, darling. Every second counts. Run along, like a good girl."

She smiled for the first time in a long while and patted his hand.

* * * * *

When she returned, two shotguns and several boxes of shells held like
wood in her bent arms, the generator was sparkling merrily. The
gasoline engine barked steadily and the vacuum tubes glowed green.

Manthis came in at that moment and injected all the remaining drug as
Jack gave crisp orders. Automatically the engineer had taken command.

"I'll get things going and handle the dials until Solinski sends his
rats down on us. June, you watch the street door. Run up at the first
sign of an attack. After that you'll take my place and hold it, no
matter what happens, until we succeed or are killed. The doctor and I
will go downstairs when you come up, and hold them off or retreat
slowly. Thank heaven we can command both the front and rear stairways
from the halls. Now doctor, watch the circuit breaker. I'm going to
throw on full power."

As he advanced the rheostat the tubes glowed brighter, bathing the
room in unearthly light. Jack adjusted his headset, and smiled up at
June. She kissed him bravely before hurrying to her dangerous post.

Once more he sat listening to that whining