inating the room as if by day.

A strange-looking vehicle in the form of a stage was disclosed standing
in the middle of the apartment.

Jack pointed at it and said:

"There's the machine that will do all I claimed for it."

"By thunder, that's an odd looking affair!"

"She certainly is a peculiar carriage."

"Yet she is very handsome, light, and durable."

"Lift one end of her. You will be amazed at her weight."

"How can one man lift such a heavy thing as that?"

"Try, and you'll see."

The sheriff complied.

He was astonished to find he could raise her,

Jack burst out laughing at his amazed expression.

"I can't imagine what material she can be made of!" said the officer.

"It's aluminum," replied Jack, "Have you a revolver?"

"Yes--a 32 calibre weapon."

"If you will put a bullet through her I'll give you $10,000."

Timberlake's surprise increased, and he drew his weapon.

Aiming it at the vehicle in various places he blazed away.

Six shots were thus fired.

He then closely examined the Terror, as the stage was named, and
although he saw where each of the heavy caliber bullets had struck the
machine, he failed to find a perforation.

In fact he picked up the bullets from the ground fused and battered out
of shape.

Jack watched him with an amused smile.

"What do you think of that for bullet-proof armor?" he asked.

"It is simply wonderful--extraordinary!"

Timberlake scanned the engine with newly awakened interest.

It was about thirty feet long, by ten in breadth, rode on four broad
cogged wheels, and was set on strong, flexible springs.

Under the middle of the car was a powerful motor for revolving the
wheels, in front of the dashboard was a projecting ram over which stood
a search-light of 90,000 candle power, above the forward wheels were air
brakes, the driver's seat was in front, and before it stood a steering
wheel and several levers.

All the actions of the Terror were controlled by these levers.

Each side of the car was indented with four windows and four
bull's-eyes, there was a door front and back, and a rear platform from
which hung a ladder to get on and off.

The lower section of the walls consisted of metal plates, while the
upper part was made of aluminum wire netting, there was a small
smokestack on top of the roof, and on each side a railed platform.

Her interior was divided by partitions into three rooms, the forward one
being a general living room cont