carefully noted. The
bulk of the great engines which provided the power required to run the
various workshops were underground, and all the approaches to the
building were commanded by two sentries stationed at opposite corners.

The success of their enterprise was dependent upon one of these sentries
being put out of action for some minutes. This was no easy matter, but
by dint of much discussion and careful observation they reached the
conclusion that it could be done; and, better still, done so that no
alarm need be given.

A Sunday night was fixed for the attempt, because Max and Dale had never
worked on Sundays, and their absence would not therefore be likely to
arouse any subsequent suspicion that they had had anything to do with
the matter. Moreover, all departments of the works were run on reduced
staffs, and the staff of the power-house was reduced proportionately.
The loss of life which both Max and Dale feared might ensue from the
realization of their plans was thus brought to a minimum.

Shortly after midnight, Max, Dale, and Dubec made their way silently to
the little cache of shells in the river bank, and began transporting
them to a point as near the power-house as they could expect to get
without attracting notice. There was a bright moon, but there were also
clouds, and they patiently bided their time, and moved only when the
moon was obscured. It was one o'clock before the whole of the shells had
been transported within easy reach of the power-house.

The sentries were changed at two o'clock, and Max and Dale waited only
until this had been completed. Then they drew near, and took a long look
at the sentry upon the least-exposed corner of the building. He was a
young fellow, and while not looking particularly alert, yet seemed fully
alive to his duties and determined to carry them out. As has already
been explained, he was posted at a corner of the building, and could
command a view of two sides. One of these sides was flooded with the
light of the moon, but the other was in shadow, except at intervals
where it was cut by the light from the windows of the power-house, which
were here on a level with the ground.

After a whispered word or two, Dale left Max and worked his way round
until he was near the side of the building which was in shadow. Watching
his chance, he slipped into the shadow at a moment when the sentry was
gazing the other way. Max now retreated some distance, and then began
boldl