It was in full blaze within very short time
after."
"How short? Five minutes or so?"
"Not so much. Certainly not more than two."
"H'm! Peculiar! Ra-a-a-ather peculiar." drawled Average Jones.
"Particularly in view of the weather."
"In what respect?"
"In respect to a barn, water-soaked by a three-day rain bursting
into flame like tinder."
"It had not occurred to me. But the friction and heat of the
meteorite must have been extremely great."
"And extremely momentary except as to the lower floor, and the fire
should have taken some time to spread from that. However, to turn
to other matters--" He swung himself over the edge of the roof and
went briskly down the lightning rod. Across the frozen ground he
moved, with his eyes on the soil, and presently called up to his,
host:
"At any rate, he started across lots in the direction of the barn.
Will you come down and let me in?"
Back in the study, Average Jones sat meditating a few moments.
Presently he asked:
"Did you go to the spot where your son's clothes were found?"
"Yes.
Pages:
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262