the safe," answered Mr. Porter. "By the way," he went on, "what was that strange noise I just heard?"
"That Is what we were wondering," said Roger. "It sounded like a blast of dynamite to me."
"Maybe something blew up at the powder works at Fenwood," suggested Dave. The works in question were fifteen miles away.
"If it did, we'll hear about it in the morning," returned Mr. Porter, as he took the package Dave gave him and disappeared into the library, turning on the electric light as he did so.
The boys went upstairs and started to undress. Phil had been asleep, but roused up at their entrance. The boys occupied a large chamber, with two double beds in it, for they loved to be together, as at school.
"Listen to that!" cried Dave, as he was unlacing a shoe.
"It's the telephone downstairs!" cried Phil. "My, but it's ringing to beat the band!" he added, as the bell continued to sound its call.
The boys heard Mr. Porter leave the library and go to the telephone, which was on a table in an alcove. He took down the receiver.
"Yes! yes!" the boys heard him say. Then followed a pause. "You don't mean it! When,
