"If only we have stumbled on the secret after all, Joe!"
"It'll clear Mr. Robinson—"
"We'll get the reward—"
"Dad'll be proud of us."
These thoughts gave them new strength and their hopes were high as they neared the tower.
The structure reared gloomily from beside the tracks. At close quarters it was even more decrepit, even more in a state of disrepair than they had imagined. The old tower had been abandoned for some time in favor of the new tank nearer the station. It sagged perilously. The ladder that led to the top lacked so many rungs that at first the boys feared they would be unable to ascend.
"If Jackley got up this ladder, we can do the same," said Frank, as he stopped, panting, at the bottom. "Let's go."
He began to scramble up the flimsy ladder.
Hardly had he ascended four rungs than there came an alarming crack!
"Look out!"
Frank clung to the rung above, just as a rung snapped beneath his weight. He hung in midair for a moment, then drew up his feet and placed them on the next rung. This proved firmer, and he was able to go on.
"Don't break 'em all," called Joe. "I want to be in on this."
