The Seed of the Toc-Toc Birds Page 6

his feveredbrow, the dark earth erupted beneath his feet, a whirlwind of smoke andwind beat and buffeted him, and, in the midst of an overwhelming noise,consciousness was blotted out!

  It was bright daylight when Talbot regained his senses. Propped againsta great rock the Professor regarded him whimsically. Reubens lookedbadly bruised and battered; one arm hung loosely at his side. Talbot'shead ached and he knew that a leg was broken.

  "Yes," said the Professor, "we got through just in time--a few secondsbefore the explosive gas was touched off. Thank God, my invention hasbeen destroyed. The world is safe."

  Yes, the world was safe. Talbot sank back with a sigh of relief.Overhead a white plane was dipping toward earth.