or at least one that Tom had not counted on. This had exploded,
blowing Eradicate down, flaring a sheet of flame up into his
face, scattering broken glass about, and generally creating
havoc.

"I can't understand it," said Tom. "I was trying to make a fire
extinguishing liquid, and it turned out to be a fire creator. I
don't see what was wrong."

"One chemical might have been impure," suggested Ned.

"Yes," agreed Tom. "I'll check them over and try to find out
where the mistake happened."

"This place will have to be rebuilt," observed Ned. "It's in
bad shape, Tom."

"I don't mind that in the least, if Rad doesn't lose his
eyesight," was the answer of the young inventor, and his friends
could see that he was much worried, as well he might be.

In silence Tom Swift looked about the ruins of what had been a
fine chemical laboratory.

"It will take a month to get this back in shape," he said
ruefully. "I guess I shall have to postpone my experiments."

"Why not ask Mr. Baxter to help you?" suggested Ned.

"What can he do?" Tom wanted to know. "He hasn't any