thing as a strike, or labor troubles of any kind, was not thought
of there.

So Tom knew that whatever he did, or whatever plans he drew, in
his private room, he was safely guarded. Yet he always took a
portfolio home with him at night, for after dinner he frequently
continued his work of the day. Naturally during this first week
he did not get far in any problem connected with the proposed
electric locomotive. There were, however, rough drafts and
certain schedules that had to do with the matter jotted down.

It was almost twelve at night. Tom had sat up in his own room
after his father had retired, and after the household was still.

Eradicate was in bed and snoring under the roof, Tom knew. Just
where Koku was, it would have been hard to tell. Although a fine
and penetrating rain was falling, the giant might be roaming
about the waste land surrounding the stockade of the works. The
elements had no terrors for him.

Tom locked his portfolio and stepped into his bathroom to wash
his hands before retiring. Before he snapped on the electric
light over the basin he chanced to glance through the newly set
windowpane which had replaced the one Rad had shattered in
escaping threatened impalement on Koku's spear.

Although the clouds were thick and the rain was falling, there
was a certain humid radiance upon the roof of the porch under the
bathroom window. At least, the wet roof glistened so that any
moving figure on or beyond it was visible,