He saw
Frank and cried:
"Hello, you! So you're all right? Wonder you wasn't killed. You came
down with a rush, young feller, but you went back just as quick."
Frank understood instantly.
"Here is a man who saw it!" he cried. "He will tell you that I am not
lying."
The engineer turned to the stoker.
"How did he happen to fall?" he asked.
"He didn't fall," declared the begrimed coal heaver.
"No? What then--"
"'Nother chap jumped on his back and flung him down. It's wonderful he
wasn't killed."
Frank was triumphant. He regarded the engineer and his assistant with a
grim smile on his face.
"This is incredible!" exclaimed the engineer. "Who could have done such
a thing?"
"Somebody who came from this room!" rang out Merry's clear voice.
"This shall be investigated!" declared the engineer. "Look around! See
if you can find the man who attacked you. The only ones here are myself,
Mr. Gregory, and the wipers."
"I want a look at those wipers," said Frank.
"You shall have it. Mr. Gregory and I were talking together over here
all the time you were gone."
"Oh, I do not suspect you," said Merry; "but I want a good look at those
wipers."
"Did you see the man who threw you into the stoke-hole?"
"No, but--"
"Then how will you know who it was if you see him?"
"Whoever did so had a reason for the act--a motive.
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