It needed but an instant’s look to show that this was timed to go off almost immediately, which fact, when Ned discovered it, caused him to shout: “Look out! This is a live one!” He hurled it from him, toward a pile of lumber in the shop yard. There was a deafening report—a shower of planks and boards rose in the air and settled back again with a crash, while a cloud of smoke filled the air. “Just in time!” cried Ned. “If that had gone off here it would have killed all of us.” And as the echoes of the explosion died away a voice was heard shouting: “Is any one hurt? Father, are you there? Ned, is any one hurt?” CHAPTER XIII AN OMINOUS MESSAGE Curious, indeed, was the chance, coincidence, or fate—call it what you like—which brought Tom Swift on the scene, in company with Mr. Knowlton in the runabout, just as the bomb which Ned tossed away exploded near the lumber pile. Tom and his friend felt the force of the blast, but, aside from a stunned feeling and the shock, they were unhurt, and after a momentary stopping of the car Mr. Knowlton sent it on again. But Tom was anxious to know what had happened; hence his cry as he saw the flash and heard the blast so near his plant and his volley of questions as soon as Mr. Knowlton brought the car to a final stop. And Ned, hearing his friend’s cry, first marveled and then rejoiced. “Tom! Tom!” he shouted. “Are you there?” “Yes,” was the answer. “But what happened? Is my father all right?” There was so much smoke from the bomb that Tom could not see far ahead, especially as it was now dark. “Your father is all right—he’s back home with Mary,” Ned informed Tom, as the latter got out of the car to limp toward the entrance gate near his private office. “And the plant isn’t damaged. Come in and I’ll tell you about it.” “Are these your friends? Are you sure everything is all right?” asked the cautious farmer, as he saw Tom preparing to go in through the big gate in the high fence. One of the men had hastened to open it when it was certain that Tom was outside. “Yes, everything is all right,” was the answer. “This is my factory—my friends are here. But my enemies have been trying some of their tricks. Luckily the tricks didn’t work. But don’t go,” begged Tom. “I want you to meet Ned Newton and my father. He’ll want to thank you for aiding me—for bringing me back here.” “Oh, shucks! That wasn’t anything!” expostulated Mr. Knowlton. “Anybody would have done the same. I won’t stop now. I’m in a hurry to get back home—my wife will be worried. But she’ll be glad to know you got here safe and found your friends. Come out and see us some time.” “I will,” promised Tom, and then as his benefactor drove away, Tom and Ned rushed toward each other to shake hands, while Mr. Damon brought up the rear, murmuring: “Bless my insurance policy! Bless my rubber boots! If this isn’t most astonishing!”