“I think that by using the heat I can generate in the end of this pencil,” he said, “I can melt enough of the metal in the door to cause it to run down and touch the floor.”
“Making the short circuit between the door and the floor,” Bud remarked.
“Right.”
Tom realized he might accidentally touch the door while working, and looked about for something to insulate him from the floor. A heavy wooden bench stood against one wall of the cell. This was perfect for his purpose.
Dragging the bench over to the door he knelt on it, reached down, and clicked on the pencil. When the tip was hot, he applied it against the bottom of one of the bars. Slowly the metal began to melt and run down toward the insulation. Just as the flowing metal neared the floor, Tom, anticipating a sudden flash, turned his head and warned Bud to do the same.
A TRICKY INVENTION 195
As the metal touched the floor there was a sharp sputtering, a blinding flash, then darkness. Tom had completed the short circuit! The door was no longer a menace!
“You must have blown out the main generator!” Bud whispered gleefully, then added, “Listen!”
The boys could hear heavy footsteps in the corridor.
“It’s probably Jennig,” Bud remarked. “No doubt he thinks we touched the door and were electrocuted!”
“Let’s pretend we were, then try to nab him and get the key,” Tom proposed.
Jennig’s steps became slow as he felt his way toward the cell. Then he retreated.
“Good night!” Bud said. “He’s leaving. Maybe he’ll throw over the circuit breaker!”
“He can’t put the charge back in the door until the weld I made is broken,”