United States or Hungary ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
It is not so in this case. You know mighty well what you've put me through in the past. There's no need of going into it. "But this Crano-Scale business is my limit my outside limit," I went on, "and you've passed it.
"It wouldn't take more than a week or so, throwing it over by handfuls; and when at last they found that your crano-engine wouldn't bring up any more from this side " "Aha!" cried the inventor, with sudden animation. "That's it! The Crano-Scale!" "Yes, that's it," I assented. "Away up near the roof. What about it?" "Why, it solves the whole problem," said Hawkins.
Exercise?" I called, when he paused some twenty-five feet in the air. "If you wish to see the Crano-Scale at work, follow me. If not, stay where you are," replied Hawkins. Then he resumed his upward course; and having put something like thirty-five feet between his person and the solid earth, he vanished through a black doorway.
They simply adjust the controlling apparatus to the two-ton point, and set the Crano-Scale going. The scoop dips down, picks up exactly two tons of coal, and rises automatically as soon as the two tons are in. After that the crane swings outward, dumps the coal in the wagon, and there you have it weighed and all! It has been in operation here for one month," Hawkins concluded complacently.
"And you're a fine looking object to go to dinner," I added. Hawkins' countenance fell somewhat, but there was no time for a reply. The coal-scuttle of the Crano-Scale was hovering above us, evidently selecting a spot for its operations. "Here! We're right under it!" Hawkins shouted. "This way, Griggs! Quick! Lord! It's coming down it'll hit you! Quick!"
And there, up near the roof, I located him, dangling from the Crano-Scale coal-scuttle! "What are you going to do next?" I asked, with some interest. "I I I can't can't hang on long here!" "I should say not." "Well, climb out and tell them to lower the crane!" screamed Hawkins. I looked around. Right and left, before and behind, rose a mountain of loose coal.
It was precisely that which sent me nearer to the ladder. The Crano-Scale was returning to position, but with a series of erratic swoops that seemed to close my throat. The coal-scuttle whirled joyously about in the air it was receding no, it was coming nearer! It paused for a second. Then, making a bee-line for our little ledge, it dived through the air toward us. "Look out, there, Hawkins!"
I cried, hastily. "It's all right," said the inventor. "But the cursed thing will smash us flat against the wall!" "Tush! The automatic reacting clutch will " The Crano-Scale was upon us! For the merest fraction of a second it paused and seemed to hesitate; then it struck the wall with a heavy bang; then started to scrape its way along our ledge.
It turned, passed through a big doorway in the side, and we could hear the coal rattling into the wagon. The Crano-Scale returned and swung ponderously in the twilight. "There!" cried Hawkins triumphantly. "It works!" I gasped. "You bet it works!" "But it must cost something to run the thing," I suggested.
I fancy you'll feel rather cheap hearing that that thousand dollars is the first payment on something I have invented!" "What!" "Certainly. I am selling the patent to these people. It is the Hawkins Crano-Scale!" "Crano-Scale?" I reflected. "What is it? A hair tonic?" "Now, that is about the deduction your mental apparatus would make!" sneered the inventor.
Word Of The Day