The red "Explosive--no fire" letters of warning apparently meant
nothing to him, but Jellup halted him with a sharp warning, followed
by a few words in Mexican. Domingo handed the candle to Jellup and
the latter stepped toward the box.
"That means what it says," exclaimed Ned quickly and sharply.
The crate stood as it had been carried from Washington with the top
on and the connecting hose extended upward through a hole made in
the low roof in order that the slowly accumulating reconverted gas
might escape in safety.
"Mebbe," said Jellup, "mebbe yes and mebbe no. I guess they ain't
nothin' agoin' to explode that ain't set afire."
Ned noticed with satisfaction that the lid was properly locked.
Jellup noticed it too. Without a word, he turned and easily found
Ned's keys. Again he approached the crate, looking over the keys.
"Jellup," exclaimed Ned in alarm, "there's gas in that box, and if
you go near it with a light you'll blow us all up."
"Gas, eh?" answered the eager Jellup. "Don't run no sich bluffs on
me."
"I warn you," cried Ned as the man approached the box, "it's taking
your life in your hands.
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