CHAPTER XIII.
THE BROKEN MACHINE.
For the moment Franklin was so bewildered by what was taking place that he could not reply to the superintendent's demand for an explanation, and it was not until Mr. Buckman had caught him by the arm and given him a vigorous shake that he blurted out:
"Oh, sir, is that really my knife?"
"It has your name on it, Bell. It is not likely that any person would put that on a knife that was not yours."
"Yes, it is my knife," said Franklin, somewhat sadly, as he took the twisted object in his hand and turned it over.
"Too bad! It is spoilt for good!"
"Never mind about the knife being spoilt," returned the superintendent, roughly. "Something far more valuable has suffered, and that is this machine here. Your knife has completely ruined it, and it cost a thousand dollars and more!"
"Ruined it!" ejaculated Franklin. "That is really too bad! And how did it happen?"
