her. "There's something about the power," she went on. "We haven't any lights, either. They say the power station at Collin's Dam went out of commission this morning. They don't know when they'll be able to get it back on." Chapter 4. _Disaster Spreads_ While he stood, shocked by his mother's statement, Ken heard the phone ringing in the next room. On battery power at the telephone central office, he thought. His mother answered, and there was a pause. "Professor Maddox is at the college," she said. "You can probably reach him there, or I can give him your message when he comes home." She returned to the doorway. "That was the power company. They want your father and Dr. Douglas to have a look at their generators." Ken, what do you think this means?" she asked worriedly. "What will happen if all our power goes off and doesn't come back on? Do you think your father has any idea what's causing the trouble?" Ken shook his head. "I don't know, Mom. So far, nobody seems to know anything." In less than 15 minutes, Professor Maddox hurried into the house. "Couldn't get my car going," he said. "It's stalled on the campus parking lot. The power company wants me to go to Collin's Dam." "I know," said Mrs. Maddox. "They called here." He paused a moment, staring out the window, a look of bewilderment on his face. "This thing seems to be more serious than I would have believed possible. There's just no explanation for it, none at all!" "Any chance of my going along, Dad?" Ken said. "I'm afraid not. We're going in Dr. Larsen's car, and it's half loaded with instruments. I hope we make it there and back without breaking down. I'll probably be back early this evening, but don't hold dinner on my account." "There will be only sandwiches," said Ken's mother. "I can't cook anything." "Of course. Just leave me some of whatever you have." From the doorway Ken watched his father and the other two scientists. He thought he detected a loginess in the engine as Professor Larsen drove away from the curb.
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