CHAPTER XXIII 

THE CLAMP 

When work began next morning, Jake asked Dick if he should order the peons to search for the clamps that had held the guard-rail. 

"I think not," said Dick. "It would be better if you looked for the things yourself." 

"Very well. Perhaps you're right." 

Dick wondered how much Jake suspected, particularly as he did not appear to be searching for anything when he moved up and down among the broken concrete. Half an hour later, when none of the peons were immediately about, he came up with his hand in his pocket and indicated a corner beside a block where there was a little shade and they were not likely to be overlooked. 

"I've got one," he remarked. 

When they sat down Jake took out a piece of thick iron about six inches long, forged into something like the shape of a U, though the curve was different and one arm was shorter than the other. Much depended on the curve, for the thing was made on the model of an old-fashioned but efficient clamp that carpenters sometimes use for fastening work to a bench. A blow or pressure on one part wedged it fast, but a sharp tap on the other enabled it to be lifted off. This was convenient, because as the work progressed, the track along the dam had to be lengthened and the guard fixed across a fresh pair of rails. 

Taking the object from Jake, Dick examined it carefully. He thought he recognized the dint where he had struck the iron, and then, turning it over, noted another mark. This had been made recently, because the surface of the iron was bright where the hammer had fallen, and a blow there would loosen the clamp. He glanced at Jake, who nodded.  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. What did Jake remove when he sat down with Dick?
2. When Jake and Dick sat down, what did the former take out?
3. What did Jake bring out as he and Dick sat down?
Q2:
1. What was the shape of the iron?
2. What was the iron in the shape of?
3. What form was the iron in?
Q3:
1. Who examined the iron?
2. Who took a closer look at the iron?
3. Who got a good look at the iron?
Q4:
1. What did Dick notice on the iron?
2. What stuck out about the iron to Dick?
3. What did Dick see that stuck out to him on the iron?
Q5:
1. What had been Jake's question for Dick that morning?
2. What was the content of Jake's inquiry to Dick that morning?
3. What did Jake want to find out from Dick in the early hours of the day?
Q6:
1. Did Dick agree with Jake's suggestion?
2. Did Dick think that Jake had a good idea?
3. Was Dick in favor of Dick's suggestion?
Q7:
1. What did Dick want Jake to do?
2. What was Dick's suggestion to Jake?
3. What did Dick think it best for Jake to do?
Q8:
1. Who approached Dick approximately a half hour later?
2. After about a half hour, who came up to Dick?
3. Who was Dick approached by around a half hour later?
Q9:
1. Where was Jake's hand?
2. What was the location of Jake's hand?
3. Where had Jake placed his hand?
Q10:
1. What was the length of the piece of iron?
2. How long was the iron bit?
3. How many inches did the iron measure?
Q11:
1. What did the iron resemble?
2. What had the iron been designed to look like?
3. What was the iron designed similarly to?
