6 Time crunch trail

Chapter 6 Time crunch trail The Palace of Machines was the biggest building the Timekeepers had come across. It was made of iron, steel, and huge panes of glass. On the sides of the building, they saw things that looked like huge arched greenhouses.

Music was playing when they entered, and Tempo immediately joined in. "Cuck-er-uck-er-uck-er- ooo," she squawked. Jackson laughed, and Hannah felt a thrill of excitement. "That must be Thomas Edison's phonograph playing!" she said. "Where's it coming from? This place is so enormous—it's hard to tell." The center aisle sat between all kinds of machines, engines, and gadgets. "I wonder what they all are?" Hannah was saying, when a man with a can of paint and a brush called out from the top of a ladder. "Hey you, down there!" he shouted.

"The Palace of Machines is open to visitors!" "We're journalists looking for Thomas Edison," Jackson said. He had to cup his hands around his mouth to be heard. "Journalists, eh?" the man said. "Alright then." He pointed upward to what looked like a giant tray on wheels fitted onto railings. "Louis will sort you out." "What on earth is that?" Hannah asked. The contraption's rails ran high above the exhibits. "That's the best way to get to Edison," the man said. "We call it the rolling bridge. There's room for about thirty people on that, I think. Louis is the driver. Hey, Louis!" he called. "Some passengers

for you. Journalists!" The Timekeepers climbed a stairway and stepped onto the rolling bridge. Louis pulled a long handle, releasing the brake, and they started to move. The lovely music they'd heard suddenly sped up. "What a racket!" Louis said. Jackson whispered, "DeLay!" Hannah nodded. The villain was obviously affecting the speed of the music.

Seconds later, the music slowed to a growl. "That's even worse." said Louis. "Cuck-ook-ook-ooo!" Tempo squawked. Looking down, Hannah saw a smart man wearing a bow tie, and with neatly combed hair. He was staring at a big box with a brass trumpet shape attached to it. Was that the phonograph? That must be Thomas Edison! "Louis!" Hannah cried. "Stop at the next stairs, please." Moments later they were back on the ground floor. They found Mr. Edison frantically fiddling with the box. He glanced up, looking very worried.

"Something's not right," he muttered to himself. "My phonograph was fine earlier. What if I can't fix it in time for the fair? It's a disaster! This invention means people won't need to go to a concert hall to hear music. They can listen to it—in their own homes! Imagine! But now everything's going wrong." "There's someone running around the fair causing trouble," Hannah said. "I think he's to blame for the issues with your phonograph. He's wearing a jacket with a pocket watch pattern. Have you seen him?" Mr. Edison looked grim. "I certainly have." He pointed over Hannah's shoulder. "Right there!" The Timekeepers turned and gasped.