Tom had brought along a good collection of sky rockets, aerial bombs, Roman candles and similar things, together with the blasting powder.  The latter was put in a safe place in a side room, and then, with some boards, the young inventor and his chum proceeded to make a sort of firing stand.  One big window opened out toward a vacant stretch of woods into which it would not be dangerous to aim the fireworks.

Building the stand took some time, and they knocked off to make a meal from the food that had been brought, and which they had been about to eat when the circus man had appeared.  The food was good, and it made them feel better.

“I hope they won’t forget us to-morrow,” observed Tom, for there was enough of the first meal left for supper.  “But if they do we have some food of our own.”

“Oh, I don’t think they mean to starve us,” remarked Ned.  “I think they are just acting on suggestions from that circus man.”

“Perhaps,” agreed Tom.  “Well, they may sing another tune when we get through with them.”

As night approached the giant guards about the hut were changed, and again the women came, bearing platters of food.  There was plenty of it, showing that the king, however fickle his friendship might be, did not intend to starve his captives.  Tom and his friends had not seen Delby come out of the royal palace, and they concluded that he was still with his giant majesty.

“Is it dark enough now, Tom?” asked Ned of his chum, as they sat about the rude wooden platform which they had made to hold the fireworks.  “Shall we set them off?”

“Pretty soon now.  Wait until it gets a little darker, and the effect will be better.”  The room was dimly lighted by a small portable electric lamp, one of several Tom had brought along in his mysterious box.  The lamps were operated by miniature but powerful dry batteries.  The giant guards were still outside, but they showed no disposition to interfere with our friends.

“There’s something going on at the palace,” reported Mr. Damon, who was watching the big hut.  “There are a lot of giants around it with torches.”

“Maybe they’re going to escort Delby to a hut with the same honors they paid us,” suggested Tom.  “If they do, we’ll set off the fireworks as he comes out and maybe they’ll think he is afflicted with bad magic, and they’ll give us our freedom.”

“Good idea!” cried Ned.  “Say, that’s what they’re going to do,” he added a moment later as, in the glare of a number of torches, there could be seen issuing from the king’s palace, the two big giants, evidently his brothers.  Between them was the figure of the circus man, looking like a dwarf.  He was not so far away but what the smile of triumph on his face could be seen as he glanced in the direction of the darkened hut where Tom and his friends were captives.

“Now’s our chance!” cried the young inventor.  “Set ’em off, Ned.  You help, Mr. Damon.  The more noise and fuss we make at once, the more impressive it will be.  Set off everything in sight!”