He searched in the box, pulling out the wire this time and inspecting it under the light. Perhaps there was something not quite right about it after all. The thinness was supposed to be almost imperceptible to the human eye and yet Oliver could more or less see it. Did it need to be thinner? But how? And even if it was, how was he supposed to work with something thinner than his eyes could see?

He wondered then if Armando had any kind of microscopic device or eyeglass he might be able to use. If he wanted to make the wires even thinner, hed need a microscope to do it. Surely the old inventor had some around. In fact, he could vaguely recall having seen one or two during the tour.

The problem was, Oliver didnt much want to go back onto the factory floor while Lucas was working. He didnt want the gruff old man to notice him taking more items for his futile task. He didnt want to hear, yet again, that he was going to fail.

Then he remembered his class with Ms. Belfry. Shes encouraged him to step into the spotlight even though he was afraid of his classmates bullying him. This was no different really. If he could endure their taunts and cruel whispers, he could handle Lucas.

He took a deep breath and left his room. Out in the corridor, Horatio the bloodhound looked up at him with his sad eyes. Oliver knelt down and patted his head. The dog sighed before falling back to sleep.

Oliver headed out into the factory. Lucas was busy at his workbench. Perhaps Oliver could sneak past him unnoticed.

In the shadows, Oliver scanned the factory floor to see whether there was a microscope anywhere nearby, or whether he could locate the place where Armando stored the tools.

Just then, he noticed a cupboard mounted onto one wall. It was just like the kind found in shop class at school, the ones where they stored all the drills and screwdrivers. That must be it, Oliver thought.

He made a beeline for it. But no sooner had Oliver stepped out of the shadows and begun to walk toward the tool cupboard, than Lucas turned sharply and glared at him. It was like hed sensed him coming with some kind of sixth sense. Even from this distance, Oliver could see the coldness in his penetrating blue-eyed stare.

Hows it going? Lucas barked nastily across the factory floor. Still not solved it? What a surprise. I bet you go mad trying.

Oliver sucked his cheeks in. He was too determined to stop now, no matter how much Lucas attempted to undermine and discourage him. He went right up to the cupboard and opened it.