The Washington times., 1903-03-22
CHAPTER XVII.
A STRANGE COUNTRY.

from their FIRST surprise, Norbert was
assailed with questions.
IF l have understood rightly" said
the doctor. you maintain that we
are now breathing that air We brought
with us in the observatory"
Just So"
And that once this is consumed We
shall have none ieft?"
Doubtless"
But how. in that case. are we going
to breathe?"
How" repeated Norbert. laughing.
why, we must make our own air, Have
we not a supply of chemical products on
purpose? BY the bye. I must go and
overhaul them. am rather anxious TO
see how we stand as regards stores"
Followed by the doctor and Gertrude.
the astronomer proceeded through the
Hall OF Telescopes (which evidently had
not suffered much from it's dispIacemen)
10 the store rooms. where he found
everything in much better order than he
had expected.
I There were a few breakages. but moth
ing OF importance. They had done hardly
any damage. The instruments were in
tact; most of them were fixed I'm the
ground. and the cases OF special ap-
paratus were as perfect as he day they
left the workshop
4 There were two or three cases of
oxygen respirators. - Calling Virgil to
assist. Norbert opened several OF the
cases. and took them 20 the laboratory
to put them in working order.
When the reservoirs were filled with
gas. Norbert fastened one on his back
by the leather straps attached to it for
the purpose. which made the thing look
like a tin pannier surmounted by a
large leather bag. This bag was fastened
under the left arm by M appendage
which. when squeezed by the elbow. ex-
PEELED a certain quantity OF oxygen into
: a rubber tube. The tube was connected
with the nose and mouth OF the wearer
of the apparatus and fitted tightly on
his face by means OF a copper mask fur
nished with pads of chamois leather.
Thus equipped Norbert provided him
self with a mariners compass. a spy
glass. and a rife. and returned to the
drawing room.
May 1 ask you whom you are going
TO war With" asked the baronet, feel
ing the need Of a little diversion from
his melancholy mood Il am only goiag
to explore the surroundings" answered
Norbert. Something Is puzzling NE.
and must hnd it out. l can't see how
we can be on the moon and in our own
observatory at one and the same time
The whole summit OF Tehbali must have
been carried of bodily. I'll make i,
clear. however. within the next quarter
, OF an hour
7 lis there any reason why l should
not join you in the voyage Of discov-
ery?'' asked Sir Bucephalus.
Nothing would give me greater pleas
ure Only you must be equipped like
: me-thst is TO say. with a respirator
5 have just filled Ave or six Virgil vii
r fetch one Of them"
t May we not come. too?" cried Ger.
, trude ard her uncle. almost simulta
: neously.
81 don't think it would be wise" an
=" swered Norbert You shall go after,
p ward. If we find it quite safe and pru
= dent"
This was agreed TO. and the barone
S FASTENED to equip himself for the ex
e petition. g.-.a.-,.
: II am fully as curious as you" H.
: said TO Norbert, Ito ascertain how {
comes about that our observatory &
now in the moon; that is" he adde,
: quickly, IF we are really in the-moon.
What cried Norbert You don
mean to say you are still in doubt abou
> it? Your doubts will soon be laid Z
rest now"
SO saying. the two young men glide'
through the half-opened door. and wer,
gone.
There was not much change appar
d emily in the esplanade. They went aloni
II quickly till they reached the zigzal
o path down the mountain
: Contrary to Norbert's expectation
= there was nothing fresh TO be seen here
: The path wound. as formerly. down tn
IL flank of the peak. till IL reached tn
bed of vitrified glass under the noun
Z tain. But instead OF plain stretch
5 ing beyond. there was now consider
I able space between the end of the pat
4 and the lower plain
e And another strange thing, Instea
d of facing east, as formerly. the pat
o lay now toward the north show