The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-03

absurdity on reflection. and I cannot
but think you are the victims of an
illusion"
Yes said the doctor disdainfulIy,
IAN illusion that came upon seven or
eight or eleven persons simultaneously"
why not? have a theory to explain
it,"
Let us hear your theory, o most
saplent consult said the doctor.
my theory is that you are not at all
mad" repeated NJ. Kersain. Only"
"Ahi let us hear the only"
only you fell into the hands of that
dwarf of Rhadameh, the greatest charla-
tan and most cunning magician on the
face OF the earth. He, knowing the
project that had brought Monsieur
Mauny to the Soudan. and knowing how,
more or less. you were all bitten with
the same mania. amused himself for
some unknown end of his own, in max
ing you beiieYe that it had happened"
and how did he manage that. pray?"
Something after this fashion. He
hypnotized you, and then suggested this
story to you. Or else he recounted IT to
you after placing you under the in
fuence of hasheesh or some other drug"
$50 that. according to you. we are
simply sleep walkers?"
Simply
We'll. how about my Selenite docu-
ment. them" cried the doctor trium-
phantly. Did I dream that. too?''
mo. But that may be merely an ac-
cessory. made use of by the dwarf to
confirm you IN your illusion"
Have you said all you have to say?"
| asked the doctor.
AL"
Then" resumed the doctor. rising
and walking straight on NJ. Kersain, as
if he intended TO crush him by the force
Of his argument, then be so good rs
to explain to me how 1t happens that
Virgil, the baronet. and his servant,
who were not with us when we fell into
| the hands of Keddour, are all under the
same Illusion"
Just simply because. when the dwarf
made you prisoners, he took possession
of the Peak of Tehbali. where he found
Virgil and the baronet, and his faith
full Smith. II was easy for him to sub
ject them to the same treatment as
yourselves"
But what about the parachute ?''a
mo trace of il can be found"
The doctor took two or three turns
in the drawing room, nursing his wrath:
then standing still again In front of his
brother-in- law. he exclaimed:
1T is of no use arguing with you. But
if I had not left nay geological speci-
he rah in af
ent on the moon. you would soon see"
THE specimens prove no more than
the papyrus,' said Norbert laughing;
they have great analogy with terres-
trial rocks"
"welll So you have gone over TO the
enemy" cried the doctor. THAT puts
the finishing touch to our easel"
Il have not given it up at ALL" an
swered Norbert merrily. 81 am only
trying to sift and understand our OPP
ponents' arguments I don't mind their
opposition a bit, for before very long I
shall be able to silence them with the
irrefragabIe proof drawn from my lunar
observations. For the present I am
quite satisfied with the confidence OF
my shareholders. which is very touching
under the circumstances"
How? Do they believe in our Jour
ney, them"
IF they didn't. I should no longer be
able TO term them my shareholders"
answered Norbert, laughing; but as
they gave their money to forward our
experiment, they are quite willing TO
accept the latter in its entirety, such as
it was. They have, moreover, formally
congratulated me, and have unanimously
voted funds to reconstttute the original
capital, and enable US 70 resume opera
lions whenever 1t shall be feasible.',.s
We'll, If you ever go TO the moon
again, let me be of the party," cried the
doctor. Il really must succeed in prov
ing"
"AIasi" replied Norbert. ''I fear IT
will not be an easy matter for long
time to come. Besides the fact that IL
will not be easy to find mountain as rich
in magnetic pyrites as the Peak of Teh-
bali l fear II will be still more difficult
TO come across a country containing In
itself all the conditions of success, like
the Soudan. 1t will be long before that
land will be open TO Europeans again.
And this is just where the great enter
prise OF the Lunar Company stands at
the present time. If ever it is possible
to resume operations in the Soudan, the
conquest of the Moon may yet become
| an accomplished fact
And should that event take place Nor
bert Mauny is sure to endeavor to find
out what has become of Kaddour and the
unfortunate prisoners who were left be-
hind when the adventures returned to
| Mother Earth.
THE END.1