Evening star., 1907-11-17

silence.
"Gentlemen," said the inventor, I'VE have
rendered warships useless. We need no armor!
Increased speed the waters is of no value
to We have created machine that flies,
not thing of gas, of planes, or kite. We
cannot explain here well as if you were to
go with us and see it. and what use we have
made of your money
The Secretary of the Navy looked disap-
pointed. His mind too intensely prac-
tical to jump to happy conclusions. Can
flying machine whip battleship?" he asked,
and would have continued; but the Admiral
brought his fist down on the desk with
mighty bang
"This one alone might do It'll The Others
We'll have ready before they called upon
can whip the world" He stopped as if abashed
by his own enthusiasm and lack of etiquette,
looked at the President and the secretary
apologetically, and then in less tempestuous
voice went on " All we ask is that you come
with us,-so no one may see you, OF course
and then you'll have no cause for complaint.
His request was reasonable but they were
curious After brief discussion and arrange
ment they decided to go in motor cars, which
many of those present knew how to drive
and within half an hour the entire party was
whirling away through the side streets OF the
city, out into the residence sections, through
long avenues of trees, past suburban homes
and finally to their destination.
The night was lighted only by the stars,
which failed to disclose that strange monster
which loomed up dimly before them in the
field. 1t stood there on the stubble, dark and
inert massive and without grace, like some
gigantic turtle of a prehistoric age, Sentries
halted them as they approached even as IN
time of strife, and compelled them to expose
their identity. They went aboard while the
Admiral stood at the door waiting for the
guard to come within, the last one explaining
a slight delay by saying he thought for a
moment that he had heard a noise as of some
fell hut had
nothing.
Sorry we can't illuminate" the inventor
explained; but we shall little later after you
have seen how it works..
Jenkins threw lever, and the heavy doors
over the port came to with dull metallic
clang and were clasped.
Within a little hooded space forward dim
light exposed great banks of levers, switches,
and dials, and by its faint rays they found
seats improvised for the occasion. Roberts
threw out hand, and the hum of great dyna-
mos told that machinery had been set in mo-
ton. Back of them, in another apartment so
closely screened that no streak of light might
expose their presence to the outside world
they saw Jenkins and junior engineer watch
ing the play of the wheels. Norma took her
place beside her father. They felt vibrant
shocks as the great airship throbbed and quiv-
cred, and then, save for the song of the ma
chinery, all serenely quiet and mot1onless
There was no sensation whatever, and they
began vaguely to wonder when the flight was
to take place, if that was the intention OF their
hosts. The voice of the Admiral, Pent with
eation, called.
Mr. President and gentlemen, if you will all
lean over back of you and look down, you may
see something"
They obeyed with promptness that sug-
gested some nerve strain, and saw that they
had been seated over broad glass plates of
great thickness, while far below was un-
anticipated picture. They had left the earth
with that first preliminary jar, and now saw
on its surface, pricked out by the lights, the
streets of the national capital. They were
already a mile above it and rapidly gaining
higher attitudes, the horizon Were other
lights shone in the far distance expanding
saucer like while they gazed The sea, with
here and there slow moving ship, came before
their vision and little dotting of fire exposed
a railway train crawling along on its journey
1t was as if the earth had fallen away into
space and they alone were in a position of
security and solidity
I'VE shall require four hours of your time
at least" the Admiral called, and with starts
of surprise they looked to where he stood
outlined against the light of the hoods, finding
it hard to realize that they were not addressed
by a being of another world The officer
leaned over to the Secretary of the Navy and
added, Il am going to give you our preliminary
report, which will save writing it D"
Sessions made reD1y h1t turned n his