What incalculable
advantages would it give to any nation, both on land and sea! Its
destructive powers could not even be estimated, until its qualities
and limitations were better known. No amount of money would be too
great to pay for the secret; America could not put her millions to
better use.
But to buy the machine, it was necessary to find the inventor; and
there seemed the chief difficulty. In vain was Lake Kirdall searched
from end to end. Even its depths were explored with a sounding-line
without result. Must it be concluded that the submarine no longer
lurked beneath its waters? But in that case, how had the boat gotten
away? For that matter, how had it come? An insoluble problem!
The submarine was heard from no more, neither in Lake Kirdall nor
elsewhere. It had disappeared like the automobile from the roads, and
like the boat from the shores of America. Several times in my
interviews with Mr. Ward, we discussed this matter, which still
filled his mind. Our men continued everywhere on the lookout, but as
unsuccessfully as other agents.
On the morning of the twenty-seventh of June, I was summoned into the
presence of Mr. Ward.
"Well, Strock," said he, "here is a splendid chance for you to get
your revenge."
"Revenge for the Great Eyrie disappointment?"
"Of course.
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