Chapter

 1 2 |  devotion and his ability?”~“Mr. Ward,” I answered, with a bow, “
 2 2 |          you before?”~“I am, Mr. Ward.”~“Good, Strock; then listen.”~
 3 2 |        Strock; then listen.”~Mr. Ward, a man of about fifty years,
 4 2 |         Morganton.”~“Surely, Mr. Ward, the phenomena reported
 5 2 |          of the authorities, Mr. Ward,” responded I, “to learn
 6 2 |       Nothing is impossible, Mr. Ward; what we face here is merely
 7 2 |            Good! I am ready, Mr. Ward,” cried I, “and be sure
 8 2 |      will act as seems best, Mr. Ward.”~“Let me caution you to
 9 2 |    beginning our interview.~“Mr. Ward sent you,” said he to me
10 2 |        Good; let us drink to Mr. Ward’s health.”~I clinked glasses
11 2 |          the reports sent to Mr. Ward —”~“Reports made under the
12 2 |        dined, and written to Mr. Ward, I saw Mr. Smith again in
13 3 |         I stood again before Mr. Ward, shamed and confused, I
14 3 |       Washington and consult Mr. Ward.~So, the next day, having
15 5 |        be absent some weeks. Mr. Ward, however, undoubtedly knew
16 5 |         for the achievement. Mr. Ward, who held the government’
17 5 |       fifteenth of June that Mr. Ward returned to duty. Despite
18 5 |       has failed!”~“No more, Mr. Ward, than if you had charged
19 5 |      Great Eyrie.”~“Nothing, Mr. Ward.”~“You saw no sign of fire?”~“
20 5 |             Still uncertain, Mr. Ward. But if it is there, we
21 5 |             Still,” returned Mr. Ward, “there is nothing to show
22 5 |           Granted,” declared Mr. Ward. “I admit that the evidence
23 5 |       determined to know it, Mr. Ward, the solution is only a
24 5 |      disclose her mystery.”~“Mr. Ward, believe me that I regret
25 5 |        automobile.” And when Mr. Ward brought up this subject,
26 5 |         machine to reappear.~Mr. Ward frankly admitted that the
27 5 |    readers. While I read it, Mr. Ward was summoned from the room.
28 5 |       people.~At this moment Mr. Ward returned and I interrupted
29 5 |     strongly aroused—”~“But, Mr. Ward, the beast seems not at
30 5 |        marine animal?” asked Mr. Ward.~“What else can it be?”
31 5 |          your reading,” said Mr. Ward.~I did so; and found that
32 5 |          chief.~“It is this, Mr. Ward; the motive power of this
33 5 |        is it, Strock?”~“Yes, Mr. Ward.”~There was but one conclusion
34 5 |     coincidence which indeed Mr. Ward suggested to me, at the
35 5 |         travel.~That is what Mr. Ward pointed out to me; and our
36 5 |          about to leave when Mr. Ward made one last suggestion.~“
37 5 |       something of the sort, Mr. Ward.”~“Well, is it not possible
38 6 |         LETTER~After leaving Mr. Ward I returned to my home in
39 6 |        was the suggestion of Mr. Ward that perhaps the automobile
40 6 |          these new problems.~Mr. Ward referred to the matter each
41 6 |          It certainly would, Mr. Ward. And if you put the matter
42 7 |       showing this letter to Mr. Ward, I decided not to do so.
43 8 |        in my interviews with Mr. Ward, we discussed this matter,
44 8 |         into the presence of Mr. Ward.~“Well, Strock,” said he, “
45 8 |          I certainly should, Mr. Ward. Give me the order to take
46 8 |          It was evident that Mr. Ward was intent on rallying me
47 8 |        for new instructions.~Mr. Ward dropped his jesting and
48 8 |        But at present,” said Mr. Ward, shaking his head, “it is
49 8 |         sell his invention.”~Mr. Ward was right. Indeed, the government
50 8 |      wished.~“Surely,” added Mr. Ward, “this invention can be
51 8 |        police.~On this point Mr. Ward did not attempt to hide
52 8 |      mention these things to Mr. Ward. But they seemed to have
53 8 |        so sore a joke to me.~Mr. Ward again took up our conversation. “
54 8 |       follow orders exactly, Mr. Ward,” I answered. “But permit
55 8 |      fitted.”~“I will do so, Mr. Ward. And now, if some day or
56 8 |         A useful precaution, Mr. Ward. If he started to jump into
57 8 |        hands.”~“Count on me, Mr. Ward; at any hour, day or night,
58 8 |    dropped out of knowledge. Mr. Ward did not think it worth while
59 10|   headquarters. Inquiring if Mr. Ward was within and receiving
60 10|          Judge for yourself, Mr. Ward;” and I drew from my pocket
61 10|    letter with the initials.~Mr. Ward took it, glanced at its
62 10|         what you will think, Mr. Ward, after you have studied
63 10|    initials,” said he.~“Yes, Mr. Ward, and those initials belong
64 10|         original,” responded Mr. Ward, taking it up.~“It is quite
65 10|         is what I also hope, Mr. Ward.”~“Only what connection
66 10|      explanation,” continued Mr. Ward, “though it is almost inadmissible,
67 10|      After what I have seen, Mr. Ward, your suggestion is impossible.”~“
68 10|     incredulity. Neither did Mr. Ward himself dwell upon the extravagant
69 10|          further reflection, Mr. Ward said, “I will keep your
70 10|         second.”~“I hope so, Mr. Ward. You know how inquisitive
71 10|       awaiting an order from Mr. Ward to start out with my men.
72 10| telephone message to come to Mr. Ward on the instant. Twenty minutes
73 10|         order.”~“What is it, Mr. Ward?”~“To succeed! This time
74 11|      sent with an order from Mr. Ward was named Arthur Wells.
75 11|        found a telegram from Mr. Ward, notifying me of your coming;
76 11|     Before I left Washington Mr. Ward had informed me of their
77 13|          been telegraphed to Mr. Ward from Toledo. And now who
78 14|          destroyers of which Mr. Ward had spoken, and which I
79 17|         at Black Rock Creek. Mr. Ward, advised of all the incidents,
80 18|   earliest appearance before Mr. Ward.~What was the surprise,
81 18|       frightful catastrophe.~Mr. Ward could scarcely believe my
82 18|        crazy inventor!”~“No, Mr. Ward,” I responded, “but you
83 18|         be doubted. Then, as Mr. Ward had prophesied, I was the