Chapter

 1 2 |          the region lacks is the wells of natural gas, that invaluable
 2 11|        Mr. Ward was named Arthur Wells. He awaited us at Toledo.
 3 11|           I approached him. “Mr. Wells?” said I.~“Mr. Strock?”
 4 11|          your command,” said Mr. Wells.~“Are we to stop any time
 5 11|        seat of the carriage. Mr. Wells told me that the region
 6 11|    arresting him.~I found Arthur Wells to be a man of about forty,
 7 11|          we toiled along, Arthur Wells told me, what he had learned.~
 8 11| afternoon of July twenty-seventh Wells had been riding on horseback
 9 11|        Erie?~“I was alone,” said Wells. “Alone on the edge of the
10 11|            And above all,” added Wells, “if one of them turned
11 11|            I have only one fear, Wells; this submarine, whether
12 11|          be in Lake Erie, Arthur Wells and I discussed that, and
13 11|        helpless. Moreover Arthur Wells averred that in case of
14 11|     would end in failure.~Arthur Wells knew Black Rock Creek thoroughly,
15 11|       better stop here?” I asked Wells, as our rig drew up to the
16 11|       trees?”~“It can,” declared Wells. “I have already explored
17 11|          evidently best to do as Wells suggested and wait for night.
18 11| commanding position unsuspected. Wells urged this strongly; and
19 11|    half-past eight. “It is time, Wells.”~“When you will, Mr. Strock.”~“
20 11|       clearing. Then we started. Wells went in advance, I followed
21 11|          without the guidance of Wells. Soon we reached the farther
22 11|          heart was in my throat.~Wells motioned to us to advance.
23 11|          Nothing!~The spot where Wells had left the “Terror” twenty-four
24 12|        admitting that it was she Wells had seen the previous day.
25 12|          base of the rocks where Wells had seen her.~And now what
26 12|     human power.~We stood there, Wells and I, completely crushed,
27 12|          the mouth of the Creek, Wells and I exchanged scarcely
28 12|          of the things which Mr. Wells saw laid on the shore.”~“
29 12|       swell from a vessel,” said Wells.~“Yes,” said I, instinctively
30 12|      something underneath,” said Wells, bending forward, the better
31 12|     There is no doubt,” declared Wells, leaning close to me, “there
32 12|          it is a boat,” repeated Wells. “Is she headed toward the
33 12|        spot.”~“There!” whispered Wells, extending his hand toward
34 12|       indeed the submarine which Wells had watched, and it was
35 12|         answer. Furthermore both Wells and I kept reasoning under
36 12|        not stop here,” whispered Wells, seizing me by the arm.~“
37 12|          the rocks were at hand. Wells and I crouched down in one,
38 12|          stood.~Leaning forward, Wells could discern that the rope
39 12|          shall we do?” whispered Wells.~“Wait till they return,
40 12|          whispered words, I told Wells of my discovery. His only
41 12|        our encampment?” murmured Wells.~“No danger, if they do
42 12|        men?~“Mr. Strock!” It was Wells, who called to me softly
43 12|  answered a voice from the boat.~Wells murmured in my ear, “There
44 12|     again!~“At least,” said I to Wells, “we are four. They do not
45 12|        to call our two men, when Wells again seized my arm. “Listen!”
46 12|     Captain who was guarding it, Wells and I agreed that it was
47 12|      were safely beyond hearing, Wells went to warn our men, while
48 12|           fired. The ball grazed Wells.~Nab Walker and I seizing
49 13|     lying wounded upon the bank; Wells firing shot after shot,
50 14|      been warned, perhaps by Mr. Wells who, returning swiftly to