wonderful powers of his mighty engine. No such power had been known
before; nothing would stand against it; it was indeed a miracle of
force.

"But, prithee," asked Manners, heartily sick of the ceaseless
explanations, and anxious to see the practical outcome of it all, "how
worketh it? Show us, let it move this piece of rock."

"You doubt me; I will show it thee; I will test it but this once
again, and then the baron, curse him! dies."

Edmund busied himself for some time in compounding some evil-smelling
ingredients in a huge mortar, and, as he stirred the pestle round and
round, the contents hissed and crackled, and emitted sparks of fire.
At length, after many bottles had been partially emptied, and many
powders and the like had been employed, the mysterious substance was
obtained, and he sprinkled a little of it upon the red embers, when a
series of miniature explosions followed.

"Look, see!" he passionately exclaimed, "I have discovered something
still more powerful; nay, stand back. I found it once before, but lost
the art. Now we shall see; hey, hey."

Slowly and cautiously the canister was replaced; the requisite powder
was carefully measured and inserted, and after many an examination had
been made, Edmund declared that everything was in readiness for the
wheels to be set in motion.

"Stand back, venture not too near," he commanded, and placing a heavy
piece of loose rock upon the case, he set the wheels in motion and