You sought a breech and you found none. Know this: none
enter the Great Eyrie; or if one enters, he never returns.

"Do not try again, for the second attempt will not result
as did the first, but will have grave consequences for you.

"Heed this warning, or evil fortune will come to you.

"M. o. W."





Chapter 7

A THIRD MACHINE




I confess that at first this letter dumfounded me. "Ohs!" and "Ahs!"
slipped from my open mouth. The old servant stared at me, not knowing
what to think.

"Oh, sir! is it bad news?"

I answered for I kept few secrets from this faithful soul by reading
her the letter from end to end. She listened with much anxiety.