"Unless, Strock--"

"Unless what?" I demanded.

"Unless the machine of this Master of the World has also wings, which
permit it to take refuge in the Great Eyrie."

At the suggestion that the "Terror," which had searched the deeps of
the sea, might be capable also of rivaling the vultures and the
eagles, I could not restrain an expressive shrug of incredulity.
Neither did Mr. Ward himself dwell upon the extravagant hypothesis.

He took the two letters and compared them afresh. He examined them
under a microscope, especially the signatures, and established their
perfect identity. Not only the same hand, but the same pen had
written them.

After some moments of further reflection, Mr. Ward said, "I will keep
your letter, Strock. Decidedly, I think, that you are fated to play
an important part in this strange affair or rather in these two
affairs. What thread attaches them, I cannot yet see; but I am sure
the thread exists. You have been connected with the first, and it
will not be surprising if you have a large part in the second."

"I hope so, Mr. Ward. You know how inquisitive I am."

"I do, Strock. That is understood. Now, I can only repeat my former
order; hold yourself in readiness to leave Washington at a moment's
warning."