ns of miles in order to get
answers to questions which could not be solved at home.

But from these speculations and retrospects we were recalled by the
commander of the expedition.

"This is all very interesting and very romantic, gentlemen," he said,
"but now let us get at the practical side of it. We have learned Aina's
language and heard her story. Let us next ascertain whether she can not
place in our hands some key which will place Mars at our mercy. Remember
what we came here for, and remember that the earth expects every man of
us to do his duty."

This Nelson-like summons again changed the current of our thoughts, and
we instantly set to work to learn from Aina if Mars, like Achilles, had
not some vulnerable point where a blow would be mortal.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

_THE FLOOD GATES OF MARS_

It was a curious scene when the momentous interview which was to
determine our fate and that of Mars began. Aina had been warned of what
was coming. We in the flagship had all learned to speak her language
with more or less ease, but it was deemed best that the Heidelberg
professor, assisted by one of his colleagues, should act as interpreter.

The girl, flushed with excitement of the novel situation, fully
appreciating the importance of what was about to occur, and looking more
charming than before, stood at one side of the principal apartment.
Directly facing her were the interpreters, and the rest of us, all with
ears intent and eyes focused upon Aina, stood in a double row behind
them. As heretofore, I am setting down her words translated into our own
tongue, having taken only so much liberty as to connect the sentences
into a stricter sequence than they had when falling from her lips in
reply to the questions which were showered upon her.

"You will never be victorious," she said, "if you attack them openly as
you have been doing. They are too strong and too numerous. They are well
prepared for such attacks, because they have had to resist them before.

"They have waged war with the inhabitants of the asteroid Ceres, whose
people are giants greater than themselves. Their enemies from Ceres have
attacked them here. Hence these fortifications, with weapons pointing
skyward, and the great air fleets which you have encountered."

"But there must be some point," said Mr. Edison, "where we can."

"Yes, yes," interrupted the girl quickly, "there is one blow you can
deal them which they could not withstand."