igh to bring about
radioactive changes, the effect of which would be to expel
helium and other disintegration products at cathode-ray
velocity--(_Kathoden-Strahlen-Fortpflanzung-Geschwindigkeit_)--from
the surface of the earth; and the recoil exerted by this expulsion
would add itself to the force of the meteoric impact.

The presence of helium makes this latter hypothesis not altogether
improbable, while the atmospheric wave of pressure would result at
once from the disruption of the air by the passage of the meteor
stream through it. Exploration of the region in which it seems
probable that the disturbance took place will undoubtedly furnish
the data necessary for the complete solution of the problem."
[Pp. 17-19.]

V

At ten o'clock one evening, shortly after the occurrences heretofore
described, an extraordinary conference occurred at the White House,
probably the most remarkable ever held there or elsewhere. At the long
table at which the cabinet meetings took place sat six gentlemen in
evening dress, each trying to appear unconcerned, if not amused. At the
head of the table was the President of the United States; next to him
Count von Koenitz, the German Ambassador, representing the Imperial[1]
German Commissioners, who had taken over the reins of the German
Government after the abdication of the Kaiser; and, on the opposite
side, Monsieur Emil Liban, Prince Rostoloff, and Sir John Smith, the
respective ambassadors of France, Russia, and Great Britain. The sixth
person was Thornton, the astronomer.

[Footnote 1: The Germans were unwilling to surrender the use of the
words "Empire" and "Imperial," even after they had adopted a republican
form of government.]

The President had only succeeded in bringing this conference about after
the greatest effort and the most skilful diplomacy--in view of the
extreme importance which, he assured them all, he attached to the
matters which he desired to lay before them. Only for this reason had
the ambassadors of warring nations consented to meet--unofficially as it
were.

"With great respect, your Excellency," said Count von Koenitz, "the
matter is preposterous--as much so as a fairy tale by Grimm! This
wireless operator of whom you speak is lying about these messages. If he
received them at all--a fact which hangs solely upon his word--he
received them _after_ and not _before_ the phenomena recorded."