taking it up.

"It is quite evident," I urged, "that the two letters are by the same
hand."

"It seems so."

"You see what threats are made against me, to protect the Great
Eyrie."

"Yes, the threat of death! But Strock, you have had this letter for a
month. Why have you not shown it to me before?"

"Because I attached no importance to it. Today, after the letter from
the 'Terror,' it must be taken seriously."

"I agree with you. It appears to me most important. I even hope it
may prove the means of tracking this strange personage."

"That is what I also hope, Mr. Ward."

"Only what connection can possibly exist between the 'Terror' and the
Great Eyrie?"

"That I do not know. I cannot even imagine."

"There can be but one explanation," continued Mr. Ward, "though it is
almost inadmissible, even impossible."

"And that is?"

"That the Great Eyrie was the spot selected by the inventor, where he
gathered his material."

"That is impossible!" cried I. "In what way would he get his material
in there? And how get his machine out? After what I have seen, Mr.
Ward, your suggestion is impossible."

"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."

All that day, the public excitement caused by the defiant letter
mounted st