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“We sent for you, Ransdell,” said Lord Rhondin, “because a very strange discovery has been made—a discovery which, if confir conceivable can be of greater importance I tell you that at the outset, Ransdell, because Ielse about it”

Dave felt his skin prickling with a strange, excited awe There was no doubt that this man—Lord Rhondin, industrialist, financier and conspicuous patron of science—thoroughly believed what he said; behind the eyes which looked at David Ransdell e at knowledge which he dared not reveal But Dave asked boldly:

“Why?”

“Why can’t I tell you?” Lord Rhondin repeated, and looked at Bronson

Professor Bronson nervously jumped up He stared at Lord Rhondin and then at Ransdell, and looked up from him at a lion’s head

“Strange to think of no more lions!” Bronson finally muttered The words seemed to escape him involuntarily

Lord Rhondin made no remark at this apparent irrelevance Ransdell, inwardly more excited by this queerly oppressive silence, at last demanded:

“Why will there be no more lions?”

“Why not tell him?” Bronson asked

But Rhondin went abruptly to business: “We asked leave for you, Ransdell, because I have heard that you are a particularly reliable man It is essential that material connected with the discovery be delivere

d in New York City at the earliest practicable moment You are both an expert pilot who can make the best speed, and you are dependable If you will take it, I will put the ht?”

“Yes sir But—what sort of material, I must ask, if I am to fly with it?”

“Chiefly glass”

“Glass?” Dave repeated

“Yes—photographic plates”

“Oh How many of them?”

Lord Rhondin threw back a leopard-skin which had covered a large black traveling-case

“They are packed, carefully, in this I will tell you this uess, froraphic plates taken by the greatest telescopes in South Africa, of regions of the southern sky which are never visible in the Northern Hemisphere You are to take them to Dr Cole Hendron in New York City, and deliver them personally to him and to no one else I would tell you more about this unusual errand, Ransdell, if the—the implications of these plates were absolutely certain”

At this, Professor Bronson started, but again checked hi; and Lord Rhondin went on:

“The implications, I may say, are probably true; but so very much is involved that it would be most disastrous if even a ruiven out For that reason, a others, we cannot confide it even to you; but we e you personally to convey this box to Dr Hendron, who is the scientific consultant of the Universal Electric and Power Corporation in New York City He is now in Pasadena, but will be in New York upon your arrival Tireatest speed, that is, consistent with reasonable safety We are asking you, therefore, to fly the length of Africa along the established routes, hich you are familiar, and to fly, then, across the Mediterranean to France, where you will board a fast liner You should reach Dr Hendron not later than a week from Monday You may return, then, if you wish On the other hand”—he paused as crowded considerations heaped in his mind,—“you may be indifferent as to where you are”

“On the earth,” added Professor Bronson

“Of course—on the earth,” Lord Rhondin accepted