"This, then, is the one chance for our Earth, that in such a space-flier or fliers we of Earth can go out to Neptune and put an end to that mighty force-ray from Neptune that is spinning our sun ever faster. For if we can do that, if we can construct such a space-flier or fliers and reach Neptune and bring an end to that ray before the 137 days left to us have elapsed, we will have halted this acceleration of our sun's spin, will have prevented its division. But if we cannot do that, if we are unable in the short time remaining to us to accomplish the task of destroying that mighty force-ray, then the beings of Neptune will have accomplished their colossal purpose, will have caused our sun to divide into a double star and will have sent all its planets except Neptune to a fiery doom!"
Dr. Marlin's strong voice ceased, and as it did so an utter silence reigned over the great room for some moments, broken at last by the voices of the twelve hundred members of the great World Congress—breaking into a vast, indistinguishable roar! My heart was pounding at what I had heard, and I turned, spoke swiftly to Markham beside me, and then as he nodded was leaping up myself upon the great platform! Was leaping up to where Marlin was standing now with Dr. Whitely and the World President, the whole great room trembling now with the cheering shouts with which those in it greeted Dr. Marlin's announcement. And there I was speaking rapidly to the World President, and to Dr. Marlin.
"The fourth man, sir!" I cried. "The fourth man that's to go in the space-flier—let me be that fourth!"
The World President, recognizing me, turned inquiringly toward Dr. Marlin, who nodded, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Hunt is from the Intelligence Bureau," he said, "and he's young and has had scientific training—was one of my own students. We could have no better fourth."
My heart leaped at his words, and then the World President nodded to me. "You will be the fourth then, Mr. Hunt," he said, shaking my hand. And as I stood there on the platform with Marlin and Dr. Whitely, the World President was turning back to the hundreds of shouting members, a sea of faces extending back to the great room's walls. Cheering as they were at this last chance to save Earth and its peoples that had been proposed to them, this last hope given to them to halt the terrible doom overshadowing them, their great uproar yet stilled for a moment as the World President turned toward them, as his voice went out to them over the great room.
"You, the members of the World Congress," he said, "have heard that which Dr. Marlin has told you. With this last hope in view, it is unnecessary for me to tell you to bend now all the world's energies toward that one chance, toward the construction of the first space-flier. For since upon that space-flier rests the only chance to save Earth, to prevent the sun's cataclysmic division, which this great ray from Neptune is accomplishing, I have no fear but that in a month from now that space-flier will be completed. Have no fear but that in it, a month from now, Dr. Marlin and his three friends will start on their unprecedented and momentous voyage out from Earth into space; will start on their great flight out through the void—to Neptune!"
CHAPTER III
The Space-Flier Starts
"Three more days and the last work will be done—the space-flier will be finished!"