“Would it cheer you more if I said there was no hope at all?”
“I am afraid it would not make much difference in my feelings. I cannot remain idle, but I don’t know which way to turn or what to do.”
The detective proved his power of quick thinking and of concentrating his faculties upon any theme that might claim them, by saying in his positive manner:
“In the first place, I don’t believe Professor Morgan has started for Africa.”
Harvey Hamilton almost sprang from his chair.
“Why do you say that, after what we have learned?”
“I may be wrong, but I am strongly of the opinion that while he has in mind such a trip he isn’t prepared to try it just yet. No mistake about it, he is a wonderful inventor. He has already done enough to make him wealthy and famous. He courses through the air without noise; he can go straight aloft by means of his uplifter, which enables him to hover stationary like a bird over any spot he selects. From a remark I once heard him make, I believe the great idea upon which he is working is that of drawing electricity from the air and using it as motive power. When he is able to do that—and who shall say that he will not solve the problem very soon?—he can stay aloft indefinitely; that is, until he uses up his supply of food and oil.”
“He has already formulated a chemical composition that will keep him aloft for half a day.”
“Not long enough to cross the Atlantic. He is figuring on his scheme now, and time and experiment are necessary for him to reach success.”
“He is likely to make a mistake, is he not?”