“They evidently want to speak to us,” said Dean, and he slowed down and came to a stop.
The air-ship to the West also checked its speed, but still kept slowly approaching. The other three air-ships were fast closing in.
“Why did you stop?” asked Mortimer with some annoyance. “We don’t want to let those fellows get away from us.” He nodded in the direction of the pursued.
“No fear,” answered the Professor. “They are descending straight into the valley.”
“Hello!” shouted Mortimer to the air-ship to the West.
“Hello!” came back the answer. “Who are you?”
“His Majesty’s air-ship, the ‘Royal Dean’,” replied Mortimer, adding with an aside and a chuckle to the Professor: “How’s that?”
The reply appeared to exercise a strange effect upon the men addressed. The man in the bow turned to those behind him and a brief parley seemed to ensue. Finally he turned about and again hailed them.
“You are our prisoners!” he shouted.
“Prisoners!” roared back Mortimer. “By what authority do you dare thus address an officer of the King’s Guard?”