“But first,” said Dean, “in case of any possible further mishap, I think it would be well for us to open up communication with Kearns and send him a message. Don’t you think it is time that he had one?”
“Decidedly,” answered Mortimer. “An excellent idea. But can you do it? Remember the instrument is in his room in the Chancellerie and the windows of that room face South, while we are now due North.”
“Quite so,” answered Dean, “but the instrument in that room is connected with one on the roof of the Palace, so that at this altitude I can operate from all four points of the compass.”
Dean brought the air-ship to a standstill and allowed it to drift in the air currents. Then he applied himself to the aërestograph.
Silently Mortimer sat awaiting results. Presently Dean laid aside the instrument and turned to Mortimer.
“He does not make any response,” he said. “He is probably away from the instrument. We must try again later.”
Dean again started the air-ship and for half an hour they kept on their course. Then Dean again stopped and gave the aërestograph a further trial.
“Ah!” he exclaimed immediately, a pleased expression coming into his face; “now we have him!”
Dean operated the instrument for a minute or more and then was occupied for quite some time in the reception of the reply. Kearns, thought Mortimer, was evidently either not a very rapid or very accurate operator, or else the reply must be of some length. At last it was over and Dean sent back a brief answer.
“Very curious!” he muttered, laying aside the instrument.