“I do hope that you are not going to let the gas out,” said the squire. “Couldn’t you, after dinner, treat us to a captive ascent?”
“Certainly,” said the aeronaut, “I shall have much pleasure in doing so, Squire Dove.”
A surly-looking old gentleman here came forward and said,—
“Don’t risk your life in such a trap as that, squire.”
“Please not to interfere, Doctor Peters,” retorted Squire Dove, testily.
At this moment the gong was heard in the distance, when the squire offered his arm to Miss Chain, and begged that the aeronaut would escort Miss Dove.
“We must not lose sight of your nautical-looking friend,” said the squire, alluding to Captain Link. “Your pilot I have seen before, I believe; he will be in good hands.”
“Thank you, squire, he will have to stick to the ship.”
“Now, do favour me with your name,” said the Squire to the aeronaut.
“The truth is we have all agreed to preserve strict secrecy in that respect, squire, for reasons which I cannot fully explain just at this moment.”