“He continued his observations for seven or eight hours with General Morlot”
The unknown bowed his head in his hands, and reflected for some moments; then raising his head, he said,—
“Despite my prohibition, monsieur, you have opened the valve.”
I dropped the cord.
“Happily,” he resumed, “we have still three hundred pounds of ballast.”
“What is your purpose?” said I.
“Have you ever crossed the seas?” he asked.
I turned pale.