“Well, Strock,” said he, “here is a splendid chance for you to get your revenge.”
“Revenge for the Great Eyrie disappointment?”
“Of course.”
“What chance?” asked I, not knowing if he spoke seriously, or in jest.
“Why, here,” he answered. “Would not you like to discover the inventor of this three-fold machine?”
“I certainly should, Mr. Ward. Give me the order to take charge of the matter, and I will accomplish the impossible, in order to succeed. It is true, I believe it will be difficult.”
“Undoubtedly, Strock. Perhaps even more difficult than to penetrate into the Great Eyrie.”
It was evident that Mr. Ward was intent on rallying me about my unsuccess. He would not do that, I felt assured, out of mere unkindness. Perhaps then he meant to rouse my resolution. He knew me well; and realized that I would have given anything in the world to recoup my defeat. I waited quietly for new instructions.
Mr. Ward dropped his jesting and said to me very generously, “I know, Strock, that you accomplished everything that depended on human powers; and that no blame attaches to you. But we face now a matter very different from that of the Great Eyrie. The day the government decides to force that secret, everything is ready. We have only to spend some thousands of dollars, and the road will be open.”
“That is what I would urge.”