The excitement raging in every State in the Union allowed of no hesitation on the part of the Washington Government. A Commission of Inquiry, composed of engineers, mathematicians, hydrographers, and geographers, to the number of fifty, presided over by the celebrated John Prestice, was appointed on the 19th of February, with full powers to investigate the affair, and put a stop to it if necessary.
Impey Barbicane was requested to attend before the Commission.
Barbicane did not come.
The police went to look for him at his residence, 95, Cleveland Street, Baltimore.
Barbicane was there no longer.
Where was he?
They did not know.
When had he gone away?
Five weeks ago, on the 11th of January, he had left Maryland in company with Captain Nicholl.
Where had they gone?