“But, pshaw, man! Do you realize what an impossible feat that is?”
“I realize only that it is quite possible,” replied the young inventor, imperturbably.
“And you are really in earnest?”
“As much as I ever was in my life.”
George Stanhope, explorer and geologist, and a handsome, well developed American, of forty years, of varied experiences, sat quite still for a moment and studied the features of his companion.
This was Frank Reade, Jr., of Readestown, U. S. A., the most famous man in the inventive line of the present generation.
Despite his youth, he had brought to perfection some of the most wonderful and gigantic of enterprises.
At the moment the two men were sitting in the smoking room of the Southern Hotel in New Orleans.
It was while discussing various topics that the subject of the submarine boat was broached.
At once Stanhope was interested and incredulous.